As global markets continue to melt down, how does one keep his sanity? In times like these when gas is expensive, food isn't cheap, and extracurricular activities seem to break what's left of your bank, how can you remain calm and carry on?
I saw this photograph, and I instantly had the answer. Ride your bike! With tires pumped up, and the current October weather just perfect for long rides and long sleeves, who could deny that this is an inexpensive, fun solution to hard times.
This picture is also a vision of tranquility.
"Wheels and shadows" from the album On the Street, submitted by ruby d.
Submitter Funkybunch (is that you, Marky Mark? Big fan of your work in I Heart Huckabees, btw) sends this perplexing photo from the wilds of Australia.
Gotta say this vacation spot ranks somewhere beneath Niceville, Florida the Cape of Good Hope on my list of Pleasantly Named Places. Is this that strange Australian sense of humor run amok?
--Lindsay Barnett
"Great Holiday Destination" submitted by Funkybunch, from the album Australia
And maybe the ability to walk on water would be helpful in the boat repair industry?
Still, I can't help but feel that Jesus might have more important things to do than fix an outboard motor or help entertainers win their Oscars and Grammys. But hey, that's just me.
--Lindsay Barnett
"Jesus is Lord..." submitted by rbruhn, from the album Strange Stores
So, September is upon us. Autumn in Los Angeles can vary in its temperament--sometimes hot, sometimes chilly.
Pictured here is the neighborhood of Venice Beach. Colorful, eclectic, a place to see murals, a place to walk your dog. And in L.A., where getting a true dose of the colors of fall (i.e. leaves falling from big trees, think of Vermont) can be a challenge, these red and green buildings on Abbot Kinney Boulevard sure do make a great stand-in.
"Colors on Abbot Kinney Blvd." from the album On the Street, submitted by derfy.
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.
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.
