Dear LA
I remember the first time I laid eyes on you. I was twenty-four years young (2001) and you, well you were your same ole beautiful self. I’d never seen anything like you before. Immediately after stepping out of LAX I knew that I’d do whatever it took to win you over. Never was I foolish enough to think that I could have you all to myself, but that didn’t matter to me because I was smart enough to know that having some percentage of you was better than none at all. Well anyway, fast forward three years, I took the plunge and moved out west. You welcomed me with opened arms. You actually helped me avoid what would have surely been the biggest downfall of my young life—that’s a story for another time. You offered something that was more attractive than what I’d already had. So, me being me, I charmed you. I told you all the things you wanted to hear and showed you all the things you wanted to see.
You provided me with the opportunity to see and do things the average person could only dream of or could only see in film or television. You helped me understand the difference between the place called Hollywood and the mindset known as Hollywood (big difference). When others saw you as shallow, pretentious, and superficial, you showed me you could be just as genuine, honest and giving as the best of them. But what did I do? I did what so many other transplants do. I began to take you for granted. I began to complain about the year-round good weather. I began to fuss how “it never rains” (in sunny California). I began to compare you time and time again to NYC and how she never sleeps and is always so damn electrifying. I began to gripe about traffic even though I was in a rush to go nowhere. I even developed a wandering eye for other broads. I mean “abroad”. Imagining how Milano must taste or how Paris must feel. Could Cape Town beaches be as beautiful as I heard they were?
So, after two and a half years I left you. I returned back east only to rekindle my relationships with the many cities up and down the Eastern Seaboard. I even went south to Atlanta. She was cool but a little too promiscuous for my taste. Plus, I missed the water. Even though I don’t hang out at the beach, I just like knowing it’s there if ever I developed the urge to (options). So anyway, ten years go by and I’m no longer the guy I used to be. I’m a lot more focused now and appreciative of what we once had. But to be honest, back then I was only on the take. I didn’t have much to offer. I only wanted your weather, your water, and your women. Today, I actually contribute to what makes you great (in my humble opinion). I’ve come bearing gifts: my art, my ideas, and my experiences.
So just like that two years have gone by. You and I are closer than ever and things seem to be headed in the right direction. I’m sticking to the rules (the unwritten ones), working smarter and harder than ever before. Only keeping the company of those who also share a respect for your beauty, your generosity and your consistency. I’m cherishing every waking moment because you’ve once again breathed life into my lungs and have lit a fire beneath my “you know what”.
I share these thoughts in hope of helping others see what it is that I see in you. Maybe it can save them the time wasted going elsewhere in search of what’s already in front of them. Or even encourage those elsewhere to come join you here. Either way I’m at peace with our relationship and look forward to the many great things you and I shall do together in the name of true love.
Sincerely Yours,
Knowledge Everlasting Bennett
Written April 2016