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It seemed as if there were more folks out to see the free show this year. Arriving about forty-five minutes early, the entire place in front of the Ecole Militaire was already full. That meant that there were another 350,000 beyond that structure you see in the photos. Here are "before" photos and the event, and two afters" - new, the little blue lights in some photos, low down, are the blue windows of folks' phones. Looks like blue candles, like we were at a mass.
As usual everybody tried to leave at the same time. For the second time I walked home. Riding the métro to get there was enough. Music was old Mozart this year. Dunno what it was. Really, I would really prefer somebody like Slim Harpo.
And here they are -
After -
Photos (and text) Copyright © 2006 - Ric Erickson, MetropoleParis
These are sort of standard shots for the files - the sort of "commercial" photography that's suitable for brochures and the like. Perhaps that is a kind of iconography. You get what you expect and are reassured - Hollywood is palm trees and glass buildings where executives plan how the market the next fluff movie for the exact teenage demographic. Well, grown men do that out here, and drive home to Beverly Hills in their Bentleys and Porsches. It makes them rich. It's very odd.The heat is expected to peak across the region on Saturday. High temperatures should rise above 100 degrees in most locations in the valleys and across lower elevations in the mountains. Temperatures in the Antelope Valley and in the hottest locations of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys will likely rise to between 105 and 110 degrees.
Relative humidities are expected to begin to rise on Saturday which could push heat index values to excessive heat warning levels across portions of southwestern California. Subtropical moisture is forecast to increase across Southern California by Sunday. That could spread some mid and high levels cloudiness into the region which would help bring temperatures down a bit.
There is a slight chance of thunderstorms across the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties and in the Antelope Valley each afternoon and evening through Saturday... but such activity is expected to be rather isolated in nature. The increase in subtropical moisture across the area late in the weekend into next week will bring a greater threat of showers and thunderstorms Sunday afternoon into the middle of next week.
Charming. From the window here in Hollywood, would-be starlets at the pool -
The palm tree is better as a negative. It's more unreal, and closer to the truth, or something.
Golden Door with Manhole Cover - Dar Maghreb, the high-end Moroccan restaurant on Sunset Boulevard at Stanley Avenue, on the east end of Guitar Row, across the street from Kinko's and All-American Burger. It's a bit out of place - behind it are blocks and blocks shady streets of Craftsman bungalows. This isn't exactly Casablanca, or Marrakech or Rabat. It's a moderately gritty part of Hollywood - one of the scruffy areas of Sunset, between the Strip and Hollywood proper. But this is the land of fakery. It will do. It is very classy, just in the wrong place.So click on the top link if you're interested in the dancers. Here is just an exercise in framing, patterns, and light and shadow. The door is on Stanley Avenue, facing west, as seen on Tuesday, July 11, 2006, at six in the evening.Enter an exotic Arab world of genie waitresses who wash your hands with warm water and belly dancers who shimmy around an exquisite fountain in the center of a patio. You'll feel like a guest in an ornately tiled palace as you dine at traditional tables on either low sofas or goatskin cushions.
Nothing is available a la carte here. The fixed-price meal is a multi-course feast, starting with bread and traditional Moroccan salads, followed by b'stilla, an appetizer of shredded chicken, eggs, almonds, and spices wrapped in a flaky pastry shell and topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon. The main courses - your choice of lamb, quail, chicken, and more - are each sublimely seasoned and delectable. Perhaps it's the atmosphere that makes everyone eat more than they expected, but you'll be thankful that dessert is a simple fruit-and-nut basket, accompanied by warm mint tea poured into traditional glasses. All is eaten with your hands - a sensual experience that grows on you as the night progresses. Tip: If you have high-speed Internet access, be sure to check out the restaurant's most entertaining belly dancer/waitress video.
Above the door -
Context -
