It’s been a busy few weeks at The Hotel Careyfornia. Lots of visitors…lots of great meals and very little sleep. If you’re thinking of visiting Southern California, make your reservations soon; as we’re getting quite full for the summer, LOL! I’m getting great use out of my new camera. Here are some shots from the past two weeks:
No, I WILL NOT fix your computer! LOL Click above for video
We were driving home from the Hollywood Sign last night when the Twitterverse exploded with the news. I was with these guys on 9/11 and the year after in NYC. We all watched the President’s speech together last night. Now THAT’S what I call “mission accomplished” GW!
I often write about my hometown, Chicago, being the most beautiful city in America. Over the years, I’ve lived in or spent a great deal of time in New York City, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and Washington D.C., but I’ve always considered Chicago home. When I moved to Los Angeles 9 years ago, I never expected to like it as much as I do. L.A. isn’t exactly known for its beauty. It is urban sprawl defined and I could never live here if I had to drive every day. But if you take the time to explore, there’s a lot of hidden beauty in the City of Angels. With sweeping mountain vistas and lush beaches, it’s hard to compete with such natural beauty. Couple that with world class cultural venues and the glamor of Tinseltown; and Southern California really shines. I might even say it has become “homey”. Here’s some recent proof. All photos by me, for use under a Creative Commons license:
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s “Urban Light” exhibit is one of my favorite places to take photographs in L.A. It’s even better with a spectacular sunset, like this one last month. Click here for more photos.
Nestled in the heart of a dead end lot in one of the most notorious neighborhoods of Los Angeles, lie the Watts Towers; a 34 year labor of love by an eccentric artist named Simon Rodia. Reminiscent of Gaudi’s, Sagrada Familia in Barcelona or Niki de Saint Phalle’s, Il Giardino Dei Tarocchi in Italy; these towering structures made of discarded glass and steel are a must see treasure off the beaten path. I’ve been meaning to visit here since I moved to L.A., and finally made the trek a few weeks ago. Truly a site to behold. Click here for more photos.
My friends tease me for the sheer amount of sunset and cloud photos I take…but like snowflakes, they’re never the same. Here’s one example from Venice Beach. Click here for more photos.
You might expect to find a lighthouse like this in coastal Maine or maybe the Pacific Northwest; but the Point Vicente Lighthouse in Palos Verdes is truly a hidden gem along the Southern California coastline. It’s the perfect place for a first date at sunset! Click here for more photos.
L.A. isn’t know for its skyline…save for buildings being blown up in Hollywood action movies. But when the light is right, the city sparkles!
Though not technically in Los Angeles, Disneyland will forever be associated with La La land!
Who ever said there’s no nature in the big city? This hummingbird is guarding her nest on my cousin’s front porch last week. Click here for more photos.
I couldn’t leave Chazz & Rio out of a photoblog dedicated to the beauty of Southern California. Here they are walking the beach with Claudio yesterday. Click here for more photos.
Even something as simple as a dandelion can make someplace seem beautiful. This was shot on the grounds of the above mentioned Watts Towers. Click here for more photos.
‘Twas the day of the Oscars, And all through H-wood. Celebrities were fasting, Making sure they’d look good.
The statues were polished, All shiny and gold. Hoping Natalie or Christian, On Sunday would hold.
With their crash diets over, The celebrities came. And fans whistled and shouted. And called them by name. There’s Marky Mark, Looking fresh from a fight. And there’s Annette Bening, I hope “The Kids Are All Right”.
Who’s that over there, With only one arm? Oh just James Franco and Anne, No cause for alarm.
And there’s Colin Firth, Just out of reach. Stuttering and stammering, Preparing his speech.
So off to the Kodak, I went with my guests. We took lots of photos, And here are the best!
After a rare Oscar weekend rainstorm on Friday night, Saturday gave way to a clear but cool morning. This photo went viral on Tumblr!
Though the forecast called for more rain, the sun peaked through the clouds and stayed with us all day!That wasn’t the case just over the Hollywood Hills though. In fact in Burbank they had 1/2 inch of snow, only 6 miles from Hollywood! That hasn’t happened since the 50′s!
