For the love of writing

I've been blogging for a longtime, and I wonder sometimes if anything I write matters to anyone. My posts are a mix of politics, entertainment, encouragement, and information to help people realize that if they're struggling with various issues, they are not alone. There have been times when I just wanted to quit this blog. 

Recently, I ran into an AI artist named Alana Jordan by accident when I was searching for some photos online to go with what I was planning to write. Alana had spread out samples of her work, and offered it free for download. As I went through her illustrations, and music, I realized that she just enjoys her work. 

Sure, she puts herself out there so that someone would hire her, but she is quite generous about giving away free downloads. I'm not a big supporter of AI, because I think a lot of AI work is low in quality, be it writing, music, acting, and etc. Also, there are plenty of people out there who steal the works of creatives and label it as their own with the help of AI. But I thought some of Alana's work was quite good. And if there is no copyright infringement, then what's the harm in a bit of AI done right? 

Anyway, my point here is that she reminded me that creatives do what they do for the love of the arts. They are not looking for approval from the outside. They just like to create good work. Below are a few of my favorite songs 💙 that she created. I added the pictures to go with the music. Enjoy...

The Key to your heart by Alana Jordan 

Love is kind by Alana Jordan 

Island honeymoon by Alana Jordan 

Note: The videos are actually mp3, but being that I am technologically challenged, this was the best I could do. Blogger sometimes gets complicated when you try to load things. I struggle with it often. You need to have some knowledge of HTML which I do not. So, the easiest way for me to upload the songs was to covert them to mp4 and hold my breath because blogger challenges me every step of the way. So, there you have it... 

Astra Lumina and caffé Bene 

Having forgotten all about the Oscars, I had plans to celebrate my friend's birthday a week early. On a freezing night with painful winds, we headed out to South Coast Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes Estates for a light show called Astra Lumina. Their website describes it as a walk among the cosmic stars. It seems that many exhibits today are focusing on light, music, and their effects on our senses.

Couple of things to note: 

1. You have to either sign your email releasing them of any liability or sign on their tablet once you get there or they will not let you in. 

2. They have one of those annoying airport security thing that you have to pass through. 

3. If you have any type of mobility or vision issues, this venue is not for you. It's pitch dark, and the trail is uneven. 

We were lucky that it was the Oscars, and there weren't too many people there. When they told us to follow the yellow lights, I felt as though I was in Wizard of Oz.

Take a look at the above video and the picture that follows it (a screen shot of the video). When we were there, we did not notice that image until I loaded it on my laptop. Also, when you first watch the video, there are only trees. The image appears later. I'm guessing it's an illusion created by light. But how come the other videos on YouTube, don't have that image? Weird!

Well, the temperature wasn't below zero degrees, obviously. But hey, I'm from L.A, and anything that falls below 60 degrees is freezing.

You see those lights on the ground in the above video, they make you feel dizzy when you're walking, specially in the dark where you can't see the bumps and lumps on the trail. So here, my friend and I were talking about how you need to be there to experience it, because videos are one dimensional and you need all your senses to take in everything.

Again, have a look at the video above, and the photo below it. My friend and I did not see that object and it wasn't until I got home that I noticed it on my laptop.

Almost time to leave. We were complaining about the tablet that they made us sign. It didn't work properly, and they kept saying sign it even though I had made several attempts as the wind blew my hair into my eyes, and I was getting irritated with the whole thing. I mean, if it was so important for them to get our signatures, why not make it a point to sign in, or agree in the email instead of putting it in fine print where no one would pay attention. 

There were a few other things there that I didn't cover here. It was good, overall. Would have been nicer if it was warmer. But this was not the highlight of the evening. You will see it next as we began looking for a place to have tea.

Google gave us Caffé Bene as a nearby place in Torrance. Neither of us had ever been there. We got there an hour before closing time, ordered Chai tea latte which was meh, and went to sit down.

Now, most places don't close at the exact closing time. They stop serving, but they let their customers hang out for a bit. Not this place.

At precisely 10 p.m, a school bell rings and a song comes over the speakers: it's time to go home...thank you for coming by...It's time to say goodbye...goodbye...see you again. In all my life of living here and travelling, this was the first for me as I watched everyone line up in an orderly fashion and leave. 

After getting over the initial shock of the school bell, the song, and everyone doing as they were told, my friend and I had a good laugh. It reminded me of when my niece was four, and her mom would sing, "Clean up, clean up, everybody clean up," as the two would go around the house cleaning up the mess my niece had made. If you're ever in Torrance, you must try this café before closing time. It was quite an interesting experience. 

Dark Nights in Downtown L.A

Dark Nights in Downtown L.A take place at L.A Live. There’s music, cheap parking, cool performers and food discounts. And since I live nearby, I walked over with some friends to check it out.

One of the vendors said that it takes place every month, but it seems that they take place sporadically because the last one was on August 24. I attended the one on October 3^rd.

There are artists spray painting their creations, venders who make their own jewelry and musicians playing music from the 50s era to jazz and rock.

Performers and dancers encourage the crowd to participate, and some restaurants have $5 Happy Hour appetizers and drinks. One of my friends bought a handmade necklace and I picked out a bracelet.

Taking pictures was not easy because of the crowd, but I managed to steal a few. So, keep a look out for the next one. It’s interesting to go see it at least once.