Monday, January 25, 2010

Hot Pursuit

I have challenges in my daily quest to bring you interesting glimpses of our fair city. Like here, for example. When I saw this charming pair on a Sunday joyride I just knew I had to grab a shot of them. Look at that scrumptious buggy wagon! But don't let the quaint image fool you -- these two could have outrun prohibition-era feds through Raymond Chandler's version of Los Angeles. Then there was the problem of other cars getting in the way. And a peloton of weekend roadies pedaling toward the Rose Bowl. And my dilemma of having to actually drive my car -- following Bonnie and Clyde up there -- leaving me unable to take a photograph. I had the bright idea of setting my camera on auto, waving it out of the window and snapping continuously. That yielded choppy images of the camphor trees, the asphalt, my windblown camera strap and a particularly scary view of the side of my head. Finally, I was saved by a stop sign. I stopped further back, aimed, and grabbed the image I wanted. Gotcha, you two!

I'm not sure if I'm a dedicated artist or a stalker.

Oh, and in the spirit of full disclosure this shot was taken on Arroyo just barely over the border into Pasadena. (But to be fair, I chased that car all the way from Trader Joes.)

28 comments:

Petrea Burchard said...

If we were to mix the two words, stalker and artist, what would we get? Stalkist? Arker? I'd say in this case you were a crazy mix and the result is worth it.

Sharon said...

This photo is just perfect and a real testament to your dedication to your art. Your story of chasing them down had me laughing and it's good to laugh first thing in the morning.

Judy Williams said...

Paparazzi you!!!!! hee hee hee

If this were done in sepia, perhaps with the stop sign out of view, this would certainly make me think it was taken a long time ago. Wait, they did have stop signs then too, no?

Kaori said...

definately a stalker but a brilliant artist as well ;D great shot!

Anonymous said...

I thought I was the only one who drove around with camera in lap...ready to "shoot" at a moments notice...and the only one who prays for a red light to capture those moments!!

Laurie....another fabulous photo...a composition just waiting to paint...may I do this one too?

Mister Earl said...

Great Sunday photo. I know just where this is. Arroyo and La Loma. I think it's ok, as long as the chase starts in South Pasadena!

Gunn said...

Gosh, you have really worked hard for this lovely shot you now are sharing with us...... all over the world.
A big smile from me in Stavanger.

Barbara said...

Thank you for your efforts. So worth it.

Anonymous said...

You could have told me this photo was from 60 years ago and I would have believed you. Oh wait a minute, did they have color film then?

San Diego Farmgirl said...

I think I know why this car was running from you! Any chance you were chasing Jay Leno? He drives his classic cars all over the SF and SG valleys on the weekends, and he ALWAYS wears a blue denim shirt when he's not on TV. Back in my LA days, he used to cruise Hollywood Way and Sunland Blvd north to Tujunga, and then take Foothill Blvd east into Altadena,. and then take the 134 back to the studios. Yak and I have seen him a couple of times on our way to brunch and Chez Nous, as well. ADHiker, have you ever seen him out and about?

San Diego Farmgirl said...

Okay, after I blew the photo up on my monitor, that is definitely NOT Jay Leno. Dang!

Wayne said...

I haven't seen peloton in a sentence since ..... ever.

Laurie Allee said...

Good morning, gang!

Thanks for (enabling me?) the kind words! :-)

Julie, go ahead and paint away. Just make sure you show us the finished canvas. I'm starting to look at my shots in terms of compositions you and Leslie Saeta might like to paint. Since I can't paint to save my life, I am happy to collaborate.

Farmgirl, I remember when you guys used to see Leno all the time. Now, though, I think he's running from Conan fans.

Gunn, big smile back at you!

I like Petrea's word. Stalkist. Though, it sounds like celery might be involved...

Laurie Allee said...

Wayne, blame the fact that I have a cyclist husband for the peloton reference.

Anonymous said...

Thanks girlfriend...will definitely share the resulting work with all of blog-ville

dbdubya said...

I'm surprised that no one had identified the make an model. That's a 1928 GreatGatsbyMobile. And, in my opinion, Laurie should get a pass for taking this photo in Pasadena since, well, it's worth it.

Petrea Burchard said...

Judy, you put me in mind of my childhood. My family's home was on the outskirts of what was, at the time, just a country town. When they put up a stop sign at the end of my street I knew my town had grown and I was heartbroken.

Yakpate said...

I LOVE the way all the bright, young green leaves give this shot a dawn-of-time feeling.

And those yellow shafts of sun crossing the double yellow traffic lines... yup, this definitely is a magical shot!

Leslie Saeta said...

It is nice to see that Julie and I are now "fighting" over your photos to use as inspirations for our paintings! I just got off the phone with her and we might both take a shot at today's photo ... this one is amazing! Thanks for capturing such wonderful shots of our great little town!
P.S. I think the three of us should meet in town somewhere for lunch!

Mister Earl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Farm Girl: Uh-uh, but maybe I wasn't paying attention.

Mister Earl said...

Wayne: I guess you're not a fan of Le Tour?

Farmgirl: I've seen Leno riding one of his motorcycles at the annual Love Ride. Never have seen him cruising around. If I did, it would probably be in a car he stole from Letterman or Conan. ;-)

Laurie Allee said...

Thanks again, people!

Leslie and Julie, I'd love to have lunch with my painter alter egos. Email me and we'll figure it out!

Until tomorrow...

TheChieftess said...

I love, love, love this shot!!! And my mind's vision of these two outrunning the prohibition-era feds had me visualizing "The Great Race" with Tony Curtis, Red Buttons, Natalie Wood...etc...etc...and giggling out loud!!! Then, DBW's GreatGatsbyMobile...good thing I didn't have a mouthful of vino cause it would have been curtains for my computer!!!

-K- said...

Great photo. And there's lots of great stuff in that Chandler link too. Thank you.

Joe Ryan said...

Your stalking ways, Laurie, are just what makes for a vibrant city like South Pasadena. Thank you! What a wonderful picture. BTW, I believe these two are looking for Busch Gardens.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

I met Jay Leno over in Bungalow heaven. Every year the Horseless Carriage club meets up in Pasadena and cruises the area. The tour ends at a park in Bungalow Heaven. You line up and shake Leno's hand.

My father bought a 1906 Buick and restored it. Thats why know these things.

I can just see you trying to catch up

Laurie Allee said...

Thanks, guys.

K, I knew you'd dig the Shamus Town stuff. Isn't it cool?

Good to see you again Ryanpainting!!!

PA, I actually thought of you when I was chasing these two. If you can sneak into all those weird and wonderful places you bring to your blog, I could follow one little old vintage car, right?