I flew out to LA on Friday and had a free afternoon before giving a seminar the next day. I had packed light. I was only in town for a short stay and most of it devoted to my presentation. So I left my cameras at home.
I was staying in Santa Monica so when I got into LA that Friday afternoon I headed to the Santa Monica Pier. It was the quintessential California day – weather wise bringing back a lot of memories from when I used to live in Santa Barbara. For anyone who has ever been to the pier you’ll understand when I say it was like a circus of vibrant visuals. Within a matter of minutes I was regretting the fact that I didn’t have a camera. And then a funny thing happened – I started recording the visuals in my head and using words instead.
- Colorful bumper cars against a bright green wall that vibrated in the late afternoon light.
- Two men crossing paths each recording their own observations with their mobile devices silhouetted against the glare of the sun on the water.
- Garry King “on the scene” the street musician doing his own thing pumping out smooth sounds that drifted off in the wind.
- A man who looked like Santa Claus and sounded like Cat Stevens singing the House of the Rising Sun, quickly followed by I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.
- A fisherman weathered and alone.
- A 400 lb mime painted silver and pulling his pedestal down the pier behind him.
Today as I headed to the airport in my rented hybrid car an old flatbed pick up, era 1920’s pulled up beside me at the light. For an instant I locked eyes with the old Mexican gentlemen who gave me a quick smile and I thought to myself – and me without a camera.
Maybe it’s time for me to get an iPhone. If only the phone part was better.
Journeys of a Hybrid 