One Day Work Week

Worked very hard at the office today and now I'm off on a red eye flight to New York City. I'm going to the Tony Awards on Sunday night at Radio City Music Hall and attending some Tony nominated shows between now and then. Can't wait to take a bite out of the Big Apple.

Return to Normalcy

Drove home from Las Vegas today. The worst traffic was a several miles long back up in Victorville caused by a "Sky Screamer" ride alongside the freeway at a Miniature Golf Course -- ironically located just down the road from where my Grandparents used to live. The LookieLoos just couldn't avoid slowing down to look at the kids at the very top kicking their feet and having a grand ole time at the very top of this ride, way above the ground. There were two boys and a little girl in the top car when I went by -- not that I slowed down to look!

Made it home in time for the Dodgers game tonight. They lost 5 to 3 to the Cubs.

Another crazy fan ran on the field during the sixth inning. This guy's "signature move" was to run across the field waving a Dodgers flag and then to stick it in the ground in the outfield before trying to run some more. Like always, the situation ended the same with his face in the grass and his hands in handcuffs. Have a nice night in Dodger jail, buddy.

In honor of Memorial Day an F-15 Fighter Jet flew overhead at the conclusion of the National Anthem. The sound was very intense as was the fire coming out the back of the jet. Two little kids right behind me burst into tears. I refrained from whipping around to take their photos and I was too lame to get a picture of the jet flying just over Dodger Stadium.

Positive Buzz

"La Reve" -- a small collection of imperfect dreams -- is the new show at Steve Wynn's new hotel resort, Wynn Las Vegas.

Much like Cirque du Soleil's "O," "La Reve" is built around a pool of water with a submersible stage. "O" is more spectacular. But "La Reve" is more intimate. The auditorium completely surrounds the pool and no seat is more that 40 feet away.

I sat in the third row. They gave the customers in the first row courtesy blankets to protect themselves from splashes. I didn't get splashed, but I got to watch the first row duck under cover whenever a performer jumped in or out of the water.

This show is designed by Francisco Dragone, who designed "O" and "Mystere" -- two of the three Cirque shows running in Vegas.

"La Reve's" music is more pop oriented then the score to other Cirque shows.

Steve Wynn spent $2.7 billion building his resort -- and every dollars shows. What a Show Palace! Stunning lobby, beautiful casino and a gorgeous shopping mall. (By the way, there's been lots of press about the "Ferrari Car Dealership" inside the hotel. What they don't tell you is you have to buy a $10 ticket to get inside. Not sure if they credit that towards your purchase price.)

So far "La Reve" is only running one show a night. The Cirque shows run twice a night, 12 performances a week. Without the "Cirque" name "La Reve" isn't selling enough tickets yet to justify more than 5 performances a week.

I think that will change as the good word of mouth spreads.

The sandwiches at the Carnegie Deli at the Mirage Hotel are as overstuffed as the ones at their New York location. But unlike New York, the Vegas Carnegie Deli offers free refills on iced tea. 

Over My Head

The best show I've ever seen in my life is the Cirque du Soleil spectacular "O" at the Bellagio Hotel. Tonight I saw their newest show, "Ka," at the MGM Grand Hotel. It's a very close second!

What's amazing about this show is the stage is an enormous lift that can tilt and move in many directions including going vertical and up. Way up. The grand finale -- a battle scene -- with the stage completely vertical and the performers on wires was pretty breathtaking.

This show has a story line that is much more accessible than other Cirque shows. But I'm sticking with "O" as the best show ever because it's poetic beauty remains unmatched.

However, tonight I had the best seats I've ever had for a Cirque show. Fourth row, center. Much of the action took place directly over my head, literally. Fortunately we didn't have any flying slobber problems to deal with.

