Shots from the Lip

While 14C might not be cold, I was cold this morning.  Thus, a fourth bike shirt today for a sunny but very chilly ride by the ocean this morning.  I was not even out an hour before returning and locking up.  But then, after morning newspaper readings, I went to see both Fred and Jessica and Dan, two of the three neighbors, regarding our roof work this week. Jessica's car is already set in place for 7am, Monday.  Fred will 'position' his auto tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow afternoon I will also put up the three no parking signs, the two permits, et al and then await the roofers arrival at 7am, Monday morning. Basically, as owner/builder, I am the contractor and the general contractor we've hired is now my sub-contractor.  I made a number of visits to Santa Monica City Hall and the Department of Building and Safety and Department of Public Works........and we are set to do the roof.....and if it all goes to plan, we'll be finished on Wednesday aftrnoon after the th...

 I rode this morning - started at just after 8am and did an hour.  Will I ride again tomorrow?  Initially I thought there'd be rain or wet weather out.  Now, as per the phone weather, there'll be no rain and it'll be dry - colder for this time of year but definitely dry!! Kathrine wanted to purchase stock on the Thai exchange.  That was my excuse for a long photoshoot walk after going to Schwab where they figured out that the cost of outside fees to access through the Thai exchange was simply not worth it.......but I did get to do a walk, starting north at Santa Monica Blvd and 6th Street, going east at Wilshire, eventually stopping at both Whole Foods and Trader Joes prior to getting home. Other than taking out the garbage this afternoon, I do not really have anything else planned......other than cringe-ing at the cost of LA Phil tickets - $852 for the year for 8 performances (Fridays at 11am) and LA Opera tix at $557 for 5 operas on Sunday afternoons at 2pm....

 How do you find me when I am at Santa Monica Building and Safety?  Look down!  I am the only male on line not wearing work boots! Yet I've discovered that taking time to do small talk and what have you does get things accomplished - especially with a box of chocolate for the staff today!!  einspections , the online portal for setting up gave me 28 April as the earliest I could schedule an inspection.......that was changed to Tuesday morning, 14 April.......and that means we are all set up for roofing beginning at 7am, Monday morning, 13 April 2026!

 Yesterday we went to both Santa Monica Building and Safety and the Police Bureau.  We were uncertain, in both cases, yet everything was resolved.  And we even got follow up emails when problems happened. Tomorrow I go again to resolve the problem and follow up regarding roofers parking places needed to throw away the old shingles and stack the new stuff prior to putting on the roof. Today?  Knowing that the weather looks like it'll be good next week and that we will be able to follow through smoothly, there is no stomach rumble....it is a semi-laid back afternoon!

 Katherine joined me today for my 'semi-scheduled' meeting at SMGOV where I got parking accomplished for next week's roofing but we still have to get the automated inspection system running for us. And then we filed a report with the police department regarding the condo 'neighbor' who complained about our trees (but not the condo association which did not agree this was an issue).  The guy broke into our property to tie a tarp against one of the trees......the police agreed:  let's do our roof in peace - and then let that condo HOA know about their lunatic resident....... Finally - we got to Gilbert's El Indio and Katherine agrees - it is great!!

 I am, admittedly, a procrastinating type.  Yesterday, after months of telling myself that I had to go next door to Specialized to pump up my tires, I finally did so......and this morning I felt all the bumps I softly pedaled over recently because I was at the tire pressure I should have been. Did that make a difference in my riding?  Not that I could tell......but it did feel good to go out today.  I probably should have put on an additional bike shirt as it was cold out and the three shirts were really not enough...... I have to take more pictures and I have to sketch more - can I do it daily?  I also have to play piano and harmonica daily......briefly but every day - it is the ONLY way to improve! Similarly, a little writing each day keeps me ready to do a long essay - once I find a topic that motivates me sufficiently to writ a long essay!!!