Medicare: Check
Social Security: Check
November 16
Lousie organized a festivity and it was lovely to see her looking so well and happy.
I took the picture of the three ladies and I’m so short they’re looking down. A waiter took the picture of the four of us and he’s so tall we’re looking up. Point Of View.
November 15
Every year since I retired, Boban and I have had lunch together twice for our respective birthdays. Lucky me.
November 14
Lilly loves the mango lassi at the Indian restaurant in their neighborhood and since it’s an easy walk, about a mile round trip, and since we have so much fun along the way, we both like to go when we have the time.
We also went with Rome for a library outing which was a treat. All is well!
November 13
On an outing with Marsha and her sister. Before..Pretend after. I am so going to do it for real as soon as I reach a ‘decent’ weight or age 70, whichever comes first. I’ve told myself this for at least a year now and am indeed closer to age 70 but no closer to losing a single ounce. Ouch!
nf.
This tree is a moving projection outside the café and it is spellbinding.
Thanks ladies, I had fun!
November 11
Out and about recently with plenty of road time I noticed on three separate occasions exit after exit drivers with their &*(%turn signals on. GRRR. And now I’ve remembered that all three were driving with their driver’s side window down.
Ah ha, when you drive with the window down you can’t hear the clicker clicking click-e-ty click click click. A reason maybe, although not reason Enough.
(internet pic)
November 10
I did ask myself this very week ‘What’s up with that crane?’. They’re rebuilding the pier section by section and are set to be finished by spring, well in advance of the big summer tourist season. Let’s see how they go.
I was down here to meet Marsha and her sister for lunch on the pier and then we took a spin on the Ferris Wheel.
From the big-basket Ferris wheel that everyone enjoys and you would too despite how much you hate Ferris wheels from when you were a kid and some other punk kid kept rocking the seat so hard you wanted to puke…first punch out the kid and then puke.
November 9
Brigitte and Knut from their fabulous collection of (2-3 thousand) trip pictures. They traveled for three and half months by car from Portugal up to the farthest north reaches of Norway and back, sightseeing and visiting with family and friends the whole way.
WOW!
November 8
Alex and Carol are doing some land cruising these days leaving their boat in Florida for a while.
Another view. When they’re not touring around they are going to set up shop here in this fantastic RV Park right in one of the most popular areas of Long Beach on the bike path, steps from the ocean.
It’s really good!
After a tasty lunch and a short stroll we went to the Museum of Latin American Art. I didn’t do any Dia de Los Muertos this year so I was glad to see she was still around.
There was a big photography show on loan and it was quite wonderful.
Meet Diego. I had questions and Diego had answers. Thanks for taking the time! I was in this picture but you can take my word for it, it looks better like this.
al.
I was nuts for this series called Superheroes by Dulce Pinzon (born in 1974 in Mexico City now living in Brooklyn).
You can go to her website to see the whole collection. Not all of them were on display but many more than these four were and they were all amazing to look at.
Everything here I got off the internet since this was a ‘no photography allowed’ photography show.
From wiki: “The main goal of this project, done in 2006, was to pay homage to the brave and determined men and women that somehow manage, without the help of any supernatural power, to work many hours in extreme conditions for low wages which are saved at great cost and sacrifice and sent to families and communities in Mexico as remittances, which is used to help their families that are back home to survive.”
There was a sign at the beginning of the pictures telling the name, occupation, home country, and the amount of money the person sends home every month.
The prints were big and beautiful, worth going out to Long Beach just to admire them.
November 7
Ahh, a beautiful beach walk with Sharon. What a gorgeous day at home ahh sweet-home.
I took the Monday Ladies (my Valley Girls!) to dinner and a show in Hollywood. Nice. We ate Thai food and saw Janet Klein. The dinner went well and Janet Klein was in fine form. I was so happy!
November 6
So, what am I allergic to? Apparently nothing. Nothing. Now what? Vasomotor rhinitis? Local Allergic Rhinitis? Histamine intolerance?
