Go West Project - Anita

Anita clings to the sweetness of August as she glimpses Summer in her review mirror.

She wants to stay in the season of backyard BBQs,

and afternoons under a beach umbrella,listening to waves crashing,
for as long as possible. 

She likes the warmth of sun on her body, and the optimism of summer in her heart.

Go West Project - Jackson and Robin

Obsessed with Pokemon Go,

Jackson eagerly abandoned his backyard swimming  pool

for an opportunity to master the game.

Strolling past booths of ripe summer produce at the Hollywood Farmers Market

he pointed his mother's iphone at everything in his path.

Hovering over a bushel of tomatoes, a creature.

Squeals of delight.

Jackson's enthusiasm cascaded when the last pokeball was used.

The balloon man twisting a multi colored mermaid for a girl in a cape was no

match for augmented reality.

Window Shopping Cowgirl

Before The Fall

Noah Hawley's new book, BEFORE THE FALL,

is constructed on a premise I often think about --

what events conspire to bring a group of people together, sometimes strangers,

on an ill-fated plane ride?

In this scenario, the plane is a private one flying from The Vineyard to Teterboro.

Two out of ten survive, and the book flashes between the past and present,

fleshing out the characters while piecing together what or who caused the crash.
Hawley is best known for his TV adaptation of Fargo. 

This doesn't quite meet that gold standard, but it's still quite good.

Silverlake at Sunset

Go West Project - Holly

Deep in thought, Holly unconsciously sticks out her tongue,

a tell tale sign she's entangled in the forest of her mind.

Trance-like, she stares

at the children dancing around the man with long dreadlocks playing drums.

She wants to join in, throw her hands up in the air,

but shyness holds her back.

Summer Reading

Since I don't get to the water's edge very often
beach reads are a state of mind.

However, these two books are perfect summer novels --

compelling characters, accomplished prose, and engaging storytelling.

LACMA

Kicked off the weekend with a picnic at LACMA.

Listening to jazz under a rising moon and setting sun.

Another Friend Turns 50

Book Group

Discussed Edna O'brien's The Little Red Chairs

in Mary's red dinning room.

The setting was much better than the book.

Lacked cohesion, meandered, repetitive retelling of events.

Overall, disappointing.

Go West Project - Rose

Patti's Birthday Celebration

Go West Project - Patti and Elizabeth

Patti and Elizabeth met in the '90s,

cocktail waitresses at The Standard in West Hollywood.

It was the hot spot hotel and lounge, and drunk customers were often rude and lecherous.

They had New York City and the pursuit of acting in common,

but long hours hustling on their feet revealed deeper connectivity.

They are fiercely loyal to those they love,

passionate about the things that stir their heart, 

and at the core, creative beings.