HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE! and...Never Under-Estimate the Power of the Road Trip!

Well I have been so damn lazy since settling into my new place on the beach. I've not been out taking any pictures what so ever. But this Xmas I had good reasons too. Yvonne, Julian and Mike, three of my closest friends from the UK came over to visit me for Xmas and New Years. So we decided to take a road trip! In a big ass RV (mobile home type, road vehicle). For all the vehicles plusses, it certainly was a stress wagon! It wobbled like hell in the infrequent winds and driving up the famous PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) to San Francisco and back via Sequoia National Park, Death valley and Edwards Airbase seemed like such a great idea, but in that thing...a trip like that would rapidly induce, a painful bout of stress related piles.

So we all decided to see how near to San Fran we could get during the trip and leaving enough time to get the thing back in one piece. To my amazement and a few extra grey hairs, we did in fact make it to San Fran for Xmas eve and caught the sun set on the bridge. If you check the pictures you will also see a bunch of crazy surfers riding near some seriously big rocks.

The journey there was full of surprises and we had an awesome time. We stopped off in the wine orchard countryside surrounding Santa Barbara for a bit of wine tasting in some beautiful surroundings! In the town, we met a lovely couple of people, both events directors. As they left, the guy handed us a hotel key to the place he works at and a list of local wineries that if we show them the key, they will give us free wine tasting of their products. We visited a beautiful winery called Rusack for 7 samples outside in lovely countryside. It was real chilled. Click Here to see some pics.

After a night in the RV Park and campfire, we woke up at Pismo a beach town. The ranger at the site informed us of a rare event taking place a few miles up the road we were heading. For only a couple of days, tens of 1000's migrating, mating and egg laying Monarch butterflies decend of these specific set of trees. They do their dirty business, lay some eggs then just leave. The power of the road trip put us in just the right place at the right time. It was a staggering display and something I have never seen before! An hour further up the road we stopped off to view the elephant seals that usually lay on this beach to give birth! We made it to Big Sur for a beautiful sunset and some fine dining! Click Here to see some pics.

We decided to stop off for the evening at Santa Cruz. We found a real nice RV park with great coastal views. Woke up and had an awesome breakfast at the Walnut Cafe. Click Here to see some pics.

More to come, when I can be bothered.....

REMEMBER, KEEP THE COMMITTEE ALIVE!!

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RRB MOVES TO THE SEA

I am sorry for the lack of updates.But since returning back to the US, I've been pretty busy. Work is going really well and I have just got myself an awesome little pad by the sea on Venice beach.

No it's not the Life Guard Operations Centre. Although I am sure I spotted the mighty Hoffmeister running out of there and towards the ocean.

As luck should have it, it turns out a colleague lives 2 doors up. Every Sunday he and his neighbours get together and play volleyball on the beach 100m away. The place is really nice and quiet. It is also detatched, so no immediate neighbours. But you only have to walk 100 meters and you are on the beach front and loads of stuff going on from street performers, restaurants, music, live music, arty crafty stuff etc. It's all cool. I have a garage, which is really handy for being able to park. Although I am actually going to continue renting at the weekends and during the week cycling back and forth to work along the beach cycle path. It's about 3.7 miles in beautiful sunshine through out the year. I have been out shopping today picking up new stuff for the place. On Friday my shipment from the UK is being delivered, also the Sofa I bought today should arrive Friday. I am so excited to get set up in their.

Around the corner is Main street with some cool bars and places to eat or drink coffee. This takes you straight down to Santa Monica. The other direction is Abbot Kinney in Venice, it has some really cool bars and art galleries, a funky sort of road. All within a short walk away. So excited!!

 

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RRB OBSERVES SEVERAL BEARS WHILE VISITING SAN FRANCISCO

You may have noticed that I have been slow in updating this site. Well it has been a hectic couple of months with moving to the USA. I had to return back to the UK to tie up my loose ends.

Now living back on the Sunny shores of California, I have managed to re-ignite my desire to see a bear, maybe even have a wrestle? It was suggested that I go check out San Francisco.

A good friend of mine over here called Mat said there is a cool 'street' style gallery event with one of the worlds best scratch Dj's playing. So we planned to head up there for the weekend.

