tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-366596242024-03-13T14:14:17.051-07:00Aimless IdlingAnnabel's Journal of Aimlessly Idling and Purposefully Jaunting around Los Angeles and the worldannabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-67954481963492143802011-01-14T20:47:00.000-08:002011-01-14T20:49:40.146-08:00Belated resolutions for 2011<p> (posted here in order to make them real)</p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">1) Travel more.</span><br /><br />Last year was a banner year for me in this area (10 trips, 2 of those long-haul international ones), but I'm still not feeling like this is enough. Maybe there is a magic number that creates the perfect equilibrium between being home and being away, but so far, I haven't hit it. And actually, I kind of hope I never do. The day I am not up for a trip is the day I am not alive.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2) Speaking of home, change where that is.</span><br /><br />I love L.A., but I think I'm done with it. I've been here for 12 years straight (this is alarming), and I'm bored and need a challenge. One of the things I learned from my Japan trip is how exhilarating (and sometimes, frustrating) it is to be in a place that you don't know so well, figuring it out as you go along and reinventing yourself in the process. In any event, I want that and I want it BAD. I've got some possible solutions in regards to this, and I'll reveal more as they become more concrete.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3) Strengthen my relationships with the people I care about.</span><br /><br />The first two resolutions seem to counter this one, especially since most of you know how awful I am at staying in touch on a regular basis. (sorry) But, this is a perennial resolution because it's important. I tend to get caught up in my own head too often and really, it's the other people in my life who keep me balanced and happy. To be more specific, the people who matter to me know me well and somehow still manage to love me for who I am. They are positive forces in my life and will support me completely despite numerous missteps and errors, and I will give all my love to them in return. Full stop.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4) Think less and create more.</span><br /><br />There was a time when I spent every waking moment in front of a typewriter (yes, that long ago), writing and editing stories and essays until every word and sentence and paragraph was perfect. A few years later, I dedicated all my energy and resources to learning how to photograph pictures as I saw them in my head. After that, I lost hours and days while my eyes were glued to a computer screen, figuring out how to make words and images come together in a meaningful graphic package. In each of those times, I was in a constant state of creative flow and spent the least amount of time thinking myself into a corner. And I was happy because I had a purpose in those moments. Here's to finding that again.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5) Get enough sleep, drink more water, and continue to eat meals that also qualify as food porn.</span><br /><br />I joked that the first half of last year was like the foodie version of having only six months to live. This was in anticipation of the austerity measures that I thought were going to be necessary in the wake of graduate school. But, a funny thing happened--I didn't stop. Sure, I wasn't going to Providence every night, but I was finding ways to make meals memorable. Whether that just entailed a perfect drizzle of honey on a roasted fig at home or a multi-course splurge at an actual restaurant, I made it work and will continue to make it work into 2011.</p><p> </p>annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-24205147610881253802009-07-15T00:10:00.000-07:002009-07-15T00:38:04.215-07:00InspirationThis past Saturday, I checked out the <a href="http://www.renegadecraft.com/los-angeles?site=la">Renegade Craft Fair</a> at the California Market Center downtown. In addition to a vintage typewriter key pendant, I picked up a <a href="http://www.frankchimero.com/work/view/inspirational_design_poster_barriers/">poster</a> by graphic designer, <a href="http://www.frankchimero.com/">Frank Chimero</a>, which really resonated with me in so many ways:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.frankchimero.com/work/view/inspirational_design_poster_barriers/"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQpk09vVNHZXg_fyECFLV7WS2M4RsjCZ3rh98XSdfZ_deVuPHvrj-K_URLWIrgSQW4tBTRFXJ1mxWdLyRCm0LBu5gIM2r7cRBdAvqm_XTkrFihdGKOwJDhKsYUx8G-RlNdtWgo/s400/nothingkeepingyou.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358587555499721138" border="0" /></a>I love the style and colors (it's pretty much the palette of my bedroom, where it already hangs), and the clever design and message is spot on. Sometimes, I really do have to remind myself that the only thing keeping me from my ideal career/life is actually ME.annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-34512000390278101122009-06-12T14:28:00.000-07:002009-06-12T14:39:25.929-07:00Note: Hiking, on holdFor the past several weekends, I've been in the midst of moving, so I haven't had a chance to embark on any new hiking adventures, but I hope to start up again soon, especially since the June Gloom is keeping the temperatures pretty moderate without too much sun exposure. <br /><br />The hike that's next on my list is in Griffith Park (the one that starts in lush Ferndell and ends at the Observatory). I saw it (along with <a href="http://www.thetrailslosfeliz.com">The Trails</a> cafe) featured on <a href="http://www.calgold.com/visiting/Default.asp?Series=1400&Show=866">"Visiting ...With Huell Howser"</a> and have been wanting to hike it ever since. As a teaser, a couple of weeks ago, I stopped at the cafe and had a huge slice of apple pie, which didn't wow me (not sweet enough and a little dry), but I still want to go back and try the other pastries (I hear the scones are great) and food items (lots of veggie options, including an avocado sandwich that sounds amazing). The location is very pretty and peaceful (as long as there aren't too many screaming children), and I like the idea of sitting on the picnic benches enjoying some nouvelle snack bar food under the trees.annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-78656745842681156882009-05-19T22:25:00.000-07:002009-05-19T22:35:57.749-07:00Cannoli Watch: MasaI had heard so much about the chocolate croissant bread pudding at <a href="http://www.masaofechopark.com/">Masa</a> that I was determined to have it. However, after consuming lots of cuban rolls and a couple slices of the Chicago-style pizza (see <a href="http://aimlessidling.blogspot.com/2009/05/must-try-chicago-style-pizza-at-masa.html">Must Try</a>), I couldn't even bear to think about having more bread. But, me being me, I still wanted to have a sweet cap to my meal, especially since the other dessert on the menu was a chocolate chip cannoli <a href="http://aimlessidling.blogspot.com/search/label/cannoli">(!)</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPmM0QgmiZHyuQowDakQggh2b0arInZFVD_maEIk_7btDw6heh6bf9o71MSy9D7sEiLJm7DZYrZBA5hm6O9rF_yQCSlCt7vQyGOsrt55FUXLe93YA8yE4_sts-J0ahP5ec1wv/s1600-h/MasaCannoli.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPmM0QgmiZHyuQowDakQggh2b0arInZFVD_maEIk_7btDw6heh6bf9o71MSy9D7sEiLJm7DZYrZBA5hm6O9rF_yQCSlCt7vQyGOsrt55FUXLe93YA8yE4_sts-J0ahP5ec1wv/s400/MasaCannoli.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337775515549178402" border="0" /></a>This cannoli was no bijou reimaging; it was 5-6 inches of the real deal. The ricotta filling was very good and not too heavy (for ricotta), and while I wish there were more chocolate chips to add a little texture and more interest to the filling, chocolate was fully represented in the generous glazing. I really liked this and it definitely whets my appetite for Masa's hallowed bread pudding.annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-47341316044117486252009-05-19T22:22:00.000-07:002009-05-19T22:47:20.672-07:00Must Try: Chicago-Style Pizza at MasaI went to <a href="http://www.masaofechopark.com/">Masa</a> on Friday night, and the Chicago-style pizza has been on my mind as strong undercurrent since then. I have shared my experience with as many people as possible, extolling the tastiness of the cornmeal crust, which only got better after reheating on the second day. I have had daydreams about the garlicky tomato sauce and the layer of cheese peeking out from underneath. And I think that if I decided to ever really let myself go, I couldn't think of a better way to do it than to eat this pizza everyday. (Actually, the best way would probably be a weekly routine of Masa, Pie 'N Burger, Honey's Kettle, Hurry Curry, and Cici's.)