Leaving Los Angeles
Thursday, November 21 2002
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Daily, Los Angeles
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So Chuck is sitting in front of the living room window, the only place in the apartment not covered by a box or a huge nugget of dust, and that perma-worry wrinkle on his forehead has grown the size of the continental divide, and he's like, what the fuck are you people doing? And I've tried to explain things to him, that things change and that the fact that things change is what makes life interesting. And he just looks at me like he doesn't understand English.
The movers will be here in about an hour, and the only thing left to pack are the computers, the cds and everything in the storage unit downstairs, which just so happens to be the same storage unit to which we can't find the key, which at first seemed like a total disaster, because in a situation like this, when you need to get into that storage unit more than any other time you've needed to get into that storage unit, it could be a total disaster. But when you think about the larger scheme of life, like getting to drive up the coast to Seattle to spend Thanksgiving with your brother and his 5-yr old daughter who likes to take Mr. Potato Head and put the body parts into all the wrong places because "that's what Picasso would do," and then drive to Utah, arriving triumphantly with liquor cabinet in tow and the funniest dog in the world who will unsuspectingly get to experience cold weather for the first time, who cares about the damn key to the storage unit.
So, I've made a mix cd for the road full of songs that played a huge part of my Los Angeles experience, a soundtrack of sorts. These are all the songs that I have put on repeat in the past four years, and not just a couple repeats, but days and days of repeats, so many agonizing repeats that I've had coworkers threaten me with baseball bats, only to hear me plead, I'm sorry, I promise this is the last time, one more time, I need to hear it one more time, but I played it two more times.
Charlatans UK, Forever
Death Cab for Cutie, 405
Elliot Smith, Everything Reminds Me of Her
Modest Mouse, All Night Diner
Destiny's Child, Bootylicious
Clem Snide, I Love the Unknown
Ryan Adams, Come Pick Me Up
Mason Jennings, Darkness Between the Fireflies
Jai Agnish, How You Dream
New Pornographers, Mass Romantic
Folk Implosion, Mechanical Man
REM, I've Been High
Kingsbury Manx, Pageant Square
David Holmes, 69 Police
Bauer, Western Trail
Third Eye Foundation, What is it with You?
- A quick announcement
Friday, 02 May 2008 - Teamwork
Thursday, 01 May 2008 - Three, two, one...
Tuesday, 29 April 2008 - Total goosebumps
Monday, 28 April 2008 - This episode features small quantities of learning
Monday, 28 April 2008
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1. Sarah B. said:
I cannot think of a better song to drive to a new life to than I Love the Unknown. Bon voyage, sweet Armstrongs!
2. Fox said:
I've never had to be pleased about the Charlatans, Modest Mouse, The New Pornographers, and Bootylicious all at once before. My mind feels strange.
3. ex-liontamer said:
Drive safely.
4. ALLISONIC said:
Happy Thanksgiving.
See ya on the other side.
5. GLiddy said:
I am in disbelief that the Dooce is a fan of Death Cab for Cutie. I don't know anyone else who is a fan of Death Cab. What a perfect song for leaving LA.
6. Lisa said:
Thank you.
7. ismat said:
Delicious.
Enjoy the ride!
8. Michelle said:
For putting I Love the Unknown and I've Been High on the same mix CD you have my eternal love and devotion.
9. Drunkn Otter said:
Thanks, and have a safe trip.
10. Zeek said:
Dear excited stranger: you have magnificent taste in music.
Remember - keep duct tape and safety pins in the glove box and extra rope on the floor.
Happy holidays, and best of luck!
11. Bastherself said:
Be careful. Drive safe. Wear your seatbelts and make sure Chuck has one to wear too. They're available at most petstores.
12. jennifer said:
Happy Thanksgiving, happy road trip and happy listening. I look forward to your next update from Not-LA. :-)
13. Mrs. Kennedy said:
What an awesome thing to post. You're about as mean as a dried apricot.
14. Evan said:
Damn! David Holmes, New Pornographers *and* Death Cab on the same list! I'm, like, drooling right now.
15. Kevin from Seattle said:
I like that dried apricot notion: a little tart, a little sweet, a little chewy, nutritious & just enough nitrates & preservatives to keep things interesting. As Slim Whitman would say, Vaya con Dios, m'darlings and we'll all be waiting to hear from you in beehive country. (You should enjoy yr stop in Seattle, it's unseasonably warm. Foggy as a mutha this AM though.)
16. christa said:
good luck!
17. April said:
May your move be smooth and easy!
18. Paul Gutman said:
Rock those kooky Mormons' collective world, and be sure you don't find Potato Head eyes in the holiday stuffing--that's frightening.
19. Edsmonkey said:
Bon Voyage!
From another recent cross country transplant (San Fran to Colorado Springs). OUr road trip consisted of two addults, two kids (10 & 15) and two dawgs in a subaru forrester.
My fav musical moment on the road was starting the second leg of the trip outta Winnemucca listening to a best of Violent Femmes cd. I some how seemed appropriate. Hope you settle in quickly and don't run outta hooch too soon!
20. colleen said:
Wanna hear something sad? I actually LIVE with a newly-converted Mormon. He says he would've converted anyway, but we all know he did it for this girl he's supposed to be marrying. This girl is the most annoying, strange creature to ever cross my path and I've encountered many annoying, strange creatures in my time.
Anyway, I'm happy Chuck will get to play in snow. There's nothing cuter than the first time a dog sees snow.
Have a safe trip.
21. Bill said:
Have you heard the Bootylicious/Smells Like Teen Spirit mix by Soulwax? "Smells Like Booty" - really. And good GOD, it kicks ass.
22. ismat said:
OK, I'm back to say that I've been listening to this compilation all morning. It's making me want to road-trip. Thanks for bringing these songs together.
23. corey said:
now, wouldn't DCC's "why would anyone want to live here?" just make perfect sense?
24. antisocial diva said:
safe trip! we have snow booties for our dog. maybe chuck would benefit from a pair?
25. kate said:
Godspeed.
Sorry, couldn't resist.
26. Mike said:
I'm torn. I want to do nothing but wish you and your family the very best on your move, but I also want to make sure that you know what you've done today. I'm sure it wasn't intentional ... but "mover's"? Oh ... oh, how could you?
Seriously - best of luck!
27. Naaman said:
I had to read that second paragraph about three times before I realized you were saying the 5yr old daughter "likes", not "looks like" Mr. Potato Head.
BTW, you're extremely dedicated. An hour before the movers arrive, I'm cramming every little bit of crap into a box or couch cushion that I can, not blogging.
28. Keith said:
My own personal "Dooce & DJ Blurb Are Leaving L.A." mix includes such hits as "Leaving Town" by Dexter Freebish and "The Only Way (Is the Wrong Way)" by Filter. And Bill's right, the "Smells Like Booty" remix kicks ass, I have a copy of it, as does Freelance Hellraiser's "A Stroke of Genius," which remixes the vocals of "Genie in a Bottle" to the backing track of "Hard to Explain." Either way, I digress. Safe drive to y'all (including the ex-Congressman) and much luck establishing your new lives in Utah.
29. Kyle said:
Good luck, drive safe, thanks for the tunes...
I suspect Utah is going to provide much fodder for this place, and I look forward to witnessing your decline into insanity ;)
30. sx70 said:
She had to leave - Los Angeles
She found it hard to say goodbye
to her own best friend
she bought a clock on Hollywood Blvd.
the day she left
It felt sad, it felt sad, it felt sad
She had to get out, get out
get out, get out, get out, get out
31. Cindi said:
let me know when you arrive in SLC. i'll bring you a plant and a bottle of brandy to welcome you to the neighborhood.
32. Bill said:
Oh, and also "I woke up in a car" by Something Corporate. Lyrically apt and it just sounds the way it feels to watch the scenery as you speed along the highway between cities.
33. Heather #2 said:
ooohhh...that "everything reminds me of her" song is pulling at the heartstrings just a little. so, thanks for keeping this all up and thinking of us to the bitter end. you must be exhausted and excited and completely done but completely anxious, and to have kept us all aprised in the midst of it is tres cool. drive safely - i'll be waiting in sweet anticipation for news of your journey!
34. ~Angel said:
I've been sitting here for a few weeks now reading this site. Every day, at work. When I shouldn't be. And I feel bummed for you in a way, but if you feel that going back to Utah is the way to go, then so be it. Good luck, have fun, & well wishes to you, yours, and Chuck.
35. ericalynn said:
good luck.
Where in Utah are you going, anyway?
I don't miss my Ogden days but I'm sure some day I may...
36. ex southern babtist said:
Keep an eye on Chuck. Dog's tend to get confused when something really different happens.
Example: once I took my dog to Bodega Bay (a labrador) she jumped of one of those huge cliffs chasing after a seagull! I am serious. Go figure. Anyway she survived with just bumps and scrapes, thank God.
37. FANOFCHUCK said:
Good luck in your new home; I expect you'll introduce half the state of Utah to Jack and Daniel within two weeks. Maybe three. Oh, and I'd add Jude's sinfully yummy "Out of LA" to the mix. He captures the town's alluring plasticity pretty well. Available at: http://www.jude.ekoemusic.com/10_22_02_out_of_la.mp3
38. ryan said:
Chuck's first long car journey? Hope he doesn't get carsick! Safe driving =)
39. Shan said:
Awww. That's a sad post. Good luck in Utah. :)
40. DJ Pants said:
The first song on a mix is always the most important song because it sets up the mood of the rest of the CD. The Charlatans UK - Forever is a great way to start the mix. I would have used "The Only one I know". Take some photo if oddities along the way and show us. Be safe.
41. PJ said:
Hey, at least Chuck won't be asking every 10 minutes arewethereyet / howmuchlonger as human children are prone to do. Enjoy your trip and your new life!
42. Kerry said:
Best of luck on your move, Missus Dooce. Your mix looks fantastic (I LOVE All Night Diner) - Frank Black's Los Angeles would make a great addition to the mix. That's a rockin' good tune.
