A new fountain at the train station

What's funnier than watching people try to run through a busted sprinkler at the end of a long day at work? I can't think of anything either. It was just one of those "You've got to be kidding me" moments.

Detached Rose

Detached c.2010

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Ever see something on the street and wonder how it got there? Well, recently on a bus ride I saw a gorgeous rose behind a seat. I wondered who it belonged to. Was it one of many? Was it a street vendor's? Was is a gift? A rose from an unwanted someone ? Was it on a man's suit? A girl's locker?...Whatever the story maybe, I left it there. Maybe it'll be of good use to someone else.

Out of service

c.2010

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Ever had one of those "You've got to be kidding me" moments? Like on a train ride home at the end of a long day you learn there was an electrical problem that shut down a northbound train and it immediately disrupted the schedule because all trains must now share a single track and after waiting for an extended period of time you discover the malfunctioned train was stranded on your stop? Yeah, I've heard those moments are pretty funny in retrospect.

Passenger in the dark

Passenger in the dark c.2010

On my daily commute, the longest bus ride (distance wise) happens to be the quickest ride since the route goes through the carpool lane of the 10 Freeway. I’m always thankful that I’m not stuck in traffic during that time.

Daylight savings in the fall means the sun seems to set around…3. By the time I get out, it feels as if its 10pm, especially if the weather is cold.

The ride home on the freeway is very exposing. It's dark outside and the lights inside the bus are a spotlight on the passengers throughout the ride. You also can’t look at anything outside of the window other than your own reflection.

Today was different. It was nice. The bus driver turned off the interior lights on the freeway. Passengers were given anonymity and were only lit by the oncoming traffic and the red scrolling marquee inside.

I attempted to take a picture of this, but being in a dark and vibrating environment, it's not surprising I failed to capture a steady image. At least I did manage to capture the movement of being on the carpool lane.

“Road trippin” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers began to play on my ipod, and it seemed appropriate. I have no idea when I’ll take off on a trip again. But for now, this was nice.

Walking through the rain

Aids walk L.A. c.2010

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The Aids Walk is something that has been on my long "I've always wanted to" list. This year, the time and the opportunity finally coincided.

It was a rainy day but that didn't stop me or the friend who told me about the event. There were all sorts of participants and no one was bothered by the nonstop drizzle. In fact, it was welcomed. There was one exceptionally hilarious sight during the entire route. A woman participated in her high heels. Now that is dedication. I'm not sure if she just stayed up from the night before, or if she woke up and put on her walking shoes but either way, I was impressed. I'm not a huge user of high heels, but I can walk in them with confidence...for a limited amount of time. I can't dance in them all night and I most certainly cannot walk a 10K in them. Only in L.A. I suppose...

Walking in the heat

I never fail to be amazed at the silly things customers do to save a little money. Growing up with a painfully frugal mother, it wasn't unheard of to take multiple buses to get to Ralphs supermarket across the city in order to use double coupons on cereal.

Occasionally, I do participate in some sale events and I feel it always prove I am in fact my mother's daughter. The most recent newsworthy mob I was a part of was at the Forever 21 warehouse sale in the industrial district of Downtown L.A. Why newsworthy? Not because the prices were so low (they actually really were), but rather because it was one of the hottest days of the year and nobody passed out.

The event planners did not anticipate such a large turnout, which resulted in 6 registers and hundreds of unorganized customers just sorching in the brutal heat. Two of my friends had to leave, but my mother and I stubbornly waited it out. It wasn't so much that we HAD to have the items, but at that point, it would've been worse to walk out dehydrated and empty handed.

After leaving with our purchases, I made a decision. Not only will I never be one of those ravenous women at the $99 bridal gown sales, but I will never do anything like this for "normal people clothes" again...at least not in extreme temperatures.

A very quiet walk in Hollywood

It's always nice to "discover" a new pocket of solitude in the city. I'm not too familiar with the ins and outs of Hollywood but this was a pleasant surprise. I came across this small park on my way to the Hollywood Bowl box office to try and buy some tickets for an event. The walk up Highland was very hot, and I simply needed a place to recharge my batteries. A bus stop bench would've done the trick, but this was much better. I even caught up on a little writing.

