Los Angeles

I didn't get a chance to include Los Angeles in my America Time post. Now, is LA really America? That's debatable. All I know is I'm surprised by how much I like it there. Having one of my best friends from college to show me around certainly helps as well. I spent a few quick days with Cole and his wonderful wife Tassie before heading overseas. Here follows a run-down of my random time in the City of Angels.

- First real night there, we get a call from Cole on his way home from work. His beautiful 1950s Mercedes has broken down on Robertson. Cue him and I pushing it down that trendy avenue as the equivalent of their First Fridays crowd gawked. Some complimented the car, but none offered to help. Very LA.

- Experienced my first earthquake that night too! Leaning down to the sink while brushing my teeth, my first thought was someone REALLY wanted in the bathroom. Was a 3.5 and yet impressed me plenty. The Richter scale's exponential, so it's hard for me to imagine big ones. Wow!

- Watched my expectations for the first year of the Charlie Weis era sail way down to Earth at the KU watch party. The current alumni bar in Santa Monica is like Crossing only with more struggling actresses/waitresses, to give Chicago people an idea.

- Saw my only "celebrity" there. Preston, the large man from Jackass, floundered in wearing a Mizzou football jersey. Next time Jon Hamm's busy, try using Preston in your commercials MU. Can't decide if he tops the only other celebrity I've seen in LA, Matt, the patriarch of the Little People, Big World clan on TLC.

- Had hopes to add Tom Hanks to that list, but we apparently just missed his welcome speech at Greek Fest. Too bad. We still devoured a Greek Feast and Tassie even taught us the Greek dance. "It's like crazy legs slowed down 90%." She then did a quintessentially Tassie demonstration.

- Much love to the Grays for allowing me to be one of the larger 3rd wheels in the history of time. When I booked the flight way out, I sort of forgot my visit would coincide with not only Cole's birthday, but also their first wedding anniversary. Had a fantastic meal at Il Piccolino near their house as the waitress tried to figure out who was celebrating what and then why the heck I was there, haha.

- Cole and I also dominated a nice quick canyon hike in the Hollywood hills. Hopefully it'll be great prep for my NZ bush walks.

- Enjoyed my final American meal at Umami Burger. Fried egg, hashbrowns, crispy onions, bacon, and cheddar on a perfectly cooked patty. Amazing and necessary, in case Oceania skimps on meat like Europe did.

I thank Cole and Tassie immensely for their amazing West Coast hospitality.

My Air New Zealand flight went smooth as can be. I eyeballed my fellow passengers for future Lost-style candidates for my tribe should we have been marooned. But after watching American Beauty for the first time (Keith, I get your Halloween costume now!) and some New Girl episodes (Nick staring at manly dude's taxidermy: "I want to kill you, because I respect you. Jess!?!? I think I understand hunting!") and getting sporadic sleep, we touched down safely in Rarotonga....which will be the next post. Bye for now!