Maybe I just get colds with allergy symptoms instead of cold symptoms? It seems clear this is not a life threatening situation so I’m calm, and glad to be doing something about it however slowly.
November 5
Fun day with the girls! This is Rome on the left and Finley on the right showing their arm-loads of the latest and greatest gotta have ’em stretchy friendship bracelets all made by elementary school girls.
I’ve heard it’s very easy to buy the small weaving loom and rubber bands, and off you go. Rome made one for me so now I have a cool, colorful, stretchy bracelet too!
STILL, and a very long way to go.
Seeing actual hardcopy like this makes me shiver. I’ve been at it off and on for months and am still short of finishing volume two. Yikes. Will I EVER finish. I’m going to try to stop talking about Proust until after the new year.
Swann’s Way, Within a Budding Grove, The Guermantes Way, Sodom and Gomorrah, The Captive, The Fugitive, Time Regained
November 3
The Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City has a new show open…
…and I enjoyed the outing with The Cousins, Sharon and Nancy. It was excellent (The Power of Photography, National Geographic’s 125th Anniversary) but also very, very crowded so you might want to wait a few weeks. It’ll be there through April.
November 1
Liz and I went to Will Rogers State Park today for the march up to Inspiration Point. Liz walks faaast.
That’s Century City in front of Downtown with Westwood and then Santa Monica to the right, the Hollywood sign and Silverlake to the left.
We enjoyed the very modest Visitors Center and the tour of the Will Rogers House.
I was gone most of the summer this year and hence missed one of my all-time favorite things to do – have a picnic on the grass and watch the polo matches only an arms length away from the horses as they thunder by.
Just above the polo fields and the house, a last view of the Pacific Ocean.
And then we went for another walk, for good measure, from my house to Huckleberry to top off the day with some well earned calories.
October 31
Trick ‘R Treat! Some of the neighborhood girls. There are others that I know of not in this picture and perhaps more that I don’t know.
ak.
October 30
It was Rome’s turn for dance class today and Lilly and I enjoyed dancing in one of the empty rooms. All those mirrors…
October 29
Ah, a walk with Sharon along the Palisades Park, enjoying the seascape and a wander through the rose garden, and then lunch of course.
And then dinner of course, a bon voyage to Les who is heading home tomorrow.
October 28
Maxine! You’ve done it AGAIN.
I had a busy day – breakfast with Muriel, a trip to the dermatologist to get the rest of the goop out of my head but I’ll probably have to do it again because he didn’t remove the ‘sacks’, and the Monday Night no-potluck this time because Max did Everything.
October 27
This is Angela’s collage from Heidi’s annual Halloween Party.
This link will take you to pictures of the party from 2007-2012: Heidi’s Halloween!
I couldn’t make it to Heidi’s because I had a prior commitment to another party…
ak.
…at Merlyn and Hilda’s, with Alex and Carol. Hilda had never ‘done’ Halloween but they are getting started with a bang.
October 26
This morning I read my little sister’s script with her, a play that she is doing with friends, and it was fun, she has a big part, and she is excellent on any stage.
Then I went to my big sister’s to do a little tech-support and here is her husband, my brother-in-law, with a messed-up shoulder from an unfortunate fall. He is lifting his one arm with the other arm in order to put hamburger in his mouth. I said “oh Hartley, that is so sad. I have to take a picture.” He’s set for an mri on Monday.
Then Les and I went out to Pasadena to meet Richard and Emilia for dinner.
Richard brought wine from his friend’s enterprise. Thanks Richard! I do so enjoy a tasty glass of wine.
October 25
Les is visiting from Boston and today we picked up his 90 year old cousin Phyllis, who is a totally charming and delightful woman, for lunch and an outing.
Phyllis has been living in a top drawer assisted living place for the last year but has kept her gaga home-apartment on the 23rd floor of a deeeluxe Wilshire Blvd. high rise. We went back to her apartment to have a look around. We were greeted with great enthusiasm and professional good-will by the dozen members of staff who passed by.
