The very VERY VERY belated Holiday post: part three - LA

Waking to sultry LA was quite a stunner, and though it took us about an hour to suss the buses to get to Aviation metro station and the sun was already piping hot, it was a blast of a day. We took the Metro up to Hollywood (cheap and easy) and walked out onto Hollywood Boulevard at Hollywood and Vine, the start of the Stars Walk of Fame.

And there was Pantages. Famous anyway but man you should have seen me shriek when on our return we watched LA Confidential (it's next to the Frolics Bar which is where Jack goes when he should be waiting til he snaps the DA with hapless Matt Reynolds).

We had a great lunch at Lucky Devils (serves real ale - and Cloud assures me very good ale too!) and by now frying in the sun I purchase a snazzy and cool split sleeve cotton shirt to cool my arms. Nice.

We go find City Hall for Lisette (again, its an LAC thing) and then walked past the rather stunning Walt Disney Hall. We walked past many magnificent buildings and then headed to Hollywood again to eat at Musso and Franks Grill. Not the best meal ever (the menu hasn't changed since 1919) but an experience nonetheless in a well-known Hollywood haunt.

Of course the next day we had to be off to NZ on an evening flight, so we decided to get the bus over to Santa Monica on the recommendation of the George. It was a scorching day (why is the Muscle Beach equipment made of steel? it was roasting to touch let alone use!) so I needed a new hat. Whilst walking the beach and generally enjoying the sand, sea and surf views of the pier and funfair, we also ran into - almost literally - the most terrifyingly huge bosums on a girl of my height and build (funnily, I think they were fake). To cite a line, "Holy Boob Job Batman". Still, as distracting as that was, Neil still came up with a grand idea for entrepreneurial adventure:

The English Seaside Emporium on Santa Monica Pier - selling rock, kiss-me-quick hats and Donald McGill postcards

It would work, wouldn't it?

Anyway, taking full advantage of a rather weakened dollar, we ate at The Lobster in the company of a mixture of fake bodies, and Hispanic waiters/out-of-work, 6 foot+ perfectly chiselled jaw waiters! Then a bus back to LA and on to the airport for our flight... where I wrote this (forgetting to say that the only 'celebrity' we saw in LA was Jim Broadbent on his way out to the Heathrow flight at LAX: and that was the only celeb seen all vacation...)

The very VERY VERY belated Holiday post: part two - London to LA

Now those of you who know how traumatic the last flight was for me when we flew from NZ back to the UK will understand the nerves with which I approached the flight to LA. If I add in that I was also not feeling too well, then this combined with Heathrow's security procedures...let's just say I was tense.

Cue near hysteria as I get in a state approaching the first round of security desks. By the time I got through to the queue for passports etc I was beginning to lose any sense of perspective.

Then, probably the best thing that could have happened, happened.

I met someone who needed support more than me.

Now this may seem a strange impetus for changing my behaviour, but as soon as I saw someone else in near-tears, expressing anxiety, I was immediately able to switch gears. Hey, there's a reason I do the job I do: it's because I do it anyway, instinctively.

Within seconds, my focus - indeed our focus - was totally on her and offering her the hankies, hugs and reassurance needed to make the journey. To Emma from Heathrow, you have no idea how much in some ways your difficulties helped save me. Once there was someone else to concentrate my energies on, I was fine. We kept an eye on her throughout the journey - she was on our flight too - and sent her off to her hotel at LAX. I hope she had a thoroughly wonderful holiday because she deserved it comeplete.

Anyway, once through security and the pointless parade of spending that is duty-free, we headed for food. Yes folks, I was hungry. I don't think THAT had helped minimise crankiness. Whilst eating, Neil noticed a young boy - almost small enough to fit into the large hand-luggage bag he had with him - in the company of an older male.

Neil promptly chuckled and muttered to me "that's Brian and Rauri". Archers fans will understand our muffled giggles here.

