Heavy Buns

I was on my way to a shoot when I heard the call go out on the radio. It seems these guys stopped at the burger joint and got one of those super sized triple pounders with shakes and fries.

They forgot the golden rule: "don't eat that much until you clear the driveway.... or your ass will drag"

I guess they will remember the golden rule next time.

Sea Hand

Everyone loves to take pictures with the ocean as a backdrop. Usually, it is a couple or a family.

In this case, the young lady wanted to take a picture of her hand with Catalina as the backdrop.

I looked at my hand to see if it was worthy of such a shot.

I felt a twinge..... my hand gave me the finger!

Checking the Competition

Since I was going to be in the area, I thought I would check to see how the Santa Monica P.D. looked like in action.

So much for that thought!

Trying to Quit

I have been trying to get Janet to quit smoking for many years. I finally decided to not bug her any more and try something else.

I looked up various techniques on the web and discovered the use of 'subliminal messages'.

I had never thought of trying that. It is just a matter of inserting subtle messages at the appropriate time.

I think this might finally work!

Gerbil Replacement

I was asked to attend a rather 'gay' event in town for a 'photo opportunity'. I wasn't sure what to bring as a present. Wine seems to be what everyone brings... and I thought that would be just too boring. Especially in Laguna Beach.

I went to the local Gerbil store, thinking that was always a good gift to get 'in a pinch' when one could not think of what to get.

As my luck would have it, they were out of Gerbils... but had a special on little mice in dispensers. What the heck! I couldn't go empty handed.

Dummy by the Sea

It's that time again when the local artists get ready for the spring event at the Sawdust Festival. I was lucky to catch the famous ventriliquist Betty Buxom working with her newest dummy 'Lenny Loser'

It was weird.... it sounded like his voice was actually behind me. She must get a real work out dragging this dummy around town.

Rodney the Terrible!

One thing about Laguna Beach.... they are really tough about the local laws such as Jay Walking and Dogs loose on the beach.

One of the tougher PD employees known as 'Rodney the Terrible' holds the record for the most citations. Sources tell me he has issued over 8 thousand citations in the last 10 months (that is unofficial).

When a dog is found off leash on the beach, the owner is not only cited, but has to experience further embarrassment by having their dog wear a large colored circular collar.... as seen in this photo.

This person approaching the dog with the prescribed collar, is known in some circles as the 'ring bearer'. Her identity is kept hidden for obvious reasons. The colors represent different degrees of hostilies... (like our Homeland Security Colors)

Between 2001 and 2010

It must be because we are smack dab in the middle of 2001 and 2010 (Space Odessey) that I was drawn to this almost Monolith in Heisler Park.

I tried talking to it, but it seemed indifferent. My eyes got whackey after staring at it for awhile and I started to feel like it was trying to send me to outer space.

I best keep moving on...

Heart Braking News.....

Hot off the presses!!!! It seems that our once available food taster Louis Marrow has tasted something very special.

Louis claims he is booked for the rest of the year with this very tasty dish! Good luck LM!

Higher Zaget Standards

This was the first time we had been to Phil and Blairs since they were awarded the 2 Glove Zaget rating. We knew how hard it was to get this coveted award.

All of the areas within the abode must meet the highest "White Glove" standards. In addition, the menu had to consist of a minimum of #3 lamb chops; #2 Strawberries and the most difficult of all to get.... the #50 potatoe!

As expected, the evening was a total food fest. It was such a dizzying event, that Karla forgot her hubby Gregs name!! Sweetie turned down a third helping of ice cream cake.... and Janet left Jean Claude outside.... which resulted in her disqualification from a Gold Medal.

Casting a Shadow

I spotted this guy the other day around Heisler Park. There was something about this moment that seemed so familiar. Then I realized... this guy was the inventor of the 'Duck Shadow' we have all seen in lecture halls.

He was in the process of casting a "double shadow' on to the ocean. A double shadow is about as difficult as a 'Quad' in figure skating. I was so nervous for him. .. I can't look when the pressure is on.... and the participant can slip.

Actually.... he only ended up casting a single Duck Shadow.... the tree blocked the 2nd Duck.

