During the years my wife and I regularly drove up the coast route to the Bay Area and points north, we'd talk about moving to Santa Barbara, or San Luis Obispo, or Monterey, or whatever idyllic city (compared to L.A.) we were passing through. But here we are, in the same city, the same Venice house we've owned for forty years, and unlikely to go anywhere before we're carried through the door feet first.
Still here, still loving the crazy juxtaposition of cutural beauty of many kinds and heartbreaking challenges. Bruce and I on the couch right now recovering from a brunch with friends in Studio City followed by a visit to The Broad with free 4th of July entrance to the Yoko Ono interactive exhibit (the only thing we needed to see and we ran into old friends so shared a bit of it with them). Then a spontaneous decision to check out the 4th of July celebration that was just getting underway in Gloria Molina Park. High security and excellent vibes, and only 24 minutes for the drive home!
The city of Los Angeles always exemplified an extraordinary dichotomy. I had a taste of the city in 1961 when I spent three semesters at UCLA. Of course, campus living is not the same kind of working living. I wasn't ready to keep going. Besides, I completed all my drama classes over those three semesters and was desperate to plan a PhD program at Berkeley (in the 60s) for my chosen profession. I spent 3 semesters studying, met a man, married him, and ended up in Las Vegas in 1964. Another story; another adventure. Twenty years later, I returned to Los Angeles and went to film school. I spent 30 years living in a city I loved and respected. I always said that you could be anyone you wanted to be, achieve what you wanted, and find joy through it all. But, like you, Arthur, it came to an end. With respect and with gratitude, I left for Austin, Texas, and another adventure. I still hold dear my 30 years in West LA, Venice, Pasadena, Altadena, and I circled back to my home base on the Westside. The traffic was worth it for me because the end result was a life I wanted to live.
During the years my wife and I regularly drove up the coast route to the Bay Area and points north, we'd talk about moving to Santa Barbara, or San Luis Obispo, or Monterey, or whatever idyllic city (compared to L.A.) we were passing through. But here we are, in the same city, the same Venice house we've owned for forty years, and unlikely to go anywhere before we're carried through the door feet first.
Deeply rooted.
Still here, still loving the crazy juxtaposition of cutural beauty of many kinds and heartbreaking challenges. Bruce and I on the couch right now recovering from a brunch with friends in Studio City followed by a visit to The Broad with free 4th of July entrance to the Yoko Ono interactive exhibit (the only thing we needed to see and we ran into old friends so shared a bit of it with them). Then a spontaneous decision to check out the 4th of July celebration that was just getting underway in Gloria Molina Park. High security and excellent vibes, and only 24 minutes for the drive home!
Soldiering on in LA. Bravo!
Thanks for reminding me about what I love and hate about LA❤️😡❤️
The city of Los Angeles always exemplified an extraordinary dichotomy. I had a taste of the city in 1961 when I spent three semesters at UCLA. Of course, campus living is not the same kind of working living. I wasn't ready to keep going. Besides, I completed all my drama classes over those three semesters and was desperate to plan a PhD program at Berkeley (in the 60s) for my chosen profession. I spent 3 semesters studying, met a man, married him, and ended up in Las Vegas in 1964. Another story; another adventure. Twenty years later, I returned to Los Angeles and went to film school. I spent 30 years living in a city I loved and respected. I always said that you could be anyone you wanted to be, achieve what you wanted, and find joy through it all. But, like you, Arthur, it came to an end. With respect and with gratitude, I left for Austin, Texas, and another adventure. I still hold dear my 30 years in West LA, Venice, Pasadena, Altadena, and I circled back to my home base on the Westside. The traffic was worth it for me because the end result was a life I wanted to live.
Didn’t know a PhD had been in your plans. Hard to image you as an academic.