traveling around places, to periods & inside pages
Author: The Time Traveler
The Time Traveler is an upcoming author who holds great appreciation for both classic literature and history. The author aspires to publish historical fictions and other written works in the near future, in hopes of creating works that entertain, inform, and inspire. The author also appreciates all things aesthetic and enjoys traveling around the world to learn and observe.
It seems like just a few months ago when I wrote my review for the 2023 Game of Shrooms. I can’t believe it’s been practically an entire year! And hence, in just 2 days, mushroom hiders and seekers will once again emerge to celebrate the Game of Shrooms.
If you’re new to my blog or to the “Game of Shrooms,” it’s an annual art scavenger hunt that will take place this Saturday, June 8, 2024. Created by Attaboy, this fun art event is a chance for artists around the world to create mushroom-themed artworks and hide them anywhere around the world for eager art hunters (?) to find and keep.
Or if you’d like to read my previous blog posts on the Game of Shrooms, click HERE!
πMy Shroom Art #1
Last year, I created a mini portrait titled, Shroompoleon, of (you guessed it!) Napoleon Bonaparte. This year, I created a 2-piece artwork called the Faith series, which consists of a piece titled, “Hanging by a Thread” and another piece titled, “Redeemed.”
Faith series: “Hanging by a Thread,” 2024 by The Time Traveler
The back of “Hanging by a Thread”
Faith series: “Redeemed,” 2024 by The Time Traveler
The back of “Redeemed”
To whomever finds and keeps these pieces, I hope that they give you comfort and hope.
πMy Shroom Art #2
Listening to my own advice from last year’s Game of Shrooms (again, which you can read all about HERE), I created more than one artwork to hide this year. My second shroom art for this year is: Praying for You. Voila!
Praying for You, 2024 by The Time Traveler
The back of Praying for You
I was inspired by this image of two mushrooms on Britannica. For some reason, they reminded me of two rappers posing together and hence came to be Praying for You!
πMy Shroom Art #3
My third shroom art is, in a way, a continuation of last year’s Shroompoleon. Ladies and gentlemen, I present you Reine des Champignons, aka Queen of Shrooms.
Reine des Champignons aka Queen of Shrooms, 2024 by The Time Traveler
The back of Reine des Champignons, aka Queen of Shrooms
I was inspired by this Marie Antoinette drawing by an unidentified artist from Wellesley College Library’s Special Collections, shared by this cool journal Journal18.
I really like how this piece turned out!
πMy Shroom Art #4
Lastly but not least, here is my piece, Can’t Take More Shiitake.
Can’t Take More Shiitake, 2024 by The Time Traveler.
And this piece comes with a mini easel! π
πClues to Finding My Shroom Arts
Clues to the whereabouts of the above mushroom-themed artworks will be shared via my stories on Instagram. Tune in on Saturday morning at: https://www.instagram.com/littimetravel/
Good luck and happy creating, hiding and hunting! π
One thing I’ve noticed after moving up to NorCal is that bakeries here are infinitely better than the ones in SoCal. What I mean is, bakeries in the Bay feel more authentic and artisanal, and often times they are. I think there are better options for bread here than in the south. Please correct me in the comments below if I’m mistaken, but I can’t think of SoCal equivalents to The CheeseBoard Collective Bakery, The Acme Bread Company, Arsicault Bakery, and Tartine Bakery (spots all deserving separate posts of their own!)
On a busy day, the line can go all the way down almost to Rick & Ann’s! As you can see in the photo above, there are some parking spots with meters. But this area can get crowded as this area is shared by other restaurants and stores, along with guests and visitors from the Claremont hotel and its tennis courts.
They also have these sandwiches that seem to be popular amongst visitors. I always see at least one person in front of me order one. I haven’t tried them still, as I’ve already developed my go-to items and always end up ordering them instead. I’ll have to try them soon!
But I did try their Farmer’s Bread and can say with confidence that it’s good!
The pastries behind the glass display vary from day to day, but the selection usually consists of Meyer lemon shortbreads, cookies, brownies, and quiches. Often times, they have these seasonal items – I HIGHLY recommend that you get them. I don’t remember regretting getting their seasonal items, like ever! Some seasonal items that I’ve seen include seasonal fruit scones, bΓ»che de NoΓ«l (during Christmastime), fruit tart, and my favorite, the rhubarb tart. I fell hard for it last summer and am currently waiting for it to come out again.
The rhubarb tart that I fell for. I didn’t know how delicious a plant could taste in a tart!
Ordering the strange bread called, “fougasse” was one of the best decisions I made last year. No joke – the first bite was heavenly: a harmonious blend of salty and savory, with just the right amount of the perfect seasoning.
On a final note, not only is the bakery stocked with delectable bread and pastries, but also, they’ve got a nice seating area to enjoy: in front of/behind Peet’s and Tulipan Floral.
P.P.P.S. IMPORTANT UPDATE: Fougasse is currently unavailable! βΉ The bakery staff told me that they don’t have the duck fat to make them and they don’t know when they’ll have their duck fat again…
Just four more days until Christmas! It really has felt like it for the past few weeks. With the radio blasting timeless songs and Spotify recommending playlists like “Christmas Pop” and “Merry & Bright,” it feels like Christmas is already here. And such vibes are bringing back memories of my last Christmas… when I visited Paderia Bakehouse yet again!
