Today I needed some fresh inspiration.  I wanted to get out of the city.  With its 50 different types of wood and Art Deco style, for Long Beachians, the Queen Mary is the perfect place to feel like you left and gone somewhere without actually going anywhere!  It is just around the corner, across the water.  It was especially exquisite this time of year with its gigantic Christmas tree in the main shopping hall.

After a bit of browsing, I made my way to the Observation Bar where I sipped on a martini and watched the ships come in San Pedro Bay...