Bridges of Size

Clicking the title link will take you to The Tacoma Historical Society website and please notice the clickable link on the left side to take you to the article titled : ~~~
Murray Morgan Bridge Saved
er, uh, wat ? I 99% support the City of Tacoma head-butting or suing the necessary people who Forgot To Maintain the MM bridge.....
(darn it, I can't believe I forgot to maintain the bridge)
because the fact that it had to be closed is pretty convincing evidence that it wasn't maintained.....ya know !
I loved that damn bridge.....Mark & I drove over it to get to one of our favorite spots in Ttown..and I have the pictures to prove it......




What is it with Tacoma and Bridges ??



Well, here's a little photo essay on footbridges....please enjoy !

Why Buy Vintage ??

Mmmm, because when you buy something that was made a long time ago,with materials that have been already harvested and finished......and with a good chance the shop was union....or not...
Well, the best reason is that when you buy something vintage, you are not exploiting todays workers and the environment !
in other words, the damage has been done.....
We can't change the past, but we can fashion the future !!

I have been railing against buying from 3rd world countries...like China for nearly 2 decades....
and now that we are bombarded with recalls of nasty merchandise and toys and toothpaste we need to find a better way ....Disney, Pirates of the Caribbean, Boy Scouts products have been recalled...........
and do you want to know who makes your "distressed furniture" imported from China? Do you want to know the conditions that exist where they make the toys we buy for our kids?
It doesn't have to be disgusting !

Click here for a shocking expose on conditions in China
From the SLC Tribune:

Charles Kernaghan, the director of the National Labor Committee, told Dorgan about factories with forced 70-hour work weeks, where overtime wages are withheld. Workers sleep in "primitive dorms," with a dozen people in each room on metal bunk beds. They have substandard food, no hot water and take home 46 cents an hour.
Kernaghan held up a Barbie produced under these conditions. The labor cost the factory 19 cents. The U.S. company paid $9 to ship it here and then charged the consumer $30 for the doll.
"There is enough money here to make toys safe and to treat the workers in China with dignity and respect," he said.

Sure -- shop funkoma vintage and the other used and vintage shops in T*Town...
Look where the thing was made......if it was made in Europe or the US there is a very good chance
that there were environmental laws and worker safety laws and decent wages laws in place when/where your widget was made.........
It's not a perfect world...but there is something Good to be done about this !

I'll post Over there on the right side under the TACOMA Stuff !
of great places to shop right here in T*Town...places that offer good old-fashioned stuff made safely & fairly, and things that you can feel good about buying and owning.....
It's not just about Being Green......it's about being a moral person !

Sent this to Scott Fontaine at the TNT

Am I the only one who is Pi**ed?

About Ladenburg etal owning stock in a company while promoting it to taxpayers to fund it?

Sometimes I wonder !

Hi Scott --

Every one is so pi**y about Crime In The Streets !!! Meth Capital of The Universe !!! yet our elected officials and their pals are lining their pockets (not too effectively I might add..) at our expense....and at the expense of the homeless/drug addicts etc.

UnIdentified Downtown Business/Property Owner goes on and on and on and on about her precious property rights d-town, and I sure would like to see some righteous indignation about the perversion of one of the answers to Crime In The Streets !!! That is --- solve the homeless/drug addict problem and a lot Crime In The Streets !!! will disappear.............

Tressie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter

Is there crime in Downtown Tacoma?

I'll let you read the BIA blog..... (one would think that with all of us blogging (now) about/in Tacoma, we'd all crash into each other at the corner of 13/pacific!!)
Fact #1
Crime is everywhere.
Fact #2
Corporations commit crimes all the time.
Fact #3
Drug-addled & Mentally challenged people are not just in the street scaring the straights.
Fact #4
Blaming the poor ---- for the problems ---- created by the rich is counter-productive in the long run, but sure creates a stir and is good for more corporate-sponsored "crime solutions".

Really now, if you truly want to reduce crime you have to treat the poor as if they were You......... Just ask ....If I was mentally challenged what would I like in my life to help me live a good life?
and then Do it !
I've listed the tools you need in this post, now you need to make sure the people that you think are causing you problems are helped to solve their problems so that they don't cause you an unending array of problems.
This is called " Being a Good Citizen"
This is a good thing........
of course it was held in my neighborhood and on my birthday....
Coincidence....I think not!

It's almost Halloween.....Who Are You?

