FrogBlog | Translating Los Angeles » Places

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot…

Petra — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:35:54 +0000

No, not bikini – this is the first Pedestrian Plaza conversion in Los Angeles.

Located at the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Griffith Park Blvd., it leaves me a bit… baffled. It is green, it certainly is low maintenance, but what’s wrong with a bit of living green here and there? Instead of polka dots on steroids?

On the other hand, the bicycle stands are fun! And being used. That is a good sign.

LAIR II

Petra — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:46:59 +0000

We finally did it, we went and saw the new LAIR at the zoo.

Very impressive, from the green roof to the amazing inside with all sorts of living amphibians, invertebrates and reptiles.

One example of the critters one can see on exhibition inside is this Texas Horned Lizard. A charming guy, isn’t he?

First Day Of The Year

Petra — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:27:34 +0000

Traditional things to do on the first day of the new year:

Hike up to Mt. Hollywood for a view over Los Angeles.

Go over to Manon’s place for some bubbly and black eyed peas:

Very, very tasty. Thanks, Manon!

Last Day Of The Year

Petra — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 01:52:51 +0000

2011 is drawing to a close and the last day of the year was one of spectacularly good weather; even by our SoCal standards 80 F are quite impressive and one had to take a stroll through the Zoo and the Botanical Garden.

So – there we are – some celebration tonight and tomorrow morning we can say: Hello 2012!

May it be a good year.

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Petra — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 01:04:32 +0000

How can it not be a wonderful holiday, when even the beaches are decorated with charming ornaments in festive color?

HC SVNT DRACONES

Petra — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:59:58 +0000

Downtown Los Angeles is “terra icognita” for many people. They have heard about it, but most of the time only rather frightening tales. Images of the Hunt-Lenox Globe with its dire warning of “here be dragons” come to mind.

And you know what? They are right! There are strange beasts to be seen; maybe not quite dragons, but fierce enough – and definitely huge.

They seem to have divided up their territory rather nicely, because a more benign looking neighbor lives on the other side of the street.

And they can be seen all year round, not just on Halloween.

True California Colors

Petra — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:35:32 +0000

Yes, technically it is autumn already – but who cares, when we still have this fabulous light? Those colors?

A Lovely Stroll In The Neighborhood

Petra — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 02:52:57 +0000

With the weather being a wee bit hot right now, it is easier to take a walk either early in the morning or towards evening, when it cools down a bit. Strolling through the quarter one sees lots of other people who enjoy the light evening breeze and the very special light just before sundown.

These two young gentlemen decided to sit outside on their lawn and ask anybody passing by to pose for a photo. Which we did. Then we took a snap of them and asked for permission to put them up on the blog. Which they gave.

Then we started chatting about wine and finally we wandered off again.

Typical for Los Angeles? I don’t know. But certainly for our neighborhood.

Cheers!

Early Evening Stroll

Petra — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:59:46 +0000

Weather-wise we have nothing to complain about, it’s basically one perfect summer’s day after the other. Especially wonderful are the mornings (for running) and the evenings (for walking).

One stroll to recommend leads past the Prospect Studios,

very much a part of “Old Hollywood” – old in the sense of “where it all began” – and then up Talmadge (yes, yes, named in honor of Norma):

On evenings and in surroundings like this, everybody wants to live in Los Angeles.

Different Perspective

Petra — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 00:06:17 +0000

No, we did not nip off to the Pacific Northwest. This was the view this morning in Griffith Park. Quite different, isn’t it?

Yes, June Gloom, our seasonal friend – but today with a new and special feature: Drizzling rain. Too good an opportunity to pass up, perfect for a hike up to the Observatory. Who knows when we will see rain again?