Even Chanel was in her Oscar finest (channeling Bjork?) up on my roof!
After a delicious Filipino breakfast, our VIP Guests readied for a day in Hollywood!
We were granted insider access to all the pre-events!
This afternoon, this road will only be open to limousines!
This is what the stars will see when they get out of their limos
Robin Roberts of Good Morning America. There are also photos of Maria Menounos, one of the other ABC hosts, in the slideshow below.
And the Oscar goes to…
Dogsitter of the year! I’d like to thank the Academy!
My brother and sister in law win Best Couple!
What Oscar weekend would be complete without a trip to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills to pick our outfits and jewels for the big day?
The sun sets on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills
Click here for a slideshow of the best of the rest…
Here’s a quartet of sunsets from the past 2 weeks. I’ve been out of town for work, and absent from Xanga all month (better to help my SP boycott). I have to leave again tomorrow at 4 AM, so no Oscar parties for me tonight. Hope everyone enjoys the Academy Awards!
Though it is embarrassing to admit this in public, I can no longer hide the truth. I have a Sarah Palin problem.
I have written about her in 42 columns since Sen. John McCain picked her as his vice-presidential running mate in 2008. I’ve mentioned her in dozens more blog posts, Web chats, and TV and radio appearances. I feel powerless to control my obsession, even though it cheapens and demeans me.
But today is the first day of the rest of my life. And so, I hereby pledge that, beginning on Feb. 1, 2011, I will not mention Sarah Palin — in print, online or on television — for one month. Furthermore, I call on others in the news media to join me in this pledge of a Palin-free February. With enough support, I believe we may even be able to extend the moratorium beyond one month, but we are up against a powerful compulsion, and we must take this struggle day by day.
I checked, and I have written 39 posts about Wicked Witch of Wasilla, since that fateful morning of August 29, 2008, a day we wish we could all forget. So today, I declare a:
So starting tomorrow, no posts about the Queen of Darkness. Like Mika Brzezinski, I will not give her the publicity she so craves:
“Mika, you need to buck up! Now I know you think that this story has no purpose other than keeping Sarah Palin’s name in the headlines for another news cycle. I know you think that she has nothing to offer the national dialogue, and that her speeches are just coded talking points mixed in with words picked up at random from a thesaurus. I know you think Sarah Palin is at best a self-promoting ignoramus, and at worst, a shameless media troll who’ll abuse any platform to deliver dog-whistle encouragement to a far right base that may include possible insurrectionists. I know you think that her reality show was pathetically unstatesmanlike, and at the same time, i know you believe it also represents the pinnacle of her potential. That her transparent desperation to be a celebrity so completely eclipsed her interest in public service so long ago, that there would be more journalistic integrity in reporting on one of the lesser Kardashian’s ass implants. Now I know, I know when you arrive at the office each day you say a silent prayer that maybe, just maybe, Sarah Palin will at long last shut up for ten fucking minutes. I know, I can see it in your eyes.”
I hope my friends and family support me during this difficult time. During my stint in Palin Rehab, I will occupy my time and blogs with more dogs, kids, and sunsets. Enjoy!
I was dog-sitting for Roscoe the Rottweiler all weekend, and we had a nice time. Chazz & Rio came by for a play date, and the beautiful weather made for lots of outings:
Winter in Los Angeles…dogs in the hood prefer fashion over function
Oh, and as for kids, Andrew always delivers. Here’s how he responded when, instead of asking him what he learned at school, I asked him about the questions he asked at school. Why this hasn’t gone viral yet, I don’t know:
I am one of your biggest supporters. I believe what you have accomplished in two years has restored our country’s reputation around the world and helped millions of hard working Americans. I have sometimes wished that you could move faster on many things (Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Guantanamo Bay & Afghanistan to name a few), but I trust your judgment and know that you are working as hard as you can.