Now, please forgive me, but I think I was deeply miss-understood? San Francisco does indeed have many that some may consider a bear, but I was infact referring to the quadruped version.

But as luck should have it. After crossing this big old orange painted bridge, which served it's purpose well. We reached a place called Muir Woods. This place had some pretty big trees! Well too be honest they were really big! It was a real nice place. So we hiked the area and checked it out. At one point RRB was seen scaling the 560 foot tree in search for our furry quadruped friends. It was while we were about to depart that I noticed Mat had found a medium sized grizzly. To my dismay, it was infact only a wooden carved, four legged wonder. It's a shame they let that kind of thing go on under their noses. Those trees looked fine as they were. I guess before you know it, we'll have no more big trees at Muir Woods, but a fine selection of wooden animals!

Also on the otherside of that orange bridge were some amazing hill tops with seriously green grass. From there you have some amazing views of the City, some old prision and a couple of bridges. 8-) It was pretty cool.

The gallery opening party was also cool. I suprised and caught up with an old friend from the CSB who is now working for the SFB. Also a friend of Mat's, James and his girlfriend Christine joined us. We all went out and had a few beverages.

On Saturday evening, another friend and ex-colleague Chris joined us all for a meal in a really cool German restaurant. The food was really tasty.

On the Sunday James invited us all to someones birhtday BBQ in the Golden Gate Park. What with some crazy American game called 'Throw the Egg', the Frissbee throwing Tibetan Monks and the Gofers popping out of the soil to make their homes. It turned into a very pleasant and chilled day.

Then Mat drove us back to LA. It was on this journey that RRB spotted his next bear. But unfortunately for him he had been previously caught in a vehicles path and lay still by the roadside. He was a little Black Bear. Wrestling him would have been fun.

I feel a little more positive about a future encounter. I have now started a campaign for 'Bear Warning' signs on that stretch of road.

It was still an excellent weekend. Even though they were only close calls.

Please CLICK HERE for more images caught from the expedition.

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RRB HAS A DIFFERENT VIEW

This weekend has been one of activities. On Saturday, Pierre, Jeremy and RBB decided it was time to cycle along the coastline. So J and RRB rented some rather fetching beach cruisers and joined the Frenchman for a 20 mile cycle in the beautiful Californian sunshine. It was a day of splendour, intense activity and saddle soreness. On Sunday in keeping with the weekend of activity, Jeremy and RRB joined members of the Outdoor Club and hiked 8 miles with a 1700 foot elevation up to the Hollywood sign. Something RRB has been itching to do since moving out here. Although the walk was pretty strenuous, the time was passed with plesant conversation. RRB must admit that he did feel somewhat dissapointed with his close up view of the sign. It was totally 2 dimensional and not 3 dimensional as expected. I guess even the Hollywood sign gets the Hollywood treatment. Everything is merely a facade. Good times all the same! I hope that all members had a truely wonderful weekend. RRB now needs to take some well deserved rest.

Congratulations to Mr. Martin Scorsese for finally winning a well deserved Oscar. I wonder if he realises that the Hollywood sign is only 2 dimensional? I'll let him relish in his success before breaking this news to him

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RRB'S SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

This weekend is one that is celebrated somewhat by RRB's American counterparts. It is of course the Super Bowl weekend. You know that American sport that was created from British Rugby and confusingly named as football.

Anyway, in his bid to do deceny for all of mankind. RRB took it upon himself to record the natural wonders that were taking place while the whole of the nation was transfixed to their TV sets.

The sunset this evening was one of absolute splenour, with interesting cloud formations and beautiful colour (See still British) tones.

As you will also notice RRB ventured into the Angeles National Forest for the third time. Unfortunately, once again, there were still no bears present. It must be agreed that these bears are getting smarter by the day. But I will prevail and soon I feel a bear will be firmly in my grasp. Let's all just hope it is a grizzly. They look like fun. I trust everyone has had a weekend of fineness and pleasure? I bid you all fairwell until the next time.

CLICK on the image for more of this weekends natural wonders.

 

I am still feeling a trip to Hawaii coming on!

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RRB HOT AND COLD

This weekend I picked up my latest vehicle from the guys at Enterprise Cars. This time I had a really fast Pontiac Grand Prix. It was nice. So after the pickup I went and had some breakfast at Denny's and contemplated where my next adventure should be. I thought deeply about my desire to find, picture and wrestle a bear. So far my search has been fruitless. Then I thought, Big Bear Mountain! Surely this would be the place to fullfill my needs. As soon as I had finished my breakfast I rushed home, packed my essentials, punched 'Big Bear CA' into my sat-nav and I was off. What I found absolutely staggering, was that within 2.5 hours of leaving the warm sunshine of LA, I found myself in the very beautiful mountainous ski resort, Big Bear!I It was amazing, there was a frozen lake, with a sign saying "Do Not walk on the Ice!", with a bunch of people...walking on the ice, bless them, not the brightness bunch. Further down the road was a proper snow boarding and ski resort. It was like being in the Alps. I was indeed planning on staying up there and on the Sunday tracking down the ellusive grizzly. I shall warn you now, don't be fooled by the name, Big Bear. I scouted for obvious signs of bear activity. Honey pots, tracks and once again I knew by the freshness of the air that no such beasts had passed through the area. Not even a small one! So at sunset I decided to drown my sorrows over a large cup of Starbucks coffee and head back to the warmer climates of LA.On the Sunday, in stark contrast to the day before, I headed up the famous PCH, Pacific Coast Highway and watched the sunset. Click on the image to see the gallery.

I am feeling a trip to Hawaii coming on!

 

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RRB'S ANIMAL ANTICS

I must appologise for the lack of content over the past couple of weeks. I think I have been recovering from the Xmas vaccation, therefore being a little slack with my updates. I have however just put together a gallery with a selection of my personal favourite animal shots. Click on the chimp to see the gallery.

I am in the process of planning my next adventure.

Be sure to check in soon to find out where it takes me.

 

 

 

 

KTCA!

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RRB MAKES LAST MINUTE DECISION TO ' ROAD TRIP'

On our last day of work on the 22nd of December I made a last minute decision to go on a road trip. I quickly worked out my route and booked the hotels and I was off. I decided to get to Las Vegas for Xmas eve, the Hoover dam and Lake Mead Xmas day, then on boxing day head down to the Grand Canyon, somewhere that I was fortunate enough to visit 17 years ago and have wanted to return to ever since. From the Grand Canyon I head to Flagstaff on the famous route 66. Basing myself there I visited the Meteor Crater in the Arizona desert. Sedona and Jermome would be my next destination which involved a beautiful drive down through Oak Creek Canyon before heading back to California via Lake Havisu City. It was an awesome trip and I managed to clock up 1750 miles in 6 days, with only one tire blow out that just happened to blow out when I was in the middle of no where with no phone reception and a icy cold blizzard starting to blow in. Fear not, RRB was equipt with water, food, warm blankets and a swiss army knife. I did however just drive to the main road and replace the tire with the spare. For more of my images of Sedona click on the image above.

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

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RRB EXPERIENCES A STRANGE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS AND ONCE AGAIN HANGS OUT WITH ANIMAL LIFE

I had a mind blowing sequence of events come into fruition on Saturday night. Now check this out…what are the chances of this happening? 

Over a year ago, I was bored of TV and decided I wanted to learn some magic tricks. So to rectify this issue I downloaded some tuition movies off the internet and started learning the art of rubber band magic tricks. The movie was presented by the creator of such tricks and was very dated, maybe early 90’s or even 80's looking at the mullet and the boufon hair styles the ladies had. I mastered these tricks and have since entertained my friends and family.You may even remember being absolutely astounded at my magical prowess!

Ok, so time goes by. I move to Los Angeles. I initially live in Silverlake but decide to look for somewhere closer to work. I look on the free ads site craigslist.com and find an apartment. I moved in a week earlier than it was actually available and subsequently get to know Jeremy who I am replacing and his friend Cassy. One day, I thought I'd surprise the both of them with my magical abilities. I start to perform the tricks with my rubber bands and Cassy just shrugs her shoulders and says, "Oh I know how all of these are done." So I think yeah right. She says my friend at Magicopolis where she used to work, invented those tricks. Yeah right, I thought. Anyway, Cassy decided to return to Magicopolis to work on the weekends. She absolutely loves working there and it is a great relief from her MBA studies. Last week, Cassy invited me to see the magic show on Saturday night. So I went along and this is where the strange universe throws a massive curve ball. She introduces me to Dan Harlen, her friend of 4 years.

