Found at a flea market and purchased for a modest sum by an anonymous buyer, the unwrapped, seven-foot Allegory of Fortune was strapped to the roof of a car and brought to Christie's auction house in New York City. There experts recognized it as an important, long-lost allegorical scene by the Ferrarese master Dosso Dossi.

The woman in this work represents Fortune. She holds a horn of plenty, flaunting the bounty she could bring, but sits on a bubble because her favors are fleeting. The man, Chance, looks longingly toward Fortune as he deposits lottery tickets in an urn -- a reference to the civic lotteries in Italy. This painting was probably made for Isabella d'Este, marchioness of Mantua, one of whose emblems was a bundle of lots, denoting her experience with fluctuating fortune.

I also like that she's missing one of her shoes. Stupid Fortune.

In the other photos: sculpture of Mars and Venus (Hans Mont, c. 1575), an illuminated manuscript, and a ceiling painting called Musical Group on a Balcony by Gerrit van Honthorst.

––– Photos taken on 10/23/10 at The Getty Center in Los Angeles, CA –––

Super excited to try this beer. It's the first ever bottled release of Firestone's bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout used in their Anniversary Ales. I have a bottle of Firestone XIII sitting in the cupboard waiting to be opened as well (which is brewed using 39% Parabola). Tastiness awaits.

––– Photo taken on 10/18/10 in Brentwood, CA –––

I can see it in your eyes, I can see it in your smile.

––– Photo taken on 10/17/10 at BAPC in Los Angeles, CA –––

Been craving this all day.

––– Photo taken on 10/16/10 at Tito's Tacos in Culver City, CA –––

A "see you later" (not "goodbye") lunch with Kristin before she and Joe move to DC. One of my favorite couples in the world, no lie. Follow their East Coast adventures on their blog.

Meanwhile: Cole's claim for best french dip in LA? I'm gonna have to go with Phillipe's on that one. But their old-fashioneds? Don Draper would be proud.

––– Photo taken on 9/15/10 at Cole's in Los Angeles, CA –––

AJ's last night at FO.

––– Photo taken on 9/13/10 at Father's Office in Santa Monica, CA –––

First time trying this beer from Goose Island. Didn't know anything about it, but was pleasantly surprised. Supposedly it's modeled after Orval, but it doesn't have quite as dry of a finish, and the Brett flavor isn't quite as pronounced. Definitely a fan though.

––– Photo taken on 9/12/10 at Blue Dog Beer Tavern in Sherman Oaks, CA –––

It took over four hours but the final draft board is set, and it's a thing of beauty.

Auction draft > snake draft.

––– Photo taken on 10/6/10 in Los Angeles, CA –––

Two nights in a row at The Gaslite is probably one night in a row too many. First night was for Andrea's birthday, and the second night was because Andrea just wanted to go there again. Can't argue with the birthday girl.

––– Photos taken on 9/4/10 - 9/5/10 at The Gaslite in Santa Monica, CA –––

Ahhh.

––– Photo taken on 8/26/10 at Hermosa Pier in Hermosa Beach, CA –––