April Swanking - Huntington Gardens - April 22nd
 

WHAT: April Swanking
WHERE: Huntington Library and Gardens - San Marino (near Pasadena)
WHEN: April 22nd, 11:00 am (Meet at the entrance)
ADMISSION: $15 per person



We're were talking about how absolutely beautiful the Huntington Gardens are in Spring, so what better time to see them than in Late April. The roses should be in full bloom and the weather not so hot.

So, I suggest we dress in our best Garden Party attire (Hats encouraged) and explore the beautiful Huntington Gardens.

There are also art exhibitions to be viewed (including the ubiquitous Pinky and Blue boy), a fantastic bookshop, a plant store and, of course, the famous rare book collection. We can stop by the cafe for a snack in the afternoon and eat at one of the garden tables.

Afterward, I suggest we slip into Old Town Pasadena to check out the area and have a bite to eat.



General Information

This sounds great. I don't know about the hat though...

The Huntington also (or used to) have a tea house for a splendid afternoon tea if you can get reserves. The food was fab and the gardens ARE lovely!

The teahouse IS beautiful. It costs $19 in addition to entrance fees (more with a group of 8 or more) and we would have to secure advance reservations. I'd love to do this, but it seemed out of the question for this visit.

Okay -- yet again, the Mr. and I will try to make this!!!

Tea is for pussies. Damn Brits. I can't get away from them.

So, I'm wondering what is better garden party attire - my black smiley face corporate rock whores Nirvana shirt, or my ripped and torn In Utero shirt?

ooo I feel a allergy migrane coming on from this thread.

Have fun everyone!

NM, go with the ripped jeans and In Utero shirt.

Wear them both and change halfway through the day. That WOULD be the proper thing to do.


Besides, we're not doing tea. Just gardens and a swanky restaurant.

Solid.

Flowers are manly, right?

Of course!

The gardens are named after a man for heaven's sake!

Um, just for monkey wrenching sake ... since most of LoT is going to USH, can that be our April Swanking ... with HG moved to May, where we currently are absent a swanking?

Sweetheart, since I don't think you are going to stop trying to change things until you get your way on at least one, I'm going to say you can change whatever you want to here. Plan away.;)

Damn! I am off that day, but I have a Wedding to go to :(

Well, I've been trying to come up with May swanking ideas, but so far nada. Maybe we could do the fake Mexican holiday thingie the night of the 5th? It falls on a Friday!

Isn't there a LoT birthday on that day?

I was actually thinking it might be fun to check out the Puka bar that's just opened down the street from our house. Maybe have Hawaiian BBQ and watch some Tiki-tyle film then walk over to the Puka Bar for drinks.

^ That sounds fun. Can that be May, and we'll leave the lovely Huntington for April?

That's fine with me.

I think the Gardens would be prettier in April - and not as hot.

Yes, quite agree. April gardens will be lovely. Oooh, I haven't been to the Huntington in years and years. I'm excited.

Hmmm, but what is it they say about April showers and May flowers?

It was never applicable to the west coast ... but recent weather patterns are making me think twice about that.

Well, my own roses are in full bloom and they are a well-cared for as the Huntingtons's I'm sure.

I've only been once and it was early April. I went with my Mom and Dad and Chris for my birthday (over 15 years ago). We went to Northwoods Inn afterwards for cocktails. I think it was the first time I ever drank with my partents.

The roses at Union Station are also starting to bloom

People with allergies are sneezing all over the place.

Yup, it's that time of year. People sneeze. I may even sneeze at HG, but at least I'll be looking at pretty while I do it. :)

Damnit, why do I always forget to check CP's work schedule before getting all excited about going somewhere. :(

Ya know, one of the signs of a healthy relationship or marriage is when the individuals allow themselves to do things on occasion without their significant other.








No, not those things ... but a peaceful afternoon of garden strolling certainly fits the bill.

As of right now I have the 22nd off but my schedule might change since there a conflict next Tuesday due to my Disneyland orientation.

^ and yet, much as I regret the circumstances, I would still go to the Huntington, just as I went to Universal without zapp. I missed him, I'd much rather he'd have been there. But we're not connected at the hip.



