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Entering Los Angeles County
UCLA looms above West L.A.
San Gabriel Mountains
Irreparable earthquake damage
Sherman Oaks Galleria parking
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Scenes of
Los Angeles (off the 405)
In August 1999 Spaz and I drove from Dallas, Texas to Los
Angeles to visit my parents, bring them their very first
computer and get them on the internet. We had a great time.
The trip was something of a quest for me. I hadn't been
home to Los Angeles since 1994 and I had no idea what my
reaction would be. I still called it "home," but
the word was becoming harder to state as fact, and was starting
to sound hollow every time I said it. I mean, I had no idea
whether I would scream for joy at being there or whether
I'd be indifferent to it, you know. Like going back to a
place that, as a kid, held magic and enchantment, but as
an adult, is just another empty lot. It was time for me
to know where "home" really was to me. I think
knew deep down because my life had changed so drastically
for the good in Texas. Finally, I could to put to rest any
more questions.
As soon as we got into the Los Angeles area I knew that,
except for my parents, my love of the attitudes, the entertainment
atmosphere, the blue oceans and the beautiful mountains,
it no longer held me captive. Texas was home, and what made
it that way was a good life. It was my home, mine and Spaz',
and our precious animals, our unique lifestyle, and how
well we fit together. I doubt the lurking "unknown"
will ever rise to question mark proportions again. I no
longer feel that connection with LA.
On top of the hill, upper left, is part of UCLA. Below UCLA
is the famous round Holiday Inn (one of the pioneers with
the revolving disco/restaurant on top). The picture below
that is the Twin Towers in Century City, to the left, is
where I worked for about 8 years on the 39th floor. There
was a 5.5 earthquake near San Francisco, Coalinga in 1985,
but it felt like a 5.5 in Los Angeles it was so strong.
The towers are built on rollers, so when the earth moves
the building will merely roll side to side. It was more
than bizarre, as it was disorienting, but worse was the
sight out of the window during the earthquake... mountains
then ocean...mountains then ocean. No wonder a few people
passed out. They were so overwhelmed by the disorientation.
By the way, the building to the right of the towers is where
Diehard was shot while the building was under construction.
Stories from the Twin Towers, (coming soon Lady on the Escalator,
Fire on the 38th Foor, Walking into Elevator with Larry
Flynt, Going through the earthquake).
To the left, are shots of the Sherman Oaks Galleria and
the extensive damage resulting from the Northridge earthquake
of 1992. Repairs were not attempted. Remember the movie
"Earthquake" when the big one starts and you see
the ground rippling? I always wondered if that really happened.
It's creepy and awesome at the same time.It was during this
very earthquake that my question posed about earthquakes
was answered. I was outside in the backyard, just standing
there in shock, when a big aftershock happened. I not only
felt the movement of the earth under my feet, but I watched
it's progress by the rise and fall of a tree, an aviary
(no birds in it), a dog house (no dog in it). Everything
above it moved as if on some huge rug that had something
running underneath it. So, the ripples were, of course not
as big as in the movie, but they were exactly like in the
movie. And no amount of sensurround or THX can prepare you
for what a high magnitude earthquake sounds like like (and
feels like) at 3:00 a.m. |
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