Blog Interrupted

Ok, I'm still alive, thanks for asking. My camera cable some how escaped, perhaps it as home sick for LA and ran off one night. I'm not sure.

I have been searching high and low for it, but no luck. Off to Best Buy today to replace it if possible. Wish me luck and more pictures coming soon. (Hopefully)

Sunday, Round Rock

Saturday

Friday

Thursday

Wednesday

It's Media Days at the LA Auto Show

Tuesday

Monday

Sunday

This is my last week in Los Angeles. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Buy The Pound

If you've ever hired a mover to go across country, you suddenly realize that weight is everything. When you move across country the cost is determined by the weight. I found a (hopefully) good mover who will move me to Austin. They have an impeccable record with the Better Business Bureau. Hopefully a good sign. Allied did a nice job on the move from Florida, but I'll never ever use United Van Lines again.

As you can see by the photo, I'm in the middle of packing. So do I keep this, do I save that? It's a weighty decision.

A Happy Thanksgiving

A picture is worth a thousand words. I've recently been made aware that I'm somewhat impatient. Ok, maybe not so recently. For all of you who've known me throughout the years, this picture comes as no surprise. I was hungry.

Like all of you, I had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The knife wielding gentlemen in the picture is my good friend and workout partner Jon. We decided to have Thanksgiving with only the dishes that we liked. He made a turkey and pecan pie. For me it was stuffing and cranberries. Despite the limited menu, we still managed to stuff ourselves to the point of discomfort.

Some holiday traditions you just can't shake.

Mr. Bond, Your Boat Is Ready

I ran across this watercraft while biking to work this morning. I've never seen anything like it, and I'm in Marina Del Rey and on the beach quite a bit. Part of the bike path winds through a boat dealership and I had to stop and take a picture.

Which brings me to today's topic, or rant. Last Friday on opening day I went to see Casino Royale. I've seen every Bond film and while I'm not a fanatic, I certainly do enjoy them. I look forward to Thanksgiving Day when TNT or some other basic cable channel runs a Bond marathon. I can loose myself for hours in them.

While everyone was looking at the new Bond, many didn't realize this was produced by a new studio, Sony Pictures, my former employer. They wanted to do something different and they did. This was like no Bond film that I recall from the past. Gone are Q and Miss Moneypenny. The gadgets and no longer there. Maybe they are in the store room with the sense of humor that seems to have disappeared. This was Bond on a budget (75 Million, not much for an action film) and it shows. Die Another Day needed to be seen in a big screen theater, Casino Royale will do just fine on your TV. The action is just not there.

So I'm a simpleton who likes to see things explode. I can accept that.

What Bond needs is a boat like this. I need Bond to show me something I haven't seen before, like he's always done in the past.

Say Goodbye To Hollywood

There are times when I'm proud of all the places I've lived and the multitude of experiences I've had. Growing up in the back of beyond your opportunities to break away are limited. Then there are other times when I envy those who have stayed put and have deep roots in the places they call home. I'd like to think the next move will be my last, but I know it won't.

I lived in Hollywood longer then I've lived anywhere else since I left home at 18. Now I live in the South Bay by the beach. Much of the Hollywood I knew was in the hills above the Los Angeles basin by Lake Hollywood. Up in the hills there is a serenity that the basin lacks. Today I spent the afternoon on chaotic Melrose Avenue having lunch with friends. I've never seen anything like Melrose Avenue in my travels. Everything is so hip, that if you bought clothes near the LaBrea end they'd be out of style by the time you made it down to Fairfax. I think each clothing store has the life expectancy of a fruit fly.

I said goodbye to an old and dear friend today. Probably one of my hardest goodbyes. I don't know when I'll ever see him again. But as the days wind down there will more painful goodbyes to say and it's just beginning to hit me.

This is no longer my home.