It's a guy thing

I've started noticing all the barber shops I never noticed before. One of the things they all seem to have in common is that they are basic (oh yeah, and they all have the striped barber poles). They all seem to say:  Barber shop, stop in, get a cut....no frills. For guys, it's just a hair cut.

The place I get my hair cut is a salon with a beauty supply attached. You can get a massage, facial, a variety of relaxing treatments, and your nails done. In addition, there is usually some kind of refreshment. I look forward to getting my hair done, it's relaxing and the atmosphere is artsy and fun. I've come to the conclusion that—in general—guys must not feel the same way about getting a cut.

See my last Barber Shop post from earlier this month.

After the lights go out

After the lights go out at the Pets and Grooming pet store, do the animals come out to play like the toys in Toy Story?

This parrot, with his feathers all ruffled out for warmth, was wary, waiting for me to leave him to his nap.

In the back, the fish seemed oblivious to the perpetual light on their tanks.

Closing time

What does the local strip mall look like at closing time?

At Baskin Robbins, the tables have been brought in from the front sidewalk, the floor is scrubbed, and the door is just about to close.

Next, the pet store after closing...

Weed's eye view

In my opinion, this is the luckiest weed in the world. It sits up here on this magnificent hill in Whittier, staring out into the basin that so many of us call home. On my hike this morning, I kept having to stop. Partly to catch my breath, but mostly, to turn around and look at the exquisite view. To see more of what I saw, click here

The best buns...

Tonight I felt like a burger, so we tried a new hamburger place on 2nd Street called L.A. Buns. We walked through the door and Mike welcomed us like we were old friends.

The menu is small, so ordering was easy. I had the LAX burger—I have to say it was a great burger. Everything is fresh. They even grind their own meat, according to Josh (cook and co-owner).

One of the differences you'll notice right away is that the buns are different. They use French brioche. There is something about the texture that was kind of amazing...you just gotta try it! It was a treat to find a unique new eatery so close to home. Now we can tell people that Downey has the best buns in LA!

The advantages of looking down

It can pay off to look down while you walk.

It can keep your feet dry.

And now and then, it can reflect back your surroundings and make you see them from a whole new perspective.

Famous hamburgers

A couple girls from work and I went out to BJ's Restaurant the other night and were all so excited with what we got that all of our camera phones were whipped out and flashing like it was the paparazzi.

Citizen soldiers

Walking the base...

This weekend I am out of Downey spending a little time with my daughter. She is in the Army National Guard, visiting Vandenberg Airforce Base.

Vandenberg is only a couple of hours north of Downey up the coast. While I was wandering around the base, I noticed a monument to the Korean war veterans in 1950, thanking the citizen soldiers of the 40th infantry division for their great determination, courage, and honor. It got our attention because the 40th is the same division out of Los Alamitos that my daughter is attached to for her service. It is a small world.