Life in LA

I used to be one of those native New Yorkers who had always expressed their hatred for LA whenever the opportunity came up. I didn't understand the relentless sun, the car culture, the strip malls, etc. I always thought that I would live in NY forever. It was my home, my first love, my heart. Only one thing could've taken me away from beloved NYC... him.

That was three years ago. Now, I can't imagine moving back. Since then I learned that life was bigger than NYC. That it didn't matter where you lived but who you lived with. I didn't matter if I was in LA, NY, TX, or KY. As long as I was in good company, I would be happy.

I still think about NY from time to time. The fireflies in the summer nights. Watching snowflakes fall inbetween tall buildings, illuminated by the bright city lights in the dead of winter. Randomly bumping into people you know on the street and making plans to meet up with them later. Making friends on your daily commute because you see the same people on the subway/ferry/bus. Red onions and sauerkraut on a hot dog (They don't have that here!) Taking your lunch break at Central/Bryant/Union Square Park. Stolen kisses at The Planetarium. The way the city looks from Hoboken's point of view.

LA has it's charms, too. Hummingbirds in your front yard. The sweet smell of night blooming jasmine lingering in the air. Taking naps on the perfectly manicured lawns at The Getty. Watching double-feature movies from the bed of a pick-up truck at the Drive-In. Picnics at Malibu Beach on weekends. Midnight movies at The Nuart. Disneyland.

I started this blog so that I could share my experiences with my friends, family, loved ones, and anyone else who is curious about my life in LA. It's also an experiment, an excuse to exercise my writing/photography/design/animation/communication skills. I hope that you will be entertained.

So, let us begin with a little look into my private life.


This has been my home for two years now. I share my home with my boyfriend, two cats and one big dog. We live in Highland Park. It's a neighborhood that is inbetween Downtown LA and Pasadena. Our block is quiet, although occasionally you can hear gunshots fired in the middle of the night. Our area used to be called The Black Hole because of all the drug addicts and dealers who lived in the neighborhood. Notice the bars on our windows, the metal caged door, and gated fence? Our house is protected like a fort, even though there is no need for that kind of protection now.


This is what our house looks like from the inside. One bedroom, one bathroom with a separate tub and shower, living room, kitchen, dining area, utility room with washer and dryer. Lots of storage space, as you can see. Still, we have too many things. Eventually, I would like to display all my collectible items properly on shelves and put up original artwork on our walls but that kind of stuff takes time and money, so those things will have to wait.


This is my favorite part of the house, the kitchen. Our kitchen is well stocked with every piece of equipment imaginable. Kitchen Aid? Check. Ice Cream Maker? Yep. Fish poacher? Got it. Our house came with the Cadilac of antique stoves, a 1940's mint green Gaffer & Staffler. It has a rotisserie oven, a standard oven, a griddle, an automatic shut off timer on a burner (perfect for making tea), and a temperature degree control burner (perfect for making candies). I am in love with it so.


This is our driveway. Our house is not actually a house, but a triplex. In NY, a triplex is a three-story apartment. In LA, a triplex is a three-unit apartment complex. We're lucky to have really awesome neighbors. They are the kind of neighbors that will leave a bag of tennis balls at your door because they know your giant dog is obsessed with them.


She is 108 lbs of WOOF! Anyone who tries to break into our house is stupid. She will destroy you with her jaws of steel.


This is what our back lot looks like. Only one of the three garages is available for our use. This is where I shoot all my stop-motion shorts. I can only shoot at night when it is dark because the light leaks are pretty bad. I've always wanted to host a mini film festival of animated shorts in the back lot. I have a collection of 16mm shorts that I have collected over the years. All I need is a good 16mm projector and a large white sheet to project the films on. Kids and dogs are invited.


See this dirty shit-brown car. It's mine and I love it! This car got handed down to me for free from my boss' wife so I have no complaints. The honk and the turn signals don't work and the foam in the interiors are all rotted out. I thought about submitting my car to MTV's Pimp My Ride but I don't think I want to go there. I'd rather stick to driving my shit-brown car. I might just make it a personal project and mod it myself. I've already purchased a Weezer license plate frame to make it more "me". But first, I need to work on getting my learner's permit so that I can learn how to drive it.

So you are probably wondering, "If you can't drive, how do you get around in LA?" The LA MTA, of course!

Fortunately for me, our house is within walking distance of the Metro Gold Line. The Gold Line is probably the best rail to ride because the views are amazing. It runs between Downtown LA and Pasadena. Most of the places I frequent the most are along the Gold Line stops, so it is especially convenient for me.


This image is part of the path I take on my way to The Gold Line. I always feel like Alice In Wonderland whenever I walk under these trees. It is a daily reminder that LA is loaded with hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. You just have to go out and find them.


On the other side of the path is our local public park. It runs alongside Figueroa Street, which is part of Historic Route 66.


This is my beloved Gold Line. I would not survive this town without it. Can you see the mountains in the distance? Turn around and you will be able to see the gorgeous view of Highland Park:



Life is pretty good. Hope you will come visit me one day.