Easter eggs on the train

c.2010

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A Tuesday night on the train…

I arrived at the train station fairly late Tuesday night. I ate dinner in downtown because I didn’t want to eat a late dinner at home. I stay up late when I do and well I don’t want to be one of the sleeping passengers in the morning do I?

The train was late and a large crowd had formed at the first stop. Everyone was silent and beat from a long day. There was a crazy drunk on the other platform but two electrical railroads served as a safe barrier.

Finally, the sound of the warning horn and the three bright lights of the train appeared. We were all a step closer to being on our way home. I sat down across from a rather poorly dressed guy with several bags. He looked like he’s been having a rough time. I couldn’t tell if he was homeless. The trains run very late so it wouldn’t have surprised me if he was setting up a temporary camp. As I’m inadvertently staring, I notice he got on his knees and plugged his radio in an outlet underneath one of the seats. Have those outlets been there since 1990?? I couldn't help but smile in disbelief. Good know...

Sleepwalking

One thing you can’t do while driving to work is sleep on the way there. But then again most bus riders need to wake up earlier and consequently lose sleep in the process. I haven’t been necessarily losing sleep. I’m getting my usual 6 hours. But for some reason, waking up earlier feels so much worse, even if I am getting the same amount of rest.

I’ve adjusted to my new schedule and by having done so, I’m not one of the poor souls passed out on the train ride into the city. I've been impressed at the reliability of the camera on my phone. It's discreet enough...at least until I can afford a Leica.

Lost sleep c.2010

Am I breaking any kind of ethical code? It's probably obvious where I stand on the matter. If it’s in a public place then it’s fair game, right?

Blurred vision

City hall through head grease

Los Angeles, Ca c.2010

I know the MTA billboard campaigns are aimed to point out the many advantages of using public transportation. I won't argue against those advantages. The most obvious that comes to mind is the environmental contribution. After all, it's a known fact that the city of Los Angeles is one of the worst places in the world for air quality.

That's about all I can contribute to the "pros" list. I'll think of more advantages once my situation changes. Hindsight is always 20/20 right? I do like that I am able to appreciate the scenery through my daily commute through Downtown Los Angeles, just like the old days. I can't read in transit because I get motion sickness. Honestly, I would be able to devour books on a weekly basis if it wasn't for that little annoyance.

One evening on my bus ride home, I sat down in an empty row and immediately noticed my view was blurred. Even though my eyesight has been slowly deteriorating due to the strain of my day job, I knew this blurred vision wasn't caused by poor eyesight. The blur was on the interior side of the window. I instantly recognized the texture. It was head grease.

I remember the first time I solved 'the mystery of the nasty slime' when I was in high school. I would usually try to get window seat because if you dosed off, you could always rest your head on the window instead of embarrassingly mimicking a souvenir bobble head. I've seen others do it. I've done it. I did it this morning. To continue with the story, one early morning I snatched a coveted window seat. Just before I rested my head on the window I realized there was a noticeable blur. I knew I wasn't that sleepy. I nearly brushed my nose against the smeared gloss as I inspected what this could be. The obvious solution in my groggy state of mind was to touch it with my index finger. My finger slid upon contact. Almost as soon as I touched it I quickly retracted it in horror. I wiped my finger on the seat over and over until the tip got red. What the hell was that?? Just as I asked myself that question, it was all made clear. A man in front of me was asleep and had his head rested on the window. Several stops later, he woke up and exited, and also left a blurry window for the next passenger. To be honest, this man didn't have an obvious amount of gel. I don't think he had any based on his appearance. That was nature made.

Since then, whenever I've come across a blurred window, I simply move. I would rather stare at a complete stranger in a parallel row or stand up for an undisclosed amount of time rather than to gross myself out from a triggered memory. Although my latest reaction, much to my surprise, wasn't to move seats or stand up. It was simply to pull out my camera...

