In California I dream of snow
And all the places we used to go
With the night falling down
With the night falling down
Now I’m living in Korea Town
Waking to the sound of car alarms

Los Angeles, you’re one concrete jungle of a city. You’re envied, hated, spit on and loved, all at the same time. The city of debauchery, where souls go to evaporate,where love goes to die - that’s what they all think of you. They say you’re a big vapid black hole, sucking everyone’s dignity, self-respect, trust and dreams back into outer space with you.

This sprawling city of wheeled-in palm trees, pavement and overrated parties is where I grew up.

I remember your face when I showed you the ticket
Said you were happy for me, your heart wasn’t in it
Just a phone call away
Now there’s nothing to say
As the days roll by, disconnected

In the land where the sun is always shining on
Crying alone, palm trees are laughing at me
Another fool playing songs that don’t matter
For people who chatter endlessly

I understand why people hate you. I’d probably hate you too, if I hadn’t spent my entire life within your confines. If I had landed here one day in my 20s, I wouldn’t even know where to begin with you. You don’t have proper public transportation and walking is out of the question most of the time, so you force me to buy a car. I don’t mind because driving to me is like drinking water, it must be done.

You’re too hot, and not in a good way. You just don’t know when to stop with the blazing heat and sunshine. Evenings are worse because they bring out hordes of practically naked women and men who wear sunglasses at night and do their best to get in any club they can. Call me crazy, but dressing provocatively, standing in line for two hours and then gaining entry into a crowded, extremely loud, sweaty club with pretentious assholes and horrible music is not my idea of a good time. But whatever.

Another suicide on the 405
The Black Dahlia she smiles and smiles
It’s the same old town that bled her dry
One more starlet one more time
Bound to make it do or die
Take a walk to Bonnie Brae
Try to wash these dreams away
They tell me L.A.’s beautiful when it rains

But you know, just because I’m critical, it doesn’t mean that I don’t love you, because I do, I really really do. Despite the traffic that ravages and rapes my life every day, the heat and the pretentiousness,  you’ve given me a lot. Amazing memories, convenience, In n’ Out (back in my meat-eating days), the ability to do the things I love and perhaps most importantly, diversity- a diversity of culture, of ethnicities, religions, behavior and backgrounds. Where else can you find a Little Ethiopia, Koreatown, Little Armenia and Little Tokyo alongside each other? Where else can you coin the term “Tehranegeles?” You have so many people from so many places, Los Angeles, and your open mindedness and ability to accept is just enough for me to love you.

L.A is beautiful when it rains.

Lyrics by Neko Case, “In California.”