A Neutra house on Silver Lake

I got a chance to head over to the Neutra VDL house.

Since I'm no architect, I'll let the website explain the house:

Looking across Silver Lake reservoir to the opposite eastern shore one could see, by the end of 1933, a recently completed radically “modern” two-story house: a markedly horizontal composition with a repetition of identical casement windows running from edge to edge of its box-like form; a simple volume defined by a skin like enclosure and capped by a thin flat roof plane; a façade without the distractions of color or ornament. This house was the embodiment of then current European avant-garde design scarcely known to the people of Los Angeles.

Some of my thoughts:  I loved the two kitchens (one on each level).  I loved the rooftop.  I didn't exactly like the size of the bedrooms.  In one bedroom, there were a long row of buttons -- I couldn't help but wonder what they controlled.

Malibu State Creek Park

A small group of us went to Malibu State Creek Park on a Saturday afternoon. Some photos below.

Some props from the TV Series MASH below.

Hollywood Forever: Airplane!

It was off to Hollywood Forever to catch Airplane!. My friends arrived at 5:30 p.m. I arrived at around 7 p.m. The area outside Hollywood Forever was packed for this Cinespia movie night. One thing I didn't know before: if you ride a bike, motorcycle or even roller blades, you're able to get in quickly because there is a separate line. It is a thought for folks in groups. One person can ride in and hopefully get a good space.

They brought out the actual cockpit prop for the movie. Rather cool.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery: Cinespia and the movie "Casablanca"

I recently attended a Hollywood Forever Cemetery Movie night (Cinespia). I saw "Casablanca" with a dozen friends. I couldn't believe that a handful of them had never seen the film. It was a great night with the audience cheering when Humphrey Bogart and then Ingrid Bergman made their first appearances on screen. The audience also cheered during the classic lines from the film. It made for a very enjoyable movie night.

Before the movie, a young lady was walking among the audience, blowing soap bubbles.

Some notes: $10 to see the movie. Street parking or $5 to park inside the cemetery. Bring a jacket or sweater even if it is hot in the daytime and it seems unnecessary, because it can get chilly at night. Click on links to get directions.

Below is an older photo from about a year ago.

Forest Lawn Glendale: Museum

Forest Lawn - Glendale. I headed off to Forest Lawn - Glendale recently. I've lived near Forest Lawn for five years and never entered the grounds. I decided to break that streak and visit the museum.

Below are some pictures of the grounds.











The below is where "The Crucifixion" is seen. No photos of "The Crucifixion" since that isn't allowed, but let me tell you it is something to see. A massive painting.



Photos in the museum were allowed so here are some photos of Christmas Windows.





Oh, and a photo of an Easter Island statute -- small scale, of course.




And one thing I did not know, theft of flowers at a cemetery can send you off to jail.

Hollywood Forever: Dia De Los Muertos

I headed off to Dia De Los Muertos for the second straight year. My sense was that the event was less attended this year than last year. I'm making this based on the fact that it was much easier for my group of friends to stick together. Last year, we all got seperated within a few minutes.

Last year, we focused more on the various alters. This year we watched some of the various cultural programs that took place. And we stopped off to grab some food.

This is an event I'd suggest that people check out. See below for some photos from the night.

Huntington Library in San Marino

Huntington Library. I took a handful of days off work recently and headed to the Huntington Library. Below are some photos I took.

I love the below painting.

I have no clue what the below symbol embedded into the grass means. I should look it up someday.

The below looks likes a lovely place to throw an outdoor party.

I will say this about the Huntington, if you like to explore you'll find yourself spending a lot of time there. I set aside a little more than 2 hours for the Huntington and it wasn't enough. If you'd really like to explore, I'd say put aside 3.5 to 4 hours. I would have spent more time except for the 4:30 p.m. closing time.