Parking was a funny ordeal. I knew the hotel valet would be slammed, so I opted to go to the more remote "North Valet" at the MGM Grand. I followed the signs, but I couldn't find it. I spent about 15 minutes driving around the poorly marked MGM Grand complex and grew very frustrated. And the main valet was blocked off too. So I finally pulled up along side the main valet and demanded that someone park my car. Of course they refused because they were full and urged me to go park it with the North Valet. My explanation that I couldn't find it didn't generate much sympathy. Having arrived at a standoff, I demanded they refund my money for the Cirque show I was trying to park to attend. The valet explained I'd have to go inside and talk to the Ticket Office for a refund. I offered to, if they'd only park my car. So we were back where we started.

The valet finally rounded up a Supervisor who agreed to help me by riding with me in my car to show me where the North Valet was located. So off we went with me behind the wheel and the Supervisor riding shotgun. How great was it that she couldn't find the dang North Valet either! She finally got out of my car and came back with a valet to park it. It turns out North Valet was full and had taken down their sign and failed to replace it with one to let folks know they were full.

I walked back into the hotel with the Supervisor who had done a really good job of solving my problem, along with calming me down. As we parted I wished her a nice weekend, whenever her weekend was. She laughed and said, "today is my Tuesday."

I did something today I haven't done in I don't know how long. I spent time walking up and down the Strip. Normally I just drive to and from wherever I want to go. But today I rode the Monorail to the middle of the strip and walked north.

It'll be interesting to see how Steve Wynn's new hotel will affect the currently tattered north end of the Strip. His shiny new hotel sits directly across the street from the "seen better day" New Frontier Hotel. That hotel is such a throwback it actually has a surface parking lot directly on Las Vegas Blvd.

The Strip was lined with people handing out advertising. I liked the way they make a little snapping noise before thrusting their hand out to get your attention. I'm going to have to try that at a political convention. 

Viva Las Vegas

This Elvis statue stands sentry in the lobby of the Las Vegas Hilton. All of Elvis' concerts in Las Vegas were in the showroom at the Hilton. It's supposed to be good luck to shake the statue's hand. I did, so we'll see.

Tonight I attended "The Fashionistas" show. Their promotional materials describe it as "a fetish tale about the fashion world out of control, told through the passion of music and dance." It was very cheesy. The "showroom" is the dance area of a nightclub with temporary seating brought in. The weekend can only go up from here.

Mojave Report

The Giant Thermometer in Baker (Gateway to Death Valley) read 95 degrees on my way into Bun Boy for lunch and 96 degrees on the way out. Looks like it's going to be a hot weekend in the desert.

Lots of people on the road, but I was ahead of the worst of the traffic.

I arrived at my longtime Las Vegas Hotel -- the Las Vegas Hilton -- to find they've added high-speed internet access to the rooms. I'm shocked. Welcome to the 1990s.

The hotel is still a little ratty around the edges. Hopefully the new owners, Resorts International, will put some money into upgrading their property. At least they appear to have abandoned the last owner's plan of turning the hotel into a "nickel slot palace."

The last time I was in Las Vegas, 2003, they were building the monorail. It's running now. 

Kingdom of Boredom

In my effort to see every summer blockbuster at the Bijou -- flop or not -- tonight I saw "Kingdom of Heaven." Boring with a capital "B."

I'm sure the battle between Christians and Muslims for Jerusalem was interesting in 1183 -- and remains so today -- but it sure makes for a lackluster movie. Some of the battle scenes were pretty spectacular -- but that's about all I can say good about this picture.

This weekend I'm off to Las Vegas. I was a little chagrined to learn Vegas is the Number One tourist destination in America this weekend -- but no city handles a crowd like Las Vegas. I'm planning on blogging over the weekend -- but it can be a little tough to find an internet connection. The way the casinos look at it is: any time you spend in your hotel room is time your not spending money (or gambling) outside of it.

Good Morning, Sacramento

Had the opportunity yesterday to attend the 79th Annual Golden State Breakfast (formerly the Host Breakfast) at the Convention Center in Sacramento.

