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Almost a year ago to this day I was driving my old Toyota Camry in Santa Monica. Summer was just around the corner and I was finishing up my junior year at UCLA. It was Friday and I was leaving work. I couldn’t have been in a better mood.
I sat at a stop light waiting to make a right turn. As I looked to my left I saw a break in traffic so I pulled out. Immediately I heard a long and piercing honk. In my rear view mirror I found an older, more run-down Toyota Camry riding my ass. In the driver’s seat sat a Chris Farley knock-off. He was fat, wearing a brightly colored track jacket, and had thick aviator glasses on.
I’m not sure exactly how I didn’t see him coming or how bad I cut him off, but for the next few minutes he let me know about it. My window, which had been rolled down so I could enjoy the cool ocean breeze, was now letting in a thick waft of rage. “Go to hell you fucking asshole! Learn how to drive!” This guy wasn’t even very original.
I stared straight ahead only periodically checking my mirrors to see him bouncing and shaking violently in his car. He continued to cuss in my direction for three more blocks. Thankfully, the right hand lane cleared up and he sped past me. He let his middle finger have the final say as he passed.
This was the first time I can vividly remember saying, “God, I hate LA.”
In about a week I will be leaving Los Angeles - forever. I say forever tentatively because things always change. I told myself I would never ever move back home to San Diego. But shit happens and you must adapt.
I’ve been reminiscing on my time spent in LA and I’ve compiled a list of things I’ll miss and things I wont.
Things I’ll Miss
- Friends
This goes without saying. I’ve met a lot of great people in a city filled with douche bags. I attribute this mainly to the fact that I lived in Westwood and was surrounded by college students for most of my time here. I didn’t create too many lasting relationships with people I met in Hollywood. - Women
LA has gorgeous yet retarded women. I will miss looking at them but not interacting with them so much. Every girl here either loves The Hills or is a starring character in it. - Trader Joes
TJ’s is hands down my favorite store ever. I try to maintain a healthy life style and I eat a lot. For the most part, TJ’s has good, healthy foods and is extremely cheap (eggs!). Charles Shaw at $2 is better than most $10 wines. Inconsistent produce and tight aisles are the only negatives I can think of. - Concerts
On any night of the week there is a solid band playing in LA. There are a lot of good venues scattered throughout city. Bands typically put on a good show because they know that someone in the music industry might be watching. - Weather
LA really does have amazing weather. Sunshine is not overrated. - Easy Accessibility of everything
I think most big cities are the same in this respect. In LA everything you need is usually within a mile radius of your house. - UCLA
Take one late evening stroll through UCLA’s campus and you’ll see why I’m going to miss it. Some of the most peaceful moments I’ve had in LA have been while I was walking on campus during a summer night. Oh, and Undie Run rules too.
Things I won’t Miss
- People/Attitudes
LA is ripe with idiots and assholes. This town attracts a certain set of miserable human beings (see above). Part of the reason why I love San Francisco so much is because of the differences in people’s attitude compared to LA. - BMW’s and Mercedes
There are two types of people in LA: those who drive a BMW or Mercedes and those who don’t. Can you guess which group I hate? - Rent
In LA you certainly don’t get what you pay for. There are so many people trying to move here that the rent prices are ridiculously out of control. I lived in a cheap and dirty apartment and payed $650 to share a room! - Pinkberry
It’s not that good. Stop fooling yourself. - Smog
My trip to Washington really opened my eyes. There are stars in the sky. Lots of them. - Film Industry
It’s amazing to me how I can love films so much and absolutely hate most of the people that are involved in making them. - Big Sunglasses
Every girl has a pair and they confuse the hell out of me. At first I think I’m checking out a super attractive woman, then she takes off her sunglasses and I see Lorenzo Mata.
- Prada, Gucci, Diesel, Dolce Gabbana
Also, any kind of screen printed, patterned t-shirts and hats.
What does all this have to do with Living Uncomfortably? Not a whole lot.
I agree with most of your points.
I, however, feel that I could live in Los Angeles again, and plan to, if not just for a little bit. Although there’s lots that bothers me, I do believe it’s possible to brush much of it aside once you find a lifestyle that you can settle with. (Of course, finding a good group of people and a comfortable lifestyle in LA takes lots of work.)
On the subject of smog: you have hit one of my biggest gripes right on the head. I used to defend LA, telling people the smog isn’t as bad as they thought. Then, after spending a year straight here, I travelled to Mexico with some friends, just a few short hours from LA. I had completely forgotten how many stars are supposed to be visible in the night sky until that point.
On the subject of women: nevermind, scratch this. I don’t know how to write this without sounding sexist and aggressive. (I think I just saying that makes me sound sexist and aggressive. Fuck.)
I could go on and on. I think I’ll have to write a blog entry with my take on Los Angeles sometime.
What does your post here have to do with Living Uncomfortably? Plenty. I think living in LA is, at times, synonymous with the phrase “living uncomfortably.”