Hollywood, CA: Wacky Hollywood

Our Hollywood adventure in pictures...

I've been here so many times, but this time I took my camera, and I have never been stopped and solicited so many times in my life. Good Lord, I don't want a freaking tour people, I've already seen it!

Again some pics are sideways... I can't seem to figure out how to fix that... so I'll get back to that.

By the Kodak Theatre- In prep for the Academy Awards

Yes... Hollywood is a bit crazy.

 What do you see?

Boston & NYC: Hostel living

This was the first time I have ever stayed in the hostel... and the first time I have heard of ones in the USA.  I honestly did not know we had them in the USA. You share space, shower space, and toilets, like a dorm.  So, if you have survived dorm life, you will do fine...

 The first hostel we stayed in was the Friend Street Hostel in downtown Boston... and personally, I enjoyed my stay, granted, it was a hostel.  It was air-conditioned, clean, had wifi, a common area, and about 50.00/per person, per night.

  

The hostel had a cute café next door, which offered hostelers complementary coffee and breakfast.  

It was, however, right next to some bars that got pretty rowdy... and loud. And... one of the nights we were there, there was stabbing right outside... heard the screaming, saw the bloody guy... popo came... all of the above.  Despite that, I would definitely come back.  

The second hostel we stayed in was the Whitehouse Hotel- New York Hostel, and the quality, in comparison, was, well, lacking.  It was a safe/cleaner place to stay.... at around 50.00 per night, per person, but did not have free wifi, was dirtier, not all the rooms had lights, no plugs in the room, and just as noisy.

But... I got to sing West Side Story on a Fire Escape.... so I was happy. 

New Orleans, LA: Music

These artists were everywhere, and had a different style from other locals. 

While my party rested for the day, I walked around the city and explored.  That day I walked through the art exhibits, met artists, discussed New Orleans with them, and admired there work.  Then I made my to Cafe du Monde, grabbed some Café au Lait and Beignets, and listened to the band play.  I guess my expression showed my love for music, because the singer ended up dedicating a song to me, and finding me after to apologize if I was embarrassed.   I ended up talking to him and another street artist for awhile, although mostly the other artist.  I learned their background story, how they made it to New Orleans, military past, etc.  They shared with me their street experiences, and even Katrina.  Later on in the day, I saw all of these band players wandering the corners, playing their own instruments for money.   

When I came, I had hoped that I would find Grandpa Elliot.  I had heard him sing via Playing for Change, and I new that he was from New Orleans.  I remember walking down of the streets, telling my step-mom that he was one musician I really hoped to run into, and literally, right as I finished that sentence, we turned the corner, and there he was.  I saw him twice while there, this was my second, and he sang for me... after telling another man that listenin' to dis music, gonna give you an eargasm.  

Long Beach, CA: Pride Parade

I know, I am holding the sign upside down... It is a gift really.  

On May 22, 2011, Long Beach, CA, held its annual Gay Pride Parade.  I went to support and help out the organization I work with, but to be completely honest, I was very much out of my element, and very conflicted.

Attending a Christian private university, and growing up Christian (catholic), we are taught that homosexuality is not a lifestyle that believing and active Christians take part in.  I did, and still do, fully believe in the bible, and in my faith, but was conflicted on many of the statements in it.  In the end, I decided to help out, because, (a) regardless of my faith, we are all common people struggling to make it in the world, and we need each other, and (b) I realized that I had been judging/observing a group from the sidelines, that I knew nothing about.  So I went.  I didn't share my internal conflict with too many people, but I wanted to help, and I wanted to learn.

We passed out our hotlines, along with other domestic violence shelters and Aids awareness organizations, to help spread the word that we are there to help within the Long Beach community. 

I have marched in plenty parades before, but I had the most fun at this one.  The atmosphere was comfortable, and overall, I just felt accepted.  It was pretty awesome, really. 

The one problem I did have, and many others seemed to comment on this as well, was the overwhelming presence of sexuality sprinkled throughout the parade.  I did not find it productive to advertise strip clubs, penises, or S&M in a parade.  My director asked one S&M group, "so what is the purpose of your entry?"  Their response was essentially to show that we do what we want.  But, there were children and families present.  There are some adult lifestyles and activities that should remain with adults because of the nature of the activity, and these are some of them.   Call me a prude, I don't care, but I am sticking to that.  

I also found the presence of religion at the parade interesting.  There was a church group actually marching in the parade, with signs of acceptance and love.... and of course, controversial theology. It was interesting to see the responses to them- Many people didn't know how to respond at all.  Then, there were groups and churches protesting and yelling on sidelines... you know, to inform them that they were going to hell and all, in case they didn't know. (fyi, that's sarcasm)  

Overall, I am glad I did it, and if I ever have the opportunity to do it again, I would.