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May 31, 2006
Kitchen Confidential
Some books are meant to be read. This one is from the time I was working for
Chef Kenneth Williams, during his ill fated stint at USC. He had this huge collection
of books, and one of them was this one. He asked me to check it out, and then
almost immediately resigned. When I gave his book back on the last day, he asked
me to keep it as a parting gift. It's an awesome book, and glorifies the whole kitchen.
I could understand it well as I know what goes on behind the scenes.
Rash enjoyed the book too.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:45 PM | Comments (0)
May 30, 2006
Three Men in a Boat
This is one of the greatest books ever written. It's outright hilarious. Everyone should go out
and get a copy for themselves.
I got this book in Bangalore, and have read it several times since. I even have the
sequel, Three Men on the Bummel.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:37 PM | Comments (0)
May 29, 2006
Calvin and Hobbs
Rashmi got me into Calvin and Hobbs. I had seen the kid and his stuffed toy in the paper,
but it was a passing glance till she forcved me to get her some books from Bangalore.
Problem is that I got hooked ! Over the years, we bought almost every book, till
they released this monster, with all the cartoons ever published. Could't let it pass.
Not after I declared to the world that Rashmi was the one in this article.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:02 PM | Comments (0)
May 28, 2006
Heart of Screenland
I initially wanted to post the walk of fame in Culver City. Problem is that it's in a shady
part of town. And the fact that there's nothing spectacular about it contributed to a
lack of incentive to treck all the way there for a shot. I found this sign nearby, and,
well, it's speaks for itself !
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:26 PM | Comments (0)
May 27, 2006
Sony Picture Plaza
This place is the main office for the studios. This is actually the only real contribution
for Sony here. The studios were originally MGM's and most of the history associated
with this area is inherited/stolen :)
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:34 PM | Comments (0)
May 26, 2006
Culver City High
This is the school that was featured in quite a few movies and TV shows. Prominant among
them is the Wonder Years. I thought that it was a great show.
This school is about a minute drive from our residence.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:58 PM | Comments (0)
May 25, 2006
Laurel and Hardy
This is the house that was featured in a few timeless Laurel and Hardy classics, like
Perfect Day
The house is on Vera Avenue, about a mile from where we live.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:48 PM | Comments (0)
May 24, 2006
Sony Studios
Sony bought MGM's studio in Culver city and this is sorta the capital of their entertainment
industry now. On the top right you can see the bottom of the Da Vinci Code movie poster.
The studio is about 2 minutes walking distance from our house.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:39 PM | Comments (0)
May 23, 2006
Pie Shaped Hotel
This hotel is right in the middle fo downtown Culver City. It's in the shape of a pie.
Thsi was the first choice in accomodation for several actors that starred in movies
made nearby. Infact, when Wizard of Oz was shot, the munchkins were all lodged here,
and there are a lot of legends about their behaviour. I believe there was a movie
made recently on the making of the Oz movie too, which celebrated this.
The hotel was once owned by John Wayne too.
H.
Posted by hriday at 09:11 PM | Comments (0)
May 22, 2006
Culver Studio
Culver City had 3 famous studios. One was the Roach studio, which is long gone. Another
one was the MGM studio, wich was sold off, and the third one is the Culver Studio. This is
where movies like Citizen Kane and Gone with the Wind were made.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:38 PM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2006
Harry Culver
In commoration of the founding of the city, the city council commissioned this splendid
work of art. It's really lifelike.
The shot is really good, and the day was so perfect that I had to reduce the saturation for
the first time. Rash took the shot...
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:58 PM | Comments (0)
May 20, 2006
Dancing Leo
Rash took this shot of a dancing lion, which is actually in the middle of a fountain in
the heart of Culver city. There were a lot of kids playing in the fountain, and we were trying
to get as few of them as possible in the shot.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:20 PM | Comments (0)
May 19, 2006
Eunuch Angels
Rash took this shot at a mall near her office. The gonads are right in the middle of the
shot, and it was the first thing I saw. The title is a direct consequence.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:08 PM | Comments (0)
May 18, 2006
Sunny Side Up
An omelette... anyone?
Rashmi
Posted by hriday at 10:07 PM | Comments (0)
May 17, 2006
The Headless Worker
Sometimes, I feel like this. Especially when I was at Forestweb. This work is right outside
the building Rash works in downtown LA.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:12 PM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2006
The Wild Bunch
The players here were a part of the 1969/70 team, and all of them won an award or
two in their time. I'd list the names and awards, but it's boring.
