Real horror

I completely stopped in my tracks when I saw this picture on the front of The New York Times today. It shows the deadly gasline explosion in Nigeria where over 200 people were killed by theives who punctured the pipeline while they were trying to steal fuel which is scarce in the country.

Imagine, that you would actually risk cutting into a pipeline full of gas just to steal some to sell?

The picture is both haunting and beautiful. The photographer should get a Pulitzer. Make sure to click on the photo to see it in full size.

Un-recoited house

Can you have a crush on a house? Unfortunately, the heartbreak I feel each time I drive by answers my question. We've been looking to buy a house this last year and while I've seen a few where I'd be happy to make a home, none have made me fall in love like this house in Echo Park.

I truly love this house. I dream about it. I long for it. It's not like a pine away for the unachievable. In the land of million dollar homes this charming little bungalow in Echo Park is only 1200 sq. ft. and in a still up and coming neighborhood. Everything about this house with its two huge palm trees and quaint front porch makes me ache to live under it's protective roof but I can't make the mortgage.

Hope and want are not a downpayment. The price is out of reach for me and I am the window shopper trying to pretend and keep the fantasy alive. I don't understand why this house eludes me. I'm not trying to date out of my league. It should be an easy fit and yet here I am heartbroken.

The worst came this weekend when I met the neighbors. Yes, I'm a masochist and was peering into the windows just to imagine what it would be like to make dinner in it's kitchen when the new neighbors appeared. Why did they have to be so nice and friendly? Conversations of dog sitting and shared dinners were too much to endure.

I know in my head that all crushes fade. Just as my obsession with a boy named Scott eventually dissapated with time, so too will my heartbreak for the Echo Park Craftsman.

Donde esta Patrick?

Estudiar Español (studying Spanish). My gift to myself this year was a subscription to Rosetta Stone language software. I love it! The tool teaches you the language using complete immersion. You begin to learn through the use of context and visuals while seeing and hearing the text of the language.

My goal is at least one hour a day. I have a very small understanding of Spanish and I'd like to have a very basic usage before we go to Costa Rica where we plan to take our next trip. My ultimate goal is to one day live in a Spanish speaking country for a few weeks/months. Hopefully, Rosetta Stone will give me a nice foundation.

The coolest thing about this tool is that I was able to buy a subscription online. I get complete access to the tutorial in any language online instead of a software disk. I doubt I'll tackle more than one language at this point but it's still neat that I can check out the other language lessons.

Landmark

The new Griffith Park Observatory is open and an amazing feat. We visited the observatory with my parents while they were here for Christmas. It is awesome. You could spend a whole day up there and just scratch the surface. This is my second favorite place in Los Angeles (Echo Park being the first) and it does not disappoint.

The most amazing thing about the reconstruction is that they jacked up the original building on hydrolics and excavated under the building and around it to make room for the expansion. This is not like propping up your car, it's a HUGE building. I'm talking landmark like the Surpreme Court or a major library. They actually suspended this immense building on hydrolics and it didn't buckle or crack while they dug out around it. Truly a monumental feat but who in their right mind actually thought this would work in earthquake prone Southern California? WOW.

Anyway, check it out if you have a chance. Don't miss the show at the planetarium and make sure to see Rebel Without a Cause before you go.

LA Holiday

Tonight (as a part of my nightly excursion) we went to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Griffith Park Holiday Light Festival. - This display of lights along a one-mile segment of Crystal Springs Drive has become a holiday tradition that attracts more than half million visitors each year.

I like it because it's so LA. The entire experience takes place in your car. You slowly drive through the park, Christmas music is piped in through an audio system in the trees and you look at the static light displays depicting various LA landmarks including LAX, the Hollywood sign, or the Venice Beach. The best way to experience the display is with your windows rolled down or in a convertable.

What I love most about the experience is that it's so cheesy. Before Ruel, you couldn't have paid me to go to this thing but now I'll do anything (except scary movies) if he's along for the ride. We have fun doing the stupidest things and yet some of my favorite memories are of these times.

