Strawberry Fields

I learned a new slang term here in LA... "Strawberry" aka a woman who sells sex and blow jobs for crack or to get money for crack or LSD.

In talking about getting sex, my room mate spoke of the recovering addicts in downtown LA as "Rebuilt Strawberries". Heh.

Los Angeles, in my opinion is a feminine city, not a masculine city like New York. And the term "Rebuilt Strawberry" applies SO well to the city.

I finished reading "The memoirs of a Hollywood SuperMadam", where Jody "BabyDol" Gibson recounts her days running escort services for LA's rich and mighty, naming names. What shocked me was that she never had to recruit women in LA - they came to HER, and the list of actresses, models and the like that worked for her would boggle the mind. The rotating cast of women on "Two and a Half Men" should give one an idea of the type of women she employed as contractors.

But it clarified a lot of the things I saw and people I met in LA. "Rebuilt Strawberry" fits.

MacArthur Park sunset

MacArthur Park sunset, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Boots in Little Tokyo

Boots in Little Tokyo, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

They were attracting a LOT of attention.

Near and Far

I had a dream that had someone Ive never met, but known online for a few years was in it.

Weird. And I think this same person was in a dream of mine before. Very weird. Particularly since she isnt even in the country.

This got me to thinking about the different people Ive had the privilege to meet, and not met after having known them online.

I am, by nature, on the reclusive side, so I add people to my life grudgingly and rarely bother with the socializing. However, if Ive known someone for over a year say, I tend to consider them a friend with rights and loyalty accorded. To a certain extent, I do that with people Ive met over the Internet, but Im more wary about them. I've learned they are essentially strangers who just happen to know more about me than the average person. Until you have that eye to eye, see them, smell thenm and eyeball their quirks, you can never really truly get to know people.

Over the years, I have met several of these folk in the flesh. Most are who they seem to be, but with the additional subtext of interacting in the flesh. I can think of one who has become a good friend "in real life", but thats about it. There are some Ive never met, and may not ever meet, but I consider them trusted friends, but it is unlikely we will ever meet in person, primarily because of distance.

That said, if it werent for the folk Ive met online - I wouldve never gotten onto this crazy ride Im on... :)

Hanging with the Yams

Hanging with the Yams, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Why a Mental Health Day in LA counts as a medical emergency

While living in Berkeley years ago, a friend from LA looked at me as if I were crazy when I told him I planned on going to LA.

"People there are ASS-holes."

Turned out he knew a little of what he was talking about.

Spoke to him on chat today, giving him a summarization of my experiences here.

Me: LA isnt all bad, but its most definitely a different state of mind. Your words kept resonating in my head.

Steve: I tried to warn you. Don't get me wrong there are some good people there but it is so much about appearances and materialism and who you can say who you know in show Biz.

----

Ive been in LA for six months now, and Im taking a break from the place.It is amazing to go to a place that is so brutal mentally that people crack under the pressure.

I havent cracked, but Ive taken too many blows to the head here. So much so - I need a break.

Heh, so Im going to Vegas for a mental break.

Doc's orders. :)

It is so bad here that the welfare people here will exempt you from their requirements if they feel you cant mentally take the pressure. Seriously.

Of course, many in LA will scoff and say it is no different than elsewhere. I beg to differ.

Still, what doesnt kill you, can make you stronger.

But I now understand why Las Vegas exists. It is LA's decompression capsule.

Nissei Festival

Nissei Festival, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Sunset Strip

Sunset Strip, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

The view from my apartment, Bayonne 2001

The view from my apartment, Bayonne 2001, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

This was the view from my apartment in Bayonne. Normally, the skies normally would be filled with planes circling to land at any of four of the NY airports. This shows an almost empty sky.

The plane contrail in the middle of the sky is that of a patrolling F-16, as for months after 9/11, no planes were allowed in the New York airspace, and those that were had to fly proscribed routes (still do) or risk getting shot out of the air.

signage @ American Eagle

signage @ American Eagle, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Today's horrorscope sed

It won't be long before you are back to your best and looking for ways to make your mark on the world. In the meantime, conserve your energy - you are going to need it.

Over the next few days you will get the opportunity to look into the future and see how the work side of your life is likely to evolve. If you don't like what you see there is still time to change it. Your future is not written in stone - yet.

Bagel Cart, 2001

Bagel Cart, 2001, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

Dear lord, I miss this, cold weak coffee and all.

Brooklyn 2001

Brooklyn 2001, originally uploaded by Itinerant.

The subway stop for my mom's house in Brooklyn.

Except for Allan's and Hammond's Bakeries, I have little reason to get off there now. :(