10/29/26
10/19/26
BROKEN PLEA : THE EXCERPT THAT IMPACTS : CHRISTINE TRZYNA BOOK REVIEW and OPINION
Excerpt pages 413-414 : CAPTER TITLE : DRUNK OR NOT, DEATH ROW, the NEW NORMAL
No one knows what really happened inside that house early Sunday morning - but we all know what did not.
We know the killer did not stop at Dylan Mortensen's room on his way upstairs toward his intended targets. We know that the assassin did not, by himself asphyxiate, beat, sab, and hack away at Kaylee Goncalves while Maddie Mogen lay quietly in bed beside her without fighting back or running away. We know that a complete stranger would not take the time to slice each of their throats twice, postmortem, before suggestively posing their p\bodies in an assault that Bill Thompson himself said was not sexual in nature.
We know that Dylan Mortensen did not apparently hear the extreme violence of the attacks though her bed was directly beneath Maddie's in a house where she told police, "You can hear everything." We know, despite Bryan Kohberger's admissions of guilt, that police have not produced a shred of evidence linking him to any of the victims of the two survivors. There is no indication in the terabytes of investigation that he ever visited or stepped inside the house.
In terms of means, motive, and modus operandi, we know the killer premeditated his crimes, wearing black clothing and a balaclava to the scene, though we don't know why. We know he left blood transfers on the walls and flat surface s in the stairwell but not on the floors. We know he did no interact with Murphy, because the dog was lying on Kaylee's bed when p[police arrived with no signs of injury and not a drop of blood on his fur. We know from Bethany (Bethany Funke - a housemate), neighbors, and Ring cam audio that Murphy was barking from the outside the house forty-five minutes after the murders, but we do not know how he got back inside.
Moving downstairs, we know that the killer did not stop at Dylan Mortensen's room on his way out. We know the killer attacked Xana (Xana Kernodle - a housemate) in or near the kitchen, chasing her across the living room as she screamed so loudly it was picked up on a Ring Camera down the street, but we do not know why no one heard her in the house. We know from lab reports that the killer splashed Maddie's and Kaylee's blood on the living room walls, but we do not know how every droplet ws found to have been "diluted with an unknown substance." We know blood was found on the floors of both murder scene bedrooms, but we don't have a clue how the killer walked through the house without tracking anything around on his shoes. ...
Editing to include full names is mine. As Joel over at Surviving the Survivor says, it is important to name the victims. It reminds us they were human, individuals.
Yes there is more. And yes you should get the book and read it. This is a mystery that thousands of individuals - those into True Crime - those who, like me, have become captivated, are hooked on, coming up with theories, speculations, and hopes of true justice.
As per past posts, I have not been sure that Bryan Kohberger commit these murders at all, and this book has convinced me that whomever did murder these college students didn't do so alone. I've watched so very many YouTube videos/stations and there are some very good ones out there.
I previously mentioned thinking of Surviving the Survivor as an excellent True Crime channel. Since my interest has been only on this particular crime, and Joel over there went on to reportage of other crimes, I veered away from his station. I'm going to mention two that have compelling information:
It's my policy to not knowingly post any video that has commercials attached to it so I'm only going to provide links:
*****
Amber Vance IMPRESSIVE TIMELINE - Extensive Research and collection of information
J. Embree INTERESTING RECREATION OF AUTOPSY EVIDENCE proving more than one knife used indicating more than one person used a knife.
The medical or psychological term for memory loss regarding the details of a traumatic event or episode of acute stress is retrograde amnesia or post-traumatic amnesia, often occurring alongside a dissociative response.
Retrograde Amnesia: An inability to recall events that occurred just before or during a specific trauma, injury, or shock.
Post-Traumatic Amnesia (PTA): A state of confusion and memory loss that follows a concussion, head injury, or severe physical shock, where the person cannot remember the incident or the immediate aftermath.
Dissociative Amnesia: A psychological response where the mind blocks out autobiographical or event-specific information following severe emotional shock, abuse, or violence.
