Wow, so well written Alisa. The fires inside mirroring the fires outside. California is a promise land for many but the burnout is also very real. I had no idea that’s where you were when your own brain’s matchbox lit up too. Feels symbolic, important, that you’ve exited there finally and maybe your body even feels it too—a settling that it maybe hasn’t really had since the “marriage firing” that set everything else aflame.
Your vivid/turbulent memories of LA life are a really absorbing read, Alisa – locked out nannies and all!
My thoughts have been with everyone caught up in/near the fires.
I enjoy The Traitors, too. Just waiting for the latest UK episode to start. One of the few shows where you're watching at the same time as everyone else, like in ye olden days.
Although I have not lived there since 1984, the Palisades will always be home. While I'm proud of my Ivy League degree, my heart will always belong to Canyon School (K-6). Very, very sad. My thoughts:
Six years ago a dear friend, who is also a firefighter who quit her job as a lawyer to do what she was passionate about, asked me if I would be a community liaison with SLC to build ground level involvement to reduce wildfire risk and a response plan.
One year ago, I stepped down from that role but my last action was a meeting with City officials. Maui had shown us that individual action was never going to be enough and that zoning changes would be great when we were rebuilding post-fire but the current built environment was too entrenched for meaningful change.
I suggested we take a serious look at remote sensing with direct connection to dispatch and, when possible and appropriate, immediate aerial response.
It was the first and only meeting I had with the City where I was fully out as a trans-person and I was afraid that my presentation had gotten in the way of my message. They seemed particularly quiet.
Six months later, I learned that the City had applied to for the grant I had recommended. They had been denied but only because they hadn't been aggressive enough and that they needed to include city, county and state agencies in the next round of applications.
When I heard they had actually submitted an application and that they were working on the next I had a flood of emotions.
I was thrilled they they were taking aggressive action, I was worried for my community that the threat was so obvious (my house had been identified as one of the "15 most at risk in all of SLC," and I was pissed off that no one had reached out to say thanks for the thoughtful suggestion. I'd spent those six months worrying about how, in the future, I was going to ensure people saw past my presentation (or saw it for the show of strength that I feel it is) and focus on the message.
It's no longer a matter of if, but more a matter of when. If you're anywhere near the WUI, at the very least, have a plan, know what you'll prioritize taking with you (my cobalt blue Mix Master) never leave your pets behind, be familiar with more that one route out of the area and talk with your elderly neighbors about their plans before hand.
So much wisdom in what you share and it's a shame the City didn't show up with greater presence of mind, sensitivity, and gratitude. I was encouraged to see what the folks at Google are doing in the realm of remote monitoring and AI: https://sites.research.google/gr/wildfires/firesat/
“Because what does one do after a catastrophic life implosion? Head west, of course—to the sun, the sand, and a sleepy beach town named after the literal patron saint of women in crappy marriages.” I know it must have been such a heart wrenching time, but there’s something so romantic and tender about you fleeing west with your littles like this.
Also the line about rewriting as, what was it, less Spanish prisoner! I guffawed out loud.
your story telling is so effortless and never boring...ill have to check out the "Hours" soundtrack sometimes lately to calm nerves ive slipped off into nightly oblivion (with minor thc supplements) letting apple music start with McCoy Tyner's initial 1962 release and let it shuffle from there 😊😇
Aww... thanks so much for the kind words. But gosh, I love McCoy Tyner -- I spent years listening to him on WBGO. My favorite track is this one. It's a little done, but it's like he's not even trying--so effortless! 😊 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frYLvC0mM50
Your daughter locking out the nanny! Haha. I thought that was just in the movies.
As much as I hated growing up in LA my heart breaks for those folks. A home is a home even if you live in a sheltered dessert that reveres celebrities more than the Uber driver. Meanwhile, my friend’s sister is still dealing with insurance as she lost her home in NC in August.
My daughters were/are little scamps. And agree. My heart breaks for anyone dealing with home loss--especially from storms and fires--it's so arduous getting your life back.
