tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59704082707652737672024-03-21T19:30:46.347+00:00Minty and The Beeb Have A Holiday of A LifetimeMinty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-19021644181637708242011-04-12T06:25:00.001+01:002016-09-11T00:37:33.771+01:00Saturday - The flight home....<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our flight home was supposed to depart at 21.20....... when we got to the airport we were told there was a 3 hour delay until 00.15....... </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We hung around the cafes on the floor above the check in desks until we felt hungry enough to cash in our $9 courtesy food vouchers BA had issued. $9 does not get you much in LAX!!!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Anyhow, we went through security expecting (as you would with a large international airport) a whole host of shops. How wrong we were. There is sweet FA beyond security at LAX. There was a tiny duty free where Minty got her gin and we both got a selection box of smellies but our garden shed at home is bigger than this shop!!!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Also, there is nowhere to grab a beer or something to eat... you can get drinks from a vending machine, but only soft drinks..... </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, we get called to the gate at about 11.30, and they have to bus us to the plane! It’s a bloomin’ 747 transatlantic jet and they can’t provide a gate anywhere near the terminal!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now we are on the plane and it is past the delayed time... the pilot comes on the intercom...... engine problems – they can’t get one of the engines started and the engineers are coming out to have a look. Minty is by the window and can see the kurfuffel going on.... 1 man can’t fix it, 2 men can’t fix it... in comes a 3<sup>rd</sup> man......... 20 minutes later they get the engine started but by God there is an almighty puff of smoke!!!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, 1 hour and 15 mins after our delayed time (so 4hrs and 15mins late) we finally get airborne and fly at 39,000 feet. We are just behind the sunrise across the central belt of the USA.....</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJy03bnKawsyU0M1OxjHkALXttSDbT4XxIm7gPQ31leZGXGTbcFlkIavf8gSrLkUNdgF-nk53frwXErQv1OD_8tG0VQ4fUzcf_SRgEDPclh1zyrkdUHB0uNF6io6urNk1v0HyCwxx7jaY/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJy03bnKawsyU0M1OxjHkALXttSDbT4XxIm7gPQ31leZGXGTbcFlkIavf8gSrLkUNdgF-nk53frwXErQv1OD_8tG0VQ4fUzcf_SRgEDPclh1zyrkdUHB0uNF6io6urNk1v0HyCwxx7jaY/s400/IMG_0565.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn breaks across America</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The crew are mean though and make everyone close the window blinds so that the rising sun doesn't wake the sleepers up!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">But they come around with a free bar, then served a dinner. The Beeb, being a veggie had pre-ordered a veggie meal... which was actually one of the choices for everyone on the flight – veggie lasagne. This is what he had with his $9 voucher at the airport too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUISm1X5I5eXlGua2pVfKMxdPU6hSq8I7asXsS8n-JkOVDM4Y8fMPHgtrBNWbyyNTTaukMXahmi_J7I5wOjAfUsm5VrCWSpXUCwBWrDOww0Cl2crtXbLDDY_gQM5TmhHAuR-k6DzsOv9bz/s1600/IMG_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUISm1X5I5eXlGua2pVfKMxdPU6hSq8I7asXsS8n-JkOVDM4Y8fMPHgtrBNWbyyNTTaukMXahmi_J7I5wOjAfUsm5VrCWSpXUCwBWrDOww0Cl2crtXbLDDY_gQM5TmhHAuR-k6DzsOv9bz/s320/IMG_0559.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb's dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Minty opted for the chicken curry, which was actually very nice. A few gins, a couple of glasses of wine, an episode of Doctor Who, The Beeb fast asleep, Minty settled down to watch “RED” again... and promptly fell asleep herself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwITovMl-85WCWGpJ-lM34CS85L1LqwJdAtr4E82Kp6rvr5HwkUF1WPCeWnw_KtWRBRHUq0G5YwL6fri-l8i0bkU-9wHZ9SiaNmbkg7fW076u-zjkQz2fXBz6C4740GOA6X-vsz1Ddm8p/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwITovMl-85WCWGpJ-lM34CS85L1LqwJdAtr4E82Kp6rvr5HwkUF1WPCeWnw_KtWRBRHUq0G5YwL6fri-l8i0bkU-9wHZ9SiaNmbkg7fW076u-zjkQz2fXBz6C4740GOA6X-vsz1Ddm8p/s400/IMG_0561.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty's dinner!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
The Beeb didn't sleep for long as the German passengers congregated at the back of the plane for some quite loud conversations together!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
The flight was 9 and a half hours and just as we were heading towards the North West coast of Scotland, breakfast was served and Minty woke up!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO17J3tt2O_k7A5jgmRXIuNZ708P9Gsfs5vmBXT9wV8ijn1FONVWuol2L25ajuCK-l7MrAoE2MADaKcuJ1FpQlHiMB9hqXae9w_u7IfeXMW2LsmMn92DPnK7fUce9mO5jZKDoQta_ELFr/s1600/IMG_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO17J3tt2O_k7A5jgmRXIuNZ708P9Gsfs5vmBXT9wV8ijn1FONVWuol2L25ajuCK-l7MrAoE2MADaKcuJ1FpQlHiMB9hqXae9w_u7IfeXMW2LsmMn92DPnK7fUce9mO5jZKDoQta_ELFr/s400/IMG_0570.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over the UK countryside on the approach to Heathrow<br />
The engine is the one which refused to start!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
After a few circles just west of Watford, we touched down in Heathrow at 7pm, coming in from the West. It's a shame we didn't come in over London and the River Thames as this would have provided some great pictures in the fading daylight.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoSN_xSPGl8n2fWY1WDP6ASVjOWoRrBFOI79u7W0vA2U869HCqXooSdOprq8_UddCdfgs6Y8i1drxjFhzHJff7YpAGHIlxs31_-4HrLTieFeyxyn8Yn-uHQrPsa-UPsNPvfNUT7ChSC6x/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoSN_xSPGl8n2fWY1WDP6ASVjOWoRrBFOI79u7W0vA2U869HCqXooSdOprq8_UddCdfgs6Y8i1drxjFhzHJff7YpAGHIlxs31_-4HrLTieFeyxyn8Yn-uHQrPsa-UPsNPvfNUT7ChSC6x/s400/IMG_0576.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final approach into Heathrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
After a bus journey from the airport to the car park that felt longer than the flight, we picked the car up and it was onto the M25 back to Hemel Hempstead...and a plate of beans on toast and a right proper brew!<br />
<br />
We'll never forget this holiday for hundreds of reasons. The generosity of everyone we met with their time for us...you can't put a price on that. We went on holiday with high hopes, and they were exceeded a thousand times over. Thanks to everyone we met...you know who you are!</div>
Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-81090712580306138192011-04-11T12:52:00.004+01:002016-09-11T00:36:50.505+01:00Saturday - Day 10 LA<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Alarms were set to make sure we didn’t sleep in as we still had a bit of packing to do before we checked out of the hotel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our last LA breakfast was taken in our usual haunt, Uncle Johns and Minty opted for their trademark special – the spicy pork chops. The Chinese lady who ran the cafe had remembered we were leaving today and she wished us well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Instead of walking up the steep hill back to the hotel, we opted for a ride on the Angel Flight express train! </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifD9KHHqsDlqzyR7xDU7MtnpSJibydrzUxSwO7dHHAFLTLKOecLBFN5rgwi8K16s0iR8en3OYAaAsx8QRIS10Yi5glaJ4Chu4J9qoK_a08PZ83v8fZix-E4TJx1ZmOVpfnY9socPuSx806/s1600/IMG_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifD9KHHqsDlqzyR7xDU7MtnpSJibydrzUxSwO7dHHAFLTLKOecLBFN5rgwi8K16s0iR8en3OYAaAsx8QRIS10Yi5glaJ4Chu4J9qoK_a08PZ83v8fZix-E4TJx1ZmOVpfnY9socPuSx806/s320/IMG_0519.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angels Flight station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It was a steal at 25c a go for the short climb to California Plaza. </span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJgTj29Hf32fYZYogv6aGdkgpkUjl5orEic2S8LOO-R_zWE7PpXbNtr0BPuVm5jTqcuwK4GltGFOWUMHGColOE6qD2_60IJRcbTNP-3feCsvtKZoqmq6T5XkPTFew83v_eSbAtCSeU1_z/s1600/IMG_0516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJgTj29Hf32fYZYogv6aGdkgpkUjl5orEic2S8LOO-R_zWE7PpXbNtr0BPuVm5jTqcuwK4GltGFOWUMHGColOE6qD2_60IJRcbTNP-3feCsvtKZoqmq6T5XkPTFew83v_eSbAtCSeU1_z/s320/IMG_0516.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The short track for <br />
Angels Flight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We finished packing and then checked out of room 917.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We managed to fit the 2 bulging cases and 2 hand luggage bags into the boot of the rental car and set the Sat Nav (GPS) to take us to Luxuria Music studios, in Frogtown. No-one has been able to tell us why it’s called Frogtown (apart from the fact that there was a lot of people hopping around town.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As we pulled up outside the studio, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andrew Sandoval was also arriving, and The Beeb made up for the fact he had not had the opportunity to speak with Andrew during Sunday’s party in the next half hour. We also found a good home for a CD of a great Scottish duo, The Wellgreen as we felt he would appreciate the harmonies in every song.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Following a recent pledge drive, where $12,000 was raised to keep the station on the air, listeners were given the opportunity to sponsor articles in the studio. The names of the “sponsors” were attached to each of the articles, and we spotted some of our friends’ names..... Clara for the light fitting, Kiki for a chair, Katie for the door (and a chair). The lounge had a great painting of Brian Wilson, which you can see part of below.......</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVlaVgkxeva5f3H800EWigwgm3LHr8TIOx5chVP_GoFohBwNw2xumtasL-wKpPiu0pMYJ4ucorNQ8Y4Xzj4KjtlplUNxEUOWyqIwuNiEU3o32TemtL5ZWWUqsgso2Vrb6pjYsm_5ogBTX/s1600/IMG_0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVlaVgkxeva5f3H800EWigwgm3LHr8TIOx5chVP_GoFohBwNw2xumtasL-wKpPiu0pMYJ4ucorNQ8Y4Xzj4KjtlplUNxEUOWyqIwuNiEU3o32TemtL5ZWWUqsgso2Vrb6pjYsm_5ogBTX/s400/IMG_0540.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew Sandoval, Minty and The Beeb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">At 1pm on the dot, Chuck began his musical introduction to Heroes & Villains, with Minty and The Beeb as special guests. We thought we would just sit there and listen and watch, but Chuck had other plans, and in between records (including the awful Brian Wilson Rap song, which was played accidentally!!), The Beeb recounted the tales of our LA experience – Our tour with Chuck, the party at Dom & Becky’s, the day with Darian & Nelson, the visit to the Sunset Strip, the chance sighting of Brian Wilson at the deli....... The hour whizzed by and before we knew it, the show was coming to an end.</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAo7vTBgCo9HF0UEb6btMYEvjQpGW39EboXbfxEgHzBpe_Nk3WNQeJ5SUJCEQW0JfU6C6pd1n05M1Mqjp8pCW20dW9F5Qw8OZ2fELao5ciBsqpS1AVBJaYE5gyV4HC1M0MTE-ahuCY5Ie/s1600/IMG_0542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAo7vTBgCo9HF0UEb6btMYEvjQpGW39EboXbfxEgHzBpe_Nk3WNQeJ5SUJCEQW0JfU6C6pd1n05M1Mqjp8pCW20dW9F5Qw8OZ2fELao5ciBsqpS1AVBJaYE5gyV4HC1M0MTE-ahuCY5Ie/s400/IMG_0542.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chuck Kelley hosts Heroes & Villains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">As Chuck was wrapping up, another Luxuria DJ, Steve Stanley popped his head around the door to say “Hi.” It was great that he was able to come out to the studio so we could meet him. </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg2lpwMxwRLkCnfshIQ7PUxgJb1laLF0oCeUYj6-x-4l1FQC0yGwTlzeW8MCZGyOEqMmuGUavuieQ9TWI5ZL7ojmLp8_jg35d5YftDOipZVF31U4-lQ7yvONfMG9aDNGnBRWy_RHnGlnd/s1600/IMG_0550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg2lpwMxwRLkCnfshIQ7PUxgJb1laLF0oCeUYj6-x-4l1FQC0yGwTlzeW8MCZGyOEqMmuGUavuieQ9TWI5ZL7ojmLp8_jg35d5YftDOipZVF31U4-lQ7yvONfMG9aDNGnBRWy_RHnGlnd/s400/IMG_0550.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve Stanley, Monty & The Beeb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Steve suggested we “follow him” to Rockaway Records which was just around the corner! That’s the last time we follow him – we ended up with another 6 CDs!!!!!!! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">On the wall of the record shop was a signed acoustic guitar by legendary surf guitarist(sic) Brian Wilson, from 2005, for a $600 price tag, and in the display cabinets there was a lot of Beach Boys memorabilia, including a copy of the Surfin’ demo for a cool $350. There was also a CD signed by Mike, Brian and David Marks for $40 but we resisted the temptation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMluR-14U3OlHgAPpkaHzE37NWsl7bb199TPTXHtPWZOQV3aYDWY-5rNNxQyn6cqv7leeIojqGENHkDtjCs8yxr_NQ9qMeXuKO9sfLTFYs47hGs8AZIllaz46kTa8s1p3GJuIXcScUxgo/s1600/IMG_0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMluR-14U3OlHgAPpkaHzE37NWsl7bb199TPTXHtPWZOQV3aYDWY-5rNNxQyn6cqv7leeIojqGENHkDtjCs8yxr_NQ9qMeXuKO9sfLTFYs47hGs8AZIllaz46kTa8s1p3GJuIXcScUxgo/s320/IMG_0554.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The loo wall posters in<br />