I’ve always had a fancy for those deeeluxe Wilshire Blvd. high rises assuming you can get one with the views.
The views were epic, unobstructed on three sides, and you could feel how much Phyllis loved living here. Too bad the fog had rolled in and we could only know how awesome it would have been if we could have seen it.
October 24
Ta DAH! The walking-home crowd. Are they not an utterly adorable bunch of girls or what.
Lilly, Sophia, Rome, Finley, Bailey, Avery, Taylor.
Rome had her Bridging Ceremony where she moved from being a Daisy to being a Brownie in Girl Scouts. The structure of Girl Scouts seems a little different these days but there is still plenty of vowing and God and Country.
The girls love it .. and from the Girl Scout Law they promise to “be a sister to every Girl Scout”.
October 23
I was set to have a nice lunch with Sharon but then my car wouldn’t start so I had to get a jump and it seems ok now. Oh the best laid plans. We had a good visit anyway and thanks to Sharon for being so flexible.
Then, dinner with the boys, this time celebrating Bill’s birthday (from July…). Yay, we’re caught up since Ken’s birthday is in January.
Bill was bemoaning his lack of imagination choosing the same restaurant he always chooses but then come to find out his Sherman Room is closing in a week and we just got in under the wire. Now Bill is going to have to find a new favorite place.
October 6
I’m watching a new show on my computer, Serangoon Road, set in Singapore and made by HBO Asia and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It’s a 1960s detective drama with compelling noirish atmosphere and characters.
I experienced a wave of desire to see Singapore, sitting there as it is at the tippy end of one part of Malaysia.
Hmm, I wondered, what might a trip to Singapore look like. And as I was looking I noticed Ahhh Burma/Myanmar, what’s going on there, and come to find out Berma/Myanmar is off the US Government Do Not Travel list. Owww. I could go there too.
(Thanks to Sharon and Nancy for the day out – we had Fun!)
Here’s a cool picture Muriel took on a previous outing. Yes we are this cute.
mm.
October 5
The Venice Canals – a nice walking venue for an outing with Muriel. She hadn’t ever taken a daytime stroll through here so that was particularly fun.
We had lunch at the French Market Café just around the corner.
Later I did some computer-biz with my older sister and then went to check out the St John’s Grand Opening of the new entrance on Santa Monica Blvd.
October 4
After doing a set of apartment photos for my older sister, and making phone calls and grocery shopping, I went to get Alex and Carol at the airport, brought them to Merlyn and Hilda’s place and had a lovely few hours with ACM&H and this light show from the valley.
October 3
After Lilly’s school, we stopped off at the Dollar Store and this is what she chose, of all the things in the Dollar Store she wanted Batman and Superman.
Then we went to dance class, picked up Rome and two of her friends came over and the four girls played happily (and I didn’t take a picture why?), and then we did all the regular night-time routines. Too much fun!
October 1-2
Doing a little of this and that: Marsha hosted Monday Potluck, I had a nice outing with my across the street neighbor Kathleen, went to lunch at El Torito with my little sister, enjoyed an evening with Ben and Bonnie…
…walked the Pepperdine track with Sharon. Getting ready to see Cynthia, Mike, and Kieran in Minnesota!
(internet pic)
“Victoria Vesna Octopus Mandala Glow (OMG) The Pacific Wheel, the world’s largest solar Ferris wheel, becomes the ultimate revolving mandala. Experence it as sounds become colors and as the many become one.”
Another attraction for which I did not stand in line.
There were many of these luminaria rings around the beach, put up by picnicers.
Out in the distance we see Swarm (The Gelantinous Bloom), one of the few you had to trek across the sand to see.
September 28
I’ve been walking a couple of times with Sharon since I’ve been back – gorgeous as always. Good and good for you!
