the sound of thunder
limbs bow back and forth softly
rain on the window

Here is my perch out in L.A. I have an amazing view overlooking Benedict Canyon. The sunsets here are particularly spectacular. The sky has that purple orange color that you always seem to get out west. During the day I try and spend some time each day, sitting on the patio next door at my friend Dave’s house, with the sun beating down on me.

I took this photo of David today. We had just been out to breakfast and stopped by my house for a minute afterward. I saw him standing there in the yard and felt inspired to grab my camera.

I was introduced to Stefanie by my friend Scott. When I first met her, I immediately started thinking of her in photographs. She has a timeless quality that I felt would lend itself to a variety of settings. When I asked her, she was excited and very gracious.

She suggested the downtown area of L.A. The particular section we visited was filled with defunct movie houses, odd retail stores and left over restaurants from a bygone era. This proved to be a perfect backdrop for what I had in mind. Click on the above photo and take a look at some of the photos from the day.

If you are in the area and after you look at all the wonderful architecture, I highly recommend going to Clifton’s Cafeteria which originally opened in 1935. It is decorated in a mountain lodge motif. There is a lifesize forest mural, a 20 foot waterfall, an odd deer sanctuary and plenty of local color to satisfy a full day of people watching.

I’d like to introduce you to Jonathan. In the L.A. digs, where I have been staying, Jonathan is a constant around the house, although it is not his first home. He is the type of feline that demonstrates very dog like qualities and is very comfortable plopping down just about anywhere with no regard for us bi-peds. He is a very curious creature with some odd habits.

One of the things that Jonathan does each morning is to sit outside the kitchen window and let his dietary concerns be known to whomever is inside. One morning during the verbal onslaught, I stopped and stared at him and noticed his half-crazed face while he was meowing and the streaking of the window. I quickly grabbed the camera and took this photo.

sarA Lov has an amazing voice!

Some friends invited me to join them to see Ms. Lov at Spaceland. It was my first show in L.A. Spaceland is a grungy rock club that was a disco in a previous incarnation with mirror ball remnants and silver and blue glitter curtains still hanging around sparkling at you. Sara crooned in her lush, syrupy vox, ending with a countrified and heartbreaking cover of “Hopelessly Devoted to You” that out-sadded ONJ’s nightie-clad swimming-pool love-letter float by fathoms. Her new video for her best original song, “New York,” came out the day of the show and you should watch it here. Be careful though, because these words will break your heart.

check it here: New York

blow away the dreams that tear you apart, blow away the dreams that break your heart, blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted – springsteen