Maui & Sons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After our splurge on the CD’s, we said our goodbyes to Steve and then headed off to Hollywood Blvd for some last minute gift shopping and some lunch. We ate (quite fittingly) in a surf bar – Maui & Sons where tunes by Link Wray and the like were playing. The toilets were pretty cool too, with old gig posters up, including two with The Beach Boys! These guys get everywhere!!!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After lunch we headed to Alamo to drop off the car. We hopped on the courtesy bus to the terminal and then found out that our flight was delayed by 3 hours... instead of leaving at 9.20pm, it was delayed until 00.15. Now, we know we don’t want to go home, but we would have preferred being stranded in LA City and not the airport!!!! British Airways very kindly issued $9 vouchers for refreshments but that doesn’t buy you a lot here and the choice of veggie options for The Beeb was almost non-existant!!!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">And so out holiday draws to a close.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Some things we learned along the way....</span></div>
<ol>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s illegal to get out of a NYC cab other than at the kerb side</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">NY has the greatest coffee shops</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Most restaurants in LA only have one single toilet for each gender (not a set of cubby holes!!)</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Lemonade is NOT fizzy</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You can turn right at a junction on a red light</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A fire hydrant in NY is called a Johnny Pump</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Americans drive on the wrong side of the road</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You need a mortgage to use a mobile</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">LAX is a great place to arrive, but the pits to try and get out of</span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">You can’t get a beer after the security point in LAX!!!!</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-33912373316047843802011-04-11T12:40:00.000+01:002016-09-11T00:35:41.834+01:00Friday - Day 9 LA<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Another lazy lie in this morning. Today we were meeting up with poet, songwriter,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>recording artist and raconteur Stephen J Kalinich. But not before finding some time to sit by the hotel’s rooftop pool and try and catch up with this blogging malarkey. This was actually the first time we’d actually SEEN the pool!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We had just planned on having a coffee with Stevie K, but Stevie being Stevie had other plans. He wasn’t sure where we would go, but he was going to take us off the beaten LA track and show us the non-touristy side.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We headed out towards the hills in Glendale, and ended up in the scenic town of La Canada, pronounced “La Can-yard-a” as the Beeb kept on reminding us in a Peter Sellers French accent. This was a gorgeous town set at the foothills surrounding LA. Although it was a sunshiney day, the skies were threatening a bit of rain, which we tried to capture with our photo!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVNGZ4NHt-x41hewu5FBir-YKY5zMCsuzTzzylY42pEmNWuMpDNCJaXHXGi8Qpm7AVWTfkCmQNwFSzOjEPzPaB1gcLI-NcwHDZa_6tKxJMXglaVNPQgOhFxRKDeLfKlezA6YKtxOcRFRl/s1600/IMG_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVNGZ4NHt-x41hewu5FBir-YKY5zMCsuzTzzylY42pEmNWuMpDNCJaXHXGi8Qpm7AVWTfkCmQNwFSzOjEPzPaB1gcLI-NcwHDZa_6tKxJMXglaVNPQgOhFxRKDeLfKlezA6YKtxOcRFRl/s400/IMG_0512.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The skies above La Canada</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We had a lovely lunch in a very classy cafe called Penelopes that also doubled as a book shop and art gallery. The owner of the place obviously knew Stevie and they had a chat while our lunch was ordered. Minty had a toasted cheese and ham sandwich and has never seen so much ham in a sandwich before – about a quarter of a pig!!!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcMnkN_WwY76FOWmljValkkd7zqai3pMDmjINzvEbbXNskwFIC5CRX0nKsgrhfkbXabY4QS9oDxxSJAESiGZaUnk78N2h1UmVEwPsIWmQTrAnaycn3H3GZ30CGVOPTmauWwwAOzmphYbk/s1600/IMG_0510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcMnkN_WwY76FOWmljValkkd7zqai3pMDmjINzvEbbXNskwFIC5CRX0nKsgrhfkbXabY4QS9oDxxSJAESiGZaUnk78N2h1UmVEwPsIWmQTrAnaycn3H3GZ30CGVOPTmauWwwAOzmphYbk/s400/IMG_0510.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb and Stevie K, with the wonderful backdrop of the mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After lunch we went for a drive as close to the hills as was possibly before a tour round some stunning houses just off Chevy Chase Drive. Stevie thought it was hilarious the Beeb thought the street was named after the actor. Apparently the US has a more famous Chevy Chase!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s always great to see Stevie, but once again it was even nicer being able to spend some quality time with someone for a change. Then it was time to head back to the hotel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">At this point Minty caught up with a bit of blogging again, while the Beeb took a stroll down to the Grand Central Market<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and Theatreland in Downtown LA. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3oq62lfuyu7XlnS6pE5kYDZK0X1xzMZCMR1OtUrGoURqEJJAXY-Zlp0a5g8H8ABYgSF-TxvC5EQiS2h4cuPXu6CyacgzLpqagUVzcJB5LDgJrrCZd9iiX_YWamm87WZ-2WMUdONfPFTJ/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3oq62lfuyu7XlnS6pE5kYDZK0X1xzMZCMR1OtUrGoURqEJJAXY-Zlp0a5g8H8ABYgSF-TxvC5EQiS2h4cuPXu6CyacgzLpqagUVzcJB5LDgJrrCZd9iiX_YWamm87WZ-2WMUdONfPFTJ/s320/IMG_0514.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown LA - one<br />
of the old theatres</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">He was delighted to find a big guitar store almost immediately. Unfortunately there was no-one there who seemed to speak English. Either that or Mexicans don’t watch enough Taggart on the telly. He found a second, then a third and fourth music store...ALL with the same result. Not even a bit of Spanglish to be found.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s still an eye-opening part of town though. It’s clear to see it was once a thriving area of theatres. Sadly they’re all closed now and have been turned into jewellery shops and guitar shops where no-one speaks English!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The plan for tonight was for a meal with Dom and Becky, and Lina and Rory. The convoy arrived at the hotel and we headed off to Mexico City. That was the name of the restaurant, not over the Mexican border.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Once again the Beeb suffered because of his accent. He ordered burritos and was brought fahijas instead! He even ordered in his posh Sean Connery accent this time. At least it was veggie and he was able to scoff it down with the help of some Mexican beer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After dinner we headed out to visit Luxuria music DJ, Kari Kaos. She lives in a really old part (by LA standards) of town, in a little narrow street. The whole area was an arty/bohemian type place. And<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kari’s gaff was no exception. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This place was like walking into an LSD trip. There can’t be another house in the US like it. In fact we found out it was featured in the new edition of some style magazine. Every room had a different theme, and each was filled with all kinds of Barbie dolls, 60’s ornaments, artifacts, pictures, furniture......you name it, she had it. Anyone walking in immediately found themselves part of a 60’s Psychedelic movie. Her walk in closet was something else too!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemzcAd3ZZ9cV7d7kxPpJ95Qz-bTTSFkbagXLo1cDe7daJztGtIlDYm4OhzUX0lasbSTscwsBOwL0s69VIsAwWHztrSgSd6gUBV64YGHsLuZrNfuyBU5uIcQmgsW_cal0KQg4SCOOnNNPB/s1600/IMG_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemzcAd3ZZ9cV7d7kxPpJ95Qz-bTTSFkbagXLo1cDe7daJztGtIlDYm4OhzUX0lasbSTscwsBOwL0s69VIsAwWHztrSgSd6gUBV64YGHsLuZrNfuyBU5uIcQmgsW_cal0KQg4SCOOnNNPB/s400/IMG_0524.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kari at the bar in her awesome TV lounge......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: calibri;">We stayed for about an hour or so, and by then it was past midnight and the tiredness was starting to set in. So reluctantly we said our goodbyes and headed back to the hotel. At this point we also had to say farewell to Lina and Rory, and for The Beeb, it was like parting from a long lost sister. If he wasn’t such a tough Scotsman you know, he would have had a tear in his eye.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dom & Becky dropped us back to the hotel, but not before they had a discussion about keeping us in LA for a few days more. Unfortunately we DID have to say our goodbyes to them. Hugs all round and we headed up to our room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So ended our final night in LA........ time spent perfectly with the two couples who had made such an impact on our time out there. Thanks to you all.</span></div>
Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-41247255603287907982011-04-09T04:23:00.000+01:002016-09-11T00:35:07.869+01:00Thursday - Day 8 L.A.Again we had been promised a cold and wet day in L.A.but the sun was shining through when we woke up and drew back the curtains.<br />
<br />
Today we were meeting up with our UK friends Mal Young and Mari Wilson for a spot of lunch so we drove up to Coldwater Canyon to meet them.<br />
<br />
Thier home in L.A. was once a party spot for The Beatles and is an impressive building.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Mal took to the wheel and first stop was Laurel Canyon where Jim Morrison and also Jimi Hendrix had lived. The whole area is very hippy and you can understand why Harvey Kubernick was inspired to write his book "Canyon of Dreams". </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8b_S6oPpnOiaGTnpMXJv3EbcbROlV_r57KeqqBvjdgrE3Lx2GZrUA90dqdbivyb4DgdKTx0BoX2hQNLImWiQ9p2Amv7k2ncCwtW1Stx5zQ4qaiZIhcWSLoiXmoa5GZBZDtc45xtE5zEoE/s1600/IMG_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8b_S6oPpnOiaGTnpMXJv3EbcbROlV_r57KeqqBvjdgrE3Lx2GZrUA90dqdbivyb4DgdKTx0BoX2hQNLImWiQ9p2Amv7k2ncCwtW1Stx5zQ4qaiZIhcWSLoiXmoa5GZBZDtc45xtE5zEoE/s400/IMG_0393.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty, Mari and Mal - Jim Morrison's house in the <br />
background where all the pink flowers are</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wDuFX1sLM-kP-40lpNlLkQYvalWrPYYpj5tetYq32MpJUtDlQkBc5tB0ITypqdoSGc3Nh6-qEw4Ba4BXVIc74gdTIH5fo7t9UlqrcxAxFW7akkcVVTSx4-UWz958qXmCTQ0fvgykAtXt/s1600/IMG_0390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wDuFX1sLM-kP-40lpNlLkQYvalWrPYYpj5tetYq32MpJUtDlQkBc5tB0ITypqdoSGc3Nh6-qEw4Ba4BXVIc74gdTIH5fo7t9UlqrcxAxFW7akkcVVTSx4-UWz958qXmCTQ0fvgykAtXt/s320/IMG_0390.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jimi Hendrix lived above the laundry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
We went around the Yukka trail which is a very narrow winding road which takes you to breathtaking views of the City no tourist buses go. Hell, we don't even know how the binmen manage to empty the bins up here!!!</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Mal then took us up Mulholland, that Bette Noir film road which winds around the Hollywood mountains. Stopping off at a viewing point, we finally saw the Hollywood sign (at last - that's 8 days in LA and we hadn't seen this iconic landmark yet!!!). The view was really fantastic, despite the haze that was covering the City.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5RlsjkbHYj1tcJQCyPS6x1b8TlGC0VH-HTXGiQlcbINf5VtGnfknKQFnb_ICK4VNV_-PAaOW7S8353sEC7tNuD0RLTSrDfdlUP6IEhVyaxShKbFVaR4CapI99_waWEXhtmDg8rjJhhCT/s1600/IMG_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5RlsjkbHYj1tcJQCyPS6x1b8TlGC0VH-HTXGiQlcbINf5VtGnfknKQFnb_ICK4VNV_-PAaOW7S8353sEC7tNuD0RLTSrDfdlUP6IEhVyaxShKbFVaR4CapI99_waWEXhtmDg8rjJhhCT/s400/IMG_0398.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of Downtown LA (the skyscrapers in the distance)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArHwJo6PKZSB5E4WUg6JzHx87hgpMQMRVUFqoMrNT7ffvzgBuieKhUFudsI3bpQCXPq3HKKffgfWK3254yzVu1mJeEMhR1v1bBlGep39Gbiitvjv72nICX4PAZjCS0qcr2VrB0Oqc3XKI/s1600/IMG_0400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhArHwJo6PKZSB5E4WUg6JzHx87hgpMQMRVUFqoMrNT7ffvzgBuieKhUFudsI3bpQCXPq3HKKffgfWK3254yzVu1mJeEMhR1v1bBlGep39Gbiitvjv72nICX4PAZjCS0qcr2VrB0Oqc3XKI/s400/IMG_0400.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mari, The Beeb, The Hollywood sign, Mal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next stop was lunch - at Mal and Mari's local deli, which is also a usual eating place for Brian Wilson and they often see him there in the morning. It was 2.30pm so the chances of seeing him were remote at best.......<br />
<br />
