palo alto and la
7 minute read
I’m writing this in hindsight entirely because each night was too fun and I fiddled with the room key to shuffle over to my bed and then just plopped down for the night. I learned a lot of lessons and have many wonderful memories already stored in my brain over this 96 hour “college tour” trip to Palo Alto and LA. I refer to my friends by where they are from when it’s italicized.
The plane ride over was really cool despite me being in the middle seat. To my left was an Asian man who climbs and didn’t use technology the whole plane ride. To my right was an African American man who watched movies the whole plane ride. I wrote essays and listened to music. The climber wore painter pants with a baggy oversized tee and tennis shoes. The movie watcher wore a plaid shirt and suit pants. I wore a navy hoodie and teal joggers. The climber had no bracelets, the movie watcher had a silver watch, and I had on colorful bracelets. Everything about us was so different, but as the flight attendant came through the cabin asking if anyone wanted coffee, there were no takers: except for us 3. We all took our coffee the exact same way: 2 creams and sugar. You would’ve thought we had nothing in common, but with everyone in this world, you have something in common, life is about finding out that one thing because all you need is one connection with someone to become friends. We ought to do that a lot more. The climber taught me to be content with simplicity. Taking myself out of the revolving door of every day life every once in a while. He reminded me of this book, The Tao of the Poo, where the book studies the contentness and mindset of Winnie the Pooh. The movie watcher taught me unbotheredness, to just focus on my affairs and that other people go their own speeds.
The Big Dipper is currently staring at me through the plane window on the way back home. I usually find myself dreading something whenever I am departing rather than arriving. I took a quick insightful look at myself while waiting to board the plane and I figured out that I have nothing to dread. Nothing. I’m so lucky to have nothing to dread. My only downturn comes from leaving behind some of the people that make my world. But we shall meet again. I left a venture in the past and i have so many ventures to look forward to: whether it be to a new coffee shop in Atlanta or to another corner of the earth.
I lowkey forget most things in retrospect, so this is an incomplete puzzle of my weekend.
So i had pretty much an entire loaf of sourdough along with a burger for dinner in Palo Alto. The butter came planet-shaped with sea salt sprinkled on top. I dipped it in the truffle fry residue as well. It was 11 at night and we were with mom’s spontaneous best friend, so we went on a nighttime tour of Palo Alto. We went up and down Waverly to see the turquoise garage Hewlett Packard was founded in and where Steve Jobs lived and died. His house was on the corner, but yet so off the grid. We then made our way to see Stanford and the glow of the mosaics against the half supermoon and street lights. We walked around the Burghers of Calais too. I learned that when you’re moving to a new city, choose the more expensive home where the neighbors can help you with your ventures, rather than the budget place with a much longer commute. Someone is much more likely to talk to a neighbor than respond to an email about a coffee shop meetup focused on business.
In the morning, i took a walk along the highway to the Stanford shopping center to Joe and The Juice, one of my personal east and west cost favorites. I got a vanilla latte and of course, an açaí bowl. It was now 9 am and not a soul walked through this gorgeous complex of my typa stores. It was time to see my Palo Alto friend and so instead of driving 5 mins, i opted to walk across all of Stanford’s campus past the weeping angel and cactus garden. I had the best grilled cheese ever for 7.99 and tomato soup, which is pretty much what i have to pay at school. We got ice cream, visited alo, vuori, and free people. After she had to get to a basketball tournament, so mom and I went to the Farm Games at the track and watched non athletes run track events. Of course i got a pic with the mascot. We then ventured over to the Rodin sculptures and then to the Papua New Guinea sculpture garden where they were sitting in a circle and playing drums and horns.
