An Almost Spring Day in L.A.

Ok, well, it felt more like June Gloom yesterday than almost spring, but with a winter without rain that followed a scorching summer, who can tell what season we're in really. Anyway, I started the day off with a great constitutional in Runyon Canyon. I was supposed to meet Tom there, but Tom overslept. The bad news was that I didn't have the weekly chance to bitch about my week to Tom and hear him bitch back. It's usually good for an hour of shits and giggles. The good news was that I got to take an easier route.

After my hike, I came home and decided that I, indeed, did have time to go the Iraq War protest at Hollywood and Vine and still meet Brian, Andrew and Barbara downtown to see "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf". So, I drove over to Los Feliz and took the Metro to Hollywood & Vine. The subway was packed. Is this city turning into a real city or what? Well, it has been one for some time, but it's good to see that people are taking transit more.

So, the march got off to a late start, but I was able to snap some pics before I had to head back downtown. I got to the music center in time to have a glass of wine before the performance. After all, you can't really see a play wherein the main character is booze and not have a little something something. Well, the play was really amazing. Kathleen Turner, Bill Irwin and the two others (forgive me)were sensational.

Then, it was back on the subway to get my car in Los Feliz and then delicious early dinner at Malo, a glass of Jameson on Patty's Day and then home before 9.

A great L.A.Day. Oh, and please bring the troops home now!

Los Angeles Marathon

So, today, I got up at 5:30a to go meet my friend at Runyon Canyon and get in a sunrise hike before the marathon started and traffic would be effed all day. Just before I leave, I get online to review the marathon route and --shit-- streets are blocked from 3am on. Surely, they must be allowing some cars somwhere through on east/west streets, right?

So, I head off. Get as far as Gower and there's nothing more I can do. I head south hoping to find some way to go. South doesn't do it. Every street is blocked. So, I make an executive decision and call Tom. "I give up." Sorry, Tom, but some hurdles cannot be overcome.

I turn around, head back north and park by the Observatory. It's me and a good chunk of Asian L.A. (seriously, not that I have a problem with it, but are asian americans the only people who hike in Griffith Park early in the morning? seriously? it's weird.) I climbed the trails to Dante's View and, after the rain of last week and the wind of this weekend, the views are stunning.

Coming down the hill, I decide that I'm going to park my car near the Vermont red line station and take the metro to Hollywood and Vine to watch the marathoners at mile 4. Boy, am I glad I did that. As always, the marathon inspires --from wheelchair athletes to women, men, children, groups, the elvises and all. Just a sea of humanity bobbing and weaving down Hollywood Blvd. and Vine St.

Really really great. And the crowds were enormous. The marathon changes route every year butI think they finally nailed it. This was the perfect route.

Now, if they can only figure out how to manage traffic prior to the race...

Pics to come, perhaps later today, if I can figure out how to download them off my new Razor (suggestions and hints are appreciated).