Art & Sand…the next breathtaking saga from the pen of famed novelist Hobie Barnes….ah, as if.  I still can not figure out just how to write a novel.  Have I actually tried to write one?  No.  But I don’t even have an idea of what to write about in a book.  Fiction or non-fiction, doesn’t matter.  But I do love to read, so that’s good.  Speaking of which, Game of Thrones is awesome.  It’s taking forever for me to get through but it’s not because it’s slow.  Quite the opposite, in fact.  It’s just I’m only reading at lunch breaks and sometimes on Saturday mornings before Larry is awake.  All other time distractions are now occupied by video games.  Seriously.
Art & Sand actually refers to how we spent our weekend. Â Surprisingly, it rained in Los Angeles. Â On Friday, we had on and off rain showers (and I also got an MRI – hopefully I’ll learn more about what was found this week). Â I worked from home as well, I have no patience for the incompetence that is displayed when LA drivers meet rainy conditions. Â My nerves can’t deal with it, and to then have to drive on the 101 AND the 405? Â Yeah, no. Â On Saturday, it also was raining in the morning, but stopped and the skies cleared to reveal a beautiful day. Â So we went to LACMA as there is a new exhibit there called California Design, part of an initiative around many Los Angeles museums called Pacific Standard Time. Â The LACMA’s piece showed a great collection of furniture, art and items that sprang up in the unique Southern California culture from the 40s, 50s and 60s. Â Think of what you would see in any movie from that period and that’s kind of what you would see here in this exhibit. Â Lots of Eames furniture which Larry in particular loved and I got to see a Hobie surfboard! Â Pictures from my collection below:

Another gorgeous day in SoCal - this is at LACMA
05-Nov-2011 12:47, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100

Alien tentacles?
05-Nov-2011 12:53, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100

That little alien is about to get me
05-Nov-2011 12:53, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100

05-Nov-2011 12:53, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100

05-Nov-2011 12:54, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100

California Design - LACMA's contribution to the Pacific Standard Time mega exhibit
05-Nov-2011 12:59, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 100

Gorgeous pieces of art slash furniture
05-Nov-2011 13:05, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 100

Dick Van Dyke's Studebaker with a camel table in front
05-Nov-2011 13:14, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.5, 4.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 100

05-Nov-2011 13:14, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 100

It's a Hobie....and a Hobie
05-Nov-2011 13:19, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.013 sec, ISO 100

05-Nov-2011 13:19, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 5.0, 11.606mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 320

In the massive museum elevator
05-Nov-2011 13:45, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 200

And it's red. Best elevator ever.
05-Nov-2011 13:45, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.0, 4.3mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 400

Better luck next time
05-Nov-2011 13:45, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.013 sec, ISO 200

05-Nov-2011 13:45, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.005 sec, ISO 200

Larry's perplexed by Robert Therrien's perfectly normal bed
05-Nov-2011 13:55, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.0, 4.3mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 400

Therrien's blue plates are just the right size
05-Nov-2011 13:55, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.0, 4.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 160

05-Nov-2011 13:55, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 5.612mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 250

HOLLYWOOD awaits
05-Nov-2011 14:00, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 5.8, 18.8mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200

A beautiful view towards West LA
05-Nov-2011 14:00, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 3.2, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200

05-Nov-2011 14:00, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 3.2, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 125

Urban Light during the day
05-Nov-2011 14:37, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 160

05-Nov-2011 14:37, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 125

05-Nov-2011 14:37, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 160

05-Nov-2011 14:37, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 200

05-Nov-2011 14:38, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200
The afternoon was followed by a great Mexican food dinner later that night at our local favorite Mexican food place, Lares Restaurant. Â Great margaritas and really really good carnitas.
On Sunday, it was raining yet again! Â It’s LA people, it doesn’t rain here. Â The rain cleared out yet again by mid-morning, and I had wanted to go walking as that’s really all I can do for exercise with the state my sciatic situation is in. Â And the scenery to walk around here in is second to none, so taking advantage of the beautiful weather, we went out and about to the Santa Monica Beach. Â At the pier, we finally took advantage of the fact that there’s a theme park there and went on the ferris wheel. Â Great views are definitely there to be had. Â It was a great way to spend a few hours in the afternoon – then got home and for dinner Larry made a pizza. Â It was a good post-birthday weekend. Â Pics are here:

Santa Monica beach from near Strand Ave
06-Nov-2011 14:28, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 125

06-Nov-2011 14:28, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 125

Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park
06-Nov-2011 14:41, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100

06-Nov-2011 14:41, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 160

It's Me!
06-Nov-2011 14:41, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 3.2, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 400

Me again
06-Nov-2011 14:42, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 4.5, 9.369mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 320

Sample of hotness to be found at the gym area
06-Nov-2011 14:42, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 5.8, 18.8mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200

06-Nov-2011 14:42, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.0, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100

Tracks to Paradise
06-Nov-2011 14:42, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 125

Larry and the beach
06-Nov-2011 14:42, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200

Close to the pier
06-Nov-2011 14:46, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 6.051mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200

06-Nov-2011 14:46, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 3.5, 6.051mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200

06-Nov-2011 14:52, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.0, 4.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 160

06-Nov-2011 14:52, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.2, 4.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 200

06-Nov-2011 14:52, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.2, 4.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 200

Larry reawakens his skeeball addiction
06-Nov-2011 14:52, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.5, 4.3mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 200

View north from the pier
06-Nov-2011 14:57, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200

I love the symmetry of the water to the clouds
06-Nov-2011 14:57, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 3.5, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200

The Pacific Wheel at Pacific Park
06-Nov-2011 14:59, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 3.2, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200

Someone's a bit excited
06-Nov-2011 15:05, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 125

Our view from up top
06-Nov-2011 15:05, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100

The Pier
06-Nov-2011 15:05, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 3.2, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 250

Me up top
06-Nov-2011 15:05, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 320

06-Nov-2011 15:05, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 125

Looking south towards where we just walked from
06-Nov-2011 15:06, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 4.0, 8.48mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100

06-Nov-2011 15:06, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 4.0, 8.48mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100

06-Nov-2011 15:06, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 125

06-Nov-2011 15:06, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 3.5, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200

06-Nov-2011 15:06, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 125

06-Nov-2011 15:06, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200

06-Nov-2011 15:07, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 100

06-Nov-2011 15:08, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 125

06-Nov-2011 15:08, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.5, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 125

06-Nov-2011 15:10, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100

06-Nov-2011 15:10, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 100

06-Nov-2011 15:10, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200

06-Nov-2011 15:10, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 160

06-Nov-2011 15:11, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 125

06-Nov-2011 15:15, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 5.612mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 125

06-Nov-2011 15:17, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 5.0, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 250

06-Nov-2011 15:17, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 5.0, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 320

06-Nov-2011 15:19, Canon Canon PowerShot ELPH 500 HS, 2.8, 4.3mm, 0.001 sec, ISO 200
And Grand Theft Auto IV is ruling my life. Â WTH? Â All these new games come out and NOW is when I decide to play this 3-year old game? Â And Arkham City and Uncharted 3 sit on the sidelines….glaring at me…? Â Strange.