"Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you...."
Nate and Al's had a birthday party today. No it was not about their 72 years on this touristy blvd, but Angela's birthday. She has been the host of this historic eatery for eighteen years and has memorized each name by heart with a contagious smile.
"Thank you. This table will do."
It is a festive occasion today, as outside the Benny Goodman band is playing and old Blue Eyes is singing Strangers in the Night. Every tavble is now taken.
"I will have the matzo ball soup please. and of course with pickles and rye toast....Thanks."
The waiter set the pickles and water down and I began to munch them when a guest arrived to my table.
"Why...you are not...no way...are you Frank Sinatra?"
"Yes George, I am..and am here on a mission. I am told that some witch evicted you from the Five Points Senior Apartments. Is that right?"
"Well, Frankie. I heard your voice but no how in hell you arrived in Beverly Hills."
"Well George, New York is not my only town. Why I love Beverly Hills too. .I did a lot of singing at the Palomar and the Brown Derby ages ago. But first, what mischief can we make to rid ourselves of that manager of your old apartments.
"Well she hates music. I just know that if she heard you sing non stop for a day, she would expire."
Just then, Dean Martin joined us. He looked as if he hadn't aged a bit and carried a dry martini with him. He kissed Frankie on the cheek and took up a seat.
"Was this I hear about New York...Why San Francisco is my kind of town...He George, order me a eggs Benedict with and a black coffee. ..Thanks.
"Oder more pickles and let me sing Witchcraft for you." (not edited)
Monday, November 20, 2017
A Super Bug in Los Angeles
"Yes, Sally, be right over!"
At the Marriott Hotel now, I knocked on room 2007. Sally opened the door, and told me that she had suffered excruciating pain, worse than labor. Her daughter Ida Rose was still asleep.
"Your symptoms sound like my brother's a few years back..Mel had a his bladder removed and survived but almost died with what a nurse called E-Coli disease. At the Anaheim rehab hospital Mel could not take any food or liquid without throwing it up. How long have you been nauseous Sally."
"For about three days now. It feels like a beach ball rolling back and forth inside my stomach. I have not been able to sleep a wink, and when I do fall asleep, my daughter awakes me. I ven went to emergency on Wednesday and they found nothing wrong although they did take a swab sample from my nose.
"What you say we go to the U.C.L.A emergency hospital. Let me call a taxi while you get Ida Rose dressed."
The Westwood hospital was packed with at least fifty people inside the E.R. Many were homeless and it felt unsafe to sit next to any of them for fear of coming down with Hepatitis, Whooping cough or T.B. While living in San Diego, I found those from across the border who entered San Diego harbored several diseases.
After checking her vital signs and taking a urine sample and blood test, a nurse took us to a room, It was not too easy since we had a toddler with us. Sally put a patient's gown on and we waited for the doctor. Finally a doctor Berry entered. He resembled a black bear with large eyes and dark black hairy eye brows
"See that you have a pain in the abdomen. So far the tests results show that your kidneys are fine and there does not seem to be anything out of the ordinary." I sat on the side as he poked around her belly and back. He told us that he would return which he did in about five minutes.
The sample from the nose show that you have a virus. I will return a little later but will have you take an I.V to replenish the water.
It appeared that the I.V. was not working so I got a nurse to enter and she told us that the arm must be flat for the drips to fall...Soon the drips fell...At about eleven the nurse brought another bag, and hooked it up to the same IV.
"Sally is very low on Potassium It should take a few hours for this one as Potassium comes down a lot slower than the other one." Sally was totally exhausted and her daughter slept beside her in the hospital bed. We were there until six and they took another blood sample.
The symptoms remained unchanged the next day, but at least she did not worry about kidney stones and now knew that a "good engine does not run without gas....and water and potassium is that gas."
She still had all of the symptoms the next day but had more energy, enough to go to C.V.S down the street for potassium pills and a walk down Jerusalem Street or or Pico between Beverly Drive and Fairfax.
Ida Rose enjoyed my arms as she was too heavy for Sally to carry. We met the proprietor of a hew thrift shop who
"What a gorgeous baby. Are you the father?"
"No, must a friend of Sally. This is Sally."
"My name if Goldman. I am half Persian and half Israeli. My Dad left Tehran many years ago and immigrated to the United States. He sold antiquities to the big dealers. I have had this shop now for one year....Buy any ten items and each is one dollar.
