Alive In A Living City
So far, I love my new place. I really like being back in the city. Funny to say because where I was before was no real departure from "the city", but being right back in the center of Hollywood sure feels more like it. I like hearing people around, much more than I thought I would. The little group of apartments in my courtyard are all occupied by pretty cool people... There is a single mother with a young son that kind of remind me of me and my Mom when I was growing up. There is a tall good looking guy who plays acoustic on his front step in the evening as people get home from work. There is a friendly guy who does music on his computer studio in his apartment. There is an older lady with an easy smile who they say used to be a film actress. One woman does makeup by day and helps keep up the extensive gardens when she gets home. One man is a set builder with his walls painted dark red who lives with his new wife, whom he married in the courtyard. One quiet man is a lighting technician on film sets, who meditates a lot and enjoys old country music. And me.
The apartments are all really old, apparently built in the 20's or 30's. The electrical and plumbing are pretty dodgy, but they are filled with character. I have come to really love my new apartment. My cats once again are granted free-roaming outdoor status. Over the years that I have been the guardian to Spike and Yaphet, they have alternated between being outdoor and indoor cats. This place is pretty much cat Disneyland. No other tenants have dogs and most have cats, and let them roam free in the courtyard. The long sidewalk up from the street is lined with cat explorers, cat sunbathers, and any other cat drama you can imagine at any hour of the day. I feel pretty good that they get to live a more adventurous life than in my last house - where the proximity to a major street's traffic made it necessary to keep them locked up. They didn't seem to mind, but this has to be better.
One of the best parts of the new place is the common garden patio behind the building that I and 3 other tenants share. All four back doors lead to this little green living oasis. Many different odd kinds of plants, vines, and flowers all wrapped around a short stone walkway with some small buddhas and other statuary on the way to a greenery enclosed sitting area that looks just right for barbecues and enjoying the outside. Very not Hollywood, this back zone. At night with the lights on, it's absolutely magical. I'll post some pics soon.
Behind my desk, there is an open section in the wall that used to be an old Murphy bed - you know the beds that fold up into the wall? Now it's just this kind of ledge/shelf thing. I have a vision of making it an altar-like art piece. I would like to find a place to get a couple female mannequin torsos, some fake flowers that fluoresce in black light, and some other goodies to make it really come alive.
I have been playing music more and more and so far, no complaints. I want to be clear that in these posts, I don't mean to sound like I am complaining about my situation, or that I am in some rat-infested hell hole one step from my debut as a homeless person. Not the case. I am fine, life is good, and I am happy. I wanted to maintain my pretty straightforward tone in these posts, and was just being frank about what was happening in my life. When the shit really hit the fan, I disappeared for a month. I still debate this whole blog thing sometimes. I do appreciate all the support and positive vibes I got from my frequent readers, I really did fell pretty low a few times, checked my comments, and was brightened up considerably by some of you taking the time to have my back. Thanks so much.
Now Playing: Gomez "Liquid Skin"
Comments
Sounds lovely Steve, and more than a bit inspiring too I should imagine...
RP (having visions of an Elanor Rigbyesque song!)
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | August 1, 2005 02:01 AM
Oh man, what a joy it is to hear you're settling in and that it sounds like good Karma surrounds you. Makes me feel good. It also sounds like a kind of writers' heaven, lots of inspiration around to draw upon. As for "that having your back" thing, yea, as always, that's all you'll ever get from me dude. We all hit speedbumps-the key is to not drop your oil pan. Peace and have a great and fantastic day.
Posted by: Lyn | August 1, 2005 03:13 AM
Warm Greets from the Carolinas....I am a bit new to the PC world ...came across this sight and bumped into you...I have no clue who you are..I hope this does not offend you but found your writings and thoughts quite interesting ...Interesting in a way that I was able to feel you through your words...Its pretty cool !!!! For me it is much easier to write ?type out what I am thinking ...or feeling about situations in my life ...I almost feel as if I am secretly reading someones diary...I feel a bit guilty but very eager to read ...Its that weird...
Hahahahahahahah well this crazy lady will let you be ....Baci !!!!!
Posted by: HotRodNC | August 1, 2005 04:56 AM
Looking forward to the pics from the garden. Sounds like a good place to find solace. That would be very un-Hollywood...ha ha
Posted by: Mike C. | August 1, 2005 08:21 AM
Your building sounds like the kind of place that I would love to live in. I love character in a living place. Glad that your feeling at home in your new place.
-Aaron
Posted by: Aaron | August 1, 2005 09:07 AM
Lovely to hear you sounding so upbeat and full of hope Steve...some of us can't help but worry about you...not that you made things sound more dire than they are, we just worry because we care.
Have a beautiful day :D
Posted by: Cori | August 1, 2005 09:55 AM
PS...have you given any thought to going to Vegas when Dave plays Rock Star poker there later this month????
Posted by: Cori | August 1, 2005 09:56 AM
Built in the 20s or 30s? Sounds like a pretty good place to try that Ouija board!
I'm glad you and your cats are doing well and adjusting.
