San Diego

NYC had just been washed white with snow and sleet. Due to this Tess and I nearly missed our flight to LAX. Sitting in the heavily used airport chairs I was reminded of how close warm sand and sunshine was. Aside from a few work meetings and photoshoots we had a fairly loose schedule. LAX greeted us with open arms, eeking our way through traffic we arrived at our Air B&B just north of Venice beach. The place spoke of another era; it looked as if the the Brady Bunch had just moved out. Pink walls and teal accents welcomed us accompanied by appliances to match the theme.

Our L.A. adventures lasted only a few short days. The next stop was San Diego. Our friend Justin drove us to Union Station to catch our southbound train. There was something satisfying about taking a train instead of a big metal bird or a vehicle congested highway. I was rather excited to take a trip above ground, to a place more exciting, and less familiar than SoHo. While waiting for our train to arrive. I explored Union Station looking to burn a few frames on the interesting light and architecture, the energy in the station had a very cool and collected feel. Somewhere in the cavernous station the sound of a piano was floating through the air. Its source was unknown until we turned a corner and saw a man playing piano. To his right was a couple waiting patiently for their turn to coax the black and white keys to life. They happened to be standing directly under a dirty skylight, providing a wonderful diffused light directly above them. I approached them; “there is some really cool light on you guys right now, would you mind if I snapped a few photos while you wait?”

“Not at all man, thanks for asking,” they responded.

After a few frames and a song or two later, his travel companion approached me.

She asked me “Do you know who that is?

“I haven't a clue”

“That is Charles Manson’s only living biological son”

“Ah” was all I could think of, after a short pause... “his fingers seem to know their way around a piano”

“It helps him relax”

My camera had suddenly become a little heavier, my hands not quite as steady as they were a few moments ago. I’m not sure why that information changed the situation. It shouldn't have. But it did.

I felt a tug at my sleeve, Tess’s signal that our train had arrived.

Once on the train, we settled in, books and laptop’s appeared, along with a train attendant to take our ticket in exchange for wine. Pretty good exchange if you ask me. The train ride itself was uneventful.

Arriving in San Diego we got a lift from her brother & girlfriend accompanied by Tess’s parents. Spring break had begun! Zipping around the Gaslight district along with the island of Coronado we slipped in and out of bars and to and from beaches. We even managed a biplane tour of SD compliments of Tess’s brother Nick. After our week of galavanting around we were tired, sun kissed and ready for our own beds. A brief goodbye to our hosts and we were back at the airport.

Until next time San Diego, ciao!