Vintage LA

Vintage L.A. viewed with a Hipsatmatic iPhone4.

Mt. Lee

Excalibur at Vons.

Motorhome in the Fairfax district.

Car ride at CVS.

Sea monster ride at CVS.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Curt Flood

A couple of portraits I took of Curt Flood back in 1996 are now featured in a HBO Sports documentary "The Curious Case of Curt Flood."
Curt Flood was a center fielder for the Saint Louis Cardinals back in the day, winning seven Golden Glove Awards for his stellar defensive play, and two World Series.
He took on the Major League Baseball's reserve clause, which kept all baseball players beholden to their original teams for life, even after satisfying their original contracts.
Flood felt this was a form of paid slavery to the team owners, he took Major League baseball to court after the Cardinals attempted to trade him. No active ball players supported Flood in his endeavor, a retired Jackie Robinson was one of the few notable players that did. Flood is credited with creating "free agency" in team sports including the NFL.
Curt Flood died in Los Angeles in 1997.

Curt Flood 1996.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 1996

Mitt In NoHo

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney stopped by a dilapidated outdoor shopping mall in NoHo to criticize President Obama's handling of the economy.
Local politicians claim it was a cheap shot, and the area's economic collapse was caused by 8 years under the Bush administration.
About 50 supporters lined up at the photo-op to shake hands and take photos with candidate Romney.

Photos  by Ted Soqui © 2011

Mitt and media.

Angry Californian.

Angrier Californian.

Mitt and supporters.

Mt Lee

Mt. Lee with the Hollywood sign. Viewed from Trash Truck Hill in Griffith Park.

Mt. Lee

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2011

Buh Bye Carmageddon, See You Next Year

Carmageddon and come and gone.
Here is my friend Jonathan Alcorn planking California style, on the 405 freeway during Carmageddon.

Planking Cali sytle.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2011

Carmageddon Day For Mulholland Dr. Bridge

Widening and partial destruction of the Mulholland Drive bridge began in the early Saturday morning hours. Twin jack hammers, each installed on a long crane, resembled long neck giraffes hungrily tearing away at the bridge's concrete and rebar, sending large chunks to the tarmac below. Other parts of the bridge were met with a hot oxy-acetylene torch that quickly sawed in the bridge.
Destruction is expected to last until this Sunday.

Sunrise over the Mulholland dr. bridge.

Fence meet oxy-acetylene torch.

Chipping away.

Full on bridge assault.

An empty 405 near the Skirball Center bridge.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Carmageddon Panographics

Here are some panos from the tarmac of the 405 near the Skirball exit. The media was allowed on to the freeway for about a half hour today, not sure why.
Click on each image to see at a larger resolution.

Media photogs on the 405.

Media on the 405.

View of the 405 with the Mulholland Drive bridge.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

Carmageddon Arrives

Mulholland Drive bridge demolition begins.

An empty 405 freeway.

405.

405 construction.

Carmageddon arrives to L.A.

Photos and video footage by Ted Soqui © 2011

Will and Kate In L.A.

Prince William and his wife Catherine drove up to the Hancock Park home where they will be staying during their L.A. visit. This is Kate's first visit to the U.S.

Lady Kate.

Will and Kate in the Rover.

Both waived to the crowd as they drove by.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

The Witch's House

The Witch's House in Beverly Hills.
It was built in 1921 to be used as a film set in Culver City, the house was moved to Beverly Hills in 1926 and is now a private home.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2011

Will And Kate's L.A. Lodging

Prince William and his wife Catherine will be staying at the British Consul General's Hancock Park residence during their three day visit to the Los Angeles area.
LAPD will cordon off the street and arrest any trespassers. A small viewing area will be set up for the public at the NW corner of June street and Sixth street, just far away enough not to see the home.
Traffic in the Hancock Park area will be Carmaggedon-lite for the duration of the Royals visit.

The British Consul's humble abode.

The Royal entrance.

LAPD en garde.

Photos by Ted Soqui © 2011

La Brea Tar Pits

Afternoon at the La Brea Tar Pits.

Photo by Ted Soqui © 2011