Why Tacoma is Just like High School

or worse...Jr. High
Many people think Tacoma was invented in 2004. Long before that,kids, there was really neat stuff happening. I wrote for 2 community newspapers.....long before the childish Volcano was around.
And I just have to ask?
When I waste 15 minutes of my precious life reading the Volcano, looking for some growing up....some really good writing, I am 89.99999% disappointed.
The recent "change" only shifted the ads to the middle instead of at the end in its own little fold so I could recycle them immediately......no I do not want to work from home phoning people.......ads.
The Writers increased in number....Yes, some writers have something to say....and say it very well.....I'm guessing the editorial direction is lazy. I look forward to reading Tacoma's other blogs, the T.Weekly, the City Arts....to keep up with Tacoma.

And here's what's pretty funny.......A VERY well-known local (now) Artist here in Tacoma, said a mouthful when she stated emphatically that:
The Tacoma Weekly does the Best job of all the local papers of reporting on and supporting the ARTS COMMUNITY !!!!

And when it comes to Most of the Arts reporting. ....it's always the same place(s) again and again again..............It's the same bars again and again.......Yes they hang in LakeHood in order to increase the Ad Dollars........
I just cringe. I'm sure The Stranger.......just laughs and then picks up dog poop with each weekly issue.

What the flipp is interesting about a guy wearing expensive jeans from the Mall, a long sleeve knit shirt under a short sleeve T shirt, and an Irish cap????

Tacoma.....this is a Man Default Uniform. It is serviceable. It is OK. It is not exciting.
I see wonderfully creatively dressed men around Tacoma ....from time to time.
not often. And do I need to remind you......vintage glasses, men.
Just step away from the Fake Worn Out jeans,..step back from the sloppy slobby oversized T shirt........Throw away the Fry Cook Tennis shoes. For a start.
If you want worn out jeans, buy them OLD! Buy some new T shirts and wash them in Hippie Soap like Seventh Generation. Clean your shoes, and polish them !
Kevin takes a fashion chance....and looks interesting, charming and smart....
Chris can rock the clothing......And Gio.....
And it's not just clothes......it's the whole thing......What does your hair look like? How's about some facial hair..........(generally ...just say NO!)
Sporting a jazz patch.......or GAWD! a goatee is Boring!!
Shave that crap off......

My husband, even when dressed in work clothes, is Always dressed so artistically.

He has this fabulous Ben Sherman shirt that's brown with red stripes (it looks like a chocolate candy cane!). He pairs that with classic brown corduroy jeans, vintage tennies, and if need be...a tweed jacket....
or a khaki or black trench.
And, I adore him in his classic 60s black suit. Fitted jacket and slim pants just a bit short!!! White shirt, skinny colorful or plain black tie.....Worn with black shiny vintage oxfords or maybe black Cons.
My fav is his lime/pea/acid green shirt of 60s vintage, worn with navy slacks, untucked with a very authentically worn out vintage denim jacket and brown boots.
.....Some of you are making the effort.....So I guess I need to take my camera around with me to photo you!




So starting next week, I'll be roaming with cam in hand to pic you and document the marviness that is you.
Oh, back to the original topic.
There is a clique of "cool people" in Tacoma. It's the same names again and again and again. Whether in the TacBlogosphere or in wood-fiber-based format.
I suppose I also need to write more about the other ones........

While dining at El Groucho the other night, we learned that Tobin is That Tobin. Sorry Tobin. I just didn't put the 2 together.
email me. You have a Fan Club.

Yup Going to Portland again....it's a theme....

in my life........I am so bored/mad/disappointed with Tacoma.
But here's a bit of gossip.
True, the city, I presume, cleaned my alley, clipped the berries, picked up the garbage, pulled 99% of the floaty plastic bags (lets' Ban Them !!!)........
Now the ParkingLotZamboni is cleaning and looking funny.
Crews of JD's have cleaned the streets around my Hood.
Now, I wonder.....Why. Because LeMay is..........voting on something.....
What was it again???? oh yeah.
Temple of Old Autos.
And.....many of the Potholes on STW got filled.
Hey, Jake !! If you had anything to do with all the activity in my Hood.
Thanks !!!
if not. Why Not !!!!
Since I'll be in Portland, I'll tell Jan to tell Julie I said Hi !!!
And the red barn door was slid open.....at the New Frontier.......
come on get busy.

