(365 Things that don’t suck about L.A.)
A week or so ago JChevais told me about Schmutzie( thank you J!!!) and how we had some stuff in common and she was right. Please see this and this and be prepared to be amazed. I love Schmutzie’s blog and her writing and just visiting her blog for a few days and learning about her blog Grace in Small Things in which Schmutzie is “waging a battle against embitterment”. She explains her mission and how you can share in it better than I could as I am still bitter, or at least semi-sweet.
After reading a few of her Grace in Small Things posts I was inspired to stop constantly complaining about the place I live and tell you the good things in L.A, both large and small. Yes, there are good things. I am not sure I can do it but I am going to try and tell you 365 good things about L.A. This might take a while. Don’t get me wrong, I still hate this place. But I don’t hate:
The Getty is one of the most beautiful museums in the world and if I didn’t live here this is a place I would dream of visiting. For $10 parking I can get into one of the worlds most amazing museums in the United States. Truth be told it is the building and the location and not so much the collections or the shows at the Getty that make me brave the 405 freeway.
I will admit that when the Getty shut down its Malibu museum I was not at all happy to hear about the new Getty on the hill that Richard Meier was to create. I loved the original museum which is now the Getty Villa. I was sick that I could no longer visit this museum that felt to me more like a spiritual home than a mere museum.
I didn’t want to like the Getty only I couldn’t help it. I was unable to fight its Acropolis like significance. In a city whose culture is big budget film and non-fat frozen yogurt there was no denying the impact of the collective psyche of L.A. that having a museum high on the hill that would not be ignored.
When I go to the Getty I spend more time walking the building, the staircases and the gardens than I do the galleries. It is the space, the majesty and the way that Meier’s white stoned masterpiece gives me a kind of peace I have never felt in a church.
I like to sit by the main fountain and watch foreign tourists, students with their sketch pads, senior citizens on a day tour, and couples on an artsy date. There is not only a center to this building but many centers. I feel an impulse to visit the many centers of this one building and spend significant time in each one. This is not a museum with one center—but many—and all of the centers hold. That speaks to Richard Meier’s genius.
The last time I went to the Getty was after a session with Igor. He-weasel and I played hooky and we ate cauliflower curry soup and chicken wraps and sat outside with a view that only made the soup taste better. I am going to visit the Getty a lot while we are here. Some day I when we are living in a place that I love and we are far from L.A. I want to have memories of sitting in the Getty garden.
I could go on about why I love the Getty or you could just look at my pictures.
One down and 364 to go.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Amg_vgminTo]
All pictures of the Getty were taken by me.
I went to the Getty once. Would love to go again! Now I have to check out these other blogs…
I am thrilled with this take on Grace in Small Things and can’t wait to see what places and ideas and thoughts you take me to next.
PS. The Palinode has a crazy brilliant non-soup cauliflower recipe you should hit us up for. It’s killer good.
Wendy: I’ll take you. Now come already!!!
Schmutzie: You inspired me. Thank you. You MUST share the soup recipe. Please!!!1??!
Thanks, Belette. I’ve never been there. Have only been to L.A. a couple times, and would have loved to see the Getty. The things you chose to take pix of at the museum are lovely, too.
I’m too tired to write more but thinking of you….and Lily and He-weasel. xo
Sallymandy: I hope you are in L.A. soon. The Getty is worth coming for.
Sweet dreams to you.xo
This is the first time I’d heard that the Malibu Getty has been replaced. I think your photos of the new Getty are lovely and the architecture is grand, the gardens are spectacular, but I had a very sentimental attachment to the original. So this is a shock.
Utah: The old Getty is now the Getty Villa and it has been redone and I have to say it is even lovelier than it was before. I didn’t think it was possible but it is. I LOVE both Gettys for different reasons.
My only connection to L.A. is that my daughter visited there about hmmm 2 years ago …and she had someone take her photo on the Marilyn Monroe star, because she knew I like her so much.
I have it framed in front of me right now!
This museum is beautiful!I must admit,we don’t have many museums in South Africa,and the ones we have,are quite far from where I live,but I would love to spend a day in this place.
That does look like a beautiful and amazing place. If I am ever in LA again, I will want to go there!
I don’t think I’ll get there on this visit – but I’ll have to come again another time and go there!
