A couple months ago, I came home after what seemed like an endless day in traffic to find a copy of New York magazine resting on the table. I had subscribed weeks earlier, because as my running river of love for Los Angeles never runs dry, neither does my love for New York and their wonderful transportation system, “don’t give a shit” attitudes, countless shopping opportunities and cold weather (yes, I am one of the few people in this city who does not appreciate sunshine 365 days a year). The issue was titled “Reasons to Love New York.” I thumbed through it and came across reasons such as: “Because our kids love books,” “Because we’re twice as generous as the rest of America,” “Because we can get gourmet desserts out of a truck,” and “Because Brangelina Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.”

Maybe it’s because I’m a native Angeleno, maybe it was because NY and LA have always been in some east coast, west coast “which is the better city” battle, or maybe it was because I felt like NY magazine was directly taking the piss out of Los Angeles, but I felt like I needed to prove L.A’s worth.

NY Magazine Reason 1: “Because we’re twice as generous as the rest of America.”

According to the Boston College Center of Wealth and Philanthropy, New Yorkers give 7 percent of their income to charitable causes; the national average is 3.6 percent. Californians however give 11 percent of their income to charitable causes. Take that New York!

NY Magazine Reason 2: Disdain they have for Brangelina. “When you’re here,” NY Magazine says, “you take our basest celebrity obsessions and force our noses in them, like we’re some kind of disobedient dog who’s just left something on the carpet we’d rather not confront.” They continue, “we know full well that everyone would be better off if we confined that sort of distasteful activity to the backyard, or in this, L.A.”

Wow. That was a low blow, New York. If there was any celebrity that Los Angeles should welcome with open arms, it’s Brangelina. Despite the glitz and glamor, they’re just a couple trying to raise a family, just like the rest of us. They’re not only drop dead gorgeous, philanthropic (Jolie is United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and Pitt a social activist), they are pretty low key. You will never see them at some pretentious Los Angeles restaurant being photographed, or attending a plethora of premieres and useless ceremonies. So, Brangelina, we are glad to have you here. Welcome to L.A. In other news, there are talks that Britney Spears and Jessica Simpson are looking to buy properties in NY. I’m sure they’ll fit right in.

But, I digress. The whole point of this post was that Los Angeles magazine is doing something a list of the greatest things in Los Angeles. Round 1 has already taken place, and 64 contenders remain. Round 2 of voting begins March 10 and I encourage anyone who is passionate about this city to participate. The list contains such items as 99 cents only stores, Dim Sum in the San Gabriel Valley, murals, the beach ( you can’t top this one east coast, no matter how much you try), KCRW, Hollywood Forever screenings and my personal favorite The Rose Bowl Flea Market.

When I was in NY last year, I totally believed that their swap meets and flea markets would trump the ones in L.A, but let me tell you, The Rose Bowl Flea Market and the many others we have around here, trump New York’s by miles and miles. You cannot even compare the two.

And if there is one other thing you should appreciate about L.A, is that for most of the time, it smells GREAT, and trash gets picked up, and there aren’t sewer tops on every sidewalk spewing out cheese-ridden steam when you walk by. Thank your lucky stars.

Viva L.A!

Photo by roadtraveller4758 via Flickr

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