30.06.07 - Hit The Beach!

Crispy bacon SCRAMBLED EGG WHITES maple syrup
strawberries PANCAKES banana

So my noon breakfast arrives as I sit outside a diner on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood under the shade of an umbrella. Now I am not keen on the idea of mixing fruit with bacin and egg, but I decided to give it a shot as I needed to try some good American style pancakes. It turns up on one large plate. Two thick pancakes the size of side plates are stacked with fresh friut on top, the bacon and egg nestled to one side. While the latter looked as though they had been squeezed on there must have been about six piggy rashers! Here goes... armed with maple syrup, iced coffee and plenty of water I destroyed the chef's creation. One Brit has been converted.

I had decided to head for Santa Monica beach to rid myself of the tell-tale pale body. This should be a simple journey seeing as all I needed to do was to head straight down to the end of Santa Monica Boulevard. But this city is so spread out that this one bus ride alone must have taken almost an hour. I am a busy guy who cannot afford to spend so long travelling! Once I had reached the Pacific Coast Highway I was happy.The view as you head down the cliff quite breathtaking, for all you can see is a vast swathe of beach reaching off into the hazy distance towards Venice and Redondo to the South and Malibu to the North. With nothing but a space saving towel (courtesy of Charlie and Jo), some suncream and the clothes on my back I walked North to Rogers beach along the concrete cycling path before turning off across the sand to meet the water. Leaving the joggers, cyclists and rollerbladers behind I slumped on the beach and basked!

Carol and Cal (my Aunt and Uncle) both worked on a drama series that ran for six years called Strong Medicine. A reunion bash was being held in a house on North Clerk Street in West Hollywood, for all of the cast and crew.... and the visiting Englishman who was tagging along. The house was interior designer heaven, with all sorts of details such as a waterfall behind the hob, a stunning jungle inspired mural licking around the curved ceiling, a domed entrance hall and a Barbara Streisand inspired (shrine) room. Oh yes, the latter... complete with a black dummy displaying a slitty, slinky mauve sequined, floor length gown with feathers pointing up out of the shoulder line. My guess is that this was worn by her once? Backstage and off-set black and white pictures of the lady herself complete the mood. You would never know that this house was owned by a middle aged gay couple would you?!

It was interesting to meet the team. It seemed to me to be that they were all very different in their nature, almost in a conflicting manner. I cannot really put my finger on what it was that gave me this impression, but I felt that noone was really relaxed and being themselves. Had I finally had a mild taste of the LA attitude? Perhaps it only really happens in the film industry where people are out for themselves and will be whoever they need to be to further themselves? I actually had the best time talking to the crazy make-up artist who worked alongside my Aunt. She moved from Brooklyn twenty years ago and had no time for the film industry politics. She smoked away while I knocked back a few margueritas and listened to her as she warned me the people you find inthe industry. Let's just say that the language was to foul to type here!

I headed back to the hostel the long way... via the outdoor bar I was at on Friday called The Abbey. With a drink in hand I got talking a couple of guys. One was quite small with a quiff to make up for it, the other tall with a geeky look enhanced by the slicked hair. They were harmless although the smaller one clearly enjoyed winding people up. We started a quick-fire banter which ended with him saying,

"So why do all British people have bad teeth?'.

To which I replied immediately "Because we have better things to concern ourselves with than fake beauty. So why did ALL Americans vote for Bush?"

A smile emerged on his face and he turned to his geeky companion and said "I like this guy!".

After they invited me to join their group I decided to decline and head back to my charming hostel. I was quite pleased with myself for putting them in their place... on the other hand perhaps the LA attitude was rubbing off on me a little too easily. I am not going to have my teeth 'done'!!