Weekend Activities: Live This No. 8
Despite his alarming neckbeard, Henry David Thoreau was undoubtedly a genius. In his essays he emphasized the importance of nature and the simple life, which, with the daunting finals coming up and tons of homework, we all sometimes forget. This weekend though, take a break from your hectic life, open your eyes and explore your surroundings. “Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify, simplify.” Simplify, say hello to the neglected Mother Nature, and realize what a wonderful place we live in!Friday afterschool, make a pit stop at home to grab all the picnic essentials (a blanket, speakers and of course chocolate covered strawberries) and walk to Mary Hotchkiss Park on 2302 4th St for a fun picnic with your friends. If you’re feeling stressed and need a wholesome release of endorphins, go to Clover Park on 2600 Ocean Park Boulevard and run out there to play basketball, volleyball or simply dance like an idiot to Macklemore’s “Thrift Shop.” And at night, go crazy and set up a tent in your backyard just for the heck of it. Make s’mores, layer up, get all cozy and make sure to look up at the stars.Saturday morning at 10 a.m. come to Campus Beautification and help Samo out by giving it a glamorous make over. And if you’re “too cool for school” or whatever, bike over to Malibu Creek where you can hike, mountain bike, walk, take a nap in the sun and for all you brave soldiers perhaps even take a bath in the rock pool. You can also go to Griffith Park on 4730 Crystal Springs Drive for the Griffith Park Trail Half-Marathon. If you’re up for the challenge you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful but tough route that passes right by the Hollywood sign with incredible views of downtown and plenty of bonding opportunities.Finally on Sunday, get local again and come to 2460 Main Street’s farmer’s market at 9:30 a.m. where you will find some of California’s freshest produce as well as musical entertainment by “The Backboners.” Otherwise, if you’re in need of a place to think and evaluate your life, check out Woodlawn Cemetery & Mausoleum. This is the perfect place to just sit down and let your deepest thoughts loose whether it’s by scribbling them down on a journal, or drawing them in abstract shapes.Whatever it is you do this weekend, breathe in the winter air, smile and relax and most importantly give back to nature.“Nature spontaneously keeps us well. Do not resist her!” – Thoreaumazcarate@thesamohi.com For more info on these events, click the links below:http://griffithparktrailruns.com/http://www.smgov.net/Portals/Farmers_Market/Market_Days/Sundays/Sunday_Main_Street.aspx