From there, things got better: I was fed and watered and on the plane. We didn't have the veggie option (NZ Air, I doubt they're worse than any othger airplane food provider, but man I could not face more insipid versions of tofu being served!) so the food was decent if unspectacular (hey, it IS airplane food!). But the views?!

WOW. We flew over Greenland and the ice-flows were grand (you can see pics here). We also snuck in a viewing of Fight Club (always good for plane journies!) And then we had the most smooth landing imaginable down to LAX. Good job, since we then had to spend around 2 hours getting through customs thanks to a short delay, a long run in to the gate and another flight arriving. Grr. Still, at least the drugs spaniel had a treat when he found some sarnies in a bag!

From there it was off for a hotel bus in the sultry night of LA off to Marriott hotel. We ordered room service as it was already 9.30ish and we tried to get some sleep.

Remember though... we've been pretty awake since 6-7am ish in London. It's now 11pm in LA.... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz versus body-clock...

Things are this bad

I've just been and bought myself a Doctor Who poster. Yes, the week has been like that. I needed it. I deserved it. And the week sure as hell ain't finished yet so I'm gonna deserve it even more by the end of tomorrow.

Though where the hell it can go is another matter. My office wall space is full unless I remove a set of shelves and whilst I think the Buffy poster has been part of my identity since getting my own office space here, I suspect that a full blown "my gawd, he's hot" poster of Tennant and his TARDIS may just prove too much sheer self-indulgence in sci-fi geekery to be tolerated in my working environment. Especially given the work I do.

Pah.

Back when I was young (read: single) I could post posters onto the ceiling above my bed and have the fun of them falling onto me in the middle of the night and scaring the bejeesus out of me (whilst also getting a frisson of thrill).

Now I have a nice warm Cloud - which is much better than any poster could ever be - but man, I wish I had more wall space!!

The very VERY VERY belated Holiday post: part one - London

Sorry for the delay and I hope you can marry it up with any appropriate pictures from the vacation!

We had a very pleasant evening in London the day before flying out to LA/NZ: Neil had reported back from his trip when he (nearly) disrupted the filming of Cornershop at the NFT/Southbank Centre whatsit place that there was a very fabby CD and DVD store. Well, he wasn't kidding. Of course, you don't REALLY want to get the consumerist munchies for such items on the way OUT of London on holiday where you have to carry them all holiday with you. So we restricted ourselves to buying "The City of Lost Children" which I have long wanted on DVD.

Of course, it was pee-ing down with rain that evening and we did get caught a bit. Made looking at the Klaus Weber water-flowing sculptures on the Southbank even odder!

We also wandered into the NFT (aka BFI Southbank) where Neil led me through the corridors of 'not-there-yet' to the actual ticket desk. Man I would have long given up if I was coming here for the first time! We nosied in the bookshop (very nice indeed - resist, resist!) and had a look at an exhibition - "Fabric Cut and Design" of drawings for costumes (and indeed some of the actual costumes) made by Ken Russell's wife, Shirley Russell. A very fascinating show (closed at start of September 2007).

Though my usual intimidated self, Neil eventually persuaded me to go into the rear bar of the NFT (SORRY: BFI Southbank) where they have very plush sofas and cushions for loungeing. Yummy! had a swift drink before braving the rain and heading for food at Pizza Paradiso in Store Street.

And so endeth part one.

What I owe you in terms of posts

Posts that I owe you:

• Holiday post: yes, yes, I know. I gave you a very brief overview. I gave you pictures. Do you still care what we did on our holiday in LA and NZ?
  
  
• As a subset we can also offer posts on the wonderful range of books purchased in NZ and the new music we dug up. Although I have to say that books we bought back that were wrapped in paper bags by bookstores (Unity Books, Scorpio Books) are remaining in bags to be surprise presents to ourselves for forthcoming birthdays or even Xmas.... not least because we're out of proper storage space!


• The 'National Trust - Hardwick Hall - Willesley Wood' post: we joined the National Trust as a consequence of going to visit Hardwick Hall last weekend. We then went on to Willesley Wood to see the trees planted there (some of which were funded in our names for 16 September last year). It was all very lovely. We took some very nice pictures too.


