CELEB #6: BEN WHO?

Who: Ben Weber
Claim to fame: OK, so I use the word "Celeb" lightly. Ben Weber's been in enough for me to suspect he was an actor when he and his wife came into the gallery. His TV credits include Sex and the City, West Wing and Medium.
Where: already covered
Why I was there: paid to be there

SUDDENLY, CEILINGS

I started taking pictures of bedroom ceilings. Exhibit A: Madelin's guest room. It provokes ceilng envy with its arched, vaulted ceiling and diamond plaster work. Exhibit B: Our bedroom. Not the best, but I like it just the same, with its fixture and blue hue.

CELEB #5: THE PEET ON 3RD STREET

Who: Amanda Peet
Claims to fame: Studio 60, Something's Gotta Give, The Whole Nine Yards, etc.
Where: She was ordering from the counter at Joan's on Third, a gourmet marketplace. She wore flip flops, had dishelved hair and held her young daughter. Nice and normal.
Why I was there: Well, I just finished viewing a 13 foot beard getting installed at Gagosian and decided to pop in J.O.3. to get desert for company the next evening. Those were some serioulsy good coconut chocolate meringue cookies.

CELEB #4: ROBELESS

Who: Hamish Linklater
Claim to fame: "New" Chritine's brother Matthew on the TV show New Adventures of Old Christine
Where: Ordering "three white vinos" at Eagle Rock hot spot The York
Why I was there: Grabbin' a beer with Jim and Christine after work.

WHAT WAS CAUGHT

Walking along the beach in Carpinteria with friends, I came across two women fishing. One was casting and this one came to unhook the line. They were smoking the whole time and not saying much at all. I don't know what they caught.

CELEB #3'S COMPANY

Who: Pricilla Barnes of Three's Company.
Where: performing in dress rehearsal and fundraiser for the production of "Hillary Agonoistes" at Studio/Stage in Hollywood.
Why I was there: We went to see our good friend Rebecca Metz perform in the same production.

THE HOOKER, THE HOMELESS + THE HUNGRY

With a "Back in 10" on the door, my simple walk around the block to retrieve a sandwich gives me an eyeful. A fit, but smudged, transexual hooker fans herself dramatically on a bench. Black 80s-style basketball shoes, short pleated orange skirt and a lacey tan tank. An Asian woman searches a trash can as a 7 ft square painting rolls by on a dolly. Tourists sip their bobas and smile for the camera.

Made it in 6. Open for business.

STOP BELIEVIN'

I must apologize to Steve Perry for my failed attempt at karaoke last night at Backstage. Ouch.

4TH + 28TH = GOOD TIMES

As soon as night hinted at its arrival the sky lit up in every direction. Smoke from the fireworks blanketed the neighborhood. I felt bits of casings fall like rain. Kids scrambled to be the one with the match. Families sat on porches, on curbs and watch from the windows. A lowrider was moved further from the epicenters. The '66 Impala reflected the fanfare beautifully. A cop car cruised by the outlawed activities. Outnumbered, I suppose. It was a magical night.

We were invited to a BBQ near the 28th Street community of West Adams, LA, which blocks off their own street each year. They have games during the day and a light show until dawn. Such a variety of cultures, ages and interests that gathered. I was glad to be in the mix. Los Angeles shows its demographics on the 4th, as it seems most illegal fireworks are lit throughout the poorer communities. There was quite a show all the way home.

CELEB #2: SURESH FINE

Who: Sendhil Ramamurthy
Claim to fame: plays professor Mohinder Suresh on "Heroes"
Where: greeting his friends at Edendale Grill, Silverlake
Why I was there: having a drink and chatting about Italy with Donna

PINEAPPLES TO ORANGES

The light was lovely and the folks at this auto center were too. Had to check it out. Lucia laughed when I took her photo and had me talk with the person at the other end of the line. It took crossing my comfort zone to capture some life in the neighborhood. I left with with some delicious fruit.