In the city, the city of Compton

I've always been intrigued about places I was not allowed to go. As a kid I wasn't allowed to ride my bike across a main road to go to 7/11, but my curiosity would take over and would go anyway. As I got older, went to college and visited new places I learned there were areas you weren't supposed to go to as an adult. My freshman year I went to college in North East Philadelphia, and I was warned not to explore the area. I was told a young white girl is not ever supposed to be wandering around “the hood” alone. That always just made me want to see what it was like even more. When I can’t wander as I please though somewhere, I feel like my freedom is taken away and I don’t like that at all.

When I moved to Los Angeles, a friend lent me a car to explore the city. She warned me to not go to certain areas because how dangerous they were and it wasn't a joke. Compton is a city that is well known in many rap songs and where many famous rappers grew up. My mind of course raced that I wanted to just drive through and see what it actually looked like. Was is that bad or dangerous? I didn't push my boundaries and like a good girl I stayed in the areas I was supposed to.

This summer a friend a met in Australia was passing through LA. On his was to Hollywood to meet me, Jacob had one of his bags stolen on the metro with all his valuables including a Mac book, credit cards and his passport. Jacob was one of the most cool, calm and collected people I had ever seen handle a situation like that and I so admire him. I would be crying, cursing and throwing a tantrum. He cancelled all his cards and filed a police report with the LA Sheriff. We then went for dinner when his phone made a strange noise. His Mac book had been located! We both cheered in excitement and then I asked sarcastically “where is it, Compton?!” and laughed. “Kristin!” he excitedly replied, “how did you know?!”

my awesome friend Jacob seeing something other than a police station in LA

Jacob called the police station to find out what to do. We headed over to the LAPD in Hollywood and the officer told us since we had already filed a report with the Sheriff that he could not help us. I can see how the different departments don’t want to step on each others toes, but we had an exact location of his stolen laptop and the LAPD officer would not help us. Jacob then called the Compton Sheriff and he was much more helpful. By this time though, too much time had passed since the original location of the Mac book. By the time we would get to Compton from Hollywood it would be too late. He told us next time we get a location to come straight to him in Compton. We went back to my apartment and put the case to rest for the evening.

The next morning we headed Santa Monica for brunch. As soon as we sat down and we got our Bloody Marys, Jacob’s phone got another location of the Macbook! This time it was across the street from the last location. He ran to the host stand and yelled “I need a cab to Compton quick!” Everyone was a little confused so he started explaining the situation. Our cab arrived but was reluctant to take us to where we wanted to go. He drove very slowly and kept telling us in the 25 years he has lived in LA, he has never been asked to go to Compton. I was getting a bit nervous myself since I had been warned several times not to go, but we were going to the police station, the safest place you could be. 

As soon as we got off the freeway there were bars on all the windows and doors. There were all sorts of garbage and broken down cars on the lawns. It seemed pretty deserted and gloomy. I’m still new to California so palm trees amaze me and they seem to make everything prettier. So if ever a ghetto to be in, there were palm trees that made it a little brighter. We finally arrived at the police station and bolted for the entrance. In the 10 seconds we were outside I heard several people yelling something directed at us, but was just concerned with getting us inside safely. 

When we walked in we were greeted by a woman moaning on the floor. The Sheriffs were all very nice but they couldn't help us for awhile because they were very busy. It was father’s day and they said they were especially busy with assaults today. After a couple of hours they had time to free up an officer and they went to the address to see if they could find the laptop. When he returned he explained that it was a house full of “Mexican Gangsters” and they claimed to know nothing about Jacob’s Mac book. Even though we had a location, there weren't allowed to go searching through the house without a warrant, which is so ridiculous.

police station greeter

anxiously waiting our turn

I looked at the clock and realized I had to be at work soon and started to panic that we had to go. The officers asked how we were getting back and I told them (kidding in my mind) that we were going to take the metro across the street back to Hollywood. Jacob looked terrified and officers asked where we were going. I told them Hollywood and they said we were not taking the train and to follow them. They let us in the back of the cop car, which was pretty exciting since we were just getting a lift and not arrested.

The Sheriffs were so cool and shared interesting stories. I asked them about the worst crime scenes they had encountered. And one officer showed us pictures of some of the most outrageous ones.  I could see Jacob was over the moon about it. I thought it was a pretty awesome experience that we found ourselves in, minus Jacobs things being stolen.

back seat of the police car getting a lift from Compton to work 

Unfortunately, Jacob never got his belongings back. It wasn't your typical sight seeing tour of Los Angeles but we had a pretty cool adventure. I can now cross Compton off my bucket list of destinations and forbidden places! 