He says “oh so you’re into magic”,

I said “yes I am, I know some rubber band magic tricks ”.

He says, “oh that’s how I got my name and worked in Vegas for 6 years. I created the rubber band magic tricks.” He said “would you like to see any?” He started searching for rubber bands and I happened to have some on my wrist.

I said “here you go, I have some number 19 rubber bands here”,

removing them from my wrist, he said “ah perfect!”

I knew they were, because he was the one that taught me the tricks on the dvd over a year ago!! So he then proceeds in showing me all the tricks I had already learnt from him well over a year ago!

HOW VERY MAD IS THAT!!

Anyway, you will all be pleased to hear that RRB has now fully recovered from what was a very strange sequence of events.

On Sunday, Cassy kindly took me down to San Diego to show me about and meet her good friend Meggie. Who is also another very bright student. Meggie is currently on her way to becoming an Medical Doctor. I have to say, thanks ever so much to the both of them for giving me such a great tour of San Diego, they were extremely hospitable and great company. Once again I felt so lucky. I took down my new 300mm zoom lens and Meggie took us to a beach where hundreds of Sea Lions happen to just turn up and start relaxing and chilling on the beach. It was awesome! We all had a great day out. Please CLICK on the image above to see more delightful seal action! Once again RRB has had another highly successful adventure around southern California.

 

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RRB GETS FRIENDLY WITH CALIFORNIAN BIRDS

This weekend RRB got himself a sweet free upgrade of a planet killing, petrol guzzling, ozone unfriendly 4x4 offroad pickup truck! Although, he had good intentions of renting tree hugging, petal ejecting economy car that runs on air, the temptation of the free upgrade was too overwhelming. But to compensate, RRB felt it necessary to become one with nature once again.

On Saturday I headed up to Santa Barbara with my friend Jeremy. It was about one and a half hours north of LA along the coast. It was a pretty damn nice place. Very chilled and very beautiful. We headed to the pier to catch the sunset and I was suprised to find a full array of sealife. The pelicans seemed to have completely adapted to the visitors. Constantly putting on an amazing display of dive bombing into the waters, scooping up the fish disturbed by the seals below. Yep...Seals. Natural seals doing their thing in the ocean. It was cool. These pelicans would swoop down then promptly return to their chosen drying off spots on the pier. This allowed me to get real close and personal with these birds, but not in a pervy, beastiality sort of way. RRB was happy and his camera was put to good use.

Sunday was a mixed bag of events. I got up early and headed over to Giffith Park, the worlds biggest urban park, created by a Welsh dude at the turn of the century. Griffith J. Griffith, was blown away when he was given the opportunity to look at the moon through what was then the largest telescope on the planet. This was an overwhelming turning point in his life and he said, "if everyone could have the opportunity to look through and see what he had just seen, it would change the world forever". So being a wealthy and imaginative sort, unlike his parents who couldn't even think of a decent first name and just thought, oh well, keep it simple, we'll just call him Griffith Griffith, he bought a large area of land around LA and then donated it to LA city. Here they built the Giffith Observatory. This Observatory has been having a massive makeover over the last few years and has been closed to the public. But recently it has opened again, but you can only vsit by pre-booking 48 hours in advance. I happened to stroll up the mountain side on a real nice trekking path. Once he had reached the top and got to the gates, the security guard informed me that I have to book 48 hours in advance. So I said, "but dude, I have just walked all the way up the mountain!". He let me in and said, well you can look around the outside but you can't go in and see the exhibits. What a nice chap. So I walked in and looked at all the exhibits. 8-)) As always, I put myself into hazardous situations for the good of THE Committee. It is a requirement!

It was great in there and I was amazed that I could see face to face, an actual rock brought back from the Moon!

Please CLICK on the sexy bird above for more images of birds and moon rock.

