Back to the Books II

The East Hollywood badminton party on Saturday was indeed fun (although I didn't play long enough to put that in all caps), but my second round of dancing at the Derby on Sunday was a bust. As in Austin, the young, good lindy hoppers took over the floor, and although I do enjoy watching good dancing, I don't like spending the bulk of the evening as an audience member.

Tonight was my college alumni dinner, which involved a large, scrumptious spread of free food and some interesting conversation, so I'm glad I went. Yet there were only six of us there (a political writer, a reality show producer, an aspiring actress/ feng shui practitioner, a woodworker, a documentary filmmaker, and me), and somehow I doubt I will be seeing anyone again outside of alumni events.

My library interview is tomorrow. My current place of temporary employment has begun making noises about keeping me on as a permanent employee, but once again, I don't think the place is for me. Finding the ideal job is as difficult as finding the ideal boyfriend. It's hard to find interesting social interaction, intellectual stimulation, decent pay, reasonable hours, a nice boss, and a short commute in the same place!

All in all, going back to my original career is seeming like the best bet. I spoke on the phone this weekend with a friend of mine who recently thought she had quit teaching for good. She was feeling a lot of relief over never having to grade another paper again. After exploring other careers, though, she is back teaching and said, "I guess that's what I am, a teacher." Well said.

It's occuring to me that I am recreating my same general lifestyle (and corresponding discontents) in L.A. As they say, wherever you go, there you are. And I might add, there "they" are (the same problems).

I read over a blog today, written by a friend of a friend, about a similarly life-changing, restless move from Seattle to Asheville (which sounds like Austin forty or so years ago):

http://hightechsurvivor.blogspot.com

Dancing at the Derby

I've decided to make use of this unintended summer vacation and try all the things I have previously been unable to do. To that end, I drove across town to Los Feliz tonight to check out the Sunday night swing dance (with live music) at The Derby.

Several people told me the crowd was thinner than usual, but it seemed substantial to me. The age range was older than what I was used to in Austin, with a significant number of dancers over the age of forty. The twenty and thirtysomethings seemed to become the majority after 11 p.m., but even then it was a pretty mixed crowd. Another difference from the Austin scene was that most of the women were wearing dresses and many of the men had on suits and ties. Several fedoras were in attendance.

The dancers were friendly (and good); I danced several times and as a bonus met a sweet Italian guy.

It felt really nice to participate in a social scene; I have been feeling so atomized here. The week after next I'm attending a college alumni event at The Grove, which I'm looking forward to for the same reason.

Friends or Scattered Acquaintances, Part II

I drove to Pasadena Saturday night for a birthday party. It took 45 minutes. Long winding drive up Laurel Canyon, then a trip east on the 101. There's a swing dance event in Pasadena every Thursday night called Lindy Groove, but there's no way I can drive out there on a weeknight.

Pasadena has it's own (crowded) main street (Colorado), as does Sherman Oaks (Ventura Blvd.). So it's true; there's no center here, just a bunch of different areas with their own central districts.

Today I drove to Studio City to hike Fryman Canyon with a friend. Another beautiful hiking spot.