Sunday, February 22, 2009

Reggaefest 2009

There's no better way to spend a Saturday than in hot-boxed arena with over 9 hours of reggae music. Once again, the Ragga Muffins Festival (or Bob Marley Festival) did not disappoint. 

Its was day of food, drink, souvenirs and funny cigarettes. But, it was also a day for a group of people to groove and celebrate the spirit of reggae music. One love.




I didn't have my camera, but I had my cheap 2 mega-pixel phone.




Obama's face was on everything this year. I picked up this little canvas piece.



Until next year...

H.


Thursday, February 19, 2009

Strawberry Awesomeness

I used to be allergic to strawberries. I would breakout in hives when forced to eat one. Recently, I found out that I no longer have that allergy.  So now, I'm making up for lost time.


On the drive to work, I noticed a cute strawberry calling out to me.



I was taunted by this quaint shack with the large, red type screaming, "Sweet & Juicy." They've been stopping commuters every strawberry season for the last 8 years.


The farm is 85 miles away in Oxnard. They pick them in the evening, then drive them to the shack at the crack of dawn.


This is Cecelia. She sells the strawberries and attends Long Beach State. As soon as they sellout, (she says they always sellout) she gets to go hit the books.


This absolutely perfect strawberry was devoured 
shortly after this photo was taken.   Awesome.


H.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Quintessential Cali

It was only yesterday I was yapping about loving the rain. Well, I'm glad the dark clouds were replaced by the typical Southern California blue skies.

I didn't take my own advice of calling in sick to work, but I did take two long walks in the middle of my day to take pics and enjoy the weather.


I walked around Long Beach near the water. The LBC gets a bum rap sometimes, but there are picturesque spots if you take time to look. 


Today was a good day.


H.




Monday, February 9, 2009

It Never Rains in Southern California

That's the title to the Tony!Toni!Tone! song back in 1990, remember?
(If you don't, please youtube the R&B classic. It's worth the 4 minutes.)


Despite what the song says, it's been raining on and off in LA and will continue all week. Some people complain about it and hole themselves away, but I love it.  I wish it would rain for a month straight. 





It's not that I'm a gloomy person and wish misery on everyone. I just feel most of us in Southern Cali have a tendency to take the sun and beautiful weather for granted.



Rain gives us spoiled, sunshine brats a chance to appreciate how good we truly have it. It's like that trite saying, "you don't know what you've got, until it's gone." 

So when the sun comes back, give it the respect it deserves. Call-in sick.


H.




Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Where is this?





Reds, blues, yellows, fuschias.  Chatter of foreign tongues.  Festive, bustling crowds.  
Vietnamese Tet Festival (celebration of Lunar New Year) in Westminster, CA.