Sunny Skies, in Santa Monica

Photo by myself on Ocean Avenue, in Santa Monica, California.

The weather in California has been incredible as usual, with brightly sunny skies, breezy winds and temperatures in the high 70's (about 26 Celsius).

We've been spending the past week here visiting family. It's been a wonderful break from the long winter in the northeast. There are palm trees along the roads, which still takes me some getting used to.

Even though the vegetation here is incredible, California has been going through one of its worst droughts. The state is rumored to run out of water a year from now.

Related posts: Greetings from Casa del Mar, in Santa Monica, The Getty Villa, in Malibu, California, and California Dreamin'.

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Out for a Walk, in Santa Monica, California

Photo by myself at the Third Avenue Promenade, in Santa Monica, California.

Just a moment from my recent visit to California, at 'the Promenade', the main attraction in Santa Monica.

A woman chatted with passersby, while carrying her pet pig in her arms. The pig, (I assume a girl pig) wore a little halter. So I guess the pig had been out for a stroll.

The promenade in Santa Monica is a very popular outdoor pedestrian mall, lined with stores on both sides. There are fountains and musicians and eateries, too.

Oh....and farm animals.

Related posts: A Four-Legged Co-Pilot, on Flatbush Avenue, Walking the Dog, While Pedalling, and The Sign of the Rat, in Midtown.

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Sailing Above the Sand, on Venice Beach

Photo by myself at the skate park, on Venice Beach.

A large skate board park on Venice Beach, invites skate boarders to practice and perform. Not in view are the railings that surround the large park, protecting the audience from accidents.

There are several different swooping areas to skate here, with varying degrees of difficulty. The most acrobatic skate boarders sailed through the air, doing twisty tricks. It was mildly hypnotic to watch.

Venice Beach is just a short walk south from Santa Monica. It was brightly sunny (as it is most days) but the sea breezes make it very comfortable.

-- My family and I walked along Venice Beach the other day, along with hundreds of others. There were food carts outside and artists selling their work.

I'll be flying back to New York today.

Related posts: Crossing Broadway, on Wheels, On Wheels, in the Financial District, and On Skateboard Graphics and Subways in Mid-Air.

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Greetings from Casa del Mar, in Santa Monica

Photo by myself at the beach in Santa Monica, California.

It's blustery and cool near the beach, in Santa Monica, California. The above photo was taken at sunset, next to the fancy hotel next door, 'Shutters on the Beach'.

I'm visiting my fiance Mark, who is here for a work project. We're staying at a super fancy hotel called Casa del Mar. Situated right on the beach, the rooms are prettily decorated and have ocean views.

Very often, you will see celebrities in the lobby, having brunch or drinks. So far, I haven't see any, but I am on the lookout, haha! I must say Casa del Mar is one of the prettiest hotels I've stayed in. It is a welcome departure from the steamy sidewalks of New York City.

Photos will continue on this blog, while I'm away.

A photo from our well-decorated room at the Casa del Mar.

The walls are a powder blue, and the furniture is whitewashed. It's difficult to remember that you're still in the 21st century.

The spacious lobby at the hotel. A huge double-sided gas fireplace was roaring, even though it's the end of July.

Related posts: Greetings from Santa Monica, The Hotel Shangri-La, in Santa Monica, and More Notes, from the Left Coast.

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The Hotel Shangri-La, in Santa Monica

Photo by myself on Ocean Avenue around Arizona Street, in Santa Monica.

Happy Memorial Day! It's beautifully sunny here in Santa Monica. There is a constant cool breeze, so it's best to wear a hat and light jacket.

The public beach below can be accessed through parking lots. There are eateries, bike rentals and public restrooms along the 8-mile bike path that runs between Santa Monica and Venice.

I'm visiting my fiance Mark, who is here on business. We're staying at the Shangri-La, a deco-inspired hotel that was recently remodeled. 'Shangri-La' refers to a fictional Eden, of sorts.

The people of Santa Monica should seriously consider renaming their town Shangri-La. When walking through the streets, you get the feeling that nothing bad ever happens in this land of palm trees and sunshine.


The private courtyard at Hotel Shangri-La. Empty in the early morning, this space fills up with people and music all day long.


The bar just off the lobby at the hotel.


One of the custom light fixtures in the bathroom. I am tempted to put it in my suitcase!


Just half of the large bathroom. Pardon our mess. An enormous oval whirlpool tub is just out of view.

I have to say I encounter this land with a degree of New York skepticism. Really? Should life ever be this good?

Mark is more easily seduced. He has been dropping hints about moving here. I don't blame him. He is only human, after all.