We were tucking into our lunch when Mari and Mal both said "there's Brian" - we looked up and sure enough Brian Wilson had come in, and sat in his usual booth at the table next to us! Mari and Mal were both in hysterics as The Beeb's face was a picture. His fork stopped in mid-air for about a minute, as once again his jaw hit the ground. You can't make this stuff up! The Beeb said he was going to buy a lottery ticket as our luck is with us right now!!!!<br />
<br />
One thing we do know about Brian is that he is a very low-key individual so we never intruded to say hi or anything. About 5 minutes later, he got up and shuffled out of the door and was gone! We think he's heard about our blog and just trying to get a mention!!!!<br />
<br />
Well, our jaws were right on the floor and we needed to be pinched! Mari and Mal found it so amusing, and for the rest of the day we just looked at one another and shook our heads in disbelief! Every now and again we would just start laughing at the thought of it all.<br />
<br />
Mari had to dash to American Idol and Mal to a business meeting so we said our goodbyes and headed back down Coldwater Canyon.<br />
<br />
As we had the car, we took in a bit more of Sunset Blvd, browsing through a couple of guitar shops. In Sam Nash, the sales guys could not have been more different from the New York ones! The Beeb had a great conversation about White Falcons and the guy was even getting to the point of ordering one in for him, pormising it would be here the next day!!!!!<br />
<br />
Across the road was the Guitar Centre. They had a really great "hands of fame" in front of the store, with the handprints of many famous musicians, such as Brian Wilson, Jan & Dean, the Wrecking Crew, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Slash, Def Leppard to name just a few!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLlmVKYxXjP1cct8WimdMOKTAePCIMhRNNn29xdexUzrzK9cfSxfPp-rAH0csqaHUeZkSfg3e5I4Js5z_CPsmdT_CJLPkIkfk0Wo3yPIyezQvJzs2i7mMQiqbxymc5mJZfWDLPD0b8Yev/s1600/IMG_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLlmVKYxXjP1cct8WimdMOKTAePCIMhRNNn29xdexUzrzK9cfSxfPp-rAH0csqaHUeZkSfg3e5I4Js5z_CPsmdT_CJLPkIkfk0Wo3yPIyezQvJzs2i7mMQiqbxymc5mJZfWDLPD0b8Yev/s400/IMG_0403.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty finds Dean Torrence's hands are bigger than hers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Lg0SArF7aoHBb_RLPAmW3B5YXLUTlSFFQ_YL-1YMfUqQYNmJGNUuyvv_i5Rz2nc-QNmUMy-t0w00qHgT4Pfjv6lSzfgKgD4a9NSow6htmy9UY2WaJ_haPJ4XMToneYZj1SSTLmoGCddy/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Lg0SArF7aoHBb_RLPAmW3B5YXLUTlSFFQ_YL-1YMfUqQYNmJGNUuyvv_i5Rz2nc-QNmUMy-t0w00qHgT4Pfjv6lSzfgKgD4a9NSow6htmy9UY2WaJ_haPJ4XMToneYZj1SSTLmoGCddy/s400/IMG_0404.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty in the handprint of Carol Kaye</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsTgAUN3mTG42Sg2Y5HOonqEDfBfGGiFxJZYBKxtY22JY0SBcpxd-SeMwEz7yIQPktlpbn2yi7s23O1KO-YJJkr2KO1nOuj7AjBkadPelc5HOHxllgUFcmYXE8TZmlOsLLhPR5t2Vp8TY/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsTgAUN3mTG42Sg2Y5HOonqEDfBfGGiFxJZYBKxtY22JY0SBcpxd-SeMwEz7yIQPktlpbn2yi7s23O1KO-YJJkr2KO1nOuj7AjBkadPelc5HOHxllgUFcmYXE8TZmlOsLLhPR5t2Vp8TY/s400/IMG_0407.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jan & Dean and Brian Wilson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXON8iK40sWZBcC4j4cJFaPf9PX9bKgWVLn8APxHIrFmzZO7XHhQMfRujuIfKhYLU5YzmEt9zVGzVXUtE9ZpaJeYluboajQ_Tnadr1qjugT6FbMbeq_pcHfli8BZzZYYxWI-QLOeOYrcX/s1600/IMG_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXON8iK40sWZBcC4j4cJFaPf9PX9bKgWVLn8APxHIrFmzZO7XHhQMfRujuIfKhYLU5YzmEt9zVGzVXUtE9ZpaJeYluboajQ_Tnadr1qjugT6FbMbeq_pcHfli8BZzZYYxWI-QLOeOYrcX/s320/IMG_0409.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb with Amoeba as the backdrop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
We took another trip to Ameoba records on Sunset. This time we came out only with 1 CD - the new Smithereens CD, which was a steal at the equivalent of less than £8. <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
After that we headed back to the hotel to freshen up, as we were hoping we could get into the Imelda May gig at the El Rey Theatre that evening.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
A $20 taxi ride and we were outside the El Rey Theatre at 5515 Wilshire Blvd. Luckily we were able to get tickets on the door and we headed in. The theatre is a really lovely venue, and we found a good position on the top of 2 steps up from the "mosh pit" with a pretty unrestricted view. Man, the beers are expensive in there! Oh, and The Beeb was asked of ID this time.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg283OjZ_27W8FOpnT469PAW281GXDhJYCgFZKK8274KCeFzgBOdahxcgqat3TLUH3NuFeDaDj0acosLVKvYn2xpyx9UZVS_XbWZxhrj-7-LIwDgtxKitBGvMjF4PRtoz2lbtozgCIzBf/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg283OjZ_27W8FOpnT469PAW281GXDhJYCgFZKK8274KCeFzgBOdahxcgqat3TLUH3NuFeDaDj0acosLVKvYn2xpyx9UZVS_XbWZxhrj-7-LIwDgtxKitBGvMjF4PRtoz2lbtozgCIzBf/s400/IMG_0429.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the El Rey Theatre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The support act was Omar & The Stringpoppers - a local band which we found out later had been to the UK to play at the annual Rockabilly Rave. They were a good band - the lead, Omar, was very Elvis like, even down to the way he dressed and the band set up was just like Elvis early days. Theirs was a very tight set which really boogied.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAam48sQdXr5gQ2A8bH3jjWul1celxHpS-7UQ4mehJXIx4wVUddMG8cpXLQKoeNJIHfbP0loF1BiOEfcRWr0v2EKRUF7s5mPGhyphenhyphenK_aOfFDlFPkzGoXW6WhO8SvGY3pQgnykLAucDUTXh1/s1600/IMG_0442+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAam48sQdXr5gQ2A8bH3jjWul1celxHpS-7UQ4mehJXIx4wVUddMG8cpXLQKoeNJIHfbP0loF1BiOEfcRWr0v2EKRUF7s5mPGhyphenhyphenK_aOfFDlFPkzGoXW6WhO8SvGY3pQgnykLAucDUTXh1/s320/IMG_0442+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daryl plays a White Falcon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Right on time at 9.30, Imelda May took to the stage. The first thing the Beeb spotted was her hubby, Daryl, playing a lovely (and high-end, e.g.expensive) White Falcon. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Imelda just rocked. She looked terrific, her voice was just great and she looked like she enjoyed performing as much as the crowd enjoyed watching her. She is a real bundle of Irish energy. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Part of the show involved a famous ex-Burlesque dancer strutting onto the stage for a quick twirl. We found out later her name was Angel as we got talking to her after the show. She was a real character.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R9nUmlKxwqDGDqEASvfVuahF6tPkW5o0orzUCmvAUPZh4FNg5b-ly41IwpHAyq9JSPO-RZHO7eqHDb94QTRf3SEZ0pUt5-Kd9oJ0Xq_q4wg5yGKokxGnk07V78Wq_3nC34JkpPSWQ3JJ/s1600/IMG_0473+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2R9nUmlKxwqDGDqEASvfVuahF6tPkW5o0orzUCmvAUPZh4FNg5b-ly41IwpHAyq9JSPO-RZHO7eqHDb94QTRf3SEZ0pUt5-Kd9oJ0Xq_q4wg5yGKokxGnk07V78Wq_3nC34JkpPSWQ3JJ/s320/IMG_0473+-+Copy.JPG" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imelda May</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
One guy in the band was Imelda's equivalent of Probyn Gregory in the Brian Wilson band - multi instrumentalist and very versatile. We never knew LA had such a good Rockabilly scene.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodCFkadR6gpYj3SGU_85x5Pmm7eYgYC5eUuIYGFIC5v-XtZ15tUhsZsa9WrYtECyAV63eGR46M50vDfce6T5MGomwK8OpH5kezYZXLQrmZ_LlsKCGKt57wkBwBbeI7uQ1Spo4VIbRVBF_/s1600/IMG_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodCFkadR6gpYj3SGU_85x5Pmm7eYgYC5eUuIYGFIC5v-XtZ15tUhsZsa9WrYtECyAV63eGR46M50vDfce6T5MGomwK8OpH5kezYZXLQrmZ_LlsKCGKt57wkBwBbeI7uQ1Spo4VIbRVBF_/s400/IMG_0452.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imelda May and her fantastic band</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the show, we found out that the band had to come out of the front entrance, so we hung around for a bit along with some others which included a young lad with his parents. It was a while before Imelda came out and before then, the boy's parents had dragged him away so he never got a chance to get Imelda's autograph on the picture he was holding. There was also a family from France who had seen Imelda play in France and, like us were on holiday and heard she was playing and had come along on the chance of getting tickets!</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
When Imelda emerged, she looked stunning (she is also tiny), and she very graciously stopped to chat and pose for photos with her husband, Daryl.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKUA9XCFNG6ojPpX1ShVnQI6RBMFGx-2FUgtyfK5F1Pulco43kQhbG6XTjjZdgWCvKAzDTPrqcLv37xj7Os930n1T2fgnUjyUjdisdyic416KgjKZRWxr6TEUqZQnXXROsTY1N4Ah5v5z/s1600/IMG_0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKUA9XCFNG6ojPpX1ShVnQI6RBMFGx-2FUgtyfK5F1Pulco43kQhbG6XTjjZdgWCvKAzDTPrqcLv37xj7Os930n1T2fgnUjyUjdisdyic416KgjKZRWxr6TEUqZQnXXROsTY1N4Ah5v5z/s400/IMG_0504.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty with Daryl and Imelda</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This was the end of another typical day in LA for us. A day filled with magical moments and another one we will never forget! <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-76758520895697659592011-04-09T02:32:00.001+01:002016-09-11T00:33:44.343+01:00Wednesday - Day 7 L.A.The day broke with a cloudy sky and the prospect of a rather dull and cold day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
We got up with the alarm and had breakfast in our usual haunt, Uncle Johns, before we were due to meet Darian Sahanaja, and Nelson Bragg, both from Brian Wilson's band (but also great musicians in their own right) outside our hotel at 11am. Before we met the guys, we popped into the chemist and The Beeb found an interesting product on the shelves.....</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD7FfycZBaxCgsoE00OAufRjjcrVSbe4EFfWyRRxIrAlC6sRcrC7F3ZLrUye6HMa9j5qlzEzVX8_wq_vnaMEk4m90wl66cm-qd2jEfipzDzypq73sm92vUd13NJ4p3CInWw5aSX9ILLTz/s1600/IMG_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD7FfycZBaxCgsoE00OAufRjjcrVSbe4EFfWyRRxIrAlC6sRcrC7F3ZLrUye6HMa9j5qlzEzVX8_wq_vnaMEk4m90wl66cm-qd2jEfipzDzypq73sm92vUd13NJ4p3CInWw5aSX9ILLTz/s400/IMG_0348.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have NO IDEA what this is for!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyhow, the day was brightening up as the sun broke through the clouds, and we set off with Darian and Nelson to be Beach Boys "geeks" for the day. Today we did the Hollywood and Beverly Hills haunts, and started at a small parade of shops that used to be the site of the Goldstar Studios where Phil Spector produced his "Wall Of Sound," some Beach Boy music was recorded. We moved on to the Capital Records Tower on Hollywood Blvd. This is very much an LA landmark, although apparently most of the building is now actually empty. Hope they don't tear it down. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcyWl7Eo0w5Ui89le1huzt1wbDw1-yxDGJSwja0lKtKxEoPX95_lXcNrU2P6ozLu7JVwnRQESNjH9ZiMn4EM_WgiITh_Kc6aBaOXwHnfJeLRDLuWapj2zvF8SFldKdI_1abxNNOdSwiXx/s1600/IMG_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcyWl7Eo0w5Ui89le1huzt1wbDw1-yxDGJSwja0lKtKxEoPX95_lXcNrU2P6ozLu7JVwnRQESNjH9ZiMn4EM_WgiITh_Kc6aBaOXwHnfJeLRDLuWapj2zvF8SFldKdI_1abxNNOdSwiXx/s400/IMG_0351.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys goof around with the Captial Tower backdrop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XoCxrZDImX7y4TTIu7KtKL3BHAHrXpiDBW615CwM51k8O-fUTNflADBVgiCRZcxzfbMM-uTPTZQpVWH3qbbWYU2m6I0mT6xNXhYydd67EKwnm7kA42gH0N-d4hxe-nwhckn6uTueLGFH/s1600/IMG_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XoCxrZDImX7y4TTIu7KtKL3BHAHrXpiDBW615CwM51k8O-fUTNflADBVgiCRZcxzfbMM-uTPTZQpVWH3qbbWYU2m6I0mT6xNXhYydd67EKwnm7kA42gH0N-d4hxe-nwhckn6uTueLGFH/s320/IMG_0352.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darian, The Beeb and Nelson outside <br />
Ocean Way studios</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br />
<br />
Next up were the recording studios on Sunset Blvd - starting with Ocean Way where Brian Wilson and his band have recorded many of the albums over the last few years.... Getting In Over My Head, The Christmas Album, Gershwin........</div>
<br />
