Driving Los Angeles

We leave the house on the first night I can feel autumn in the air.

FIDM is not far from our house, and I keep hoping Heidi and Tim are eventually going to move Project Runway to Los Angeles. We even passed Mood last night in the Fairfax neighborhood. We have everything they need!

One will inevitably see flashing lights and sirens while cruising the streets. D had a go at me for taking this photo op, but I think it was worth a harsh word. It may be hard to tell, but Copper Bob is pulling over this white BMW.

Los Angeles is a walking town for some. The hundreds of tiny shops and cafes meet the needs of those traveling by foot or by bus. D often wonders how they all stay in business, but this is obvious to me. Most of these places look like they are not only thriving, but have been for decades.

The inmates at Folsom Prison are not so highly guarded as this vending machine selling water.

We have drive-thru Starbucks. Would the ability to not even have to get off my ass inspire me to spend money at Starbucks? It would not.

The Legalize LA banners, street signs and bus stop benches all refer to Dov Charney of American Apparel's desire that all undocumented workers in Los Angeles be given the legal right to do the work that they do, everyday. He may be a weirdo, but Dov Charney's heart is in the right place, in my opinion, on this issue. Read Charney's Legalize LA manifesto here: http://americanapparel.net/contact/legalizela/

Taco trucks are sprinkled liberally throughout the city. Some day I am going to go on a taco truck crawl. Some of the best food in the city is served through these windows.

Christmas lights are always on in LA.

Crenshaw and surrounding neighborhoods are peppered with lots of these tiny motor lodges. I apologize for the bad pic (D refuses to halt traffic for a good photo op). However, this is an example of a madeover motor lodge. Most of the little spots remain seedy and in disrepair. Think an urban Bates Motel. They were built to service visitors to early movie studios.

Culver City has undeniably become a hub of culture. It is right smack in the middle of LA. West siders come, it's not too far to trek for east siders, right next door to Crenshaw, just north of South Central...and so much to see, do and eat. There are dozens of new restaurants, cafes and movie theaters and everything is housed in beautiful art deco architecture. Culver City originally thrived during the 1920's and onward. Film classics such as The Wizard of Oz, The Thin Man, Gone With the Wind and Citizen Kane were all filmed in Culver City.

During Prohibition, speakeasies like The Cotton Club and Washington Blvd served booze and entertainment to thirsty patrons in Culver City.

I was really taken by this display of art, furniture and knick knacks in the window of a thrift store. An out of work set decorator could have thrown this together. D said it reminded him of his grandma's house when he was a boy. I wanted to buy it all and recreate this in my living room. I am particularly fond of the owls. 2%.

Just cute.

We tried to end the evening in style by smoking a cigar at the Four Seasons on Doheny. But they are in the midst of a remodel and the cigar patio was closed. They never fail to have the best flowers...the Georges Cinq in Paris has flowers that will knock your socks off. Go in for a cocktail next time you are near the Champs-Elysees.

These are scattered about the Four Seasons property. They never fail to make me laugh. They are clearly discussing the pork embedded in the $700 billion bail out.

Enfin.