"Maybe next time. I was hungry and saw Nick's, a block west of Pico. It was packed with enthusiastic eaters so we waited. Baby Ida was waving and smiling to all. One couple were so entrapped by her gorgeous green eyes that they offered two seats for us.
And what is life without a baby?
At the Marriott Hotel now, I knocked on room 2007. Sally opened the door, and told me that she had suffered excruciating pain, worse than labor. Her daughter Ida Rose was still asleep.
"Your symptoms sound like my brother's a few years back..Mel had a his bladder removed and survived but almost died with what a nurse called E-Coli disease. At the Anaheim rehab hospital Mel could not take any food or liquid without throwing it up. How long have you been nauseous Sally."
"For about three days now. It feels like a beach ball rolling back and forth inside my stomach. I have not been able to sleep a wink, and when I do fall asleep, my daughter awakes me. I ven went to emergency on Wednesday and they found nothing wrong although they did take a swab sample from my nose.
"What you say we go to the U.C.L.A emergency hospital. Let me call a taxi while you get Ida Rose dressed."
The Westwood hospital was packed with at least fifty people inside the E.R. Many were homeless and it felt unsafe to sit next to any of them for fear of coming down with Hepatitis, Whooping cough or T.B. While living in San Diego, I found those from across the border who entered San Diego harbored several diseases.
After checking her vital signs and taking a urine sample and blood test, a nurse took us to a room, It was not too easy since we had a toddler with us. Sally put a patient's gown on and we waited for the doctor. Finally a doctor Berry entered. He resembled a black bear with large eyes and dark black hairy eye brows
"See that you have a pain in the abdomen. So far the tests results show that your kidneys are fine and there does not seem to be anything out of the ordinary." I sat on the side as he poked around her belly and back. He told us that he would return which he did in about five minutes.
The sample from the nose show that you have a virus. I will return a little later but will have you take an I.V to replenish the water.
It appeared that the I.V. was not working so I got a nurse to enter and she told us that the arm must be flat for the drips to fall...Soon the drips fell...At about eleven the nurse brought another bag, and hooked it up to the same IV.
"Sally is very low on Potassium It should take a few hours for this one as Potassium comes down a lot slower than the other one." Sally was totally exhausted and her daughter slept beside her in the hospital bed. We were there until six and they took another blood sample.
The symptoms remained unchanged the next day, but at least she did not worry about kidney stones and now knew that a "good engine does not run without gas....and water and potassium is that gas."
She still had all of the symptoms the next day but had more energy, enough to go to C.V.S down the street for potassium pills and a walk down Jerusalem Street or or Pico between Beverly Drive and Fairfax.
Ida Rose enjoyed my arms as she was too heavy for Sally to carry. We met the proprietor of a hew thrift shop who
"What a gorgeous baby. Are you the father?"
"No, must a friend of Sally. This is Sally."
"My name if Goldman. I am half Persian and half Israeli. My Dad left Tehran many years ago and immigrated to the United States. He sold antiquities to the big dealers. I have had this shop now for one year....Buy any ten items and each is one dollar.
"Maybe next time. I was hungry and saw Nick's, a block west of Pico. It was packed with enthusiastic eaters so we waited. Baby Ida was waving and smiling to all. One couple were so entrapped by her gorgeous green eyes that they offered two seats for us.
And what is life without a baby?
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Santa Monica Place and Mattel
"Well Sally, the best way to see Los Angeles and its arteries is by bus. I will meet you at the Marriott Pico at about eleven o'clock....must see my daughter at Coffee Bean first."
We met in Henderson City about eight years ago. She worked at the Fiesta Hotel while I took a vacation from L.A. We hung out a few nights together and kept in touch. Her marriage produced Baby Ida Rose Goldberg who she brought along. The hotel is off of Beverly Drive and Pico, the gateway to Beverly Hills and Beverly Wood. I arrived at a little after eleven, after four bus connections and two trains. She waited inside the lobby for me. She hadn't changed one bit, all except now she came with a crawling baby. Her husband was a pit boss at Caesar's Palace and she was a full time mom.
"Why you haven't changed one speck Sally. Sally was a tall dark lady with a permanent smile. We hugged and...Get the baby, she is trying to go outside...Wow? I have never seen a baby crawl so fast."
