Subways, Music, & Mayhem Part #2

Quick Reference...the Bold highlights to links...just in case you missed a reference or want to check something out...

So from Aubry and the bus I hit up L.A.'s subway ti make it up to Hollywood....

I sat next to an older gentlemen that had Mr. Burns beat. He was amazing to listen to as well. Working the same job for the city's power for 60 YEARS!! He dates back the new "Gold Line" to 6 years ago because that's when he got throat CANCER, neat it and went back to work.

He loved talking about the old L.A. before all the cars and people. When the "stars were just people and not magazines."

He talked about how Union Pacific used to run the electric street cars, or the PE. Those buses/light rails got you all the way down to Riverside!! Now I need to spend a fortune in AmTrak or cabs to see my sister. He talked about how reliable and efficient they were, and then guess what.....?

In comes GM and Standard Oil. My brother Nate had told me about this and we learned about it in monopoly sections when studying business. But I didn't realize until I researched it (on wiki but I think this one is reliable and there's lots of sources).

When gas was cheap and cars were pumped out like the next Pirates of the Caribbean movie, these things started to be phased out. "We'll never have more cars than people!" they thought. Now the average L.A. citizen owns 2.5 cars I think...unreal.

So these companies bought out all the tracks, the property, the patents, etc. Dismantled and boom super-highways that are congested 24-7 come in! Now billions of dollars of tax-payer money are going back into the Public Transportation project...and WE'RE paying for it, not Standard Oil, not GM, not Ford.....and we wonder why they're going out of business??? And why should we help them??? So when a better idea than electric cars comes along (say hydrogen) they can squash that too so they can turn a quick buck that lasts them....ummmm..15 years before they file for bankruptcy and a bailout again????? Don't want to soap-box here but it's up to each one of us to hold companies like this responsible...the consumer...multi-tasking learning EC 340 right now ;)

Anyway enough ranting...funny note. As I was getting off the Subway up to Hollywood and Highland...a homeless family of Performers got unto the Subway. 3 kids and their "Dad" Macaranas, Guitars, Tambourines and everything.

Told everyone they just needed dinner, even announced what Homeless Shelter they were at and showed a picture of their baby sister. They then busted into a Reggae/Sublime?Jack Johnson version of the Beatles "I Want to Hold Your Hand," August Rush style.

I threw in a buck, it was good and I'm a sucker. They could have definitely been a band of Robin Williams little "Wizards," but it was unique and in like NO SPACE crammed between 10o people.

As soon as I got unto Hollywood Blvd the circus began. Superman and Mr. Incredible were there taking pictures for money. Haha

And of course....it would be wouldn't be Hollywood unless there was an aspiring Hip Hop artist handing out "free" demos. He must have seen that I've spent some time in the "D' lol not really. Anyway he started his hustle. We talked for a little bit and thanks to Suburban Euphoria, I have a little knowledge of how much studio time costs and that his costs are sunk....he's not expecting anything but to circulate his tracks, money is just a bonus they try to get off tourists.

We talked Hip/Hop for a bit...I needed some help though, wish the Okemos crew had been there (Ian, Brad, Jordan, Doby, G-Peck). Anyway he wanted $10 initially and then gave it to me for free, when I ragged on his hook and it being too similar to anything by Big Tymers.

His name is Marvilus (warning to little cousins and older family...this is Rap, can't guarantee he watchs his language like my parents taught me ;) ) He's not bad....not spectacular but potential. I dig it. He "says" he's working stuff out right now with Interscope Records. Right now he's on his own label "R.A.P. Star Records" (original). I think he needs some creativity in his Entoruage.

Alex we can totally sell demos for $5.00 MINIMUM. Let me know as soon as those tracks are ripped, and you can make up some of that debt in recording time. Make sure you're properly copyrighted and all. After seeing and hearing (and mostly watching Dream Girls) I'm freaked of slime balls stealing original ideas. Next week we don't want top hear Daughtry with your stuff...

As I crossed the street I noticed that there were barricades EVERYWHERE sidewalks shut off....turns out....the Chinese Theatre was premiering "The Hangover"

I also Jack Sparrow crossing angrily yelling at Spiderman for taking over his "photo turf." Haha he had his sword out and was still in character...

I wanted to stick around and see the cast come out but it wasn't worth it, I've passed that tourism phase. I had to try and make it to this theatre before 5:00 pm and get a quote and take pictures....FAIL

It was close, but I went to MIT, Music Institute, and got the card for the owner. I'll cal today to see how many bones that'll cost M.S.U. Theatre.

Anyway hopped the bus back home and stopped by UPS, Starbucks, and Coffee Bean for supplies for the "Coffee Cup Caper." By the way Kevin that's a VERY outdated picture of you on your homepage, haha.

Coffee Bean & tea Leaf, like L.A.'s Bigbys, tried to charge me 65 cents an empty, yes EMPTY cup = BOYCOTTED...you are now Cuba in my book Coffee Bean.

So today I have stops at Home Depot and Creative Arts Agency (CAA) maybe I get to see LeBron there, pouting some more (shout out to Ley for this article) while he "supports" Kobe. Or just goes to the Finals to fulfill his Narcissistic need to be on camera.

I've been telling people all year he wasn't going to win, I didn't know he was going to be such an ass about it. Anyone who calls him clASSly added 4 too many letters. (easy for people like me to judge, but not shaking hands...shows character no matter how competitive you are). That or he's been away from his Ma too long and she needs to slap him upside his head! Love ya Mom!!

Anyway I'll be working on the bathroom of my place for my 10 hour a week due for rent. Erin Hickey and I will be seeing The Hangover and maybe braving the ocean on the beach....Mike (my brother-in-law) is helping me track down a used Long Board to learn on for around 40-60 bucks....I'll be at the beach all weekend when that happens......