Friday, September 29, 2017

A Bucket of Ice

I sit at the Waterfront Hilton, gazing at the many white tents. The Air Force is here this week as well as the Thunderbirds as an  air show is scheduled Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The best place to watch is on the hills of Huntington Beach, just in back of the Regency Hyatt and in front of a few old majestic buildings.
    Besides calling for my next apartment, I examine my stories that emanated out of San Diego. While I stayed at the 'Y" built in 1924, some of my stories had a Jewish twist to them. This one I wrote in 1912 and was copyrighted.

                                                    
 A Bucket of Ice "c" George Garrett 1912

 It has been one year, yes one year since I had moved into the downtown  Y.M.C.A. on Broadway's San Diego.. Down the hall on the second floor is an ice machine. I take my plastic bucket there to replenish it with ice -- to drink from during the night. To its brim I fill it and leave about one glass full of water.
     The ice melts in about two hours and then I can drink ice cold water. It is another hot a humid day off the Harbor. I hurriedly gulp down the water and remembered a visiting professor from Alabama University who taught chemistry and lived in my hotel during the Convention at the Grant Hotel up the street.  I had suffered with Asthmatic Bronchitis all of my life and San Diego's weather made it worse. In a matter of time, I would be in heaven, God be willing.
     One late afternoon on the steps of the 'Y', I asked the small lean professor his secret of longevity as we sat on the steps of our building in the American Plaza section of San Diego. I call it Bankers Corner since three banks live there with one twenty stories tall.
     "Well George, I am here for a convention and was born in India. Can't you tell?"  His amicable smile relaxed me.
     "May I ask your age kind sir?" He appeared younger than the wrinkles on his face.
      "I am seventy five years old. You might think I am a lot younger, but there are three secrets to my youthful look. I eat only vegetables, fruit and nuts. Also I drink two quarts of water every day...It takes a little practice George but in time you will learn. We are just like car engines. When we keep them clean and use quality fuel, our hearts run better and softer."
       The little Indian got up to leave, and I asked him for the third step of longevity.
       "Sorry George, I got to go walk five miles. Yes, that is the third step."

About two months after our meeting, I made my usual walk again to the showers and toilets down the hall. After a shave I took a long, good look. Why I don't look a day over thirty nine. Again I left a little water inside my bucket while I filled it up with ice. But why am I always keeping some water at the bottom. OH.! It helps to melt the ice and I can drink it. It was then the idea came to me like a bolt of lightening.
    The Rabbi   spoke about removing our resentments during the Day of Atonement at the Hyatt Regency ballroom. Wouldn't it be great if each of us had a little water in our veins of resentment. We could remove past resentments and fulfill our lives with love...get it? 
     Now at my new synagogue on Warner Avenue in Huntington Beach,  My Rabbi's message during a  during a Pasha,  that in order to get closer to HIM, we must pray each morning, put film on and also study, study and study the Talmud some more. some more the Talmud
      
     
    
     
   
 
     

   

   

Thursday, September 21, 2017

A murder in Huntington Beach

"All right, but you don't need to shove!...hey stop it...you,you, B..ch" 
    Yes I lost it on the day before the beginning of the Jewish New Year. Mildred Grey admonished me for taking a call from my cell phone. Still I had walked quietly away from the computers but she pushed me. I controlled my anger and finished the call with my daughter in the lobby of the worst beach library in California, Huntington Beach. (Mildred is a old spinster librarian.)
      I can still hear Sir Wallis Flower scream at me, "Well our citizens love DVD's so that is where are money goes. To hell with the computers, we will fix them when we are ready. Our clients only wish for DVD's.
On another matter, I can still see evil eyes when I opened my door and peered once more to the vilest, most demented gal at the beach, my manager.  could still hear the loud thump on my door. It was four and change in the afternoon. Now who would be banging on my door. Still half asleep, I opened it. SHIT it was Mrs. Evil Eyes, the manager of the Mom and Pop apartments on Main.  Never in my life had I ever had the opportunity to live with a witch, but now my work was cut out for me. The grim reaper gave me one of her nasty looks and left me to world of slumber.
   She poked a letter into my hand and told me I had sixty days to leave. I returned to my couch and tried to sleep with no avail. But why did I give the evil one so much value. Oh yes, she held the keys to my homelessness. In no way would I allow fat ass Evil Eye  to provoke me like countless others in a shouting match. And then it hit me, use the crazy one in a Christmas Story: A Grinch Lives in Surf City.  
   But on a heavy matter. Two days ago after I had visited Mel at the Sea Cliff Health Center, I head at twilight the sound of a helicopter over head. He held that position so I knew a crime had been in progress or the deed already done.
    That evening on dial 1070, the newscaster mentioned that a murder had been committed on Main and Elis...Later I discovered the old man murdered had lived not far from me...I felt lucky to be alive since I had also been attacked on Beach, not far from this scene. I thought about the kids, homeless, the bikers, skateboarders and shopping carts that roam Beach Blvd every day. Many wear tattoos, smoke electric and our chew Juicy Fruit Gum riddled with weed or coke.
     A policeman you'll never see since they are usually huddled inside Yorktown reading the box scores of baseball games.
   
