This Is Not Your L.A.

It is altogether possible
That this is not your L.A.

This might be the L.A.
Of luckier, smarter, richer people
Mostly richer
Probably richer

This might be the L.A.
Of 1991 when things were scary
And rappers were still known for killing each other
Rather than guest starring on CBS procedural dramas

Or this might the L.A.
Of eighty years ago
When women wore big hats
And everyone changed their names
And there were trollies
And people talked in generalized accents
And there was opportunity
Or at least the appearance of opportunity
There was a reason to be here

But unfortunately, this is not that L.A.
In fact, this may never have been that L.A.
And you still may like the L.A. that's here
But it's important to remember
That you didn't come here for the L.A. that's here
You came here for the other L.A.
The L.A. that doesn't exist
I mean, it might, but I'm trying to be kind here
In saying that it doesn't
Because it doesn't
And never did
But I'd rather not totally shatter your dreams
All in one sitting

So let's say it might possibly exist
Even thought it doesn't

You came here for movie star L.A.
And big break L.A.
And beautiful sex with beautiful people L.A.
And okay, maybe you got the last one
But you didn't get the first two
And you're not, you won't

Will you be happy?
Sure you'll be happy!
You're in L.A.
People write SONGS about this place
But don't you remember what you CAME here for?

That's the danger of this place
You completely lose your sense of purpose
You think you came here to work at a vegan restaurant
And date a guy named Chavo
Who works at a tattoo parlor

You think it's okay to get high on Tuesdays
And have a dinner party at 4am
And still wear Hollister jeans when you're forty
But it's not

It's not okay

This

This is not your L.A.

It's a lovely place
But it's not the place you wanted
And you need to remember that
You need to keep that in mind

Now, think about what I said

In the mean time

I'm going in the pool
Because it's December

And that is what we do here