It's our last Saturday in California, a bright fresh day. We, like hundreds of others, take to the beach for a four block stroll along the sand and sea. Because it is only 11 in the morning, it is not too busy yet but there are several hundred people staking out their place in the sun. Yesterday's cold onshore winds have subsided and the day promises to be pleasant.
We are amazed how quickly the 2012 Spirit Awards tent has been raised. Only yesterday the ribs were erected with a few side tents clinging to the side of the low cliff that forms the boundary of the beach area. Today the tent is up and workers scurry in and out with wires, cables, boxes. The "laid-back" Spirit Awards are given for the best independent films and serve as an hors d'oeuvres for the Academy Awards scheduled for next Sunday evening. All of LA has Oscar fever. For weeks the newspapers acclaimed each nominee's excellence in hopes that Academy members might cast a vote for their actor, director, writer, etc. In February LA is all about Image, Image, Image.
Getting back to our walk, we dodge the fierce bicycle riders and cross over to the walking path, dodging brainless skateboarders who don't care who they wipe out when they wipe out. The air is cool with a hint of sea salt. There is a mist covering the Palos Verde peninsula and the Malibu Hills.The sea plays host to several small sailboats. It looks as if some sort of regatta might be in progress. Two people soar above the water, held aloft by a yellow parachute that is tethered to a small power boat. A number of helicopters race along the shoreline while below the sea is as pacific as its name.
In the sand nearly all the volleyball nets are in use. We stop and sit awhile, watching the foursomes fight it out--the guys in tees and shorts, the girls in bikinis. Tents and umbrellas have been set out on the beach in expectation of family and friends gathering to enjoy the day.Dads are spending time with their children. Very few surfers use the Santa Monica area, the waves are much better elsewhere. Virtually no one is in the water. It is too cold; it's always too cold. Those '60s Gidget movies were never filmed in the ocean. The poor kids' would be sporting goose bumps larger than the polka-dots on their beachwear!
When we reach the end of our usual walking course, we climb a small hill and return through the park. There are a few benches and we often sit, watch the water, read our books and view the many dogs lucky enough to be given a walk along the shoreline. On a Saturday morning there are as many children in strollers as dogs on leads. Today there is plenty of entertainment to claim our attention. A group of 30 - to 55 - year old men are playing street hockey in the unused parking lot. My husband remarks that the game looks dangerous; I reply that that is the whole point.
We start back to our rental, stopping to purchase a Sunday paper. I like knowing the news before it happens. Saturday's a day to loll about and rest up. We will certainly miss the sun, sea, and our walks.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Road Trip!
Last weekend we nipped across the border to get a respite from Metro LA. Lest you think we headed for Tijuana that's not the border I mean. We drove south on the 405 into the Newport Beach-Irvine area of Orange County. Wow, it was the day after Comps in college! We knew it had been stressful in Metro LA but the feeling of relief, of having a weight lifted was tangible. Life is very different 50 miles south of Santa Monica. To our way of thinking it was a change for the better.
The first thing we did after checking in to our hotel, where they know us and welcome us back, was to head for the bike/walking trail and head for the Bill Farmer Park. Although there was no lovely blue ocean to follow, it was good to be able to kick out and up my pace, not having to fear slipping on sandy walks or being menaced by bikers. It was warm and I added to my pink tan before we got back to the hotel.
We planned to visit a favorite Greek restaurant for dinner but learned that it was closed. (What is it with the Greeks this year?) I had read of an Irish place so we headed for Tustin's "The District" which is a massive shopping center designed by someone who hated automobiles. Let's just say that parking is strange there, but not impossible once you get the hang of the layout. Anyhow we found the Irish place, The Auld Dubliner, semantically challenged and allowing smoking outdoors. The smoking kept us inside where we could appreciate a very authentic looking pub. Since it was technically a sports bar there were lots of burgers and wings on the menu. There were also traditional Irish items. This place served one of the best Guinness Irish stews I have ever tasted! It was loaded with fork tender beef and vegetables you could identify. If you are ever in that area I heartily recommend the place. We had hoped to go back for the corned beef and cabbage or the Shepherd's Pie, but didn't make it. Next time.