Your mileage may vary, and I don't mean this as a criticism. Just a nudgly suggestion. Come Without Her.

It becomes a logistics issue since we both have to subsequently be in the valley the next day for a birthday. Gas prices + general weariness are compelling reasons to avoid schlepping 2 cars up there. But we'll see, I may go.

Ugh. gas prices. i hear dat.





general weariness? pfffft ... take a pill.

Ah yes, nothing like a drive down the 405, tired and wired, alone in the car. I've done enough of those for several lifetimes.

Remember ISM, these are OLD people.


There's always the train. Or a carpool.

The train I'd need doesn't run on Saturday.

Well, technically, you would be taking the 5 back from Pasadena ... but hold on there a mo while I get my violin. :rolleyes:

Pssst ... for anyone else thinking of not coming to this swanking, ye be warned about the browbeating you'll receive.

I was referring to the return trip on Sunday night.

:confused: Um, but wouldn't CP be with you for that one?

It's unlikely that I'd go all the way to Pasadena, all the way back down, then back up the next day. It'd make more sense to go to Pasadena, stay up there with family, then Jen would drive up that night or the next day, and we'd drive back separately Sunday. Train would have been good...but no Saturday service on the OC line.

I love this:
Cool! Can I wear my sombrero? :D




(I'm joking. I can't go.) :(

Then get ready for a browbeating, Mr. Cricket.

Hooray! Can I sign up for a browbeating? For indeed, we shall be in town. Yet, not at the swanking.

Once again I am thankful I don't live behind the orange-lead curtainn any more and can go places on the weekends.

I understand about gas prices. Yikes, it hurts. But beware the fudz factor. If you are under 30 and you start fudzing out on stuff, it's really lame. Under 40 and fudzy is still on the pathetic side. Under fifty and constantly fudzing is to be expected, but is nonetheless surrendering to senility.

Everyone who's in a rush to grow old fast, go ahead and start fudzing right away.

Besides, you could die on May first and then you would've missed it.

If one truly lived each day to the fullest, treated each day as if it could possibly be your last, then a lonely drive down the 405 would be one of the most treasured moments of bliss.

We do this a lot - drive up seperately because I work on Saturday, Greg hangs out with friends in LA, I drive straight up from work (getting changed in the car), we shuttle both our cars over to wherever we're spending the night, we drive back seperately Sunday night.

It sucks, but it's often our only choice. I've been ignoring gas prices as much as I can.

We're always doing something, and nearly every weekend it's a compound of things. Tonight we're doing a family Passover thing in the Valley then driving to LA to see friends....don't know if we'll sleep up there or not, probably just drive our asses back at some ungodly hour.

Contrary to popular (iSm's) belief, GD and I do seperate to do things. It's nearly always because I work. Just last weekend we went to hang out with someone on Saturday and went in seperate cars so I could bail, go work, then come back, changing clothes as I went.

Recently we bought show tickets and realized it would be best if we went in June. Yes, we are mostly booked until June. This time of year is every bit as busy as December for us.

I apologise for the rant. But I admit, I'm kind of miffed that iSm thinks we're "fudzing out" of things. It's not often we have a Sat or Sun to just lay around and relax together, because we LOVE going out and seeing family and friends. We book as much as we can because we enjoy it so much. We're doing all we can to live each day to the fullest.

As for this specific instance, whether GD should go to the flowers thing with you guys, it's totally up to him. I haven't even talked to him about it (and wasn't really thinking about it until I read this thread just now). Seeing his posts here I guess he doesn't want to. I don't blame him - I'm not sure what I would do in his position. We've just done the drive so. many. damn. times. Whoever does the driving in our trips to LA gets big thanks from the other and we do our best to split that chore.

What I mean is - get off our backs. :p

Disclaimer - Yes I know I took all this too seriously but hey, I gotta have my day when you pushed my button, yes? The browbeating is bugging me. Love you guys, but please, lay off.

Heck, I didn't even get my browbeating. How rude. :p

Yeah, why the hell aren't YOU at any of our meets, Traci??

