November 17, 2008
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New and Notes: A Strange Weekend
THIS JUST IN: Even as winds calm, more Californians flee fires
By JUSTIN PRITCHARD, Associated Press Writer Justin Pritchard, Associated Press Writer – Sun Nov 16, 5:56 pm ET.Fires burned in Los Angeles County, to the east in Riverside and Orange counties, and to the northwest in Santa Barbara County. More than 800 houses, mobile homes and apartments were destroyed by fires that have burned areas more than 34 square miles since breaking out Thursday...
The smell of smoke pervaded metropolitan Los Angeles. Downtown skyscrapers were silhouettes in an opaque sky, and concerns about air quality forced organizers to cancel a marathon in suburban Pasadena where 8,000 runners had planned to participate. 35,662 acres burned in three fires. 510 homes destroyed in Sayre Fire . 210 homes destroyed in Santa Barbara/Montecito. 38 people injured altogether. 26,000 ordered to evacuate in O.C. area
On Saturday I got up early, drove into Long Beach, hopped on the Blue Line Metro train with my camera bag and crutches, and headed out to downtown Los Angeles, where I eventually shot over 250 photos (showcased right now on my Webshots Gallery) while walking around town from three different subway stations. Coincidentally, there was a big protest against Prop. 8, with 20,000 participants bussing in and riding the subway, which made for some New York style subway riding until the throngs got off at the Civic Center.I was in town from a little after 7am till after 3pm. When I took the train back into Long Beach, the air was filled with smoke and it was raining ash, mainly from the "Freeway Complex Fire" in the Anaheim Hills. Last year, Griffith Park and Santa Catalina Island had major fires. This year, in only three days, Montecito Canyon in Santa Barbara (on Thursday), Sylmar, Yorba Linda, and the Anahiem Hills were ablaze. Sunday morning I had to wipe a small film of ash off my car before going to lunch. This morning, the ash seems to have been blown in another direction. Long Beach is clear, but in Orange County, more people are being evacuated.
I'm glad my feet were so sore I decided to go back home Saturday, because I almost hopped a Gold Line train to Pasadena, just for fun, and I would have unknowingly been riding straight into the inferno! My prayers and positive energy go out to all the people displaced by this latest round of fires. At least nobody has died (so far) but a lot of people are without a home.
A LEG TO STAND ON: Latest news on my upcoming hip replacement. The referral went through for a new consultation with my orthopedist. I'm meeting with him on December 2nd at 1am in the afternoon. He has looked over the CT scans and has consulted with my regular doctor via email. I hope that the next time I see the doctor after the 2nd will be for the operation to replace my broken hip replacement.
I've been in more increasing pain lately, and have been using the crutches not only at work and when I go out, but around the house as well, because I just can't put any weight on my left leg, or the pain is much too great. I'm glad this is finally happening, although I won't be truly satisfied until after the operation, when I am "healing" instead of walking around on a leg that could conceivably pop out of it's socket at any minute.
I've been using my pain pills (Tylenol-Codeine 3) more often. I even popped one before going up into Los Angeles on Saturday.
You might think it's rather odd for me to be taking "photo expeditions" when I'm on crutches and in pain, but the sense of "cabin fever" I've been having while staying at home on weekends just got to be to confining. The weather (except for the fires) has been excellent, with summer like days in the middle of November, and I really had fun taking lots of photos around L.A. last weekend and the weekend before.
WHICH BRINGS US TO: My latest MikeVideo Production. "L.A. Dreams", a mixture of photo slideshow and video of downtown, is in production. Using not only photos taken with my 7.1 megapixel camera, but utilizing photos taken as far back as 2004, and mixing in video footage as well, I am constructing a new masterpiece entitled "L.A. Dreams." The impetus for this video was not the photo expeditions themselves. In fact, I never finished shooting Hollywood, my previous subject for expeditions, and I never made a Hollywood themed video this year as planned.