Wow. Magnificent esp. the tree sculpture with the red vine (is this what it is?). Just brilliant. Even from your wonderful pictures I could feel the peace and calm of the grounds of the Getty. Thank you so much for posting these. pictures. I hope that one day I can visit this place. Soup sounds wonderful too
PS Did you receive my comment re: wood paneling? I was wondering what you thought…
xo
LBR: You cannot imagine how thrilled I am that my Schmutzie recommend brought you so much. Really. I went back to Schmutzie’s “Knife on Lawn” post and had tears in my eyes when I read your comment there.
It made me feel good. Helpful. That this blogging thing matters and here was the physical proof of that.
Thank you.
JChevais (aka Mrs C) – I changed my username to match my twitter account just a couple of days ago…
Would you believe I’ve still never been there??! I keep threatening to play hookey from work one afternoon to visit. Your pictures *really* make me want to do this.
Both the Getty and the Getty Villa are amazing. I always take visitors there. Have you been to the Huntington? Victoria Robinson Gardens? Lotusland? All have lovely gardens. Another fun thing is to visit Greystone Mansion when they have the Garden & Design Showcase. The last time I went to the Showcase Barbara Lazaroff (formerly married to Wolfgang Puck) had designed a room that was over the top…it was interesting to see her in action…high energy with a bit of drama. Can't wait to see the rest of your list. Have a great day…..give He-Weasel and Lily and hug.
I’ve never been, but it looks MAGNIFICENT.
Fabulous photos, LBR!
I’ve only been to LA once (for a conference)and luckily, managed to get to the Getty for a day. The collection, as you say, not that exciting, but the architecture and the landscaping — wow!
Belette, I love your idea of finding 365 things that don’t suck about L.A. and the Getty was a brilliant #1. While you are doing your research may I suggest a visit to the Observatory. The Art Deco architecture is amazing and so is the view.
la belette: i have been so busy i’ve barely had time to breathe and no time at all to write comments on any blog, even yours, which i love.
however, when i saw today’s post, i forced myself to take a deep breath and slow down and stare at your photos because on my first visit to LA, i had three things i absolutely had to see — and one of them was the Getty. i am so glad you mentioned the Acropolis-like impressions. on that visit, when we took the little tram to the top and stepped out i took a deep, startled breath and thought “Parthenon!” (which i’ve never been to but it’s one of my dream destinations, so i have a anticipatory reaction held in my head). we spent four hours just strolling the “campus”, eating a lovely lunch in the cafe that overlooks the valley, and dreaming of bringing laptops to this place and just writing to our hearts’ content while looking at the garden of native plants. we only went inside the museum to use the rest rooms and shop at the gift shop!
the Getty is on the top of my list of places to go back to. of course, i’d still like to get to the Villa one of these days, but trying to get tickets for that is near impossible unless you’re a patron or you know you’re going to LA a year in advance.
thanks for making my day a little pleasanter with a bit of a daydream and a warm, early fall feeling.
Sarah: Very cool. Did your daughter go see her at the cemetery? I never have but it might be a cool thing to do.
Penny: It is the kind of garden and building and setting that one could visit weekly and never grow tired of it.
Julianne:It really is a must see. It is up there with the best museums in the world.
Oooh oooh ooo (raising and waving arm high in the air) I’ve been to the Getty before!!
Thanks for the beautiful pictures and the chance to relive the wonderful experience!
You know, I’ve been conditioned so that I originally read your headline to read “do suck” instead of “don’t”, and I’m so happy you’re retraining me to the opposite Pavlovian response.
Very proud of you!
I adore the Getty… LA’s acropolis! One of the most heavenly places on the planet, for sure! Gorgeous pics, LBR!
xoxox,
CC
Imogen: I wish you had time to go. It really is the most beautiful place in L.A.
Mervat: The red vine is buganvilia and they will definitely make it on my list of things that don’t suck about L.A. but first I have to find pictures of that plant to show you how amazing this plant can be.
I wasn’t expecting the food at there cafe to be sooooo good. Truly, the soup was as good or better than I have had at fancy places.
OMG!!! Did I not respond to your brilliant insights. Well that was a huge oversight. I will do that this a.m. You are a genius.
JChevais: I have to tell you that I cried when I read both “Knife on Lawn” post and her poem “The Replacement”. Both of these posts blew my mind and made me feel less alone. Truly, I cannot thank you enough for telling me about them.
