I mean, seriously, who does it? Because people are people, even if they are astronauts, and basic human nature has to intervene at some point. If the ISS operates anything like things do around my house, then there are a bunch of highly trained, hard working, space technicians performing a complex experiment that is as…
Last night I saw that commercial for Temptations Cat Treats where the guy comes to work wearing “cat boots.” You know, the one where the woman compliments his stylish boots, but he reveals “They’re not boots, they’re my cats.” Freakin’ hysterical spot. At this point, I think it is very important to let you know…
FADE IN on the sun setting over a perfectly idyllic small town somewhere in the Northeast, the comforting rays of light dappling the changing colors, the last golden hues reflecting off the many church steeples that lead the way towards the darkening edge of town. The Women’s Auxiliary Gardening Club, whose membership consists of a…
One current jewel of the great Southern California Basin is trendy, trendy Culver City, located near the Eastern border checkpoints blocking the way into the desirable West Side. If you bypass Checkpoint Charlie, and sneak in through the still active oil fields of Baldwin Hills, you can find this hip and in-demand town firmly nestled…
I recently had the mundane pleasure of spending the day in Arcadia, California. For those of you that have never heard of this San Gabriel Valley suburb of Los Angeles, let me try and help. On the map of Los Angeles, Arcadia is way to the right. Even more. That’s it, keep going, farther right,…
No matter how old I get, every Spring I am filled with the youthful anticipation of the coming baseball season. Anything is possible, and every dream still has the chance to come true. Yet every season seems to mirror life, with its capricious tragedies and underdog successes, its spectacular triumphs and its unpitying twists of…
The “Other” Valley – the San Gabriel Valley “Where in the hell is the valley?” As the unofficial historian and self-proclaimed expert on all things Southern California, I completely understand the confusion. The problem for those without tans and agents is there are so many valleys. Too many. There is The Valley (which we covered last week),…
I am the unofficial historian of Southern California. I back this up with absolutely no credentials or merits of any kind. I am unqualified beyond belief. But since moving here many years ago, all my out-of-town friends ask me questions about The Great Southern California Basin, and seem to accept my answers as fact. Foolish…
Forrest Brakeman 