alleys

Alleys are really just passageways, usually between or behind buildings. But they conjure up images of the seedy underside of society and cinematic film noir. Poor illumination at night hides illegal activity in the darkness. The light of day only manages to provide a temporary facade of a safe passage through one of these God-forsaken lanes.

textures

Can you feel it?

palm trees

Palm trees are such a predominant visual throughout the landscape of Southern California that they've become synonymous with this region. But they are not local natives. They were actually imported to the area over 100 years ago from various Latin America countries and other exotic locations.

coffee

I never drank coffee until a couple of years ago when my wife brought home a flavored drink from Starbucks and asked me to "just try it." After reminding her that I don't like drinking hot liquid, I gave in to her request. I had to admit that it was pretty good. Now I have about a half-a-cup with my morning breakfast, from freshly ground coffee beans, put through the coffee maker I bought for my wife after realizing how much she spent every month on daily lattes. The scent of roasted coffee beans and the flavor of good coffee has caught up with me after all these years. A cup of coffee is a universal wake-up call; a simple excuse for a casual meeting; and a nice way for a couple to spend some time together.