CELEB #3'S COMPANY

Who: Pricilla Barnes of Three's Company.
Where: performing in dress rehearsal and fundraiser for the production of "Hillary Agonoistes" at Studio/Stage in Hollywood.
Why I was there: We went to see our good friend Rebecca Metz perform in the same production.

THE HOOKER, THE HOMELESS + THE HUNGRY

With a "Back in 10" on the door, my simple walk around the block to retrieve a sandwich gives me an eyeful. A fit, but smudged, transexual hooker fans herself dramatically on a bench. Black 80s-style basketball shoes, short pleated orange skirt and a lacey tan tank. An Asian woman searches a trash can as a 7 ft square painting rolls by on a dolly. Tourists sip their bobas and smile for the camera.

Made it in 6. Open for business.

STOP BELIEVIN'

I must apologize to Steve Perry for my failed attempt at karaoke last night at Backstage. Ouch.

4TH + 28TH = GOOD TIMES

As soon as night hinted at its arrival the sky lit up in every direction. Smoke from the fireworks blanketed the neighborhood. I felt bits of casings fall like rain. Kids scrambled to be the one with the match. Families sat on porches, on curbs and watch from the windows. A lowrider was moved further from the epicenters. The '66 Impala reflected the fanfare beautifully. A cop car cruised by the outlawed activities. Outnumbered, I suppose. It was a magical night.

We were invited to a BBQ near the 28th Street community of West Adams, LA, which blocks off their own street each year. They have games during the day and a light show until dawn. Such a variety of cultures, ages and interests that gathered. I was glad to be in the mix. Los Angeles shows its demographics on the 4th, as it seems most illegal fireworks are lit throughout the poorer communities. There was quite a show all the way home.