The Journey of Miss Adventure and Her Sidekick (w/photos!)

[Disneyphile]

So, Ken and I woke up this morning, totally anticipating our Long Awaited Date Day ("LADD" for short). Ken and I don't seem to get too many outings with just the two of us, so we try to schedule them as we can. We originally planned to hike to the Hollywood sign, but got off to a bit of a late start for that, so decided on the LA Zoo.

We hopped in the car and off we went, seeking a fun and relaxing day with the animals!

Except.... we never made it into the zoo.

We got stuck on the 5 north for nearly 2 hours, thanks to some construction and then an accident.

Finally, when we approached the offramp for the zoo, the cars were backed up in a long line. We sat in that line for nearly 20 minutes, only to get to an over-crowded parking lot where even the overflow parking was full. Seeing at that point, we only had 3 hours left to enjoy the zoo, we just passed it, and attempted to get back on the freeway, but couldn't.

Hungry, we ended up at a Foster's Freeze somewhere in Glendale. After a quick lunch, we were finally able to find our way back to the freeway, and decided upon the LA Arboretum.

We got to the Arboretum about an hour before they close, and went to pay our admission, only to be told that they would only take cash or check, but we were welcome to make a purchase in the gift shop, and receive cash back for a $3.50 fee. Um, no.

Frustrated, we turned to leave. Ken stopped for a moment and directed me to this sight on top of the gift shop:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3394435184_693ee2e932.jpg?v=0

At least it was something. :rolleyes:

So, we trekked back to our neck of the woods after a not-so-lovely unexpected Survey of LA Traffic.

We gathered up a few things at home and headed over to check out Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley, since there is no admission, and they would be open until 9pm. We were determined to have a great day, dammit!

I was happy to still get some shots of animals, even though they were all birds:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/3393623233_3eb7e629ee.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3393624259_0029b7f055.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3394435522_b21eb2ca5a.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3393624621_46c264e58e.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3393625399_1b23e58bd5.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3394433070_ffe404b8fe.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3394434778_9a68c3e1d7.jpg?v=0

If you haven't had enough birds, there are more shots at this link (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67163320@N00/sets/72157615967501387/).

After some exploring of the grounds, we tossed a frisbee, which ended up the lake twice. ;)

So, seeing as we were both warmed up with our hand-eye coordination, we broke out the glow poi just after sunset to see how it would photograph. Here are those results:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3394431992_5eb19d50b9.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3394431926_dcdf0ed2a6.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3393621345_4c3b35a97e.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3449/3393624063_549d48e510.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3393624135_c08af49c6d.jpg?v=0

And, the rest can be found here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/67163320@N00/sets/72157615967470751/).

It was so cool being able to light up the poi for the first time. We ended up gathering a few spectators for our "light show", as we overheard a couple of the kids call it. :)

So, when the day was for the birds, the night literally lightened our spirits. It turned out to be an awesome date after all! :snap:

Oh, and here is a little something I experimented with tonight, digital art inspired by a photo of tree bark:

Before
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3393682757_df22892445.jpg?v=0

After
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3393623673_d09aa4575a.jpg?v=0

[Deebs]

The peacock framed in flowers is beautiful! :snap:

I'm sorry about all the lame stuff that happened leading up to the awesome, but awesome indeed it turned out to be. What a great evening! I dig the glow poi in the dark and all the duck shots. And your digital tree bark art is trippy-cool. VDPM!

[innerSpaceman]

Hmmm, I had a wonderful Survey of Los Angeles Area Traffic for a good part of the day, too (as I tried, and failed, to make it from one happy event to another).

But that wouldn't be a coincidence worth mentioning if it weren't also my L.A.D.D. (Had my first date tonight in over a year!)



Cheers. :cheers:

[Disneyphile]

But that wouldn't be a coincidence worth mentioning if it weren't also my L.A.D.D. (Had my first date tonight in over a year!)So you were the one who jinxed it! :p

[BDBopper]

I'm sorry your LADD didn't turn out as planned but I am very glad that you two kept at it and found fun in the simplest of things! Kudos! :snap:

Glow poi? huh? I can see your pictures but still look like blurry glow worm things. Is that what they are? I guess the pictures can't do it justice.

[Disneyphile]

Glow poi? huh? I can see your pictures but still look like blurry glow worm things. Is that what they are? I guess the pictures can't do it justice. They are simply a ball on the end of a string that contains a color-changing LED. They're often used in pairs, and are twirled in different patterns. It's a traditional native dance item of the Maori people of New Zealand. :) (Well, traditional poi are - modern twirlers have vamped them with lights and even fire.)

[cirquelover]

Well at least it turned out in the end, even if wasn't quite what you'd expected. Great way to make the best of every situation and go with the flow.

Thanks for an explanation of glow poi, they look really cool in the pics!

[alphabassettgrrl]

Yeah, traffic was awful yesterday. Glad you had a good day in the end, though!

Nice pictures! I'm glad you got some of the glow-poi, too!

[Cadaverous Pallor]

We ended up gathering a few spectators for our "light show", as we overheard a couple of the kids call it. :)Bwahaha, I would be one of those kids. I had never heard it referred to as "poi" until you mentioned it, though I've never been a fan of the term glowsticking (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glowsticking). Glowstick twirling (http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=8267359), I'd say, or just "giving lightshows" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxRMvs6L8OQ).

Glad your day turned out fun after all. Now apologize to Ken for calling him your sidekick. ;)

[CoasterMatt]

Life Lessons From The Fire Poi (http://revver.com/video/787068/life-lessons-from-the-fire-poi/)

[BDBopper]

They are simply a ball on the end of a string that contains a color-changing LED. They're often used in pairs, and are twirled in different patterns. It's a traditional native dance item of the Maori people of New Zealand. :) (Well, traditional poi are - modern twirlers have vamped them with lights and even fire.)

Sweet! Thanks for explaining it to me. How cool are they? :)