Sunday, February 27, 2011

Walk Down Fremont Street


Most people who go to Las Vegas stay on the strip. However there are some people like me who want to see more than what the average tourist sees. I wanted to stay in downtown Vegas, the original Vegas where Sinatra and his boys lived and worked. One day we decided to walk outside of downtown on Fremont Street. This is what we saw.












Walk Down Fremont Street


Take a walk down Fremont St. I don't mean the tourist part. I mean go outside the box. See some old places and vacant lots that once held nights celebrated by revelry and debauchery. See the hotels that people who either cannot or do not want to pay hundreds of dollars for the resort rooms stay at. There is more to Las Vegas than what the average tourist sees.

Old Bar on Fremont Street



We decided to take a walk outside the tourist part of Fremont street. We soon found ourselves in what looks like the seedy side of town. While walking down Fremont Street we saw vacant and old buildings and even ruins of places that looked like they were hotels, casinos, bars, etc. We unintentionally picked up a bum who was pointing out where we could get cheap sexual favors (probably more like robbed and/or killed) but we took his word for it. We weren't interested in finding out first hand. I shot this clip as we were walking back to the tourist section. This sign caught my attention. I wonder if back in the 1960s/1970s this was a classier bar that served the likes of Sinatra's goons rather than the riff raff that hangs around it.

Gold Digger Bar




This is a clip I shot at the Gold Digger Bar in Las Vegas. We stayed in the old downtown section because I prefer the older, the original Las Vegas to the over rated strip (in my opinion). Quite surprisingly we had a great time. I'm not sure I can post those videos. You know what they say. What happens......

Nazi Christmas





These photographs turned up in an article last December. In them you see a lavish Christmas dinner for the Nazi high command. In the first picture you see Hilter himself surrounded by men who trembled at his instability knowing that one false move, or misperception by the "fuhrer" would cost them their lives. If anyone wants to visualize an oxymoron look no further. The epitome of evil observing Christmas. Peace on earth and goodwill towards man does not mean invading Europe committing genocide!

Kingston, Jamaica 1965


I came across this picture by typing "Jamaica 1965" in Google's search engine. This picture stood out amongst the dozens that appear on the first page. The caption stated this was taken in Kingston, Jamaica, circa 1965. If that's accurate then Jamaica had only been an independent nation for only three years. In lower, middle of the picture stands a man. Who was he? What happened to him? If he were to walk up the street what would he find? I wonder if he could find a cup of coffee somewhere up there.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Demeris BBQ







I've only been eating at the Demeris BBQ on Marinette in south west Houston for about five years. However my grandfather used to eat here thirty years ago. This one was built in the 1960s. Back then this was a major business part of town and the neighborhood was affluent. Over time the man who developed this area went to prison and the area declined. Cheap apartments sprang up and middle class, then lower class families moved in bringing criminal elements. Despite all that many older residents still flock here for the yummy BBQ. Another land mark with a history of people long gone and stories long forgotten.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Playing With Apps




I shot this inside a Freebird's World Burrito. I was using an Iphone App that lets you shoot 1920s and 1970s vintage style videos. Since Queen's Fat bottom Girls was playing I thought it would make a good 70s style video. It's a shame you can't hear the music clearly.

Dancing on the Yacht




The pajama dance contest on the pajama cruise (see previous post). I just watched an filmed. I don't like "booty music."

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Star Fleet Yachts


I know it sounds like something out of Star Trek. A friend of mine turned me onto this company that sails two yachts an hour into Galveston Bay before turning around and coming back. The whole excursion is two hours. I know, I know;
"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale. A tale of a fateful trip!"

After boarding and getting the window seat I smelled the buffet. It reminded me of the bigger, week long cruises and gave me a sense of nostalgia. I've been on two cruises and want to do another this time without the ex wife. Anyhow we ate and drank and watched the dance contest. Then we went out on the deck. I didn't stay long thanks to the cold weather. It reminded me of the bigger cruise being in the middle of the ocean in the middle of the night where the only lights are the moon, the stars, and maybe another boat in the distance. I longed for the sea, for the luxury of the bigger cruise. For the food, the drinks, the peace that comes with being on the open sea and the adventure from visiting the ports of call.
Visit the company's website here.




















Saturday, February 5, 2011

Natty Never Get Weary




Here we have Channel One Sound system presenting reggae music in East London. In this clip they play Culture's Natty Never Get Weary. It looks like a nice, warm day. People are out looking for a good time. The DJs play a classic Culture tune. The Rastafarians dance in expression of their beliefs. The hippies in the video are dancing to the music with no clue what the song is about. Regardless the enjoyment of the music and the desire to let it take them over and dance is what brings them all together.