Light of Learning: Where in LA?

After a slight hiatus, SundayLA is back! Check out the two photos below for this week's clues, featuring a gem of a building hidden in the heard of the city:

Photo Clue 1 of 2: Check back tomorrow for geotags and this week's winner!

A few more hints: this centrally located building features both Mediterranean Revival and ancient Egyptian architecture, and its central tower is distinctively topped with a tiled mosaic pyramid.

Bonus knowledge: this building is adjacent to one of my all-time LA fave's - a lovely little courtyard restaurant perfect for a special occasion or a romantic artist's-self-date-night if your creative soul ever needs inspiration. (Name and detailed location info will be posted in the Reveal!)

Photo Clue 2 of 2: The building just north-east of Photo 1 above...

Can YOU guess where in LA this photo was taken? Post your best guesses in the comments section below!

Updating Cliches: Inagural Edition

I've decided that one of my new favorite pastimes is updating cliches so that they still have the same meaning, but are set in more modern, applicable scenarios.

For example: everyone knows the old expression "a watched pot never boils." Referring to being impatient while wistfully hoping that something that you cannot control the speed of will somehow magically go faster if you eagle-eye it, when in fact, that makes it seem like it takes much longer. Oh, the irony.

Updated Cliche #1: A watched file never uploads.

Referring to when you are trying to upload a large file online, and you just stare at the upload bar, silently cheering it on to go faster. Sadly, a watched file never uploads.

Got an updated cliche of your own? Post it here!

Cheers,

daria

UPDATED: THE REVEAL!(WITH LOTS OF BONUS SCI-FI AND FILM NOIR LINKS/TRIVIA!) Looking Backward: Where in LA?

***UPDATED!***

Congrats AGAIN to ChriAnn for getting last week's clues right! Apparently, she is quite the connoisseur/fan of Charlie Chaplin, and not only did she get the photo clues, which were taken inside the historic Bradbury Building in Downtown Los Angeles (known largely for being the home of J.S. Sebastian in one of my favorite films of all time, Blade Runner) but she got the bonus follow up question right! (for those of you who don't know, the title of the blog post always has something to do with the answer for that week.)

First, here are some photos of the inside of the Bradbury IN Blade Runner:

And here is a clip from one of my favorite monologues in any movie, along with the quote below it, which was also shot on the rooftop of the Bradbury Building:

Roy Batty: I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.

As for "Looking Backward" as the obscure clue in the title of the post, it was a reference to the Edward Bellamy book that was written in 1888 depicting a Utopian society in the year 2000. Definitely a good read to see how he envisioned the future. Anyhow, George Wyman, who designed the Bradbury Building, was influenced by this quote from Bellamy's book which depicted a typical commercial building in the future:

"...vast hall full of light, received not alone from the windows on all sides, but from the dome, the point of which was a hundred feet above ... The walls and ceiling were frescoed in mellow tints, calculated to soften without absorbing the light which flooded the interior."

Here's the Google Street View/Geotag info for all of the photos below:

View Larger Map

ORIGINAL POST WITH PHOTOS:

Happy long-weekend, SundayLA visitors! First off, CONGRATS to ChriAnn for getting last week's clues right! Check out the updated post for all the deets. Now, let's get right to this Sunday's clues:

 A pensive and somewhat pouting sculpture of a little tramp is on loan in the lobby...

Quite congruous to the weather (rainy and cold, which I love and also happened to match my mood), this morning I turned inwards for the walk to photograph today's photo clues...

Filigree wrought-iron encloses the original (and still-working) caged elevators...

Another shot of the elevator cage and the amazing skylights.

Close-up of the statue in the 1st photo in this post...

Mailbox detail. The drop to this box goes all the way from the top floor down. Handy!

Know where these photos were taken? Post a comment with your best guess below! (HINT: the title of the blog post is always also a clue. This week, the clue is more obscure...and I can't wait to explain it in the reveal post.) And remember - each week's winner gets a signed, numbered, original print!

Check back tomorrow or Tuesday for the reveal!

