Swapmeet Chronicles

A Sound Sculpture by Arnoldo Vargas

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:52:00 +0000

Arnoldo is a Wilmington resident and also helps with projects at the Slangauage studio. He is currently a photography teacher at Banning High School and also working on his Masters degree at Cal Arts.

I Though this "Sound Sculpture" was one of a kind because it is not what most people think of when they think sculpture, but who can really define what a sculpture is anyway?

When listening and looking at the sculpture it takes your imagination back to maybe the 80's or 90's before people had i pods in their cars and big boxy speakers where the shit.

Most of the songs that are played from this sculpture were popular songs at the time and bring back memories of a back-yard party or kick-back. Or for some cruising down the street in a tricked out ride or even bucket!

Video documentation of Installation sound sculpture by Arnoldo Vargas at Cal Arts Mid-Residency Show 2009

Swapmeet Chronicles Features: 4BITZ

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:15:00 +0000

Check out the 4BITZ tonight at " Brutalism A dance Performance" This is the final installment of the Slanguage residency don't miss out!

"4BITZ" is a experimental dubstep group comprised of three members Dj Ghetto ( Carlos Mendoza ) Dj Subdin ( Jason Manzaneres ) and Enuf Talk (Edson Vizcarra) "4BITZ" brings the dupstep sounds to a live forum where drum machines, sequencers and sintisizers are manipulated and distorted with persision to produce head splitting bass lines, glitchy drums and reggae riddims in a futuristic soundboy stylee that will blow your mind... The crew met threw mutual friends and the love to produce dubstep music both in the studio and live although each members style is very different from the next the the complete whole creativeness is captured In the soundscape..

Carlos Mendoza ..

Join SLANGUAGE for...

BRUTALISM: A DANCE PERFORMANCE

featuring Dub City Tribe, Slanguage's very own teen break-dance group!

THURSDAY, NOV. 5th, 7-10pm

at MOCA GRAND

250 South Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012 

FREE + Cash Bar

After Party @

Miss T's BARCADE

371 N. Western Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90004

[Look for the Pacman ghost light...]

FREE

See you there...

More Music on

GHETTO'S MY SPACE

SUBDIN MY SPACE

Update!! check out these videos of 4bitz at Brutalism

Swapmeet Chronicles Features: Bombón

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:27:00 +0000

I was excited to finally check out the lovely ladies of Bombón play near my house this past weekend. Bombón (which means marshmallow in Spanish) is a San Pedro based all girl garage/surf style band. The band was started about a year ago, but has been recently doing shows around the LA area. Bombón consists of three members who are: Angela Ramos singer/guitar player, Paloma Banuelos singer/bass player, and Jerico Campbell smashes away on the drums.

I asked them why the name Bombón? (mostly because I love the word and it is pretty unique)

I was told the name Bombón came about the girls wanting something white and bubbly when written and most importantly in Spanish.
Their mellow, vintage sound is chill and cool, but can get your head bobbing with it's ruff edges.
I liked how Bombón incorporated some of their Mexican heritage with names of instrumental songs like: "Pastel" and "Rancheritos". Bombón only has one song so far with lyrics sung in Spanish called " Las Playas" but with more songs in the works this trio is doing it!

If you want more of Bombón and other bands check them out Halloween night in Long Beach.

1517 W. Esther St Long Beach, Calif.

Bombón on My Space

Bombón on Flickr

Peace,

Doña Junta

My first batch of Mole and Arroz!!

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:12:00 +0000

Believe it or not I have never made Mexican rice. I watched my mom make it all my life yet I was to busy or did not care to learn. I called my mom last night to ask her how to make it FINALLY and I also asked her how to make chicken mole taste good from a Dona Maria mole jar. To my surprise it actually came out good I was relived because I though it would be not so great. I know next time it will be even better.

The ola got a little messy but I was able to manage.

The final result

This style mole is called Pipian so it has a spicier taste unlike traditional mole which is a little sweeter.

