I happened to get free tickets to the Long Beach Aquarium. I told Jamie we should go. He agreed. For some reason I started looking at other "happening" going on in my beloved LA. I saw that Gustavo Dudamel the conductor at the LA Phil was heading up a concert the night before. I told Jamie and we both decided to we wanted to see the concert. Ok, now...the prep...
1. Get someone to watch Harley. Our usual nanny, Miss Sarah's daddy just passed away so I did not want to ask her. So, for the first time we asked Isabel. She was in!!! Yeah.
2. Next, a hotel. I got on Priceline and began the bidding process for a 4 Star Hotel in LA. Success! We got the Westin Bonadventure for $90 bucks. Yeah!!!
3. Finally, tickets to the venue. Got on the phone with the gal to help me find the best seats available that met our needs. We wanted to be able to see the Maestro in action. Gustavo Dudamel is a passionate, exciting, young and fresh conductor. You have to be able to see his expressions, hand movements, and engaging personna. Score. Front row to the side. Perfect seats. Yeah!!!
We left a little early so we could grab a bite to eat. Our first fight. Jamie kept picking places that were not on the way. Even though we left early we did not have time (according to me) for excursions off the path to our destination. I told him I thought there was a Baker's along the way. He loves Baker's. This is how you sooth the "Grumpy Grandpa", give him something to eat...
Salute!
Jamie and I really enjoy travelling like Vagabonds. Back Packs and Public Transportation.
That's how we "Roll". Here we are waiting for the train...
There is a back story to this shot. Jamie wanted me to get a shot of him looking for the train. He was positioning against the yellow line. The next thing we hear is this bellowing, female, security officer yelling get back behind the yellow line. Actually, through photographic evidence we discovered he never actually crossed the stinkin' line...
Which way to LA????
My love, my life...
A quick snack at Big Mamma's Pizza. One of our favorite places in LA...
Friends Along the Way...
One of my pet peaves is when people "accuse" Jamie and me of some sort of discrimination because our "core values" are different than theirs. That somehow, we don't respect the rights of others. Well, our actions, consistently, prove otherwise. No matter where we go...we make friends. homeless, gay, and professional, working class...we do not discriminate. We make time to know and appreciate the humaness that connects us all. Despite our differences, "we are the world" and it is made up of interesting people from ALL walks of life. And we celebrate each and everyone of them that comes into our life...
One of the locals...I have to say this guy is the most "fancy" homeless person I have met yet. Love the glasses!!!
As we were leaving the hotel I saw a man. I noticed his shoes. He held the elevator. We went down. We talked. This is Nathan from San Francisco. An Italian/Jew from New York. A new friend...
As we were approaching the train station to head off to Long Beach I noticed this Security Guard. Mean look. No smile. He reminded me of the Police in Mexico stationed outside banks with machine guns. Can I get a picture I asked? He nodded yes. Jamie asked me - do you think he will smile. No I said - he is in character. Ok, he proved me wrong. Look at his huge smile from ear to ear!
Then I noticed him. Standing at the corner with a hand made sign. Different than the rest. Not yelling for you to come to God for redemption. Not asking for money. Dressed nice. Clean. Handsome. Who are you??? I caught his eye. I waived. He waived. I took his photo. Walked over. I asked him - are you part of the Wall Street protest. Yes, he said. Began talking. Introductions. I am Michael Palmieri, director/writer. See here for his full accomplishments http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelandrespalmieri. He told us he has been a Democrat all his life. Accomplished and successful in Hollywood. Tired of direction of our country. Wanting to make a stand, a difference. Enough to stand on a street corner with his hand made sign. A silent protest. Feeling divided and manipulated by our government. Separating the country by distracting us. A media who will portray him as some "left wing" crazy person (he was nothing of the sort). It is time to take a stand. We could not agree more. Different politics. Same sentiments. Standing together as Americans. He told us to look for more protestors in Long Beach. We said we would.
Long Beach Protestors...
The cart. In previous posts I talk about the shopping cart that brings back fond memories of me and my mom walking to the grocery store in New York and bringing back our goodies in a cart with wheels. On the train ride home I saw one. I slyly took a photo of the cart...
Then, I "saw" the owner of the cart. Lovely black woman with the most fascinating "blinged" out nails and bright orange shirt. I waited. Patiently. For an opportunity to get to know her.
