Again, I am very backlogged - or back-blogged, I should say. Here are some photos from 1.5 weeks ago at my reunited trip to
Los Angeles with Patrick.
You may have read we attended an unforgettable and unique concert of the
shoe-gazing genre group, "My Bloody Valentine" in Santa Monica on October 1. We had barely enough time to check into our charming (but not cheap) hotel,
The Venice Beach Suites, before going to the concert. The hotel was fabulous - right on the famous boardwalk. I imagine during the summer months it must be jumping with noise. We were there on a quiet Wednesday night in the Fall, so we didn't quite have the ambiance that I think P was looking for in order to take pictures - but more on that later.
We simultaneously 'ohh'd and 'awww'd upon entering our room with real brick walls, a cute archway leading to the tiny kitchenette and mini fridge, a free bottle of Chianti wine and a darling old-fashioned heater in the corner next to the bed.
Back from the concert (I already blogged about that) we both scrambled to get pictures of that heater especially hehehe. A swell room, and yes, upon checking out we did take the complimentary bottle with us :)
Bright and early the next morning we arose to walk around and take pictures. If you read my blog at all or know us, you ought to know by now that Patrick is really learning wonderful skills as a photographer. You can click on his Flickr photo link to the right hand side of my blog to check out some of his work.
Patrick has invested in some serious equipment in the past 1.5 years. If you want a laundry list of the several cameras and lenses he has, again, I say go to his Flickr profile where he lists what he has - I guess that is what the pros do on Flickr photosite.
That said, with said equipment and having just finished a 2 month photo class at UCSD, he is even better than before. I know he was hoping to get some great subject material in the interesting people that inhabit the Boardwalk and beach, but it was so early and midweek we didn't quite get what we both wanted. It also was extremely bright - not great for lighting purposes. That said, P finally got to spend time in Venice with the liberals and likes of star
Angelica Huston walking her dog right next to us (I had to point it out, of course - because he won't admit it, but he gets a little starstruck - I tease, P, well-kinda).
Afterwards we drove up to and walked around the
3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica as well as the famous Pier. Back in my days of living in LA and pursuing acting, I used to love the Promenade - always full of life, great shopping, and people-watching, and then a sunset walk at the top of the cliffs overlooking the ocean and pier. Since this is a journal of my life, first and foremost I admit remembering that the Promenade was the location of my first date with my boyfriend of 10 years ago or so - Mark, the writer/publicist - where we shared an umbrella and dashed romantically through the rain to grab our first drink and dinner together. The Promenade was also the sight of a not-too-proud moment of mine where while overlooking the famous ocean view from the cliffs, I broke up with writer/director/producer/actor Rick N. - my Hollywood connection and the reason I learned that even sweet Elsa from Bonita, California could move up to hard LA and try a career in Hollywood. Sadly, I broke up with him when I finally DID move up there - he would have been an amazing contact and relationship for me to have career-wise had I been raised to use people hehehe. So many stories I have to tell of the few that meant something in my life... sigh - one day I will get it all down on here... Come to think of it I have 100s of pages typed and printed out meticuously about Mark and Rick - hahaha such is how I used to do it in the old days... :)
Click on my slideshow below and see my pics using P's expensive real camera, his Canon digital!! And then go on his site and see some real photography :P
I would like to thank the very playful and talented Shannon and Richele who spend about 20 hours and a couple hundred bucks baking an assortment of 13 (yes! 13!!) cookies, fudge, peanut brittle... dare I go on??? They annually make it and give deliver a big tin to I'm thinking around 30 friends(?)! I am very lucky to be on their friend list and Patrick is very lucky to be dating me as he helped me the very first night to 1/3 of it! UMMMMMM....!!
This was actually a show from last December (2007) - - I only got the pictures 6 months ago, though hehehe. I will indulge myself posting them as this was such a fun show (although I can't remember who it was for). Partly it was fun because I got to open it (!) and also because fashion guru and the shows producer Leonard Simpson had the sense (ha ha!) to let me walk alone for most of it - which is infinitely easier to work the garments and have less stress than matching strides and turns with a walking partner(s) who are taller than giraffes... 
Sunday was a rainy afternoon, where P and I cuddled on the couch with Fred-the-Basset and watched the movie, "Pearl Harbor". I had even seen it before. And it almost focuses more on the romantic love triangle than the war itself. That said, I still cried during the war attacks scenes. And it quickly made me think back to my first trip with Patrick early in our relationship, to Oahu, where we visited the USS Arizona Memorial. Patrick rolled his eyes at my crying but war films have always made me cry. I remarked to P, "There is no way I could watch any war film if I had family that had directly fought in any of these wars."
The 2008 Presidential Election is officially over and young Barack Obama has won. I am excited and scared at the same time. Hopeful as well. It's history in the making. But, what a country he has inherited to take over. We're in bad shape, ya'll. And it is going to take a lot of work, motivation, intelligent and well-intentioned people to help take our beautiful country to a new chapter.
A couple Saturdays ago P had his daughter and I jump in his Honda and head towards the Anza Borrego Desert for a little photo trip. We got a late start and unfortunately ended up going to a totally different part of the desert than where P wanted to go take pictures. 
That's okay, we spent some time at a community festival in Borrego Springs and then had dinner driving through quaint Julian on the way back (and yes, we did buy an apple pie to take home).
I like to tease. My family teases each other a lot. I tease those I love. Let that segue to my Love: P. Republican. Conservative. Possibly brain-washed from his 21 years in the Military. He went to the NCLR Republican convention in San Diego a couple months ago and shook his nominee's hand, shouting, "I'm With YOU, John!" He is a card-holding supporter of the McCain campaign. My guy has taught me mucho about the Party. 