     

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

A Day at U.S.C.

My day began, as usual, at the Waterfront Hilton in Surf City, but a murder at downtown Los Angeles derailed my plans. I milked my Starbucks coffee while the number one bus drove me to the V.A. and the 91 bus. I tapped my card and inserted a dollar into the machine that worked. The train came my way and I boarded at about nine thirty. A somber note hit me over the train's speaker system.
   "You will need to board another train. It will arrive in five minutes...There is a shuttle at Firestone that will take you to another train on you way to L.A."
    Now on Pacific in Long Beach, I decided that no event would derail my serenity today. With the Prime Minister of England Disraeli in one hand and my brew in the other, I intoxicated myself with the view. I feast on good books and would rather read than make love with the prettiest girl in town. An I felt fine since I was also milking my coffee and eating to hard boiled with a banana. No nothing could bother my Day at U.S.C.
     The train ambled past the  Watt's Towers, Compton, and when it reached the Washington, the train stopped, and over the speaker it told us to board a bus. I had an enjoyable conversation with Sam on the train and told him to follow me.
      Three buses lined up outside. Sam and I chose a bus and luckily he found a seat for his larger-than-life frame but I needed to beg for one in the back. A lady who looked like a man sat in the back hogging two spaces. I bowed and begged.
      "Man, could you bare to give a seat to an old, old tired old man?
       She didn't move or even look up from her magazine. Again I begged and wiped my brow. She looked up and in a brisk way moved two inches to the right. The guy by the window slept and in no way did I wish to bother this behemoth.  I snuggled my thin frame body between these goal posts, one thin, and the other huge. Sam, on a side seat,  had a kind face with a large body and continued our conversation.
      "Too bad they removed those Red Cars for this. Why they never would have needed to tear up Wilshire if we had kept those trains....Call this progress?"
       The shuttle bus now full, inched along until it made a right turn. I felt a trickle of water on my pants and surmised that the gal to my left had an accident. I said nothing, no doubt, for fear of being shot in the head...and I too needed a head but today had good control.  After over one hour, we made it back to the rails and another train waited for us. We had moved about half a mile and no doubt could have walked on foot faster. I said my good-by to Sam and made a connection on the Expo line .
      The U.S.C. station was my stop. I exited and at now twelve o'clock, felt tired but more hungry than tired. Before I went to the Student Union for grub, I sauntered to the library to lock up my nap sack and speak to Claude, my sponsor. I got a locker for my stuff and now it was time to stuff my stomach with some U.S.C. food.
      It still was a bit hot, but I needed something to relax me.  Inside I felt the cold A.C. and looked to my left. Deposited in a round food table were all types of salads and sandwiches. But up I saw a line waiting for a real hot lunch. At the counter one could order a roast or fried chicken. I felt like the roast that came with two sides.
       "Take that roasted chicken and for my sides I will have the mashed and sting beans."
       At nine and change the meal was in my price range. But the one hour on a bus made me thirsty. And who am I to deny myself for water. The bill  came to twelve and change and leisurely I walked outside and found a shady spot on  a couch. 
       Most everyone had paired off. Many ate or typed on their apple computer. They all seemed happy and most alert. I wished to get my twelve dollars worth so I just took my time and ate one string bean at a time along with spoonful's of mashed potatoes. I even used a plastic knife and fork to remove every bit of meat from the succulent chicken.
       At about one o'clock I decided to buy a few U.S.C. shirts. The book and student store stood adjacent to the Student Store. I found three U.S.C sweat shirts, with one to go to my grand daughter Allison. I felt alive and now needed to get to where the Daily Trojan is published. The students didn't know but a young worker showed me the way.
       A library lifted me to the fourth floor, but unfortunately, all the rooms were locked. An advertising man told me to return at four o'clock since they begin at four and work into the night. It figured since they probably had classes during the day. I wished to promote my Schindler story and give them pictures for a future publication.
       I returned to the library and discovered how to get into the digitized past newspapers. Now going on two I took the Expo west to see my daughter.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

