The Once Republic

"What's not to love about San Diego?~"

Mun Notes: I guess I can just vomit up a whole lotta history about San Diego as a city, but this time I will just leave a book recommendation if you are interested in California History. Alta California: From San Diego to San Francisco, A Journey On Foot to Rediscover the Golden State by Nick Neely (which starts off in...San Diego!).

San Diego is a trip that I myself don't make often, but last time I stayed my favorite place to visit has always been Balboa Park, which is best explored, in my personal opinion, by bicycle! Defo check it out if you are ever in the area!

(( CaliContext: San Ysidro is one of those very last cities you pass before crossing the border to Tijuana, Mexico. Its some 20-30 minutes away from San Diego.

Mun Notes: Yes, the California Grizzly Bear has long been extinct due to human contact. From vaqueros hunting them down to protect their livestock to trappers capturing them for bear-baiting, its unfortunate that the state's most iconic animal met such a quick demise as soon as California began to be "California" as a state identity.

As a young territory, California must have had at least one encounter with these MASSIVE animals (nearly the size of the Kodiak bears of Alaska, according to Wikipedia), but being one small boy against a nearly 1000lb animal, it was an encounter that was less awe-inspiring and more forced out an intimidating respect from him than anything.

Also did u kno? The bear in the state flag was modeled after an actual bear named Monarch who died in San Francisco in 1911. You can "visit" him at the California Academy of Science where his taxidermied body is on display. Which in the end...it just makes things more sad, honestly.

Currently, there are attempts to reintroduce the grizzly bear back into California, but only time will tell if that gets anywhere.

But also there is one--silly--funky association California has with bears...

Mun Notes Rambles: Okay yes! Do you agree, Disney was SO impactful in their early years of animation that Disney and California are almost synonymous? Well, it’s known that Burbank, the piece that became Universal City and of course Hollywood are arts and media capitals, of like, the world (but completely debatable). But there is so much rich history in these particular regions, much more intertwined with Walt Disney himself (there is an elementary school in Burbank named for him). I figured California would have met the guy a few times, was very aware of what kind of influence he was bringing and kinda just accepted as part of him. 

Oh and also that blurb of Walt Disney “kept asking for Alfred” its really just more like Disney being himself and that if there is two things I observed from my experiences going to his parks is that he really, really loved trains and he really, really loved America. Like as in a very patriotic sense, Disneyland is a subtle yet not so subtle homage to America as a whole, in concept, in identity, in history and culture. IDK I like to think that Alfred would be a permanent guest of HIGH honors to his park...errytiem, and California would be like...”well lmao you live here sooo...”

Also because of lack of vision (and foresight) California Adventures was not very well received. Now, its becoming more of a “Pixarland” type park, which I am personally very grateful for.

Also bonus, cos I am a bored dumass who drew a Florida:

Mun Notes: Just a little tidbit of Californian history during the Expedition of Anza that began in modern day northern Mexico on September 1775! A time where liddle boy Califas grew and grew! The result of this expedition resulted in the establishment of San Francisco. This sketch’s background here is supposed to be Lt. Col. Juan Bautista de Anza’s camp situated next to a Chumash settlement.

Mun Notes: Yeah more headcanons. Just interpreting from what I know of from Las California’s place in the empire (which really, was one of the least prioritized region in terms of settlements despite successful establishments of the missions). The whole El Salvador and Guatemala being close to him is based on the fact that California has the largest Central American population in the United States. Also there is no Iberoamerican facebook group for the personifications of countries, just something made up for this blog LOL

Bonus (from California’s sketchbook):

“But don’t get me wrong, for all of Texas’ tough-ass attitude he’s actually pretty shy. Don’t tell him I told you that though.”

Mun Notes: This is honestly just more personal hc than anything. Texas and California as personifications are brothers that were closest in age and region so they grew up together and had that more fraternal connection with one another. Despite having very different viewpoints on certain worldly topics over the years, today, they bond over their similar music and gastronomical tastes, crash at Mexico’s place for the small chance he cooks them breakfast and their love for horseback riding. They are good bros.

Mun Notes: For the past 80 years or so Los Angeles, CA celebrates “El Grito de Dolores” California’s own reenactment of the night the Father of Mexican Independence, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, declares independence from Spain. Complete with tolling of a bell, banner waving and shouting “Viva México!”. This is also celebrated in California’s capital, Sacramento. 

Mun Notes: While its not confirmed statewide, according to the LA Times and the Sacramento Bee, the Chihuahua (followed by labradors, terrier mixes, and pitbulls) is the most registered dog breed in those respective cities. Still, it is not so bold to assume that the Chihuahua is one of the most popular breeds in California. 

The fiercely loyal, demon spawn of satan originated in Mexico, where the Aztecs bred them for companionship, as live trembling heat pads, and apparently, as observed by the leader of the Spanish conquest Hernan Cortés, sold as food. 

Today, however, they bark and chomp fingers to their heart’s content.

Californified Spanish word of the day - cria - translated to “litter”, heavy animal connotations (like a litter of piglets or any group of baby animals) but can be referred to a group of one’s children. Particularly if that group of children is very large.

Mun Notes: Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the closest to a “Hotel California” you will get is the Hotel Californian located in Santa Barbara. A luxury Art Deco inspired Spanish Colonial situated right by the Santa Barbara beach, it is one of the best examples of the California Aesthetic you can experience! For a Californian price!!

Californified Spanish word of the day - coraje - which is a word translated to “courage” by Google, but! since its negatively connotated with actions or feelings done in passionate anger or frustration, coraje is often used to express anger at something, usually (and comically) directed at smaller, insignificant details. Thus, the phrase “me da coraje” can be translated to “this gets me SO ANGEREY”

but also: