Blogging Social Difference in L.A.: Week 4

This past sunday I took a stroll through the affluent streets of Beverly Hills. Everything was so pristine: the flower baskets hanging from the lamp posts, polished tile walkways, European inspired architectural buildings donned with fancy gold script above its doors. I passed several young women in their mid-twenties sporting thousand dollar designer handbags and men who showcased swiss luxury watches on their wrists. There were times where I felt out of place, almost as if they knew that I was an outsider--wandering in their space reserved for the privileged. "The Carceral Archipelago" we learned about in class discusses how postmetropolis areas have sold out to corporations and private investments, locking themselves up from outsiders. Urban design now serves to "coordinate a larger environment hostile to a undifferentiated public."

Every corner I turned, unlike in many other areas of Los Angeles, there were no homeless to be seen. I later realized that the area around me did not feature any benches to rest on, and that this eliminates an public commodity for homeless to sleep on. Each store front had its own doorman waiting by the entrance, carefully observing those who walk in, restricting those deemed "inappropriate" from entering. Although I took the bus to the area, I noticed that the parking rates were pretty high--$2.00 for either every hour or even half an hour. The high parking rates did not just act to raise revenue but prevent lingering in the area. Beverly Hills reflects a space is that now policed and organized in a way that ensures order for their own corporations and private investments. The design of the city makes access and use of the city difficult to outsiders. Although, I enjoyed exploring the area and fine features it displayed, I definitely felt a disconnect.

Blogging Social Difference in L.A.: Week 3

Hello Shmuel!

I was reading Shmuel's post from last week (featured below) and was interested in the British specialty store mentioned. I had never heard of Oh, Fancy That! nor of Tarzana district. What was even more surprising to me was that the place was only 13 miles from UCLA. It's interesting how, although how we may live in such close proximity to a place, but still be completely unaware of its existance. This reflects on the idea of social difference and how cultural hubs within LA are such that like mosaic tiles which touch but do not overlap. 

Your addiction to imported PG Tips and Nougat Bars from the British specialty store remind me of my own mini-splurges on imported teas from Lupicia. I always liked that drinking their oolong teas made me feel like somehow linked back to my chinese heritage. However, I know nothing about the tea's history or why it became a staple in China. 

It's also interesting how this specialty store was established in the district of Tarzana, where the median income of the people living there is around $73,000. This supports the idea that mostly the richer have adapted this idea of new cosmopolitan consumerism in place of actually immersing themselves in another culture. Perhaps, this is because persons the "cost" of their time that would be spent reading about or traveling to different cultural districts would be more costly than to just buy items imported from that region. Thus, rather than integrating a new perspective culture into their current culture, it seems they are are simply "sampling" the culture. I realize I am guilty of this to at times. 

