The campaign to save Bukowski's De Longpre bungalow
- Thread starter esotouric
- Start date
mjp
Founding member
I'm hardly calling for the wrecking ball, I just want to know who we're dealing with here.
Hindinwood is definitely Lauren Everett, which is sort of funny, now that I realize that I've been scolded and lectured to by a 26 year old "aspiring photographer" and sensitive "hipster."
Is esotouric Richard Schave? I don't remember if he ever said who he was. Whoever it is, why does the huckster for "Charles Bukowski's Los Angeles" always post from Orange County?
Go ahead, save DeLongpre. I wish you luck. Make yourselves famous!
Welcome to DeLongpre. Don't forget to stop by the gift shop and pick up a bagful of Bukowski hoodies, shot glasses and skateboard decks! Sign up for the bus tour!
In the immortal words of Henry Chinaski in Barfly, "He symbolizes everything that disgusts me."
Hindinwood is definitely Lauren Everett, which is sort of funny, now that I realize that I've been scolded and lectured to by a 26 year old "aspiring photographer" and sensitive "hipster."
Is esotouric Richard Schave? I don't remember if he ever said who he was. Whoever it is, why does the huckster for "Charles Bukowski's Los Angeles" always post from Orange County?
Go ahead, save DeLongpre. I wish you luck. Make yourselves famous!
Welcome to DeLongpre. Don't forget to stop by the gift shop and pick up a bagful of Bukowski hoodies, shot glasses and skateboard decks! Sign up for the bus tour!
In the immortal words of Henry Chinaski in Barfly, "He symbolizes everything that disgusts me."
Frankly, I would have rather my name not appear anywhere, because it does make me slightly uncomfortable. Especially since the owner is going to hold ME responsible, and I'd really rather not deal with that. But the report cannot be submitted anonymously, and someone has to answer questions, because the whole point is to get people interested and involved, and obviously the media is a powerful tool for that.
The dude asked me what I did, and I told him I'm an office temp (really glamorous!) and a free-lance photographer, which he changed to "aspiring".
The reason I'm doing this is because I'm tired of hearing people (myself included) bitch about what a shame this and that is, and then just say "oh well". I've had enough of that resignment, and I wanted to see if I could actually make something posative happen.
So you can look at it anyway you want. All I know is I've been working from 8 to 5 and coming straight home to spend all my spare time researching and working on this presentation for the last two weeks. Make of it what you will...
-Lauren
Ps. I can't spell either.
The dude asked me what I did, and I told him I'm an office temp (really glamorous!) and a free-lance photographer, which he changed to "aspiring".
The reason I'm doing this is because I'm tired of hearing people (myself included) bitch about what a shame this and that is, and then just say "oh well". I've had enough of that resignment, and I wanted to see if I could actually make something posative happen.
So you can look at it anyway you want. All I know is I've been working from 8 to 5 and coming straight home to spend all my spare time researching and working on this presentation for the last two weeks. Make of it what you will...
-Lauren
Ps. I can't spell either.
I saw a "doofus hipster" on Seinfeld once (Kramer)...but otherwise??? :)
BD
For what it's worth I've been a City Planner for 20 years...you think the post office is a tough gig? Try checking building setbacks and lot coverage for 20 years ;)
Keep doing what you're doing Hindinwood (or whoever you are) ...there is no try, there is only do or not do, as the saying goes. You get open, honest opinions in this forum...but in the end they're just opinions...you're the only one "doing" in this case.
Maybe MJP's right, maybe your motives are not pure, maybe you're an evil-doer, I don't know, I can't tell from what I've read or your posts...you sound "sensitive" - but I'm not sure an office temp/photographer/hipster can be sensitive - maybe the wrecking ball is the only answer, maybe the wrecking ball is the only way to keep the $75 bus tours away...that's what they had to do to O.J.'s place isn't it?
Well, I don't know if I'd take a bus tour, but I would like to drive by and have a look at the place...so I'm voting YES...good luck on the presentation
BD
BD
For what it's worth I've been a City Planner for 20 years...you think the post office is a tough gig? Try checking building setbacks and lot coverage for 20 years ;)
Keep doing what you're doing Hindinwood (or whoever you are) ...there is no try, there is only do or not do, as the saying goes. You get open, honest opinions in this forum...but in the end they're just opinions...you're the only one "doing" in this case.
