Once in a Blue Moon

Blue Moon (August 31, 2012)


Yeah, posting has been slow. I've been on a vacation from blogging, trying to get various priorities and obligations of my life in order. However, I couldn't pass up on the opportunity to share a photo of the "Blue Moon" with you all.

I plan on being back banging out regular blog posts next Tuesday. I'm thinking of going more "Image of the Day" heavy, mainly to always have new content up on the front page. My interest in photography has steadily increased into an avid hobby; I really enjoy taking pictures.

So, have a great weekend. Enjoy the Labor Day festivities.

Let's listen to some music to capture the moment. ;-)

Kelly Vivanco: Curious Snail

Curious Snail (2011) by Kelly Vivanco


Just an "Image of the Day" post. I adore Kelly Vivanco's work. It's whimsical, wonderful, and weird.

The Curious Snail makes for a nice weekend image. ;-)

And some music. . .

Friday Flowers: Pink Jade

Fuchsia: Pink Jade


I've been thinking about putting up a "Weekly" Wrap post, but it's probably best to let that tradition fall away. I originally started those posts to create an index, recording the general topics that were discussed over the course of the week. However, that was back when I was averaging nearly two posts per day.

Now, I'm lucky to reach one post per two days. Moreover, my current blogging style leans towards quickie posts. I rarely do the long essay format anymore. Not only do I not have the time, but those types of posts were rarely crowd favorites.

Oh well, at least we still have Friday Flowers. ;-)

Fuchsia: Pink Jade at the South Coast Botanic Garden

And some music. . .

Castles in the Sky

Clouds reflected in the high windows


Lately, the cloud formations have been beautiful down here in the South Bay. So I decided to take a few photos. ;-)

I've never been much of a cloud-gazer, but I think that I can become one. There's something restful and dreamy to watching the wispy white vapors drift across the blue sky, changing along the way in a slow and subtle manner.

It's beautiful.

Sunlight streaming through dark clouds


And the shapes inspire the imagination.

Splendid and Simple

Detail from Portrait of a Lady in Turkish Fancy Dress (1790) by Jean-Baptiste Greuze


It's been a long while since last we celebrated the birth date of an "old master" type of painter. So, let's take a brief opportunity to appreciate the works of Jean-Baptiste Greuze. He's not the most famous of ancien regime painters, but I like his work nearly just as much as his more famous contemporaries.

And, of course, I'm loco for rococo. ;-)

Rather than focusing on his more popular works, I've posted up some works from the local Los Angeles collections.

Detail from The Laundress (1761) by Jean-Baptiste Greuze

He was born on August 21, 1725. Let's appreciate the conjunction of splendor and "simplicity" within Greuze's aesthetic vision.

Dance Party: August

Meg White as a Mexican prostitute in The White Stripes' video for "Icky Thump"


It's time for our monthly celebration of music. I know that many of my recent posts have been heavy on the tunes, but, whereas those other posts focus on a theme, the "Dance Party" is chronologically arranged. From 1967 to 2007, we've got some fine and fun songs to bring back memories from these bygone years.

It's a fine way to end a summer day, sharing music, like bringing gifts from far away. ;-)

And it's better than standing in line to see the show tonight. . .



Image from The Beatles' Yellow Submarine


Doesn't take much to make me happy. :-)

So, let's listen to some music.

Friday Flowers: Dahlia Finn

Dahlia: Finn

A bit too late to be properly a "Friday" flower, but it's just as beautiful. ;-)

Enjoy!!!

In Chains

Detail of Zenobia in Chains (1859) by Harriet Goodhue Hosmer

Offered for your consideration. ;-)

Too Many Books to Read

Bookshelves in the library


Why don't I have limitless time to read everything that captures my interest?

I can never understand how people can become bored. I always want to read another book, see another movie, hear another piece of music, and experience new sensations. Even when I'm stuck in traffic or waiting in a line, my mind is constantly turning over ideas, my imagination is ceaselessly taking flights of fancy.

There are so many things to do. If I were to write up a "Bucket List," it would scroll down without end.

Even when my life comes upon difficulty, there's something there to inspire me. Like a flame that keeps the darkness away, my love for learning and experience keeps me safe from the doldrums of depression. There is always something or somebody out there that will bring me joy.

I hope that the playful meanderings of this blog inspires you to seek out those things that capture your interest. Whether it is music or literature or art, there are countless treasures to be found, if only you set your mind to it. ;-)

Enjoy!!!

