We're On Fire

That’s it.

Nothing profound or groundbreaking I can say.

If you were surprised by the title than you clearly don’t pay attention to any type of media or news source and most likely have an extreme lack of emotional and/or intellectual depth which would most likely obstruct you from stumbling upon this article anyway.

For people outside of California, or just douchebags in general who wish hate on a beautiful city that in majority houses the successful and rich, I’m sure there is a great deal of dismissal of our plight. It’s easy to indulge in others demise when you yourself never attempted to achieve it.

But for us here, already struggling to stay afloat in this widely spread Los Angeles County of absolute beauty encompassed in a Hollywood like bubble of narcissistic toxicity and desperateness- yet sprinkled with the humble elite- like My Brother. A self-starting, very hardworking, and up until three days ago, Pacific Palisades resident who grew up very less than middle class on the bunk bed below me. Although I am two years younger, I had to take the top bunk, cause he had a tendency to pee the bed and I was way too young for golden showers…

Growing up watching Leave It To Beaver, Chips, and The Dukes of Hazard while our mom cleaned other people’s houses and dad worked nights at Winchell’s! If you are not familiar with Winchell’s- it’s a low budget Southern California version of Dunkin Donuts.

Point is- My dad made donuts.

I thought it was the greatest job ever. What kid wouldn’t?!

But this article is not about a donut daddy. It’s about my brother. His years of hard work landed him in a very large house at the top of the hills in the Pacific Palisades.

FYI- It is not just for those that are born entitled.

I ended up in the Valley.

Maybe it was the donuts. I always suspected he got more of them than me!

My brother lost his glorious, nightly sunset view, hillside home on Wednesday. Complete devastation as we watched the whole beach adjacent city burn to the ground. People abandoning their cars to run from the fire. (Not sure where they ran too…But that’s none of my business)

My bother’s wife however did not abandon the car as she had three children to evacuate from the rapidly flaming area.

Once we knew they were out and safe I assumed that was the worst of it.

I don’t have kids. My niece and two nephews were my only concern.

I thought.

Yet here I am four nights later writing this article with a fully packed suitcase next to my door, because not only is the already fatal Palisades fire heartbreakingly still so strong that it is somehow making it’s way from the decimated beachfront through nine miles of mountainous hills and into the Valley, but it also all depends on the winds- and which way they steer this explosive fire.

My point is. Sleep has not been a priority.

Even if I wanted it to.

It’s not only an experience of unexpected fear, but a reassurance of how spontaneously the human brain can adapt to it’s new consequences and fears.

Fight or Flight I guess it’s called.

Not everyone has it. But from what I have seen this week, it has a strong and powerful presence within these mountain ranges.

The strength that not only my brother and his wife have displayed- but their just coming of teenage children as well- completely blew my mind. But I guess that’s how you end up on one of the most beautiful God Given/ The Universe (insert what you believe) Hills of nature. It’s not from being weak.

And what an amazing gift to pass on to your children. Cause I know for all of you reading this article there are one hundred thousand more people watching garbage television about white trash activity derived just to make them feel better about their unfulfilled lives.

I have friends who hate Los Angeles- say it’s all garbage.

It is I guess in the physical sense. Homeless and drug addicts. The absolute despicable type of humans that are attempting to loot the rich homes as soon as they pack up their Tesla’s and Mercedes in a desperate rush to evacuate their homes.

But I grew up here. And I don’t think I’ve ever taken it for granted. I am constantly amazed by the beauty of a sunny day here. Even amongst the fires. If you took away the horrific destruction of livelihood and homes, even this natural disaster has somehow managed to look like art in it’s blood red sky and voluptuous smoldering clouds.

I think that is what makes the news coverage so insidious.

Horrific events with a beautiful backdrop.

The ultimate Hollywood movie script.

I wasn’t planning on writing about this tonight. But as with most days that start with tears- this is the best way to end.

Thank you for reading. You are greatly appreciated. Xoxo