Down South
It's Friday afternoon, and my pal Ira and I have just gotten back from walking the rows at Hollywood Forever - a historic cemetery in the heart of Los Angeles. Many silver screen greats are buried here (Fairbanks, Powers, De Mille, Valentino), about a stones throw from the Paramount lot. It's quiet and serene - a departure from the hustle and flow of Sunset Blvd.
Warm weather is a change - about 70 degrees down here...a vast departure from the rain and wind of PDX. Ira and his roommate are situated in a beautiful old house between Sunset Blvd and Melrose - not far from the heart of film industry. Everywhere you look, there are studios, prop houses and the like. It's a powerhouse of entertainment and self-promotion.
When I flew in on Wednesday with Michael (my PDX friend on this journey) - we jumped into the fray immediately.
In-and-Out burgers where Paris got busted for her DUI. Free-roaming the Beverly Hills Hotel where Britney (and a small platoon of photographers) were lurking. Rolling down Sunset strip and tripping on its surreal opulence. Smoking while sitting in the 405 traffic parking lot.
Welcome to L.A.
Thursday was all about fun. Breakfast at the Griddle (next to the DGA), where all of the staff and patrons are waiting for their close-up. The film tourist mecca of Universal Studios occupied the remainder of the afternoon....with an easy mix of rides, overpriced grub and studio schwag. Despite having lived here for the last five months, Ira had never done the theme park circuit - so it was fun for us both.
Friday has turned into Saturday now....with a trip to the Santa Monica pier and Venice Beach behind us. Ira and I picked up Michael's wife, Amy at LAX (a small driving nightmare) - and then back to Mike's swank hotel - where my circle of immediate friends were together for the first time. The intention to have dinner quickly devolved into creative show-and-tell....and before we knew it, the evening was over. Cheetos, cookies and Coke on the couch - filled the void in lieu of supper.
Sitting at Ira's dinner table now....finally writing in the moment. Much more has happened - mainly having to coordinate coverage for Greer....who came down with a fever while visiting his grandparents. Our fragile family plans got a overhaul as a result...all orchestrated while sitting near the twilight sands of Venice. I'm coming home a little early, and Mr. Dave will be stepping in to watch over Greer while Alex finishes up her Sunday business.
It's nutty....but what's new about that?
Warm weather is a change - about 70 degrees down here...a vast departure from the rain and wind of PDX. Ira and his roommate are situated in a beautiful old house between Sunset Blvd and Melrose - not far from the heart of film industry. Everywhere you look, there are studios, prop houses and the like. It's a powerhouse of entertainment and self-promotion.
When I flew in on Wednesday with Michael (my PDX friend on this journey) - we jumped into the fray immediately.
In-and-Out burgers where Paris got busted for her DUI. Free-roaming the Beverly Hills Hotel where Britney (and a small platoon of photographers) were lurking. Rolling down Sunset strip and tripping on its surreal opulence. Smoking while sitting in the 405 traffic parking lot.
Welcome to L.A.
Thursday was all about fun. Breakfast at the Griddle (next to the DGA), where all of the staff and patrons are waiting for their close-up. The film tourist mecca of Universal Studios occupied the remainder of the afternoon....with an easy mix of rides, overpriced grub and studio schwag. Despite having lived here for the last five months, Ira had never done the theme park circuit - so it was fun for us both.
Friday has turned into Saturday now....with a trip to the Santa Monica pier and Venice Beach behind us. Ira and I picked up Michael's wife, Amy at LAX (a small driving nightmare) - and then back to Mike's swank hotel - where my circle of immediate friends were together for the first time. The intention to have dinner quickly devolved into creative show-and-tell....and before we knew it, the evening was over. Cheetos, cookies and Coke on the couch - filled the void in lieu of supper.
Sitting at Ira's dinner table now....finally writing in the moment. Much more has happened - mainly having to coordinate coverage for Greer....who came down with a fever while visiting his grandparents. Our fragile family plans got a overhaul as a result...all orchestrated while sitting near the twilight sands of Venice. I'm coming home a little early, and Mr. Dave will be stepping in to watch over Greer while Alex finishes up her Sunday business.
It's nutty....but what's new about that?
1 Comments:
hi greg
i send you a hug.
i hope you are well.
i never knew you lurked at my place. or maybe i did and i forgot?
come back and visit us. think of you often.
hb
By
Adeline, at 4:10 PM
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