Giving Cash When You Don't Have It, A Real-Life Story

When I'm low on cash I still try to give something to someone in need — it seems to encourage the circle of cash flow. But how do you choose who to give to with so many homeless on the streets of Los Angeles? While every instance is different, here's one of my stories.

I spotted a short and gray-bearded man in a dirty, torn white T-shirt standing at a 101 off-ramp in Echo Park. He didn't approach me, but stood there, looking at me, hands together like he was praying, and mouthing, "Please, please, please." I found myself grinning, thinking to myself that that's probably what I would be doing if I was ever forced onto the street, and had to ask for money. Like how I used to get down on my hands and knees and scoot into the TV room with my friend Natalie when we wanted to ask my mom if we could do something, like go buy candy at White Hen, and we would kneel there in front of her repeating, "Pleasies, pleasies, pleasies..." and she would laugh. Gotta add some humor in, right, make people feel like they're getting something for their money (or permission), even if it's just a smile. For instance, I always try to give to this one guy downtown who holds up the sign, "SAME OLD SHIT."

The bearded man in the torn white T-shirt also reminded me of a man who goes to my gramma's church in Chicago, who designs and prints these awesome Christian-themed T-shirts and sweatshirts that he wears to Sunday Mass. For instance, this one below.




Anyways, I pulled out one of three dollar bills in my wallet — the only money I had in addition to the 54 cents in my bank account — and went to hand it to him and he held out his styrofoam cup, caked with dirt on the inside. As I carefully maneuvered the dollar into the cup, he smiled at me and said, "Happy birthday!" and turned to walk away. And I smiled.

What I really want to do is set up a foundation of some sort, sponsor a master plan, that explores how to construct a social services network to better serve the homeless, and then make that happen.

Smurfhenge

The kids were playing — a smattering of Smurfs! This formation infers that the Smurfs were perhaps a polygamist or cloning society originally. Until the meteors hit.

Introducing: The Star Wars Tusken Raider Fire Hydrant

I saw this little guy in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Tatooine — oops, I mean Eagle Rock. Funny because I saw it as I was walking around, waiting to go babysit, having gotten there early, and it was right near the Rose Bowl Motel where I'd stayed a couple nights the week before. The Tusken Raiders, who live on the planet Tatooine, are a warrior nomadic race. I am quite the nomad currently. I'm working on the warrior part. Since I just saw a girl get her purse snatched, I should arm myself. I think this rifle will do. Stay tuned.

Whitney Houston's 90-Year-Old Fan Has Mad Dance Moves

As noted in my previous blog post, my first 7-inch record was Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" and my gramma — who just turned 94 — said to me at the time about the cover art: "Why do we have to see her underwear?" (even though we can't see her underwear), and I talk about how I would make up rad dance moves to the song as an 8-year-old.

Anyhoo, my friend Sara posted this amazing video of a rad gram getting down to the song, and I can only hope I have this much soul in my bones at this age. And that I manage to perfect my dance moves to this level.

My First 7" Record? Yes, It Was Whitney Houston.

I can't remember who bought it for me, maybe it was my mom — I have memories of her dancing around our first house, belting out the lyrics to "Cecilia" by Simon & Garfunkel, as it played on our record player. Looking back, I did the same thing with this record. I played "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" over and over again, dancing around the house, making up my own moves, sliding across the shiny wooden floors in my socks.

I don't know where this 7" is now, I think it's in my parent's garage. But that cover is very well-worn, from much putting-record-in-and-out action. I remember showing it to my gramma when I first got it. She looked at it kind of skeptically, and said something like, "Why do we have to see her underwear?" Of course, we can't see her underwear, but it was kind of racy cover art for an 8-year-old to have at the time maybe, at least in my mind. I think that's why I liked it. Whitney Houston was sexy and confident. How a woman who was so talented and beautiful somehow felt so void of love is sad, and that she stuck it out in an abusive relationship, fell into drugs as a crutch.



While Whitney apparently didn't write this song (that was George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam of Boy Meets Girl), I wonder how much input she had on it. It seems to sum up the emptiness that cloaked her life. As an adult looking back on this portrait and the real lyrics of this single (all I heard as a kid was "I wanna dance with somebody") — the vibe of the two just don't match up. A portrait of a sexy and confident woman, who's ready to take on the world, and a song about the blues and fighting the depths of loneliness. This single was released in 1987, supposedly two years before she met Bobby Brown, who many say dragged her to further depths from which she never quite recovered.

