Photo of the Week #58

The super moon this week!

China Flats, Agoura Hills

This Saturday, Anna and I hiked China Flats. It's 6.5 miles with a somewhat difficult 1135 ft elevation gain. You can get to this trail by taking the 101 west, exit and go north on Kanan til you hit Hollytree Rd, turn right and the trail is on your left, just past the park entrance.

OR you can take the 101 west, exit Lindero Canyon and go north about 4 miles til you see the trailhead on your left (just past King James Ct). The "blue" below is the trail I took, but the "red" is the Lindero Canyon route. Also the "red" shows the rest of the way to Simi Peak, which I didn't realize at the time, but we had stopped just about 1/2 a mile short of the Peak. :( We had decided to turn around at the 2-hour point. Oh well, maybe next time.

The hike was 3 hours long and a great workout. It was sunny (sometimes cloudy) and a little chilly. Here are some of my favorite photos from the day:

This is where we turned around. That mountain there is Simi Peak:

Click on the panorama below to see it larger:

To see all of the rest of the photos, click this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=379051&id=527707845&l=c05349ac0c

Mr T.'s bowl

Last Friday night, I went to see the Hopelessly Devoted at Mr T.'s bowl. Here's some photos from the night:

And it's always fun hanging out with dear Meg:

Photo of the Week #57

Refreshments

I recently watched an anti-cigarette commercial where people are going about their daily life blowing bubbles. It is beautiful and magical. Life has felt like that for me lately. There is this sense of mystery that is just magical. And people, with all their faults and sorrow, are still simply beautiful.

Sometimes I get this feeling that I am myself for the first time in my life. It's a strange feeling to have, and I attribute it mostly to the feeling of peace, of being okay with not knowing the answers. I don't expect it to last forever, but I'm grateful for its presence.

I've also experienced this refreshing sense of energy. Even though I feel weak from being sick, I feel very alive and awake. This may be attributed to Daylight Savings Time. I adore the sun, and the fact that it's still light outside when I get home from work. Or it may be attributed to God's spirit, which I have prayed for a deeper knowledge and understanding of, even if just a glimpse.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House, Barnsdall Art Park, East Hollywood

I have been thinking a lot about life and death lately. Sam's grandpa has been diagnosed with lung cancer. My close friend just had her 3rd miscarriage in 6 months. And another friend of mine had her first child safely, after being hit by a motorcycle while pregnant and recovering from brain damage. I believe that love is the most important factor to a fulfilling life. And that life, at its core, is beautiful.

Intelligentsia Coffee Shop, Sunset Junction, Silverlake

Thank you for sharing this journey with me through my blog. I hope you enjoy these pictures from the weekend. And I hope that you, too, are able to find refreshment and renewal in your own life.

...oh, and Happy St. Patrick's Day! :)

Eaton Canyon Falls

I went to this hike again (I went here about a month ago for my friend Joyce's birthday). This time, Sam and I joined my cousins Jack and Birgie, who were visiting from the San Diego area.
Again, I forgot my camera, so I only have cell phone pics, but it was quite a fun day: beautiful weather, and much more water than last time. The 30-ft waterfall was "raging."

Photo of the Week #56

Little girl on Olvera Street.

Requiem for a Machine

So cool! My friend, Matt Green and his collaborator, Mark, just got their piece: Requiem for a Machine in 3 TV commercial previews for the Battle: Los Angeles movie. These bits are only 30 seconds, check 'em out!

My Weekend in Pictures

11 a.m. - lovely to sleep in:

12:30pm - doggie bath time:

1:15 p.m. - dogs are ready to dry off:

1:30 p.m. - almost to the top of the hill near my house:

1:35 p.m. - at the top, panoramic views:

2:45 p.m. - late lunch, mushroom-onion-goat cheese omelette:

6 p.m. - Sam's band Telegram plays in Eagle Rock at Local-Folk Fest

6:30 p.m. - still rockin'

SUNDAY:
Drove around town with my friend Terri, visiting from Seattle.

We went to the farmer's market, then Olvera Street,
where this beautiful little girl brought me such joy watching her dance under the lanterns:

5:30 p.m. - Olvera St masks

Terri, sporting the gigantic sombrero:

Dio de los Muertos:

6:30 p.m. - Walking near MOCA:

7 p.m. - Church at the Mayan, with this beautiful view of the fog settling over downtown: