Hollywood and Cahuenga

There are those rare finds of people, usually hanging around Hollywood, Silverlake, and Downtown. The ones that don’t need to compete. They just are who they are. Stealthily Brilliant. You’d never know they had won multiple grammys, and multiple other adorned awards. That is until you were invited to their homes, and even from the outside you’d think they lived humbly. Most of them did. These are the people I liked to hang with. Living on the westside of la had its advantages, but the rawness of the eastside is what drove me.


On any given evening you’d find me on Hollywood and Cahuenga, laughing loudly, singing softly, or drinking slowly. Behind mulitple bars, and a star encrusted street, is Hotel Cafe. Run by a very handsome man named Marco, anyone from Jon Mayer, to Joss Stone, to local starlets Ernie Halter, and then Katy Hudson (Perry) would play their hearts out. There has never been a need to check the roster at Hotel Cafe. It was always good music, a great vibe, and great people.

Before the renovation, there used to be a somewhat hidden room, called the Piano Room.
Inside was a beautiful black piano, a cigarette machine and high up near a small window a fan to circulate the air. As far as I knew, other than the cigar shops, this was one of the only indoor rooms away from the privacy of your home that you could enjoy a cigarette in CA. I loved coming to this room for late night jam sessions. Sal, a big red bearded man would brilliantly play the keys. I remember one instance an older black man, sloppy from drinking, tried to take over. Sals booming voice sent him to his place. And as we all watched, as soon as Sal hit the keys again, harmonies enveloped the room, and things were as they were before.

As the night continued, I decided to go into the main venue and listen to some music. Tony lucca was playing. It was my first time hearing him play. I had met him through my friend Ernie Halter, and knew his name sounded familiar, but didn’t really know why. Turns out...he used to be apart of the Mickey Mouse Club cast with Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and Christina Aguilera. Tony is a gem. I loved that about these people. So humble. So talented.

Tony was playing his second to last song, and a buzz started to meander around the room. I had no idea why, so i ignored it. “ For this next song I’m going to ask Joss Stone to the stage” All heads turned and here comes Joss. This town was smaller than I thought!! The whole room was jumping up and down, stomping their feet, just enraptured by the music and this rare surprise. We asked Tony later about it, turns out he didn’t even really know her. He just saw her and thought...why not. I’ll see if she wants to come up. Music is so cool like that!


“ That was fun tonight. Are you heading back to the west side” Ernie Halter had encouraged me to make the big move to La from Santa Barbara after opening for me and this other amazing musician Tyrone Wells. Ernie is one of those people you meet andi nstantly just adore. Not only was he easy to befriend, he was a true friend. Someone you can count on, unlike the cliche, “oh nice to meet you, here’s my card, lets be friends cuz you seem like you’ll be famous”

“yeah, I think I am. I have to drive to Santa Barbara tomorrow, and start looking for another job. I’ll probably leave after this next set”

“Well, a group of us are hangin at my place on the roof, if you wanna jam a little bit?”

How could i refuse. Not only was Ernie the most generous, kind hearted friend I had made, he had some of the most amazing musician friends. His apartment was just around the corner. The rooftop was the most amazing view of los angeles other than the Griffith Memorial. The Hollywood sign was so close you could touch it, and on a clear night you could see the ocean. It was so inspiring.

After a few drinks, and a few rounds of passing the guitar, we all went back down to the street to enjoy some Greco’s pizza. Always a great late night snack.

“ One cheese and pepperoni! one whole pizza! mushroom and spinach!!”

“So Lisa. What do you want to do while you’re here in la” Ernie always tested me

“i don’t know. Play shows, meet people, Do what you guys do! I would love to play Hotel Cafe”

“Ok...well, lets make that happen”

and with my folded new york style pizza, I smiled. Even if my day to day was boring, I always had the night”

On the Promenade

I sat on the bench on 4th in the promenade, right outside Sephora. I was eating an apple, a piece of bread, string cheese, and had miso soup in my “to go” bowl. Every day on my break, I went outside and looked for a bench to sit and observe. If it was cold out, I’d go into the borders and find a place next to the windows upstairs, and read Anne lamott's Bird by Bird. I hated being in the back in the break room. So stuffy and awkward. Having to make friends with people i knew gave 2 stones about me. But I would try anyway.

