Sky Rainbow

Several weekends ago, we spent some time in Old Town Pasadena. We hadn't been there in quite a while and were very unpleasantly surprised to learn that the little theatre was under construction. blegh. But we were very pleasantly surprised to see this art installation stretching across the courtyard. This courtyard is large but hidden from the street so we had no idea. The sensation of walking through one of those narrow alleyways leading in from Colorado and into this colorful brightness was inspiring and fanciful.

What is it about a sudden rainbow that stimulates a sudden smile?

It is called A Rainbow in the Sky by Daniel Buren. It is a temporary, site-specific piece that will be installed through 11/15/2009. enjoy!

Sunday 9.27.2009

After Saturday night's merry carousing, we needed a low key day of recovery. Chores had to wait. We paid a visit to Armon's and then stopped at a local plant/art sale fundraiser. A quick trip to Home Depot and a roadside junk sale later, we parked ourselves at home.

Sergio couldn't wait to use the pick axe he bought at the junk sale.

The stump of an old ficus tree (used to) sits at the far corner of our backyard. We don't have a final landscape design planned yet but we know it does not include ficus trees. I wouldn't normally want to cut down a tree but ficus is so destructive on pipes! (If you remember, we have first hand, experience with ficus destroying our sewer pipe.) It was a tough job and the weather was extremely hot, but Sergio and his pick axe won in the end.



I did a little gardening with the succulents we picked up during the day. The most challenging part was punching drainage holes for the green plastic planter. I didn't feel like locating the power drill so I used a screwdriver, hammer and a wood screw to make the holes. The white pots are ceramic so I left those alone. They're probably meant for indoor use. Oh well. I hope the little guys survive.

Before and after:



Any ideas for our backyard?

Alpna's Birthday 2009

Happy Birthday Alpna!



Hitesh organized a dinner party for Alpna's birthday at Il Fornaio restaurant in Pasadena. After a lovely dinner we all retired to the bar -- which apparently turns into a tiny dance/nightclub after 10PM. Most of the guys took a field trip to a nearby cigar lounge after the first round.

Sergio stayed with the ladies and I think he might have had the better time.

I'm not knockin' the cigar lounge...but he was pretty darned happy by the time they all got back. And it looks like he is Alpna's new drinking buddy!

I volunteered to be designated driver between the two of us so this was the first time anyone ever saw him get his drink on.

We had a blast! Thanks so much Alpna and Hitesh for inviting us out to celebrate! Also, it was so great to hang out with people we rarely get to see.

Click here for more photos.

Huggy

"You've got to be a little huggy with yourself," she laughs. "Otherwise, life is too tough."

---Juliette Binoche during an interview for NPR's All Things Considered, aired 9/23/2009.

So true Jules, so true.

Ginko Leaf Sculpture

I wish I could say it was something vintage we found at a yard sale. Or something I unearthed at a dusty thrift shop. Or that I bargained for it at a flea market. That would be lying though. This is what we got at Pot-ted in Atwater this past Sunday. It now hangs over our couch. Not really what we have envisioned for the space, but it will do for now. I think we'll move it into the bedroom or dining room later.

At least it was 40% off the original price. Still kind of score, right?

Black egg anyone?

This is actually one of my favorite childhood foods. Ranks right up there with Chicken Feet at Dim Sum. yum. I'm talking about what is commonly referred to as: Thousand Year Old Egg. {no, it's not really a thousand years old. yeesh.} Sergio and I saw it featured in Fear Factor many moons ago. We gaffawed out loud! I would've won that challenge no sweat!!

It's basically an overripe duck egg that's been preserved. Not really sure what that means. Most "preserved" foods are just too old foods that don't kill you, right? Anyway, I've typically had it in jook (congee). A soupy rice porridge and very comfort food-y in many Chinese households. I always fished around the giant stewing pot for chopped up bits of that inky goodness suspended in the pale white porridge. There was also bits of lean pork. But I always preferred the egg. And if I saw some of that heavenly, creamy yolk -- oh! I would scoop that jewel up quickly like a thief and scurry to my seat at the table to slurp it up, feeling a bit guilty because I had probably stolen more than my share.