<br /><br />I had the California Vegetable pizza, which had Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and next time, I'd like to try the Mushroom and Olive. I suppose it's a good thing that I don't eat beef/pork, since I can only imagine how filling the meat pizzas are. The key is to try not to eat too much before the pizza. This proves to be a bit of a feat, since it takes 40 minutes, during which you have to resist various appetizers, salads and freshly-baked Cuban rolls (which thankfully, don't come automatically.) Good luck with that.annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-86445162223031337692009-05-11T23:59:00.000-07:002009-05-12T01:18:49.603-07:00Hike #7: Echo Mountain via the Sam Merrill TrailTwo weekends ago, I (along with TB) went on the toughest hike yet (at least, for me): Echo Mountain via the Sam Merrill Trail in Altadena. This hike is about 2.5 miles one-way up a sunny and switchback-heavy trail with a total elevation gain of about 1,400 feet:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Nh3KmLDuTyDSWxZRdkQvinyxbwgKBWuhS9qPsTtENq7a0jSMHnu9asgnzAHTNI5U5bBQZwzPoZUgQ2gQRHuyDfTrfPdAqeafZNH_wRTr4_853ljXbb7NFePmRLsvjaw6IDUC/s1600-h/EchoMtn1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Nh3KmLDuTyDSWxZRdkQvinyxbwgKBWuhS9qPsTtENq7a0jSMHnu9asgnzAHTNI5U5bBQZwzPoZUgQ2gQRHuyDfTrfPdAqeafZNH_wRTr4_853ljXbb7NFePmRLsvjaw6IDUC/s400/EchoMtn1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334841127482913650" border="0" /></a>When you get to the top of Echo Mountain, you can explore the ruins of a turn of the century (1900s) resort:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj874SW0q1yoHb7R0MNRzpcpplbihKECM-zDuy5XFVkCB_f2QduSuZ1KTGKL47WNw1GEqt5AM52CeyJQ4v7TARZVWVZLT1zBiTIZ0oSa8pU4j8dZBnFtpoGkY834IqRoBK-2nLy/s1600-h/EchoMtn5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj874SW0q1yoHb7R0MNRzpcpplbihKECM-zDuy5XFVkCB_f2QduSuZ1KTGKL47WNw1GEqt5AM52CeyJQ4v7TARZVWVZLT1zBiTIZ0oSa8pU4j8dZBnFtpoGkY834IqRoBK-2nLy/s400/EchoMtn5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334841977932321922" border="0" /></a>...and the railway that took guests up to it:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIg0TNLYXR1AuAzdnfugq_GKU91EUMniOroaIExrbUH6AM7jcERqjbDThE6kOe1m6woojrQQonB7T8dZt2FtEALuyF6JQsvCovUaMb5ckxx-hZBtBBWDLWiAADt2gxr5HxjbG/s1600-h/EchoMtn2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIg0TNLYXR1AuAzdnfugq_GKU91EUMniOroaIExrbUH6AM7jcERqjbDThE6kOe1m6woojrQQonB7T8dZt2FtEALuyF6JQsvCovUaMb5ckxx-hZBtBBWDLWiAADt2gxr5HxjbG/s400/EchoMtn2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334842127538388018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLN9W6C-7I3O80YwDWdzavszAcLn7wkPfwPZaSd7WHqg9t3OsXYVeX3C-YnKpR_xvLJfbKXKF7l-Ygj1sEW3TF0SgtYBuHOSC9WH0Nal3q0nrpCsgOJtOmLtfwqpSWOTYZIg2Q/s1600-h/EchoMtn4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLN9W6C-7I3O80YwDWdzavszAcLn7wkPfwPZaSd7WHqg9t3OsXYVeX3C-YnKpR_xvLJfbKXKF7l-Ygj1sEW3TF0SgtYBuHOSC9WH0Nal3q0nrpCsgOJtOmLtfwqpSWOTYZIg2Q/s400/EchoMtn4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334842997991371890" border="0" /></a>Before descending or continuing the three miles further to the top of Mount Lowe, you can read both the historic and intepretive signs scattered around the site and relax in several shady picnic areas:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtXSVpb4MhNnVnfgsUEK9_kOKAGZq0wZTyosZg_X0MQwJhbKWVu0qmHhJFfUOTKoS9EMU3NYvzR-TyCVgqxXEq2lyZUa50MnSKIyEHqI5wpSauFAKQCSzNzvZMt0aW0rpiMpp/s1600-h/EchoMtn3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixtXSVpb4MhNnVnfgsUEK9_kOKAGZq0wZTyosZg_X0MQwJhbKWVu0qmHhJFfUOTKoS9EMU3NYvzR-TyCVgqxXEq2lyZUa50MnSKIyEHqI5wpSauFAKQCSzNzvZMt0aW0rpiMpp/s400/EchoMtn3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334842391858229698" border="0" /></a>My favorite part was this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrMa5Uf0fUEHrI12ipgRklpq9WBIqtnOfAfvOamWRsjQ9Pjmzkt8-qZRsjBQ-GEbok9H-UINzxxA-X9pOzoel_TbIu_Ow1GNjsBzI9sbFBQz6z_PcItRI2-KVoknDTJnhkbgT/s1600-h/EchoMtn6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrMa5Uf0fUEHrI12ipgRklpq9WBIqtnOfAfvOamWRsjQ9Pjmzkt8-qZRsjBQ-GEbok9H-UINzxxA-X9pOzoel_TbIu_Ow1GNjsBzI9sbFBQz6z_PcItRI2-KVoknDTJnhkbgT/s400/EchoMtn6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334842699085655378" border="0" /></a><br />It's not everyday that you get to hear your own yodeling echoing throughout the San Gabriel Mountains:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeiHv3o8tmmTXSZqcnYJObn_nDoDHXDasS4hSQhAI-httd2WEbRO0lxk85-6SYKkDtCpZH46MGV9pQN3urAmlcbGLFSasOxRJAcWFz1W612hcHP0ig6H4LXPZzPf0g1UY7USE/s1600-h/EchoMtn7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeiHv3o8tmmTXSZqcnYJObn_nDoDHXDasS4hSQhAI-httd2WEbRO0lxk85-6SYKkDtCpZH46MGV9pQN3urAmlcbGLFSasOxRJAcWFz1W612hcHP0ig6H4LXPZzPf0g1UY7USE/s400/EchoMtn7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334843171439943394" border="0" /></a>One of the best things about doing a strenuous hike is that you really have carte blanche to eat as much as you want for lunch. We did just that at the plain-looking <a href="http://www.pienburger.com/">Pie 'N Burger</a>, a Pasadena institution. I had been meaning to go there for quite a while since I found out that they did turkey burgers (I don't eat regular burgers) and that it was mostly counter seating (I love eating at counters!)<br /><br />After 3 hours of hiking, my burger definitely hit the spot. TB said the burger reminded him of a Big Mac, but better. (I don't think I can even remember what a Big Mac tastes like, but I'm assuming that they would be similar because of the Thousand Island dressing.) Anyway, the showstopper (and possible heartstopper) was the Dutch Apple Pie: crumbly cinammon topping, warm and not too sweet apple filling, buttery crust and generous scoops of French Vanilla ice cream. (TB got the rhubarb pie.) In any event, they have more than a dozen kinds of pie (depending on what's in season) at Pie 'N Burger, and I can't wait to try every single one.annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-24969955858114688672009-04-19T10:14:00.000-07:002009-04-19T10:22:28.693-07:00Hikes #5 & #6: Franklin Canyon Park Hastain Trail and Elysian Park Wildflower TrailTwo weeks ago, I went to Franklin Canyon Park to try out the Hastain Trail. Unfortunately, I didn't complete this trail. All I'll say regarding this is don't ever try to do a hike when you're hungry, thirsty and hot with no way of fixing any of those conditions. It wasn't a total loss as I still got a good hour of hiking in (most of it spent getting to the actual trailhead since I parked in the upper park as opposed to the lower park.)<br /><br />In any event, last weekend's hike at Elysian Park was much more successful. The weather was cloudy and mild, plus I was much better prepared. As someone who is supposedly very knowledgeable about L.A., I'm ashamed to say that this was my first time in the actual park (of course, I've been to many, many Dodgers games) and that I had no idea how nice it is, despite being so close to the rest of the city:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6gvQpw06Ix3LGJJuARx4kJsVW5-fT3-IO0SQTExa_X-w-g_zzlAC3lrVoL0qJ0rem1zyswIFblYDzeZhNHEWtGc-4yRTRjppfenA8EY32SjHF1noPRoxbAykVzaE05Y1fiFH/s1600-h/ElysianPark.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6gvQpw06Ix3LGJJuARx4kJsVW5-fT3-IO0SQTExa_X-w-g_zzlAC3lrVoL0qJ0rem1zyswIFblYDzeZhNHEWtGc-4yRTRjppfenA8EY32SjHF1noPRoxbAykVzaE05Y1fiFH/s400/ElysianPark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326452267041334658" border="0" /></a>I'll definitely come back especially since I want to check out the small arboretum on the grounds.annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-41535369078554431112009-04-05T10:06:00.001-07:002009-04-05T10:53:08.262-07:00A note on all the hiking...I am not a naturally outdoorsy person. Most people who know me would define me as a city/indoorsy person, which I think is true for the most part. I don't like getting dirty and being outside usually means some sort of elemental assault on my allergy-riddled system. Plus, I spook very easily and tend to feel frightened and vulnerable when in unfamiliar natural settings. In other words, I am seldom fully at ease.<br /><br />However, despite this, I am very drawn to lush, green, overgrown, wild landscapes. Strangely, being in unspoilt nature makes me feel closer to the past than most historic buildings or sites I've been to. I guess I just love knowing that more or less my eyes are seeing things the way they've been for centuries. No doubt one hundred years ago, people felt the same awe I do when I watch a brook flow through a heavily-wooded ravine or when I see the sunlight filter through a dense canopy of leaves. I feel strongly connected to everything in these rare moments and that far outweighs any fear or discomfort.