Poetic Shutterbug

While in Culver City I found so many opportunities to take some shadow shots. It was the perfect time of day, it was sunny and all those palm leaves allowed for some interesting photos. I first became inspired by Icy over at Reach Beyond Limits . She has in the past taken some of the most phenomenal shadow photos I've ever seen. So, I thought well why not try it out and see what happens. I felt a little weird just taking pictures of the side of the hotel but then again it was LA and I was a tourist. I have to teach myself to become more aware of these type of photo opportunities here at home. Enjoy!

Photo taken at dusk @ The Radisson Hotel in Culver City I decided to post this photo today because it displays how I feel. I finally went to the doctor which I normally don't do but I could not breathe so I went in to find out that I basically have a viral pneumonia which means I have to just rest and take it easy. Yesterday was the first day that I did not have to nap during the day which is a good sign so it looks as if I'm on the mend. I still however cannot taste anything or smell anything. Since I can't taste anything, my normal not so healthy eating habits have vanished and I'm eating healthy greens, soups and fruit. Of course when I'm feeling better, I'm off for waffles :) I will try and get some comments in today. One thing I have noticed blog wise which is very interesting is that I have not been dropping EC for a while now. What's interesting is that it has not affected my traffic at all so I'm rethinking keeping EC. I have this love/h...

More photos from Culver City. I always enjoy the unusual and offbeat so this montage fit right into that genre. The above is a shot of some exotic foliage which was located right outside one of the decks at the Radisson . This place was built for comfort. I just liked the shadow shot in the above picture. There were rock gardens all over the grounds and I really enjoyed the different shapes and sizes. The above artwork consists of some type of tile and paint. I loved the color and texture when I noticed it outside the Radisson complex so I had to take a shot. You can enlarge all of these photos by clicking on the pictures. I'll have more during the week but for now, this is all I can do on the computer. Still under the weather with no energy. I'll hopefully be visiting all of you again next week.

I have to say that I have never seen so many palm trees in one place which includes a trip to Hawaii I took decades ago. I was in heaven. I love palm trees. All of these photos were taken around the hotel grounds. It was simply beautiful. The weather during the day was warm and cooled off during the evening. It was perfect. I never thought I would find anything interesting to capture around a hotel but I managed some good nature shots. I will also have some very interesting shadow shots as well. Stay tuned.

This was such an interesting shot with these little bushes by the Palm trees which were located out near one of the patios at the Radisson . I just had to get a photo. It was so peaceful, sweet and bright. I kept snapping photos of this spot because it was so sweet when all of a sudden, Carmen appears right out of the bushes fixing her bra strap - of course I couldn't post that photo, I mean this is a G rated blog. And, if you look closely at the background you'll see her "date." That smile on her face and appearing out of nowhere in those bushes with that half naked hunk in the background tells me one thing - a Margiedale was on the loose and Carmen had him in those bushes. Thank God I didn't catch that on camera :D

All of these photos were taken at the courtyard surrounding the Radisson Hotel in Culver City. As I mentioned in my previous post we did not have any time to do sightseeing however we didn't have to as there were many interesting photo opportunities around the hotel grounds. The above photo displays a small water/rock fountain amongst the lush fern and palms adorning the water pond. This was a beautiful and somewhat exotic setting. Walking past this scene you come to the fitness center and the hotel pool. I love fern and palm trees so this was a nice and peaceful spot. I felt as if I were in Hawaii surrounded by all this beauty.

What a fantastic short trip we had in Culver City. We flew in Friday afternoon and flew back Saturday afternoon. We ate, drank - a little too much and partied through the evening. We really didn't leave the hotel to do any sightseeing since it was such a quick trip and we were all tired. We still however managed to get some interesting photos of which I will be posting through this coming week. The above photo is a shot of downtown Culver City and was taken through the hotel room window. There were from what I could see many little strip malls and so many palm trees that you just felt like you should be drinking Mai Tai's and Chi Chi's. The weather was perfect as was the entire trip. I wanted to get a shot of the Culver City sign for you so I snapped this while on the complimentary hotel shuttle back to LAX. Of course, when I snapped the shot there was no car in view. I obviously need a new camera with a faster speed :) I will have much more including some photos ...

Photo courtesy of tripcents.com I am off to Culver City, CA where I will be joining friends to include Carmen over at Carmen's Chronicles to see our dear friend Sony Holland performing at the Culver's Club for Jazz at the Radisson hotel. We will be eating, drinking and partying so no time to blog. I scheduled this post a few days in advance. It will be just like old times only in La La Land. I'm not sure what sightseeing opportunities there are in Culver City but I will bring the old camera and see if I can come up with some interesting shots for you. I also don't know if the venue allows photos or video but since I will also be working for Sony the evening of the concert, I may be able to pull off a video. I probably will not be back to work blogging until Monday. And, if I don't come back, don't look for me :D A video to enjoy while I'm enjoying the real thing :) Jo

I normally do not like to use this blog for my rants. However since I usually just rave, what is one little rant now and then. Of course this is the second time I've complained about the airlines on this blog so I'll just continue the series. As many of you know, I'll be going to Culver City the end of this month to see Sony perform with the Theo Saunders quartet . I booked the trip way in advance as soon as I heard she would be performing there. I got a great fare with Virgin America at $39.00 each way. So, I will fly down on the 29 th and return on the 30 th . Those of you who know me well, know that the Grammy awards are an event for me each year. I usually attend a Grammy's party and enjoy the show. Well I didn't even think about the awards when I booked my trip to LA. The show is usually in February so I didn't even think about it until today when I saw online that the show was going to be held at the Staples center on the 31st. I immediat...