The side streets

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 19:45:00 +0000

What's up my peep's

I am just posting a random " hello" I am planning on new posts for the near future, but I been once again busy with school and side projects.The blogging world has gotten super crowded. There is so much to read now, so many blogs about everything. I used to have like a favorites list, but now it's hard to even keep up with that. I have my sidebar with interesting blogs so I most likely click on those if that. How do you blog readers and writers do it? feeds, links etc. I am trying to find a new photo for my header, but I totally forgot how to do it, and I am not sure how to add a graphic or make it look legit so any suggestions please shoot them.
So with that said I am out the door, but will be back shortly.

Alrato

D.J

The Grimy Streets

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:07:00 +0000

I have not posted graffiti flicks in a minute mostly because there are so many blogs posting graff flicks as soon as the spot is painted, but I will post up occasional shit I run into old or new fuck it represent the calles!

Swoe FDS,777

Trak

Besto

Prame ( I guess)

2006 Tank NBC

Slanguage Re-cap on “Dislexicon” & Walking The Streets of Wilmington

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Thank you to those that were able to make it to ” Dislexicon” this past Thursday @ MOCA. Our little video turned out okay despite the fact it was homemade stilo and we only had a two week period.

Raul Vasquez and Karla Diaz appear in our movie as random characters. They came out and performed spoken word on stage immediately after the movie.

The movie is old history of Wilmington California as well as street history with an art twist check it out.

The narrative was old text from a brochure written by Wilmington Chamber of Commerce from around the 1960s’

We thought what they has wrote was awesome because they said some wonderful stuff about Wilmington which today sounds a bit obsolete.

Here are some kind words from the brochure.

Romance and adventure wind through the streets of Wilmington-touching the life of every resident, making Wilmington one of the most interesting and exciting communities on the West Coast (Wolfer)

Bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, Wilmington is a sea-loving community…close to all beach and ocean activities. US Highway 101 (Pacific Coast Highway) runs through the city taking residents south to San Diego and north to San Francisco and beyond. (Wolfer)

We still had to keep it real and display some of the down-turns Wilmington took during more recent years.

During the 1980s’ and early 1990s’ Los Angeles experienced some of the toughest times with crime, gangs and drugs. In Wilmington it was no different the rivalries between the east side Wilmas and the west side Wilmas gangs was intense. Many lives were lost to bullets or drugs, a dark time for the “The Heart of the Harbor”

A gang injunction against the east side and west side Wilmas gangs was placed on March 19, 2004 which has worked at dramatically decreasing gang violence. With this and help of caring people in the community Wilmington has started to look up again.

Photos of War and Street Soldiers… death in the 90’s and 1800’s

Wilmington Cemetery
L.A. Historic Cultural Monument 414

22 civil soldiers buried here

The Wilmington Historical cemetery is not only a resting place for civil war soldiers who fought a war for freedom, but also for street soldiers who lost a war to violence.

Peace

Doña Junta

Slanguage presents "Dislexicon" @ MOCA Thursday Oct 1, 2009

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:05:00 +0000

Join us

Thursday October 1st 2009
7 p.m -10 p.m

MOCA Grand Avenue
250 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
FREE, Cash Bar

This is the second of a three part event which features a spoken word and song performance by fellow Slangauge members as well as a mini homemade documentary I took part in about Wilmington. It is kind of like my blog Swap Meet Chronicles come to life so support the cause because it’s free!

There will also be Djs and an Aztec headdress making workshop!

See ya there!

Peace

La Doña Junta

Times' coverage: A gang feud's fallout

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:02:00 +0000

Times' coverage: A gang feud's fallout

Posted using ShareThis

Re-cap of Rott De Luxe

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:06:00 +0000

Last Saturday my girl Licha had some art up at Rott De Luxx which was also curated my favorite couple Irok and Krys from FDS. I did not promote it on here unfortunately it got crazy busy last week (sorry), so am making it up with the aftermath. It was a good show a great turn out, and lots of great work.

Check it out!

