Reflecting my time, not wasting a second | 6th July 2011 | 10:06 PDT
I stroll along as slowly as I possibly can, to keep the rules of relativity at bay, to keep the pace of time to an absolute minimum and to try and keep those extra few moments of bliss of basking in this contentment. I feel like I'm walking in a bubble as I walk along the Palisades amongst the joggers, domino players, painters, hula-hoopers, kid playing chase and tourists snapping the view, I've never been so connected yet so distance to one place. I've said my goodbyes to everyone I know, the people that have accepted me and made me feel apart of the Santa Monica community, and taking this last walk before my ejection process from this amazing place is almost complete.
I look out from the bluffs, on to a sun baked coastline clutching onto the edge as it sweeps around the bay, with a partially faded Santa Monica Pier in the distance. The sea mist is starting to roll in and seems to be surrounding just me, as it slowly fades out Los Angeles, like these once positive and always-open doors of opportunity are now slowly shutting on me and my scope of what I can do here, the chasing of dreams and exploration has come to an end.
What a fucking incredible time here though, there is no reason to be down, everyday has brought its fantastic frolics, something new and exciting to be involved and submerged within this city, things I never thought would ever happen or even start to dream up. That road trip of super-concentrated adventure and life changing scenery and experiences - then on the flip-side, even the mundane stuff, like working in a Starbucks was still fun and enjoyable. Everything brought a smile to my face.
I can't look at this view any more. It's getting to me and making me upset, this whole area has been so kind, accommodating, friendly, accepting and generally brilliant to me, I really couldn't ask for anything more (well, perhaps a Green Card). All I see as I look around me are shadows of those good moments in time replaying themselves over and over again, as the light fades up on them, they waste away and slowly get forgotten.
Time has slowly worked its way to shrink my available options of what I can see and do for one last time, there's only one last thing for me to do, call a cab to the airport.
A single tear falls. Hitting the sand below. Creating a scanty crater. Vanishing in an instant. Like my time here. My Los Angeles blip. Boomed my bearings about. Stumbling upon something stunning.
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| (via girlfromthehills.wordpress.com) |
What a fucking incredible time here though, there is no reason to be down, everyday has brought its fantastic frolics, something new and exciting to be involved and submerged within this city, things I never thought would ever happen or even start to dream up. That road trip of super-concentrated adventure and life changing scenery and experiences - then on the flip-side, even the mundane stuff, like working in a Starbucks was still fun and enjoyable. Everything brought a smile to my face.
I can't look at this view any more. It's getting to me and making me upset, this whole area has been so kind, accommodating, friendly, accepting and generally brilliant to me, I really couldn't ask for anything more (well, perhaps a Green Card). All I see as I look around me are shadows of those good moments in time replaying themselves over and over again, as the light fades up on them, they waste away and slowly get forgotten.
Time has slowly worked its way to shrink my available options of what I can see and do for one last time, there's only one last thing for me to do, call a cab to the airport.
A single tear falls. Hitting the sand below. Creating a scanty crater. Vanishing in an instant. Like my time here. My Los Angeles blip. Boomed my bearings about. Stumbling upon something stunning.
Almost time | 5th July 2011 | 23:59 PDT
Don't want to talk about tomorrow when, there's so much left to enjoy today.
Brace yourself | 4th July 2011 | 22:54 PDT
Celebrate America Day!
It began like the beginning of any other today that begins in this way, the sun shined, the skies blued, the horizon horizontally stayed horizontal, except for when I tripped up on a tree branch and it horizontally became vertical.
Later that day, I was meant to be partying in Hollywood with an old school friend but she partied too much the night before and bailed. I had already got a bus at this point, so I ended up walking 20 or so blocks back to Santa Monica, en route I thought, I may as well grab a drink in an English pub - seeing as that is where I had my first pint when I arrived, so to create a full circle.