Oh yeah, the Rascal Flatt's people and fans were very nice.
Quiet. Polite. and Clean.
Yippie. Coming soon.......Wild to Mild !!
-____-____-____-____-
Mmmm. what's going on? Is it kinda like......the only reason South Tacoma/Lakewood
(Lakewood??) got a train station from Sound Transit, is to hook up with visitors to Ladenburg's Glutton Golf Course?????
you thought I didn't notice, didn't you.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
On to me.
It's my blog.
Last time I was in Portland.....I had a cold.
I had a runny nose. I sneezed and sneezed.
I had flaky skin on my red nose. And my eyes were bloodshot.
So, of course, I had to meet and re-meet Jan & Jon's friends.
Great.
this time I"m well.
And Clean!!
Hopefully I'll be more attractive.
And I'm closed until April 17. At Noon till 6.
Third Thursday. I'm installing new shelving, and
I have new art.
Art.
Art.

It's the 60s on eVintageSociety Blog Tag !

This week on the eVintage Society Blog tag - be sure to check out Kitsch-y-Cool for her fav 60's picks too!

MOD OR MAD MEN?
I Love Mod ! I love and loved Twiggy !

I don't wear either look but for the sleek lines similar to this darling 60s Pauline Trigere sleek and fun jacket that scoots between MOD and Mad Men Secretary, from vintage seller, Catbooks1940s.

FAVE PIECE IN YOUR INVENTORY FITTING THE BILL?

Coming up for auction on 4/9 in the evening is a genuine Real ... 60s Scooter Dress. It isn't sleek......It's Fun ! and it is so perfect for spring scooter or bicycle riding !

ICONIC EARLY 60s STARLET?

I'm a sucker for the early 60s Girl Groups.....but I like this hot chick !

Ann Margaret and some guy in Viva Las Vegas !

LATE 60’s?
I love CHER !! Not exactly a starlet....but she can act.....and her style was very influential .

SINATRA OR THE SWINGIN’ 60s SCENE?

While I do love the lounge scene.....and no one loves a great martini more than me, I am and always will be a Flower Child........so swinging........and love, and flowers and the funnest clothes ever !! Funny you should mention that......I have several 60s auctions starting up on ebay 4/9 in the evening...

And on we go to Vintage Bulletin . Mmmm, I can't wait for next week's goodies !! on eVintage blog go-round!

Rampart. I won't Go. I can't make them fast enough.

I won't be going to Steve's auction by Alan and PH. Not many people liked Steve on Antique Row. And are 2 faced. Yuk. I prefer to keep my memories of Steve and Rampart as beautiful as they are, unsullied. The way it was. The fights I had with Steve over Kittens Playing With Pink Yarn......

Aimee, I can still cry when I think of him. One of the reasons I allowed myself to drink waaaay too much at Silverstone last week.....is that I was so sad. We had some Good Times, Good Times.
;-(
So, on to Good News!
Work on the Frontier at the bottom of the Hill is moving along......Big Red sliding barn door..... Gosh I hope the decor is nifty and not "studied" or "phony"......will it become a scene?
Barf. If it does. Let's hope it can walk the Line.
See, what separates The Monsoon Room from the rest of the hipster-yuppie drek new to Tacoma, is that Laura did it right.....Hmmmm. did she have a consultant??? I'll bet she did...wink wink...........
Anyway. Excellent. Artful. Not pretentious. Not boring. Not bought at The Hipster Decor Store.
Here's my decision. I will not go out drinking or dining at any place that laughs at me and then charges me 100. for dinner and a couple of drinks. I know prices are up.
But Word Up.
You are in Tacoma.
You are not San Francisco. You are not even Portland.
If you're gonna be pretentious, you gotta have talent.
You gotta be sincere. If your eye is on profit, and not art, count me out.
sure you can make money, it just can't be #1.
if so, you are Dick Cheney. or just a dick.
So, get busy. There's a lot of great stuff happening. There's a lot of posing going on and it makes me giggle.

So the real good news.
I make stuff. It sells. I can't make stuff fast enough.
Therefore I must be closed to make stuff.
When I reopen on Thursday April 17 thru the 19th
I'll have new stuff made by me, new Art made by me, and
Earth Day stuff !
Here's a small sample of what I've made......Just to tease you......

Oh did you know Larry yes
Larry made the sign for
the Tempest? 
Isn't it GREAT ????

Who's Going To Vegas ??? Ready ???

This week on the eVintage Blog tag -
Who's Ready for Vegas!
Be sure to check out Kitsch-y Cool for her fav Rockabilly picks too!

