Petersen Museum

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Luke's return to Palm Springs left me with 2 Lone Wolf days in SoCal, due to my flight cancellation. On Wednesday morning, I slept in a little & then headed for the Petersen Automotive Museum on Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles. I had heard many good things about this museum & because of the miserable New England weather, I was getting a chance to see it first-hand. If you're into cars or Americana, DO NOT miss the opportunity to check out this special museum. The main exhibits are permanent, but they also have several rotating exhibits, that are always cool & interesting.

Kirby's Rumpus Room

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

After the shopping trip to Long Beach, I was beat. I went back to the motel & crashed hard. After a couple hour nap, I woke up with nothing to do, but watch the boob-tube in my room. This is NOT why I travelled 3000 miles. My friend Ernie, aka GROG, had invited me to attend the weekly gathering of friend's at Kirby's Rumpus Room. I was a little aprehensive about showing up at someone's door whom I'd never met in person, but again, I was 3000 miles from home & determined to make the most of every minute. I mustered up my courage, stopped at the nearby grocery store for a bag of lemons & limes & headed for Kirby's house. After driving up & down the street a few times trying to determine which house was his, I saw some activity at one house & stopped to ask if this was indeed, Kirby's house. The girl I spoke with, (my friend Kelly "Hiphipahula" Relly,) confirmed that it was. I gathered up my bag of citrus & sheepishly entered into the Rumpus Room. My aprehension was unfounded, as I was greeted warmly by Kirby & all those present. For the second time in 3 days, I found myself in the midst of fellow Tikiphiles I had conversed with on Tiki Central, but had never met in person. Kelly made me one of her signature Tiki cocktails & I entered into the conversastion with ease. Kirby surprised me, by presenting me with a Rumpus Room pendant, reserved for Rumpus Room regulars or long distance travellers. Before I knew it, it was after 2 AM & I figured it was time to head back to the motel, before I wore out my welcome. What a wonderful, warm & friendly group of people. This night just furthered my belief that I was living on the wrong coast.

Me & Kirby (Note the cool Rumpus Room pendant!)


Some shots of the Rumpus Room









While partaking of my Hiphipahula cocktail, I noticed one of the regulars drinking from an amazing Zombie mug. "Where did you get that mug?", I asked. "It's mine." he replied. "I designed it." Of course my response was "How do I get one?" He then went out to his car & returned with a mug for me to purchase. On top of everything else, I now had added a Kahuna Kent Zombie mug to my collection. Tell my again why I want to go home?

Shopping In Long Beach

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Today was shopping day on E. 4th St. in Long Beach. With Luke gone back to Palm Springs to finish up the latest issue of Kustoms Illustrated magazine, I hooked up with fellow Tikiphile, Liz, for a trip to Long Beach. What a great bunch of stores. There's nothing like this back home! Unfortunately, by now, my budget had been shot, because my flight home was postponed for 2 days, due to an ice storm back home. The good news was that I got to stay in SoCal for 2 more days, the bad news was I really had to pinch pennies. This amazing store is called Meow. It's a veritable vintage department store with some of the best vintage clothes I've ever seen. There were 3 or 4 items I couldn't live without, but had to leave behind, due to finances! Here's some shots of this amazing store & their awesome collection of vintage displays.










Another great store on E. 4th Street is Liberty. More great vintage clothes & the largest selection of Rockabilly music I've seen in one store. Alas, due to lack of funds, I only purchased one G0-Getters CD.




Sneaky Tiki, another cool store.

Hawleywood's Barber Shop. Next trip, I'm gonna get my hair cut here.

Don The Beachcomber

Monday, January 31, 2011

After a busy day of running around Southern California, Luke & I headed to Huntington Beach for some dinner, cocktails & just some chilling time with more of my Tiki Central friends at Don The Beachcomber.

Me, Luke & Art Snyder, the gracious owner of Don's.

Me with the Tiki Central Ohana

A few photos of the amazing Poly-Pop Paradise that is Don The Beachcomber.


















Another Ohana shot.

Don The Beachcomber mug that returned to Boston with me.

If you're a Tiki fan, Mid-Century fan, Roadside America fan, etc., Don The Beachcomber is a treat that is not to be missed when in SoCal.