<br /><br />Three years ago, I had a very emotional and cathartic session with a psychic healer (my first and so far, only time). While so many things came up for me, one thing she mentioned stands out right now. She said that I needed to dig my feet into the earth, to really be a part of it, in order to combat my natural tendency to be ungrounded and aloof. Too often, I lose myself in obsessive thinking and daydreaming, which really wreaks havoc on my reality. But, when I am on a hiking adventure (or any exploratory adventure, for that matter), I am very much out of my head and into the world.annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-11771235712613510172009-04-03T00:37:00.000-07:002009-04-03T00:58:07.848-07:00New York, New YorkLast week, I took a quick (3 days, 2 nights) trip to NYC to visit friends, go to museums and eat good food. Here are my highlights:<br /><a href="http://www.thepodhotel.com/"><br />POD Hotel</a> - For the most part, NYC hotel rooms are small. So why not embrace that and save money at the same time? I loved my perfectly-designed double room at the POD, but what I loved even more was that I paid as much for two nights than I would have for one night at an equally stylish hotel. It's also a block away from the 6 train which is very convenient if you're going to hit the museums on the Upper East Side, and because it's in Midtown, it's an easy to walk to most of the main tourist attractions. The only thing to note is that some of the rooms use the bathrooms in the hallway, which can lead to interesting smells and dormlike/noisy frolicking in the public areas, but I didn't really have a problem with this because I have a high tolerance for noise and I had my own bathroom. <br /><a href="http://www.frick.org/"><br />Frick Museum</a> - Still my favorite museum, probably because I'm such a fan of "America's Castles"-type residences. But the collection is outstanding if you like beautiful paintings by Old Masters (with some exceptions). My only quibble is that I wished Frick had collected some Sargents, but I'll take the Whistlers happily as substitutes. I thought it was ironic that the special exhibition consisted of paintings from the Norton Simon, but since I love that collection, too, I didn't really mind.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/works_of_art/collection_database/american_paintings_and_sculpture/madame_x_madame_pierre_gautreau/objectView.aspx?&OID=20012492&collID=2&vw=0">Madame X</a> at the <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/">Met </a>- Probably one of my favorite paintings of all time. When I was last in NYC, it was on loan to another museum, but this time, I got to fully admire John Singer Sargent's controversial painting at my leisure.<br /><br />Tea @ <a href="http://alicesteacup.com/">Alice's Tea Cup</a> - Amazing scones! I had "The Nibbler" tea service which consisted of one scone (pumpkin for me) with jam and cream, a rather hearty tea sandwich (Lapsang Souchong Chicken on multigrain bread), various cookies, and a pot of tea (Lavender Earl Grey). I was pretty ravenous, but this filled me up very quickly, so it makes me wonder who would consider this just a nibble.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sofiawinebar.com/">Sofia Wine Bar</a> - I needed a quiet place near my hotel to catch up with an old friend and found this new wine bar a block away. The sommelier was very accommodating and helped me to zero in on the perfect glass of Brunello.<br /><br />Lemony mini croissants @ <a href="http://www.santambroeus.com/new/frameset.php">Sant Ambroeus</a> - These came in a bread basket I had during Saturday morning brunch at Sant Ambroeus and I'm still thinking about them. Dusted with powdered sugar, they had a faint lemon flavor that brightened the buttery sweetness. This restaurant/pasticceria/gelateria gets extra points for the sweet but sophisticated design of its branding (the waiters even wore pink button-down shirts to match!)<br /><a href="http://www.moma.org/visit/plan/eating"></a><a href="http://www.momacafes.com/cafes.html"><br /></a>Food @ <a href="http://www.moma.org">MOMA</a> - I like eating at museums when I get the chance and usually the food is okay to good, but I have to say that the food service at MOMA was revelatory. For lunch at <a href="http://www.momacafes.com/c2/c2.html">Cafe 2</a>, the lemon ricotta manicotti with swiss chard I had was sublime and better than many dishes I've had at proper sit-down restaurants. Later in the afternoon, despite already eating a chocolate chunk cookie at lunch, I shared the inventive MOMA sundae with a friend at <a href="http://www.momacafes.com/t5/t5.html">Terrace 5</a>: raspberry & fromage blanc sorbets, cheesecake, fresh berries, vanilla sauce. Decadent, but light.<br /><a href="http://www.momastore.org/"><br />MOMA Store</a> - I bought a new watch here in addition to some other cool things, and spent more money than I had planned. If you like museum stores and good design, you'd probably drop a bit of cash here, too.<br /><a href="http://www.pret.com/us/"><br />Pret a Manger</a> - I loved these grab and go food shops in London and was glad to see them stateside. If only they were in L.A...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.panynj.gov/Airtrain/">AirTrain</a> - This is the first time I've had the chance to take the AirTrain to and from JFK and I have to say that it was very convenient (especially since my hotel was a few blocks away from the subway station.) Previously, I used to take the Grayline Bus from JFK to Grand Central, but I liked this much better. Unless I have more than one suitcase to carry by myself, I will definitely be sticking with the Airtrain for my NYC airport transfers.<br /><br />I really enjoyed myself on this trip because I didn't have to really worry about orienting myself (which can be a drawback when you go to a new location). I just got to re-experience all the stuff I love, while checking out some of the new things I've heard about. To me, NYC is one of the best repeat travel destinations because it does a fantastic job of preserving its history and character while still moving forward at a dizzying pace. It's always easy to find something to satisfy any one of my many moods and I am never bored there. While I love home, it's definitely a nice change of pace from laidback and less-accessible Los Angeles.annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-6733993448058605032009-03-22T22:23:00.000-07:002009-03-22T22:43:10.901-07:00Hike #4: Monrovia Canyon Park: Bill Cull TrailSince I was going hiking with TB today, I decided to choose a trail that was a little farther into the woods than I would normally go alone. I wanted to see a waterfall, so I chose the Bill Cull Trail at Monrovia Canyon Park, which juts into the Angeles Forest. The trail starts out high above the canyon:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CdU9QatuY5nMEtHEFcR2-xP4j5x5z_t3jYYH6BK0k8fu02ocRGrngwuIGlW301QAXyPAGhzBV-MQQiUuUZbELjufNg4CrunkV3iIdHRY6Ogfd-QCdHdKQcE2e-dsHNoNZFPK/s1600-h/Highabove.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CdU9QatuY5nMEtHEFcR2-xP4j5x5z_t3jYYH6BK0k8fu02ocRGrngwuIGlW301QAXyPAGhzBV-MQQiUuUZbELjufNg4CrunkV3iIdHRY6Ogfd-QCdHdKQcE2e-dsHNoNZFPK/s400/Highabove.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316251101118714898" border="0" /></a> ...before meandering around a pretty stream:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rR0SI7WOIpyFBXPxzfZIWJ1s_gfkPl8CnoC0VsId0_BhdFvy35nF8hEH9RwlSr5mlSJIQD0iOEpIUw13rhLR0sJQsP59OJ8MP-_-nmFhG6xTJ_w7-XNtUCaMoMtMIaMSOMsG/s1600-h/stream.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rR0SI7WOIpyFBXPxzfZIWJ1s_gfkPl8CnoC0VsId0_BhdFvy35nF8hEH9RwlSr5mlSJIQD0iOEpIUw13rhLR0sJQsP59OJ8MP-_-nmFhG6xTJ_w7-XNtUCaMoMtMIaMSOMsG/s400/stream.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316251827915462178" border="0" /></a>...and then ending up at the waterfall:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGo9zNLXYzTFojT4AmWafpRM3r6pAqzbfiPdIHQayZa2i2lzxzKNAWXtidLd6OhjNTl31Wv44GwDDp9HECw7OAIbuN4OmEotSDCLCvfvPKZZHWENiQkvL368SUqsYHlOY0Q6DO/s1600-h/Waterfall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGo9zNLXYzTFojT4AmWafpRM3r6pAqzbfiPdIHQayZa2i2lzxzKNAWXtidLd6OhjNTl31Wv44GwDDp9HECw7OAIbuN4OmEotSDCLCvfvPKZZHWENiQkvL368SUqsYHlOY0Q6DO/s400/Waterfall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316252040076018658" border="0" /></a><br />Along the mostly-shaded way, you are surrounded by a beautiful overgrown woodland with rocky canyon walls and lush greenery:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChxJU4EU5K4VbtBDF9lBzYu0ofiwMBSpAas5xLraUyj-iRB226IzBhLGE1BUays7hP2iWd3-0hXP33ufr-LERsPgxDNBLkCvE-IzEgQA7TAFD-ZobCf229u3145PvjdSg4RBK/s1600-h/Trail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChxJU4EU5K4VbtBDF9lBzYu0ofiwMBSpAas5xLraUyj-iRB226IzBhLGE1BUays7hP2iWd3-0hXP33ufr-LERsPgxDNBLkCvE-IzEgQA7TAFD-ZobCf229u3145PvjdSg4RBK/s400/Trail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316252706263144962" border="0" /></a>My favorite shot of the day:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxp3yZFFcIr3qJc4qJneTxLNF-31cRtv6AhlWy_2569j1Ad0PeNNnabLMq6dDV_45ryf_kFctfUNkjkanGOKDoWYvhOXibCYe2VnlhtDpSMWlZoerrAzFqZExA2k_1XYzO-S4/s1600-h/TreeBoomerang.