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jjmaccrimmonWork
As mentioned in my previous post, I’m back home from California after working on the engineering test. While I can’t give specifics, I think the contributions I made were substantial and very positive. I am supporting the test, but my government customer decided that I wasn’t needed back out there on the second go. Most days, I worked 9 to 10 hour days and got a remarkable amount done. I had hoped to be flying back on Sunday, but now I’ll be staying home and will support the test from here.
Travel
While I was out in the Los Angeles area, I had one off day so I made the most of it. Given the fluidity of my travel situation, I’m really glad that I did. I drove up to Descanso Gardens above Glendale first. While I lived in the Los Angeles area, the Descanso was one of my family’s favorite places to visit. Though the weather was warm and pleasant, I was reminded that it was still winter in So Cal. Much of the rose garden and flower beds were just showing signs of growth from their brief hibernation and seasonal pruning. The treat was wandering through the Camellia Forests and being surrounded by millions of red, pink and white blooms. After hours of taking pictures and communing with Gaia.
After Descanso Gardens, I drove down to the 405 and stopped in at The Getty Center. The Getty sits on the ocean side of the Sepulveda Pass with a commanding view of Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and the Pacific. It is both an architectural wonder and a botanical masterpiece. Because of the external beauty and the art there, it is also very popular on days like this and had a healthy crowd. I wandered the gardens surrounding the site, looked at several exhibits and enjoyed the sunset from the terraces. One effect the Getty has on me is the ability to make be deeply contemplate the past, present and potential futures. To avoid the crowds, I actually walked down the access road (open to foot traffic) back down to the parking lot. The interplay between the light, deep shadows and the sounds of the city were nearly hypnotic.
After the Getty Center, I got in touch with my dear friend Jessica (“Hikari”). She was getting off work and the original plan was to meet her near work near Beverly Center at a little restaurant called Swingers. It’s a 70’s hippy throw back themed dinner. She had issues finding a gas station, so I dined alone. The lack of company didn’t stop me from having the best Ahi Tuna over organic garden salad in years. After eating, I made my way down to her apartment at the edge of Culver City where we chatted for well over an hour. For those not playing the home game, Hikari is my co-moderator on SoCal Abandoned and one of several exploration partners I had in the region.
After chatting and getting to visit for the first time in a year, I drove up to Studio City to catch a show. A burlesque show! Miss Josie Bunny messaged me through another service and told me about the “Burlesque to Go Go” show she was performing in. When I looked, I also saw that “Scarlett Letter” was performing. These two ladies were friends of mine before moving east to Huntsville. In addition, Mr. Chris Beyond was working the turn-tables and playing DJ between acts. Scarlett told me that most of the acts were new or experimental. Even with that, I was enormously impressed with what I say. I didn’t get to stay for all the performances, but I really enjoyed the show. Oh and yes, I took plenty of photos.
As mentioned in my previous post, I’m back home from California after working on the engineering test. While I can’t give specifics, I think the contributions I made were substantial and very positive. I am supporting the test, but my government customer decided that I wasn’t needed back out there on the second go. Most days, I worked 9 to 10 hour days and got a remarkable amount done. I had hoped to be flying back on Sunday, but now I’ll be staying home and will support the test from here.
Travel
While I was out in the Los Angeles area, I had one off day so I made the most of it. Given the fluidity of my travel situation, I’m really glad that I did. I drove up to Descanso Gardens above Glendale first. While I lived in the Los Angeles area, the Descanso was one of my family’s favorite places to visit. Though the weather was warm and pleasant, I was reminded that it was still winter in So Cal. Much of the rose garden and flower beds were just showing signs of growth from their brief hibernation and seasonal pruning. The treat was wandering through the Camellia Forests and being surrounded by millions of red, pink and white blooms. After hours of taking pictures and communing with Gaia.
After Descanso Gardens, I drove down to the 405 and stopped in at The Getty Center. The Getty sits on the ocean side of the Sepulveda Pass with a commanding view of Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and the Pacific. It is both an architectural wonder and a botanical masterpiece. Because of the external beauty and the art there, it is also very popular on days like this and had a healthy crowd. I wandered the gardens surrounding the site, looked at several exhibits and enjoyed the sunset from the terraces. One effect the Getty has on me is the ability to make be deeply contemplate the past, present and potential futures. To avoid the crowds, I actually walked down the access road (open to foot traffic) back down to the parking lot. The interplay between the light, deep shadows and the sounds of the city were nearly hypnotic.
After the Getty Center, I got in touch with my dear friend Jessica (“Hikari”). She was getting off work and the original plan was to meet her near work near Beverly Center at a little restaurant called Swingers. It’s a 70’s hippy throw back themed dinner. She had issues finding a gas station, so I dined alone. The lack of company didn’t stop me from having the best Ahi Tuna over organic garden salad in years. After eating, I made my way down to her apartment at the edge of Culver City where we chatted for well over an hour. For those not playing the home game, Hikari is my co-moderator on SoCal Abandoned and one of several exploration partners I had in the region.
After chatting and getting to visit for the first time in a year, I drove up to Studio City to catch a show. A burlesque show! Miss Josie Bunny messaged me through another service and told me about the “Burlesque to Go Go” show she was performing in. When I looked, I also saw that “Scarlett Letter” was performing. These two ladies were friends of mine before moving east to Huntsville. In addition, Mr. Chris Beyond was working the turn-tables and playing DJ between acts. Scarlett told me that most of the acts were new or experimental. Even with that, I was enormously impressed with what I say. I didn’t get to stay for all the performances, but I really enjoyed the show. Oh and yes, I took plenty of photos.