Each year about 2,000 of Sacramento's movers and shakers in the business and agriculture communities gather to hear an address from the Governor.

As you can see from the photo above, California's bountiful produce is proudly displayed on each table. (Guests are urged to take the center pieces home.)

The Governor's speech was briefly disrupted when a group from the California Nurses Association burst into the back of the convention hall and started chanting. This was quite a surprise because security to get into the room was so tight.

Former Governor Pete Wilson was on hand, along with many state legislators and they also introduced State Board of Equalization Chair John Chiang who appears to be well on pace for 800 to 1200 events this year.

Here's Noel Stone -- the main squeeze of State Board of Equalization Member Claude Parrish -- displaying her agricultural bounty on the way out of the Golden State Breakfast. 

Nothing Stays the Same

Flew up to the Bay Area today to attend the Junior Statesmen Foundation's Executive Committee meeting. Had some free time before the meeting began so I decided to go to San Francisco for lunch at one of my all-time favorite restaurants -- Max's Diner at Third and Folsom.

Upon pulling up I was saddened to see the restaurant, which I've been going to for at least 15 years, closed and boarded up. So I diverted to Max's on the Square -- a related restaurant near Union Square.

The waiter there told me Max's Diner closed on December 23. They'd been trying to get out of their lease for some time and finally succeeded. Business at that location had been declining...SBC had moved 1,110 employees out of the neighborhood....the expansion of the Moscone Convention Center had moved foot traffic a few blocks away, etc.

So I guess my visits once or twice a year weren't enough to keep them afloat.

After the meeting I met up with my sister, Andrea, for dinner at the Zuni Cafe on Market Street. It was great seeing her and hearing about her adventures as a young adult (23) in San Francisco working for a design firm.

I liked the restaurant but the menu was a little too weird for me. The Caesar Salad, however, was excellent.

It was also nice to see the restaurant was selling R.W. Apple Jr.'s book about travel to 40 cities in America. He must have good things to say about Zuni Cafe in the San Francisco section.

A Scene Stealer

Had a chance to see "Monster-In-Law" tonight. Jay Fo was outstanding. Funny, believable and a great job. Jay Lo, on the other hand, was a complete dud. Boring and non-expressive -- reminded me of watching a cardboard box act.

Wanda Sykes (Wan Sy?) is very funny as the back-talking, double-taking assistant who always gets the final word.

But Elaine Stritch steals the movie with her cameo appearance as the Monster-in-Law's Monster-in-Law. Ja Fo is over the top and Stritchie outdoes her in a bravura screen appearance.

(After seeing Noel Coward's play Saturday night I was telling my friend, Michael Self, about Elaine Stritch's Noel Coward stories in her one-woman show. She impersonates him and the way he used to call her, "Striiitchiiieee!" So it was a fun surprise to see her showing up in this picture.)

Party On, Munchkin

Had a nice afternoon in Culver City today. Saw the World Premiere of Chay Yew's new play "A Distant Shore" at the Kirk Douglas Theater. It's a good play about colonialism and the tension between East and West.

Lunch beforehand was at the S & W Country Diner (pictured above) next door to the theater.

My friend from New York City, Cliff Smith, joined GeezBob and me for lunch. I tried to impress on him the historical importance of Culver City to the movie industry. He didn't seem too impressed when I pointed out the hotel where the Munchkins stayed (and famously partied) while filming "The Wizard of Oz" at MGM Studios.

There's Always Room for Pie

This afternoon's Dodgers vs. Angels game was quite the overheated affair. The gametime temperature was somewhere in the 90s. Our seats were in the sun for the first two and a half hours -- so I was Sweatin' to the Oldies throughout the game.

I saw Stadium Medical Personnel carrying out one fan (dressed in Angel gear) suffering from heatstroke. They weren't "helping" him out, two of them were "carrying" him out. That was a little scary to see.

