10-E Looking Left at LA

[ajcohen613]

I don't know what most of this means, but it is clearly written, and obviously to some purpose. The message at the end seems to say that LA is filled with 4 million narcissistic or vain people.  
If the title is to be taken at face value, it means you are driving on the west bound HWY I-10 heading towards the pacific ocean. As 1-10 goes through the heart of Los Angeles (irony/hyperbole, we all know LA has no heart) you would be looking at South LA?
"a local’s soul
is made of nickel
and pleather"
a shallow person in a shallow town?
"ash specked blanket" Have no idea.
You obviously know more about LA than I do. I suppose this could be about the drought, but except for the "ash", I see nothing that really supports that. The only other news has been of certain aquatic life that usually goes no further north than Baja has been spotted much further north than that, some around LA, some as far North as Sacramento. I would like to know what "cobalt" means in this context.  
dale

My mistake! This was actually on the 10-E. I suppose I'd be looking north at LA, but eh, left felt better. Also, this was not meant to be about the drought, but bring what you will to your reading!