Go Downtown.

I was in Downtown LA last week having lunch with my mom who's on jury duty for five weeks. Despite the intense heat, I walked around the area by the courthouse and was pleasantly surprised by the great architecture, relaxing park areas and random statues. I recommend a stroll during the more temperate months.

I had to get a shot of the trash can because it was so high-tech. It was a solar-powered trash compactor. I tell ya, Downtown is hip.

- H.

Nothing but love!

C is for Charlie. Charlie is a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. You might be familiar with this breed because Queen Elizabeth owns several of them.

At first glance you wouldn't think these little guys had an ounce of athleticism in them, but because they have such short legs and a low center of gravity, they're super fast sprinters. Back in the old days they were actually sheep herders.

Here's Charlie's attempt at herding:

And here are the many faces of Charlie:

- C.

Adventure Weekend

My buddies Kevin, Ryan and I are officially infected with hiking fever! Especially after our latest hike less than an hour from my doorstep.

We did a 4-hour jaunt through the East Fork Trail in the San Gabriel Mountains. The diversity of the trail allowed us to run, jump, climb like little 30-year old boys.

It's hard to believe the proximity of such natural beauty to the metropolis of LA.

The trail went to the "Bridge to Nowhere," but we had to get back so we never got to see this bridge. With all the make-shift, log bridges everywhere, we didn't feel like we missed out.

Along the river, we met a 21st century gold prospector panning for gold. Actually, we saw a lot of dudes looking for treasure. I repelled a short way down the side of the mountain with rope someone left behind for that purpose. Probably not the safest, but super fun.

We passed a sign signifying this was "Sheep Mountain." Whatever, right? Well, lo and behold, we looked across the river and staring us down was a Long Horn Sheep. It looked fierce with its horns.

We thought he was coming for us, but he just wanted a sip of water. Any closer, he would have had us screaming like little girls running for the hills. Adventure!

-H.

Working at the Carnival.

Sometimes work is like a carnival, literally. This week I had a photoshoot where the subject was a father and a boy enjoying some bumper car fun.

It's been awhile since I've been around these old-school bumper cars. When we wrapped, the whole crew jumped into the cars and went crazy. Not a bad day at work.

Two for one. We just needed one little boy, but he had a twin brother which was great when our main boy got all cranky.

- H.

Weekend in pictures.

-C.

Things I Learned at the Fair.

1. The Ferris Wheel never gets old as a "symbol" of the Fair.

2. I like being able to see cows. I hate seeing them caged up.

3. This is a good family event.

4. Puppies and kids are attracted to one another.

5. Closer you are to the wrestlers, funnier it is.

6. Exhilaration can be bought temporarily for $6.

Chuck E. Scary

Has anyone been to Chuck E. Cheese lately? I went to my cousin's 2-year old son's b-day and it's kind of surreal. Maybe I'm just not in touch with my inner kid, but I snapped a few pics to plead my case...

It started wholesome and cute enough.

Then you start seeing lots of in your face, loud graphics everywhere.

Then you look to the stage and see the mechanical puppets. This is the stuff of horror movies.

And, here's the birthday boy drinking from a Chuck E. Cheese straw with a mask on it. Yikes.

-H.

Smell the Roses

Yesterday, I forced myself to take a moment and photograph this building and statue I've driven past endless times.

If I had a film camera, I probably wouldn't have wasted the film because this isn't necessarily my type of art. Luckily point-and-shoots are so darn easy. And for a brief moment of time, I brought to life something previously invisible to me.

Best of all, I quieted the constant chatter in my head for a few minutes to appreciate something of beauty.

-H.

The Fourth

Spent the 4th of July with friends Javier and Gillian at Brian and Mary's in Venice. The weather cooperated beautifully. I forgot my camera so I stole Javier's iPhone. We ate, we drank, we went to a party and we gave two lovable labradors as much love as we could.

The Venice Canals along with the beach were picture perfect. The images portrayed in the movies and tv don't exaggerate by much.

Charlie (a female) is the endearing 5 yr old, while the very excitable 14 week old is Wednesday (also a female). The little pup is a seeing eye-dog in training. Both were disgustingly adorable.

Brian and Mary cooked up a spread that included amazing ribs, phenomenal potato salad and flawlessly sweet corn-on-the-cob.

Pure gluttony.

Spotted this kid at the party we attended. He had impossibly huge eyes and an appetite for cupcakes with frosting.

Lastly, I spotted this phrase on Venice Blvd. It made me stop for a second to ponder. Hope is a verb. It's an action. It's something we do, versus handed to us. Whether it's the hope to become a better basketball player or the hope for wild-eyed dreams to come true, I guess it's up to me to make it an action.

Hope everyone had a good Fourth.

- H.