Speed of Life

We celebrate extraordinary Americans who have lifted our spirits..& pushed us toward progress @POTUS https://t.co/gLWg7oyejg #MedalofFreedom — US Embassy Brussels (@usembbrussels) November 23, 2016 The following were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the National Basketball Association’s all-time leading scorer who helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships and the Milwaukee Bucks to another. During his career, Abdul-Jabbar was a six-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a 19-time NBA All-Star. Before joining the NBA, he was a star player at UCLA, leading the Bruins to three consecutive championships. In addition to his legendary basketball career, Abdul-Jabbar has been an outspoken advocate for social justice. Elouise Cobell (posthumous) Elouise Cobell was a Blackfeet Tribal community leader and an advocate for Native American self-determination and financial independence.  She used her expertise...

Doğum günün kutlu olsun Claude Monet! pic.twitter.com/qWUHuBK4BL — Celine Symbiosis (@CelineSymbioss) November 14, 2016

Chaplin is Amazing Striking how appropriate Chaplin’s words are today.  Trump tries to silence his critics with the threat of legal action.  This should shock and concern all Americans. http://www.reid.senate.gov/press_releases/2016-11-13-reid-spokesman-trumps-threats-should-concern-all-americans#.WCjyWuErJBxIt 

by Gregg Chadwick Dear Loved Ones, As you know Tuesday’s election results have released a toxic brew of misogyny, anti LGBT, anti immigrant, anti global warming, and outright racist actions and rhetoric from out of control Trump supporters. There is so much hate out there for trans folks - as well as lesbians and gays and people of color. People have asked me what they can do. First off - love and protect the vulnerable among us. Words are not enough. Action is needed so that our families and communities feel protected from the hate. The California Legislature has stated such in no uncertain terms: "By a margin in the millions, Californians overwhelmingly rejected politics fueled by resentment, bigotry, and misogyny. The largest state of the union and the strongest driver of our nation’s economy has shown it has its surest conscience as well. California is – and must always be – a refuge of justice and opportunity for people of all walks, talks, ages and aspirations...

Joint Statement from California Legislative Leaders on Result of Presidential Election Wednesday, November 09, 2016 SACRAMENTO –  California Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León   (D-Los Angeles) and  California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon  (D-Paramount) released the following statement on the results of the President election: Today, we woke up feeling like strangers in a foreign land, because yesterday Americans expressed their views on a pluralistic and democratic society that are clearly inconsistent with the values of the people of California. We have never been more proud to be Californians. By a margin in the millions, Californians overwhelmingly rejected politics fueled by resentment, bigotry, and misogyny. The largest state of the union and the strongest driver of our nation’s economy has shown it has its surest conscience as well. California is – and must always be – a refuge of justice and opportunity for people of all wa...

NAACP ‏@NAACP 1m1 minute ago Don't let nobody turn you around. If you’re in line when the polls close, you STILL get to vote #StayWokeAndVote

Four days away! The Schuyler Sisters and the cast of #HamiltonBway remind you to #VoteVote on November 8th! #Ham4Vote pic.twitter.com/vDUZSv9hXi — Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) November 5, 2016

by  Gregg Chadwick I wrote this when I heard of Lou Reed's death in 2013. Three years on the thoughts still stand. Reposted as an elegy to an inspirational figure for so many.  " Lou Reed gave us the street and the landscape - and we peopled it."  - David Bowie in the documentary " Rock 'n' Roll Heart - Lou Reed " Well hey, man, that's just a lie It's a lie she tells her friends 'Cause the real song, the real song Where she won't even admit to herself The  beatin ' in her heart It's a song lots of people know It's a painful song A little sad truth But life's full of sad songs Penny for a wish But  wishin ' won't make you a soldier. With a pretty kiss for a pretty face Can't have  it's  way Y'know tramps like us, we were born to pay  -  From the beginning of the " Slipaway " section of Lou Reed's song  Street Hassle .      Uncredited   spoken vocals by Bruce Springsteen...

Tonight! My painting “Blush Response" will be available at Art & Home:  An Evening with Los Angeles Family Housing to benefit LA Family Housing. Wednesday, October 26, 2016  7-9pm      Room & Board  Helm's Bakery Building  8707 Washington Boulevard, CA 90232 Gregg Chadwick Blush Response 10"x10" oil on canvas 2015 In collaboration with Angeleno magazine, please join us for a special art show at Room & Board in Culver City.  Over 100 local, contemporary artists have donated artworks in support of LA Family Housing. (LAFH).  Dedicated to helping families and individuals transition out of homelessness and poverty, LAFH offers a range of housing opportunities enriched with supportive services. Artwork on display in the showroom will be available for purchase for $400!  If you have always wanted a Chadwick, this is a wonderful opportunity to get an artwork at an afforda...

by Gregg Chadwick I have been carrying my copy of Jana Prikryl's engaging book of poems " The After Party " with me for a few months now. Before I go out the door, I almost always slip the collection into an open slot in my bag. On recent travels from Los Angeles, to San Francisco, to Carmel, to Milwaukee, to Memphis - Prikryl's book has been with me. Each destination flavors my reading of her poems, almost like memory itself. And in a sense that is what Prikryl does in "The After Party". In her book we travel with her through a series of moments, or times, or places, or memories. Unlike many books where the narrator disappears into the text only to reappear as an overbearing Disney-ride like explicator, in " The After Party " Prikryl joins us on a journey through time. Memory can be like an artist's drawing full of smudged marks, erasures, and fantasies. Prikryl acknowledges this in her poems and lets us glide through her veils of ti...