iPhone Wednesday #3 - TL(h)C

I took this with my iPhone at the Toluca Lake Health Center. It's a nice facility. I go there instead of someplace in Pasadena because my coverage is through my unions, SAG and AFTRA. It's good coverage. I wouldn't mind paying less for it but it's reasonable as health insurance goes. And I'm one of the lucky ones, just being eligible to buy it in the first place.

My husband isn't so lucky. He's with a certain California insurance company that's attempting to raise his rate almost 30%. We got the notice from them about two days before we read about it in the New York Times.

Do we need changes in our health care system? Don't get me started.

Duplex

Just...picturing the cute little people who live here.

Maybe it's one of those clocks where mannequins come out every hour on the hour and circle around, marching like tin soldiers or knocking up and down like those drinking bird toys.

Or it could be storage space.

Last week Vanda and I went on a photo safari in the San Fernando Valley. Some of the results are on Overdog, should you care to have a look.

Zen Monday: #84

Zen Monday is the day you experience the photo and give us your thoughts rather than me telling you what I think the photo's about. There's no right or wrong. It means what you think it means, or what you want it to mean.

I look for a photo worth contemplating or, failing that, something odd or silly. And I stay out of the comments box to avoid influencing the intellectual path of the discussion, unless I change my mind and decide to say something. Because, you know, when I get in there everything goes downhill.

As I post each new Zen Monday photo I add a label to last week's to identify it if necessary.

Good Cardio

Last week John and I climbed the fire road across Las Flores Canyon from the Sam Merrill Trail. It was his idea. With no shade on the mountain we had the perfect overcast day, he wanted to try something different, and why not?

I had all sorts of reasons why not. There's no good trail. It's not a hike, it's a climb. And it's rocky over there, with gravel and scree loose enough to roll you down ten feet for every two you go up.

I didn't think I could do it.

"Sure you can," said John. "You're strong enough."

I begged to differ. I complained a good part of the way up. It was steep. I was scared. For some of the climb we had to resort to our hands and knees just to find something to hold onto. It was most undignified.

I finally gave up, afraid to go on.

"I'm going to see what's around that bend," said John, obviously not the least bit worried.

He was gone for a little while. I found a place where I could sit without having to hold on and busied myself taking pictures. Finally, I crawled up after him.

Not too much farther along he'd found the wider road. He helped me over a few tough steps and we walked. It still wasn't easy; our legs were tired and our lungs were hungry. But we kept going and we made it farther than either of us could have gone alone.

At the top we gazed out over exhilarating San Gabriel Valley views we'd never seen before. We congratulated ourselves for making it so far. We discussed the great gobs of lunch we'd eat when we got back down. And I thanked John for insisting I could make it (the climb, not the lunch).

Happy Valentine's Day, sweetie. Even mountains are no match for us when we climb them together.

Six Sore Feet

(Who looks like he needs a drink?)

Guess who walked all the way to Altadena yesterday? Altadena and back.

It wasn't me.

Guest photographer John Sandel documented the trek with his iPhone. He claims that while he and Boz were taking in the tourist attractions a passerby walked directly up to him and put his finger over the camera lens.

It also deserves mention that both our intrepid travelers were invited in to shop at Altadena Hardware.

I suspect our model will be snoring on his bed outside my office door all weekend. That's okay. For being such a loyal trouper he deserves his breakfast in bed.

Love Bucket

This shot was an accident. Imperfect, but I love it.

The things that could be said about this shot, a dog-lover knows: A dog is fine company. Ushering a dog through life is a privilege. There is no joy like that of a happy dog. Et cetera.

We have about forty nick-names for Boz. Today it might be fun to share dog nick-names in the comments. I'll start us off with a few here. Let's see...

Pooh-Dawdle. (Boz tends to lag behind at every opportunity.)
Bark Gable. Gary Pooper. (Boz has movie star looks.)
The Poo, the Pooper. (Well, everybody uses a variation on those.)

Creative Record

An impression of a leaf in mud on the sidewalk. Gone with the rain, its image fleeting as a thought quickly written then erased.

It reminded me of a picture John took of last summer's sidewalk art, created in the same spot by a neighborhood Mondrian. With only sun to wash it away it faded slowly, and we got to enjoy it for a long time. But now it's gone just the same.

I love photography for many reasons, not the least of which is memory-keeping.

Hey, cool: today PDP is mentioned on The Greensward: Civitas.

iPhone Wednesday #2 - The Counter

A super-clean lunch place in Studio City featuring "custom built burgers," The Counter was new to me when I stopped by a couple of weeks ago for take-out. The music was loud (visit their website with your speakers on for the gist), so you know me--I didn't stay. But the burger I escaped with was excellent.
Other bloggers known to do iPhone Wednesday are Kim at Seattle Daily Photo, Chuck at One A Day - Mostly Seattle and Ming at Bangor Daily Photo. No guarantees of an iPhone shot, but whatever you find there you'll likely enjoy.

Forgive me, readers, for I have strayed outside the holy realm of Pasadena. But 2010 is a new era and you never know what your intrepid blogger will do. You can't tame me, I tell ya!

