There were no big scares this Friday the 13th. Perhaps our lucky number seven (attendees) helped out. This was our second time at Crazy Otto's and, again, we were pleased with the service and great food. Next week we'll be trying out the Denny's on the corner of Ave K and 20th West to see how that works out.
Eight hungry photographers descended on Crazy Otto's (CO's) on Ave I for food and talk. The evening went well with no difficulties. CO's was fairly full when some of us arrived at 6:30 PM but it was starting to clear and we got our table right away. The new environment may have led to early off-topic discussions but we quickly got back to photography and covered a good many subjects. The background noise was a little louder than we were used to but the food was great.
Friday we said our goodbyes to the folks at Bianco's. Saturday I stopped by and gave them my personal condolences and wished them luck. The Bianco's will be keeping all their store equipment for at least a year in the hopes that the economy will turn around and they can start again.
Well, my concerns were well founded. Bianco's is closing as of February 28. This next Friday, the 27th, will be our last day at Bianco's and the search is on for a new venue. I already have a suggestion from John to move to Crazy Otto's on Ave I. Myself, I prefer the cafe atmosphere but in this economy any small business can close down with little or no notice. So, if anyone has any suggestions then please e-mail them to me or join us at Bianco's this next Friday for the discussion and selection of our new location.
Friday the 13th was an odd night. Bianco's was closed for a family emergency so the six of us went down to Primo's. Back when we first started going to Bianco's there were usually two or three people working the counter. That dwindled down to one and stayed that way for the last several months. We've been keeping him busy, but not rushed, with our meals, drinks and snacks but still we're not what you would call BIG spenders. I just called them (it's Thursday after 8 PM) and no one answered so it's possible that, in this economy, Bianco's is not going to be able to keep operating so late in the evenings.
Again we had seven. I think the discussions actually are more fluid and comprehensive when the ladies join in, but don't tell them that.
Except for Julia, who only participated briefly, this was a Boy's-Night-Out. Terri and the other ladies didn't make it.
We started out with my Cantil photos and John's Mission San Juan Capistrano photos. Then we talked about black and white (B/W) pictures and Thursday's presentation. We also looked at some of Jerry's photos in both color and B/W. Art commented that, while most of us like to take photos outdoors, he likes to take his indoors, and great photos they are, too. This was followed by a discussion on imagination and how it affects photography. Then a discussion about Sammy's Photo and the internet versus brick & mortar stores. Not that we were rambling or anything.
Seven seems to be our lucky number.
I had brought a CD of my San Fernando Mission photos for John. He didn't make it but everyone else seemed to enjoy them. Someone recommended the William S. Hart Museum as another place to visit: .http://www.hartmuseum.org/.