For the Shangri-La website, click here.

Related posts: Sand and Surf, Mexico, Tropical Luxury, at the Caribe Hilton, Puerto Rico and Buenos Noches, from Mexico.

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On Santa Monica Beach and Blue Plate Oysterette

Photo by myself at Arizona Street and Ocean Avenue, in Santa Monica, California.

The view from our hotel in Santa Monica is pretty incredible.

This was taken around 6 am today. The strip of green is a public park that overlooks the beach. The stately palm trees are typical of this area.

It's hard to tell from this viewpoint, but there is a huge drop between Ocean Avenue, the street directly below, and the beach. The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) runs along the beach, out of sight. There are beachfront properties that can just barely be seen.

To get between the beach and the main part of Santa Monica, there are a series of pedestrian bridges that span the PCH. Ascending the sheer cliffs are ramps or steps. I prefer the ramps, ha.


One of the sculptural walkways between the beach and the main portion of Santa Monica. Note the sheer cliffs in the background.


The bar at Blue Plate Oysterette looks into the open kitchen. The day's specials are written on chalkboards.


There is outdoor seating at BP Oysterette. The place seems to always be hopping.

My fiance Mark is in LA on business and I'm here for the long weekend. My parents also live out here, so it's been a nice, relaxing time. We are staying at a super cool hotel (more on that in a later post).

Mark and I had dinner on Thursday at Blue Plate Oysterette, a nicely decorated restaurant along Ocean Avenue. They have a great selection of raw oysters and seafood dishes.

Mark had the lobster roll, which was top notch. I had the bouillbaisse, which was divine. The soup part seemed thin at first but was utterly transformed after adding slices of buttered, crusty bread.

I just loved the interiors, which had the right balance of rustic and refined. The Blue Plate Oysterette is a smaller version of Blue Plate, another restaurant in Santa Monica.

Their website is as well-presented as the restaurant. To see it, click here.

Related posts: The Sunset View, from Malibu, Greetings from Santa Monica and California Dreamin'.

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The Sunset View from Malibu

Photo by myself from the beach in Malibu, California.

Ah, another photo from our weekend in Los Angeles.

Stands for life guards look out onto the Pacific Ocean. The public beach is very wide along the Malibu Coast. It is rarely ever crowded, even on the most beautiful of weekends.

Temperatures were in the upper 60's and lower 70's, this weekend. Mark and I spent some much-needed time communing with nature. Simply walking barefoot in the sand and marveling at tiny sea life made us deliriously happy.

Of course, the joyride came to a crashing halt, Monday night when we came home. We waited 30-people deep in line for taxis outside JFK airport in the cold. Brrr!

Related posts: Not So Wild Horses, The Getty Villa, in Malibu, California and Tell Me About the Rabbits.

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Greetings from Santa Monica

Photo by myself over the Pacific Coast Highway, in Santa Monica.

Hello from the other side of the US! My fiance Mark and I are in Santa Monica, California for the weekend.

This view was taken over the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) which runs along the coast. The Santa Monica Bluffs are to the right. Footbridges and steep stairs along the bluffs allow pedestrians to get from beach level to street level, above.

It is gloriously sunny and mild here, as it always seems to be. It was evident when we got off the plane that we were New Yorkers - everyone around us was wearing light colored, fun clothing, while we were plodding around in black and navy.

This winter has been a particularly tough one everywhere, New York included. The sunshine and beach are perfect antidotes to the winter blues.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Related posts: More Notes from the Left Coast, California Dreamin' and From the Left Coast.

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The Getty Villa, in Malibu, California

Photo by myself at the Getty Villa, in Malibu, California.

This stunning museum re-opened in 2006 after extensive renovations. The Boston architectural firm Machado Silvetti added modern courtyards and connecting elements to the existing villa.

Admission is free. You only have to pay for parking. Click here for more information.

--
I finally found time to go through my photos from California.

Most of the photos show the Getty Villa, a magnificent, colorful museum off the Pacific Coast Highway, in Malibu. The historic villa was built over many years and completed in the 1970s. Modeled after an actual Pompeian building, the villa houses John Paul Getty's collections of antiquities.











The courtyards and gardens were lovely. So were the rooms filled with bronze sculptures, glass bowls and stone relics. There was even a mummy! Such a building with winding exterior spaces could only be built in a temperate climate like LA or the Mediterranean.

If you haven't been there, the outdoor light in California is incredible, with a quality of its own. It is golden and casts dramatic shadows. New York has a little of the same effect late in the afternoon, but only for a short time.


A modern courtyard connected stairways to the elevator and entrance.

