Ride the Wooden Horse

Jumping Carousel Horse (c.1890) by the Dentzel Carousel Company, with Hindu Processional Horse (late 19th century) behind, on display at the Mingei International Museum

And, as that image settles into your mind, let's celebrate Juliana Hatfield's birthday with a song. ;-)

"My Sister" by Juliana Hatfield

Enjoy!!!

Under the Gibbous Moon

Long Beach Pike under the waxing gibbous moon

Although I've been away from this blog, I've been working on improving my photographic skills. Yeah, I still have a long way to go before I'll be satisfied with my technique and vision, but I'm making progress.

Recently, I was able to visit Long Beach's Rainbow Harbor area. The moon, almost full, looming over the jubilant lights of the Pike caught my fancy. So, I took a picture. ;-)

Anyways, I've been promising a "Photo of the Day" style of blogging for a while. Well, stay tuned. . .

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.

In That Carnival

Carousel horses at the 30th annual Springfest in Redondo Beach

Life in Los Angeles is filled with endless travel, whisking across the city on freeways, elevated above the vibrant streets and neighborhoods, passing it all by going to and from the routine destinations. Perhaps, an interesting sight will catch the eye as your car passes it by, just a fleeting glimpse of novelty.

For years, I have seen this little carnival, Springfest, in Redondo Beach, as I've made my way to the 405 Freeway. Each time, I think to myself, "Why not stop to look around?" but, each time, I am too busy, rushing off to an appointment. This weekend, I decided to stop, if only to snap a few photos. ;-)

"Go Gator" roller coaster

I didn't get on any rides, play any games, or even talk with anybody. I was too busy, rushing off to an appointment. Maybe next year. . .

Random Images from Downtown Disney

Lion King Statue in Downtown Disney's World of Disney Shop


Yeah, the holidays keep me busy. ;-)

Here are a some images from my trip to Downtown Disney.

Sheriff Woody Pride from the Toy Story series, built out of Legos


I'd like to go visit Downtown Disney on a bright and less hectic day to take some less rushed photographs. There are actually a lot of cool little details scattered around.

Dialogue between Wind and Waves

Point Vicente Lighthouse


Jutting into the Pacific Ocean, the Palos Verdes peninsula reaches its southwestern limit at Point Vicente, where the old lighthouse looms along the bluffs.

On a clear day, the view is gorgeous, the Pacific stretching out without end beyond the horizon, punctuated only slightly by the isle of Santa Catalina across the channel. But on a gray day like this, the dark sea merges into the leaden sky, and you feel as though you are standing at the World's End, only mist and darkness extending forever into a formless void. The waves murmur over one hundred feet below, an anxious chorus that echo across this forlorn scene.

It is on a day like this that you expect to witness the "Lady of the Light" strolling along the cliffs. Yes, true to type, the Point Vicente lighthouse is rumored to be haunted. But it's only a trick of the light. ;-)

Point Vicente was named in 1790 by Captain George Vancouver

Tearing myself away from morbid fantasies, I turned to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center to see the teaching facilities for marine biology.

Verticle Rotations

Singapore Flyer

On this date in 1893, the first Ferris Wheel was opened at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. It was 264 ft. tall and took 20 minutes to complete two rotations. Currently, the world's tallest is the Singapore Flyer at 541 ft. tall. The London Eye, which was the world's tallest from 2000 to 2006, is the tallest European wheel at 443 ft. In America, we've got a dinky little wheel, the Texas Star at 212 ft. That's even smaller than the original Chicago wheel. :-(

Personally, I'm not big on Ferris Wheels. I'm slightly phobic towards heights. I can enjoy the thrill when it's brief, like when I'm riding a roller coaster, but, if I'm given time to think about it, realizing how high up I am freaks me out. It's the whole looking down thing. If I just contemplate the horizon, I can't easily put things into scale. When I look down, I can see ant-sized little people and toy cars. That's when I start getting tensed up.



Ferris Wheel at the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago


But I can appreciate the attraction of Ferris Wheels.