I am part of a Meet-Up group of Hiking Photographers who put together outings (often hiking) but also of other interesting events around LA to check out and photograph. We were also able to photograph in the Auto Parts yard of Caine's Dad's business. Such a treat too!
I spoke with his Dad and they had just returned the night before from The Exploratorium in San Francisco. If you are ever in San Francisco, it's a must see. So this freak little viral movie got the attention of the interactive museum there who flew the entire family up to San Francisco and sent a truck to bring all Caine's Arcade there for a special showing! How cool is that?? He told me that Caine got a lifetime membership to the Exploratorium and they commissioned the original "claw machine" for permanent installation there (he made a new one for the Arcade in East LA -- we played it!).
So three cheers for Caine for bringing us this simple joy. Cheers for cardboard boxes and all their possibilities. Cheers for kids and free orange and grape sodas and bags of treats, labeled with a Sharpie instead of corporate logos. Thank you, Caine Monroy.
Open for business! We were the first ones to play that day and, duh, yes we bought a fun pass. :)
These are a few cuties who showed up. Every kid gets a little bag of candy, and Caine's uncle is there marking the bags with a sharpie and filling them and lining them up on the counter. 
Ok, also thought I'd share a few of the pics I got in the auto yard in the back. A good part of my childhood was spent around my Grandfather and his yard of boat and auto parts, wood piles and other deliciously dangerous spots to play. He would have loved this photo of Declan. I also loved seeing the old toys throughout the yard, probably from cars or from Caine and other kids who played among the parts and wrecks.
© 2012 Robyn Davis, www.birdznest.com
So I'm back in the blog and determined to keep a schedule! I had the idea of doing a kind of theme for different days and last night as I was lying in bed and pondering the week ahead, I got the idea to do a Monday post that would be things I found positive or inspiring to kick my week in the butt and get her goin'. So welcome to the first "Motivation Monday!"
I'm posting some pix from a trip I recently took to Sedona with my LA Bestie, Erica. We did a stealth trip, driving Thelma and Louise-style in my little Kia Soul from LA to Sedona for a 3-day whirlwind. We drove Thursday all day, climbed mountains and hiked all day Friday and drove home all day Saturday.
It was my first trip to Sedona and Erica's first trip there where she shared it with anyone else. She usually just picks up and heads out alone for climbing and spirit quest. I was lucky enough to have my own seasoned guide. And, after this past year, was ready for some spirit work, a good climb and to see some amazing beauty.
I only discovered hiking after moving out West from Chicago about 2 1/2 years ago. And it so very quickly has become pretty much my only workout and a great love in my life. I honestly couldn't have predicted how much I would love it. Whenever I feel unbalanced or blue, it is like a miracle drug for me.
So here's a little taste of our day. Breathtaking. When I was there, I thought "Man, God picks out good furniture!"
When I got to the top of Cathedral Rock and saw this view, I will admit that my exact quote was "Holy shit!"
Incredible! So "some say" that when you are near one of the energy vortex, that the trees are all twisted around. Apparently we were very near at this point (heading up Cathedral Rock)...
Happy Monday, everyone. I hope you have a fantastic week. Keep climbing. <3From all the remarks in your articles, it appears such as this is often a very popular website.
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Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring. --William Alexander
Hello there you poor abandoned blog! I'm back, at long last. I thought it appropriate to begin again at Easter and Spring, a time for renewal and forgiveness and cleansing and planting new seeds. I had to take the last year off to take some things apart, starting with my family (separated after 18 years) and then myself. So, uh, yeah, that happened.
It sent me on a journey I wasn't prepared to take. I wasn't ready. I had no idea what to pack. I didn't know where I was going or what to expect. I only knew that I had to go to try to find the place I've been looking for and you'll be happy to know I think I'm at least heading in the right direction.
My bucket was full of a whole lot of broken parts and a bunch more that weren't working (but fixable). Dumped the whole damn thing out and been doing some serious sorting. It's been the hardest work I've ever done in my life and I am not done yet. But I've found some amazing good things in there that I am keeping, I've been blessed with new wonderful things and friends to add in and I made room for new wonderful things to come. I can't wait to see what they are going to be!
I know so many people who had a really tumultuous year last year. Like A LOT of people. Something is brewing and it's part of why I'm sharing this. I think the collective nervousness is shaking the ground we are standing on. So many can relate and so many folks are reassessing and retooling. With the economy and this crazy world we've created, I think we're all feeling a little shaky and unsure and trying to figure out maybe a new way to do things -- because the old way isn't really working so hot. The upside is that I also think that it's bringing people together in new ways and they are sharing their stories and their solutions and things that help them make it through. I see it on Facebook and all over the place -- more positive than negative. People reaching out to one another with photos and quotes and stories that give hope or just share beauty. Keep it coming everyone, we all need it and it's really spectacular.
So now for my fun sharing part of the program! For Spring Break I had the kids all week and I declared my house "CAMP AWESOME" and did little fun things, colored eggs, watched lotsa movies and had a great snack supply. For Easter weekend, I thought of no better way to celebrate renewal than with my awesome amazing kids at our favorite spot by the Ocean, Pt. Dume, just north of Malibu. I thought I'd make my re-entrance by sharing our wonderful day. Enjoy. <3 Robyn
She's looking for teeny tiny white sand crabs. She finds lots. Never has been afraid of bugs or wiggly things of any kind. 
Dec wasn't going to get in the water but finally couldn't resist looking for critters too. We chucked his shoes and socks and he braved the cold water. He found a cool star fish and some crabs. 
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Cindy Beyersdorf caught stealing
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I'm working hard at being fully present and savoring as much of this time in our lives as I can. A couple weeks ago I saw that there was a special Breakfast with Santa at the Grove (Mall in Los Angeles) and I heard it on good authority that this was the REAL Santa, not just one of his helpers in an ill-fitting suit with a fake beard and bad breath.
I wish I could blog my kids' excitement as we got ready that morning and headed in to the place. When he arrived, I have to tell you I felt a little nervous too. I don't think it was super well publicized (I found out about it on the web site) because there weren't many people there even though there was already a HUGE line in front of his Santa house, waiting for him to arrive. We had the best kept secret in Los Angeles!
So when it was our turn he spent lots of time with the kids and they got to give their lists and he even asked how our elves were doing. He was so sweet and gentle. Declan said his breath smelled like gumdrops. :)
So much fun! Laurence Fishburne was there too, but not as Santa.
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LOVE this piece. Jet has Cains arcade in his bedroom. Thank god for the future creatives of the next generation! Not everything in this great country is baseball, soccer or football!
Few understand great genius!
(05.11.12)Hi Robyn,
(05.12.12)I love that you visited the arcade!!! Great photos of your experience there!
Susan
Hi Robyn,
(05.12.12)I love that you visited the arcade!!! Great photos of your experience there!
Susan
Hi Robyn,
(05.12.12)I love that you visited the arcade!!! Great photos of your experience there!
Susan
Great angles on these photos. I love each shot. Thanks for sharing :) Caine rocks!
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