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RRB DOES THE DESERT

Well I have to say I have had a totally amazing 4 days in the desert at Joshua Tree National Park. I will add more details tomorrow as I am tired and have just got back from an equally enjoyable evening at the very exclusive Magic Castle in Hollywood which I will also write more about tomorrow. But for the time being. Click on the image to see more shots of the very photogenic Joshua Tree National park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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RRB BUYS HIMSELF A NEW TOY

I am very excited. For the past week I have been itching to buy myself a new digital camera, especially after seeing an old friend and collegues amazing photographs. So yesterday was the day that I decided to treat myself to a new digital SLR camera. I decided to go for the Sony Alpha 100, 10.2 mega pixel badboy. I would loved to have gone for the highly recommened Nikon D80, but that would have been another $500. But I have to say, after todays adventures, I am certainly not dissapointed with my purchase.

Today I decided that I was going to find a nice subject to shoot for a Birthday card for my Nan who will be 89 on the 29th Nov. Obviously the spider closeup on the left was not the image used. 8-) I must have walked 15 miles today, but it was truely wonderful. The weather was beautiful, clear skys and 90 degrees of sunshine. It was like a georgeous summers day. I walked to the beach, then crossed over the river to Marina Del Rey. I was going to catch the bus (or as my friend Jeremy calls them 'The germ tube'), but decided walking in the sun was a good thing. So I walked to Venice beach, then walked all the way to Santa Monica along the sea front, taking my time and enjoying the entertainment and views along the way.

I rested my feet at the end of the pier and watched the fishermen fish. But I still didn't have an appropriate birthday image. I headed into the Santa Monica town and just as the sun was starting to drop, I spotted these strange but very colourful flowers. The timing was perfect, the light was great and my new toy delivered the goods. Click on the spider image to see other images taken with my new camera.

I am now all set for my thanks giving break in Joshua Tree national park next week. I just hope the 4 gb compact flash card arrives on tuesday!!

I hope everyone is good!! I am very excited!

 

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RRB GOES ADVENTURING TO VENTURA, CALIFORNIA

Firstly I must apologise for the lack of updates over the past two weeks. The main reason for this has been work. We have been doing 6 day weeks and working until 8.30 in the evenings. So as a result RRB has actually had very little to report except for the work seems to be going very well.

Anyway, this weekend I decided to go ahead and rent a car from Saturday until Monday morning giving me Saturday evening and Sunday to commence full exploration.

Saturday evening I met up with Jimmy and Striling again and we went out for a really nice meal in West Hollywood. Two of their friends from the UK were over, we all had a great evening.

Sunday I woke up super early and planned to head up to Ventura to visit a friend I have not seen for many years. I decided to take the scenic route and head up the famous Pacific Coast Highway. The drive was very pleasant. Helped by the really nice brand new toyota with cruise control. I was really cruising! I stopped off along the way to take some snaps and to grab a coffee, causing me to arrive an hour later than planned, but once I was there I was met by a very warm welcome from Guilliam and family. It was great to catchup with him, meet his lovely wife, Christina and meet there lovely lad, Luka. He was a right character. They showed me around the very nice and laid back town called Ventura and then we had a nice meal on the beach front, followed by some ice-creams (November Icecreams?? Yep!). It was a chilled day. I look forward to spending some more time with them in the future and next time we shall go and check out Santa Barbara.

Once I arrived home, I headed out to do some food shopping and started to crave a Sunday Roast. I fixed this craving by going to the Kings Head in Santa Monica. Mmmm. I had had the works, roast lamb, roast potatos, veg, yorkshire pudding, gravy and MINT SAUCE!! It was great.

I hope everyone is well.

I currently have no plans for Xmas week, if anyone fancy's Christmas in the sun and potentially on the beach, come over!

 

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RRB TAKES ON THE BIG COUNTRY

This weekend it was my intention to go exploring. I downloaded a list of local hiking routes within a 100 mile radius of where i live. I wanted to take on nature, wrestle a grizzly bear, charm a rattle snake and play kiss chase with a swarm of African Killer Bees. Unfotunately my mate who was going to accompany me on such adventures was unable to attend the planned truely momentous nature extravaganza. So I decided to put the hiking and bear wrestling on hold and just go for a massive drive alone and take in the awesomness of the big country.

This is precisely what I did..

