My Review of World Market® Amalfi Coast Coffee, 24 oz.

Originally submitted at Cost Plus World Market

At World Market we source our beans from all over the world, and we're proud to have been offering proprietary coffee since 1960. The beans for World Market® Amalfi Coffee are picked at the peak of ripeness, then roasted and blended to perfection.

World Market® Amalfi Coast Coffee, 24 oz.

Where's My Jolt ?

By Ui, Coffee Lover from North Hollywood, CA on 8/30/2011

 

3out of 5

Pros: Easy To Prepare, Flavorful

Cons: Delicate

Best Uses: Anytime

Describe Yourself: Coffee junkie

I need my morning cup to be the real deal. Amalfi Coast Espresso is a good cup of coffee, but not a fantastic great cup that you think about through the day. The flavor is quite bland and somehow gets lost in the brewing. I found it made a better cup when blended with another coffee type. It's a great balance to an over bearing coffee brand.

(legalese)

Happy Birthday President Obama !

 My Congressman, Howard Berman and his lovely wife Janis.

He represents the 28th Congressional District.

We were at a local birthday party for President Obama.

Present were local activists, volunteers, and supporters of our President.

It was nice to meet them both.

 Rhonni, Roger, and Me

Check out www.thedangerman.com

and www.youtube.com/urbansuperhero

More supporters for President Obama.

I had a great time, and I met a great group of citizens.

We all have the same goal, and that is to return Barak Obama

to Washington DC for his second term in office.

If you are a supporter of Barak Obama and would like to volunteer, or would just like more information, please go to www.barakobama.com and sign up.

We need you, and would love to work with you.

Much Love

Ui

Bountiful !

This wicker is a find.  Someone was throwing it out last week, and I claimed it.  I couldn't fit everything in the car, but I did get two other tables.  They have to be white washed to get it really sparkling.

I did get some spray paint, but dang that stuff is toxic !

 That little face is Cush.  He's 10 years old.  He rules the nest.  

As you can see I have a tomato, but only one.  I don't know why.  That red thing is actually a Bell pepper.  It's going to be yellow.  That's what the stick says anyway.

I want to know why my bounty is so small.  Is it because they are in pots?  Maturity should be at 65-70 days....they've been planted for about a month and a half.  I want more fruit!

I bet they are tired of me looking at them so hard every few hours during the day.

There's also a Roma tomato plant and as you can see a Basil plant, which Harmony (the dog) loves.  I've got a few onions there as well.  So maybe we'll just get one meal, one fabulous salad, but at least we will have something to eat.

Bounty bound !

Butterflies and Hummingbirds

Say Hello To my Little Friend

This is an area where the squirrels are fed by many neighbors.  Our squirrels happen to be very friendly.  On many a day, Harmony and I have been greeted by squirrels.  I love it.  It really makes my day.

Breathe Life Into this Thing !

OK already, I apologize.  Sometimes life throws us curves and forces us to focus somewhere else for a little while.  I wouldn't dare be so presumptuous as to think that folks were missing me, or my photos....but just in case you were.  I do heartily apologize.

I have a pepper plant, a tomato plant and a few onions planted.  This is the fruit of my labor (which is not much at all...except for the talkings to, the daily sprays and watering that I give to them).  I don't have a backyard, so there all in planters. 

 I talk to and look at my plants all the time, and this little interloper was not there last night...so I guess via the moon she made her entrance into my world.  How did she find her way to my terrace ? 
This is many times just like our lives, we do what we think is correct and still there are blotches and borers.  These past few days I've been feeling like there was such a weight on my shoulders.  I'm doing everything that I should be doing and with a smile.  Mostly it's all good, but then....in comes this thing that you didn't invite.  It's nothing that I can't get past just like the worm, I'll just lovingly move it away. 
As my plants grow, they'll meet other pests as I know in my own little life I'll meet other challenges; uninvited challenges.  This much is true, they can't stay.  My vines are going to grow into fruition just the same as my life will.

Peace
Ui

Whose Idea Was This ?

                        Somebody, Anybody....FIX THIS  

A Rose In Bloom

Life does have it's challenges.  Right now , I am on it's sweet side.

I've been blessed with work, and good people, and food and a roof.

I have transportation again....even though I can barely pay for the petrol.

I'm happy today

Good Morning Yellow

 

Good Morning Yellow

Beaming On My Face

Lovely Warm Sunshine

Awake

Good Mornin' Lil' Fella

These Are The Thorns Of Our Lives

The Babbling Brook

What A Face On This One

Harmony, My Four Legger

Three years old this month

Oh Such Despair ... Tsunami Haiku

Spring Sea Upon Us

Fear I Cannot Imagine

Crying For Their Okaasans

Take A Load Off

California Poppy

Spruced !

