I follow a lot of political accounts on X/Twitter or whatever it’s called today. I’m a news junkie, and I like to peruse incisive commentary from credible sources. But so much crap clogs up this critical artery, it no longer fosters a sense of community—if it ever did. Our website is intended to act as a safe place where we learn from each other and our varied life experiences without any acrimony. So let’s leave the snark and circumstance behind and move on to lighter topics.
Without fail, I find myself intrigued by the history of LA. The two best X accounts for authentic journeys through the past belong to Alison Martino’s love letter to the city, Vintage Los Angeles, and Evan Lovett’s meticulously researched and reported LA in a Minute. Both boast superb Instagram accounts with the same names, Vintage Los Angeles, and LA in a Minute. Lately, I’ve enjoyed Instagram posts from Lost Canyons LA, which details tales about the legendary artists who dwelled in our iconic canyon communities.
In the time tunnel of LA history, no one knows more or writes better features than local legend Patt "Bluechecked" Morrison. Many will remember Patt’s stylish hats from her years on PBS. Her knowledge of SoCal lore and her postcard collection, both regularly featured in the LA Times, reanimate lost and forgotten days. Speaking of our paper of record, I’m a big fan of LAT columnist Robin Abcarian. I had the pleasure of taking her dad’s English class at CSUN and can see that she inherited his warmth, wit, and strong sense of humanity.
I admire the author of the exhaustively researched book Freewaytopia and other SoCal classics, Paul Haddad, L.A. Dork. I take note of the native sentiments of Militant Angeleno and look forward to X updates from Esotouric's Secret Los Angeles. They conduct tours of historic LA sites that I must get to one day and also post on Instagram, Esotouric's Secret Los Angeles. And let’s not overlook the hard work of the overworked L.A. Conservancy. The nonprofit preservation group takes on uphill battles to save the artifacts of our city. While we’re at it, don’t forget the official accounts of the Griffith Observatory and La Brea Tar Pits.
Music lovers might like the cheery posts from publicist That Eric Alper and astute views of Mikel Jollett. He’s a social activist, author, and frontman for the band Airborne Toxic Event. For fun, I follow Classic Rock in Pics and Ultimate Classic Rock.
When it comes to Facebook, I’m going to punt. I’m willing to learn, but watching people post pictures of their food and pretend to live perfect lives, for which I’m supposed to land in a world of hurt and envy, doesn’t appeal to me. I know that’s a crass generalization, but that’s what’s kept me away.
Okay, I’ll relent, sooner rather than later. I’m sure there are plenty of excellent Facebook pages—is that what they’re called? Just give me time to warm up to loathsome images of someone else’s all-you-can-eat sushi.