Hot Day in LA! III

AMBER, LINDA, BILLY, AND JOHNNY!

As we finished up talking to Edward, I spotted highschool student Amber and her friends, Billy, Linda, and Johnny, on the platform a few stops from Vermont and Santa Monica near LA City College where they were going. We followed them into the neighboring car. While, they were clearly amused that we wanted to talk with them, they submitted gracefully - with quite a few giggles - to our questioning and picture taking.

Metro Profiles: Where are you all headed today?

Amber (age 18): We're going to a show - Fire on....(Metro Profiles note: Er...didn't quite catch the name of the band. Fire on Three? Fire on the Altar? Anyway, it was "Fire on something." Sorry Amber!)

Metro Profiles: How often do you take the Metro and how do you feel about it?

Amber, Billy, Linda, Johnny (in unison): We take it often. We take it everywhere! Home, out, etc.

Billy: It takes longer (than driving) because you have to take a bunch of buses.

Johnny (19 in June): I hate the Metro! I miss my car.

Metro Profiles: Let's change the topic then! How do you all define your personal style?

Amber: I'm into the traditional Skinhead scene - I like to listen to Reggae so that influences me.

Linda (age 17): I like Psychobilly and Punk. For me style and music are tied up.

Billy: I also like Psychobilly and Rockabilly.

Johnny (showing us his T-shirt): My style is to not throw clothes away. I've had this shirt since I was about ten.

Metro Profiles note: Johnny may not like the Metro and miss his car but he clearly has recycling down!

Hot Day in LA! II

EDWARD

Edward's look was simple yet adorable. His striped shirt and jeans fit perfectly and he had a natural ease in front of the camera. We caught him on his way to Pasadena.

MetroProfiles: How old are you (If I may ask?) and what do you do?

Edward: I'm 26 and an actor.

MetroProfiles: What are you up to today?

Edward: I left my keys in my mom's car and she lives in Pasadena. So I'm going to pick them up!

MetroProfiles: So you have a car then. Do you take the Metro regularly?

Edward: It's fun and I'm taking it more and more. I love the diverse groups of people. It's the best for people watching.

(Right on Edward! That's why we do what we do!)

MetroProfiles: You seem to have an easy style. Do you think a lot about what you wear before you go out?

Edward: It really depends on the situation. Today, I just threw on jeans and a T-shirt but I am pretty conscious about what I wear.

MetroProfiles: Well, you look great. I chased you down because of your shirt!

Hot Day in LA! I

TESSIE

We bumped into her around Union Station where her dapper tennis outfit, racquet, and shades caught our eyes. Tessie appeared so self possessed that I felt shy about approaching her. But she was very friendly and told us that she was returning from playing tennis at a friend's house in Pasadena. We rode with her a few stops to find out more about her, then got off and took some photos at the colorful Westlake/MacArthur Park station.

MetroProfiles: Hot, isn't it?

Tessie: Burning hot today!

MetroProfiles: How often do you take the Metro? Why do you like it?

Tessie: I take it often. It's fast! And what's the point in having a car with the insurance, the gas, etc.

MetroProfiles: That's a nice, stylish tennis outfit! And racquet bag!

Tessie: This is the tennis get up. After playing, I have to go to church and can wear this. Someone gave me the racquet bag.

Last Sunday on the Red Line III

BEN AND MAX

Ben is in the army coat and Max is in the French sailor hat. The two friends were on their way back to North Hollywood after visiting another friend in the hospital near the Vermont/Sunset station when MetroProfiles spotted them. They were very friendly and chatty.

MetroProfiles: Ben, who is "Lewis"? And your striped hat is cute.

Ben: I have no idea (who Lewis is)! I bought the jacket for $5 at the Fairfax flea market. This is actually Max's hat. He gave it to a friend of ours and we were over there recently and I put it on.

Max: I found the hat on the street...

MetroProfiles: Max, nice pants - guy pants or girl pants?

Max: These are guy pants. But I've worn girl pants before. I've been wearing these pants for four days now!

MetroProfiles: Don't worry - we can't tell! So tell us about your use of the Metro? Do you take it often?

Max: I take the Metro every day. I go to school at LA City College and it gets me right there.

