Day 306 celebrates the 4th

My family has never been big on July 4th but who doesn't like barbeques and fireworks? This year was no different and we were invited for Kosher meat and all three fireworks shows on TV. Boy, independence is tasty!

Day 305 comes from a simpler time

On the drive from LA to the Bay Area we encountered this jaunty fellow. He was driving this beat-up old station wagon in 70s-era faded blue with a surf board hanging out the back. As he passed us he gave a smile and a nod as he eased on down the road. He seemed simply to have no cares in the world. Hang loose, bro!

day 308: old school

these are all around my neighborhood. What are they? Do they still work? shouldn't this be in a museum?? Another burning question... did someone give this a gold star?

day 307: makin our way back home

man, sometimes that iphone camera really comes through for me! i was (still am) SHOCKED at how this picture came out. This is the type of picture I see in the portfolios of other photographers and get incredibly jealous... and now i have a low-res version all my own. Thank you, steve jobs.

day 306: open. honest.

sometimes i love quirkly mom and pop shops, other times they smell funny and weird old people sit around to stare at you. we found a souvenir shop in DC that was just like the latter, smelly, hot and staring involved. ALSO homemade signage!! I really love this sign. I really love humiliating people in public as a punishment for shoplifting. and i really love DC.

day 305: how do you celebrate a 233rd birthday?

I really enjoyed being in DC for the holiday wknd. Got to see a very decorated and very patriotic (more so than normal) nations capital, and it made for an interesting wknd as a tourist. I'm pretty sure these giant flags don't normally decorate union station, but now that I think about it, I could be wrong. Either way, I think it suits the building.

day 304: goodbye, city rain

i left for my holiday wknd adventure VERY happy to leave a soggy new york behind. This is a view of the city as we drove away. was very lucky that for the most part, the new york rain decided not to follow me down to DC!

Day 304 is a real josher

Canter's Deli is pretty famous in LA. It's Kosher-style, mind you, not actually Kosher. I was there twice last week and it's a pretty neat place. Better, even, is the bar next door called the Kibitz Room. In Yiddish, "kibitz" means to joke around or chat with. This qualifies as one of the greatest names I've ever seen.

Day 303 is feeling blurred

I was driving home tonight and I took this picture.
And many others.
This was the best.
I like it.


That is all.

day 303: seeing red

i both love and hate the 49th st. N/R/W stop for the crazy red (red!) bricks that make up its walls. They are really damn red. and bright. also, red. I rarely stop here now but when I do, I always take a few seconds to allow my confusion with the red to fill my head. Then i'm quickly over it, but still.... why the red?

gnight!

Day 302 stands in the shadow of fame

I was at Universal CityWalk for dinner tonight and walked by the super famous Universal globe fountain. I didn't think much of it (I've been to Universal before) but walking out as the sun was setting I thought this shot was too good to pass up.

Will the real Day 301 please stand up?

Funny story: there are two Michael Jacksons on the Walk of Fame. I had no idea. And neither did many, MANY adoring fans. This Michael Jackson was a radio announcer and thus his symbol is an announcer's microphone. The Michael Jackson who died last week was a singer and thus his symbol is a record player.

Please note which symbol appears on the star in this picture.

Day 300 parties hardy

We did it! We finished the show! It was a long ten months but we got through it. Cast, crew, fans and this guy had a closing party near the theatre. The bar is called Cafe Was, one of the coolest places I've ever been. The name, as seen in this sign (though somewhat hard to make out) comes from the words "CAFE alWAyS open". It's worth braving Hollywood just to see this place.

Day 299 creates a tableau

Oh, hey! Remember this blog? I don't. Sorry, readers. I've clearly been remiss in my duties and I apologize. It's been a psycho busy weekend as I close out the last year of my life. I've been snapping photos like a fiend, however, and I present them all to you now. Let's get started.

Way back when I thought I'd start taking pictures of all the stuff I keep on my desk. This did not happen. What did happen, however, is my collection of desk stuff grew beyond all reasonable limits. There was more of my crap on my desk and wall than actual paperwork. Here, moments before being torn down and boxed up, is the final setup. I'll miss it.

Here's a quick rundown of what you're seeing (and where I added it to the collection).

On desk:
-small blue external hard drive courtesy of your other Pho365 author (Chicago)
-wire and sequin miniature Christmas tree, Christmas gift from MRocc (Chicago)
-bobblehead Obama (LA)
-Linus (Boston)
-rubber ducky in safari fatigues with spectacles, named "Jack Bristduck" (Boston)
-Mr. Potato Head, SF Giants Edition (bought in SF, LA)
-bottle of Thunderbirds, gift from LA staff for my birthday (LA)
-shot glasses accompanying said liquor (LA)
-Caribou Coffee mug, pens (Chicago)
-picture with MRocc and Santa taken last year at Thanksgiving in NY (Chicago)
-picture frame birthday card from AVH (LA)
-Pirates of the Caribbean Mickey ears from Disneyland, embroidered with name (LA)

On wall:
-cards with inspirational/funny sayings, gift from mom for new job (Chicago)
-Post-It with love message from visiting friend (Chicago)
-Hebrew Obama sticker (Chicago)
-BFrank program to always remember (Chicago)
-BC/EFA ribbon (Boston)
-Post-Its with important work info (Chicago)
-license plate from first car (LA)
-receipts for reimbursement (all cities)
-magnets from restaurants that deliver (LA)
-photo collage of RAR (Chicago)
-sparkly drawing, an RAR original, in pen and legal pad (Chicago)
-postcard from DD benefit concert (Boston)
-Paparindo, nasty Mexican candy bar, gift from DD fan (LA)
-island drawing, an AVH original, in Sharpie and paper towel (LA)