At LAst

Arrived in LA yesterday afternoon and headed immediately to unpack the car at the temporary apartment. Didn't meet the potential roommate, but seemed sane and interesting enough from the look of the place. We left to go find food, which went disasterously, and I ended up just volunteering to be dropped off at B's work. "We'll talk tomorrow."

Found a nice deli around the corner and got a fantastic tuna BLT and beer. No internet or outlets though, and battery discipline waning on all systems. A few blocks walk all together before I came to the studio(?). Effects processing house they would say. Looked like an ad agency from the decor, razor scooters, and free tea bar, but definitely looked like a decent place to work. B is busy so I just plop in the lobby and start charging.

Eventually she comes out and we exchange a little. She's looking Summery in a white dress and platinum hair. Obviously in work mode, but still sweet in a subtle, Southern way. It's a few hours before she is able to leave, but here is as good as anywhere for me to be indoors, what with internet, electricity, free beverages, and cute receptionist who is having trouble getting the lobby AV machines working.

It is damn hot in a black shirt in LA carrying all your stuff in a bag.

At 6 she emerges and we head off in her Toyota. The plan is to go look at several apartments she is looking to rent next month in Hollywood. iPhone GPS to the task again. That shit is so fucking useful! It's a long trafficky drive but this affords a good chance for us to converse and to rekindle rapport. Just driving around smoking cigarettes and bullshitting about LA and "what has been going on." The first two places on the list were just drivebys really, but the third was live, and we went in and to tour and talk about the place with two lovely girls, two annoying dogs, and two indifferent cats.

Sushi at a super cute sushi place with sit-on-the-floor tables, and my new favorite sake which I have forgotten the name of. Sugoi! B and I talk more seriously about our lives and the microcosm - money, career(sic), social landscapes. And so it begins.

We leave and get a bottle of wine back to her house, then drink it on the roof porch with some cigarettes and smoke. Beautiful view of Hollywood from here and it is a barely cool night. We speak in greater depth about ourselves and each other. Goals and aspirations. Similarities and differences. The "future." She wants a mate. A powerful longing for a true partner. "Why do I not have this?" she asks of me.

And I can relate.

I have a longing which is not unlike that.

She paints a picture of how what we want is the same. But we stand in front of the Hollywood hills, and she tells me how she wants to be up there. And I don't think I do.