Ben: I actually take it pretty rarely. I've taken it to places like Chinatown. I'm still in high school - Campbell High in North Hollywood - and I drive to school. But I like the Metro and the idea that one can go to different parts of the city, to places one might not go to unless one took the Metro.

MetroProfiles: I also have a car but I think it's important if we car owners can take the Metro whenever possible. So it's nice to see you on it today Ben. Good for you.

(Note: When I said goodbye, I forgot to tell Max and Ben that I hope their friend gets better soon!)

Last Sunday on the Red Line II

RUBEN LOPEZ ON HIS WAY HOME!

I admit I stalked Ruben for a few paces as he was walking briskly. But I rarely see such natty men his age and was determined to catch up with him. When I finally did (Johnny, a few paces behind me), he was so nice and forthcoming about his use of the Metro and his unique style sense. He told us he was on his way home to Los Feliz from Pasadena and he'd just hopped off the Gold Line and was transferring to the Red - a route I myself am very familiar with.

Ruben: I moved to LA two years ago and I went to culinary school in Pasadena. I use the Metro everyday - it's a great way to get around the city.

(MetroProfile Note: Ruben's alma mater is not just any culinary school, but the California School of Culinary Arts, a Cordon Bleu program. For more information, check out http://www.csca.edu/)

MetroProfiles: What are your favorite and least favorite things about the LA Metro?

Ruben: I like that it runs frequently - except I wish it ran later into the night. I also like the 24-hour buses in LA.

MetroProfiles: You're very stylish Ruben. Do you have any influences?

Ruben: I like to be comfortable and I also am influenced by nostalgia for past decades. And I like to stick out like a sore thumb! So I dress this way on purpose.

MetroProfiles: So what era are you channeling today?

Ruben: The 1960s.

MetroProfiles: We love it - the bracelets, your shoes, and the way your tie matches the crest on your sweater. Great look!

Last Sunday on the Red Line I

BOUND FOR CHINATOWN

Johnny and I spotted Denise and Sharon in Hollywood as they boarded a Red Line train bound for Union Station. We were taken by their look - the layers, the different textures and patterns - plaids and prints - as well as with Denise's shoes and Sharon's jewelry. The two were a bit shy but willing to chat for a bit and pose for a couple of photos.

MetroProfiles: Where are you going today?

Denise and Sharon: To Chinatown. We're just going to walk around...and maybe check out some herbal remedies.

MetroProfiles: Are you both in school?

Sharon: I'm in high school.

Denise: I'm not.

MetroProfiles: Do you take the Metro often?

Denise and Sharon: Yes!

(Sharon told us that she frequently used both the bus and the Metro, preferring one or the other depending on where she was going and also her mood. She also said that her friends took it all the time - good news)

MetroProfiles: What do you like best about the Metro?

Sharon: It's fast.

Denise: It gets you places - It's the Metro!

(Good answer Denise!)

Who Uses LA's Metro?

Hollywood and Vine Metro Station

I honed in on Mie Kanai and Kokichi Tahara at the Hollywood and Vine Metro station when Kokichi's bright blue puffer jacket caught my eye. The couple graciously stopped to chat and pose for a few photographs. They didn't speak a lot of English so I was thrilled to resuscitate some of my now almost-moribund Japanese to further the communication.

Metro Profiles LA: Where are you from?

Mie: We are from Japan - Tokyo. It's our first time here.

Metro Profiles LA: Why are you taking the subway today?

Mie and Kokichi: It's cheap, reasonable, and convenient. The subways here are very quiet. Much quieter than the ones in Tokyo.

(I concurred with this. I'm hard pressed to think of anything more lively than the many subways that crisscross Metropolitan Tokyo - they teem with hustle and bustle not to mention the fabulous people-watching opportunities. But I did point out to Mie and Kokichi that during rush hour, the LA Metro system can be pretty energetic itself.)

Metro Profiles LA: You both look quite stylish. Kokichi, it was your jacket that really caught my attention. Where did you get it?

Kokichi: I bought it in Japan - at a store called Beams. I liked the color.

Metro Profiles LA: Yes, me too. The color's great. What are your fashion influences?

Mie and Kokichi: We read fashion magazines.

Metro Profiles LA: What do you think of LA as a style center.

Mie: Hmmm...we don't pay so much attention to that. People in Hollywood seem a bit more fashionable...