Ever since arriving in LA I have been curious to see what lies beyond the surrounding mountains. So this weekend I was to find out. I drove to Pasadena and then headed up the Angeles Forest National Park Crest highway. It is a windy road that takes you through and beyond the mountain range. It was truely awesome. Please click on the image to see more pictures of the 200 mile drive that I did today. Unfortunately the pictures really don't give you the true sense of scale, colours and most noteably the absolute silence and tranquility. As you can see once again the weather is beautiful and all I can do is constantly smile. It feels like every day is a holiday. Why would I miss High Wycombe? Thing is, I don't. I miss my boys (cats) but they are in good hands, but Wycombe town? Pah!

Anyway, due to the serious forest fires that are happening beyond the national forest, the road has been closed, So I headed back the way I came and decided to go deep into the San Fernado Valleys, then continuing on I found the Simi valley. This place was amazing, it was like driving through a wild west movie. The rugged terrain and colourings were stunning. It was really hot too. Driving around I found a road called Box Canyon. So as you do, I thought I'd take a look. It was like being on Mars. Then driving further on I discovered the Topango Canyon Blvd the road I stummbled across last weekend. So I took this all the way back to Malibu and then headed home enjoying the cooler sea breeze.

I had a great day today! Off out to West Hollywood this evening to go out for something to eat and drink with Jimmy and Stirling.

Be warned bears, you came off lightly this weekend, but I'm coming for you sometime soon!!

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FINALLY RRB GETS A HOME, A CAR AND FEELS FREEDOM AGAIN

This has been a great weekend. So much to write about but it's late and it's a school night.So here is a brief description of what's been going on.

Friday I finally moved into my new room with my very own bathroom and walk-in wardrobe. I also hired a car for the weekend.Please click on the image to the left to see some images of my new pad and weekend adventures. The weather this weekend has been awesome!! 90 degrees every day.

Friday evening after setting up my room, I drove to Manhattan Beach. Then headed over to Culver City to meet up with Zach (Art Director from my team) and some of his friends who work at Sony Pictures. I was also introduced to the chainsaw guy from 'Scar Face'. Zach's friends were all really nice and we shall all go out again sometime.

Saturday, I did some shopping then decided to go for a drive to Malibu. Unfortunately the sea mist fogged out the whole coastline so I decided to take a right turn inland up a road called Tocango Canyon. It was a good move. The mist dispursed in an instant leaving beautiful warm clear blue skys, outlining the canyon hilltops. I stopped off for a photo opportunity and ended up befriending a couple of old hippies. They told me some stories that I cannot write on this site. But ask me in person and I will shock you for sure, I was shocked. But had a great time chatting to them before carrying on my journey through the canyon eventually reaching the Valleys which were really warm! I was loving it!!

Saturday evening I drove down south about 1 hour to Huntington Beach to go out for a meal, some beers and a little Californian clubbing with Jeremy the guy I have replaced in the flat. We had a good night out.Today I picked up my new (old) TV which cost me 30 bucks! It seems to work just fine and will certainly do me fo the rest of my time here. It's not my 42" HDTV that I have at home, but with this weather, who wants to be in watching TV!

This evening I picked up a friend (ex EA UK) Anders, we then headed to West Hollywood to meet Jimmy, Stirling and two of their friends. I had a lovely Sunday Roast! Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding. It was nice evening of chatting and chilling in a cool pub in Hollywood. Anyway, it's late now and I am tired. All in all, it's been a great weekend and I have loved having a car! I am going to get one every weekend.

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THIS JUST ABOUT SUMS IT UP

Hey there everyone. Not much to add today other than the exciting news that I have got myself an awesome deal on a nice new bed, which will be delivered next Friday intime for my move into my new room.

Anyway, I wanted to share this with everyone. This just about sums up LA. It's very funny but so very true..

PLEASE CLICK HERE

You will need sound but well worth every minute.

Here is an alternative version. CLICK HERE

 

Oh and while I am posting up links, you really must check out my brother Branden's websites. He is a very talented dude in many ways.

If you want to see some of his amazing photography

CLICK HERE

If you want to read his blog which has some amazing content and photography

CLICK HERE

ENJOY!