The old Western Studios are now EastWest Studios and Nelson blagged his way through the door. Inside it is quite impressive albeit different from the days when Brian Wilson recorded there, but we were told by the receptionist that the actual recording rooms have been unchanged. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPx6oWQg3qIcUhv-W_-0OEF07XinARkQa2qLAgpNCujtcy4Bep1jKrZuwjOmB-59sLXK1k2bQckGf36UUGoSMfigsIbiUVy0CEvO_PM6gVe4DQLjB7O_c_-sA5v8FAS8DbdBpfVSJ2Rx6/s1600/IMG_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPx6oWQg3qIcUhv-W_-0OEF07XinARkQa2qLAgpNCujtcy4Bep1jKrZuwjOmB-59sLXK1k2bQckGf36UUGoSMfigsIbiUVy0CEvO_PM6gVe4DQLjB7O_c_-sA5v8FAS8DbdBpfVSJ2Rx6/s320/IMG_0355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reception at EastWest!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Unfortunately we could not get into Western 3 where Pet Sounds was recorded, and settled for Western 1, which is the studio Michael Jackson's "Thriller" was recorded, and the mixing desk is the same one that Qunicy Jones had specifically built and installed for that recording.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEmn7U9AQs2Dl6vALHA8PB8l1g2nsTrAaAETGJ_JglxndcVQtSNnAfYsifScHE3e-Cj-Gfe3EKPF8jGt4z-vlyuJHjE9Yw5XzTlZA1lpZeCT7oaImO2fm3PNNjl9Ke8sfI6QVgnzCvg7Y/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEmn7U9AQs2Dl6vALHA8PB8l1g2nsTrAaAETGJ_JglxndcVQtSNnAfYsifScHE3e-Cj-Gfe3EKPF8jGt4z-vlyuJHjE9Yw5XzTlZA1lpZeCT7oaImO2fm3PNNjl9Ke8sfI6QVgnzCvg7Y/s400/IMG_0354.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Western 1</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The receptionist was really helpful and gave The Beeb a promo DVD package which charts the history of the studio and also very kindly let us pose for photos!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF5pMAmfL2BcXMnkhyphenhyphenKqqNBGTf3WJ4Z3qntZd6FUNGF4BtB_mA-6p1ME54m1iHGHRVRmyVIUH2ihBu_7oHWGa-Gi4Qr1g_-ZL39GlfbVETw0Ncj6-iGkU-YjTX7CaXEyXrU5KyNd9xaLj/s1600/IMG_0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuF5pMAmfL2BcXMnkhyphenhyphenKqqNBGTf3WJ4Z3qntZd6FUNGF4BtB_mA-6p1ME54m1iHGHRVRmyVIUH2ihBu_7oHWGa-Gi4Qr1g_-ZL39GlfbVETw0Ncj6-iGkU-YjTX7CaXEyXrU5KyNd9xaLj/s400/IMG_0358.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nelson, The Beeb, Minty and Darian inside East West</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next up was Sunset Sound, on Cherokee - this is where Love and The Doors recorded and also Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE was born here. This is truly an iconic album among Brian Wilson fans, and it was good to hear Darian's tales of Brian taking the bumper off Princes' car!!!.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij06zmuZi1vbbdXzuhZqM8y1DXZBBGdxOEi0MnOLcC00doWOwHsGhNCJuhD-HJVKOhIQIrpbsL5Fo8Mgn6xhcE6_bF1NedN3iTNtmHE_Ujd-6CtHzqJ5afKDeerrklCvqZDteLCS1WYJpt/s1600/IMG_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij06zmuZi1vbbdXzuhZqM8y1DXZBBGdxOEi0MnOLcC00doWOwHsGhNCJuhD-HJVKOhIQIrpbsL5Fo8Mgn6xhcE6_bF1NedN3iTNtmHE_Ujd-6CtHzqJ5afKDeerrklCvqZDteLCS1WYJpt/s320/IMG_0359.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty and The Beeb outside Sunset Sound</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwllaSI1FbWmtB_Ejq8SGucW7LeM2uWSh2M_eF9Xorzzch68rumpbf_YNTAfhoiSMLWt0BO4As4ItYNBHWYxGhnjIOO2DrJwPoKD9O0AwdUVRsgMhyVNzza52kLRRcyNdsG73TjotsSxOG/s1600/IMG_0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwllaSI1FbWmtB_Ejq8SGucW7LeM2uWSh2M_eF9Xorzzch68rumpbf_YNTAfhoiSMLWt0BO4As4ItYNBHWYxGhnjIOO2DrJwPoKD9O0AwdUVRsgMhyVNzza52kLRRcyNdsG73TjotsSxOG/s320/IMG_0360.JPG" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darian and Minty outside Sunset Sound</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Next on the trail was a drive along Melrose Avenue and past Fairfax High which is where Phil Spector went to High School. A spot of lunch at Farmer's Market and then we headed off to see The Troubadour while the Welsh band, The School (loved by Minty) played on Darian's IPod. Nelson was really impressed by what he heard too.</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Next to the Troubadour is the restaurant, Dan Tana's, where Phil Spector had eaten on that fateful night of the shooting. </div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqVuAdYhgTitqFSq6fZEUriKREiIRms9g0JTbcXZ5UT8cCMCliR2c195VVIrfcrd_GHw1JB8BcuaEjdUBKjKwcLiU5qbliHc_N-_T6lcSghS_IluO6TYIN9DM3GrCdwQ1EHna4MflGW7M/s1600/IMG_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqVuAdYhgTitqFSq6fZEUriKREiIRms9g0JTbcXZ5UT8cCMCliR2c195VVIrfcrd_GHw1JB8BcuaEjdUBKjKwcLiU5qbliHc_N-_T6lcSghS_IluO6TYIN9DM3GrCdwQ1EHna4MflGW7M/s400/IMG_0364.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys walk by Dan Tana's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOukuqPA38AiFfAGQsb4dNoxk6n36fUGUxHgpJgpxNKq3LoLCCUkrbJehfZsYuwVPjJL3Fjswzu004ydJYVUVhLH2gY4Y6B1jdZvDrFnQUo1dP4Q8nqDBKBuaOMNsfkCS98jRo43bPtpSg/s1600/IMG_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOukuqPA38AiFfAGQsb4dNoxk6n36fUGUxHgpJgpxNKq3LoLCCUkrbJehfZsYuwVPjJL3Fjswzu004ydJYVUVhLH2gY4Y6B1jdZvDrFnQUo1dP4Q8nqDBKBuaOMNsfkCS98jRo43bPtpSg/s320/IMG_0365.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside The Troubadour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Unfortunately the Troubadour was closed at this time of the day so all we could get was an outside shot. Brian Wilson apparently came to see Tony Rivers play here one time, with very funny consequences!</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Heading up into the canyons, we took a trip to Laurel Way and the house Brian Wilson once owned, known to the fans as The Pet Sounds House. Security up here is tight and within a couple of minutes of us arriving, a black SUV was on site, with a guy and a walkie-talkie obviously checking us out! Nelson surreptitiously took our picture before we got chased off!!!!</div>
</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutyP5JM1rdRnv6kS0UDnaxaHu-5K7qFS4nFAoW1icONlvCkfV9pkkLuFZF19djIoAN18TCbmc_OnxDBSjOctyG_iiV67R9TurYEz3XOwZzwNGfZTe1uvmVSD2qC7vbQPIpH8PCQYcCPF4/s1600/IMG_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutyP5JM1rdRnv6kS0UDnaxaHu-5K7qFS4nFAoW1icONlvCkfV9pkkLuFZF19djIoAN18TCbmc_OnxDBSjOctyG_iiV67R9TurYEz3XOwZzwNGfZTe1uvmVSD2qC7vbQPIpH8PCQYcCPF4/s400/IMG_0372.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incognito at Laurel Way!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then we saw the Bellagio House - the home where Brian Wilson spent a lot of time in his bed!. This is a gated house so we couldn't get up close!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY99QKlbMQbsdgDtVRWZytJZXQl7jB2_EAuHb0dPu6bNcwtuyUJwHms9DQNFhkzWIRyTuyUekv6IsukAttNUiAt789RN-o8n-QKi8hOdQtrcDlhVj5pwv4ogmj-ocGTg7g_zWF_ZPjdt99/s1600/IMG_0374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY99QKlbMQbsdgDtVRWZytJZXQl7jB2_EAuHb0dPu6bNcwtuyUJwHms9DQNFhkzWIRyTuyUekv6IsukAttNUiAt789RN-o8n-QKi8hOdQtrcDlhVj5pwv4ogmj-ocGTg7g_zWF_ZPjdt99/s400/IMG_0374.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bellagio House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next up was a drive up into the mountains, up Mulholland, the road many Bette Noir films were shot, and where many a car has undoubtedly gone over the edge!!! The views here are awesome and although we didn't go to the side where you get a view of downtown LA, we got a great view of the San Fernando valley (dontcha know, more Porn is produced in this valley than in the rest of the world put together!!!). <br />
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyhg_j3ivMvR3MSuZAuCYSSfOTr7c3Us4md94NBKJwX5PlYYe8qkRb21fo6tMLwqtSv2o-aitnBd5MThDAxfzOxqUDwywKbtbR5xiXMEEv90HWXdqJnhXG645NVouTp4MXvQMC_mb7H2U/s1600/IMG_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyhg_j3ivMvR3MSuZAuCYSSfOTr7c3Us4md94NBKJwX5PlYYe8qkRb21fo6tMLwqtSv2o-aitnBd5MThDAxfzOxqUDwywKbtbR5xiXMEEv90HWXdqJnhXG645NVouTp4MXvQMC_mb7H2U/s400/IMG_0377.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darian, Minty and Nelson overlooking San Fernando Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our last stop on this tour was a quick stop to have a peek at the recording studio Darian and fellow Wondermint Nick Walusko have built in collaboration with their musical friends Marizane. It's coming together very nicely. It looks like it could be the Headquarters from some Gerry Anderson TV programme. To top things off, Nick even popped by to say hello whilst we were there. Even the recorded sound of the piano in the studio sounds amazing, and it will be great to hear the future CD's that do come out of here.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was an amazing day with Darian, Nelson and Nick. Not only did we get to see some historical places in LA, but we learned a lot about Nelson's historical drinking haunts!</div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thanks guys.... we really can't thank you enough for giving up your time to be Beach Boys geeks with us!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Back at the hotel, we got in touch with Domenic and Becky and we spent the evening with them on the Sunset Strip. Domenic had a great book, "Riot On Sunset Strip" published a couple of years back and he is really an authority on the whole Sunset Strip era and can rattle off dates, places and names like there's no tomorrow, which is really impressive. The Strip at night is something else, with loads of lights and is a really bustling place. </div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dom drove up the Strip and we saw the Roxy Theatre, Whisky A Go Go, the Viper Room and infamous Chateau Marmont where James Belushi died. Dom also pointed out the site (traffic island) where Pandora's Box was located.</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fMfjujf-sRufh_WVaGsvL5M_gCLvYigJHtVyIyy6ZFSNu8Cq1SENoreC6j5-UFGkACFOwiaAwDNkvryhPI5NSSq5fAPzTeOjIwccQIgCTzzrUvS9cjdhqBDsWjL8jV6pL2UrUa4C4H37/s1600/IMG_0386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fMfjujf-sRufh_WVaGsvL5M_gCLvYigJHtVyIyy6ZFSNu8Cq1SENoreC6j5-UFGkACFOwiaAwDNkvryhPI5NSSq5fAPzTeOjIwccQIgCTzzrUvS9cjdhqBDsWjL8jV6pL2UrUa4C4H37/s320/IMG_0386.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dom & The Beeb at "77 Sunset Strip click, click"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had a light dinner at Le Petit Fours (well The Beeb had a homemade pudding rather than a dinner) and then we took a walk along some of the Strip.<br />
<br />
Whilst many of the businesses on the Strip have changed since the 60's, the architecture is basically the same. The Beeb remembers the TV programme "77 Sunset Strip" and had his picture taken with Domenic at the site the show was filmed (which is not 77 by the way - no. 77 has never actually existed!).<br />
<br />
Mel's Drive Inn has the typical 60's architectural structure, especially in terms of the slant of the roof. A few band's were put together here too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEROCS10BdZeNUZziv_xdZbOq3HlYFx8ayjKQJ0DTyBw9FoRb7KIIat0HpO4ko1BAhFtDIcRJenH0cDsVAEECCDPOLSgiDLkWJ1XHR_Vlj4HfBMuBoum-rs_qDe3CUC8pn5rWj_8T6Ak7G/s1600/IMG_0385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEROCS10BdZeNUZziv_xdZbOq3HlYFx8ayjKQJ0DTyBw9FoRb7KIIat0HpO4ko1BAhFtDIcRJenH0cDsVAEECCDPOLSgiDLkWJ1XHR_Vlj4HfBMuBoum-rs_qDe3CUC8pn5rWj_8T6Ak7G/s400/IMG_0385.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mel's Diner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Next up was a trip to Canters, where we met up with Mark London, a graphic designer - he designed the "Brian Wilson Presents SMiLE" album cover and packaging. He had very kindly arranged for a couple of Pet Sounds CD's to be signed by none other than Brian Wilson, and he gave us these treasures. Mark is working on a new book just now, and it sounds as if it's going to be a real cracker.<br />
<br />
Whilst we were with Mark, our jaws dropped again when we were joined by non other than Rodney Bingenheimer - The Mayor of Sunset Strip, who used to run a well known club on the Strip called English Disco. Our jaws had been pretty much on the floor since Sunday's party and spending the day with Darian & Nelson, but this was a really surreal experience. Sitting having a chin-wag with Rodney Bingenheimer on Sunset Strip, listening to his stories of Elvis, The Beatles and everyone who was anyone in the music business. Who'd have believed it?<br />
<br />
We ended our night in a Pub out in Silverlake where some bad Karaoke was going on!!! After 1 beer we were all really tired - it was past midnight, so Dom and Becky dropped us off at our hotel.<br />
<br />
So ended night no 7 in L.A. Moregreat memories to keep for a lifetime. Thanks again to Dom and Becky for yet again entertaining us.Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-225871531735521982011-04-08T19:19:00.002+01:002021-10-22T03:09:56.938+01:00Tuesday - Day 6 L.A.This was going to be our lazy sunshine day. After breakfast it was into the car for a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway. It was a gorgeous day again, and the intention was to shoot up to Santa Barbara. We underestimated the time it would take to get there. We were thinking the PCH was like an Interstate highway and didn't rekon on having to drive at 30mph for parts of it.<br />
<br />
Still, the scenery we took in till we got as far as Pleasant Valley was well worth the drive alone.<br />
<br />
On the way back we stopped off at the un-aptley named Paradise Cove. Well actually the cove itself IS nice enough. This is the one featured on the cover of the Beach Boys' "Surfin' Safari." The problem is, as soon as you turn off the road into it, you're into a car park with a barrier that costs at least $25 if you don't eat there. Straight away that gets your heckles up getting ripped of like this, even if you PLANNED on eating there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24ZGeJtv9OWzOHiheh4WYgHMGzY63PYZ3_oRPYcN9OLX1Pl9c7uGxQ-bIT2PDVtbh2Qc-oSNWvRXSky8POUEijC4BJHYTIC5XoxQKKhsT2z5xIrTJKnuyfroZ0igDLC0DRW6TpySNc7Hm/s1600/IMG_0300.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24ZGeJtv9OWzOHiheh4WYgHMGzY63PYZ3_oRPYcN9OLX1Pl9c7uGxQ-bIT2PDVtbh2Qc-oSNWvRXSky8POUEijC4BJHYTIC5XoxQKKhsT2z5xIrTJKnuyfroZ0igDLC0DRW6TpySNc7Hm/s400/IMG_0300.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paradise Cove - the shot on the cover of the Surfin Safari album was done here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There was a 30 min wait to get a table outside and this gave us the chance so sit on the beach for a while.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY_5N8c1JxSlmwrfsOT2_c3Fm-DPTLLE_A6k2dwn5sJEcKbaJT9OQ_YLNPswwyUayxEB5omeYVb_WF1iWgc9sOYPwYqH7nYps9BQHBJIrCsH_bOZPgsvpjGrbjmt6-eyIRv0l8hj8oUFU/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY_5N8c1JxSlmwrfsOT2_c3Fm-DPTLLE_A6k2dwn5sJEcKbaJT9OQ_YLNPswwyUayxEB5omeYVb_WF1iWgc9sOYPwYqH7nYps9BQHBJIrCsH_bOZPgsvpjGrbjmt6-eyIRv0l8hj8oUFU/s320/IMG_0305.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb on the Beach avec lobster!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifekQX6lVz5tfdeJvg29YH3sdUCapuFLz8mHz17UbmSTBkL3pKpkCnB2WtvOHAYPbUNf7PbBQx5UaLqmeSHvDA4CVzSexrBJQ2Dd307vEd41q8acwS8GtdYLMT4xhm9faw3EJ2dtb_nWNf/s1600/IMG_0310.JPG" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifekQX6lVz5tfdeJvg29YH3sdUCapuFLz8mHz17UbmSTBkL3pKpkCnB2WtvOHAYPbUNf7PbBQx5UaLqmeSHvDA4CVzSexrBJQ2Dd307vEd41q8acwS8GtdYLMT4xhm9faw3EJ2dtb_nWNf/s320/IMG_0310.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty with her Diet Coke in Paradise Cove</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border: currentcolor;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