A forced walk through past... in the near future

Downtown L.A. bus stop c.2008

In an unfortunate turn of events I have once again become a dependant of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority. I find it quite strange that, out of the blue, I decided to take leisurely rides on the train over the past couple of weeks. It almost seems as if my subconscious had a premonition of what was to come.

Downtown L.A. bus stop on a Sunday c. 2007

To say the situation has brought my plans and goals to another sudden halt would be an understatement. Through all of the disappointment I am thankful for the fact that there is at least a way to get to and from work. It will be interesting to record what I see this time around… At lease I hope it’ll be interesting.

Oh hell…

Downtown L.A. bus stop c.2008

In and out

Once again, the central library is the focus of my attention. I stopped by over the weekend and briefly walked in, however, the day was so gorgeous outside that I walked right out and enjoyed a good book at the California plaza. I’ve never visited that spot during the week but I can imagine it’s jammed packed with suits and skirts during the afternoons. I enjoy this spot on the weekend since it’s usually quite peaceful (with the exception of the scattered tourists that occasionally stop by).

California Plaza - Mobile upload c.2010

After sipping on fancy water and finishing up a novel, I walked back past the side of the library on Grand Ave. I noticed a window I’ve ignored for years and years. I’ve been aware of the frame but for some reason that day I actually was able to see through it. Barely.

Central library

Exterior c.2010

It isn’t uncommon to see people take a few pictures inside the library from the bottom floors looking up. It’s quite a grand sight. I still do it from time to time. The perspective is obviously much different from outside, but in a surreal way. I was actually more amazed at the fact that I noticed something I’ve never seen before. I felt silly, embarrassed and stupid for having missed this “out looking in” view all this time but I was glad at the same time. As I continue to revisit familiar places, I hope to experience this feeling of rediscovery again and again.

...riding through Los Angeles

Passenger c.2010

Last week I revisited an old friend…the metro blue line. Public transportation usually is a pleasant experience when you don’t HAVE to use it. Since I had the luxury of time & personal space on my side, it was a nice ride. I rode it again to the central library, however this time I chose a window seat facing east. My eye immediately zeroed in on the window etchings.

What form of public transportation hasn’t been defaced? I used to see guys pull out their sharpened pens or box cutters on the 18 route and make their mark. I usually witnessed things like that in the back of the bus and other passengers never spoke up. The scratching on the windows and panels would make me twitch, much like nails to a chalkboard. Pointless behavior in my opinion…almost as pointless as taking public transportation for fun. Kidding.

A ride for old times sake

I remember permanently writing off public transportation the moment I drove my car off the lot back in 2004. For some reason I threw that thought out of my head and took the blue line today. It isn’t so dreadful when it’s a leisure ride, without timetables.

Blue Line c.2010

I sat by one of the doors. It was quite empty and that is a sight I’m definitely not used to. I pointed my camera at the door and left it on through all seven stops so I could capture whatever I wanted without wasting time. Through my peripheral vision I noticed people sitting close to me would intentionally walk to a further exit when their stop came up. I wondered if they didn’t walk into my frame because they were being nice or because they didn’t want me to have an image taken of them…I assumed the latter.

This is what I call familiar ...

Florence Station c.2010

Vernon Station c.2010

Crossing c.2010

Washington Station c.2010

San Pedro Station c.2010

Grand Station c.2010

Pico Station c.2010

Underground c.2010

7th/Metro Station c.2010

Making time to walk

Distractions. My home is full of them and I lack the discipline to keep electronics off especially after a long day at work and evening classes. I like to seclude myself in various places to read or write. My favorite spot is at the central library as I’ve mentioned in previous posts. I especially love the cubicles. I like reading in public places without feeling like I’m being watched. Its just a thing I have…Although this is as close to complete seclusion as I can, I do like to carry a portable window with me.

An unwelcome walk...

Digital reading for film project

There are many days when I wish I would have been an aspiring photographer during the days when having your picture taken was a rarity and a privilege. People seemed more willing to let a stranger capture their image…or so the history books have made it seem. Too often I’ve seen people dodge my path at the sight of my camera, whether it’s an SLR or a little point and shoot. I sense their uneasiness immediately. Some see me as a type of thief. No one has ever said that to me but that’s the vibe I often feel.

