Well Deserved

She'll look better holding her Emmy. Congrats Bernie on Game of Thrones!
 

Papa Francisco

Full disclosure. A Pagan Baby I was baptized Catholic, which was my mother's religion. I fell away early in life and my church visits involved only weddings or funerals. Francis fascinates me and I was obsessed with his first visit to the States. There's something about the impish smile, the brilliantly composed speeches, and his humble nature. The plastic Casio watch which he occasionally glanced at encapsulated the latter.  An MSNBC commentator called him the Anti Trump. A perfect description I thought. It was wonderful to hear and see Brian Williams again. His amusement at Fiat 1 was my amusement, his emotions when Francis kissed or touched the foreheads of those in wheel chairs, or the babies or the children were my emotions. My favorite images included The Pope and Obama roaring with laughter as they walked around the White House, the tears of the mother when he stopped his Fiat and walked over to kiss her son splayed hopelessly in his wheel chair ravaged by cerebral palsy, the thumbs up gestures to people in the massive crowds as he road in the Popemobile but my all time favorite was at the school in Harlem. It was the moment he was being shown the final school project which included a computerized display. The young African American girl who was showing him how to move an icon from one side of the screen to another was priceless. He tried twice unsuccessfully until she gently grabbed his arm and hand to guide him. You could see the concept click. He understood the process and finished dragging the icon to its proper place.  She was adorable, he a fairly quick learner and as a jesuit educated in science I could see he was fascinated by the whole thing. I'd wondered if he was able to see the Statue of Liberty and read this morning that on his helicopter ride in NYC had asked the pilot to do a flyover.  The gregarious and smile generating cardinal Dolan was quoted as saying, " he was very, very moved. " 

Now back in Rome I love reading that he was impressed by our warmth. As confession is part of the Catholic faith I confess his visit touched my inner soul. That shocked me. Maybe its time to reevaluate my core values and strive to be less angry and more human. 

Drama Queen

I'm an animal lover. Have had members of the animal kingdom with me since I can remember. Cats, dogs, my white rat, Sugar, fish, etc.  Given living arrangements and feline longevity cats have ruled the roost more often than dogs. My brother and sister combo, Cooper and Emma are in their 11th year. I remain amused by them daily because of their distinct personality differences.  Emma lives in Emma-land where she is the focal point of all things, especially Pounces, those crunchy cat snacks.  Cooper on the other hand is my guardian angel, forever concerned about me and thus has to be near me as close and often as he can be.  He hates it when I'm on the cell phone, hates it.   Starts talking to express his displeasure. It's funny.  Emma amuses me when I need to move her. Although she doesn't wiggle to get free she instead lays motionless as she's carried across a room but wails like her toenails are being pulled from their sockets. Wails, not loudly, but a persistent and faux, "help me, I'm dying," meow. And once she placed on the bed or couch or chair, stops the drama, and has a look on her face that says, "oh this is nice," and promptly falls asleep.  My drama queen makes me laugh daily.

Aftermath

Last night was the Season 4 finale of Game of Thrones.  Another huge character knock off but this one was not as shocking as others in previous episodes.  Still huge none the less.  It was also Game 5 of a 7 game series between my Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBC championship.  Game was played in Oakland.  We WON, although for 3 quarters it was anyone's game.
We can either win it ALL in Cleveland Tuesday night or come back to Oakland on Thursday, winner take all.  Been a fun series to watch although I'll admit to complete angst over game 4 which was a must win in Cleveland. We rocked the house after a very poor showing in Game 3.  

Quiet weekend.  Looking for work but the phone hasn't rung.  Nora is praying for me daily. Probably using the rosary I got for her at the Vatican gift shop years past.  Lastly, there was a 3 day old baby goat at the Farmer's Market Sunday.  She was a star!!!!

 

Patoonies

Patoonies is what I called Petunias as a child.

I don't believe there is a pretty flower.

Always said if I had a garden it would be filled with Petunias and Snapdragons.

They make me happy!!!

Matinees on Sunday

Matinees on Sunday.  

Words uttered in conversation this morning with Marina, my 82 year old acquaintance whom I often see during my dawn treks on the Charlie Turner trail. 

I'm in love with the phrase. Even said, " good lord that would be a great book title!" 

But I've changed my mind. Oh it's still a great title but I intend to use those 3 words to define one's journey to old age.  In fact it was uttered when I asked Marina how she could stay up to see theatre performances that started at 8pm.

"Oh no, always matinees on Sunday!