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxp3yZFFcIr3qJc4qJneTxLNF-31cRtv6AhlWy_2569j1Ad0PeNNnabLMq6dDV_45ryf_kFctfUNkjkanGOKDoWYvhOXibCYe2VnlhtDpSMWlZoerrAzFqZExA2k_1XYzO-S4/s400/TreeBoomerang.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316253056817058034" border="0" /></a>annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-41560089813465287392009-03-22T09:28:00.000-07:002009-03-22T10:46:29.177-07:00Hike #3: South Coast Botanic GardenYesterday, I was in the South Bay for a christening, so since I was down there anyway, I decided to visit the <a href="http://www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org/">South Coast Botanic Garden</a> in Palos Verdes for an easy hike:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozZD-6HKy94DaKLIriX9Lhm6sr4zFi7YgRDVwemCmt46RzoUevnYEeeqhXXzyYxxG6u-rymNtvMn8PNqvXxLi6M5jDUSK5cFuh0eqvoStqw92wIUra_qsnMBFb6Q-9vvmSA4J/s1600-h/Path.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgozZD-6HKy94DaKLIriX9Lhm6sr4zFi7YgRDVwemCmt46RzoUevnYEeeqhXXzyYxxG6u-rymNtvMn8PNqvXxLi6M5jDUSK5cFuh0eqvoStqw92wIUra_qsnMBFb6Q-9vvmSA4J/s400/Path.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316050443270701330" border="0" /></a>The photos I took focused on pattern and texture:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w1QYlZiq_katdUer99TJzhHyrNcTikXobyhaSSXY76M1wwbaJU9Cbb7kazO1p56pg37qENQKDH9Kti64j18oInxm7LJQNjZKnmJaeyvR1pAe_W5PNKUlZHdI2heAN3VQhU-6/s1600-h/Treetexture.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w1QYlZiq_katdUer99TJzhHyrNcTikXobyhaSSXY76M1wwbaJU9Cbb7kazO1p56pg37qENQKDH9Kti64j18oInxm7LJQNjZKnmJaeyvR1pAe_W5PNKUlZHdI2heAN3VQhU-6/s400/Treetexture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316050834899753698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeyZTRdtotT4pXplWnfwxRymQiRusEYgQkJV5OfzUZcV3u8QcZkACt6g5TO7zZMtq5eB5SR5-JULgc77qt3fT7Kmhbe-WnpFio9A4GTn8WvrbDW5vYSqO2y9WLMy9gkJLxBBv/s1600-h/pinkblossoms.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeyZTRdtotT4pXplWnfwxRymQiRusEYgQkJV5OfzUZcV3u8QcZkACt6g5TO7zZMtq5eB5SR5-JULgc77qt3fT7Kmhbe-WnpFio9A4GTn8WvrbDW5vYSqO2y9WLMy9gkJLxBBv/s400/pinkblossoms.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316050690949640130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvvBcyLiMsysZwdeoLyHM60bx6eiVaBRZijAGwtk3ft9OWTZjiooCouXBqWPV3NtKTq7zn8ywZ-4_jmmugcU47pQ7gGcH4XUPcCyzb_lXTceWdJaSHPc1fvE_QnOalgpjcSrN/s1600-h/Pinecones.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvvBcyLiMsysZwdeoLyHM60bx6eiVaBRZijAGwtk3ft9OWTZjiooCouXBqWPV3NtKTq7zn8ywZ-4_jmmugcU47pQ7gGcH4XUPcCyzb_lXTceWdJaSHPc1fvE_QnOalgpjcSrN/s400/Pinecones.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316050613635649858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm17UjGPTEqAtzYIuyty9x-79giqn3q7JG65su7CXr-GH7-HMurJXGOBvFnD1M7knQ00hEI-AxdCnnCF1WIpclzUSMSzEKc-jnUpEgHBNJL1ClBnpUmjawJMc0DyBI1BJBRQpp/s1600-h/PeachBlossoms.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm17UjGPTEqAtzYIuyty9x-79giqn3q7JG65su7CXr-GH7-HMurJXGOBvFnD1M7knQ00hEI-AxdCnnCF1WIpclzUSMSzEKc-jnUpEgHBNJL1ClBnpUmjawJMc0DyBI1BJBRQpp/s400/PeachBlossoms.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316050528296773602" border="0" /></a><br />Reflected pattern:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhsRuPoezXsXlLPBH2Pn04crb9T2y2nu0f4k0tgNa6LqBV8YaQZNYOT4rjc0q4txZH5moKqB5EY-R1iyNSZAsK0JrEIkUuSq1UAGbmkVxEDkQ-q7xvallMnTpljFdkPdcBT8k/s1600-h/water.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhsRuPoezXsXlLPBH2Pn04crb9T2y2nu0f4k0tgNa6LqBV8YaQZNYOT4rjc0q4txZH5moKqB5EY-R1iyNSZAsK0JrEIkUuSq1UAGbmkVxEDkQ-q7xvallMnTpljFdkPdcBT8k/s400/water.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316050962234414722" border="0" /></a><br />The alien landscape-like White Floss Silk Tree:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXUx_gfVvq8UrSP7WxyNzuvWQT2KD7rTJq4tibO6efy13opHLn3hPwrvHyomDzz-OYjaSzIoEHLGKaoE0QqKBMTuBkR9lzugggR5ptCkHWsSEicfjxuaySsPm3_LtuA9rFLG8/s1600-h/SilkTree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXUx_gfVvq8UrSP7WxyNzuvWQT2KD7rTJq4tibO6efy13opHLn3hPwrvHyomDzz-OYjaSzIoEHLGKaoE0QqKBMTuBkR9lzugggR5ptCkHWsSEicfjxuaySsPm3_LtuA9rFLG8/s400/SilkTree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316050764277378626" border="0" /></a><br />Snowy cactus with berry-colored buds:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwK29YcZMUaJVHjmi25-HsiBFX4zJLm9kHup1NoAsSA0HKDSEp5wq8DnKwncg8y9-LuvxnDM39zCB5YwurUdDoIeQQj0Gcvtf-VFscuxqckOcCTK_ptmCErfEKEv8OfcG8z6C/s1600-h/Cactus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwK29YcZMUaJVHjmi25-HsiBFX4zJLm9kHup1NoAsSA0HKDSEp5wq8DnKwncg8y9-LuvxnDM39zCB5YwurUdDoIeQQj0Gcvtf-VFscuxqckOcCTK_ptmCErfEKEv8OfcG8z6C/s400/Cactus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316050224071113362" border="0" /></a>A little ladybug:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4unrWEahTCKTswgziBpB-oYxddqj2_SEVpBmOOY67WrMeP0jVfyfV54S-_mzlD5I6yLz7Od7FLlET9CrS3r_qgIuCrGGrLA3FNfN_xbph3Z6_zwth1cZw1HL8XKINHrU07VT/s1600-h/Ladybug.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4unrWEahTCKTswgziBpB-oYxddqj2_SEVpBmOOY67WrMeP0jVfyfV54S-_mzlD5I6yLz7Od7FLlET9CrS3r_qgIuCrGGrLA3FNfN_xbph3Z6_zwth1cZw1HL8XKINHrU07VT/s400/Ladybug.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316050382541225586" border="0" /></a><br />I tried not to take too many pictures of flowers since I think I did enough of that at <a href="http://aimlessidling.blogspot.com/2009/03/photo-excursion-descanso-gardens.html">Descanso</a>, but I couldn't resist this one:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4IrErggxjlHMj9rQp1YTSFJNwfWSNJcJ564fm5nKFadjVPuDeScTyY5u-YfOSd_BwapfKzNp7NOYlnJjF_FA_f0PXWf5o7O4V3b6EpG_R7WMB90Hyd3rbqv71s-k0-6VBRrP/s1600-h/calla.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4IrErggxjlHMj9rQp1YTSFJNwfWSNJcJ564fm5nKFadjVPuDeScTyY5u-YfOSd_BwapfKzNp7NOYlnJjF_FA_f0PXWf5o7O4V3b6EpG_R7WMB90Hyd3rbqv71s-k0-6VBRrP/s400/calla.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316050304219160274" border="0" /></a>A lone calla lily amongst the deep green leaves.<br /><br />On the way home, I took a detour to visit the <a href="http://bluebirdcafela.com/">Bluebird Cafe</a> in Culver City, trying their chocolate and coconut cupcakes. They weren't bad, but they didn't crack my top 5. Someday, I'll get around to posting my cupcake rankings (along with the macaron ones.)annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-45897131233682313482009-03-15T16:11:00.001-07:002009-03-15T23:11:04.790-07:00Hike #2: Lower Arroyo SecoFor the second hike, I wanted something easy but with lots of visual interest, so yesterday I chose the Lower Arroyo Seco Park Trail. I spent a lot of time taking pictures of bridges:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSw5VmQaKNtC50QV-54vzrWt9_1L2mEk4Mq-CTHNGsFfsUDxPxeBBDo0pNJ0XT_9C0hPdpQPnLDlV7wlXHz4Nf7YpktjIOfWXmSl-hu4nJGth716dPn4gDxjir3CG_wj2bDrr/s1600-h/Bridge2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSw5VmQaKNtC50QV-54vzrWt9_1L2mEk4Mq-CTHNGsFfsUDxPxeBBDo0pNJ0XT_9C0hPdpQPnLDlV7wlXHz4Nf7YpktjIOfWXmSl-hu4nJGth716dPn4gDxjir3CG_wj2bDrr/s400/Bridge2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313557997587033266" border="0" /></a>An abstraction:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPmGI1mARo9uQM_zzjadXkzHZ1YCEtOZ6oMl7dlxN5-7IFyoRJAnX-wMVRZvzVr7ypJWJsoobQQC14lQ3SFIPsmCO6F5GRXz1cczOWFpm8_l_AreApHLOgKUKp35Whx8ZHdjo/s1600-h/BridgeUnderneath.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPmGI1mARo9uQM_zzjadXkzHZ1YCEtOZ6oMl7dlxN5-7IFyoRJAnX-wMVRZvzVr7ypJWJsoobQQC14lQ3SFIPsmCO6F5GRXz1cczOWFpm8_l_AreApHLOgKUKp35Whx8ZHdjo/s400/BridgeUnderneath.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313558548905206994" border="0" /></a>A stab at black and white artsy-ness:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYBnG02VTIWC4EHIXIRPwo-cbZP0nR45cytcGc1JuRcWTWqDMKT9XnOlzrGkaaWPyhTuXRrP35LOZ25zgdNheLNjQF66YT59eYWfpGWy47q8r63IHP1J-KPmpeCgpdt7MLJiV/s1600-h/bwsymmetry.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYBnG02VTIWC4EHIXIRPwo-cbZP0nR45cytcGc1JuRcWTWqDMKT9XnOlzrGkaaWPyhTuXRrP35LOZ25zgdNheLNjQF66YT59eYWfpGWy47q8r63IHP1J-KPmpeCgpdt7MLJiV/s400/bwsymmetry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313558737027634370" border="0" /></a>With the sun setting:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrDAw6yX1Mu3tca9nFxmlCNT_ubjy4PQ8URlHR1k-YnOZX-O6Uyi290EkuMfGu_Z2MwTZosPacWzcweqOlWs7GukUXeo3FlDrn4PFTGySHhetb5sWVG1tBhb37KHy6Wb82qR4/s1600-h/Bridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrDAw6yX1Mu3tca9nFxmlCNT_ubjy4PQ8URlHR1k-YnOZX-O6Uyi290EkuMfGu_Z2MwTZosPacWzcweqOlWs7GukUXeo3FlDrn4PFTGySHhetb5sWVG1tBhb37KHy6Wb82qR4/s400/Bridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313556693143385058" border="0" /></a>Golden light touching the arroyo (again, I'm a sucker for this kind of landscape):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN50zsP5LHzjzU2v8ZQhvuyh0TDpZxXWWoF-8godBAVnrKL7N4Os4VMt2JXmJ-_mBqo58-zVKm2Txby13QIObRoQAe1T_PPNixV006g7NZwiUBSXop2Zk-u5fagKdA4CdwDM4/s1600-h/Slope.