Piece by Irok

More after the jump here

Sick work by Licha (Opea)

Keep posted for future shows

Peace

Doña Junta

Psychicinema Multiplex @ MOCA Thursday, Sept 3

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:09:00 +0000

Join us this Thursday at MOCA for the first of a three month Slanguage residency!
The first event features the " Psychicinema Multiplex"

From the Slanguage Blog:

For the first event of their three-month Engagement Party residency, Slanguage brings Psychicinema Multiplex, their ongoing series of film screenings, to MOCA. For this iteration, Slanguage will present films in order to respond, in part, to the museum’s landmark 1992 exhibition Helter Skelter: LA Art in the 1990s. In assembling these works and creating a carnival-like environment for viewing them, Slanguage seeks to reexamine the dissonance and dark side of the psyche, Los Angeles, and the art world, pushing those ideas further by addressing Los Angeles’s polarization and presenting visions for its future. Psychicinema Multiplex will be presented in a “multiplex” format that will allow for simultaneous screenings of different films at various locations around the museum’s Grand Avenue campus. Viewers will be invited to discuss the films and their relationship with MOCA’s Helter Skelter exhibition both informally as a group and in formal conversations initiated by Slanguage.
The event will feature a fortune telling family, telling visitors’ fortunes; an interactive artwork, Artifice Orange, by Slanguage member, Arnold Vargas; and a participatory urban planning exercise, Slang-topia: Rethinking the City, through which artist and urban planner James Rojas will use a medley of recycled materials to assist participants in creating an ideal urban form.
Films

Main Film Helter Skelter 1976
and various clips from classic LA films

THURSDAY, SEPT 3, 7–10pm
MOCA Grand Avenue
250 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
FREE, Cash Bar

Background on Psychicinema:

Psychicinema started in the backyard of Slanguage founders Mario Ybarra, Jr, and Karla Diaz.
They moved into a Craftsman style home in Wilmington that happened to be a former Psychic house. The history of it's former residents sparked the idea for the name "Psychicinema" The idea of Psychicinema was created with monthly themed film screenings in the backyard. Now that piece of Slangauge will be shared at MOCA this Thursday come, and support!

Make sure to follow Slanguage on Twitter
Slanguage Facebook page become a fan!

La Michiocana Cream and Crunch: Wilmington

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:36:00 +0000

It was a hot Thursday in LA County and Wilmington was no exception. It was close to 100 degrees which definitely called for a nice cool treat.
The Slanguage folks made a field trip to the local paleta shop for yummy frozen goodies.

La Michocana is a small shop located on busy Anaheim street. They specialize in home style paletas, scoop ice cream and other treats like nachos etc.

Lots of flavors to choose from
Mango Chili paleta
refreshing!

Old school limon flavor lol
Two paletas mango and mango and chili
Thumbs up on this spot

Even the mannequins had some
This shop is next door to the ice cream place, but hey they go hand in hand!

La Michiocana Cream and Crunch
716 W Anaheim
Wilmington, Ca 90744
(310) 847-7005

Hot Pedro Nights: Saturday August 22, 2009

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:46:00 +0000

The fourth annual " Hot Pedro Nights" is back again this summer with crusing ranflas down Pacific Ave taking you back in time.
This year it takes place Saturday August 22 2009. The cruising starts about 6:30 between 6th and 17th St and continues till about 10:30.
Last year was fun, there were tons of people out having a good time watching the cars and mingling with friends. There are plenty of dives to stop into for a cold drink along the way as well. For more information on this event or if you want to submit your classic whip in the cruise check out the website.
Hot Pedro Nights Info

Last year's coverage of event

Birria por favor

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 04:41:00 +0000

It is a trip because just yesterday I mentioned "Birria Tepechi" in my last post, and today when I went to visit my mom she had a yummy plate of birria and nopales waiting for me. So it was a very pleasant surprise.

My dad picked up this birria at some market in San Pedro. I guess they have a cocina as well and sell it for 11.00 lb. It is kind of pricey, but it is great for special occasions or just a nice family breakfast or dinner.

Birria and my moms nopales fresh from her garden stir fryed with garlic, dried chili pepper and onions.

Not to long ago I had birria as well with a friend. We went to a favorite spot of theirs called "Chalio" which was also featured in the same LA Weekly review as " Birria Tepechi"
I enjoyed that spot as well the birria was off the hook and the ambiance was great with it's dope old school booths and decor. The waiter was sweet and flamboyent too which made you feel welcomed.

