Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Misuse - The Early Days




The nice big lot showed signs of being dug up and developed a couple years ago. Didn't want to think the worst but it was hard not too seeing the latest crappy new houses around LA. I was hoping they would build just one house, maybe two. They had to dig out a ton of dirt before they even got started!

Back in May '08, a commenter named WB wrote "They encountered money and supply problems, according to the architect, and that's why this project has been dragging on for so long. They started during the housing boom of 2006, and you can guess the rest of the story. The original plan was for three houses selling for $850,000 ea. We'll see what happens."

Sonic Youth "What a Waste"
Ida Marie "Going to Hell"

Monday, March 30, 2009

Misuse



The view looks nice right? That is about it though.

Another mindless, greedy too-many-houses-on-a-lot development is finally nearing completion. A tad more style than the infamous boxes down street but not by much. A better floorplan but still no front or back yard. And, look, the houses are even painted that same old ugly blah tan color. Gross.




The Itals "I See A Sign"
Nirvana "Dumb"

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Ease up



Go go go. Steel walls. Bland people. City life gets on your nerves sometimes. Good to come home to the country hills of LA.

And take a nice rest on a flowered couch.

Always love seeing the last remaining garages around here that are carved out in the hillsides. Most have those old school barn doors and are very narrow. Cause people drove narrow cars.


R.L. Burnside "Sitting On Top Of The World"
Rolling Stones "Dead Flowers"

Monday, March 23, 2009

Big Dippers



Enough of the rain and wind and weather.
Let's get back to the 85 and sunny days.
Classic summer days.
When the ice cream man come 'round.


Master P "Mr. Ice Cream Man"
Nice & Smooth "No Bones in Ice Cream"

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Two Tone Part 5





OK, last one.


Reunion "Life is a Rock"
The Cramps "Rock on the Moon"

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Two Tone Part 4





Summer vs. Spring


B.B.Seaton "Summertime"
Charlie Chaplin "Spring Song"

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Two Tone Part 3





Summer vs. Spring


The Big Sleep "Brown Beauty"
Al Green "Simply Beautiful"

Monday, March 16, 2009

Two Tone Part 2





Summer vs. Spring



The Outlaws "Green Grass and High Tides"
Johnny Cash "I Was There When It Happened"

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Two Tone Teepee

July 2008


March 2008


Rad, rad, rad little teepee on the South side of Montecito Heights. Anyone know any info? I want to live there! What a view. What a lifestyle.


Cut Chemist & Miles "S.N.T.(Live at the Peacepipe"
Yonder Mountain String Band "Steep Grade Sharp Curves"

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Blooms Daily

You got the Winter Blues. And don't want to drive a couple hours in traffic up the I-5.

What's up Doc?





Well, take a stroll. Take a hike. Take a walk. Or by bike. Around the hills and observe the wonderful wildflower blooms. Check out the wild mustard strip on an El Sereno hill. Looks like a painting! You could even saute some of those mustard seeds with garlic and oil. Then, look down. All around you are hundreds of purple flowers. Lupine maybe? Breathe in and breathe out. Take once or twice daily.


Bill Evans Trio "Spring is Here"
Cat Power "Wild is the Wind"

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Watch Out



"Recently, California judges ordered the tentative release of 50,000 inmates, up to a third of all prisoners, in the next three years to stop dangerous overcrowding."

Crazy.



Jerry Garcia "I'm Here To Get My Baby Out Of Jail"
Mason Jennings "California, Pt. 2"

Monday, March 02, 2009

Parkway Bridge

Way back in 1895 they talked about a roadway down the Arroyo but it was not until 1924, when the Major Street Traffic Plan started the big push. The voters agreed and the Arroyo Seco Parkway was built in the late 1930's. Then came the Ave 43 bridge, as well as the Ave 26 and Ave 60 bridges. The turnoffs and lane widths have not changed much, if at all. Love it.

So this picture must be from 1937 or 1938. A lot of digging going on. Cool to see majestic Southwest Museum overlooking the Parkway. Check out the super high telephone poles.


110 North present day, well, a close match without hanging over the freeway. The trees have grown to block the Museum but you can still see a bit of it.




Mic Geronimo "Time to Build"
People Under the Stairs "43 Labels I Like"