Wide Load

The space shuttle snaked it's way through the streets of Los Angeles on Friday and Saturday to it's resting place at the California Science Center.

Unveiled

The foot got unveiled seven days after surgery. The nurse got down to this tape and went no further. I guess I don't get to see the toes until the stitches come out in two weeks.

Sinister Oddity

The garden is becoming a deadly place to be. The yellow spider claimed it's first victim today. An unlucky moth died looking for some nectar. This solves the question as to whether the spider's color was for camouflage or not. On a less lethal note, the pepper bush is bursting and new blooms are studding the branches.

DC Monastery

When I was in DC, I biked one morning over to the Franciscan Monastery in the northeast part of town. The grounds contain many gardens, mosaics, chapels and a few eerie looking passageways. Inside, the church is a replica of the one in the Holy Land. They have also recreated some of the catacombs that exist under Rome and house relics and bones of saints there.

Oddity

I was out working in the garden this morning and came across a spider on one of the flowers that I'd never seen before. Was wondering if the bright yellow was camouflage or if it was this oddity's natural color.

Once Upon A Time

I had a few days off while working in DC and one day coming back from the subway, I passed the Spanish Embassy. A large banner said there was a display of photographs taken in the Almeria area of famous film sites. "Once Upon A Time In Almeria" documents the area of Spain that Hollywood used as a backlot in the 1960's and 70's. "Cleopatra", "Lawrence of Arabia" and the spaghetti westerns of Clint Eastwood being just a few of the highlights. Mark Parascandola's contemporary photos capture the decaying set pieces in a dramatic light. My favorite is the beach which doubled as Aqaba, Jordan in "Lawrence of Arabia", huge construction cranes now standing in contrast to the hundreds of horses that streamed through the streets 50 years ago.

50Th Year Auction

The producers of the Bond films are finishing up a huge charity auction of props and wardrobe from 50 years of Bond films. On hand was UNICEF ambassador Roger Moore and Judi Dench amongst others. The sale of the night were the trunks worn by Daniel Craig in Casino Royale, fetching over $70,000. That's some expensive swimwear.

Vote Your Beer

An interesting study of beer drinkers, party affiliation and voting probability. I like Stella, myself. And I guess it makes sense that Sam Adams would be the choice of Tea Partiers......

Garden Homicide

A mantis makes quick work of a green grasshopper's head in this morning's grisly garden photos.

National Gallery

I went through the National Gallery of Art this morning. The east wing has a fascinating exhibit called Shock of the News. A timeline of the printed word through 20th century artists' eyes. And of course, there's all those Calders hanging around.

The coolest thing is the subterranean light show via the people mover between the museum's wings.

Gorgeous

A gorgeous day in DC today.... spent a few hours riding around and taking in the sights.

Abandoned Horoscope

I came across and unused and derelict fountain this morning. Probably made in the 1930's, around the rim were fantastic deco representations of the zodiac. Hopefully this little gem can be restored.