43. gnome-girl said:
Songs have a way of tracking time for us.
Songs mark periods of our history.
Can't wait to see the future cd of your uncharted experiences.
Enjoy the ride.....
44. punkrockgirl said:
My also saintly, patient husband and I recently moved from Brooklyn, NY to Austin, TX. We did this for several reasons, namely, dogs, babies, money, space, and family proximity. I wish you safe travels and lots of luck in your new home.
45. Shanni said:
That's a kick ass mix - I'm making me a copy right now. Good luck with the move. Utah needs more people like you guys.
46. EC said:
I'm sure you will have interesting adventures no matter where you are. Be sure to let us in on them, 'k?
47. moose said:
Keep a good eye on the Congressman. They do have gulls in Salt Lake. Mormon gulls, of course, not seagulls. All the same... Safe travels.
48. occasional kate said:
Have a great trip, a kickass time with family, and be safe. As you head through Oregon, keep yourself open to good thoughts from those you are driving by (yeah, me..okay, and a few other people :) on your way up nord. A big move like this can be The Right Thing (I left Chicago for Oregon a couple months ago). Kudos for taking the first big step...
49. LK said:
DCFC, elliott smith, modest mouse, kingsbury manx... damn, i'm going to miss sharing the same city with you, heather. best of luck to you, the dj and chuckster. the state of UT is about to get dooced!!!
50. christine said:
yummy mix.
be safe.
51. a said:
The first time my young dog saw snow was on a driving trip last winter. We took him along with us and when we stopped in Salt Lake City there happened to be snow and ice -- lots of it. We let him out to go pee and he was confused and excited. Within 15 seconds of touching snow he has slipped and broken his leg it two places. It was tragic. Be careful with Chuck! And enjoy your roadtrip!
52. Dallas K. Sneckner said:
Great mix. Bon Voyage, and we'll catch you on the flip side.
53. peggy said:
Does Chuck know he can legally have several wives in Utah? Have a happy, safe trip.
54. Nora said:
I'm strangely honored that you'll be stopping in Seattle on your journey from one home to the next...our lovely rainy town gets an actual visitation by Dooce, hubby, and Chuck, in person. If it isn't raining while you're here, make sure you look at the cloud formations in the sky, and watch the light on the buildings downtown. Phenomenal, and why I fell in love with this city.
55. Alex said:
I want to hug all of you, really.
56. stace said:
my first thought is that i feel really, really old now. thanks a lot. i think i've heard of two artists on your list. not sure. i really enjoy your site, dooce, but now i'm really depressed. and somebody the other day said something about middle-aged something or others. ouch.
have a good trip. and best wishes on the next chapter of your lives. wow. that DID sound like an "older" person.
57. ms lauren said:
oh, elliott smith. if there were ever a brilliant and ugly m-f, it is him. but oh lord, i would lay him if i ever had the chance.
58. Mr. Creepy said:
Hey, Ms. Lauren
What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?
Come here often?
Can I buy you a drink?
Do you want to see my Elliot Smith impression?
59. ex southern babtist said:
Speaking of dogs in different places, the first time I took my Labrador to Lake Tahoe we hiked all the way down to the water on the east side. As soon as she saw the water she jumped off the rocks into it. I'm telling you that water was near freezing. You could see the shock on her face. When she tried to get out she couldn't because the boulders were too high. I watched her for a while to see if she could find a way out. Finally when she started going under I climbed down and grabbed her by the scruff of her neck and back and pulled her out. Goofy dog!
60. The Inmate said:
Having moved thrice in the past two years (once abroad even), I have one piece of advice: take all you can from the place you are leaving, and try not to leave yourself behind.
61. nick said:
L.A. will miss the dooce.
62. rosebaby said:
hey look! polygamy porter!
(shoot, hope html in comments is ok). drive safely.
63. rosebaby said:
oh, i'm sure we could stage something worthy of the queen here in seattle. should you wish to grant audiences, of course.
in fealty.
64. shy said:
finally... some one else who knows elliot smith.
65. shy said:
finally, some one else who knows elliot smith.
66. anna said:
thank you thank you thank you
67. sx70 said:
ok, dooce and the husband and chuck... come back. we miss you already.
68. dMN said:
dooce, i was trying to tell my friend that not only were you mildly brilliant, that you were hot too, but i c
69. dMN said:
dooce, i was trying to tell my friend that not only were you mildly brilliant, that you were hot too, but i c
70. damn said:
dooce, trying to tell my friend that you were hot as well as mildly brilliant, but couldn't find your wedding photos anywhere on the site. what the hell?
71. Michele said:
I hope you find the kind of life you are looking for in Utah :) Your home will always be where Jon and Chuck are but I give you credit for having the guts to make yourself a better life and for moving back for bigger reasons than why you left. Great tunes...hope you have a safe trip. xo
72. little afro said:
Onward!
73. little afro said:
P.S. - Elliot Smith is that deal. On the real tip. When I'm not pumping Ghostface Killah or Bebel, it's Elliot all the way... "I'm in love/with the world/through the eyes/of a girl..."