Weekend Guide: May 3 + 4 + 5

Posted on May 3, 2013 by LifeAbsorbed

Friday night (May 3rd) check out the Pancake and Booze art show downtown from 8p-2am. It’s being held at Lot 613, 613 Imperial St, LA (aka warehouse party/art show). Cover is $5 but it includes all you can eat pancakes. There will be live body painting, a photo booth, a stencil art performance, and a 3d blacklight experience. Street parking is free but sketchy, and the show has a $7 lot.

Independent Label Market is hosting a FREE music event on Saturday May 4th at 11 to 4pm in Silverlake. Expect food trucks and live music. Think of this as a farmers market for the music industry. It’s located at the Micheltorena Elementary School in Silverlake and check HERE for more details.

After checking out the Independent Label Market, head over the the Vegan Beer & Food Festival on Sunset in West Hollywood on Saturday. More than 40+ brewers are participating with more than 30 food vendors and live music. Tickets are $40 in advance (get them here) and general admission gives you unlimited beer sampling. Beer lovers unite!

On Sunday May 5th it’s Cinco de Mayo… but it’s also Big Sunday! Big Sunday is a volunteer weekend about helping your community. In the past I’ve chopped wood at a kids summer camp, danced with elderly people at an old folks social, volunteered at the first Echo Park Art Walk and even made sandwiches and hand delivered them to homeless people. All of these activities were rewarding, eye opening, extremely memorable and a great chance to meet others in the community interested in helping others. There’s still plenty of time to sign up for an event. Do it!

Beach Yoga With Brad

Posted on April 22, 2013 by LifeAbsorbed

This past weekend two friends and I decided to check out beach yoga in Santa Monica. We decided to take a Saturday morning class through Beach Yoga with Brad. There’s no pre-registering necessary, so we carpooled down to Santa Monica together and went to Marine Street and followed it out to the ocean edge were Brad was preparing for the day.

When we arrived there were only a handful of people which eventually filled out into a large (but un-intimidatingly large) group. Brad is very nice and offered up sunscreen to people who forgot theirs. He’s a music conductor too, so he has a booming voice and excellent rhythm.

Since his “yoga studio” is relatively endless on the beach, he can support a lot of people and we could also really spread out. The class we attended is from 10:30-Noon on Saturday and is a $10 donation. Being extra long meant that the last series of restful poses were held longer than in an average hour long class. These poses are my favorite so I was glad we spent so much time doing them and meditating. With the waves crashing and the light breeze it was a perfect day.

We ended up extending our stay long after class finished. It was a glorious way to spend a Saturday. I’m hoping the zen feeling lasts all week.

(Image taken from Yoga With Brad’s facebook page)

Here you can see I made Brad’s facebook page for the day (it’s not flattering, so don’t look too closely). If you’re interested in trying beach yoga, definitely friend “Beach Yoga With Brad” on facebook to learn more about his class. It’s great for all levels of yoga and there’s no need to be intimidated. You should do it!

Do This Today: Weekend Edition

Posted on April 19, 2013 by LifeAbsorbed

This weekend has SOOO much going on, I can’t do all the events justice so instead I’m going to do an abbreviated Weekend Guide. Here goes…

Tonight visit the Iam8bit Art Gallery for the opening of their newest show “It’s the ShizNICK!” celebrating the good ol’ days of Nickelodeon tv shows and cartoons. From 7-11p tonight they are having their opening celebration with live tunes by DJ Lance, a “Photo Playset”, and SLIME! Get ready to get nostalgic!

Do you love reading? And books? And Authors? Check out the LA Times Festival of Books! I went last April and had a fun day (check that post here). Be sure to bring sun screen and walk’in shoes, cause it’s a big event.

The Echo Park Art Walk is happening on Saturday in Echo Park (duh) from 12p-6pm! I do a lot of my secret stair walks around here and it’s a fun neighborhood to explore. Many shops are participating and this is a fun people-watching neighborhood. I went to this two years ago and saw Danny Devito and his wife enjoying a local band performing on the street. I can’t recommend this event enough and it celebrate local small businesses.

Go from the Echo Park Art Walk to the Frogtown Art Walk! Come check out this cool neighborhood along the LA River from 4 to 7pm on Saturday.