A Labor Day Lift

Enjoyed watching T.V. with Brother Mel during the Labor Day weekend . Too bad his left eye lid still covered his eye -- as I had mentioned he needed a procedure to lift it. Then he could watch T.V. and perhaps the Dodgers in a Word Series Game. I had cooked two cobs of corn for him along with delicious Trader Joe's tangerines, and a couple of bananas. Mel looked to be in an exuberant mood -- even though he thinks he is blind.
   For those new to my blog, Mel is two years younger and has lived at the Sea Cliff Heath Center on Florida Street nearing one year. After an episode of brain cancer, and other ailments, he is still depressed and relies on me to supplement his diet. Patients in the second, third or fourth areas seldom see the sun or stars anymore. and eating any fruit is rare.
    Many, like an Indian who is 105, have outlives their next of kin. It is six thirty when I enter room 125 B. In bed one is a Korean Veteran. Mel has just finished his two hot doggies and is sipping his Milk. He is overjoyed today, for some reason on this Labor Day.
    "What ya bring taday?"
     "Got ya corn, bananas and tangerines...Let me peel the tangerines for you."
     "Some game yesaday!  You told me the Bruins would come back."
     "Why you look so feisty today?
     "Only took about six pills today."
    I yanked a folding chair out of the closet and put on the T.V. The screamer down the hall was at it again. All she does is scream and this evening, she can be heard all over Surf City. I then tell Mel the news.
     "Daughter bought a piano and looks like I will have a chance to make two little Mozart's out of Olivia and Allison...Dodgers lost again...and I told you that Bruins would come back." Stella entered to remove the dinner tray. She adds some flavor for this evening. A special on the comedian  Jerry Lewis  is on the Movie Channel. I listen in to the interview on channel 25.
     "The biggest lift I received from the audience was when something unrehearsed came out of my mouth. When they laughed and even stood up, I felt as if  I had a free ticket to remove money from a bank."
Now going on Seven, I left my lift and said good-by. I still hope that the Nursing home can provide a list of his medicines and what they are for. So far, I have never seen a computer that listed his doctors or the medicine he was prescribed.
   Back home now at the Five Points Senior Center, I desired to take a shower but found out here was no hot water I wondered if somebody had monkeyed with the roof's boiler as I found the lift for the roof open. I lay down on my couch and just when I fell asleep, my cell rang.  I removed the cell from its sock and took the message. It was my daughter.
   "Dad, make sure you are at the house at nine o'clock with the piano lifters come with the new piano"



 
    
      

  
  

   

Thursday, August 31, 2017

Surf Cities Sea Cliff Health Center

The Waterfront Hilton is where my story begins.  I place my knap sack down and enter Starbuck's, not to kill a whale as in Moby Dick,  but to energize my body. By the fountain, two Mexicans rub the grind and mold from its bottom. . The manager and several other workers enter for their pick up. It is a daily routine of coffee to remove the cobwebs of sleep.
   Outside the waves are up, way up, as surfers slide up and down to enjoy the waves today. I stir the coffee to allow the honey a chance to permeate it. It is delightful to peer outside and see the large Palms swaying back and forth.  I continue to enjoy my coffee laden with honey, milk and sugar. The surf is up today and many waves crest to eight or higher.
   The best place to keep cool is where the sea meets the sand. I take my back pack and Starbucks drink to the edge of the water and watch two surfers look for the best waves. It is too bad I never learned to surf, but that doesn't stop me from placing my toes in the water.
    Now I am thoroughly relaxed. I can breath. It is too bad that my brother can't be with me, but so far the Sea Cliff Health Center in Huntington Beach have done nothing about his left eye. His eye lid covers the eye and with corrective glass lenses, he can have 20/20 vision out of that eye.
     Also, Mel was not taken to the eye doctor for his shot and forgotten when they were supposed to have a party last week on Friday. I call this place the House of Wax. Nobody seems to know what the others are doing. Most of the staff behave like manikins.
     What is needed is a computerized system to better make decisions. We don't know what all of these thirteen pills are for and who and for what they are for. When Mel was ambulance d here last October, nobody knew what his real problem. A Dr.Craig called me after he had been discharged to let me know he had a grave eat infection and that he was blind. At least one of the four doctors should have seen that all he needed was an eye lift. And later a Nurse told me he had brain cancer.
     Mel is not blind and did have brain cancer, but it may take an Act of God to give him this. In the meantime, he is depressed and sorely wishes to watch the Dodgers in the World Series.  I have been feeding him for ten months but now getting pooped
  Huntington Beach is socked in today, to I will amble under its pier and stay by the waters edge It is great to be alive at 78 years of age.