You may wonder, “What more could this blogger possibly have of that bakery?” I’ve got lots more to say: this time, it’s Paderia Bakehouse – the Christmas edition!
December 23, 2022
Last year, on December 23, 2022, I flew to the John Wayne Airport in Irvine, CA and stopped by Paderia. (Now, this alone should give you a hint as to how good the place is.)
I was SO excited to be back at Paderia. The feeling can only be compared to standing outside one’s close friend’s grandmother’s house, waiting to see her (and the treats she has baked for you two).
Uniquely Cute Christmas Decorations
When I entered, I was pleasantly surprised by this interesting Christmas tree:
Now, from afar, it looks like a funky pile of a tree. But close up, it’s really uniquely aesthetic:
It’s got a whole contemporary hodgepodge look!
And then at the bottom was this:
Do you see it? I mean, how cute is this little pug?
It’s got on a little scarf! π§£
Other parts of the bakery were left as clean & modern as it usually was:
Love the touch of green here and there. π
The Menu (Feat. Special December Items)
The menu is on the wall next to the counter:
Or at the counter, where items are always shown inside a glass display. And the glass display was decorated with the same Christmas glam the tree had:
They had placed their ever-cute egg tart plushie (not for sale though π) along with little trees, cotton, reindeer and alpaca/llama plushies! The menu items were the same (delicious egg tarts, banana bread pudding, award-winning cookies, ensaymadas, and drinks) except there were some special seasonal items:
Tiramisu Cheesecake π§
“once-a-year seasonal favorite” White Chocolate Cranberry Macadamia Cookie πͺ
and a newly launched Orange Cardamom Malasada π
The Food (Seasonal Items + More)
I couldn’t get the Orange Cardamom Malasada (as it was available only at the Foundation Valley store) but I did get the Tiramisu Cheesecake, White Chocolate Cranberry Macadamia Cookie and my usual go-tos (egg tarts and banana pudding).
Paderia treats galore! β¨
The Tiramisu Cheesecake was as delicious as the photo appears. But in my opinion, it wasn’t as mind-blowingly tasty as the egg tarts, probably because I’m an egg-tart kind of person.
Look at those layers of soft bread and creamy fillings!
The White Chocolate Cranberry Macadamia Cookie was good, too, as just the name of it sounds. Each bite was filled with the buttery dough, fruity cranberry, and the nutty macadamia.
Look at those bits of white chocolate, cranberry, and macadamia!
But then again, as someone who already has a Paderia go-to item, the cookie was a bit too buttery for me. Nonetheless, it was richly smooth and good .
I don’t think I’ll have to review my favorite items (i.e. banana bread pudding and egg tarts) again. So here is just a short reel to make your mouths water!
πͺ To read about my first post on Paderia Bakehouse, click HERE!
P.S. Did you know that the bakery hosts giveaway contests on Instagram? They’ve offered giveaways for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Labor Day, product launches and more! Visit their IG page HERE.
P.P.S. Speaking of giveaways, I was one of the lucky winners of one of the giveaways! So I visited the Santa Monica location last week to redeem my coupon and treat myself to the ever-delicious Paderia items. And I have to say, Paderia Bakehouse in Santa Monica was looking good this Christmas!
It’s been a long time coming since I decided to write this post. After being inundated with material and ideas (as well as non-blog related matters) over the past six months or so, I had to postpone sharing my go-to coffee spots in Berkeley. Well, here they are now: the best coffee shops in Berkeley!
*Disclaimer: This list is highly subjective and based mostly on drip coffee and/or Americano. Plus, the order of the list does NOT signify.
The Philz Coffee in Berkeley is located nearby University Village.
Another Bay Area native, Philz Coffee was founded by Phil Jaber and his son Jacob in 2003 and it’s still as popular as ever. I mean, their Iced Mint Mojito is a culinary masterpiece! I will have to do a separate post just on their iced drinks!
Of Philz Coffee’s “Featured Creations,” Iced Mint Mojito is, in my opinion, one of the best iced drinks I’ve ever had.
ExtraPerks: Free wifi, baked goods from Starter Bakery, aesthetic interior & merchandise, convenient app, out-of-this-world Iced Mint Mojito
βPeet’s Coffee
Peet’s Coffee is everywhere across the country but did you know that it was founded in Berkeley by Alfred H. Peet in 1966? I sure didn’t!
According to Peets.com, the first ever Peet’s Coffee store was in North Berkeley, “at the corner of Vine and Walnut streets.” This location even has a special “study” area which is a quiet archival space filled with historical objects and documents of Alfred Peet and his company:
This little station of a coffee shop, founded by Imran and Ali in 2022, serves top-notch coffee from 1951 Coffee Company. Not only is it located on Shattuck right outside the Downtown Berkeley BART station (super convenient for commuters!), but also Imran and Ali are very friendly. π
ExtraPerks: Mochi donuts from Third Culture Bakery (which deserves a post of its own), buy 10 get a free drink stamp card
β1951 Coffee Company
Located in the Telegraph Area – on Channing Way.
