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City Councilman Eric Garcetti is writing the Slate Diary this week. In his first entry, Garcetti begins his Saturday helping to paint over some graffiti in Historic Filipinotown then moves on to the next stop.
Slightly out of breath, at about 10:45 I jump into the passenger seat of my hydrogen-powered city vehicle. As one of my deputies drives, I change out of paint-stained jeans and a T-shirt into a slightly more presentable outfit so that I can cut the ribbon at the opening of India Sweets and Spices in Atwater Village, on the northeast edge of my district. I hope no one will glance over from their car and suddenly see their councilman in his underpants...I spend the balance of the afternoon with my partner, Amy. We head to Panty Raid, a women's underwear store in Silver Lake, which has its own "male day-care center" (a Sharp Aquos monitor connected to a Sony PlayStation, a complete year's collection of Maxim, and two comfy chairs). Amy gets what seem like the world's softest pajamas.
That evening, I join my friend Zeb to watch the Lakers on television as they close out their second-round series against the Spurs. Los Angeles is a city often portrayed as fragmented, but Lakers season unites this town...Sundays are much calmer than Saturdays. After working seven days a week for the first two years in office—I have been in office for three years—I realized that it is important to have one day off, to have time to run errands, recharge, hang with friends, etc.
In the morning, Amy and I prune, fertilize, and water our fruit trees out back. The pomegranates look particularly promising this year.
A few hours later, we head to a new wine shop that has opened in Silver Lake and is having a tasting. Silver Lake is often described in terms that range from "artsy" to "bohemian." The truth is a bit more complicated. Like Echo Park, just next door, where we live, Silver Lake is a community with immigrant families, creative types, couples of every persuasion.
The weekend ends with the sun setting over the Echo Park hills and Amy in her new pajamas. Look for new entries daily.
I'll have to take a closer look at the city cars around me when I am driving. Mr. Garcetti is very tasty. And I liked the diary. And I love Silver Lake Wine--if you haven't been, go.
Posted by: MForland at May 17, 2004 02:10 PMThen, on Monday I mulled over the latest proposition from the Neighbors for Peace and Justice. Sure, that bit about only invading Iraq if we were directly and militarily invaded by Iraq was either disingenuous or just stupid, but what do my constituents expect of me? So, let's make that the law!
I was out of breath from all that thinking, so I took a breather and went to the AM/PM in Atwater Village for some hot dogs and a Big Gulp.
Then, I jumped back into my solar-powered car and my driver drove me to sign another proclamation declaring L.A. the Ellis Island of the West Coast. Once again the question is: disingenuous or just stoopid?
Etc. etc. etc.
Posted by: The Lonewacko Blog at May 17, 2004 04:17 PMBTW, both of the referenced links in the last post were directly related to E.G.'s actions.
In the case of the anti-war resolution, one of his assistants (or he himself) worked with the Neighbors for Peace and Justice to draft and pass the resolution.
In the second case, one of Hahn's underlings told me that if I wanted more information I should speak to E.G.'s assistant.
Posted by: The Lonewacko Blog at May 17, 2004 04:24 PM
I vote stoopid for the way you misrepresent Garcetti's positions.
How am I misrepresenting G's position?
He worked with the "Neighbors" in a capacity I forget. I spoke with his assistant who confirmed that G (or the assistant himself) worked with the "Neighbors." The final resolution might not have been as odious as the "Neighbor's" resolution, but that's where it started.
G also was behind the new Office of Immigrant Affairs, as confirmed by the Hahn staffer who wrote the press release I discussed in the last link.
Posted by: The Lonewacko Blog at May 17, 2004 10:50 PMWe have an office of Immigrant Affairs? It's about time. I grew up in Houston, where there is some city department that coordinates immigrant issues and it works well. Go LA! And are you really trying to pump up our involvement in Iraq, lonewacko? Stop trying to live up to your name!
Posted by: MechaLA at May 17, 2004 11:30 PMOh yeah, and in case you haven't noticed, lonewacko, this city is half immigrant and half Latino. A lot of them are defending your ass in Iraq right now, some without citizenship.
Posted by: MechaLA at May 17, 2004 11:32 PM
of LA Observed
Saturdays are usually eclectic and unpredictable...
Being a councilman means living a life defined by velocity.
Reads like a Bulwer-Lytton contest entry...
Posted by: mark at May 17, 2004 12:51 PM