I’m a transplant to Los Angeles. Far from a native, I spent a decade wandering through the mid-west. Finding nothing but corn fields in tornado alley, I moved East, didn’t find much there either. Always entranced with the idea of moving West, it finally happened 19 years into my life. Meandering through the cityscape of Los Angeles, I try to take note of every detail I see, from the paint on the walls to the towering structures built on some of the most unstable ground in the world. It all overcomes me, motivates me, and makes me realize there is no other place like this in the world. The city itself has more problems than most, from their attempt to ban taco trucks, from the overcrowding of freeways. But none of it matters. Taco trucks still make their scheduled 2 hour stops throughout the day and always keep us updated (thanks to twitter). Me and millions of others still crowd the same 101 freeway 24 hours a day. The city is more like a constantly evolving identity, shaped by everything within its constrains. Whether it be the sports teams, the night life, or the diverse population it all lends itself to a feeling, (or identity unlike any other). Maybe those of you that have lived in the city your whole lives don’t see it, or possibly would feel the same way about a city on the East coast, but for me, their will never be anything close to the City of Angels.
And so, reading on LA TACO one day, I happened upon the LA Street Food Fest. After driving around the same 1 mile perimeter for about 45 minutes, we landed free parking. How many of you can say that? Not many I reckon. Already elated with the fact that I didn’t pay 10 dollars to walk a mile to the Food Festival, the sunny sky and mild weather had my spirits higher than the US Bank Tower. Unfortunately, my high spirits and roaring stomach were met with a line that wrapped around a city block, and meandered up and down an entire parking lot. This is why I hate Disneyland, the lines, pay to get it, but its actually more along pay to wait in lines. I don’t condone cutting in line or anything, but it seemed like a feasible option all considering. Well this didn’t pay off either, the notorious LAFD Fire Marshall had sealed the event off. Thought about jumping the fence but it was one of those fences with spikes that are curved towards you..
So I did the only sensible thing and went to Philippe’s. 2 French Dips with Cheese, A blueberry pie and peach pie both with ice cream, macaroni salad, 2 lemonades, and 2 teas. Did you know that you’ll never find a single container of ketchup during lunch or dinner at Philippe’s? Breakfast for the eggs, but the ketchup is too overpowering for the delicious french dipped meat.
The Library Tower, or the US Bank Tower, is by far the most easily spotted skyscraper in the Los Angeles skyline. It’s the 11th tallest building in the United States and has 2 giant 75 foot US Bank logos on the top. When the Lakers are in the Playoffs, the towers are lit gold and purple, when the Dodger’s are in the playoffs, you guessed it, blue and white. Don’t think they do anything for the Kings, but who watches hockey anyways. Just another example of how you cant escape the feeling of community or identification when living in the grand ole city of Los Angeles.
In other news, we are fresh out of stickers. We were close to printing more but were going to run a shirt, with a lot of new elements that none of the shirts have had. Not talking studs, beads or crafty rips in oh so special places, more along the lines of designs and prints in places you havent seen before.
Oh and check out the damage Adrian did, in Hwood and Vine:
