take me back.

Came across this excerpt by Don Mancio Serra de Leguisamo while reading about the Inca civilization. Leguisamo was the last survivor of the original Spanish conquerers of Peru.

We found these kingdoms in such good order, and the said Incas governed them in such wise [manner] that throughout them there was not a thief, nor a vicious man, nor an adulteress, nor was a bad woman admitted among them, nor were there immoral people. The men had honest and useful occupations. The lands, forests, mines, pastures, houses and all kinds of products were regulated and distributed in such sort that each one knew his property without any other person seizing it or occupying it, nor were there law suits respecting it… the motive which obliges me to make this statement is the discharge of my conscience, as I find myself guilty. For we have destroyed by our evil example, the people who had such a government as was enjoyed by these natives. They were so free from the committal of crimes or excesses, as well men as women, that the Indian who had 100,000 pesos worth of gold or silver in his house, left it open merely placing a small stick against the door, as a sign that its master was out. With that, according to their custom, no one could enter or take anything that was there. When they saw that we put locks and keys on our doors, they supposed that it was from fear of them, that they might not kill us, but not because they believed that anyone would steal the property of another. So that when they found that we had thieves among us, and men who sought to make their daughters commit sin, they despised us.

....I dare someone to tell me that the Europeans brought civilization to the Americas.

club? bar? house party? i think not....(a friday evening well spent)

Always forget about LACM, but I luckily ran into it as I was taking a leisurely bike ride downtown. I saw people of every shape, size, and color in the group, and something about it was empowering and of course absolutely fun. At one point, there was trouble with the LAPD, but of course they would be trying to secure the interest of oil companies (what's new?). Later in the evening, the group kinda got separated so I took my butt on home, but I definitely will do it again (with friends?).

new discovery

Last weekend, a friend and I took advantage of some of L.A.'s weekly farmers markets. My favorite one was on Crenshaw & Stocker behind the monstrous wal-mart / crenshaw mall. I got a taste of some sugarcane ginger ice-water, browsed the work of some local artisans, and grooved out to the sounds of some middle-aged DJ. All in all, this farmers' market made my day. But, I'm not writing this post to praise and promote this colored-folks market, I'm writing it because I tasted something very magical at this lil market. It's called a pluot, a hybrid fruit composed of genes from a plum and an apricot. Being someone who likes plants and horticulture, I really appreciated this mix that somehow never occurred to me in thought. My favorite variety was the Flavor King pluot that tasted kinda like punch.

Someone needs to make pluots the new 'it' fashion accessory so EVERYONE can become acquainted with them. Beautiful, just beautiful.

(my friend Timber enjoying her Flavor King pluots)

We also discovered that sliced Flavor Kings coupled with Saint Andre double creme brie cheese (yea we classy) resting on flaky pita chips was so good that it had the ability to paralyze our mouths for a few seconds. #heaven.

i do(n't)

i be feelin like

aint nothing new

and i know its true

but when i think about it

i feel like im discovering

something new

(but i aint)

just must be one of those

feeling/truths

that is so profound

it makes me feel

that tingle of newness

every time i think about it

aint nothing new

not the kind of caviar i like.

Dominique Deveraux is one of the only fictional characters that I look up to. I know it's a bit ridiculous, but if you have never experienced Dominique in the early 80's soap "Dynasty"I suggest you do so soon. Something about her frailness/lightskinn'dedness/style reminds me of my paternal grandmother that I wish I knew more about (RIP Ida B.).

Here is my FAVORITE cinematic scene in the Universe from the one and only DOMINIQUE:

us real big huh?

first own apartment. am i ready?

moved into new apartment. it's my own sanctuary. you wanna sow seeds of hate? take that elsewhere. im never leaving.

been busy & broke

...but you understand.