"Sinful Saints and Saintly Sinners"

On Saturday we met up with Audrey and Jeff at UCLA's Fowler Museum for the show, "Sinful Saints and Saintly Sinners - At The Margins of the Americas."  Most of the artwork was done by artists based in Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala, Argentina and a few from the United States.  There were paintings, sculptures, drawings, mixed media, fiber art and more.  It was a MOST colorful and lively party.  Since this was the opening night, there was music, food and tequila!  Everyone was decked out in their most ethnic and vibrant clothing and jewelry.

Marie Leveau, the VooDoo Queen

One of the tequila sponsors

We ran into a few people we knew....always fun!

Ellen and Mike Tempo

Audrey and Jeff

The gift shop at the Fowler Museum is great.  I must remember to go over there the next time I need a clever giftie!

Gift Shop hat made from electrical wire

After the art opening, we zoomed over to Sawtelle Avenue (dubbed Little Osaka) for dinner.  It was JUMPIN' on Sawtelle on a Saturday night.  I felt like I was on the Sunset Strip in 1969!  Wow!  The street was packed with people going to restaurants, shops, bars and just generally hangin' out.  This is the new Westside place to be on a Saturday night!

We went to the more sedate Morinoya Restaurant on the second floor of the Olympic Collection.  The food and ambiance were wonderful.  I'll definitely return.  

 

Beautiful Illuminated Branches at Morinoya

Audrey and I each had the Mini Jyouya Pot with pork, spinach, tofu, and enoki mushrooms.  Larry had a soba noodle dish with chicken and Jeff had these pristine, cold, green noodles.  We shared the most divine salad.  I'm not sure what it was called or what was in it, but I hope I can figure it out the next time we visit.  For desert, we shared one skinny slice of green tea cheesecake.  Yum!

Hot Pot

We always have a grand time when we go on adventures with Audrey and Jeff!  Thanks for the evening, Kids!

Vintage Photo Friday - Pico & Westwood

Picwood Theater, 1949

I'm revisiting an earlier Vintage Photo Friday today.  From the BibliOdyssey Blog: The Picwood was designed as a neighborhood theater by architect S. Charles Lee, built in 1948. The 

design epitomized the modern post-war aesthetic, which required simple lines, inexpensive building materials and quick construction to satisfy the post-war boom. The simple curved pylon was a landmark in the flat landscape of one- and two-story buildings. 

When I was a kid, this was a major hangout. The bowling alley and coffee shop next door to the theater was a meeting place for kids from the westside. One of the first movies I saw here was "West Side Story" (1961). One of the last was "The Jazz Singer" (1980) with Neil Diamond. 

Picwood Theater, 10872 Pico Blvd., West L.A.,
Corner of Pico and Westwood Blvds.

This was a one-screen theater....so rare in today's movie houses. The seats were big and roomy. From the 60's thru the 80's, the decor was gold, modern and glitzy. You can see, by the photo below, that the curved pylon was shortened and the decorative panels with the dingbat starburst were added for a more modern exterior.

1981, courtesy of Richard Wojcik Photo Archive

This entire complex was demolished in 1985 to make way for the extension to the Westside Pavillion Mall. This extension still houses a theater complex (Landmark Theaters) and a various other shops. Sigh.  I'll bet if the Picwood Bowling Alley were still there, it would be a huge neighborhood success!  Double sigh.

Reduced Carbon Footprint

Click on Photo to See Details

Saw this guy near home on San Vicente and Fairfax on Sunday.  Oh yeah.  He's definitely reduced his carbon footprint, maximized his productivity and obviously recycles!

In addition to being a conservationist, I do believe his bicycle is extremely artful, along with his eclectic ensemble.  He's created a fashion, art and social statement all at once.  BRILLIANT!
Update:  Just found out a little bit more about this gentleman:  Here.

Patterns!

I'm a member of Ravelry.  It's an online, free social networking website that can help you organize your knit and crochet patterns, yarn, books, etc.  You can share ideas with other members around the WORLD.   Ravelry has contributed to my attention deficit disorder where all things yarny are concerned.  The minute I see a pattern that I like on Ravelry, I begin dreaming about it.  I peruse my yarn stash to see if I have the perfect yarn to make this new pattern.  Do I have the correct size needles or hooks?  It's endless.  I'd start 10 patterns a week if I had the time.  Start, maybe not finish.  I seem to lose interest in a pattern once the newness wears off.  There's always another new, tempting pattern on RAVELRY!!!

Here are a few current temptations:

Clamshell Afghan

Filet Bunny Blanket

Sometimes I have to queue a pattern just because it cracks me up!!

Baby Beardo

The 9-Way Hat

Generic People

To annoy yourself and start new projects, click on the links for each pattern above!

Dollhouse of My Dreams

When I was a little girl I had a very simple dollhouse.  It was a two storey tin box, traditional style, with adequate furniture.  It was on the smallish side, but I loved it for awhile.  