I got in, order a beer and sit down and start writing on my phone and this guy keeps looking over at me and breaking my concentration, I try to ignore him and decide when I finish my beer, I'll look over and deter him from looking at me by giving him a "This is a detering look".
I finish this beer in front of me, having this persistent presence like a parrot poking my profile though out. I place my phone down and look up and across to prepare, shock and awe this person as I look over and give a "What do you want!" kind of face ... I hadn't really expected and embraced myself for what would happen next.
There this guy was, looking straight at me - Keither Sutherland, he was talking in the midst of half listening to another person I recognised but, don't know his name. Like a cow in the headlights all I can really do now, is nod. So, I not at him with a "Shit, you're kind of famous aren't you" kind of nod and he nods back. I don't easily get starstruck, mainly because I've no idea who most these people are.
I get up to get another drink at the bar, I was still in shock due to being unprepared and couldn't really escape his gaze for more than a few seconds as I also kept looking back at him (which thinking about it now, is payback). I needed this situation to be "less awkward" so I gesture if he wants a drink with the international symbol of drinking, and he accepts saying "Jamesons?" - "OK"
I deliver drinks for him and his mate, he thanks me and we chat for a bit about general things was a really short chat, and go back to my chair for a beer that every time I go to have a sip gets shaken through supersonic vibrations driven by nerves.
I leave there sharing another nod with my mate KS.
It began like the beginning of any other today that begins in this way, the sun shined, the skies blued, the horizon horizontally stayed horizontal, except for when I tripped up on a tree branch and it horizontally became vertical.
Later that day, I was meant to be partying in Hollywood with an old school friend but she partied too much the night before and bailed. I had already got a bus at this point, so I ended up walking 20 or so blocks back to Santa Monica, en route I thought, I may as well grab a drink in an English pub - seeing as that is where I had my first pint when I arrived, so to create a full circle.
I got in, order a beer and sit down and start writing on my phone and this guy keeps looking over at me and breaking my concentration, I try to ignore him and decide when I finish my beer, I'll look over and deter him from looking at me by giving him a "This is a detering look".
 |
| Then I'll get my shotgun out and shoot him in the face (via neofilm.files.wordpress.com) |
There this guy was, looking straight at me - Keither Sutherland, he was talking in the midst of half listening to another person I recognised but, don't know his name. Like a cow in the headlights all I can really do now, is nod. So, I not at him with a "Shit, you're kind of famous aren't you" kind of nod and he nods back. I don't easily get starstruck, mainly because I've no idea who most these people are.
 |
| Quit looking at me! (via comcast.net) |
I deliver drinks for him and his mate, he thanks me and we chat for a bit about general things was a really short chat, and go back to my chair for a beer that every time I go to have a sip gets shaken through supersonic vibrations driven by nerves.
I leave there sharing another nod with my mate KS.
Long Days Filled with Fun Don't Seem so Long | 4th July 2011 | 05:23 PDT
It was time for me to go a party at a restaurant called The Curious Palate, I had been invited to by the owner the day before when we met at the mall/nightclub Santa Monica Place. I turned up and sit up at the bar and look around at the bustling atmosphere and the volume of servers running around for such a tiny establishment - I spoke to the owner and mentioned it was my birthday weekend (as he told me to remind him of the previous day) and he disappears.
Moments pass and he returns - 3 taster plates of gourmet BBQ consisting of; spiced brown sugar yucca fries, Cajun coleslaw, crawfish and chorizo potato salad, Carolina style BBQ ribs, Fijian albacore, smoked apple sauce, mojo glazed pork pincho's and chimichurri rubbed hanger steak. I've no idea what any of that was, but it was delicious and with the 2 pints of supplied sangria, I was having a marvellous time, gobbling down food, gabbling to folk whilst gulping refreshments.
After a few hours of this, I had to head off to my next planned bit of fun, so I call his attention and ask for the bill, "Don't worry about it, Happy Birthday" "That's awesome, thank you very much!" and I got picked up by my comedian friend at the early time of 10pm and we drove off into the forest thick of the Los Angeles urban jungle.
