The rumble of the busses passing, the street walkers, late-night bicyclists and quiet music from my computer has become quite comforting.  Los Angeles, love affair.

Sunny day on Abbot Kinney, Venice Beach, California

The rain hit Los Angeles and the snow has, once again, blanketed the surrounding mountains. It’s quite the experience to drive around the city with views of the snow-filled mountains in the distance. When my friends from the East Coast cry for summer, I’m so glad that I’ve been able to live in the moment without having to wake up hoping for warmer weather (January-May 2009 was enough for me…) We’ve had torrential downpours followed by 70-degree sunny days. Completely unpredictable, yet surprising pleasant.

Just as unpredictable as the weather in Southern California, it seems that I only begin to catch up with myself when I get an unexpected day off. I usually get a couple of hours to recharge and then force myself to clock back into the tight-knit schedule. Somehow, I’ve already found myself entering the sixth week of the semester, the third month of 2010 and only three months from my 21st birthday. I’m not really sure where time has went. Fortunately (thanks to President’s Day!), I’ll have tomorrow to play catch up as well.

The new year has been fantastic so far. I’m inching closer to the launch of my new online retail store, The Motley, which will be debuting online at the beginning of March. For those that don’t know, I’ve spent the last eight months looking for an eclectic collection of mens grooming products. I’ve found killer shaving creams, shampoos, hair styling products, candles (for setting that mood) and a variety of other products that I purchase on a monthly basis. The Motley will cater to that purpose exactly – as the upscale online alternative for men to purchase necessary grooming products – for the ambitious, not-so-ordinary man. We’ve got a blog that is up and running at http://blog.themotley.com. Please take some time to check it out. Add us on Twitter and all, as well.

I also took a remotely spontaneous road trip up to Santa Barbara. I found my way to the top of Gibraltar Road – the highest point in Santa Barbara/Montecito area. The torrential downpours left an unbelievable spectacle for us. Photographs of this will come soon! We (Josiah and I) continued our journey up the coast with several stops at beaches and a concluding trip to the local casino (Josiah insisted…) My first gambling experience consisted of an hour between the penny and nickel machines where we turned five dollars into twenty-five dollars (pennies at a time, mind you.) As our machines made noises as if we were winning the lottery (pennies, pennies…), the older woman next to us screamed, “I told you guys to bet more! You would have won a lot more…” We agreed with her, but then continued to bet the pennies. The tension between older couples that surrounded us was a bit overwhelming, so we called the quits early.

We’ve also spent hours working on new videos and photo shoots that he has been rolling out to lead up to his album release. I’ve, obviously, been posting the work as he posts it. It has been really exciting for the both of us and we’ve had a blast working on the material.

I’ve also spent a bit of time looking into new homes to move into. I’ve been back in the city for more than half a year now and living in the deepest of suburbia is getting a bit difficult (especially since USC in downtown and work usually leads me to Hollywood or the Westside.) Launching myself into becoming a property owner is a bit much to grasp – but it is very possible. (Side note: my couch will be open to couch-surfing vagabonds if there are any takers…)

I never thought that it’d take much energy to actually find time to take five, look at myself in the mirror and go for a walk outside, but it has seemed almost impossible over the last couple of months. So, I did it today and I’ll do it tomorrow. I hope that everyone reading this is doing that well. This busy city is never going to slow down… Take time for yourself and have a good long weekend.

Must listen to:
Miike Snow “Black & Blue”
The xx “Heart Skipped a Beat”

I feel like I’ve abandoned my blog a bit this semester and I apologize sincerely.  My first semester in the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts is officially over and it gave me a first class ass kicking.  We watched over fifty films and television shows over the sixteen week period, analyzed the unanalyzable and made me absolutely sick of watching films (only for a short while, I hope.)  For those that don’t know me well, I transferred in enough credits for about half of my undergraduate degree, so I’m not starting from scratch (in case you were wondering…)

I have also worked on some incredible projects.  A segment that I did for the Inglourious Basterds DVD will be coming out on the worldwide DVD release of the film.  I also shot in the studio with a bunch of new artists and spent a ton of time working with my friends at Shangri-La Music.

In fact, last night I directed a multi-camera live shoot for Band of Skulls (check ‘em out!!!) at the Troubadour in West Hollywood.  The show was beyond sold out and we had cameras planted in just about every corner of the venue.  A few really great friends came out to help on the shoot and definitely made it a success.  I’ll spend the next couple of weeks in the editing bay now.  We’ll see how my sanity keeps up in those stages of production…

I also took a mid-semester trip to Boston to visit my friends at Emerson.  It was pretty strange being back in the city after such an abrupt harsh ending this past May.  My brother and a bunch of friends from all over the East Coast came to visit. We had a formal dinner at Kingston Station and spent hours in the North End.  New England during autumn is gorgeous and I was there for the perfect weekend.  We got a downpour of rain, freezing weather and then a beautiful last day (it was like a sampling of the seasons…)

Thanksgiving break came and went faster than my usual weekend (I had school three days a week, so my non-school days outweighed them…)  My family celebrated in Santa Barbara with the aunts, uncles and cousins.  That is always a pleasure and extremely relaxing.  My brother and high school friends came back to Los Angeles for a couple of days, so it was a constant rush to see everyone.

I can’t complete this entry without saying that one of my best friends – who ditched me for the road for four months or so – finally arrived back in Los Angeles.  I’ve been spending enormous amounts of time in Venice and I am slowly gravitating back to a (possible) westside lifestyle.  Abbot Kinney, you are undeniably awesome.

In order to see some sort of snow, Sir Leming and I decided to travel up into the mountains outside of Los Angeles.  Actually, we were hunting for locations to take some pictures and realized that the downpour in Los Angeles probably meant snow in the mountains.  We went out to Frazier Park and, sure enough, ran around in the snow for an hour or so.  As soon as we got back home, I turned on the news and found out that they shut down the freeway that we took because there was just way too much snow to deal with.  It was some sort of mid-finals day long vacation that made me (I think that I can speak for both of us…) remember again why traveling with him is so awesome.

I know that it isn’t Winter just yet, but we’ve had a few weeks of cold weather.  Because of that, you can drive pretty much anywhere in the city and look out to the snow on the mountains that surround it.  Los Angeles is beautiful and I’m so glad that I’m here.

The only surviving photographs from my 20th birthday dinner.

First off, I apologize for my lack of updates - I’ve spent this past week and a half getting back into the Los Angeles groove.  I had a single day to unpack, reorganize everything and hang out with family.  I also drove up the coast a bit and walked along the beach, met up with some friends, attended numerous Mexican dinners (Mexican food never gets old…) and spent a few evenings in Venice.  In between, I scheduled pick-ups of equipment and attended shoots.  So far, I’ve filmed a couple of pieces for Warner, purchased a brand new high definition camera (!!!) and sound kit, spent some time on commercial sets with family (learning about camera and sound techy stuff) and celebrated my 20th birthday.   I’ve also spent a great deal of time in the Shangri-La Music office helping organize their video content and setting up a workstation of my own!

Things aren’t slowing down just yet.  I’m running errands/delivering content tomorrow, filming with The Maine on Tuesday on their video shoot for “Into Your Arms”, editing a clip for Jack’s Mannequin and working out of the 2200 Main Street office for the remainder of the week.

Come visit me and let’s have lunch.

Music Download:
Gui Boratto – “Beautiful Life” 

Photograph by Richard Avedon

I set sail heading east to explore a world that I had never seen.  [EDITED]

My father, the son of an RCA Records executive of fifty years, and mother, the daughter of a Cooper Union graduate, both grew up in middle-class suburban Los Angeles.  They attended public schools for both high school and college and found pleasure in slight rebellion.   My mother took almost a decade to get through college as she made a few detours during her journey.  She found herself using food stamps and an inability to pay rent on her Sherman Oaks apartment.  Eventually, she found her way out and graduated with of Bachelors of Science from California State University Northridge.  My father is now a television commercial line producer and mother splits her time between working on commercials and teaching preschool.  They settled in Granada Hills, an area candy coated with tract-homes and high school suicides. 

I was fortunate to attend the Cleveland High School Humanities Magnet program that opened me up to lifestyles beyond that of my parents.  Children of run-down celebrities and trust funds – something that I never had.  I attended classes with some of the most brilliant and driven students in the state of California that scored high and proved that success can be found even with a heavy cocaine addiction.  I fit in (actually, I never did fit in) by believing that I could possibly find a secluded home like those of my friends in the Hollywood Hills one day – we’ll see about that.

When my brother chose to attend Bard College, a prestigious east coast incubator of brilliant yet addicted undergraduates, I saw some sort of glamour.  The institution looks like an upstate New York oasis of knowledge and a million dollars.  It was impossible to not dream of attending a school like this.  At the time, I was creating a pseudo-reputation for myself in the music industry, but lacked a social life that still existed the morning after.  I decided to enroll myself at Emerson College to see what it was like.

I started my journey at Emerson with a short-lived friendship that made me start to believe in myself as a social individual.  I took classes that challenged my beliefs and learned a lot about my abilities.  I formed some incredible relationships that I hope stay together.  So this is for the few individuals that I continue to share time with: Believe in me and I’ll believe in you.  Talk to me and I’ll talk to you.

I am a nomad and a man of my words.  I many times act on my instincts and find happiness in great risks.  For this, I could not be more excited to land on the west coast.  I have big summer plans ahead of me: a launch of two new companies, the re-launch of The Media Collective, a couple of music video projects, a hopeful release of a friend’s album, a feature film script, and whatever else comes my way!

I wish you the best, Boston.  Cheers. 

**This journal entry was edited after posting.  I apologize if it jumps around.**

Bostonians tend to be really great at compiling lists of their favorite pizza places.  Then I heard a student at school saying that the pizza in Boston doesn’t compare to the pizza in New York.  Fortunately or unfortunately, I’ve only had pizza once this semester.