Friday, August 25, 2017

A Ubiquitous Day in Surf City


   My plugs need oiling.  The number one bus stops in front of the Hilton at exactly eight fifteen. On board, it begin to relax and breathe with the knowledge that hot dry air will clean my spark plugs. The bus ambles on to Sunset, Seal and then Long Beach. It is great to remove myself from the beach and the Sea Cliff Health Center. I have been bogged down with Mel for almost a year, and I know that I need change or I will be a patient in bed one. At least I have time to dream and relax on the bus.
    Writers from the New York Times have begun to use terms such as "ubiquitous" and "nascent" far too much. You can feel it on the Streets of Surf City. The younger generation have given up learning for skate boards, tattoos, bikes and drifting further from the main stream. Skin heads appear everywhere as do the homeless.
     The bus turns a corner across from the V. A. building and just south of Long Beach State College. Nature calls so I run into the V.A. to take care the overflow and return to the bus stop, just in time for the #901 bus to downtown. The further I stray from Surf City the more relaxed I am. At least there are no panhandlers on this bus to shake me down. I still feel pissed that nobody seems to care about the man on the street.
      The New York Times now uses the term "ubiquitous" when referring to events happening today. ICE has flooded our cities rounding up those with the wrong skin color. Nobody wishes to build the wall and our new head has fired just about everybody he has hired. Two of our ships have collided in the seas off of Japan. Yes we have a new ubiquitous beginning.
     I tap my blue card on a machine and wait for the Blue Line Metro. Most of Long Beach is asleep at nine o'clock, so it is safe to ride the rails. My asthmatic lungs begin to sing as we pass Pacific, Willow, Wardlow,  then Compton, Vernon ans so forth. The train lumbers on to the Washington Street tracks before handing off to the Flower ones on the way to Seventh Avenue.
     The last stop is Seventh Street. I am still miffed why the panhandler attacked me. Guess he thought I was stealing his car.  I had called the police and a couple hours later a policeman came to my apartment.
      "You did the right thing by not fighting back.  Sorry we came late.  Some lady threw her baby out of a three story window."
       " Who is delegated to watch our streets. It is sometimes a free-for-all on these streets. And who watches over the benches. I never see any police cars" I answer. 
        "No, the Orange County Sheriff is supposed to taker care of these benches. Have a good day Mr. Garrett."
         "Thank you officer Tojo."
       Two escalators take me to street level.  My lungs are doing adagios now. I feels great to drink softer dry air..I  can't get over how many tall buildings live in Angle Town. I make it to the downtown Library and notice two policeman on the fourth floor. I order the microfilms I need and go downstairs for a bit to eat. At least Panda Express or the Microfilms machines are not ubiquitous. (Not edited)
   









 

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Surf Cities, Waterfront Hilton Hotel

"No dark coffee today...It is my birthday and I wish to celebrate..Think I will have a  Mocha today?
"What kind would you like? We have strawberry, banana, mango ...so you wish the strawberry.?   Should I mix in other fruits?"
  "Any extra charge?"
  "No..That will be four thirty five."
  My pocket watch said eight o'clock. My #25 would be here at exactly eight twenty five. The Waterfront Hilton Hotel is my first stop for today. Off the ocean, I enjoy the view of the crashing waves, the beach and pier. 
  From my corner table, I have a first hand view of the Surf City Beach.  off of P.C.H.  Outside by the pool is a large breakfast buffet but I must remind my stomach "not today". With a straw I sip my mocha drink and hear the news from the T.V. inside the Coffee Clutch.
     I delete from my mind anything said about Trump but zero in on the anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. Today was also my 78th birthday, and no Trump or the panhandler who pushed me will spoil it.
    I remember the  words of my oldest daughter Olivia as we walked to the Century Theater at the Bella Terra shopping center. My youngest daughter held the hand of my three year old Allison. I extend my left hand to Olivia, my six year old grandchild
   "Grandpa, I do not need your hand!"
    "Why not?"
    "Cause I am independent!"
  "Two busy to beat the heat, I didn't know  how funny yet sophisticated it was for a six year old. I repeated what she had told me to everyone that included the Senior Center.
    I remembered a radio show broadcast on top of the Pickwick Hotel in San Diego in the 30's. I had lived there at the Y.M.C.A. before moving to Huntington Beach.  Its two towers were finished in 1938 and broadcast a radio show from there.
    An Alumnus from San Diego High School , Art Linkletter began his career on top of that building with a program called Man on the Street Pickwick. Since the stage line stopped there as well as the Greyhound bus, many people came to watch his show.  But later he began a show, Kids Say the Darndest Things. and .
    Oh yes, another alumnus by the name of  Gregory Peck matriculated to the school and was a member of a drama club, and the J.V. football team. He admired the play of one Ambrose Schindler but never had his body or athleticism. So the chagrined Peck had to eek out a living by becoming movie actor.

Nuts and bolts for today: The cell phone does not have the personality of our kids today. Listen to them, they are full of gems.