The number Rapid Blue Seven arrives each thirty minutes. We bought some fresh plums from the Glatt Market and got on the bus. Baby Ida allowed me to hold her while ladies sat beside us. None could get over how penetrating her eyes were. We got off on Fourth and Broadway and walked to Santa Monica place and up the elevator to the Food Court. Up ahead was U.C.L.A.'s Mattel children's play area.
We found a table and I ordered a Persian plate of Pita bread, rice, shish kebab, lamb and chicken for thirteen dollars including drink. Sally ate from my plate and cut off pieces of meat for her baby. Her eight teeth had no trouble devouring the meat
"Did you know that Ruth Handler was my Mom's maid of honor at her wedding? She developed the Barbie Doll and later Ken, using the names of her kids. They developed these dolls in a garage a few blocks down in Beverly Wood. These dolls sprang Mattel into what it is today. Elliot and Ruth owned horses and I met them at Hollywood park several times."
Baby Ida was getting antsy so we took her inside the large play area. The other children were older but as soon as we placed the baby down, she tried to emulate the others. A web of ropes covered the play area and Ida tried to stand and did, but fell time and time again. Eager to copy the older kids, she continued to climb steps or have the ropes carry her higher to no avail. For three hours, she would not leave her play pen. Her eyes, yes her big green eyes implored every kid to play with her -- and some did.
Of course for me, I saw my Mom Edith looking down on us, and even speaking to me. You are doing great and please keep Mel alive. He probably will be looking forward to Derik's Turkey Leg again. I know that the Sea Cliff is a last station before the crematorium but you can do it.
Well Ma, he has again been scheduled for an ear operation to remove the cancerous bump from his ear...but you know it will never happen. I made sure he got spaghetti with meat balls and changed to turkey sandwiches with mustard...You know how he abhors mayonnaise.
If Ruth Handler should be up there, thank her for her play area in Santa Monica Place.
Nuts and bolts for today: I am changing so fast I can't keep up with myself
We met in Henderson City about eight years ago. She worked at the Fiesta Hotel while I took a vacation from L.A. We hung out a few nights together and kept in touch. Her marriage produced Baby Ida Rose Goldberg who she brought along. The hotel is off of Beverly Drive and Pico, the gateway to Beverly Hills and Beverly Wood. I arrived at a little after eleven, after four bus connections and two trains. She waited inside the lobby for me. She hadn't changed one bit, all except now she came with a crawling baby. Her husband was a pit boss at Caesar's Palace and she was a full time mom.
"Why you haven't changed one speck Sally. Sally was a tall dark lady with a permanent smile. We hugged and...Get the baby, she is trying to go outside...Wow? I have never seen a baby crawl so fast."
The number Rapid Blue Seven arrives each thirty minutes. We bought some fresh plums from the Glatt Market and got on the bus. Baby Ida allowed me to hold her while ladies sat beside us. None could get over how penetrating her eyes were. We got off on Fourth and Broadway and walked to Santa Monica place and up the elevator to the Food Court. Up ahead was U.C.L.A.'s Mattel children's play area.
We found a table and I ordered a Persian plate of Pita bread, rice, shish kebab, lamb and chicken for thirteen dollars including drink. Sally ate from my plate and cut off pieces of meat for her baby. Her eight teeth had no trouble devouring the meat
"Did you know that Ruth Handler was my Mom's maid of honor at her wedding? She developed the Barbie Doll and later Ken, using the names of her kids. They developed these dolls in a garage a few blocks down in Beverly Wood. These dolls sprang Mattel into what it is today. Elliot and Ruth owned horses and I met them at Hollywood park several times."
Baby Ida was getting antsy so we took her inside the large play area. The other children were older but as soon as we placed the baby down, she tried to emulate the others. A web of ropes covered the play area and Ida tried to stand and did, but fell time and time again. Eager to copy the older kids, she continued to climb steps or have the ropes carry her higher to no avail. For three hours, she would not leave her play pen. Her eyes, yes her big green eyes implored every kid to play with her -- and some did.
Of course for me, I saw my Mom Edith looking down on us, and even speaking to me. You are doing great and please keep Mel alive. He probably will be looking forward to Derik's Turkey Leg again. I know that the Sea Cliff is a last station before the crematorium but you can do it.