That said, I must take issue with your recent stance on the tightened security policies of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You say you “get it“, but I’m not sure that you do. I know that the Republican Party and Fox News are up in arms about the new measures; and though I rarely agree with Fox News, I must yield to them on this matter. However, I don’t necessarily agree with them for the same reasons. I’m not really concerned with someone “touching my junk” when I go through a pat down; nor am I personally worried about:
What I am worried about Mr. President is the bureaucratization of terror. Starting with the failed policies of your predecessor, the TSA has become a laughing stock. They are inept at best, criminal at worst. Though America isn’t Israel, we could learn a lot from the Israelis. It’s called behavioral profiling not racial profiling. You can’t profile breast implants and shoes. It’s about being smarter, not reacting every time someone tries to ignite their underwear.
As someone who used to fly 3-4 times a week for 13 years all around the world, I can honestly say I’m glad I’m done. I will opt out of these ridiculous policies, because they are nothing more than theater of the absurd. We’re not safer. The terrorists are laughing at us. Every time I hear the words “I’ll put up with anything if it makes us safer…” I cringe. People who spew such nonsense don’t fly more than once or twice a year, and are woefully misinformed. If I were you Mr. President, I would immediately fire Janet Incompetano and John Pistole. Replace them with people who possess the same critical thinking skills that you do, and can respond to this mounting public outcry.
If you figure this out Mr. President, people will begin flying again. I was going to fly somewhere for Thanksgiving this week. I have canceled my trip. If I’m meant to die in a terrorist attack, so be it. I’ve had a good life. No amount of groping or probing will keep me safer. The terrorists are smarter than that. I do somewhat wish I was flying this week though, as I would love to have someone videotape me while I’m being patted down. Did you ever see the movie, When Harry Met Sally? Think of this scene, and then think of me being patted down by the TSA. Trust me Mr. President. I have a flare for the dramatic, and that would be one hell of a viral video.
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Ben Franklin’s Contributions to the Conference on February 17 (III) Fri, Feb 17, 1775
Speaking of government bureaucracy, I just posted the following on Yelp:
Going to West Hollywood City Hall at 8 AM on a Monday morning is the worst way to start your week. I needed to pull a permit to replace some windows in my condo. After waiting for the receptionist to finish a personal phone call, I was directed to the second floor. They have the slowest elevator I’ve ever seen, and no stairs for the public. Up to the second floor I went. There was one person at a desk texting on his cell phone, paying no attention, and another at a counter helping a contractor; who had blueprints laid out from hell to breakfast. After 5 minutes of no one acknowledging my presence, I finally interrupted the texter who then told me I needed to go to Planning. I went to Planning and waited until the most jaded, bitter, bureaucratic queen I’ve ever met showed up. He looked at my paperwork and let out a heavy sigh. He handed me a form to fill out, and started pecking on his keyboard, seemingly exasperated. He kept asking me questions about my windows and I kept referring him to the drawings and plans that I had meticulously prepared. After 15 minutes of dramatic paper shuffling, he sent me down to the cashier to pay $97.11 for “zoning clearance”.
I took the elevator back downstairs and gave the cashier my debit card and asked if I could also pay for my parking permits. She told me that Parking Permits were handled in another department. I walked to that department and met Junior Jaded Bitter Bureaucrat #2. He told me they only accept Parking Permit requests via mail. I informed him that it was the 21st Century and that I check my mail two or three times a year at best. I asked if I could just pay for the permit there, and was told they only accept checks by mail. I informed him I didn’t have a checkbook, because again, it was the 21st Century. I haven’t written a check in 10 years, and wasn’t about to go to my bank and request a cashier’s check as he suggested. The 80′s called. They want their payment methods back! He finally acquiesced and let me pay the $44 for the parking permits by debit card. A small victory, but it felt good.