The statue is in bronze, and was funded anonymously.
H.
Posted by hriday at 08:59 PM | Comments (0)
May 15, 2006
Tommy Trojan
This is the mascot of USC. The actual sculpture was commisioned for the 50th anniversary
of USC (it's celebrating it's 125th anniv this year). The sculptor used two models for this
work, one for the lower half and one for the upper half.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:06 PM | Comments (0)
May 14, 2006
Los Angeles Memorial Stadium
And finally, the stadium it all happened in. This stadium hosted the '34 and the '84 games.
It also plays hosts to the USC Trojans, who have won a few National titles, in the
American version of Football.
Once upon a time, it was home to the Los Angeles Raiders.
H.
Posted by hriday at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)
May 13, 2006
Olympic Village
This was the official Olympics village for the one in 1984. The one for the '34 games is
now currently Baldwin Hills. This gate encloses a quailnt looking area with very English
like houses. I am sure that there were a lot more housing for the atheletes, but I have
no idea where they are.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:42 PM | Comments (0)
May 12, 2006
Boulevard
Los Angeles has hosted 2 Olympics. One was in 1984. The other one was
way back in 1934, when Los Angeles was the Oil capital of the world, producing about 1/4th
the world's production. It was also then the capital of the Aviation and Movie empire.
The 10th Street was renamed Olympics Blvd in honour of the 10th Olympics in '34.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:00 PM | Comments (0)
May 11, 2006
McDonald Swim Stadium
This is right next to my office. And this is where the Olympics swimming events were held.
This is also where the Nationals are held often enough, and a host of other events as well.
I have never swam here, but that's coz I am an idiot.
H.
Posted by hriday at 09:13 PM | Comments (0)
May 10, 2006
Cromwell Field
For the atheletes to practice for the Olympics, the University built a track. It's a
nice place, and has good competition level tracks, and a nice football/lacrosse/
shotput/javalin/pole vault area in the middle. When I studied at USC, I used
to run on this ground sometimes. I've done 12 rounds once. Can't imagine how
though. Another lifetime...
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:15 PM | Comments (0)
May 09, 2006
Going for Gold
Part of the Trojan heritage is the fact that there are so many gold medal winners from
USC. Infact, USC have won a medal in every Olympics that the US have participated
since 1912. I mean, that's a cool record.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:38 PM | Comments (0)
May 08, 2006
Kings Olympic Hall
This building was opened in time for the Olympics. It is named for the great event that
took place beside the USC campus way back in 1984. This week's theme will be
dedicated to that event, and all the heroes that competed.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:54 PM | Comments (0)
May 07, 2006
Water Fountain
One of the lanes pouring into Rodeo Drive has this elegant water fountain for the
wayside thirsty billionare. And the occasional wannabe.
H.
Posted by hriday at 07:20 PM | Comments (0)
May 06, 2006
Menhir
For the rich, that is. Thing is that the technical definition of a menhir is a long 'stone',
which this obviously is not. However, it is Rodeo Drive, and this is in front of a
French place, so I suppose I can get away with the reference.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:02 PM | Comments (0)
May 05, 2006
A Lamp Post
What I like about these rich neighbourhoods is the fact that even the lamp posts look
so elegant. Such a pleasure to watch these.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:31 PM | Comments (0)
May 04, 2006
Harry Winston
The jeweller to the rich and the famous. And probably the most famous jeweller since
Faberge. Well, it's no wonder that we didn't bother venturing into the store. We'd
probably be thrown out anyway...
And to those counting, this is day 150...
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:42 PM | Comments (0)
May 03, 2006
Two Rodeo Drive
Problem with America is that they are filled with immigrants, and therefore have
a confused history. The inspiration for architecture ends up coming from
all over Europe and it ends up as an anacronistic mishmash.
Beautiful structure though. And like Rash wants me to add, it houses a neat
seafood restaurant.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:32 PM | Comments (0)
May 02, 2006
Beefeaters
When you see a store that has these two live guards that are paid to act as statues
at the door; let alone if the store is on Rodeo Drive, it's a fancy place. I wonder if
they would have let me in if I tried.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:36 PM | Comments (0)
May 01, 2006
The Signs of Glamour
Going to Rodeo Drive is a hard thing. A part of me loves to go. To get a glimpse of
another life. Oh, how it must be to be that rich. The other part me hates to go there.
I can't ever see myself being that rich, and I want everything (ok, not everything) that's
there to sell.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:56 PM | Comments (0)