Coming Together On This Day

Image by szeke via Flickr

09-09-09

It seems this is the magical date for the year - last year it was the start of the Summer Olympic Games (in which opening ceremonies began on 08/08/08 at 8 seconds, 8 minutes past 8 PM local time in Beijing). Nine is no slouch, though, in Chinese culture:

The number 9 (九, Pinyin: jiŭ, jyutping: gau²), being the greatest of single-digit numbers, was historically associated with the Emperor of China; the Emperor's robes often had nine dragons, and Chinese mythology held that the dragon has nine children.

Moreover, the number 9 is a homophone of the word for "longlasting" (久), and as such is often used in weddings.

For us, now, this date includes the re-release of The Beatles remastered library on CD. And yes, I am very much looking forward to this (being a long time Beatle fan - since childhood).



However, that's not it for this day. The other Apple (computer) is doing a related music event this morning, too. That ties together nicely with the boys from Liverpool. Besides all of that, today is also a special one for us that live here in L.A. It is the 100th anniversary of the famed Santa Monica Pier. It remains, after all these years, one of the most loved places among those that live or visit here. Its history is a fascinating trip down memory lane. I was taken there a few times as a child, only to keep going back many times during each decade since (along with my kids - especially over the summer during their camps). Before I married, when I actually lived in Santa Monica, I'd get up at o-dark-thirty to make the Pier's sunrise fireworks display on the 4th of July. Unfortunately, the city of Santa Monica ceased that practice after I married - likely in mourning to the fact I was no longer single [wife: "Dream on."].

Anyway... Happy Birthday to The Pier.

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• Tomorrow the Santa Monica Pier Celebrates 100 Years (laist.com)
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Because of Him :: Greatest Guitar Riffs

This morning, our local oldies station (KRTH) was asking its listeners to call in and list their favorite guitar riffs in honor of the passing of another music legend. Lester William Polsfuss, also know as Les Paul, passed away on my birthday last week. And without his creation of the electric guitar, I don't think rock 'n roll happens without that single instrument. The Rock and Rock Hall of Fame has him down with a permanent exhibit and honors him as one of the architects on their website.

The rest of this post has been updated and moved over to my current blog, found here.

It's Been 40 Years

Abbey Road 40th Anniversary: Abbey Road Album Anniversary

Six shots were taken by the photographer (from the middle of the road) as the group strode across. And McCartney choose the one.