Moving right along, we have 1951 Coffee Company. It is “a non-profit specialty coffee organization that promotes the well-being of the refugee community in the United States by providing job training and employment to refugees, asylees, and special immigrant visa holders while educating the surrounding community about refugee life and issues” (1951coffee.com). By purchasing a delicious cup of coffee from 1951 Coffee Company, you get to support their mission of supporting refugees.
Cup of iced Americano from 1951 Coffee Company.
Visit their website HERE to read all about the socially conscious coffee store.
Extra Perks: free wifi, can support a good cause, aesthetic interior & merchandise, buy 10 get a free drink stamp card
βThe Cheese Board Bakery
The Cheese Board Collective in North Berkeley, CA.
Yes, you read that right! The Cheese Board Collective Pizzeria in North Berkeley, which serves baked goods in the daytime and pizzas in the evenings, also offers really good coffee when it’s a bakery. And the price is SO reasonable that I smile whenever I see it on the menu board. $1.75 for a small cup of coffee and $2.75 for Americano (+ 25 cents for to-go cups).
Small cup of coffee from The Cheese Board.
Drinking their coffee with their outstanding baked goods makes any mornings (except Mondays and Sundays – they’re closed those days) bearable. Rather, it makes one look forward to mornings! π
As you can see, the store is filled with all sorts of cheese on one side and shelves of freshly baked goods on the other.
ExtraPerks: stellar baked goods and cheese
Conclusion
There you have it: my favorite coffee spots in Berkeley! But I just found out that there are over 40 coffee spots in the city, so I’ll need to do a Part 2 after trying out more places. Stay tuned!
P.S. Most of the places mentioned in this post are unique gems of places that deserve separate posts of their own. More coming soon!
Well, Game of Shrooms has come and gone! It was my very first time (ever!) participating. As expected, it was exhilarating and exhausting to join in as both artist and shroom hunter. For this year’s game, I created one mushroom-themed artwork titled, Shroompoleon (aka Napoleon Shroomaparte), which was claimed by a mystery hunter within a few hours.
Shroompoleon before and after getting wrapped.
Shroompoleon out in the wild.
I don’t exactly know how long it took Shroompoleon to find his forever home, as I wasn’t notified. Meanwhile, I ran around the East Bay for over 4 hours looking for shroom arts but found 0 to keep! π
*6/12/23 Update: I found a shroom art two days after the Game of Shrooms officially ended! Special shoutout to my colleague for notifying me of the lovely shroom art created by Tina Banda:
Beautiful shroom art by artist Tina Banda. Click HERE to view the artwork on her Instagram page.
Needless to say, I was so unprepared for this event despite hearing about it from my colleague months before. My colleague had successfully found multiple shrooms in the previous Game of Shrooms. Allow me to share what I learned from her and most importantly, from experiencing the games firsthand.
But before I share any lessons/tips, here’s a brief overview of Game of Shrooms 2023!
Game of Shrooms 2023 Review
The anticipation was quite exhilarating. As the day drew nearer and nearer, more red mushroom pins started to pop up on the Artist Map. This was what the map looked like in the evening on Friday June 9, 2023, just a few hours before the game officially began:
Screenshot of the Artist Map (global view). Note: There was a shroom pin in Antarctica! π
π Limited to a Few
Although there were so many mushroom pins on the map, the number of shrooms you can actually look for is way fewer as you are limited to where you live and the areas around it. You also need to be lucky to be living in the same area as the talented artist(s) whose work(s) you want to find and keep. For instance, I loved the shroom arts created by Dana Paints Co., especially this artwork shown on Instagram HERE. (If I remember correctly, the official Game of Shrooms Instagram account featured this artwork!)
Alas, the paintings were going to be hidden away in Old Town Fort Collins in Colorado while the earrings were all the way in New Zealand..
π Shroom Art by Bay Area Artists
Shroom pins that showed up in the East Bay.
Luckily for me, there were several artists in the East Bay whose works I really adored and wanted to find:
Sombean – I mean, who wouldn’t want to find and keep these cute little shrooms felted by Sombean??? ππππ
Lea Zalinskis: I adore her whimsical shrooms made of paper! Love their expressions and the way the artist described her shrooms: the purple shroom was called “Accidental Rasputin,” the orange one “Migraine Mushroom” and the blue one was referred to as the “sassy fella”! π
π Experience as a Hunter: 4 Hours of Desperate Search π
So the day before the hunt began, I made a list of artists whose works I wanted to find and keep (see above). Then I followed their Instagram accounts for the latest hints shared and wrote them down on my phone. I thought this was enough preparation. Boy, was I wrong!
When the day of the Game dawned, I leisurely ate breakfast and headed outside. To my utter surprise, when I opened Instagram on my phone, I saw that many of the artworks had already been found! I tried to keep my calm as I went on to look for other artworks. But as I made my way to the locations hinted at by the artists, those shrooms were being claimed as well!
I began to panic a little as I desperately tried to find remaining shrooms. But as I walked around the East Bay huffing and puffing in search of shroom art, I was notified by the artists that all their works had been claimed.
After over four hours of searching and finding nothing, I resigned and admitted my defeat.
Photo by Bacila Vlad. This was me looking out the window after coming back home. I had completely failed as a shroom hunter.
