Wednesday, May 19, 1999
nice view from the Getty Center
I spent much of the morning and early afternoon touring the various galleries. Among my favorites were works by Renoir, Monet, and Michelangelo, "Maria Frederike" by Liotard, was of particular interest, as well as fuel to fire my continual fascination with Rembrandt.
the sun shining bright over Santa Monica
joggers and skaters enjoying the day
Santa Monica beach
enjoying the beginnings of a sunset
Words don't suffice
As I begin to get closer to Beach Park, driving south on Ocean avenue, I can't stop getting increasingly giddy. Everything is just so perfect! The weather is incredible, I'm driving what amounts to a $40,000 sportscar, I've got my top down, my Ray-Bans on, the wind is blowing through my hair, and no appointments on my agenda, except basking in the freedom to do whatever I please. Don't anyone pinch me, because if this is a dream and I wake up, I may have to fall on my sword. Life most likely won't always be like this, and it may never be like this again, but it's like this today - and I'm reveling in every second of it! Glancing in my rearview, I see a cheesy grin on my face a mile wide.
(Editor's note : I was recently watching my favorite movie of all time : The Shawshank Redemption, and came across the portion of the movie where Andy Dufresne is riding down the coast in his convertible, with the top down, his sunglasses on, and a cheesy grin, and instantly remembered the above scenario I had the privilege to enjoy that day just north of Venice Beach. There truly exists a remarkable parallelism between my adventures and that portion of the movie. I think I understand to some degree what Andy was feeling at that moment in time.)
Looking to the north, I can see the bold sun an hour or so away from setting over the mountains north of Santa Monica. There is a considerable amount of haze low in the sky, which gives the sun a glowing, nuclear appearance. I am also seeing colors right now that I didn't know existed. Like that one, right there, that color, what is the name of that color? Is it orange, or gold, or perhaps another name? I don't know what to call it. I don't think there is a name for that color, and I think that's the point. In fact, I'll go as far as to say that I believe the entire purpose of watching a sunset is solely to witness the existence of colors that have no names. Hmm, in addition to be true and profound, that's quite quotable, I hope no one else said that first!
Naturally, sunsets like this one make me think of God. In fact, I wonder how anyone can watch the beginnings of a sunset like this one and not be in some way spiritually affected. I wonder how many wars could be averted if before the fighting could commence, opposing armies and governments were forced to sit together as I am sitting and watch a sunset such as this one. It's interesting to consider.
As the sun continues its slow decline, my stomach begins to tug. I noticed a small snack bar on the far side of the parking lot when I drove in and I put the top up on my car and head in that direction.
I was fortunate to have arrived just before they closed and they were more than willing to sell me a soda and their last two slices of pizza which have probably been under the heat lamp since the noon lunch rush. Since they were packing up their beach chairs, umbrellas, and tables for the evening, I have found a little stoop to sit on out by the beach. Actually, it's a small wall separating the boardwalk from the beach. So, I'm sitting here eating pizza with my feet snuggled in the silky sand, watching the glowing desert of a Smorgasbord of color.
As I gaze toward the water, I see several female athletes stretching out by the sea with the beautiful backdrop of the ensuing sunset. I assume they are beginning a leisurely "Chariots of Fire" jog or perhaps they are getting ready to go home for the night. Whatever they are doing, their silhouettes in the glowing sunshine are delightful representations of softer femininity.
The sunset is perfect and amazing and in another fifteen minutes, it will be no more. The memory of this place though will be with me for some time. I've been recording as much of this as I can, hoping in some way to capture a portion of its beauty, but I know that nothing will adequately capture the feelings and emotions I have experienced here. They're divine, that's all I can say, they're divine.
Saturday : Biking through the Azusa foothills
Sunday : Hanging out in Corona
Monday : Echo Park and the Sunset Strip - Mann's Chinese Theater, Hollywood Walk of Fame
Tuesday : Santa Monica, Venice Beach, and Marina del Rey
Wednesday : The Getty and a beautiful sunset near Santa Monica
Thursday : Avalon, Catalina Island, Casino Ballroom
Friday : Newport Beach, beautiful photos of the surf and ocean
Saturday : Leaving Newport Beach and conclusion
