Hot Toes in the City

After years of azure being my summer toe color, a violet phase begins.

Not much happening these days... summers have that effect on me. Brain just... what's the word? My point exactly.

Too hot/bright for photo wandering (or any wandering), as I literally gave myself a hot ass last week when I sat down (on Formosa again) to take a pic of a dead bumblebee (yep I brought it home) on the sidewalk. Hopefully I'll get the 12-shot roll finished off by the end of this week.

Been removing more dirt from the backyard in the early evenings, that I'll replace with good soil, then plant sunflower seeds. I can't wait for the garden grotto to bloom, as it will also provide some privacy from the ugly condo next door.

There's a pair of birds, swallows I think, that are protecting a nest in the trees behind the apt. from anything that gets remotely close, namely Mr. Squirrel, with whom they have numerous and LOUD skirmishes that the birds always win. Who needs tv?

No acting work in the immediate future... so if Mr. De Mille is out there... I'm still ready for my close-up!

Had lovely air-conditioned lunch with friend Julia at Le Pain Quotidien last Saturday, followed by heavenly $25 hour-long reflexology foot massages at my latest pampering discovery, JB Natural Foot Massage on Robertson, just north of Olympic. The $25 is a special rate that lasts until August 10th, though I suspect the price won't jump too high after that, since they're surrounded by very inexpensive nail places that do massages for cheap. Though the focus of the massage is the feet, it starts (as feet are soaking in hot water tub) with temples/head/arms, then feet (and really not sure of details cause I was THAT relaxed), then you turn over as the chair converts into a massage bed (this was way cool) for neck/upper back. Yes, I call this a deal.

• They take walk-ins, though there seems to be only 8 massage chairs, so you may want to call ahead.
• They take credit cards, though they didn't include a place for tip, and I had no cash, so I felt like a heel (can't help a good pun), but I will find a way to make up for the karma and bring cash next time for tip.
• They give you a punch value card, after 10 massages, you get 2 free!

Sweetie-pie wants to go with me next time, this weekend perhaps?

Stay cool until next time... Miss Absinthe

JB Natural Foot Massage

329 S. Robertson Blvd.

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

310-657-3888

Backyard Redux Initiative Success

Progress.

Will blog soon... summer has slowed me down and the backyard beckons.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Virginity Down the Drain

Celebrated July 4th with Sweetie-pie by seeing Public Enemies (suited for the rebel in me), followed by late lunch at Umami Burger (where we witnessed a group of stoners toking up in the parking lot as they waited for their food), for one of my favorite burgers, the SoCal (no tomato). After satisfying my primal and nostalgic carnivore cravings, I found this strange crown-shaped pic of one of the virginal Jonas Brothers (Nick) looking up from the disintegrating gutter/street. I leave it up to you to interpret the message.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Squirrel on the Move

The backyard wall is sort of a highway for squirrels, possums, and raccoons. Whenever there's a rustle in the trees, I usually jump up to see who's traveling where. Can't help it, I'm a geek for nature, especially when it comes to wild creatures in my trees!

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Found on Formosa Street

Walking on Formosa, just north of Santa Monica Blvd, I discovered this abandoned black knit hat, with a bright red eye-catching tag, upside down in such a way as to suggest it fell so hard it cracked the asphalt. I sat and took this pic, then crossed to my car and got in. Not one minute later, an older (say 60's-ish), stout and burly-looking gentleman, riding a bicycle south on Formosa, stopped at the hat. I, in my car across the street, grabbed the camera and tried to focus, unsuccessfully (cause he kept looking over at me!) as he bent over and looked at the hat, lost then regained balance on his bike, took off his shirt to reveal quite the gray fir coat on both sides and then rode off. I was sure he was going to take the hat with him! You'll just have to take my word for it... it was funny and sublime and real.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Smoky Sweet Salty Spicy Rich and Decadent Piggy Love

I have nearly perfected the taste of love/happiness (non-vegetarian variety). After two years of trial and error so yummy I didn't care, I have taken humble organic smoked bacon, organic brown sugar and spices and transformed them into such deliciousness, words can never truly describe the euphoria involved when devouring/consuming/stuffing your happy mouth, but as an example, Sweetie-pie took about 20 minutes to lick the foil that had remnants of caramelized pig fat and sugar hardened onto it and he nearly growled when I tried to pry it from his hands. I'm telling you this stuff really appeals to the primal child in all of us.

After I candied the bacon, I took the rendered fat, the sugar/spices the bacon marinated in for two days, and the little bits too small to make into candy pieces and reduced them into a luscious caramel that I then poured into candy molds and refrigerated.

Due to the strong addictive nature of this magical porky goodness (like there will be nothing left after tomorrow and that's a lot of piggy), I only make this 2 to 3 times a year to prevent early heart attacks.

