Let's Play Ball

A couple weeks ago I was trying to find a close ball field to take the boys to so we could hit some baseballs and have some fun. Almost every field close was fenced in and locked up. Seems really sad to me that kids can't walk down the street with their families and play ball on a diamond. Everything has to be locked up and off limits. Just one block from my house are some fields owned by the Elks Lodge. They are in the perfect place for neighborhood kids to walk down and enjoy. Unfortunately they are fenced in (barb wire on top), locked up, and overgrown. The fields are there wasting away when they could be a great service to the community and enjoyed by many. Here are a few pictures I took.

Our first game at Dodger Stadium

27 Days

Day 27--This picture was taken on August 21 at Dodger Stadium, our first ever game there. We had an amazing trip in so many ways, and can't wait for the chance to go back (hopefully many times).

Santa Monica Pier

27 Days

Day 26--This picture was taken of Santa Monica Pier during our last night in California. The beach was beautiful and it was a gorgeous night to be out walking around and exploring Santa Monica.

Flowers

27 Days

Day 25--This flower picture was taken at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Graffiti

27 Days

Day 24--Here is a graffiti picture I took from our cab one day. It was part of a strip of great work, but in a part of town I probably didn't want to be walking around in.

Dodger Stadium

27 Days

Day 23--Here was my last look inside Dodger Stadium before we left.

Save me Tom Cruise with your voodoo magic

27 Days

Day 22--Few people know of my sister's fascination with all things relating to the church of scientology, Ron Howard or Hubbard or Huxtabul or whatever his name was. This picture was taken for her.

Graffiti

27 Days

Day 21--Here's another cool dumpster/graffiti pic from LA

Scoreboard

27 Days

Day 20--Here's the back of one the two large scoreboards at Dodger stadium. It was a beautiful day at Chavez Ravine.

Andre Ethier

27 Days

Day 19--Andre Ethier is posting some huge numbers for the Dodgers this season. Along with Matt Kemp and Manny Ramirez, they make up one of the top if not the best outfields in all of baseball. Hard to believe the Dodgers picked up Ethier in a trade a few years ago for Milton Bradley.

Close Play

27 Days

Day 18--This picture was taken of a close play at first base. Rafael Furcal had charged a slow roller and made a quick off-balance throw to first. Mark Loretta came off the bag and made a great attempt at a tag but just missed.

Randy Wolf

27 Days

Day 17--Here is a picture of Randy Wolf getting some conditioning in before the Dodgers game on August 23rd against the Cubs. He had just pitched a gem two days earlier versus the Chicago. Wolf has been a great addition to the Dodgers this season.

Look out CSI Miami

27 Days

Day 16--Los Angeles got jealous of the set of CSI Miami and built a beauty of a police station. They even hired a group of real pros to keep it safe.

Beware!

27 Days

Day 15--Really, this is a problem we all need to worry about. The Flaming Lips have sung about dangerous robots and visual artists everywhere want to keep it in the front of our minds. Be careful out there!

Graffiti

27 Days

Day 14--Here is another graffiti pic I captured not too far from our hotel.

Geovany "Hits From The Bong" Soto

27 Days

Day 13--Here's a picture I got of Geovany Soto stretching out before the Cubs/Dodgers game on August 22nd. He reminded me a little bit of a turtle that had gotten stuck on it's back.

Flower

27 Days

Day 12--Here is another flower pic taken in the gardens surrounding the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Matt Kemp #27

27 Days

Day 11--Here is a great close up pic of Oklahoma product and rising star Matt Kemp. Shortly after this pic was taken I was lucky enough to catch one of his batting practice home runs.

KatVonD's

27 Days

Day 10--When we were in LA one of the places Jana really wanted to see was the home of LA Ink. It was a cool shop and we had a good time checking it out. Jana picked up an autographed copy of Kat's book while we were there. Next time I think we will get some work done.

Shoes To Fill

27 Days

Day 9--Here's another pic of Matt Kemp. I have at least one more I will share during this 27 day project. One of the things I love about photography are the little details and things that we don't tend to notice. I'm really please with how this pic turned out.

Life On The Street

27 Days

Day 8--There are few things in life that remind us how well off we are than when we are confronted by the reality of homelessness. During our time in Los Angeles we certainly had plenty of opportunities to be witness to the harsh realities so many face daily through life on the street. It's easy for some to sit back and judge the homeless. The fact is a majority of them are suffering from a mental illness. Some of them outgrew the foster care system and had no where to go. Some have just caught some really bad breaks in life, while others are certainly a product of poor choices. What ever their circumstances, the are all worthy of God's love and grace and our kindness, thoughts, and prayers.

SLAY SOUP

27 Days

Day 7--Not sure what this means, but I saw it on the base of a rail post outside Dodger stadium and it jumped out at me.

Escape

27 Days

Day 6--Here is a shot I took in an alley a few blocks from our hotel. It's simple but I like it.