An Autumn L.A. Itinerary
Just because I'm a Type B doesn't mean I don't plan a little
It’s the autumnal equinox and the first day of Libra season. I’m still coping with the last little dregs of a whopper of a sinus infection, but Mavis Staples singing “Beautiful Strangers” is soothing everything.
I’m so excited to be Los Angeles-bound in the wee hours on Thursday morning. Not that L.A. feels much different in fall than it does in other seasons. It has mild shifts, like the June Gloom when it gets a little cloudy. Although I was there in October 2021, when record-breaking rains happened. It made my autumn-loving heart explode, if only for a morning spent with a friend, drinking coffee and watching the sky.
You know I’m not a big planner when it comes to my travel, but I do have a bit of an itinerary this time. Mostly because my trip’s a little shorter than usual. Such is traveling while unemployed. And also because I have some business stuff happening, and some friend visiting. Scheduling’s necessary for actually seeing people. Here’s the plan:
Wednesday: I’m doing my usual prep for an early-morning flight: checking into a hotel near the St. Louis airport in the afternoon, eating enough THC edibles to make a smaller, weaker person trip balls, and going to sleep by 7 p.m. so I can enjoy a full night’s rest before I head to the airport around 3:30 a.m.
Thursday: My flight should land in Burbank around 11 a.m. I’ll get my car and likely head directly to East Hollywood for a jambon beurre at Maison Matho. And a croissant, of course.
Sure, I could go someplace new to me, but why? I have plenty of time for that. I’m hoping Thursday will also include coffee with my friend Drew, because it’s not a proper day in L.A. without having coffee with Drew.
What else? Settling in at the Chandelier House. Grabbing some groceries. A nap. Some writing. Happy hour at Club Tee Gee. Because it’s not a proper evening in L.A. without happy hour at CTG.
Friday: I’ve got work to do! Early Sunday morning, I have two Zoom meetings scheduled with literary agents at a writers conference in Philadelphia. I’d hoped to have my manuscript finished, but losing last week to sinus crud derailed that plan. Still, I’m trying to get as much done as possible. Coffee friend Drew also has work stuff, so we’re camping out at a coffeehouse to work. L.A. coffeehouses are full of writers, which is one of my favorite things about the city. It’s an inspiring place to be.
Saturday: I was supposed to meet up with my friend Chip from Sacramento, but he’s not going to be able to make the trip. So I’m heading to Riverside, about an hour away, to visit my friend Donna. The last time we saw each other was over a year and a half ago. We were both in Chicago in the depths of January for the Celebration of Life for our friend Joe.
I’m sure we’ll have lots to talk about over lunch with the new Jeff Tweedy album that comes out on Friday. We’re also going to check out The Cheech Marin Museum for Chicano Art and Culture, which I didn’t know existed until Donna messaged me about it this morning. I’m really excited about it, because I can’t think of a better time to support Chicano art and culture.
I have a dinner reservation back in L.A. at The Lonely Oyster, which is around the corner from the art exhibit with Chip’s photo, and has a martini garnished with a house-made potato chip topped with caviar. If I make it back to L.A. in time, I’ll head to Echo Park for that.
Sunday: Pitching my book to agents in Philly! Wish me luck! Then, probably coffee talk. If not, getting breakfast from Tartine delivered. And then? I don’t know! I’m feeling physically better now than I’ve felt during any L.A. trip. Knees are fixed. Nerve compression in my back is decompressed. I’ll pick a neighborhood to explore. Then it’s dinner at Darling in West Hollywood, and Dylan Chambers at Gold-Diggers.
Monday: I have to be at the airport by 1:30, so a coffee with Drew, a quick bite, and probably some tears because I hate leaving Los Angeles.
There are lots of empty time slots for spontaneity, and wiggle room to alter plans if needed. Room to celebrate or pout as necessary. I don’t anticipate the latter, but even if it happens, it’s hard to pout for too long when surrounded by angels.
There’s a lot of coffee to be drunk in L.A. You can buy one for me if you’d like. Thanks!