Absolutely No Epiphanies at the "Museum of Death"

Looking out my hotel window, the early morning Southern California haze blankets Los Angeles reducing the sunrise to a gray glow.  The American flag in front of my hotel is only slightly higher than the gay pride flag, signaling that we are in the heart of West Hollywood.  Palm trees abound and even at this early morning hour some of the twenty four hour restaurants are playing dance music.  (Could there be anything more cliche).

Last Friday, I was at a conference with John Hattie presenting.  Most educators, especially those in teacher prep. programs, know of Hattie's work, so he's kind of an educator geek rock star.  I felt really lucky to be getting the info. straight from the Kiwi's mouth (Yes, he is from New Zealand - which made it difficult for my California friends to understand but those of us who have been trained to understand the butchering of the Queen's English from Aussies and Kiwis had little problem translating).  

One of my oldest and most dear friends is turning fifty this week, so I have extended my stay to spend some time with him (Shout out to David Karle for his half century mark - I've known David for 42 of his fifty years).  

Driving around LA, I have come to some reconfirmations and some new thoughts about this city of Angels.  

First off, everything is crowded...I mean everything.  I was at Starbucks getting a coffee at 7AM thinking it would be just me and that lonely elderly gent that seems to be in every coffee shop in the early morning.  Not so in the WEHO Starbucks, oodles of people (and as this is West Hollywood, not one single female customer).  

We tried to take in the view of Griffith Observatory yesterday, foolish on a Saturday, we got nowhere near the observatory.  We decided not to take the 1 1/2 mile hike from where we could park to the observatory.  

In this area, the mini and mega malls seem to abound.  With so many around, one would think that each of these wouldn't be crowded.  No matter the size of the mall or the store, people are milling about.  So, gentle reader, alone time happens only in your hotel room.  

People do not wear appropriate attire to anything around here.  Last night we went to a nice restaurant with sidewalk seating.  I felt dressed down because I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt.  And yet, others around me were even more dressed down.  I'm a little taken aback by the amount of people wearing gym clothes to damn near everything, as if to say I'm just now going to the gym, or I'm just coming back from the gym.  On occasion I have made a stop at a store with work out clothes, but these mostly women are wearing gym clothes to do daily errands.  Not just a few, a noticeable amount! Herds of over wrought moms in packs roaming the malls- they eat their gluten free Kale salads as if advertising how healthy they are with their spray on tans and spandex everything. This is really just an observation and not something I should ever be concerned about but I am annoyed by it in a crotchety old man way.  

Not all but many people are just not friendly in LA.  Maybe it isn't the local Angelinos, maybe it is the tourists and the wave of new residents but walking down the street, one doesn't get the feeling that people are particularly happy and certainly not willing to raise a smile or a greeting.  Maybe it is just that with so many people around, trust is a hard quality to come by.  All houses and apartments have gates and fences, doors and windows are barred in many neighborhoods.  when one is so protected and protective, it is hard to reach out to those that are worth the knowing, those that can bring you a sense of security and a level of happiness  

Another observation...money, money, money...everywhere.  From spending to acquiring, mega mansions, mini mansion, expensive dinners, exclusive everything, high end clothes, jewelry, nice cars, million dollar 900 Sq. foot condos., and the list goes on.  And yet, no one talks about the disparities, the problems of equity and more importantly the need for social justice.  

At this point gentle reader, you may think my cynicism runs fairly high in regards to LA.  There are definitely several charms when it comes to LA as well.  Despite the unfriendly nature of most Angelinos, many are kind and generous people. 

LA does has its charm and beauty, there are many breathtaking view in and around the area.  The views from the hills are extraordinary.  It is a monumental site to see the whole valley spread before you in all of its concrete glory.  

As far as amenities are concerned, one can find just about anything within the borders of this sprawling metropolis.  And for some reason., LA seems much cleaner than it did before.  I remember lots more trash and it seems the graffiti has turned to murals and paintings.  There is still lots of creativity despite the gentrification of ever neighborhood.  And LA does hold a sort of quirkiness often reserved for more Bohemian locales.  

David and I visited one such quirky place:  The Museum of Death, Hollywood.  This Museum has several exhibits all surrounding death.  We saw grisly crime scene photos, serial killer memorabilia, antique mortician tools, celebrity death photos, suicide photos, Charles Manson memorabilia, a skull collection...I think the creepiest thing I saw was John Wayne Gacy's shoes from when he used to dress up as Pogo the clown...

The museum was very sensationalistic but oddly respectful of those that had passed.  We handle death in such a ritualized manner, it was interesting to see all of our voyeuristic attitudes and in a way bizarre handling of death collected in one small place.  One gets a broad sense of our culture surrounding death.

The entrance, much cheerier than one would expect.  

A close up.

An odd little altar to death before entering. 

A little too chipper considering my surroundings! 

I can't share photos from within as there is a strict no photos and no video policy.  We wanted to honor the policy.  We were allowed to take photos from the outside so we snapped a few shots.

Many people walk out of the building, so I'm told, with a renewed appreciation of life.  Staring the potential of death in the face may bring about a profound change in the way we look at life.  I can truly empathize with people that feel this way.  But for me, gentle reader, I did not consider this a life changing experience.  No startling and revolutionary epiphanies for me.  I really did find this interesting despite the fact that it is voyeuristic and sensationalistic.  

Although not a life changing experience, I am a firm believer in searching out the weird and quirky repasts when in a different town.  The Museum of Death certainly fits the bill.  Truly not for the squeamish though - be forewarned.  Certainly a perfect prelude to the upcoming Halloween festivities.  

Lately my work hours have been long and hard, as I settle in and learn my new job.  I am excited by the work and am moving toward balancing my life (no more working Sundays for awhile) so I don't burn out or start resenting what I do.  It is a change being one more step removed from students, and it is hard to justify my efficacy with our most vulnerable students (those that know me professionally, know that I am a strong advocate for schools as social justice institutions), but I am trying to weave my values and beliefs into the things that I do.  Many might not find assessment and data and accountability an exciting field but working with a team to improve instructional programming in schools is an excellent way to spend a day.  

With that said, I return to my own quirky environment, up in NorCal.  Enjoy your October gentle readers, and feel free to comment on this post.

By the way, following is a random photo of a brochure on one of those tourist pamphlet stands at the Universal City Hilton.  Those of you that have lived in the Ventura County area know why I find this so funny!  "Oxnard, More Than You Imagined" is the most underwhelming catch phrase I have ever heard for a city.