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Friday, February 15, 2013

Commute, 14

I take "commute" pictures only when the traffic comes to a complete stop. I point the iPhone out the window and snap away, pretty much without knowing what I'm getting, because I'm watching what's ahead of me. I don't want to be the creep who holds up traffic when the light turns green. I dislike that person in the car in front of me, texting away about nothing that can't wait while I'm trying to get somewhere.

Accident waiting to happen: her texting, me freaking out.

And we all know I'm no better than she is. Taking pictures at the light. Who am I kidding?
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16 comments:

  1. AndyFebruary 15, 2013 at 2:45 AM

    Signs without English is a common sight in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

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  2. Kalei's Best FriendFebruary 15, 2013 at 4:30 AM

    I'd rather meet up w/u in traffic than the texter.. the texter will try and drive and text... Never saw anyone taking a photo while driving!. So where were u when u took this- its obvious Korean signs are becoming regular signs just as Spanish.

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  3. AdeleFebruary 15, 2013 at 6:43 AM

    I enjoy seeing all the different cultures that come up on your commute. The style of these buildings look familiar to me. I think the building where Bean Town is looks very similar, so I'll have to snap a pic and see. Maybe they were built at the same time. Is this a certain architectural style? (Says the architectural ignoramus...)

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  4. Ann ErdmanFebruary 15, 2013 at 7:19 AM

    I love the barber pole -- we don't see those every day anymore. And even though the building is rundown, all those white tiles so carefully placed by someone decades ago are still shining through.

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  5. Ann ErdmanFebruary 15, 2013 at 7:20 AM

    I love the barber pole -- we don't see those every day anymore. And even though the building is rundown, all those white tiles so carefully placed by someone decades ago are still shining through.

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  6. BellisFebruary 15, 2013 at 8:35 AM

    Ugly street scenes like this are the reason I don't venture into the third-world areas of LA any more. But as Ann says, the lovely old buildings are still there, waiting for their "Old Pasadena" makeover.

    Anyone know what language this is?

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  7. Petrea BurchardFebruary 15, 2013 at 9:04 AM

    Andy, I drive through parts of Los Angeles once a week. You see a lot of diversity in LA.

    I think this is Beverly Blvd., KBF. If I remember right, it's east of Vermont.

    I like the architecture too, Adele. And Ann, if you blow up the photo, you can also see larger molded tiles between the shops, up high.

    Bellis, I don't think it's an ugly street, but it's certainly not prosperous along this stretch. I'd like to do more adventuring, but always seem to be so hurried. I'm sure KBF is right and this is Korean.

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  8. LONDONLULUFebruary 15, 2013 at 9:20 AM

    I so wish I knew more languages, wouldn't mind exploring this part of town further. I'm guilty of same, keeping my eyes in front but snapping away at stoplights (though I don't even get decent photos, hats off to you)

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  9. TheChieftessFebruary 15, 2013 at 11:02 AM

    Better that one texts or snaps at a stoplight than when moving!!! Not much of this architecture nor cultural diversity up here...we have a huge hispanic population..I think the schools are about 50/50 plus or minus...and we have an amazing cultural diversity of visitors...languages from all over the world can be heard at dinner...
    Can't say that I miss the neighborhoods like this one..but I do love that architecture...

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  10. AnonymousFebruary 15, 2013 at 12:31 PM

    This bank of buildings looks so similar to the one in Altadena on Mariposa. Must be a generic architecture of a specific period -- 20s or 30s.

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  11. KatieFebruary 15, 2013 at 2:51 PM

    I too agree the architecture is interesting. If you focus on the bricks and the inset tile details, the awnings and signs almost disappear. But even those hold some interest: the VIP Cleaner sign has a cool vintage appeal, and I wonder how long the letters spelling Nutritional Center have been up there (and if it still relates to what's there now). It would be fascinating to see a photo of these shops from when they first opened.

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  12. Petrea BurchardFebruary 15, 2013 at 3:51 PM

    Lulu, I assure you folks speak English in these neighborhoods. The diversity is just that: we call it Koreatown, but all kinds of people live and shop there.

    Chieftess, it sounds like a very diverse place, at least during ski season.

    Well spotted, Hiker. I noticed a row of similar ones along Fremont in South Pasadena this morning.

    I think the Nutritional Center is a little spooky, Katie. If you enlarge the picture you can see into the door and it looks cavernous.

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  13. MargaretFebruary 15, 2013 at 7:29 PM

    You can go all around the world in one day here in. LA

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  14. Petrea BurchardFebruary 15, 2013 at 10:10 PM

    No kidding, Margaret.

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  15. Ms MFebruary 16, 2013 at 6:45 PM

    I really like your Commute photos. If you're stopped at a light, waiting, I don't see any harm. It's those who try to "multi-task" while driving that cause accidents.

    The brickwork is interesting on these buildings. Looks like they were built as a "strip" years ago.

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  16. Petrea BurchardFebruary 16, 2013 at 7:38 PM

    I like your "commute" photos, too, Ms. M! You and I go at such different times of day.

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I appreciate your comment. You are a nice person—smart and good looking, too.