Well Ma, he has again been scheduled for an ear operation to remove the cancerous bump from his ear...but you know it will never happen. I made sure he got spaghetti with meat balls and changed to turkey sandwiches with mustard...You know how he abhors mayonnaise.
If Ruth Handler should be up there, thank her for her play area in Santa Monica Place.
Nuts and bolts for today: I am changing so fast I can't keep up with myself
Friday, November 3, 2017
The white clouds smiled down at me
Again I am huddled at the Huntington Waterfront Hilton. Black suits stand at the front patio enjoying the view of Catalina, the Pacific and the lovely white pillow looking clouds overhead. Like clones of the others, these well dressed suitors strut and carry with them their smart phones. At the end of each stage of walk, they remove their cell phones. The size and number of apps of each phone tell you how important it is to their identity. I have never seen a lovelier sky than the one today.
I stand out like a mutated black lion among hundreds of Zebras. This is my day. My state teachers check arrived at my old apartments. And since I had not given the keys, had access to my mail box. I leaped for joy when I glanced down and saw the state letter. In fact I felt so good I bought a bag of licorice at Trader Joes, and played the fourth floor piano.
Yes I was on a high and it felt good to stroke a few white and blacks keys, that is until a grey ghost entered the activity room and destroyed serenity. She wore grandma's old robe with hair grayer than
"You are a crazy old man! Why must you play so loud?"
"Well I am sorry but my brother Mel just died and I needed to pound the keys."
"Well old man, you better stop or else!"
Now this scene had been played before. It had been obvious that the Five Points Apartments let anyone lease their rooms. I finally let loose with the F word and she disrobed to her room
In order to lease my new apartment on Magnolia, I had to provide for not one, but two security checks totaling $3, 600. That left me with fifty dollars to live on for the month.
To live on five dollars a day is not my cup of tea but the new apartments wished for a double security deposit-of course cutting into my food bill. My brother Mel bailed me out by donating money from his petty cash account.
"I'll take the usual...a tall black with room for half and half."
"That will be three twenty two please."
To the side of the coffee clutch area was a counter with small glass containers of honey, half and half and several types of sugars. I milked the large cup and tossed the honey around and around. My body jumped with the first sip of the straws brew.
Don't mind if I do, and borrowed a L.A. Times to look at the news before my number 25 bus arrived. I felt tickled to death that Long Beach would address the dirty air and clean up the trucks whose exhaust cause most of it...but what about the schools without AC, I thought.
It was now eight fifteen so replaced the paper the same way I had found it on a rack and strode outside. Yes, the blue sky with white fluffy clouds made me feel more alive. But outside many black early model cars had lined up to make a turn on Huntington Street. Traffic had been backed up and when I saw my bus I left the safety of the sidewalk and began to direct traffic.
"Hey, what is this convention all about?"
"A southern wine convention."
I halted the traffic so my bus could turn left. He stopped and opened his doors. to take me to the library and senior center And the good news was that this library would now be opened on Sunday afternoon, just like Beverly Hills. (No edited )
Nuts and Bolts for today: Del Mar's thoroughbred's season had begun. Like my Mom did, bet on the one and six. And don't drive there...Take the Amtrak or Metro and then the Coaster. The Big Red British bus will take you to grandstand.
I stand out like a mutated black lion among hundreds of Zebras. This is my day. My state teachers check arrived at my old apartments. And since I had not given the keys, had access to my mail box. I leaped for joy when I glanced down and saw the state letter. In fact I felt so good I bought a bag of licorice at Trader Joes, and played the fourth floor piano.
Yes I was on a high and it felt good to stroke a few white and blacks keys, that is until a grey ghost entered the activity room and destroyed serenity. She wore grandma's old robe with hair grayer than
"You are a crazy old man! Why must you play so loud?"
"Well I am sorry but my brother Mel just died and I needed to pound the keys."
"Well old man, you better stop or else!"
Now this scene had been played before. It had been obvious that the Five Points Apartments let anyone lease their rooms. I finally let loose with the F word and she disrobed to her room
In order to lease my new apartment on Magnolia, I had to provide for not one, but two security checks totaling $3, 600. That left me with fifty dollars to live on for the month.
