Viewing: Living on the Left Coast! - View all posts

The Amber, The Sand, And The Light 

At Laguna Beach, while happily playing in the amber light in the waves, I noticed that the amber in my ring refused to play along. Like a pouty child, it sulked even in the brilliance of the sun; and stubbornly rejected even the gentlest ripples that flowed its way.

But I knew the softness and strength that it had to offer. And
when I truly believe in something, or someoneI can be as stubborn as the amber. So I refused to let it forget that it had so much inside.

I tumbled the amber in the sand, startled it awake with the tide, and watched as it breathed in the light. And suddenly
something inside it woke up and sparkled.

Which showed me
if we believe in ourselves when our lights are on dim? We can sparkle as brightly as the amber.

The Other Side Of The Horizon 

Have you ever gazed into the other side of the horizon? Reached into it with your eyes, and touched it with your soul? That's how I watch the ocean. In fact, it's a major part of why living on the Left Coast inspires me.

The ocean mesmerizes me on every level, and always has. But the horizon? It's a passport that allows me to see, aim for, and reach another world entirely; one where wonder and hope reside.

Because even as that barely visible line takes me outside myself, it takes me inside myself. Grounds me in magic and possibilities. And allows me to live where dreams can come true
and where wonder, and hope, are my neighbors.

California Driving 

Okay. I'd had a car for most of my life. So how did I feel when I sold my last one, before moving to New York? Euphoric that I'd never have to own, sell, or drive a car ever again! Then, after more than six and a half years of not needing one? I moved to the Left Coast, where a car isn't just a car. It's your baby. Unless you're like me. When people asked what kind I wanted, I joked that I was considering a tank.

Now, after living in Los Angeles for nine months, I finally decided not to get a car. I've weighed
...and even rationalized...the pros and cons, up one side and down the other. But the bottom line is...driving bores me beyond beyond.

While I truly appreciate the aesthetics of a gorgeous car, my favorite part of my last one was the trunk. In fact, I pay so little attention to them that even when I drove Mercedes, I walked up to someone else's car instead of my own, more than once
as long as it was the same color as mine. And just a few weeks ago, when one of my daughters came to pick me up? I laughed, and told her, "It's lucky I recognize you, 'cause I never recognize your car."

Anyway, you're probably wondering how I get around an area that's as huge as Los Angeles.
1) I walk as much as possible. Because I process, and write chunks of chapters along the way. Which keeps me sane and grounded. (Although, at this point, you're probably wondering about the, "sane and grounded.")
2) I've always had family and friends who love driving...or don't mind it...or have motion sickness if they're not behind the wheel. Which works for all of us because I make a great passenger. I'm not good at navigating, but I'm great at talking a lot.
3) I'm also good at calling for taxis, which is an acquired skill as opposed to the intuitive one of hailing a taxi like when I lived in NYC. (The difference is a blog post in itself.)
4) Sometimes, I take a train.
5) And there's another option. After I've lived here longer, I can rationalize this...again. But I certainly hope that I don't.