2010, Day 65 - Los Angeles

This should be a change of pace, I'm in LA with my little sister and that means new sights. It was a long day today so there wasn't a lot of adventuring but some.

Truth be told, the day got off to a rough start. Up at 5am to get the car loaded and Boo settled in with Jill and her husband Steve (who is Boo's surrogate me while I'm gone, Jill is jealous of the attention he gets but I am positive it is the goatee that Boo gravitates towards so I suggested a false beard) after which Steve kindly gave me a ride to the airport. All was smooth but a bird passing through the engine of the jet as it arrived meant mechanical checks that caused a 45 minute delay. Under normal circumstance it wouldn't cause much worry but because I had to catch a connecting flight in Oakland that meant my 55 minute layover would be only 10 minutes.

Predictably, when I arrived in Oakland I had only a hair more than 10 minutes to make my connection and, as a bonus, we arrived at the opposite end of the terminal from my departing flight. Good thing I wore my running shoes.

By the time I arrived at LAX I was tired, bursting to pee and hungry. Fast forward to 3pm and I finally got my first meal of the day which wasn't great but allow us to see some of the sights around the hotel.


A collection of umbrellas that make a light fixture in the lobby of the Kyoto Grand (not our hotel).
Canon 1D Mark III, Canon 24-70/f2.8L
38mm, f3.5, 1/80 sec @ 200 ISO


A building whose identity I can't be bothered to research.
Canon 1D Mark III, Canon 24-70/f2.8L
70mm, f8, HDR of 1/2000, 1/800 and 1/320 sec @ 200 ISO


The perfect store for me!
Canon 1D Mark III, Canon 24-70/f2.8L
64mm, f4, 1/1600 sec @ 200 ISO

Full although not really satisfied with our bland lunch, Laura and I took a siesta before heading out to dinner. The destination, Happy Family Restaurant, in Culver City. Our drive there was a little harrowing due to rain the road markings not designed to be visible in wet conditions. We treated ourselves to a vegetarian feast and returned to our hotel for a little frozen yogurt and relaxation before getting ready for bed.


Vegetarian chicken with cashews and water chestnuts at Happy Family.
Canon 1D Mark III, Canon 35/f1.4L
35mm, f1.4, 1/160 sec @ 400 ISO


Chop Suey! Across the street from our accommodations at the Miyako Hotel.
Canon 1D Mark III, Canon 35/f1.4L
35mm, f1.4, 1/125 sec @ 400 ISO

Thus was my day and the only thing between me and my bed is this, the obligator blog posting. And with that I wish you a good night!


View from our room.
Canon 1D Mark III, Canon 35/f1.4L
35mm, f1.4L, 1/100 sec @ 800 ISO