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January 31, 2006
The Bridge over the Stars
On the Avenue of the Stars, there's an over-bridge that connects the twin buildings
of 1801 and 1901. This is a view from the top of the bridge. It't not particularly
impressive in this picture, but it's a rather nice sight with there's no traffic and
construction.
H.
Posted by hriday at 07:35 PM | Comments (0)
January 30, 2006
Century City
This tree marks the grand entrance to Century City. This particular street is
called the Avenue of the Stars. I worked here, on this street for 2 years. It
is a very rich and famous part of Los Angeles/Hollywood. A few studios
are on this street, and a lot of movies and commercials have been made
here.
This week, I'll post a few pictures that I took during my last days of working
in Century City.
Posted by hriday at 07:28 PM | Comments (0)
January 29, 2006
Leavey Fountain
The reflecting pool in front of the Leavey library is the largest water body
on the USC campus. It's a very tranquil place to be in, even though the
Leavey library is the library fo choice for students to study, and is in the
middle of a few dorms. In fact, the building behind the pool in the
picture is a dorm.
Posted by hriday at 08:39 PM | Comments (0)
January 28, 2006
Pascal Fountain
Situated in the center fo the engineering quad, this fountain symbolises the college of
engineering, which incidently celebrates 100 years this year. All the convocations and the
career fairs take place here, under this fountain.
H.
Posted by hriday at 09:47 PM | Comments (0)
January 27, 2006
Tutor Hall of Engineering Fountain
There's probably another official name, but I dont' know it.
This place was a parking lot when I went to school. It's changed
a lot since. And well, this fountain is butt ugly. I mean it looks a
lot like 4 broken pipes overflowing into this pit.
Engineers should never design fountains. Anyway, the red building
behind was my department.
H.
Posted by hriday at 05:04 PM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2006
Hahn Plaza Fountain
Situated right in the center of campus, every USC student ends
up passing it every day. I've often sat at the benches surrounding
it, and looked at it. It's rather pretty but, I haven't done justice to
it. Also, it's a lot better in summer, when kids jump in it to escape
the heat.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:16 PM | Comments (0)
January 25, 2006
Youth Triumphant Fountain
This is one of the most famous landmarks on the USC campus. The Youth
Triumphant Fountain has featured in countless magazines, books, and movies.
Remember the scene in the Graduate, where Dustin Hoffmann waits for
Mrs. Robinson's daughter at Berkeley? Watch it again. He's sitting at this
fountain, and she comes out of the Doheny library. Which is the backdrop
of this picture, by the way.
The sky was overcast and rather pretty. But I killed it to bring a little depth to
the colour of the brick and the water.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:07 PM | Comments (0)
January 24, 2006
Carolyn Craig Franklin Fountains
This fountain was not my original choice for today. But the other shot didn't come out
well. I'll try again tomorrow. This one is the Carolyn Craig Franklin Fountain, and it's
one of the two fountains that flank my favourite library - Doheny.
It is not too old (2001), and has the inscription - Take time to smell the flowers. It's in
honour of Carolyn who was the wife of a trustee, and a die hard Trojan.
Also another note. Today marks the 50th day of our project who-hoo
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:00 PM | Comments (2)
January 23, 2006
The Finger Fountain
This is the first of the fountains of USC. The finger fountain is supposed
to point in the direction of USC's arch rivals - UCLA. The rivalry between
USC and UCLA is legendary, and is usually in very good spirit.
It was probably not the best time to take this shot, but I did my best.
H.
Posted by hriday at 05:12 PM | Comments (2)
January 22, 2006
Variety Arts Theatre
While walking down Figueroa, Rash thought this old soddy building would
be a good picture to take. It apparently is a landmark, and is currently
owned by USC.
I can't seem to find any literature on it though.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:10 PM | Comments (0)
January 21, 2006
HSBC Building
Right opposite the Ernst and Young tower in downtown is the HSBC Building. It sits over the
underground terminal. Since Rash works so close by, she passes this building everyday, and
this particular mural seemed to interest her. She'd post about it, but she had a flight to
catch tomorrow and hit the sack early.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:58 PM | Comments (0)
January 20, 2006
Engine Company No. 28
Think of the year the Titanic first set sail. Think of when Los Angeles was only the 14th
most populous city in the US, with 400,000 people. Think of a time before the first
world war, of a time when Russia was still ruled by the Tsar. This bulding was built then,
in 1912. And for that time, it was the most expensive fire station ever, at $60,000.
