What a Waste: Bascom Library and Community Center

The city of San Jose has made several new libraries.  I am not sure how they funded them, but I do know they spent millions of dollars, if not billions.  Over the past eight years they have remodeled or constructed 18 libraries with over 450,000 square feet.  The only problem, is now as they finish each library, it lies vacant as there are not funds to run them.  Reminds me of Argentina after Peron.  Peron had funded multiple public works, but then there was too much government debt, and not enough money to run them.  I recall seeing empty high-rise hospitals, statues of government excess.  The times had changed, after the country had been run into debt.

I think these constructions point to a similar process in our country, excessive debt, but not enough staying power.  These libraries are monuments to this governmental process--bonds, debt, interest. Four billion in national debt in a little over three years.  Everybody wants some Obama money. 

These are pictures of the Bascom Library, a block from my work, completed, yet not opened.  It includes a gym and recreation center.

Pictures of the Sky the Day of the Tornado

Pictures all taken from the train except the last.

This picture taken from van by the train station in Lathrop

The sky was so pretty Wednesday, I decided to take some pictures from the train.  This would have been four hours after the tornado in French Camp.  These pictures are taking looking over the mountains of Altamont Pass.  Miranda complained that she was in Tracy and missed everything.  I guess the storm was isolated.  There was lightening in Manteca, and they kept the kids late after school to make sure they would be safe going home.  This included Caleb.

Life in Manteca 37: Easter Weekend

 Easter weekend has come and gone.  It started with Sheri and I going out to eat at Appleby's on Thursday.   Appleby's was surprisingly very good.  Sheri had steak and I had chicken and shrimp with fried taters.  Very good and 2 for $20 with appetizer of onion rings.  I took Friday off as Caleb had off of school.  Friday ended up being a do the yard work day to get ready for Easter. It was also a visit Winco day to shop for Easter.  Also movie day with Tony and Sheri.  We went to  "We bought a Zoo."  Very fun with Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansen and little sister of Dakota Fanning.
Saturday was Easter egg dying and hunting.  Here is Tony's record.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_nRBwddvxo&context=C484ff60ADvjVQa1PpcFPV-v3VBttmWpU8avrD7yp5ZSu0a3qtNcA= 

I also went to Jazz concert with Caleb; James Forte Benefit concert at the Hollywood Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zNdS1TvHK0
Birdland
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC01cewh9GI
Groovin' Hard

Sunday morning was lots of chocolate, and Tony entertaining his sister with his dancing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btLfuHZb7fA&context=C484ff60ADvjVQa1PpcFPV-v3VBttmWpU8avrD7yp5ZSu0a3qtNcA=

Movie Night: ***East of Eden

I watched this movie through Netflix DVD.  My interest in the movie stems form my interest in most things John Steinbeck.  This is his classic novel of a family with two sons, and a mother who is supposedly dead; but in the end is not dead but a woman of the world.  The sons realizing this story has different effects on them.

The younger son considers himself bad, and does everything for his father's love.  The other son, who is considered good, has his father's love and approbation.  However, int he end, it is the younger son who cares for his father after his stroke, and the other son goes to war.  James Dean stars as the younger son, and this movie helps with his reputation of being a rebel.  I would mildly recommend this movie.  It does show two contrasting worlds, that of Monterrey and Salinas, at the time when the country was preparing to go to war.  It also shows racism at it ugliest, as the local deal with a citizen of German descent.  Finally this movie also confronts the theme of what is right--how do we let others be themselves, while living a good life.

Life in Manteca: 37 A Week of Music; Relay for Life

This week has been one full of music.  Caleb is in two groups at school, and had four concerts this week.  He had choir feeder school concert on Monday.  This is to promote choir to the kids who are future students at the high school.  Then on Tuesday he had the same deal with jazz band.  Wednesday was a talent competition, and he and Lane McMurtry had put together a song, "Kids" by MGMT which they played as a guitar duet, with Caleb on vocals.  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H58W808l68
Then Friday was the Relay for Life concert.  Caleb performed in both jazz band and choir.  He had a solo with the choir singing "For the Longest Time."  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrGtunIXxb0

The Relay for Life was very interesting,  The band conductor is Rick Hammerstrom from our ward.  His wife was diagnosed with cancer a year ago.  Relay for Life is a fund raising program for the fight against cancer.  Sister Hammerstrom spoke at the concert, about her history with cancer.  There were several survivors at the concert.  The highlight was a song Brother Hammerstrom performed in which he honored his wife and expressed his love, but also recounted the experience of his wife being diagnosed.  It was very moving, and he received a standing ovation. 

Conference weekend is always fun.  Sheri made her breakfast with cinnamon rolls between sessions today as we are headed to the Norman's my sister, tomorrow between sessions.  I love conference and it has been a good one.  Of course they all are.

Charity came today, Sunday.  We went over to Dianna's between sessions for lunch, and watchd some of conference with them, but had to leave early as Caleb and I had choir rehearsal.