Go West, young man

Language, images, sounds – these are our best tools for communicating with one another our thoughts, experiences, and ideas. However, I’ve always felt that no matter how well crafted, or how carefully composed, a photograph, poem, or novel will never suffice to truly convey the artistry, aesthetic and sensation of experience.

Around 5:10 AM this morning I returned to New York after spending an incredible 10-day journey along the coastal cities of California. Along the way, I came into contact with inspiring landscapes, dynamic personalities and so much more. During the trip, I decided not to post too much (anything) to Facebook, mostly out of laziness, but partly because I felt a disservice in attempting to capture my memories in captions.

Instead, I’ve created three short pieces below that I hope confide the abundance of beauty I’ve come across these past few days. These attempt to elucidate the atmosphere and essence of California’s core communities; San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Enjoy!

The water near Little Italy in San Diego.

Saint Diego

Golden iridescence

White washed beaches baking

Waves crashing into a salty eternity

Wings spreading, stretch on the rocks

Touch the sun with your fingertips and tongue

Legions of seaweed and jelly

Rock faces stare down to human faces stare up to eroding majesty

And friends and people at play

Fish tacos and IPAs

The hum and bump of Powell wheels in Balboa Park

Reggae mustached smiles framed by happy strands of hair

And palm trees everywhere

A view of the Hollywood sign from our hike in Griffith Park.

Oh darling I simply must tell you about this city I’m visiting – THE city as far as anyone who’s anyone is concerned. Los Angeles. The City of Angels. It rolls off of your tongue like a grapefruit and vodka. Los Angeles. Oh the things I’ve seen! The energy! The fame and celebrities are everywhere. Was that Aaron Paul? We love Breaking Bad! You’re a fool not to be here – the sushi is utterly to die for. And what else? Enough about you – let’s talk about me. What can I tell you? How about, the palm trees on Rodeo Drive flawlessly accentuate the grandeur of luxury shops below, a manicured stretch of immaculate fronds bowing to the million dollar automobiles and stiletto stepping American royalty. How about, you’ve never heard such innovative DJ’s until you’ve been to a pool party in Bel Air (you have to know somebody of course!), surrounded yourself with red cups, bare skin, and the invincible spirit of entitlement, then let the pulsing music pour over you like ambition. The Boulevards, The Hills, The Valley, the heat, the hip-hop, the face veiling sunglasses, the parking (just awful!), the beach, the bums, the skaters, the artists, the sun soaked streets, the wealth, the creativity, the self-promotion, the unflinching desire, the crème de la crème! Oh we simply must work on something darling, but first you have to be here!

The Scribe Winery vineyard in Sonoma, California.