When time is more abundant, I hope to immerse myself in the various cultural districts present in Los Angeles. There, I can better interact with their culture and people that embody it.

~~~~

Hello, everyone.
I would like to describe my trip to a British specialty store in the Suburb of Tarzana.
This wonderful store is located thirteen miles from UCLA.
Here is a map to navigate to this location: Directions to Oh, Fancy That!
I frequent this store numerous times throughout the year, and have become
quite attached to the owner, Jeanne, and her aging dog, Buster.
Jeanne promoted her store via YouTube a few years ago: Oh Fancy That 
I have consequently developed an addiction to PG Tips and Nougat Bars.
PG Tips is a delicious black tea that has merited the approval of the Queen.
Meanwhile, Nougat bars are a sweet treat from South Africa.
In this week's reading, The Emergence of Postsuburbia, the authors explain
how the population of Orange County have (in large part) substituted consumerism as
the primal means of culture attainment.
They believe that the consumption of foreign goods may enrich their lives with culture.
They do this instead of learning a foreign language or immersing themselves in
foreign cultures and theologies (to a certain extent).
I think that I am not too different from Orange County's post-suburbanites,
for instead of immersing myself in British culture and learning the history of
this great country (second to the USA, of course!), I am spending my hard-earned
money on imported tea and treats.
Finally, I would like to make a note on the location of this shop, and its surroundings.
The shop is located in the Tarzana Plaza.  Blockbuster and Cocoas Restaurant
dominate the scene, and are located at either end of the entrance.
Jeanne's shop is situated in the back of this plaza, adjacent to an optometry clinic.
The sheer size of the Blockbuster sign reflect the consumer-driven values of the
surrounding suburbanites.
These individuals would rather consume mass-marketed goods for entertainment
rather than imported specialties, although both do not provide the culture that
is sorely lacking in this suburban location.

Blogging Social Difference in L.A.: Week 2

Hello again,

This past weekend I was able to go for a stroll through one of the most popular shopping destinations in Southern California--Downtown Santa Monica and Third Street Promenade.

The ambience was very relaxed. The buildings were youthful with colorful awnings and quirky details to them. Dinosaur bushes loomed near the entrance to the walkway. There were many people walking about, eating, conversing with one another, pining for a cute outfit to purchase, or just people watching. The crowd is pretty diverse, probably due to the many tourists that come from various areas. There were people of all ages, some in groups, some by themselves, and many were with their families. However, I did notice the larger population to consist of caucasians and asians ranging from the ages of 20-30.

We went to eat at Johnny Rockets. I loved the old-school vibe of the restaurant in contrast with the hip surrounding environment. The interior was reminiscent of diners in the 1950s with their red cushions seats and art deco inspired posters.

Sitting at the restaurant, I reflected on Durkheim's division of labour. Durkheim defines the division of labor as "any stable organization, co-ordinating individuals, or groups carrying out different, but integrated activities." Everyone in the restaurant had their own task whether it be washing dishes, cooking the patties, taking food orders, or working at the register. Each person handled a task that they were most experienced at. Collectively, they were able to run a successful restaurant. Although people specialized in their specific assignments, they shared a common goal--to serve customers an enjoyable dining experience. Durkheim also supports this idea that "traditional societies are integrated by so-called mechanic solidarity, in which the emphasis is placed on the values and cognitive symbols common to the clan or tribe." The employees at Johnny Rockets all worked under the same company values and towards the same goals to maintain the Johnny Rockets brand that consumers have come to know.

One can take a step outside of Johnny Rocket and apply this same idea of division of labor to Third Street Promenade as its own entity with separate functioning components. Each shop on the strip provides products the store specializes in whether it be denim or shoes. However, they all work to create a dynamic shopping experience for people to come or return to.

Blogging Social Difference in L.A.: Week 1

Hello world,

It's been great getting to know you better.

Yours truly,
From Los Angeles.

Moving to Los Angeles has definitely allow me to encounter more diverse interactions with people on a daily basis, expanded my stomach to try out new culinary cuisines, opened my eyes to architectural detail and eclectic fashions, as well as other wonders that I'm still exploring!

I am an explorer at heart and consider myself a tourist in my own city. I like to take photos of all the places that I have been so I can reflect back on my adventures later. I am currently enrolled in a geography class that encourages me to blog my experiences in different parts of Los Angeles. I'm excited to be a part of this movement to learn more about the city and the people within it.

It's apparent that the social differences in Los Angeles are vast and can be observed throughout different parts of the city. One can drive two blocks down the road and notice a huge disparity between the people there in contrast with those two blocks before. Wilshire Blvd, one of the major roads in Los Angeles, is a prime example of this. I often like to take Wilshire when heading somewhere as it is just one long, straight road. The long stretch of pavement actually spans across several different parts of the city. In less than a 20 minute drive, I am able to go from admiring the row of luxury shops at Beverly Hill and cafes with macarons selling at $3 a piece to developing a craving for mass amounts of all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ for as low as $9.99 at Koreantown. It's true, you really can find all sorts of things here.

I plan to document my future trips within the city on blogger, and provide insight into its social differences using written word and photography. Looking forward to an interesting next few months!