"The Scream" Sunset

LA's sky looks like the background of Edvard Munch's master painting "The Scream" right now. Streaked lines of fuscia, purple, burnt orange, yellow and deep blue in random order.

Incredible!

I'm sure it's still residue from the fires. But from tragedy and ashes, beauty can arise.

Or maybe it's a brilliantly colorful chaotic bkgd to the current world events.

Whatever it is - if you are in LA - run outside NOW!

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE - the year's first must see!!!

On deadline for a project (I can tell 'cause I'm running errands with mad scientist hair and not bathing before the sun sets) so I'll write more on SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE later.

An incredibly beautiful, sometimes dark and life affirming film all at once. A modern fairy tale with Danny Boyle's signature kinetic and visual style. See it when it comes to your town - it's a cross-over film like LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL and AMELIE. More on it to come...

Nosy Nelly Tours and Scores at McMenamin's Edgefield!

Okay - it is a glorified vacation video.

That said, you are going to get a gander at THEE GREATEST PUB RESORT ON EARTH!!!

Check it out here:

Amazing Sight

So yesterday morning I saw a dude on a unicycle with a coffee in one hand, books in the other AND he was unicycling down a hill during rush hour! He must be both highly balanced and insane!

Haven't blogged in a while - got my real estate license and some funny stories to tell with that one about our ghetto word association practice sessions in Santa Ana.

Gotta study the issues now! But my two cents are yes on 1A (high speed rail) and on R (subway - we need it badly!).

NOOOOOO on Prop 8! And go OBAMA!!!

My Life as a Guru

Here's the latest Nosy Nelly installment as I reinvent myself as a house guru.

Obviously, I am voting NO on prop. 8. Don't make Ellen return her wedding gifts ;)

Walks With Harvey

Things spotted this week:

An older Asian woman softly hitting her butt against a palm tree while a younger Asian woman opened her arms up and out to a palm tree right next to it.
What's with all the tree stuff? Does this have to do with chi? If you know, let me know.

A Hispanic man sleeping face down on the ground in front of a psychic/palm reading house on 6th street/Wilton.

The bed of a pick-up truck jam packed with old televisions - some were huge, just no plasmas.

An African-American dude pulling out of a pkng lot with the rap music turned up BOOMING LOUD. The rap lost its tough effect as it was booming out of a Mini-Cooper. Not so gangsta.

One flute practice and two piano practices.

A bunch of Hispanic kids at a ballooned birthday party. They shouted "puppy, puppy" and walked with gleaming eyes towards Harvey. Unfortunately, I am still teaching Harve how to react to kids (he gets lungy, playful bitey) so I had to lead him off to the children's dismay.

The pooch down the block leaning out of the second floor window. I'll post the picture next time. He's a calm dude perched up there, takin' it all in.

Two Asian woman looking like beekeepers as they wore ultra long visors with material draped around it and their faces. You could only see glimpses of their eyes if you approached them straight on.

An older man walking with a cane up a Griffith Park trail to the observatory. It was super hot and I was ready to turn around when I saw him. Realized I needed to get it in gear and persevere!

Walkin' The Dog (aka Walks with Harvey) - Observations from the City Sidewalk

You definitely learn a lot more about your neighborhood and its inhabitants when you have to walk the dog 3 times a day.

My block is decent, but you turn East and hit pockets of sketchiness and go West a couple of blocks and you're in a whole different world with the tony mansions, perfect lawns and gated patio/pool backyards of Hancock Park.

Things observed/overheard last week:

- A true Tree Hugger - an older, thin Korean man humping a palm tree on Irving Blvd in Hancock Park. He was not merely exercising, his arms were wrapped around the tree and he was violently thrusting his groin back and forth against it. I stayed my distance, but couldn't not watch.

- Hulu Hoop Gal - a middle aged Korean woman swiveling her hips in a gated condo driveway at 3rd/Norton. She had no expression as she calmly kept the hulu hoop in play. She was good.

- a chubby 30ish white dude jogging at Pan Pacific Park that Harvey tried to jump on (he has a thing for runners). The dude used the old "what's your dog's name, what's your name, you wanna go for coffee?" routine. Ugh!

- Old people (one in a neck brace) milling about Griffith Observatory before it opened. They were enjoying one another's company and chatting in the parking lot. It wasn't due to open for a couple of hrs - so maybe someone made a mistake or there was a special event.

- The unmistakable sqwacking of someone practicing clarinet.

- Two people on different blocks practicing piano. One singing along. The one without singing was MUCH better!

- The Halfway House people bumming cigarettes and dollars and looking a little scary at the corner (especially this emaciated Michael Jackson looking dude with pearly white dentures). He greets you with a wide smile when you see him, but there is something really off about him. It's so strong you can feel it just by looking at him. Poor guy.

- The classic cat/dog chase. Had to pull Harvey back from joining in.

Stay tuned for next week's adventures...