This is flat-out perfect heaven. I don't need me no Thomases (despite the nooks and crannies the muffins don't have, but the street guide _does_) nor no 97 virgins. This _is_ Los Angeles without me having to go visit. Visiting for me involves either an endless train trip -- although that was good enough for Faulkner -- a car trip which is likely to conclude itself on another continent. Some folk justaren't meant to spend that much time together in an enclosed space.

Du-par's! Yes. Chicken and Waffles! A double yes. The palms are so fucking phony, but what in God's name would LA look like without them? The Gid's!!! Quintuple yes. (The awful King James translation, but you ain't never gotten high in any manner unless you ran out of E-Zs or Job's 30 years ago in a sleazy motel off the Strip and ripped a page out of the Gid's (I recommend the latter part of Isaiah) to twist one while you're trying to remember her name.

But .45s buck too hard, can't never be sighted in right and just generally suck. They do, however make such a BOOM that the fight-or-flight instinct will work in your favor every time. Besides, despite my pacifism and my deep opposition to hand-guns, I've always preferred revolvers. If I'd ever have deigned to shoot own or own one. But inheriting one's much-beloved .grandfather's .38 Police Special, along with its incredibly soft and worn holster requires a man to exceed beyond the minor confines of established faith, would you not agree?

Are you getting ready for the Editor's Retreat in Arizona.

Sincerely, thanks for posting this, Bruised Chin Goy.

yrs,

GN

I salute you cowboy. It's very warm and sunny here, but this assault from

Yes the road is a feast as is SoCal - I fondly remember the thin flapjacks at Musso and Franks. I also missed the fried chicken and waffles altho' I ate more at Roscoes. Another favorite for chicken was Dinah's on Sepulveda - perhaps you were driving there in that first photo. By the way what is a polar bear doing in the back of that convertible?

Jeez, man, it's Southern California, Reno-style.

The bear's pitching a script.

I didn't even notice the polar bear until I re-sized the photo for the Brink so I can't help you Doc. And Guy I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures I'm sure there will be a few more in the weeks to come. I've been on the road so much these last few weeks, my dog growled at me when I came home last night.

When I get some spare time I 'll address John Moses Browning's gift in depth. And when exactly is this editor's retreat in Arizona? Do I need to bring a flashlight and a gunny sack?

only if you want to bring any snipes home

Sorry you've been on the road so much.

Your dog growled because I've been giving him better treats.

That gun isn't real, is it?