When we were called to the table, the girl took our order then told us she was going for her break and Josh would be our server from then on. Minty ordered some kind of toasted cheese sandwich, while The Beeb had corn on the cob with chips. We think they must have gone to milk the cow before making the cheese by the length of time it took to arrive. Josh was the most surly server we have ever seen - he never once let a smile reach his face and he didn't even acknowledge us.</div>
<div style="border: currentcolor;">
<br /></div>
Absolutely terrible service, and not what you expect from a place like this. They obviously rely on passing trade and don't have many regular customers as we can't see many people wanting to go back!!! Anyway, this is the only place we've been to where there was no tip left. <br />
<br />
Then we headed back on the road to spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach at Santa Monica. The Beeb finally made it into the Pacific Ocean for a swim. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAGypSao0b__YaIopmRZeJA9uRMVKEy1BgAlcunpbIMSQmrWdAik0v2CKLCi9xStwRMndLMZlxjcCS9smQetBeLl_ITtwFZ1P6vF9Y4zG_KuDi81uDEVKcQ1ARruU-Z_nI-repohb3oQ0/s1600/IMG_0319.JPG" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAGypSao0b__YaIopmRZeJA9uRMVKEy1BgAlcunpbIMSQmrWdAik0v2CKLCi9xStwRMndLMZlxjcCS9smQetBeLl_ITtwFZ1P6vF9Y4zG_KuDi81uDEVKcQ1ARruU-Z_nI-repohb3oQ0/s320/IMG_0319.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb hits the Pacific Ocean Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Surprisingly the water isn't quite as cold as you'd image. After getting walloped by head high waves it doesn't take much to get used to it. You do realise the power of the waves as they knock you off your feet though.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykJPEyqCPulNB0e6F54-DqVyYNyY3nhPpK-CRrRxGOi_wOzqu-SoT-KQFXW7fvO4VrcDJ0Tku28NEOMPtCIbXOCijd1a0vMe4UYLKomgXiKl7rVR2Gw86fJVUayNir5QIcnQGz3E9pdSj/s1600/IMG_0328.JPG" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykJPEyqCPulNB0e6F54-DqVyYNyY3nhPpK-CRrRxGOi_wOzqu-SoT-KQFXW7fvO4VrcDJ0Tku28NEOMPtCIbXOCijd1a0vMe4UYLKomgXiKl7rVR2Gw86fJVUayNir5QIcnQGz3E9pdSj/s320/IMG_0328.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty paddled on the shore line</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: currentcolor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentcolor;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><br /></div>
<div style="border: currentcolor;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
When the sun started to set, it got a bit cooler so we headed back to the hotel. Following a quick change, we headed off to Pershing Square and got the metro up to Hollywood and Vine and discovered the world of Amoeba Records. The metro was quite packed, and had some characters on it. Minty was a bit worried about coming back on the same route - if it was like this at 7.30pm, what would it be like around 11pm!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Amoeba Records is a HUGE record store, and after a serious browse, we came out with some goodies. Minty got Jan & Dean's Carnival of Sound CD for a fraction of the price that would need to be paid from the UK, as well Brian Setzer's first solo album from 1986 for approx £6 when the UK amazon price is upwards of £20!!!! Unfortunately the CD's The Beeb was interested in were full price and are actually much cheaper from Amazon in the UK so he was very restrained.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
When we got to the tills to pay, the guy asked us where we were from and gave us back our $3 discount cards to re-use, and also threw in 2 t shirts and a heap of stickers, fridge magnets and postcards for FREE!!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
By this time it was around 10.15pm and most of the places to eat were closing. Feeling a bit peckish, we headed up Vine and found Cafe Was which advertised a "full menu" until closing time (which was 2am). What a little goldmine this place was......from the outside it looked like Hard Rock Cafe, with the neon sign and the prospect of burger and fries type menu. How pleasantly surprised we were, when upon entering, we saw a Grand Piano taking up centre floor with tables around it, and further tables in booths on a raised level just overlooking the piano. What a set up. The waitress told us that usually they have live music every night, but they couldn't book anyone for this night (hence why it was so quiet) but Jeff Goldblum (he of The Fly) plays piano every Monday here......</div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had Macaroni Cheese and chips and then headed back to Downtown, via the (much quieter) metro back to Pershing Square and then a short walk to the hotel.</div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
So back at the hotel.... night no 6 draws to a close... and Minty is all excited as tomorrow we spend a bit of the day with Darian from Wondermints........ </div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentcolor; clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-21082205425753982152011-04-07T18:03:00.000+01:002016-09-11T00:31:00.997+01:00Monday - Day 5 L.A.Well, there was no way on earth, Monday was going to top Sunday, so having readjusted our expectations of the day, we had our usual breakfast in Uncle Johns and then headed onto the Metro, to get to LAX and pick up the rental car we had booked.<br />
<br />
We had considered this route on Saturday to get as close to the Marina Del Rey for Adam Marsland's gig before getting a cab, and the hotel concierge had advised strongly against it (bad part of town, you have to change lines etc). We had no problems what so ever and the changing from the blue line to the green line was simple.<br />
<br />
We got to LAX and decided that as we were already on Aviation Boulevard and the number of the building next door was not too far from the number of the car rental place, we would walk......... After about 20 minutes we conceded defeat, and stopped at a restaurant where they called us a cab. This was just as well as the rental place was much , much further than we had anticipated.<br />
<br />
Picking up the car was not a pleasant experience. The guy behind the counter lost his charm certificate somewhere in his life and when Minty insisted on reading the document put in front of her prior to signing, he got the biggest hump on his shoulder. He grunted something about "line 4" and sent us on our way.....<br />
<br />
Outside, in the lot, we found someone who was aplogetic about his colleague's demeanour and showed us the choice of cars we had.... The Beeb picked a sporty little Dodge Caliber and within minutes we were on our way....... with a Sat Nav (GPS for our American friends).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pf69HU0Tnyo36g10sC6RU-E5wI11xB1hW2VaLM8_FbsItAIWfMzRFLoX9v6_tAKKPNwwvETZ0x3CcibAjHF6j016KniUCrfUvbvO0fW3DcBa_quFQuxuN8LpPQkPwJL9GB1Lc39f6Zv2/s1600/IMG_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pf69HU0Tnyo36g10sC6RU-E5wI11xB1hW2VaLM8_FbsItAIWfMzRFLoX9v6_tAKKPNwwvETZ0x3CcibAjHF6j016KniUCrfUvbvO0fW3DcBa_quFQuxuN8LpPQkPwJL9GB1Lc39f6Zv2/s400/IMG_0273.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb and the car</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now, driving in the US is not easy and with Mrs Sat Nav to confuse you.....well, the fun begins!!!! When the Sat Nav tells you to "keep right", it doesn't necessarily mean that you will end up turning right and when the Sat Nav tells you to "keep left", it really does mean keep in the furthest left hand lane otherwise you end up being railroaded onto a slip road (ramp) you never intended to take!!!!!! After a number of false starts we were finally on I110 and then onto I10 to Santa Monica.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BiYnM8zW3P3PNM-eZQncZhQ-KOLEjV2CPi68a-jc4H8P6IslkX-zulum7IcZCBKPbXMuYCjTjLI2I83m96TB_aGEQRx0mS_fKCiWhCoqljg2LqjyyKQcV_v2dH47J0aqw-e3fr9a7I2o/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BiYnM8zW3P3PNM-eZQncZhQ-KOLEjV2CPi68a-jc4H8P6IslkX-zulum7IcZCBKPbXMuYCjTjLI2I83m96TB_aGEQRx0mS_fKCiWhCoqljg2LqjyyKQcV_v2dH47J0aqw-e3fr9a7I2o/s320/IMG_0279.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty outside Chez Jay's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was a glorious day (well into the 80's we think) and we found a $6 parking lot right next to the beach and took a wander. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-mrW105YK-V9FbYwFm_pC5C8rIqQ5OIKDuj7wl_Kl-7jUJNz6zhNyBFj6jCBer178jWSd6kJIca8a4OSVwmSwuhlkBH6CMTj4yQKuGXssDiCCD84MDI7iPaSHJ0SSLXnhQi68MN11NYX/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-mrW105YK-V9FbYwFm_pC5C8rIqQ5OIKDuj7wl_Kl-7jUJNz6zhNyBFj6jCBer178jWSd6kJIca8a4OSVwmSwuhlkBH6CMTj4yQKuGXssDiCCD84MDI7iPaSHJ0SSLXnhQi68MN11NYX/s400/IMG_0277.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb on Santa Monica Pier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Neither of us were dressed for the beach so we just wandered along the Santa Monica Pier, then we wandered onto Ocean Avenue had a peek at the menu at Chez Jays (the hang out of Beach Boy Dennis Wilson) which held nothing for The Beeb to eat (it was all fish or meat) and then walked a mile or so along the beachfront to Venice Beach. Half way, we stopped at a beachside cafe for a bite to eat - the food was not very nice to be honest.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwrQV_nCm4jM_eRDFOpakT0mIpDGdEyBLS3yAm1MzTxRqM2eCzZjLfCEszRvEZkmZa0bqBO2JcNvNyICovgYaxtTb0p40ctd8Pktbh9r5qiqpFgDTV3PnV16AaXUSjIrmUwPbjIU8fErw/s1600/IMG_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwrQV_nCm4jM_eRDFOpakT0mIpDGdEyBLS3yAm1MzTxRqM2eCzZjLfCEszRvEZkmZa0bqBO2JcNvNyICovgYaxtTb0p40ctd8Pktbh9r5qiqpFgDTV3PnV16AaXUSjIrmUwPbjIU8fErw/s400/IMG_0283.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb at Pacific Ocean!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Venice Beach was really busy, with many street artists selling their wares and happy hour being made full use of by many beach goers in the bars.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1y-49P4qWLoy0isUZsyRbs4opps6d_LlEfnQk3a4SBJaCGKJJYco-uBAL2O2IEEB59f-5aLiyGOyyWZcYca5PY6xKCxa4bON0vOnT-YepX41_2Jw-flnhxSMadNwDj1bPANwvXVGxeIa/s1600/IMG_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1y-49P4qWLoy0isUZsyRbs4opps6d_LlEfnQk3a4SBJaCGKJJYco-uBAL2O2IEEB59f-5aLiyGOyyWZcYca5PY6xKCxa4bON0vOnT-YepX41_2Jw-flnhxSMadNwDj1bPANwvXVGxeIa/s400/IMG_0287.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the beach front walkway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Knowing we had to meet a friend later that evening, we turned around and headed back to the car and then headed back to LA........<br />
Eventually we made it back to Downtown LA and found a lot to leave the car overnight, where the attendant didn't charge us anything as he was about to shut up shop and we could "sort it out with the attendant in the morning".<br />
<br />
Back at the hotel, a quick change of clothes and then we walked down Grand Avenue to the LA Live area on Olympic Boulevard to meet fellow Beach Boys / Brian Wilson fan, Mike Walker (also over from the UK) for a light bite to eat and a few drinks in Trader Vics.<br />
<br />
The area was very quiet tonight, and the bar was almost empty. But we spent a few hours chatting about just about anything! Mike had not been able to make it to the party the day before which was a shame as he realised just what a treat he had missed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgQNfUKbJyV8_lhvwofq-kNiJYFQSwbS3UuMySE6fJ9l4hwT6wtvVFJTSDDhm47UG4Rjt5xRxYQppK4iLR8tar6EnEr0UNs66siwguDl6g18pv0h8oOrRiohn_f5cRQzptuRVqFR_a9z1/s1600/IMG_0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgQNfUKbJyV8_lhvwofq-kNiJYFQSwbS3UuMySE6fJ9l4hwT6wtvVFJTSDDhm47UG4Rjt5xRxYQppK4iLR8tar6EnEr0UNs66siwguDl6g18pv0h8oOrRiohn_f5cRQzptuRVqFR_a9z1/s400/IMG_0291.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike and The Beeb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The hint was taken when the staff started to disappear, and the tables and chairs outside were being chained up for the night, so we left and headed "home". <br />
So ended our 5th day in LA. It was great to meet up with Mike, and we were glad we had got to see the beach and weather permitting, intend to get back there and spend some time in the sand and sea!Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-84284806608896983552011-04-07T18:02:00.003+01:002016-09-11T00:29:21.259+01:00Sunday - Day 4 L.A.This was a day we were really looking forward to. A party had been arranged in our honour at the home of Domenic Priore and Becky Ebenkamp. But first up was a visit to Pasadena college for a monthly market with loads of CDs and records to salivate over.<br />
