Reasons I Like Los Angeles

The other day H and I were discussing some reader comments and I asked her if I came across too negative about Los Angeles and California. She was very polite in her answer and noted I was simply pointing out the differences between the Midwest/Chicago and living in the West/Los Angeles … but she could see how things could be taken the wrong way.

After plotting thinking for a minute I talked about how California is so different than what we are used to, not bad and not good, but just different. I also rationalized that downtown LA has a long way to go if it is to become the place everyone talks about and says it is going to be.

And then I uttered the phrase, “… but there is plenty that I like about living here …” and I realized I should probably share those thoughts.

• Weather - I have talked about the weather on a number of occasions here. I mean you have to look good and hard on the Interweb to find someone who is going to complain about it not being windy and grey; wondering where the thunderstorms are and hoping and praying it will rain. I await those things because it’s what I am used to and have become accustomed to seeing and experiencing. Of course the flip side to all of this is the bright and sunny days and nights we experience each and every day here in LA. We dread taking Carter out because it is raining or snowing (both weather experiences he loves immensley) and thus we never worry about that here - it is always sunny and warm when you head out the door for a walk. Want to head to the beach? Go for a hike walk? Head to Pasadena and do some shopping? Many things will factor into your day but most likely weather will not be one of them. Friends and family will come out here over time for a vacation or a visit and we will never have to worry about a day being spoiled because of the weather. You know when you go on vacation and hope that you don’t get any days of rain or hope it isn’t cold, because you are on vacation and want a great experience? Well that is what it’s like every day here.
• Pacific Ocean - I was going to say water but someone might think I was talking about the strong flowing Los Angeles river and therefore concede I was nuts. I love the water, always have. I don’t like to swim and I don’t like to fish really. But I love the sight of water, the smell of it and the sound. Where I grew up you could walk a half-dozen blocks and be at the harbor. Go for a drive there and most likely you have to make your way around the lake. Back in Chicago we would walk along Lake Michigan all the time. I would go out of my way to drive along Lake Shore Drive so I could see the waves crashing on the rocks in the fall. And here in Los Angeles you have the ocean. The chance to walk along the beach and see the waves crash against the shore; the ability to look out and see dolphins making their way across the horizon. I love it, and can’t wait to experience it more and more.
• So Much To Do - I know that isn’t a great sub-title but hear me out. Here in Los Angeles there is so much to see and do. You can go hiking in the hills, head out to the ocean. You can get in the car and visit San Diego in just a few hours. You could head north and visit San Francisco and Seattle. And in-between there are so many things to take in. H and I keep thinking about all the places we want to see out here and know that we have a couple years at least to take it all in.

So there are things we like about Los Angeles and California, there really is. And both H and I can’t wait to experience everything we can.

But I can’t promise I won’t have some differences or questions to point out along the way.

A Few Odds and Ends

Yesterday was a little bit of everything as H and I tried to enjoy one of our few days off here in LA …

After getting out of bed on a lazy Sunday, H went to her office to get the power cord for her computer while I got a quick workout in downstairs. After meeting back at our place I proceeded to get a load of laundry going while H went downstairs to the grocery store to pick up a few things. I am not going to lie - the ability to take the elevator downstairs and walk around the corner in order to get to Ralphs is fantastic. We find that we make more frequent trips there but only purchase the things we need and use.

H wanted to get out of the house for a while before doing some work so we got in the car and drove to Manhattan Beach. Did I tell all you non-California people that it was hot here yesterday? Like 94 degrees hot. Had no problem finding parking and the beach was really cool. After buying some suntan lotion for my pale skin we walked along the beach for a while and checked things out. It was cool to watch the surfers try and catch a wave and other people just hanging out and enjoying themselves. It was all quite surreal to be honest - I mean two weeks ago we are in Chicago where it is snowing and raining and today our feet are in the Pacific Ocean.

After taking the non-highway route home I put some more stuff away while H sat down to work. Cooked some dinner on the bar-b-que, which is a great luxury to have back, before watching a little bit of television.

We both have come to the conclusion that we may need to rent a storage space. It is kind of a bummer that our building doesn’t have one, either included with the unit or one to rent, but what can you do. So today I am going to call a couple places and see how much they are. I am not thrilled with the idea of having to spend $100 a month to store Christmas decorations …

I should mention that we drove to Pasadena on Saturday, what a great little area! There were a ton of stores to check out and it wasn’t too crowded either. We will definately head back there soon!