Mid Century Pasadena

Pasadena -- Morning light casts long shadows on a lone liquor store along Foothill Blvd. Nothing I see in this photo look extraordinary, except for that it's simple. I need more simplicity.

Graffiti Lite

Pasadena -- I don't understand most graffiti, especially when someone's name is carved onto a toilet seat at McDonald's. What's up with that? Is the porcelain tagger now the "ruler" of fast food privies? And then we have to sit on his work?

Hey, I'll take the scribble--like the one pictured above--over defacing entire walls, trains and store fronts. For some reason, this tag is less offensive than most. I was drawn to it--hence the the photo.

Good job, Jet.

Dueling Towers

Pasadena -- A Gothic street lamp (c. 1925) stands proud before the towering TV and radio antennas, high atop Mt. Wilson. We are most fortunate to have such a wealth of these antique lamps throughout The Crown City. Funny: the lamps almost resemble a crown....

One Year Anniversary of DailyPhotoLA!

Los Angeles, CA -- Today marks the one year anniversary of DailyPhotoLA.com. Although the first posts show a couple earlier dates, it was one year today that I decided to take on the challenge of posting my photos daily--almost.

To be honest, this has not been an easy task (thank God for banking posts....), but well-worth the effort. I feel like I've met a whole new world-wide group of friends.

My failure, however, has been not sharing comments on your blogs.

So many of you have generously posted comments on my site, and I really appreciate that! If I could, I would. My job requires a lot of travel each day, leaving a limited time to sit down and enjoy everyone's blogs. It's one of my favorite down-time activities!

So, I think I'll go another round, another 365 days, another year of adventure and discovery in this great city and county of Los Angeles, California.

Thanks again, Everyone!

Pasadena

Pasadena City Hall looming up from the streets.

LAX

Landing at Los Angeles International Airport.

Behind the Orange Curtain

Pasadena -- There wasn't anywhere I had to be, so I stood on the sidewalk, wondering.

Looking Up

Sierra Madre -- I noticed a kid spinning in a courtyard. Other kids encouraged him as he spun faster and faster until he became dizzy and fell to the ground. That's when I asked him to "smile for the lens."

No Respect for Big Brother

Los Angeles -- "Killer Cops" sprayed above a mural of a police officer overlooking the 101 Freeway. Sad.

Lucky 7 at The Rustic

My friend, "Scout" poses in front of Room 7 where the origin of many an untold story once took place.

This is the third post on the Rustic Motel along Hwy 395. The name speaks for itself but an even closer look makes any passerby more intrigued by its high desert charm.

Sunrise on the Lake

Lake Arrowhead -- It's easy to be a "morning person" when you have this to look forward to. Total count: 26 smallmouth bass between my buddy and I. All were released to be caught another day.

Jesus and Bondo

Thank God for diversity. I am a Christian, yet I still find humor in how some express their faith and devotion.

Ice Cream "Sunday"

Sierra Madre -- Kids are welcomed back to Sunday School with a table full of condiments for their ice cream.

One Man's Trash...

Littlerock, CA -- A friend leaves an old, flattened tin can behind for someone else to discover. Here in the desert, due to the heat and relatively dry air, metal and other materials last longer, giving us litter hunters something to find other than insects, reptiles and tumble weeds.

Water Flows Not So Free

Los Angeles is in the middle of another water shortage. We Angelinos are asked to only water our lawns twice a week, sweep our driveways instead of using the hose and avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Yeah, right!

LA doesn't have too many natural streams like in the old days. There are a few near natural streams like the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena. Most of our water resources come from our mountains both near and far. Anyone read Cadillac Desert? Despite the lack of water, there are some secret spots here in LA that still flow with cool, sparkling water--even in the dog days of summer. Of course it's harnessed and directed by man, but it's still water.

Red Cars Tour Harbor

San Pedro, CA -- All the Red Cars are gone from LA accept a few remaining replicas like this one in San Pedro near Los Angeles Harbor. The last of the electric rail cars became obsolete in the early 1960s to make way for the more "stylish" automobile. Thanks, "Big Three."

Make way for more electric in the future. Keep your eyes and ears open for Tesla Motors. They plan on building their cars here in Los Angeles in the next year or two. Imagine that!

Kati Did Good Today

Pasadena, CA -- I discovered a one-inch long katidid nymph, sunning itself on a corn leaf the other day. The katydid is named for its mating call, "Katydid! Katydidn't!'' The males produce the call by rubbing a scraper on one forewing against the toothed edge of the other forewing.

Olvera Street Eats

Los Angeles, CA -- One of my favorite places to eat. The food is excellent, but as I was reminded last night, my taste for their cuisine probably has a lot to do with my 40-plus year family tradition. We still frequent the brick and cobblestone tourist attraction at least ten times each year.

Olvera Street is the oldest street in Los Angeles and is home to the oldest house standing in LA, the Avila Adobe, built in 1818.

Bow To Your Sensei

The game is "Ninja."

Sentry on Duty

Lake Arrowhead, CA -- Dogs never seem to give up. Guss felt that if he stayed long enough, he would get a taste of the tri-tip of which he was guarding.

Yellow Sub

The Happiest Place on Earth -- Not so happy is the pilot of the submarine at Disneyland, or at least it seems. The woman inside looks like she'd rather be standing in line than be stuck pushing buttons on the "Finding Nemo" ride.

Not So Laborious Day 2009

Lake Arrowhead -- Oh to be a teenager again...

Noon Stroll

Redondo Beach, CA -- A local resident and his lucky dog paddle past a gregarious sea gull. The gull seems to have lost his left foot yet it's didn't keep the bird from begging.

The Real Hollywood

Los Angeles, CA -- LA is loosing more location work as a result of high taxes and neighboring competition offering incentives (go figure...). Although we have lost business to Canada, and other countries, we can still boast of hundreds of great classic locations waiting to be filmed, like the alley above.

Living Doll

Los Angeles, CA -- A recent downtown parade of the Okinawa Association of America featured many acts and dancers. This girl took the prize in my opinion.

Ladies in Red

Pasadena, CA -- These two women were talking up a storm near Beadles Cafeteria on Colorado Blvd. I thought they were a great subject so I decided to get to know them rather than "steal" a shot. They were funny, witty and told unflattering stories about each other. After a few minutes they noticed my Nikon FE2 suspended from the shoulder strap and asked if I could take their picture. That was 25 years ago.

Happy Friday!

Busted for Crack

The crack violation was so severe, I had to take advantage of the opportunity. Call it exploitation if you like. I call it, "Because it's there."

Polished Lady Beetle

Yes, that's corn growing in my flower box. How it got there is a different story... A few days ago I found a cycloneda munda, or a Polished Lady Beetle (Lady Bug) consuming a stock full of aphid. Most Lady Bugs have black spots but this one was deep red and seemed pretty content with its own, personal corn stock.

Endless Flames and Phos-Chek

Angeles National Forest -- There doesn't seem to be an end to this blaze. I went for a walk this evening and saw that Mt. Wilson continues to stand strong and proud with an orange aura behind it. We all hope and pray that this six-digit acre fire will burn itself out soon. As of 10:30PM Monday night, the fire has calmed down and Mt. Wilson could be safe.