Heh. Now that's what I'm talking about! I mean, I'll let you guys slide for the ones I'm not in town for, but come on, the least you could do is give me a hard time for missing the ones I am in town for! ;)

You obvioulsy are an old fuddy duddy who has no idea what life is like beyond the "orange curtain", because when you live behind the orange curtain you aren't allowed to go anywhere on the weekend. You obviously don't live life to the fullest either since you won't leave the orange curtain on a [the rare] Saturday [that you're in town] to go to this meet.

How's that?

And I won't be going to this meet because I don't want to spend the day looking at flowers [boooooring] and getting a severe allergy headache. But I will see you on Sunday.

No joke about the Orange Curtain thing. I grew up behind it and lived there for a loooong time. Sometimes it is hard to get beyond it. I do MUCH more fun and swanky stuff living on the other side of it. It seems to be this strange barrier and can be stifiling. Odd but true.......at least for me.

Ok, someone fill me in on the orange curtain?

A seeminly imaginary boundry that seperates Orange from LA County. Some of the things asserted to be prevented by the boundry include:

• Culture from getting into Orange County
• Affluence from Leaving Orange County
• Republicans for moving into LA County
• Crime from moving into Orange County

Well, since good-natured ribbing is not being taken as such ... I might as well just be blunt.

I'm not accusing anyone of being a fudz. I'm just teasing. CP and GD are some of the least fudzy people I know. Otherwise I wouldn't love them so.

But if you don't wanna go look at the perty flowers, just say so. Don't whine about the lonely drive. When pretending to be a fudz, don't be surprised if you are teasingly accused of it.

There's no teasing to be had from "I just don't want to go to the flower thing." Heck, a statement like that might even go a ways towards convincing folks that GD is not the gayest straight man in the world.

Ah, thanks for filling me in. Up until now I had thought that LA was part of OC. :blush: Funnily enough, in spite of 35+ trips to CA, I've never stepped foot in LA. I must do this someday, though I can't imagine that it's as good as NYC, and I've been there.

I think looking at flowers sound lovely, though I don't want to spend an afternoon reminding Indi not to pick them. I am still looking for tips as to what to spend Saturday doing, if any of you care to mosey on over to my DL thread.

Actually, my favorite gardens of the Huntington have little or no flowers.

The Zen rock garden is but two steps away from nirvana, and the expansive desert gardens of cactus and such are uniquely beautiful.



And the orange curtain is such an oppressive barrier that, were it not for Disneyland being behind it, I would rarely - if ever - venture there.

As a relative outsider to this, thus with nothing emotionally invested in either OC or LA relative to the other, I figured I would jump in. It's like arguing about the greatness of Copernicus versus Galileo. Either way, they're both much smarter than you and neither one sucks. Having lived someplace that actually blows (Detroit) and realizing that most of this country is not privy to the greatness of places like NY and SoCal, it puts everything into perspective. The reason housing values exploded out here is because, it is simply f'in awesome and everyone wants to be here.

I think the "orange curtain" thig is BS. The real issue is simply the physical distance and the traffic on the 5 and 405. If you live in South County, it's a royal PIA to get to LA, and Vise Versa. Why go up to Santa Monica or Manhattan Beach when Newport or Huntington or Laguna are right here, and again, vice versa. However if you lived in North County, you would easily venture up to Long Beach or Hermosa. Hell of a lot closer than Laguna.

There are great things about both areas and all of SoCal is better than 95% of the US so appreciate what you have here instead of trying to fight about which subset of this greatness is slightly more awesome. I love to make it up to LA when I can for certain events and the like, but ususally its much easier to go out locally here in the OC than drive the hour to hour and a half up to LA. Last night for example, we were thinking of going to hollywood to go to a comedy club, but then decided to go to the Improv in Irvine cause its about 1,000 times closer and easier to get to. And you know what, we had a great time. Nuff said. Now, if I could just get my helicopter, jet pack, or star trek transporter working, that might change things. Damn that would be cool.

Boobies and tacos for all.