<br />
We got the gold line metro out to Pasadena from Union Square, a stunning marble covered railway station. The trains in LA are SO clean. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGZsWe7NHiThKGy4duONR7BlbGeqbrcl_-nmO0LgH069Z0x0Bu6h9kA7Hv0Ra6pXRt2TmaiC1uaRKPbCiF6GGza0z0DW9UQYB7smtxK6YQcZM-0sU3jzieDAkT1eNc9RGa_Vncsp01Ew-/s1600/IMG_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGZsWe7NHiThKGy4duONR7BlbGeqbrcl_-nmO0LgH069Z0x0Bu6h9kA7Hv0Ra6pXRt2TmaiC1uaRKPbCiF6GGza0z0DW9UQYB7smtxK6YQcZM-0sU3jzieDAkT1eNc9RGa_Vncsp01Ew-/s320/IMG_0211.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Metro station in the middle of the freeway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When we got off at Pasadena, we found ourselves in the middle of the Interstate highway! The train-line runs in between both sides of it.<br />
<br />
We walked to the college, and eventually hooked up with Domenic who introduced us to Gary Schneider. The CDs Gary had on his stall could have burned a real hole in our holiday money! After a bit of a browse we headed out to Dom's place. And what a place it was!<br />
<br />
As we got out of the car, someone was parking up across the road. It was none other than Bobby Figueroa, former drummer with the Beach Boys. This was before we even got INTO the house. He and his wife were first to arrive. Bobby and his lovely wife Joanne were great company. He's a real gent, and Joanne has a million anecdotes that will make a great book one day. Unfortuantely they could not stay long as Bobby had a gig in San Diego that evening.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWkYYOTBNRgf_AfYpeycjah0TJhsr2hFBtrns7IWUxRnAJoOR30PBxLAlUfA-CcqkvjflT8hsg46FPatheamoMaQqeMTUflM24tjr4Qvc4ZfDlHssZ-aSQag-4jPGSAamHxjksc2gRcpy/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWkYYOTBNRgf_AfYpeycjah0TJhsr2hFBtrns7IWUxRnAJoOR30PBxLAlUfA-CcqkvjflT8hsg46FPatheamoMaQqeMTUflM24tjr4Qvc4ZfDlHssZ-aSQag-4jPGSAamHxjksc2gRcpy/s400/IMG_0218.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb, Bobby Figueroa, Joanne, Minty and Darian</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Already in the house though, was Lina and Rory Litonuja. Lina and The Beeb have been on-line friends for about nine years now, and this was the first time there was the chance to meet. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5_UXGjxzUTZ3L3OsRjSlJqt3XRdoDzHKQSV7rcvH6YQAjMmAYWjO6pbMJFkfdsRNMR1fneBGuKgDr3q4TPHdko51zO_-dpd5MD8kI63PxLy6JqbDfYyggsBZ-O7nwufffqFW5Lbqaw2p/s1600/IMG_0216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5_UXGjxzUTZ3L3OsRjSlJqt3XRdoDzHKQSV7rcvH6YQAjMmAYWjO6pbMJFkfdsRNMR1fneBGuKgDr3q4TPHdko51zO_-dpd5MD8kI63PxLy6JqbDfYyggsBZ-O7nwufffqFW5Lbqaw2p/s400/IMG_0216.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lina with The Beeb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
She was chief tamale maker (along with loads of other tasty goodies which included a very good, tangy coleslaw salad) and all her hard work was appreciated by everyone through-out the day. Within minutes of meeting Rory and Lina, they felt like long lost friends.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirunIaVcv3aBCk2EEc6wXQyvnBo6LjFcZ45C56vzBDfHC9clfZrS2vcM0B10_tnU_i3wZQtoceR3HoGKbkT8lVsb4nF_M1WWtYOtgbuRu3zFtzqzGbdmpSrBx3nVXVikEYQPPNvfSelU7I/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirunIaVcv3aBCk2EEc6wXQyvnBo6LjFcZ45C56vzBDfHC9clfZrS2vcM0B10_tnU_i3wZQtoceR3HoGKbkT8lVsb4nF_M1WWtYOtgbuRu3zFtzqzGbdmpSrBx3nVXVikEYQPPNvfSelU7I/s400/IMG_0212.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rory brought along his Celtic shirt to make The Beeb feel at home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Dom and Becky's place is like a 1960's cool museum. You could spend all day just looking the wonderful collection of artifacts that fill the house. Amazing. <br />
<br />
Next to arrive was Nicky Wonder. We couldn't believe our eyes. The quiet Wondermint! Then Darian, then Probyn, then Nelson...can you imagine how we were feeling?? These guys had came along to a party in OUR honour. <br />
<br />
It was great to see Probyn's wife Julia again too. These were guys we knew, and the rest of the whole afternoon was spent meeting really cool people, which included Ron Silva who played with San Diego bands in the 80's and Monkee supremo, Andrew Sandoval. Later in the evening, Kari Kaos a DJ from Luxuria Music came by too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoHv3SNqE4CoiUqphHmdUEikVXmWinbmkgay3sZzpBWS-csU8i9gnGzYE9Q_UZalpvc6SdyH-XsTMqeNT_6-YifP9d6O4uWCqLRRY2RdhVJblovqqWJkxdDQlpBOWadgffbLG5UTU2dJz/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDoHv3SNqE4CoiUqphHmdUEikVXmWinbmkgay3sZzpBWS-csU8i9gnGzYE9Q_UZalpvc6SdyH-XsTMqeNT_6-YifP9d6O4uWCqLRRY2RdhVJblovqqWJkxdDQlpBOWadgffbLG5UTU2dJz/s320/IMG_0227.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The jam session </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rory had brought a selection of guitars along, and it didn't take long for the music to begin. Along with Rory, we had Darian on bongos, Nelson on acoustic bass, Probyn on banjo and Nicky and the Beeb on guitars. The Beeb is now claiming his position as an honourary Wondermint!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSsvp1m-K5PgjRmu0FiHi_cEuRJtwseXE3bsO_KBGoaPxAMBxoGKq7-0QjLu-7uW6z9evBWBFj2ee_K9UijeMwrbIIZlG4tVviEjq82Pj7VUMJNvhKLp3gfqfYkMpKNZ0FecVlCojXxJP/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSsvp1m-K5PgjRmu0FiHi_cEuRJtwseXE3bsO_KBGoaPxAMBxoGKq7-0QjLu-7uW6z9evBWBFj2ee_K9UijeMwrbIIZlG4tVviEjq82Pj7VUMJNvhKLp3gfqfYkMpKNZ0FecVlCojXxJP/s320/IMG_0224.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb and Probyn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Beatles, The Byrds, The Stones, The Kinks...songs from them all were given work-outs throughout the day. The Beeb also managed his kazoo solo when Del Shannon's "Runaway" was rolled out! <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwF4TBzWOpdNEXnWkIKi_0_S3uXvYSDm1Xgz4EG49fXFfiXeZ5jPRYuzB4WJt8GhcCAcJFBKqbqXJ0sOswnHyorhFz06v1OmpdAhvNuHHBmr0r0x39_yz-3nRlr4GIDCWbeXn3HsHKJGU/s1600/IMG_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwF4TBzWOpdNEXnWkIKi_0_S3uXvYSDm1Xgz4EG49fXFfiXeZ5jPRYuzB4WJt8GhcCAcJFBKqbqXJ0sOswnHyorhFz06v1OmpdAhvNuHHBmr0r0x39_yz-3nRlr4GIDCWbeXn3HsHKJGU/s320/IMG_0236.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darian on the bongos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Darian also pointed out how much easier it was to understand the Beebs' accent when he was singing as opposed to talking! <br />
<br />
A friend of ours from the UK, Mal Young, had come along too, It was great to see so many of the people at the party showing such great interest in the work he does. Mal looked like he had a great time there too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FWj1pQPHDHZNKaA7Cc86rYm4EyblQc0SSvHKf0fOjQdOMhHPHKUyotD2tFK7nzl1pGyYmav9B_roCr1k2UzqOQqYlxRD95Otx_5zvvv9B-9Dm8fqu41By6gAm_D-n1Gc2R_qlIvRywIw/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FWj1pQPHDHZNKaA7Cc86rYm4EyblQc0SSvHKf0fOjQdOMhHPHKUyotD2tFK7nzl1pGyYmav9B_roCr1k2UzqOQqYlxRD95Otx_5zvvv9B-9Dm8fqu41By6gAm_D-n1Gc2R_qlIvRywIw/s320/IMG_0220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Jam session, with vocals from our host, Domenic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Another old friend who turned up was Steve Kalinich. It's not possible to mention everyone who was there, but everyone we met were so incredibly nice to us. It's really humbling to think they came along to a party hosted for US.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
All through the day, the house was filled with the sound of chattering, laughing, music and glass clinking. We've been to some truly wonderful parties with some of these guys in the UK, but having a party like this, in a PLACE like this, with everyone so relaxed, off-guard and at ease with each other..it was just awesome.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_T44-iH8eORo4izx8gTvp33Kpp8hrmJ90Zp_JZTfJH0jLqJ-pQiO-YC15PWaf8RH6vr8Xru-wrVCySnlzpPrP-GsTHbnkMd2fDJG5qvk6Hnb1-ozl2LYHrLUM-MKSOVSnyac8aVn5aOyq/s1600/IMG_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_T44-iH8eORo4izx8gTvp33Kpp8hrmJ90Zp_JZTfJH0jLqJ-pQiO-YC15PWaf8RH6vr8Xru-wrVCySnlzpPrP-GsTHbnkMd2fDJG5qvk6Hnb1-ozl2LYHrLUM-MKSOVSnyac8aVn5aOyq/s400/IMG_0243.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stevie K, Becky, Julia and The Beeb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We can't thank everyone enough, but you made it a day we'll remember for the rest of our lives. THANK YOU ALL, especially Domenic and Becky, the hosts.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKtRCfUbCIixWVnHd_l8mIak6-h0H8J4eAxeMNPTpX80-e8ml28OxWe_Jdo3XqYJeqY0aMzBKS5IYMt_fCDO19jJcIinWtCHdYzy682rTKGIsrtUR7dwxoa1HGW7dd1DIIBKRu67y3HR6/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKtRCfUbCIixWVnHd_l8mIak6-h0H8J4eAxeMNPTpX80-e8ml28OxWe_Jdo3XqYJeqY0aMzBKS5IYMt_fCDO19jJcIinWtCHdYzy682rTKGIsrtUR7dwxoa1HGW7dd1DIIBKRu67y3HR6/s400/IMG_0245.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb with our host, Becky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-65610955786212869522011-04-05T17:38:00.001+01:002016-09-11T00:28:01.390+01:00Saturday - Day 3 L.A.Uncle Johns won it for breakfast again and right on time, Chuck Kelley from Luxuriamusic was at the hotel to take us on a tour of the Beach Boys old haunts.<br />
<br />
First up was the old home of Hite Morgan. He had a recording studio here, and that was where "Surfin'" the Beach Boys first record was made.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6qW-ve0N8LCzr6jWsco3d3PYQHU7x28mQaYekuDNKpvzY-ZdiEwZaSyrcnJiGRCmwqZrsxcsZAgYhHJnlEOKJdPB3BVV2ZoRhm8-jLjRLiA6dqDciOAVErRumKHo4NAh-4fpONASuDe3/s1600/IMG_0167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6qW-ve0N8LCzr6jWsco3d3PYQHU7x28mQaYekuDNKpvzY-ZdiEwZaSyrcnJiGRCmwqZrsxcsZAgYhHJnlEOKJdPB3BVV2ZoRhm8-jLjRLiA6dqDciOAVErRumKHo4NAh-4fpONASuDe3/s400/IMG_0167.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Morgans - Surfin' was born here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next door to the first home Brian and Dennis lived was, surprisingly, the Grandparents house. Chuck really HAS done his research.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoZGRV19WXrRYci5P9hwha7ZwGjw870jmbMuFm6nUoeYbcB72axALwx54MHLUVj7upL9IgLk5FoaMSL62VzE0rJwRi1P58ZvQQO5-i4jF-fXXNZqC3e1aduNoH6H8tMg_uKys7Qm0Pr_N/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoZGRV19WXrRYci5P9hwha7ZwGjw870jmbMuFm6nUoeYbcB72axALwx54MHLUVj7upL9IgLk5FoaMSL62VzE0rJwRi1P58ZvQQO5-i4jF-fXXNZqC3e1aduNoH6H8tMg_uKys7Qm0Pr_N/s320/IMG_0173.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home of the residual cheque!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Amazingly, when we got to Brian's first ever apartment of his own, in the Crenshaw Apartments, we managed to get in through the locked gate and found that Brian's old appartment was empty. We kept the gate open while Chuck ran back to the car for his camera. It may just have been an empty apartment in a block, but Chuck was clearly delighted at getting pix of the inside. This is where Brian was living when he got his first residual cheque.</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
After visiting David Marks' old schools we finally got to see the Beach Boys Landmark. It was great to see so many names on it that we knew.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfDNdKF8SY3yEv9vJXjmaak-CPFCj1fr2_E7Ivx6a2VA2e-boHOmyqqSMSM3LzdgUutDmm0LO4cRhQaMqXym7fN6vSKjgTyDJUKMmrhUOjTESjKLc7AcNVVZqrrp2Qswnoi2W08WrrJJl/s1600/IMG_0184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfDNdKF8SY3yEv9vJXjmaak-CPFCj1fr2_E7Ivx6a2VA2e-boHOmyqqSMSM3LzdgUutDmm0LO4cRhQaMqXym7fN6vSKjgTyDJUKMmrhUOjTESjKLc7AcNVVZqrrp2Qswnoi2W08WrrJJl/s400/IMG_0184.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Landmark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0dEdrv_b1DDyIergbFwTF0ILuWwvgRIHRb14QVxys5ObDnnEEUE2DKMzTQedT-IpQWf-38lHXmuQYe9MYM7J24wwFx8AuLwbGwCtbDDSnrkKrCtd-RsZFVh395z6HTYS5bFm9q0dPmu4/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0dEdrv_b1DDyIergbFwTF0ILuWwvgRIHRb14QVxys5ObDnnEEUE2DKMzTQedT-IpQWf-38lHXmuQYe9MYM7J24wwFx8AuLwbGwCtbDDSnrkKrCtd-RsZFVh395z6HTYS5bFm9q0dPmu4/s400/IMG_0185.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Landmark Inscription</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Brians' elementary school was seen just before we went to Hawthorne High. Luckily for us, there was a gala day on and it was good being able to wander around the whole school no problem and without being challenged.</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YWeJLRDbvwggrUWcXfUJiZGKDXalohRmJXGc0_J7OyVykaJIPP8t38TSsJF13tMKz2s8Y1Sq93SX7DpD3qsK5YI3rvCc8UWyCZ-GTNFenh9KYzTbIpLfqYYfprqNRWaAqSzFlgPL_Op7/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YWeJLRDbvwggrUWcXfUJiZGKDXalohRmJXGc0_J7OyVykaJIPP8t38TSsJF13tMKz2s8Y1Sq93SX7DpD3qsK5YI3rvCc8UWyCZ-GTNFenh9KYzTbIpLfqYYfprqNRWaAqSzFlgPL_Op7/s400/IMG_0190.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By the Hawthorne High Signage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
