It's Her Thing

Nothing like some funk and a sparkly pink leotard to get your cartwheel on. Ella Rae's gymnastics team, appropriately called "Hot Shots" performed their routine to the Jackson Five's version of "It's Your Thing" for the school carnival/fund raiser. I was proud as a peacock.

Our cheeky Hot Shot had another chance to strut her stuff recently at the The Biscuit Brothers performance and recording for the Austin City Limits TV show. In addition to enthusiastic dancing, clapping and general noise making Ella was prompted by Buford Biscuit to spice up the lyrics to a well known tune. According to Ella, "she'll be eating pepperoni pizza when she coooommmmmessss... " The show will air in the spring on PBS.

And down doheny way

Thanks to my old gal pal Sharon (and Facebook) and her talent for documentation at a tender age, I'm posting pictures from one of my favorite times and places. The first two shots are of Doheny Beach, California, circa 1984. The summer before Junior High School. Doho, as it was affectionately known, was the location of many firsts -- first real ride on a long board, first fried burrito, first drag of a clove cigarette, first taste of Kahlua and cream, first kiss.

As it happens Doheny Beach is also mentioned in that sweet anthem to California surf culture, Surfin USA by the Beach Boys. And if you've ever been curious about the real genius behind that band check out the documentary Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of 'Smile'.

Sharon also shared pictures of her birthday pool party. I'm the one wearing the light pink one piece that barely passed Big Daddy What Mookie Thinks inspection.

It's about time

I've been periodically choked up over the past few months when thinking about the impact of this election. Ella Rae, my sweet six year old girl asked me yesterday "why is it so important to vote?" After a confusing answer about democracy and freedom my eyes began to sting and I squeaked out, "if Barack Obama wins then it will mean that our country is getting better." She hugged me and said, "don't be sad Mama." I then delivered a very confusing and tearful diatribe about equal rights, racism and how sometimes you cry when you are happy.

Calisphere, created by the University of California is a good resource to help develop less confusing answers to complex questions regarding race and culture. This overview of the African American experience in California from the gold rush era to the present is a good place to start on this historic election day.