Getty Center from space

Here's what the Getty Center looks like on Google Earth.  It's the huge white castle-like building complex in the centre of the image. Because the site is on top of a large hill it casts a shadow over Freeway 405 to the right. I work in one of the buildings on the top right hand part of the site.  Just thought you should know that!


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Half way through...

...I can't believe it but I am nearly half way through my stay here.  I am enjoying it all so much here that I hope the second half goes more slowly so I can savour it (unlikely, but here's hoping!).  The weather is heading towards autumnal (or falling towards fall as Californians might say) and so today there were a few clouds in the sky.  I may even have to wear a coat one day soon.  In comparison with the general November weather in the UK, however, this is paradise.  Indeed, in comparison with many things in the UK it is paradise here.  Am ready to super glue myself to my desk at the Getty so that I cannot leave in mid December...

99% protests in LA

Like London, but with better sunshine and less hassle from the Church authorities, there are several anti-banking protests in California.  In downtown LA, opposite the LA Police Department, is a large but tidy encampment of tents with lots of banners and notices in support of the oppressed 99%.  One tent even had a Halloween pumpkin outside.

Downtown architectural tour

The Getty organised a whole day tour of downtown today, complete with expert architectural guide.  The diversity of buildings is amazing from a late 19th century church to a hole in the ground which is just beginning to be developed into a new art gallery. Highlights of the tour for me were the Union Station, Biltmore Hotel, new Catholic Cathedral and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.  This last building was designed by Frank Gehry and is extremely beautiful, in a 'metal wrapped around weird shapes' way.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall, downtown LA.

Downtown is a wonderful mixture of uses, peoples and vistas.  Well worth visiting, especially for Grand Central Market with its mix of cheap and tasty food stalls.

Downtown LA towers

Five thousand words and counting...

A full day of thinking and scribbling has resulted in almost 5000 words of Viles musings on linking conserving ruins with conserving biodiversity.  I say 'almost' 5000 words in perhaps a rather too optimistic fashion (I'm including a few notes, quotations and waffle), but it is starting to come together.  So what if there's about a further 30000 words to do...

Actually, I am writing the most difficult part (chapter 2) at the moment that deals with the underlying principles of different types of conservation.  First, the principles are quite complex and, second, people really make heavy weather of writing about them - making me uncertain what anything actually MEANS.    It's all quite slippery and conceptual... and I am much happier with things that are solid and empirical.