Christmas comes early

Seems like Christmas starts earlier each year. You can usually count on Capital Records to have their tree on top of the building lit the day after Thanksgiving. Driving home from dinner with Dana and Bill in the Valley last night and boom! already up and lit! When did that happen?

Umami Burger and the LA Zoo

Spent the afternoon with the Damianos at the LA Zoo. It was Dante's first time to visit a zoo and he seemed singularly unimpressed most of the time. He was excited before, "we're going to the zoo, Z-O-O" but once there....... not so much.
Went to Umami Burger on Hollywood Blvd in the old Cobra's and Matador's spot beforehand and he really liked that. Tami, Chris and I ordered four burgers and cut them up to share. The lamb burger was the bomb. Also ordered the tempura malt beer battered onion rings and sweet potato fries as sides. I was mildly uneasy that Dante would not be happy as he is a bit of a picky eater and will let you know in no uncertain terms if he is not happy with the restaurant choice. Chicken fingers, PB& J sandwiches, pasta and pizza are young Master Damiano's favorites right now and none of which were on the very small menu.
Surprisingly, he was quite taken with the O-rings and polished off an order by himself. Tami thought ahead and brought his lunch but he really got into the rings. As a reward for eating everything and being so good, Chris ordered Dante the homemade ice cream sandwich. That was good! the texture of the sandwich and the flavor was sublime. Dante very begrudgingly let each of us have a bite. Here is his expression while eating it:



We made it to the zoo and it started well

but after an hour..... "you've seen one animal, you've seen them all. Can we go yet?"

Even the lion roaring in his cage failed to impress Dante. I love the look of bored indifference on his face. I can just hear him on Monday at school, "I was forced to go to the Zoo this weekend. There are so many other things we could have done"

day of the dead

Spent part of the day in downtown LA with Jim for the day of the dead festival on Olvera street. Lots of interesting shots. Eating my heart out over the ones I didn't take.