To live on five dollars a day is not my cup of tea but the new apartments wished for a double security deposit-of course cutting into my food bill. My brother Mel bailed me out by donating money from his petty cash account.
"I'll take the usual...a tall black with room for half and half."
"That will be three twenty two please."
To the side of the coffee clutch area was a counter with small glass containers of honey, half and half and several types of sugars. I milked the large cup and tossed the honey around and around. My body jumped with the first sip of the straws brew.
Don't mind if I do, and borrowed a L.A. Times to look at the news before my number 25 bus arrived. I felt tickled to death that Long Beach would address the dirty air and clean up the trucks whose exhaust cause most of it...but what about the schools without AC, I thought.
It was now eight fifteen so replaced the paper the same way I had found it on a rack and strode outside. Yes, the blue sky with white fluffy clouds made me feel more alive. But outside many black early model cars had lined up to make a turn on Huntington Street. Traffic had been backed up and when I saw my bus I left the safety of the sidewalk and began to direct traffic.
"Hey, what is this convention all about?"
"A southern wine convention."
I halted the traffic so my bus could turn left. He stopped and opened his doors. to take me to the library and senior center And the good news was that this library would now be opened on Sunday afternoon, just like Beverly Hills. (No edited )
Nuts and Bolts for today: Del Mar's thoroughbred's season had begun. Like my Mom did, bet on the one and six. And don't drive there...Take the Amtrak or Metro and then the Coaster. The Big Red British bus will take you to grandstand.
Friday, October 27, 2017
A Dish Rag in Huntington Beach
Had a wonderful day at the Huntington Park Senior Center. The breaded fish with couscous was just what I needed to awake my hungry body. Of course of few friends at the back table awarded me seconds and thirds. Jim gave me his fish, and Rosa added another along with a milk and crackers.
It had been a tough week as I tried to live on a few dollars a day. You see, the owner of the Cracker Box apartments on Maggie Street had taken two security deposits and the second one really hurt my pocket books as well as my stomach.
Before leaving the Senior Center I felt like playing a few ditties on the grand piano. It felt good to lay my hands on the white keys as the piano must have been serviced. After 'Spanish Eyes', I began to play 'Let Me Call You Sweet Heart', when I heard a thud on the piano.
"It's Bingo Time and you must stop playing now. You must sign up to play the piano!!
"Fuck you" I thought but thought better of it and didn't say it. "May, do you have a husband?" I screamed...You don't...Well I can see why.
But I had better things to do and no dingbat could destroy my serenity. Outside the #25 bus took me to the PCH where the #29 took me back to my old apartment. They had given me an eviction notice but It was I who was going to evict them!
Low on money, I walked to the Health Center Nursing Home and asked my brother to withdraw a few bucks from his account. Mel had a five day growth and could barely leave the bed. He withdrew fifty dollars from his account and signed a paper. We returned to his 136 B room.
The man in the next bed looked as if he was dying. They removed him as well as his possessions. He had contacted Agent Orange as well as Parkinson's disease during the Korean War. Mel seemed upset that he was leaving as he didn't know what kind of an animal would replace him in Bed one.
"George, ever since you left they have been treating me like a dish rag. And the two still shout every day and night. My neck hurts and Jennings came in and told me they would take care of the cancer inside my ear."
I left for Trader Joes and later, returned with tangerines and two steaks. Mel felt like eating at four o'clock. He reminded me that his steaks must be medium rare, as I took them to the cafeteria and told them how to prepare the meat.
Back at my old apartment I took a two hour nap and fell into a deep sleep. When I awoke at six thirty I again trudged up the street to see Mel. He had just been brought two steaks, but I thought what the hell, and indulged anyhow. Both plates included peas and mashed potatoes. Mel ate with flourish and began to smile.
I put one a Pro football game and we enjoyed each others company.
"George, when you are away, they treat me like a dish rag. Why they don't bring me hot chocolate and forget to shave me...on purpose. Thank God you are back."
It had been a tough week as I tried to live on a few dollars a day. You see, the owner of the Cracker Box apartments on Maggie Street had taken two security deposits and the second one really hurt my pocket books as well as my stomach.
Before leaving the Senior Center I felt like playing a few ditties on the grand piano. It felt good to lay my hands on the white keys as the piano must have been serviced. After 'Spanish Eyes', I began to play 'Let Me Call You Sweet Heart', when I heard a thud on the piano.