We also drank some yummy and refreshing Michiladas! sooo good

Sorry to all you vegeterians, but goat meat prepared like this is traditional and awesome love it.

Chalio

3580 E 1st St
Los Angeles, CA 90063

(323) 268-5349

Thinking about Mexico

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:52:00 +0000

I miss Mexico a whole bunch, and wish I could go back soon, but with this economic downturn makes it hard to afford to travel. I went for the first time to my family's home state in 2007 after 16 years. My first post on LA Eastside was about my trip to Mexico. Well I have not been to Zacatecas since, and been thinking about it. The next time around I would definitely make it better, and even document it better.
Here are a few more pictures I did not include in my first post.

Steak and shrimp at a more fancy place called "Resturant Campestre" it was beautiful and colorful. the dining area was outdoors with lush lawns and gardens surrounding it.

Birrieria Tepchi in Tlantelango Zacactecas is the spot for birria. The same owners also have a birria place in Wilmington. Here is a Review on LA Weekly about Birria Tepechi
http://www.laweekly.com/1998-09-24/eat-drink/birria-forever-and-ever-and-ever/
Rooftops in Tepechitlan
Man-o- man eating fresh Pipian Mole made by the indios in the little village of Cicacalco was awesome!

La Villita at the house my mom grew up in. My grandfather still lives there alone with is many dogs and horses.
My grandfathers cute old kitchen

Relax time
My tia on her old wood stove. She has a regular stove now, but she still uses this for beans and cooking elotes.
It is hard to really see it when it is not erected, but I painted this sign for the rancho my fathers family is from. The reason I did was because the rancho was about 40 mins from the pueblo and at night or in the day it was really hard to find. I decided to contribute to the rancho by painting this sign. There were not many supplies so I had to work with what was around. Last I heard the local folk loved it. I also heard some punks shot bullet holes in it messing around lol (what jerks).

Zacatecas I miss you!

Finding Donut Spots??

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:28:00 +0000

What the heck! I guess they decided to switch over to Mexican food lol (click on photo for better view)

My Twin

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 05:51:00 +0000

My Twin! omg the Doña Junta style is coming back in action I am glad to see there are look-a-likes out there repping swap meet clika!
I spotted this little Doña in South Central off Alameda street.

Tales From 14th Street: The Party Just Won't Stop

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:03:00 +0000

Our window was the bottom window on left hand side

The police had come to the block because the party across the street got out of control.
There were about a dozen cops with loud speakers telling the partying gangsters to surrender, and come out of the apartment. The "Crowd" just shut the door, and barricaded themselves inside for what seemed like a long time. Finally after a while the cops tear gassed the place until everybody ran out. The scene was full of all kinds of drama, people running, and some getting arrested .It seemed scary at the time especially because we lived in the middle of were it all went down.
Earlier in the day it was on and cracking the gangsters where partying up a storm as usual. I mostly recall looking towards them wondering what they were doing. My bother remembers all kinds of fools on the street drinking, and even strapped.

The bottom apartment was were the party happened it is really small barely seen under the stairs

The next day all the kids including my self went across the street to look at the damage. I remember going inside the apartment, and being shocked at how many Budweiser beer cans there were everywhere! The place was completely thrashed it looked crazy to me. The interesting part was that the news media came, and actually did a story on the whole incident. They even interviewed a few people asking them questions on what had happened. It was a Spanish station either channel 34 or 52 (since those where the only ones at the time). Later that day we even sat in the living room, and waited until the story came out on T.V. I even seen myself in back ground toda metichi lol wearing black and pink polka dot short overalls lol.

It is a trip now that I think about it, on why the media would come for some neighborhood gang party. I would never imagine that happening now, but I guess back then things like this where a huge deal. I guess we are so used to news being about celebrities, and entertainment that maybe that was a real news story. During my search for old articles I surprisingly ran into the article on the party. It is a funny read now just knowing the details of what really went down. It puts a whole new perspective just knowing the year and date of the party. The party was just a few days after Christmas and according to the article it was about a crowd of 30 gang members. It seriously looked like a war zone to the eyes of a young child.

Man wasn't party to this disaster

Daily Breeze (Torrance, CA) - Thursday, December 27, 1990

Author: Rich Redding

About 30 gang members threw a wild party at Eduardo Tarango's home Wednesday, complete with food, loud music and plenty of beer.