Maybe MJP's right, maybe your motives are not pure, maybe you're an evil-doer, I don't know, I can't tell from what I've read or your posts...you sound "sensitive" - but I'm not sure an office temp/photographer/hipster can be sensitive - maybe the wrecking ball is the only answer, maybe the wrecking ball is the only way to keep the $75 bus tours away...that's what they had to do to O.J.'s place isn't it?
Well, I don't know if I'd take a bus tour, but I would like to drive by and have a look at the place...so I'm voting YES...good luck on the presentation
BD
mjp
Founding member
I would prefer that the DeLongpre bungalows are not torn down (if only because Los Angeles is too god damn transitory and lacking any substantial history). But then what?
If it is preserved so people can line their pockets by pointing it out from a bus, then tear the fucker down immediately and put up a stucco condo building in its place. Though the bus would probably still go by and point to the condo to show people where something used to be.
Most of esotouric's posts here have the ultimate goal of putting money in his pocket. So I'm saying "fuck you" to that. And I'm saying fuck you to anyone who is working with - or otherwise in bed with - esotouric, while trying to act like just another random person commenting on what's going on.
The probable connection between the tour guide and aspiring photographer is what makes me question Ms. Everett's motives. If that's unnecessarily suspicious, so be it. I am a suspicious type, and like everyone else, I have my opinions and biases.
If there is no connection between Lauren Everett and Richard Schave, then say so, and I will apologize for jumping to such an absurd conclusion and shut up.
Otherwise, follow the money and tell me who you find there.
If it is preserved so people can line their pockets by pointing it out from a bus, then tear the fucker down immediately and put up a stucco condo building in its place. Though the bus would probably still go by and point to the condo to show people where something used to be.
Most of esotouric's posts here have the ultimate goal of putting money in his pocket. So I'm saying "fuck you" to that. And I'm saying fuck you to anyone who is working with - or otherwise in bed with - esotouric, while trying to act like just another random person commenting on what's going on.
The probable connection between the tour guide and aspiring photographer is what makes me question Ms. Everett's motives. If that's unnecessarily suspicious, so be it. I am a suspicious type, and like everyone else, I have my opinions and biases.
If there is no connection between Lauren Everett and Richard Schave, then say so, and I will apologize for jumping to such an absurd conclusion and shut up.
Otherwise, follow the money and tell me who you find there.
The speculation has already taken place. The owner bought the property about 5 years ago, according to Ms. Everett, and has now kicked out the tenants and put the property on the market (as a teardown) for 1.3 million. I would bet that is significantly more than he paid for it.
Richard Schave, who leads the Esotouric bus adventure Haunts of a Dirty Old Man is helping to support the preservation of the Bukowski bungalow through website advice and extensive lobbying. He is similarly involved in the matter of the endangered apartment building where John Fante wrote "Ask the Dust." Lauren Everett is leading the De Longpre campaign. She does not have a relationship with Esotouric's bus tours. Kim Cooper, Hollywood native/author, architectural historian and saver of the 76 ball, posts here as Esotouric, from beautiful downtown Lincoln Heights.
No one is getting rich from any of this, but so what? That's not why Richard and I do things. We're glad we are able to draw attention to a great Los Angeles writer and a neighborhood that's still in transition and might not change for the worse if we can help it. I wish everyone in LA who hasn't been to the DeLongpre bungalow yet would go and see the neighborhood, the perfect 1920s bungalow court across the street, the Ukranian Village apartment complex by the church, the old folks and the kids and the dogs and the parrots. It looks a lot like the Hollywood I grew up in, and Buk's place reminds me of the Los Feliz bungalow where as a kid I used to visit my mentor Mike Londgo (RIP) and drink beer and borrow books and realize I was right in thinking there was more to life than my parents ways. I hope the preservation hearing is successful, but if it's not, at least this important place won't go down without a fight and without notice.
And heck, we're not even making a fuss about the fact that before Bukowski lived there, it belonged to the celebrated millionaire newsboy of the middle west! One thing you learn when you dig into urban history: every address has a story, usually a good one.
