on hot bikinis by the park, hot carp and a hot fair
Hot babes in bikinis manning drive-through coffee stands ... welcomed, judging by their popularity.
Bikini babes at fireworks stands ... not so much. Especially when it’s next to a park.
Tacoma’s neighboring town (where LOIL resides) is taking heat from residents over a bikini fireworks stand that was less than a block from a park popular with families and children.
It wasn’t only the bikini-clad employees but the business sign, “Nearly Naked Fireworks,” flanked by female silhouettes that they also found objectionable.
More objectionable to me is the sign inside that read: “Don’t be afraid to stare ... that’s what there here for.” WTF?! Pick up a second-grade English textbook will ya?!?!!! Dumb dumb dumb we are so damn dumb!
Anyhow, in view of the complaints, whether the nearly naked will return to sell fireworks at the site next year remains to be determined.
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A blurb on the radio mentioned that thieves are utilizing Google Earth maps to detect homes with ponds to steal costly koi as well as pond equipment.
Google’s satellite technology is stunning and detailed. Try it on your own place. It's a perfect tool for criminals to scope out the scene or locate goodies. Just one of many examples: A guy in England stole about $141,000 worth of lead from roofs by identifying the structures with Google Earth. Got me thinking that if I were among the wealthy or a celebrity, I would NOT want my place viewable on Google Earth. Reportedly you can contact them to have it removed or “blacked out," dunno how it works.
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I went to yesterday's Freedom Fair, considered one of the best in the Pacific Northwest. It's an excellent event with a lot going on and all very laid back and cool in true Tacoma style.
This year, for the first time in 30 years, they requested donations due to the recession and dearth of corporate sponsorships threatening its continuation. As usually occurs, Tacomans rose to the occasion and showed their dedication and loyalty with few complaints and donations that at last report assure the fair's return next year!
This all-day event along the waterfront, capped with fireworks, is immensely popular and traffic is a bitch. Walking my way down, I passed a house about three blocks from the entrance that was selling parking for $30 (38 AU). Thirty bucks!!
That struck me as pure opportunistic greed. Made me sick. Where's the neighborliness or community spirit in that? Or sensitivity in these hard times? Maybe I'm old-fashioned but I believe this is the time to be generous and helpful, not greedy and self-serving. Got me thinking that if I lived there, I'd charge maybe 5 bucks -- certainly no more than $10, which is what the city was charging for parking along the waterfront! And I'd put the money on my gratitude dish, not in my wallet. Somehow I don't picture that house having one. It really rubbed me wrong. I wanted to go TP their place after nightfall.
Apart from that, a very fine and relaxing day was had by me and thousands of others. The Taste of Tacoma has soured in recent years but the Freedom Fair rocks (and gets better every year). So take a bow, Tacoma, it's well deserved, you did good.
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When we googled street view of our place a few months ago, the neighbour (now deceased) was out bending over on her front path. We laughed because basically all you could see was her bottom in the air.
"Nearly Naked Fireworks"? I can only picture their oily bodies handling the explosives.
As for people gouging costs to get a buck, it's universal. Where's there a profit to be made, people will exploit it!
I have never been to the freedom fair. I have gone out to fort stilicoom for their fireworks display, Mr. L used to run the race out there in the morning.
As for the Freedom Fair, it's worth a visit; have heard that Steilacoom puts on a good fireworks show ... though dunno whether that was the case this year with the severe cutbacks.