And speaking of alcohol, another crazy fan ran onto the field during the sixth inning. They're all stupid for doing it -- but I don't know what this guy was thinking. He was a little "out of shape," shall we say. He entered the field on the left field side and was out of breath before he even got to the Left Fielder. About six security guards surrounded him and threw him to the ground before handcuffing him. The crowd, with a typical mob mentality, cheered him on like he was our leader, striking a blow for the little guy. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the over-excited security guards struck a blow or two in the parking lot out of the view of the fans. Now that's something I could cheer.

On a much more highbrow note, tonight I saw Noel Coward's "Private Lives" at the Pasadena Playhouse. When this vedy, vedy British play debuted in 1930 Noel Coward played the lead role and Laurence Olivier played the supporting male role. It's the delightful tale of a bickering couple with lots of opportunities for witty zings back and forth. The arguing even gets a little physical and the male and female leads did a good job throwing each other around on the stage. The notes mentioned that Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton played the lead roles at one point. I'm not sure if that was on stage or in the movie. I'm sure they handled the drinking scenes quite well.

Before the show my friend, Michael Self, and I had dinner at the venerable Pie 'n Burger in Pasadena. A classic dive with one of the best burgers around. That's Michael's rhubarb pie you see above. I had pumpkin -- but it didn't photograph as beautifully.

The Jimmy

Enjoyed seeing my colleague, Jim Kieffer, starring in Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill's "The Threepenny Opera" at the Open Fist Theater in Hollywood tonight.

According to the program, Kieffer is known as "The Jimmy" around the theater. The Jimmy plays both the Narrator and Weeping Willow Walt in the show. He actually opens the show with a rendition of "Mack the Knife."

I'll have to find out if this show is where that song comes from or if it is adapted for the show. The Jimmy sings it great -- but it's a creepy version with kind of a "Jack the Ripper" theme.

"The Threepenny Opera," written in 1928,has a dark view of class tension and corruption throughout society. One of the lyrics -- "You have to kill your neighbor to survive" -- pretty much sums up the tone of the evening.

According to the program, Brecht fled Germany in 1933 to live in Scandinavia and then America. In 1947 Brecht was subpoenaed to appear before the House Committee on Un-American Activities to testify on the "Communist infiltration" of Hollywood.

The day after his testimony, Brecht left the United States to live in Switzerland and eventually returned to East Germany where he founded the famous Berliner Ensemble.

This show if a fitting one for the Open Fist Theater. It marks their last performance in a decades old Quonset hut on La Brea between Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards. This site has long been the site of a live stage -- in fact, according to The Jimmy, Bob Hope used to rehearse his USO shows at this location. Alas, the land has been sold out from under the theater company and condos are set to be built there.

Wherever Open Fist ends up I'm sure The Jimmy will be there with his killer stage smile.

Star Bores

Headed off to the movie theater tonight. I had every intention of seeing "Monster-in-Law," and just assumed that "Star Wars" would be sold out.

Luckily for me, when I got to the theater they still had tickets to the 7:50 p.m. show of Star Wars. So I saw it on the first day.

BORING! Hurry up and become Darth Vader already! The last 15 minutes was pretty good, but you have to watch for 2 hours and 15 minutes to get there.

There are some "surprises" at the end. At least I think they are surprises. It's been 28 years since the first one came out -- so I think I can be excused for not remembering every twist of the plot.

I can remember going with my Mom and Les in 1977 to the gigantic Plitt Theater in Century City to see the first one. We were all blown away by how the opening story lines drifted off into eternity.

It's a little sobering for me to realize that since that movie came out not only are my Mom and Les gone, they've also torn down the theater!

Tonight I was the only one in the auditorium who booed when Jar Jar Binks appeared on the screen. At least he/it didn't have any lines.

You've probably heard the buzz over whether George Lucas takes a swipe at President Bush in the movie or not. To me it seemed pretty hard to miss. When the evil leader was accused of "controlling the Senate and the Courts" I wasn't the only one giggling.

