How is it Friday already?? Heck, how is it November already??
It's been a busy week - went to War of the Worlds produced by the Long Beach Shakespeare Company on Tuesday night. I've gone to their production every single Halloween I've been here (all three), and I'm so glad I got a ticket for this one. It was a lovely production this year, with even more special effects done live on-stage rather than from recordings, and it was, as always, deliciously creepy. They're having a hard time financially, so if you have the ability to donate please do - your donation is tax-deductible and they really do incredible work with a shoestring budget!
Wednesday being Halloween I bought candy and red wine and spent the night in my armchair, watching Midsomer Murders and consuming both. It might not have been wild or crazy like partying in Hollywood undoubtedly was, but it was infinitely more comfortable and probably exponentially cheaper.
Yesterday I decided to do some sightseeing and went to the Grove for lunch (apparently celebs are seen there all the time). It's a shopping complex with attached farmers' market, and I honestly liked the farmers' market better of the two. I didn't spot any celebrities, but I did notice more than one of the Ladies who Lunch staring at me beadily until they realized no one as fat as I am could possibly be even a supporting actress in Hollywood. I can understand why celebs are supposed to turn up there all the time though as CBS Studios is literally next door and there were a lot of lovely restaurants.
There was a meat stall in the farmers' market that I could see Dad spending literally a thousand dollars at. If I had some extra $$ I would've bought something and sent evil, tantalizing pics home, but I don't so I didn't.
I ended up choosing a Chinese stall for lunch since it was crowded - I remember Pin (my grandfather) always saying to choose the busiest place to eat at - but sadly it wasn't really that good. I suppose it was busy because it was "normal", which is a real pity, I thought people in LA might be more adventurous!
When I drove home I took a detour and drove up Rodeo Dr (and then for the heck of it I did a U-turn and drove back down it), and once again saw no celebs although there was such a mass of paparazzi I was shocked at the idea any celeb would ever go there, despite the lovely stores. I did spot a glorious black and yellow Bugatti outside one boutique. It was pretty funny because traffic was so slow (they literally don't bother posting speed limit signs because everyone goes so slowly hoping for a glimpse of someone famous), I just caught a glimpse of the "EB" on the back and thought, "I know what car that is...what car is it??" It was only a minute later when I pulled far enough forward to see the shape of the car that I realized it was a Bugatti! I guess I remember the chassis better than the rear! Anyway it was gorgeous and I was better pleased at seeing it than some B-lister desperate for attention. I am sad I didn't see Audrina Partridge because I wanted a picture with her for my friend Brian, but we can't expect perfect things in an imperfect world after all.
I'm going to the LA Zoo sometime next week, and I think I'll stop by Rodeo Dr again after that, but this time I'll park and stroll around and maybe drool an ocean in the Bvlgari boutique...I LOVE Bvlgari! They really have a ton of lovely stores there. If only I could win the lotto and take Jade or Lidia on a shopping spree there! Of course, first I'd have to remember to buy a ticket, something I have not managed to do since my sophomore year of college...
Today I'm going to stay in and do some more reading - might run over to campus and use the library for a bit, although I have a rotten headache so I don't know that I will, maybe on Monday. I can't go tomorrow because a friend from UF is in town and wants to see me, and I can't on Sunday because I'm going to Bowers to say goodbye to everyone and see the Faberge exhibit one last time.
My friends have convinced me to give myself a going-away party, but I'm going to make it easy on myself (and everyone, come to that) and just making a facebook event for us all to meet up at some bar and have a good time. I'm not sure what day or which bar yet, but every time I think about it I want to laugh - I have never thrown myself a party in my life before, unless you count my 21st, and two of my friends had birthdays the same week so we threw a gigantic joint party at their apartment. It honestly never occurred to me to throw a going-away party for myself, even though I've gone to lots of them while at uni and out here too. I wonder what that says about me?
I really have been a bit of a mess today. For instance, I went into the kitchen four times to make a toaster strudel for breakfast, and it was only the fourth time I remembered why I went in there, and when I opened the freezer I saw a Banquet Breakfast Sausage and White Gravy Pie, and made that instead. You can see why I'm staying in and doing my reading instead of going out sightseeing. If I tried for the Getty I'd probably end up in Manhattan Beach!
Two weeks from now I'll be on my way home! Yippee!