A&W, the hang out of the Beach Boys, is now an O'Reilly's Auto Parts store but Fosters Freeze is still there, and Chuck and The Beeb treated themselves to a bit of ice cream decadence . </div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4Sas4Yp0McNjKjrmgr6QGA9EkRtHD0QswzkKaPP9iMSVU-D28qkPwlaTAQrxNDxQJQ7UrgtAWopSn9Asv3esfs4g9Uu5uzWmBo2DKO7XvgeIcnh8c049ftxWygvEzSbDch6RVktqhwbX/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL4Sas4Yp0McNjKjrmgr6QGA9EkRtHD0QswzkKaPP9iMSVU-D28qkPwlaTAQrxNDxQJQ7UrgtAWopSn9Asv3esfs4g9Uu5uzWmBo2DKO7XvgeIcnh8c049ftxWygvEzSbDch6RVktqhwbX/s320/IMG_0192.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Fosters Freeze</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Then we went to El Camino College, where Brian and Al bumped into each other and had an idea about starting a group! Again, we were fortunate to get on site and wander around unchallenged, which meant we had the opportunity to walk around the music building - the very same corridors where Brian Wilson would have wandered.</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
Manhattan Beach, old haunts, various homes the Boys lived followed, and finally we ended up at the impressive Love family home on Mount Vernon & Fairway.<br />
<br />
There was so much more in between what's been mentioned, and it was great having such an informative and enthusiastic guide as Chuck. A great day out, and we'd recommend anyone visiting LA to go out for the day with Chuck.<br />
<br />
Back at the hotel, a quick change of clothes and a freshen up and then we headed off to Marina Del Rey to see Adam Marsland's Chaos Band at Brennans, but not before having a lovely meal at 26 Beach Cafe, in the company of International Pop Overthrow organisers, David Bash and Rina Bardfield. It was a pleasant change being able to have a relaxed conversation with them this time. Usually we're shouting in each others ear over the noise of bands playing and inbetween David and Rina dashing around organising the bands and introducing them on stage at the IPO in Liverpool!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeIgCVXDdCNIbG1AQrTbI6rF1wZfttDyKYaULvVcEVYApn_8xsSlyc7WSWBONqUGYSxH7omUwdNt0gSMV5NSUtSu3W7wVFrZwjgLFu8CXpwXLcZCSO7gUxqXqDpADQeW4yJA4lCSadud0/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZeIgCVXDdCNIbG1AQrTbI6rF1wZfttDyKYaULvVcEVYApn_8xsSlyc7WSWBONqUGYSxH7omUwdNt0gSMV5NSUtSu3W7wVFrZwjgLFu8CXpwXLcZCSO7gUxqXqDpADQeW4yJA4lCSadud0/s400/IMG_0200.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty and The Beeb with David and Rina</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
David then dropped us off at Brennans for the Adam Marsland gig. We had a drink or two at the bar before Adam came in, and when he did come in he recognised us right away which was really nice. He'd already told us some of his set was based around us visiting Los Angeles.<br />
<br />
Evie Sands had recorded in Scotland with Duglas Stewart and David Scott, so that meant we had mutual friends. Well..when Evie came over to meet us, it was as if we were long lost friends. She was just an absolute delight.<br />
<br />
The gig was awesome - 50 songs in one night. So many weird and wonderful choices of songs were played. From The Beach Boys to Trio, via They Might Be Giants....what more could you ask for? A great venue with a great band, and at the end of the night you couldn't pull Evie and The Beeb apart, talking guitars.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOysfUw4l8aL0un_zryg8zswIR4EbOeFekbLFZyks64A9k-jPktu5XGOez-o4WvODROXzspFUO2w6wggO8_7eWJNRHlQTXFOHHicExcrqsw6flEpViwu5-lPlLGDiXd4_AcFTmOw_SuB0R/s1600/IMG_0204+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOysfUw4l8aL0un_zryg8zswIR4EbOeFekbLFZyks64A9k-jPktu5XGOez-o4WvODROXzspFUO2w6wggO8_7eWJNRHlQTXFOHHicExcrqsw6flEpViwu5-lPlLGDiXd4_AcFTmOw_SuB0R/s400/IMG_0204+-+Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adam Marsland's Chaos Band</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We were very fortunate that Ken and Laura who were at the gig were happy to give us a lift back to our hotel in Downtown LA. We got a detailed history of Los Angeles on the way back too. We now have two more new friends made during this holiday. <br />
<br />
This had been a long and tiring day, but the time really flew in and we loved every minute of it. Both of us were absolutely exhausted by this time, and zonked out almost before the heads hit the pillows at 2.30am!Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-47639982951825770382011-04-04T17:00:00.005+01:002021-10-22T02:57:10.719+01:00Friday - Day 2 L.A.After a good night's sleep we woke up naturally and set off to hunt for a decent place to have breakfast. First on our list was Uncle John’s Cafe, which was literally down the road and it was a good choice. Their speciality is spicy pork chops, but we settled for the omelettes and toast.<br />
<br />
This set us up for the rest of the day and next, we headed down to Figueroa Street and to The Grammy Museum. We were a bit early (the box office doesn't open until 11.30) so we killed some time by having a coffee in Starbucks.<br />
<br />
Once the doors opened to the Grammy Museum, we went in. The museum is on 3 floors, and among the exhibits was a 78rpm of George Gershwin's 1924 recording of Rhapsody in Blue. The John Lennon exhibition which we thought had finished yesterday, has been extended to September so The Beeb was pleased to find he would be able to see it afterall. The exhibits were mainly handwritten lyrics and videos / film of John and Yoko from the later years.<br />
<br />
At the end of the exhibition, you are invited to write on a specially prepared tag which you can hang up as part of the exhibition..... "Imagine a World....." The Beeb, cheekily wrote "where LA had a Greggs" and stuck that up!!!!<br />
What surprised us was, with 60 years of Rock and Roll history, they managed to have one of the three floors totally dedicated to Hip Hop music yet not a mention of The Applejacks anywhere.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35c2fpTQZYiNqV41gTJQKVz8NGqHm4sFLNyc8kFbMH7OWJDhn73qkEqyNHTaEblMZuAYo4zXgvIlNqf-ihoUprEKWjRe50RJedQCOkR6NtXfXg7NEncgqHMtwJX9hGE_HKJIGpqHj4pOJ/s1600/fri+night+%25284%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35c2fpTQZYiNqV41gTJQKVz8NGqHm4sFLNyc8kFbMH7OWJDhn73qkEqyNHTaEblMZuAYo4zXgvIlNqf-ihoUprEKWjRe50RJedQCOkR6NtXfXg7NEncgqHMtwJX9hGE_HKJIGpqHj4pOJ/s400/fri+night+%25284%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb outside The Grammy Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After wandering around The Grammy Museum for over 2 hours, we found a good watering hole in Trader Vics, where Minty had a Singapore Symphony and The Beeb sampled some Mexcian Pacifico beer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ82oVmZj4y8ItqskC-si_V0j1xRTueIq-uTxn4Bz0GPNWNzKYNQlO_cXbjLjsFeumObhkPNHcZgRmSW2AfaG5swEJM-9dzxRf-MM-GcQz_T9tPYRK8nYdc3-ZwVyd2Ui-h-6-8ZVgTBpC/s1600/fri+night+%25286%2529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ82oVmZj4y8ItqskC-si_V0j1xRTueIq-uTxn4Bz0GPNWNzKYNQlO_cXbjLjsFeumObhkPNHcZgRmSW2AfaG5swEJM-9dzxRf-MM-GcQz_T9tPYRK8nYdc3-ZwVyd2Ui-h-6-8ZVgTBpC/s400/fri+night+%25286%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Billy the barman was a useful source of information on getting around LA and where not to go!<br />
<br />
Next up Minty went hunting for a pair of shoes. Luckily the shop only had about four thousand pairs on display, so by the time she tried on almost three and a half thousand she got what she wanted. <br />
<br />
El Pueblo is the oldest part of Los Angeles and Olivera Street is a small Mexican version of Portobello Road. It is crowded with market stalls filled with local produce, works of art and tacos. The buildings here go back to 1818, and that makes you realise how young a country America is. Not much older that The Beebs' first pair of Levis!<br />
<br />
We went for a meal in the El Peseo Inn where there where local musicians playing indigenous music for the diners. The Beeb was adventurous ond ordered fahijas, but then became apprehensive about the green bean sauce thinking it looked like green mince.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9zWh2zn_ISjiCIDWGfKsYiNXdrxF3a4xPIHYq0sha7wq2kxOtwcCa21x-5mFFXVzNv0mRHbMqFTbgPCORshGjkB8nuevNiHFS3J6tT94HA3RAYHTfYxC1PiPlGVunRwxeqZ0Mf8OVvhE/s1600/IMG_0162.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9zWh2zn_ISjiCIDWGfKsYiNXdrxF3a4xPIHYq0sha7wq2kxOtwcCa21x-5mFFXVzNv0mRHbMqFTbgPCORshGjkB8nuevNiHFS3J6tT94HA3RAYHTfYxC1PiPlGVunRwxeqZ0Mf8OVvhE/s400/IMG_0162.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb with his vegetable fahijas and refried bean stuff!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After dinner we strolled downtown to catch a live band in an Irish bar we'd came across earlier. Minty was challenged on the door for ID, which made her day, being 20 years over the legal drinking age out there!!!!<br />
<br />
We got a decent seat while we waited for the band to set up. As they were doing this a friend of the band came in. He was six feet tall with a dyed black beard and wearing black stockings with hot pants. When the band started he was up prancing about and rolling around on the floor. He definitely thought he was the bees knees, but in reallity he just looked like a sheet metal worker from Scunthorpe whose wife had come home early and caught him wearing her clothes!<br />
<br />
We were expecting Irish music, but it was actually rock music and we left after half an hour. <br />
<br />
The tiredness from all the walking around today was kicking in so it was back to the hotel for the night.Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-26822124740519737082011-04-01T16:53:00.001+01:002016-09-11T00:26:10.874+01:00Thursday - Day 1 L.A.After a taxi ride to the hotel, filled with more unexpected luxury, we booked in and went for a walk. The first corner we turned had the Disney Concert Hall sitting in front of us. But before we even got that far there was a roar in the sky and unbelievably, a stealth bomber flew between the buildings just overhead! No wonder people were reporting UFO sighting when this thing was being tested! It really doesn't look like a plane at all.<br />
<br />
One of the things that is hilarious about the US are the adverts on TV. For ever 30 second ad about whatever medical product, 20 seconds are spent warning you not to take it! But this takes the biscuit. The area we're in is a commerce and banking skyscrapers; and outside one of the buildings we came across this sign.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wlu9v7PfWHfmqdJ7Rq82S5ulnkRbhIv9V1Q_iuQYE9y3WtvOFsK328O4rkutUQ0humdBTj1zHyVxHpxsuowcHBKnIOe7DQh7vx2nKuuOplOQGE9JbDu2Ejzlv-DmTj_fRhONEqy29B-f/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wlu9v7PfWHfmqdJ7Rq82S5ulnkRbhIv9V1Q_iuQYE9y3WtvOFsK328O4rkutUQ0humdBTj1zHyVxHpxsuowcHBKnIOe7DQh7vx2nKuuOplOQGE9JbDu2Ejzlv-DmTj_fRhONEqy29B-f/s400/IMG_0148.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We had a nice bite to eat, then popped our heads into the Los Angeles City Library. After that we did a bit of shopping, found a bar full of Celtic memorabilia, then headed back to the hotel for a night-cap. It's been a long day, but after a good nights rest... bring on the weekend!Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-68176530099386034242011-04-01T16:33:00.002+01:002011-06-17T23:48:14.657+01:00Thursday - Flight from NYC to L.A.We arrived at JFK on good time to get checked in. We had to do self service and the computer wouldn't give us 2 seats together, nor allow us to change the seat allocation. The staff at check in were pretty blase and unhelpful when we asked if they could get us in seats next to one another and we were told to ask at the gate.<br />
<br />
It must be a United way of doing things, as the Customer Services Reps at the gate were overwhelmed with people needing to change seats. Thankfully we did get reallocated.<br />
<br />
Flight 53 took off pretty much on time, despite a bit of a furore on board when 2 flyers who had booked Business class for themselves and ecomony for their wee child and nanny found that the special car type seat they had brought on board for the child to sit in had to be by a window and their allocation was not by a window!!!<br />
<br />
It was a very basic flight, with the TV monitors above the aisle, not individual screens, showing True Grit..the movie The Beeb watched on the way to the US! There was no opportunity to trace the path of the flight, so we had no idea which state we were flying over when we saw some fantastic snow covered mountains below us. <br />
<br />
We were well ahead of schedule, so as we approached the Grand Canyon, the pilot informed us that he had permission to drop altitude, circle a couple of times and give us a mini-tour of the Grand Canyon!!! What a sight this was. A site-seeing tour in a 747 jet...amazing.<br />
<br />