There are no other holidays worth celebrating.....
Halloween is it Baby!
ah yes !
I hate that women/girls dress like tramps and sluts.... I mean is that really all you got going on for H'ween...and you had 364 days to plan ahead ??.....Do something more creative than trading on your boobies and stuff girlfriend.
Here......read this......
Now that we're all over that.....funkoma has stuff.....I still got some pirate stuff here
and neat things.....but don't forget to visit the Halloween Store up by Michael's crafts over by the mall...... ewww........
Here's some in the store right now !

Andy Warhol Andy Warhol

Submits a proposal for a commission for the Tacoma Dome, the sports and convention centre in Tacoma, Washington. These prints, Flower for Tacoma Dome (IIIA.37), are based on a hybrid flower created by Warhol. Daisy (IIIA.38) is inspired by this proposal. from warhol's cv 1982.
There maybe no bigger fan of Warhol than me ....so much of what we take for granted from art to film to who is and what is ART is because of Andy Warhol....

....Ok maybe there is a bigger fan......but I adore everything about Andy, The Factory, his mother-devotion, and of course, the Velvet Underground.

When I was young I had a girlfriend Lucy, who was several years older than me and she introduced me to The Mothers of Invention, The Velvet Underground and Andy Warhol.....all of this about 1965 -66.
...here's pics of the Tacoma Flower plates ..don't forget the matching tumblers! all from Amazon......Hoo Haw

Here's a White Tacoma Flower poster.......

And of course the BeautifulAngle poster (of a poster?)




.....and......an art controversy I made up in my head..coming soon to a town named Tacoma........
Long story short:
I had an artist come and paint my bldg. My landlord freaked and my neighbors gave me the Poison Eye.....but I don't care. I am a brat....that is ..I do what I want if I ain't hurting nobody.......so I'm driving home the other day, and I see a Tacoma code enforcement officer taking pics of my Art and my bldg. Well, says I, no need to panic....But well here is the letter I sent out to the Art list........

Hello Art People,

I may be pre-freaking out abit, but, some of you may know I asked for Tacoma folks to come out and paint my walls...and they did ! I had a bonafide artist (as opposed to Folks!) do the upper wall. His name is Tam, and it looks like graffiti but it is not of course. It is Art. My question is: May I count on some support from the community if I get slapped with a citation for "gang graffiti"? Funny thing is ....in our spare time, we paint out real gang graffiti in the block, and we were gonna paint out Tam's work within a few days anyway......since it's not everyone's cuppa Tea...heck it's not even really my cuppa Tea....but I am an Art - Supporter !

Tressie

I am 100% in the right here........and we'll just see if the Code officer had anything to do with me.....as it turns out, I had planned to paint out the art since the agreement with Tam had run its course and we'll put something else up there.
Why is this a big deal to me??

Because I like art, I am an artist, I don't like anyone telling me what to do if it ain't hurting nobody.....and I like a good argument once in a while...I feel some days I'm wasting my paralegal skills !

But maybe most important........I Am Still Bitter about the Hillbillies that run Tacoma that didn't choose WARHOL to decorate the Dome !!
I see the Dome out my Kitchen window......This is a Big Deal to me !! Can you imagine what Tacoma could be like? I can and being a hillbilly is fine for hillbillies.........
AARRRGGGG !!!!! We had Warhol in our hands.....and they let him go.......
I am bitter.....
wink

Stuff for Costumes ! or just everyday !

Recalls And Recall the Tacoma Film Fest...

Although my son always called him "Sour Andersen" since Soren seemed to like almost nothing that was an entertaining movie, we will, here at funkoma vintage, highlight this info about Tacoma Filmfest and Click. I loved the filmfest and I love Click! for my 99.99% flawless delivery of cable internet service that flows through Harbornet. DO not miss Ray Hill's Prison Show. It was the most important film of the fest. Period.

Tune in to film fest on Click

THE NEWS TRIBUNE

The Tacoma Film Festival ended last week, but it continues in an abbreviated form on Click! cable TV.

Eight films from the festival will be shown on Click! video-on-demand through the end of the year, according to spokeswoman Diane Lachel.

The films are “South 5 – True Grit,” “The Old Son,” “My Eating Team Has a Paddling Problem,” “Ray Hill’s Prison Show,” “River Ways,” “The Phone Call,” “Vitruvirus Toybox” and “Washington, My School.”