I then had to take the elevator back upstairs to show my receipt to Planning, who directed me to Permits, where I had to basically start over. As it turns out, Jaded Bitter Bureaucrat #1 was delightful compared to Jaded Bitter Bureaucrat #3, who worked in Permits and clearly hated life. He looked at me, waiting for me to tell him what I needed without even asking if he could help me. The staring contest went on for several seconds until he finally broke down and asked what I was there for. I told him I needed a window permit. He asked if I had filled out an application, and I said I thought I had. He said it wasn’t in the paperwork, and directed me to a wall of forms where I had to search for the right one. He asked for a letter from my Homeowner’s Association, which I told him I had given to the Permits Department. He rolled his eyes and walked away. 5 minutes later, he came back with my Homeowner’s Association letter. He then asked how many windows I was replacing and I told him three, as documented right in front of him. He asked how many bedrooms I had, and I pointed to the clearly drawn layout right in front of his face. He found out that one of the windows needed to be lowered, thanks to a ridiculously archaic city code, so he had to get his supervisor and lumbered away. 5 minutes went by and the supervisor sauntered up. We’ll call him Ultimate Bitter Jaded Bureaucrat #4, who ended up being the most jaded and bitter of them all. He was clearly the highest paid too, as evidenced by his Dolce & Gabbana sweater and Botoxed face that had not smiled since the first Bush administration. (The other two were wearing Izod and Ralph Lauren accordingly. It was a chilly day.) He proceeded to look at my drawings and draw identical lines on them to accentuate my lines. He took his time, and shuffled a lot of paper even more dramatically then JBB #1 (He must have had a Master’s in paper shuffling). He basically did nothing but huff and puff for 10 minutes and ask me questions that I had already been asked 3 times; the answers to which were clearly documented. He then sent me back downstairs in the elevator from hell (to hell?) to pay $341.17 for my permit.
I then took the elevator back up to purgatory, where I watched JBB #3 slowly stamp all of my paperwork, and hand it to me without as much as a whisper. I asked if that was all I needed and he nodded affirmatively. I know that no bureaucracy is fun to deal with, but West Hollywood is supposed to be a friendly, progressive city. The staff at City Hall rivaled the TSA in terms of bitterness and rudeness. I’m surprised they didn’t pat me down! I payed them $482.28 for nothing but condescension and laziness. For those of you who think living in a city like this would be all pink roses and rainbow flags, this is a cautionary tale. I won’t even go into how one of the mayors here thinks that a ban on smoking is ridiculous, because West Hollywood is all about sex and rock & roll. Ugh. In the few short years that West Hollywood has been a city, the bureaucrats have made it no different than any other greedy, over regulated place to live. If property values weren’t still so low, you can bet I would be looking for another place to live. Until then, I’m going to manage with what I have. I have no desire to deal with the city again. The whole experience left me jaded…and bitter.
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably looking for some photos from the week. Here they are:
I’ve always joked with my family & friends that when I die, I want my tombstone to read: “Why Did I Bother”? Let’s face it, I’m a narcissistic blogger. Aren’t we all to some extent? As someone who pours their heart and soul into social media, I appreciate the ego boost that comes from comments and “Likes”. I enjoy sharing my photos, stories and views with the world, and that’s why I’m here. I’m admittedly insecure, and thrive on the constant validation that comes from social networking. I think I live a fairly eventful life, but I do know that the majority of people could probably care less when I run into OctoMom and her 14 kids out for a milkshake (as I did last week), or post a video of Chazz (America’s Cutest Dog) getting dive bombed by a bird. For those of you who do indulge me, I remain your humble servant. As an avowed atheist, I don’t really care what happens to me after I die. I will donate my body to science (if they want it) and that will be that. Recently though, I heard about this:
What better way to ensure all my sunset photos live on, even after I’m sunset? Does Xanga have a death policy for Premium members? Facebook allows accounts to be “memorialized” when people die. I wonder what will happen to my tens of thousands of photos on Picasa and other sites when I die? Speaking of death, I snapped this photo of a bumper sticker on a hearse last week, while driving Laura & Katie on a tour of Hollywood:
It Could Be Worse…You’re Not in a Hearse!
I guess if you do decide to be buried when you die, it would be good to have a sense of humor. My friend Doug took this photo at the Lake Oswego Pioneer Cemetery (not far from the Linus Pauling plot) outside of Portland, OR:
Care to trade places?
