Los Angeles Just Chilling

Los Angeles over the years... Los Angeles ---just chilling...

This trip is purely a chilling trip to see good friends and not go crazy on the tour /visit things circuit. I have done alot of the famous tourist things and sights. So I had to be a bit creative while my friends were working , I had to figure out what to do .

Since I was sick the first half of the trip, I relaxed and napped alot. I am obsessed with Project Runway season TWO and congratulations to Chloe Dao! A sister and woman won this time! I am so PSYCHED! I was stuck on my Jet Blue flight into Long Beach and the last few moments for the announcement were cut off as we landed. I was going nuts. Luckily, I called my lil sis back in Boston and she was able to tell me. Turns out, I was not the only passenger on my flight wondering who won--was it Santino, Daniel V or Chloe. According to the internet poll, they thought it was between Santino and Daniel V. You really do never know with the judges, wild card Deborah Messing, Nina Garcia (Fashion editor of Elle Magazine, Michael Kors (American Fashion Designer) and of course the host and executive producer of the show Heidi Klum. I do adore Tim Gunn (he is the guru of taste and has very great insights and opinions when he talks to each contestant). I find Tim to very spot on -- in regards to his assessments for each Project Runway contestant's work. (Though Santino's Tim Gunn impressions were very funny and spot on!)

I did get creative this trip and made a bachelorette photo album for Thai's friend. It was fun and very different. Usually for me, it is a very personal endeavor but this time it was for someone I had not met. A new feeling for me but it ended up that Suzanne (the recipient) really liked it alot. I was relieved.

So thus far on this trip, I did visit the LA Coliseum (where the 1984 Summer Olympics was held), very new looking Museum of Science (too bad only had one hour in there). Got to take a great hike towards the Hollywood Sign---and decided it was too late and just went up Dante's Peak. The guidebooks and other sources were not kidding about the million dollar views of Los Angeles. (My walking/hiking buddy is a local and she never did it before. It did not hurt we went on a gorgeous and clear day). The whole thing was less than 2.5 miles but fun, fully paved on dirt road. (There was a steeper way to get to the top of Dante's Peak (we decided against it). I just kept on taking more photos as we kept on walking higher and higher. It had the prettiest views I have seen of Los Angeles and they were picture perfect for a post card too!

Keeping along the walking theme, I did about almost 3 miles walking from Venice Beach to Santa Monica Beach. It was a lovely day this past Monday when I did it. I loved the breeze and it turned out in one portion of the beach was sectioned off. A local man and woman (he reportedly hosted a game show) was en route to San Diego to get a cancer patient. The small plane the couple were on sunk and all aboard died. What a tragedy! (All the local televisions stations were all there reporting from the site).

This year marks an anniversary for the LA County Art Museum--40 years I believe. I got to visit it and check out the stuff. There were alot empty areas and some cute art. After traipsing all over Europe, heading out to the Art Institute (Chicago), MET (NYC) and even MFA of Boston, it does pale in comparison. But it was still good to check out anyways as I am spoiled east coaster with access to great art.

One interesting sight, is the Walt Disney Concert Hall. I was able to take advantage of the one hour self guided tour (right now from 10am-2pm with options for a guided one or express one hour audio tour--available on some days). This silver , bright and metal building does stand out when you near it. It was interesting to hear that the building was supposedly originally designed to be all stone. But after getting alot of feedback, metal was the way to go. According to my friend, some changes were done not to polish the metal (exterior) as in warm weather the glare and heat projected from the building is HOT and neighbors do NOT love it. I found the acoustics interesting, or the garden on top of the building with the cool delft porcelain rose contraption (the designers gift to Mrs. Disney). In comparison to the Budapest Opera house, Boston Symphony Hall and Vienna Opera House (tours I all took) this one had the most modern design and is the newest as well. I enjoyed it.

The rest of the time in LA, I was just chilling. I got to catch some good flicks---old Sammi Cheng films (a Hong Kong singer and actress). One is "Needing You" with Andy Lau (my first fave HK actor/singer) and Sammi along with another classic "Feel 100%" based on a Japanese Manga. One movie I was looking forward to was Johnnie To's movie "PTU" but I ended up yawning alot. I did catch one he made two years ago called "Breaking News" with Kelly Chen (another Canto pop singer /actress) and Richie Ren (his Cantonese has been improving) that has alot of ridiculous gun play scenes. (A Johnnie To signature I guess????)

I love people watching. I know I am not in Boston anymore just observing the people. I think it is funny that it is in the 50's or 40's F and people are FREEZING. I guess the blood thins after living out in the warm weather, for us in the North East (these temperatures are completely balmy when dealing with 10-20 degrees F). The attitude is very laid back here and casual. I do crack up at the drive through mail box drop offs. (Akin to seeing the drive through coffee houses I saw in Seattle). Such a car society out here, lots of nice cars are co mingling with lots of vintage cars (do not see that much in the North East with our bad weather, corrosive sea air and bad roads are recipes for disasters for people's cars.)

Los Angeles is such another beast compared to Boston, sometimes I do not know what to make of it.