Sour and Sweet

I was shocked to learn that Sunday night's performance of "Applause" -- the show I enjoyed so much on Saturday night -- was canceled after a telephoned threat to Jean Louisa Kelly, one of the show's stars. After the audience was seated, Producer Marcia Seligson came out to announce that night's show was canceled because of "security issues. What a crazy world we live in!

Renee Rose just got back from China. And tonight she's clearly catching up on her email because she emailed me a bunch of funny jokes. Here's one I thought was appropriate to post on my blog:

Birds and bees in the digital age

The little boy asks his father - Daddy, how was I born?
Dad says: Ah, my son, I guess one day you will need to find out anyway!

Well, you see your Mom and I first got together in a chat room on MSN.
Then I set up a date via e-mail with your Mom and we met at a
cyber-cafe. We sneaked into a secluded room, where your mother agreed to a download from my hard drive.

As soon as I was ready to upload, we discovered that neither one of us
had used a firewall, and since it was too late to hit the delete button,
nine months later a blessed little Popup appeared and said: You've Got
Male.

Yesterday Jackie asked me how much time I spend each day on my blog. I told her it was an average of only about 15 minutes a day because I write it in my head as the day goes on. It doesn't take long at the end of the day to type it all up.

Today I'm keeping it short and bringing down the average!

An Offensive Explosion

The Dodgers beat the Marlins 14 to 5 tonight. The Dodger bats came alive, getting 19 hits!

The Marlins' pitcher, Dontrell Willis -- nicknamed D-Train, brought a record of seven wins and no losses into tonight's game. So it was fun watching the D-Train jump the track.

Our dominant closer Eric Gagne, who was racked in his last trip to the mound (his first after coming off the Disabled List), returned to form and got the Marlins out 1-2-3 in the top of the 9th inning. The Dodgers flash the "Game Over" sign seen above when he comes out to close the game.

Dodger management appears to have ended the disastrous $2 Tuesday promotion and tonight's game had about 4,000 fewer attendees than the last Tuesday night game. But no one ran on the field or threw trash on the field either. Of course, when your team scores 14 runs it's pretty easy to be well behaved.

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A Few Choice Words

I wanted to cuss all night long!

It has taken 15 long seasons for our Dodger Season Ticket Group to get to our current seats on Aisle 39 of the Field Level.

Tonight I found out the family with tickets in the row directly in front of us has only had season tickets for three seasons.

Last season the guy sitting directly behind us was a first year season ticket holder. This year he's sitting on Aisle 37. He knows the new Dodger Senior Vice President for Public Affairs.

There's a guy, most famous for waving a license plate at USC football games that reads "SC SYCHO," who sat directly in front of us in the early 1990s. He's now sitting on Aisle 35!

And the Marlins beat the Dodgers 6 to 2 tonight. Yesterday the Dodgers started the day in first place -- now after losing twice they are firmly in third place.

But Rule No. 4 of the Dodger Fan Code of Conduct -- highlighted on the zipper board above -- kept my potty mouth in check.

Willkommen

I enjoyed attending the Congregation Kol Ami Thirteenth Annual Gala at the Beverly Hills Hotel tonight. Joel Grey did a really wonderful job performing. He sang some Irving Berlin songs as well as songs from Cabaret -- a show that earned Grey a Tony in 1966.

Grey also sang some of his Dad's (the comedian Mickey Katz) greatest hits. In the 50s Katz took popular songs of the day and changed them using Jewish humor. I guess he was something of a Yiddish Weird Al Yankovich.

I was a guest of Cary Davidson and Andrew Ogilvie. Seated at the same table was State Board of Equalization Chair John Chiang. John worked on a Woodward & McDowell campaign back in the 80s. He always asks about the people he worked with back then (Rochelle, Karen, Jackie and Dick).

Chiang is gearing up to run for State Controller next year. At one point he joked that he had been served the exact same dinner in the same ballroom just three days ago. I asked him how many banquets he attends a month. He didn't have a number, but he said he attends between 800 and 1200 events a year! How's that for a busy schedule?