Get Legal, Fly out like a Seagull

I had seen on the show Entourage that marijuana was legal in California, but always thought it was exaggerated for Hollywood. Anywhere I've ever lived, marijuana has been illegal and there has been no debate about it. If you were caught with it, you were in trouble. 

Turtle from Entourage rolling a joint 

Last year I visited Venice Beach for the first time. My friend’s brother lent me his care and I drove up from Orange County to explore different parts of Los Angles. It was just about dusk and I parked on Abbot Kinney, a more upscale street in Venice Beach with shops and restaurants. It seemed safe to me, but I had a woman at one of the boutiques ask me what business I had walking around Venice at night and it was unsafe. At that point I got a little nervous and decided to grab a quick bite before heading back to the OC.  I saw a well lit bakery across the street and headed in. I was greeted at the door with a smile. There were large glass jars lining the walls with what looked like sugar and spices. There were racks of t-shirts for sale as well.  A gentleman approached me and asked how he could help and I looked in the glass case and didn’t see any food so I asked “are you guys closing up already?” He said no with a puzzled look. Then I asked what they had to eat? He smiled and asked me if I knew where I was. After looking very confused for a few seconds he smiled and said “you know you are in a dispensary miss”.

I started rapid fire with questions because I had no idea what was going on. He explained that in California, marijuana is legal and you can get a prescription to help you with all sorts of ailments from insomnia to back pain. He was excited to give me a little lesson on how it is all grown locally and different strands help different pains and problems. When I returned to the OC I ran in and told my California native friends about this pot store and asked them how come they never told me about this parallel universe! They looked at me confused and said “Kristin you smoke? And why do you care, it’s legal in NY too right?”

 I've never been big into smoking, I’d much rather have a beer. But this idea that something so illegal where I grew up is so accepted on this side of the country blew my mind. I began asking everyone I met in California how they felt about Marijuana. The consensus I got was many people use it on the west coast just as people on the east coast take a Xanax to relax or sleep.

Cookie and some normal Venice Beach store fronts 

Since I moved to LA I've spent some time in Venice Beach and noticed on the board walk they have these shops with people dressed in all green, advertising to get your legal marijuana card. After several trips down the boardwalk I had to see how legit this actually is. I walked up to a shop that was painted all green and said GET LEGAL $30. There were posters that enticed you like some medical commercial that read “Do you have insomnia? Loss of appetite? Chronic pain?” A man dressed in green scrubs smiled at me and said “COME GET LEGAL AND FLY OUT LIKE A SEAGULL!” I walked into a little green room where you were still able to see the boardwalk and friends of the workers were popping in to say hello. I filled out a form and went into another room with people from all walks of life. I was one of the youngest of the crowd. 

filling out my initial paper work with the Green Dr.'s 

I waited for about 5 minutes until my name was called and I was summoned to a door with no door knob. The Doctor greeted me and shook my hand. His first question was where I was from. We had a chat about Long Island and how he has friends in Nassau County. He finally asked me why I would need a prescription. I told him I can’t sleep then he stamped a piece of paper and told me I qualify for a year prescription and wished me luck in LA.

waiting to be called by the Doctor

I ran back to my friend in the waiting room with my new pot certificate! Next step since to actually get the card to bring to the dispensary we had to walk down the board walk to another location. We walked down with a British man in the Green Dr.’s get up. He told us stories of living on the streets of England and how the Olympics pushed him out of his home.

my official physicians statement and approval 

The next stop was a crowded office with may more employees dressed in the same green scrubs buzzing around. There were pot posters on the walls with intelligent sounding research like you would find in a normal doctors office about “the stomach works”. I had my picture taken and they gave me some coupons for local dispensaries.  

the last stop where I had my picture taken

And just like that I now have access to walk into any of the 8,000 + dispensaries in California and have a field day. I think the legalization of marijuana here explains a lot about why California is more laid back than New York. I think it’s a great thing to have access to that is all natural and is regulated by the government. You don’t have to worry about how many hands it changed hands with and what it was laced with before it gets to you. So if you’re going to smoke pot for recreation or health purposes, California is the way to go. 

real California life, my new pot card and I

Know When to Fold 'Em

My first time at a casino was in Atlantic City for my friend Adam’s 21^st birthday. I was only 19 at the time but he convinced a pit boss that I was his cousin and I was of age. I had an immediate run of luck and we thought we were the luckiest kids in the world because the waitress kept on bringing us free beer! Adam and I kept betting on my lucky streak. Together we made a ton of money and a drunken mess. They changed dealers and our luck changed too. All that money was gone in what seemed like 2 minutes. I should have learned right then to get out while your up, especially way up.