Whenever we are in the area I check out the cultural listings. Symphony Hall in LA is a bit too intimidating for me but the Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa is just right. This absolutely beautiful center has a number of separate venues for all sorts of arts performances. It is the home of Orange County's Pacific Symphony. There are family, classical, and pop concerts, and two theatres. Each venue is architecturally interesting. Symphony performances are held at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Seniors and students can obtain "Rush" tickets for $20. if tickets are available an hour before the concert. This year we heard Nicola Benedetti perform the Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 at the Beethoven & Benedetti concert. Very enjoyable and very comfortable. This beautiful facility is attracting top talent; the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Riccardo Muti conducting is performing later this month. Visit www.scfta.org for more information.
Another side trip we took was to the Great Park, which is not yet great. The city of Irvine is developing a massive park (to be larger than Central Park when it is finished) on the site of the former El Toro Marine Air base, aka where God lost his shoes. The city is trying to entice visitors with free hot air balloon rides but it was too windy to go up when we visited. Meterologically speaking it was blowing at 15 mph. There was plenty of hot air on the site though--hot, hot, dry, dry. The park will be lovely someday with trees, trails and a lake, although I don't know where the water will come from. It must be costing a fortune! It should be interesting to see it next year to check on its progress.
Reality must be faced eventually and we were back in Santa Monica by Monday evening. Back to the sun, surf, and blood pressure medication.
The first thing we did after checking in to our hotel, where they know us and welcome us back, was to head for the bike/walking trail and head for the Bill Farmer Park. Although there was no lovely blue ocean to follow, it was good to be able to kick out and up my pace, not having to fear slipping on sandy walks or being menaced by bikers. It was warm and I added to my pink tan before we got back to the hotel.
We planned to visit a favorite Greek restaurant for dinner but learned that it was closed. (What is it with the Greeks this year?) I had read of an Irish place so we headed for Tustin's "The District" which is a massive shopping center designed by someone who hated automobiles. Let's just say that parking is strange there, but not impossible once you get the hang of the layout. Anyhow we found the Irish place, The Auld Dubliner, semantically challenged and allowing smoking outdoors. The smoking kept us inside where we could appreciate a very authentic looking pub. Since it was technically a sports bar there were lots of burgers and wings on the menu. There were also traditional Irish items. This place served one of the best Guinness Irish stews I have ever tasted! It was loaded with fork tender beef and vegetables you could identify. If you are ever in that area I heartily recommend the place. We had hoped to go back for the corned beef and cabbage or the Shepherd's Pie, but didn't make it. Next time.
Whenever we are in the area I check out the cultural listings. Symphony Hall in LA is a bit too intimidating for me but the Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa is just right. This absolutely beautiful center has a number of separate venues for all sorts of arts performances. It is the home of Orange County's Pacific Symphony. There are family, classical, and pop concerts, and two theatres. Each venue is architecturally interesting. Symphony performances are held at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Seniors and students can obtain "Rush" tickets for $20. if tickets are available an hour before the concert. This year we heard Nicola Benedetti perform the Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 at the Beethoven & Benedetti concert. Very enjoyable and very comfortable. This beautiful facility is attracting top talent; the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Riccardo Muti conducting is performing later this month. Visit www.scfta.org for more information.
Another side trip we took was to the Great Park, which is not yet great. The city of Irvine is developing a massive park (to be larger than Central Park when it is finished) on the site of the former El Toro Marine Air base, aka where God lost his shoes. The city is trying to entice visitors with free hot air balloon rides but it was too windy to go up when we visited. Meterologically speaking it was blowing at 15 mph. There was plenty of hot air on the site though--hot, hot, dry, dry. The park will be lovely someday with trees, trails and a lake, although I don't know where the water will come from. It must be costing a fortune! It should be interesting to see it next year to check on its progress.
Reality must be faced eventually and we were back in Santa Monica by Monday evening. Back to the sun, surf, and blood pressure medication.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
On the Promenade
Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade is every bit as popular as its Pier. Throngs of people visit the restaurants and pricey shops that line the streets from Broadway to Wilshire Blvd. especially on the weekend. We were there on Saturday evening after the never-ending Cirque du Soleil performance (review to follow) and we couldn't find any place to eat. That was not because there are few restaurants, on the contrary, there are many but the wait times were unbelievable as young and old played the culinary version of how many people can fit into a phone booth. It was frustrating to have two hungry little girls and no place to feed them.
