Transformers

I made an expedition to downtown Phoenix and became enchanted by these transformers I spotted in the sky of a parking lot. I love rusty, industrial clusterfucks. It makes me think of strength and hardworking people and things that are able to stand up to time. I see less and less of these types of things as people spend all their time looking forward and no time looking back. There is a necessity for more of a panoramic view of our spot in time, methinks. The images are a tad dark since it was overcast today, but I don't have the skills, know-how, or patience to tinker with the lighting. They're raw, but you get my drift.





This is located at Persian Garden Cafe, 1335 West Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013-4209. Not only does Persian Garden Cafe house these little jewels in the parking lot, but they have excellent food. If you're in the area you should give them a try. I've had many items on the menu and never been disappointed.

Mr. Lucky's

Now vacant, Mr. Lucky's used to be a bar with a big draw on Grand Avenue in Phoenix. The old and faded sign, a sinister smiling joker, still stands as a beacon of what once was. The building is surrounded in chain link fence, and is home to a friendly rottweiler family (mama, papa, and baby rottweiler) who will gladly lick your fingers and chase you along the fence, as long as you befriend the excitable Papa Rottweiler first. Though now closed, Mr. Lucky's holds a special place in my heart. Many moons ago when my mom and dad were young and enamored with one another, they shared a trailer behind Mr. Lucky's - the trailer in which I was conceived. Without Mr. Lucky's, there would be no me. That's a very classy story for me to tell at parties and social gatherings.





Location: 3660 Grand Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85019-3407

Back Yard Aventures

Mexican Bird of Paradise + Praying Mantis



I don't think it's possible to go through a single neighborhood or freeway in Phoenix without cruising by these brilliantly colored red and orange plants. I've seen them all my life, but when the flowers start bursting open it still makes me stop and stare. This plant of mine had a visitor. I've always had a fondness for the praying mantis, even though they are pretty brutal little predators. Maybe it's their likeness to what I picture as otherworldly/alien creatures.


Aloe Vera Spiral, Nature's Geometry



This prickly fellow aided in many-a-sunburn after desert bike romps and summer adventures spent splashing around in the irrigation pumps. The cool, slick, goose bump evoking sensation on my beet red skin still brings me back to my days in the desert. Thankfully I don't have to use this much anymore since I'm much more conscientious about the application of sun block.


Fishhook Barrel Cactus = Menacing Desert Pineapples



When I was a kid, my siblings and I used to pull the cactus fruit off of these cacti and eat them. We were slightly reckless, but the slimy, scarcely sweet innards and glossy black seeds were worth a few pricks to the fingers. Or maybe it was just the novelty of gingerly plucking our prize from sturdy fishhook barbs.

Orange Sherbet Sky

First of all, why the hell is sherbet spelled without an 'r'? I pronounce it sherbeRt! But I'm dedicated to my title, so sherbET it is. Bah!
On a lighter note, this was a particularly lovely view from my back yard.

Sky Parfait

I took this from the balcony of my dad's resort room when he visited in the warm months of 2010. Arizona sunsets are one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. This particular picture has layers of color that I adore. (Taken just south of the Loop 101 and Scottsdale Road.)

Valley Metro

I took this photo of a city bus on a drive through downtown Phoenix. I like the confusion it causes on the eye. Tricky window reflections!

NPR NYC Urban Explorers

NPR story on Urban Explorers! Granted this story has NOTHING to do with Arizona, but it's totally awesome! :D