Home Shopping: Even Now

The sign in the window says NO TRESPASSING in more ways than I thought possible. What it means is, "the bank owns this house and don't even think about messing this up. Don't EVEN. Just have your agent call so you can buy the damn thing."

Maybe you should. I hear it's a good time to buy, if you have the means. I dared--yes I EVEN--to peek in the windows. You're going to have hardwood floors, a fireplace, wood trim and a healthy lemon tree in the side yard. That much I know.
I also know there are at least two sweet little old ladies on the block, and at least one guy who looks pretty good with his shirt off.










Late-breaking news: One of my Facebook friends, Iranian photographer Amir Sadeghi, was arrested yesterday at the office of Farhang-e-Ashti newspaper, his place of work, for having published images of the security clampdown on protesters last December 27th. More on Overdog.

Zen Monday: #83

Zen Monday is the day you experience the photo and give us your thoughts rather than me telling you what I think the photo's about. There's no right or wrong. It means what you think it means, or what you want it to mean.

I look for a photo worth contemplating or, failing that, something odd or silly. And I stay out of the comments box to avoid influencing the intellectual path of the discussion. Because you know, when I get in there it all goes downhill.

As I post each new Zen Monday photo I add a label to last week's to identify it if necessary. Remember, last week Zen Monday was Tuesday.

Confession: I didn't take this photo in Pasadena.










for clarification

The Best Camera

I never thought I'd leave the house yesterday. We were safe and comfortable.

But during a lull between storms we realized we were out of coffee. At least one person in our household must have coffee at a certain time of day, so a hurried excursion was organized. I grabbed my wallet and iPhone and out we went.

On the way back, because I didn't have my camera, we were treated to the most extraordinary light.

The Canon would have done better. Even the Olympus would have given more clarity. But Chase Jarvis is right. The best camera is the one that's with you.

For information on the soCal flooding and mudslides of the past few days, please check in with Tim at Altadenablog, Debbi at Altadena Above It All and Kathy at KCH blog. This time around I can even recommend a traditional news outlet.

Vestiges of Deco Glory

I took the liberty of brightening the rainy sky in this shot so you could better see the art deco glory of Angels School Supply at 606 E. Colorado Blvd. Perhaps it's better known to old-timers as United Artist's Theatre. Clifford A. Balch designed the building for the firm Walker & Eisen. It opened in 1931-32.

I love CinemaTreasures.org. I read every word of their page about this building. Even better: I clicked on every link. And most of those links are photos.

Here's the theatre in the 1940's. Cool cars.
This one's earlier. Probably closer to when the theatre opened. More cool cars.
At some point, at least as early as 1961, someone thought it would be a good idea to cover the entire facade in aluminum siding. Sexy, huh?
Here's how that looked at night. (I had to throw that in. Me and the Zep. Wait. Hey! I was actually at that concert. At least as far as I remember.)

So anyway.

I haven't been inside Angels. That will change. Someday soon my camera and I will go in pretend search of school supplies and see what vestiges of art deco glory we can find.

Cold Faithful

I spotted this pair outside Zeli Coffee Bar on one of our rainy days a couple of weeks ago. I don't think the dog was cold, really. He had on his fur coat. But you wouldn't have caught me sitting outside that day.

We're expecting more rain today and tomorrow. Maybe thunder and lightning on Saturday. I hope so. We can always use the rain. And having grown up in the Midwest, I miss a rousing thunderstorm. Generally, though, California dogs aren't crazy about them.

Superfluous Detail: Celebration in Cement

Well I've had enough nature for one week! I need something urban, thank you very much.

This building on East Colorado Blvd. is empty right now. What was it--Aardvark's? Does anyone remember?

I don't think this is a historical structure. I believe this superfluous detail is a recent addition. But I could be wrong. Tell me I'm wrong.

I'll Wear Daffodils in My Crown

daffodils grow along an old fence at the Hahamongna Annex

Monday night I went to my first Pasadena City Council meeting. Because so many of you commented on Monday's post, where I expressed concern for the fate of the Hahamongna Annex, I thought I'd report back.

Everybody won!

That's the gist of it. Everybody got some of what they wanted. Nobody got all of what they wanted. In other words, democracy worked.

With 35 people asking to speak on the Hahamongna issue, Mayor Bogaard asked the public to refrain from speaking if someone before them had already made their point. I'm sorry to say there was an awful (and I do mean awful) lot of repetition. But the mayor, known for being a gentleman, kept the meeting moving and pretty much kept commenters to the time limit. (One of those commenter occasionally comments here--Laurie Barlow. Check out her well thought-out post on the subject at The Greensward: Civitas. She's in my blogroll, by the way.)

I was impressed with the City Council. They listened to the Staff presentation and public comments and asked good questions. There are some very sharp people on the Council. And here's the best part: they included almost all reasonable public requests in the plan.

I know. The mind boggles.

There's still a "bikes only" path in the plan. (For now.) I don't want it. But this isn't about what I want or don't want, this is about what the majority of people want. Democracy worked this time. When the bike path comes up for review, maybe we can try a different governmental system, such as Petrea As Queen.