You made a real difference in my life. Your kindness is very much appreciated. I hate it when words aren’t enough.
I will change the link to match your new username.
Deja Pseu: WHAT??????? You must go. Really. It is the best of L.A. Please play hooky and go!
L: I have not been to all the places on your list but I will go. I am going to have trouble getting to 365 unless I have help!!!
Does Barbara Lazaroff still rock the Crystal Gail hair? I have for years wished she would get a bit of a trim.
It is fun to look for the good in the city I don’t love. It is a challenge and I am sure that I can find more than I think.
We send hugs right back to you and your darling dogs!!!:-)
Sal: Truly, it is. If everything in L.A. was this good I would quit the complaining.
materfamilias: Truly, you,K.line, and Mardel have all got me ga-ga over gardens. But, I took pictures of so many plants and so many gorgeous combinations of plants that were planted together at magnificent effect. I even was discussing garden plans for our gardens with He-weasel. He is a big lover of garden designing. He wants a little of that water element in the second to last picture to be included in our someday garden.
It really doesn’t matter to me if I never see a show at the Getty. The space is enough to draw me back.
Belle de Ville: Thank you. I worried that L.A. residents might take offense to my hunt for the non-sucky. But, I do mean it in a good spirited way.
I went to the Observatory a million years ago but I was too young to appreciate it. I will go back. Thanks for the tip!
I’m still not sure I want to ever go to LA, but if I have to, I suppose I could handle going to a museum.
Oh, the Getty is such a CALMING place. So much beauty housed there! Do you like the Griffith Observatory at all? It’s not the same, but the sweeping views have a similar effect on me as the Getty!
bonnie-ann : Lovely to see you!:-)The Getty is the perfect place to go when you feel over-busy and over-whelmed. It so unmanic and quiet and unmoving. It seems to look down of all of L.A. and ask “what’s your hurry?”
I am so curious. What are your other two L.A. must sees?
I have gotten into the Villa two times just by flirting with the security guard and telling them I am from out of town. It’s better to have tickets but if you don’t I have found flirting works.
I am so happy I could add to the beauty of your day.:-)
You know, if I were to ever travel anywhere (which, let’s face it, I never really do) that would be on my list of places to visit. It looks beautiful!
*SparkleMirror* : Then you know I am not exaggerating an that it really is beautiful.
I am happy to be part of your reconditioning program. And, I hope that this series of blog posts has some impact on my antipathy towards LA-LA land.
Merci!
Carrie: Thank you! It is so majestic and grand and yet quiet. Almost too wonderful for L.A.;-)
Randal: Um, well I am here. Don’t you want to see me? If you don’t like the Getty there is always The Fredericks of Hollywood Lingerie Museum or the Museum of Jurassic Technology. And, I am sure the kids want to go to Disneyland.
Muffy: You and Belle have inspired me to plan a trip to the observatory. I haven’t been there since a 5th grade field trip.
Kristen: I would love it if you came to L.A.!!!
I’ve been to LA a few times now and want to know why I’ve never been to the Getty. It’s on my list for next time – whenever that might be (I can dream)
French Fancy: If you come to L.A. the Getty is a MUST SEE. So come back and see it.
oh… I spent a few wonderful days in LA last summer, and wondered how anyone could hate living there… and I didn’t even get to see the Getty! I loved LACMA. Now I have another reason to go back, and by the time you’re done, maybe I’ll have 365! Thanks!
The Greenish Lady: I absolutely love the collection at the LACMA Broad. I think it is the most amazing collection of contemporary art. I will do my best to find the good in this town. I am definitely a L.A. hater. I hope in time that my feelings will be more neutral but I am not sure I can manage it.
Oh ma belle, this is such a turn over post. I like it!!!!!
Finding positive things help us be positie.
And that seems such a great museum!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Have a great weekend, darling, with Lily and He-weasel.
Big hug, lots of love
xoxo
Seeker: I will admit that I am truly afraid if I find 365 things to love about L.A. I will end up liking it.
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Big hug and lots of love to you.xoxo
That would be a lovely site to visit. When I was younger and could get around better – museums were my favorite. Thanks for the lovely pictures.
TheMom: It is a museum where you can come and sit and enjoy it as much that way. No need to walk and walk to enjoy the Getty. We spent two hours sitting in the garden and pretending it was all ours.
