Santa Fe, Part Two

I hit up downtown Santa Fe. There really is no place like it. It's the first state capitol that was founded in America.

 

Unlike every other state capitol building I've visited, there were no security lines or metal detectors. The capitol building was open to everyone. Fitting, for such a friendly state.

There was wall-to-wall art. Without exaggerating, the building was, in most respects, more like a museum than a state building.













This is the state legislature chamber. No one else was around, and it was open to the public.

Santa Fe's main square is full of artisans, many a merry minstrel, and regular folks, basking in the desert sun.

This guy had a custom vehicle to carry himself and his harp. Have you ever seen anything like it?

This is the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.

Below is Loretto Chapel. A rare example of non-adobe architecture downtown, its claim to fame is a staircase that was supposedly built by an incarnation of St. Joseph, sometime in the late 19th century. The staircase is a wonder to behold. It makes two 360º turns! Originally, it didn't have a railing. It was installed later. There was even a TV movie made about it.

The fellow at the information desk was full of information about the miracle of the staircase, although I was surprised to discover that it was roped off since the 1970s for "preservation." Why would a miracle need preservation?

Fortunately, Snopes cleared it right up. It was a lovely chapel, at any rate.

Santa Fe, Part One

New Mexico sure is pretty. Every sunset is a beautiful sunset, and the state likely possesses one of the most distinctive regional identities in the whole country.

 

Santa Fe is close to 7,000 feet above sea level, so unless you're on Mount Everest or something, I'm able to look down and see what all of you are doing, all the time.

This is the Tecolote Cafe. It makes great food, and the owner is a swell guy. It also is a regular eatery for A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) author George R. R. Martin. When I visit, I try to spot him (though, like a dog chasing a car, I have no idea what I'd do upon meeting him other than flap my arms and squawk really loud) and order a breakfast burrito, because breakfast burritos are the tastiest thing in all of Westeros.

The countryside is glorious, and today I plan a trip downtown. You should come out and visit!

This is a coyote fence. Coyotes are a problem out here. That is, unless you don't consider a pack of wild canines breaking into your house to steal your valuables and babies a problem. In that case, you will have no need for said coyote fence. Simply let them in.

This is Karma. She is a little rotund, but you can't help but like her. She likes scenting things, rolling around in the dirt, and hugs. Aww.

City of Angels, Part Two

UCLA is a beautiful school. It has an idyllic sculpture garden that you should make the time to visit.



 It also has a pro backlot complete with a cafe! And ladybugs!

After leaving UCLA, I went downtown to see my producer friend, Ross. He's always up to something fun and creative.

The metro station at Hollywood and Vine is amazing. Its walls and vaulted ceilings are covered, positively covered, with old film projection reels!

My NYU friends John and Brad live in the Studio City environs, so I had dinner with them.

 

John even introduced me to Mexican Coke, the kind with no artificial sugars! It tasted like regular Coke!

We went to see Star Trek: Into Darkness at the Arclight Cinema in Sherman Oaks. They even had some costumes from the film on display in the lobby!

The following morning, my elementary school friend Jacob (I've known him since kindergarten!) and I had brunch and took a drive up Mulholland. Jacob's a video game designer and has a great outlook on things.

And I visited with dear Marilyn. After all, some like it hot.