FAVORITE ROCKABILLY LOOK / PIECE IN YOUR INVENTORY?

I've just sold off most of what was great for VLV....that I could find in my vast inventory. ha ha. Right now I have some great jeans, bowling shirts and some very cute sundresses !


DO YOU WEAR THE ROCKABILLY LOOK AT ALL?

Why yes ! Tho I'm mostly cowgirl-gothy, I goth-spin everything. One of my favorite looks is leopard 60s capris, black springolators, and a sleeveless cowboy shirt .....all the better to show the tattoos.

CRUCIAL ROCKABILLY VINTAGE ACCESSORY FOR GIRLS?

Other than attitude, one must have something that shows off "the girls". Don't waste your youth by being too good.


FOR GUYS?

Acting like a gentleman, a pair of tight fitting vintage denim jeans. Guys, Hairdo ! Think Brian Setzer !




PERSONAL STYLE. SANDY OR RIZZO?

Being a preacher's kid.......I have to go with Rizzo......Heart of Gold.


AGE OLD QUESTION….ELVIS OR THE BEATLES?

Both ! My first 2 Wheel Bicycle, a fat tire 50s model, had Elvis painted on the front fender. But I fell in love with the early John Lennon greaser look. Paul can jump off a bridge.


Let's see what up at Couture Allure !
And visit eVintageSociety......for the best in vintage on the web....

Happy Birthday Herb Caen !!!

24 points if you know who the hella I'm talkin' bout !!

Here I have stolen a great essay about SF and Herb.....I used to start to many Sunday morns and lazy afternoons reading the Chronicle.....Herb made me fall in love with SF, and even tho I've been places and lived elsewhere....it's SF.
It's like your first kiss, your first crush, your first "best" sex.....There may be more, But None other......Oh, That's what my ring says: vous et nul autre
***************************
One of the best articles from the SF Chronicle, reprinted here without permission. It's about Herb Caen and his city, and mine.........

