Griffith Observatory

I can't believe that it's taken me until the end of my junior year of college and third year in Los Angeles to explore the city.  I've been to downtown, hollywood, beverly hills, the south bay, but I haven't ever hit the big attractions.  I still need to hike to the Hollywood sign, visit the MOCA and LACMA, and camp in the state parks (well, maybe not the state parks...).

Finally, however, I went to the Griffith Observatory today with Mike Lavigna, John Lee, and Catherine Armanasco.  It was an amazing place, hidden high in the Hollywood Hills.  It's amazing going from the claustrophobic traffic-strewn streets down below to the natural expansive views available up at the observatory.  Here are the photos from the trip...

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Frat Life

Beta Theta Pi: we’re known as friends, gentlemen, and scholars.  Fraternity is often a stigmatized term, but Beta is different… sort of. 

Frat Hat

It’s three o’clock and 81 degrees; the sun is beating down on our Manhattan Beach duplex, and we’ve got a keg in the back and a grill on the balcony.  Add 40 college men and the day is prime for fratting.  For those who are uninitiated into the world of fratting, it is formally defined as “As much a state of mind as an action: unambiguously displaying confidence, intelligence, wealth, style and class while maintaining a positive, lackadaisical, attitude.” One who truly frats hard never forgets the value of having a good time or the responsibilities to which he is obligated.

Frat Machine, Caleb Nyberg

Frat Shades, Jake Stephens

Today, we’re celebrating our graduating class at the senior BBQ.  An annual tradition, the senior BBQ marks the point where our seniors close one chapter of their lives in order to clear the way to open another.  We have burgers and ‘dogs roasting on the BBQ, just as each senior is being roasted by his brothers.  Though not as fiery, roasting in this sense is just as painful as in the traditional sense.  Each senior goes up one by one to the Beta spotlight, and each of us who has been affected by the graduating senior takes a turn telling embarrassing stories and sharing sentiments. 

In the midst of a devastating roast

Once the roasting flame goes out, we spend the rest of the time goofing around and having a good time.  The Beta spirit seems to be flowing free and stronger than ever at this point.  Truly Fratastic.

A silly Sean Christopher

Fratty Jack Jarvis enthusiastic about being in the limelight

…and his abnormally voluptuous glutes

Finding Hidden Treasures in Familiar Shadows

Life can sometimes seem drab and boring, especially if you're stuck in the same routine.  I wanted to show a slice of my life, my routine, and to explore what the fantastic treasures are hidden in my familiar shadows by documenting my typical surf trip to El Porto.

I generally run out of class at 3PM every day, strap on my backpack halfway out the door, and slam on the gas right when I get in my car.  It's surf time, baby.  On the way from LMU, of course, you pass the seemingly inescapable stream of planes.  It just so happens that the road to El Porto runs a few steps from the west-most runway at LAX.

Aptly named plane, heading for the horizon.  The beginning of a once impossible journey.

Though perhaps a bit more mundane than that of the plane's, as we continue on our journey we can appreciate the little things: Money Suckers.  I have my parking secrets to avoid these, but those are somewhat privileged. 

Money Suckers

The unfortunate reality is that we live in LA, and even at one of the most beautiful places in the city, people litter.  My philosophy: make the most of what you've got. 

Directiona Pacifico

Some of us use mother nature to our advantage, and reap the rewards that she offers.  In this boy's case: fish.  There's something strangely refreshing about seeing how we used to sustain ourselves, and how this practice is still used in our lives.  Who said us Americans are lazy?

Wary Fisher(boy)

... and his father, packing up after a fishful afternoon

Though some come to the beach seeking to take, others come in search of harmony. 

The Search for Harmony

The most spiritual that I get is in the water.  I get a profound sense of 'oneness' with the ocean and with nature when I'm surfing, and nothing quite compares.  It must be something about using and being completely reliant upon a natural medium in harmony with your own body.  Not only are waves used for  your initial propulsion, but your entire ride is completely determined by the decisions the ocean makes.

Harmony