The Vietnames in Surf City

Well I began a new post, it is called Huntington Beach. But today it is not beach weather -- it is just dam too hot. The age of Global Warming is upon us, but we are still in denial. We forgot when our ancestors, in the bronze age,  did not take heed and the glaciers came down to wipe them out...but on the positive side, I do have an air conditioner, unlike most in this city of fast cars, women, skate boards, bikes, and quickie restaurants.
    The Talbert Library is full today as the heat wave is reluctant to leave, just yet. Would you believe that this library is covered with windows that allow heat, and use up a lot of air conditioner energy.
    Now Ozzie Ozone had a chance to kill off a few more people. And to hell with the majority, they don't deserve to live. The forefathers of Huntington Beach made a big mistake when they sold the city to the automobile companies and closed the Red Car line from Newport Beach -- that took passengers to Los Angeles . The Beach has no rapid transit system, unlike L.A. or San Diego.
    Those who insist on going to Los Angeles can throw the dice on a the #701 bus. I leaves three times in the early hours of the morn. The ride is over one hour and takes you to the Union Station. And you never know who will be sitting across from you. The Express buses leave on Center Street, across from Costco. The bus station does have a parking lot..
     The 29A Beach bus takes over one hour to get to the train station. The 29 A bus takes up to one hour and one half to get there with over forty stops on the way. Sure there should be a Rapid bus with fewer stops but the City Counsel wants everyone to drive -- that way they can keep Firestone, Allen, Pep Boys busy selling tires. The Beach is owned by the Big Wheels.
    Earlier I mentioned how hot it was, over 94 degrees in Surf City. In my other blog, a gal at Trader Joes told me her husband could fry a egg on top of his car -- he works in Long Beach. The Five Star Senior Apartments have a nice quiet library with an air conditioner that is dis-connected. Nobody, including Helen the manager, knows why they don't work. But I do -- it is all about money. They have a light  timer in the room-so that shows you how the owners watch every penny. 
   What inspires me the most is the library. The Vietnamese make up most of those who study here. And what makes it impressive, is how they study. You seldom see any girl putting makeup on her face. It is all grindstone work. They only get up to fill their thermos with cold water. With all of its windows, the library can get sweltering during heat spells.
   Many sit for six to eight straight hours working their Apple Computers. It is no wonder that the Japanese, French, and Americans could not capture their county. So determined, they are, I would love to have my own kids sit next to them in school. They live a simple, but instead of a rich harvest of rice, they harvest knowledge.
   And to watch them tend to their cemetery's is a wonder to behold. They water, clean and pay homage to their love ones each week. The Vietnamese are a class above the rest.  
   In an earlier blog on a train, I witnessed an Asian holding a chemistry book. He seemed entranced on each page. His eyes focused on each page, afterwards closing them and taking a mental picture. It took over a minute for each page but I can assure you he understood. The kid next to him was laughing and speaking in his smart phone while eating a bag of Fruit Loops.
   What I love is the microfilm machine on the second floor with all of the periodicals. Films that go back to the 1860's are housed upstairs and since I am a research rat, I love to dig where others might no wish to go.
   Well got to go now. My two kids, Summer and Spring are coming to the Children's Library here to be with their Grandpa - that's me.


not to go.