I think seeing it on the shelf at Figueroa Produce was so incongruous to me that I bought it out of whimsy a few weeks ago.

Packaged, each egg wears a double coat of thin plastic sleeve. And the half dozen sits in a small Styrofoam box. The lid has little divots for each egg. I immediately thought it would serve perfectly as a tiny paint palette tray. I can at the very least reuse that icky Styrofoam!

The shell is a bit hard.

Look at the pretty snowflake patterns though! I really should have taken a picture of the egg up in the light. The black is actually a really deep amber. And no need to cook the egg itself.

There it is. The delicious creamy center.

I made plain white rice, put a little soy sauce on it and ate it with the egg. Not the whole egg, just one of the halves. Sergio shared the other half with me the next day. He survived. Go ahead, ask him if he liked it.

Click here for a much better description than I just gave it.

Kinky vs. One Hope Wine & Mr. Bubbles

Ok. So I totally meant to see this beloved band o' mine tonight. Free concert no less!! But, I didn't. I'm gettin' old methinks. I've seen them a few times and each time I love them more and more. Kinky is definitely a band to see in person. Recordings do not do them justice. But after a very pleasant Sunday, I was just a bit, dare I say, tired? And the prospect of elbow defending my little spot at the concert was just too much for me. So what did we do today?

We stopped by a yard sale where Sergio met someone who also trained in Muay Thai. He got the name of the gym and he's considering looking into it. I shudder a bit to imagine him sparring or in a match. :(

Then we went to the cafeteria at India Sweets & Spices for the first time. It is all vegetarian and ALL GOOD. yummers. The samosas are particularly mouthwatering. (Oh dear. I think we need to go back there soon. Who wants to join us?!?) Then we stopped into Pot-ted next door. So I've never had a favorite plant and pottery shop before. Now I do. Even Sergio loved it! They carry a vast rainbow array of gorgeous pottery and fountains in all sizes. Specialized in juicy succulents, they do custom plantings and were running a sale this past weekend! We came home with a bright green pot and a decorative ginkgo leaf wall sculpture. (pics later!)

After a quick visit to Fresh and Easy, I sort of conked out on the couch for a rare nap. It was pretty warm today and I awoke feeling odd.....

{'scuse me. the prettiest song came on kcrw just now...wow, who IS that? Detour to kcrw.com for a sec....bear with me.

It's Fiona Apple!!! I haven't heard her in ages!! Song: Why Try to Change Me Now. It's jazzy and beautiful. Find it and hear it. wow. I listened to her first album over and over and over back in the day... Anyway, what was I rambling about earlier? Right.}

I woke up, repotted a plant in my new green pot, hung up my cool ceramic windchime....and then made caprese with the lush basil we have potted out front. And then, Sergio and I shared a bottle of One Hope Sauvignon Blanc. This is new to F&E and it was not bad. It's an intriguing concept. They donate 50% of all profit to a partner charity. The cause depends on the varietal:

• Cabernet Sauvignon: Autism - ACT! Today
• Chardonnay: Breast Cancer - Susan G. Komen
• Merlot: AIDS - AIDS/LifeCycle
• Sauvignon Blanc: The Planet - American Forest
• Zinfandel: Our Troops - Snowball Express

I'm eager to try the others.

So...after that bottle of wine, I DEFINITELY didn't feel like the kinky crowd. I was a bit sad but then, I set up a date with Mr. Bubbles.

This was the first bubble bath I've had a chance to enjoy since moving into our house. Divine. Sergio lit candles for me and brought in the radio before retiring to his office to work on projects he'd been neglecting all weekend. I soaked while discovering possibly the best music show on kcrw ever. I'm still enjoying it (the music show) now.

