“Whatever good things we build end up building us.”

~ Jim Rohn ~

Inspiration for the Day

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
~ Confucius ~

"A Blitz of a thousand pics begins with a single click."
~ Your PhotoBlitz Team, Tim & Lisa

We Made It!

Bienvenidos, Blitzers! Welcome to Olvera Street and the Fiesta de las Flores, aka "Flower and Camera Day"!

One of many fiestas held throughout the year, this event was an opportunity for pro and amateur photographers to click pics of the monument which was brightly decorated with -- no, not cameras -- flowers!

Ya, even paper cutouts.

Of course, it wasn't all about the flowers. This was a fiesta, after all. That means music and dancing!

And let's not forget all the great food!... Uh, I don't actually have pics of the food. Guess I should have clicked a few before I ate it all... But take my word on it, it was way delicioso! Anyway, who needs pics of the food? There's loads of other things to see here. Like the architectural details...

The colors...


The vendor displays...

And my favorite: LUCHA!!!

You just can't find that kind of fun anywhere, folks. I sure had an amazing time. In fact, I had such a great time, I wanted to document it. Not just with random pics...

...but with me in the pic. Now, I normally prefer to be behind the camera, but I was so filled with happy that I wanted to be able to share it with you. Can you feel the joy? Even under all the camera stuff? Nice. Ya, the cool thing about a camera event is that you can always find a fellow Blitzer to snap a pic of you if you're without back-up. (My PhotoBlitz team mate, Tim, having been stuck with the day job thing, was unable to attend. No worries, Tim: I had a piece of pan dulce in your honor.)

Well, Blitzers, I hope you enjoyed this excursion. Like to see more? Just Click Here for more pics of Olvera Street. Until next time, everybody. Remember: Follow Your Blitz!

Speaking of Old...

Hello again, beautiful people! Enjoying our tour of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument? Hope you're not too tired of walking because there's still lots more to see. So, stay together and follow me.

Yesterday, we took a look at the historic landmark, The Church of Our Lady Queen of Angels, a building that's, like, thousands of years old. Or maybe closer to two hundred. Math really isn't my thing. Let's just say it's been around since before any of us were born and leave it at that. 'Cause however you look at it, it's old! Anyway, our adventure through history doesn't stop there because today we'll take a little stroll through yet another landmark, the Avila Adobe.

The Avila Adobe is the oldest standing house in Los Angeles... What was that? You in the red shirt. Why, yes, it really is made from adobe bricks. Built in 1818 by Don Francisco Avila... "Did he build it all by himself?" Um, probably not. But maybe he did. I wasn't there so I couldn't tell ya for sure... (sigh) Yes? No, Don wasn't his first name. It was a title befitting a guy who had a whole lotta cattle and cash. And it was here, in this adobe, that he may-or-may-not have hand-built, that Don Francisco could spend that cash entertaining his family and friends in style. Maybe not MTV Cribs style, but definitely in above-average style and comfort for the 1800's. Now, let's hold off on any more questions so we can take a quick look at the patio.

As you can see, life in the 1800's didn't include Subzero refrigerators or riding lawnmowers. But, hey, who needed that? Don Francisco had a wood-burning oven, a patio, and cattle: did someone say BBQ? You know they had some parties here. Oh, yeah. Okay, let's head inside.

The original home was much bigger than the present building, but the years and an earthquake in 1870 damaged it so severely, that it was condemned by the city. The current adobe is a restoration of seven rooms, furnished to create an example of the original home, and the life of the family that lived in it. Take a glimpse at the past, everybody.

Different, but not really. Every house has a place for the business of the household, and a place for recreation. Each contains the objects that bring peace and security to its inhabitants. And every home, no matter how simple or ornate, is a reflection of the person or family inside. The styles may change over time, but the basics never do.

Okay, get ready. 'Cause tomorrow we're heading back outside to finish our tour -- with a fiesta! Wooo-hooo! Hasta later, Blitzers!

The Destination

Greetings, Blitzers! When we last met, I had just taken the Metrolink train into Los Angeles for a PhotoBlitz adventure. But where was I exactly? Right here.

