Catch me if you can

The skateboard from my post last week belonged to the sister of yesterday's biker.  She also wanted to try out the ride down the long hill.

But it's nice to know, if you have to bail out at the bottom, that your dad is waiting to catch you..

Girls' night out

Last week I showed you the view of downtown Downey from Downey Gateway. Tonight, I'm looking the other direction.

It's fun to people-watch at Downey Gateway. There are a lot of people wandering around, of all ages. These girls caught my eye because of their fun outfits, and they graciously let me take their picture.

Beach bonfires and marshmallows

Our current hot spell makes us really appreciate our proximity to the beach. This is Bolsa Chica Beach, which has fire rings available for evening bonfires and cookouts.

The roaring fire was necessary to keep us warm until the afternoon winds died down. By then, the fire was perfect for roasting hot dogs and s'mores.

We love Bumblebee!

This is the biggest image I've seen so far from the street artist, Bumblebee. This little girl is painted on the side of a building on 2nd Street just past LA Buns and the Epic Lounge.  Usually there are bees incorporated in the image, so I'm not sure of the message here. Maybe we'll find out at the film event scheduled to take place here in August.

The Downey Arts Coalition along with Epic Lounge is hosting a short film event called BUMBLEBEE LOVES YOU, featuring the images of Bumblebee. Click here for the info link. I believe the event is free, so bring a friend and stop by to check out a little local art vibe.

If you are interested, I recently posted another Bumblebee image on Firestone.

Afternoon break

On this warm Friday afternoon, two workers at Shear Vanity, Inc, take a break.

It's a pleasant place for a snack and some conversation before heading back to work.

Click here to see another example of this colorful building.

Wait, what was I doing again?

I have started writing this paragraph so many times it feels like my little finger is permanently connected to the "backspace" button. I'm actually not sure what to write about this girl since I didn't really have time (read: couldn't think of a way) to talk to her. She was sitting at the bus stop as I made my way around the old part of Downey. My main focus was supposed to be about her but I just couldn't do it.

Sometimes it feels so weird.

I did however to talk to the bus driver as she got into her bus but didn't stop to take her picture and didn't think of even asking her name. I was looking at the transit building as she passed by and she asked if I liked it. I said it was great but a little out of place. She said she had hoped the new transit station would look like the old building but the mural on the side would have to do. I wish I knew more about the old one. It would have looked great with the old warehouses as a backdrop and the brick walls of the Firestone buildings in front of it.

Faces from the faire #1

Yesterday, I spent the morning at the 18th Annual Downey Street Faire, an annual event that attracts more than 200 vendors and closes down Brookshire Avenue for the day.

According to the Downey Patriot, live entertainment was provided by OnStage Dance Center, the All About Me band, New King James Group of Calvary Chapel, Roadhouse Ron, Route 66 band, Kuuipo O'Hula and the Jazz Ensemble Choir from Warren High School (one of the members shown above). These kids were really good—I was sorry I had only a limited time to enjoy the music.

I didn't know until I looked the event up on the Downey website that it was a faire as opposed to a fair. I'm not really sure it had the Renaissance feeling of a faire. I'll let you be the judge when I post more "faces of the faire" later this week.

A casualty of the instant download

Our local Hollywood Video is going out of business, now that its parent company has declared bankruptcy. Bernice, one of the store's employees, was taking a quick break from the hectic atmosphere of the close-out sale. Her job will soon be over, and she's faced with finding another job (a tough task in today's economy), applying for unemployment benefits, or maybe going back to school.

Good luck, Bernice, and thank you for being #5 in my 100 strangers project. (Click here for other entries.)

That comfort zone thing (Theme week: Red)

Tonight I ventured out of my comfort zone. While out running errands after work, I was keeping my eyes open for red. Nothing appealed until I stopped at our local McDonald's to pick up a fast dinner. And there was Fabiana, with her bright red hair!

Since I didn't have my camera with me (will I never learn?), I asked her if I could come back and take her picture. (I figured there was no way I was going to sneak a shot in that small area, even with my telephoto lens.) When I returned, she didn't want a candid shot of her working, so I took her picture next to the

McCafé display.

Lesson learned — it never hurts to ask, and I think we both had a few minutes of fun.

Harley girl

I know that Harley riders give the impression of being tough, but all my preconceived notions were tossed out the window (of my car) when I saw this 'picture' in front of me. One of the things I am learning from A Yankee-in-Belgrade is to always have your camera ready and at hand. After struggling for what seemed an eternity with my seatbelt, I extricated my camera and snap!