Different Strokes

Last night I met a guy from Illinois and we were discussing how LA is different from the places we are from. Then I decided to do a blog post about it. So here you go.

Most obvious: Driving
Dear god, the traffic here is atrocious. Obviously, being car-less, I don't have to deal with traffic a whole lot, thank GOODNESS. However, I do encounter it on the bus, while riding with other people, and the few times I've driven. It's so ridiculous. And at pretty much all hours of the day and night. People are such bad drivers too, it's insane. And if it's raining, don't even bother. People FREAK out. You almost have to be a crazy person to get anywhere. I know everyone has a place other than where they are from that has the worst drivers, but because there are so many drivers out here, there is a higher ratio of bad to good ones. I think. Also, I think there are just tons of bad drivers all over the place and you really just can't escape them. For me, worst drivers ever: Greece. I literally feared for my life every time I was in a car.

Most annoying: Parking
Again, not my biggest problem since I don't have a car. But pretty much every time I ride somewhere with someone, parking is an issue. You can't park on the street on certain days during certain hours. You can only park for 15 minutes, you have to pay the meter, it's a loading only zone, you can only park if you're going to a certain business, you have to pay $5-20, the list goes on and on. The one that makes me the most mad is this stupid pretentious coffee shop up the street from my house. It has valet parking at all hours of the day, including 6:00 in the morning. WTF?? I guess my country bumpkin mind always assumed valet parking was for fancier places and only at dinner. That coffee shop has a lot of nerve and therefore, I never go in. Also, it's crazy expensive.

Most baffling: Dancing
The scene: Applebees, Jacksonville Florida. Cupid's Shuffle comes on. Literally every single person there rushes to the "dance floor" (this was an after hours Applebees...free drinks for ladies night) and does the dance. Same reaction to every wedding I've ever been to. The Cupid's Shuffle will get people to the dance floor every time.
New scene: Bar in Westwood (where UCLA is). Cupid's Shuffle comes on. NO ONE even bats an eye. NO ONE is doing the dance. I don't even think anyone noticed it was playing. I was most upset. Come on people, it's not hard! It tells you exactly what to do!

Most unacceptable: Food
This is America, dammit! Land of the 18 wheeler and cookie cutter commercialism. I should be able to get the same food here that I get at home. The closest Chic-Fil-A is like, 30 minutes away. Unacceptable. McDonald's is the only place you can get sweet tea. Unacceptable. The closest Cracker Barrel is in Texas and the closest Waffle House in Arizona. UNACCEPTABLE. Also, the seafood out here is really expensive and not even good. Weaksauce, California.

Most annoying, part two: Landlords
Fridge broke in Charleston: Landlord bought us a new one.
Fridge broke in LA: Sorry, not our problem, even though the fridge was here when we got here and we have to leave it here after we're gone. Eastern Europeans come to fix it and are super upset with me when I decline their offer.

That is all I can really think of for now. And don't worry, even with all it's nonsense, I am having a good time in LA and can deal with all it's ridiculousness. I think that is the charm in traveling and living in new places. The things you find stupid about your new place, you can commiserate with other implants and tell locals how much better things are at home. And the things that are better, you can tell everyone at home and make them jealous. It's a win-win! For instance, next week, I'm going to Jimmy Kimmel live with a FREE concert by Huey Lewis and the News! Parking will be a bitch, but it'll be an awesome concert!

Dream big people!