• The '3:10 to Yuma' review post: cracking film. Very entertaining. Didn't care at all that it was a remake. Did care that the film rattled along nicely, homaged Sergio Leone/Ennio Morricone at regular turns, and that the lead actors (Crowe and Bale) were just A1. Plus, you know, Lisette next to me thoroughly enjoyed seeing it again...


• The 'Builders may actually come and do something in our house soon' post: yes, we have had plans from an architectural design firm. Yes, a plumber is coming next week to look over our piping system and check we can just get the water tanks moved to the loft as originally hoped/planned by previous disappeared plumber. Yes, it is vaguely possible that before the next century arrives we will have a new kitchen/diner, a refurbished loft and proper storage for all the books. Further details and photographs as things progress anyone?


• The 'Raw Shark Texts' book review post: awesome and thoroughly insane for most of the way and ultimately rather touching. Anyone else read it or want a review?

Right, that's what strikes me as waiting in the queue...

Shuggy's reasonable rant

Is it possible to have a 'reasonable rant'? Is that an oxymoron? But how else do you describe a post like this when it may be ranty but you totally agree?!

Anna links to a really cool thing

Dylan rocks.

The joys of English

Thanks be to CloudyNeil for passing this circulating gem on English pronunciation to me, and to Susan Stepney at whose wonderful webpages it was originally collated.

Fictional Journalists

Whilst agreeing whole-heartedly with Medium Rob's selection of fictional journalists, I'd also offer the following:

Nick Mullen (Gabriel Byrne) - Defence of the Realm: righteously pissed off.

(and honourable mention for wondeful Denholm Elliot as Vernon Bayliss in the same film)

Amy Archer (Jennier Jason Leigh) - Hudsucker Proxy: "I'll stake my Pulitzer Prize on it!!"

And whilst obviously the model for wicked journalists goes back to Ace in the Hole, Danny DeVito (Sid Hutchings) in LA Confidential certainly deservces acknowledgement for being such a recklessly enjoyable character!

UPDATED: well, at least I got Rob's link in the post now!

How long since the last book meme?

Since EineKleineRob asked so nicely, I thought I should try...

Total number of books owned

Am frightened on counting, especially after how many we lugged home on the plane. About 3,500?

Last book bought

Lots! Art Deco: Los Angeles, Getty Center Photography Collection Handbook, The Puttermesser Papers: A Novel by Cynthia Ozick....

Last book read

Last one completed: Possibly an Artemis Fowle book before I passed them on to neice and nephew!

Currently reading: The Raw Shark Texts by Stephen Hall. I started it last night and am already about 1/3 through it. Completely insane but very vivid and compelling and with a central idea of a conceptual shark, a Ludovician shark, that eats memories: Audrey Niffenegger liked it a lot.

Five books that mean a lot to you

Hmm. Not really had time to rethink this so temporarily will refer you to this.

Next tagees: bah, humbug. I'll try and think of someone who would do this, but in the meantime, meme yourself senseless...

Socks

Readers: we knew this.

Semi-German

Is this resolved?

It appears so: thanks to Richard commenting on Hermes blog, it appears the way to 'correct' the semi-German post-blogpost screen is to select 'English-English' rather than English-UK on the dashboard settings.

Yes, it would have been nice if Blogger had corrected this themselves but since it was just annoying the heck out of me I've done the deed myself...

Anyone else know why blogger is in German at the mo?

Just wondered...

Temporarily in lieu of a holiday review - our pictures

Hope you like lots and LOTS of pictures...

Interested in Swiss Toni's Shuffleathon 2007?

I will be contributing. Those who have been inflicted with my compilations may wish to warn those who may be in receipt of one of my constructions....

Notes on how the Shuffleathon runs - essentially put care and attention into your compilation; put equal care and attention into your review of the compilation you receive - can be found here.

I'm already looking forward to it.