I'm inspired constantly by ideas for new blog posts, and I even outline them in my head, but my time is so limited right now that very rarely do I get to sit right down and bang it out.

I have been made very aware the past two weeks about patronizing the restaurants in my neighborhood and in LA in general. This 'economic downturn' has been hard for them, but I think the latest belt tightening for people has really an effect.

Now it's the fancier joints. My pal Tara Ochs is a server at Asia de Something in Beverly Hills, and she sent out a Facebook blast letting us know she can get a good table and a discount. Yelp is reminding me. American AAdvantage too. I'm sure that Almalfi's is not happy that the ACME season seemed to end one week early and the theater is dark through January. The actors themselves didn't eat all that much but they certainly kept the bar going and show patrons would eat there before and after shows. I hope Room 5 can keep it up.

We have not been eating out at all. We did go to Cold Springs Tavern on Sunday for Dana's birthday, and we have ordered pizza and take out chinese during the past few weeks, but out to dinner at a place nice enough for us to get a babysitter? I can't rembember when. Months? I have a clipping for a place in Glendale we've been meaning to try.

Yesterday the LA Times reminded me that if I don't go out even a little now, that the places I love may not be around when we finally can afford them again. Life is just grinding to a halt.