Thank you so much for this post. The Getty has been much on my mind lately. I absolutely must make time for it this summer.
I too love the Getty, but please, could you stop with the “..In a city whose culture is big budget film and non-fat frozen yogurt ..” chestnuts. It defeats the point of the exercise. Sorry to sound harsh, but that particular phrase is a huge pet peeve of mine.
I prefer Quentin Crisp’s take on it: “Los Angeles is just New York lying down”
The Getty gardens are beautiful, and so peaceful. One of my fave spots in LA. I always have to drag tourists there, but afterwards they just can’t shut up about the place
(I hope that the Adamson house in Malibu makes your list)
~Tessa: When you come will you tell me? I’d love to meet you at the Getty.
hollarback: I think you and Quintin like this place better than I do. All I see is the cliche. But, maybe by #212 of things that don’t suck I might be more forgiving of L.A.;-) Give me time. Progress not perfection.
Really? People don’t want to go to the Getty. If I could live at the Getty I might like L.A. more!
Thanks for the suggestion.
I LOVE that place…
When I get published (??) and I do my book tour of The States I want to stop in L.A. and you can take me on a tour. It looks fantastic.
xx
Daisy: Really, it is such a gift that Getty gave the world with his investment in the arts.
Hammie: When you get published I will meet you at the airport with champagne!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice pics La Bel…
Nice pics La Bel…
Ooooh I will be in LA in a few weeks time so will make sure I check this out – thanks for sharing!
You captured the Getty beautifully. When we lived in L.A. it was one of the places we took visitors. Then, they could insist on seeing Disneyland.
Can’t wait to check out that new blog and I love what you’re doing here! Those photos are beautiful – you have some talent. I want to hang in that garden for sure. And eat some soup with you. I have a feeling that this exercise is going to be easier than you imagine right now. I mean, I can think of 50 fun things right now! Sometimes the place we live seems the most pedestrian and miserable of environments. Until we see it through someone else’s eyes and start to understand the appeal all over again. I’m trying to do this with TO this summer.
♥ Braja: Thank you.:-)
parlez-vous-kiwi: Hopefully I will post at least five more things about L.A. that don’t suck before you arrive.
lakeviewer: Disneyland is good too.:-)
K.Line: It was Schmutzie who inspired me to focus on the positive.You too inspired me with your posts about what you see when you when you walk around your neighborhood. It is so easy to see all I hate here and yet I don’t think I could come up with 365 things to hate. I am committed to finding 365 things that don’t suck. I will do it!!
Really? You think. I love to take pictures and I would love to really learn more about photography. I love to find geometry in a shot.And, OMG, I would love to hang in this garden with you. Please come out!!!
It would be so cool if we all did this with our respective cities. I love learning about Toronto.
la belette, this is a wonderful idea to do while you are sort of stuck there anyway…I cannot get over this place..the outdoor spaces are amazing and that giant flower trellis looking sculpture with what I think is bougainvilla is fabulous…and the lavender and fountains, a fantastic place to eat! now, if i ever have to come to LA, i will know where to go so thank you! besides your place, of course…
xoxo
Ooooooh this is going to be GOOD… I can’t wait to see all the things that DON’T suck in L.A.
This makes me roll with laughter… as this L.A. loathing was our first meeting… bring it on sister!
Getty good pick for #1… I have yet to visit… I will put that on my to do list via Belette!
Ha ha, I knew you would want that Henri Bendel charm bracelet!!
xx
Nope, you got it wrong. I'm sorry, but the number one thing that doesn't suck about LA is you are there
Oh, and I think I agree w/Igor from that previous post…wherever you are you need a REALLY big house so lots & lots of us can come visit. Then who cares where you live? You'll be surrounded by the hordes that love you
A big fat YEAH to the great images. I wish I could convey to you how utterly exotic LA looks to someone who lives in a city that is cold and wet and very very windy 360 days of the year. the blue of that sky….
The images only add to that assumption.
This idea is brilliant and I will look forward to your guide to delights of LA.
This gallery is indeed a gem to have on your doorstep.
I clicked over here from Schmutzie’s GIST post….
I struggle almost daily with not liking this city but not being quite willing to leave it yet, either. I look forward to 364 more things that aren’t detestable about being here.
Gorgeous…my husband works there and gets to look at the place every day. how awesome? These pictures are great.