No one is getting rich from any of this, but so what? That's not why Richard and I do things. We're glad we are able to draw attention to a great Los Angeles writer and a neighborhood that's still in transition and might not change for the worse if we can help it. I wish everyone in LA who hasn't been to the DeLongpre bungalow yet would go and see the neighborhood, the perfect 1920s bungalow court across the street, the Ukranian Village apartment complex by the church, the old folks and the kids and the dogs and the parrots. It looks a lot like the Hollywood I grew up in, and Buk's place reminds me of the Los Feliz bungalow where as a kid I used to visit my mentor Mike Londgo (RIP) and drink beer and borrow books and realize I was right in thinking there was more to life than my parents ways. I hope the preservation hearing is successful, but if it's not, at least this important place won't go down without a fight and without notice.
And heck, we're not even making a fuss about the fact that before Bukowski lived there, it belonged to the celebrated millionaire newsboy of the middle west! One thing you learn when you dig into urban history: every address has a story, usually a good one.
I would like to add to that, that this is much more for Los Angeles history than as some kind of tribute to Bukowski (as though he is looking down on us from heaven and nodding his head in approval ahahahah). His writing is an important part of Los Angeles history, as is this apartment complex, and since this is my hometown and I love it I am trying to do everything I can. After this is done (if it ever is), and will continue to go to the mat for places that I care about, because throughout my entire life (only 26 years, I know) I have seen enough beloved buildings disappear, and I'm just tired of it.
As far as being an "aspring" photographer, that's a strange way to put it. I have been taking photos for the last 14 years, and have never "aspired" to much more than making a good image, which I think I have acheived on a number of occasions. I'm not someone trying to break into show business or whatever. I grew up in that environment and I want nothing to do with it.
That's all. Back to work. Four more hours.
As far as being an "aspring" photographer, that's a strange way to put it. I have been taking photos for the last 14 years, and have never "aspired" to much more than making a good image, which I think I have acheived on a number of occasions. I'm not someone trying to break into show business or whatever. I grew up in that environment and I want nothing to do with it.
That's all. Back to work. Four more hours.
mjp said:
And yes, he paid around 400K, so I don't feel that bad for him.
I've been flipping through books for a few days. There was sentence in a story where Bukowski said that soon enough somebody would purchase the property and he would be out. Sorry I can't find it. Resident scholars?
You guys have some wild imaginations! Theme park? Museum?? Gift shop??? Who do you think I am, Rick Caruso?
Father Luke
Founding member
I just got ANOTHER 'save delongpre' on Myspace. It's the same shit written here. Only this time the man pleading with us for help compared saving this property to global warming. That's it for me. Tear the fucker down! You think Bukowski would give two shits? I don't think so. I'm sure he'd think about it for a minute. Dash off a couple brilliant poems and you guys would be sucking them up on ebay. Good riddance.
And Sean Penn can suck a nut too....
And Sean Penn can suck a nut too....
Okay, how about you guys go down to the gas station, fill up a jerry can, grab some matches, and take care of it. Good lord.
Personally I don;t get this at all.
Sure there may be some win/win motives attached to this request , but 100 years from now it would be cool to see this place-even if it has a theme park attached.
And heres the part I like, someone else is willing to do the work. Let them.
We have a rock and roll museum for chrissakes
Sure there may be some win/win motives attached to this request , but 100 years from now it would be cool to see this place-even if it has a theme park attached.
And heres the part I like, someone else is willing to do the work. Let them.
We have a rock and roll museum for chrissakes
mjp
Founding member
Of course not everyone is enthusiastic about that either. When the Sex Pistols were told they were being inducted, this is what they sent in reply:
Next to the SEX PISTOLS rock and roll and that hall of fame is a piss stain. We're not coming. Your not paying attention. Outside the shit-stem is a real SEX PISTOL.
I love that. It makes me laugh every time I read it, and I am impressed when someone walks it like they talk it. I always wondered why so many supposedly "anti-establishment" types are so quick to go pick up statues and awards.
You give up too easily.
No relationship with the bus tours? Ha. Okay. That's a clever way of dodging the issue of what the non-automotive relationship between Everett and Schave may be.