The only thing missing was him.

Now, the 36-year-old San Pedro man is stuck with the cleanup bill, a pricetag that could reach into the thousands of dollars after his tiny apartment in the 200 block of West Fourteenth Street was overrun by the group of males and females, from 15 to 22 years old.

The strong stench of urine filled the home this morning as Tarango stared at drying vomit stains on the carpet. Shattered glass littered the living room and bedroom, where Los Angeles police officers had broken windows to spray mace at boistrous partygoers.

Dozens of empty beer cans cluttered every corner of the home.

"Look at this. It's terrible," Tarango said, shaking his head at the debris. "I don't know what happened. How could they do this?"

PARTY/A6PartyFROM PAGE A1Police said they believe a 30-year-old male visitor of Tarango's held the birthday party in honor of a young gang member while Tarango visited his grandmother in Carson for two days.

Tarango returned around 11 p.m. to find hordes of officers pinning down the youths, who apparently had been living it up for about seven hours.

"It took us about 30 minutes to empty the building," said Detective John Woodrum of the LAPD's Harbor Division. "We were there but the party just wouldn't break up."

Police were ready to bombard the apartment with tear gas, but several officers worked their way around back.

There, they broke several windows and sprayed mace at every moving target, sending teen-age girls scrambling for the shower and subduing the males, some of whom were taunting officers.

Sgt. Dennis Sebenick said the group is a San Pedro gang bucking for attention.

"They're a partying-type of gang ," Sebenick said. "But they're getting more challenging than ever. They have that `Come and get us' attitude. So we had to mace a few of them to get their attention."

Tarango's unidentified friend was arrested on misdemeanor warrants and probably will be charged with contributing to the delinquency of minors.

Thirteen others were arrested for delaying a police investigation, probation violation, threatening a police officer and assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer.

Tarango, who moved into the $460-a-month apartment two months ago, said he wants to know why the gang members picked his house.

"I don't know why anyone would do this to me. I'm a nice guy," he said. "I'm mad. I leave my home and come back to this. I don't believe it."
Section: NEWS
Page: A1
Index Terms: NEWS
Record Number: 0000320501
Copyright (c) 1990, Daily Breeze, All Rights Reserved

If you are a regular reader then you know that I am analyzing how it was growing up for me in the late 80's and early 90's.
These were the years when Los Angeles experienced some of the most violent times with gang activity. It is known that during those years most youth in the hood was influenced by the negativity of gangs, and drugs. Now for the reasons on why there are many here is some things that give a better idea of it all.

Some factors:

In 1990, there were 987 murder/manslaughter incidents in Los Angeles. That is an awful lot compared to what they are today. In 2008 the total amount of murders was 304. The crazy part is when I read the stats for the year 1980 I was surprised there were 1,022 murders in Los Angeles that year. I somehow thought the rate would have been much lower. The rate stayed high up until 1995 then it started to drop down. According to reports some reasons crime went down was reasons like:

In 1994 the three strikes law was implemented
Hiring of more police officers
New ideas and strategy's to prevent kids from joining gangs or doing drugs
The economy got stronger

I think about some of the reasons why things might of been this way. I first of all think it was
because people could get away with it more. There were no cell phones which meant heroes could not report a crime or a victim is not able to report a crime right away. There was no advanced D.N.A testing or high tech cameras capturing your every move. A weak,corrupt police force and lack of police presence. Sentencing laws were more lenient, technology was limited. People probably were not as involved in their community or even their children as much. There was probably not many after school programs or places kids were able to keep busy. Crack hit the streets during that time as well making parents neglect children, and crack babies being born. Civil War in El Salvador sent hoards of Salvadorian immigrants fleeing to the streets of Los Angeles. Mexican immigrants were also coming in huge numbers. Unfortunately as I said before sometimes the children of immigrant parents go the wrong path. The language barrier and the parents having to work a lot to survive make it harder for the children to get good influences.

Here are more numbers in order to see how crime has declined in comparison to those times.