π Experience as a Participating Artist: Consolation & Gratitude π¨
I utterly failed as a shroom hunter this year, finding not a single shroom art even after over 4 hours of searching. But I was glad to know that my shroom art, Shroompoleon, had been claimed with all its packaging and message. Knowing that Napoleon Shroomaparte had found his forever home was a consolation. If it weren’t for the art I had hidden, I don’t think I would have felt like I participated in this year’s Game of Shrooms.
Below is the reel I made for shroom hunters looking for Shroompoleon:
Here are some useful tips for artists who want to participate in the next Game of Shrooms:
Start Early. I’d say you should take ample time to create artworks that people would want to find and keep. This is an excellent opportunity to share your passion, your creativity, to the public! Make the most out of it.
Make more than one artwork. You can certainly create just one shroom art, but I’ve noticed how popular artists make more than one. I think it’s great for them to do that, as it creates more chances for those who want to find and keep their works.
Create good marketing materials. Utilize social media to build anticipation leading up to the day of the game, and prepare business cards/flyers to hide with your work. Again, this is your chance to share your art and bring joy to others via your art!
Beware that your art will be found very quickly. As I found out this year, shroom hunters are very competitive and eager to find artworks! This will be especially true if you are a talented artist. I know one artist whose shrooms were claimed minutes after they were hidden!
Understand that people might not tag or mention you. Although I’ve asked hunters to tag me if they found Shroompoleon, I wasn’t tagged/messaged that my art was found. And I’ve heard from other artists that they also didn’t get notified. Though some hunters most definitely will tag you in Instagram or send you a message to let you know and thank you, understand that not everyone will for one reason or another.
Game of Shrooms Tips: For Hunters
They say failure is the mother of success. Here are the most important things I learned this year for a more successful hunt next year:
Know thy neighborhood. You will have the most advantage in the neighborhood you are familiar with, whether that be the town you grew up in or lived the longest in. One might think this won’t matter but it does, when there are numerous hunters vying for shroom art.
Vehicle, vehicle, vehicle. You need wheels for this event! Unless you want to walk around cities on foot like me and dejectedly watch everyone find shrooms before you do. Public transit won’t get you far either. At the very least, get an electric scooter, with which you can race to shrooms before others.
The game is no joke. I had no idea people were this passionate about shroom art! The competition is fierce, especially for popular artworks. So set out early, have a plan, keep tabs on artists and follow them to get the latest hints.
If you feel comfortable, please do let the artist(s) know. Please do let the artist(s) know that you’ve found their artworks! It helps them keep count of their works yet to be found and keeps others from looking for shrooms already found. Also, it just makes the artists’ day if you let them know and show appreciation. π
Comfy shoes are a must!!! The reason why I survived the approximately five hours of walking and running was my tennis shoes. If it weren’t for them, my feet would have been covered with blisters. Even if you plan to drive around, I say comfortable shoes are a must – you never know when you’ll have to run to your destination!
Divide & conquer. Work as a team with friends/family members interested. With different shroom artworks hidden across an entire neighborhood/city, it’s best to divide and conquer.
Final Words
Last but not least, stay safe! As it says on the official Game of Shrooms page, it is an “at your own risk event” in which you will be participating with total strangers. Practice safety!
Equally important, watch where you’re going! Due to the excitement and fear of losing yet another art to another shroom hunter, I was impatient to cross roads and sometimes running to get to places. Beware of cars, pedestrians, and whatnot!
There you have it – tips for hunters and artists for the next game of shrooms. And guess what? Attaboy, the creator of Game of Shrooms, announced the date of the next game already! Game of Shrooms 2024 will be on June 8, 2024.
π Let the countdown begin!!! π
P.S. To view my post on the Game of Shrooms before the 2023 event, click HERE (feat. all the excitement & anticipation).
It’s finally June… Which means Game of Shrooms is almost here! Next week, the 2023 Game of Shrooms will commence. What is “Game of Shrooms”? It’s an annual art hide-and-seek that takes place all over the world for just one day; and this year, it’ll be on Saturday June 10, 2023. It’s a day when artists around the world hide their original art of/about/inspired by mushrooms out in the public. Participants use clues given by the artists to find their artworks, and finders get to keep the artworks! According to the official website HERE, this festive event was created by Attaboy in 2019. (For more on Attaboy, aka Daniel Seifert, visit his bio HERE.)
Photo by Irina Iacob.
Until this year, I had no idea that such a thing even existed! I guess that’s because it’s only been 4 years since it began (this is only the fifth Game of Shrooms event to have ever taken place!) and because it’s an “underground holiday,” per Attaboy’s website. I only found out thanks to a colleague of mine who had participated last year.
And so here I am, joining in on this year’s Game of Shrooms!
πHow to Participate
Photo by Michael Fousert.
Want to join in on this year’s Game of Shrooms? You can do so by simply searching for a mushroom artwork hidden nearby (to view the map of all the participating mushrooms, click HERE. Scroll down and refer to the interactive map to find your nearest/favorite mushroom art!
Screenshot of the interactive Global Map featured on the official website.
