loving LA

The Point

The point is, I have lived here in Los Angeles for 6 years and I’ve never gone to ONE art museum.

I’m Ali Reynolds and I live in LA. I’m a transplant from Northern California by way of Iowa, Seattle and Oceanside. I’ve experienced living in many places in the U.S. as my family was a navy family – each of us four kids was born in a different state, but no place has felt as much “home” to me since I left home in Kelseyville CA ( a lovely one-street, real life Mayberry) as Los Angeles.

That said, I’ve been caught up in the business aspect of living, surviving and thriving in Los Angeles since I moved hear in 2005, so busy that unless it was a function of my job, I have not participated in any cultural opportunities here. AND I LIVE IN LOS ANGELES!!!!

In Fact –

• Los Angeles hosted a record 25.9 million visitors in 2007. Visitor spending totaled $14.2 billion, also a record high.

• International visitation grew from 2006, as 4.8 million foreign residents came into LA County last year. Overseas travel was up 5%, LA’s largest international markets, Mexico and Canada, gained 3% and 4% respectively.

• LA is one of the top travel destinations in the U.S. In 2007, LA County hotels had the fourth highest occupancy rate of the top 25 US markets.

• Los Angeles is the second ranked destination for overseas visitors behind only New York, according to the International Trade Administration, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.

Stats From the 2007 Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau

So – according to my own cultural assessment and the stats of the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau, it appears I am WAY behind the curve of even the average fanny pack wearing tourist and I have some catching up to do.

But wait, there is a second part to this story…

The economy tanked in October of 2008. I previously worked as an independent, self-employed marketing and branding consultant in a niche legal industry in Los Angeles. I had decided in September to start working with more artists, restauranteurs, entertainers and non-profit organizations with their marketing and branding because I was seeking a new market of clientele and I wanted to work with people not motivated by money, fear of failure or “beating” the other guy. I wanted to work with people who could inspire me by their dedication to their talents, arts and focus on improving the world one small step at a time. I’m sorry if that sounds sappy to you – it sounded sappy to me two years ago too, but even in my cynicism, I knew there was more to be discovered than making money – and now that I’ve been involved working with more artists and nonprofits, my heart is set on it, my heart is open.

The challenge of switching industries would be that artists and nonprofits typically have less money to work with for marketing and branding purposes, but that was ok with me, because I am more creative and innovative with my ideas and implementation of successful marketing plans and grassroot campaigns than the legal industry has allowed me to be in the past. The real problem after October 2008 became that these individuals and organizations don’t have ANY money to spare now. IN FACT – nonprofits are suffering intensely in this current economy and many amazing causes and intelligent, creative, inspirational people are unable to make a living or pursue their art or the causes they hold dear to their hearts. Here is a great article by the wall street journal about how non-profits are trying to adjust in the current economy.

Basically, compared to my previous level of economic success as an entrepreneur, in 2009 and early 2010, I have found myself “officially” unemployed. I do admit that in part is it a choice – because rather then take a job where I would ultimately be miserable on a daily basis (I had one for a while and started having suicidal thoughts), and even though I continue to apply for specific jobs very intentionally (I know the right one will come along eventually), I have chosen to pursue full time volunteering with servela.org, which has been the most amazing and fulfilling experience of my entire adult life. I honestly think I would rather volunteer for free and be fulfilled by helping others, then make millions of dollars and be miserable at a job that I was technically qualified for but one that drained my soul of life and passion on a daily basis.

Winston Churchill said “You have a life by what you get, you make a life by what you give.”

Long Story Short –

Because I am officially unemployed and have some free time (something I hope to not have quite as much of forever), and I realize that I have the chance to spend the time doing something I may never have the opportunity to do on this level of commitment again in the future, I am going to spend the next 60-90 days (maybe longer) getting to know the city.

I am doing it because I think I should take full advantage of the cultural richness, natural beauty, culinary expertise and melting pot of artists, music, arts and get familiar with the community focused organizations of our city that are striving daily to make the world a better place, despite the economic challenges. I am doing it because innovation and creativity are beautiful things that we as adults somehow manage to eliminate from our lives, (read more about this and what TED is doing about it) but we need to reconnect to creativity and artistry to survive and thrive. I am doing it because I want to connect to the soul of my city, to the heart of the people who live here, from all walks of life – so I can better understand their needs, their desires, dreams and the opportunities they have or the ones they need to have given to them.

I want to facilitate beauty in our city, so I need to take the time to hear her heart beat.

The point is that I have a lot to learn. So, here I embark on a journey into the heart Los Angeles and I invite you to follow me or join me on the journey. I will post events I will be attending, museums, galleries, music both professional and amateur, food I will explore, cooking and butchery as well as cooking classes. Maybe I will start a community garden or raise my own cow? I will learn, I will explore, I will interact and engage with people from my city. I will listen, observe, learn. I will create.

And I will report back about the experiences here. I will write the best descriptions I can summon, so this blog will be something worth reading, something to inspire, something to encourage. Photos, music, art, poetry, cooking, and new relationships with those who teach, guide, share and inspire – these things, not numbers or the bottom line or the networking strategy, will be the fruits of this journey.

I ask that you will please send me your suggested places to visit, people to meet, things to explore, musicians to go listen to – I invite all your suggestions. Ultimately I would love for you to Join me, to participate and contribute and to make the most of the time you have available. I want to hear about your stories, your adventures and your observations about our city as well as experience them with you in person if you are willing to jump with me.

The point is, life is short.

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