Let's go over the most important things I've learned during my stay thus far.
1. People aren't crazier here, they're just less afraid. Yeah, the crazies here are a LOT louder and prouder than they are in NY. In Manhattan, the lunatics are quiet--they keep to themselves and most of their mutterings are on a private level. Why? Probably because they don't want to get themselves killed. But here? Oh, Los Angeles loonies are WAY more comfortable being completely batshit. They will gladly share with you that they think the aliens are landing RIGHT NOW, MAN. And while it's really uncomfortable being around the raving, I guess the overall message is soothing--it's safe enough here that you're allowed to be crazy. ;)
2. LA works for YOU. In NY, you're either a city-dweller or you're not. Here, you don't like the urban metropolis? You need somewhere more peaceful and rural? Heck, they've got that. They've got LOTS of that. You can customize your LA living experience to basically live your dream life. Which is simultaneously amazing and terrifying.
3. Learning this city is like learning a state. It's SO big and spread-out that, to get the lay of the land, it requires loads of repeat trips to all corners. On the plus side, it always keeps things interesting, and it means road trips without ever really leaving home!
4. As a New Yorker, be prepared to sloooooow dowwwwwwn. They WEREN'T KIDDING. Egads! Not even the fast food is fast. :/ 5 minutes easily means 30 minutes; deadlines aren't that pressing, and people just aren't working that hard, in general. (Comparatively.) I was also told that, here, weekend and vacation boundaries were more respected than back in NY, where we workaholics are constantly on-call. It's totally maddening to expect speediness and efficiency here, and then 'get around to things.'
That said, I AM finding it beautiful and fascinating and enjoyable, and I'm starting to fall in love with this city little by little. Maybe bicoastal love. I do have an inkling that I'm on the right path, here. :)
Yup. That was actually my fortune on my first full day here. WINNING!
<3
Jen
