She got a TV eye on me. She got a TV eye...

Copyright Lauren Perez, 2011

Apple Core

That hurt.






                

       (but it was worth it)

"Adventures" With Bubble Boy

Do not pretend you live an exciting, adventurous life
if you are made of bubbles.
Is too dangerous.

I once met a bubble boy. 


He didn't just live in a bubble, but he was :himself: a bubble. 


He wasn't a very nice bubble boy...


So I pop him. :)

This is how things are, I think.

Art by Karen Watkins

"I was an atheist for most of my life, or so I thought. But I came to the conclusion that I'm just not that smart, and life is a little too cute sometimes... so who knows."


-Jon

Planking.

The lying down game (also known as planking,^[1] or face downs) is an activity, popular in various parts of the world, consisting of lying face down in an unusual or incongruous location. The hands must touch the sides of the body, and having a photograph of the participant taken and posted on theInternet is an integral part of the game.^[2] Players compete to find the most unusual and original location in which to play.^[2] The location should also be as public as possible, and as many people as possible should be involved.   

I know.  We're totally weird.  Mainly because we did it in 3 different positions and had a random guy take the one in front of the Mission.  Turns out he was a professional fashion photographer.  It took forever for him to get the "right shot".  My mouth tasted like grass for days.

When we're not in "plank position", we're actually pretty normal looking.

My friend. He is a funny kind of friend.

This is a gift.
The movie is "Happiness".  
Behold: an amalgamation of at least three
levels of ridiculousness.

Urban Exploration: Abandoned Camarillo State Hospital & "Scary Dairy"

Partnered with my friend and fellow explorer, I found myself in Camarillo, CA at the footsteps of the old abandoned Camarillo State Hospital.

Camarillo State Hospital

     As the story goes, this hospital was originally built in 1932, and at one time was considered to be one of the chief pioneers in developing new techniques for previously "untreatable" diagnoses (e.g., Schizophrenia, Autism, etc.). Unfortunately, as many a creepy mental hospital history goes, they were criticized for their mistreatment of patients (they stuffed them in by the droves), as well as their lack of concern for the safety of the local residents by taking in a large number of violent cases.  In 1997, it closed down, and after some deliberation of potentially turning it into a prison, they decided to make it a school instead.  Obvious decision, no?



     There are still a few buildings remaining of the old hospital, relatively untouched since the patients left.  I'm not a fan of breaking and entering (hello, I'm 26 - too old for a slap on the wrist, I think), and all of the doors were locked on both sides.  They'd thought of everything.  Looks like I'm going to have to go back with a story to get somebody to let me in.  I can't pass up this gem.

Fun fact: it is rumored that the Eagles wrote the song "Hotel California" in reference to the hospital.  Not an Eagles fan?  Well, it appears N*Sync filmed "I Drive Myself Crazy" on the grounds.  See?  History for everyone!

What the ward used to look like.

What the ward looks like now.

The beet goes on...

Copyright,  Lauren P. Perez 2011