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.

The Piano Bar

Saturday night…time to have fun. Movies…theater, Clubs, dinner at a hip restaurant…oh the choices in L.A are limitless. My Cousin and I opted for drinks at the famous Hollywood Piano Bar. Now, don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not a drinker nor am I a bar hoping gal. I choose the people I hang out with carefully and it takes me a longtime to build a deep friendship with someone. Yet, I’m always up for trying out new places. So, we parked our cars and headed to the bar. At the front door, the line was short and moved quickly. The nice bouncer with a big smile checked our IDs. I asked him why in the world was he checking our IDs when clearly we passed 21 years ago? He said he just had to make sure we had IDs. My cousin said that it was probably just in case we got drunk and he had to send us home in a cab. Well, no chance of that. That was all behind me a year after I graduated college.

 
So, there we were walking into the smoky ambience of the Piano Bar. Ironically, the band did not play the Piano. The music was more like Jazz and the place looked more like a bar one would find in Ireland than in the U.S. People were casual and easy going, no egos. The night we were there, the men outnumbered women by 8 to 1 and my cousin said, “Maybe we’re at a gay bar. There are so many men here.” 
  

Soon we learned that the majority were straight men looking to relax and listen to good music. Everybody chatted with everybody. The atmosphere was comfortable and friendly; none of that gawking one would find at a bar where the customers are on a prowl. Below is a photo of two of the guys we spoke with among the many.

  

The Piano Bar is a cool place to visit. So if you’re ever in the area, go check it out. You will not be disappointed.