1980

Murder:1.011
Rape: 2,813
Robbery: 27,938

1990

Murder: 987
Rape: 2,014
Robbery: 36.098
The highest robbery rate in the past 20 years

2000

Murder: 588
Rape: 1,459
Robbery: 15,527 2009

2009 to date

Murders 150
Rape:354
Robbery: 5,717

You could see the dramatic decline in crime since 1980. Media also got in on it when they started portraying films about life on the streets of Los Angeles. Places like South Central and so called ghetto parts of LA were shown.
There is a cluster of films made during those years that show this. Even though most of these films became gangster classics do you think they played a role in influencing the youth of the time or did they deter the youth to stay away from gangs, and drugs?
Movies Released about LA Gang Culture.

1988

Colors

1991

Boys In The Hood

1992

1993

1994

Mi Vida Loca

Then we had Italian Mob movies that been around forever still making appearances like

Good Fellas (1990)
A Bronx Tale (1993)

The gangster rap era also came into play in the late 80's and early 90's. The raps described more about life in the hood dealing with gangs, drugs and enemies.
It started with the fellas of N.W.A and guys like Ice T talking shit on cops, and repping places like Compton to the fullest. A few years later Eazy E went solo, and started busting out some gangster lyrics. In the early 1990's Ice Cube came out doing solo work as well and was part of the film "Boyz n the Hood". In 1992 the "Death Row" record label came out created by Suge Knight and Dr Dre and introducing Snoop Dog to the scene. Of course most of that era was back and forth drama between rappers.

I would say the trippest gangster rap scenario was the short lived " Blood's and Crips" rap group created with actual Blood and Crips gang members who auditioned for the group. It was basically banging on each other with rap songs. At that time I kind of knew that those two gangs were dangerous, I wondered how they both ended up getting along for the rap group.
There was talk that the group collaborated because of a peace treaty in 1992 between the Bloods and the Crips following the whole Rodney King/riots incident.

Check out this video made by the " Bloods and Crip's"
If you observe the background you see that kids where seen in the video looking up to the older so called wiser gangsters. The people in this video where actual gang members.

A combo of combustible attitudes and lack of structure pushed some to lead down the wrong path. Society was moving on all around us, but in the hood the block was all some ever knew.

To Be Continued...

LA County Murders

Current Crime Stats

LAPD Blog

The Numbers Movie Releases

Uniform Crime Report and Index of Los Angeles

Rap History

"OooH Baby give me one more chance!" RIP Micheal Jackson

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:37:00 +0000

I want to pay my respects to the beloved Micheal Jackson, I am saddened that he had to leave us. May he rest in paradise! Let's keep cherishing all his music and memories.

Another day has gone
I'm still all alone
How could this be
You're not here with me
You never said goodbye
Someone tell me why
Did you have to go
And leave my world so cold

Everyday I sit and ask myself
How did love slip away
Something whispers in my ear and says
That you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay

You are not alone
I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
You are not alone

All alone
Why, oh

Just the other night
I thought I heard you cry
Asking me to come
And hold you in my arms
I can hear your prayers
Your burdens I will bear
But first I need your hand
So forever can begin

Everyday I sit and ask myself
How did love slip away
Then something whispers in my ear and says
That you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
For you are not alone
I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart
And you are not alone

Whisper three words and I'll come runnin'
And girl you know that I'll be there
I'll be there

You are not alone
I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
You are not alone
I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart

You are not alone
For I am here with you
Though you're far away
I am here to stay
For you are not alone
For I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart

"Tales from 14th Street" Quick flashbacks

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:50:00 +0000

"Tales from 14th Street" Is a look back at childhood days living in San Pedro California. I will share the fun and not so fun adventures of living in the hood during the 80's and early 90's. If anybody grew up in this area during that time please email or comment anytime and share your stories or thoughts.

