Metro's Expo Line: L.A.'s Newest Light Rail Comes To Life

Stay on track, please.

After numerous delays and a budget far exceeding expectation the Expo Line is finally up and running.  I can exhale now. You see, I've been holding my breath waiting for this moment for what seems like an eternity.

Up until this point, my daily commute consisted of an exhausting series of bus-to-bus and train-to-train transfers. The frustration of having buses off schedule or too crowded to stop and pick up additional passengers made for a frazzled state of mind and body.

By bye bus stop - LA Brea & Jefferson

Of course, even with my excitement of being able to leave all the bus travel behind I can't help but notice how very wasteful this line actually is. Logistically it really doesn't do much for alleviating westside-downtown traffic in either direction.

The track runs too far south of many of the major streets like Venice, Olympic, Washington or Wilshire to be an option for passengers of regular bus lines and/or gridlock tired drivers..

Had it not been for the fact that I work right alongside the tracks there would be little, if any, reason for me to step foot on this line. As with the Gold Line extension into East Los Angeles, the Expo Line has very few stops along the route which really doesn't help the local residents much.


I suppose I should just shut up and consider myself one of the lucky few who have reason to ride every day of the week. After all, it is cutting my commute time in half and I don't have to fight for a seat or deal with all the bus crazies and their drama.

One of the major selling points for this line is it's stop at Exposition Park It has been a long time since I've visited the California Science Center, Natural History Museum and the Exposition Rose Garden. I have a feeling I'll be making a trip there soon.

PHASE II: will end in Santa Monica and is scheduled to be completed some time in the future. I'm not holding my breath for that one.

End of the line (for now)

Anti Social Media Saturday

Taking the time this weekend to steer away from interacting with people on the web's social media networks. Instead, I am visiting with friends in person. I get such an impersonal vibe when communicating via email, text message or via Facebook or any of the other social networks. Sometimes a person needs to break away from the computer or cell phone and meet with friends and family one-on-one. That's where I am today.

Yesterday was an impromptu visit out on my front porch with my neighbor and a common friend, this morning I had a visit from a friend I mostly interact with only online. This afternoon another old friend came by for a short visit and this eve I will be spending time with a long time and dear friend. Coming out of a terrible cold/flu (which I am convinced I caught while on the train) this past week has shed new light on my need for socializing and connecting with the living.

It's a beautiful day in Los Angeles, I can't imagine not sharing it.

Feeling a bit crafty today



Santa's Reject doll

Woke up feeling creative this morning. It could be the weather or possibly my need to do something productive.  Whatever it is, I'm not going to argue with the desire to drag out my supplies and dig in. These days I spend so much time getting to and from work or anywhere else I need to go that I rarely have the energy for anything - like having a social life - let alone having time to make art and/or crafts. Today I am cooking up a storm of my own in the kitchen with carne asada, black beans y arroz w/Negro Modelo to wash it down. The food of inspiration. Let's see if it worls.



Cool Daddy-o neckties

A brief history of my creative endeavors:

I began creating a line of handcrafted jewelry and small art objects under the name Altared Motifs in the early 90s. My work was carried at the following locations: Y QUE (when it was on Heliotrope), Bus Stop, Plaza de la Raza, Self Help Graphics, Olvera Candle Shop, The Lucky Nun among other locations.



Santa's Rejects doll

I participated in numerous craft sales and group art exhibitions throughout Los Angeles including Dia de los Muertos events at Los Angeles Photography Center and the Xmas sales at Self Help Graphics This was in the day when vendors were not ripped off for booth fees. It was also a time when many artisans were creating actual handmade work unlike the digital imaging on mugs, candles, fabric, etc. Mass produced art meant laboring hours on end without breaks on a line of work where each item had it's unique handmade qualities.


Calaca pillow

Over the years I have experimented with a variety of mediums utilizing items found at thrift stores, swap meets and yard sales as the foundation for each piece. Wooden candle holders, ornate boxes, and picture frames were my pick of choice but every now and then I'd find a handbag that was easily converted into a portable art piece.

After working with found objects for several years I created Counter Couture: Fabricated Fashion Statements which was a line of unusual hand sewn handbags made from remnants of vintage and contemporary fabric, buttons, trim and beads. Each piece was inspired by people, places and things which had a positive impression on me throughout my life.

From that came Casa de Cientos Calaveras - handmade calavera pillows and my latest collection Santas Rejects - a limited edition series of cock-eyed dolls not suitable for the ordinary kid.



Corazon pillow




Counter Coture: Daily News handbag



Dia de los Muertos party favors

Dr. Phil-like puppet (commissioned piece)

Bad Wolf - unfinished doll head

Mid Century inspired pattern for pillow and curtains

Accent pillow

Handbag



Still skanking after all these years

Skatalites in L.A.