Transient Global Amnesia (TGA): A sudden, temporary episode where a person cannot form new memories or recall recent events for a few hours, while otherwise remaining alert and knowing who they are.
All Rights Reserved
10/9/26
BLITZKRIEG BOP : THE RAMONES
Joey Ramone (1951-2001)
The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles hosted the exhibition "Hey! Ho! Let's Go: Ramones and the Birth of Punk" from September 16, 2016, through February 28, 2017
Exhibition Details : Anniversary: Celebrated the 40th anniversary of the band's 1976 self-titled debut album.
10/4/26
I'M READING ...
BROKEN PLEA The Explosive Search For Truth Behind the Idaho Murders
by Christopher Whitcomb
9/28/26
JIM MORRISON INTERVIEW : HE WAS 26 YEARS OLD : HE WAS INTERESTED IN JAZZ
9/26/26
LOS ANGELES IN THE 1970'S : CHRISTINE TRZYNA BOOK REVIEW
David Kukoff editor.
9/21/26
THE SEEKERS BY JOHN DENSMORE : CHRISTINE TRZYNA BOOK REVIEW
Lately I'm on a Doors reading jag and this is one of the books I've read by a musician who was in the Doors or someone considered to be a person accomplished when it comes to writing music bios. I'm so impressed with this book because Densmore weaves personal experience and some of his history and Doors history with profiling some of the musicians who have impressed him. George Harrison; Densmore was in the room with him. Ravi Shankar - ditto. Patti Smith - the same. It's a short but sweet read but impactful just the same.
Densmore also writes about the creative process and spirituality, how that influenced him or was a factor in developing his art and a philosophy of life. That I think would be of interest to any creator.
Now I'm not sure if I will review the other books that crisscross the story of the Doors or not. I will say that so far these books are so much more worth the time reading than some of the other music memoirs I've reviewed here which I've criticized because the writer(s) seemed to have no introspection.
C 2026 Christine Trzyna All Rights Reserved
9/14/26
INTERVIEW WITH CARLOS CASTANEDA
https://youtu.be/ymylx-nrldc?si=Wyiw5M_4TN4zz5uI
DON JUAN THE SORCERER - Carlos Castaneda interviewed by Theodore Roszak. Author of "The Teachings of Don Juan" discusses his experiences with hallucinogenic substances used under the guidance of his Yaqui Indian teacher, don Juan Matus. BROADCAST: KPFA, 30 Jan. 1969.(37 min.) BB2038 Pacifica Radio Archives.
I met a woman who studied Anthropology at UCLA and was in his lecture class during the brief time that Carlos Castaneda was teaching there. I regret not quizzing her about it. She became an PhD. anthropologist studying and recording the music of the a certain ethnic tribal group in Mexico and Central America.
I'm sure that - through the years - I read most of his books beginning with The Teachings of Don Juan though I remember only a couple scenes from those books. I felt confused about what I was reading. I noticed that my local libraries seem to no longer have these books as if they haven't bothered to reorder them when old copies were stolen or fell apart from popularity.
Years later, years ago, I met a woman who was studying to be a hypnotherapist (not a hypnotist) and we had a brief conversation about Castaneda. Very basically, she said, ..." but he was right."
I've read some criticism of Castaneda. I read some books by women who were called "witches" who we might call devotees or students or members of a cult. I also read Amy Wallace's Sorcerer's Apprentice. (July 3, 1955 – August 10, 2013 : Amy Wallace.) This book came out in 2003.
9/9/26
GLORIA STEINEM said
"The truth will set you free but first it will piss you off." - Gloria Steinem
THE NEW YORKER : GLORIA STEINEM GAVE IT ALL by Emma Watson
Excerpts:
I have always felt a strange protectiveness toward Gloria, which is absurd when you consider that Gloria Steinem has spent her life protecting the rest of us. She is one of the greatest heroines of the twentieth century.
...
