--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Friday - 4/21/06 
8:30 am
Los Angeles, CA
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As usual I'm behind in the blog. Truthfully I have been less than inspired over the last few days. I had the sniffles over Easter probably from riding my bike in the rain too much. Unfortunately, as a result, I missed Easter dinner with the family of a friend from back East who live up the coast a few miles in West Lake. Things have slowed down a bit and I'm a little restless and I guess I want things to happen more quickly. My friend from back East reminded me I've only been here a month and it takes time to get settled in a new area.

VSO is playing the theatre gig today

I answered another ad on craigslist for an improvisational theatre company in Hollywood. The music director (ironically named Craig) went to my website and was duly impressed. I plan to go see a performance at the theatre to get a feel for what they are doing and talk to Craig some more about what I could offer. The ad from craigslist read as follows:

This sounds really well suited to the VSO with it's real-time application and diversity. As usual it is a non-paying gig which is fine with me for the time being. As described in the ad, there is a great opportunity here for networking, and finding other gigs/venues, not to mention free food which is a plus.

The other morning I had to move my truck for Wednesday's inevitable street sweeping between 9-11am. As we all know I received a ticket as I forgot to move my truck a couple weeks back. I assure you this will never happen again, or it probably will, but not today. I have found a place to park during street sweeping day on Wednesday. There is a street a couple blocks over that usually has spots on Wednesday. The only problem is that I have to go back and move my truck before 12 noon as parking is prohibited from 12-2pm on this street due to street sweeping.

Upon picking up my truck I figured I'd go to the grocery store as I was already halfway there parked in my temporary spot. I got groceries and applied for membership for the Von's card which is the typical card used at many grocery stores for discounts, especially on the store's own brand items. I am always eager to save a buck, so I applied and saved $7 by doing so. After I got home from the grocery store it was after 11 and I was able to park in my usual spot, which isn't really a spot, it's the area in front of the garage Zen uses. This works out for now because he can park diagonally in the 2 car garage and can get his car in and out without my having to move my truck. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. I have been staying up later than normal but still getting up around 5 or 6am so I was a bit groggy, or greggy if I could just hold back from switching font colors for a bit longer. I played around with the new VSO forum page, and did the dishes and a few other chores.

Jumping back to last week, I took a bike ride to Griffith park in Hollywood hills.

this is a beautiful park, but not too bicycle friendly. I was exhausted after riding around for a mere hour in the quite hilly park. On the way there I noticed the real estate got nicer and nicer as I drew closer to the park/Hollywood hills.

I saw some more of those beautiful trees lining the streets. I still don't recall the name of them, but have learned that these trees are originally from Africa. They apparently have shallow root structure and tend to blow over in storms/earthquakes. Apparently the city plants new ones if they fall over which doesn't surprise me. They probably keep them in storage somewhere.

I thought this tree was rather interesting, and a good landmark

I saw the huge mansion in Hollywood hills in the distance

Drawing closer to the park now...

I noticed there were all kinds of things you couldn't do in the park

of course I wondered if playing music was
allowed, but I didn't see anyone doing that.

After getting inside the park I was parched from my ride there, and traversing
the massive hills. I looked desperately for a drink of water and found these sinks.

They looked a little decrepit so I searched around for a water bubbler

I came across this thing, which was unidentifiable

and provided no water

Then I found the bubbler

It was cleverly disguised as part of the nearby fence.

Upon closer inspection I found it wasn't in working order

So I went back to the sinks which were working

I only took a couple gulps, the water in LA is really bad. I have missed drinking water as it is my favorite beverage by far. I have resorted to drinking iced tea and Kool-aid as even filtered water has a twang to it that I don't appreciate. I'm too cheap to buy bottled water.

Griffith park is beautifl

There is a golf course inside the park
which I'm told is frequented by celebrities

As usual the whirly-birds were out in full force

As I mentioned after an hour or so of roaming the park, I turned around and headed for home. The downhill grade nearly all the way home out of the hills was a welcome ride.

Phew!

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