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfN50zsP5LHzjzU2v8ZQhvuyh0TDpZxXWWoF-8godBAVnrKL7N4Os4VMt2JXmJ-_mBqo58-zVKm2Txby13QIObRoQAe1T_PPNixV006g7NZwiUBSXop2Zk-u5fagKdA4CdwDM4/s400/Slope.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313558971309326098" border="0" /></a>And dappled on this quaint path up to the street (yes, it's a little Thomas Kinkade-ish, but it was gorgeous in person):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3X87tCs5s2ilFKp07i7W3xWMN8f0B220wtyFsGrdt9PPctQItWn8ZRinEPAMt2Od7M7BochzgFRzeA9JdMgrVfJfCxHuD_gnQx2rDn8OrVWdSbiunA4P_mPpU_7B2gJ_AKaK/s1600-h/Steps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt3X87tCs5s2ilFKp07i7W3xWMN8f0B220wtyFsGrdt9PPctQItWn8ZRinEPAMt2Od7M7BochzgFRzeA9JdMgrVfJfCxHuD_gnQx2rDn8OrVWdSbiunA4P_mPpU_7B2gJ_AKaK/s400/Steps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313560351755759858" border="0" /></a>I was glad that I started this hike in the late afternoon, because the quality of the light was so beautiful. As such, it's my favorite time to take pictures. Instead of trying a new food place afterward, I actually went to Europane beforehand. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to try their famous croissants, but I had a wonderful carved turkey sandwich on their olive bread along with a giant pistachio macaron, which had great cream filling, but was a little too chewy for my taste. I'll have to come back for the pain au chocolat.annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-73290907880652739842009-03-14T23:49:00.000-07:002009-03-15T00:40:04.069-07:00Hike #1: Debs ParkLast week, I went to <a href="http://ca.audubon.org/debs_park.php">Debs Park</a> in Highland Park for the first of my 60 hikes. After parking at the Audubon Center and deciding on my route, I ascended up the hill on the City View Trail (obviously named for its views of Downtown L.A.):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6b_ThM8raxgWzZyhDFjiBfBHAnIyodMWeahfFZuTeFZVek0ixFth3v-uI8lvFy6HjLLcEjEDJ6nP3mz8AEebrR3MWpMQf1Alw84Q6c6g2qcNylwgTHxhSp3IutFYAf_xj6KP/s1600-h/CityView.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6b_ThM8raxgWzZyhDFjiBfBHAnIyodMWeahfFZuTeFZVek0ixFth3v-uI8lvFy6HjLLcEjEDJ6nP3mz8AEebrR3MWpMQf1Alw84Q6c6g2qcNylwgTHxhSp3IutFYAf_xj6KP/s400/CityView.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313303602496631650" border="0" /></a>...which eventually led to a nice little pond at the top:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUV6BfZ_I7xQC69d-wvFw-GYfQmmph3SjLOyIJfG6R4SH0tTGZ87zcPESs-Z-eZA50ethaT95dK-wo916jzBsMF7G87RAPqGjPdHm1HyOOAcN98qKcI-850m6728HVJWPN6hyY/s1600-h/DebsPond.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUV6BfZ_I7xQC69d-wvFw-GYfQmmph3SjLOyIJfG6R4SH0tTGZ87zcPESs-Z-eZA50ethaT95dK-wo916jzBsMF7G87RAPqGjPdHm1HyOOAcN98qKcI-850m6728HVJWPN6hyY/s400/DebsPond.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313303753366204178" border="0" /></a><br />I wandered around a bit (I can't resist taking pictures of dappled light):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfJL899Y-nJGW4GH8x1hkzmGOl9MwVhmj0OzSnhFY2HdNSmSzIF1dSfG4lKrR4QlmKLQh1vHUuK5WriQdj3w6REo-pLgAiW2Att0v1DncWLgeZIEnnOW4zAC1wpN7QOJmB_jd/s1600-h/Path.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfJL899Y-nJGW4GH8x1hkzmGOl9MwVhmj0OzSnhFY2HdNSmSzIF1dSfG4lKrR4QlmKLQh1vHUuK5WriQdj3w6REo-pLgAiW2Att0v1DncWLgeZIEnnOW4zAC1wpN7QOJmB_jd/s400/Path.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313303860535004370" border="0" /></a>...before finally descending and checking out the LEED Platinum-rated Audubon Center (which my company worked on):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AGkHr_YMMV8HBy9JoO7qz-QVv5KwMgmJpYWofQCtjCKst9yPGVrezNKVHv1ePai372_rwrs9mXrSxzwMlMYJzgjrMmRawgw0hrvQXjD52ShIPIMheXMG_8gKfQ5_RHqjzTcb/s1600-h/AudubonCenter.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AGkHr_YMMV8HBy9JoO7qz-QVv5KwMgmJpYWofQCtjCKst9yPGVrezNKVHv1ePai372_rwrs9mXrSxzwMlMYJzgjrMmRawgw0hrvQXjD52ShIPIMheXMG_8gKfQ5_RHqjzTcb/s400/AudubonCenter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313303941795807474" border="0" /></a>Overall, it was a good hike with several decent climbs to work out your calves. To reward myself afterward, I hung out in South Pasadena, eating a fantastic caprese sandwich at the Heirloom Bakery (see my tweets) and trying out the cupcakes at My Sweet Cupcake. Then, I went to the <a href="http://www.pmcaonline.org/">Pasadena Museum of California Art</a>:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno8WARGU-TBEZlkes06P6pvyjrNQpO_PVh6Su-coxkNkybx7Nnj_rdb2IxTpnqIdIo0RMS7XFX-YyQZvU30LA5oLZAMOXu5190B2lqBt2xS1Rva52lZ5CFi89TCKIEz1IEfWk/s1600-h/PMCA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno8WARGU-TBEZlkes06P6pvyjrNQpO_PVh6Su-coxkNkybx7Nnj_rdb2IxTpnqIdIo0RMS7XFX-YyQZvU30LA5oLZAMOXu5190B2lqBt2xS1Rva52lZ5CFi89TCKIEz1IEfWk/s400/PMCA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313308820673499218" border="0" /></a>I've been wanting to go here for awhile, and though it is a small museum space, it does have its own charm. My favorite exhibit was of 3D images of Mars, courtesy of JPL and Caltech. After putting on the requisite specs, the Martian topography really popped out with the perspectives changing as I walked along the large prints.<br /><br />Anyway, from one type of landscape to another, it was quite a full day!annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-80855714642249895622009-03-05T22:36:00.000-08:002009-03-05T23:06:23.297-08:00How I'm Going to Spend This Weekend (and at least 60 others)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2l5g7esXufQg_e1hdOOGKTgXMkK_37c4lcs8dwSrJw1qHkKVGG3DXzoN0P8PLutLQG6h3myudVGZ9vNrrMZmNIWLAHIUaWxFwLvuw7DkRXTbb0T_nvoirWQwoH87yvLIzfDU/s1600-h/WeekendPlans.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2l5g7esXufQg_e1hdOOGKTgXMkK_37c4lcs8dwSrJw1qHkKVGG3DXzoN0P8PLutLQG6h3myudVGZ9vNrrMZmNIWLAHIUaWxFwLvuw7DkRXTbb0T_nvoirWQwoH87yvLIzfDU/s400/WeekendPlans.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309960673990737602" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.google.com/books?id=smH7x2zpchIC&dq=60+hikes+within+60+miles+Los+Angeles&printsec=frontcover&source=bn#PPR15,M1">60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Los Angeles (on Google)</a><br /><a href="http://eat-la.com/">Eat: Los Angeles (the Web site and blog)</a><br /></div><br />Hiking endlessly beautiful trails (burning calories painlessly) + Eating amazingly good food (gaining calories happily) = Perfect Weekend Equilibriumannabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-41963737311732534942009-03-01T09:53:00.000-08:002009-03-01T10:28:36.742-08:00Photo Excursion: Descanso GardensYesterday, I finally made the drive up to La Canada to visit <a href="http://www.descansogardens.org/site/home.cfm">Descanso Gardens</a>. Since I'd never been, I took the tram tour (which I recommend for a good overview), and afterwards, I walked around and took some pictures, mainly of flowers:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu_8X4jwAdk4wOsaNG76wSg1KOaGPV8EbAyTMh_p_CdMud_QS1GaLFv7R6fs6qFtUBtk4DnMQtcmaJZO1Jh6qxaD_NTjNm9kBeLYxs6Vno6-n9ZDNx6wqicccUZAJ4A6vQAzV/s1600-h/DescansoFlower4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu_8X4jwAdk4wOsaNG76wSg1KOaGPV8EbAyTMh_p_CdMud_QS1GaLFv7R6fs6qFtUBtk4DnMQtcmaJZO1Jh6qxaD_NTjNm9kBeLYxs6Vno6-n9ZDNx6wqicccUZAJ4A6vQAzV/s400/DescansoFlower4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308283049768981394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtpIUOlQ-pxW9R1Bl1QhlyJEWjQcKc-KwESq0wiRBsvw_tvo-xVeUghiqYTcqQ9oPlrq4s-xFBjJPkeETw6-mDSPJeSAIM53JKWRWVmbyYGcr-BAnncEghDtdnWnUuHt8oWHN/s1600-h/DescansoFlower6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtpIUOlQ-pxW9R1Bl1QhlyJEWjQcKc-KwESq0wiRBsvw_tvo-xVeUghiqYTcqQ9oPlrq4s-xFBjJPkeETw6-mDSPJeSAIM53JKWRWVmbyYGcr-BAnncEghDtdnWnUuHt8oWHN/s400/DescansoFlower6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308283189199264930" border="0" /></a>Cherry blossoms:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnU1bdlQxa2fFfzobT4sf7sH7VZf0QaylGTgzSitUkOEKv7CPODUsLyxqALn9LO5xCUWWOZd-ta-qFgFWY60n8a4dG-woa_vWHpASbph86zILQbp4PCUMVt3IHN1tXYOMuT92L/s1600-h/DescansoCherryBlossom.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnU1bdlQxa2fFfzobT4sf7sH7VZf0QaylGTgzSitUkOEKv7CPODUsLyxqALn9LO5xCUWWOZd-ta-qFgFWY60n8a4dG-woa_vWHpASbph86zILQbp4PCUMVt3IHN1tXYOMuT92L/s400/DescansoCherryBlossom.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308282807560789794" border="0" /></a>Mini Daffodils (I love yellow flowers!):<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMFn3GDYtYVU_pHu7U9fl_RYbwcrZmOzG7dkBZL_HkmWgjC0f4S6j2mjfizlBkwBfsl_J7JJgThlVsJ1ZYjvrX9nruLrCBm6wWOiUG1A2obpyP_K0vVO9o8phCih3Zcx8r6df/s1600-h/DescansoDaffodils.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMFn3GDYtYVU_pHu7U9fl_RYbwcrZmOzG7dkBZL_HkmWgjC0f4S6j2mjfizlBkwBfsl_J7JJgThlVsJ1ZYjvrX9nruLrCBm6wWOiUG1A2obpyP_K0vVO9o8phCih3Zcx8r6df/s400/DescansoDaffodils.