Or, you can do so by hiding a mushroom! To participate as an artist, you’ll need to create an original artwork(s) featuring mushroom(s). Then, submit the form on the Game of Shrooms website HERE. *Scroll down until you see this form below to fill out:
This is the electronic form you need to fill out if you are hiding your artwork for others to find!Some info you’ll need to fill out on the form.
After filling out the form and clicking on the “Submit” button, this page should show up:
Your pin should appear on the map sometime later (it says it’s not added instantly). The final step is to promote your mushroom art via social media and give hints to those who want to find your artwork! π
*Some important guidelines for the event include…
Not hiding artworks in protected areas.
Not damaging private property.
Not leaving any trace after the event, i.e. picking up after yourself. If no one finds your art, you need to retrieve it from the hiding place.
It took me a while to even decide what to create. As I scrolled through the official Instagram account of Game of Shrooms, I saw unique artworks that were painted, sculpted, quilted, felted, and even carved. I was tempted to craft something out, as it looks (and is) like an original souvenir. But as I know the limit of my crafting skills, I opted in to do a painting. But to keep the souvenir-like feel to it, I decided to paint on a tiny canvas. It’s harder to find, easier to take home, and cuter, I think, to keep!
I initially imagined painting cute little mushrooms, but after seeing this incredibly artistic shroom portrait of King Henry VIII (click HERE for the artwork featured on Instagram) I changed my mind. As someone who loves history, I was way too inspired to go back to painting tiny mushrooms.
And hence, my art for this year’s Game of Shrooms was born. I present to you, Napoleon Shroomaparte, aka Shroompoleon!
Napoleon Shroomaparte, aka Shroompoleon (The Time Traveler, 2023)
Clues to Finding “Shroompoleon”
Shroompoleon will be hidden at the University of California, Berkeley – somewhere in the southern part of the campus. Here is the mushroom pin on the Global Map:
More hints will be disclosed on June 10th via Instagram. Stay Tuned… Happy hunting!
P.S. If you find Shroomaparte, please tag @littimetravel for a special shoutout. π
6/10/23 Update #1: Happy Game of Shrooms Day! Hints have gone live on Instagram. Here they are:
6/10/23 Update #2: Shroompoleon was found and taken to his forever home by a mystery shroom hunter sometime before 12 PM. Thank you all for your interest & support! β€
6/12/23 Update #3: I found a mushroom art to keep!
Did you know that there was a cat named “Powell Cat” at the University of California, Los Angeles?
You probably didn’t.
Because not even everyone who attended or visited UCLA knew “Powell Cat.” Only some of the hundreds of thousands of alumni and friends knew. And of those who knew that such a cat had existed, even a fewer number of people had had actual interactions with him.
I was one of the lucky few who got to know Powell Cat. And so, when I had learned back in early March that he had passed away, it hurt. Very much. It felt as if I had lost a friend that I had known from back in college.
In a way, that was what Powell Cat was to me.
Powell Cat, circa 2021.
Powell Cat’s Life
The Powell Library and Janss Steps at UCLA seen from Glorya Kaufman Hall.
Powell Cat appeared in my life sometime in 2018, but he was spotted by others long before that. According to Daily Bruin, he had been seen on campus since around 2015. And according to his Instagram account, he was born sometime in 2013. People said that his name was “Powell Cat” because he was spotted first near UCLA’s Powell Library. Sometime later, he moved his permanent residence from the Powell Library to Glorya Kaufman Hall (located down below the Janss Steps), but the name had stuck and he would always be referred to as “Powell Cat.”
Glorya Kaufman Hall.
A group of student volunteers called, “The Powell Cat Feeder Friends,” started giving food and water routinely to the cat while a campus librarian took care of his vet visits and vaccinations. He received toys and treats from students and enjoyed further popularity with his own Instagram account.
Food and water bowls placed outside the Kaufman building.
My First Encounter
Powell Cat wasn’t the only cat I had met while studying at UCLA. In fact, I’m pretty sure he wasn’t even the first. The first cat I ever spotted on campus was, I think, a black cat roaming around the Library. Maybe it was the Powell Cat. But there were several cats spotted near the library every once in a while, so I’m not 100% sure.
I don’t remember the exact date, but I met Powell Cat while going to or coming back from a class held on the northern side of campus. Looking back, he was always hanging out in front of the Glorya Kaufman Hall. He would be loafing next to the entrance or chilling by the steps. Wherever he was at the Kaufman Hall, his black and white tuxedo colors would stand out from the earthy, red building behind him.
Sometimes he would be doing his own thing, like licking himself clean or closing his eyes to fully enjoy the warm sunlight.
Other times, he would recognize me and come forward to me for me to pet him. Whatever he was doing, it was such a treat to spot him and spend a few minutes with him. He wouldn’t say a word but his company was enough to brighten my day.
My Memories
I remember this one incidence that made me appreciate Powell Cat even more. It was during our regular meet and greet session. I was stroking his head as well as his back when suddenly the cat startled and bit me. But he put just enough pressure on my hands with his teeth so that I wouldn’t bleed. I was startled, too, at his sudden change in behavior until I saw the reason why: he had a fresh scar on his back (hidden within his black fur) and I had accidentally brushed the area. He was in pain so he was telling me to stop, to not touch the area.