Wow, I just checked my closet and I don't have anything in pastel colors. Is this going to happen and if so, I need to go to Wallmart!! :P

:snap: :cheers:

I am able to mojo NirvanaMan (and did) ... but i just wanted everybody to know that I find him as mojo worthy as if I were unable to and had to post the standard no mojo quote.

I worked in LA up until about 10 years ago. At the time I belonged to one of the museums in Exposition Park and I'd get free tickets to the Imax films there. I had no problem leaving work (which was maybe a mile from Expo Park), driving home to Long Beach to pick up the kid, and then driving all the way back to see the film. On a week night.

Now I work in Costa Mesa, the same miles from home as before, but I can't get myself to attempt the same thing. Yes, I'm older and fudzier, but it's mostly so impossible to get between anywhere in the O.C. and home that I can't generally handle doing anything else. Yes, there is an Orange Curtain and it's called the 405.

Our problem is that we break through the curtain too often. Believe me, as the gayest straight man who actually still posts here (hi Nirvanaman!), I would most enjoy a day at Huntington Gardens (you do remember my thread about my blacony garden, right?)...I've just got to weigh that enjoyment against the reality of yet again making the drive, spending a night away from home, yadda yadda yadda. Like CP mentioned earlier, we realized back at the beginning of March that we had zero free weekends until June, and high proportion of those booked weekends involves a drive up to and a stay in the Valley or LA. We do it because we love our friends and family, and love the things we do...but it does eventually become very very wearying.

And for those of us in south county, the 5. I live south of the "Y", and I work across the street from the Spectrum. I have to drive over the 5 north every night before I go home, and the thought of sitting in that traffic to go somewhere *fun* or *swanky* in LA is not appealing. Heck, going to Disneyland in that traffic isn't appealing.

And it seems no matter when you go north, unless it's between 1am and 3am you will hit crummy traffic.

There are fun and swanky places in Orange County. Maybe not as many as in LA County, but they are here, and as NM pointed out, much closer and easier to get to.

Good natured ribbing is good natured ribbing, but implying that the county one lives in is sucking the life and fun out of them is a little more than good natured ribbing. I can't really blame CP for her post.

What NM said....

But I gotta say, we were at the Avalon last night (club in Hollywood) and holy sht, now THAT is a place to get a drink and shake your ass on the dance floor. The place is your standard old-theater-reborn with ornate ceilings and balconies with an incredible light set up that threatened to give ME a seizure. The music was rather good and the place was packed...

I'm pretty sure there's nothing like that in OC. ;)

It totally sucked ass to drive back down at 3:30am though. Damn you, wonderful Orange County! I hope we move to Fullerton...

It's not lke OC is a desolate wasteland, it just doesn't have the diversity and excitement of LA. The further South you go, the more mundane it gets with the exception of some of tbe more "liberal" beach communities (Laguna is a prime example). The problem I found with living in OC was that I, like Lindyhop, found it hard to leave. It DID seem to suck the life out of me. There's something about the comfort level that makes me lead a much more boring life. But, I LIKE cities and diversity. I like the excitement, the creativity, the vibe that just isn't there in OC. But, I love love love Long Beach. It has a city feel and a beach community vibe. Lots of unique experiences to be had here and we're freeway close to anywhere in LA - and to Disneyland. We're also freeway close to OC in general, but I rarely end up there for any other reason that to visit friends who live or work there.

But, I've lived on OC, worked for a major OC city, lived in Hollywood and in Long Beach for many years so I've experienced the differences firsthand. If you choose to live in OC there are many benefits, but hip happenings isn't really one of them and the drive you have to make to get to "someplace" is tedious. But, these are my priorities talking.

Totally agreed. Even places that are kinda cool, like Laguna, don't hold a candle to the splendor of old-Hollywood, a-la the Avalon. Clubbing in OC is, well, clubbing, i.e lame. Clubbing at a place like the Avalon...is still lame, but at least you're at the freaking Avalon!

If I didn't have a job that I truly love, I'd seriously be looking for a way out of here. But I'm in a niche industry, and the few opportunities in SoCal that exist are here in OC, and I really do hope to be at this company for a long while. Hopefully, this summer will bring a move closer to the county line. As much as I enjoy the benefits of Irvine (clean, quiet, safe-ish), I'll trade it for proximit to something other than another Daphne's and another Dave & Busters.