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308282911359598258" border="0" /></a>Lilac from the Lilac Garden:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSmiT5IaZKdSIjAQz2uJaqP3HMYGsn4LhMyZ3h9NN3UnJF2lRTXde2kp2XNGh5u-_iG-KEFL9DHBMHgLGQ0y1T_U-Te_oq-n1Pf3V7hOdexBq7JYoU01b1Tbyho96x5EZroC_/s1600-h/DescansoLilac.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSmiT5IaZKdSIjAQz2uJaqP3HMYGsn4LhMyZ3h9NN3UnJF2lRTXde2kp2XNGh5u-_iG-KEFL9DHBMHgLGQ0y1T_U-Te_oq-n1Pf3V7hOdexBq7JYoU01b1Tbyho96x5EZroC_/s400/DescansoLilac.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308285015142332370" border="0" /></a><br />The gardens are known mainly for their camellias, which are everywhere:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZSIzfjnvSnoY2ieMB-jXH3myK-nf3YyE3TSjJktDLxs4YjtCQl29GZQmaNvrHtp061KoaNWJ8s-UmVB6ghIjOOnmKtJvjmmVae_PFxf90ekUw7J-zK5iPWBSUdNxQh_fX2oZ/s1600-h/DescansoCamellia3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZSIzfjnvSnoY2ieMB-jXH3myK-nf3YyE3TSjJktDLxs4YjtCQl29GZQmaNvrHtp061KoaNWJ8s-UmVB6ghIjOOnmKtJvjmmVae_PFxf90ekUw7J-zK5iPWBSUdNxQh_fX2oZ/s400/DescansoCamellia3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308282607608378882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqA7Ij77Ud3wtgTgJb5FNzHFSrjogjCNAQBWyooJ5zaefJICmcBB9BuaJD5F1LblPt5kGjM6DNfvuf68bgRzPUagyqDmRQW3YIsxugXmkrhGe-z0mzGPeJwTZlHHA2czFy-wCA/s1600-h/DescansoCamellia4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqA7Ij77Ud3wtgTgJb5FNzHFSrjogjCNAQBWyooJ5zaefJICmcBB9BuaJD5F1LblPt5kGjM6DNfvuf68bgRzPUagyqDmRQW3YIsxugXmkrhGe-z0mzGPeJwTZlHHA2czFy-wCA/s400/DescansoCamellia4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308282695685933394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVRJbDjrmVAYT4rAIjlmgJBUTEKHcHdd3aVBzlj83zIRYAlbqMB4sTC1Lxmr1LNpGQ5w3YdO0H1EM8o53csXckrhdwcwdysMpW8hjHcVy7zKFtejHcmHe0VKxFCUbNsUoH37d/s1600-h/DescansoCamellia1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVRJbDjrmVAYT4rAIjlmgJBUTEKHcHdd3aVBzlj83zIRYAlbqMB4sTC1Lxmr1LNpGQ5w3YdO0H1EM8o53csXckrhdwcwdysMpW8hjHcVy7zKFtejHcmHe0VKxFCUbNsUoH37d/s400/DescansoCamellia1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308282519709275746" border="0" /></a>Probably my favorite part of the grounds, though, were the green grassy knolls punctuated by the wild, beautiful coast live oaks (very popular for film/photo shoots):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l6H3UdeLOLsSXjejnd00WeAfd_Fon4Nu5aRnV-aO-b1uNROe8GIowTGGh0j_yC0_Fd5pWNtSii9FhsVIgT173X77urFxrRnG8QsjJ0oUG81vaEKdxjrhmDuSb-A70bO9IoBs/s1600-h/DescansoOakFlare.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l6H3UdeLOLsSXjejnd00WeAfd_Fon4Nu5aRnV-aO-b1uNROe8GIowTGGh0j_yC0_Fd5pWNtSii9FhsVIgT173X77urFxrRnG8QsjJ0oUG81vaEKdxjrhmDuSb-A70bO9IoBs/s400/DescansoOakFlare.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308284471540709026" border="0" /></a>This is the kind of landscape I love. I got a taste of it while I was up in San Luis Obispo this past week, and now I'm planning an extended trip to the central coast for more.annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-90459295446918175482009-01-28T23:45:00.000-08:002009-01-28T23:55:51.486-08:00Picture of the Day: Eye to the TelescopeGriffith Park Observatory (taken with iPhone camera):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlIhgRLr4eyMzAAHXp3-854BwG1kTW-OixUSyVKWa-U9NmAqhGVrv_25vxJyC-NawsnoQB0wQfvY-iDdAASFB5NXqwiXQe12Ld_trImClOWwbPSsxc2ubXaPz3RpW-l4r3-Gh/s1600-h/telescope.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlIhgRLr4eyMzAAHXp3-854BwG1kTW-OixUSyVKWa-U9NmAqhGVrv_25vxJyC-NawsnoQB0wQfvY-iDdAASFB5NXqwiXQe12Ld_trImClOWwbPSsxc2ubXaPz3RpW-l4r3-Gh/s400/telescope.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296618945296184450" border="0" /></a>Also a good metaphor for what I've been searching for lately. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlIhgRLr4eyMzAAHXp3-854BwG1kTW-OixUSyVKWa-U9NmAqhGVrv_25vxJyC-NawsnoQB0wQfvY-iDdAASFB5NXqwiXQe12Ld_trImClOWwbPSsxc2ubXaPz3RpW-l4r3-Gh/s1600-h/telescope.jpg"><br /></a>annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-35066484238367136022009-01-17T15:19:00.001-08:002009-01-17T19:15:32.952-08:00Perfect late Saturday afternoon lunch<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYp-3OB8QntpWzIuwVcbfDH5MDfT06Ph_EYUvPsdfFf9Qe6wHT0q7XByxKbP67uJuZxnO34n8LeBC6xNofAy4JCJO987aADAJCHpqUJBCw58UVIHPs8YU_z2cf7SMFCjnPpfm/s1600-h/Photo_011709_001-793051.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYp-3OB8QntpWzIuwVcbfDH5MDfT06Ph_EYUvPsdfFf9Qe6wHT0q7XByxKbP67uJuZxnO34n8LeBC6xNofAy4JCJO987aADAJCHpqUJBCw58UVIHPs8YU_z2cf7SMFCjnPpfm/s320/Photo_011709_001-793051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292406423048230050" border="0" /></a></p>Chicken gyro, dolmades and a Snapple Lemon Iced Tea at <a href="http://www.papacristos.com/">Papa Cristo's</a>... the meal also came with live Greek music!<p>(Mobile blog post)</p>annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-61071296666142148902009-01-11T15:14:00.001-08:002009-01-11T15:14:49.777-08:00How I should always do my homework<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlyIF9zR5BXrD4C9qvgdgx_uJ9oO_WHUo1tnFA53m_ikNs3yJlCeqlEiyWLePYIDc3Jl61jZSwxA9g8wWDRFLQaRijkkntKL0-UYQilad1mzzcMJKK8LUwtrw-AIAtNNF5e-v/s1600-h/Photo_011109_001-789780.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlyIF9zR5BXrD4C9qvgdgx_uJ9oO_WHUo1tnFA53m_ikNs3yJlCeqlEiyWLePYIDc3Jl61jZSwxA9g8wWDRFLQaRijkkntKL0-UYQilad1mzzcMJKK8LUwtrw-AIAtNNF5e-v/s320/Photo_011109_001-789780.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290178605846913218" /></a></p>Listening to live jazz on a Sunday afternoon at Larchmont Village. (Of course, I requested Night and Day)<p>(Mobile blog post)annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-48439192636201004362009-01-03T00:46:00.000-08:002009-01-03T00:54:09.323-08:00Resolved, Year TwoMy resolutions for 2009:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will get enough sleep.</span><br />7-8 hours minimum per night, hopefully.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will get to work on time.</span><br />Basically, anytime before 9 a.m.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will not wait until the last minute to do my work and homework assignments.</span><br />While I have a sneaking suspicion that this will be a perennial resolution, I have hope that at the very least, I will get better and not procrastinate so much.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I cultivate a more active social life with an emphasis on my friends and family.</span><br />No doubt about it... It makes me happy to go out and do things. And I'm even happier when that includes the people I love. So, definitely more concerts, museums, galleries, restaurants, events, etc. in '09.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will dance more.</span><br />Whether it means I get back into the swing scene a little, reacquaint myself with tango or just take more dance classes, this is a must. Two years away from something I love doing is ridiculous.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will travel more this year.</span><br />I think this is the year of smaller domestic trips (especially now that I have the perfect car for roadtrips.) On my radar: SF (for the Cathedral of Christ the Light and the Academy of Sciences), Utah (for my sister), NYC (for friends and food), Minneapolis (architecture) and Atlanta (to swim with sharks). If I have any money left after paying off my debt and going to school, there is the possibility of Japan, but we'll see.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will read more books.</span><br />In the past couple of years, I've definitely lagged on my book reading due to my crazy schedule. At the very least, I want to shoehorn in all of the books on my shelf that I haven't read yet. And that includes "The House of Leaves" and all of the other books that I think are going to scare the hell out of me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will make both my home and work offices more inviting.</span><br />For my home workspace, I need better organization and less clutter. For my office, I need color, better lighting and something fun on the walls. It's so drab right now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will eliminate my credit card debt.</span><br />I'm pretty determined about this one and if all goes according to plan, I should accomplish this within the the first half of the year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will contribute to my Roth this year.</span><br />This is the first year that I think my Roth is a better bet than the 401K that my work offers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will drink more water.