For information, call 253-502-8900 or www.clickcabletv.com.

Soren Andersen, The News Tribune

*****************************

I told you a long time ago to stop buying crap from China. Altho the Bush Admin is trying to strangle it, The US Consumer Product Safety Commission is trying to protect you from yourself. They are trying to save your spawn from death and stupidity.
First recall on my list today:
Starbucks Recalls Children's Plastic Cups Due to Choking and Laceration Hazards

Incidents/Injuries: Starbucks has received seven reports of the cups breaking, including two reports in which a child began to choke on a broken piece. No injuries have been reported.

Next:
Kids II Recalls Baby Einstein Color Blocks Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard


Yes, Baby Einstein will make your child stupid if they lick the Color Blocks. Toss all Baby Einstein stuff in the garbage now to be sent to the Tacoma Dump. Now!

Weinermobile !!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile isn't gonna be at Fred Meyer!
From Ed's Diner, at the News Tribune's food Blog......
It will be available for viewing at the following Top Food locations and times:

Oct. 19, 5600 Martin Way, Lacey; 9-11 a.m.

Oct. 19, 1313 Cooper Point Road, Olympia; noon-2 p.m.

Oct. 19, 3130 S. 23rd St. Tacoma; 3-5 p.m.

Oct. 20, 201 37th Ave. S.E., Puyallup; 9-11 a.m.

Oct. 20, 1406 Lake Tapps Parkway E., Lake Tapps; noon-2 p.m.

Oct. 20, 1702 Auburn Way N, Auburn; 3-5 p.m.

Oct. 21, 17641 Garden Way N.E., Woodinville; 9-11 a.m.

I quote from the press release:

“Free Oscar Mayer Wiener Whistles, unique because of their four holes, will be distributed at each site.”

The Tacoma Film Fest Awards !!!!!

First off ....I hereby Demand !!! the name of the Tacoma Film Festival awards hereby be changed to........

The Tackies !

You know...like Tac(oma) combined with ies (because that's how things are done)
Come on.....that's really damn funny and I tell you, there's more I Lust Tacoma(tm) humor....coming from me...

no dry middleclasswhitepeoplepleaseeveryone MOR comments from your friend funkoma!

gawl, people, from a swell group of indie film lovers....The Grandies (the name of the award)
is soooooooo boring and um, boring......

ok, the food was boring but the drinks had a lot of alcohol in them.....40 bucks a pop was a damn lot of coin for mediocre food...it's for a great cause (Art I hope)...so I'd call that a wash......

could we please get some hippie food next time.....

like something fresh, healthy and at least one seriously vegan entree?????

On to the AWARDS !!!!!

Best Feature Film: Rain in the Mountains

Since I spent my Evergreen career in the Longhouse, I am so sorry I missed this one...was on my list but something came up..Good News....it's playing in the Olympia Film Fest.....get your pot and doritos...now ! (Hi Elizabeth !)

Best Local Film: GPS: The Movie

I absolutely refused to see this mash of sickening violence. Since when is kidnapping women really a good idea for a plot device .....Super YUKK...

Best Short Film: Full Disclosure

I reviewed this and I still liked it... a lot. The fest folks in charge of cutting up the films for a Look See at the awards really messed up by ....Wait for it !...showing the end.....and these are movie people?

Best Documentary: Spitfire 944

Another one I'm sorry I missed.....thanks to great editing and a very charming WWII pilot, it was adorable. Since I grew up near the Yountville Veterans Home , you can bet I am always interested in how the vets are faring .....

Audience Choice Award: My Left Hand

Sappy subject, and so tragic, I'm glad it was made and glad it won an award.

**************Just a reminder **************
everyone please write-in your vote for Marty Campbell........
He's not Soupy, He's Smarty..........
He'd a won if I was his slogan writer......I tell you......

More Film Fest...More Martinis

More Tacoma Film Fest
I wait for this all year now....how nice of them to choose the time of Tressie Fest !

Tuesday Shorts, a series of 3 short films:
Ray Hill's Prison Show
(Documentary, 58 min, directed by Brian Huberman)

I have studied labor law, capitalism, civil rights, restorative and reconcilliation justice, reparations, mediation, and family law, and, the dichotomy between the modern rise of (narcissistic) feminism and the simultaneous fetishisation and destruction of childhood, so this film was the one I was waiting for ! To say it is transformative, is really an understatement. As Ray and I said, There's only one fight. Do you know what it is?