"The Team" at the Melbourne Casino 

I have gambled in casinos around the world but only in America do they liquor you up for free. When in Melbourne, Australia I bought myself a bourbon and coke, then a nice gentleman bought me one as well. I sat down at a table with both drinks. The dealer would not let me stay because having 2 drinks was irresponsible drinking and I would have to get rid of one. I politely turned around, chugged one and then bought in.

Celebrating with the girls after surviving the Melbourne Cup

In London we stopped at a casino near Chinatown and I was so let down. It seemed like a skeezy, old saloon with a musty smell. Nothing was shiny or new, I felt cheap just being there. The casinos in Australia were a lot nicer but nothing comes anywhere near to the superior riches and glamour of Las Vegas. It’s amazing that they never close but everything is always clean and in order, even with the mayhem going on 24/7.

Kris and I after breaking out of the dodgy London casino 

The Brisbane Casino "My House of Dreams"

I've had lots of interesting things happen to me in casinos but my favorite story was on our first trip to the Brisbane casino. Every big city in Australia seemed to have one nice casino. In Brisbane it was a beautiful old building surrounded by purple lights, sitting on the river. A couple months into school, our American group decided to get dressed up and go out in “BrisVegas”. I found myself at the black jack table with the Texas Twins and some Canadians we didn't know. The Texans, like myself could be pretty loud. The Canadians weren't helping the situation either. I was confused why I couldn't get a free drink and the Texans were cursing up a storm at each other. As I joined into their excitement I was warned by the pit boss, one more slip up and they would throw me out. Well, after I doubled down and won the hand we were all cheering and some other words of emotion came out and I was escorted out of the casino. 

Christy, Sarah and I getting glammed up for BrisVegas

"The Texans" and I

I pleaded with the doorman and he let me back in. I went right back to my spot next to the Texans, and another guy had joined the table. He was an Aussie in his early 30's and took a liking to me. He started giving me money to bet with, and I was adding it to my bets, and keeping the winnings. He kept giving me money; I figured he was rich and lonely so I kept chatting it up with him. My other girlfriends had long left me behind; they weren't gamblers and went out for dinner. The Texans had lost their money and weren't waiting around for me since I was getting everything handed to me. The Aussie eventually had to make the inappropriate comment of me taking off with him and I told him I had to go to the bathroom, but he made me leave the chips at the table. 

Having a good laugh with Christy outside the casino before starting some trouble 

I called my girlfriends from the bathroom in a panic telling them how I had a couple thousand dollars and how I didn't want to go back to the creeper but I wanted that money. I hung up, came up with a twisted plan in a pinch and went back to the table. He was still there and I went right back to gambling, but started losing a bit. When I was down to about $600 he put his hand on my back. Like lightning I scraped up all the chips, shoved them in my bag, crossed my arms over my chest holding onto my bag and took off as fast as I could go barreling my way down the casino halls. As I’m throwing people out of my way, Colleen, Christy and Sarah turn the corner and see me charging like a bat out of hell. “I got the money!!!!” I yelled as I sprinted by. The girls counted my chips on the way home and I was up $550! I’m not saying this was the best way to go about things, but its come in handy for some good laughs and paying for some later adventures.

Celebrating through Griffith's campus after counting my winnings 

Laughing about the nights events with best friends

This past weekend I was in Vegas for an Arbonne Conference and didn't have anyone my age to hang out with, so I hit the strip alone looking for some fun. I ended up losing over $500 over 4 days and was so mad at myself for being irresponsible because that was nearly half of my rent money. I did what any rational person would do, take out another $100, walked up to the first Roulette table at the Cosmopolitan and put it all on red. I wasn't thinking about how I looked with my little polka dot cover up and wild hair as I strutted up to a table of guys with $1 chips scattered around the table. Well, when I hit, it was one of the coolest and exhilarating moments, and I felt like such a baller. I took my winnings and left as everyone begged me to stay because I was “Lady Luck”. I made my way from casino to casino and won 11 more times in a row! Each $100 walk up and play was a new, exciting and different experience at each casino. I made my way back to the beautiful Cosmopolitan because it is my new favorite hotel. I walked up to another Roulette table, threw a hundred down, and lost. So I did the smartest thing I have done in a long time, ordered another bloody mary and headed straight to the cashier J

Inside the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas

Biking to the Promise Land

I grew up riding bikes almost every day during the warm months. I’d ride to meet my friends or over to my cousins house. If we were feeling really brave, we’d ride all the way to 7/11 for slurpees. My friend Kelly and I would cruise the neighborhood looking for old furniture at garage sales to build our dream tree house. Even in the beginning of high school I would ride my bike to a party if my mom wouldn't let me go. But once I got my license, my good ole bike started collecting cob webs.