</span><br />I'm borrowing this one from TB.annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-78741572742373464062008-12-30T19:40:00.000-08:002008-12-30T19:53:12.228-08:002008 in Review: Design WorkI spent a lot of 2008 kvetching about how busy I was with so many projects, and I thought I should highlight the design work that I am particular proud of:<br /><br />Logo for my old employer:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LjVSnhGZztiA1lIfQHoEWjUMv7R1FirRHT0lQG5Wq9jjYD3uIi1teHlsr8e6RuCx70iCFBVsff5kInmWc6gYMlBU_dfFPnzntqads2YGszK1uepzhTfnDLkocUeyUCp_zYgq/s1600-h/EXPO2008_logo.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LjVSnhGZztiA1lIfQHoEWjUMv7R1FirRHT0lQG5Wq9jjYD3uIi1teHlsr8e6RuCx70iCFBVsff5kInmWc6gYMlBU_dfFPnzntqads2YGszK1uepzhTfnDLkocUeyUCp_zYgq/s400/EXPO2008_logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285739824816991330" border="0" /></a>This was the last thing I did there as a staff employee that I was really proud of, and it spawned a couple projects, including several direct mail pieces, a binder and four banners.<br /><br />Art direction for the Green Issue of <span style="font-style: italic;">California Real Estate</span>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcX1HUUuho3puxOqqTK-HYN4YsSwwPJWGF6dA4tZC-GGGDBNPVpINE5e_hPsepy1ylzRMoQwEr6SzVVuw6bfSnjZGf_BKlsgRyT3LzJshca5Id8GMHvgKEt_xCkgsKiOzcckTu/s1600-h/Sept08FINALCover.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcX1HUUuho3puxOqqTK-HYN4YsSwwPJWGF6dA4tZC-GGGDBNPVpINE5e_hPsepy1ylzRMoQwEr6SzVVuw6bfSnjZGf_BKlsgRyT3LzJshca5Id8GMHvgKEt_xCkgsKiOzcckTu/s400/Sept08FINALCover.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285792433313839266" border="0" /></a>It had been my dream for awhile to art direct a magazine and I got my chance when my old boss asked me to design this special issue. My favorite spreads include:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RJT_DF_Ghws-sdWSjefyWPQ7PE5h3pAUoS20JChv5xx1GsNOWFY6w4iVrWPqMZlsyxYD-jbPIWXUqdzVW1F4DKT4146J5_P2I4vwsNeLmtSlhppGQioXX7PnPamC8zqVl5nr/s1600-h/SeeingGreen.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RJT_DF_Ghws-sdWSjefyWPQ7PE5h3pAUoS20JChv5xx1GsNOWFY6w4iVrWPqMZlsyxYD-jbPIWXUqdzVW1F4DKT4146J5_P2I4vwsNeLmtSlhppGQioXX7PnPamC8zqVl5nr/s400/SeeingGreen.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285792619186992786" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEzDVt6RPI8Z-h3PzIWi3cQD9BqHcmLIhxHNqyEhcP3Ov7NFwzilyd43HirHuMVvzk8HTJ8zKYWMXG-q_F5JrEOKaqCjo2VR4PZ16jhrCsMwqSL-nFNL_ei3lLggs9fSmnkdY/s1600-h/IsItGreen.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEzDVt6RPI8Z-h3PzIWi3cQD9BqHcmLIhxHNqyEhcP3Ov7NFwzilyd43HirHuMVvzk8HTJ8zKYWMXG-q_F5JrEOKaqCjo2VR4PZ16jhrCsMwqSL-nFNL_ei3lLggs9fSmnkdY/s400/IsItGreen.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285792734174268466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxzNQoj-Ko7Jc8sEqo9ZXoXNPhZxHmjuwohohyAqeRW_zz3scRPwnLYlCFKnfCNTEs9BUccXC9-O5rqNw5FNXoYggWHPPv7iYdVeGGkOv3IEgT24A3GV6Gaqemja90LWGoRAJ/s1600-h/Corkboard.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxzNQoj-Ko7Jc8sEqo9ZXoXNPhZxHmjuwohohyAqeRW_zz3scRPwnLYlCFKnfCNTEs9BUccXC9-O5rqNw5FNXoYggWHPPv7iYdVeGGkOv3IEgT24A3GV6Gaqemja90LWGoRAJ/s400/Corkboard.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285792887262543314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hrER1DEGMnEgrGAUgrEJQ78DxmKVCNqcRoLbwYoNa9vYLhvnBu_ilX1i_vcDUZbqgI8WAZM7_2gg9TXms74t0wKLJRWyI_6P71LZzI_bTSSdfh06Ld1eWjPamSu0Q620fxFA/s1600-h/MrGreen.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hrER1DEGMnEgrGAUgrEJQ78DxmKVCNqcRoLbwYoNa9vYLhvnBu_ilX1i_vcDUZbqgI8WAZM7_2gg9TXms74t0wKLJRWyI_6P71LZzI_bTSSdfh06Ld1eWjPamSu0Q620fxFA/s400/MrGreen.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285793130527744322" border="0" /></a><br />I really like the colors for this holiday card for my current employer:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SJVuPEQIFiS5M3ke3Rrm4W6aqXukdEHMGwq6fluo0TgfgOOmRD7b5_CwnGTEQ0FKIpQBnO2sXAaD9dNrWADcog4711hJWaESkU1Hz3konMM3U8u3xuHMJlhfvjk7sedHeAX0/s1600-h/IBEHolidayCard08_front.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SJVuPEQIFiS5M3ke3Rrm4W6aqXukdEHMGwq6fluo0TgfgOOmRD7b5_CwnGTEQ0FKIpQBnO2sXAaD9dNrWADcog4711hJWaESkU1Hz3konMM3U8u3xuHMJlhfvjk7sedHeAX0/s400/IBEHolidayCard08_front.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285737802883591330" border="0" /></a>I just noticed that I repeated myself in this piece...ha!...I promise this is the last time I juxtapose transparent leaves over a tonal geometric background. Anyway, you can't tell from this image, but the finish is matte with a UV spot gloss coating on the leaves and logo. (I love this coating combo!)annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-90207248116243883642008-12-29T17:00:00.000-08:002008-12-29T17:04:53.400-08:00Out of the PastI was talking to my best friend E the other day and he brought up something from the past that made me smile.<br /><br />E and I have known each other for quite some time and went to the same junior high and high school. Though we weren't particularly close back then, usually our last names put him sitting right behind me during homeroom or other classes with alphabetical seating arrangements.<br /><br />Anyway, E told me that something he's always remembered was that I once showed him this language I had made up and it really impressed him that I had even gone to the trouble of conjugating the verbs. I had totally forgotten about that! Gosh, what a little nerd I was (and still am)!<br /><br />I'm going to raid my high school files to see if my petit language is still around. If not, I'm sure it will be fun to read all the stories and poems and other random scribblings. I was so in my own little world back then.<br /><br />Until I report back, here's something that I do remember (it actually got an honorable mention in an LAUSD poetry contest...the theme was "Discovery"):<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">An Accident and a Discovery</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />An accident and a discovery</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />He saw it no other way</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />A new talent was found</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />For no-talent Jim Gray</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />The slip of the hand</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />The loss of a life</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />The fresh scent of blood</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />On his broken-in knife</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Morbid thoughts unleashed</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />From his no-talent mind</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />A killer he is</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />What a wonderful find</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />Meticulously slashing</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />His newest ambition yet</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />The unassuming corpse</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Someone he never met</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">No talent should be wasted</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Says no-talent Jim Gray</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Especially when you're so bored</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />And haven't any pay.</span><br /><br />I wrote this as a sophomore, and I was pretty dark in my thoughts back then. Most of the winning poems had to do with discovering yourself, beauty, knowledge, etc. and there I was with a poem about discovering serial killer tendencies. I'm actually surprised my English teacher didn't send me to counseling.annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-84916998921448925212008-12-23T22:49:00.000-08:002008-12-23T23:28:54.118-08:00Dressed<a href="http://video.aol.com/partner/hulu/the-big-lebowski-they-peed-on-your-rug/bq_40LsggVNQG3CocowTd9khulKDrsRP">Much like the rug that "really tied the room together" in The Big Lebowski</a>, I think my newly acquired dresser really makes my studio apartment feel more like a home:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq686Qf43tSMZYbMhhr-snTC8CEXt61QJGyVPD-dj30n-4ap9Tl3g7WFnJmOTSCrbH_ZuNxuEZRs7xG-Va5kKpkAguYSGW5k3UV58P9lopKbaVof1yX88KSqs1V0qnW-1RHZPR/s1600-h/Apt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq686Qf43tSMZYbMhhr-snTC8CEXt61QJGyVPD-dj30n-4ap9Tl3g7WFnJmOTSCrbH_ZuNxuEZRs7xG-Va5kKpkAguYSGW5k3UV58P9lopKbaVof1yX88KSqs1V0qnW-1RHZPR/s400/Apt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283248506934872578" border="0" /></a>It's not perfect (there are quite a few scuffs and an actual chunk of wood missing), but I love the styling and because of its imperfections, I got it at a bargain price (for a vintage Lane dresser) on Craigslist, delivery included. Here's a close-up:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAC031lwqBINF3FpSfm8O8yB7ZLVJSy1Wmsv5Vglqwyb8UksQGN3R9J67ud_o0lyEEok32vR0En2oWqamjEKbENVZhMYTUYRKeZjVoRUzbjUypzNbTOZy8qBv9gf9Ghm7r8Wr/s1600-h/Dresser.