My kids are not going to be happy that I went to breakfast without them at Red Hill. It is this absolutely wonderful hole-in-the-wall coffee shop that has existed for many many many years. It is always packed, in fact, usually has a line of people outside. You would never know if you drove past it when it’s closed. It is old and run-down and really doesn’t look like much. The food is out of this world, though. The pancakes overflow the plates, the omelets are ginormous, and best of all it is very cheap reasonably priced. It was fun to bring in my camera and have the people there actually pose for me. I definitely need to go back on a regular basis.

The diner is everybody’s kitchen.

~ Richard Gutman

I’ve driven past this for years, but only today took a picture of it. There is a house on Route 66 (close to my home) that sells these “creatures” along with fountains and other garden items. This one has been out in front for a very, very long time. Altho most of the other homes have been sold, torn down, and made into strip malls, this one remains. I’m glad – I would hate to see something this kitschy disappear.

While a lot of people are taking stock of the last year I decided to look ahead. I spend too much time dwelling on mistakes and things I should have done. Today, being the end of 2008, I want to focus on the beginning of 2009.  I wrote down on Facebook today that I was waiting for new beginnings. As I thought on that I realized waiting implies just sitting around, which is not what I want to do. I want to be purposeful about it. I want to focus. I want things to happen. I want to be aware of the adventure around the corner and walk towards it. So here is a beginning of a list of goals/dreams for the next year.

1. Have a business plan.

2. Go shooting at least twice a week taking a minimum of 250 photos.

3. Take at least two photo trips outside of Southern California.

4. Buy at least two new lenses.

5. Have at least one gallery show.

6. Make my patio garden green.

7. Find a way to start reading and discussing books again.

8. Travel on a plane somewhere.

Like I said this is just the beginning of a list. I plan on narrowing these down with specific times in mind and detailed blueprints on how to accomplish them. Ha! We’ll see how that goes.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

~ Epictetus