on the path…quarterly report part 1
Now that I’ve been here 3 months. I thought you might dig a quarterly report.
What I’ve learned about L.A. is this.
At best, I practice keeping all my judgments about this city in check, and if possible, let go of ALL of them on a minute by minute basis.
Let L.A. be L.A.
-Because there’s so many different kinds of people and neighborhoods and work; whenever I try to pin down a generalization about the city: how it works or the vibe or the culture, I’m quick to learn, how off I am. How wrong I am. That L.A. should be allowed to be a paradox and a dichotomy to the point of being schitzophrenic. The more this is practiced the better prepared I am to venture out into rush hour traffic, and find ‘large tracts’ of space in claustrophobic dwelling conditions. And find abundance in self employment.
HISTORICAL VIBE:
I’m taken with the history of Los Angeles. How city leaders had to make it a destination hot spot for the rest of America to visit. THey did so by planting Palm trees and haging neon everywhere. The Hollywood sign was an advertisement for Real Estate development in the early 20th century.
How the city voted on building roads in the early 20’s for the then “new” automobile; instead of having mass transit.
“We didn’t move all the way from New York City to reamake New York City,” I read in one book.
The Americans who created the idea for Los Angeles were very forward thinking for sure.
Now, there are pockets of L.A. with that left over vibe of neon and Art-Deco. Places that have seen their day, went out of style, still persevered, and have become kitcshe characterizations of themselves. Places like the “Dresden” or “El Cid”, come to mind. Places of entertainment you might find in a James Coburn or Steve Mcqueen movie.
I’m amazed at the spirit these people still have generations later. How early on they had a great idea with no-limits and attracted a lot of people with very large world views. Very outgoing people.
A lot of good fresh creative ideas and work stems from that. A lot of over the top self-help-guru-sheister’s come from that too.
But it’s that openness that allows for a story like Hustle & Body repair to exist. Can you imagine that happening at Kroger or Harris Teeter? We’d have a person like that arrested in the South.
THE L.A. EXPORT:
I remember in the early 90’s, in my communications class, Dr. Fortenberry said, “America’s greatest export was the entertainment industry.” His statement resonated with me deeply. This was before you could sell pirated DVD’s for $1 in Bangkok.
I admit I grew up with a distorted fantasy regarding L.A.’s entertainment export. Perpetuated in my own mind by devouring media; shiny magazines about musicians & equipment and fluffy TV programs, Lp’s, mix tapes & Top 40 radio. Not only did I believe to be the real L.A. I also believed my view was shared across America and the world!
But it’s all veneer. It’s played up to be a good story. To make life seem larger than life itself. Just like the 60’s post cards of Planted palm trees and hanging neon, and drinking rum out of coconut shells.
Or in my case, 80’s post cards of untouched Malibu beachfront, & girls that look like they just auditioned for Top Gun.
The export really is exemplefied by the Steely Dan song “Glamour Profession” now that I think about it.
Thanks for checking in.
Stephen A. Thomas
October 10th, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Motel Money Murder Madness
Let’s change the mood from glad to sadness.
The part about the Hustle & Body, L. L. C., guy was funny because I remember thinking when I read it a few weeks ago, “you know, that guy should be arrested.”
Now that you have been in L. A. for three months, do you consider yourself a Mississippian, North Carolinian, Californian, or have you become the American Everyman?
This was another great post. You should have a section of the website where you can archive a “Post Hall of Fame”.
October 10th, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Larry every time I write a post I keep you in mind because you’ve given such great insight on conciseness and length.
One and a half scrolls of the mouse is my targeted length.
You guys may vote and if there’s one that stands out I’ll move it to another category for easier finding.
CALIFORNIAN, NORTH CAORLINIAN, MISSISSIPPIAN? ,A STUMPER
One of the things I love about California is the openness of spirtual seekers. Also, California’s landscape and the pacific ocean. I’m drawn to it like a magnet.I find grounding in it somehow. I find immense beauty in what some people might see as dirt and dead grass. I’m grateful to experience it again.
That said
North Carolina is also in my blood. I was looking through pictures to send a friend and i noticed the deep green in North Carolina. I love that lush green tree canopy. Also Fall, I’m going to miss being in North Carolina for fall.
It’s funny you bring this up because, I’ve been reconnecting with so many Mississippi friends since I’ve been here.
I’m just now realizing all the positive implications of my time there.
I’ll say this, I’ve yet to be called ’strange’ or ‘weird’ here. I’ve been called other things. It makes me feel hope for future inclusion. That’s a very basic thing I know. When it happens I’ll let you know.
In some ways I kinda feel like I’m on an assignment here to absorb as many experiences as possible and relay them back to you guys. in stories, pictures and music. A self employed tourist searching for that common thread, while finding a voice
Steve
October 11th, 2006 at 12:52 am
Stevo:
You have hit upon one of my favorite observations in life–to appreciate an environment, you really need to be an outsider first.
I always wondered how people could live near the paper mills on the Tennessee River. The smell was horrible! However, after frquently stopping to eat at one of our favorite greesy spoons near one these mills, I realized that the nose gets tired of that smell pretty quickly.
I think our minds get tired of our environments pretty quickly, in general. As an outsider, you are really getting to appreciate all the wonderful qwerks of LA.
I appreciate that you can share them with us.
Wonderful post.
Davak
October 11th, 2006 at 9:25 am
Thanks davak. That’s a great insight.
Steve
October 12th, 2006 at 2:57 pm
Aren’t we all citizens of the world anymore? I don’t feel like a Mississippian, especially since returning here. I feel just as sorry for Mississippians as I did when I was in other places. Location is about vision and vision, location. We are where we want to be. The next step in human evolution is being what we want to be, and that’s the tough one. There are too many reactionary forces wanting us to stay what we are.
How about a post about the women of LA? I don’t believe they’re all actress/model types, but I am curious. Of all the places I’ve lived, Mississippi has the best-looking women; does LA have us beat hands down or what?
October 12th, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Yes you are so right. Citizens of the world we are. I’d really like Marshall McCluhan’s take on it if he were still around. Is this what he meant? Global Village?
r
I’m partial to Southern Women. I guess Mississippi Women are the only ones I’ve dated, Unless you count the one from Alabama.
I’ve been thinking of doing an experiment with on line dating but I have more entropy than energy in that department. In fact I wonder if ‘dating’ ends up working itself out down the road or if I’ll be forever ambivalent about it.
Tim on the other hand spends quite a bit of energy in the dating department and has some great stories about the women he meets. I’ll see if he’ll let me share a few in a post.
Steve
October 13th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
“We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day”
— Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie
This is funny. The comment that we are all citizens of the world implied that there were no differences in different regions or states. Followed by, in the second paragraph, an assumption that the women in L. A. are different from those in Mississippi or anywhere else.