Then, I got my chance...On her way out I stopped her. I told her about my fond memories of the cart. She smiled and understood. I said I love your nails. Can I get a shot? Of course, she said and posed for me...
And, one last shot of the cart...I am definitely going to get me one of these!!!!
The Bonadenture. What a deal at $90 bucks!!! It is like a small city inside...
"I am the King of the World!!! (King James to YOU)...
Welcome to our room...
A room with a view...
Testing out the bed. Yes, it is a comfy as it looks...
It's bath time...
This is how LA looked in days gone by...
Franken Foot...
I saw the sign for the "French Kitchen Store" while I was going up the elevator. So, of course I went to explore. However, what I found was Asian tea items. Is this deceptive marketing???
Date night!!! Off to see Dudamel!!!!
Since we did not have a car, Jamie got a map from the Concierge and we walked. I love walking because you see so much more than when you travel by car. Here are some of the sights we saw as we headed to our destination...
Disney Concert Hall...
The Concert. This was the first night that the LA Phil did a "Casual Friday" concert. The orchestra and the conductor all dressed in casual street clothes. A lecture before by Eric Bromberger an accomlished musician and academic who passionately described what we would be seeing, hearing and experiencing during the concert. Educating us about Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe Suite No. 2 and Tchikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor. Learning about each man and who they were as people, their dark and light sides. Interesting, to find out about how both ,men loved children. Playing snippets of what we would hear and how to intepret it. Giving us inside information about one of the piece's...just when you thought it would be over...a trap... the music continues. We felt empowered knowing this so we would not show our appreciation with applause at the wrong time...
We actually got a few shot of the orchestra and theatre before we got busted. No photographs please!!! Jamie shot a couple after we got busted. We got in a small tiff because I was scared we would get caught again. He kept shooting. I am glad now he did.
Then, the concert...
As I said, our seats were perfect. We got a side view of the Maestro. Entering. Commanding. It begins...
Jamie, mesmerized...look at his hands. How delicate...flowing, leading...
and then...
Powerful energy...passion...Bravo!
It ends...
He acknowledges his orchestra...quick glances, small movements, facial expressions...
Applause, applause, applause. Standing ovation.
Then, he comes out. With the Director of the Theatre, one of the musicians, and the Maestro. Answering the questions of his fans...young, old, diversity. He makes the experience belong to you by giving himself to you. Accessible. If you did not stay for the Q&A you could go to the cafe and meet the orchestra.
What I learned in the Q&A:
1. This man is influencing future generations. 2 moms stood up who brought their sons, about age 6 each, with their batons, conducting with the master...
2. He is a musical genious. He conducts without sheet music. He has a photographic memory. He absorbs the music into his body and soul and it show with his performance.
3. He loves children. The same as the 2 musicians whose music was played for us that night. I found a youtube video of Gustavo I thought I would share....Enjoy!!!!
Getting ready to leave for the Aquarium...
We walked to our breakfast destination...here are the sights along the way...
Here comes the Mayor...
There goes the Mayor...
The Mayor's wife...
The Belly Buckers...
Surfin' LA...
Street Walker...
The Pantry. I found this place by accident. It is now one of my LA hotspots for breakfast.
So good, ya gotta wait in line...
The Blue Line...Long Beach...
Peeker...
The Aquarium...
The Jellies...
The Strange Fish...
The Spider Crab...
Posing for the camera... say cheese...
Nemo and Dorrie...
Crush...
I'm BATMAN!!!
Just beautiful...
Lion Fish...
This is a FISH...
Buck Fish...
JAW (James Alan Whitney) Fish...
A little Skipbo on the ride home. Jamie got me 2 to 1!!!! Wah....
On the way home these 4-gangsta kids sat next to us. We contemplated making friends with them...
Jamie did magic...they did not notice.
I decided to snap a shot when they all took a nap. I asked Jamie if I should show it to them. He thought they wouldn't care. I agreed. We continued to play cards. The Sherrif came walking through. Asked for tickets - 2 of the boys had tickets - 2 did not. The Sherriff's moved them down stairs. I went to the bathroom. Walked passed the Sherriff. No boys??? What happened??? A family came and sat in their spot. They told us the Sherriff threw them off at the last stop. Bye, bye gangstas!!!
Comments