That is us too. And AZ is a much suckier place than almost anywhere in CA. But a good job and family (ok, so I'd sort of like to move away from family :p ) keep us here for now. When we're ready to leave the job though, we'll leave the state. Probably for someplace where we can buy more than a one bedroom apartment for what we pay for rent here, though. CA is nice, but it ain't cheap.

So, back to this weekend.

Who is confirmed? I have another friend who is also going to be joining us. Another non-gay man who likes flowers, zen gardens, art, literature, carniverous plants, good company and wonderful food. I have the best friends ;)

I need to pick a restaurant as well.

Well, hmmm, I'm in ... but I'm not sure about my boyfriend.


Are you sure your flower-loving friend isn't gay??

I love the Huntington - but I'm gonna pass, so my brain and body can recover a bit from this Spring Breakdown...

Positive. My 'dar is damn accurate.

Well, then ... as we stroll the gardens, if you would kindly "ping" if we approach any likely dates for me.

I will do that. I've done it many a time on request.

I'm planning to be there. Don't know nothin' bout flowers though.

Knowledge isn't required, but it can be gleaned. Maybe this can be the lead-up to our long-planned Horticultral Tour of Disneyland.

After all, she is the only one who believed I was straight. iSM just thinks every man is gay. :)

BTW we are in. My fave flower is the purple kind.

Purple is cool.

Glad you are going to make it. I assume you're bringing The Blond?

But of course.

OK. We have 6:00 dinner reservations at Xiomara in Pasadena. Xiomara is a primarily Cuban restaurant that combines French and other Latin tastes into their unique cuisine.

http://www.xiomararestaurant.com/index.htm

Directions from the Garden can be found here: http://maps.yahoo.com/pdd?ed=PGf4G.V...r=&terr=&mag=3

Blond love purple flower

P.S. 26,609 New Posts since my last visit!!

Yes, but you are ESSENTIAL behind the scenes helping to find a dinner spot. ;)

Well, you know how much I looooooove food!

Getting ready for Saturday by starting back on Allegra today.

Yep, Xiomara looks good.

What time are we gardening?

Meet at the Gates at 11:00 (or so)

Looks good. We'll prolly get to the gardens around 12. 11 is too early for us. :)

Why is Tiny Tim's tip-toe song coming to mind?

Bring your Ukelele, ISM.

No, don't.

I have a client in the AM but it shouldn't take a long time. 2 BEAUTIFUL greyhounds have my attention that morning. :)

Um, do we have a backup plan for if its...... Raining???

PM showers.

We'll be done by then. Besides, do you melt? Bring a raincoat.

I will happily dance through the gardens in the rain should we have some

We have to wait for the plumber to come out on Saturday...(actually I can't even remember if I already posted this; I am going mental by inches) anyway, so, but, we might not make it. :( I want to smell wet flowers. And see my friends more. Well, here's hoping!

can we just drive through the gardens if it's raining? You know, kinda like a safari?

I have to work tomorrow. Oh well.

Have fun everyone.

NICE!

Oh how I wish Ostrich roamed the grounds...

I wish I could make it as this is one of those things on my list of places to see that I never seem to get around to seeing. But instead of a swanky garden tour I'll be at the ubber un-swanky Rodeo. Can't wait to see all the fabulous photos.

I'm a maybe at most.

No way! You wanted to go here as much as I did.

See you at 11:00.

Ok, I've gone to an almost definitely from a mere maybe. Heheh, I've managed to move some of my about-town errands to the Valley, one even in Pasadena! I'm gonna get those done uber-early and head over to the Huntington. I can't promise 11, but I'll be there.

I keep reading the thread title as Swankington Gardens...must be a sign. Plumber willin' and if the toilet water don' rise, we'll try to make it! ;)

Flowers on earth day...how ironic

Well, n rain predicted today in Pasadena but there are sure black coulds overhead. The current temp is 60 and the high is supposed to be 68. I'm glad I didn't put my sweaters away yet. I'm bringing a rain coat just in case.