Gotta agree with Kayleigh – the best thing about L.A. is you.
La belette, there’s an award for you at my place. You may already have it, but things always look better in pairs.
It sounds like a wonderful place to visit. I would love to visit LA, it’s on my list of places that I really want to visit. I’ve been told it’s not so great, but I don’t care. I want to see the place for myself. Hope you had a good weekend and thanks for visiting my new blog:)
la belette:
my two other *must sees* were: The LaBrea Tar Pits (an obsession of mine since i was about 6 or 7) and The Simon Rodia Towers at Watts — which were beyond anything i’d ever hoped for. we saw those in the morning of the same day we went to the Getty in the afternoon. it was going from the sublimely ridiculous (though wonderful) to the ridiculously sublime! one of my best days ever.
next time i’m sure i’m going to LA, i’m going to get tix for the Villa — and have lunch at the Campus again. maybe even see the artwork this time (some artist i am — went to a famous art museum and didn’t see any art!)
Linda: Making citron presse out of a BIG bowl of lemons!;-)
You as a gardener,artist and lover of beauty you will love both of the Getty’s. Do not miss them.
Fifi: My list of 365 will not mean that I will ever like this place. I promise my antipathy will remain.
You haven’t been there??????? GO!!!
Hammie: You know me!!:-)
Kayleigh: You, my dear, are very sweet. But can you imagine what kind of person I would be if I put myself on the list?;-)
Blogger summit at my house! Nice idea. Now I need to find such a house.
indigo16: I have taken lots of pictures of L.A. for you but I haven’t had the courage to post them. Well, now you will see lots of L.A. photos.
The Getty is worth a trip to L.A. So when you coming?
chickiedoodle: Thank you for coming over!!!
If you have anythings about L.A. you think don’t suck I would LOVE to hear them!!!:-)
alison: How lucky your husband is. It is such a beautiful place.
Kristen: I am a very lucky weasel to have such nice freinds. Thank you!:-)
notSupermum: Thank you, I am honoured!!!!!!
Sarah: It is a nice place to visit but I don’t like living here you. It is a nice place to vacation, really.
bonnie-ann: I have been to the Tarpits many times. I have never been to the Simon Rodia Towers at Watts. I must get there.
When you come to L.A. I hope you will let me show you some other things in L.A. that don’t suck.
I live in L.A. too but I hate everything here. I do like Olvera Street for Day of the Dead, and I like The Grove, just to be able to complain about how everyone looks.
Sister Wolf: I love meeting another L.A. hater. This place inspires such strong loathing in me that this exercise is quite a challenge. I have never been to the Grove and I haven’t been to Olvera street in a bunch of years.
Observationmode(Enc) and I were in Huntington Beach last weekend and we found there to be plenty of opportunities to ask “what were they thinking”. The beach scene is likely my least favorite as is the fashion aesthetic it inspires.
I can spend the whole day at Getty Museum.
Oh please go to the Grove. Play a game with yourself and count Louis Vuitton handbags, or girls who don’t have hair extensions!
We could meet at Nordstrom’s coffee bar! xo
Savvy Mode: It is definitely worthy of a lot of time and yet it is not at all overwhelming.
Sister Wolf: That sounds like a game in which the score could easily go into the triple digits. I play the same game with Ed Hardy hoodies and breast implants here in Valencia.
When I go I will let you know.xo
This really should be #1, I think, even though I’ve only been to L.A. twice. I remember thinking: if only I lived here, I would come every day, and sit outside, and just soak up its wonderful grandeur.
What a great list. My bf & I moved to L.A. from another Tree City USA (Sacramento) & have been looking for things that don't suck here! The Getty is definitely one of our favorites, too. Visitors (family, friends) always want to see the Hollywood stuff. If they would only come to the Getty or the Arboretum instead, they would see the best of what L.A. has to offer. My dad is smart & comes to LACMA with us.
Loved this list. I have a few additions although after living in LA as many years as I have, few things about it DON’T suck. Descanso Gardens in Flintridge, La Canada; Santa Monica Seafood; Wednesday Santa Monica Farmers’ Market. Love the Getty Villa. My husband and I have been known to go there just for lunch. I highly recommend the Villa salad. Salad greens with grilled chicken, artichoke hearts, garbanzo beans, feta cheese all tossed in a lemony yogurt dressing. Yum!