Picking up a movie star along the way, first stop Woods - this bar was like walking into a contemporary Canadian cabin made of cedar. Sinking beers and chatting shit, things were going well but thanks to a Goth DJ at the auditory helm, the atmosphere was equal to that of a morgue.
Solution was found at another bar called Bar1200, throwing a drink down us while were waiting for this model to join our band of merry men. We got liquor supplies and drove to the next and final location.
So, there was a comedian, model, actor and... me. We were negotiating through the maze and complications that are these high altitude roads within the Hollywood hills, the construction workers must've just made it all up as they went along, GPS made navigation almost a non-issue.
I was told a story by the one of the guys about, how parties in the hills used to be found in the good old days. You'd go to a liquid store, get out your car and head to the far end of the parking lot. There'll be a guy wearing a string vest, purple trousers and a moustache. Go up to him and say "I like to put fish in my ears and dance the funky chicken, naked" that's the password, in return he'll give you directions to a party, which would normally end up being a few doors up.
We arrive to this door in a wall with greenery littering the entrance, the door opens to an inside/outside porch the size of a retirement bungalow, walking into this half castle/half English manor house, decorated in a mixture of white walls, dark wood, crystal vases, finest silver and chandeliers. We walk down a limestone turret to be met with a library room with cliché winged chair and fireplace to match. Taking the exit route through a wall through to the garden with the most impressive, jaw dropping, view over a night time LA, with visibility so good, I could see as far as San Diego, in the garden token pool, jacuzzi, fire pit and kitchen.
We all sat around the firepit and the conversation turned to our hostess and the house.
"Do you live here?"
"Yeah, I grew up here"
"Where are the owners?"
"My parents, they're in London watching the some tennis final"
"Oh cool, what do you have to do in life, to live in a house like this"
"My dad's in some band"
"Which one?"
"He's in this 80s band that sang about having a desire or craving for sustenance similar to a carnivorous mammals of the dog family and pertaining to an involuntary response to a stimulus"
"..." <- shock and silence "...Sounds neat"
430am rolled around and we left this fantasy land we briefly lived in for these few hours, one day that'll be me and it shall be mine, one day...
Moments pass and he returns - 3 taster plates of gourmet BBQ consisting of; spiced brown sugar yucca fries, Cajun coleslaw, crawfish and chorizo potato salad, Carolina style BBQ ribs, Fijian albacore, smoked apple sauce, mojo glazed pork pincho's and chimichurri rubbed hanger steak. I've no idea what any of that was, but it was delicious and with the 2 pints of supplied sangria, I was having a marvellous time, gobbling down food, gabbling to folk whilst gulping refreshments.
 |
| I didn't get any pictures of the food, so this will have to do (via flevoland.to) |
Picking up a movie star along the way, first stop Woods - this bar was like walking into a contemporary Canadian cabin made of cedar. Sinking beers and chatting shit, things were going well but thanks to a Goth DJ at the auditory helm, the atmosphere was equal to that of a morgue.
Solution was found at another bar called Bar1200, throwing a drink down us while were waiting for this model to join our band of merry men. We got liquor supplies and drove to the next and final location.
 |
| Like this, but with a Goth in the corner and more wood (via southernliving.com) |
I was told a story by the one of the guys about, how parties in the hills used to be found in the good old days. You'd go to a liquid store, get out your car and head to the far end of the parking lot. There'll be a guy wearing a string vest, purple trousers and a moustache. Go up to him and say "I like to put fish in my ears and dance the funky chicken, naked" that's the password, in return he'll give you directions to a party, which would normally end up being a few doors up.
 |
| Oh, you crazy loon (via meghanmorrison.com) |
 |
| Just your usual inside fountain, tucked away in the corner |
"Do you live here?"
"Yeah, I grew up here"
"Where are the owners?"