Originally designed for horse drawn trucks, this building has defied time, and technology.
Decommisioned as a station in 1969, it was slated for demolition, when enthusiastic
preservationists spend 5 million and got it repaired. It now houses, among others tenants,
a popular restaurant, aptly named Engine Company No. 28.
For more info on this building, try this.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:06 PM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2006
Los Angeles Public Library
The County Library is 2 blocks from my office. A very nice quaint building. I thought the most interesting feature was the tiled triangular structure on top. If you notice carefully, the flags are on half-mast. I have no idea what the deal is.
Rashmi
Posted by rashmi at 09:50 PM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2006
Los Angeles Convention Center
This is the Los Angeles Convention Center - just adjacent to the Staples center. The LA auto show is held here (the pics of which were posted last week) among other things.
Mission - 'To serve the City of Los Angeles by enhancing its prominence as a priimary destination for conventions, trade shows and events that generate significant economic benefit.' - got it? :)
Rashmi
Posted by rashmi at 11:07 PM | Comments (0)
January 17, 2006
Hotel Figueroa
Built in 1925, this building is inspired by North Italian Renaissance
town houses. It is located in the southwest central business district,
and probably the only reason it survives is that it's so close to the
LA Convention center.
The picture is of the front door and the mural beside it. There's
another door to the structure, and I'll post that later, along with
the giant ad of the NFL. A glimpse of this building from another
era is here
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:44 PM | Comments (0)
January 16, 2006
Staples Center
This week we show a few glimpses of Downtown Los Angeles..my home turf. And we start with what is probably H's best picture to date. I liked it so much I refused to do any post processing. :)
A few tidbits on Staples? - 950,000 s.ft of total area, $370 million in cost and one kickass sports bar (which we are yet to try).
And oh, it's the home to the Lakers. (and the Clippers, and the Kings and a few more...)
Rashmi
Posted by rashmi at 09:20 PM | Comments (0)
January 15, 2006
The Ferrari Scaglietta
The last in our series is the Ferrari. Going for $259,000, the Scaglietta is the first Ferrari to
get into the most expensive list. It sports a V12 engine with 540HP and a top speed of
196mph. It can go from 0-60 in 4.1 seconds.
It replaced the 456GT in the Ferrari stable, and has an aluminium body and frame.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:28 PM | Comments (0)
January 14, 2006
The Lamborghini Murcielago
One of the most well known exotic car breeds in the world, the
Lamborghini currently has the Murcielago as it's premier model.
It's named after a courageous bull, and is an amazing car.
Priced at $230,000, this baby hits a max of 205mph, and goes
from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds.
“You own a Ferrari when you want to be someone, you own a
Lamborghini when you are someone” -Frank Sinatra
H.
Posted by hriday at 08:38 PM | Comments (1)
January 13, 2006
The Maybach 57
Coming in upwards of $300,000 the Mayback is the world's most expensive car in
the luxury catagory. It's elder sibling the 62 is slightly more expensive but was too
shy to pose for the LA Auto show.
It has a twin turbo V-12 engine and goes from 0-60 in 5 seconds. That's right. You can't
race in it. But you can attract the best looking women.
Last year, at the auto show, as I passed the Maybach exhibit, I saw this guy sitting
inside, and there were a couple of Maybach executives hovering around, trying to
please the guy. Maybe he got one. I haven't seen too many on the road though.
If you watched Memoirs of a Geisha, you'd have seen a very elegant Maybach
featured in it. They had brought that car for the show as well, so if anyone
wants to see that shot, just post a comment.
H.
Posted by hriday at 04:38 PM | Comments (0)
January 12, 2006
The Porsche Carrera GT
At 605 HP, this mean machine seems a baby next to the Veyron. But have no
illusions. This guy was designed a purebred race machine. And it means business.
The engine displaces 5.7 litres and has a 68 degree V angle. An interesting feature
of this engine is that it has a low center of gravity, and the engine serves as a load
bearing part fo the chassis structure. However, it's so fine tuned that this doesn't
cause a distortion to the cylinder bores.
The engine, combined with the advanced aerodynamics let this car go upto 205 mph.
And with a price tag of $440,000, I may just order one when I get the next pay check.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:55 PM | Comments (0)
January 11, 2006
The Mercedes McLaren SLR
The SLR has a top speed of 208 mph, and a fuel economy of 13 miles to the gallon.