If I didn't know any better, I'd think CA was situated over the Hellmouth (wasn't the fictional town of Sunnydale there?). Fires, earthquakes, mudslides... Lordty. It's interesting to read other 'stackers takes on what's happening and their memories there. Thanks for sharing yours.
Your girls sound amazeballs. LOL
Also... how come no other president has gotten a presidential soda? And why did it have to be for THIS fool?
What's going on with Neil Gaiman?
I FUCKING need to visit that bookstore! I was SO close one time, but we didn't have the time.
MovieGrid sounds like my kinda game.
Never watched The Traitors. It's a reality show, right?
I actually created my will through Trust and Will. Funny that they're a sponsor. LOL
Chock full of awesome, this post, as always! Can I say that Amanda Palmer seems somewhat culpable for this shit that went down with Neil Gaiman, which is tragic but not surprising. She has a lot of explaining to do, given her very public stance as pro-survivor ally and feminist.
I know. I was so disappointed in Amanda's response as reported in the podcast... that she knew of 14 other women in this sitch with him and that she colluded to protect him. It's just such a bummer. I'd hoped for better--especially from her.
"Even when they’re “contained,” the fires are not over." Indeed.
A rough and heartbreaking start to what promises to be a tumultuous year.
And what a tumultuous life, Alisa!
»Can you rewrite our lives? Maybe something a little less Spanish Prisoner?« 😎
Your sense of fiery black humour is priceless! ❤️🔥
Oh, you do me so much honor, Veronika. Grateful for you! ❤️
Wow, so well written Alisa. The fires inside mirroring the fires outside. California is a promise land for many but the burnout is also very real. I had no idea that’s where you were when your own brain’s matchbox lit up too. Feels symbolic, important, that you’ve exited there finally and maybe your body even feels it too—a settling that it maybe hasn’t really had since the “marriage firing” that set everything else aflame.
I think you nailed it, sister. Once firing on so many levels... and now, a settling.
Your vivid/turbulent memories of LA life are a really absorbing read, Alisa – locked out nannies and all!
My thoughts have been with everyone caught up in/near the fires.
I enjoy The Traitors, too. Just waiting for the latest UK episode to start. One of the few shows where you're watching at the same time as everyone else, like in ye olden days.
Thanks, Wendy. It was such an odd time of life back then... Gilmore Girls meets Curb Your Enthusiasm? 😂
LA is going to need so much help. It takes ages to rebuild.
Re: Traitors, I know! Communal, "appointment" television is something I've so missed.
Although I have not lived there since 1984, the Palisades will always be home. While I'm proud of my Ivy League degree, my heart will always belong to Canyon School (K-6). Very, very sad. My thoughts:
https://petermaguire.substack.com/p/ode-to-the-palisades
https://petermaguire.substack.com/p/postscript-ode-to-the-palisades
Oh my goodness, what a heartbreaking post, and incredible photos! We loved the Canyon School. Such a sweet school. Many playdates over that way.
Six years ago a dear friend, who is also a firefighter who quit her job as a lawyer to do what she was passionate about, asked me if I would be a community liaison with SLC to build ground level involvement to reduce wildfire risk and a response plan.
One year ago, I stepped down from that role but my last action was a meeting with City officials. Maui had shown us that individual action was never going to be enough and that zoning changes would be great when we were rebuilding post-fire but the current built environment was too entrenched for meaningful change.
I suggested we take a serious look at remote sensing with direct connection to dispatch and, when possible and appropriate, immediate aerial response.
It was the first and only meeting I had with the City where I was fully out as a trans-person and I was afraid that my presentation had gotten in the way of my message. They seemed particularly quiet.
Six months later, I learned that the City had applied to for the grant I had recommended. They had been denied but only because they hadn't been aggressive enough and that they needed to include city, county and state agencies in the next round of applications.
When I heard they had actually submitted an application and that they were working on the next I had a flood of emotions.
