L.A. Story
I’ve never been an L.A. kind of girl. In an east coast/west coast battle I always knew which side I’d be on. Maybe it’s that New Yorkers have what a friend of mine calls “edge” — we’d take that to mean we’re cool, though I think others would interpret it to mean we’re too wound up. It’s easy to be happy all the time when you live in 80 degree, sunny weather all year round. It’s not unreasonable to be cranky when the winters are frigid and the summers are humid. And I’m not even talking about Seasonal Affective Disorder. Hey, between the footwear ruined by snow and the frizzy hair in August, we’ve got a lot to complain about.
Of course, every time I go to L.A. during the winter, my resolve wavers just a little bit. I mean, wearing sandals in February will do that to you. There was something about walking around in the sun (and yes, I know, that makes me a freak to be walking around in L.A.) that made me feel like I just might not be so doughy from a couple of months of not enough sleep or exercise but way too much comfort food. It was nice to feel the need to get a pedicure. No heavy coats, no hat head! Could it be true? Do I really… could I really… could it be that I love L.A.?
Then again, can you imagine how stressful it would be to have to be in swimsuit shape all year round?
Bah, L.A. is so overrated.
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February 10th, 2006 17:42
You make good points. I’ve lived in various and sundry US weather situations (Chicagoland, New England, Colorado, southern California). There are great bits about each place. I prefer everywhere else to southern California, however, for just the reason you cite: having to be in swimsuit shape all year long. The pressure here to look perfect and homogenous is intense. At best, it’s an incentive to try to stay healthy, and at worst it can feel soul-crushing and demoralizing. Even if one looks good, one can find 10 other girls within a stone’s throw who look better. The value placed on looks here has always boggled my mind. I just try to stay in good health and forget the rest. I’ve found that in the other parts of the country where I’ve lived, looks have their place in the dating game, driving people to look their best, but what people really seem to value are intelligence, honesty and integrity. Now there’s a thought.
February 11th, 2006 10:35
I’m a S. Californian, currently visiting family in Louisville, KY where it is 30 degrees! Give me 80 and sunny over this stuff any day!
I suppose that because I don’t live nor work in the stereotypical parts of S. California, I don’t deal with the “beautiful people”…um… ever. So the need to stay in shape/look beautiful doesn’t affect me… That means my California just consists of fantastic weather, great friends, and as much suede as I want–no rain to spoil my footwear or pink suede 3/4 length coat!! LOL
February 11th, 2006 14:38
I may not have the perfect body, but I do wear some rockin’ shoes! Oh yeah, and as e says, intelligence, honesty and integrity (did I not preserve my shoe karma?) count too! Spacegeek, maybe you’ve found the perfect place. I’m half hoping that this Nor’easter keeps me stranded in LA for just a couple more days… I did bring enough shoes to last the week!
February 11th, 2006 18:00
You preserved your shoe karma well, as always.
Say, I recently saw a piece on your book in some mag; I can’t remember which one. I thought to myself: “That’s got to be the same girl–the girl who has the ‘Haute’ blog/web site? Look at all those red shoes piled up, just like the masthead on that site!” Then, a few days later I saw your clever little post about the book. I can’t wait to pick it up. I really enjoy your writing and will look forward to more and lengthier missives.
And listen, if you didn’t bring enough shoes for the weather here this week, well, you can always buy MORE!
February 12th, 2006 06:40
L.A. is soooo overrated. I went there for school and ended up staying for a couple of years. Now I’m happily situated in San Francisco where the weather not as nice but the social climate is much much better.
Nice blog, btw. I love your shoe collection.
February 12th, 2006 16:49
We just got about a foot of snow in the DC area and you wanna know what’s overrated? snow. I’m waiting for the saint of relo package to get me back to the West Coast.