Skating by

Every so often as I pass by the Montage Resort I spot a skater doing... skating things.

Today.. I decided to stop and see what was going on. It turns out the skater is a Mom who is waiting for the school bus to drop off her child.

Oh California! Even the Picture Bus Stop doesn't compare.

Seal the Deal

Several people have told me about some guy that can be found around Crescent Bay Beach with all sorts of videos, cameras and listening devices to document the seals and other sea creatures.

I stopped there today and sure enough there he was with a small group of people and lots of equipment. Nice guy! He showed me all sorts of neat photos of him and the seals, and then had me look through various cameras and binoculars and listen to the seals through head sets.

Bob claims to 'talk to the animals' which is probably true. After all.... he talked to me..

He told me he had documented hundreds of whales passing through each week. What was really interesting is that they seem to go through mainly on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

I wonder if that is their shopping days...

Crash Ally

I was heading home down the Coast Hwy... going kinda fast. My eye caught a flashing mix of lights in the rear view mirror. Damn! Looks like I am going to get nailed... Bummer. Then all of a sudden the car in front of me crashes into a parked truck.

I jump out (after parking my truck) and watch as 2 others help the driver out of the vehicle. The driver appears to be in shock. I call dispatch at the P.D. and tell them I am at a TC (Traffic Collision). I must have mumbled because I coul hear the dispatcher put out on the radio that 'Photoman was in a wreck'.... I still have that Brooklyn accent.

I told them there was a patrol unit just a few blocks North of me... and noticed that the patrol car was still in the same plcae with its lights flashing.

Turns out the driver that crashed into the parked truck had just hit the parked patrol car that was doing Radar patrol... the patrol car was totally disabled and unable to move..

Big Lips

I got a call from my local source that someone was going to try for the Guiness Record for the largest Mr. Potatoe Head. This was going to happen around Divers Cove (my favorite hangout).

I got a cup of brew from J.P. and hung around to see what I could see.

Sure enough... here came two guys carrying Mr (or Mrs.) Potatoe Heads Lips.

I got a call on my cell and had to take off to cover another event, so I never got to see them place the lips on the giant potatoe that was propped up on the beach. What a stud!

Pricey Property

Laguna Beach Property has got to be one of the most expensive on the planet. On the weekends I walk Jean Claude through Heisler park and then take an alley way across to the Coffee Nazi.

I always pass this Bentley and Mini Cooper behind this Ocean Front home. Turns out the Mini Cooper belongs to the Home Owner.... since that is all he can afford after making all of the payments.

The Bentley belongs to the help!

Where are the pins?

Someone told me about Lawn Bowling. They told me I could see it played 'on the greens' in Heisler Park. I thought 'how neat!'. Outdoor Bowling!!! What a great concept... I hate bowling indoors... I am an outdoors kinda guy.

I hurried down to check this out. I found this place with mostly older people (meaning older than myself) all dressed in white (except for a few non conformists) rolling a not quite round ball (with no finger holes) on the grass and aiming it toward a little ball that looked like a golf ball.

I looked around but did not see any golfers, so I could only guess that this golf ball was put there intentionally.

Now the big question..... Where are the pins?

Where did the Rabbits go?

I am starting to suspect that the local hotel or park service has done away with the rabbits. Every afternoon Jean Claude and I would go rabbit hunting. JC would never catch any.... but he loved to walk almost cat like toward them and stare them down.

Eventually they just took off and JC would sniff the ground like crazy, where they were, and then usually bite the grass.

I wonder if that makes him some sort of rabbit pervert.

In any case he is starting to pine.....

Bike-in'

I was just leaving the coffee shop when I spotted this bike in the spot next to my SUV. I asked who it belonged to.

'Some Attorney' I was told.... That made sense. They were probably heading over to the Marine Room where all the attorneys hang out.

Why is it that bikers are either attorneys or fat sloppy guys? Where are the Marlon Brando types? ... actually Marlon ended up fat and sloppy before he left us. Oh well....

