As my time in Los Angeles draws closer to its close, I find myself becoming wistful and sentimental about the city. Despite all my misgivings and the struggles I have endured here -- the me people who are too wrapped up in their own lives, the difficulty in finding work after the economy crashed, the seemingly never-ending line of people ready to take advantage of me after Ive extended a supportive hand -- I genuinely love and appreciate this city. Los Angeles is not for everyone. It can be extremely lonely and alienating, and it forces you to be pro-active in your life and take control in order to survive and make things happen, so its a great city to live in if you are a self-starter. Its also a great city if you appreciate dichotomies, like the juxtaposition of plant live and foliage with concrete and skyscrapers, or a lackadaisical beach vibe contrasting the hustle and bustle of the traffic and city life, or quite, residential areas nestled cozily just off a high-trafficked boulevard. There are so many pockets of calm and tranquility to be found within the chaos of it all, and the earthy Zen of desert plant life often provides a soothing, therapeutic calm that allows residents a natural form of meditation. This is what I experience as I walk around Los Angeles at night. It is something I do as often as possible, for it is in these quiet, contemplative moments that I find myself truly connecting to the city I have called home for the past 13 years and reflecting on all that I have endured and how Ive evolved and grown as a result. Many people come to L.A. to escape a past they are embarrassed about or traumatized by, to remake themselves into a fantasy version of who they can be. I believe I drove 3,000 miles away from home in order to find myself. Not to be lost in the shuffle and become someone else, but to simply be able to find out who I was after standing on my own two feet in a place where I would be required to put my best effort forward. I didnt always succeed, and I have learned from my failings. I have also discovered that, although I love the city, I am still a small-town man at heart, and prefer a simpler way of life. I believe that these photos capture that sense of who I am. They reflect the longing of a simple person for a simple life, and demonstrate my continued appreciation of serenity and peacefulness. As much as I love the culture and the energy of city life, I will always be a country boy at heart. Maybe when I make my way back out to Southern California, I will find myself relocating to the outskirts of the city. Until then, this is the Los Angeles that I tried to be in relationship with during my time here. I hope you enjoy taking the journey with me.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 22:25:36 +0000