This native Northern Californian’s heart is breaking for my Southern California neighbors. Thanks for the “Los Angeles is Burning” song. I’ve added to my “California’s Burning” Spotify playlist. Dave Alvin (Downey, CA native son) has a great song. “If the fires don’t get you, you know the mudslides will.”
Dave Alvin is the best! Check out albums “Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women” which has “California’s Burning” on it and “West of the West,” all covers by California song writers. Everything he does is so good.
Thank you Mr. Estrin, for sharing your thoughts and reactions in your usual straightforward and insightful way during this terrible time. Sending love!
I’ve had that song in my head for days. I’m so sad for everyone, losing so much and having to hear all the bullshit in our media and internet… You are so right to describe the threat and loss of both the tangible and the memories, so devastating for families and communities. Phoenix is sending help and so many of us are praying for our CA neighbors.
Nothing said in a comment will be sufficient and I doubt anything I could say IRL would be any better. I just hope, while so much is proving to be cruelly impermanent, you can/will take comfort in your constants. Christina. Mortimer. Your friends. And your memories. Because they're/we're not going anywhere. 💛 Take good care, please.
I’ve been turning my head towards the helpers, there are so many and that helps keep the anxiety slightly at bay. Tragedy and disaster seem to bring out the best and worst of us. My heart aches right along side yours and with so many others. Love to you and yours and all impacted. 🩵
Excellent point. I’ve been moved to tears by all the help pouring in. It warms the heart to see fire departments from across the west, Canada, Mexico, and elsewhere.
sad to think it takes an event like this to perceive the myriad disparate parts that make your city so uniquely representative of the best in human spirit: resilience, creativity, an appreciation for the past and future
I live just to the south in Orange County, and one of my favorite things to do is drive up to the Getty Villa. While the Villa has survived so far, I know that drive along PCH won’t feel the same for quite a while. My heart goes out to you and everyone else affected by this tragedy.
What's nuts is that both Getty museums are in harm's way. My understanding is that they have the best fire defenses money can buy. But yeah, that PCH drive is gonna feel very different.
Yeah, the Getty Center is meaningful to me too. When my family moved back to California, our first weekend was spent there and at a (Shaq and Kobe era) Lakers game.
The suffering, the fear, the relentless onslaught of threat and fear is horrifying. Thank you for the link to ways that we can help. And for calling out the shame/blame game -- I hate that this tragedy is already being politicized. Sending you and all Angelenos good thoughts. love and caring. And even that sounds so lame in the face of what you're all going through.
My heart is with you. I concur. It is not the time to be pointing fingers and hating and being all fucking agro. It is a time to come together and use our strength for the power of good. I grew up down there. Watching from afar is heartbreaking, sickening, stomach turning....I am grieving for all of you, and I am grieving for the cougars and the oak trees too. I want you to know that I am with you, in solidarity, from Portland, Oregon and I can smell the eucalyptus smoke all the way from here. Tears. Alena
Here is the good news: people around the world love California, so they are sending their finest firefighters to help. I’m sending love from NorCal and wishes for a gentle rain to clear the smoke.
Very glad you and your family are safe, Michael. Surreal is probably the word to describe a lot if it, including much of the public reaction. Thanks for sharing a charity list. Also hoping for the best for you and yours and, well, everybody.
Thinking of you Michael and all those affected by this catastrophe. I pray the fire stays away from your home and neighborhood. Thank you for sharing the list of organizations. I’ll peruse through and send a donation. It doesn’t feel near enough. Take care over these coming days.
This native Northern Californian’s heart is breaking for my Southern California neighbors. Thanks for the “Los Angeles is Burning” song. I’ve added to my “California’s Burning” Spotify playlist. Dave Alvin (Downey, CA native son) has a great song. “If the fires don’t get you, you know the mudslides will.”
I need to check out Dave Alvin. Thanks for the rec, Jessica.
Dave Alvin is the best! Check out albums “Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women” which has “California’s Burning” on it and “West of the West,” all covers by California song writers. Everything he does is so good.