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAC031lwqBINF3FpSfm8O8yB7ZLVJSy1Wmsv5Vglqwyb8UksQGN3R9J67ud_o0lyEEok32vR0En2oWqamjEKbENVZhMYTUYRKeZjVoRUzbjUypzNbTOZy8qBv9gf9Ghm7r8Wr/s400/Dresser.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283249361917090690" border="0" /></a>The carved-wood drawer pulls are so cool! They add a sculptural quality to the piece that is very reminiscent of Art Nouveau. <br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Photo notes: The phones are part of my collection and are not plugged in (though I wish they all were.) The photo collages are part of a series I did for one of my final assignments. And the <a href="http://aimlessidling.blogspot.com/2008/03/porcupine.html">Porcupine pendant</a> has been changed into a table lamp to better effect.</span>annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-76352754897827430882008-12-22T23:46:00.001-08:002008-12-23T00:02:49.533-08:00My Holiday Card<div style="text-align: center;">This year, I wrote a little holiday poem and designed a <a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/3130517420_600de32b03.jpg?v=0">card</a> around it:<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaZDlDqHi8yuL3D9zMCEuiCm8OTuQjL5BHbt8qkCFHMSnNls3qxNnlXitG5GqiniDSZDImCATP1i2La1Wc3i_37N290Wv0WPDCeJQtO8xkO3PNAeJo2zXqgD8F0UK4kWOY52D/s1600-h/HappyHolidaysFromAnnabel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimaZDlDqHi8yuL3D9zMCEuiCm8OTuQjL5BHbt8qkCFHMSnNls3qxNnlXitG5GqiniDSZDImCATP1i2La1Wc3i_37N290Wv0WPDCeJQtO8xkO3PNAeJo2zXqgD8F0UK4kWOY52D/s400/HappyHolidaysFromAnnabel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282892032352752882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3295/3130517420_600de32b03.jpg?v=0">Click here for the larger version.</a></span><br /><br />Here's the text of the poem:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Hope it's warm where you are</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >That your loves aren't too far</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >That you get gift cards galore</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >And tons of swag you adore</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >And that you have a more than memorable night.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Hope you have yummy treats aplenty</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >That you order peppermint mochas in venti</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Hope you have sugar with your spice</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >And remember that being naughty can be nice</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >And let yourself live with all your might.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Hope the new year brings out the best</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >That you don't have to face another test</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >That you can to sleep in peace</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >That all your worries will cease</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >And that world again will feel right.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Hope we can see each other more</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Hope we can rock it to the core</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Hope I can give you what you need</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Hope you can give me the same, indeed</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >And I hope that above all your heart stays light.</span></div>annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-72979284503447560942008-12-19T14:48:00.000-08:002008-12-30T20:08:23.976-08:00Happy Holidays!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgR1W0cm4weK1TDm59GHf4qxku-U209E5qTta6B8uc-r7hiqMoDB2lSc8Z8mr6jtUg9fV9uLt8QFKoYVVm6xeCT_XGwhvjG4TGJLZz69Uoo30jbqRMV_AXKrvlg-JC_UrmA0Fb/s1600-h/Photo_121908_003-793977.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgR1W0cm4weK1TDm59GHf4qxku-U209E5qTta6B8uc-r7hiqMoDB2lSc8Z8mr6jtUg9fV9uLt8QFKoYVVm6xeCT_XGwhvjG4TGJLZz69Uoo30jbqRMV_AXKrvlg-JC_UrmA0Fb/s320/Photo_121908_003-793977.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281637225068233458" border="0" /></a></p>Mini pumpkin bundt cakes, chocolate peppermint cupcake, carrot cake cupcake & mini snowman vanilla chocolate cupcake from Akasha. I'm so going to explode this holiday season!annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36659624.post-53358015154246031042008-12-17T08:00:00.000-08:002008-12-30T20:20:34.692-08:00Resolved, Reckoned<span>Here's a recap of my 2008 resolutions:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Resolved, that I will do my best to exude positive energy.</span><br />For the most part, I think this is true. I've met a lot of cool people this year, and I don't think I could have done that with a closed, negative attitude. Let me know if you think I haven't been generally positive this year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will be in bed before midnight on worknights.</span><br />This is definitely one that will have to carry over into next year.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will be on time to work, leave to take my lunch break and leave on time unless I take overtime.</span><br />Ditto.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will not wait until the last minute to do my work and homework assignments.</span><br />Ugh... I'm still recovering from the allnighter I had pull for this quarter's final project. So, here's another one that I can file in the "better luck next year" pile.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will reach out to friends and family when stressed and not withdraw inwards.</span><br />I've definitely done better with this one and have worked to strengthen/reconnect ties to most of the people I love. I will continue to work on this throughout 2009.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will find a physical way to blow off steam.</span><br />In addition to the purchase of my exercise bike (which has gotten somewhat regular use, though not as often as I'd like), I've started to take <a href="http://www.pilatesplusdtla.com/">Pilates Plus</a> classes, which are definitely kicking my ass. I'm also planning to take some more dance classes, since I've definitely come to realize that dancing just makes me happy.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will actually do the things I put on my calendar.</span><br />I've been pretty good with this one, considering I've had a lot of chances to flake with a very busy schedule consisting of numerous work, school and social events.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will go abroad this year.</span><br />As you know, I went to Paris this year, and now, I want to either go back to Barcelona or crack Japan next fall. We'll see...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will make my home an inviting and comfortable place.</span><br />I've been successful in creating a cozy and well-lit space in my main living area and have definitely focused on keeping things somewhat tidy. Over Thanksgiving weekend, I finally bought a mid-century vintage dresser after more than a year of searching Craigslist, and it definitely pulls everything together. Now, I just have to make my workspace more functional.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will pay down at least 15% of my credit card debt.</span><br />As I mentioned in the midyear update, I had already reached this goal and had revised it 60%. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, I won't be able to make that number. However, by the end of the year, I will have paid off 40% of my credit card debt, which isn't too bad. Next year, it should all be gone.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Resolved, that I will write in my blog more regularly.</span><br />I managed to post at least once a month, with the exception of November. I do want to continue to blog because I find it very therapeutic and fun. I think what I need to do is make my postings more casual, less composed and shorter in order to knock down any mental blogging barriers.<br /><br />Overall, I think I did pretty well with my 2008 resolutions. It's actually helpful to post the resolutions because I don't want to let anyone (including myself) down at the end of year. For example, in the case of the dresser, I really put my search into overdrive when I realized I had only a month to find one. I'm working on my 2009 ones and now know what makes a good resolution: complete buy-in and measurability. So, you have to really want to make the change and you have to able to quantify any progress.<br /><br />How did you do on your 2008 resolutions?annabel lee los angeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15198457851816591549noreply@blogger.com0