He could surely have bit me as I had hurt him. But he didn’t. It was as if he knew that I didn’t mean to hurt him. I was amazed at Powell Cat’s thoughtfulness. And from that experience, I am, to this day, astounded by how deeply animals can think – specifically at how considerate cats can be.
But my favorite memory of Powell Cat was when I had visited him back in 2021 with a dear friend of mine from Switzerland. Much time had passed since I had last seen my friend and Powell Cat, so it was all the more special to meet them again. My friend hadn’t known about Powell Cat; she had never seen him while studying at UCLA. So I introduced her to him and he was just as sweet and friendly as he had been since the last time I had seen him.
After spending time with Powell Cat with my friend, I tried to visit UCLA multiple times to see the cat again. But every time I went to the steps in front of Kaufman Hall (with a custom-made cat bed for him), he wasn’t there. I only saw his food and water bowls along with some of his toys. There would be traces of him, like scattered bits of cat food or a toy played with a while ago, but he wasn’t there. Each time I missed him, I thought to myself that I would see him the next time I visited.
Traces of Powell Cat.
I didn’t know that my visit back in 2021 would be the last time I would ever see him.
A UCLA Icon
Powell Cat passed away on March 9, 2023, but my memories of him will live on.
Powell Cat napping. Circa 2019.
He was an important part of my UCLA experience. As a part of my daily walk to and from classes, he brightened my mood even as the small speck of black and white he was from afar. Honestly, he means more to me than the official mascot, the Bruin Bear, that adorns all UCLA swag or the unofficial mascot, the infamous squirrels, that have invaded the entire campus.
He was a true UCLA icon to the lucky students and friends who got to know him.
May he be resting in heaven.
P.S. The Instagram account of Powell Cat can be found HERE. And here is everyone’s message to him on Kudoboard HERE. It’s incredible how many lives Powell Cat had touched during his lifetime…
P.P.S. There was a memorial ceremony held on campus in front of the Library, as detailed in the Daily Bruin HERE. And there have been petitions to build a statue in his memory. I don’t know how I feel about the statue. Because although Powell Cat was special to me and others who knew him, not everyone knew him. And I think the fund that would go to building a statue can be utilized elsewhere to help students in need.
P.P.P.S. I visited UCLA very recently (December 2023) and spotted these items made in memory of the iconic cat:
It was so nice to see the Powell Cat commemorated in the store! ππ
This January, I had an opportunity to attend an art exhibit called Shades of Gray. No, it has nothing to do with the infamous novel by E.L. James. Rather, it was the “10th Anniversary Photography Exhibit” held at the Gray Loft Gallery in Oakland, CA from December 10, 2022 to January 21, 2023. Truth be told, I had never been to an art exhibit before, so I was extremely excited to attend the group photo exhibit, to say the least!
There was a banner outside the building to help first time visitors like myself find the entrance.
The Gray Loft Gallery was located inside a tall, multi-story building. You had to take several flights of stairs to get to the actual gallery with all the artworks.
As you can see in this photo, there were several artworks visitors could look at on their way upstairs. But since they weren’t part of the actual exhibit, I won’t show them in detail.
As I made my way upstairs, I came face to face with a lady and her adorable little dog that hopped down besides her.
The lady and her adorable little dog.
I presumed her to be a family member or friend of one of the artists, and fawned over her dog as I passed by. To my surprise, the lady smiled and pointed out that I would soon be seeing her dog in the exhibit. I didn’t really know what she meant at the time, so I just smiled back and moved along. Boy, was I in for a pleasant surprise!
“Room 32”
Once I reached the floor where the exhibit was taking place (which, I believe was the third floor), I was met with a small table with flyers displayed:
There were name cards and such of the artists whose works were being displayed. Taking a few with me, I stepped inside Room 32 and officially began my Shades of Gray experience.
The gallery was basically a large room with dividers with artworks hung here and there on the walls.
The photographs were mostly in shades of gray, with a few exceptions. But as its name suggested, the exhibit was mostly a collage of black, white and gray.
Pleasant Surprises
Amidst the artworks and people casually conversing amongst themselves, there was a station serving wine and treats with these pretty light decorations.
Visitors had the chance to support the gallery by tipping cash in this glass jar (shown above) or they could purchase the actual artworks displayed. If I recall correctly, most of the prices I saw were in the hundreds. I did see that some works had been claimed, as they had these red circle stickers below them.
The red stickers below the framed works meant that the artworks had been purchased.
As I was cruising around the room with my drink in hand, I almost froze because I came face to face with the aforementioned dog. There it was, staring me in the eye!
Untitled #5 by Ellen Shershow. To see more of this artist’s works, visit the official website HERE or the Instagram account HERE.
It was such a pleasant surprise to see the dog again! π But I think the dog was cuter in person, hopping down the stairs next to its owner. And for some reason, it looks angry in the photograph. Well, anyways, I think I appreciated the artwork so much more after having actually met the dog beforehand.
(Some of) My Favorites
I’m not exaggerating one bit when I say that I thoroughly enjoyed viewing all the artworks at the exhibit. These photographs were not just simple photos; they were captivating images that all spoke different messages through objects and figures captured. Looking back, it’s fascinating how moving each of the still images were! But these are some of the ones that I remember vividly:
1. Rub my eyes 8 2022 by Francis Baker
This work was one of the few that were not completely in black and white. Yet, it fit the theme and the exhibit so well. For more works created by the artist behind this dreamy palette, visit the official website at francisbaker.com or on Instagram HERE.
