A Detour Today, On Being An Angeleno and Living in La La Land
I am an Angeleno. Born here yet have lived in other places in California too. I have a hillside perspective today but I have had an ocean view too. This is a pretty diverse place. In geography. In demographics. In lifestyle. And, believe me, not everyone is blonde and tanned either although generalities about Los Angeles continue.
And despite living outside the city limits at times, I was often identified as a Los Angeles resident even when my driver license stated otherwise. I left the state for the other coast yet it was often simpler to be introduced as “from Los Angeles”. And like the swallows who return to Mission San Juan Capistrano each spring, which by the way is also not in Los Angeles, I eventually came back too.
Recently I attended the opening of La La Land. It’s the new movie starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Music. Dancing. Some romance. Suspended reality to be sure. Incredible cinematography to say the least. It may not be your taste but since I enjoy movies and this city, it was a film that has been on my radar since I first read about it some time ago.
But this is not a movie review, per se, and although I did like it(a lot) it served as a reminder of the many things I enjoy about this place. Home. Except without the dancing and singing in this screenplay of mine called life.
In the movie, there are scenes near my neighborhood. The currently shuttered Rialto theatre and the stores, restaurants and other businesses along South Fair Oaks Avenue in South Pasadena. The Colorado Street Bridge nearby in Pasadena. The Griffith Observatory in Los Feliz. And more. Lots more. Maybe familiar to you too. And, since this is a story about Los Angeles - you will see a freeway scene like nothing before.
Movies can serve as escapism. Or a time to think...reflect. Other things can do the same, of course. But this is Hollywood(more or less) and this post was inspired by a movie. And living in La La Land. Thank you for indulging me with this short detour today.
Published: December 18, 2016
A Detour Today, On Being An Angeleno and Living in La La Land
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