Recently, I was walking westward on 8th street, expanding my collection of payphones. There was one outside of a small liquor store that I came across and shot it. Immediately, I noticed the storeowner nervously come out to see what I was up to. Having captured what I wanted, I continued on with my walk. As I did this, I also noticed a customer step out behind me. I was about half a block down when I heard the heavyset customer exclaim, “We don’t like cameras”. I didn’t turn back, although I did think about how many photographers they’ve come across and felt photographers are only interested in the exploitation of the area and the people.

This wasn’t the first time I’ve been confronted by someone because I took a picture of a payphone near their store. On Washington and Central I took a picture of a payphone near an entrance to a salon and a nervous young Hispanic man came out and asked me if I had been sent over by someone. I said no and explained the objective of my project. He went on to tell me that his store had been vandalized continuously because he was gay. I apologized for causing any alarm and hoped his troubles would stop soon.

I’ve also been confronted by less understanding storeowners. On Broadway and 8th I took a picture of a payphone that was across the street from the Orpheum theatre. The phone wasn’t next to the convenience store entrance so I was surprised when I saw the storeowner come out to the street and attempt to cover my lens. He was an older man of Middle Eastern descent. He told me I wasn’t allowed to take a picture of his store. I calmly explained what I was doing and assured him that his store wasn’t in my frame, only the payphone. He didn’t care and told me not to shoot anymore. I said the phone was city property and he couldn’t tell me what to do. To his disapproval I quickly captured my picture anyway. He kept an eye on me as I walked down the block. Normally I’d be intimidated by such a confrontation, but honestly, not in my hometown.

I would love to know the specific reasons some of the storeowners have for hating the use of cameras near their stores. Then again if they’re confronting me then they’re probably not in a chatty mood. Either way, this is my ongoing project and it’ll take the actual disappearance of the payphones to get me to stop.

A walk around the world...

Hollywood, Ca c.2009

Outside of the Kodak Theatre, near Hollywood and Highland, the Oscar winners of the best picture award are chronologically listed on lit pillars. Looking at some of the film titles reminded me of the time when I went through a classic film phase in my late teens and made a silly little goal that I’d watch every “Best picture”. Well, that still hasn’t been accomplished but I would like to pick up where I left off. A film on that exclusive list is Jules Verne’s adaptation of Around the World in 80 days. Although I’ve never seen the film (either versions) I must say it is my favorite book of all time.

Film versions of classic literature are almost always different than their written counterparts and rarely get it right…if your definition of “right” means keeping the original story the same. Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The curious case of Benjamin Button and The Count of Monte Cristo are a few of my exceptions in which I enjoyed the movie just as much as the book even if the original stories underwent some serious “Hollywood editing”. So why haven’t I seen Around the world in 80 days? I just don’t want to. I picked up the book at Borders one day and read it cover to cover in a very short time. I can’t remember the exact time but I do remember loving the charm of the story, and the way the contemporary technologies were written in. I even caught myself laughing out loud which is something I don’t do often while reading. I loved this book so much that I decided to take a train trip that follows a similar route through the western states as described in the book. The Amtrak California Zephyr definitely left me with a memorable experience. I would love to see more of this country by rail.

I can’t recommend a film I haven’t seen but I can definitely recommend this book for any lover of travel and history. As a matter of fact I’m going to dust off my copy and read it again…

A walk I should remember

I forgot, Los Angeles, Ca c.2010

The text in this image embodies what photography means to me and to so many other enthusiasts and professionals alike. I honestly cannot remember where I took this, but it obviously had enough of an impact that I had to take it home with me somehow.

Although I suspect it was taken at the Central Library, I can’t be certain. Not remembering where I walked isn’t very characteristic of me. “Citing your source” is something that was etched in my mind as an undergrad. I also have a freaky memory for the mundane things. Or maybe remembering the mundane things is just part of being a female.

