Ninth Presence Almanac

PRESENCE ALMANAC

Ninth Chronicle Curated by Elliott Desai

Cover photo by Elliott Desai Inside Cover photo by Elliott Desai

FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF ARTS & CULTURE

Try asking yourself, “What are you doing?” and then “Why?” afterwards several times.

My answer is “I’m alive to collaborate and connect with my community,” — including a natural theme of being around visual art and beautiful experiences.

When I was younger, I remember an intense awareness of there not being any “do-overs” in life.

As in, whatever actually happens is exactly what was going to occur.

But I had the will to predict and attempt to control the future... such a strong conviction for how experiences should look and feel (my mom once thought I would become a cinematographer).

Yet nowadays, I’m all about human beings human being

I believe that right now is the only moment that exists, and it’s in this moment that we are enjoying life and allowing it to unfold on its own.

I sometimes wish this free-spirited mindset was my instinct at a younger age.

Learning to go with the flow and accept changes as part of life are incredible values.

So what was my achilles heel?

Feeling like I also had a controlling stake in how others were seeing me.

I grew up with an identical twin, which evidently meant that the differences between me and my brother were the dominant topic anywhere we existed.

People are fascinated, and I was identified as somebody else and called their name for 50% of the first 18 years of my life.

I love my brother Owen, but the lifestyle of being a identical twin distracted from developing my own, healthy self-esteem that was sustainable and independent.

It was only last summer when I asked myself these “Whys?” but it was delivered as a critical inquiry — “Why are you alive?”

“I don’t know why I’m alive.” “Why are you alive?”

“I don’t know why I’m alive.”

“Then why aren’t you dead?”

“You’re right, I could be dead.”

“So why are you alive?”

“I don’t know why I’m alive.”

In circles, to a dizzying and almost paralyzing degree.

But I just couldn’t get it off my mind.

If I’m not dead (and thinking about current events, it’s clearly possible at any time), then why am I alive?

Which brings us to today:

I’m alive to be

I’m alive to wake up and embrace the world around me.

I’m alive to be joyful.

I’m alive to collaborate with artists and my neighbors.

I’m alive to walk.

Genuinely - I love walking. The activity itself embodies these mindful principles, and allowing myself to meander through a city is like allowing lungs to fill with air and then exhaling a breath.

When the prompt is simply “to be,” I casually reach 25,000 steps in a day.

And I love walking around as slowly as possible.

Try it yourself. Pick up your foot in one slow motion, extend your leg forward, and then feel the weight of your heel and the rest of your foot make contact with the ground.

Add “I can’t imagine being in a rush,” as a phrase to speak outloud, and it feels like floating through a dream.

So where have my feet taken me?

To places where I continue discovering my own concept of self.

This Ninth Chronicle consists entirely of photography by me.

The features are sourced from the early days of May 2023 - when I turned 27 years old and was designing the First Chronicle.

These recommendations are for quality, restorative moments with yourself, and evenings where you’re entirely focused on what’s happening around you — cultivating presence ;)

The Original Farmers Market

I moved to the Beverly-Fairfax district in September 2019. This neighborhood is populated with a plethora of small businesses and local cafes, yet I’m often looking for public space to simply bring a book, a journal and a pen. Most visitors are distracted by The Grove shopping mall that shares the same parking lot, but I encourage venturing around the Farmers Market next door.

When you wake up this weekend and want a casual place to dedicate your entire afternoon, grab a seat at one of the tables and enjoy the array of food around you.

“On 3rd & Fairfax since ‘34” as the welcome sign proudly displays.

Plaza Olvera

Ready for some history? This is one of the oldest parks in Los Angeles, initially under Spanish, Mexican and US rule for most of the 19th century.

Listed on the National Register in 1972, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument and Olvera St are located north of City Hall.

I visited on a Friday afternoon as the neighborhood celebrated its Cinco De Mayo Festival.

I dined at the infamous Juanita’s Cafe and then walked south on Spring St towards my next plan for the evening...

Lucha VaVOOM

Produced around the west coast and happening again this month at the Mayan Theatre on September 22, Lucha VaVOOM is a thrilling evening of Lucha Libre wrestlers and Burlesque dancers sharing the stage.

The atmosphere is incredibly comedic and there are so many hilarious and rowdy moments throughout the show. Many guests are dressed up for the occasion in audacious outfits - inspiring my own purchase of a Luchadores mask.

I felt so energetic and alive at this event and recommend it as a vibrant, memorable experience to enjoy the arts around you!

Renaissance Pleasure Faire

Returning next spring, this event takes places at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale, California.

A nearby city is West Covina, and as my birthday drew near, I chose a weekend trip to this suburb as a light-hearted gift to myself.

I booked two nights at the Pacific Palms Resort - the only hotel surrounded by an abudance of green space (a golf course) - and drove an hour outside Los Angeles on Saturday, April 29.

When I woke up Sunday afternoon, I drove to the next green space I could find, Irwindale Park, to sit near the public library for a while.

Then the next four hours capture the theme of this almanac:

I wandered through the grounds, enjoyed the beautiful scenery, watched a variety of performers and artists present their crafts, cheered during the closing joust match and overall experienced a blissful afternoon of presence.

The Recreation Area is free to the public and only 22 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles. Perfect for a quick getaway or a trip next April and May to the Renfair.

Malibu Creek State Park

Next was a desire to see the ocean, and dedicate more peaceful time to being in nature. Though I aimed for the park, I peeled off Las Virgenes Rd and entered the campgrounds.

Turned out to be even more fitting. I couldn’t hear anything - no voices, no cars, no music - just the sound of wind rustling tree branches and the sight of birds flying through the sky.

Solitude in the sun feels nice, and the afternoon continued with a breezy drive down to Malibu Bluffs Park to watch the sunset by the ocean.

Constellation Club

Once a month at the Formosa Cafe and happening this September 23, this 60’s evening is a dazzling production in the Yee Mee Loo room.

Simply put - it’s a groovy night.

Olivia plays a cosmic theremin and is accompanied by Curtis on his 1964 reel to reel. The sounds and visuals brighten the space, and this dazzling, free performance is a must-see when planning your Saturday night.

9:30 PM: Cocktail meet and greet 10 PM - 2 AM: DANCING!

Today is September 14, 2023 and the beginning of a new moon cycle.

Look up tonight and you will see a dark sky. This is open space to be intentional with your energy and dream of yourself embodying fresh excitement and joy for life.

A new beginning for your presence!

Sincerely,

Elliott Desai

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