Mitch profile picture

Mitch

vacillating between the agony and ecstacy of life

About Me

Everything you need to know is at Paradox Unbound
I spent my youth in suburban splendor, lovingly baked by the hot Arizona sun. In those days I managed as best I could at a boys-only Jesuit high school and diligently bagged groceries at Smitty's until I summoned the courage to strike out for the big city and become a man. I went to USC and got a degree in urban planning. It was a wonderful opportunity to delve deeper into the subject that had fascinated me all my life and and it also allowed me time to become a "party animal" and get acclimated to the Los Angeles scene. Now I'm part of "The Man," the almighty government. I never thought I'd end up being an urban planner in unincorporated South Central L.A., enforcing the zoning laws and (ostensibly) working towards a better future. It's amazing - I am really pleased to have a job where I can make a difference and meet so many fascinating people who, like me, are trying to achieve the elusive American Dream on the Southern California coast. I have come to realize that life is a journey with many unexpected experiences, and I am always searching, stretching, and striving to do more and be a better person. While this entails a certain amount of stress, pain, and disappointment, I wouldn't have it any other way. I am working on who "Mitch Glaser" is...the goal is to embrace humanity and work earnestly towards its betterment while at the same time remembering to have fun and learn something new every chance you get.
Enjoy my photography

My Interests

writing, photography, history, observing, reading, exploring, distractions, humor, architecture, humanity, urban planning, cities, maps, the inner city, transportation, shopping centers, big fancy words, fun times with interesting people, tomfoolery

I'd like to meet:

People who know how to "keep it real." At this time in our culture, it seems to have become fashionable for most to discount, disregard, or even discard all notions of honesty, integrity, civility...to seek out the shallow and evanescent instead of the genuine and everlasting. Those who are not tempted to do so are the ones who will be successful and experience a more rewarding life.

Music:

Snoop Dogg, Radiohead, The Beatles, Al Green, Eminem, Coldplay, Weezer, Ben Folds, Chemical Brothers, Del, Outkast, 50 Cent, Moby, Sublime, Jurassic 5, Led Zeppelin, Motown, Aerosmith, Daft Punk

Movies:

It's a Wonderful Life, Back to the Future, Friday, Office Space, Fight Club, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, Vacation, The Matrix, Half Baked, Old School, How High

Television:

The Apprentice, The Simpsons, The Price is Right, Family Guy, American Dad, Saved by the Bell, Full House, Family Ties, Quantum Leap, The Wonder Years

Books:

1984, Brave New World, Fast Food Nation, Slaughterhouse-Five, The United States of Wal-Mart, Edge City, My Blue Heaven, City Center to Regional Mall, The Reluctant Metropolis, City of Quartz, Dead Cities, Rand McNally U.S. Road Atlas, The Thomas Guide

Heroes:

Franklin D. Roosevelt, Martin Luther King Jr., George Orwell, Kurt Vonnegut, Victor Gruen, Mike Davis, my sister Kara, my Mom

My Blog

I got a trainee!

Today is a great day in Mitchland, as I have obtained my first trainee on the job to shape and mold as I please. While this may not seem like a big deal to most...perhaps even a liability (dragging a...
Posted by Mitch on Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 PST

Watts Floods?!

NOTE: Originally posted on Friendster, Thursday, November 13, 11:29 P.M. Greetings again from always bizarre Southern California. Those of you who read my recent post about the "Inferno on the P...
Posted by Mitch on Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 PST

2 Years of Yuppiehood

Today marks the second anniversay of my employment at the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning. In retrospect, I realize it was my first step towards "adulthood." Yes, I admit I still ...
Posted by Mitch on Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 PST

more internet crap...or is this "the next big thing?"

Just when I thought I was out, they keep pulling me back in...I've spent a great deal of the last 2 months on Friendster tweaking my profile, looking for people I went to junior high with, connecting ...
Posted by Mitch on Mon, 01 Jan 1900 12:00:00 PST