Aim High!

TGIF, man. Right? I was out this morning for a beach walk, and the sky was so impossibly blue I had to stop and just stare at it. When I glanced up, I saw that there is a whole slew of shoes on the power lines where Windward Avenue meets the Boardwalk ... like, a lot.

Back in the day you would hear that this meant there was a drug house nearby, or a gangster initiation had been completed, or what have you. I think it was really just the challenge of seeing if you could get the shoes over the lines, because they're pretty high.

Well, a whole bunch of people could, and there's basically a shoe store hanging above Venice right now. As I don't know what it really means, I'm taking it as a cool way to remind us all to aim high every day. And get out there and have yourselves an awesome weekend under these azure skies!

The End Of Summer In The Endless Summer

Lots of people think there are no seasons here in Southern California, but they're wrong. I can already feel the shift into Autumn, both in the changes of the light and the temperature. There is a new crispness to the air, and a more golden, lower light.

This precious time of Indian Summer, when the tourists leave and the days stay warm for a while longer are just about the best time to live here. It's always poignant to face the end of another Summer, even in a place where it at least looks like Summer all of the time. I come from Minnesota, so I know the weight of Autumn approaching, and Winter looming. I came across this quote from Yoko Ono, and thought it was pretty perfect for now ...

Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.

Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance. 

Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence. 

Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance. 

Yes. And all of them are great in their own ways. Happy Labor Day weekend to everyone, as we all create new end of Summer memories - with exuberance!

Thoth Points The Way

Thoth is the Egyptian God of wisdom and magic. I came upon Robin Murez's version of him (Toth) in Windward Circle this morning and felt both of those things.

The wisdom of sometimes breaking rules and taking the opposite way, and of heading to the beach this last holiday weekend of Summer instead of anywhere else. The magic of lucking into another cool work by Venice Public Art, and another cool thing to see in Venice. The magic of concentrating on the good in Venice, and in the World, at a time when it's so very sorely needed.

Happy Holiday Weekend (and remember the Laborers who gave it to you!)! May it be safe, fun as hell, wise, and magical, wherever you may find yourself.