Started at the old Bardelli's, where Caen loved the crash of dice cups in the eternal game of boss dice. Caen liked to lunch with people like Dapper Dave Falk, demon suit salesman, Elmer Robinson (he called him ElMayor), or George Christopher, emeritus politicians, loved to walk into that dining room like a king in his court. Gone, all gone, like the Emporium, killed off on its 100th birthday in 1996, like the wondrous Woolworth's store at Powell and Market. Bardelli's folded in 1997, the year Caen himself died. Now the place is Johnny Foley's Irish House, packed on a Wednesday night, but different from the old place as night and day. No dice, for one thing. No politicians. No Dapper Dave. No suits. No Herb Caen. His picture is on the dining room wall, in a place of honor, the only non- Irishman there. "I'd like to think he would have liked this place," said owner Martin Connolly, hopefully. The real heart of Caen's world was in North Beach. Caen liked cable cars. "Simply nothing like them," he wrote 23 years ago. Back in the later Caen period it was impossible to ride the cable cars. What would Yogi Berra say? "Nobody rides them. They're too crowded." Tourists, squealing as if they were in Disneyland By the Bay. But now, tourism is in the Dumpster, and there is room. What would Caen do if one came along with empty space on the running board? "I leaped buoyantly aboard," he wrote in a 1979 column. "I couldn't resist." A half-full car came rolling up Powell the other Thursday, carrying a cargo that would delight an old columnist: a glowering woman going home from a shopping trip downtown, a young man pretending to be bored, three little girls from somewhere west of the Golden Gate, only a handful of tourists. The usual sounds from the crew: "Fares! Who's got fares? Look out! Hold on!" and the car went clunking up Nob Hill and into the past. Got off at Jackson, walked through Chinatown, peering down the dark alleys. Caen always thought them mysterious. Up Grant, down Broadway to Enrico's in North Beach. Caen loved to sit outside at Enrico's, sometimes with people like William Saroyan, John Steinbeck, maybe some other famous guy. Often with Barnaby Conrad, the bullfighter and restaurant man Caen called "Barnabull." They are all gone - Conrad to Santa Barbara, the others to the big column in the sky, but inside Enrico's the other Thursday was Tony Serra, famous lawyer, surrounded by people, holding court. There was Millie, the old lady who will take your picture with a Polaroid camera for $5. Types out of a Caen column. "Hello," we said to the parking attendant next door, "Did you know Herb Caen?" No, he said, he was sorry. He did know Francis Ford Coppola, though, and did we know that the president of Afghanistan's brother owns a restaurant down the street? A scooplet. Caen was serious about making the rounds: Sometimes he referred to himself as "Mr. Nite Life." He sat in on drums at the Saloon on upper Grant, looked in on five or six places a night: Maybe Tosca, Spec's, Capp's Corner, the Washington Square, Dante's, Moose's. In the old days, the lower bar at the Mark, the St. Francis Hotel (He called it "The Frantic"), The Palace (never the Sheraton-Palace), Trader Vic's. Places like that. After that a nightcap, usually at the Gold Dust lounge at Powell and Geary, downtown. He was a great believer in nightcaps, and corny live music and the Gold Dust still has both. But it was more than bars. On other occasions, Caen would catch a show, go to a party or two, take in the opera, check out a new restaurant. "Tosca," the opera, appeared in his column almost as often as Tosca, the saloon. You could check it out. Caen was above all a newsman, always looking. The column was his stage and his world, and the readers were the audience. The show always had to go on. "He was afraid he would miss something," said Ed Moose, the restaurant man. "He had this saying, ÔAround the corner something is happening, and I don't want to miss it.' That's what drove him." "He was out every night," said Moose. "If he took a night off, we didn't know it." Yet he showed up every morning at the paper, 9:30 sharp, to produce the column, 1,000 words a day for 58 years, more than anybody before or since. A good column, he thought, had 24 items in a good mix. In a typical year, he dropped 6,768 names. "He had stamina," said Moose. He also was the ultimate reporter. He wrote paeans to the fog, the bridges, "the daily ride on the city's ever-revolving carousel," but he saw the other side of the city, too. "I find myself pounding the filthy pavements almost daily. And I am struck by the loneliness, by the lost souls shuffling around by themselves or standing in homage to catatonia on a windswept corner of nowhere . . . "I try to remember the words of my late friend Elmer Peterson, who lived on Sixth St.: ÔJust look around, not straight ahead.' The Ôgood' people look straight ahead as they move through those districts. They don't want to see the highly visible truth, they don't want to hear the calls for help . . . you may have to feel something, give something, think about the unthinkable - the dark side of Baghdad-by-the-Baydream." ". . . Up here (on Nob Hill) the dream city lives, almost unreal in its beauty. Only a few blocks down the hill, the other city festers and boils. The truth can be evaded and delayed, but for how much longer?" Caen wrote that 12 years ago. Caen was fond of Washington Square, the heart of North Beach. Of all the places in the city, it seemed this would change least. But the old Washington Square Bar and Grill, where Moose got his start in San Francisco, turned into the Cobalt Tavern, where everything is a shade of deep blue. Caen was a regular for lunch and sometimes dinner at the old Washbag. The new Cobalt doesn't do lunch. That's no surprise. The long lunch of Caen's day, the rolling of dice for drinks, the leisurely afternoon talk, is over. And it was only yesterday. On the other side of the square is Moose's, sort of a shrine to Caen's city: good food, good music. Caen's portable typewriter - an Olivetti - is on the wall, and a picture of Caen's last New Year's Eve, the great man with Moose, with Ann Moller Caen - "the lovely Ann," he called her, with His Willieness, the mayor, and Nancy Pelosi, the congresswoman who is now the Democratic whip. The whip? He would have loved that. One gets the feeling that Caen has just left and will be back shortly. But that's an illusion. Has the city changed since Caen left? "Yes," says Moose. "It's more fragmented. It doesn't have the man with the magic wand to tell people where's a good place to eat, where to go tonight, who's a good guy and who's a bad guy, and why San Francisco is the most wonderful city in the world." "We've lost that," Moose said. "Herb Caen gave us who we are." Has the city changed? Well, for one thing, Caen's not here anymore.

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

I applied for a job.......now I should get this job, because there is no other on the planet who wants it more, who can do it better. And...no one loves .........sf more than me.....and the population I would work with......those are my people. I have challenges.......and I have met every challenge and continued on.......
but kids, I'm not holding my breath.......I'm used to disappointment.
But I have made up my mind.....between now and say, 2 years from now, I'm leaving Tacoma. I have to go home.
I haven't been there since my mom died......5 years ago. I just have to go home.
So I hope you enjoy my song selection here........May your heart swell and rainbows float from your every word ........and I hope flowers grow everywhere your hair is now.......And this is why I sing Hotel California at every karaoke chance I get !!!