A&W Restaurant

The weeks have become a blurred and the weekends more so. There's been a lot of driving activity, emotional stress and not much brevity. Along our rides, we've been eyeing an A&W restaurant off I-15 and promising each other that we're going to stop someday. Friday was the day.

We pulled off I-15 even though the traffic was bumper to bumper and we knew we'd be that much more behind. We were too tired and hungry and we needed to refuel. We were not disappointed! The A&W cheeseburger and root beer float tasted just as I remembered them from days long past.

They used to have car hops, servers that would come to your car to take your order, set up window trays for your food and bring the food to the car when it was ready. Rain or shine, the car hops were always there to assist. The last A&W car hop I know of was demolished circa 1977 in Los Angeles. It was the bomb and I have many fond memories of eating there. It was a big deal to be served and eat in car! LOL

Alas, the car hops are gone, but the charbroiled flavor of an A&W cheeseburger and their delicious rootbeer floats still remain - albeit, in short supply. They have a gorgeous Wurlizter-like jukebox that plays CDs, no more 45 rpm records! There was a large customer seated at the adjacent table, so I couldn't snap a frontal photo.

Lookie Loos

The one day I decide to try the freeway because I left work at 2:00 p.m., there's an emergency on a road that parallels the freeway. The lookie loos, rubberneckers, whatever you call them, were in full force bringing traffic to a complete stop or 5 mph speeds!

Moody Monday Theme: Addictive

I thought of the numerous things that would apply (i.e. food, libations, exercise, gambling, etc.), but at this stage in my life, taking photos and participating in photo memes has become addictive!

We departed work early Wednesday, drove home, packed and drove 1-1/2 hours to Murrieta. My FIL is in the hospital again. He now has pneumonia. We spent the night at the hospital, my spouse on a cot in his room because he was antsy trying to get out of bed. I slept on a waiting room couch.

A magnificent sunrise is a reminder from God that He is present in our lives, especially during these challenging times. This is what we saw first thing this morning!

Saved! We find a CBTL in Chino, CA and I abruptly pull off the freeway. Sustenance! I don't think I've ever been to a java joint this early.

We're hungry and tired as we wait our turn. It's so early in the morning yet, there's a line!

CBTL has some of the best muffins, bagels, tea and coffee.

Finally getting some fuel. I can't go just anywhere (i.e. Star*ucks). It's gotta be the best java there is! Sharing a bagel with cheese cream sounds like a plan.

Praying for a miracle.

Moody Monday Theme: Hot
Del Mar, California - on a hot day, these hot air balloon enthusiasts prepare to fly!

It's a hot summer day and time to soar!

Please excuse the reflection. These were shot in a very busy restaurant. I was struck by their subject and wondered: What is this aboriginal painting about? What does it mean to you?

What is this aboriginal painting about? What does it mean to you?

It's becoming more common to see homeless adults with children. A very bad testament to our state as a society. It's hard enough to be an adult and homeless. I can't imagine what the children must experience.

Drove my spouse to work in time to see the mortuary loading a body bag.

After seeing the body bag first thing in the morning, thinking about Syl's passing and how her circumstances mirrored my sister Alice's death, I felt the need to drive. Just drive with no destination in mind. I discovered Griffith Park has a camp. Who knew!

My darling cat helping me with the photos and computer. He's ready to start his own consulting business!

South Pasadena Farmer's Market

Local public radio station KPFK, always has an informational display booth at the entrance to the farmer's market. They're not confrontative in any way and everyone is free to approach the table and discuss the issues. I appreciate their presence and the fact that they're not brash.

Passenger side view. I know it's hard to see because of the reflection - sorry. This is a display at the Orange County Fair of a DUI Fatal Accident. You're viewing the victim's car.

View of driver's side.

DUI crash report.

Moody Monday Theme - Organized

Mac Tonight!
 
Leave it to my comadre to know the correct answer. When it comes to pop culture or trivia, don't challenge Ceci, she'll put you in your place faster than anyone.  LOL  I am so thrilled to finally have the answer. I can now stop dreaming about it and searching my subconscious!
 
