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Architecture

Griffith Observatory Tour ~ Griffith Park

11:02 AM PST on November 2, 2006

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The Griffith Observatory is the crown jewel of Los Angeles. Sure, our public schools might have been able to use the $90 Million spent to restore it, but we gotta say the old bird looks fucking fantastic. A lot of people have trod its grounds besides a tireiron-foiling James Dean and it needed some botox. The exterior is polished and appears new. The exhibits inside are up-to-date and so user-friendly that even a science retard like me can understand the Big Bang.

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TACO got a tour from 4th District Councildude Tom LaBonge (say it with us..."LaBonge"). Not only does he have a fresh name, his Mad Murdoch enthusiasm is infectious. I don't know much about his politics other than he grew up in Silverlake and has always been a huge advocate for Griffith Park, but I sure like partying with this guy--he defiinitely seems like the one who'd be sticking it in the mashed potaters if you know what I mean.

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The Observatory is free--but the bad news is--they are taking limited reservations for their shuttle *(the parking lot is closed-I guess $90 million only buys so much) so you probably won't be seeing it soon. TACO has taken photos of almost every nook and cranny so you can at least see what you're missing at this small museum with gorgeous views of the city. Put on Stephen Hawking's soothing baritone and enjoy!

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Tom "Simon" LaBonge, party animal!

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These are installations on all the planets and their features with scale models hanging above

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The Museum is super-stoked about this giant photograph of part of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies called the Big Picture. They are scientists, not creative types, so besides the wack name, the photo is very enlightening as to what's going on out there. I think I saw Biggie and 'Pac hiding in there. It is the largest, most accurate photo of space in existence.
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"Huye luna, luna, luna. Si vinieran los gitanos, harían con tu corazón, collares y anillos blancos." ~ Lorca

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Meteorites: Friend or Foe?

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That's me in Predator vision in the exhibit on rays--the gamma and X variety

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This is the museum talking about it history and for-the-people purpose

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Exhibit on equipment and telescopes

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Planetarium

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Thgis one's about all the elements

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Here's where speakers will speak...clearly

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Ummm...could somebody please clean this shit up?

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This looks more like James Dean if he had Down's Syndrome

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No word on whether it had once been rejected, but this is the original cornerstone of the buidling
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