As the eclipse passes, I think about how quiet I have been for quite some time now, and I realize that something about that has to change, because if Gloria is leaving us, then some of us are going to have to get louder. It feels less like a decision than like a law of physics: I think of gravity, of black holes, of the way one body continues to exert a force on another across apparently empty space. I feel Gloria’s gravity still, pulling me toward the horizon and toward a world she could already envision.
She did not get to see it.
9/8/26
8/31/26
JONI MITCHELL said
"I don't like being too looked up at or too looked down on. I prefer meeting in the middle to being worshipped or spat at." - Joni Mitchell
8/22/26
8/6/26
GRAHAM NASH ON TOUR : FIND THE COST OF FREEDOM AND WOODSTOCK
An excellent concert: Just wish the names of the musicians had been included:
6/22/26
I'M BACKFLOATING IN 12 FEET OF WATER FOR THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS ...
Enjoy reading some of my past posts! I've enjoyed writing them! Christine
5/15/26
5/9/26
RIDERS ON THE STORM : ROBBY KREIGER and JOHN DENSMORE : PLAYING FOR CHANGE : FANTASTIC VERSION!
The Doors: John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Jim Morrison, Ray Manzarek- Drums, Guitar, Vocals Red Cloud Drum Group- Percussion Aaron White- Acoustic Guitar, Vocal Micah Nelson- Harmonica Lukas Nelson- Vocals, Guitar Sierra Ferrell- Vocals Rami Jaffee- Piano William Barton- Didgeridoo Don Was- Bass Boboulay Sissokho- Kora Macarena Montesinos- Cello Guarani Andeva Group- Percussion Iron Cult Dancers- Dancers Izzana Jaa- Vocals Ezequiel Acosta- Bandoneón Erik Prevost David- Trumpet
5/2/26
LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY CELEBRATES 100 YEARS : 1926 - 2026 : ONE OF MY OLD HAUNTS
4/25/26
LOS ANGELES HOMELESS STUDENTS : NUMBERS RISE TERRIFYINGLY : RESOURCES
LOS ANGELES HOMELESS STUDENTS NUMBERS RISE TERRIFYINGLY
In recent times I've met some adults at the library who are enrolling at certain community colleges in the county of Los Angeles for the benefits of being a student. These include:
Being able to park without harassment by police. i.e. a homeless student sleeping in their vehicle.
Free breakfast or other meals.
Free public transportation passes.
Free laptop computers.
Free showers - sometimes limited to those taking an exercise or gym class or using a campus gym.
Classes can include non-credit classes, certificate programs supposedly aimed at available employment; one need not be taking credit classes in order to eventually earn a degree.
This shows that at the community college level, it is understood that students living in poverty need basic-needs support in order to obtain education which may be necessary to compete for work. However, some of these full grown adults have simply found another means for their survival and do the same enroll and then dump out routine semester after semester. That strikes me as taking advantage of the college - or whomever the funder(s) is.
Some time ago I got up on my soapbox and ranted about the homeless student situation in Los Angeles and I recently reread what I wrote. I was stunned by my own expressed anger. That anger has not gone away, but maybe back then my sense of injustice also revealed an idealism I no longer have.
So this morning, I asked Google, about the Los Angeles homeless student situation. Based on the Los Angeles Times report as of April 2026 (though stats from a couple years ago were used by researchers)
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-01/la-county-student-homelessness-study
Key drivers include a shortage of affordable housing, economic hardship, limited federal funding for schools and longstanding inequities affecting people of color and people with disabilities.
Excerpt: LACOE HEP works to help districts and charter schools maintain compliance with the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act, an integral part of the Every Student Succeeds Act.
According the the summation provided by Google AI:
Key Data on LA Homeless Students (2023-24): Surging Numbers: The number of homeless students has seen a sharp, rapid rise, representing the highest rate in the past five years.
Black Students: Approximately 11.5% of homeless students in LA County are Black, which is slightly higher than the state average.
Living Situations: Most students categorized as homeless are in "doubled-up" situations (living with others due to economic hardship), rather than on the streets.
Soon enough I realized what was happening. The same families were coming to the library for the Summer Reading Program Events. They were actually spending long hours - days on end - in the parks. At night some were in their vehicles and some were sleeping on the floors of more fortunate families, often renters in older neighborhood buildings.
4/23/26
4/1/26
3/16/26
I GOT PLACES TO BE : FRED AGAIN and ANDERSON PAAK
3/13/26
GIVE ME SHELTER : THE ROLLING STONES
2/25/26
TALES OF THE AMERICAN (HOTEL IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - AREA NOW CALLED THE ARTS DISTRICT) : CHRISTINE TRZYNA FILM REVIEW
https://www.talesoftheamerican.com/ A documentary.
I attended a presentation of this film, made a few years ago, of excellent quality, at LAPL - Central. It was made by Stephen Seemayer and Pamela Wilson and they interviewed over 140 once-upon-a-time and current artist residents in the process. The history of the building, built in 1905, which had other names, was that it was the first hotel in the city of Los Angeles to welcome Negro guests - and was then called, interestingly enough, The Canadian. It then became a place where recent Japanese immigrants could live; some were put into camps after the United States entered World War II. Eventually artists, writers, and musicians moved in. The rent was low and the then-Arts District- was vibrant - lawless - but you had a chance of honing your craft and skill because it was affordable. Now the Los Angeles Arts District is becoming too expensive for someone who is, at best, up and coming.
Perhaps the American was the Los Angeles equivalent of New York's Chelsea Hotel?
I had never heard of it.
It was not my kind of place which is probably why I had not.
Affordable. That is the buzz word these days. The word Affordable should never be used to advertise rooms for rent or apartments for lease or townhomes for sale. It's a joke word.
I was thinking while viewing the Tales of the American documentary about my experiences being around people who were .... vexations to the spirit. As, apparently, some of the people who made this place - and the in-house Al's Bar - "home" were or would be to me.
I haven't lived a life free of such people. They are everywhere. I'm just getting better at discernment/avoidance.
Lately, and I'm not the only one saying this, it seems crazy-makers are everywhere, that one cannot find that hidey-hole where one can be alone, think, sleep enough - or work.
I think there is, overall, the wrong idea that artists of every sort need chaos, that creativity needs chaos.
Actually, what one needs to create first and foremost is the time, which usually means time off, being able to either not be concerned with affording time away from the usual pursuit of self-support, maybe because parents or partner take care of that or you inherit, or because it doesn't bother you too much to hear loud music through your floors every night or have to share a filthy bathtub and toilet with twenty other people.
I'm just the opposite. I like clean. I like quietude and privacy and knowing I'm safe without three bolts on a door.
C 2026 Christine Trzyna
2/24/26
2/17/26
IT WAS THE LAST TIME I'LL EVER GO TO THE TOURIST TRAP CALLED "THE LAST BOOKSTORE" IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES : THE LAST BOOK STORE SHOULD BE THE LAST PLACE YOU GO LOOKING FOR BOOKS!
IT WASTHE LAST TIME I'LL EVER GO TO THE TOURIST TRAP CALLED "THE LAST BOOKSTORE" IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES : THE LAST BOOK STORE SHOULD BE THE LAST PLACE YOU GO LOOKING FOR BOOKS!
Opinion by Christine Trzyna
Months ago, I and a friend, he with his service dog in a carrier (no questions asked but the carrier looks like a wheeled suitcase and cannot be missed), and me with a big bag full of library books and a manuscript as well as a purse, were allowed into THE LAST BOOKSTORE without a problem. After encountering the fanciful displays - tunnels and such - made of used books - we sat on an old sofa. He fell asleep - so did his dog - and I let him as I paged through a couple books and decided to buy one of them.