When I studied abroad in Australia, I had this dream of buying a bike and riding it everywhere. It wasn't like this was such a crazy thing to do in another country but I had this vision of riding to get my groceries on my bike and thought it was the coolest thing ever. So from the second I stepped foot in Oz I blabbed about how I wanted a bike so bad. When I started shopping for one, like everything else in Australia, they were sooo expensive. Within a couple of weeks I found out a friend of a friend got a brand new bike for her birthday and was looking to get rid of it. I scooped up my brand new bike, lock and helmet for $40!!!! To give you and idea, it costs almost $20 to go out for a burger in Oz, so I was lucky to get a great deal!

Cheesin with my new Aussie wheels

That very day I was so excited to ride to the mall at Garden City and pick up some groceries at Woolworths. Griffith’s campus was on a massive hill so it was a breeze getting down to the mall. As soon as the road turned flat I felt myself huffing and puffing. I started cursing myself out in disappointment of how out of shape I was. I was moving slower than a sloth, school kids in their cute little outfits were running past me. I was almost there when a little school girl tapped me on the shoulder, then pointed to my tire and said “hey miss, you have no air in your tires!” in her Aussie accent. Sweat poured down my face and onto my front tire as I stared at it in disbelief. I’m so quick to be determined to get through what I set out to do and be so oblivious to everything at the same time. I immediately bought a bike pump and that never happened again.

I recently moved to LA almost 4 years later, without a car. A bicycle was again in my vision. I was picturing a pink beach cruiser this time with a basket for a pug in front. I live in Hollywood so the realistic option was to get whatever I could find for cheap. I walked up to an estate sale in the Hollywood Hills last week searching for furniture and stumbled upon a bike. I got talking to the owner, and what do you know he is from Long Island! His father also graduated from Towson University like myself, what a small world! A combination of sharing our LI bond and feeling pity for me hiking up Laurel Canyon at 7am, he sold me my new cruiser for $45!! I lucked out again. I chained it up on the bike rack at my apartment and was a very happy camper.

My sweet new LA wheels! 

A few days later I went to take my first bike ride to work and there was another lock intertwined to lock in my lock and bike so I couldn't get out either of them! I called the building manager and some disgruntled tenant was claiming I was parked to close to their van, making it impossible to park. Are you kidding me?!!!

Does it look like there is enough room to park??

I guess people love having something, anything to bitch about. Good thing they didn't run into me as I attempting to persuade the landscapers out front for giant clippers to free my bike and deflate their tires. An hour later my bike was magically free and I was able to take her for my first spin in LA!

Setting out during rush hour probably wasn't my best decision. Los Angeles has the most traffic in the country because the public transportation system is terrible and the city is so spread out. I've heard it almost every day that I've been here. “OMG you don’t have a car? But you live in LA!” The metros only cover a quarter of the city with stops 4 miles apart and the buses sit in the same congestion that cars do. There are some random bike lanes throughout the city, but you are not allowed to ride on the side walk. This is the most ridiculous rule ever because no one is even walking on the sidewalk, everyone is in their car! Even when I did try and sneak on the side walk, I was berated by two extremely flamboyant men and their Chihuahua. While riding down Melrose I saw my life flash before 5 Bentleys and a Phantom. Half the cars in LA don’t even have proper license plates because you have a grace period when you a buy a new car, and its very common to have a new car here. Perfect scenario for a hit and run I kept thinking, especially since 90% of the cars that went by me were worth more than my life!

Los Angeles has some of the worst traffic in the country

I finally reached the Beverly Center safely! As I picked my bike off the curb getting ready to cross Las Cienega Blvd my front tire flies off, graces the little brown bag clutched by the lady next to me and rolls into traffic. Somehow it doesn't get run over and I ran to get it when the coast was clear. I struggled to get it back on my bike and began to laugh as I realized how much I blended in with the lunatics and homeless on the corner.

After struggling forever figuring how to lock my bike up without the front tire falling off, I finally made it into the promise land, City Target! I don’t know what my issue is with bikes, but I have a feeling I’ll have many more stories to come while ridding around LA. Bikes can be great way to get around, reduce your carbon footprint and stay active. Just make sure you check to make sure everything works properly before going for a ride and research the best route to your destination, especially if you’re a space cadet like me!