The way I see it is that life is never all sunshine and flowers. I would never expect this blog to be either. If something's bugging or worrying you, you have every right to get it out into the open if you want.
I didn't think you were complaining, just explaining the situation. Apartments can simply be noisy and inhabited by a wide variety of characters.
Although I don't live in a really busy part of Hollywood, the best part of this apartment is the pool. The living room is finally coming together the way I want it. All I need to complete it is a TV and coffee table now. Oh, and some seat coushins for the kitchen table chairs, some more plants, and pictures to put on the wall...
I'm a decorating fool.
Hope everyone had a good weekend!
-peace-
Posted by: mortisha8 | August 1, 2005 10:16 AM
I'm happy that you've found your own "little peace of Heaven", Steve.. Good for you!
Elsa
Posted by: Junebug | August 1, 2005 10:53 AM
Sounds like you and the cats have landed somewhere that's a good fit. I'm so glad. I'm right there with Cori and it's a relief to know you're doing well again. I'm so glad that you've got a garden to enjoy.
I think an alter is a wonderful idea. I always tell myself I'll do one of the day of the dead but never seem to manage it. I think living with one on a daily basis would be a good thing.
Posted by: Cookie | August 1, 2005 02:36 PM
Maria...living room??? You mean our dance floor is gone now =( how are we gonna have those crazy parties now!?? Haha j/k
Steve, the apartment sounds great! Its really good to hear that you've settled in and are actually enjoying the change. I love that you already know so many of your neighbors, that's awesome. I pretty much know none of mine, different environment, everyone is wrapped up in life and most are young families with kids, so I'm not in that category.
I do enjoy and appreciate the open nature you have had here with us. It must be difficult sometimes to do that, it would be for me, but then again I guess as a songwriter you already open yourself up a lot as it is. Anyway, hope you have a great day today!
(will you be at HoB this Friday??)
Posted by: Abby | August 1, 2005 03:10 PM
Hi Steve,
I just wanted to thank you for having your blog. At first I began reading it to get clues about future concerts…(the first dragonfly show) and then I found myself reading it for so many other reasons. I have laughed, been inspired/motivated, intrigued, enlightened, amused, saddened, and filled with hope.
Seriously your blog is the shit! It has been a major highlight in my life this past year and was definitely the spark that I needed to follow my journey. I don’t know if I’ll ever really make it but I’m definitely having fun trying. I’m really glad that you are still doing this.
Thank you,
Wendy
p.s. I’m also glad to hear that your place is bitching. Somehow things always seem to work out even when there is no visible light at the end of the tunnel. The place sounds sort of enchanting, the perfect beginning to a new chapter. If I didn’t know you were real…
Ha I think the only thing I really disagree with you is about mushrooms. No matter what you say, they Rock! Anyhow I probably mentioned all this before but still, I think it’s worth repeating.
Merci
Posted by: wendybird | August 1, 2005 03:46 PM
Wow Wendy, Scientology allows you to do mushrooms? That explains all those cretins and UFOs and aliens and E meters and stuff. Not only was the guy a science fiction writer but he a drug addict too? Awesome! :)
Posted by: Lyn | August 1, 2005 07:42 PM
ha, ha Mr. Oldschool you almost got a snort out of me ;)
Posted by: Wendybird | August 1, 2005 10:02 PM
Steve:
I'm using my real name now. (I posted some negativity last week under the name Seth.)
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'm inspired by your latest post.
I admire your attidue: how you're looking at the apartment situation in a positive manner.
Isn't funny how life works out? With all the neighbors and that community garden+patio, it sounds like the new apartment will be an inspiration and will actually HELP your creativity, not hinder it.
Beauty comes from chaos.
[Man, so weird... but reading your post makes me want to move into an apartment complex, with interesting characters hanging out on the stoops.]
You've embraced the change, and with this blog, you're spreading the positivity.
Good karma all around.
Keep it up.
We really appreciate it.
cheers,
-joshua r.
Posted by: Joshua | August 1, 2005 11:11 PM
hey Steve, i'm the guy who was going to lend you the Gibsons to use for recording. Just wanted to say dude that recently in my HECTIC ass schedule, I find it very comforting when I sit down on the pc or wherever I'm looking at the web, and read your blog. You do a great job of helping paint a mental picture of your surroundings or happenings. Sometimes its like sweet sadness that seems like a prelude to something really cool about to happen. Don't know, just the feeling I get when I'm reading your blog. Have a good day bro and looking forward to saying hello at the next TPC show.
B
Posted by: BRANDON | August 2, 2005 08:17 AM
Sounds like the place is really coming together Steve. Always nice getting used to new surroundings, meeting new people. The Grand Adventure of life. I'm not sure if you recall east coast living, but when I was back in Manhattan, so many of the places there were vintage with tons of history. That's what's nice about Hollywood. The buildings have character here.
Posted by: Jonathan Lamas | August 2, 2005 01:31 PM
Do you use this ouija board often? :) Yeah this house is quite right for it :) Anyway it is great to hear that you like your apartment :)
Peace
Posted by: 4rentinla | September 28, 2005 11:29 PM