It was around 1993, and I specifically remember walking out of the apartment I lived in on 14th street, and walking a few steps towards the alley, I remember seeing a girl about 18 years old huffing paint. I remember her near the window near the entrance of the alley. She was bent over huffing blue paint in a paper bag. I was watching her along with a few other kids. She did not seem to mind us so much, but for some odd reason I never have forgotten that image. Kids are not as dumb as they look and I knew what she was doing was wrong. I do not remember the girl much, but I know she hung out with the neighbors a few doors down. Our neighbors was an older guy named " Caps" and his girlfriend plus two kids. He was actually from a different neighborhood, but for some reason he was accepted in the mix with the local gangsters. He did seem so much older to me at the time, but now that I think about it he must of only have been in his late twenties if that. His little phase on 14th street was pretty ruthless, and a constant party.
Now does anybody even huff paint these days? that is really a funny concept to hear about nowadays, what a crazy trend.
Alley where it all went down.

Now rewinding back to 1990. The local gang Young Crowd loved to party in the back of the apartments. I mean they were deep back there! and they partied all night long! I was the unfortunate one to have to sleep in the back room with my parents next to all the noise. I was always scared they were going to break into our house through my window. I would sometimes lay there listening for hours at their many conversations. They always seemed to bump oldies, and this specific oldie will always remind me of them partying in the back.

The first window on the right was my parents and my bedroom. The gangsters partied all through this back part, including the basement below.

This oldie by Don Julian and the Larks always stood out. I think they bumped this towards the end of the night =)

Fin De Semana Art Show!! Sat June 20, 2009

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:35:00 +0000

Please join us as LoveGalo & Jun-Keez proudly present:

FIN DE SEMANA

Art exhibit & photographic journal of an FDS Collaborative Piece Production

Featured artists
Envy, Krys, Kween, Opia,Perl, Secret, Suny, Swoe, Yikes

PhotographyEriberto Oriol

Music/Live Performance

DJ 215 aka Charles XThe Leeches (7PM)

When Saturday - June 20th, 20095PM - 9PM

Where Jun-Keez3908 Tweedy BoulevardSouth Gate, CA 90280

Info (323) 569-4020

"Old places have more character"

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:09:00 +0000

House off Vernon and Fig next to entrance to 110 freeway. I love the color combo, real artistic. The best part is the sexy van peeking out of the side.

Three hot cars...

It was once a restaurant, but I never got a chance to see it even open... *update* sorry I did not add location before , but this place is located on the Pacific Coast Highway on Eastside of Wilmington on the " Ghost Town" side.

(below) Is a closed down Weber factoy in South Central off Slauson.

Growing up Weber's bread used to be the softest bread ever! It was kind of one of the more expensive ones as well. Those where the days when white bread was " cool" and "popular" now most people stick to the healthier stuff. Do they even stock this historical bread on the shelf?

check out Pancho and Cisco (same name) huh?? enjoying Weber's Bread.

As always

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:45:00 +0000

I been really busy to blog even though I really want to! I got finals this week so my time is on that right now. Hopefully I can get something done because I only get a week break before summer school starts womp womp womp!

I should ask a question though...

What does everybody have planned for summer? anything interesting? post up and share.

A few events this weekend

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:50:00 +0000

Presha Drop: BBQ STYLEE
Sunday May 17 2009

BBQ and Beats!
First Dub Step Event in the Harbor Area

PURE FILTH SOUND SYSTEM

@ Sis Bar & Grill
326 N Avalon Blvd
Wilmington, CA 90745
2-10 p.m.

Click on Flyer to enlarge

Party With A Purpose @ Tropico del Nopal Gallery

Sunday May 17 2009

2:30-5:30 pm Free

http://www.ashgrovemusic.com/

Tropico De Nopal

1665 Beverly Blvd.(Echo Park)

Los Angeles, CA 90026

213.481.8112

Photos: The Wilmington Cinco De Mayo Fiesta

browneyedpaint@yahoo.ca (Doña Junta) — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:55:00 +0000

This lady was getting down, she had no shame. She had fans too!
Al Pastor
Don't mess with this quy lol

I felt bad for these ponies and goats. I know the kids love it, but it kind of looks sad.I written about the Don Hotel before it used to be a very popular hotel back in the 1930's. Now it is a senior apt building. I also got V.I.P access...

Yes the best view in town!

Overall it brought back many memories of going to the carnival as a kid and teen. It was always fun as a kid to get on all the cool rides, but as a teen everybody went to see who was cute!. It was the cool place to be on a summer weekend no doubt.