UPDATED: THE REVEAL! A Main Squeeze: Where in LA?

***UPDATED: THE REVEAL!***

Congrats to ChriAnn via Facebook for guessing that these photos were taken either of or from the intersection of 4th and Main Streets in Downtown Los Angeles. See each photo below for the geotags and links to the satellite locations.

The reason I love this location, aside from the great old buildings, is the fact that one of my favorite restaurants/bars of all time is right here. Pete's Cafe & Bar is THE local hangout if you live in downtown. I've lived here for 6 years, and I am there at least twice a week for dinner, breakfast, lunch or (usually this last one), drinks.

"Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon..." As much as I love the nighttime, and would hate for the moon to ever be maimed, I couldn't help but think of Romeo's famous line as I greet you all this Sunday morning with this week's first photo clue:

Photo 1 of 3. Click here for geotag.

All of this week's photos were taken either from or are of the location itself (HINT: it's a popular intersection in the city, frequented by film shoots and locals on foot alike). Though I am not a fan of Valentine's Day, I ♥ LA, and in its honor created a piece of pop art with the next photo clue:

Photo 2 of 3. Click here for geotag.

The last photo is one of my very favorite spots in the city:

Photo 3 of 3. Click here for geotag.

Hit me with your best shot (guesses) below! Make sure to look at the post title for a clue if you are struggling, and remember that this week's winner gets a PRIZE! A signed, numbered print of the photos from this week's clues.

Come become a fan on the official SundayLA Facebook page so you can stay up-to-date with the latest news and posts!

Lastly, keep emailing me at sundaylablog@gmail.com if you want your photos featured as clues next week!

Until later...carpe diem.

New Feature Saturday: Prizes

Welcome, Saturday morning full of promise. Yet another week behind us, and a full day to prepare for dusk on the first day of the weekend to strike us with inspiration and impulsiveness. What will your weekend be filled with?

Stop, and think..

As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, I've decided to start giving away a prize to the winner of each week's SundayLA photo clues trail. I'm working on some exciting partnerships where the prizes will become more valuable to you all out there in cyberspace (i.e., goodies, discounts and swag related to photography, writing, events and art), but in the meantime, I can offer up something that is very near and dear to my heart: signed, numbered prints of my original photography.

When I frame artwork, I'm very particular. It has to be offset by a mat before it's ever put into a frame, and I will often get lost in the paper and test print process for hours. (I believe this to be residual from my days of working in print advertising in LA, where I got to go on press checks for huge campaigns, and I can still remember the smell of the ink on the machines and touching the various paper samples before we selected a stock to purchase. Although I turned to the digital medium soon after those days, they will never leave me and have shaped my perspective).

Thus, I will be supplying the first person to post the correct answer each week with an original print in a mat, should you chose to accept it.

Check back tomorrow (Sunday) for photo clues!

Happy Friday! An Announcement (HINT: A Major Award)

The weekend is upon us yet again, and although Christmas is far enough behind us, today's blog post couldn't help but remind me of:

"I've won a MAJOR AWARD!"

I've decided to start awarding each week's winner with a small token of my affection. Hopefully, as the blog grows, prizes can get better, but for now, it's something cool that will be directly from me to YOU.

So, the first person to correctly guess where each week's photos were taken will get not only a shout-out on the blog, but will receive something from me in the mail. Wanna know what it's going to be? Check back tomorrow for the announcement!

And in the meantime, don't forget to send me YOUR photos to sundaylablog@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in this weekends' post!

On the Road Again

Another clue as to where today's pix were shot...

Bonus photo clue from the road. Notice the snow-capped mountains in the distance, and the desert-like brush in the foreground. If you can tell what the white things at the base of the mountain are, you probably know where I was! Check back later for the link to this photo location on a map...

UPDATED: THE REVEAL! Chabby Chic Oasis: Where (just outside of) LA?

***UPDATED: THE REVEAL!***

Congrats to Steve C. on via Facebook for guessing that the weekend retreat was in beautiful, sunny Palm Springs, CA! See each photo below for the geotags and links to the satellite locations.

