On the 1.24 mile walk back from my bi-annual teeth cleaning by Dr. Howard Richmond at Wilshire and La Cienega, I popped into a shop that has always been closed when I’ve strolled by other times. AFK – which stands for Art for Kids – sells fine furniture for children - manufactured relatively locally in Orange County (a story perhaps for Patch?), and there were signed and numbered prints of Barbie fashions by Robert Best. Small world incident Number 1 - having been on a first name basis with Barbie for almost 20 years at Mattel Toys. Switch gears, and on the wall were some awesome authentic bugs framed in elegant shadow boxes. What better choices for art for children’s rooms than Barbies and bugs! Better yet, I was inspired to frame our collection of vintage plastic soldiers and sell as art! (Let’s see what else I can add to the already full plate, but creating and selling can be a productive diversion. Does Etsy beckon?)

Heading east onto Clifton Way back home, I fell into step with a salt-and-pepper-haired gentleman dressed in black, wool scarf and all. Was I in New York? After a friendly greeting, how could I not start chatting even with him while juggling my reference notes for the social gaming/”gaming for good”proposal for digital dollhouse in one hand and phone in the other?

He was in the area while waiting for his car that was being serviced. Why is this often the only time we explore other neighborhoods? Or even our own backyards. We agreed, for many, it’s true. And he quickened his pace to keep up with me. Deadlines beckon!

Long story short: he was the retired head of marketing and publications for UCLA and former boss of my favorite instructor at UCLA Extension. Tiny world example Number 2. Taking it one step further: his wife promotes luxury travel. Do I ever write travel? Luxury? But of course. I travel - by foot - in Beverly Hills.