Event - 2019 Toy Drive!

It was November of 1994, I think.  I’m pretty sure.  I was with a community radio station and I felt that we weren’t doing enough “community.”  I organized a food drive at a city event and we rallied the staff together to do some good.  There we were in the downtown square, taking in canned and boxed goods and having a jolly old feel-good time as we stayed live on the air – interviewing people, hearing their holiday plans, playing their requests and giving away prizes.  While I was mid-broadcast, a scruffy looking gentleman approached us with a solid frozen turkey under each arm and a couple more swinging by the handles.  He shoved one at me and dropped the others into our barrel.  “Happy Thanksgiving.  Good thing you’re doing.” and off he trotted.  I stood, dumbstruck with a microphone in one hand and swinging a turkey with the other.  The number one rule in radio is to never ever have dead air, but I was at a Les Nessman kind of loss.  I couldn’t have been more surprised if the turkeys had dropped from the sky.  

The drive was such a success that I then organized a toy drive the following month.  The goodwill and groovy vibes among the others was infectious.  And I’ve been doing toy drives every year in the 25 since.  

There are fewer ways that we can contribute more to our society than to give our time.  Over the years, people have contributed by way of donations from their wallets, their hearts, their goods, their time and their space. 

The Toys For Tots program has been endangered because they lack resources – while many toys fill big boxes all over America, it still takes money to keep the wheels turning.  I sure would hate to see the end of this program because of the joy and strength it brings to others.  These events get me through my own holiday season, thinking about all of the kids who benefit from each and every person who participates in any way. 

Please come and share an evening of food, fun and festivity.  Put on your holiday hats and have some laughs.  We have some great people this year who have promised to entertain you: Sam Medina, Athena Rodriguez, Mean Dave, Eric Somers, and Patrick McDermott.

We’ll also have an abundance of raffle items for you to enjoy or regift – consider it a win either way!  The atmosphere and staff are friendly, the lights downtown are fantastic to see.  Get in a little shopping if you can.  And please visit our sponsors/donors listed below.  You’ll find links to art, authors, dining and our comedians to keep up on their calendars.

Every penny of your ticket and raffle tickets goes into the hands of our US Marines for this program, and is tax-deductible.  There is no profit.  You may purchase your ticket below via PayPal using your credit card or a direct transfer.  It’s all secure.  If you can’t make the event but would like to donate to this campaign, you may do so below as well, or contact me to send in a check.  blimpsandwings@gmail.com

Thank you.

DONATIONS ONLY (free gift with each Toy Drive donation):

Opinionation - California Greens

It's a new year in California, and while big changes are ahead it doesn't really seem much is changing at all.  Residents of the state are still standing polar opposite from each other about the recreational use of marijuana.  Medically speaking, many have come around to recognizing its proven benefits and have adopted a 'live and let live' attitude.  Not so much outside of that.

Yet alcohol is very much a socially acceptable norm.

I'm going to attempt to break this down, as much for myself as anyone else because frankly, I lean more toward the old school way of thought too.  I'm also first to admit that the basis of any ignorance is almost always the fear of the unknown.  I've never been high a day in my life.  My perceptions stem from this and from the experiences I've lived through with those around me.  I can count myself solo among everyone I've ever known as not having tried the happy weed.  What I've seen has been pretty disastrous and it's hard to separate their realities with what is scientifically true.

Let's start with the "gateway":  Is it really the beginner's drug?  I would argue that it is, but not for any physically addictive properties.  Some vices are based on the body's cravings and trying to break free is a nightmare.  Many of our monkeys derive from our mental state, and a need to escape or alter our realities.  Whatever our beginning, or "gateway" to that may be, eventually our needs escalate.  Thus begins a journey that invites a dependence on more.  Most people on this path are susceptible to addiction it just happens that marijuana has taken the rap for being easily accessible, somewhat affordable and rather low-key.  If we really want to point an accurate finger, it should be at the bottle and not the ground.

