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.

Fast Food

Pasadena -- No, the man on the Segway did not order from the drive thru, he came out the door with a bag full of burgers.

Speedee Spotting

I found another "Speedee" in Banning, 85 miles east of Los Angeles. Speedee was McDonald's icon from 1948 to 1960. Bozo The Clown, played by Willard Scott, replaced Speedee for three years until the first Ronald McDonald took over in 1966. The "Ronald" that we know today and are most familiar with made his debut in 1971 and has kept his job (and makeup) since.

For the record, I am not a fan of clowns; they freak me out. I'll stick with Speedee.

Before There Was Ronald...

Rising more than 50-feet in the air is the original McDonald's mascot, "Speedee." With a wink and a smile, the cheery neon chef points to the third franchised McDonald's building, and what is now the oldest surviving McDonald's. On the same property is a small museum with nifty artifacts like cups, toys and original menus. The vintage arched building is located a few miles southeast of Los Angeles in the city of Downey.

Speaking of fast food, Downey is also home to the first global pseudo-Mexican junk food icon, Taco Bell. Spain, UK and India: Taco Bell is coming soon...