Weekly Blog Entries
10 Pandemic must haves – Now and always
Pandemic must haves The most often used products over the last year that I now can’t live without We are officially 12 months into a pandemic that has killed nearly 3 million people […]
Read More about 10 Pandemic must haves – Now and alwaysThe necessity of Black History month
Why Black History Month is American History Month “I don’t want a Black History Month. Black History is American History.” Those words uttered by actor Morgan Freeman are as destructive as they are candid and […]
Read More about The necessity of Black History monthThe Interview: Me
One of the most in-depth interviews of my career During the early summer of 2020, I was contacted through social media, by a young man from Italy named Pietro, a huge fan of Kevin […]
Read More about The Interview: MeThe N Word
And why staying silent is not a choice anymore CBactortraveler.com was started in December of 2019 as a vehicle to practice writing in a way that would allow me to begin submitting pitches and […]
Read More about The N WordSourdough at Home
Sourdough at Home When Lucio’s bread baking class saved my quarantine blues There are very few things in life that are more satisfying than baking bread. Watching the amazing process of turning flour, water […]
Read More about Sourdough at HomeHere’s to the Moms
Celebrating Moms around the world “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. […]
Read More about Here’s to the MomsOkonomiyaki and Mayuko’s little kitchen cooking class
Okonomiyaki and Mayuko’s little kitchen cooking class The most delicious pancake, Japanese style Mayuko’s little kitchen cooking class – Shibuya, Tokyo Spending any amount of time in Japan and it inspires multiple stories. The longer […]
Read More about Okonomiyaki and Mayuko’s little kitchen cooking classThis week we breathe – Alaska
This week we breathe – Alaska As the planet breathes for the first time in over a century, so too should we Astrological signs are not the kinds of things I’ve completely bought into […]
Read More about This week we breathe – AlaskaA plea from the Foodbanks
A plea from the Foodbanks A painful reality check It’s been over 20 years since the death of my father from liver cancer devastated my world. The 5 months from diagnosis to death were […]
Read More about A plea from the FoodbanksDa Bomb Baked Potato Soup
Da Bomb Baked Potato Soup Comfort food at its best Before I begin, I want to give a huge shout-out to our state and local leaders. I feel very fortunate to live in California […]
Read More about Da Bomb Baked Potato SoupFor the love of Seattle Jazz
For the Love of Seattle Jazz How seeing Arturo Sandoval 3 years ago is helping with isolation Ok 2 things. 1: Seattle Jazz is a misnomer. Jimi Hendrix is the most famous jazz musician […]
Read More about For the love of Seattle JazzWho Knew?
Who Knew? Surviving the Quarantine and adjusting to the new normal These are definitely historic times. Never before have I done daily inventory on basic household products with a constant mind on rationing. “Ok, […]
Read More about Who Knew?Lucy’s Gluten Free Lemon squares-CB’s baking Genesis
Lucy’s Gluten free Lemon Squares These are what started it all Sooo Good! When I was 7, I caught the chicken pox. I was in second grade and I had to stay home from […]
Read More about Lucy’s Gluten Free Lemon squares-CB’s baking GenesisHamilton returns to LA – time to skip rent
Note: I’ve updated this due to the ongoing pandemic outbreak of the COVID-19 or Coronavirus in the US and, in particular in LA. Currently, Los Angeles County has 27 diagnosed cases and 1 death. Most […]
Read More about Hamilton returns to LA – time to skip rentVanity Fair celebrates Hollywood in photographs
Vanity Fair celebrates Hollywood in Pictures Hollywood legends shot by iconic photographers on display at the Annenberg Space for Photography Through July 26, 2020, Southern Californians have the opportunity, for free mind you, to […]
Read More about Vanity Fair celebrates Hollywood in photographsCeviche-Chile Style
Ceviche-Chile Style It’s an appetizer perfecto, gracias a la Cocina de Tatan y Santiago Quick, easy, delicious Cristian Mellado, or Tatan as he’s known, is early to pick me up for my much […]
Read More about Ceviche-Chile StyleCentral High School Visitors Center – the most important in America?
Central High School Visitors Center More important than the school itself? The most important in America? A while ago, I attended a travel writers conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. Having done my research prior to, […]
Read More about Central High School Visitors Center – the most important in America?Gettin woke in DC
Gettin’ woke in DC How 2 days in a museum changed my life. The National Museum of African American History and Culture I gave myself 2 days. Probably needed an extra day. 6 […]
Read More about Gettin woke in DCThe Racial Harmony Chocolate Chip cookie
The Racial Harmony Chocolate Chip Cookie If all these chips can coexist in deliciousness, shouldn’t we? Remember going to the mall when you were a kid? When I was young, close to 1000 years […]
Read More about The Racial Harmony Chocolate Chip cookieLast day with Hemingway
Trying to see the Hemingway house on our last day in Cuba This is the restored Hemingway house turned museum, Finca Vigia or Lookout Estate, after a preservation effort with both adversaries, Cuba and the […]
Read More about Last day with Hemingway5 Must Haves for flying anywhere
5 Must Haves for flying anywhere Things I bring to get me from Departure to Arrival with my sanity Let’s face it, flying these days is like playing the lotto. Every flight, be it […]
Read More about 5 Must Haves for flying anywhereThe Best Dessert EVER!
The Cherry Stuff The #1 most requested, beloved dessert in my family for over 40 years. On June 12, 1976, my mother, Ruby Birt. attended the church’s annual Taste Delight Luncheon, a gathering of ladies who […]
Read More about The Best Dessert EVER!Freewheelin’ in Tokyo
An Afternoon highlight for visitors to Japan’s capital Brad Bennett, owner of Freewheeling Japan, a bike adventure and urban hiking company, picks you up at Sasazuka station in Shibuya City right on time. He’s easy […]
Read More about Freewheelin’ in Tokyo5 Bucket List places for 2020 & 1 Resolution
Usually, by this time of the year, I’ve looked at the calendar to see what breaks I have in the new year and where I’d like to go. The world a big place and there’s so much I haven’t seen.
Read More about 5 Bucket List places for 2020 & 1 ResolutionTokyo Baseball – Singing with the Swallows
Tokyo Baseball – Singing with the Swallows How the energy of the game cured my jetlag “Get up Chris! The game starts in an hour and you have no idea where you’re going!” In a […]
Read More about Tokyo Baseball – Singing with the SwallowsThe Bodyguard – Where preparation meets a dream
It’s been nearly 28 years since that photo was taken. When my agent turned manager, Carmella Gallien, called me and said
Read More about The Bodyguard – Where preparation meets a dreamJitney comes to LA. Humor and Poignance at the Mark Taper
Most of us that are of a certain age, hear the word “Jitney” and it harkens back to a time when African Americans
Read More about Jitney comes to LA. Humor and Poignance at the Mark Taper