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Desperately Stalking Dexter
Someone once asked us how we choose the things we do in the various places we visit. In some ways, I think that question has it backwards; the things we do largely choose us.
We’re fortunate in that we really do enjoy most activities and environments. In cities we’ll busy ourselves with architecture, museums, culture, and history. Elsewhere we’ll go hiking, or caving, or kayaking, or, really whatever happens to seem interesting at the moment. In short, we’ll do whatever there is to do in whatever location we happen to be. More than us choosing things to do, we mostly let each destination decide for us.
That is precisely how we ended up standing in front of a pink house at 3319 E. 1st Street, in Long Beach, CA.
Peace, Yo
When Lithuanian born artist Jacques Lipchitz dedicated his masterwork Peace on Earth at Los Angeles’ Music Center he set a high standard for success. Of the ten-ton bronze statue depicting a dove delivering the spirit of peace to the world he said: “if peace does not come, it is bad sculpture.”
With those nine words Mr. Lipchitz both understated his accomplishment and simultaneously overstated the ability of art to affect human nature. Perhaps it would have been more fitting, albeit less hopeful, to call it a perpetual work in progress.
All Roads Lead to the Beach
Torrey Pines Nature Reserve
That’s at least what our helpful campground host informed us while pointing out nearby locations on her San Diego map. And while the comment is true only in the same sense that all roads everywhere eventually lead to a beach, we nonetheless found ourselves repeatedly back at the water’s edge regardless of where we originally intended to go.
You’re Not Worthy
It takes a stone arrogant bastard of a brewery to, just 15 months after tapping its first keg, release a new beer and brand it Arrogant Bastard Ale. Even more so to market it with copy like this:
This is an aggressive ale. You probably won’t like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. . . If you don’t like it, keep it to yourself – we don’t want to hear from any sniveling yellow-swill-drinking wimps ‘cause Arrogant Bastard wasn’t made for you.”
Slightly over a decade later, those arrogant bastards of Stone Brewing were named “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by Beer Advocate Magazine. Shortly thereafter founder Greg Koch received knighthood from the Belgian Brewers Federation. Arrogance, for sure, but apparently also with the sack (or should we now say squirely sword) to back it up.
USS Midway
Commissioned just after the end of World War II, the USS Midway claimed bragging rights as the largest ship in the world for roughly a decade. Its 47 years of duty also makes it the longest serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century.
Everywhere Once 