Lunatic Farmer

(Documentary, 16 min, directed by Chris Warner)

Here's another one I liked a lot......it was a bit uneven....more like a family film, unedited, but it sure got its point across.........You Are what you eat, people ! not eat --> people, but eat cleanly. Since I was the first organic farmer in Washington to sell heirloom vegetables and tomatoes as both plants and produce, it was nice to see my flower child philosophy finally becoming mainstream. This is one Co-opting I don't mind!

For All the Marbles

(Children's Adventure, 12 min, directed by Kris Booth)

Awwww, when kids were kids......authentic, playful and cruel. No video games, no technology, just dirt and steel and glass........Some young'ens may have no clue what Red Rover is .....or Green Light, Red Light....having never left the couch except to grab some more Doritos and Coke. At the end I was not surprised to see it was not an American film.

And, another observation: At the October 9th films, I noticed much more diversity in the age group in attendance and in the fashion choices........as you may imagine, I don't take fashion lightly.....

I don't mean The Vogue Magazine Runway fashion.......I mean what we wear everyday.......how I see it....and I'll do a whole big blog post on this subject.........Clothes make a very powerful statement.....artistic or not.....utilitarian or not......Just like You are what you eat, you are what you wear.......

Since I bounce back and forth between art and law, design and advocacy, depending on the venue and circumstance when you may meet me, or read me, you could form a half-informed idea of me.....

only a few people know the Whole me.....which is really a very true statement for most people on the planet........I honor dignity and creativity ........and that is what both sides of my interests in life have in common........there is no dignity in a prostitute's costume and no creativity in institutional Standard Operating Procedure.......

Since it's all about Me ...

When I was at the film fest the other night...I noticed a few things.......
and I merely described the facts, as they appeared to me..........
and I placed no value judgment on that "polar fleece-uniform"...
many folks in a demographic do the same thing as anonymous pointed out...
(see the comment below)
scenesters have their "look" also...It just struck me that so many people in attendance at that showing of films were nearly dressed all alike, and when I went to JoAnn fabric the next day, I saw the same thing.....I've said it before...I'll say it again....I like to watch.....and I'm watching You!

Dinner Out, Drinking In......

So where have I been? Busy busy busy !
Out to dinner the other night with murph and amber...at
The Silver Dollar (funky bad sports bar decor, but amazing food)
on South Tacoma Way...we used our Entertainment Coupons !
Half off.......played pool.....I so suck ...doesn't matter.
Hey big Halloween party.....
Then drinks and pizza at Alfreds....fun fun fun....munched on that pizza for days.

Then.....out last night to Tacoma Film Fest
for funny films....technical difficulties.....but we saw:

7:50 p.m. School of Arts
Funny Shorts - Eight comedies shown in sequence
The Last Laugh
(Comedy, 6 min, Directed by Gregory Mazzotta)
Too cute ! A chuckie-type plot.

Moviebonics
(Comedy, 8 min, Directed by Donald P. Unverrich & Lance Miller)
I liked this one...I sound like these people waaaaay toooo much

The Phone Call
(Drama, 8 min, Directed by Matt Johnson)
Filmmakers in attendance.
I really liked this one ...Amateur DIY, and quite clever ..I loved the goofiness and just simple funniness of it ...adorably cute star!

What's the Scenario?
(Documentary/Comedy, 3 min, Directed by Terese Cuff)
Filmmakers in attendance.
Cute concept. Fresh ! Why do people think precocious kids on sugar and adrenaline are cute? Anyone can have sex, people.

Full Disclosure
(Comedy, 18 min, Directed by Douglas Horn)
Filmmakers in attendance.
Very breezy and clever also...witty reparte ! But it is boring to see a beautiful woman paired with a schlub. I know it's like in real life , but so cliche.

Tile M for Murder
(Drama/Comedy, 9 min, Directed by Kyle Seago)
I'm so sick of the Seagos. And why do yuppies all wear the Uniform? Casual hair, polarfleece, Nikes or a Birkenstock/Born clone shoe, and Mom Jeans ??

Soup Ladle
(Comedy, 11 min, Directed by Cayman Grant)
Great treatment of an old joke for a plot.

The Frank Anderson
(Comedy, 13 min, Directed by Dave Perkal)
Ikky. Perky. Goofy. Great special effects.