2. Gorongosa Solitude by Mark Overgaard
This pigment inkjet print reminiscent of a page from The National Geographic caught my attention for its simplicity and beauty. But now, after discovering that “Gorongosa” means “place of danger” in the indigenous Mwani language and learning about the history of the land in Mozambique, I appreciate this work much more than meets the eye.
To learn more about the artist behind the work, visit his official website HERE and check out his “About the Artist” page. His story is fascinating as well.
3. Three Fish by Susan West
I remember looking at this work and thinking, “Shouldn’t the title be ‘Four Fish’?” Whether there are 3 fish, 3.5 fish or 4 fish (or 7 if counting the shadows), this work by Susan West is fun to look at, even now.
Another artwork that had palettes other than shades of gray, Dreams of Old Birches was memorable in that it incorporated a piece of an actual tree. And the title of the work makes you wonder what those dreams were. For more work by Anne Rabe, visit her official website www.amr-photography.com and Instagram account HERE.
5. Desert Spirit by Melina Meza
I actually had the chance to eavesdrop on what the artist was saying about this work. If I remember correctly, she said that the original colors of Desert Spirit was a conglomerate of colors found in the desert. And I actually found Desert Spirit in its colorful original HERE! Check out more of the yoga instructor/writer/teacher/photographer’s works on the official website: www.melinameza.com/fineartphotography.
6. Armenia by Candice Jacobus
This work I specifically remember because of the majestically eerie landscape accompanied by a speck of green. Back when I was at the exhibit, I assumed that it was taken in some magical place in Armenia. Upon research, I did found out that, indeed, the photograph is of basalt rock formations called the “Symphony of the Stones” and “Basalt Organ” in Garni Gorge, Armenia.
7. The beginning of hope/The hope of beginning by J.M. Golding
Not only was I blown away by the beauty of this photograph (I mean, a lake/pond of water touching the evening sky? It doesn’t get any more romantic or aesthetic than that!), but also I was taken aback by just how beautiful the title was. For more works by J.M. Golding, visit the official website at www.jmgolding.com.
8. Butterflies of My Memory by Sonia Melnikova-Raich
Butterflies of My Memory made an impression on me for a number of reasons. 1) As someone who values history and cherishes memories, I couldn’t help falling in love with the title and its dreamlike imagery. 2) The structure behind the butterfly silhouettes somehow reminded me of the Bay. As a traveler dwelling in the area, this work holds much meaning to me.
But I just found out that this photograph was taken in Mexico City during the artist’s visit to La Casa Azul where Frida Kahlo had lived in! It’s incredible how one can take any imagery and fit it to one’s own perspective and experiences regardless of what it actually portrays.
9. Adriatic Tempest IV by Laurel Anderson Malinovsky
Lastly but certainly not least, is the tempestuous photograph by the artist Laurel Anderson Malinovsky. I got to listen to the artist talk about her work, and I was told that she had taken this photograph while visiting Eastern Europe. She explained that these dark clouds suddenly filled the sky above her and she had never seen anything quite like this before:
The reflection of the glass doesn’t do the photograph justice. When you look at it in person, the contrast of the colors are quite striking. The shades of gray displayed in the clouds, to me, feel like an allegory for a turmoil of human emotions.
The artist’s photo card that I picked up on my way inside Room 32.
Though I was excited even before the event, I did not expect to have this much fun at the exhibit. And I think overall the Gray Loft Gallery did a great job providing a space for its artists to showcase their works. I especially appreciated the see-through curtains and this *mobile installation, which I believe was not an artwork but a decoration. It added a nice touch to the event:
*4/3/2023 Update: According to Gray Loft Gallery’s old Instagram post, this mobile was actually a mixed media photo based work by Mary Curtis Ratcliff! For more stunning works by the artist, visit www.marycurtisratcliff.com.
And the view out the gallery was phenomenal at sunset! To look out the window to find these splash of vibrant colors was a pleasant, artistic contrast to the shades of gray displayed inside.
All in all, it was a highly enjoyable experience. I wish they had held the exhibit longer than the 1 month and 11 days they held it for… I will have to visit the Gray Loft Gallery again for another one of its exhibits!
It just happened so that I readUrsula K. Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea in Berkeley, the very city where the author had grown up in. And so, after finishing the wonderful fantasy novel (for the full review of A Wizard of Earthsea, click HERE), I just had to look up any place in Berkeley associated with the novel and its author. And, lo and behold, I found the address to Ursula K. Le Guin’s childhood home!
The UC Berkeley campus. Summer 2022.
The Significance of Le Guin’s Childhood Home
The author’s old house was recently listed, I believe, at around 4 million dollars. There were articles about the house, mainly from The Sacramento Bee where you can read all about it and even view a video of the house’s interiors!
Now, one may wonder – why the big fuss over an author’s childhood home? Well, besides the obvious (that it was the home of the brilliant author who wrote the Earthsea novels), it actually seems to have played a significant role in her life and literary works. So much so that she is said to have written about the very home in an essay called, “Living in a Work of Art.”