Sigh. What a wonderful cap to a really nice weekend. I hope yours was equally lovely, if not more so.

P.S. Late last night, I spent some time drawing while Sergio was sleeping. The doodles are a bit cartoony but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I think I'll try to do that more often.

Galit Barak

I was browsing the interweb and came across a pretty blog called: little Willow. Her August 25th post introduced me to Galit Barak, jewelery designer. I clicked through to Galit's etsy store and fell in lurve with these earrings.

I know, I know, I'm kind of house poor right now...but Galit's creations are so incredible. And in my opinion, affordably priced. $44 for handmade, turquoise and 14k gold crochet? And the last pair? I waited several long minutes before hitting the complete button. But in the end: sold. To me. They're flying to me from Israel so it will be like 2 weeks before I receive them. I can't wait!

710 Tunnel GO AWAY!!

We don't want it. STOP IT. Please write Arnold and ask him to veto SB 545!!

I rarely rant. But rant I will, now.

Currently, the 710 and 210 are nowhere near each other. The original plans to connect the two were adopted in 1959. The extension would displace families, homes and businesses along its route. Alhambra, Los Angeles, Pasadena, and most notably South Pasadena. Not to mention the irrevocable environmental impact it would have on mature landscape, soil, air, underground springs/aquifers, etc., and destruction of historic architecture, neighborhood landmarks and streetscapes. The project had been stopped and stymied by various injunctions and lawsuits, with the charge led by S. Pas.

Then, in 2002 CalTrans determined that tunnels connecting the 6.2 mile gap would be the best alternative to any of the previously proposed above grade construction. This would minimize above ground impact on homes and businesses. Nevermind the necessary gas venting, hauling away of soil, pumping away of groundwater...and that the area seems to be teeming with faultlines. Various studies have been launched since this new idea. A limited survey done by the MTA on a proposal for a shorter, 4.5 mile multilane tunnel to link MOST of the route would cost at LEAST $3 billion and take 11 years to build. Last time I checked, government projects were RARELY on budget or on time. And if this estimate of a SHORTER tunnel will be at least THREE BILLION DOLLARS and ELEVEN years...consider the more probable reality of a LONGER tunnel.

The latest study is the Geotechnical Survey/Study. It is costing 7.1 million dollars and is set to conclude by the end of 2009. It is part of a larger 2-year, $11.5 million feasibility survey. What does 7.1 million dollars get you? "Route-neutrality" to ensure all possible routes are looked at, even the most preposterous, such as running alongside an existing freeway. And a handful of drilled earth samples in 5 identified route zones, interpretation of existing geological data, and results that 3 out of the 5 possible route zones are contaminated so tunneling is not recommended in those areas (zones 1, 4, 5). Well, S. Pas (zone 3) successfully blocked the freeway from existing in their city. That leaves zone 2, my little neighborhood.

If completed, this would be the biggest and longest freeway tunnel in the Western Hemisphere. Seriously folks? The magnitude of this project doesn't seem to daunt any of the CalTrans or MTA officials during the current budget crisis. According to the Boston Globe, the Big Dig in Boston resulted in a paltry 3.5 mile tunnel and all told will cost $22 BILLION and will not be paid off until the year 2038. Why are we even considering spending this much money on a project that none of the city constituents want? Let's see, the state budget passed this summer included $15 billion in service cuts. $8.1 billion of which were in education. Hm...Yeah. A tunnel seems so much better.


http://stopthe710.org/

Facebook Page

http://www.highlandparkresidents.com/?p=550

http://yorkblvd.com/2009/09/03/710-tunnel-meeting/

http://yorkblvd.com/stop-the-710/

http://yorkblvd.com/2009/09/11/710-call-to-action/

http://www.710tunnelstudy.info/Portals/0/topo_boring_cities_3-10.pdf

http://cahighways.org/466-740.html#710

http://angeles.sierraclub.org/pasadena/conservation-c.htm

http://laforum.org/forum_issue_0/the_life_and_death_of_great_american_freeways_the_710_case_study

Martha & Henri's wedding!