Today as I was in the kitchen, this came to mind:

Homer: Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. Lisa, honey, are you saying you're never going to eat any animal again? What about bacon?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Ham?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Pork chops?
Lisa: Dad! Those all come from the same animal!
Homer: [Chuckles] Yeah, right Lisa. A wonderful, magical animal.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Portrait of Irie

Met Irie the dogess and her owner as I was wandering the neighborhood near my laundromat with my camera, and I asked and was given permission to photograph this very noble and beautiful, yet rarely still creature.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Michael Jackson Reflection, a Beer and a Cigarette on Fairfax

Walking down Fairfax Avenue (for lunch at Golden State Cafe) the day after MJ died, I found the strangest (like my life would have it any other way) poster equating MJ's death with Christ (no comment), so I took this reflective self-portrait to mark this surreal and historical (hysterical) occasion.

Further down the street I found the remains of someone taking a moment for themselves...

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Historical Treasure

A few years ago I was poking about in a run-down little thrift store in Grover Beach, CA (near Pismo) when I grabbed a bundle of vintage wooden coat hangers, paid my $1 and threw them in the back of the car until home in LA, where I discovered among the others... a coat hanger for the now-demolished Ambassador Hotel (and Coconut Grove nightclub), site of more history (Hollywood and int'l) than almost any other LA landmark, yet preservationists still couldn't save her. It makes me happy and sad every time I look at it and wonder what tales it could tell...

It's a reminder that there is treasure to be discovered in the unlikeliest of places. On to the next!

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Vintage Holy Grail

What do the New York Times, Goodwill, my grandmother, my birthday and Tippi Hedren have in common?

Let's start with Tippi Hedren, who I watched as a child (and often now on TCM) in the movie, The Birds, and in it she wears this gorgeous 3/4 length champagne-blonde mink coat, along with her one green outfit throughout the entire movie, and never looks... ahem, ruffled. For years ever since, I've been on the lookout for an affordable vintage champagne mink swing jacket, since I prefer that to the longer coat.

(Quick note on fur wearing - only vintage (over 40 years old) for me, there's so much of it out there, just collecting dust doing no good at all AND only mink, no rabbit/fox/chinchilla/snakeskin/alligator/eel etc. I don't expect everyone to agree/understand or like it, but c'est la vie. Seriously do you want those poor little minks to have died in vain?)

then

Grandma sent me $100 for my birthday, which she does every year, since I'm her only grandchild.

then

On 6-11-09, I read an online NYT article called, Look Who's Shopping Goodwill, that discusses how Goodwill is thriving in this economy by paying attention to fashion, quality, labels and targeting Recessionistas, AND that they had an online auction site, Shopgoodwill.org worth checking out.

then

I checked it out.

then

There it was, THE coat, my furry holy grail... my size, lined in silk, with the former owner's name embroidered on the inner pocket (Anne Boyd from Portland area) and velvet lined pockets... and still at a price I could afford.

then

I watched for days and waited... then 15 minutes before the auction ended, I bid... and bid... and bid, and on my last bid, over $60 from my original bid, I got it! I got the coat, paid for shipping and had three dollars left over from Grandma's birthday $$. Not bad.

then

It came in the mail a few days ago and all I can say is...

• Merci Tippi Hedren/Edith Head/Alfred Hitchcock!
• Merci NYT online
• Merci Goodwill
• Merci Grandma!!!

Wait a second! Did you hear something?

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Portrait of Phil

Sunshine + Santa Monica Blvd + Seated Phil = Second Portrait

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Still Life with Beer and Litter

My favorite taco in town is the fried shrimp taco from Best Fish Taco in Ensenada, which is actually on Hillhurst, just north of Sunset in Los Feliz. For $5 I get two tacos and fantastic fresh salsas, a can of diet coke, and the most charming owner Joseph or his lovely mother, at the register. Last week I took friend Amy for the first (not the last she says) time, and I implored Joseph (not exaggerating) to set up a shop somewhere within walking distance of my apt... there is an open space on W.3rd, across from Cedars!

On the way back to the car I saw this nearly-full beer and pinkish wrapper, keeping each other company on the curb in front of the auto repair shop next to BFTIE, sat down in the gutter and took the shot.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Cause Three Out of Four Ain't Bad...