Here’s what Le Guin said about her childhood home in Berkeley:
“If I recall my childhood, I recall that house. It is where everything happened. It is where I happened. Writing this, I wonder if much of my understanding of what a novel ought to be was taught to me, ultimately, by living in that house. If so, perhaps all my life I have been trying to rebuild it around me out of words.”
Quote from SF Gate and Lit Hub.
After coming across this quote, I simply had to visit the place myself!
I mean, technically, Le Guin’s childhood home is where the magic of Earthsea began! π· by Diane Picchiottino.
Not to mention the fact that it was designed by Bernard Maybeck in 1907 – over 100 years ago! (116 years, to be exact.)
Getting There
Le Guin’s childhood home, aka the Albert Schneider House, is located at 1325 Arch Street, in a neighborhood in North Berkeley. It’s a bit far off from the famous UC Berkeley campus; it takes from 25 to 30 minutes from the campus to the house on foot:
Snapshot of the actual Google Map direction I used!
And I must say, that it was quite a hike! 1325 Arch St was up on the hills, overlooking Berkeley and the rest of the Bay. I do not recommend visiting on a hot day!
Journey to 1325 Arch St
Alas, I happened to visit on a very hot day, so I made my way to Le Guin’s childhood home huffing and puffing like some determined fan girl. The journey was strenuous with all that upward powerwalk, but I could not contain my excitement as I got closer and closer to my desired destination.
1325 Arch St
When I finally stood in front of the actual house Le Guin had grown up and lived in, I was completely breathless.
1325 Arch St!
The dark, wooden house was being worked on by some construction/repair workers who I think were fixing up the place for the new resident who had just purchased the place. I so wanted to enter the open entrance and explore within; yet, I checked myself to not trespass.
The entrance to the house. It was open ajar with sounds coming from within.
Instead I looked from out on the streets, marveling at the mystical structure that held Ursula Le Guin’s childhood memories. At the open windows and the (what appeared to be) pea trees hovering over the entrance, I wondered if those had been there when the Le Guins had called the place their home.
My Experience
If I hadn’t researched beforehand, I would not have known that this house was Le Guin’s childhood home! I half-expected there to be signs or something signaling its ties to the fantasy novelist. But there were none.
To stand before the actual house felt surreal. The neighborhood was peaceful and quiet, with a few cars passing by from time to time. I half-expected there to be other tourists like myself and perhaps signs signaling the house’s ties to Le Guin, but there weren’t anything like that.
One Asian lady living across from Le Guin’s childhood home looked at me with a wary eye as I was taking way too many photos of the author’s house from all angles imaginable. It looked as if she didn’t know that the house she lived across from wasn’t just any house.
Or, maybe she did but she didn’t care for Le Guin’s works. Whichever the case, she sure is lucky! From the second floor of her own house, she could probably enjoy the view that Le Guin herself enjoyed from 1325 Arch St.
The View from 1325 Arch St
View of the Bay from Berkeley, CA.
Though I haven’t had the chance to go inside, I can conjecture from the outside that the view from the top floors at 1325 Arch St would be splendid. I mean, I was able to see the Bay while walking up to the house, and despite the trees and other obstacles blocking the view, it was still delightful. I can only imagine how breathtaking the view must be from up on the second level.
View of San Francisco, CA from the North Berkeley neighborhood where 1325 Arch St is.
According to The Spaces, there are 3 bedrooms on the second floor, with the master bedroom having “views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco from its windows and private balcony” (The Spaces Team). Yup, the view would be simply breathtaking!
View of the Bay from Indian Rock Park in North Berkeley, CA.
Perhaps the view inspired the lands and seas of Earthsea Le Guin crafted in her works:
Snapshot of the map of the Earthsea world drawn by the author herself.
Around 1325 Arch St
Though there wasn’t a sign that read, “Hometown of Ursula K. Le Guin,” there were little book boxes, i.e. little free libraries that I spotted here and there. It was quite befitting for the neighborhood the Earthsea author had grown up in.
Free library shaped like a train! π
There was also this stairway in the neighborhood that led up to the Berkeley Rose Garden, a city-owned park with rose terraces and tennis courts. (The Berkeley Rose Garden requires a post of its own, so I won’t go in detail.)
Conclusion
If you also find Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea novels to be some of the best fantasy novels ever written, then I highly recommend visiting 1325 Arch St if you’re in the area. You won’t find any signs, pamphlets or souvenirs, but you will be visiting a special place where a remarkable author had grown up in. It’s a fun quest/rewarding workout/intensive hike to go on for Earthsea fans and history buffs alike.
P.S. Upon further research, I came across the official website for Le Guin’s childhood home! Here’s the link: https://www.maybeckarchitecture.com/
P.P.S. Check out the whimsical My Coffee Roastery if you’re in Berkeley! Click HERE for the full review.
The Time Traveler is an upcoming author who holds great appreciation for both classic literature and history. The author aspires to publish historical fictions and other written works in the near future, in hopes of creating works that entertain, inform, and inspire.
The author also appreciates all things aesthetic and enjoys traveling around the world to learn and observe.