I have to admit, it took me quite a while to get into the swank groove yesterday, but it turned out to be a delightful swanking after all.

Even with more Bog people (us this time!), and personal lady bug infestations, the Conservatory didn't thrill me. A decision to get lunch next at the trailer from hell nearly ruined my harmony for good.

I thought all was lost for me when I found the roses pretty, but boring. Row after row after row and we were examining every bloom and petal of every variety ever bred in the mad horticulturist's floral laboratory.

Ah, but then the conversion came ... and I might have known € would be the inspiration. He had been sitting on a bench off to the side and I decided (far later than I should have) to join him. Ah, the swank rolled in.

Under the dripping, droopy eaves of the oldest, old man willow ... the world started in to hum. The weepers of this willow dipped all the way to the ground, and we were enveloped in a bio dome of treestuff, splashes of multi-rose colors visible through the leaves and, best of all, the subtle scent of sweetly mixed rose perfume wafting towards us on the breeze.


Le Sigh.


The swank had begun.

Next thing I knew, we passed through the Chinese Dragon portals into the Twilight Zone.

The musical entrance, the hidden and exotic Japanese gardens ... koi and turtle and cascades and banzai.

Ah, then zen gardens and palm forests, deserts blooming with diseased phalluses and spelling out "L O T" with out bodies on the lawn.

€ running up the hill losing his shoe and rolling down the hill losing his glasses. The goose mating dance. Even the bungled jungle couldn't damper my spirits at that point.


And the obligatory and wonderful after-swanking dinner and cocktail reception. Exema was delightful ... lamb presentation fiasco notwithstanding. Mojo mojitos, yummy food, great company.




When's our next swanking??

Here are some of my photos from the day:


Beware the vines in the Conservatory


What's a swanking without a bog?


Release the Bugs!


Wonder what these do?


Not Afraid of Plants


Entering the Twilight Zone


Colorfull Koi



The LoT Expedition

A few more:


The Ol' Bamboo


Into the woods


The rain be damned


The Cacti follow ISM's Lead


Why do Gardens always make me think about sex?


Can you spot the Swankers?


Julie, go find out what that evil looking plant is...

More phots found here

Awesome report and photos! Sounds like another successful swanking. So sad we missed this, such is life. I'm glad iSm was able to get his groove on eventually.

Everyone must check out the rest of the photos! I'm so jealous! Gorgeous pics.

I have to upload my photos as well. LOTS of plant pics but there is one special series that is really funny, plus Chris rolling down the hill.

Spinning in the rain made me dizzy!

Whoa! Whooooa! :rolleyes: hee hee hee

My pics from the day are here: http://spaces.msn.com/nirvanapsu

More Photos:

Give me an L



Give me an O



Give me a T



What does it spell?????




The story of the maniac who rolled down the hill

Rolling Rolling Rolling:


Grinding Halt!


Ism before being Swankified


Maybe he should've eaten some of these:


How could you not be happy here?


Chris found the Swank Spot


Carniverous Plants



Renfield trying to catch a bug to feed to a carniverous plant


ISM's favorite plant


Lord Byron's Diseased Member




Homage to the Fertility God?


Then this must be the Fertility Dance!


Our Turtle Friend


The Bar at Xiomara


The Amazing Mojito - even the virgins were great!

Watching the slideshow of these, with the flowers fading in and out, is very calming. Awesome pics.

Ok - I have to rave about the Mojitos - best ever.

We walked into the bar, and I noticed a bucket of sugar cane - to which I exclaimed, "Sugar Cane! what are you serving with that?"

Turns out the make fresh sugar cane juice using a rather cool machine to make their mojitos along with the muddled mint and rum. Simply delicious and exactly the way it should be. I won't be ordering any of these from Tortilla Joe's anymore.

It looks like you guys had a great time- I'm duly envious. Start plotting that June Swanking, okay?

Believe it or not, I've never had a Mojito. What's in it?

The contents are purely mojo.


That's all there is to it.





(Ok, sugar, sugar kane sugar, lime juice, mint leaves, oh and rum)

I love mojitos.
:)


Love this pics, folks!