6.5.05
Another year tacked onto this online journal, part of me is wondering if I should go and transfer this stuff onto a blog format of sorts, which I most likely will not do for various reasons. I think a year living in DC has treated me well, a number of good experiences and personal growth. Spent the year mark on vacation in LA, have some observations about the city and then some, all reaffirming some of the reasons why I’m not too fond of that city in general. Either that or maybe I’m just becoming a snobby east coaster. who knows.
Stayed downtown, which was pretty cool, but kinda dead in general. After riding the train I was reminded as to what a communter city LA is, just from demographic and ethnic observations on the train in general. It seems like in LA only minorities and a few token haoles take the train, and no katonks whatsoever. I say this because it seems like everyone on the train had a staring problem, although maybe it was because I was with a couple of cute girls, but who knows. Plust to boot was this honor system on the train with tickets, there’s no automation or gate to receive and punch tickets, honestly people could just ride for free. It seemed like I was the only one buying a ticket at every station.
Walking gives you a different perception of the city, you notice that a lot of places smell like shishi, not only downtown, but along hollywood blvd, just about everywhere really. And the panhandlers on the street were more psychotic, and hyperagressive, especially to the haoles who didn’t have a quarter to spare. This one guy by Union station chased this haole guy across the street, cussing and swearing the whole way. I don’t know what he said to him in the first place, but I guess this is another reason why everyone drives in LA.
On a flipside, Chinatown/Koreatown/Little Saigon/Little Tokyo were all interesting. I got a couple of pake suits from chinatown, and got to eat some good food while I was there as well. The Japanese American Memorial Museum was well done, I was impressed by their exhibits and I got to talk to a Tule Lake internee who was stopping by for a visit. The visit inspired some side research topics and readings that I haven’t considered since undergrad.
Come to appreciate this city that I’ve called home for about a year now, little things, nuances, and quirks. I think in general its the environment, and the bubble of existance that I seem to dig about metropolitan areas. In this case, DC is a wonk’s paradise, saturated with people so focused on politics and specific areas of study that it makes then eccentric and out of touch with the rest of the country and the world, perhaps. I guess as a consolation I say that they’re at least passionate about something, and willing to work to achieve a greater understanding. Sometimes I think that the majority of the population inthe US is asleep, or just going through the motions. Oh what a rat race.
As far as work is concerned, I’m coming up on my second assessment, and hopefully will be up for another raise. I’m really digging my new assingment at work so far, 10-fold at least, everyday I actually look forward to going to work. I’m liking the pace and the topic area overall, I also think the types of people I’m working with I click with better in general. Minimal bullshit and straight to the point in general so far, which I like.
Saw Madagascar, it was pretty good, although the Ali G character stole the show by far, in my opinion.