Musings on the Lawn

Last week I was back in good old Los Angeles for a visit.  It was the first time I’d been back since I moved almost 6 months before, so it was kind of a big deal.  It was wonderful to visit and see all my friends and family and soak up some sun, but I must say, next time I’ll plan a less full itinerary.  I did the amount of socializing in one week that I would have done in a month, and I wore myself out.

One day where I did rest and relax was my trip to the Getty Center.  It’s an art museum high on a hill with gorgeous architecture, carefully designed gardens, and grounds that are perfect for lounging and reading.    The Getty Center is a place that can easily be bullshitty, but somehow isn’t.  I met up with my friend Misha to see the Herb Ritts exhibit (LA people: go see this!  It’s fantastic) but I beat her there by a few hours so had some time to chill out.  In a random burst of inspiration, I scribbled down some life notes that I found interesting.  I’m trying to make creativity more of a habit in my life and take more advantage of these random bursts of inspiration.  It’s good stuff, that inspiration!

Anyway, sorry for the detour but this is what I was thinking and feeling at the time:

– Saw Jack White at the Wiltern last night (for those of you who haven’t met me in person, I’m really into Jack White).  From the moment he took the stage, I started screaming my head off like a teenager seeing the Beatles.  Now I’m at the Getty, alone, half content/half lonely, daydreaming about meeting Jack White, falling madly in lust, being whisked off to Nashville for romantic trysts.  Romantic trysts with a rock star, and one of the greatest musicians known to man.  I’m hopeless – and just a little creepy.

– The Getty is quiet today.  School groups (one from my high school included), families, tourists, old people.  Expensive as hell parking.  Why did I come here?  Oh yeah – it’s beautiful!  And Herb Ritts!  I love me some elegant fashion photography.  I love relaxing on the lawn by the curving stone wall.  The size of the stones remind me of an ancient castle.  It always makes me feel like I’m at a medieval garden party.

– Started reading The House of Mirth.  I’ve missed classic literature.  I’m paying quite attention to when and where it was written (1905, USA) and it actually is making a big impact on the reading experience.  I don’t have one iota of pity for the main character, Lily Bart.  I find her selfish,  spoiled, and immature in her quest for a rich man so she can continue her exorbitant lifestyle.  But the thing is I don’t think you are supposed to.  She is presented as being a real person, with her many quirks and flaws.  I imagine this type of woman was probably quite common in New York at this time.

– I was really worried coming back to LA for a visit would make me miss it here and want to come back.  The glorious thing is – it really doesn’t!  There’s many things here I don’t need, like traffic and expensive parking and freeways and ridiculous old people at the Getty and the valley and the heat.  ‘course, I haven’t yet seen Le Quad, the Jew Crew or my parents, and let’s face it, those are the big things for me here.  But it’s truly empowering to have discovered that I don’t need LA and can easily go other places.  However, I have raised the question: what the hell am I doing with my life and where do I need to be?  My current aspirations of a makeup artist or costume designer may lend themselves more easily to LA or NY.  That said though, I definitely have not yet discovered all that SF has for me.  And as far as Sephora goes, I think it’s the best place to be.  So for now, I think it’s good and I’m very happy being there.

After that day making these notes I did go on to see all the people mentioned and do a lot of fun things in LA.  Mini-golf, movie night at John’s, tea with the Jew Crew, sushi more than once. . .

It’s nice to get away and clear you head, even if it is to return to where you’ve grown up.

Good Luck and Happy Travels,

Mo