Related posts: California Dreamin', Tell Me About the Rabbits and More Notes from the Left Coast.

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Fighting the Crowds, in Midtown

Photo by myself in Midtown, around 34th Street and 6th Avenue.

Above, a rather tame crosswalk in Midtown. Usually, crosswalks are a blur of people traveling in either direction.

--
Ah, I'm back in New York. My flight arrived at 10pm Sunday and I'm back to work tomorrow morning, battling crowds like the one pictured above.

California was as gorgeous as ever. I have to say that my parents' house freaked me out, as usual.

Yes, I've become so accustomed to living with people squashed above, below and to the side of me. Being in a free-standing house (at night, with no noise outside) frightens the dickens out of me.

Mark's fascination with ghost shows on tv might be partly to blame for my paranoia. He is addicted to Ghost Adventures, that show where three guys visit haunted places.

Anyhow, I am just glad to be home, tucked alongside my 8 million New York neighbors.

Related posts: Tough Times, Midtown, Rain, Rain, Go Away and On New York Streets, Then and Now.

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Kicking Back on Firm Ground

Photo by myself near Macy's, at 35th Street and Sixth Avenue.

A pedicab driver on break gave me a nice smile and a victory sign. In the background, cabs speed by.

--
My mom called me from LA Tuesday night, saying there had been an earthquake.

My dad had felt the house shake for several seconds. She had felt nothing. A family friend in a nearby town definitely felt something and was sent scurrying under the nearest table.

I think if we New Yorkers had to deal with the traffic and work stress and rising rents and small apartments and earthquakes, life here would be insane. We are awfully lucky to be located on top of firm bedrock.

Related posts: How's About A Ride? and East Coast, West Coast.

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Back to the Basics

Photo by myself last week around high noon, around Park Avenue and 40th Street. The sun was straight up in the sky, and people searched desperately for shade.

--
Was it hard to wake up this morning or what.

Last night, Mark and I arrived late to JFK. The flight was a small disaster - LAX was disorganized and glutted with people. At JFK, our bag didn't hit the carousel for over 30 minutes. Mark had smoke coming out of his eyeballs.

Of JFK, La Guardia and Newark, the airports servicing New York City, I prefer Newark for efficiency and La Guardia for proximity. Sometimes, though, you don't have the luxury of choice.

While waiting for the bags, we spotted character actor Wallace Shawn, looking patient and well groomed. Shawn is best known for his excited role in The Princess Bride.

This morning we were awakened early by a hungry cat. Then I scampered off to work. The day was long, and at the end of it Mark and I dined at our favorite Italian place, talking about our day over glasses of Chianti. Exciting life, eh?



Since I have lost all my brain cells, I'll have to leave off for now. Above, a photo of my brother's wedding cake, that served the 200+ guests. Everything was done up amazingly for the ceremony, but I was much too tipsy to enjoy it.

Related posts: A Bit More on Celebrity, Past and Present.

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Home, Sweet New York

Photo by myself of the Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn Promenade, in Brooklyn Heights. I took this earlier in the year, when it was cooler outside.

Believe it or not, the Brooklyn Promenade cantilevers over the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE). There are a few lanes of speeding traffic below.

It's a nice urban planning gesture. Busy traffic is located efficiently along the waterfront, while preserving the view and real estate above.

--
We're back home in New York after several days in California. I wish I'd had more time to write there, but our schedule was hectic.

This was my first time in LA with Mark. He's been there many times for work, filming car commercials on the twisty mountain roads, and knows the neighborhoods better than I do. He showed me his favorite hotel, his favorite cafe hangout, his favorite drive through the Hollywood Hills.

Friday, we toured Melrose. I was so swept away with the area that I didn't take photos of the eclectic, rock and roll vibe. There were tons of clothing stores, skateboard shops and tattoo parlors. I was reminded of New York's East Village, only spread out along one long street.

At one point, Mark was admiring everything - the weather, the lush surroundings, the houses. Out of nowhere he said, 'This place is unbelievable. Don't you want to move here someday?'

'What?! I'm not mentally prepared to talk about moving.'

'No, I mean when we're 60 and we don't feel like fighting for a spot on the subway.'

He was referring to the lushness and abundance in California. Life seems easier there. We ventured into one supermarket that was the size of two Fairway Markets put together. Only a handful of people were milling around. There were no crowds, no glut of carts, no harried little old ladies inspecting produce.

A day later, Mark had second thoughts. We'd driven through many beautiful neighborhoods. We hadn't encountered any trash, any crowds, any problems finding a parking space, or any hardship greater than highway traffic.

