City Walk 01: Olevera Street & Historic Center

Our first city walk starts at the heart of the whole city: 1) Union Station. Tyler and I particularly enjoyed the architecture and interior design of the station, an example of art deco 30s era (built in 1939).


Then on to the 2) first firehouse built (in 1884) in the city across the street. Also there, the oldest building in the city, 7) Avila Adobe, built in 1818 and the oldest church, 5) La Placita, built in 1822. These were on Olevera St. which is lined with Mexican stalls with everything from wrestler masks to paintings of Marilyn Monroe.



Then we enjoyed a mariachi band play while a few danced (the man in the wheelchair had some moves!

Introducing City Walks!

Tyler has been saying for a year that we should start going to different areas of the city and taking photos for a day. Obviously in a city of 400 square miles, that idea (while a good one) is a little daunting. They I stumbled upon City Walks: 50 Adventures on Foot. So we are about to embark on a walk every week or so and will add it to the blog. The end result will be a book of the city!

Movie Quote Quiz (Tyler Edition)

1. He was some kind of a man. What does it matter what you say about people?- TOUCH OF EVIL

2. I don't know how you wage war on your own family.- TRAFFIC

3. Something has to be done, but nothing too original, because, hey, this is Hollywood.- L.A. CONFIDENTIAL

4. Politicians, ugly buildings, and whores all get respectable if they last long enough.- CHINATOWN

5. You're gonna have to answer to the Coca-Cola company.- DR. STRANGELOVE

6. Here's to plain speaking and clear understanding.- THE MALTESE FALCON

7. There are no nations; there are no peoples. There are no Russians. There are no Arabs. There are no third worlds. There is no West.- NETWORK

8. You never open your mouth until you know what the shot is.- GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS

9. I always gagged on the silver spoon.- CITIZEN KANE

10. I don't know what we were waiting for. Maybe we thought the world would end.- OUT OF THE PAST

11. He was sweeping, you sons of bitches, he was sweeping!- THE LAST PICTURE SHOW

12. Love. Love is the key. Love and family. For what are night and day, the sun, the moon, the stars without love, and those you love around you? What could be more hollow than to die alone, unloved?- THE PROPOSITION

13. I should have killed you back in Philly.- A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

14. I'm getting two things: pissed off and curious.- THE INSIDER

15. Did you ever ask a lawyer the time of day? He told you how to make a watch, didn't he? Ever ask a lawyer how to get to Mr. Jones' house in the country? You got lost, didn't you?- NASHVILLE

Movie Quote Quiz:

Per Tracy, I have done me edition of a movie quote quiz. Here's what I had to do (for those of you who don't know the rules): Look up 15 of your favorite films on IMDb. Take a quote from each. List them below. When someone guesses the quote correctly, cross it off the list. The guessed ones will be bolded. Don't cheat, that's no fun! And these are in no particular order because I think thats mean to the movies.

1. Nobody leaves this place without singing the blues.

2. Well the man don't have to die. I mean, he could accidentally hurt himself falling down on something real hard, you know? Like a shiv, or my dick?

3. a: This is it. It's going to be gone soon.
b: I know.
a: What do we do?
b: Enjoy it.

4. I know I'm old enough to be his mother, but when the Duck laid that kiss on me last night, I swear my thighs just went up in flames! He must practice on melons or something.

5. The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.

6. I am not going to sit on my ass as the events that affect me unfold to determine the course of my life.

7. a:There is a war on. How is it you are headed west?
b: Well, we kinda face to the north and real sudden-like turn left.

8. I guess I don't have the taste for the jugular you guys have.

9. a: Why would a man leave his apartment three times on a rainy night with a suitcase and come back three times?
b: He likes the way his wife welcomes him home.

10. Oh, obscene finger gestures from such a pristine girl.

11. If I could only have one food for the rest of my life? That's easy. Pez, cherry flavored pez. No question.

12. a:How could you do this to me?
b: Because I'm in love with you!
a: Ha! What kind of an excuse is that?

13. That sanctuary looks like it's been hosed down with Pepto-Bismol.

14. a: Have you no consideration for my poor nerves?
b: You mistake me, my dear. I have the utmost respect for your nerves. They've been my constant companion these twenty years.

15:Do stop snivelling - anyone would think you were Italian.

My New Bike!