Speaking of sunsets…there were some pretty ones this past week. Also, aside from the previously mentioned OctoMom experience (which was surreal) and hosting Laura & Katie; I watched Daniel take 5th place in the CalTech Fall 2010 Rubik’s Cube Tournament, and secure his Top 100 World Ranking for one handed Rubik’s Cube Solving! Congratulations Daniel! Here are some photos from the week:
They even had people solving Rubik’s Cubes with their feet! More here…
A rose is but a rose…with a fisheye lens and focal b&w
I was talking with JC outside the hardware store, when a huge bus pulls up… The paparazzi swarmed. Elmo got out first, then OctoMom to pose for pictures…then all 14 of her kids. It was a sad spectacle to behold, watching her exploit her kids. I guess she has to make money though. A few of the paparazzi were yelling HORRIBLE things to her…even when the kids came out of the bus. I felt so bad for the older kids, who I’m sure were aware of what was being yelled. The young ones just seemed shell shocked. What a surreal experience.More here…
Laura and Katie showed up at The Hotel Careyfornia for a quick visit and a tour of Hollywood. More here…
It was Chazz’s second birthday on Friday, and he celebrated in grand style. Payton & Taylor were nice enough to send him a new “diamond” collar and doggy sunglasses. LOL:
Claudio helping Chazz open his birthday presents
Thank you Payton, Taylor, Maureen, Pepper & Wrigley!
Despite the heat, it was a busy week at The Hotel Careyfornia. We went to our annual viewing of the Singalong Sound of Music Saturday night, and then Seth and I attended a benefit at the Hollywood Tower (inspiration for the Tower of Terror at Disneyland) for an organization called The Next Family, that supports an “ongoing, open-minded and sincere dialog between urbanite families, adoptive families, in vitro parents, interracial families, same sex parents, single parents and so on. It is a way to remind people that the Next Generation of families already exists in larger numbers than the old model of a “family unit”.” Sunday, Stuart and I attended the wacky West Hollywood Book Fair, and hung out with Molly Ringwald (who looked great!) and Sarah Silverman. I also lost my phone! :( Here are some photos from the past week. Enjoy!
For those of you unfamiliar with Ms. Grandin’s work, I highly recommend the movie, which is available on HBO On Demand in the U.S. There are also several clips on YouTube. I’ve been a fan of Temple Grandin for quite some time. Her insights into autism are truly ground breaking. I also encourage anyone with an autistic relative to take the time (3 hours) to watch her fascinating C-Span interview:
…brings us together with our dogs by making us understand that in essence dogs feel the same things that we as humans do. Grandin is a person with autism and acutely understands how dogs make us human. She tells us that dogs share the same basic emotions that we as humans do. They feel joy, sorrow, fear, happiness and unhappiness. This book teaches dog owners how to best set up their dogs to live a full and happy life.
In the touching book, the sentimental author shows us how she thinks like an animal in that she pictures words not as letters but in pictures and thus can relate to dogs on their level. It is intriguing and awe inspiring to read how she looks at the world and learns how she believes we should relate to our dogs. It is a fascinating read full of insight and great tips on how to keep your dog a happy one. Anyone who loves dogs will enjoy this book thoroughly. There isn’t a book like it anywhere that’s for sure. Read more…
So congratulations to Temple Grandin. I’m sure this Emmy will will expose her important work to many more people around the world. See? Hollywood ain’t so bad! Here are a few more photos from the week:
Great photobomb Cole!!And I didn’t even have to use this:
country’s reputation around the world and helped millions of hard working Americans. I have sometimes wished that you could move faster on many things (Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Guantanamo Bay & Afghanistan to name a few), but I trust your judgment and know that you are working as hard as you can. 
I enjoy sharing my photos, stories and views with the world, and that’s why I’m here. I’m admittedly insecure, and thrive on the constant validation that comes from social networking. I think I live a fairly eventful life, but I do know that the majority of people could probably care less when I run into 