I stayed at the wonderful Parker Palm Springs, a hotel that I adore and I stay at everytime I visit the desert. The grounds are incredible, the restaurant, Mister Parker's, is awesome, and the pools are fab. The spa, PSYC (Palm Springs Yacht Club) is worth the price of the room if you get the spa junkie package. You literally don't have to leave the grounds-lots of little nooks and crannies to get lost in and bring a book, camera or iPad to and just relax. Here's the origial blog post updated with geotags!

***UPDATED***
It's SundayLA!

Photo 1 of 7. Click here for geotag locations!

Photo 2 of 7. Click here for geotag location!

Photo 3 of 7. Click here for geotag locations!

Photo 4 of 7. Click here for geotag location!

Photo 5 of 7. Click here for geotag locations!

Photo 6 of 7. Click here for geotag locations!

Photo 7 of 7. Click here for geotag location!

This weekend I've traveled just outside of LA (sometimes, we just need to get away, as much as I love my dear city). In fact, one of my very favorite things about LA is that I can drive 20 mins and go to the beach, or an hour in the other direction and go snowboarding, and an hour in yet another direction and be in a completely different landscape. The diversity of the spaces of California suit my need for change of scenery.

The photo clues are a little more obscure, you will have to rely on your knowledge of the style AND the flora/fauna/landscape of the city that I'm in right now to guide your guesses-I stayed away from any obvious clues this week.

Good luck! Post your guesses below and check back later today for the reveal and info about some of my favorite spots here. (And bonus photos that I will be taking on the drive back to LA in the next hour).

And don't forget to send me YOUR photos for next week's blog! Email me with the photo and info (your name as you want it credited, information location, geotags if you have them, and some fun facts about what's in the photo): sundaylablog@gmail.com.

Until later, stay cool....

New Feature Saturday: YOU!

Ah, Saturday. All the promise of the weekend ahead without the anxiety of Monday upon us. Yet.

Today I wanted to put out a call to action to all of you to be an active part of SundayLA, no matter where you are. Here's how it works: send me your photos with info on where it was taken (cross streets, city, state and some info about what is in them), and each week I will pick a few photos to feature alongside my own.

So get started! Email me at sundaylablog@gmail.com if you have a photo you want to share (especially those of you under snow right now!)

Now, back to your regularly scheduled weekend activities...

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, SundayLA peeps!

Ironically, I might be out of the bounds of LA proper this weekend, which should make for a very fun guessing game for this week's blog.

Also, tomorrow (Saturday) I will be announcing a new feature that involves YOU, dear readers! I think I'm going to officially make Saturday "new feature day" here on the blog, so you always know when announcements are. What do you guys think?

Have a great Friday and prepare for the weekend ahead...you never know what you might discover!

Across the Universe: THE REVEAL

Greetings, SundayLA Peeps:

Thanks for participating in the first SundayLA set of clues! Congrats to Jaymi (who also happens to be an amazing photographer) for guessing that this week I was in Little Tokyo. Also, a big shout-out to Yvonne B. via the SundayLA Facebook page for guessing the Ellison S. Onizuka memorial as the reason that there is a space shuttle memorial in the midst of Little Tokyo! Below you can find the geotags for the photos (in the captions), some fun facts about the area, the art and a digital walking tour that you can print out and follow on your own!

Photo 1: Scluptural fountain in the middle of Astronaut E. S. Onizuka Street in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. Click here to see this exact location on a satellite map. 

Photo 2: Friendship Knot by Shinkichi Tajiri, Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. Click here to see this exact location on a satellite map.

Photo 3: A model of the lost Space Shuttle Challenger, in which Astronaut Onizuka launched on his second and final space mission. Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. Click here to see this exact location on a satellite map.