When Will I get My Picket Fence ?

Times are so tough for so many these days, our picket fences seem to be mere dreams.  Life has changed so much for the working stiff (The Middle Class).  That's me, in my head still holding on to middle class.  Why shouldn't I ? Why shouldn't we ?  We've worked hard, and paid our way fairly.  We deserve a picket fence...not one that they steal from under us and not one that rots from the rafters.  We deserve our picket fences, with green grass and hummingbirds that peak at us and kittens that meow for our nibblettes.

Purple Is My Favorite Color !

Purple is my favorite color

My Cat Friend

My Cat Friend                

This is my cat friend.  I don't know his name (her name), but when we pass by, she looks up and makes with a sweet face.  We were just getting some drizzles and I think he (she) was trying to get the last bits before it really started to pour on our heads.

                                

Sweet Summertime...Hurry Up And Come

Santa Monica Beach

Santa Monica, California

Every year, about this time I yearn for the sweet beginnings of a California summer.  The beginnings, because the sun is just right...not too hot and not too cool.  Just right !



HiStory of Santa Monica

Scary Tree

Dead and Scary Tree

So after yet another day and night of horrific rain and wind this is just one of the peculiars(*) I found this morning.  Yesterday and her events were so surreil it was amazing.  Don't get me wrong, if I have to have something that looks of challenge, let it be this.  I in no way compare this lil' bit o' misery to any of our concurrent disaters and distress going on across our globe. 

Now I know how to prepare for rain, and I know how to be out in the elements.  This was a whole other level.  My car coat, rain coat over that, feet covered in plastic, scarf on head and then hat on top of that...and a good umbrella (that held up through it all)....I was a soppy soaked and freezing mess by the time I got home. 

Can somebody...how about an expert, not someone who just gets a gig, be in a positon that can help us with our drainage system.  On our corners, a child, an animal or God forbid, an adult who falls, could drown when it rains.  No need to walk to the middle of the block to find an area to jump across (the pond) to get to the other side....you will find no such area.  Stay at the corner and when the light turns green, just "Wade In The Water".  I quoted that song because of the truthfulness of the situation, but also because I really felt that God was covering me.  That rain and wind was scary. 

I made it home safely.  The house was warm and dinner was ready (I cooked in the morning).  We had no leaks and no power outages.  I know that we are blessed, finding and keeping shelter is a mission for so many folks these days.

*So many trees in my neighborhood are old, grandiose, dead, and intertwined between power lines.  This tree is absolutely dead, and it's a wonder that it is still standing.  this is a disater waiting to happen.

So by the time I finished this missive and went to get the drying clothes, it has started to rain again.

Wade in the Water: The Wisdom of the Spirituals

Understanding of and Response to Severe Flash Flooding

Nothing Stays The Same

Rosie the Riveter represents the women who worked in the factories during World War II.  Rosie was a media tool that encouraged women to work while the men were away fighting.  Many of these women manufactured ammunition and war supplies. 
Conditions were tough, but they did it and then went home to their families. 
This mural is considered to be one of the most famous in the city.  It can be found along the Tujunga Wash between Burbank Blvd and Oxnard St.

                                                          

IRIS - The Play

There is nothing better than a California afternoon at the theater.  On yesterday I had the privilege of watching the play "IRIS".  The story of a girl who learns that once you're in hell, you're in hell for the rest of your after life.  There is no redemption.  It forces us to see that we have many opportunities that touch us softly, and others that knock us in the head.  It's our choice to grab hold and heed, or our fault if we don't

IRIS - The Play, written by Jaimyon Parker is a solid piece of creativity that forces one to follow, be engaged, be moved, be reflective and to be inspired.  The actors were on point and offered all of themselves to us.  Honesty is key when sharing.  There is nothing better than art that moves us to think hard and to widen our mind.

Directed by Dan Martin: There is a gifted eye at the helm.  The director births life into people.  The director is the hand holder and that third eye....the guide.  To be able to make souls and words wed like a tea cup and saucer takes skill and wisdom and Dan Martin has it.

Sunday's 2pm showing was the finale for now.  They promise to be back

Just like film, there is always a play up somewhere in California.


Photo taken by fellow audience member La Taunya Green





How To Be A Working Actor: The Insider's Guide to Finding Jobs in Theater, Film, and Television

Ask an Agent: Everything Actors Need to Know about Agents

Everybody Leaves Someday

California Skies

California Skies

May You

May your ground swell with opportunity.  

May all that approach you be of wisdom and peace.  

Let your eyes be a gleaming smile that warms pain and calms all fears.  