Either way I can’t remember. But I do remember why I liked it so much. I credit the selected quote by Edward Steichen. I was a fan of Steichen before I even knew who he was. I remember checking out a book from the Central library popular culture in the 1930s when I was about 16 or 17 . There were several old Hollywood portraits I loved, especially one of George Gershwin at his piano smoking a cigar. I photocopied it and placed it in a sheet protector in my school binder.

George Gershwin, c. 1927 Edward Steichen

This particular book (which I also can’t remember the title of) and photography pretty much solidified my interest in history, which would later lead into a serious interest in photography. I didn’t know Steichen was to credit until I saw a traveling exhibit at LACMA back in 2008 titled ‘Vanity Fair Portraits’. This is where I saw and recognized so many of the photographs I had seen in that book nearly a decade ago, including that George Gershwin portrait that I had photocopied. By default, he already was one of my favorite studio portrait photographers. All it took was a single quote to remind me of that fact.

Premeditated walks

Most people that grow up in big cities are exposed to graffiti along with other forms of public defacing. I remember one of the reasons my family moved out of East LA in the late 90s was because the gang graffiti had leaked onto our block and a little too close for comfort. It wasn’t all bad. Some of which could be considered art was ugly and rushed, and other times it would consist of elaborate designs. It always got painted over, but it stayed up long enough where the neighborhood would have had a chance to see it.

During my time in the artists’ district in downtown, I noticed homemade stickers and spray painted stencils were the norm on street posts and signs. This didn’t bother me since I usually stop to read what the perpetrators want us to read. Most of them aren’t worth the time but like the occasional personalized license plate, some do make me laugh or chuckle or provoke thought.

Some of the things I've chosen to capture have deteriorated or got painted over. I guess the universal hope is that someone will notice your mark before it disappears.

A walk towards a dead end

Hope's dead end, Los Angeles, Ca c. 2009

Whenever I have some spare time on the weekend, I like to visit the Central library on Sunday afternoons. It has been a pastime of mine over the last 13yrs or so. When I was younger I'd enter through the south side of Hope since it was near the metro station. Since I started driving however, I choose to park in front of the fire station on 1^st st simply because the parking meters aren’t turned on Sundays.

I know this parking spot is a good 5 blocks away from the library but I enjoy the walk. Uphill on 1^st, turn right on Hope, past (sometimes through) the Disney concert hall, down the flight of stairs near the library tower that lead directly to the 5^th street entrance. I enjoy the light exercise and I like to notice new details along the familiar path.

The northern side of Hope St is so peaceful on the weekends. I definitely understand why Downtown L.A. is such a popular location for film production companies. I’ve seen countless commercials and film scenes being shot in the area.

A couple of Saturdays ago I went the library to work on some pictures on my laptop. The library doesn’t have the fastest wi-fi but it’s better than using the public computers. I went late in the afternoon and I thought I was running out of time until I noticed a small sign nearby concerning a change in the library hours. The library now closes at 6 on Saturdays instead of 5. That was a pleasant little surprise. I had an extra hour before I left.

There were more things I wanted to work on and I had every intention of returning the next day, my preferred day. As I went to the bulletin to confirm the hours of operation on Sundays, I then read that the library is now closed on Sundays and Holidays. An adolescent "shut UP" escaped from my mouth.

I understand the state and the city are in some serious debt but I immediately blamed our elected officials. I thought of our mayor offering to pay for Michael Jackson’s funeral service at the staples center last summer. I wondered how much of the city’s money had been misappropriated to get us in a mess where public libraries are taking the hit.

To me, libraries are a place of hope. THIS library is a place of hope. I think it’s interesting that this library is located on Hope St’s dead end. A place where kids want to learn, & where adults want to expand their knowledge even further. With this change, limits have been set even further. Honestly, I wish the library was open all night. I’m sure many of the homeless folks that I see take literal and intellectual refuge would agree.

Time escapes so many of us due to the responsibilities of life. With a weekend day stolen from Los Angelenos, we must now pencil in time to learn and juggle anything else beating down on us . I guess all I can hope is that Saturdays aren’t stripped from us either. At least for the time being...