Diary

The only part of S. Cal that I've truly loved was Orange County. It was superb, but having lived in a city now, I think I'd be too sensitive to its lack of character. It's so new & pretty. And it's only got one or 2 bars, which are far apart. I was ready to leave it in Dec '81 for many reasons, and I don't want to return! Even as a resort, it's not a big a deal as russian river.

I've never really felt good about LA. Maybe its crass commercialization, its flatness, its lack of countryside & lakes, its size, its long distances, its boring sundays, je ne sais quois.

LA seems to have the opposite problem of Seattle. Lots of cute guys but nothing to do with them. [line to top of page with inserted text8/85 Laguna San Diego shows Magic Men Disneyland Beach PalmSpr Pool PartiesDevelop Social & fun skills...5/89 But I need to work to achieve, to structure.][highlighted in yellow from-develop] Seattle has lots of stuff to do, but no one to do it with.

And it's primary industry, entertainment doesn't attract me. [ last three paragraphs have red box around with text inserted beneath box- Still true 8/85]

8/85: I should do more for social things from now on, LA but has shows, [ ? ], etc. The real question for any move is what do I want to do there? LA's big plus is the cute hunky guys. But after you meet them, what do I you do with them? There's no countryside to drive out to, no mountains nearby to hike in, although, there are some big hills, And there's palm springs, but I, wouldn't want to make a habit of it. The beaches get boring, even in Laguna, On the last trip, I kept asking "Is there a nice part of X " where X = { Silverlake, Venice, Culer City} to which Jorge could always answer " you're in it." Which brings us to the people there & how to meet them, Jorge was very good for me living in Santa Monica, be in Silverlake. I like Santa Monica, It's very different from most of the Coastal towns, Incidentlly, when I say LA, I mean just 405 to Labren & Olympic thru Beverly Hills, Santa Monica is too far from gyms, bars, friends. But West Hollywood is fine to start with, and have Bev. Hill as a goal.

I'm glad I lived in Redondo Beach, but I'm glad it was for only six month. I got to know the area. Hermosa, Manhattan, etc. the airport. Venice & Marina Del Ray_ Yes, sir, there's no place to live between Santa Monica & Long Beach on the coast. Long Beach has some very cute neighborhoods of nice little houses, but it's 45 min from West Hollywood.

Jorge's place in SM was 1/2 hour from Jim Morris's gym.

Speaking of the gym, it felt very impersonal. I didn't meet anyone there who had a strong friendly, personality.[text inserted above- except Bill Fauber, who's married] It's austere: grey, white, metallic. I feel much more welcome there than before when I was a wimp. But it's too crowded, even though with nice looking guys.

What's the goal? What do you do with a nice looking guy in LA. Dinner & movie. What about sunday? The beach gets tired fast. [paragraph in red box with texted inserted below- still true 8/85, but see next page]

As an aside, what about San Diego? The last time I went there was the over-crazy trip in August '82 which may as well not have happened, since Ron Jesse's Dad died & I didn't get to see Ron. The time before that was September '81 when I knew I'd be moving to Seattle, so after running in to Russell at Dillon's, I sightseed awhile and wasn't really impressed, but not unimpressed either.

So during July trip (day after July 4) I went there. There are notes [ the text-in the stack- is crossed out] about my visit. My conclusion is the same as Sept '81: Not enthused. It has sun & perhpas more cuties than Seattle, but no changing Seasons no lakes no geography as beautiful as Seattle's no green no where to go to get away Only part I like is beach area, but that's almost always hazy it seems. I don't know many people there.

8/85 Laguna SanDiago showsMagirtas Disneyland Beach Palmspr Pool

The only part of s.Cal that I've truly loved was Orange County, Its was superd, but having lived in a city now, I think I'd be too sensitive to its lack of character, It's so new & pretty, And its only got one or 2 bars which are far apart, I was ready to leave it in Dec '81 for many reason, and I don't want to return! Even as a resort, it's not a big a deal as a resort, it's not a big a deal as russian river I've never really felt good about LA. Maybe it s crass [commercialieation], its flatness, its lack of countyside & lakes, its size, its long distance Its boring Sundays ,[ ? ] LA seems to have the opposite problem at Seattle. Lots of cute guys but nothing to do with them, Seattle has lots of stuff to do, but no one to do it with, And it's primary industry, entertainment doesn't attract me. Still true 8/85