Author: Eric Brightwell

Eric Brightwell is an essayist, rambler, explorer, cartographer, and guerrilla gardener. He lives in Los Angeles, not because he was born here, but because he chose to... for all of the things for which its famous: its verticality, its mass transit, its diversity, its schools, its liminal spaces, its architecture, its wildlife, its museums, its night markets, its cinemas, its theaters, its enclaves, its restaurants, its bars, its libraries, &c

Greater Streets — Exploring Valley Boulevard

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 8 Comments

INTRODUCTION Normally when I write an account of one of my explorations, it's after I've concluded it. Sometimes I work on them for months and when I can't stand thinking about it anymore, I just publish it and figure I'll correct the typos later. However, I began exploring and writing about Valley Boulevard more than a … Continue reading Greater Streets — Exploring Valley Boulevard

California Fool’s Gold Nights — Revisiting Granada Hills

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 2 Comments

Years ago a reader asked me why I never conducted my California Fool’s Gold explorations at night. I told her that it was due, in part, to the difficulty in getting good pictures in the dark but also because many of the places which interest me (churches, historic homes, model train clubs, museums, parks, temples, … Continue reading California Fool’s Gold Nights — Revisiting Granada Hills

Where Fools Fear To Tread — A Snapshot of Korea (Seoul and Busan)

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 30 Comments

 INTRODUCTION In June, Una and I went to the Philippines and Korea on vacation. Since people will invariably ask me to clarify "North or South?" the answer, is South. Perhaps I'm wrong to think that this would be obvious since I usually assume that "Korea" means "South Korea." More than 12 million travelers annually visit Seoul alone … Continue reading Where Fools Fear To Tread — A Snapshot of Korea (Seoul and Busan)

Where Fools Fear to Tread — A Snapshot of Scotland (Glasgow)

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 10 Comments

a In the spring of 2015, Una, Leonard, and I visited Glasgow, Scotland. I know that, had I had more time, I'd've liked to have also visited Edinburgh, Inverness, Orkney and elsewhere. In the past, I amused myself with the idea that on my first visit to the UK I'd skip England, instead limiting my … Continue reading Where Fools Fear to Tread — A Snapshot of Scotland (Glasgow)

Nobody Drives in LA – A Guide to Los Angeles Mass Transit Agencies

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 6 Comments

INTRODUCTION TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY TRANSIT When it comes to getting around, the 21st-century city dweller has options. Walking and cycling are my most common methods of getting anywhere but for longer journeys, I like public transport which in Los Angeles includes buses, ferries, light rail, subways, and water taxis. Los Angeles has one of … Continue reading Nobody Drives in LA – A Guide to Los Angeles Mass Transit Agencies

Introduction to the Music of 王若琳 (Joanna Wang) for the Use of the English-Speaking World

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 8 Comments

JOANNA WANG Joanna Wang is one of my favorite contemporary songwriters, although that, in and of itself, was not enough to compel me to write this biography/discography/ timeline. For one, most of what I've been able to gather about Wang has been written in Chinese, whereas I think that the appeal of her music should extend … Continue reading Introduction to the Music of 王若琳 (Joanna Wang) for the Use of the English-Speaking World

Where Fools Fear to Tread — A Snapshot of the Philippines (Metro Manila and the Calamian Islands)

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 16 Comments

This past June, Una and I visited the Philippines. While she was born and raised there, it was my first time in the country and only my second visit to Asia. We spent a week in Una's homeland before taking off on the next leg of our vacation, to Korea. The following is a record of … Continue reading Where Fools Fear to Tread — A Snapshot of the Philippines (Metro Manila and the Calamian Islands)

Introduction to the Music of 라이너스의 담요 (Linus’ Blanket) & 연진 (Yeongene) for the Use of the English-Speaking World

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 2 Comments

I only discovered the music of Korean band-cum-solo project, Linus’ Blanket, a couple of years ago, through singer (and now sole member) Yeongene’s collaboration with BMX Bandits, of whom I’ve long been a fan. Sadly, BMX Bandits are barely known in the US -- and the same is true of Linus’ Blanket. However, whereas at least … Continue reading Introduction to the Music of 라이너스의 담요 (Linus’ Blanket) & 연진 (Yeongene) for the Use of the English-Speaking World

Urban Rambles — Exploring Koreatown Malls with Machiko

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 5 Comments

2017 marks the tenth anniversary of me exploring Los Angeles for my online series, California Fool’s Gold.  For the occasion, I’ve turned to fellow explorers to see where they’d want to go and published my accounts on my newer series, Urban Rambles. My friend Machiko Yasuda and I recently explored Mid-City but she suggested another ramble, … Continue reading Urban Rambles — Exploring Koreatown Malls with Machiko

Urban Rambles — Exploring Inglewood with Marya

~ Eric Brightwell ~ 1 Comment

For my tenth year of exploring Los Angeles with the series, California Fool’s Gold, I’ve been reaching out to fellow explorers to see where they’d like to explore for another of my series, Urban Rambles. So far all of my rambling companions have had names that start with "M" -- Marvin, Maya, Mike, and Machiko. … Continue reading Urban Rambles — Exploring Inglewood with Marya