I wanted GeezBob to bid on this baby doll in the Kol Ami Silent Auction. Instead he bid on, and won, a fancy bottle of Tequilla. Insert your own joke here. 

Spent this afternoon at the new Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Los Angeles Philharmonic performed the music from eight movies set in Los Angeles. I was snapping this photo when the usher told me cameras aren't allowed in the auditorium. You can see the pipes of the organ that are quickly becoming famous. 

On the way to the Disney Concert Hall, Dave Hannon and I stopped off for lunch at Phillipe's -- home to the best French Dip sandwich in Los Angeles. We had to wait about 15 minutes in line to place our orders. 

Fasten Your Seatbelts

Really enjoyed the Reprise! production of "Applause" at the Freud Playhouse on the campus of UCLA.

Reprise! stages three older musicals a year in a deluxe concert format (basic sets and costumes). Since their shows only run for two weeks they are able to attract major talent from television and the silver screen.

"Applause" is the musical version of the movie "All About Eve." (Bette Davis' famous line from the movie is "Fasten your seatbelts it's going to be a bumpy night.") It won the Tony for Best Musical in 1970 and Lauren Bacall won the Tony (and revived her career) playing Margo Channing -- the older actress challenged by upstart Eve Harrington (played on Broadway by Bonnie Franklin).

The early 70s sensibility was a hoot. And tonight Sheryl Lee Ralph (who originated the role of Deena Jones on "Dreamgirls") rocked as Margo Channing. And Jean Louisa Kelly, of CBS' "Yes, Dear" did a fine job as Eve Harrington.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

The Dodgers beat the Braves tonight, 7 to 4. Braves First Baseman LaRoche hit a Grand Slam in the top of the 8th inning. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Dodgers Right Fielder Milton Bradley answered with a Grand Slam of his own. Since 1900 this was only the fourth time opposing teams have hit Grand Slams in the same inning.

I have to reluctantly compliment the Dodgers on their effort to publicize the "Dodger Fan Code of Conduct." Upon entering the parking lot, every car was given their own copy of "the Code." It was posted on signs near the entrances. They showed a video of Tommy Lasorda excited about "the Code." (I've never seen Tommy in a video where he wasn't excited.) Of course, when I asked the people I was sitting with what they thought of the Code of Conduct they had no idea what I was talking about. But at least the Dodgers are trying.

Tonight's crowd of 53,689 seemed better behaved than most this season. No one ran on the field or cussed incessantly over my shoulder. But I don't know if that's because of the "Code of Conduct" or because tonight was Foursquare Church Night at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers posted this sign near the entrance. I didn't see a lot of people stopping to read it.

Supposedly the Dodgers are bringing in the LAPD to control the hooligans at Dodger Stadium. The only LAPD presence I saw at the sold out game tonight was this one patrol car parked in the handicapped zone. 

There's Nothing Like A Dame (x 2)

Saw the delightful movie, "Ladies in Lavender" starring Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith. Set in rural England between the two wars, it's about our mind's ability to fall in love regardless of age or reality. Dench and Smith play two older sisters living together on the English Coast who discover a young man who has washed up from the sea. (It's not as cheesy as that description makes it sound.

Both Dench and Smith give a veritable Master Class in acting. They create two characters so believable you actually forget it's a movie.

Not sure what today's "theme" was, but at least I didn't see or hear anyone die today -- so it was an improvement.

How About a Happy Theme for Tomorrow?

Sometimes days have a way of taking on a theme. I'm a little bothered by today's "theme."

On the way to work this morning I heard the 911 recording of the guy who killed his entire family and then blew his own head off with 911 on the phone. I'm against censorship -- but I can't believe KNX played the tape. Does anyone really need to hear that?

And then I heard the same recording twice more when KNX repeated the story during the day. (Actually the news is even sicker: there's one surviving member of the family -- the man's son who is currently serving in Iraq.)

