Things continue to be busy for me this week, and the travel resumes. I'm at the United Club at LAX, awaiting tonight's flight to Vancouver. Back on Sunday, of to The Center of the Universe (Toronto, don't get me started) in eight days. On the other hand, I spent last weekend mostly reclined enduring a cold (not COVID, big sigh of relief), so at least I had some down time.
Anyway...
On Monday, Sam arrived. Sam is a friend and colleague, both of us doing a lot of work together in our professional association. Conrad picked them up at the airport while I was at work, and when I got home, we made a quick decision to head to The Arbour for dinner. My, we don't get there enough. It's reliably good, and this time actually felt even better. Maybe the company? I joked about this with Sam throughout their visit: no getting scurvy while staying with us. In short, we introduced Sam to Last Words at The Arbour
(and to a few other cocktails at home). A lovely meal, and then home to an early bedtime for our jetlagged friend.
Tuesday morning Sam and I headed out for a short walk and a visit to Starbucks. I couldn't resist a photo of the morning skies.
Glorious. Back at home, we tidied up and got ourselves out the door again, this time taking the Metro to DTLA and meeting up with Lessa at the central Los Angeles Public Library. The City Librarian, John Szabo, is someone we all know, and we were able to arrange a tour of the building that started before opening.
Oh wow. Look, I don't live in Los Angeles itself, so I think I have been in the downtown library once only, and that was some years back now. It was such a treat to see the glorious building and learn more about the construction and ornamentation, the specialized collections and what they are doing with them, the work of the staff in units like the super cool Octavia Lab. What a terrific thing to do. I find myself thinking that I need to set up tour opportunities for my staff to inspire them and keep their love of the profession strong. What a delight.
After the tour, Sam and Lessa and I headed to Bottega Louie nearby for a lunch and much shop talk. A spritz for me,
and a tasty spin on a club sandwich (imagine a club sandwich with a layer of egg salad, and if you don't like egg salad, well, your loss).
I then showed Sam around Bunker Hill a bit before we returned to Pasadena to see some of my fair city. Including the Rose Bowl.
Sam is a college football fan, so that excited them.
We capped the day with dinner at home, Van and Olive coming over, and the humans enjoying (I hope!) the lamb shanks I braised.
And then this morning, a good walk for Sam and Conrad and me, a breakfast at Amara (no photos, it was good!), and then Sam was off on their return already. I'll them again in Chicago next month, and I'll be happy to catch up with them again.
Posts
