This weekend the Santa Monica Art Studios held their 5th Anniversary Open Studios. For two days, the historic airplane hangar turned visual arts community opened their collective doors to the public and art lovers from around the block and across the seas gathered to join in on the celebration. The 22,000 square foot hangar located at the Santa Monica Airport has been divided into 29 artist studios and the Arena 1 Gallery. Every hall and passageway in the complex was hung with the impressive work of the occupying artists. I was there Saturday evening and throughout the night, hundreds of art-loving men, women and children (and even a few canines) were present to admire the glory of the artistic process and vision.

Rob Schrab fidgets across from me in a large, sunken green chair in his living room, adjusting positions at least three times before he settles comfortably into the seat. He has, after all, quite a lot to be excited about: his recent Emmy win for “Outstanding Music and Lyrics,” which he co-wrote for the opening number at this year’s Academy Awards, a recurring directing and writing role on Comedy Central’s The Sarah Silverman Program, and the consummation of the long-anticipated comeback of Scud The Disposable Assassin: The Whole Shebang.

It is the middle of a beautiful Saturday, a couple of weeks before the hustle and bustle of open studios. I decide to take a tour with one of Santa Monica Art Studios’ two directors, Yossi Govrin. Stupidly, I almost miss my turn because I’m too distracted watching a plane land at the Santa Monica Airport. It’s an interesting place to find 22,000 square feet dedicated to the fine arts.

Whenever I find myself in a conversational lull–say, in an elevator, at a distant cousin’s wedding, or perhaps even admist the strum und drang of my chosen work environment–I bring up Lou Reed. He never fails me. People start finger popping, mumbling about walking on wild sides, or alternatively searching for a vein in their arm to puncture. The astute ones will make Laurie Anderson references, and others will try to pick apart Reed’s greater cultural impact. Sure, they’ll say, the Velvet Underground has attained deification, and rightfully so. But what about Reed’s solo work? Is “Sex With Your Parents (Motherfucker) Part II” really Guggenheim material?

Today was a good day. Susan didn’t go to work because she woke up with a sore throat. I love it when she stays home, especially if it’s cold and dark and rainy out, and the two of us are all cozy and warm inside. I also love it when she has a cold, I’m a little ashamed to say. It’s not that I wish her any harm, God forbid. I just like it when she has to stay home and take care of herself because I always help her do that.