Hold hands with graciousness and speak sweetness to those that will hear.  

Weep for those who cannot and embrace those who are shelved.  

Be victorious today. 

 Be victorious.

Poetry For Dummies

Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Poetry

Architecture and Construction

How talented some folks are.


    

On Any Block, On Any Day

Any day, on any block, somewhere in California you can find a film crew doin' their thing.   This is right around the corner from the house.

Film Crew: Fundamentals of Professional Film and Video Production

Big Brother Is Watching

Don't even think about flying through that red light...Do and you will have to pay the price, and a stiff price it is, $446.  There is controversy out there that says that these cameras are not a deterrent, but in fact they cause more accidents.
On many blocks in Hollywood video cameras are rolling all day long.  Some areas are more prone to crime, just because of the high volume of visitors to the area.  These videos are an asset in the event of an arrest.  You can't deny film, especially if you're shown with your grubby hand in someone's pocket.

Hollywood Beat

Will Smith's feet imprints and signature at Graumann's Chinese Theater

    

I Made It Through This Rain

So on last week, once again our world of wonderful and glorious and sweet sweet sweet weather, turned it's back on us.  So manic...dark clouds and then sunshine; the next day 70 degrees and then buckets and howling wind.  Friday night really messed me up.  I had such an uneasy and unnerving feeling all day and through the night.  For whatever reason, I couldn't shake this shadow that had fallen all over me.  I really didn't sleep well, and had decided to walk Harmony at 3:45am.  The morning was crisp and cool and the air smelled good.  I felt so much better.  The ground was still wet and glistening, but it was going to be a brighter day.  ????
Life does change on us, huh ?  By 2 pm, buckets again, and that fast, a clear sky.....for 15 minutes.  I make it to work just fine, but while there it started again....and didn't stop and didn't stop and didn't stop.  I was on my way home, and decided to take this lil' video.  Yes, because of the rain, but also because of the way the folks were driving...without a care in the world; speeding and splashing and making their way through the yellow lights.  I guess they all had someplace to be...someplace that they would risk life and limb for.

While standing with the rain blowing in my face I got an idea...a light bulb moment...hey, why don't I pull out my camera and get this live action.  Well the worst had passed, but I got sumpin'.

This Sunday morning is gorgeous.  We have a clear and crisp sky.


      

The Greenhouse In My Backyard

This abandoned greenhouse is on the site of a local elementary school.  Long since discarded, I can only imagine what it held in it's day.  I have been around greenhouses all of my life....I love them.

      

She Waits

Honey, Love, Sweet Vines
Barren, Exhausted, Lonely
My Africa...Waits



Dudu-Osun 100% Pure African Black Soap

Broke Back Fountain

Our weather again has just been gorgeous, so when I took this photo I was sad that this family never has their fountain on.  Well today was the penultimate of days and as Harmony and I passed by, the fountain was on.

Garden Pools. Fountains & Waterfalls: Design Ideas and Installation Techniques for Natural Looking Water Features (Sunset Books)

I Have Feet For Farming

I've feet for farming
Ankles strong to bare the weight
My back does not bend

Giggles and Good Times

Oh to be a kid again.  The sweet joy of fun; smiles and ice cream and burgers and bubblegum.  The love of a moms arms and the comfort of her lap.  The cuddle of a teddy bear and the excitement of a bike ride.
Oh to be a kid again !
























                                 

Picture This !

Chilled ground, poisoned night
Their minds are open to wrath
Cocoon of peace...soon



                                                                 

Los Angeles Street

Los Angeles Street !
We here in California have some of the best shopping n the world.  Los Angeles Street is where you go first to find the best (and not the best), at the best prices.  From one piece to bulk purchases, you can find it here.  Our flower mart is down here as well.  Want something to do ?  Go downtown to our flower mart at 4:30 in the am and drown yourself in the most beautiful flowers and plants and floral supplies at the most inexpensive prices.  This is where you go for your bulk sunglasses and pillows, belts and backpacks and so much more.  I'm speaking of Los Angeles Street because it is the heart of our garment district, the surrounding blocks hold quite the same bargains.
I want to tell you about the so many beautiful people that you will meet.  There is a ton of  'em; truck drivers, food vendors, beggars, shop keepers, shoppers, movie set actors and actresses, police officers, government workers, students, tourists, and on and on. 
If you visit Los Angeles, make sure that you get to Los Angeles Street and our garment district.  You will have a gas of a time and probably, most probably have an extra baggage fee when it is time to go home.


Guide to the Los Angeles Garment District

Garment District Los Angeles A Personal Fashion Buyers Guidebook -1990 publication.