Okay, is anyone else up for the challenge of identifying the other less obvious characters? Like, who's the guy to the right of Ronald, the guy to the left of Mac Tonight, the girl to the left of Ronald and the blue blob at the end of the table? The artist should have identified them for pop culture-challenged folk like me!
 
Ceci, being the thorough person that she is, even corroborated her answer by searching the Net and emailing me the following description found on eBay:

This cool customer only came out at night. Wearing a formal tuxedo with a big red bowtie, he'd stand in the starlight and sing McDonald's praises.

Mac Tonight embodied McDonald's attempt to attract adult patrons to their restaurants after the kids had gone to bed, and to advertise their new late-night hours. Mac's favorite music was jazz, and on his moon-shaped face he sported cool dark sunglasses. He was occasionally spotted riding his jet-ski, flying his plane over McDonaldland, or driving his convertible to his favorite late-night hang-out under the Golden Arches.

Here, Mac Tonight is represented as a seven-inch, soft rubber puppet -- just his moon-shaped head and cool shades!
 
My thanks and kudos to Ceci - you're da bomb, girl!

More art from Orange County Fair.
 
A truly unique and creative idea. I got a real kick out of this one!

The artist was very creative! I don't know if the plastic figures were toy give aways in Happy Meals or items you could buy with the purchase of any meal. Can anyone identify some them?

Visual Art from the Orange County Fair
 
This visual art piece received a lot of viewers and sparked much discussion. In particular, what's the moon (extreme right) character's name? I recall he's a McDonald's character Mc the something!

Enlargement of 'Fast Supper' text. Boomers really liked this piece.

The Fab Four - a Beatles tribute.

Love, Love Me Do

Hey, Jude

A smashing concert and loud applause.

This chap was at the Farmer's Market in South Pasadena and I found his setup intriguing. I wish he would have opened his storage to reveal what he was toting! LOL Isn't it amazing how creative people are when they don't have an automobile?

Moody Monday Theme: Broken

I take a couple of days off and this is what I return to. Seems my partner in crime missed me!

I guess I'm lucky my cube's not rigged or paper bombed! LOL

It's film festival season and this flag caught my eye as drove along Ventura Bl. in Sherman Oaks, CA.

The roofers at my neighbor's house prevent me from sleeping in or napping! However, this season is the time to put a new roof.

Moody Monday Theme: Blissful

Moody Monday Theme - Colorful

I've noticed an increase in residential/commercial housing developments in the downtown areas of suburbia. I believe this is more prevalent in Europe, but I think it's a neat idea and I would consider living in the dual space. It's certainly convenient for shopping and commuting to work. Public transportation is literally at your door! It will be interesting to see if this concept takes off in the Los Angeles area.

Many pretty things can be found in the darkness/blackness of night!

The Library

I had occasion to go to the library, a rarity in these days of Net access to volumes of information in the comfort of our homes. I was struck by how crowded it was and how many people sat with eyes fixated on their notebooks. I didn't observe them using library materials or necessitating assistance.

All of this got me wondering, if they were here because they feared being alone? Or, were they lonely wherever they were, so they came to the library to feel part of the crowd? Is there too much noise at home that prevents them from studying? Excuse the fuzzy photos, they were taken with my Palm Z71 PDA.

She sits, eyes locked on the screen of her notebook computer. It's great that libraries provide electrical outlets for computers. I spent a good while trying to figure out if her notebook was connected or running on batteries.

This man looked so peaceful and comfortable. I wondered if he was here to escape the heat and receive shelter or because he had nowhere else to go?

Here they sit, perfectly lined up, engrossed in their worlds. The man out of frame has been here the longest and the slightest sound causes all to look up. Yet, they dare not speak to each other.

As I observed the persons gathered, I wondered why they were here. Was it because they could not afford the material they were reading? Or because they craved the presence of others? Not necessarily interaction with, just the presence of.