September 30
Time to change out the ‘refrigerator door’. I take everything down, put it in a one quart baggie, and stack the baggies out in the garage.
From the top left: an origami crane that I always have some of around, an adventure card from ND, a travel picture of me from 1997 in Croatia that I ran across, a poem I like, a drawing form David, the kids, another cool card, a lacma postcard from NA, K&L’s school picture, K&L’s spin art, a ticket to a show ‘hey kids, let’s put on a show’, a wedding invitation and flower clip from Kauai, from Rome ‘Every kid needs a fairy ..cross out Godmother and write in Grandma’, Windy’s wedding place card that I re-found, a welcome home card from Rome that says ‘you are Gran-Tastic’, a thank you card from the kids, the cranes that I can’t give up (I see they’ve been there since at least 2008).
September 28
glow, Dusk&Beyond 2013, 7pm-3am, One Night Only, Santa Monica Beach, Pier, and Palisades Park. “An all-night cultural experience that re-imagines Santa Monica Beach as a playground for original, participatory works of art.”
This is the third time in five or six years that they’ve done it and I’m very glad I went. I’m copying all the quoted text from the brochure. This is a sampling. Oh yes, there were many more exhibits.
Got’ta have a huge line-up for a Hot Dog on a Stick.
I took the bus and walked btw, and did not have to face what was certainly a traffic and parking madhouse. In the promotional literature they were strongly encouraging people to bike in and there were several lots for free, attended bike parking.
At the information center just below the Carousel where the line for the Carousel was Huge. I didn’t stand in it.
“Patrick Scott The Rest Is Noise: A Carousel Ride Through the 20th Century Ride the historic Santa Monica Carousel as 16 speakers play 12 second clips of music, representative of each decade of the 20th century. One hundred years of music condensed into a five minute experience.”
“Marni Gittleman with reDiscover Center and Leslie Gray Glowmasphere an immersive art experience where the gestures and sounds of visitors within a geodesic dome are interpreted by artists into cast shadows and silhouettes projected onto the structure’s translucent skin.”
“Aphidoidea Swarm (The Gelatinous Bloom) Along the shore a swarm of tall jellyfish-like creatures, respond with light and sound to visitors. Aphidoidea is an artist collective and includes Paulina Bouyer Magana, Andrew Hernandez, Jesus Eduardo Magana and Jackie Munoz.”
“Karen Atkinson GLOWbal A large screen coated with phosphorescent paint that holds the shape of projected images, like an echo repeats a sound, invites public interaction.”
“Djoko Walujo Java: Land of Dreams CalArts’ mesmerizing Gamelan Kyai Doro Dasih will play two hour-long concerts.”
“Shana Koenig Solar Sea Sculptures Spread amongst two locations, floating luminescent forms, reminiscent of those found in the depths of the ocean, respond to and interact with glow’s audience.”
September 27
What I have been doing off and on for the last three days, for 20-25 hours – catching up in anticipation of the huge Sunday finale extravaganza, with me waiting for the show to be released to a streaming service while the other gaBillion viewers watch intently glued to their TVs wondering…What’s Going To Happen?
And then the internet will light up with Such Emotionally Held Opinions.
September 26
Look what came in the mail yesterday! I sat with the girls last week and we shopped away on the internet to pick their birthday Matching PJs and this time we even got Matching PJs for their American Girls! Sooo cute.
Thanks for the picture Angela!
ak.
September 25
We had a really fun dinner at FIG, the celebrity chef spot at the Fairmont/Miramar Hotel where, if you order between 5 and 6 everything at the bar and everything on the menu is Half Off. Wow, SUCH a deal. And delicious too!
September 24
I got to go to Lilly’s school today, at Sand Tots. She’s a big girl now and has moved upstairs…
September 20-22
Click here if you want to have a little run-through of my gorgeous weekend in Santa Ynez.
