Saturday, December 20, 2008

Party Animal

I'm like a lot of people. I'm not doing as much Christmas shopping this year as I've done in years past. As a consequence I haven't been out photographing shop displays, Santa visits and holiday festivals. John and I have been working hard and spending time with friends.

What shopping we're doing, we're doing locally. But it wouldn't hurt me to get out a little more. I realized that while leaning out over the edge of the upstairs plaza by the Trader Joe's on Lake Avenue, thinking "Wow, this is fun."

13 comments:

USelaine said...

I'm reassured you tipped in, not out. And look! Bicycling weather!

John Sandel said...

You wild thing, you. Next you'll henna your hair, or your hands, or whatever girls are doing these days.
ALTERNAPOST:
7-11, Trader Joe's, whatever. S'long's you have a retail establishment in which to hang out in front, um, of.

Cafe Observer said...

Considering it's de Christmas shopping season, with gas prices at century lows -and this is Lake Ave- LA looks relatively deserted.

This looks more like a Great Repression view.

Petrea Burchard said...

You'd look dandy zooming down Lake Avenue on your pink two-wheeler in any weather, Elaine.

Bernie. I might get a haircut. Lookout!

C.O., I must correct you because I've got my pride. It's Pasadena, not L.A. Probably between green lights, is all.

Dina said...

Wo, don't lean too far, Petrea.
Friends, and time with them, sounds like the best gift of all.

John Sandel said...

O, I want a record player. And all the latest 45s. Canned Heat!

Laurie Allee said...

What a great shot, P! I'm amazed at how uncrowded stores are this close to Christmas. I was in a practically deserted Macy's yesterday... with 60% off signs everywhere. Weird and worrisome.

Cafe Observer said...

P, I know it's Pasadena. Lake Ave is in Pasadena. Even 2day as I drove around here, the hustle/bustle is subdued compared to as in olden daze.

1 or both of us may be dazed & confused, I suppose.

HearkenCreative said...

Small is the new big this year; my kids are going to make do with smaller hauls this year. But will they care? No, they both (mostly) have their heads in the right place. Similarly, I was in Best Buy and Fry's in Burbank on Friday, and surprised at how quiet the aisles were.

But I like your "local" shout-out, Petrea. Check out buylocalpasadena.wordpress.com and my favorite shop for gifts on S. Lake Avenue, Ten Thousand Villages. I even bought some awesome shampoo there for myself, as well as a few gifts.

Bicycling weather? I just bought some warmer sweatpants so that I can get back on my bike in the (comparatively) frigid temps of this past week.

Thérèse said...

Christmas displays are less showy this year, why not. That makes us look closer at things and slow down a bit is the speed limit of 25 low enough?

Kathy H said...

I took a picture over there the other day: http://www.kchristieh.com/blog/?p=1174

Tash said...

This is a suber angle for a street shot. So well done.

Petrea Burchard said...

Is this what you want, Bernie?

Yeah, it's eerie. Christmas has been a festival of gluttony for a long time and we needed to cut back, but we seem to be suffering a rubber-band effect, having snapped way in the opposite direction. I want our local businesses to do well - I want us all to do well - and for that to be true year 'round. Less greed might be a good place to start.