Bailar

Yo, Jay

We're Growing Radishes

Thanks, Hana!

Artifact, 5

Backstory: Random action-figure doll loses lower body (didn't witness the event myself, so I'm not sure how), and a mermaid-obsessed 5-year-old decides to do this.

5

Joyce Carol Oates and Me

The New Yorker published A Widow's Story by Joyce Carol Oates in the Dec. 13, 2010, issue about the sudden death of her husband, Raymond J. Smith, in 2008. It's a powerful, intensely sad essay. One of our great American writers doesn't need my nod, but I'll offer it up nonetheless.

Her words are accompanied by a striking full-page photo of the couple taken more than 40 years ago, and it reminded me that the first commercial photo I ever took was this shot of her, in about 1994. It was an editorial assignment for the now-defunct arts and entertainment weekly (so defunct it doesn't even show up when googled) L.A. Village View, for which I also copyedited at the time.

I was living in Venice, carless and nearly penniless at the time. I took a couple of busses to Dutton's in Brentwood, where Oates was to be promoting a new book. She was also being interviewed for the Village View, and I had to wait more than an hour while she was being interviewed before getting my three minutes to shoot photos. That meant no warm-up time for the subject. She was noticeably uncomfortable, but gracious and cooperative. She radiated, though not with any conventional beauty. Stereotypically bookish, she also possessed a bright and strong presence.

How did my less-than-auspicious leap into the photo fray conclude? I was paid $10 for the shot that ran in the paper. I was also reimbursed the cost of two rolls of Kodak Tmax 120 and processing. And I continued to copyedit the music section of the paper in exchange for a mediocre Thai dinner one night a week, picking up more $10 photo assignments whenever I could.

Cuatro Meses

Southern California Woodpecker of Some Sort

A juvenile, I think. Do you know? He/She was kind enough to visit the sycamore tree next door, and I couldn't make a positive ID with a field guide I consulted.

Happy Holidays

Artifact, 4

"The flag of the fairy country."

Griffith Park Hike

Goodbye, Tokyo 7-7

When I took this photo about 5 or 6 years ago, it wasn't a stretch to anticipate that such a gem wouldn't last long in a fancified Culver City. I found the story put best in an L.A. Weekly blog post here.
We still, thankfully, have the Grand Casino.
Just over the first "7" is the True Value logo, where Stellar Hardware used to be. They had free popcorn and coffee, neither of which ever appealed to me, but also a competent, helpful staff, and they charged a reasonably low fee for fixing a screen. Good business. I don't believe in mourning for places that have gone out of business, but Main Street and its alley are poorer without these two.

Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, Culver City

on a recent evening

Monument

3 Months

The Carrot Seed

By Ruth Krauss and Crocket Johnson is a must-read.

Otra Vez

It's been a bit repetitive here lately, but that's because the garden's been supplying some good material. Hope you don't mind.

Root Down

Our modest garden has offered up some satisfying root vegetables lately. These beets were roasted and enjoyed on Thanksgiving, and we've also had a decent carrot harvest this winter.

Grateful

I'm thankful, first and foremost, for the people in my life. If you didn't end up here by googling "ficus" or "compost" you're most likely on that list. And I'm grateful for that.
Also, I'm grateful to be healthy enough to ride a bicycle and enjoy that activity so completely. And to be able to eat pretty much whatever I want whenever I want, which I try hard not to take for granted.
I'm thankful for the space and weather to grow our little garden (see carrots in previous post).
I'm thankful, of course, for this moment.
Did I mention family and friends already?

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Carota!

His Little Pants

have little pockets.

Ivan

likes your style.

Predock_Frane Architects

A couple of images I shot for Predock-Frane Architects, from their Habitat 15 project. Lots of connected spaces and beautiful natural light. Thanks, Noé and Michael.

Beet roots or beet greens?

Home. Grown.

Artifact, part 3 or so

"A girl under the sea, with a flower and ribbons in her hair. Her tent is on the sand."

Always

up for a bath.

Love Lies Bleeding

Did you know this? Otherwise known as Amaranthus caudatus.

SoCal Cross, Griffith Park

Kids rides aside, this is what the action looked like. Guys, and girls, riding hard, dismounting, and then running hard. And then riding hard again.

Adam Craig Sandbagging

Actually, it's Adam Craig being a swell guy, participating in the kids race today during the SoCal Cross event in Griffith Park. He's faster than all of your friends combined, and something tells me his sponsors aren't making him do this.

The girl in the foreground rode a masterful heat and pedaled on to win her division, as did the boy in full pro kit to Craig's right.

You shoulda been there.

Early, Early Morning

Yeah

Artifact, continued

I'm fascinated with the arrangements and, well, still lifes my daughter creates. They give me a lot of joy. And, I've taken some photos of them in an informal series I'm calling Artifact.

In this one, she's made a bed—a recurring theme—for Tink, when she comes to visit.

(As for the new Blogger template I'm trying out—not digging it. Time-permitting, it'll change soon.)

Blue and Black Cause I Likes to Chill

... and yellow and pink when it's time to get ill!

6 Weeks

Doin' What Babies Do

Soarin'

cicLAvia 2010 (gonna be more, ya know)

Car-free streets are my kinda streets.

Thick as Thieves

Sleep Deprivation

Beautifully personified.

One Week

Big Sister

UCLA Views, pt. 2

Hospital Views, UCLA

I already had the camera out, taking photos of the new family member and all, and then these views got my attention.

Day 5

He's in the House

ohntitle

Mr. Narrator

this is Bob Dylan to me

New Work, Old Stairway