There was a nightclub here in Los Angeles back in the late 70s/early 80s which catered to the reggae/ska beat - but was open to all. The O.N. Klub was a tiny space on Sunset Blvd. nested between Westerly Terrace and Silver Lake Blvd. a location which, at the time, was less than favorable to most people and that was just fine for those who frequented the club. At any given time you could walk in and find a live set by some amazing ska bands or dance the night away to spinning vinyl.

There have been very few, if any, clubs like The O.N. Klub in L.A. although there has been several Mod/Ska revivals over the years like in the early 90s when Hong Kong Cafe in Chinatown made a slight comeback from it's punk heyday and then again in 2005 when The Airliner on North Broadway had a series of ska DJ sets and the occasional live band, none of those venues quite hit home like O.N. Klub. Maybe it was the era. A different time in a different world some 30 plus years ago when I had the energy to do the skank like the best of them. It doesn't really matter, I still have a genuine love for the music and the scene. I just need to get over the hipsterization of the neighborhood and let the music take over.

Tonight, Friday the 13th, The Skatalites will be performing at Los Globos which is located across the street from where The O.N. Klub used to be. It's a show not to be missed. Photos of the show to come (if I make it)

Photo: Linda Gamboa and Loretta Pedroza outside The Whiskey A Go Go - 1979
Photo credit: Diane Gamboa
++++++++++++++++++++
Due to a series of twists and turns in my plans for the evening I wasn't able to make it out to the show. No photos to share so I'm including a link to Simmer Down by the Skatalites. Enjoy!
Skatalites - Simmer Down (YouTube)

Explosive Art in L.A.

This morning I rearranged the furniture in my bedroom so that I can look out the window toward the L.A. skyline when sitting at my desk. I had just come home from a day out and fired up my computer when I heard a loud boom and saw a large cloud of black smoke. Luckily my camera was at hand because I was able to capture a few shots from the windown (top photo). I went to the corner and took another photo and was waiting for sirens - but there were none. After asking a few friends if they knew what was going on I found out it was an explosive art demonstration @ MOCA by artist Cai Guo-Qiang. I really wish I had known about this because I'm sure that was quite a display judging by what I heard and saw. Art in L.A. is another thing I love about this city.


This is what went up in smoke yesterday. Photo taken on Sun, Apr. 8, 2012 from Gold Line headed east. Temple @ Alameda in Little Tokyo.

click here to watch a YouTube video of the event. It's amazing.

These are just some of the things I love about Los Angeles:

Chinatown @ night

Photos: Linda Gamboa

Bahooka - bar

All Star Lanes - Eagle Rock

Old L.A. Zoo picnic grounds - Griffith Park

downtown L.A.

Little Cave - Highland Park

Don the Beachcomber - Huntington Beach

Boyle Heights

Hollywood Park Concert Series - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

Griffith Observatory

Downtown L.A.

Bankers District - Downtown L.A.

Cherry Blossom Festival - Little Tokyo

Tiki Ti - Los Feliz

Los Angeles - Downtown

Olvera Street

6th Street Bridge

Downtown L.A.

Clifton's - Downtown L.A.

Grand Central Market - Downtown L.A.

Cafe Tropical - Silver Lake

Grand Performances @ The Watercourt in Downtown L.A. - Nortec Collective

Angeles Crest

Hank's - Downtown L.A.

Rod's - Arcadia

Vintage Car Show - San Pedro

Casa Bianca - Eagle Rock

King's Head - Santa Monica

Frolic Room - Hollywood

Hop Louie - Chinatown

Twilight Dance Series @ Santa Monica Pier - Patti Smith

Central Library - Downtown L.A.

Yorkshire Grill - Downtown L.A.



Bullwinkle & Rocky - W. Hollywood



Philippe

Pony Rides - Griffith Park

Queen Mary - Long Beach

Echo Park Lake

Downtown LA ArtWalk

2nd Street Tunnel

ONYX - The good old days when coffee shops inspired  dialogue and creativity.

Griffith Park hiking path

Protests

Silver Lake Reservoir

Fiesta Shalom bringing together the Jewish/Mexican community - Breed Street Shul in Boyle Heights

Santa Monica Pier

Ghost Town in Knott's Berry Farm

Damon's

L.A. Skyline view from my bedroom window

Carroll Ave - Victorian Homes

Disneyland fireworks

Dia de Los Muertos - my fashions rocked the catwalk  @ Tropico de Nopal  - pictured: Emelda Gutierrez, Harry Ortiz-Liflan and Rochelle  Bassarear.(oh, and the bimbo blow up doll.)

Sand, wet sand, under my feet