Moving on; I've never been a big fan of the recreational use of any mind-altering substance.  Especially since I figured out I wasn't so invincible against alcohol after all.  I was somewhat fortunate that I was able to recognize my issues and walk away from it.  This isn't to say that every person who imbibes in alcohol or a weed that grows organically is only doing so for escape.  Cocktails are often for the taste.  But if you were to take a good poll of everyone around you, the most common answer is likely to be "it helps me relax."  Relaxation is a good thing, but I have to question why so many are unable to do this without aid?  I have no concept of the word myself, but am such a control freak that I can't just give in to something outside of my own head.  I have my own vices still, namely a therapist to feed my narcissism. 

So let's come around to my own real issues with this new law.  To be quite honest, activists who go overboard with anything really annoy me.  So, there's that.  I find it laughable that stoners think they can't be detected by their obvious behavior.  As much as the smell of any kind of smoke nauseates me (I'm allergic), this particular odor is worse.  While Californians really haven't bothered to hide their smoking for some time now, I worry that it will now be much more present in my daily surroundings.  I find it amusing and somewhat astounding that people are offended at "rules" - no lighting up in a car, whether driver or passenger.  It's a contagion, so what the hell?  Where is the common sense? 

We're also at the crossroads of "be careful what you wish for."  In legalizing, we are also inviting capitalism to rear its ugly head and make it so unaffordable for those who genuinely use for medical benefit.  There will always be a black market, but wasn't the rally for this law to be weed for all?  Without federal backing, it's really not as giant a leap as we may think. 

The reality is, I don't care what people do in their own time, in their own dwellings, but I don't want to be affected by it.  Only time is going to tell if people become more reckless by getting behind the wheel of a car or if we see a sudden spike in child neglect or perhaps an uptick in snack purchases.  Jack In The Box already caters to this crowd, and I think it's one of the more brilliant marketing moves I've ever seen.  All of the stereotypes could prove to be more real than we ever imagined, or it could just be that we've been fed a bunch of hyped up bullshit. 

I was reflecting back the other night to the new millennium panic and how we all fell for it.  I think we are on that cliff again.  Never mind that other states have beaten us to the punch.  As Californians, we should be somewhat embarrassed about that.  As with anything, time will always provide answers.  People have long come to the conclusion that we've had the answer all along, right there in an insignificant little plant.  It's way past time to end the reefer madness, but that doesn't mean we can't recognize it too for what it is. 

It's funny to me, where we choose to place our outrage. Nothing in this world is harmless if we sift enough through the reactions.  The best we can do is open ourselves to knowledge - what we don't know, someone can always teach us. 

Opinionation - Shame on Lollipop Lane

How disheartening to come out of a holiday season to such a headline as "Vacaville Family Shamed... For Not Decorating For Christmas."  I don't know about anyone else, but this year it was a hard Christmas to get through, for a multitude of reasons.  We decorated, but have done so minimally over the past ten years, as we live in a secluded neighborhood and our neighbors certainly don't seem to care one way or another. 

Apparently, it is tradition for the residents of Candy Cane Lane and Lollipop Lane in the town of Vacaville to decorate abundantly for the holidays.  One woman chose not to, as she was in mourning for her mother who had passed away earlier this year and who had made the decorations by hand.  She received an anonymous letter from a neighbor stating intolerance for anyone living on the street to not participate in the practice. 

Interestingly enough, I was actually thinking about this last night on my way home as I took in the still-standing lights on nearby homes.  Fewer homes every year partake in the tradition - be it lack of interest, or the high cost of powering the displays.  Many just don't feel the motivation.  I find it sad, mainly because there doesn't seem to be any tradition that has taken its place.  One thing is for certain; we all have our reasons, whatever they may be.

There is a common theme in most of the issues plaguing the world, but let's narrow that down to just our own culture alone - America.  We are entirely too judgmental of others.  We are all guilty in some way, we pick and choose our discriminations - that we have made such a celebrity of Judge Judy speaks volumes.  We have a greater awareness of "invisible illnesses" than we used to, but only when it is convenient to us.  It's okay to call each other out on occasion or to have the structure of law and consequence, so long as we keep ourselves in check as well.

If I were a part of this community, I would be ashamed upon reading this letter.  I was embarrassed enough as a fellow human to read it.  While I don't want to encourage more rage in the world, I do hope that there is sufficient offense to hold these neighbors accountable for their shameful behavior going forward. 

Story:  ABC7News