Fountain in a Heat Wave

H. Clay Kellogg Memorial Fountain at the Rose Garden, South Coast Botanic

Ugh!!! It's brain-meltingly hot and humid today. Living down in the South Bay of Los Angeles, the marine layer from the Pacific Ocean is supposed to keep the temperature mellow. Well, that's true; it is significantly cooler than the rest of the city, but being less miserable than the poor folks out in the Valley is little consolation.

Looking at this fountain, I just want to plunge into the cool, clear water.

Splash!!! ;-)

Butterfly and Dahlia

Butterfly upon a dahlia (Pooh) at the South Coast Botanic Gardens

I don't like doing consecutive flower posts, but today I was able to snap this lovely photo and I just had to share it with you all.

I'm not a butterfly person. So, I don't know what this one is called, but the flower is a dahlia, with the unattractive name of "Pooh." Yeah, it's not very romantic to be strolling with your significant other and beckoning her over to put her nose in the "pooh." Nevertheless, they are beautiful flowers.

Well, since I can't focus on the dahlia, I guess we'll have to admire the butterfly. ;-)

And some music. . .

Friday Flowers: Brigadoon

Rose: Brigadoon

Well, it hasn't been a hundred years, but these Friday Flower posts have gotten infrequent.

I can't let another week pass by without offering you all a pretty. ;-)

And a bit of music. . .

Late Night at the Hell Station

(S)hell gasoline station around 1am

Yeah, it's late tonight. Perhaps it's a function of being sleep deprived, but this photo makes me laugh. ;-)

Since we're on the topic of gasoline, let's take a look at some old commercials.

After all, we can't pass up on Bing Crosby, Charlie Brown, and the Answer Man.

Betty Does Dishes

Betty Boop sitting in a wine glass

Well, maybe she's not "doing" the dishes. ;-)

In any case, we can't pass up the opportunity to celebrate 82 years of Betty Boop.

Boop-oop-a-doop!!!

Five Young Women

Five Statues of Young Women at the Getty Villa
(Reproductions of Roman bronze sculptures from the first century A.D. found at the Villa dei Papiri)

Nothing much for today. But here's a photo of the Getty Villa that I recently visited.

It was a wonderful trip. And an awesome day.

Enjoy!!!

Strolling Along the Rainbow

Lighthouse at Rainbow Harbor, Long Beach

Upon a recent visit to Long Beach, I was persuaded to take a leisurely stroll down to the Rainbow Harbor, all the way to the Lighthouse that stands upon the Shoreline Park.

It was a lovely late afternoon. I walked past the convention center where the Agenda Show was wrapping up, with lots of folks sporting "street" materials. It looked like an interesting event.

Detail of promotional art from the Agenda Show


And then I made it down to the Harbor Walk. Across the way, the RMS Queen Mary dominated the view. It's been a very long time since I last visited the old ship. Maybe I'll go check it out and share a blog post with you all. ;-)

RMS Queen Mary and Long Beach Harbor


It was nice strolling along the Rainbow Harbor.

Conveying Similarities of Sound

Public Telephone, with LJ reflected upon the mirrored surface

Recently, while talking with a friend, I came across a public telephone. My friend expressed her surprise at finding such a technological relic. I disagreed with her.

Public telephones are not as common as they once were, but it isn't that tough to come across one in the course of a normal day. The easiest places to find them are at government or civic institutions, such as libraries or museums.

Since that discussion, I've been very aware of payphones. It's almost become a "treasure hunt" activity. ;-)

And they bring back memories of my youth. . .

Might Get Some Sleep Tonight

Dancing Acid Bears


I was never a Deadhead, but I have many friends who were. Yeah, it was in the late '80s and early '90s. That's a latecomer status by Dead standards, but it's still when Jerry Garcia was around. I got to hear the "real thing" live.

Although the Grateful Dead didn't play in my favorite style, I'd have to be an idiot to not appreciate their artistry and originality. There's no doubt that their influence on the psychedelic sound and folk rock was profound. And the atmosphere of their concerts and fandom was unlike anything else, so welcoming and easy-going, yet so passionate and tightly communal.

Since today marks Jerry Garcia's birth date, in 1942, I figured that we could chill out to some classic Dead tunes. Keeping up the good vibes. ;-)

Skull and Roses (1971)

And since the clocks are running late. . .