Day 46 - People I Dig

Michael was a fan of the Nickel Diner, and especially loved his chimichurri steak. I wish I could see him and Margie more than once a year . . .

Day 45 - People I Dig

Margie was in town for her annual Grammy pilgrimage, and despite being jet-lagged, always makes time to have dinner with me.

Her editor Michael said this picture of her was very Catherine Deneuve-esque . . .

I agree, and hope The Outliar doesn't mind.

Day 44 - Downtown

The Nickel Diner is where I had dinner Saturday night.

And no, hot dogs aren't on the menu, and if they were, they wouldn't be $.19

Day 43 - Downtown

The Hotel Rosslyn is at 5th and Main, has two adjacent buildings, was designed by legendary Los Angeles architect John Parkinson, and was built in 1923.

Day 42 - Downtown

Pete's is at the corner of 4th & Main, but wasn't where I ate.

Day 41 - Downtown

Playing with my new star filter.

Day 40 - Downtown

I don't spend much time in downtown L.A., especially at night, but was there Saturday for dinner and wandered around a bit.

Day 39 - Los Angeles

Clear days in Los Angeles are few and far between, especially looking east towards the San Gabriel Mountains, which are where most of the air pollution collects.

Day 38 - The Bluffs

I went to LMU last night for a panel discussion called "Truth & Fiction on Screen," about filmmakers accurately portraying a true story, be it "based on" actual events or "inspired by" actual events. An interesting evening to be sure, but I got to campus a little early and went out to the bluffs overlooking Playa Vista and Marina del Rey to catch the last glimpse of sunset.

Day 37 - Cheesy Tots

They're not on Umami's menu, because, as the server explained, they sell out so fast they don't want to always have to decline a customer's request, but man oh man, the cheesy tots are little cheesy pillows of potato goodness.

Day 36 - Onion Strings

The Manly Burger at Umami has "beer cheddar cheese, smoked salt onion strings, and bacon lardons."

An Open Letter

Dear LMU Students --

Please don't text while riding your bicycles on the streets around campus. You'll be able to watch where you're going, won't swerve all over the place, and will greatly improve your chances of actually making it to graduation alive.

Just a friendly reminder from your neighbors and alumni.

Day 35 - Onion Rings

The onion rings at Umami Burger are dipped in tempura batter and fried very lightly . . . and are extremely dangerous.

Day 34 - Umami Burger

Umami Burger was voted one of the ten best new burger spots by Bon Appétit as well as the Burger of the Year by GQ magazine.

You can't do it very often, but when you do, oh lordy . . .

Day 33 - Beer

"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
-- Benjamin Franklin

Day 32 - Defenses

Sometimes life would be easier if humans came with skin like this...