The displays - excellent upcycling and creatively designed - were also shabby and dusty. I wondered if the owners had bought up storage units of decaying paper books, as well as the book cases, of many a defunct ma and pa bookstore, especially because only in this environment did so many odd and unmatched book cases look right
There were a lot of tourists with cell phones taking pictures around us, documenting their visit to this massive space that takes the ground floor of an old building, which also has some boutique businesses within. We quickly looked into these other businesses which must be subleasing. Later we learned that we could have gotten a free cup of coffee if we showed that we had bought a book. (Which would have required going back upstairs.) Because their web site mentioned that they had a ghost, I asked an employee where the ghost was. Ha Ha! In the elevator, a bank robber who got shot by the police in an elevator. (What marketing!)
So, the other day, I decided to go solo to THE LAST BOOK STORE, in search of a memoir or two and a cup of coffee. I decided to try and navigate the Metro subway there. Last visit we had walked down the hill past Pershing Square from LAPL - Central. This time, when I went above ground, I realized I was a few blocks from LAPL - Central. I realized later I would have been better off getting off at Pershing Square.
I was carrying with me a small, clean, light-colored backpack - purse with handles, not one of those huge backpacks that looks like one is going to climb Mount Everest. Also a small clean canvas book bag received at a library event with a library design on it and a small collapsible umbrella. I was wearing clogs that are waterproof but also clean and well designed. I was wearing black slacks, not beat-up jeans with holes, and a classic burgundy sweater, over which I had my cotton jacket which was, unlike most of my clothing, designed by Ralph Lauren. I had a beanie on my head. No cosmetics. No facial tattoos.
I bathe. I did not smell. I am not a suspicious character.
On my way - at least eight city blocks - maybe ten - to THE LAST BOOKSTORE, I grew fatigued. I stopped in front of a side door of THE BILTMORE HOTEL. I had always wanted to go inside and look around the Biltmore, but was intimidated about going through the front lobby. If there was any place in downtown Los Angeles that I imagined someone might want to tell me, politely, that I did not belong there and needed to leave right away, it would have been THE BILTMORE HOTEL. The hotel, opened in 1923, is part of Los Angeles - Hollywood history. Instead, an employee outside, sensing my interest, said to me "Go ahead and go in!" I didn't invade all the rooms - there are restaurants and bars and ballrooms - but I spent about a half hour in there, photographing without a problem, looking around. What I saw was simply majestic. At no time did any employee inside THE BILTMORE HOTEL approach me.
But when I got to THE LAST BOOKSTORE, I quickly realized that I had wasted my day making this place a goal. I WAS TOLD I COULD NOT GO IN WITH MY BACKPACK, though I told the man with the cheesy smile at the desk, that I had money and electronics with me in it and didn't feel good about leaving it. (If it was stolen, I thought, how would I be compensated, if at all? Did he go through a background check to get the job?) I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD NOT EVEN TAKE THE CANVAS LIBRARY BAG WITH ME. Ah, what if I had to travel with a medical kit of some kind like my friend does because he has low blood sugar?
"If I cannot take these in with me, how do you expect me to buy books?"
"Most people only TAKE THEIR WALLET!" he said. Yes he did. So slick!
So I said "Forget it" and asked for my things back. He turned my things over smoothly without loosing that cheesy smile. He claimed he hated the store policy too.
Behind him were a dozen BIG BLACK BACKPACKS - OK - I get it - like homeless men take around with them.
To say I was INSULTED would not be right. I was STUPEFIED. As I left, around the bend and into the storefront came a couple with a BABY IN ARMS and A HUGE DIAPER BAG. Good Luck! I thought. I knew I would NEVER EVER BOTHER TO GO BACK TO SUCH A PLACE. I WAS ONCE CONNED BY THE CHARISMA OF IT; NO MORE!
THE LAST BOOKSTORE IS CLEARLY MAKING TOO MUCH MONEY, SO MUCH THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT A POTENTIALLY GOOD CUSTOMER - THE LIKES OF ME. They are too busy PROFILING - erroneously.
So let's look at it. IF YOU ARE STAYING IN A HOTEL OR LIVE IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES that is in WALKABLE DISTANCE to THE LAST BOOKSTORE, then you can go in there with your wallet.
IF YOU ARE LIKE MOST ANGELENOS - men and women - ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO GO DOWNTOWN USING THE SUBWAY or BUS - PUBLIC TRANSIT - you take a backpack or bag or bags with you. YOU DO NOT HAVE A TRUNK OR GLOVE COMPARTMENT. YOU DO NOT PAY HIGH PARKING FEES to go and do downtown. You take a backback because you are a STUDENT, say. Maybe you're a student of LITERATURE or CREATIVE WRITING AT USC or UCLA. MAYBE YOU ARE A POET, A WRITER, A PUBLISHED AUTHOR, A PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AT LA VALLEY COLLEGE. MAYBE YOU SPEAK AT THE USC LOS ANGELES TIMES BOOK FAIR -
Maybe you are a tourist, and you're staying at a youth hostel. Maybe - just maybe - you are on the best seller list!
You get me.
At a time when Anti-Amazon sentiment is rising, many of us want to read books that seem to have gone extinct, and so we head for a used book store.
I SUGGEST THAT YOU FIND ANOTHER INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE, and support that bookstore - even if they are in another state. Let them order in the new books that you want too, if you do not find them at your local library, on Project Gutenberg, in Google Books, on Hoopla or another such app, BEFORE YOU TAKE A TRECK TO THE LAST BOOKSTORE!
Another day I will likely post a photo of the entrance of this store, just to prove to you that I actually went there!
C 2026 including photo : Christine Trzyna All Rights Reserved including Internet and International Rights.
Hey, I've been blogging for years. I don't need to YELP IT! Do I?
PS. It's not that about me having "class": it's that the Biltmore has it and The Last Bookstore does not!
2/14/26
2/11/26
I'LL BE YOUR MIRROR
How many times must I look in a mirror and see myself as I really am?
2/4/26
NO MORE DRUGSTORE PAPERBACKS? PUBLISHER WEEKLY SAYS NO ; MAYBE SOME BODICE RIPPERS?
1/31/26
TRIVIAL or SUPERFICIAL or LIGHTHEARTED ; THE LIST OF THE MOMENT
WHAT'S NEW?
I'm Curious : Will this Year of the Fire Horse really be horribly erratic?
I Might Just Be Done With : HERD Elephant Orphanage in South Africa. Although a young female elephant did kill a carer, they put her to death. The hell with South Africa and their policy of not allowing elephant orphans to breed. The entire situation is unnatural and I no longer believe this is the place for them. I used to look at their videos very frequently but can't bring myself to do it anymore. Just let these elephants mix with and join the Wild Elephants!
So funny! : AI generated political cartoons of sorts on YouTube that feature "world leaders."
Am I what I eat?
Cheese Of The Moment : Cream
Bread : Everything Bagel
Soup : Curry chicken
Condiment : Mayo
Sweet/Snack : Werthers original hard tac candies. Bags and bags of them.
I'm Drinking : Ginger-honey-lemon instant tea (tisane) : love the ginger kick.
I'm Craving : Freshly cooked Chinese food that has no MSG and isn't overly salted.
AM I WHAT I BUY? white sweater with zipper front, brown suede denim slacks - wide legs, backpack that also has handles and excellent zippers, black sweatshirt beautifully colorfully embroidered with flowers that looks Polish.
AM I WHAT I MISS? Long hours reading books.
I'M GETTING BETTER AT : Discernment.
I FEAR : The crazy people who erupt at Central Library and are a danger to others and themselves. Screaming. Shoving.
I SHOULD : Go to the beach more often. Go to a sound bath. Get back into Yoga.
I WISH : The genie would appear and grant me three wishes.
C 2026 Christine Trzyna
Ask yourself the same questions.
Don't let me influence you.