The tunnels on the Pasadena freeway are my favorite. I like the elaborate designs on them. They are among the oldest in Los Angeles, I heard. There are three of them in a row. Every time I drive through them, I am reminded of my grandmother. She said these were her favorite tunnels too.

On a chilly, windy afternoon in Pasadena, I captured the Metro as it was passing. Newly built, it travels from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles through Chinatown, Highland Park, and Pasadena. Seeing the Gold Line reminded me of how I have wanted to ride on one, just for the experience of it. I have been driving so long that I have forgotten what it's like to ride public transportation.

I appreciate the photographs not only for their content but more for their formal qualities - the crisscrossing diagonals created by the cloud formations, powerlines, and street markings.

The reminder that I live in a congested city is everywhere. Not like I am complaining. I don't think I can handle a place where there's any less going on. Instead of seeing it for all the smog, the traffic, and the overpopulation here, I appreciate it for its energy and liveliness. Even as I steal a glimpse of the beautiful Los Angeles sunset, the dominate view is composed of powerlines and apartment buildings. They powerlines and tops of buildings create designs against the sky that are beautiful in their own way. The sunset becomes the backdrop highlighting urban living.

Before sunset is my favorite time of day. The light is perfect. I feel a sense of security every time I see the skyscrapers reaching up towards the heavens. They remind me of our great accomplishment and destruction at the same time.

Stills are interesting to look at, but I find that one picture often does not convey enough. I am interested in creating a cityscape that is made up of multiple stills connected together to tell a story of the congestion and liveliness of Los Angeles. The constant flux and movement are characteristic of my existence. If you have the bandwidth and patience, you may want to check out the animated version of my drive at night in Los Angeles. The bright lights that glow like colorful lollipops and the motion of the lights and cars create intriquing scenes.

Olympic Blvd. is a nice drive. I like cutting through all the different neighborhoods and see it change from Koreatown, Miracle Mile, Beverly Hills, Century City, Westwood, West LA, all the way to the Pacific Ocean. On the corner of Olympic and Westwood Blvd., I documented the traffic pattern as I was stopped at a stop light.

The fact that this traffic pattern is unique made it special for me. Life is live moment by moment. It's all the different moments in our lives, added up that gives meaning at the end. Hopefully, at the end, life would have meant something. The traffic has a life of its own. I feel alienated, isolated in my car. I don't interact with others besides honking at them or being honked at. When I look out of the metal container I am in, this is what I see. Sitting in traffic is a part of my day, of most people's day...so it's meaningful.

It was middle of the afternoon, and I had this rare urge to go for a walk. It was a nice warm day. Seeing things from the street level, on foot with flip flops on, really was something else. I saw many details on buildings that I've never seen before. I talked with people I met along the way. It was an adventure just walking outside. It was nice.

I've been living in the city too long, where most people get around in cars. I feel so isolated from the world. I am either locked up in my car, looking through dusty windows, or I am inside somewhere.

When I was younger I loved going outside, either laying outside or going to the beach with friends, just to suck up some sun. Now, I avoid the sun, like the plague. As I get older, I see the effects of the sun's damaging rays.

I've put together a collage of sorts to convey what I discovered on my walk. It was enjoyable, though I got hot. It was 70 something degrees when I went on my walk, typical sunny Los Angeles weather. I had a thick sweater on. Next time, I'll be more prepared.