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“Hipster”

Having been called a hipster derogatorily, I thought id spend my flight home analyzing the word “hipster” and the many definitions it has taken. Here are some:

• Somebody who likes the non-ordinary
• Those people in the city who judge and look down on you 
• Fixie riders who are not necessarily bike messengers
• Nerds who found a way to fit in
• Tight pants wearers
• Anybody who does not shop at Target or Walmart for clothes
• Anybody who shops at Urban Outfitters for anything
• People who have interesting facial hair
• Graphic designers
• Somebody who is desperately trying to fit in
• Anybody in San Francisco, Brooklyn, Montreal, or Portland
• Bert’s new menu bar clock thingy
• Foodies
• The bearded
• A modern bohemian
• Warby Parker customers
• Tumblr users
• Somebody who likes [name local roaster here] over Starbucks
• People who wear flannel
• Anybody who has considered building or buying a penny farthing
• People who choose Vinyl over CDs
• Somebody who has recently had a hip replacement surgery
• Somebody who liked Emo in high school
• The fashionable
• Etsy shoppers and sellers
• etc…

Why do people wonder why “a hipster would never call them self a hipster”. Who would want to be associated with all of these things in one name. Some of the people described above blindly follow trends and some take the time to carefully choose each new thing they bring in their life. I am sure I am somewhere in there.

I was reminded of a few things this holiday…

My mom is one of the strongest people I have ever met.

My 16 year old sister can be more mature than me at times.

Some people say hurtful and destructive things while intending to be helpful.

We influence others. Consider your decisions carefully.

Choices can be made in with a negative or positive spirit. The outcome will be affected accordingly.

The closest thing to feeling the “christmas spirit” I have ever experienced is knowing there are people who love me, no matter what happens.

I am fortunate.

What I currently recommend in LA

A friend who is also in LA asked what I recommend right now. Figured it was worth sharing the list:

(By Neighborhood)

Silverlake

• Intelligentsia Coffee
• Berlin Currywurst

Echo Park

• El Prado (Beer / Wine Bar)
• The Fix (Coffee)

Downtown

• Cole’s French Dip / Varnish
• Angel City Brewery

Little Tokyo

• Wurstkuche (Indoor German Beirgarten)
• Daikokuya Ramen
• Spitz (Kabab and Beer)

Biscuit Company / Industrial District

• Church & State (French Food)
• The Daily Dose (Coffee and Lunch) 

Atwater Village

• Proof Bakery / Cognoscenti Coffee
• Viet Noodle Bar

Glassell Park

• Eagle Rock Brewery

Eagle Rock

• Oinkster (Slow Fast Food)
• Casa Bianca (Pizza)

The Valley

• Metro Red Line (out of the valley)