Are you less into books and more into cycling? Or running, or just general moseying along the streets of LA? The next CicLAvia is happening this Sunday from 10a-3p. Check out the map HERE for details about road closures. It’s Marina Del Ray to downtown. Get out your sneakers!

There’s just SO much happening this weekend, it’s hard to choose! Either way, get out there and have a fabulous weekend. It’s FRIDAY! Enjoy!

Do This Today Weekend Edition: Pillow Fight Day!

Posted on April 6, 2013 by LifeAbsorbed

(Image taken from Pillow Fight Day 2012 here)

Today is National Pillow Fight Day! Head down to Pershing Square with your softest pillow and get ready for some fun. It’ll be happening from 3-5p today. Be sure to stretch first.

Event: National Pillow Fight Day (event link)
Location: Pershing Square, Downtown Los Angeles, CA
Time: Saturday April 6, 2013 3-5pm
Cost: FREE!

San Clemente + Dunkin’ Donuts

Posted on April 3, 2013 by LifeAbsorbed

This past Friday (Good Friday) was a holiday for me and several friends. We decided to hop in the car and head south of Los Angeles for a beach road trip to San Clemente!

We had really great intensions, but the weather was just not on board. It was gray the entire day. But we didn’t let it bring us down!

We started by walking around their cute little downtown strip and hoped that by the afternoon the sun would come out. Around 1pm we decided it was time for lunch and had previously read about The Fisherman’s Restaurant and Bar along the pier. The meal was delicious and I highly recommend this place.

We hoped that after lunch the sun would be out, but alas it stayed hidden behind the clouds. That didn’t stop us from walking the pier and along the beachside path.

I put my foot in the water and it wasn’t as chilly as it looked, although you still couldn’t pay me to go for a dip in the water.

As we finished our walk, we realized that a different adventure awaited us. We are from the East Coast where Dunkin’ Donuts are on every corner and yet there’s no Dunkin’ Donuts in LA. Not too long ago they opened up a Dunkin’ Donuts on Camp Pendelton’s base. This is the closest DD to Los Angeles and it also happens to be a short drive from San Clemente.

It’s a big joke, as we’ve talked about road tripping it down to this DD since it opened but it’s a long drive for coffee. We were all so excited to add this little adventure on to our road trip and happily enjoyed our coffee and donuts

Around The World She Goes!

Posted on March 25, 2013 by LifeAbsorbed

I am not the only blogger in the family, and my travel blogging sister (As Her World Turns) embarked on a long journey at 11pm at LAX last night. Check out the link to her blog and you can follow her journey as she spends the next 10+months traveling the globe. She also worked in television for many years on the soap opera Young and the Restless (she’s an Emmy winner!). She quit her job, sold her condo, her car, and most of her belongings so all she owns are some goods in a storage unit and whatever is in the bag on her back. Is that an adventure or what?!

I will have posts this week showing her bon voyage celebration (great tips for DIY party decorating). Check out the link to her blog and you can follow her journey as she spends the next 10+months traveling the globe.

GIBBONS!

Posted on March 19, 2013 by LifeAbsorbed

This past weekend my sister and I jumped in the car and ran up to Santa Clarita to spend our Saturday morning at…

The Gibbon Conservation Center! They’re open from 9:30 – 1pm (the website says they’re only open until noon, but the sign at the facility says 1pm).

When you arrive they give you a laminated sheet with info about each gibbon on one side. The back side shows a map of the enclosures and feeding times.

The above photo gives you a good taste of how the enclosures are kept. They have shade and sunlight. There are plenty of branches and toys to play with as well as little igloos for privacy. There are metal benches everywhere for viewing pleasure.

This back edge of the property is where tools and even other gibbons are kept.

Feeding time!

So human like.

How cute are mama and baby above? They are my second favorite gibbons. My favorite gibbon is…

Goliath! He’s barely a year old and super adorable.

He played with a blanket in his enclosure.

Here’s Goliath’s mom above.

Just hangin’ out.

This lady came up and posed for me! She heard my feet against the gravel as I walked up and came running and slid onto the ground. So human-like.

I made the above clip to show you how they jump around. Some are docile and others are all over the place. They seem to really enjoy people watching as much as we enjoy watching them. Some seemed to put on a show.

They don’t just jump around, some walk.

