Astro-Nut 👨🏽‍🚀

The weather has turned and brought in some well needed rain. But the selfish side of me has just down right loved all the precipitation and the freshness that it brings to a usually smoggy SOCAL.

I decided to travel a bit for my usual monthly meeting instead of staying in my predictable hotel area in El Segundo. I decided to venture out and see a part of town, I really didn’t know much about. Kinda crazy, but since I’m not paying for it and on per diem. I found a cool hotel to stay in for 2 days and I highly recommend it!

I believe the charm of this piece of art is singular, but compounded by being across the street from another vision of beauty. How have I lived in LA this long and not seen how beautiful, these structures downtown are? It’s funny how changing your perspective can bring on an entire different light. This hotel is unlike any hotel I have ever visited. Each area seems to be in its own universe and selected from a cosmopolitan magazine.

My roommate was an architecture major in college and he could talk for hours on sheer excitement on the compounded architectural highlights of this structure given the chance. While I studied for a Structural Dynamic Test that at times resembled more of Greek-Alphabet-Soup with purpose, then anything meaningful in the real world. He dove head-first into a project that always had a fast approaching deadline.

I truly understand his wonder and determination as we both pulled all-nighters for our individual deadlines. He worked completing a split level structure made by hand with meticulous detail that made my eyes hurt just watching in amazement. The imagination on center stage, with foresight to run out of our small apartment and grab a twig out of a tree, to complete his vision was baffling to me. But that was his cerebral matter and meticulous attention to detail, on a daily expression, and speaks to the heart of this man.

To this day a man of character and accountability that could be counted on with a drop of a hat. I don’t know what I respect more, his brain or his heart. Both resonating deep with understanding and compassion for what he believes in and dedicated his life too. Funny how some things you can express on paper, that have never been said face to face. I truly have found solace in a documented chronicle of inner-thoughts and learning. But what I do know, he is one of the greatest architects in the country with a plethora of completed projects around the US and the world.

But now his detail makes so much more sense when I see these structures in real life. The detail is shear breathtaking and multi-faceted like a diamond. I tip my hat to all Architects as your journey although long, is an inspiration to us all for your gift to society.

The Walt Disney Concert Hall truly is a remarkable space, engulfed but not intimidated by the nostalgia of past and present, but dancing between concrete and a skyline that captivates all the senses. The symbolism of textures and architecture speak volume to both sides of my brain satisfying both the visual and intellectual hemispheres simultaneously.

-Astro-Nut 👨🏽‍🚀

This is truly an enchanting area with offerings of everything you could want to see and do in downtown LA. I find myself saying I’m going to do all these great things, knowing damn well I probably won’t see it through.

As usual I’m most excited about my dinners, and they surely didn’t let me down.

Yes that was allot of food but that is part of my day to make sure I hit the gym prior to engulfing in a 5 course meal. This trip gave me plenty of great ideas and I hope I don’t chicken out and bring them to fruition. Also, I have always wanted to put on a tuxedo and go to an Opera. After seeing this amazing venue, it just became a quest for this year. 🤵🏽‍♂️

-Astro-Nut 👨🏽‍🚀