And then when I was getting ready to leave the office this afternoon KNX started covering a really intense car chase. They first reported the suspect was wanted for murder and was driving at speeds of up to 110 m.p.h. in the vicinity of Wilmington, San Pedro and Long Beach (where I spent my early childhood).

So of course I had to head into Scott's office and turn on his crappy TV. I watched it for about 15 minutes. Why are those car chases so gripping? This guy nearly wrecked his Buick on a freeway offramp. But he kept going -- riding on one rim. He nearly ran over some pedestrians. He finally ended up in the driveway of an El Pollo Loco where he got out of the car and pulled a gun on the police. The officers immediately shot him dead -- live on TV with the reporter in the helicopter yelling at the cameraman to "pull back, pull back" from the camera shot. Ugh.

And as I sit here writing this entry with the TV on, the KTLA News at 10 just teased both stories (even before the DC evacuation story).

At least the DC story had a better ending.

(On the topic of my childhood in Wilmington -- I can remember that whenever I was at my Grandmother and Grandfather Fliegner's house at night they ALWAYS would watch Hal Fishman on the KTLA News at 10. That seemed so square to me. I thought there were much better shows to watch on other channels. But this was during the 70s when homes only had 1 TV and adults got their way. So Hal Fishman it was.

How ironic that now if I'm at home during the week and it's 10 p.m. I always have Hal Fishman and the KTLA News on.)

Now It's Getting Good

Today's L.A. Times reports that the Dodgers are hiring off-duty police officers to help control fan behavior. I guess my phone call to the Season Ticket Office to complain about the foul language of the folks sitting behind us a week ago really has paid off. (Although maybe the three people running on the field during two recent games may be a factor too.)

The paper also reported the Dodgers are touting the fact they have published a new Fan Code of Conduct as something that will actually have an impact. How lame! Who exactly do they think will take the time to read this "Code of Conduct?"

GeezBob suggested I get a copy of it laminated and carry it in my pocket so I can whip it out and wave it at offensive, foul-mouthed fans a la using garlic to defend myself from a vampire.

Nowhere is the weather more beautiful than Los Angeles the day AFTER it rains. Today proved this to be true once again.

Why Stop Complaining?

It pretty much rained all weekend in Portland. And when I landed today at LAX it was raining. The nicest weather I've seen in 72 hours was at Washington Dulles airport while I was changing planes -- go figure.

And the United flight from Dulles to LAX may be the all time worst flight I've ever taken. A narrow-body Airbus 380 with every single seat taken for five and a half hours. Miserable. At least I had a little extra room in an exit row. But it was a flight to be endured, not enjoyed.

In the Bushes' Bushes

Well, Don Corleone (Laura's nickname for her Mother-in-Law) didn't invite me over for tea while I was in Kennebunkport today.

The Bush Estate on Walker Point is located on one of the most impressive pieces of real estate I've ever seen -- jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean along the craggy Maine coast. And the house ain't too shabby either.

The little downtown area of Kennebunkport is cute too. But it was raining, so I was pretty much a drive-through tourist today.

A Bright Idea

Spent today visiting Acacia National Park which covers most of Mount Desert Island about 3 hours northeast of Portland. The locals call that part of the state "Down East."

I'm too tired to be very creative, so allow me to borrow from the park's brochure.

"Acadia National Park boasts varied and dramatic scenery including a coastline of chiseled granite, the ocean dotted with islands, 17 mountain peaks (that together, constitute the highest headlands along the eastern seaboard), close to a dozen glacial lakes and ponds and Somes Sound."

I was impressed.

Above is a photo of Bass Harbor Lighthouse, which rises from the rocky, southernmost tip of Mount Desert Island and is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the East Coast. It was built in 1858.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. is responsible for 45 miles of broken-stone carriage roads that wind through the park connected by a series of 17 bridges crafted from local granite and cobblestones.