Took another easy day today, just sort of bummed around, but isn't that what LA's for? We stopped in for lunch at the In-N-Out Burger after hanging out in the morning listening to some baseball games online and bullshitting a bit. That place was so crowded it took 10 minutes just to get a parking spot. It wasn't bad, but it seemed way too busy considering the quality and the price ($3.50 for a cheesburger and shake). However, the atmosphere definitely had that intangible California feel that I haven't gotten anywhere else. We also went down Hollywod Bouelevard and checked out Graumann's Chinese Theater amongst other touristy things on the block. There were so many people out, it was pretty crazy. A guy stopped my friend and was amazed at his red hair. The guy was black and exclaimed to us how his son had red hair and that he is always amazed about how people get red hair (Normally it doesn't matter about race, but this is a special circumstance). He then asked what we were up to and suggested that he show us around town. The man was drunk and since mother always said we shouldn't talk to strangers, politely declined. We finished the night over in a bar off of Sunset Strip, it had some fairly authentic Mexican food and good, but at about twice the Tucson price, but it's LA and what can you do?

One of the things that I noticed is that the homeless situation is a lot different in LA than in Tucson. There was a homeless couple sleeping right on the sidewalk. While the relative amounts of homeless seem similar, homeless in LA seem to be in a worse state, or maybe I just haven't been around enough in Tucson, but I don't know. It seems weird considering how progressive Californians often promote themselves as, or at least how the media portrays them as. That last sentence was overly harsh and judgemental about the people who live in LA, so I will work on meeting more people here before I become too prejudiced . Overall, the different types of people and styles in LA is absolutely amazing. You will see people in the cutting edge of fashion to those who are clearly stuck in some point in time to everything in between. While driving to the In-N-Out burger we saw a "macho" looking guy strutting around in stilts. Crazily enough, I think I was the only person gawking at him like he was fucking crazy. I am probably the one who sticks out like a sore thumb.

Another thing that I noticed is how quiet it is. I imagined LA as a loud place where no one ever slept, but it seems that in the day people are definitely out, but it is actually very quiet at my friend's place at night. Unlike Tucson, I don't have to worry about fighter jets or med helicopters waking me up in the middle of the night.

Tomorrow (later today), we are headed off to Venice Beach. My friend tells me that I will see stuff there that will stick with me for a while. We will see if I will suffer some culture shock

-Trevor

P.S. My friend's internet connection is slow, so I'll post the pictures on my site probably on Tuesday after classes.