Los Angeles

This is where I'm going this summer.

I am excited about going to LA (or is it L.A.? or is it Los Angeles?) for many reasons. First of all, I will be interning in the entertainment industry. As of now, I have not solidified any internships yet, but have been assured I will get one once I get out there.

Second, I will only have my bike for transportation. From what I have heard, I am the only person in the UTLA program not bringing a car. I can only assume that should I survive navigating the sprawling desert city on my bike, I will return to Austin with leg muscles of steel, golden bronzed skin, and sun-bleached blonde hair. I am also assuming my hair will somehow become straight.

In order to prepare for my trip, I have been collecting a few songs about the city. Below each song is a quote, an inspirational message about the wonder and beauty of the city of Los Angeles.

First, a brief introduction by Death Cab for Cutie.

"Why'd you want to live here?" - Death Cab for Cutie
I'm in Los Angeles today
Asked a gas station employee
If he ever had trouble breathing
And he said, "it varies from season to season"

I'm sure The Decemberists will have a more optimistic outlook about LA.

"Los Angeles, I'm Yours" - The Decemberists
How I abhor this place
It's sweet and bitter taste
Has left me wretched, retching on all fours
Los Angeles, I'm yours

I don't see how this could get any worse...

"Los Angeles is Burning" - Bad Religion
A clock that reads
The end of days
Shotgun roundabouts are bending in the haze
More a question than a curse
How could hell be any worse?

It's too late for me to turn back now.

Origins, pt. 1

Behind every super hero is their origin story. Be it the death of their parents, a bite from a radioactive spider, or the cosmic death of their home planet, something catalyzes heroes into the legends they become. I suppose some of this explains my fascination with bands names.

Death Cab for Cutie is an odd name and, from experience, discussing it with anyone over the age of 35 has always caused confusion.


Death Cab for what, for cutie? What?

A trip to your local wikipedia will tell you that the origin of Death Cab for Cutie comes from The Beatle's Magical Mystery Tour film. In it the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band perfoms the song. A song by a band in a film about another band? That's deep Death Cab.

During a long day at work I started watching The Beatle's Magical Mystery tour on youtube and stumbled across this.



It's not quite what I expect when I think of Death Cab for Cutie.

"Steadier Footing" - Death Cab for Cutie
"Wait" - Death Cab for Cutie