Also love Dave Alvin. The King of California album -- so good.
Nice, thank you, Emily!
Thank you Mr. Estrin, for sharing your thoughts and reactions in your usual straightforward and insightful way during this terrible time. Sending love!
Thank you, Anne.
I’ve had that song in my head for days. I’m so sad for everyone, losing so much and having to hear all the bullshit in our media and internet… You are so right to describe the threat and loss of both the tangible and the memories, so devastating for families and communities. Phoenix is sending help and so many of us are praying for our CA neighbors.
Thank you, Robin. I’ve seen many fire crews out of Arizona. A very welcome sight
Nothing said in a comment will be sufficient and I doubt anything I could say IRL would be any better. I just hope, while so much is proving to be cruelly impermanent, you can/will take comfort in your constants. Christina. Mortimer. Your friends. And your memories. Because they're/we're not going anywhere. 💛 Take good care, please.
Thank you for this comment, Meg.
I’ve been turning my head towards the helpers, there are so many and that helps keep the anxiety slightly at bay. Tragedy and disaster seem to bring out the best and worst of us. My heart aches right along side yours and with so many others. Love to you and yours and all impacted. 🩵
Excellent point. I’ve been moved to tears by all the help pouring in. It warms the heart to see fire departments from across the west, Canada, Mexico, and elsewhere.
sad to think it takes an event like this to perceive the myriad disparate parts that make your city so uniquely representative of the best in human spirit: resilience, creativity, an appreciation for the past and future
you are all embraced in our thoughts
Thank you, this comment hits just right.
I live just to the south in Orange County, and one of my favorite things to do is drive up to the Getty Villa. While the Villa has survived so far, I know that drive along PCH won’t feel the same for quite a while. My heart goes out to you and everyone else affected by this tragedy.
What's nuts is that both Getty museums are in harm's way. My understanding is that they have the best fire defenses money can buy. But yeah, that PCH drive is gonna feel very different.
Yeah, the Getty Center is meaningful to me too. When my family moved back to California, our first weekend was spent there and at a (Shaq and Kobe era) Lakers game.
The suffering, the fear, the relentless onslaught of threat and fear is horrifying. Thank you for the link to ways that we can help. And for calling out the shame/blame game -- I hate that this tragedy is already being politicized. Sending you and all Angelenos good thoughts. love and caring. And even that sounds so lame in the face of what you're all going through.
Thank you, this comment means a lot, Stephanie.
I’m so sorry, Michael. I know what you mean about memories burning.
Thank you, Martha.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Dear Michael,
My heart is with you. I concur. It is not the time to be pointing fingers and hating and being all fucking agro. It is a time to come together and use our strength for the power of good. I grew up down there. Watching from afar is heartbreaking, sickening, stomach turning....I am grieving for all of you, and I am grieving for the cougars and the oak trees too. I want you to know that I am with you, in solidarity, from Portland, Oregon and I can smell the eucalyptus smoke all the way from here. Tears. Alena
Thank you for this beautiful comment, Alena.
Here is the good news: people around the world love California, so they are sending their finest firefighters to help. I’m sending love from NorCal and wishes for a gentle rain to clear the smoke.
Thank you for reminding me of this, Betsy. One especially heart-warming thing at this time is seeing help come from so many different places.
Very glad you and your family are safe, Michael. Surreal is probably the word to describe a lot if it, including much of the public reaction. Thanks for sharing a charity list. Also hoping for the best for you and yours and, well, everybody.
Thanks James!
Keep safe, Michael. We’re watching with horror and great sadness here in the UK.
Thank you, Yasmin.
Thinking of you Michael and all those affected by this catastrophe. I pray the fire stays away from your home and neighborhood. Thank you for sharing the list of organizations. I’ll peruse through and send a donation. It doesn’t feel near enough. Take care over these coming days.
Thank you, Kim.
I’m sorry that you have to live trough this tragedy, Michael. I wish all the best and stay safe.
Thank you, Claudia.