I love to bike. I don't know if any of you know this. But I love it. Biking and playing the piano are the only two activities that relieve my stress better than anything else. And I haven't had a piano since 2001 and a bike since 2005. My old one was stolen in Chicago. And last June my parents gave me a "new bike" (the cash to buy one, and one for Tyler, too) for my birthday. I finally got around to getting one. And here it is!

My first Metro ride (like the El for you Chicagoans)

You'd think that in a warmer city that Chicago, like, oh, I don't know, Los Angeles there'd be air conditioning. But no. The combination of a sweltering jungle with an astoundingly quiet and bump-free ride leaves me feeling nauseous every time. Give me the El any day. See two more better photos on Angie's Blog. I may do a documentation of the Metro after seeing her photos.

My Los Angeles.

I pointed and I shot.

Angie comes to visit

A few weeks ago, my roommate at Columbia, Angela Peterson came into Los Angeles for an extended layover from Chicago to Hawaii for a photography seminar. She and I were able to have lunch one day and I was able to finally meet her best friend, Carla, who I have been hearing about for, um, only 8 years!

Tyler's 26th Birthday: Feb. 25

So our tradition, it seems, is going to be Disneyland on our birthdays. Tyler even got a button that said, "Happy Birthday, Tyler!" so all the employees were wishing him a happy birthday. It was awesome: not crowded, cool weather, and as always, the happiest place on earth. We always start our day with Pirates of the Carribean: Tyler's favorite ride. Today we even visited California Adventures and did Soarin' Over California, a ride that blasts smells of the ocean at you while you look at an imax screen and it feels like you're at the ocean, or smalls of evergreens when you're looking at Lake Tahoe. It hoists you into the air so your feet dangle and it feels like you're really flying. We ended the day with chocolate cake at home. We curled up and watched Alice in Wonderland; it's funny how you always feel like going home and watching a Disney movie at the end of a Disney day.

favorite part of the oscars...

My favorite part of the Oscars was all about Once. I enjoyed watching Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova perform their nominated song (see video below of them performing it in Chicago), as well as their speeches. If you didn't catch the show, host Jon Stewert brought Markéta Irglová back out after she had been ushered off before giving her acceptance speech. Although Glen gave his speech, Markéta was ushered off stage before she could even begin to say anything. Thankfully Stewart brought her back after the commercial break and she delivered her unforgettable speech. So, due to Oscar copyright, you cannot watch Marketa Irglova give her speech (or their performance), but thanks to a fellow blogger, I found it written out.

Marketa's speech:

"Hi everyone. I just want to thank you so much. This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, it's just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up. And this song was written from a perspective of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are. And so thank you so much, who helped us along the way. Thank you."

And to compliment this, her counterpart in "Falling Slowly", Glen Hansard, also gave a great acceptance speech before her. I'll include that below just as to give both of them the extra appreciation they deserve.

"Thanks! This is amazing. What are we doing here? This is mad. We made this film two years ago. We shot on two Handicams. It took us three weeks to make. We made it for a hundred grand. We never thought we would come into a room like this and be in front of you people. It's been an amazing thing. Thanks for taking this film seriously, all of you. It means a lot to us. Thanks to the Academy, thanks to all the people who've helped us, they know who they are, we don't need to say them. This is amazing. Make art. Make art. Thanks."

Back to Basics: Backgammon

This is one of Tyler and my favorite pastimes: Backgammon. Sometimes it's so nice to turn off all the noise-making media and just play a board game. It's something that passed the time on the computer when we first moved here, and so Tyler gave me a vintage board for our anniversary last June. The past couple of nights we've found ourselves playing (and documenting the occasion.)

Window Shadows

Just took some photos outside my bedroom window that I thought were kinda neat. So I am sharing them.

Super Duper Tuesday...

In honor of today I thought I would share this tidbit. Can't decide who to vote for? Let this website decide for you!

Yes We Can!

I think, for several reasons, Tyler and I are more excited about this election than past elections. Conversations with the Carters, subscriptions to Newsweek and the New York Observer, and a general coming of age are some of those reasons.

In the words of my friend, Kyle,
"Watch this and be inspired.

Regardless of your feelings on the upcoming election, regardless of your feelings about political parties, and regardless of your feelings about our country's current place in the world: this video will seriously reach you. Unless you are heartless. Or ignorant."

If you can't view the video get a Mac or click here.