the way we weren't

just saw this 3 1/2 hour documentary by thom andersen at the egyptian theater. the first half was incredibly brilliant, and has given me myriad new ways to look at this new city of mine. it also renewed the awe with which i was already observing the city — that is to say, for the second time. the beauty of living in los angeles is that i’ve already seen these places, these corners, these cafes, these bars, in a surrealist meta- sort of cinematic way, like the sensation of nostalgia for something you never had to begin with.