Laguna Beach Fairies

No! No! I know what you were thinking..... but shame on you.... probably just saw Brokeback Mountain....

Anyway..... I have been struggling trying to think of what to get Janet for Valentines' day. And then I realized.... I just had to visit the Valentine Fairies at Heisler park and get their sage advise. They are so happy all of the time.... how refreshing!

They gave me some great ideas....so I am outta here and heading you no where!

Gucci by the Sea

Just south of Aliso Beach is a big house referred to as the 'Gucci' house. I am told it was once owned by the Gucci's and eventually sold and used as a sort of 'Event Rental'. Especially around the Christmas Holidays there seem to be lots of nights where there are a dozen or so valets.

I always wondered where they parked.... I was told they drive down to the public parking area below and park there. Pretty smart.... and legal.

I once bought a Gucci lighter for my wife when I was in Europe. It was real pricey and didn't work worth a damn. I wonder if I bring it over there if they can service it?

Ocean Taxi

Wonders never cease to amaze me.... or services people actually can use. I was wandering around Divers Cove the other day when I noticed that one of the divers was badly lagging behind his buddies. I couldn't tell if he needed help or not so I watched to see what the deal was.

He pulled out something that looked like a cell phone. Sure enough.... about 15 minutes later, a diver Taxi appeared to take him to where he needed to go.

I wonder how the meter works?

French - Poodles and Bakeries

Jean Claude knows if he places more than his front paws inside the Coffee Nazi shop, he could be excommunicated .... which is a total bummer and worse.... everyone in town finds out and one has to go around incognito so as not to feel totally humiliated.

It just seems so unfair.... after all, how can he get the newspaper without risking das boot?

Snow White and Grumpy Arrive!

Every year about this time, Snow White and Grumpy fly in from a remote Italian Village in Northern Italy. Arturo Garibaldi (known as Grumpy) and Rosarita (obviously Snow White) were one time local artists. Both are extremely talented. Our home has many paintings by Arturo, including my portrait.

Rosarita is sweet and soft (you can tell because that is what it says on her blouse). When I first met Arturo I asked him if he had farted ( I had smelled something crude).... he looked at me with his standard scowl and replied.... "of course I farted! Do you think I always smell like this?"

Scary Hotel

I was wandering around the Woods Cove area, checking out a house my dentist just purchased. It always amazes me how many places there are in Laguna that I have not been too. Driving on Moss street I came across this once old Hotel at the turn of the road. It had an eerie feel to it.

I looked up.... and in one of the windows..... I could see the outline of an old lady in a rocking chair.... I think it was an old lady. ....After all this is Laguna Beach.

Hey! Maybe this use to be the Bates Motel!!

Having my Cake and nOT Eating it!

Lots of assignments today. I photo'd a fairy (a real one with a wand) running on the beach... and ended the day with a shoot of a student who designed her clothes from 'trash'.... both you will see in some future posts.

At lunch time I went to the Women's Club where they held a desert contest. As usual, I put my foot in my mouth when I asked.... "when do I get to photograph the gals?". The winner was a guy! I know..... not just another pretty face.

I must admit, I was really good. I didn't even sneak a bite.

Weddings and Dog Poo

People love to get married by the ocean. One of the more popular locations is Heisler Park. However, being a public area, it is difficult to control the guests... and the Groom and Bride have to watch where they step.

Some people actually carve their names on the trees.

I can't tell if the photographer is taking their picture or mine.

Canyon Mess

I was falling asleep as usual, during Jay Leno's openning. Not that he isn't funny.... something about the start of the show puts me to sleep. Janet nudged me and said 'that sounds like your phone'. I got up and of course just missed the call. I could see it was the editor and so I called him back.

Seems like there was a serious crash on El Toro road and the 73 Toll Road. I got there pretty fast.... when there are no cars on the road ... the lights always turn green and you can make it anywhere in just a short time.

It was the infamous spot where the 2 little kids of a Police Officer were killed last year when a driver ran thru the red light.

This time it seems that the driver was going really fast and could not make the turn onto the on ramp and knocked down a light pole and rolled down the road. Looks like they had to pry the vehicle open to get the person out.