"It's Bingo Time and you must stop playing now. You must sign up to play the piano!!
"Fuck you" I thought but thought better of it and didn't say it. "May, do you have a husband?" I screamed...You don't...Well I can see why.
But I had better things to do and no dingbat could destroy my serenity. Outside the #25 bus took me to the PCH where the #29 took me back to my old apartment. They had given me an eviction notice but It was I who was going to evict them!
Low on money, I walked to the Health Center Nursing Home and asked my brother to withdraw a few bucks from his account. Mel had a five day growth and could barely leave the bed. He withdrew fifty dollars from his account and signed a paper. We returned to his 136 B room.
The man in the next bed looked as if he was dying. They removed him as well as his possessions. He had contacted Agent Orange as well as Parkinson's disease during the Korean War. Mel seemed upset that he was leaving as he didn't know what kind of an animal would replace him in Bed one.
"George, ever since you left they have been treating me like a dish rag. And the two still shout every day and night. My neck hurts and Jennings came in and told me they would take care of the cancer inside my ear."
I left for Trader Joes and later, returned with tangerines and two steaks. Mel felt like eating at four o'clock. He reminded me that his steaks must be medium rare, as I took them to the cafeteria and told them how to prepare the meat.
Back at my old apartment I took a two hour nap and fell into a deep sleep. When I awoke at six thirty I again trudged up the street to see Mel. He had just been brought two steaks, but I thought what the hell, and indulged anyhow. Both plates included peas and mashed potatoes. Mel ate with flourish and began to smile.
I put one a Pro football game and we enjoyed each others company.
"George, when you are away, they treat me like a dish rag. Why they don't bring me hot chocolate and forget to shave me...on purpose. Thank God you are back."
Friday, October 20, 2017
Disneyland on the 33 bus.
After a two mile run on Magnolia to a Vons store. I stocked up on coffee and bought a bag of eight fried chickens. Was I hungry? It was going on eight and he AC at Vons put me in a better frame of mind.
The #33 bus would be coming momentarily to take me to the PCH and the #1. I wished to get to Pacific City's shopping center with its majestic view of the beachgoers, pier and hopefully Catalina. My mind began to crystalize into why my manager tried to kill me. Officer Rizzo had told me to get a report on the theft of Dolly, my brother's car, but I had been stonewalled and the Huntington Beach police here would not give it to me.
"Your case has been closed."
The Magnolia bus finally arrived. They go every one and a half hours on weekends. I half feel asleep and when I awoke, I was headed in the direction of Disneyland and no longer at the end of Magnolia wish spills out at the beach and fire station.
"Hey, what is going on here. We are supposed to be on Magnolia, yea?!!
Totally disgruntled, she remarked, "Jus wait till I find out where I am...You know I am a new driver and..."
"Mam, I have asthma and need to get back to the PCH!!!
"Is get you back. Now have directions"
The driver circled around and repeated her performance driving in the opposite direction. She returned me to "Maggy" Street and the Octa sign. There is where the one bus would pick me up. It was hot, real hot. I reached into my white Von's bag of chicken, but no longer did I have it. I had left it on the bus and it would be no use to squawk.
The number one bus arrived and I felt safe at last...That is until Beach came up. The bus driver mumbled something and made a right instead of maintaining a PCH direction.
"We have a slight detour. I am going to turn around at Warner, circle and come back to the highway."
Shit.. God dam son-of-a-bitch. I will walk the highway!!
So I got off and began to walk...But it felt strange.. Yes I carried my knap sack but had forgotten my jacket with my Cell phone inside. And it was unbearably hot. Real hot. But I needed my cell phone even if it meant trading my food money for another cell.
I then went to my apartment on Florida and napped for a few minutes with the AC on full blast. With my rekindled nerves. I visited station four and brother Mel. I put on the T.V. so he could watch th game.
"Did you bring a steak?"
"No Mel, out of money. Take about one hundred out of your trust account and I can fill you up on meat as well as ice burg lettuce. Mel allowed me to eat one of his two hotdogs and I returned to my Florida apartment.
I still wondered why the manager refused to fix my lock and told me to use "graphite". Thank God my daughter made the call to save my life that October. In the same Indian summer month, I had to go to Kaiser and get a new drug for my asthma.
