"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli"

[zyzyly]

I flew down to Southern California for the day yesterday. It was my mom's birthday, and my sister wanted to surprise her by having me show up unexpectedly for dinner. Except it wasn't really a surprise because she told my mom a few days ago that I was coming, and told me that she told her, but forgot to tell my mom that she told me, so when I showed up my mom acted surprised that I was there, even though she knew I was coming, and I knew she knew. Got it? My family in a nutshell.

I didn't take a whole lot of pictures. The one below is of the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. I took it from the plane--can you tell? I spent some time when I was in LA at the end of the year. What an incredible place! It sits on a bluff overlooking both LA and the ocean--the sunsets are amazing. If you ever get a chance, check it out.

Oh--I learned that you are not required to take off your shoes when you pass through security at the airport. You can decline, which I did. I also learned it is easier just to take your shoes off, which I should have done in the first place. What is it with me and authority figures?

Before my big surprise appearance, I got to have lunch with my friend j. We ate at an italian place. I had cannoli for dessert, just so I could toss out one of the many Godfather quotes I carry around in my pocket like so many nickels and dimes.

I spent part of the afternoon at the beach waiting for waves with the surfers. My photography instructor told us he would give extra points for surfer action shots, so I thought I would give it a try. All I got was a bunch of guys sitting in the perfectly calm water. I shot a roll of pretty much nothing, just so I'd have something to develop tomorrow.

The dinner with my family went well--no homicides. We had some delicious ribs, and a King Cake that my sister had shipped from New Orleans. I got the baby. Turns out that my sister planted the baby in my piece of cake, and everyone knew but me. So they all watched as I ate. My family in a nutshell.

After dinner I returned to the airport. At the security checkpoint, they recommended that I take off my shoes. I humored them. I was way early for my flight, so I paced the terminal for an hour--I did 4 miles! Unfortunately I lost my driver license somewhere along the way.

The rest of the time I read a book about how to use creativity, and thought about whether I was creative or not. My first thought was that I wasn't, but after I thought about it for a while I changed my mind. I am creative, but I think there are much more creative ways to develop and use my creativity. I find it interesting that I thought I wasn't creative.

I tried to read some more on the plane but fell asleep, and slept almost the whole way home. Oh--when they told us to turn off our cell phones, I left mine on. What is it with me and authority figures?

Comments

[stupid-freshman.livejournal.com]

Cool I love flying. My family can be a nutshell also.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

henry--how ya doing?

[stupid-freshman.livejournal.com]

pretty good.. and you?? are you going to take any road trips soon?

[myasma.livejournal.com]

No trips for a while--I am teaching this semester, so have to be here!

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's some big building. I had no idea it was such a massive complex.

Have you read Madeleine L'Engle's "And It Was Good"?

[amicablebitch.livejournal.com]

that thing is huge. i want to go.

i'm not sure i read that. was it good? :D i'm a madeleine l'engle fan.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

Like many of her books, it's non-fiction theology (and related) essay, this time dealing with creativity. I liked it.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

It's a cool place--they even have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

I haven't, but will look for it.

[zhenzhi.livejournal.com]

wow, that place is HUGE!!!

[myasma.livejournal.com]

it is--and filled with art and lovely gardens and impressive architecture

[felixbunay.livejournal.com]

I had to wait a long time to get in the last time I was there. I actually interviewed (by phone) for a job there in 1997, when I was thinking of moving.

The other great place for panaromas is the hill up behind the Griffith Observatory. It has the planetarium framed by the city to the south, the ocean to the southwest, the hollywood sign to the west, and the valley to the northwest. Also mountains to the east.

Or just smog, depending.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

I didn't have to wait at all--but it was a weekday in the winter, so maybe that makes a difference.

[felixbunay.livejournal.com]

I was there between Christmas Generic Winter Holiday and New Year's, in a year in which (unrelatedy) Michigan was playing in the Rose Bowl, so I was stuck in a line that wound endlessly back and forth across the courtyards with a bunch of Michigan tourists who were all (except me) there for the game.

[purple7luv.livejournal.com]

you are incredibly creative. (and defiant)
;))
yes.
(regrets here at having never done the Getty)

[myasma.livejournal.com]

The Getty will always be there--one day you might get the chance.

[parisgarters.livejournal.com]

Oh man - I have that same thing with authority figures too. That and I HATE walking in just my socks in public places, even if it's only for a minute.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

it's just stupid to have to take your shoes off--it makes no sense at all.

[0nmyknervz.livejournal.com]

hehe : )

[ilea.livejournal.com]

I'd kill for a piece of king cake.... and some french bread.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

the king cake was good, although the baby was a little hard to chew!

[firestartermsu.livejournal.com]

What book were you reading?

[myasma.livejournal.com]

It is called Creating a Life Worth Living by Carol Lloyd.

[mrshannibal.livejournal.com]

what an incredible photo!!! this is truly amazing...