irwinopolis

I attended the E3 Expo for the first time last week and it was one of the best large-scale events of this type I have ever been to. Since the video game industry is now operating on a larger scale than film or tv – there was no expense saved on the variety of displays, installations and interactive & displayed content. Activision had a 150 foot long LED and others had wrapping LED displays vs. projection system for higher resolution output. The people watching is magnificent – it was one of my rare experiences where whenever someone sees you holding a camera – they pose to have their picture taken…

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I had the unique opportunity to step inside a former scottish rite masonic temple, with murals by Millard Sheets, in los angeles this afternoon. it was a perfect rainy overcast day to enter this looming travertine behemoth – that I have been waiting to go inside for all the many years I have live in los angeles. it did not disappoint – some of the spaces were like stage sets from a david lynch film – in others you could sense the 1970′s masons gathering on the upholstered furniture and smoking cigars while speaking about running the city. I have probably watched every freemason documentary – probably since I am a builder too – and this was a special experience…

I finally realized summer is the only time I am going to do any major house design projects since the endless hours and LA sun certainly help to get the most of 12 hour workdays. this year it was installing new hardwood floors, building a tv cabinet and installing some new light fixtures and some other smaller tweaks. I had the pleasure of finally visiting Anderson Plywood, which I had passed a couple dozen times over the decade or so in LA but I had never ventured in. well worth visiting as the staff is the most knowledgable I have met. They are mostly all South African and seem to know everything there is know about wood, plywood, machine tools and finishing. They work with you as well and are non-confrontational- which typically when you work with experts – they have a way of talking down to you if your don’t know their ‘shorthand’. They guys were far better than that.

The projects were completed in two weeks and have made our home a far better environment. Until next summer…

this is the av cabinet I built in the livingroom out of both birch plywood and walnut laminate plywood

here are some views of the completed projects

another fine fair in los angeles. it was perfect weather in pomona for endless rides, fried food, extra long corn dogs, beer, margaritas, fudge and caramel apples. I think we can only do this once a year but there is something truly and authentically ‘american’ about the state fair…

this is the permanent noah’s ark exhibit at the skirball center in los angeles – close to the getty museum. it’s an extremely well built and creatively designed series of spaces – well-scaled for children to explore, climb on, and touch…

from their website:
“Inside a floor-to-ceiling wooden ark, filled to the rafters with whimsical animals, you and your family will play, build, climb, explore, make music, make friends, and more. Conduct a storm, help construct the ark, and bask in the glow of a beautiful rainbow. Mingle with hundreds of fancifully handcrafted animals—from cuddly companions to life-sized puppets—all crafted from recycled materials and everyday objects, including bottle caps, bicycle parts, baseball mitts, croquet balls, mop heads, and rear-view mirrors…”

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roman and milo came home from winter camp here in LA with these. seems like a great way to make a snow globe and create something rather unique…

chilly week in LA. heidi’s brother visited and we spent the afteroon at paradise cove…