[227/365] Blog Action Day 2010! - Theme: Water - Water Faucet Jewelry, Annenberg Space for Photography, Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Did you know that nearly one billion people in the world do not have access to clean, safe drinking water? Yes, the lack of water is a global crisis.

A few months ago, I went to a photography exhibit at the Annenberg Space for Photography where I viewed moving images of the water crisis around the world. I admit that I take water for granted, but starting the discussion and learning about the facts is the first step towards making a change.

Back in July, the United Nations General Assembly declared that safe and clean drinking water and sanitation is a human right essential to the full enjoyment of life and all other human rights.

Take a few moments to read about it and visit non-profits that have the water crisis in mind. Some that I have been reading about: http://water.org/, http://thewaterproject.org/, http://www.endwaterpoverty.org/, http://www.waterforpeople.org/. There's plenty more out there! One of the easiest things that you can do to make an impact is to read about each cause and decide whether there is one that you want to make a donation to.

Yesterday was Blog Action Day (October 15th). The topic this year was Water and so I chose this photo of some jewelry sold at the Annenberg Space for Photography featuring tiny water faucets, with little cards with the words "Water is a Human Right".

[51/365] Courtyard behind 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Outside in the courtyard behind 2000 Avenue of the Stars, there were these seating areas set up in the grass. It was a quiet, windy day, so all of these were empty. Felt like it was a great place to sit to admire all the towering skyscrapers all around you!

[50/365] 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Annenberg Space for Photography, Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

I've been wanting to go here for so long! It's the Annenberg Space for Photography, located on Avenue of the Stars, right next door to me in Century City! Great place for a photography enthusiast! Currently, the main exhibit is SPORTS, photography by Iooss and Leifer. Some of the most iconic sports photos in the past decade were taken by them - everyone from Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Kristi Yamaguchi, Kevin Garnett to Michelle Kwan had photos there. Huge sports events like the Olympics, World Series and the Superbowl also had its place in the photography museum. The span of their work is impressive - it was quite inspiring. Can't wait to go there for their next exhibit - National Geographic's take on fresh water, on a local and global context.

The actual place is at 2000 Avenue of the Stars, but it is a stand alone building right behind this one.

Avenue of the Stars, Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Avenue of the Stars cuts through the high rise office buildings of Century City and is home to the Century Plaza Hotel, just adjacent to these fountains. The iconic Hotel has hosted presidents, Apollo 11 astronauts and many other high-profile people and events. At night, these fountains light up spectacularly with eye-catching water displays. Through the fountains, high rise buildings can be seen in the distance. A night like this one was quiet and there were few cars or people around, making it considerably easier to stop and take photos!

Good night!