My Doll House resembled this one

The very next year my cousin was gifted the Barbie Dream House!  Wow!  Barbie had a mid-century modern home with very cool furniture AND she fit inside her house!  Barbie looked like the Amazon Woman next to my dollhouse.  The scale was way off.  I never did receive a Barbie Dream House.  I guess my parents knew that my interests would be directed elsewhere very soon.

Barbie's Hip Mid-Century House

On Saturday, Larry and I drove to the ArcLight Theater in Hollywood to see the new Wes Anderson film,  "Grand Budapest Hotel."  It seems that Anderson could not find a suitable hotel to stand in for his vision of the Grand Budapest Hotel of the 1930s, so he had a model built.  The interiors of the hotel were shot in various buildings and sound stages.

The model for the "Grand Budapest Hotel" was sitting in the lobby of the ArcLight Theater!  THIS is the doll house of my dreams!  

Barbie Would Be Happy Here

The Railway Station Stop and Greenhouse are in front of the Hotel

Lots of Photos Were Being Taken of the Model Hotel

The movie was highly entertaining, full of Andersonian asides, quips, shtick and a convoluted but engrossing story.  Anderson's group of regular actors is always excellent.  I was enthralled with the set design, costumes and make-up.  I might have to see the movie again, just to get all of the witty repartee AND to see that magnificent "doll house" again! 

Endeavor

Expo Line Artwork by Daniel Gonzales

Last week, we toured the Space Shuttle Endeavor with our besties, Jacquie and Bob.   We had a true Los Angeles experience.  We parked at the nearby Metro parking structure on Jefferson and La Cienega and purchased our Metro day pass tap card.  Each Metro stop has interesting artwork.  This station's art was created by artist Daniel Gonzales. The installation titled "Engraved in Memory" consists of linoleum prints that depict the history of the Ballona Creek and Culver City area.

The Expo line stops right in front of Expostion Park, near USC.  It took about 10 minutes to reach our stop.  We walked through the Rose Garden and continued toward the California Science Center and the Samuel Oschin Pavilion where the Endeavor is housed.

The roses are just starting to bloom in Expo Park

The place was packed with little school kids on field trips.  We were the tallest people in the place!

After viewing a movie about how the shuttle was moved from LAX to Exposition Park, we viewed a few more exhibits about space and then walked into the temporary hangar where the Endeavor is sitting.  WOW!  The space shuttle is huge!  There are many exhibits surrounding the actual shuttle too.  It was an awe-inspiring morning!

Larry, Jacquie and Bob with the Space Shuttle Endeavor

Eventually, a more permanent installation for the Endeavor will be built.  The shuttle will be upright with stairs and platforms to view inside the spacecraft.  

 

Model for Endeavor Display

I look forward to seeing the Endeavor in an upright position!

Rotunda at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, b.1913

Vintage Photo Friday - Ringo!

We were at the Grammy Museum yesterday with our dear friends, Jacquie and Bob.  This was AFTER a tour of the Space Shuttle Endeavor at Exposition Park.  Phew!  We covered a lot of ground yesterday, most of it my L.A. Metro!

The Granny Museum is featuring an exhibit on the career of Ringo Starr, formerly of The Beatles.  There are so many wonderful photos and memorabilia items in this show.  The Beatles were THE BAND of our youth, so this was a particularly exciting exhibit to attend.

Ringo Starr and his famous Beatles drum kit, 1963

The very same drum kit at the Grammy Museum, 2014

We had tons of fun going through all the floors of the Museum.  The history of rock'n roll, pop music, country, gospel, blues, jazz and more is all explained through the use of short films, audio files, many photos and actual instruments.  I could spend all day there.

There are a few sections of the Museum where the visitor can participate in the music making process.  There are mixing booths, drum kits, voice areas and guitar simulations.  Bob is a rock star:

Guitar Hot-Shot, Bob

Spotlight on Jacquie and Ellen!

Last night we had a classic L.A. dining experience at Taylor's Steakhouse.  It was divine and definitely old-school.  This morning, we topped off Jacquie's and Bob's visit with a French breakfast at La Dijonaise in Culver City.  Jacquie and Bob are on their way up the Coast.  This was a brief visit.  We hope to see them again soon.  Bon Voyage, Sweeties!

Cosmic Costume Jewelry

Celestial Costume Jewelry

Yesterday afternoon we zoomed up to the Griffith Park Observatory with Jacquie and Bob.  The place was packed on a perfect Spring evening!  Of course, the highlight for me is always the 14 billion years of space history depicted in celestial costume jewelry!  Wow!  

Miles and Miles of Costume Jewelry

The Observatory is open until 10pm.  Lots of folks were coming up to watch the sunset.  It was a beautiful evening.

Jacquie & Bob

Selfie with Einstein

Obligatory James Dean Statue Photo

On to more adventures today with our besties.