Something else you should know, by the way: it took from just after 7:30pm to 11:15pm to resolve the Hahamongna issue. Most of the people clapped, got up, put on their coats and bumbled noisily out of the room, not noticing the small group that stayed behind: the City Council. With more items on the agenda, for them the night was young.

Zen Tuesday: #7

Zen Monday is the day you experience the photo and give us your thoughts rather than me telling you what I think the photo's about. There's no right or wrong. It means what you think it means, or what you want it to mean.

Zen Tuesday--ah, hell, I don't know. It's up for grabs.

Hahamongna Watershed; Theme day: Wood

We interrupt Zen Monday because of an important issue on the City Council agenda tonight. I promise we'll have Zen Tuesday tomorrow. (Hey, maybe I'll find Zen at City Hall!)

Item 6. on the City Council agenda is "Public Hearing: Adoption of the Initial Study and Approval of the Hahamongna Watershed Park Master Plan Addendum for Hahamongna Annex."

If you've followed this blog for more than a day or so you know that to say Hahamongna Watershed Park is close to my heart is an understatement. It's practically my muse.

The plan has benefits, including improved facilities for the Rose Bowl Riders. There will also be a nature center, but if you ask me, introducing nature via a "nature center" is a sure way to teach people that nature is boring. (Oh well. At least the kids get a field trip--that is, if there's any funding for field trips. But that's another post.)

Other parts of the plan are more complicated. I can't explain it because I don't understand it. Apparently there was a road in the original plan. Upon public outcry the road was taken out of the plan and everyone thought things were fine. Nobody wants a road through what is a bit of Eden in the city. But one group, Friends of Hahamongna, fears that the language in the plan is too vague, leaving in the possibility for a road.

I've read this stuff. The language is indeed vague. As I said in last Thursday's post, I wish people would write these documents in English. Whether it means "road" or not, I don't know. I'll have to go to the meeting and listen to what everyone has to say because on this subject I have only questions.

The plan is clear, however, that a large number (some say about 70) of trees will be removed from the park--not necessarily invasive trees, just non-native trees that support wildlife--when we've just lost 250 square miles worth of trees just north of Hahamongna in the Angeles National Forest. (See Altadena Hiker's take on the subject, also Laurie Barlow's post at The Greensward: Civitas.)

That's a long way around to today's City Daily Photo blog theme day, "wood," a lot of which will be chopped down and mulched in the implementation of this shiny plan.

I think we can compromise. If it's really, really necessary to remove those trees I'm sure someone at the meeting can explain why. Then perhaps we can remove them in a few years, once the mountains have regrown some habitat.

John, Boz and I have taken so much pleasure in the open space of Hahamongna. The park belongs to us, just as it belongs to everyone. It does make me nervous that people who don't use it are about to vote on its fate. I hope they've taken the trouble to go there, take a long walk and enjoy the serenity of an hour away from the city's clamor and agitation before they decide to turn it into the more of the same.

The meeting's at 6:30; Item 6 will be heard at 7:30. When I called City Hall I was told citizens are free to skip the first part and come at 7:30. Read the info. Come, speak up, or just be present. City Hall, room S249.

To see what other City Daily Photo bloggers do with today's theme, click here.

Last Day, January 2010

Johnson Field looks green after rain, doesn't it?

I took this photo January 23rd. At left, John and Boz face off. At right, a father and his kids play ball. It was inevitable that the twain should meet.

After I took the shot I walked to the drinking fountain and met Jodie, the mom of the ball-playing family. We had a connection: she's the photographer and blogger at The Four Seasons, another Pasadena blog (we have a plethora of great blogs and bloggers in Pasadena). Not only that, Jodie's husband Steve is THE Steve--you know Steve, right? No? Well, Steve had extensive information for me about my Woodbury Creek post, and as a born and bred Pasadenamanian he's loaded with local lore.

We have such cool people here. I love that I photographed this meeting just before it happened. To compare Last Day photos, click the Last Day Project tag below.

Welcome Weekend

Here's a view of the tower of St. Andrews Catholic Church as reflected in the windows overlooking the parking lot behind the LA Financial Credit Union at Fair Oaks and Walnut.

No, I'm not making a statement about money and religion. I just thought it looked serene.

I have a serene weekend planned. You?

There's a new daily photo blog in town called Pasadena, 91105 and Beyond. It's just a little over a week old so if you get there quick you can read all the posts so far and not miss anything. Go say hi to Kat and enjoy this welcome addition to Pasadena's wildly robust blogging community.

Welcome, Kat!

Fluorescents Be Damned

We had to duck out early on the Mayor's State of the City event last night (actually tonight, as I'm typing this) because I had (have) a migraine. There's Mayor Bogaard on the right, getting ready for his speech. He looks calm and collected, I think.

We stayed long enough to hear my voice-over for the "Charting a New Course" video. John says I sounded good. I'll have to listen again. I think there'll be a link to the video on the public access TV page of the City's website today, or soon.

I very much appreciate being included in the event and I regret the lousy timing--mine, not the Mayor's.