'Life is easy here,' Mark said. 'I'm not sure I like it.'

'See, that's what I'm afraid of. Your brain turns to mush.'

He and I agreed to keep the West Coast a distant possibility. I'm sure there'll be a time when we no longer want to live the sometimes workaholic, semi-anxious existence that New Yorkers are known for.

No offense to Californians. I'm sure 99.9% of the population would move out there in an instant.

Related posts: East Coast, West Coast, Tell Me About the Rabbits and From the Left Coast.

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More Notes from the Left Coast

Photo by myself on the Santa Monica pier.

I've been posting photos from California for the last few days. Mark and I are here for my brother's wedding, near Santa Monica.

We'll be back Sunday night. Photos of New York will resume Monday morning.

--
My photos from our drive around Hollywood hills didn't come out as well as I'd hoped. Since we live in New York, it's rare to take panoramic shots. I'm sure there's some trick that I'm just missing.





Tonight's wedding ceremony was a little surreal. I'm having trouble thinking of my younger brother as a married man. His new wife is gorgeous and down to earth, and I'm excited to have her as a part of the family.

They had a huge number of guests and it went off without a hitch. Mark and I left with my parents around midnight, just as the dancing started. I'm sure everyone else stayed til the sun came up.

Anyhow, Mark and I are due to fly back tomorrow afternoon. We'll be sad to leave my parents, but promise to return soon. We have invitations from several of my parents' friends, for dinner next time we're in town.




Photos by myself in Hollywood Hills and on the beach in Santa Monica.

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Not So Wild Horses

Photo by myself in California.

Mark and I encountered these horses calmly enjoying the sunshine on our drive through the California Hills.

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Seems like Mark and I have been running into a lot of critters out here.

The above photo is from our drives in the Santa Monica mountains Friday, which are covered in red rock and brush. Twisty turny roads weave along, making for dramatic views. Mark has been there many times to film car commercials.

On Saturday, we drove into Hollywood Hills, and saw a bunch of amazing houses. I haven't cracked open the photos yet, but hopefully one or two came out all right. I'd taken some shots of the view from the hills to downtown LA, below.

We fly home Sunday night. It's been a short trip, but as always, a good one.

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California Dreamin'

Photo by myself on the Santa Monica Pier.

I ran into this fellow New Yorker on the Santa Monica Pier today. He was scampering around with his buddy, who was a brownish version with an LA Dodgers visor.

Both fellas shuffled by me, while another woman and I chased after them for photos. I suppose they must get this kind of attention all the time.

--
Greetings from much too sunny California!

After an early flight, Mark and I drove out to Santa Monica to hang out and walk along the beach. It was incredibly sunny and beautiful. There were people wading in the ocean, people selling their artwork, people taking lessons on a trapeze, people playing volleyball and people playing chess.



There was an amusement park with a ferris wheel, a carousel and other rides as well. Screams would spill out from the kiddie roller coaster every minute. This was all happening at ten thirty on a Thursday morning. I'd love to know what all these folks do for a living, and if they're hiring.

By 7:30pm California time (10:30pm New York time) we were zombies. After a brief dinner out with my parents, Mark and I called it a night.

We don't have anything specific planned for tomorrow, most likely toodling around Santa Monica, before the rehearsal dinner for my brother's wedding. I can't wait to continue to walk around with the camera.

At least we can count on it being sunny and nice outside.






Related posts: East Coast, West Coast, Tell Me About the Rabbits and From the Left Coast.

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Food on the Brain

Photo by myself outside Fairway on the Upper West Side.

Every week or so, deliveries arrive at this popular supermarket. There are boxes and boxes piled along the sidewalk, wrapped in plastic. This location on the Upper West Side at Broadway and 74th Street is just one location for this small New York chain.

--
Tomorrow (Thursday) Mark and I have to leave early for California. Our flight leaves at 6:30 am, where we're going to attend my brother's wedding.

But tonight, it was the season finale for Top Chef. We still had to pack. We still had to figure out the cat situation. We still had to sleep.

Mark kept pacing about. 'What are we going to do? It's the finale!'

And there we were, sitting on the couch, debating soup versus foie gras, whether Richard choked or not, who was the best chef, and how a decision could possibly be based on one meal.

I'll be bringing the camera and computer to LA with us. I can't promise any wedding photos, but I'll certainly take some images of the beach.

Hopefully it won't be so doggone humid.

Related posts: Food for Thought, A Bit More on Celebrity, Past and Present and Confessions of a TV Junkie.

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Signs of Hope

Photo by myself at Union Square, at the Farmer's Market.