The only reason I wonder is because I found it odd that Ms. Everett became concerned with saving DeLongpre and, in looking for help with the task, sought out Mr. Schave. Did she find him in the phone book? On MySpace? He blogged about DeLongpre being on craigslist in early August, before we ever heard of Ms. Everett's involvement. Is that where she picked it up?
I promise you that the question would not have arisen (from me, anyway) if the "save DeLongpre" issue had not sprung forth from a commercial enterprise, Lost in the Grooves LLC, d/b/a Esotouric. I'm not saying that it couldn't be an organic movement, but a commercial entity pushing it casts doubt, that's all.
I don't understand that statement. I don't think anyone insinuated that the principals of Lost in the Grooves LLC, d/b/a Esotouric are getting rich. But Lost in the Grooves LLC, d/b/a Esotouric is a for-profit corporation, right?
Saving any old or historic buildings in Los Angeles is a positive thing. You and your husband appear to do a lot of good and interesting things, and I don't doubt that you do them because of your love for the city and its history.
But you can't fault me - or anyone else - for questioning motives when the people working to save certain sites are the same people who want to sell you a bus ride to go look at them (not to mention tshirts, tote bags, posters, baby clothes, refrigerator magnets, mugs, pins and drink coasters on the "Save the 76 Ball" and "Bukday" sites). It gives me mixed feelings about the issues you're championing, and I can't be the only one who feels that way.
Well, okay, I can be the only one who feels that way. I may very well be in this case. But skepticism is not only healthy, but justified whenever profit is involved.
God bless you, skeptic. If it weren't for the bus tour and Richard running through the route before the launch, it's likely that no one here, including Lauren, would know the property was in danger. Maybe it would have been sold and leveled by now.
There's no shame in seeking something back for all the hours of work we put in for this city and its landmarks and artists. In fact, if any of you reading this like what we're doing, y'all can show it by buying a 76 Ball or a Bukday t-shirt or a bunch of Scram back issues or a ticket on this Saturday's Raymond Chandler bus. Then we'll go out to dinner at a family-owned restaurant and have the strength to fight another day, and you'll have something neat to enjoy.
By the way, we won in the hearing today. Thanks for asking. And Lauren was great, as was Sara Berkowitz, who read a fine original poem about Buk to the commissioners.
There will be a call going out for others to help out with all the hard work to come on turning the De Longpre bungalow into a fitting monument to Bukowski. If you want to be part of that, please sign up on the http://5124delongpre.civicspaceondemand.org website.
It's going to be a lot of fun, hope to see you a part of it.
There's no shame in seeking something back for all the hours of work we put in for this city and its landmarks and artists. In fact, if any of you reading this like what we're doing, y'all can show it by buying a 76 Ball or a Bukday t-shirt or a bunch of Scram back issues or a ticket on this Saturday's Raymond Chandler bus. Then we'll go out to dinner at a family-owned restaurant and have the strength to fight another day, and you'll have something neat to enjoy.
By the way, we won in the hearing today. Thanks for asking. And Lauren was great, as was Sara Berkowitz, who read a fine original poem about Buk to the commissioners.
There will be a call going out for others to help out with all the hard work to come on turning the De Longpre bungalow into a fitting monument to Bukowski. If you want to be part of that, please sign up on the http://5124delongpre.civicspaceondemand.org website.
It's going to be a lot of fun, hope to see you a part of it.
mjp
Founding member
Is that a cryptic way of saying that she found out about it by reading his blog? Or is that information still top secret?
I didn't say you should be ashamed, I said attempting to profit raises doubt about your intentions. You can continue to ignore that inconvenient tidbit, but it's there, whether I bring it up or not.
I wonder though, what is the justification for "seeking something back" for "Bukday"? That is the site where you have really concentrated your efforts to sell trinkets and souvenirs. What are those buyers repaying you for?
Wow. I'll bet that poem was the highlight of their day.
That site appears to be broken. There is no link to buy anything.
Anyway, just because I'm a distrustful, contrary idiot doesn't mean that a lot of other people here aren't interested, so I'll let you get back to the infomercial, and I won't interrupt again. You know, until the next time I interrupt.
---
Congratulations to the cabal on the DeLongpre win today. Sincerely.
