Last Saturday I hiked up the Mt. Hollywood Trail to the Observatory atop Griffith Park. Okay, it was really more like an upward stroll, since "hikes" in LA are really just pre-made trails and nothing like what I've done in Mexico, Northern California, Wales, or Utah. But when I need to "escape" from the city, and I say "escape" because you never really escape the city, I take a hike.
This morning I decided to jog up the Mt. Hollywood trail, and let me tell you it is a steep trail, and uphill from the moment I leave my apartment steps all the way to the top. There was a moment when I thought I'd pass out (forgot to eat something before I left, forgot? or too full from the reception last night at work, hmmmm), but I kept going, pushing through the burn in the back of my legs and my shakey calves ( I was always told that the first time jogging up the hill would be the toughest, heh, very true).
Last night I stayed up late talking to my new friend whom I will call Jolly. We were talking about not getting in the comfortable mode people using relax into in this city. The "I'm saving so I can do that later," or "someday I'll be doing this..." etc. It's hard to push past that state of being, I mean, if you really aren't getting paid enough you can't travel, or buy a house, or that car...NOW, but we noticed that when we didn't push past the complacency and put ourselves past to the point of discomfort we didn't go anywhere. I likened it to working out. You life weights, or you jog, or whatever, and it hurts, but the most growth happens at the point when you really think you can't go on and you do anyway.
It happened to me this summer, when I knew I needed to find a job, and for a month things were reallly tough financially and I had no idea how I would live in my new expensive rent apartment. I could've easily taken any number of typical artist jobs in LA and started getting paid....but I waited it out till I found what I wanted. And it hurt. Not being able to go out with friends hurt as much as pain in my legs. Putting in only 20 bucks at a time of gas was like getting to the out of breath point. Only being able to take 8 dollars in quarters out for laundry from the bank, and having to answer "i can't afford to." to the cashier at wellsfargo who asked why I didn't take out 10 dollars worth, ew, that hurt. But sho nuff. Now I have a job, that I am happy to have, because it was what I was looking for, and it's taking me closer to where I want to be.
The best things really do happen when we're willing to take ourselves to an unsure, uncomfortable place....only then can we discover.
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It's tough living on a budget - but I am glad you held out for a job you could stomach.
I do love LA - so much at your fingertips - I love hiking in the hills.
As much as my friends in NYC say they hate LA, every single one of them who have moved out west, have never come back to NYC. I think that says something.
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