This chalkboard sign advertising fresh, local meat drew appreciation from the crowds this afternoon.

--
Thanks again to everyone for the kind wishes for my dear cat, Dida. She is humbled to be in the spotlight. Hopefully Dida will get used to her new feeding schedule before her owner keels over.

I've been listening to podcasts at work. It's my small attempt at multitasking and maximizing what few brain cells I have left. Today, an episode of Fresh Air, an NPR favorite, moved me to tears.

The story is set in LA. Steve Lopez, a columnist for the LA Times, met a homeless man named Nathaniel Ayers. Ayers turned out to be a musician. In fact, he also once lived in New York, where he trained at the Julliard School of Music, but dropped out due to mental illness.

I know how many readers of this blog love street musicians. Here was one who was homeless, who could play the violin and picked up the cello and trumpet. And here was Lopez, a writer just trying to do the right thing, who didn't know much about classical music but was learning about it through his new friend.

Lopez published articles in the Times about the homeless man, and his readers donated musical instruments in response. Lopez used the instruments as rewards to try to get his subject off the streets and into rehabilitation.

I don't want to give too much away, but you get the point. Lopez has written a book about the experience, and a movie is in the making. Called 'The Soloist', it stars Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. It's that good a story.

Should you hear the podcast, be prepared. It's moving.

Well, I was moved. I sat there at my desk, sniffling away. All the elements are there - the talented man tortured by inner demons, the ardent writer trying to save the situation, the lessons learned on both sides.

If every one of us were as actively involved in our cities as Steve Lopez, what kind of world would this be? Or if every one of us had a Steve Lopez to watch out for us and help us reach our potential, what then?

The possibilities are beyond our imagination.


For the Fresh Air podcast, click here.

For the articles Lopez wrote in the LA Times, click here .

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Tell Me About the Rabbits...

Photos by myself in Santa Monica, along Ocean Boulevard.

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This is my fourth day in California, after spending a few days in Aspen for business. It's been wonderful to catch up with family and relax.

Okay, I have to admit, after walking around on the beach and then through the streets of Santa Monica, the warm weather and sunshine has gotten through my hardened exterior. I can see why people love California.

And why not. Life is nice here. This is where, in Of Mice and Men, one 'lives off the fat of the land'. It feels abundant. Palm trees line the streets, looking very surreal. After a long walk down the beach amidst the volleyball games, I now resemble a bright tomato and am loathe to leave.

I talked to a cousin who lived in San Fransisco for several years. He was asking whether I preferred LA, SF or NYC.

'New York, hands down,' I said, without reflection.

'Okay, so between LA and SF?' he asked.

'Hm...I guess San Fransisco.'

He picked up on my hesitation. 'What do you not like about San Fransisco? Is it the weather?'

'No.....'

'Oh, is it because it's too small?'

'No.....'

'Hilly?'

'Well, it's too damned clean'.

All the cute buildings look like they've been painted yesterday, and that arouses my suspicion (for whatever weirdo reason I have). I prefer a place a little more lived in, with some wear and tear. I guess grime to me is a symbol of urban authenticity.

Tonight, I take the red eye back to New York and land around 6 am. I don't mind sleeping on planes, and I can bounce back pretty readily.

We'll see how I am tomorrow afternoon. I'm sure I won't be so chipper!

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East Coast, West Coast

Photo by myself in Times Square, just outside the subway station at 42nd Street and 7th Avenue.

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Since this blog is supposed to feature New York, I'm posting a photo from last week from my intrepid trip into Times Square, the Tourist Vortex. (Does that facade scream 'Wash me, or what??')

I'm presently in LA, and this morning I stepped out of the car into the extremely bright and overbearing sunshine.

'My god, it is waaaay too bright here,' I said to my cousin. 'I just want to crawl into a dark hole.'

'Ah, the concrete jungle of the City,' he said.

Exactly.

You can get ill from getting too little sun. Is there something unhealthy about getting too much? I feel almost sickened by it. It's not sun stroke, but an uneasy claustrophobia, like 'Get me away from this place before my brain turns to mush.'

Speaking of mush, I hate to generalize, but I have to wonder whether another difference between New York and LA has to do with our opposing attitudes toward celebrity.

In LA, many people want to be celebrities, while in New York, celebrities walk about with the rest of us. We New Yorkers don't want to be one of them, we want to be the celebrity's neighbor. We want to live alongside whoever it is and lower them to our level.

It's just my theory. Perhaps I'm generalizing and making grand claims.

If so, I can always blame it on the sunshine.


Above photo showing the hills around Los Angeles.

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