September 20-22
A long weekend of R&R in the Santa Ynez valley with Robert and Joanna, and Bob and Desda, down from SF way, and Carl and Lynn, and Ben and Bonnie, and Richard from around LA. Unfortunately Emilia was very ill and couldn’t make it.
Also Angela’s. These are some pictures collected over these days that I’ve been in Santa Ynez. That story to follow!
Rome, Avery, Finley
ak.
These girls have been having birthdays together since they were ONE!
Zoe, Sydney Clayton, Rome, Nora, Sydne Carmon, Sydney Soussan. Sydney Clayton’s party on Zoe & Rome’s actual birthday.
amy.
And in Hawaii .. Caleb’s birthday is the day before Rome’s. Happy Birthday Caleb. Next time we get together you can drive me around!
b/tb
Rome’s classmates in the second grade. I was in the second grade once. Fifty Eight Years Ago.
Then Lilly and I took Rome to her Musical Theater class and Lilly and the other siblings played with ponies while we waited.
September 16
Allergy-Infection-Just Sick…WHAT?! I’m going to the doctor today. This ear thing is a new development in addition to my usual allergy symptoms. I’m going to review the whole ‘I’ve got allergies’ diagnosis! (But still, it’s nothing like a cold, or the flu, or anything else that’s ever crossed my path.)
What the doctor said: No infection, no obstruction, no injury, no fever .. no idea. They want me to see an ENT guy. Fine.
An allergy update:
2013 July Kauai/Honolulu; August&September UK
2012 June in MN; November baaad at home
2011 March in MN; November after W’s wedding
2010 February; June (both mild)
2009 December at home
2007 November during the fires
2006 March just back from Hawaii
2005 April; June; October; (now that was a bad year!)
September 15
Time to PAR-TEEE! Angela brought all the food for both parties and gift bag contributions, and otherwise the venues did an excellent job. And a grand time was had by all!
First was Rome’s party at the art studio where she’s been taking classes for some time.
Everyone got to make a mermaid plate. They rolled out the clay, cut out the shell shape, made a transfer, and painted the mermaid. In a couple of weeks after they are all fired up the kids will have something special that they made themselves.
Then there was pizza and salad and cupcakes and then…
One of the teachers did a demonstration showing the kids how to throw a pot on a wheel.
At first they were all standing back, waiting, watching, and then slowly, inch by inch, as they became totally entranced by the magic of it all they moved in closer and closer until there was not another step to be taken.
The teacher said she was making the pot for Rome, for her birthday. One of the other girls said she’d like one and the teacher said if she wanted to have her birthday party there too that would be great.
They were really on the ball, passing out certificates to the kids for one free class and a few other things to promote their business, and everyone was delighted.
Between the two parties we got a quick lunch at a very good Thai place with the Elinoffs who had driven out from the valley to spend the day at birthday parties.
Lilly’s party was at the dance studio where she takes classes. The kids had a blast. They played games and learned a rather long dance routine too.
The Happy Birthday Song .. and Cupcakes!
I wish I had a picture from tonight, of Darryl and Angela, after the girls had opened all their presents and were asleep snug in their beds. That must have been a beautiful moment, to have seen their girls so happy, and to be done.
Here’s Princess Belle who came to say Happy Birthday to Lilly! She stayed long enough for all the kids to ask her any questions they wanted. It was quite adorable. They wanted to know where she lived and if she had any pets. I didn’t hear all the questions but the kids were in rapt attention.
There are certainly better pictures of this scene that I will acquire.
Charlie, Gianna, Bailey, LILLY!, Rome, Anya, Nora, Lila, Ella, Giah, Princess Belle who lives in a castle with her pet cat and her pet horse and the Prince who came to the party in a carriage.
September 14
Happy Birthday Dear Lilly! She’s enjoying a major chow-down on her birthday strawberry shortcake, her favorite and the reason we are at this restaurant.
Lilly is four today and Rome will be eight one week from today. Lilly is the age that Rome was when Lilly was born. We’ve had a lot of fun with this!