Watching them eat was fun. They have a very healthy diet. This gibbon was just fed fruits and veggies. The cost of their groceries must be extensive, so I highly recommend visiting the gibbons, paying the $10 admission fee and even donate more if you can. It’s warm out there and it’s not inclosed so bring sun screen and a hat. It’s also all gravel, so wear sneakers or walking will be uncomfortable. If you stick it out until feeding times, you’ll get to hear their special gibbon “singing”.

Tune In Tomorrow For…

Posted on March 18, 2013 by LifeAbsorbed

GIBBONS! I just finished editing my Gibbon photos from my weekend visit to The Gibbon Conservation Center in Santa Clarita, CA. I can’t wait to tell you about this amazing place and it’s adorable Gibbons. Here’s a teaser of my favorite Gibbon, Goliath. He’s a toddler.

Secret Stair Walk #16: Allesandro Loop

Posted on March 13, 2013 by LifeAbsorbed

– In 2012 I had the goal to do all 42 walks from my book, “Secret Stairs, A Walking Guide to the Historic Staircases of LA” by Charles Flemming. I was 10 walks shy of meeting my goal, but thats means I get to enjoy the Secret Stair walks in 2013! These posts are to (hopefully) convince you to buy the book and get out there to explore the secret stairs around LA. Enjoy! –

My most resect secret stair walk was in Echo Park, #16: Allesandro Loop. I did it in conjunction with walk #17 to really make an afternoon of it.

In quiet sunny Echo Park, you really get a great view of the city.

STAIRS!

The road might end, but the path continues. I got to meet several nice people along this trek.

Down, down, down.

Graffiti fun. Local flavor.

Echo Park is colorful creative hillside. You never know what you’ll find.

The dogs above were adorable. When I stumbled upon them the little dog was curled laying on the larger dogs arms… dog spooning. It was the cutest thing. Of course when I paused to take a photo, they jumped up and ran to the fence barking. Their friendship is really sweet.

This was in the window above someones front door. Like a guard dinosaur.

More roaming through the hills.

The above home (and below, mailbox) are Paul Landacre‘s. He was a famous artist/printmaker/woodworker. It’s unfortunate this property is boarded up. I’m so curious to know what’s inside (signs everywhere say “do not trespass”).

Above is a fun/tacky gardenscape that’s taken over an Echo Park property. The gnomes and their castle.

I finished this walk passing by this home with a cat staring me down. Only after a few snap shots did I see there was another cat further back watching me, and then another cat on the stairs. They blended in so well, that before I knew it I was in front of MANY cats… all quietly watching me.

Secret Stair Walk #17: Fellowship Park

Posted on March 4, 2013 by LifeAbsorbed

A couple weeks ago I ventured out on Secret Stair walk #17: Fellowship Park, up in Echo Park’s hills. I really enjoyed this walk, as it really felt like I stumbled on a hidden gem in Los Angeles.

Plants!

Echo Park feels so quiet up in the hills, it’s easy to forget how close to downtown it is. But occasionally you’ll reach a hilltop and catch a glimpse (like above) of city life.

This was a fun diagonal set of stairs connecting two residential streets.

Hills and hills and hills…

Such a beautiful day for a secret stair climb. The flowers are blooming and spring is coming!

The above photo shows you my favorite part of this walk. That staircase to the right of the garage seems like it’s private and leading to someones residence, but really it’s a little hidden pathway. Like the wardrobe that leads to Narnia, these steps lead to Fellowship Park.

This seemingly private staircase changes from rough steps to a well manicured pathway, with it’s own babling brooks following alongside.

This land was formally a religious compound but now is shared land with several little homes along it’s path. There are also several gates you have to pass through, making it feel like you’re trespassing but it’s technically public land. Isn’t the cute house perched on this land adorable? The hammock is right along the path and allows for excellent views of downtown.

The path topography keeps changing! See the mailboxes? There are signs of life along this secret path.

It’s a two seater at the perfect sunset spot.

I liked this area so much that mid-walk I had to give it a thumbs up! Notice the path change again. On to dirt!

Eventually, the path ends at a gate leading to a main road. The signs say “no trespassing” but that must have been put up by neighbors hoping to hide their LA gem. And I was back on the road hunting for more secret stairs.

You know how I love doors, and here are some gates! I just love the texture and colors (which were more vibrant in person).

And that concludes another Echo Park Secret Stair weekend expedition.

LifeAbsorbed

Los Angeles on a budget!

Category Archives: Adventures!