I have so many comments on my MikeVideo from 2005, "San Diego Dreams" on YouTube. There are 83 comments so far. I needed to get a Los Angeles movie on YouTube. I don't want to think that my most popular video is one which resulted from a two day vacation in San Diego when I live in L.A. So from this kernal of an idea, I have collected every one of my "L.A. photos" from various folders on my computer. I'm scouring hours of video footage from my digital videotapes. I'm compiling a sonic "audio collage" containing about a dozen Los Angeles bands or songs about L.A. Besides taking photos on Saturday, I've been in the process of planning or making the video for about two weeks. I have about 5 and a half minutes of music and about 2 minutes of edited video. There will probably be over 500 photos in the finished product. When I finally get this sucker on Xanga, I'm going to mass message all my "subscribers and friends" and ask for recommends. I really think this is one of my better efforts, and should be viewed by everyone. Coming Soon. You'll know when I get it done.
Well, that concludes the news and notes in my life right this minute. Now it's time to turn Xanga off and get back to work!
In case you missed the link, GO HERE to see 290 photos shot in downtown L.A. this past Saturday. I'll probably be putting up a PhotoPost with some of the better photos here on the blog either tomorrow or Wednesday. (Disclaimer: I did not take the photo of the burning palm trees. It is from www.latimes.com. )
Comments (60)
I totally understand the sense of cabin fever. Sometimes you just really need to get out and do something! I hope your hip situation keeps moving forward!
your guys' fires are like our tornadoes...ugh...
my brother lives in Chino Hills and had all the stuff in his car and ready to go sunday 3am but he was ok -he called me last night and told me all about it.
well, so you had to get a second opinion? that is odd like the first orthopedic didn't know what you need.
i just heard about the fires this morning from the news. i remember every summer or so thre is always something going on in california about fires usually put up by arsonist. i don't understand why people would destroy their own cities and lands with something like this. it's insane. i hope you are safe and all my friends out there too. (i think i have about 4 or 5 subscriptions from people living in california somewhere)
@jillcarmel - Dear Jill, My doctor referred me to an orthopedist back in Sept., but that doctor only performed "original" hip replacements. I've already got one, it's broken. So I was referred to a 2nd specialist. It takes time to set up appointments, because 1. my HMO has to approve everything. and 2. there are only a few specialists who can perform replacement hip replacement surgery, and this one (Dr. Longjohn) is pretty busy. I figure I'll probably get the actual operation in a month or two!
Mum and I thought about you over the weekend in light of the fires. It's good to hear that you're okay. Good luck with your hip. Listen to your doctor and do all the PT they recommend. And no more jaunts on all those stairs, mister!
guess the foot of snow we got today doesn't sound so bad compared to all your fires
@baldmike2004 - good. Knees must be different cause hubby used the same orthopod all 3 times and the first knee he got; is on the mantel now for all to see. The son came by and said,"I hope that isn't what I think it is." kids!lol I know you will be glad when it's all over.
I looked at each photo. (Because there were so many I put it on slide show.) It was so clear and the sky so blue in most of them that I would not have guessed there were fires in the area. I particularly liked the building with the red or orange ball tucked in at the top, the photo where you caught the birds in flight, the stream/fountain flowing down the steps, 315 9th street (I think) with the trees, your self portraits in the glass and the one you took of the guy taking a photo of you. I was also somewhat surprised at how clean the streets are. Much cleaner than some cities I've seen!
Dear Mike,
These fires are horrible.. I can only imagine what it must be like. You're pretty brave to be out and about in all that on crutches but I understand the cabin fever. I hope everything gets figured out for your hip replacement. Sounds like you are staying quite busy though. Take care out there.
peace,
Jane
Oh, gosh, I hope and pray everything will be better soon!! Please take really good care over there!!! You and everyone there are in my thoughts and prayers!
I also hope and pray that everything goes well with your surgery and that you will be completely well soon. (((Hugs)))
Glad you got out. I know you're smart enough to know what you can and can't do. Awesome pics! Where was the lobby shot taken? I'll be looking for a 'guided tour' post. Since I've never been to LA, I don't know any of the landmarks. Pics are even more awesome when I think of you balancing on crutches to take them. Glad you'll soon have an answer!
Hey Michael :wave:
It's good to get out when cabin fever sets in. I'm saying a prayer for your hip/leg today, my friend.
The pics are great, and sad. The sight of palm trees burning is almost more than my missing-the-beach heart can stand.
May your day be filled with comfort.
~Steve :sunny:
Glad you got back from the photo excursion okay. I understand about doing what you love to do, even in pain.
If I send my email address, can you send me an album of the photos, or is that too much work? C.
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