Journal of No. 118

Picked up at an estate sale for cheap, this book is a history of LA, told primarily in archive photographs from the 19th century up to 1950. Lots of good ones here, most of which I don't recall having seen (and many I'd like to show you all, but can't find online).

This is not the same image as in the book, but gets the point across.

"A favorite but brutal betting sport of the early 1850s and later was the correr el gallo. The roosters, their necks well greased, would be partially buried in the earth alongside a public road, with only their throat and head showing. Then riders on fast horses would dash by at full speed and try to grab the roosters and pull them out."




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We took a hike this morning to climb up and down some of the stairs in and around the original Hollywoodland development. There's a nice guide to the trail here (and a couple other hikes on the site).

All the pictures.

You do get a bit of a work out.



Lots of crazy castles and castle-esque stuff up there.



Views of the Hollywood Sign, Griffith Observatory, the Ocean, and a few spots for DTLA.



Going down is less work, but reminds me of the dangers of climbing down Mesoamerican pyramids.




The guide describes this as Prince Valiant.



But surely Valiant is raven-haired! This is more Ivanhoe.



The grandest stair had two staircases. Originally, the middle had a stream that ran down it, now replaced by planters.



The sun was difficult for many shots in the early morning, but I still like this of DTLA through a tree.



Also ran into the Theosophists.



After the hike, we jetted down Sunset to an estate sale in Santa Monica, where we picked up a new desk chair for me, in which I now sit.

Stuff on ebay

Kinda interesting that the four books (from an estate sale a while back) are from four different specialty science fiction presses: Gnome Press, Fantasy Press, Prime Press, and Shasta Publishing.

Yes, I survived the Snowpocalypse, and made it back to the best place lack-of-gods made.

But rather than slump into a puddle -- that's what Sunday's for! -- Saturday was pretty full. We started off with an estate sale, where the decedent was a bit of a hoarder, but had a particular fondness and knowledge of glass. I spotted a uranium glass juicer in one of the photos from the estate agent, and since Dr. Pookie is an aficionado of uranium glass (aka vaseline glass), we went down there. We found quite a trove of uranium glass pieces, and walked away with quite a haul.



Later, we went to the Day on Broadway (having been tipped off by colleency). The idea was that several old movie palaces were open to the public, and we went to gawk at them (and a few other things in the neighborhood). All photos here

Hard to ignore the Eastern Columbia Building, which was close to the registration desk.



After registering, we headed off to Cole's for a French Dip and a drink. We poked our nose into the Bradbury Building, and then on to the theaters.

It's hard (in the photo) to appreciate how huge the ceiling of the Million Dollar Theater (1918!) is:



And what can one say about its strange tutelary spirit?



The Los Angeles Theater was a real revelation, with its crystal 'fountain'



and ridiculous foyer



The mostly gutted Globe provided contrast with the others, which were generally much more restored.



The Orpheum is pretty amazing, and the duffer at the organ was showing off its capabilities



The place is huuuuuuuuge



Later, Dr. Pookie took me out to Pizzeria Mozza. The fried cauliflower was much browner than at Bucato, but still good. The dipping sauce was good, but not as amazing as the fresh dressing and herbs of Bucato. Some fine bread and prosciutto as well, before the main course -- The pizza with "Bacon, Salami, Fennel Sausage, Guanciale [aka pork cheek 'bacon'], Tomato & Mozzarella". Yes, it was meat heavy, but it was glorious. We pride ourselves on our homemade pizza, but this was even better. By a lot. For dessert, some little scoops of blood orange sorbet (extremely yum), chocolate rum gelato (gorgeous, but possibly(?) too rich) and 'olive oil' gelato: mild olive oil gelato coated in olive oil and salt. A very neat taste, but not as engrossing as the other two.

Usually, browsing through the estate sale listings, you get a sense of the style (or lack thereof) of the deadfolk. But sometimes, there are some interesting juxtapositions. Like the house that has these on its walls:





( and also this )

This Saturday in Woodland Hills, the estate of Robin Sachs, actor and voice artist.

He played Ethan Rayne in Buffy, as well as characters in Galaxyquest, Bab 5, Voyager, Torchwood, and voiced characters from dozens of videogames and shows.

Entertainment memorabilia, theater memorabilia, and a complete sound booth and recording equipment. Or maybe you just want some of Ethan Rayne's towels. I don't judge.