Stillness of night permeates the otherwise bustling street, where artists perform, shoppers bargain, and lovers stroll. The Apple store is one of the latest additions to the strip.

Seeing the game from Mattel of the Olsen Twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley, I am reminded of the essay I posted this weekend to my Femspace blog. In my essay, "Star-Slaves, Our Littlest Indentured Servants," I explored issues of greed, fame, and fortune as contributing factors in the enslavement of America's youth.

This is the latest manifestation of the Olsen twins' exploitation that I see at the toy store. I am not an Olsen twins fan. I am only interested in them as a case study of the tragedy that's America's child labor that few are decrying as inhumane. It is inhumane to put babies to work at 9 months of age, as in the Olsen twins case. I found this fact appalling.

When will they can a break from the media blitz? I find it ironic that their game should be placed next to Monopoly Junior.

3:15pm, June 27, Los Angeles, CA - I was crossing the bridge that connects one side of the Westside Pavilion with the other and noticed this amazing view of the Westwood Blvd. and the light traffic. I've presented a little analysis of trafifc in Los Angeles on a Sunday afternoon. It's not the madness that it usually is during the weekday. How refreshing!

Harry Potter flying in the air caught my eyes as I was walking by a toy store in a mall today. He was propelled by a little fan attached to the end of his broomstick. I tried to suspend his action as he was whirling by. It must have appealed to the kid in me. I can't wait to see "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." I've read good reviews.

Driving at night and photographying people and interesting light patterns from lights around me, I was reminded of one of my favorite songs from Tori Amos, "A Sorta Fairytale". Shown below is painting of the night sky by lights from cars on the freeway, seen from the top of Hollywood Hills, CA.

Night shot of Shell Station in Los Angeles, CA.

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.

Trees were chopped down after the fire in Southern California.

Self-portrait in store front featuring sewing machines and spools.

The dark skeletons of trees remain standing after the fire has scorched off their greenery and life. Nature has a way of taking care of itself. Life is sprouting all around the scorched trees.

Driving through the fire-scorched San Bernadino mountains, I saw this cross when I stopped for a break. A young man has died here and I wonder from what? Was it from the fires, a car accident or something else. His death made the place special. Someone's life ended at that very spot I was standing.

Cigarettes butts found in an ashtrash was the most interesting thing I encountered at the Getty. The photo exhibit was worthwhile, but I got tired of the place. It is so sterile.

From the "Photographers of Genius at the Getty," I appreciated the photographs of Edmund Teske.

"Anything is art, depending on what attitude you bring to it," Edmund Teske said. "Art is a matter of picking up on the mundane and giving it form at a higher level of expression."

My obsession with trash makes me feel like Oscar from Sesame Street. He always found beauty in some dirty, smelly shoes. I saw this chair and thought it was a pretty sight. Actually, I identify more with the main character from American Beauty who was captivated by the beauty of a bag blown by the wind. Likewise, I find beauty in the simple things.

Why would I want to go in after reading this warning.

Nature is irrespressible. These pretty, pretty flowers bloomed in the little dirt that is around. They brightened up my evening. They almost look like a Monet painting. Simply beautiful.

Looking at the high security of the concrete factory, I wonder if the shoes along the side the street belong to the poor soul who tried to break in.

Wood crates carry random slates. The are random and orderly at the same time.

Interesting sculpture of man-made items.

Rods on a shelf, ready to be used as support beams in construction. I happened upon a concrete factory that produces parts that make up the skyscrapers.

Another tree was chop down to make room for the concrete city. I am sad as I look at the tree stump.

Slabs of concrete can be seen through the fence. They compete with Mother Earth, and winning, it seems like. They are beautiful in their own way.

Zhang makes big locks. Yet another deterence to entry. I wonder what is going on in the factory. Perhaps I will never find out. I am content just to photograph its surroundings.

Locked gates serves as another deterence to entry. I thought the number 6 on the gate looked interesting. It's weathered and rusty.

Barb wire fences keep trespassers out of the factory.

Silhouette of a factory against the evening sky illustrates the beauty of industrialism. The clean, bold lines create great design.

I had a good dinner tonight and took this picture of lazy sue to remember it by. Though I didn't use any of the sauces there, it's their arrangement that I found appealing.

The wheat and weeds wavering in the wind represent nature left alone. When people stop fretting over their lawns and preening their vegetations, it's a beautiful sight. The natural order and chaos enchant me.

Computer moniters littered an empty lot.

The side of the car has become someone's canvas. Myke left his mark on it. He made turned the old abandoned car into his piece of art. I love grafitti art and initially drawn to the car because of it.

The headlight looks interesting. Who knows how long the car has been sitting in the lot. That's what makes it intriguing. It raises questions in my mind and piques my curiosity.

When I saw this old abandoned car in an empty, I can imagine a family driving and using it all these years. It was loved. I looked through the windshield and could see, in my mind, the person who once drove it.

Outside of a furniture store, I found this blue chair on the sidewalk. At first it reminded of a toilet seat. Now I like it. I love its color and simplicity.

Seeing a tree stump always makes me sad. I wonder how old it has been around and what gives man the right to kill it. I am reminded of our destruction of nature. We are paving the world with cement. Nature will fight back one day. There aren't that many trees in the big city, so when one is cut down, I take notice.

Some have carved their names and messages of love on the bamboos. How romantic!

Friendly squirrel remains calm and continues eating as I slowly approached it.

My walk through the woods has awakened my sense and filled me with renewed hope. I see the beauty of nature. I appreciate my own beauty and the beauty of life all around me. I was pleasantly surprised to come upon a creek filled with turtles.

A cart. A pitcher. A piece of art.

Here's a squirrel looking right back at me.

Don't ask why I have it, but I do. It's growing on me. :)

American flags flew in the wind at the Riverside National Cemetery on Memorial Day. It was a day of remembrance.

Motorcyclists circle the Riverside National Cemetery on Memorial Day.

I found these mushrooms growing under a tree at the Riverside National Cemetery.