Tag Archives: Orange County

Architecture Du Jour: Bang For Your Buck Edition

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: One of the objections I hear constantly to traditional buildings is that they’re too expensive compared to the glass-and-steel variety. “Do you realize how much it costs for all that custom masonry and sculpture?” they say. So, let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture | Tagged Cesar Pelli, David Schwarz, Frank Gehry, Nashville, Orange County, Paris | 4 Comments

It’s 75 Degrees and the Jacarandas are in Bloom

Posted on June 1, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: A scene today from my neck of the woods. Click on the image to enlarge.

Posted in Architecture, Photography | Tagged California, jacarandas, Orange County, traditionalism | 4 Comments

A Day at the Bowers Museum

Posted on April 18, 2014 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: Although I’ve lived within 10 minutes of it for almost a decade, it was only within the past month that I finally made it over to Orange County’s Bowers Museum, an art and cultural history institution located in … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art | Tagged Academic art, ancient Egypt, ancient history, Bowers Museum, brooklyn museum, Chinese art, French art, headhunters, Knohl Collection, Ludwig van Beethoven, mummies, Oceania, Orange County, painting, Papua New Guinea, Spanish colonial revival | 3 Comments

“Why Not Have a Beautiful Home?”

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: I’ve been focusing too much on crappy buildings lately. Let’s pay attention to the positive, shall we? Southern California has plenty of well-kept, modest, charming neighborhoods, if you’re willing to look. All of the following homes are … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Photography | Tagged American flags on the porch, arbor gates, arts and crafts, bungalows, California, David Hewes, Henry L. Wilson, Julia Morgan, Mountain View Cemetery, Orange, Orange County, residential architecture, Victorian architecture | 12 Comments

I Graduated From a Monkey Prison

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: In 1972, Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, the fourth installment in the series, was released. When the film begins, humans have enslaved the apes but eventually the apes rise up in revolution against their oppressors. There … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Education, Movies, Photography | Tagged brutalism, landscaping, Orange County, Planet of the Apes, Science Fiction, University of California Irvine, William Pereira | 20 Comments

Let’s Go to a Rock Show!

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: The band I blogged about here was in town last night so I headed off to my first concert in two years.

Posted in Music, Photography | Tagged Honda Center, live music, Orange County, rock 'n roll will never die, Tegan & Sara, The Black Keys | 5 Comments

A Tour of the Santa Ana Civic Center

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: In the comments of my last post, Sir Barken Hyena said that, “SoCal is stupid nice.” Well, parts of it certainly are. On the other hand, some areas are architectural wastelands. This especially seems to be the … Continue reading →