Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
I hate the Paparazzi
()
I have a neighbor named Zac. He's always pleasant and holds the elevator door open for me when he doesn't have to. Young, unassuming, and a generally-likable guy. Little did I know that my neighbor became one of young Hollywood's breakout stars virtually overnight. I noticed that he was on the cover of People magazine one day with this young girl I sometimes saw him hanging out with. Little did I know that my neighbor was Zac Efron. I sometimes wondered if the paparazzi would ever show up to my house, especially after the whole nude picture fiasco concerning his girlfriend came to light, but I always thought, no, I live in a quiet neighborhood, far from Hollywood. The paparazzi would never come to my house.
Until yesterday.
My boyfriend and I went to take our eight-month-old son for a walk. Typical, suburban boring stuff. Upon trying to exit the front door, approximately 8 paparazzos and 1 paparazza were blocking the front door.
Support for LAist comes from
What follows is the exchange:
()
Us: What are you all doing here? This is private property.
Them: This is not private property. The property line is here [points to arbitrary point on the sidewalk which they had obviously crossed]. This is a free country. We have a right to be here.
"Leader" points to Zac and his girlfriend who are getting out of their car with groceries. Paparazzi (like a school of fish) swarm over to the parking gate, climb over bushes (destroying them) and run to the back of the property attempting to gain better access to their prey.
Us: There are people in here with families and children. Get out of here!
Them: You're a fucking asshole.
Us: You're going to curse in front of my son? Are you crazy?! Get the hell out of here! We're going to call the cops!
Them: Call the cops. I'll be right here. Nice example you're setting for your kid.You know that feeling you get when you're 3 seconds from completely losing it? That hot and red feeling as smoke is about to shoot from your ears? That was me. I decided to go upstairs. Take off my earrings, put on Vaseline, and start cracking skulls. But this is not 3 o'clock High. And I am too old to be fighting.
Support for LAist comes from
Let me just say that my next response was to hurl hot water on the paparazzi for disrespecting my home and my son. The upwardly mobile in me placed the call 911. The police did come, but the paparazzi had already left, presumably staking out their next victim(s).
No, this is in no way akin to Princess Diana or Sean Penn or any other paparazzi-induced crime against morality. But it was pretty damn annoying.
Those dickweeds probably got more photos of our hands in their cameras than anything usable.
Haha!
Bitches!
photos via flickr from acat and polymath blues
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist