HIPSTER RUNOFF

Yall. Looking at the cities that visit HRO the most. Trying to 'get a better sense' of who reads HRO.
From what I can tell, people in suburbia do not read HRO. People from 'the city' read HRO. I can conclude that only white people and rich people read HRO, because they live in 'the city' and 'can afford rent/Macbooks.'

Can u find urself in this list?
Are yall 'surprised' by a city that u 'didn't think was THAT authentic?
Still need more demographic info, because I basically 'guessed' this list.

THE TOP 500 CITIES TO VISIT HIPSTER RUNOFF

1. New York
2. Chicago
3. Los Angeles
4. London
5. Sydney
6. San Francisco
7. Melbourne
8. Philadelphia
9. Don Mills (Toronto)
10. Austin
11. Seattle
12. Portland
13. Washington
14. Minneapolis
15. Vancouver
16. Paris
17. Atlanta
18. San Diego
19. Houston
20. West Hollywood

CARLES PRESENTS
THE STORY
ABOUT THE TIME
HE WAS EVICTED
FROM HIS FIRST APARTMENT
IN THE CITY

A SHORT BLOG STORY BY CRLS

Photo via lookbook

I had spent all summer convincing my parents that I didn't need to go to college--I needed a year off to figure out who I am, and what I REALLY need and want to do. It was a bold decision that only risk takers like me would make. I'd be better off if I had the opportunity to find myself by living in the city for a while. Even if I just had a shitty job, or eventually got an internship with a web magazine, I know the experience would be the best way to spend my time.

I told them that I had a job lined up in the city that started a month after I moved there. But I needed them to front the deposit and the first 2 months rent, so that I could 'get my feet wet.' The apartment was amazing. Stainless steel appliances. High ceilings. Flat screen TV from the game room at my parents' house. Stolen wifi from a neighbor. There was even a bodega at the corner that didn't card.

Needless to say, those first 2 months were the best 2 months of my life. I went to so many shows, art openings, flashmobs, and had a great time. I tried new drugs, and did stuff that I thought I was supposed to do to symbolize 'growth' and 'being mature.' Every now and then I would scan craiglists for jobs. Sometimes I would send emails to places. I'd get replies sometimes. I went to an interview at a local deli, and went to work for one day. I felt like it wasn't for me, since every one else there was actually a grownup, and I think there was just a generational gap. They were making sandwiches to feed their families', and I was just a kid in the city working this job until something better came along. Part of me hopes that wide-eyed kid never dies.

I lied to my parents and told them I was working for a dot-com. I even bought the dot-com page and built a site that they probably thought looked real. They were proud of me. I had taken a risk that they never would have, and I was doing well and standing on my own two feet.

Month 3 ended. I did not pay rent. I got a notice that I had 2 weeks to pay my shit. I freaked out. Tried to sell drugs but I didn't even know any one in the city yet. I was still just a kid from suburbia trying to figure out what to wear to be taken seriously.

I went on a 5 day bender when I realized I wasn't going to be able to pay. I returned to my apartment at 9 a.m. All of my belongings were outside. Black people and brown people were rummaging through my shit, leaving most of my American Apparel + thrift clothes but taking all of my technological items. Everything that made 'me' was in an alley by a dumpster. Even my IKEA furniture and the HOT/LEAN POCKETS from my freezer. Record player + 80% of record collection was recovered.

I called my parents. Sobbing uncontrollably. I told them the truth. The truth about everything. I should have just gone to the state school. I should have just listened to them. I was a failure. I was a fuckup. Mom and Dad got in their van and made the 7 hour trip to the city. Sometimes I don't know why they even bother with me--but I think they love me for who I am. We went out to dinner at a chain restaurant before making the long drive back home to suburbia.

I moved back in with them. They sold my car, but it didn't matter. I spent that entire next year alone in my house, pretending that I lived in the 'city' on myspace+facebook so that my high school friends would consider me to be cool. Eventually enrolled in community college and got most of my pre-reqs out of the way. I even settled for a girlfriend who didn't 'get' me/what I was all about, but still looked alright and was always down to fuck. Eventually she made me too sad because she non-ironically worked in the Best Buy music and DVD section, considering herself a music+film critic. We broke up.

I miss my life pre-eviction. Back when I honestly believed I could do anything.

I wanted to live in the city so bad. Looking back, it seems like I would have done anything to live in the city. I lied to my parents. I lied to myself. I spent 3 months in the city, and it ended up wasting a year of my life.

I think it was worth it.

These days when I drive to my retail job in suburbia, I think about what I experienced, what I went through, and how I am a strong, brave person. My parents will never trust me again, but I think I have a better idea of who I am and what I want and what human suffering is.

EVICTION
A TRUE STORY
BY
CARLES

[Photo by Cobrasnake]

My entire life has been focused on 'moving to the city.' I hear a lot of songs about 'the city' and see a lot of meaningful pictures of culture/daily life from 'the city.' Within 'the city' is a network of creative people and a thriving public transportation system. In the context of the city, doing even the most trivial things like 'going to the store to buy groceries to prepare a meal' is more meaningful than the exact same process in suburbia. (less fossil fuels)

The concept of 'the city' might be dead. Authentic Alts are 'raging against the city' because s0 many mainstreamers are 'moving in' (also a high cost of living). I am not sure what will be a more authentic place to live in the future: 'the wilderness' or 'suburbia.'

The Wilderness seems like you could 'really chill out' and listen to some AnCo. You can 'be alone with your thoughts' and just get kind of raw, unwired, and uncut.

But I feel like I could really tap into a lot of creative angst if I 'lived in a place like suburbia.' I could really reflect on the human experience, and how so many people will never 'achieve happiness' because they don't 'get' how space/architecture has a direct impact on their lives'. There are just so many people around u 'living the same life as u' that u 'get kinda down' and feel 'a lil bit meaningless.'

Where do yall think yall are going to move to?
Do yall know n e 1 who will take over my lease?