We know a few of you are pretty upset with our "Best" voting system. As you may be aware, we've already made some changes:
We reset the "Best" votes on the first day of each month (so that all photos start each month with zero votes). This allows more recent photos to compete with older photos (which previously had a "head start" for vote-gathering). It also means that the photos you folks hate so much -- you know which ones I mean -- are gone (but that seems to be making way for new photos you hate!).
We blocked IP addresses that have been noted to vote excessively (we're talking, say, a couple of thousand votes in a short period).
But some of you still seem mad!
I'll tell you what...there are a couple more things we can try. But we're not sure you'll like them either. So let's put the ball in your court: we'll let you vote on the option that you prefer, and the option with the most votes at midnight on September 30th will be the winner.
A few things you should know about your choices before you vote:
If you choose the "Rate This Photo" option, this is likely to cause a lot of ties. We might have ten "#1" photos instead of just one.
If you choose to leave the system as it is, I hope everyone will be a lot more civil in the comments! You know who you are, sourpusses.
If you have any other suggestions or thoughts, we'd love to hear them -- leave a comment on this post if you please!
What is that strange word that is just one letter away from spelling "Google"?
"Googie" architecture is that ultra-modern, funky, super futuristic style of coffee shops, restaurants, and bowling alleys, you may have seen around L.A.
Pictured here is an abstract shot of the Theme Building at LAX, which houses the restaurant Encounter.
Submitter JamesG writes in his caption: "Dusk at Encounter Restaurant, LAX. Completed 1961, designed by Paul Williams. His projects paved the way for African-American architects. The interior is like a lava lamp."
Cool. I want to be inside a lava lamp! Thanks for this fine photo, JamesG. And for the litte history lesson. Paul Williams was also responsible for the designing the Beverly Hills Hotel and Perino's, as well as many homes to the stars.
For more on Googie architecture around Los Angeles and much of Southern California, check out Whitney Friedlander's guided tour. Or the return of Bob's Big Boy in California, a great example of Googie's pop.
"Encounter Restaurant" from the album L.A. Landmarks, submitted by JamesG.
It is not so much the motel that makes this photo, but instead the pink-purple backdrop that enhances the neon Route 66 sign that makes this shot so dreamy.
To get your weekend started, to get you revved up for one last August drive, take a look. This picture makes Arizona at twilight look like the only place to be.
"Route 66" from the album Route 66, submitted by pdkreisman.
This cantankerous little devil seems to be having himself a blast playing with his soccer ball. I love his enthusiasm so much I can hardly stand it.
Thanks so much submitter Michelle for making my Friday! I think I'll just go home now (okay, boss?). It ain't gonna get any better than this.
"Soccer Ball Dog -- AMAZING!!!" from the album Your Dog Videos, submitted by Michelle
--Lindsay Barnett
P.S. Apologies to any of you who may be using an Internet Explorer browser -- we've heard rumblings that this video might not appear properly in IE. I swear if you click the "Your Dog Videos" link above it should work for you. But sorry for the extra step! (It's worth it.)
Ever go out on someone's balcony and wish you had their view? Check out the photo above. Looks like a dreamy sunset shot. Don't the phone lines and the palm trees provide the perfect man vs. nature contrast?
Funny thing about palm trees: Though they have come to symbolize the laid back, SoCal lifestyle, only one variety of palm tree (Washingtonia filifera) is native to the area. All other palms were, at some point in time, imported.
"View from Rosa's" from the album On the Street, submitted by Gabby.
Is this a Kandinsky? Or perhaps an early piece from Miro? An abstract painting this is not. Rather, this is a fantastic photograph, which looks like it was taken somewhere on the outskirts of Downtown L.A.
If inside a warehouse or an artist's dimly-lit studio, the photographer captured the perfect frame for the U.S. Bank Tower of the Downtown skyline.
Most of the windows here are painted over or covered in colored tissue paper to make an interesting and surprising shot. Wish I could have a huge print of this for my living room.
"Window View" from the album L.A. Scenes, submitted by cme.
Another gorgeous, classic California shot to get your weekend started.
Here photographer Jay writes in his caption: "Two surfers coming in from an afternoon of surfing at Rockpile Beach in Laguna."
Just looking at this shot makes me long to be in the water. If you, too, look at this picture, and think: I'd rather be swimming. Then maybe our coverage of swimmer-extraordinaire Michael Phelps and the rest of the Olympics action happening at the Water Cube in Beijing will whet (pun completely intended) your appetite. Check out The Times' Olympics coverage here.
"Let's go in" from the album Surf & Sea, submitted by Jay.
Okay, I just down right love this photo. It speaks to my love for all things All-American. Cruising down the street in an automobile with fuzzy dice hanging from the dash! That's classic.
Then, to kick it up a notch, if you peer out of the windshield, you can see a McDonald's in the not-too-far-off distance. Who doesn't love those French fries?
This picture screams: Roadtrip!
And if you want even more shots of roadtripping hot spots, check out what the Los Angeles Times has deemed "Secret Spots of the West." Find the unexpected in ordinary places.
To bring the classic All-American theme full circle, take a spin through this lovely photo gallery of American's most sung about, well-loved stretch of highway: Route 66.
"Untitled" from the album On the Street, submitted by CP.
Could this photo be any more L.A.? You've got the freeway, cars speeding by, a mural on the side wall, and some tagging that has been scribbled over. Graffiti: to some an art, to others a crime. Some pieces put up on walls in the L.A. area are a true expresssion of artisitc accomplishment. We have even featured some of those examples right here on the Your Scene Blog, like this one or this one.
Graffiti represents one of those really rich local conversations that are ongoing in this community: who are graff writers? How do they do it? Why do they do it? Is it a crime? Is it art? All excellent questions.
In fact, Steve Lopez's column today digs even deeper into the graffiti world and the communities that embrace or despise it. Check it out.
"Street scene" from the album Street Art, submitted by deano.
Summer is coming to a close, and in true Hollywood style, I think of the sun setting, as people drive away into the sunset.
The Southwestern deserts provide a wonderful landscape for dreamy backdrops such as this one--the perfect combination of some swirly clouds, and somehow bright pastel colors that give a last-minute light-up to a big sky.
The shadows of Joshua Trees carve out the key contrast.
This photo makes me think of home.
"Sunset" from the album Joshua Tree, submitted by soleus75.
This place actually sounds less inviting than the infamous Shady Pines, former residence of the late, great Estelle Getty's character Sophia Petrillo from The Golden Girls. (R.I.P. Estelle!)
All I can say is...Mom and Dad, you'd better be nice if you don't want to eventually wind up here at Trails End. You've been warned. (Bwahahahahahaha.)
"Great Name!" from the album Weird America, submitted by oldreb
--Lindsay Barnett
P.S. One of my favorite things about oldreb's photo is some of the great comments it received. My personal, super-bizarre favorite?
ralpho says: There
are days when I'm already there in the cheapest trailer wearing
flipflops and a bandana round my head as I smoke up my Parliaments and
cough up my pride.
Ralpho, I have no idea what you're talking about but I think I love you.
The title of this photo is "Nuns on the Mexican Riviera," and at first I took a look and thought: wow, these nuns really know how to take a vacation. I mean, just look at them standing out there on the big deck, enjoying the ocean breeze and the view.
Then, I looked again. Very funny, JimmyD! This is a trick photo. Look closer to see that there are no nuns in this photo, but rather a bunch of well-placed black umbrellas.
The most clever shot I've seen in a little while. Thought you all would enjoy this one in the spirit of those last minute summer vacations everyone is trying to squeeze in before the month's end.
"Nuns on the Mexican Riviera" from the album Tours & Cruises, submitted by JimmyD.
Submitter LT sends this photo (from our Man's Best Friend album) called "This Little Puggy", apparently just to torture me. Is that correct, LT? If that is your real name? Do I know you and you have some personal vendetta against me?
Because this puppy is breaking my spirit. Too. Cute.
--Lindsay Barnett
P.S. If you, like me, can't get enough of adorable puppy photos, might I humbly suggest you check out The Daily Puppy? Your life will be immeasurably better for it. Cross my heart.
Let's just say, the management was getting some complaints about all the raucous late-night bugle parties happening around here.
While we're at it, we're also issuing a moratorium on trombones, tubas and -- if you don't watch yourself -- your clarinet will be next, Mr. Fancy-Pants Artie Shaw!
"No Tubas" from the album Weird Warnings, submitted by Magawa
Folks, this photo is pretty much blowing my mind this morning. And it's not just because it's early and I'm not yet fully caffeinated. It is because it is criminally cute. Look at that little baby's stripey legs (which I much prefer to the stripey leg warmers favored by you hipsters. Yeccccch)! And look how much he loves his mama!
You gotta love a kid who loves his mama.
See more photos of Somali wild ass babies at the St. Louis Zoo's site! They will dramatically improve your outlook on life, I promise.
"Wild Ass Protection Plan" from the album Wildlife, submitted by Diane
Submitter Vicki sends this photo to our ever-popular Weird Warnings album. It brings up so many troubling questions. Notably: how exactly does one harass a jellyfish?
I mean, I support animal rights as much as the next guy, really I do. (I even read this blog!) I'm just having trouble imagining what, exactly, harassment of a jellyfish would entail.
Poking it?
Throwing things at it?
Swearing at it?
Giving it a menacing glare?
It seems like any of these options would be likely to cause more harm to the harasser than the harassee. Am I right or am I right? Or am I right?
Vicki, are you out there? Can you provide the answers I seek?
"This cat was part of a rescued litter found roadside about 6 months earlier. They were placed with our pet female rabbit who immediately took them in..." explains submitter rjlee.
Um...my heart hurts. Can we please please please forward this photo (from our much-loved Four-Legged Friends album) to every world leader?? If anything can give us hope for a peaceful future it is certainly interspecies snorgling. God bless us, every one!
Summer sunsets are something to behold on the West Coast. And, if you are into neighborhoods and little corners of Los Angeles, few people could argue that more beautiful skylines can be found anywhere else than on the Westside.
The photo above is Pico and La Cienega, filled with dark billboards and a grayed-out backdrop.
This one was taken at the Westside Pavillion, looking out to Westwood. Look at all that color!
And lastly, how could we leave you without an ocean shot. This is Santa Monica, including the historic pier. Very dreamy.
"Pico Sky" from the album L.A. Scenes, submitted by kintango65.
"Westwood Skyline" from the album L.A. Scenes, submitted by billvan61.
"Santa Monica Pier" from the album Santa Monica, submitted by Skater517.
You know what is coming up in three days? The Olympics. You know where it is this year? Beijing, China.
Check out the Los Angeles Times Olympic Games' coverage here: Ticket to Beijing.
This photo of a fluorescent pink dragon looks like it was shot behind Downtown Los Angeles, but instantly makes me think of Chinese festivals and all the fanfare that will go along with the Opening Ceremonies.
"Los Angeles: We love it!" from the album On the Street, submitted by oZo.
Oh, 'Sceners. Nothing makes me feel more content than looking at a photo of a contented-looking pup. Which makes me, at this moment, the most contented person on the whole World Wide Interweb!
What makes it all the better, for my money, is that this great photo was submitted to one of my brand-spanking-new favorite albums, Best Mutts. Check it out and see if you can guess the lineage of these mongrels! One of them looks -- I kid you not -- exactly like a koala.
The koala-dog deserves its own post. But more on that later.
"The Yawn" from the album Best Mutts, submitted by Jack
So, it's the first day of August, and all is well. No earthquakes to report today.
The weather will only get hotter from here on out, until L.A. hits its fall stride.
For your weekend amusement, check out this cool (pun completely intended) photo. Makes you wish for bygone days, when more people were running through sprinklers and dancing in the floods of fire hydrant water.
Randy Lee's caption reads: "a car knocks over a fire hydrant on Melrose Avenue."
Thanks for the refreshing picture.
"Water Break" from the album On the Street, submitted by Randy Lee.
--Lori Kozlowski
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About the Bloggers
Lindsay Barnett
was born to wolves in the back country of Uzbekistan in the early '80s. She was spotted, trapped, and tranquilized by missionaries who named her and raised her as their own. She now moderates and curates the galleries of the Los Angeles Times' Your Scene.
Bettie Rinehart, Weekend Editor at latimes.com, has been a fan of Your Scene from its humble beginnings in August, 2006. She's delighted to contribute to the Your Scene blog -- by plucking from the endlessly compelling, beautiful and sometimes baffling submissions of our readers. For your interest and edification, of course.
Lori Kozlowski is a huge fan of hearing from the people of Los Angeles. Your Scene is a sneak peek into your world, sort of like postcards that you send us. She is a writer, who has covered the quirky and the off-beat in L.A. and other cities. She is currently a producer for latimes.com.
Submitter Vicki sends this photo to our ever-popular 