History:


Photo 2: The Friendship Knot
At the entrance of Onizuka Street at San Pedro and 2nd Street, you'll see the Friendship Knot by Shinkichi Tajiri. Tajiri was born in Watts, California to 1st generation Japanese parents. He is known worldwide for his knot sculptures and has been classified by some as an "abstract surrealist". This particular sculpture was presented to the City of Los Angeles on August 5, 1981 as a bicentennial gift and intended as a symbol of unity between the Japanese and American cultures.


Photo 3: Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka/Challenger Memorial
Hawaiian-born astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka was the first Asian American in space, and flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery as a mission specialist before perishing in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1984. Before being selected for NASA, Onizuka was on active duty in the US Air Force.


Here's a great digital guide for a walking tour through Little Tokyo.


And here is a link to a great Little Tokyo Visitor's Guide.


See you next Sunday in LA!

Across the Universe: Where in LA?

Photo Clue #1 of 3. Check back later for the answers and a link to this location on a satellite map!

Happy Sunday! Surely you are just rolling out of bed, wondering if it's actually worth it to get up and face the real world just for the sake of some caffeine. Only you can answer that for yourself, but I can tell you that I sure am glad I ventured out, because downtown when it rains is simply lovely (and thank goodness I ventured out yesterday morning and snapped the photos for today's blog, because lovely as the rain is, it makes most tasks at hand slightly more difficult).

Photo Clue #2 of 3. Check back later for the answers and a link to this location on a satellite map!

Photo Clue #3 of 3. Check back later for the answers and a link to this location on a satellite map!

The first photo clue above is a bit abstract and meant to set the mood (much like a Jane Austen novel but in far fewer words; homegirl took like 2 pages to describe some trees). I love the crystal clear reflection in the water and the angles in the stonework juxtaposed with the rays of the sun. The next two photo clues capture sculptures in the same area. See if you can tell me where these photos were taken, and if you know what the sculptures are!

HINT: The title of each week's blog post will always contain some sort of obscure clue as to the theme of the photographs. Think Jeopardy! clue meets blogger post titles. 

If you don't know, don't worry! Just enjoy the photos and I will post answers later today along with fun facts, links to the exact satellite map locations and some fun links if you want to visit the area.

GO LAKERS! :)

The First Sunday: Spaces of LA

7th street bridge over the LA river looking north-west towards downtown (click here to view this location on a map)

Welcome to sundayla.com!

The Backstory. (Being that we are in LA, everything has to have a backstory)...

Since I moved to downtown Los Angeles 6 years ago, I've developed a habit (surprisingly, not a stereoptypical drugs, booze or men kind of habit which might start any other LA story). Each weekend, when the glaring honesty of Saturday morning rears its usually-sunny head (and equally, if not delightfully more lovely, on mornings after rain), I drag my tired behind to some comforting breakfast spot for 2 cups of earl gray and some chow.

More often than not, rather than noticing hungover hipsters looking like they just stepped out of an Urban Outfitters catalogue (nothing wrong with that, for the record: I love UO), I instead notice a random object, the angle of a building or the way the light hits pavement. Though I walk these same streets relentlessly, somehow I never noticed this thing before.

Usually, I have a camera with me (I almost always carry one). But at the very least, I have my trusty iPhone. Always, I take photos. I'm a serial documentarian of my life's moments; whether capturing the inspiration of each day in words, film or pictures. For me, there's no such thing as a non-photo op.

Evolution of an Idea.

Today, that weekly, private inspiration evolved into an idea. Sitting at the base of a concrete sculpture in the middle of an even more concrete jungle at 8:53 am, drinking my earl gray, I looked up at a sculpture that I never really noticed before. That is one random-ass sculpture considering where I am right now. If I didn't know where I was, I'd have a hard time guessing, I thought.

Bingo.

And thus was born this blog.

How it Works.

Each Sunday, I will post photos of everyday beauty that I discover in the spaces of LA (not just Downtown) and together we will make it a fun little game. Post your guesses on where you think the photo was taken, and more specifically, what it actually is. I, in return, will post a follow-up revealing the correct answer and hopefully some fun info about the place. This way, we all get to learn something and be inspired. Even if just a little.

Let my photo-booth-turned-outward experiment begin!