Remember my 8/22/09 post in honor of Martha & Henri? Well, here are pics from the wedding I stole off her blog. I sure hope they don't mind because it was such a beautiful wedding....I wanted to share with you!!

Love this pic. They look so happy!







Photos below are 1) Ceremony Location: Hotel de Ville in Bordeaux; 2) Reception Location: Chartreuse de Montarvi in Podensac. Um...yeah, how gorgeous is this?






Noé traveled with them on their "honeymoon" where they got to stay in a 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea themed room. The little dude seemed to fit right in.




So cute.













Post wedding trip to Reims. Oh dear that little guy is adorable. Check out his skeptical smirk with dad!

Yes, I'm living a bit vicariously through this little family unit. Big sigh. One day, perhaps I'll be blogging from Rome!

IKEA Heights - burbank

Check out IKEA Heights -- a soap opera secretly shot at the Burbank IKEA. I can't say the show is all that compelling, but the concept is pretty funny. And I always like recognizing show locations -- and boy am I familiar with this one.

Funniest moment is them getting caught in episode 3.

www.IKEAHeights.com

Saturday BBQ 9.5.09

Alpna makes the most delicious, amazing, wow-inducing Masala Chicken BBQ. My mouth watered a little just now as I typed that sentence. Seriously.

She and Hitesh invited us out to a BBQ at a Torrance park. Jennie, Page, Miles and Maggie were there already when we showed up. Miles is such a cutie and so much bigger than the last time we saw him! He was in such a good mood the whole time. Check out the video of him at the end of this post!

Of course, Alpna prepared and set out a massive amount of delicious food. Including aforementioned chicken, Lime Cilantro chicken, portobellos, veggie skewers, hot dogs, watermelon, strawberries, three types of chips, buttered/skewered corn on the cob, garlic bread...and Jennie made very yummy corn bread (with actual corn kernels). It was quite the spread.

We ate until we couldn't possibly eat any more, then retired to the blankets that Alps and Tesh set out under the shade of a big tree. There we lounged, nibbling on fruit, Oreos and Chips Ahoy. The weather was perfect too. It was a ridiculously lovely day.


Look at this handsome guy!

Later, we caught a movie with Alps and Tesh at the Del Amo Fashion Center. We saw Extract, which I liked. Not sure if it is, but it definitely had an indie vibe. Very much my style. Sergio, not so much.

Afterwards I got to sit on a giant white head.


Miles doin' his thing.

Yearning for papaya days

Six random musings on the eve of a long weekend

1) I'm a little sad. Summer is coming to a close and I feel like we haven't done anything. But then, we've done so much. It has gone by supersonic. I'm not sure my brain is able to keep up.

Here is a papaya we ate at the beginning of the summer, before we moved to our new house. The colors are so pretty.




2) Last Sunday, I finally broke down and had a quick session at a nail spa for a pedi-only. Most of my beauty regimen has fallen by the wayside. It's all I can do to be clean and not-smelly. (Poor Sergio.) The house has swallowed all my focus outside of work. And work is a bit whelmy right now. Not extraordinarily so. But I do have teeny panicky heart stabs once in a while when I try to think of everything all at once.

3) I spent $2,800 today. We have a new tankless water heater to show for it though. Not happy to have spent the money, but ecstatic that we chose tankless! Hopefully a graywater irrigation system will be not so much money. I have visions of MacGyver-ing it with various tubes and tanks and pumps. Come on, it can't be that difficult.

4) It's late. It's hot. There's a crazy arsonist setting deadly fires in my county. I'm about to turn on the telly for some mind-sapping TMZ and hopefully fall asleep soon.

5) Tomorrow AM, I will try to braid my half grown out bangs.

6) Tomorrow PM, I will wear eyeliner and go to my current favorite bar. And we'll walk there from our house. :)