"My parents, they're in London watching the some tennis final"
"Oh cool, what do you have to do in life, to live in a house like this"
"My dad's in some band"
"Which one?"
"He's in this 80s band that sang about having a desire or craving for sustenance similar to a carnivorous mammals of the dog family and pertaining to an involuntary response to a stimulus"
"..." <- shock and silence "...Sounds neat"
430am rolled around and we left this fantasy land we briefly lived in for these few hours, one day that'll be me and it shall be mine, one day...
Space Used for More Than One Thing? | 2nd July 2011 | 23:50 PDT
I look blankly at a blank wall. I'm thinking to myself "there must be SOMETHING, I can do with my night" - but it was already 10pm and my initial plans were destroyed due to an illness of my city compatriot.
I was still feeling partially tired and confused with my inner self from the previous night and was unable to read what I wanted to do... Eventually, my body gained clarity and volume and whispered "hot food!"
Yes. that is what I was missing from my life, some whole lot of wholesome food. Eager to leave my fortress of safety (leaving my camera and phone in the process) to brave the "night" - as it wasn't actually dark due to the brilliance of light pollution, there was no bravery to be found in the end, it just was and I walk to the Promenade.
I was taken aback, this place was still vibrant and energetic as the clock was whirling towards 11, shops were open, the street filled with people, the light design thrown on trees had completely changed the whole personality of this area, street performers, musicians, soap box political bandits, charity workers, everything
The best entertainment by far was when a spontaneous band formed as members of the public kept on turning up with instruments to join this, initially alone, saxophone player to create this massive jam session of noise that just seemed to work together.
The worst "entertainment" was a guy, with a small monkey on a leash. The monkey was looking distraught and members of the public seemed to be loving this animal being in pain and taunting it, I should have turned into the Hulk broken this guy's fingers and thrown him into tar pit. Makes me sick some people think they're better than animals and abuse them.
..And breathe..
With that done, I reached Santa Monica Place, an outside multi-tiered mall that was the quiet after the storm or... it should've been, because it appears that public spaces around here are multifunctional. The mall was again filled with people even though shops were shut. I'm used to: you will party here, shop here, eat here at one designated place for eat activity between these two times.
These mix-aged revellers were even using those weirdly placed awkward chairs interior designers use to fill up awkward gaps within the architecture and amidst all this, an audio ambience of tame drum and bass being played over the speakers, no one was dancing but this place stripped off its suit of day and has become a nightclub.
I think it was just amazing that people use, respect and enjoy the same area in its many different forms, I don't know many places that could pull this off, I imagine the weather and ease to stay in one place and not having to drive, helps this unique entertainment oasis.
I was still feeling partially tired and confused with my inner self from the previous night and was unable to read what I wanted to do... Eventually, my body gained clarity and volume and whispered "hot food!"
Yes. that is what I was missing from my life, some whole lot of wholesome food. Eager to leave my fortress of safety (leaving my camera and phone in the process) to brave the "night" - as it wasn't actually dark due to the brilliance of light pollution, there was no bravery to be found in the end, it just was and I walk to the Promenade.
 |
| Santa Monica Promenade mere minutes from midnight (via inetours.com) |
The best entertainment by far was when a spontaneous band formed as members of the public kept on turning up with instruments to join this, initially alone, saxophone player to create this massive jam session of noise that just seemed to work together.
The worst "entertainment" was a guy, with a small monkey on a leash. The monkey was looking distraught and members of the public seemed to be loving this animal being in pain and taunting it, I should have turned into the Hulk broken this guy's fingers and thrown him into tar pit. Makes me sick some people think they're better than animals and abuse them.
 |
| Relevant because the guy was the size of a elephant (via destination360.com) |
With that done, I reached Santa Monica Place, an outside multi-tiered mall that was the quiet after the storm or... it should've been, because it appears that public spaces around here are multifunctional. The mall was again filled with people even though shops were shut. I'm used to: you will party here, shop here, eat here at one designated place for eat activity between these two times.
