"My Mother Says I Have Irish Eyes"

pic.twitter.com/jCdhIrdpt2

— The Center for Anti-White Studies. (CAWS.) (@TheWPCenter) June 16, 2026

I don’t listen to modern music anymore because instead of giving us talented and beautiful artists like this who sing wholesome songs to lift the people up they force lady Gaga on us with degenerate songs filled with pornographic demons.

Does anyone know who this is?? pic.twitter.com/jy4KVuMGUK

— Leonarda Jonie (@Leonardaisfunny) April 12, 2026

"The Story Behind an Iconic Troubles' Photo," Dieter Reinisch, Wednesday, 21 Sep 2022. 

LA TIMES BUILDING: Looking east on First Street in downtown Los Angeles, 1940s

1940s.  Looking east on First Street in downtown Los Angeles, 1940s (Photo: Martin Turnbull).  Thanks to John Nelson.

Wikiwand says, "Los Angeles Times Building (1935–2018), street address 202 W. First Street, original structure on the southwest corner of 1st and Spring . . . ."  But that don't look like the "southwest corner."  It looks like the southeast corner of Broadway to me.

1985, Game 3 National Playoffs @ the Forum, Lakers vs. Celtics. Lakers were even, 1-1, coming back to LA for Game 3.

I post this, one, because I liked Larry Bird, thought he had talent, but when you're watching players play in your era you kind of take them for granted unless they earn a name and accolades for themselves the way Bird did, the way Kareem did, the way Jamaal Wilkes did, the way Magic Johnson did, and the way that Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlin, Gail Goodrich, Happy Hairston, Earl Monroe, James Worthy, Doctor Julius Erving did.  I especially liked Norm Nixon of the early 80s and late 70s.  Such a great field commander as point guard.  The Lakers and Celtic went at it in 3 consecutive championship playoffs.  

The younger generation never got to see Larry Bird move like this.. pic.twitter.com/rfV2qTXTpT

— Larry Legend☘️ (@LarryBirdDaily) June 4, 2026

The Lakers and Celtic went at it in 2 consecutive championship playoffs, 1984, 1985, 

The 1983 NBA playoffs ended with the Philadelphia 76ers defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 4–0 in the NBA Finals, with Moses Malone named Finals MVP. The 1984 NBA playoffs concluded with the Boston Celtics defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 4–3 in the NBA Finals, with Larry Bird named Finals MVP. The 1985 NBA playoffs ended with the Los Angeles Lakers defeating the Boston Celtics 4–2 in the NBA Finals.

In 1982, the Lakers went to battle against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Magic Johnson was named Finals MVP in 1982 when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 4–2.

But for the 1985 series, I went to Game 3 at the Forum in the Lakers vs. Celtics. It was magical. I was invited to the game by a UPS coworker, Rick, who lived in Diamond Bar, lived in a nice townhome with his wife. It's odd. I recall one time during that season, he invited me over to his house to watch a Laker game, drink a few beer, and snack on chips and dip. I said, sure, I'll join you. It was fun. Just the two of us. Not much conversation, but we were both avid Laker, Magic, Kareen, and Worthy fans that we couldn't have been happier watching the game with a coworker. It was a few weeks later that Rick asked me to a playoff game at the Forum, Game 3. Hard to say no to that, so I went. It was a thrill of a lifetime. The Forum crowd was absolutely nuts. Lakers won and took a 2-1 lead in the championship. But a few months later, I was gathering my things in the lockers at UPS, and I saw two plain clothes detectives come in and handcuff Rick, and they took him away. Apparently, he was selling cocaine.

"Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac, sung by Christine McVie, 1987

"Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac, sung by Christine McVie

Banning Street in the industrial section near downtown Los Angeles, 1980.

1980, Banning Street in the industrial section near downtown Los Angeles. (William Reagh Collection).  Thank you to LAPL.

The Carpenters, "Yesterday Once More," 1973

"Yesterday Once More," 1973.  "Only Yesterday," 1975, another Carpenters' song.  The Beatles' "Yesterday" was released in 1965.  Too many songs about yesterday to get people to give up the present and the future and wallow in the past. 

This is a mildly painful song because it reminds me of my Dad who loved the Carpenters' voices, TV performances, and melodies.  When I hear them today, I love them, and in 1973 they remind me of my growing pains.  I was in my purposeless junior year of high school.  And my Dad was readying for retirement.  So as to careers, skills, and social reputation, he wanted nothing of it anymore, and he thoroughly enjoyed retirement, traveling with friends and family to Colorado, to Palm Springs, to Arizona, to Chicago and Indiana to see in person and live a Notre Dame vs. USC game.  O, and he maintained Frank and Marilyn's home in Glendale, cleaning their pool, vacuuming, dusting, and keeping the kitchen clean.  

For me, goals would have helped a lot instead of just letting time drift and waiting for others to pick me up.

Patti Smith, "Because the Night," 1978

Wow, seeing this I've performance makes me like Patti Smith a lot.  The song was written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith and was released in '77 and placed on her 1978 album.

Patti Smith - Because the Night (1978) pic.twitter.com/tFU049yf6M

— 🎼🌺Music Love♥️ (@ThoNg676733) May 19, 2026

Her song, "People Have the Power," from her 1988 album, Dream of Life, is pretty good.  Not great.  Maybe too melodic and not enough bite.  

Her better work comes when she goes full grunge or Lou Reed with a feminine twist, like her 1979 "Dancing Barefoot."

"Smell of Teen Spirit," released on April 17, 2007 as part of her album Twelve).  Patti Smith’s version of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” often searched as “Smell of Teen Spirit” is a cover track on her 2007 album Twelve.