Tuesday, March 07, 2006

Los Angeles

So, my clever boyfriend has been admitted to UCLA. This is pretty exciting because it means I can focus my life planning a bit more than before, though there are still pending applications and financial aid etc etc so the move to LA is not certain by any means.
However, I now can apartment hunt in LA with greater dedication than before, but the problem with LA is the connotations. I mean, the utter horror when the 90210 or clueless crowd had to go to 'the valley' for some sort of party. So obviously, we don't want to live in 'the valley' but what valley could they mean? Simi, san fernando, sun, there are at least half a dozen areas called 'something valley' around Los Angeles, and who knows which valley (or all valleys) is so undesirable?
And then, of course Malibu and Venice Beach are off-limits, because of the Barbie connections. I don't remember where my objections come from to Venice Beach, but I am pretty sure it has something to do with rollerblades and spandex. There's that terrible movie "Laurel Canyon," the wretched "Topanga" on Boy Meets World, "The Little Old Lady From Pasedena," and well, I don't know what Santa Monica is all about but I really hate the name "Monica." And I don't even know what to say about Hollywood, Beverly Hills, or Bel Air.
It's embarassing. I couldn't say "oh, I live in Venice Beach" without feeling like a total reject.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I spent a weekend in LA last spring, so I feel I'm more than qualified to make judgments about living there.

You should live in Silver Lake. Beck lives there, I think. I have no idea what the real estate prices are like, but the most enjoyable bar I went to in LA was there. I believe it was called the 4400 Club.

And even though LA has stigmas attached to every conceivable attachable location, I actually really liked it. There are some beautiful locales, even though you'll have to drive on a large freeway to get to them. And being near the beach is always nice.

ruth said...

actually, the reason that i have to make fun is because i am secretly very excited about the idea. i love how virtually every listing references proximity to beach, canyon & most places seem to have pools and bathrooms tiled in either teal or pink!!!
I have seen some listings for Silver Lake. Beck seems nice, so he'd be a fine enough neighbor. Based on television shows that take place in LA, I favor the L Word and thus West Hollywood, but I did see a listing for a co-op in the neighborhood that required the submission of a portfolio.

Anonymous said...

Joe and Ruth:

Beck's music may be good and he may be a nice guy, but be warned. He is a scientologist.

Have fun apartment shopping.

Shawn said...

Be warned, by moving to LA you will willingly imbed yourself into the vast web of simmering racial tension as depicted by Crash. On the plus side, you can always chill by doing interpretive dance around a flaming car.

Are any and/or all of these locations in the OC? I started watching on your recommendation. Do you share my opinion that Ryan's acting is basically bugging out his eyes and fighting and the show should really be about Seth? And Sandy should do something about his eyebrows, agreed? Normally I don't notice these kinds of things, but they're ridiculous, like they were designed by Jim Henson.

ruth said...

Well, the OC is a good deal south of LA. I don't think we want to live there. Although it does appear Chino is in our price range.
Actually, by the time I completed the second season, I grew very weary of Seth's antics. Pretty much, I hate everyone on the show except Summer. Ryan, Marissa, & Kirsten make far too many goofy-ass faces while staring off into the distance for my tastes. Nevertheless, I eagerly await the 3rd season's release on DVD.
I do not object to Sandy's eyebrows, except when he is furrowing them about a moral dilemma.

And as for Beck & Scientology, I spent much of my day reading up on the 'org' and look forward to visiting the l ron hubbard museum.

stefanie said...

okay, i'm pretty sure that i remember that in the scene in clueless when cher gets sexually harassed and stranded after that party - you know, when she has to call her dreamboat step-brother? - she's in sun valley.

and, did you know that clueless also went by the titles "i was a teenage teenager" and "no worries"? can you imagine how much less cool that movie would be with one of those titles?

jen said...

Malibu Ruth!
L.A. is pretty horrid, in any area. Chatsworth might be your safest bet, though Shadow Hills sounds mysterious and enigmatic.

Katie said...

Ruth,
Everyone has their opinions about LA and without even visting there or seeing any pictures of it that dont have a celebrity invovled I will go ahead and give it the thumbs down verdict. Although if you could get some celebrity neighbors or shop at a grocery store where they frequent I could visit you and cut down on some of the time I waste online looking up stuff about their lives (I spent 3 hours the other day looking up pictures of Britney Spears shopping at the mall...TERRIBLE!)

I think that the Venice Beach thing comes from Baywatch because thats what Im getting from it. I like the song Santa Monica. But it seems like youd have to be into heroin to live there.

Oh yeah, did I mention that I got my shirt and my cards and my pin and I love them all equally. I look the shirt to Cambodia so you can now see pictures of me and the shirt in action. White probably wasnt the most practical decision for a third-world-ish country but there was laundry at the hotel.

Katie said...

Ruth,
Everyone has their opinions about LA and without even visting there or seeing any pictures of it that dont have a celebrity invovled I will go ahead and give it the thumbs down verdict. Although if you could get some celebrity neighbors or shop at a grocery store where they frequent I could visit you and cut down on some of the time I waste online looking up stuff about their lives (I spent 3 hours the other day looking up pictures of Britney Spears shopping at the mall...TERRIBLE!)

I think that the Venice Beach thing comes from Baywatch because thats what Im getting from it. I like the song Santa Monica. But it seems like youd have to be into heroin to live there.

Oh yeah, did I mention that I got my shirt and my cards and my pin and I love them all equally. I look the shirt to Cambodia so you can now see pictures of me and the shirt in action. White probably wasnt the most practical decision for a third-world-ish country but there was laundry at the hotel.

Katie said...

oops...double the fun.

le cyber flaneur said...

omg LA blows. ugh.

le cyber flaneur said...

oh, now that i've read the other comments, i dont look like just an asshole! (i dont even like reading about LA so i skipped your article and the comments!)