These mix-aged revellers were even using those weirdly placed awkward chairs interior designers use to fill up awkward gaps within the architecture and amidst all this, an audio ambience of tame drum and bass being played over the speakers, no one was dancing but this place stripped off its suit of day and has become a nightclub.
 |
| My livelihood is to be leisurely lethal! (via retro-cafe.com) |
Life... You Crazy Sonuvabitch! | 2nd July 2011 | 01:33 PDT
Today, I was happy taking my time with life.
Today, life can just wait for me.
Walking down the promenade, I see this guy mouthing my name and staring at me, I wasn't too phased by this as everyone looks at everyone else here, the mouthing I simply put down to, a lucky guess and I continue my walk. Immediately afterwards, I receive a text from someone I met at a divorce party I went to. Then it dawned on me, the guy looking at me, was him!
I go say hi to him who's with another divorce party goer and we start drinking, if I remember rightly it was 2pm, which is way too early for Jagermeister... we did them anyway.
- Somehow... venue changed... to a brilliant apartment overlooking, Century City, Downtown and Venice Beach - with drinking, music, drinking, singing, drinking, chilling, drinking, laughing, drinking...
- Three hours passed, its dark and I open my eye to wake up from my 2:58 hour coma of fighting the effects of much alcohol and the desire to throw up (I lost the latter battle)
- We head down to Abbott Kinney road for "First Friday" (a carnival-esque atmosphere that occurs on the first Friday of the month, It's littered with people, alcohol and food carts) Unfortunately, due to my self-destruction earlier, we missed out on bulk of the action but, caught the tail end of this immense fun atmosphere.
- We head for the beach but never made it, as tiredness hit the people and alcohol filtered through their veins a fight broke out within the group over some minor politics.
- When I gave up trying to help, I got talking to these two girls and was invited to a nearby party (through the doorway where the fight was happening) at that moment, I entered the party, a magical rastafarian came from nowhere and magically broke up the fight in a instant.
- The party was rubbish because Red Hot Chili Peppers were playing on the speakers, so I got a cab home and I promptly hit the sack
Today, seems like life won't be waiting for me.
Today, seems like life wanted to sucker punch me instead.
Today, life can just wait for me.
Walking down the promenade, I see this guy mouthing my name and staring at me, I wasn't too phased by this as everyone looks at everyone else here, the mouthing I simply put down to, a lucky guess and I continue my walk. Immediately afterwards, I receive a text from someone I met at a divorce party I went to. Then it dawned on me, the guy looking at me, was him!
I go say hi to him who's with another divorce party goer and we start drinking, if I remember rightly it was 2pm, which is way too early for Jagermeister... we did them anyway.
 |
| Vanilla Ice wasn't there, but his spirit was with me as I sang along to Ice Ice Baby (via en.wikipedia.org) |
- Three hours passed, its dark and I open my eye to wake up from my 2:58 hour coma of fighting the effects of much alcohol and the desire to throw up (I lost the latter battle)
- We head down to Abbott Kinney road for "First Friday" (a carnival-esque atmosphere that occurs on the first Friday of the month, It's littered with people, alcohol and food carts) Unfortunately, due to my self-destruction earlier, we missed out on bulk of the action but, caught the tail end of this immense fun atmosphere.
- We head for the beach but never made it, as tiredness hit the people and alcohol filtered through their veins a fight broke out within the group over some minor politics.
- When I gave up trying to help, I got talking to these two girls and was invited to a nearby party (through the doorway where the fight was happening) at that moment, I entered the party, a magical rastafarian came from nowhere and magically broke up the fight in a instant.
- The party was rubbish because Red Hot Chili Peppers were playing on the speakers, so I got a cab home and I promptly hit the sack
Today, seems like life won't be waiting for me.
Today, seems like life wanted to sucker punch me instead.
 |
| BAM! Right in the kisser (via illpunchyouintheface.com) |
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