Clock strikes upon the hour/ And the sun begins to fade/ Still enough time to figure out/ How to chase my blues away

I've done alright up to now/ It's the light of day that shows me how/ And when the night falls, loneliness calls

Oh, wanna dance with somebody/ I wanna feel the heat with somebody/ Yeah I wanna dance with somebody/ With somebody who loves me

I've been in love and lost my senses/ Spinning through the town/ Sooner or later the fever ends/ And I wind up feeling down/ I need a man who'll take a chance/ On a love that burns hot enough to last/ So when the night falls/ My lonely heart calls.

The night ending up taking her. RIP Whitney. I'm sorry you felt so down, you didn't deserve to feel like that, no one does. Thanks for the dance memories and inspiration. Here's a link to some of the tributes to Whitney at the Grammys last night. And here's the site for the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE).

P.S. I love this performance of Whitney singing "The National Anthem," such a confident energy, I wish the energy here would have carried her through.

Picture Frame? Necklace? Secret Ninja Weapon?

All of the above, that is correct.

Spotted this gem in the window of the vintage-y Luxe de Ville boutique in Echo Park, which never seems open, but looks pretty amazing from my drool-soaked sidewalk encampment.

Brrrr, Trees Get Cold Too

See, it does get cold in LA at night, just ask the trees. Hey, I really like those colors, where did you get that??

RIP John Pennycuff, Gay Rights Activist and Great Guy

Two legends have died in recent days here in LA — artist Mike Kelley and "Soul Train" creator/host Don Cornelius. Since I came to LA from Chicago two months ago, two legendary people, in their own rights, have died from my hometown. The first was artist Lee Groban. The second is a man named John Pennycuff — a gay rights activist, community builder, and all-around nice person and energy-sender. His memorial is currently happening in Chicago at the Jaeger Funeral Home, 3526 N Cicero, until 9pm.

Before midnight last night I saw an email newsletter from 35th Ward Alderman Rey Colon in my inbox. Knowing that John normally sent those out, I sadly opened it, knowing that I would read a tribute from Ald. Colon:

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I was deeply saddened by the news that John Pennycuff passed away last Sunday January 29, 2012. He was 47 years-young and a life-long resident of Logan Square. John was educated at Monroe Elementary, Taft High School, Badger High School in Lake Geneva and Columbia College. John was made aware of a serious illness only a few short months ago. I met both John and his now husband Robert Castillo in the late 90's after I was first approached by local residents to run for alderman. John and Robert both grilled me on Gay, Lesbian and Transgender issues of which at the time, I knew nothing. I credit them both for educating me and always making sure that my decisions were inclusive of everyone. I sincerely appreciate the unconditional support they both have given me throughout the years.

This Windy City Times article released on the day of his passing lists many of John's accomplishments and affiliations including: The Mayor's Advisory Council on LGBT Issues, Queer Nation Chicago Member, Windy City Media Group's Office Manager, ACT UP Volunteer and the 2003 Induction into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame to name a few. John was a Unity Park Advisory Council volunteer. He coordinated the Logan Square Farmer's Market for the Chamber of Commerce. John also maintained the 35th Ward Website and was responsible for sending out this very Newsletter each week.

My heart is heavy because John was a good friend who I will dearly miss. For those who never knew him, John Pennycuff was the nicest man you could ever hope to meet. He was the model, non-violent activist who quietly but effectively served the communities he loved through action more than words.

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I interviewed John Pennycuff and his partner/husband Robert Castillo a handful of times over the years; they were the neatest couple — not just a neat gay couple — but a neat couple because they were partners not just in life, but for social justice. One piece I did for Time Out Chicago in 2005 was about the work that John did advising Mayor Daley on the issues of the gay community in Chicago as a member of the city's Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues. Here is an excerpt:

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John Pennycuff, a member of the advisory board since 1999, married his partner in San Franciso in 2004, a union that has since been legally revoked (they’ll be framing, not cashing the refund check). Pennycuff says that the group of LGBT advocates has had a big effect on Mayor Daley, who has voiced his support of gay marriage in recent years. “Before, he said just ‘gay and lesbian,’ but now he says ‘gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender,’ which is big,” Pennycuff says. “And at the reception he sees people with their kids—and he loves kids—and I think that has a big impact on him.”

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You will be missed John. Rest in peace.