Stephin Merritt is Right: I Hate California Girls (Although Our Reasons May Differ)

I am actually in L.A., and let me say this: It's not all that. The weather has not been particularly stunning (yesterday was cold and grey, today is chilly but sunny). The scenery is not inspiring. The hills are splotchy messes of beige, green, and burgundy, as if a frog on an acid trip had painted the landscape in acrylics. The roads are also pretty shit. You think driving north on 295 around Minnesota Avenue has some crappy pavement? Try CA-110 for the entire run.

So yes, I'm in L.A., and I'm hoping to score tickets to the game against Chivas. And finish the debrief (it'll be late, but damn it I have responsiblities.) And really, even if D.C. United as a team is awful, it's at least nice to know that I haven't come here and suddenly decided I want to move. I like D.C. Ol' swampy D.C. That, at least, is nice affirmation of the way things should be.

Washington, D.C., it's paradise to me...