1. Saw Star Trek again - check (first time I've been to a movie twice since I was a kid and still loved it!)
2. Ate two fried shrimp taco's at Best Fish Taco in Ensenada - check (and the owner was soo charming)
3. Took three pics - check
4. and BH Farmer's Market - yeah well... felt like sleeping in, so next week for sure - uh huh. ;)
5. BUT I did spend two hours today in the back yard removing more dirt, planting some mint, lavender and spider plants, and one of my neighbors' threw out a small particle-board bistro table that will be perfect for having my morning coffee at, so I took it and moved it to our side of the yard, having to feng shui/re-arrange yet again the motley crew of old furniture. I've scored so much from what my neighbors throw out!
6. Did I mention the pain au chocolat from Breadbar? Simple pastry heaven.

Was sitting in the living room today, watching Born Yesterday w/ Judy Holliday & William Holden (major crush), feet up on coffee table and afternoon sunlight streaming though the windows and vintage wood screen, casting shadows on my toes, so I asked Sweetie-pie to take a pic...

It turned out better that I had anticipated!!! My toes look like candy and my feet are bird-esque, perhaps a peacock's pedicure?

Five points to anyone who gets what today's blog-title is a reference to. Prizes to be determined... uh huh.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Loving My Golden Birthday Month

Sweetie-pie wonderfully struck again with another golden birthday surprise... a vintage gold purse sold by one of my favorite flickr/etsy photographer/bloggers, Elle Moss. She sells some of her used props on Etsy and not only is the purse what the French call, Super Cool (imagine the accent s'il vous plait), BUT she included one of her beautiful pictures and wrapped the whole package in the prettiest paper!!! And her prices are beyond reasonable, so please check her out.

June is almost over and I have one more birthday gift to share with you, but I'm awaiting its arrival... I bought it for myself with $ my grandma sends me every year for my birthday (I'm her only/the only grandchild). Stay tuned.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Red Bird with Shadow

Afternoon light casts a lovely lattice-work of shadows on my red bird pillow, that graces a vintage 50's/60's rocking chaise in the living room.

Ah, the weekend is here...

Planning to:

• See Star Trek for the 2nd time (yeah it's that good) with friend Amy.
• Have 1 or 2 fried shrimp tacos at The Best Fish Taco in Ensenada, which is actually on Hillhurst in Los Feliz.
• Really make it to the BH Farmer's Market Sunday, instead of flaking out, like the past 5 weeks (no joking).
• Take a pic or two or three...

Have a great weekend darlings!

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Dirtlife Diptych

Items found in the backyard dirt + dead tree + rusty iron grate = art meets archeology.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Fairfax Reflection

Have been craving Animal on Fairfax (namely their lettuces salad w/ beets & OMG pork belly sliders), and so Sweetie-pie and I decided to cruise on over to Fairfax around 5pm to take some pics of the 'hood, then meandered over to Animal at 6, because you can eat at the bar without a reservation and the bar filled up in 7 minutes.

We left enough room to cross Fairfax and indulge our sweet-tooth by sharing some bacon/caramel ice cream made by Scoops at the Golden State Cafe. Oh that magical pig...

The graffiti on this reflective surface caught my eye, so I thought I might get a self-portrait from it.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

You Would Nap Too

Here are two more pics for my "Unmade Bed" series.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

Grilled Cheese From Nowhere

My dreams of living a life worthy of being a heroine in a Tom Robbins novel are coming true...

I recently decided to stop whining about my lousy backyard (cause I rent and my landlord doesn't care) and just do something about it, so last week I embarked on my great backyard beautification project by dislodging and removing a ton of impacted dirt (which yielded some great finds and pics are coming) and re-arranging the odd bits of semi-furniture (which I plan to sand and paint). It's already an improvement and so nice to have that stale energy gone (I'm very sensitive that way).

So there I am, minding my own business, doing some watering with the new eco-friendly hose I bought, facing south, looking around to see what I want to photograph and how, such as the vines on the back of my neighbor's garage that forms part of our yard...

or how two bikes, that have been chained for years to my neighbor's window, are slowly becoming part of the scenery as the grasses and weeds grow and intertwine the wheels and frames, becoming a new organic sculpture...

I turn around, facing north... and there's a grilled cheese sandwich in the middle of the walkway, between my apt building and the apt building north of ours. That was NOT there 2 minutes prior... and I was quite dumbfounded at the discovery.

Then I remembered the Tom Robbins novel, Skinny Legs and All... where amongst a lot of other groovy, mystical, political, historical plotlines (can you tell he's my FAVORITE author), there's a group of "inanimate" objects (a sock, a beancan, a conch shell and a stick) trekking across America to get to the middle east to save the world.

I wonder where the sandwich is going...

Until next time... Miss Absinthe

The Gatekeeper on Alden

This windowed door is just around the corner from Robertson and this mesmerizing beagle caught my eye, sitting there, looking right through me. He/she just sat there, giving me the time to take the shot... then another dog walked by and the beagle had more important barking to do.

Good dog.

Until next time... Miss Absinthe