During my breaks, I would try and think of what I was doing with my life, at least for the present. I wasn’t happy where I was. I enjoyed the nightlife, the people, the creative wind all around me, but I wasn’t settled yet. I wasn’t who I was used to being; a big fish in a small pond. I was the minnow now, avoiding the Sharks.

As I was finishing my lunch, I looked up and recognized a familiar grin, followed by two police officers. I stood up and stared a bit. The 68 year old women I had been speaking to about an hour ago in the lobby of the our store, was now being escorted out into the Sunny, scummy LA air. Her black shift dress and pearls, looked cheap as her wrists were now decorated with hand cuffs.

I threw away my brown bag, and held on to my soup bowl. “Excuse me officer, what happened? I was just helping this woman in my store” . He continued walking and looked down on me “shoplifting” I stopped following him, and with a wrinkled brow stood as they walked around the corner.

“Shoplifting?! Really Lisa? Well it was good that you spoke with her so long. You probably prevented any of our items from being taken” My store manager seemed to like me alright. All the managers did. It was nice to know that some one had my back, unlike some of the other associates. Sales. OI! Its as competitive as being creative. You always have to watch your back. I suppose it has given me tough skin.

I clocked back in, and with a deep breath went and braved the store. All these hollywood starlets, and wannabes. The movies really portray most La residents to a tee! And most of them can barely afford what they have. They are constantly competing with themselves.

“Excuse me..girl...EXCUSE ME! “ “Yes m’am” “ Yes I would love that skirt on the mannequin in the window. “Let me make sure its available, I believe someone is about to try it on. “ This petite over done up woman with hips as wide as her height, would try and squeeze into the size 2 skirt, probably rip it and either 1) ask for a discount or 2) complain about the quality, make a scene forcing us to do what any place with great customer service would do...give her an award for her tantrum.

“m’am, I do apologize but there is someone who is about to try it on. If you like I can make sure if she doesn’t want to purchase it to get it to you, or we can order one for you”

“I don’t have time to wait for it to be delivered. Is that who’s trying it on? Oh she won’t fit in it. are you kidding. You might as well just let me purchase it”

My face got beet red. I felt all eyes in our direction. Her high pitched voice magnified, as she cut down this poor woman. She should have been yelling at herself for her negligence to find something till the last minute for her event. All i wanted to do is ask her to leave and point out her awkwardly shaped body..but instead I just stared at her in disbelief. It wasn’t even worth my time.

I looked over at the patient client, and gave her an apologetic smile.

“ We have a few other skirts that could..”

“NO! no.. that is the one I want”

“Let me see what I can do”

I went behind the register and as I was speaking to Kim, one of my managers,

“I’m ready! She ran out. Probably best”

I looked at Kim, she replied “M’am were you able to try this on? It may be too big for your petite frame”

“Oh! you’re too kind. It should fit perfectly”

Two days later, I found the skirt on the desk in the office with a note “ Lisa, please return this. Lady was dissatisfied with the quality. Also, please send her a $25 rewards card”

My story: New Years Resolution

I’ve always wondered what a television show or movie would be like, about me. Its not uncommon for me to get caught up in conversation, and then realise the only one conversing is myself. And it is often said afterwards, “Lisa, you are such an interesting person.” Whether or not I’m supposed to take this as a compliment, I do, and it wasn’t until this recent New Years, I made some pretty major decisions, all based off of one idea. Have Less, Do More.

How am I supposed to have less and do more? Well, for one I’ve stopped drinking...as much. I’ve also decided to have less friends, and less....intimate friends as well. And because of these less indulgent activities, I’ve been able to indulge myself in a lot more for me. At first I felt a bit selfish, when really...its the best selfish thing i could do for myself.

As a creative person, I tend to be unfocused. I start projects, and rarely finish them. I jump between music, both writing and singing, to creative writing, to managing, to fashion. I had a “bitch sesh” as we like to call them with my friend Joel. “Lisa, you need to focus. Write a list of writers you’d like to write with and do it!” I completely agree with Joel, but the distraction to write other than songs, is too fun..or maybe I’m just jumping onto another distraction again.

Here I go again... Jumping around topics, and ideas. All of this to say is...I’m going to tell a story. Parts of my story. A “live” book. I hope you come a long and I hope to keep you on your toes, as my toes once were on their tips.