The #33 bus would be coming momentarily to take me to the PCH and the #1. I wished to get to Pacific City's shopping center with its majestic view of the beachgoers, pier and hopefully Catalina. My mind began to crystalize into why my manager tried to kill me. Officer Rizzo had told me to get a report on the theft of Dolly, my brother's car, but I had been stonewalled and the Huntington Beach police here would not give it to me.
"Your case has been closed."
The Magnolia bus finally arrived. They go every one and a half hours on weekends. I half feel asleep and when I awoke, I was headed in the direction of Disneyland and no longer at the end of Magnolia wish spills out at the beach and fire station.
"Hey, what is going on here. We are supposed to be on Magnolia, yea?!!
Totally disgruntled, she remarked, "Jus wait till I find out where I am...You know I am a new driver and..."
"Mam, I have asthma and need to get back to the PCH!!!
"Is get you back. Now have directions"
The driver circled around and repeated her performance driving in the opposite direction. She returned me to "Maggy" Street and the Octa sign. There is where the one bus would pick me up. It was hot, real hot. I reached into my white Von's bag of chicken, but no longer did I have it. I had left it on the bus and it would be no use to squawk.
The number one bus arrived and I felt safe at last...That is until Beach came up. The bus driver mumbled something and made a right instead of maintaining a PCH direction.
"We have a slight detour. I am going to turn around at Warner, circle and come back to the highway."
Shit.. God dam son-of-a-bitch. I will walk the highway!!
So I got off and began to walk...But it felt strange.. Yes I carried my knap sack but had forgotten my jacket with my Cell phone inside. And it was unbearably hot. Real hot. But I needed my cell phone even if it meant trading my food money for another cell.
I then went to my apartment on Florida and napped for a few minutes with the AC on full blast. With my rekindled nerves. I visited station four and brother Mel. I put on the T.V. so he could watch th game.
"Did you bring a steak?"
"No Mel, out of money. Take about one hundred out of your trust account and I can fill you up on meat as well as ice burg lettuce. Mel allowed me to eat one of his two hotdogs and I returned to my Florida apartment.
I still wondered why the manager refused to fix my lock and told me to use "graphite". Thank God my daughter made the call to save my life that October. In the same Indian summer month, I had to go to Kaiser and get a new drug for my asthma.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
A Surf City Eviction
I tried to fall asleep last night but the threat of eviction disturbed it. Yes I needed a sleeping pill. Over 1070 on your radio dial, I heard the shots that riddled our city, Huntington Beach. It was placed on video for the public to see.
It appeared that an off-duty policeman confronted another at the Seven Eleven not far from Warner Avenue and pelted him with bullets seven times. So what else is new, just another obsequious day in our city. I had written that Surf City has many skin heads, beards, tattoos, electric cigarette running with a screw loose over this city. Many our juiced up and have no control of their actions. Wait a second, that was my daughter.
"Dad she can't evict you. Aren't you a senior citizen?"
"Well daughter, as you can see, this Mom and Pop apartment treats us like dirt. Why on labor day, we had no water, security or maintenance. No doubt the manager has a bad case of OCD along with dementia..."
"I will put my trust on God, and thank God I have two daughters to take care of their old POP. had girls to take care of their old POP."
Two weeks later, my daughter took agency. She found me a place about a mile from the Mom and
Pop apartments. No far from Talbert off of Magnolia, the complex resembled a village of two story apartments with fir trees covering their roofs. Flowers graced each building with a few golden ponds on the way to the pool next to a Jacuzzi.
Exhausted and haunted by my first eviction notice, the manger had been crestfallen by the shootings in Vegas and it took all of three hours to sign the lease papers, after she decided to hand me the keys. Now I had taken three buses to get there so I limped to the Taco Bell across the street and treated myself to two regular soft tacos. I savored each bite and as always spoke to myself.
"Not too shabby George. You hung in there and had the $3,300 packaged neatly into one hundred dollar bills wrapped in a rubber band. No longer are you under the dominion of the Lady in the Cage...You are getting the hang of it when your daughter tells you to take agency. I kissed the third taco as if it were me."
