Here in Malibu

Another entry in a popular sub-grenre of the Bu plate special.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 4:31 PM | Permalink

'Bu plate specials, parked within a few feet of each other. These fall into the 'self-identify' subcategory of the genre.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 11:59 PM | Permalink

Scofflaw.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 12:49 PM | Permalink

I'm guessing ballerina in the family.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 2:01 PM | Permalink

At Vintage Grocers the other day:

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 10:52 AM | Permalink

You know it's really winter when the plow trucks appear, clearing mud and rocks and the occasional boulder from our unpredictable coastal roads.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 11:03 AM | Permalink

The quirks of homemade signs, with their random capitals and errant punctuation, seem like a kind of folk art.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 10:16 AM | Permalink

Curve in the road on Mulholland Highway.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 7:36 AM | Permalink

A driver near the civic center in Malibu makes his feelings clear.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 7:43 AM | Permalink

I can't recall the last time "extreme" made an appearance in our local fire sign. And alarming as that is, even more worrisome is the lack of public conversation about what's going on with our weather patterns.

If you agree, then check out Grace Peng's post here on LA Observed about the ridge of high pressure that has deflected rain from California for going on 13 months now. Also informative, Aquafornia; Jon Christensen and Mark Gold on LA Observed; and Emily Green's blog (be sure to browse her excellent links lists) Chance of Rain.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 10:29 AM | Permalink

In case something about the views from the courthouse in Santa Barbara moves you to mischief:

There are rules.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 6:42 AM | Permalink

A little weather?

A bit of rain?

COLD weather, with freezing rain, and more to come.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 8:42 AM | Permalink

Tomorrow, I'll show you why I didn't get to Saturday's post until after 8:30 p.m. (In fact, you'll be amazed I could even spell "Saturday".)

Meanwhile, can I dump just a bit more of my NM photo album? Turns out my obsession with eroding adobe gas stations lives on.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 8:33 PM | Permalink

I really wanted to meet the beagle who inspired this bumper sticker but alas, the car, which was parked at the local grocery store, was empty.

They were probably inside buying treats for with the brilliant little dog.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 6:45 AM | Permalink

What the owner of this car does -- and doesn't do -- all in one license plate.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 8:25 AM | Permalink

What more needs to be said?

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 6:30 AM | Permalink

Let's pretend that instead of the massive mastiff puppy, whose entire being (to say nothing of the truck bed) quivers with longing for her owner, who just stepped into Malibu Kitchen for some coffee, this photo is actually of that unremarkable parking sign.

And then let's stare at the puppy some more.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 11:54 AM | Permalink

Walking down the hut road the other morning:

...and there's something dangling from a branch:

A nursery tag? But these trees have been here for decades. Get closer and no, not a nursery tag:

A private message, held up with a safety pin.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 9:21 AM | Permalink

One pickup truck, two voices -- the bright and breezy "Life's a Beach" versus David Byrne's existential "Same as it ever was."

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 8:12 AM | Permalink

Once upon a time, Malibu's annual Chili Cookoff was announced like this, with a wonderful sign that was equal parts info and folk art:

Then one year, it became slightly less wonderful:

The next year, a lot less wonderful, but at least it looks like someone tried:

Unlike this year. Seriously?

The actual cookoff and carnival still look pretty much the same, thank goodness. All the info you need about this great event -- how to get here, where to park, what to expect, at the (very nice!) Kiwanis Chili Cookoff web site here.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 11:19 AM | Permalink

This is but a corner of the collection of statues, signs, and all-around stuff that moves in and out of the yard of one of our neighbors, whose sense of humor and style makes it mostly whimsical and only occasionally (hello, tombstones) weird.

Also -- I nominate Vin Scully for the newly-created post of Poet Laureate of Los Angeles. (Actually, I second Kevin's unofficial nomination here.)

Let the lobbying begin!

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 9:06 AM | Permalink

Beware of the cranky, French-speaking dog.

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 7:18 AM | Permalink

There are so many signs in my neck of the woods I've been meaning to blog that I'm hereby inaugurating an almost-weekly (wiggle room!) feature, Signs of Saturday.

Here's one of my favorites, posted just before northbound PCH narrows to a twisting two-lane blacktop, steep drops to the water on one side, steep and seemingly deadly cliffs on the other.

Welcome to the beach! Enjoy the drive!

Posted by Veronique de Turenne at 6:47 AM | Permalink