Happy 2011!

"Act of God" - Fallen Tree in Glendale, CA

I woke up to a loud CRASH this morning about 4:50am. I thought it was some kind of thunder. The high winds in Glendale, CA had caused a tree to fall, completely blocking off the street. There's a car under there too. I hope they have insurance!










Daybreak
There's something comforting about this, in an apocalyptic way.


Looking up the street (Central Ave), away from the fallen tree.


Looking back down the street towards the fallen tree

They Said There'd Be No Math

Glad I made it here today! Tomorrow's 75% Fresh Pacific Red Snapper won't be as good.

Irony?

Film Vaults - "The Lot," Hollywood, California

I had a chance to visit an old studio lot in Hollywood, CA today. It's the old Pickford-Fairbanks Studios, later named Samuel Goldwyn Studios, and now known as "The Lot." Before leaving, a friend of mine took me to the back of the lot -- no, she wasn't going to strangle me -- to check out the old film vaults where they used to store the old very-combustible nitrate film reels. It was pretty surreal being back there. Check out the video.

World Trade Center Jazz Fest 1993 (photos)

Summer 1993, Shadowfax performing at CD101's "Jazz at the World Trade Center." This was my view from the stage when I looked straight up and saw the towers behind me. (click photos for full size)

Video - Satellite Flyby (International Space Station)

Saw this tonight! (Watch this on youtube in HD - looks much better)

Hi-Tech Piano Tuning

My piano tech, Daniel Ene, tuning my piano using computer software.

I Can See! I Can See!

Hello. Radio Shack, may I help you?

(me) Yes, do you have any contact cleaner in the store?

Contact Cleaner?

(me) Yes. a high quality one in the can that won't leave a residue)

You mean for like HDMI TVs?

(me) No, for contacts, electronics --

You mean for like contact lenses?

(me) No man. It's ok. Thanks. [click]

Lesson learned:
Maybe I should have asked if he had Prince Albert in a can? I'm going to Fry's Electronics.

Update (fast forward 2.5 hrs):
It gets better. I go into Fry's...walk into the electronics section. A 20-something dude accompanied by another 20-something dude asks if he could help me.

"Yea thanks. I'm looking for a can of contact cleaner."

He looks at the other guy who shrugs. Then turns around and asks me, "You mean like for contact lenses?"

Lesson #2 learned:
I should've gone to Radio Shack. It's way closer. On top of it, the contact cleaner didn't fix my studio problem.

Blood Sport

I never thought of softball as such an offensive and hostile sport. Then again, I haven't seen this team take the field yet!

Timing is Everything

This vanity plate is even funnier and more significant today than the day this driver acquired it. In comedy, timing is everything.

Yes, We Serve Anyone Here

So male, female, handicap and ...ducks?

The Key to Her Heart - Not.

My wife asked me what's a Meineke. I told her it's the opposite of a Mayjah key. She rolled her eyes. Hey, we're in Boston. I thought it was funny

95 Years ago today...

April 24, 1915: 300 Armenian leaders, writers, thinkers and professionals in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) were rounded up, deported and killed by the Ottoman Empire. It gets worse: On that same day in Constantinople, 5,000 of the poorest Armenians were butchered in the streets and in their homes.

That wasn't the end of it: 1.5 million Armenians were killed in the Armenian Genocide between 1915-1923. They were methodically massacred, tortured, and sent out into the dessert to die of starvation and thirst. Women were raped and abused; children were also subject to the same vile and inhumane treatment. Nice, huh?

April 24th - a day Armenians all over the world commemorate this putrid, horrible tragedy committed against us innocent humans by our own species.

The United States government as a whole remains the last of many countries to officially acknowledge this as a Genocide. Year after year it comes up in our congress, and year after year it's "not the right time." Why? Because Turkey denies the genocide ever took place and threatens their relationship with the U.S.A.

Chickenbot

Granville Salad: "Add just $2.95 to add all-natural chicken." Nice! How much for the synthetic chicken?

Timing is Everything

Down to your last pair of socks or underwear on laundry day. Procrastination or Perfectly timed?

Top 7 Things that will be heard today during Superbowl

#7. Oh my god! That guy is SO BIG!

#6. Why do they keep running into that pile of players? Can't they just go around?

#5. I don't understand this game either. I'm just here for the socializing and food.  Is Joe Montana playing today?

#4. I heard that today is the day where the highest number of spousal abuse cases is reported.

#3. Hi Everybody! Oh, this seven-layer dip is amazing! Did you make it yourself or buy it? So who's playing today?

#2. I don't care what game is on! You can watch another game next week! I need you to put up those shelves now!

#1. OH MY GOD! THIS IS THE FIRST FOOTBALL GAME I'VE WATCHED AND I JUST WON $500 IN THE OFFICE POOL!! WOO HOO!

Poor Choice of a Word

Heard on news yesterday: "The gentleman went out and raped a woman within 24 hours of an early prison release."

Another Oxymoron

Blackened white fish? Would that make it invisible?

Dad, You'll Be Missed

We love you Dad.

Zaven Chakmakian
Jan 14, 1924 - Jan 7, 2010