There’s a line in David Byrne’s beautiful, sad, hilarious 1988 film, True Stories, that I repeat often, even when I’m around other people. My copy of the movie is in storage so I’m gonna have to paraphrase, but it goes something like this:

Only by returning to a place can you see it for how it really is.

I think that’s the exact line. Trust my memory, folks. It’s like flypaper.

We get used to a place. We stop noticing the things that struck as interesting when we first saw them. They become a blur, a smear of sound and color and aroma. If we take some time off and go away for a while, when we then return, they stand out and sparkle like mad.

I’m noticing that right now. I just spent eight months relaxing in the high desert of Santa Fe, New Mexico. I got back a couple weeks ago. And wow is this city amazing. Look at all the colors! And the people! And whoa, I don’t remember a red-light camera on Sunset and Cahuenga…

Hello, Los Angeles!

And hello, Metrobloggers! My name is Will, but since there are three other Will’s writing for this thing, you can call me Liam if you want. I’ll ease you into it. I’m a music weirdo. I’ll probably write about some soon. I also have a camera. I walk everywhere and I take pictures of what I see. And I like the way Los Angeles Streets look when the sun is setting. Expect all of that while I’m here.

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