Hip or not Hip?

I am continually amazed and how trendy Los Angeles is. I like to believe that I am a fairly trendy individual. Also, coming from South Carolina, I may have been on the "cutting edge" from time to time. I may have even, dare I say, started a trend or two.

But, in L.A. I am tragically behind, unhip, another face in the crowd.

Currently I am sitting in a coffeeshop in downtown Hollywood called Psychobabble, and I can count 9 apple computers, not including mine. 3 leather jackets (It's 78 degrees outside but that is neither here nor there.) Everyone looks like either Buddy Holly or a Homeless man/woman.

When I first moved out to California I was amazed at how hip everyone was. To see people dressed the way that people here do in SC, you could probably name their favorite bands and you could guess at least 2 or 3 of their top 5. (most of which includes Animal Collective or Vampire Weekend).

But, I have to realize, in L.A. there is not really any other option. Within about 5 minutes from my house there is 2 urban outfitters, an apple store, Louis Vuitton and an American Apparel.

At what point does hip become unhip when it lies within such close proximity to your home?

I don't know the answer to my question, but this is my concern, am I uncool?

I'm not asking in a metaphysical, what does it all mean kind of way, I mean it in the most shallow way possible. I think about my dad. At some point he picked a look and said, "Yep, this will work for the next 30 years." If all people come to this place, then am I sticking with Gap jeans and pull over collar shirts? I'll chalk it up to the classic look that never goes out of style.

If you are new to the WestCoastMatt blog and based on the 2 previous blogs you are wondering if I am really this materialistic and concerned with appearance...well...I am.

So if any of you have younger siblings, tell them to email me what they are doing, saying and wearing in High school, I gotta stay hip!

This is from Paste Magazine and pretty much encompasses my life the last 10 years. I watched and participated.

December, you illusive mistress.

Let it snow
First Noel
Little Drummer Boy

I have come to the conclusion that there are 3 Christmas songs. I hear these over and over again. Radio stations think they are clever by playing Sinatra's version, then Michael Jackson's version and then cap it all off with Harry Connic Jr's version (sp?). I'm on to you Christmas.

The quarter is over and I did well. A's in all of my classes. I'm writing this from MB. My life has been a whirlwind this last 3 weeks and this the first time I have to write. I missed it. It's nice to write for my mom and any other random people who accidentally googled "Mediocre Writing" and this blog came up.

I thought you guys might be wondering what I want for Christmas, well here you go:
-A Fixed Gear Bike
-Nike Air Max 90's
-Anything from J-crew

Also, I would accept a gift card from pretty much anywhere. Also, cash is always appreciated.

In other news, everyone should see Up in the Air with George Clooney, super good. Also, there is a new band that I can't get enough of Fun. Everything is in the name. Check them out.

I want to write and update more but something has to happen to me worth telling you.

I plan on getting into shenanigans starting now...

Thanksgiving?

What is Thanksgiving really?

Food? Check.
Nap? Check.
Defeating the Death Star? Check.
Beer? Check
Nazis? Check

This was my first thanksgiving away from home. I had one of two emotions.

1. I spent my day swimming in my own tears.
2. I hate my family. No tears were shed over them.

Which statement is true? We may never know.
It's weird to not be with your family for a major holiday. I've heard people talk about it in some bohemian, enlightening way. I have seen movies with this premise but it always leads to some sweet adventure. I was hoping to stumble on some doubloons or meet the president.

Here is my schedule of the days events:
9:30am Feed the Homeless
11:30 IHOP for a garden omelet and whole wheat pancakes
1:15-3:30 Nap
3:45 Bathroom
4:00 Starwars- A New Hope
6:30 Barney's Beanery for T-dinner and Beer
9-1:30 A knights Tale and Swing Kids

I know what your thinking, it looks a lot like your family's thanksgiving. As I was having maybe the most un-traditional thanksgiving in my personal history, I thought about t-day.( I hate it when people call it that) Who says you have to eat turkey and stuffing? Who says your day cannot contain a garden omelet and destroying the death star? I think the Indians would hate the empire. In a way they did, the white man, but we know how that fight turned out.

All day I couldn't help but think back on growing up and the epic thanksgivings I had. At least they seemed big to a 12 year old. We would eat, and I mean eat, and nap and then see a movie. Sometimes Christmas themed movies other times violent themed. I think the key to a good holiday is an element of selfishness. Selfishness that can only truly exist in the company of your family.

Why else are people stressed during the holidays? Selfishness. It's the only time you can truly be yourself without being concerned with anyone else. I know, you love your family but not enough for them to have the last of the cranberry sauce. That's yours, you saw it first. But, that is your favorite part. Being with parents and siblings and reverting back to old habits.

That's what was missing. My dad wanting to eat ham, turkey, everything at 10:30 am. My mom not being ready until 1:30 or 2:00. The kids complaining about being hungry. When we would finally sit down and eat, all of us yelling over one another trying to get the other to laugh.

As much fun as having thanksgiving in a bar, I missed the chaos.

Thanksgiving, you elusive bastard.

Overqualified

I recently started a new job here in Pasadena. I am working at a burger joint called Islands. I've always wanted to say, "Burger Joint". I never new the right time. What constitutes the joint portion? The guy who hired me called it that and he's a general manager. You don't get to that position in life without knowing what is and what is not a Burger Joint. Anyway, I had been looking for a job for quite some time. I had two problems with myself as a candidate. I am student and I was only looking for about 15-20 hrs a week. Pasadena is a college town. There are about 4 or 5 colleges in the surrounding area and apparently everyone is looking for part time work and no one wants part timers. That is problem one. I was unaware of my second problem until I was in the middle of my interview process for the Burger Joint.

While being interviewed for this job as Host/Waiter my interviewer looked over my application and paused. When you are looking for a job and the interviewer pauses your heart sinks to your knee caps. All of a sudden you find yourself thinking back to whether or not you spelled your name correctly, that you did not check the felony box etc. After what felt like an eternity, she look at me and winced. I have never been more terrified in my life. She says;

Matthew, your a Master's Student? (in thick Australian Accent)

Yes, this is my first quarter of my Master's of Divinity program.

Oh, well...boy...um. You are seriously overqualified for this job. Wouldn't you rather be working in a more related field?

Well, like I said I am in school and my time is limited because of my class schedule. So that limits me.

Yea, I understand, but you are very much over qualified.

Yea.

I have never been more patronized over that fact that I am educated in my life. I found myself regretting my undergraduate degree. Hating the fact that I desired to have higher education. Despising the fact that I am smart. Why can't I be a below average student that is content with mediocrity!

Finally, after much convincing and mind manipulation with small words, I was offered the job.

To make things even worse. After I was offered the job I received a phone call.

Hi, is this Matt?

Yes

Hey, this is Ralph from Islands, I just wanted call and tell you orientation is at 8:30 Saturday morning.

Ok, no problem.

Also, I was told you have a beard.

Yea.

Yea, at islands we only allow sideburns and goatees, so you will need to shave.

...ok

See you Saturday!

I'll be there.

Friday night was the night. Doing something I had not done for years. Shave. Not just trim and shape up. Baby face. No longer will people confuse me for Grizzly Adams or their Rabbi. Now, they will confuse me for their twelve year old brother.

If anyone hears of any jobs in Pasadena, let me know. Only ones that allow beards.