When it comes right down to it, I have to agree with Jimmy Snerp, that the motivation of those who save it will be irrelevant in the long run. If you're willing to do the work, may the sweet baby Jesus bless you and yours.
mjp said:
Sigh. I really don't know why this is so intreguing. I found a link to the story on Richard's blog through laist.org, which I read from time to time. The reason I started reading so many preservation blogs is because of the Lincoln Place Apartments in Venice, down the street from where I grew up. Over the last 5 years, the company has evicted over 1000 tenants, with the intent to tear down the 998 unit mid-century complex, and it made me so fucking mad I decided that I wanted to learn everything I could about city planning laws, preservation ordinances, etc. so that I could help in any way possible. They just had a huge victory in court yesterday, by the way.
Anyhow, my awareness of the De Longpre issue came out of my interest in saving another (much larger) apartment building. So there are my sinister motives, laid out before you...
Oh Right
jordan
lothario speedwagon
mjp, i have a great deal of respect for you and your opinions that i've read on this board (maybe in saying that i've just disqualified myself from having a useful perspective!!), but i've got to disagree with you here. maybe i'm younger and more idealistic, but here are my conclusions:
1. esotouric may be making its operators enough money to have a decent living, but i would sincerely doubt anyone is getting rich off of it.
2. i assumed esotouric was founded based on a passion for the literary history of LA and a desire to share that with people without also having to have a full-time job.
3. assigning the best possible motives to people, as i often do (ha!), i don't understand why a commercial venture like esotouric can't also rally to save a historic landmark and have their intentions be clean. they'll stay in business without the de longpre apartments for sure, but as history buffs, can't they have their commercial venture AND a legitimate passion for LA's history?
i mean come on... if you wanted to get rich, would literary bus tours really be your hot ticket?
1. esotouric may be making its operators enough money to have a decent living, but i would sincerely doubt anyone is getting rich off of it.
2. i assumed esotouric was founded based on a passion for the literary history of LA and a desire to share that with people without also having to have a full-time job.
3. assigning the best possible motives to people, as i often do (ha!), i don't understand why a commercial venture like esotouric can't also rally to save a historic landmark and have their intentions be clean. they'll stay in business without the de longpre apartments for sure, but as history buffs, can't they have their commercial venture AND a legitimate passion for LA's history?
i mean come on... if you wanted to get rich, would literary bus tours really be your hot ticket?
Pretty Vacant
Next to the SEX PISTOLS rock and roll and that hall of fame is a piss stain. We're not coming. Your not paying attention. Outside the shit-stem is a real SEX PISTOL.
Well if you're going throw facts into the argument....
and maybe the above is whats eating a few Bukfans. I bet most here would think Buk and a few of the Pistols (well Johnny for sure) would hate the bus tour, the trinkets the win/win promotions, the Disneyfication of anything and everything-freaking Bukbirds. I know I do but I think the house is different.
I'm taking the long view. I hope 100 years from now some snot nosed kid will walk up Bukowski lane, past the Bukowski tea room, past the glow in the dark trinkets and grab a book he may not have grabbed had it not been for the shiny sign outside and get blown away by reading a line like
"but at times a fool will find a greater
fool to
admire him".
For me I don't care how he arrives as long as he gets there.
Next to the SEX PISTOLS rock and roll and that hall of fame is a piss stain. We're not coming. Your not paying attention. Outside the shit-stem is a real SEX PISTOL.
Well if you're going throw facts into the argument....
and maybe the above is whats eating a few Bukfans. I bet most here would think Buk and a few of the Pistols (well Johnny for sure) would hate the bus tour, the trinkets the win/win promotions, the Disneyfication of anything and everything-freaking Bukbirds. I know I do but I think the house is different.
I'm taking the long view. I hope 100 years from now some snot nosed kid will walk up Bukowski lane, past the Bukowski tea room, past the glow in the dark trinkets and grab a book he may not have grabbed had it not been for the shiny sign outside and get blown away by reading a line like
"but at times a fool will find a greater
fool to
admire him".
For me I don't care how he arrives as long as he gets there.
Timing is everything
http://www.virginradio.co.uk/music/artists/the_sex_pistols/
http://www.virginradio.co.uk/music/artists/the_sex_pistols/