301/365

I had a pre-cancerous birthmark removed from my shin here (Hoag Memorial Hospital, Newport Beach) when I was seven. My experience was so awesome, I actually cried when I had to go home (I knew I wouldn't be getting nearly the same amount of attention!).

298/365

Spotted this well-cared for Chevy on the road today. Reminds me of my grandpa's '55 Chrysler Windsor, which was my first car. At 16, I did not think it was very 'cool', and sadly did not take care of it.
Of course I miss it now!

263/365

Walking in LA...
Well, Long Beach. On my way across the 405 to pick up my car - fortunately the dealer is close...

250/365

Crystal Cathedral
(across the street from a Dr.'s appt.)

234/365

The very top of the now massive cloud from the fires... and it's even freakier because now I can see it FROM MY HOUSE - and I am FAR AWAY from any of them!

233/365

Fire.

214/365

Snapped very quickly as of course the light turned green just as I got the camera out: skateboarders (and some spectators) on the underpass as I was waiting to get back on the freeway after my first venture to the Hazardous Waste Collection Center in San Pedro. I gathered from their reaction, they didn't have a lot of private parties dropping off 5 gallon cans of asbestos from god knows what year.

198/365 - Day 6 - same

Outside of another winery tasting room. Wonder what the story is here?

197/365 - Day 5 - Angels Camp/Columbia/Murphys

Downtown Columbia is preserved circa Gold Rush days, so I thought I'd make this photo look like it was taken then (please ignore the tourist on the right!).

196/365 - Day 4 - Angels Camp

The entrance to Ironstone Wineries. A beautiful, beautiful place.

And an artistic shot; same location.

192/365

On the 5 heading towards San Francisco - I was driving, so yes, I'm breaking the rules, but trust me, the photos I took this day are less interesting.
This crazy car passed us twice, so I madly scrambled to catch up, slow down, while trying to instruct my dad how to use my camera. He got nearly all angles of the car, just not in one photo.
I still don't quite get what her agenda is, but no doubt feminism is a part of it!
The car was decorated with curlers, bras, pantyhose, feminist slogans, female portraits, with a trailer attached that was just as brightly decorated with the same colors, sans slogans. Her license plate is CANDYHM.


I don't get it... but I love it!
And... she had purple hair. I'm sorry we didn't get a photo of her.

169/365

Madeline, my friends' cat, greeting the guests for New Years' Eve Dinner. I've cat-sat over the years with her, and she NEVER hangs around for more than a couple of minutes for affection and attention, but apparently she was locked up at the vets over Christmas, so she was being particularly warm and lovey on this occasion.

They also just moved to Pasadena, and we discovered during dinner, they live on the route the floats go by to park up the night before the Rose Parade. So we got a mini parade during dinner, then walked up the road afterwards to see some of the floats up close:

140/365

Just trying to get home...  not happy.

126/365 - LONG BEACH AQUARIUM

What an amazing place. I FINALLY went as I had friends in town and realized, I don't need an excuse to go, I should just go. It's so close, and not that expensive.  I could watch the sea lions (among others) all day.

Can you believe this is a live creature??? A Leafy Sea Dragon.

Of course now I want to be a marine biologist.

To see all (151) the pictures taken there, click HERE.

90/365

My elementary school. The fence above is the playground overlooking Coast Highway, the beach...

and the water. Not a bad view during recess.

81/365

Feral cats along the harbor in Long Beach.

78/365

Got to feel the sand between my toes today... first time since I've been home!

76/365

Spent the day at Disneyland with my brother and my two nephews, Justin (13) and Jason (9).

My brother, not happy at the moment, as he's just realized that not only did he leave his wallet in his car (at my house), but put no disk in his video camera.
(but I got Justin to smile, so YAY!!!)

Main Street

The forbidden picture. Inside Pirates of the Caribbean; some guy in front was taking flash pictures and I thought "Hmmm, I didn't think those were allowed." So I whipped out my camera, took this one, then a voice came over the ride saying "Please do not take flash photography inside the ride."
I KNEW IT!

Jason, unkowingly being filmed, giving his analysis of the day so far.

Justin, after he refused to smile for a photo, giving his brief analysis:

So camera shy!

76 again...

Definitely not flattering, but fun!