NonEssentials

The Broad , a wonderful art museum in DTLA, is free. Before yesterday, I've been only twice since I've lived in California, both times with others. It's nice to be with friends or family but I think it short-changes one from fully exploring a museum or for that matter any space where beauty & creativity are present. So yesterday I went out on my own, using my newly-acquired Senior Metro Pass which allows me to ride the bus or train for only $.35 each way. I am unfamiliar with the downtown area, but thanks to Google Maps, I could easily figure out which way to walk once I left the train station. Guess in which direction I had to go? Answer: UP and UP! The short walk (about 5-6 blocks) included about 4 which took me waaay up a steep hill that has "hill" in its name, Bunker Hill. Nothing could have informed me how out-of-shape I was more than the fact that I needed to stop twice in that trek. Whew! There is a funicular (yes) that traverses Bunker Hill. It was f

This is weird. I haven't blogged in ages (clearly evident), but a friend who read my latest email about my travels in and around LA suggested that I do something more with my writing. She suggested that I blog or journal or publish my travel writings. I am opting to do the former for now. It's been too long. I need to write to keep my brain active, so I shall cut & paste the email I sent to my friends about my latest solo excursion. A little background: I sent an email to my group of 9 other friends to see if anyone wanted to go to the California Museum of Art. I found free tickets on Goldstar and although it was located in Thousand Oaks, long car trips never bothered me. My friends were courteous but succinct -- I was on my own because...it's Thousand Oaks and too boring to be worth the trip. Here is my take: I went out to Thousand Oaks, searching for this museum. I didn't see much of the city because GMaps showed my destination was right off an exit. I drove, s