Blog-LA-Sphere Love

This week I've gotten a bunch of love from big folks like Franklin Ave, the Atwater Newbie and EaterLA and just wanted to say thanks for the shout outs! xoxo

San Francisco

Per Cynopsis (the daily media email) and apropos of nothing, this day in history, the city of Yerba Buena was renamed San Francisco.

That is all.

Snowy Los Angeles

These pics are from Atwater Village from during the lull in the storms. Sure is pretty here.

More snowy atwater village photos here.

Martin Luther King

Watch Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech. Be moved.


UPDATE: In case you were wondering, this is how John McCain (who, 24 years ago, opposed the naming of a natinal holiday after Martin Luther King) spent Martin Luther King Day.

Be sure and tell your friends.

Defamer

While it is sad that Suzanne Pleshette and Brad Renfro died recently, I do so love how the Defamers cover these stories -- especially its users' comments. Go and enjoy.

McCain Hearts Bush

Always fun to check out this man on man action between Bush and McCain (especially if McCains gets the nomination). Saw it linked on Eschaton.

Elvis

Glory in the spirit of Elvis (h/t Kyle).

L.A. Times Editor Fired

Again, even under new management, it seems an editor stood up to the publishers who wanted increased cost cutting and, as a result, has been fired. How much more can they cut from the bone? Somebody please save the L.A. Times before it becomes Parade.

Atwater Village

Hey, we're finally getting some respect. The L.A. Times featured Atwater Village (again) as the neighborhood spotlight in today's Real Estate section. And, largely what they say is true. It's an ecclectic, diverse, small part of the city -- both urban and surburban, with all the positives and many of the negatives that go with those descriptions. All in all, it's a nice place to live.

Northridge Earthquake

Just reminded by the Militant Angeleno that yesterday was the 14th anniversary of the Northridge Earthquake. As a native, I can honestly say that quake scared the bejesus out of me and more. Will Campbell has an excellent description of what it was like for him!

Being Gay

Rich at FourFour pretty much sums it up. For those to lazy to click over and read the whole thing, the last few lines give you a good idea:

"There's a whole world of possibility that we have the unique situation of being privy to. It seems to me that to not take advantage of that, to merely stay within what is considered typical behavior and interests, to uphold this queer status quo, is to revoke your cultural birthright as a gay male.

"What exactly does it take to be gay? It depends on the person, and how willing he is to actually be one."

Family Guy and The FCC

The New York Times Travel Takes on Hollywood

This article was obviously done to coincide with the Golden Globes -ha! Anyhoo, it tries to cover Hollywood as a tourist spot and, though, it's very superficial, it doesn't do a typically horrendous job. At least they mentioned Square One.

Leroy Sievers

Leroy is a journalist by trade and a hero by life. Leroy's dying. He's fighting it, but he can't fight it over. For a couple years now, he's blogged about his fight with cancer on npr's site. He recently got some bad news, which isn't really surpising. Devestating, yes. Surprsing no. I've known enough people in my life who have died from cancer. It's terrible. Make no mistake about it. Just terrible.

But, by blogging about it, Leroy has been able to share what it's like from his perspective. It's not easy to read, but it is amazingly insightful.

Read it and think good thoughts for Leroy and for the many people who have died and will die from cancer.

Liza

Margaret Cho at Akbar

Yup, she'll be performing tonight at Bruce Daniel's Drunk on Stage at Akbar. Don't miss your chance to see her in a wee small neighborhood spot. And that concludes your public service announcement of the day.

Obama's Victory Speech

I have a dream...

The Democrats in Iowa

Like Kos, I listened to the speeches from the leading Democrats tonight in Iowa (well, not all of them, and I missed Obama's completely), but I do have hope for the Democratic party whereas before, I had only a glimmer.

Happy New Year!

Here's wishing for more peace.

This is the sun rising over the Atlantic in Miami Beach on New Year's Eve. It felt like the sky was on fire and it was the end of the world as we knew it. It actually compelled both of us out of bed at an unGodly hour to take it in.