8/5/04: Headed down to Los Angeles for three days of work and play. On assignment for the San Francisco Bay Guardian, to update my piece on the public art in LA's subway system, this time by joining one of the docent-led tours that further explain the heritage and the art. Also on a mission to show young Sophie Thai Town and some West Side fun, eg the Santa Monica pier, Palisades Park, and Venice Beach. Good ol tourist stuff, another benefit of a newborn. You get to see it all through their eyes again. We'll be staying this time a night in the Highland Gardens, infamous as where Janis Joplin OD'd on heroin back in 1970. Trip to coincide with the X Games, and though we'll probably be nowhere near the Staples Center, chances are we'll see some skaters and surfers, doing the summer SoCal thing.