Tinsel Town deserves another entry! Yes I was falling asleep just about when I was being shown around Beverly Hills, and no I didn't get out of the car at any stage except to go into two supermarkets - including Trader Joe's! - but the jet-lag hasn't really worn off.
I really should carry my camera everywhere. While taking a long walk (almost unheard of here everyone tells me) to a local shopping mall, I saw two security guards collecting money from a gas stand. Well, only one was collecting, the other had his gun out with his attention firmly fixed on everyone around him. I don't think I even know what colour a Japanese policeman's pistol is, let alone having see one in the hand of an officer. I can tell you that this security guard had a shiny silver one, but I didn't get too close or pick up the nerve to ask what make it was.
Possibly the biggest treat in L.A. though, apart from meeting a niece I'd never met before, was getting to see an excellent new British comedy on TV. For non-British readers who don't know it, you must see The Office if you get a chance. I've heard it termed a "mockumentary" and BBC America quotes a whole lot of U.S. press saying how the Americans love it. Well the San Francisco Chronicle certainly does, saying it is "The funniest thing you’re likely to see all year… It’s also funnier than anything you saw last year". Very likely!
Roll on Chicago.
Posted by Joe at June 22, 2003 03:28 PMJoe,
You have to be crazy walking around town like that! Stay in your car and don't let anyone in a la Hugh Grant.
I have a feeling there will be a number of boys lining up to take Alli to USJ.
Take care.. . see you in Chicago.
Well Joe, better to be in LA than in Japan with all of this Beckham fever running rampant. Last night was the low point- he was in a room with a bunch of comedians that were acting, well, like normal. (99 and I forgot the rest of their names). One of them took his shirt off and showed Beckham how he could wiggle his left breast. I have to give Beckham credit, he just smiled and took it all in stride. All of the interviews with him have been the usual stuff, do you like sushi, what do you think of Japan, blah blah blah.
I kind of like LA, but I did notice it takes all day to run one errand. I really like Chicago, my uncle lives there and it is close to my hometown. Let me know what you think.
Tom
P.S. I do think Americans know about Beckham, at least my dad does.
Tom,
They may know Beckham but could they find Manchester on a map?
A friend here said he had 'had it up to here with Beckham and Harry Potter'. He did have British roots though and had more than a passing interest in soccer, so maybe his reaction to Beckham, at least, may not have been typical. I'll ask around in Chicago if they could tell Beckham from the stars of The Office!
Colin, of course they can find Manchester on a map, it's in Ohio! 8+)
http://www.manchesterohio.org/
Posted by: Joe at June 22, 2003 08:39 PMTalking about Harry Potter, are you going to pick up a copy for the boys?
Interestingly enough, I got a call from Noriko telling me specifically _not_ to pick up a copy because someone had promised to get the boys a copy in Japan over the weekend. Just as well, because it is sold out here. I heard on TV yesterday that it is the biggest first-print of any book in history with 8 million copies being printed. Blimey!
Posted by: Joe at June 22, 2003 09:06 PMI was talking to Tom and remembering a MASH episode where Hawkeye arranged to have Chicago ribs shipped to the Korean front.
Tom also mentioned the great pizza. What does Chicago Pizza's main store look like?
How much time are you going to be in Chicago to find the good restaurants?
Rapid fire 'comment' discussion. :+) It's 5am here, how about there?
I've got 5 days in Chicago. It might be a laugh to look for the head office of 'Chicago Pizza' - I'd probably get some very strange looks if I asked people where it was!
I'm going to try and go light on the food though, I think I've accumulated enough undigested red meat around the midriff. Remember this line from Rosewood in Beverly Hills Cop "Wow! Y'know it says here that by the time the average American is 50, he's got FIVE POUNDS of undigested red meat in his bowels"? OK, so I'm not American and not 50, but you get the picture methinks!
Posted by: Joe at June 22, 2003 09:14 PMI happened to run into Ed Evans at a restaurant tonight. They had just bought the new Harry Potter book with no problem. The American English version is more expensive than the British English version. It is available in German too. The Japanese version will be ready in around 2012 or so. Tom
By the way, my parents live on Manchester Road and the town of Manchester is only ten miles away.
Manchester, Ohio! Now it's old home week for me! Can't count how many times I passed through there without stopping.
Posted by: DJ at June 23, 2003 03:56 PM