Gardena Obon Festival 2009

This weekend there are Obon Festivals happening in many places. Here are few of my photos from last year. I didn't post these before. I may put more up plus videos.

The Obon Festival here is held at the Gardena Buddhist Church.



There are all sorts of things going on. Food, exhibits, tea ceremony, music, games.



There is also Taiko drumming by the local group Isami.



People of all ages get dressed up to come to the Obon Matsuri.



Why? So they can dance!



(more photos can be found at my Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/blukat/)

Where I wish I was yesterday

Another from the other day. Point Vicente, Palos Verdes

One from today

Nice weather today. This is in Palos Verdes looking out over the Pacific Ocean. Marineland of the Pacific use to be here. I went there as a kid a few times so this was rather bittersweet. Still the Terranea Resort now there is very nice with well-made trails and open spaces. To the right of the photo on the horizon is Catalina Island.

Here

have some Hydrangea

Funny

How looking on-line to see if there is anything that explains how people can help those who may be alone, at least at holidays.

And all I see is people telling alone people to go spend time with family, go make friends.

How strange that as a society we don't put more emphasis on helping those right around us. I would be that everyone who reads this knows at least one person who doesn't have people to be with on holidays and other times. When is the last time you made an effort just to spend a little time with them?

Why is it that this society makes it so that unless you are invited to be with others you are a loser. Why doesn't the reverse happen? Why is it the alone person's fault all the time?