Brilliant

Sunday Thoughts, A Life Lesson

First up American Guide did publish some of my parade images on Memorial Day so quite pleased.  I'm also getting more exposure on Instagram with my Real Not Reel Hollywood iPhone photos. https://instagram.com/Claudia_M_Eastman 

Snapping pics that have NOTHING to do with faux, media created Hollywood. Instead photographing images that convey the true look of the neighborhood. 

Using the iPhone as a camera has been a learning curve. So has using the Instagram app. Here's a snap I took and altered this morning. It's fun to play.

Now the important life lesson learned.

Here's my teacher.

I've learned that the sweetest oranges are the ugliest ones.

This woman parks on Broadway in Chinatown on Sunday mornings and sells these huge bags of oranges for $5.00.

Been buying from her for three years now and not once have I had a bad orange. Every single one has been as sweet as sweet can be.

Not overly ripe. Perfect.

It's the best bargain in LA.

Not pretty until you slice it open, quarter it and shove it into your mouth.

And yes, Vitamin C and fresh OJ for DAYS!!!!!

So that's my life lesson. Never take things at face value.

 

American Guide

Pleased to note that I've been asked by the American Guide blog to present images, a blurb and a bio from my parade project.  Took forever and a day to cull which images to include, spent 45 minutes on the blurb, 5 on the bio.  Should be "published" this weekend or Monday or Tuesday.  

Besides this lovely invite my Giants who are hosting the Dodgers at AT & T Park beat them last night, 2-0 and went 4-0 tonight.  Seems the Dodgers haven't had a run in 22 innings. Watch your back boys.  You may be in 1st place 2 1/2 games ahead of us but we play one more game tomorrow (a game of aces, MadBum vs Kershaw) and we are your worst nightmare.  GO GIANTS!!!!!

I'm Trying

My desire to create my last career path has not waned.  Obstacles, competition, and descrimination are NOT going to defeat me. Too well worn and experienced to give up. That and too stubborn.  I have a talent with a camera. I love to travel. I'm good with words.  I will become a paid travel photographer. 

Something I can do when I retire from Location scouting in a couple of years.  Completion is unbelievably stiff, everyone and their mother has a camera these days.  Then there's social media, Tumblr, Flickr, Instagram, ad nauseum. It's a battle but when I look at Sunset, Nat Geo Traveler, etc., I say to myself, "I could have shot the image."  So I shall not retreat. I shall move forward. Contacting on line blog creators, photo editors, etc. I will not be deterred. 

Here are my photo blogs. What do you think?
   
https://www.flickr.com/photos/locationgoddess/
http://ceastmanparades.tumblr.com
https://instagram.com/Claudia_M_Eastman

When I'm 64

That would be today.  Absolutely nothing planned for the occasion. Quiet, calm, uneventful. Some good coffee, crossword puzzle, something sinful with chocolate. Simple things. What more does one need? 

So after having enjoying Dupar's Pancakes at 3rd and Fairfax I answered my own question, what more does one need?

Wesley.  A 5 month old pup. Gave me kisses and love and made me smile.

Thank you Wesley. Yep. Simple things.

SnapSeed

Having fun on the iPhone with the app SnapSeed.  What do you think?

Leave Well Enough Alone

Damn it would be nice if Google would stop changing everything. Irritating. Have changed their map format to something that's a piece of crap.  

Did the same when they took over these blogs.  Now when you want to add a photo they insist on access to everything in order to upload.  Bite me Google!!!

NOT progress IMHO but hey I'm not in the age category they are appealing to am I? Nope, the new generation LOVES sharing every tidbit of their daily loves. Like it's meaningful. I'm of the generation that prefers privacy and keeping my business MY business.

Moving on to other matters, love this iPhone image I shot whilst sitting in 405 freeway traffic. When traveling distances (this trip was to Newport Beach) I prefer to hit the road pre dawn. LESS traffic and often interesting sunrises.

Holy Crap

It's been months since I've been allowed to post on this blog.  Something to do with Google taking it over. No matter. Happy that I can start blogging once again. 

Freedom of Speech

From the rest of the world to the Parisian Terrorists!

2015

Shaking my head. Time does seem to quicken as you age. No doubt about it.  Not making any resolutions. Who needs the pressure? Especially when I know I have no real hope of keeping any I'd make. That's another thing which occurs as you grow older.  Understanding who you are. What makes you tick. I lead a simple life. Good friends, food, books, pets, my sports teams, travel and a few favorite TV shows compliment my life on the planet. Don't need much. Don't want much. Laughter. Honesty. Solitude. A quiet existence.  Happy New Year!