I Went to California But I Forgot to Blog About It

Another great thing about school reunions is how reality just klaps you in the face. When we were young we were all going to be the great movers and shakers of our generation. Every single one of us was going to do what we loved and excel at it. Ten years on most of us were nowhere we thought we would be. There were no household name directors, movie stars or celebrities at this reunion. None of us are president of any country or major corporation. Nobody won any medals for curing diseases or invented the next big thing. Most of us are just regular people living regular lives. Some have died and some are probably homeless or junkies living in seedy motel rooms but they did not come to the reunion. Most of the people who showed up seemed to be relatively satisfied with their lives.


Downtown Los Angeles from Griffith Observatory
That is not a problem with the lens. That is the smog.


The Hollywood sign from Griffith Observatory
Most large cities have a large tower with great views. Los Angeles has Griffith Observatory.


Capitol Records
This is where old men in suits butchered Beatles albums. I don’t think the Beatles ever set foot in the building but their Walk of Fame stars are here.


Sunset Blvd
The street changes dramatically from Los Angeles to Beverly Hills.


Powell Library
With comfortable chairs and 8 million books you could easily spend a lot of time here.


Royce Hall
The steps may not look like much but on a hot summer day they can give you a good workout.


Queen Mary
Now a hotel and museum. I’ve no idea why there is a Russian submarine next to it.

All the Leaves Are Brown

When we were in school we were young and idealistic. We wanted to save the world. Or at least change it. None of us saved the world as far as I know. I’m not sure if anybody changed it. Everybody was going to be the next Spielberg. Nobody in my graduating class is anybody you have ever heard of. A few are working in the entertainment industry but they are not famous. I went to school at the same time as a few people who are now marginally known but they probably do not have Tom Cruise on their speed dial.