Life in Hollywood
I stayed one night at a hostel in Venice Beach, taking full advantage of the free internet. I applied to UCLA, but it was during the mid-semester break. Then, jumping on Craigslist, I found both a place to stay and a job.
The place was in Marina del Rey, a rented couch. You read that correctly: a rented couch. It’s a thing in L.A. My first job was a sign spinner for a taco place. Oh, the jobs that followed were just as glamorous, including scooping ice cream at a frozen treats stand, a delivery service where I learned all the streets in the Los Angeles area (and where NOT to go), and a small factory that made glow-in-the-dark necklaces for all of those famous Hollywood bars.
The following day, I visited all the Hollywood tourist attractions.
I had plenty more photos, but my laptop died. Second photography lesson learned. Back up your work in at least two places.
I explored the city thoroughly, waiting for my acceptance to UCLA.
After I had moved several times, I landed in Silver Lake, a neighborhood known for its indie music scene and hip culture. I also returned to Cincinnati for my daughter’s birthday. My Dad and his wife had adopted a Westie, which was too much puppy for them. That’s how I ended up with Maui. Years later, she would become my service dog.
We often walked along the Los Angeles “River,” which had cement side walls.
Finally, I was accepted to a two-year program at UCLA. I also began receiving job offers in the film industry as an extra, production assistant (a glorified gopher), script analyst, and everything in between. And, no, I didn’t party with any celebrities. My goal was to write.
Note: These are unedited early photographs. I wanted to see them as I remembered. Also, the brain cancer impacted my language skills; I still suffer from apraxia and aphasia.