For Shana, in case you are an individual person: Think of it this way — Not too long ago, Malingering did a photo post titled “Santa Monica Goes Green, Weirdness Emerges.” I suppose I could’ve bitched out Malingering about how she shouldn’t “make fun of and insult an area.” Or I could try to make some “objective” argument about how not everyone in Santa Monica is weird and that her photos were not representative of the city population at large.

Or I could just laugh — which is what I did. After all, we do have some unique-looking characters in Santa Monica — and the post was hilar to look at.

Valley aside: By popular vote, anonymous comments that are also derogatory will henceforth get deleted.

i’m sure that people who live in the Valley don’t spend as much time hating it, hating themselves for living there, or feeling like they are uncool as you think they do. seems to me like you’re the one who wants Valley people to feel uncool. Weird.

That said, I’ll comment below, and you can delete or not delete it.

Being open-minded never hurt anyone, right? (I’ve lived in Santa Monica for twelve years, but often visit relatives in the Valley.) Saying something like, “Where exactly is Winnetka?” is a bit ignorant–and, it would seem, unnecessarily derogatory. What’s the point in putting a negative spin on areas other than Santa Monica? I don’t understand.

Where you live doesn’t make you trendy or, um, cool. Anyone who thinks so should, in your words, get over it. Perhaps you included.

I suggest that you don’t delete them (which could likely make them try harder), but occasionally do a round-up blog of the obstreperous texts to share them and to shine light on them.

Regarding the Valley… I, frankly, don’t know it as well as I should… but there are a lot of cool spots on the LA River there… plus great tributaries. Also, there are fantastic oak-lined streets. I find it fun to explore there… I wouldn’t make fun of it, unless I knew it well.

But even if something is funny when it starts out, it may not be when it’s repeated over and over. I remember spilling a soft drink in high school, and my friend’s little sister gave me grief about it. It was funny–but when she was still doing it six months later, kind of boring and annoying.

I don’t yet live in the Valley, BTW. At the moment, we’re on the Westside. But I guess that’s just more evidence that USC alumni can’t read. :)

Chill out — and just make fun back. Tell us how much less cool the westside is than the valley — tho I think we all know that’s a rather tough argument to make….