Dateline>City of Angels

OK, enough with the diary-style entries already. I know that the majority of readers don’t come here for my personal musings on life’s little trifles or updates about my career.

No, you crave history, Angeleno pop culture and “sense of place” items, along with a few urban legends and/or ghost stories thrown in every now and then for fun. (Yeah, I see the spikes in my Web Stats when I post that stuff.)

But loyal readers, please understand that this is also my “professional blog.” I have to occasionally demonstrate at least some breadth of subject matter to potential clients. “Finding a voice” that strikes just the right balance isn’t always easy.

What? You don’t care? Give us more local color, you say?

My, you are a demanding bunch, aren’t you?

Nevertheless, your wish is my command!

The post below on Mission San Gabriel’s Campo Santo is tailored for history fans who enjoy unpretentious landmarks. It’s the first of what I hope will be many “weekend tripouts” — modest proposals for quick jaunts through some of our region’s “less-touristy” spots.

Actually, I’ve “resurrected” this 2005 Campo Santo post from my former blog; but trust me, there’s a deeper purpose at work here than simply regurgitating old material to avoid writer’s cramp. This and several upcoming posts are intended to build on a theme. Consider them “plot devices” within a broader narrative…