Saturday night I saw the imcomparable Cherry Jones starring in "Doubt" at the Ahmanson Theater. Jones delivers an amazing performance as a nun convinced in her suspicion that a priest is up to no good. As the name of the play indicates, there's a fine line between doubt and certainty. 

The Pictcha Business

Really enjoyed seeing "Hollywoodland" tonight -- a film about the real-life suicide (under suspicious circumstances) of George Reeves, TV's "Superman."

I expect Adrian Brody, Diane Lane and Ben Affleck will all receive Oscar nominations for their performances.

Set in Los Angeles in the late 50s, the film provides a convincing glimpse into the movie industry in the waning days of the studio system.

Great sets and costumes. An enjoyable two hours all the way around.

I'll Take A Slice

While zipping around California's Central Coast yesterday I had the chance to stop off at The Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo for a late lunch.

While all their food is outstanding, they're best known for having the finest Apple Brown Betty in California.

The Old Millhouse at the Apple Farm. 

Subtle

Scampered up to Paso Robles tonight in order to do some work tomorrow on California's Central Coast.

I stopped by the ferociously over-the-top Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo for dinner. The decor in their "Gold Rush Steak House" is hilarious and food and service is outstanding.

The infamous waterfall urinal in the Men's Room. 

Am I Dreaming or Blogging?

Saw the visually fascinating, but ultimately unsatisfying, new Michael Gondry movie, "The Science of Sleep" tonight.

Gael Garcia Bernal stars as a young man who views his life as one long TV Talk Show where he's the host -- I thought I was the only one who did that.

This movie perfectly captures the absurd images that regularly populate our dreams -- or mine at least.

But the movie suffers from an unbalance between wonderful images and sorry storytelling.

But Garcia turns in another charming performance.

The Breakfast of Champions

The sparrows should be grateful for whoever left some unfinished cottage cheese on the hotel patio this morning.

Fortunately, I was eating inside watching this happen through a window -- so I didn't have to worry about the bird flu.

The main pool at the Hilton El Conquistador Resort. 

The Santa Catalina Mountains ring Tucson to the north. 

I wasn't very happy when The Parking Spot shuttle van passed me up when I returned to LAX today. But when I got on the second van to go by my friends Liz Smagala and Phil Tate were on board. They were returning from a wedding in Half Moon Bay.

Liz said the first thing she saw when I was getting on the van was my "stack of newspapers." 

Domesticating the Wildcats

The University of Southern California Trojans beat the University of Arizona Wildcats 20 to 3 tonight.

The weather was in the upper 80s at the start of the 5 p.m. game -- and with a steady breeze the it was perfect.

The Arizona State Museum at the University of Arizona. 

The Old Main Building at the University of Arizona opened it's doors as the only building on campus on October 1, 1891 to a class of 32 students. 

I like the desert chic look of the campaus of the University of Arizona. 

Wildcats sculpture on campus. 

Major tailgating before the game. 

You never know what kind of critter you're going to encounter out here in the middle of the Sonora Desert. 

I didn't see any, but I took this sign seriously. 

A view of downtown Tucson from my seats high atop Arizona Stadium. 

The Trojan Marching Band enters Arizona Stadium before the game. Where are all the Arizona fans? They all showed up right before the game began. 

This is Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat. Apparently they were "married" a few years ago at a football game halftime. I didn't know it was legal for Plushies to marry in Arizona. 

The UofA's Athletic Hall of Fame includes a display on the history of the Wildcat Mascot. 

When the Arizona Band makes its trademark "A" they even include a little "registered" marker. Hilarious. 

I'm staying at the Hilton El Conquistador Resort. I was fortunate enough to get upgraded to one of the hotel's casitas. 

Just Deserts

Made my way to Tucson today to attend tomorrow's USC vs. University of Arizona football game.

The trip did not go as planned. I missed my nonstop flight from LAX in the morning. The rest of the flights were booked. So I ended up flying to Phoenix and driving 90 minutes from there to Tucson. The drive went quickly and I enjoyed seeing the Sonoran desert.

Went to the USC Pep Rally tonight at the Marriott Hotel right next to the UA campus. A very spirited crowd was on hand to hear the Trojan Marching Band.

Here comes the Trojan Marching Band into the ballroom.