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THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST

Well today in an effort to over come boredom I decided to venture onto the LA bus system to explore the surrounding areas. My plan was initially to head down to the 3rd St. promenade in Santa Monica for a little retail therapy. So I headed to Sunset Blvd to catch the number 4 bus. It promptly arrived and I asked the lady if she is heading to Santa Monica, to which she replied, yes I am. So I paid my dollar and then she realised that she wasn't going all the way to Santa Monica and told me I would have to get off at Fairfax and catch the 304. It took an hour of a crammed bus journey to reach Fairfax and I jumped off. Then finding myself in an unknown location I carefully considered the idea of going to Santa Monica over a tasty Sub Sandwich. It was a beautiful sunny warm day, something I am getting very used to here. I decided to just stroll and a strolling I went. I head north toward the hills and found myself on W. Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood and decided to walk to Hollywood. Along the way I passed a massive shoe warehouse which made me think of you MG, so I text ya! Then enjoying the stroll I sent my good friend Max a text. Suddenly and unexpectedly I found myself in the tourist hotspot of Hollywood Blvd and outside the Mann’s Chinese Theatre. This is the place where they have concrete hand and foot prints of the stars. It was really nice, really warm and good to see lots of people. So I hung out around the area doing the touristy thing, reading the name tags of the stars mounted into the pavements etc. Checked out a nice big shopping mall and then thought about heading back. I was planning on getting back onto Sunset to catch the bus back to Silver Lake, but when I reached sunset, I thought, well what am I going to do when I get back. Hmm. Not a lot. So I decided to walk all the way back, stopping along the way for a nice cold Starbucks Frappuccino. Along the way I passed the church of Scientology. Hmmm?

I finally made it back and checked on the sat nav how many miles I managed to walk in my flip flops and I am pleased to announce, it was a 7.2 mile stroll. Pretty damn impressive for a little fella. 8-)

Anyway, as always, click on the image above to see more fine imagery of today’s adventure.

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EA LA

So here we are, I finally have got around to taking some pictures of the EA studio in LA where I now work. These were taken this morning, so fresh off the press!

I have had quite a busy day today trying to resolve a bug, so I am pretty tired, therefore I can't be bothered to write anything of interest. But click on the image to the left to see some more pictures captured today. I hope all are well.

Oh just spotted one thing. you see the tops of the apartments on the right hand side, well that is exactly where I will be living soon. Probably the best commute on the planet!

 

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RRB RACES THROUGH THE LA TRAFFIC

To get home in time for Judge Judy! Hello fellow members. Sorry about the lack of content in recent days. But I have been busy considering my next move. Plus it was my mums 60th Birthday today so I had spent some time putting together a special page for her. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!!Well over the weekend we have discovered that the home I am currently staying in is infested with rats! Believed to be the result of a house rebuilding taking place over the road. Apparently the whole neighbourhood is suffering from the little diseased bastards.Darren and Stacey have been nothing but appologetic for such vermin. I do feel for them. It is not a nice thing to have to go through. Although both animal lovers, they have had no choice other than to revert to extreme measures to rid of these persistant little buggers. Every evening I often find myself wearing my full body armour in anticipation of tackling them one by one in a hand to hand combat form. So far 5 have been caught with rat traps, they have devoured all poisons and I just use traditional methods of Tai Chi.It was very strange, as the other night I swore I got woken up by something biting my exposed toe. It woke me up and I quickly retracted my toe and thinking it was merely the result of a micro dream, I quickly fell back asleep. Now I have a differnet opinion on what it may have been.For the past two evenings I have often been woken with the sound of schreeching and pitter pattering of tiny feet running accross the ceiling above me. Some how they must be between the floorboards and my ceiling. It isn't pleasant. I chatted to my brother today on MSN. He had a friend who suffered similar problems in his flat in Tokyo. He eventually resorted to using poison, only to hear the stomache churing schreeches of pain the little bastards endured whilst the poison took effect. He eventually moved out of his appartment because he just could bear the idea of fishing the dead bodies from within the wall cavities.Today I looked at a beautiful new condo litteraly 5 mins from work. I really hope that I get it. It will solve many of the current issues I face here. I shall keep you posted.One of my issues will be the current commute which so far Darren has kindly endured. Something I would ideally like to avoid. Please click on the image above for more images of the crawl home.Be strong members and remember. Be humane, but if they persist! BE BRUTAL! It's a health issue!

 

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