So instead of finding the best pizza, I’ve compiled a nostalgic, excessive and quite overwhelming list of cafes, restaurants, and hole-in-the-wall joints across Los Angeles that make me feel at home.  If you’re staying in the city, check some of these out.  Be sure to Google them before going.  For example, Angelina is a frozen yogurt place – you might not have known that.  But they have some pretty bad ass frozen yogurt.  I wouldn’t suggest going to the 101 Coffee Shop unless you’re looking for a late night diner.  Their Chocolate Waffle Brownie Sundae is killer.  La Velvet Margarita is just incredible all around.  So is Luna Park.

I’ve also added it to Google Maps. (I’ve added Trattoria de Monica to the Google Map for you, Kimberley.)  If you have a Blackberry or iPhone, figure out how to add it to your phone.  Then when you’re exploring my city, you’ll know what is near!  It’ll be our secret city-guide.   Be sure to comment your favorites as well.  Let’s add to this list.

1. La Velvet Margarita (1612 N. Cahuenga Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028)
2. Luna Park (672 S. La Brea, Los Angeles, CA 90036)
3. Bossa Nova (7181 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90046)
4. Fred 62 (1850 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027)
5. Don Cuco (3911 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake, CA 91505)
6. Mao’s Kitchen (1512 Pacific Avenue, Venice, CA 90291)
7. Solar de Cahuenga (1847 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028)
8. 101 Coffee Shop (6145 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028)
9. Tony’s Mexican Grill (12910 Magnolia Blvd #F, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423)
10. Original Thai (11363 Riverside Dr., North Hollywood, CA 91602)
11. Little Dom’s (2128 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027)
12. El Cholo (1025 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401)
13. Eple Juices (6333 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036)
14. Vermont Restaurant (1714 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027)
15. Aroma Coffee & Tea (4360 Tujunga Ave., Studio City, California 91604)
16. Alcove Cafe & Bakery (1929 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027)
17. Mashti Malone’s Ice Cream (1525 N La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90028)
18. Diddy Riese (926 Broxton Ave., Westwood, CA 90024)
19. Angelina (8719 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069)
20. La Cantina Taqueria (6541 N. Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028)
21. Vincenti Ristorante (11930 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049)
22. Don Antonio’s (11755 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064)
23. Abbot’s Habit (1401 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291)
24. Urth Caffe (2327 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405)
25. Bolivar Cafe & Gallery (1741 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405)
26. El Coyote Mexican Restaurant (7312 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036)
27. Milk (7290 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036)
28. Flore Vegan (3818 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026)
29. Porto’s Bakery (3614 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91504)
30. Cha Cha Chicken (1906 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405)
31. Wurstkuche (800 East 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013)
32. Tropicalia Brazilian Grill (1966 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027)
33. Baby Blues BBQ (444 Lincoln Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291)
34. Bottega Louie (700 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017)
35. The Park (1400 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026)
36. Magnolia (6266 1/2 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028)
37. Dominick’s Restaurant (8715 Beverly Blvd., W. Hollywood, CA 90048)

Tee shirt by Warriors of Radness

Dear Los Angeles,

Your sunshine is incomparable and I’ve learned to love you for that. It is okay that you don’t have seasons because I’ve learned to live without them.  Sometimes we have to make compromises to get along.  Your nonstop party life sometimes gets out of control.  Just remember that your history will never go unnoticed.  Somehow you always manage to pull through.  I miss you immensely, but worry not because I’ll see you in three weeks.

Take care for now,
Matthew 

 

Artwork by Edward Ruscha

While in Los Angeles over break – and numerous times before, I was told that it is best to let go of the things that you love. I figured that letting go of my hometown, childhood and work would better my personal growth. So I got on the plane and moved to the Northeast. One year in Boston has allowed me to see what I really love.

My decision to leave Emerson College after this semester has spread across the spectrum of Emerson students, so I guess I can state it publicly now. I will be moving back to my hometown (using the term “hometown” for its humble connotation) Los Angeles, to pursue my passions and continue my education there. Unfortunately Emerson College and Marketing Communications just do not fit my personality. I will be continuing my studies in a Media Studies program at Occidental College, Pitzer College or USC.

While attending school in Los Angeles, I plan to continue to working and developing The Media Collective. I plan to loop back in with one of my best friends and share the experience with those that can relate.

For those that decide to take part in the Emerson Los Angeles program or move to LA in the future, I would love to spend time with you there.

In the meantime, I am looking forward to having a fantastic semester with the friends that I have met in Boston and an adventurous summer of ‘09.

I will be boarding American Airlines flight 540 tomorrow morning.  As I’m hooked to Facebook, I see all of the freshmen who cannot wait to go back to school.  Maybe it is because they realized just how much freedom they got from going to school and the new friends that they made.  I have spent years building my foundation in this city (and industry) and I finally feel like I’ve been accepting.  So, unfortunately, I feel like the polar opposite right now and had to say goodbye to some incredible people today.

Los Angeles is like nothing else (and has had incredible weather.)  See you in March.

P.S. A few pictures from break are coming soon.