I was thrilled they they were taking aggressive action, I was worried for my community that the threat was so obvious (my house had been identified as one of the "15 most at risk in all of SLC," and I was pissed off that no one had reached out to say thanks for the thoughtful suggestion. I'd spent those six months worrying about how, in the future, I was going to ensure people saw past my presentation (or saw it for the show of strength that I feel it is) and focus on the message.
It's no longer a matter of if, but more a matter of when. If you're anywhere near the WUI, at the very least, have a plan, know what you'll prioritize taking with you (my cobalt blue Mix Master) never leave your pets behind, be familiar with more that one route out of the area and talk with your elderly neighbors about their plans before hand.
So much wisdom in what you share and it's a shame the City didn't show up with greater presence of mind, sensitivity, and gratitude. I was encouraged to see what the folks at Google are doing in the realm of remote monitoring and AI: https://sites.research.google/gr/wildfires/firesat/
“Because what does one do after a catastrophic life implosion? Head west, of course—to the sun, the sand, and a sleepy beach town named after the literal patron saint of women in crappy marriages.” I know it must have been such a heart wrenching time, but there’s something so romantic and tender about you fleeing west with your littles like this.
Also the line about rewriting as, what was it, less Spanish prisoner! I guffawed out loud.
Beautiful post, Alisa.
Awww... I'm so glad to make you guffaw, Holly :) Then, of course I go and wreck it all by writing something mundane about the robot apocalypse, lol.
It was a very funny, sweet community. The littles had the will of Nietzsche--and still do!
That framework is pure gold.
Right? It's so solid. I'm keeping it on the fridge, lol.
Maybe even laminate it. 😅
your story telling is so effortless and never boring...ill have to check out the "Hours" soundtrack sometimes lately to calm nerves ive slipped off into nightly oblivion (with minor thc supplements) letting apple music start with McCoy Tyner's initial 1962 release and let it shuffle from there 😊😇
Aww... thanks so much for the kind words. But gosh, I love McCoy Tyner -- I spent years listening to him on WBGO. My favorite track is this one. It's a little done, but it's like he's not even trying--so effortless! 😊 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frYLvC0mM50
love how his artistry melds with bass player
if theres a drum i couldnt even detect its sound...no need🤫🤗
He so good—he’s def. my counter-programming for today’s insanity.
lol
im goin with Tull's Thick as a Brick at present but who tha fck knows what will be required after that p🙃
Your daughter locking out the nanny! Haha. I thought that was just in the movies.
As much as I hated growing up in LA my heart breaks for those folks. A home is a home even if you live in a sheltered dessert that reveres celebrities more than the Uber driver. Meanwhile, my friend’s sister is still dealing with insurance as she lost her home in NC in August.
My daughters were/are little scamps. And agree. My heart breaks for anyone dealing with home loss--especially from storms and fires--it's so arduous getting your life back.
If I didn't know any better, I'd think CA was situated over the Hellmouth (wasn't the fictional town of Sunnydale there?). Fires, earthquakes, mudslides... Lordty. It's interesting to read other 'stackers takes on what's happening and their memories there. Thanks for sharing yours.
Your girls sound amazeballs. LOL
Also... how come no other president has gotten a presidential soda? And why did it have to be for THIS fool?
What's going on with Neil Gaiman?
I FUCKING need to visit that bookstore! I was SO close one time, but we didn't have the time.
MovieGrid sounds like my kinda game.
Never watched The Traitors. It's a reality show, right?
I actually created my will through Trust and Will. Funny that they're a sponsor. LOL
😂 I cackled so loud at this, "And why did it have to be for THIS fool?"
Traitors is more like a mafia competition than a Kardashianesque reality show. The costumes are the best.
Mafia competition? What the HELL is that? LMAO
Chock full of awesome, this post, as always! Can I say that Amanda Palmer seems somewhat culpable for this shit that went down with Neil Gaiman, which is tragic but not surprising. She has a lot of explaining to do, given her very public stance as pro-survivor ally and feminist.
I know. I was so disappointed in Amanda's response as reported in the podcast... that she knew of 14 other women in this sitch with him and that she colluded to protect him. It's just such a bummer. I'd hoped for better--especially from her.