Walked the Lopez Canyon Trail with two great friends. All the birds and toads were out giving us a show. We talked, listened, and prepped for a night of adventure. That night we discovered the land of Valdunna and experienced the tale of Private Eye Chandler and his trusty friend Grimmick.
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Went over to Julian for the afternoon. It was cold and windy, but we were warmed by hot apple cider. The apple pie there is the stuff of legend. I hadn't had a raspberry apple pie before, and it will not be my last.
When you pass by something every day for a year, you don't really see it. It takes moving away to truly consider your surroundings. You strain to paint a picture you will remember of your everyday life. Just like everything else this too will fade, but while it remains I will look back upon it fondly.
Testing out my Kodak Easyshare Z990's film simulation modes. The colors on these are fun. I'll have look for some other subjects to test this out.
Got lucky and was able to see the total lunar eclipse tonight. Unfortunately I am in the process of moving out so I did not have my tripod on me. We can't be prepared for everything, but we can make the most of our moments.
These caught my eye while wandering the Broad. I didn't have the best time there today, but I just don't think I was in a museum mood. It was my 4th museum in 5 days so I'll give myself a break here.
Another day another Natural History museum. Even though the LA one was smaller I found the ehibits to be more effectively laid out. And of course, LA has HIM, the most majestic sea lion to ever have lived
Another day another great museum. The wonders of the natural world, frozen in time to be viewed by anyone with $30. My feet are tired after days of wandering exhibits, but the time has been well worth it.
Life sings where we are
This city, a symphony
A tune I won't lose
I cannot describe my amazement at the immensity of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I spent all afternoon (2-9pm) and I still didn't get to every section of the museum. I even caught a chamber music concert in the instrument section and a screening of Vampyr inside. This has to be the greatest museum in existance.
Walked around a lot today after work. Visited a library and Times Square. Caught this water tower near sunset, thought it looked neat framed by the buildings.
Had a nice time wandering the shops and halls here. Ended up getting a canoli which was delicious. I'll have to find some back home.
I barely missed the train, but there is plenty to pay attention to while waiting the 5 minutes for the next one.
The buildings come to life when the sun is setting. I stopped and watched the lights dance off the city windows from a bench in central park.
First stop in New York after checking into the hotel was Lombardi's. This is the first pizza place in the US and is second to none. After I wandered Little Italy and grabbed a canoli from Caffé Palermo.
Caught up with some friends over dinner. The food was delicious, but we felt like Kramer bathed in the light by a neon sign at our table.
It was a beautiful day for a hike. We went on a weekend afternoon and it seems so did everyone else. Once we hiked up the hill the crowds thinned and we could take in the views. Incredible how this is the only place in the world Torrey Pines grow.
Astute gentleman
to peruse the written page
much brain, such knowledge
Decided to get Finch out of the house for some exercise. He wasn't too thrilled, but eventually came around to it.
Got to spend the day with a friend. They showed me how they feed, exercise, and train the horses. I was too nervous/cautious to get in there with them, but they were beautiful from outside the fence. Finished the day at a brewery where we played Hnefatafl.
Christmas lights hung in Downtown Turlock. We stopped to enjoy the scene after seeing a pre-screening of The Fire Inside, the bio-pic about the olympic female boxer, Claressa Shields.
We caught a peek of the Griffith Observatory through the trees while visiting the gounds of the Hollyhock House. The house itself was truly a masterpiece. It was Frank Lloyd Wright's first LA house and is my favorite of his works. Definitely worth the trip.
Anything but inviting, this is the main entrance to our Macy's. If you know the way you wouldn't give this area a second look, but if you don't, then good luck stumbling upon this entrance.
This little guy isn't happy unless he is buried alive in the warmest, fluffiest blankets possible. Naturally we indulge him. What kind of people would we be if we didn't?
This instrument has quickly become my favorite to play. If you haven't heard one go on YouTube now and find someone playing it. It has increased my understanding of music theory and chords by leaps and bounds. Cannot recommend it enough.
The tree in this image was ripped out of the ground the following morning during the winds that cause the L.A. fires this year. It wasn't a surprise the tree fell down since it has been dead for as long as we have been here, but it was sad nonetheless.
My favorite tree at my parent's place. It greets everyone who walks up to their door. I look forward to the next time I receive its greeting.
It is not often I take time to look at my own glasses. They frame my every view, so I'm glad I am as happy as I am with them.
There were so many lemons in the tree this season. I look forward to having fruit trees of my own.
This smoke column was visible from our balcony. Once the night got dark we could clearly see the flames descending from the mountain.
Nothing much to say about this one. I love the lines radiating out from this plant.
Had to run to the store for a last minute ingredient. Thankfully there is no traffic in Turlock, everything you need is a minute or two drive away.
My wife has helped me to see the beauty in plants, especially those which live in our apartment. They do not last, but in that fact lies their value.