Los Angeles is experiencing a dose of civic pride unlike anything they've felt since being awarded the 1984 Summer Olympics.  The Rocky Cup, the perpetual trophy for Earth's oldest living person, is jetting to L.A. following the death of Maria de Jesus in Portugal. 

Gertrude Baines becomes the new cup holder.   The 114-year-old Angeleno, born to former slaves in Georgia in 1894, is clearing a space for the trophy between her stuffed animals and room humidifier.  These are good times for Ms. Baines:

"Baines appeared cheerful and talkative when the Los Angeles Times interviewed her in November as she cast her vote for Barack Obama for president, whom she said she supported because "he's for the colored people."

"I'm glad we're getting a colored man in there," she said."

Here's to Gertrude having a long, healthy tenure as keeper of the Rocky Cup.

Epiphany - A living child of former slaves makes you realize how the history of America has happened in the blink of an eye.  In August, Maude Hopkins, recognized as the last surviving Civil War widow, died.  In 1934 she married an 86-year-old veteran of the Civil War.  Historians suspect that there could be surviving Civil War widows who just don't want to come forward.  When you're tempted to think of the Vietnam War as ancient history, imagine these broads, who can recount their husbands tales of how the battle of Antietam was one fuck-up after another. 

The blink of an eye.