We have actually visited the Promenade several times. In addition to hundreds of global visitors there are the natives and their dogs, street performers, market day vendors (on Wednesday), and way too many homeless, beggars and con artists. The stark contrast between customers carrying upscale store shopping bags--which are NOT PLASTIC and cost a dime each--and the indigent is remarkable. Santa Monica is very welcoming to the hundreds of homeless who sleep on park benches, in doorways and parks; who openly panhandle on the Promenade and course the neighborhood streets like city workers two weeks before an election in Chicago. I expect it is a salve to their Southern Cal Mercedes consciences. The Quickfacts section of the 2010 U.S. Census shows the 2006-2010 median house value to be in excess of $985,000, about double the California average.
I imagine you noticed the "NOT PLASTIC" description above. One should note that shopping bags, grocery and all others, must be paper per city ordinance. If you don't bring your own there is a ten cent charge. This is really a good idea anyway, except when purchasing leaking meat at the grocery store. Another salve to their conspicuous consuming conscience is the fact the Santa Monica is scrupulously Green.
A day, or evening, on the Promenade is a bit surreal, but makes for interesting people watching. Anyhow the walk is educational. Some of the street artists are quite good, others should keep their day jobs. (Oh, this seems to be their day jobs!) One can pick up all sorts of foreign languages, even Australian. It seems that Southern California is a popular vacation, and business, stop for the Aussies.
Anyway I did promise a review of the Cirque du Soleil show entitled OVO. It was held in a large tent just below the Santa Monica Pier and it was freezing inside. The acrobats, tumblers, trapeze artists, and jugglers were wonderful, in the tradition of good circus from all over the world. OVO's theme was lame. All the performers were bugs, insects and spiders, and were creatively, if somewhat obsfucatively, costumed. The sound was deafening while the story line, assuming there actually was a story line, missed by a mile. In addition the show went way too long, beginning at 4 and continuing until nearly 7. (There are few plays, a small number of concerts, and no operas I would sit still for for that long!)
Time marches on. Only three weeks until we return to the Midwest which has been having terrific weather too. I imagine they have been holding off the blizzards until we return.
We have actually visited the Promenade several times. In addition to hundreds of global visitors there are the natives and their dogs, street performers, market day vendors (on Wednesday), and way too many homeless, beggars and con artists. The stark contrast between customers carrying upscale store shopping bags--which are NOT PLASTIC and cost a dime each--and the indigent is remarkable. Santa Monica is very welcoming to the hundreds of homeless who sleep on park benches, in doorways and parks; who openly panhandle on the Promenade and course the neighborhood streets like city workers two weeks before an election in Chicago. I expect it is a salve to their Southern Cal Mercedes consciences. The Quickfacts section of the 2010 U.S. Census shows the 2006-2010 median house value to be in excess of $985,000, about double the California average.
I imagine you noticed the "NOT PLASTIC" description above. One should note that shopping bags, grocery and all others, must be paper per city ordinance. If you don't bring your own there is a ten cent charge. This is really a good idea anyway, except when purchasing leaking meat at the grocery store. Another salve to their conspicuous consuming conscience is the fact the Santa Monica is scrupulously Green.
A day, or evening, on the Promenade is a bit surreal, but makes for interesting people watching. Anyhow the walk is educational. Some of the street artists are quite good, others should keep their day jobs. (Oh, this seems to be their day jobs!) One can pick up all sorts of foreign languages, even Australian. It seems that Southern California is a popular vacation, and business, stop for the Aussies.
Anyway I did promise a review of the Cirque du Soleil show entitled OVO. It was held in a large tent just below the Santa Monica Pier and it was freezing inside. The acrobats, tumblers, trapeze artists, and jugglers were wonderful, in the tradition of good circus from all over the world. OVO's theme was lame. All the performers were bugs, insects and spiders, and were creatively, if somewhat obsfucatively, costumed. The sound was deafening while the story line, assuming there actually was a story line, missed by a mile. In addition the show went way too long, beginning at 4 and continuing until nearly 7. (There are few plays, a small number of concerts, and no operas I would sit still for for that long!)
Time marches on. Only three weeks until we return to the Midwest which has been having terrific weather too. I imagine they have been holding off the blizzards until we return.
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