Net-worked

I love the Internet! I know, duh, but come on it's so fucking cool. Time Magazine just named YOU the person of the year but the point of the article was that through the Internet networked communities (you) have harnessed the power of the whole.

I don't want to go on about the Time article but it's an interesting read. I wanted to talk about iStockphoto.com. It's incredible. I can share my photos with others and get access to photos taken by people around the world. Yes, Getty Images has essentially been doing the same thing for a few years now but this is more organic. Just like linux being written by programmers around the world, I'm amazed at the way we can collaborate and share without boundaries.

I'm looking forward to getting my first royalty from iStockphoto. I'm not counting on making a lot of money, but how cool would it be for someone to buy and use a photo I took. The displayed photo here is one I downloaded at iStockphoto.

Home Office

Working from home is incredible. In the begining, I was nervous that I would feel isolated and have no social interaction but I can't imagine going back to an office environment everyday.

I'm not a morning person so it's great for me to be able to maximize sleep. I'll admit some days I roll out of bed 5 minutes before a conference call. Ruel makes fun of me for checking my Blackberry with one eye after I wake up in the morning.

The best part of working from home (beside working in my boxer shorts) is the flexibility it affords. If I want to go to the gym and I don't have any meetings, it's not a big deal. I'm on the phone enough that I don't feel isolated although I get the benefit of seeing my co-workers on a fairly regular basis.

The only drawback is that I get stir crazy after being home all day. When Ruel gets home, I'm like a dog that needs to be walked at night. I'm sure it gets old for him. He gets home at night after a long day and wants to relax and I'm dragging him out. Maybe their should be people walkers for people who work at home during the day.

Was the Grinch just apathetic?

Ok, yes the season is here. It's the holidays and I'm supposed to be full of the season's spirit but for some reason it escapes me. I'm not gloomy or scroogish, rather I'm still my happy go lucky self but the "expected" elevation in cheerfulness is not discernable to myself and those around me.

My friends say I'm not a fan of the holidays but I tend to think I'm just apathetic. Perhaps the lack of snow and cold and all the absent viceral reminders of the holidays (being in Los Angeles) have put my sugarplum dreams into deep hibernation.

At Starbucks this week a remix of the song, "Christmas Time is Here" from the Charlie Brown special played while I was drinking my Peppermint Mocha Latte. I was able to write out my entire gift list that night. Possibly the combination of peppermint and thoughts of Schroder playing piano stirred a little spot in my mind but it was fleeting.

I have to think that having a good life masks the saccharine mandated holiday joy. I want to think that peace, love and goodwill to all is a part of my life everyday. Besides I'd much rather celebrate the 4th of July. Holidays in the summer just make more sense to me.

Eye of the beholder

What makes a good picture? I have to figure it out. I'm suddenly interested in taking pictures. I've never considered myself artistic but everyone needs a creative outlet. I'm sure I'm taking the typical budding photographer shots but hopefully with some experience I'll find out what works. I'm looking to buy an SLR and welcome any advice on cameras or lenses.

Aussie. Oi Oi Oi!

Here are a few more pics from Australia.

Around the world

Our trip to Australia was a great time. Someone asked me the highlight and I said, "We just had a kick-ass time together." It was great to have some time off and enjoy the Australian summer. Following are just a few thoughts on the trip.

- Australian coffee was great. They refer to a latte as "flat white." The best way to start the day

- Everything shuts down at 6:00 pm except on Thursday (9:00 pm). You get so used to having access to stores all the time it throws you off.

- Australia is like USA light. Same language, similar food and they get all the US entertainment so even the pop culture is similar. It was a great trip for us to figure out each other's travel idiosyncracies but next trip we want something a little more challenging.

- If you go to Sydney plan a lot of your time around Bondi Beach. Next time I think we'd cut out a lot of the tourist stuff.

- I know why the Sydney Opera House is so iconic and represents a hemisphere. The architecture is amazing. I could have taken pics all day.