Keyes to Victory

Ambassador Alan Keyes gave a fiery speech today to the California Republican Assembly convention in Sacramento.

I think what makes him so entertaining is everyone knows he doesn't have a chance of getting elected, so it's a low-stakes situation.

Following his speech, Ambassador Keyes held court with some admirers.

Tea with the Queen

Spent today in Modesto where I had a chance to meet Miss California Job's Daughters.

She wasn't shy when I asked to take her picture. But I guess if you're going to walk around a hotel wearing a tiara you're not really looking for anonymity.

I asked at the front desk of the Doubletree Hotel -- where I commandeered a table and electrical outlet in a hallway in order to make about three hours worth of phone calls -- for a recommendation on a restaurant for lunch. "A classic, old Modesto restaurant that would be a shame to miss while I'm in town."

They sent me two blocks away to Galletto. www.galletto.biz A restaurant with a modern Italian menu set in a converted old bank.

I was impressed. Especially by the pumpkin cheesecake.

A very cool small dining room at Galletto.

To the Sea!

Traveled an arduous 10 miles to Santa Monica today for a meeting.

The weather there was pretty gloomy this afternoon.

Actually, going home was pretty rough -- I got caught up in the afternoon rush hour traffic.

A Homecoming Blowout

The Trojans defeated the Oregon State Beavers 24 to 3 in Saturday's Homecoming Game.

It was absolutely packed on campus with people partying before the game.

For one day, at least, it was smiles all around in Trojanland.

A unique means of moving goods to the consumer.

The Drum Major leads the Trojan Marching Band on campus before the game.

The Trumpets seem to be having fun.

Passing through the Rose Garden in Exposition Park on the way to the Memorial Coliseum.

Surprise! A photo of Traveler.

It's a little hard to make out from this angle but the Trojan Marching Band is spelling "TROJANS."

Who scheduled a high school debate tournament at USC on Homecoming Weekend? Talk about watching the world go by.

I Love the 80s

Things have been pretty intense at work (in a good way) so I only spent about 20 minutes walking around the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival.

Hey, where's mustard?

This guy had his "aaggg-ggg-ggg-ggg" Popeye laugh down pretty good.

The crowd seemed to have fun taunting the 2 religious protesters and their giant signs.

Spent Tuesday in Sacramento and the weather was lovely. I had lunch at the Chevy's Mexican Restaurant along the river.

Cheerio

Went to the Kirk Douglas Theater in Culver City Saturday night to see their new production of "En Un Sol Amarillo." The show dramatizes the aftermath of the 1998 earthquake that struck Bolivia.

Performed in Spanish (with English super-titles shown above the stage) the show is performed by members of Teatro de los Andes from Bolivia.

The visual illustrations of the earthquake itself are arresting and the description of government bungling following the event is fascinating.

Furniture suspended from ropes (that drop to illustrate collapsing homes) create startling images.

Unfortunately, since it was early in the run, there were problems with the English super-titles. They stalled while the actors kept talking and then they ran so fast to catch up you couldn't read all the words.

I'm sure they'll get the kinks worked out. In the meantime I enjoyed the show because it was so uniquely theatrical.