I savored this day and enjoyed the three buses back to my Mom and Pop apartments across the street from Trader Joes on Main. I did not have the money to buy my ailing brother at the Sea Cliff Health Center but knew he had money in his trust account, maybe enough for a down for a car. Yes I felt jubilant that no longer would anybody to use the words "eviction" that come out of Helen mouth far too often.
Upstairs on the fourth floor, I kissed the upright and it sprang into action better than ever. Now I had heavy metal over my soul and I played White Christmas a bit early but who gives a hoot. I play the upright and read every night before I turn in. At Mel's nursing home, I had turned on the T.V. and made sure he could watch the baseball game. Mel wished for the Dodgers to make it to another World Series, and who knows, they just might win one.
And now that I am on my brother Mel, it is a good time to tweak the nursing center for the lack of transparency, accountability and team work. Still I don't know what Mel is being treated for even though he has not seen a doctor except some dermatologist. Mel had somehow survived the hospice are in area four, but perhaps all could have been avoided.
Too bad the nursing center is not updated with a password for each patient. As his next of kin, I should be able to hit a button and get a print out of what he is treated for. I have been totally in the dark.
Oh yes, the Lady in the Cage is my manager who monitors each patron as we leave or enter. Yes, it is much like a jail. Each morning, Stella polished the floors, and sprays everywhere to trick the new tenants into thinking that the entire building is that way. What a ruse!
It appeared that an off-duty policeman confronted another at the Seven Eleven not far from Warner Avenue and pelted him with bullets seven times. So what else is new, just another obsequious day in our city. I had written that Surf City has many skin heads, beards, tattoos, electric cigarette running with a screw loose over this city. Many our juiced up and have no control of their actions. Wait a second, that was my daughter.
"Dad she can't evict you. Aren't you a senior citizen?"
"Well daughter, as you can see, this Mom and Pop apartment treats us like dirt. Why on labor day, we had no water, security or maintenance. No doubt the manager has a bad case of OCD along with dementia..."
"I will put my trust on God, and thank God I have two daughters to take care of their old POP. had girls to take care of their old POP."
Two weeks later, my daughter took agency. She found me a place about a mile from the Mom and
Pop apartments. No far from Talbert off of Magnolia, the complex resembled a village of two story apartments with fir trees covering their roofs. Flowers graced each building with a few golden ponds on the way to the pool next to a Jacuzzi.
Exhausted and haunted by my first eviction notice, the manger had been crestfallen by the shootings in Vegas and it took all of three hours to sign the lease papers, after she decided to hand me the keys. Now I had taken three buses to get there so I limped to the Taco Bell across the street and treated myself to two regular soft tacos. I savored each bite and as always spoke to myself.
"Not too shabby George. You hung in there and had the $3,300 packaged neatly into one hundred dollar bills wrapped in a rubber band. No longer are you under the dominion of the Lady in the Cage...You are getting the hang of it when your daughter tells you to take agency. I kissed the third taco as if it were me."
I savored this day and enjoyed the three buses back to my Mom and Pop apartments across the street from Trader Joes on Main. I did not have the money to buy my ailing brother at the Sea Cliff Health Center but knew he had money in his trust account, maybe enough for a down for a car. Yes I felt jubilant that no longer would anybody to use the words "eviction" that come out of Helen mouth far too often.
Upstairs on the fourth floor, I kissed the upright and it sprang into action better than ever. Now I had heavy metal over my soul and I played White Christmas a bit early but who gives a hoot. I play the upright and read every night before I turn in. At Mel's nursing home, I had turned on the T.V. and made sure he could watch the baseball game. Mel wished for the Dodgers to make it to another World Series, and who knows, they just might win one.
And now that I am on my brother Mel, it is a good time to tweak the nursing center for the lack of transparency, accountability and team work. Still I don't know what Mel is being treated for even though he has not seen a doctor except some dermatologist. Mel had somehow survived the hospice are in area four, but perhaps all could have been avoided.
Too bad the nursing center is not updated with a password for each patient. As his next of kin, I should be able to hit a button and get a print out of what he is treated for. I have been totally in the dark.
Oh yes, the Lady in the Cage is my manager who monitors each patron as we leave or enter. Yes, it is much like a jail. Each morning, Stella polished the floors, and sprays everywhere to trick the new tenants into thinking that the entire building is that way. What a ruse!
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