Somehow, I think that's pretty amazing for a car like this. The V8 super charged, and
inter-cooled engine is hand made, and uses dry sumption to avoid the use of an oil
pan. The brake discs are ceramic and can decelerate providing 1.3g, and an equivalent
power of 2000HP.
I love this car. I want one soooo bad. I was waiting for my car at Fogo de Chao in
Beverly Hills a few months back when this guy pulls up in one. He has this amazing
babe with him. Cars can do amazing things to people. (He wasn't (even by a
hair's breath) better looking than me ! :)
Forgot to mention. It has a price tag of $453,000
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:57 PM | Comments (0)
January 10, 2006
The Saleen S7
At $555,000, the Saleen S7 is the world's second most expensive car.
It can do 0-60 in 4 seconds, and has delivers 550 HP. The driver seat
is slightly forward and centered, moving the passenger seat a little behind.
This gives the passengers a race car feeling. It is only 41 inches high, and
has a top speed of 200mph.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:23 PM | Comments (0)
January 09, 2006
The Bugatti Veyron
- THE - most expensive car in the world, the Veyron has seven gears and 3
suspension modes - one for 'standard' driving, which is below 136 mph. The
second is the 'handling' mode when the front flaps are open, the body is dropped
lower, and the tail wings and the spoilers are deployed. The third mode is the
'top speed' mode, which is for speeds in excess of 233mph, and has to be manually
activated by a button.
It takes a week to build one, and is made to order. Once the number hits 300, they
will retire it. At 1001 HP, the Veyron is a cool 1.2 mill and so far over 50 have been
sold in the US alone.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:20 PM | Comments (0)
January 08, 2006
Western Church of Los Angeles
A rather unimpressive ghetto church. Period.
Rashmi
Posted by rashmi at 09:56 PM | Comments (0)
January 07, 2006
Hollywood's take on Churches
While taking Siby around Hollywood, I saw this interesting shot. I am guessing that
the ribbon is all about the season (which ended over a week ago), but hey, it's Hollywood.
All make believe :)
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
January 06, 2006
Church on Pico
I love this picture. So what if its coz this was my first post processing job. I love the
richness of the blue sky and the sharpness. But have to admit, H took a really good
shot... considering it was taken while he was driving. He is awesome, my husband. :)
And oh, almost forgot, this is some church on the way to my office.
Rashmi
Posted by rashmi at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
January 05, 2006
Korean Presbetarian Church
A crazy ass building looks like a Greek villa from 2 milleniums ago,
and is a Korean church!
I took this shot a few days ago, while at the traffic light. I didn't take out the
extra elements like the traffic light and the electric wires to show how ugly
these things make the city of LA look.
This church is on Pico by the way, and it is in Korea town.
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:58 PM | Comments (0)
January 04, 2006
Latter-Day Saints Church
At the point where Overland meets Santa Monica, this church is very very impressive.
Almost like a dildo extending into the sky. I did no justice to the picture, but it was
very late, and the shot was poorly composed. Maybe some other time in this project,
I will get a chance to post a better angle, and a better shot. Ah well, till then I guess...
H.
Posted by hriday at 11:59 PM | Comments (0)
January 03, 2006
St. Timothy's Church
This is the St. Timthy's Church. It's not too far from H's (current) office. It was erected
in 1949. I wanted to get the beautiful green grass and the arches and the tower and
this was the best I could get.
There was a car wash just next to the church, and I couldn't avoid it in the photo,
but H did a good job of getting it out of the shot.
Rashmi.
Posted by rashmi at 11:05 PM | Comments (0)
January 02, 2006
Grace Lutheran on Overland
Today we start our new theme - churches. We wanted to do places of worship but LA has few choices so its down to this.
This is the Grace Lutheran church just a little off our street. Its not my usual front-shot (or whatever else you call it) but.. just a small attempt at something different.
Rashmi
Posted by rashmi at 06:00 PM | Comments (0)
January 01, 2006
Portrait of a Bookstore
All the way at Studio City, this place almost didn't make it to the album. We tried
to get there 2 times in the last 2 days, but heavy rains, and failing light kept us
away. Today, we finally got the shot. It was a crazy crowd there, and though we
stood in the line, it was pouring, and we aborted the coffee attempt. Got the
shot though.
H.
Posted by hriday at 10:19 PM | Comments (0)