It was a quick flight to lax and all that was open in West Hollywood was state social house, which we sat outside at and car spotted together. We counted 24 g wagens in our hour long dinner. A fun game to play in LA. Later that night, my La Jolla friend and i went to get mid ice cream and people watch on the vibrant crazy street. We were filled with wide eyes and laughs. I slept very well that night and woke up a king. La Jolla and I went to Erewhon in the morning, a venture which we have had planned as far back as the eye can see. We got smoothies, checked out the sushi, got water bottles, and some coffee which made me feel healthy. How dangerous would it be to have erewhon down the street from me. We sat and had our smoothies as we people watched, an activity you’ll find that i love. Everyone is so different and i love it. We then got up and did a walk around BH and of course, had to take a gander in the golden goose store. We were wearing our ones from Barcelona and the designers in there loved them, so we talked about life and such with them for a few minutes. My Hollywood friend was done with her volunteer duties of the morning and came to say hi. I peaked my head out the door to watch her walk up the street and it’s so wonderful to reunite with people. Just so wonderful. I spent the afternoon with my Agoura friend. We went to Malibu colony and went in every single shop. I drew inspiration from each one and we car spotted as we walked through the dry garden paths all over the place. Towards the end of our time, we OF COURSE had to go to kith treats. I ordered a milkshake with whole milk, chocolate ice cream, heart Honey Nut Cheerios, and COOKIE DOUGH BITES YUMMMMM. I don’t play when it comes to cookie dough. They also gave us complimentary Kith Sour Patch Kids. i like free things. That was a great moment. Will i eat them and keep the box or just use them as decoration like my 4 year old Travis Scott Reece’s Puffs in my pantry? We walked to the beach and saw some seagulls flying above the waves during sunset. There was also an untended turquoise lifeguard hut.
Mom and i drove home through the hills rather than PCH. I currently need a GT3 RS in riviera blue with akrapovic exhaust. The family, fuel economic suv rental was a fine replacement in the hills for the meantime. It was time for dinner. I made it to Jon and Vinny’s in my West Village marketing manager outfit. Linen everything and a blazer with the sleeves rolled up. I had bucatini and espresso for dinner. My two LA friends had the spicy fusilli, which I should’ve gotten. It’s the staple. Whenever there is a staple whether it be in a bakery or a restaurant, always order it. You never go wrong and maybe you open your mind in the process. We also split a margherita pizza. I said “phone eats first,” because he reached for the first piece, but he then said “[LA] eats first.” That made me laugh. We went to Go Greek next door and I had the Greek Honey frozen yogurt with a heap of chocolate chips. We walked around BH and it felt like Barcelona again. Just an aimless, post dinner walk with a sweet treat in hand and happiness in tow. Finally, we took a drive in LA’s car and I listened to some new music and Shazamed it. We went around the flats.
The morning, I got my weekly taste of architecture, interior design, and their logistics by walking through some open houses in Malibu. Any intent to buy? No.
After my tours that day, I convinced mom to go to erewhon. I think i have found my new home. I placed SOURDOUGH pasta in my basket. I have never heard of that, but a new addiction to come. I also got some random healthy cereal that hopefully will wake me up better in the mornings when i walk downstairs all groggy to breakfast. I also had to treat myself to a bag of Erewhon Medium Roast whole beans. I tested them out by ordering an Iced latte with clover Sonoma organic whole milk and vanilla syrup from scrath. Wowowoowowowowo. Yes is all I have to say. Mom took me to see Hollywood at yamashiro. It was on its own little hill and we pounded sushi and of course, this giant brownie sundae. Dinner consisted of sushi, passion fruit mocktails, and gossip. We took a selfie with the waitress because she was so awesome. We walked around the grounds through the well-lit gardens that surrounded the restaurant like a moat. We looked out over LA and though about all there is to think about in this wonderful world we are so lucky to call home. We share the same favorite movie, Ferris Buller’s Day Off and we talked about Casablanca from 1942. I didn’t know anyone else knew this movie. That was a canon moment.
Stay busy every once in a while. Next time, I need to write every day rather than all at once. Thanks for reading if you made it this far.
A well-needed decompression of adventure.
Judson