Ta-dah! Union Station, Los Angeles, CA. Just minutes from the downtown civic center, this city landmark was built in 1939 and is right across the street from another Los Angeles treasure and my real destination: the Los Angeles Plaza Historic District, aka "El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park." Why was I there? Because it's awesome, that's why! Plus, there was a fiesta happening, making the place even more awesome. But first things first.

Whenever I make my way down here (and, sadly, it's been way too many years since I last visited), I always like to stop by the church: La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Angeles, aka "The Church of Our Lady Queen of Angels."

Although the whole plaza is vibrant and full of energy, there is something about the historic Catholic church which draws me. It's a very cool, old building. Emphasis on old. Really, really, really, old. Founded in 1814, the current building dates back to around 1822, which was a replacement of the original adobe church. Though it's had a few touch-ups and add-ons over the years, the essential beauty of the place remains.

What can I say? I dig it. It's probably because the energy of the community is focused right here. This is the place where people come together to celebrate new beginnings and say goodbyes, share their joys and sorrows, their hopes and prayers. This is where life, from beginning to end, is most deeply experienced.

La Iglesia is now, as it was since it was founded, the true heart of this community. And before you explore and experience El Pueblo -- or any community, really -- it's always a good idea to start at its center.

Tomorrow, the adventure continues. Hasta later, Blitzers!

Riding on the Me-tro-oh-oh...

Greetings, Blitzers! Oh, what a day of adventure I had on Saturday. Yes, even more adventure than is usually packed into a Blitz. How so? Well, for the first time EVER, I took the Metrolink.

The Metrolink is a wondrous dream come true! You see, I hate traffic. A lot. The problem is, if you live in SoCal you can't really avoid it. But in certain areas, it's a complete and absolute nightmare. Seriously. That's a drag because there are usually really cool things going on in those areas. Probably why there's traffic. All those people trying to get to the really cool things. Kind of a Catch-22/vicious circle thingy, if you see what I mean.

Anyway, there was in fact a very cool event taking place on Saturday, and I really wanted to go, and I REALLY didn't want to have to drive all the way out there. In traffic. In the heat. No way. So I looked into the Metrolink system.

Now, I wasn't exactly going coast-to-coast. I just wanted to get to Los Angeles from the Inland Empire. I called the info line and learned that I could catch a 9:20 a.m. train out of the downtown Riverside station. Wooo-hooo! So, early Saturday morning, I headed out. On the way...I got caught in traffic.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? The freeway was closed down to one lane! The cars inched along, as everyone merged to the far left. I tried not to panic and to figure out a "Plan B", just in case the freeway lanes didn't open up. I crept along, glancing at the clock nervously. Suddenly, the orange cones disappeared and the open road was open once again. YES! I drove like the wind -- but within the speed limit, of course -- and arrived at the station. Or at least I thought it was the station. It wasn't.

It seems to me that a building that says "Santa Fe" on it would indicate trains. It looked like a depot. I could see the trains behind the "depot". But no one was there. Where were they? Where should I go? This was looking bad very quickly. I only had about 12 minutes before the train left. I hurried along the side street toward another large building in the distance. It was the real station. But where were the ticket kiosks???

I wasted precious minutes looking for kiosks, only to find newspaper and soda vending machines. I didn't think the conductor would accept either in lieu of a ticket. I needed help fast!

Fortunately, a very nice lady pointed me in the direction of the kiosk. When I got there, a very nice station attendant told me I had four minutes until my train left. "I won't make it," I sighed. "You have four minutes," she said firmly. "And the train hasn't arrived yet." She quickly input all the info into the kiosk for me, took my payment, and handed me my ticket. I thanked her profusely. "You have to go up the platform to the other side," she said. "Go to track four, take the stairs, not the elevator," she called out. I was still thanking her as I sprinted around the corner and up the stairs.

Funny how moments of challenge can teach you something about yourself. Who knew I could sprint? Especially with two cameras and bags in which to keep them? Yet, I did. Up the stairs, across the bridge, down the stairs, and there I was: on the platform as the train pulled into the station. The doors opened, as if the entryway were my own personal Arc de Triomphe. I walked through, into the car, victorious.

Settling into a seat, I spent the two-hour trip enjoying the sights, reading, chatting, and relaxing. When I arrived at my destination, I was refreshed and ready to Blitz!

Oh, what did I Blitz? Tell you tomorrow. Hasta later, Blitzers!