loving some rain

i like to imagine that when it rains here, all the filth of LA and Hollywood comes gushing down Wilshire and Santa Monica Blvd towards the bay. All that grime and hogwash then empties into the currents of the world, landing in places we would never expect. Before it jumps the cliff though, it accumulates and leaves behind what i like to call the Ocean Ave Slick. This phenomenon is treacherous.
the slick is devious, not only because of its ability to drop even the most hardy soul, but also because it does not reach maximum slickness for weeks after it has last rained. the runoff of roads, yards, businesses, and sweat is easily observed on Ocean Ave. I have succumbed to the Slick myself, and have watched numerous unfortunate incidents besides. it's a tough lesson to learn. happy Thanksgiving

hiking

heading to circle x ranch today to walk around. conveniently, we will have to drive right past Neptune's Net. now that's what i call a good incentive to hurry up.

more humiliation

dialogue overheard at one of my all female tables Saturday night: "That waiter's pretty cute, right? No...he's a little too crunchy for me. I knew a guy that looked like that once. Smelled like...........old cinnamon. (great deal of laughter here)" telling the nightly specials with a straight face proved tough.

clear skies

today and yesterday are some of the most beautiful days i've seen in LA. something is keeping the air clear of smog, and i can see Catalina Island with ease, as well as the ships out on the bay. sort of a rarity round here. i was moving my friend, Susannah's car this morning, a VW Jetta, and being polite by not changing her radio from whatever "power-chick" station she's been listening too. boy, was i blasting some stupid song at a stop-light when a dread-locked hippy girl, siberian husky in tow happened to walk by my window. she looked at me like i was the reason for all despair in the world. i felt totally cool....

good shot!

if i was barack obama, today would be the first day that i grew my fro. being the first african-american president isn't enough if you're not the first AFRO-american president. best of luck.

the high desert

what an amazingly diverse state this is. the terrain of the eastern sierras is like being on another planet. in fact, it is where Star Trek Voyager was filmed because it feels and looks like somewhere other than earth. Lone Pine, CA, where we were this weekend, is in the valley below Mt. Whitney. it is not only a beautiful place, but also just an awesome contrast to LA. the people who live there are laid back and friendly as can be. my body and mind need more of that, along with the mountain air, and sense of peace. it was rainy and windy the first day of the shoot, and still and cloudless the second day. Beth did a great job, and i could not be more proud of her. i wish i could post some of the videos that i shot, but that is a distant goal at the moment. these photographs will have to do.

off to the desert for the night

back on Sunday, and nothing to say till then.