Los Angeles

[elbom]

Comments

[cleobatya]

pretty! do you touch up these fotos?

[elbom]

A little bit. Sometimes more than just a little. What I do is I manipulate the image in an attempt to capture the original colors or atmosphere or feeling or texture, the way I experienced the scene when I took the picture, the way I remember it.

Just got back from a week in L.A. -- I'll post more.

And don't waste your money on paid blessings. That was one of the reasons my grandparents left Europe and came to Israel, back in the 1920s and '30s. They were not secular -- they were orthodox -- but they got tired of all those business-oriented rabbis who exploited the various superstitions of their congregations. In Israel they could go to synagogue every day without paying blessing fees to the rabbi.

[cleobatya]

this rabbi is visiting ny from israel. I never thought i would do this before, but im getting scared and desperate and hopeless and hopeful (I think that's what religion is all about).

I'm going tonight more for the "just in case" and the experience than i am because I believe that buying a bracha does anything. how is oregon and what were you doing in CA?

[elbom]

Oregon is mostly rain and work -- it was nice to take a break. L.A. was beautiful and exciting, just the way I remembered it. I was invited to give a reading at the 10th anniversary of the creative writing program at Otis College -- it was fun.

Let me know how that session with the rabbi goes -- I'm curious...

[merikeh]

That level of development frightens me. That's an incredible view though.

[elbom]

I have to admit it was a little overwhelming, especially after a few years in Grand Forks.

[merikeh]

Yeah, I'm overwhelmed just looking at it!

Did you and Emily take a vacation, then?

[elbom]

Yes! And it was nice! If you ever feel like vacationing in Oregon...

[sulphuroxide]

some say hi!!!!

[elbom]

Can we see your house from here?

[sulphuroxide]

no, i am on the otherside of the range you are standing on. i live in the san fernando valley, in particular, north hollywood =D

[elbom]

The Valley has its charm, in spite of what the people south of those mountains may say about it. I don't have pictures from that area, though. Maybe next time...