As we stepped out of LAX we felt the warm, dry heat of LA for the first time..and it felt good :-)Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-91827408747781203782011-04-01T16:31:00.000+01:002016-09-11T00:25:25.763+01:00Wednesday - Day 5 NYC<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We were a bit late on the go this morning, and it was just after<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mid-day when we headed out across to 30<sup>th</sup> Street Guitars for The Beeb to have another browse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shop was filled with classic used guitars from the 60’s and 70’s and it was obvious some of them had been round the block, including the old Gibson in the front window, covered in black paint, which had a $7,000 price tag!</span></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SbTggDL2qhik-x_HTam05yMtnLT4bfrOu5v1LuzjsGZTUKvLIdJapZ3dvwq-k8M2VRI96EqVVWwyA7Y511sAQd77qFUlQKvpJ1djh2afwbcS-7fL6ltAMFv9NtkN33cE-xRMyv0eTMS8/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SbTggDL2qhik-x_HTam05yMtnLT4bfrOu5v1LuzjsGZTUKvLIdJapZ3dvwq-k8M2VRI96EqVVWwyA7Y511sAQd77qFUlQKvpJ1djh2afwbcS-7fL6ltAMFv9NtkN33cE-xRMyv0eTMS8/s320/IMG_0119.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie Parker Way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">On our itinerary today was Greenwich Village, and The Beeb picked up a copy of The Voice on the way down. First stop was the house Mark Twain stayed in and then we walked through to Alphabet City to see where that well known Sax player with The Rolling Stones (!), Charlie Parker stayed.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A quick hop in a cab took us to MacDougall and Bleeker Street, where we went into Bleeker Bob’s record store and the first thing we saw was a 7” single from 1982 by non other than Mari Wilson (she of beehive hairdo in the 80’s and a great singer, songwriter and raconteur today ). It had to be bought, and although the guy behind the counter was reluctant, he did allow The Beeb to take a photo of Minty buying it!</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVRu9O3mYO4KRnEAmDOOxoJOOKIWjBf_wn3ma7O93VhSUBqvP-ZAZoU9maOSwOaj_jFfxzyOktTWe9XghH7UO9d4tL9e5MUj6gZNx0wpOfdEKeLzuwr450xndosnqW5JTLD0zxo1ayIpN/s1600/Mari+record.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVRu9O3mYO4KRnEAmDOOxoJOOKIWjBf_wn3ma7O93VhSUBqvP-ZAZoU9maOSwOaj_jFfxzyOktTWe9XghH7UO9d4tL9e5MUj6gZNx0wpOfdEKeLzuwr450xndosnqW5JTLD0zxo1ayIpN/s400/Mari+record.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty buys Mari</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We toured a few more records stores and also found another guitar shop. This one has been a supplier of Gretsch for many years, and sure enough, hanging up and tempting The Beeb was another White Falcon guitar! Fate is telling us that he will own one, one day!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYHtG1sWgrjoHYdnoDGHRCTXXrHWkOFjoNmuh0ylKKLrKEo4XRNqOP6z8R2251YySvX36qeqtdug3m18feXRRxBymPwu6ZgcAQ7zUNebG4jA1J0bdTJve7E13Z08UZk7R8d8GwSSjVKi0/s1600/Kenny+Castaways.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguYHtG1sWgrjoHYdnoDGHRCTXXrHWkOFjoNmuh0ylKKLrKEo4XRNqOP6z8R2251YySvX36qeqtdug3m18feXRRxBymPwu6ZgcAQ7zUNebG4jA1J0bdTJve7E13Z08UZk7R8d8GwSSjVKi0/s320/Kenny+Castaways.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kenny's Castaways</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Looking for a watering hole, we stumbled quite accidentally on Kenny's Castaways, the venue David Bash uses to host the New York IPO every year. We stopped for a couple of beers and had a look around the stuff hanging up on the walls, including some Smithereens silver discs and a few signed guitars. We had a chat with the barman who told us he sees over 300 bands a year in the bar! He also told us that The Smithereens started their musical career there and indeed, 2 of the band had worked at the bar before hitting the road to fame and fortune.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Time was running short, so a quick dash in a cab up to 34<sup>th</sup> Street and The Beeb bought a couple of pairs of Levi jeans he had his eye on, before we had a quick bite to eat in Choc O’ Nuts. Here we ordered side dishes but they would have counted as mains in the UK – it was another “Welcome to New York” moment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We met our Beat Rat friend Frank in the hotel lobby in order to have the chance to spend a couple more hours together. At $17 for 2 beers in the hotel bar, it seemed like a wise decision to move on to another bar – and we ended up in Reservoir in the University area. It wasn’t a bad bar – we found some soft seats in the back. The service was quite inattentive to the point that The Beeb went to the bar to get more drinks and we got told off by the management who informed us we had to order through the waitress (well we would have done had she bothered to serve us!).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We said our farewells to Frank and then headed a bit further South to Botanica on E. Houston Street where we had arranged to meet up once again with Dennis Kelley. Botanica is a blink and you'll miss it type of place. Downstairs from the front street and into a dark world of cool music and hip looking people.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WnWVbU7dzXBlAk7fApNhY9Sq1GAdGxUr83trDl8EOX9770t5ixgC3182nIRHyYJJhNKlrN9ZlLGpnmYF8P05v_wj_PJUa5EuB3VOi_R0fSb9qB1lzr-agv1YHzEAn9ALBPc1H9yK0yGc/s1600/with+Dave++Amels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WnWVbU7dzXBlAk7fApNhY9Sq1GAdGxUr83trDl8EOX9770t5ixgC3182nIRHyYJJhNKlrN9ZlLGpnmYF8P05v_wj_PJUa5EuB3VOi_R0fSb9qB1lzr-agv1YHzEAn9ALBPc1H9yK0yGc/s320/with+Dave++Amels.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with Dave Amels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Dennis had kindly driven through from New Jersey for our last night. We were later joined by Nancy and Kiki. It looked as if we were in the Lucy Show or something the way the girls were dressed. Half way through the night we were joined by Dave Amels, who co-produced the wonderful Dennis Diken & Bell Sound album, "Late Music". </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A brilliant last night in NYC for us, and it was with great reluctance that we left to go back to the hotel and pack - it was going to be an early start for us the next day.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-39178020005204351502011-03-30T15:27:00.000+01:002016-09-11T00:24:46.492+01:00Tuesday - Day 4 NYCToday we were woken up by Minty's mobile phone going off at 8.30am. We lazed about and watched a bit of morning TV American style...... mainly local stuff, hardly any international. One story that made us howl with laughter was a cable TV installation company offering a "free gun" with every order for Cable TV. Turns out that the State that this offer is being made in, has an average number of 24 guns in every household!!! Nearly as much as Glasgow.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dib6MddFEhr7Uqc0yoP8MgCe3480AoH9ugxjFGMd10nr5hxbkbeWVqRXnLiBwnFv5y7wXn4W6nZt6VbW9PS43sMRs4JsUPgi9pMREJkIJqefUTt8_QikAveih7UlGEeZgiXrHo6xNMQu/s1600/bog+wall+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dib6MddFEhr7Uqc0yoP8MgCe3480AoH9ugxjFGMd10nr5hxbkbeWVqRXnLiBwnFv5y7wXn4W6nZt6VbW9PS43sMRs4JsUPgi9pMREJkIJqefUTt8_QikAveih7UlGEeZgiXrHo6xNMQu/s320/bog+wall+%25289%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb outside Chelsea Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
So, the day started with breakfast, again at Bread & Butter and then we took a walk down to 23rd street and into Chelsea, to see the Chelsea Hotel where Sid & Nancy stayed.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br />
We spotted a guitar shop nearby and The Beeb had a browse. He did ask if he could have a go on one of the guitars but the owner (Dan) wouldn't let him, citing the fact that the guitars are old and fragile. How he expects to sell a guitar without letting anyone play the thing first, we have no idea!!!!</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It was mid-day now, and we went back to 5th Avenue and met Beat Rat, Frank for lunch. We ate in Desmonds and had a couple of beers. It was fab to catch up with Frank again.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
The plan for the afternoon was a trip to Brooklyn on the Subway, and then a walk back to Manhattan across the mile long Brooklyn Bridge. A trip to Ground Zero and then pizza in Little Italy. And that's exactly what we did. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Getting a metro card was odd - we walked up to Penn Station and got only one card between the 2 of us. However, it did work, letting both of us through the turnstile, and the trip across to Brooklyn on the "A" express subway was quick. We got out at High Street Brooklyn Bridge and found the steps up to the bridge with no problem.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-RVbGt8a0hyfHcNtYN3b5eIeYgRxmWqUcCPcDm1mxFX0W6_B7Qraq_FeQ11K24a9o7nkTSApBPgsm4cFxyTK4YsbAn_kVkujq8lti2zTk39GW7lUcNWqPmGqcT3Xnibi3uMu-FL0sR-1/s1600/Brian+on+Brooklyn+Bridge+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-RVbGt8a0hyfHcNtYN3b5eIeYgRxmWqUcCPcDm1mxFX0W6_B7Qraq_FeQ11K24a9o7nkTSApBPgsm4cFxyTK4YsbAn_kVkujq8lti2zTk39GW7lUcNWqPmGqcT3Xnibi3uMu-FL0sR-1/s320/Brian+on+Brooklyn+Bridge+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb on Brooklyn Bridge - Empire State in the backdrop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Bridge is quite impressive. It is a mile long and you can walk / cylce in the middle of it. In the middle you are in the open (it was a mite windy today) with the opportunity to have your picture taken with a fantastic back drop of the Manhattan skyline. How Posh and Becks managed to conceive a baby here with so many people around is a mystery!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cjACtUPKM4xSKcSD4aoFMT56D74c75Lel9crF6e9g8HA4oSVtqhkAlwMJCBRgqKMhOOQUDfcAdC0CXl6BvMOiEZGn01feuvWXoqGgZeU8Rl0c9nRutV2rKllozziS7IumeMg0nfd_4dA/s1600/Jacqui+on+Brooklyn+Bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cjACtUPKM4xSKcSD4aoFMT56D74c75Lel9crF6e9g8HA4oSVtqhkAlwMJCBRgqKMhOOQUDfcAdC0CXl6BvMOiEZGn01feuvWXoqGgZeU8Rl0c9nRutV2rKllozziS7IumeMg0nfd_4dA/s400/Jacqui+on+Brooklyn+Bridge.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty on The Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Next up (after a coffee in Starbucks and a lengthy queue for the loo) was a visit to Ground Zero. The guidebooks warned there is not much to see, and indeed it is a large construction site, bordered off as the City builds the memorial to 9/11 which is due to be unveiled on the 10th anniversary this year. We did go into the memorial centre on Vassey Street which has the vision of the memorial being built and a tribute to the victims. It's amazing the amount of books and videos they have all about 9/11 there. Very moving.<br />
<br />
Then we walked up Broadway, all the way through Tribeca and Soho and across to Little Italy, where we found ourselves in Lombardis - a really busy Pizza place (which only took cash!). We were advised by the guidebook that "Pizza doesn't come much better than at this unpretentious old timer that turns out delectable thin crust pies"<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM5CspOt1Z0bqxM68pOQzhRLn-t0rzH5-fchvB_UaPY-cRKCpHwwmmROh1MAwIyJ79bh2J8ILxgyAjzIcTTJ8LalMFFVvaTzldogNgzqXw_GXICxheUzWpgf3kj0xDiC_v3_DEhniE0jh/s1600/Pizz+in+Little+Italy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGM5CspOt1Z0bqxM68pOQzhRLn-t0rzH5-fchvB_UaPY-cRKCpHwwmmROh1MAwIyJ79bh2J8ILxgyAjzIcTTJ8LalMFFVvaTzldogNgzqXw_GXICxheUzWpgf3kj0xDiC_v3_DEhniE0jh/s320/Pizz+in+Little+Italy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a table under there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The waiter was actually really sensible and suggested that we have a large pizza between us rather than a small one each. We were quite glad of his suggestion when the meal arrived...... the pizza was as big as the table! The waiter saw the look on our faces and said "Welcome to New York"!!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
Stuffed, we climbed into a cab (did you know that it's against the law to enter / leave a cab from any side other than at the kerb?) and headed back to the hotel.......... <br />
<br />
Minty's feet are really sore at this point! (at THIS point?..The Beeb)<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-65022827040922933292011-03-30T15:18:00.001+01:002016-09-11T00:23:54.523+01:00Monday - Day 3 NYCAgain, we let ourselves wake up naturally and by 9.30am we were out on the sidewalk, to yet another sunny and bright (but cold) day. We started to head for Penelope again, but on the way, spotted a less expensive establishment called Bread & Butter, which served up a tasty spanish omelette for breakfast.<br />
<br />
Hunger satisfied, we headed out for the day, in a cab up to 74th Street and the Dakota Building where the world was robbed of John Lennon. We got out of the cab and you couldn't see The Beeb for dust. He just sped of towards Central Park without looking back. No words, no photos, nothing! <br />
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
We strolled down through Central Park to Columbus Circle. </div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3toO-QvmhkLTEYyLpbqKJkGdagV9k20Lc37mjR9oj-h6gwQt6Hpeketh7Ac3WXPNl35iR805AMDOQH5449TabpTpVqOuUtgPYsKS_B8aqEKGlFQpfrJKrnFq_SlJde3Z3hE-yNHiEu5iB/s1600/Jacqui+In+Central+Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3toO-QvmhkLTEYyLpbqKJkGdagV9k20Lc37mjR9oj-h6gwQt6Hpeketh7Ac3WXPNl35iR805AMDOQH5449TabpTpVqOuUtgPYsKS_B8aqEKGlFQpfrJKrnFq_SlJde3Z3hE-yNHiEu5iB/s400/Jacqui+In+Central+Park.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty in Central Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
On the way down, a film crew were filming a couple of joggers, from a rickshaw! At Columbus Circle, things were busy, both traffic wise and stalls selling bottles of Snapple - this seems to be the themed drink in NYC as everyone is selling / drinking the stuff!</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPiF3NS3eLeahg1ulGHKub3ZeGvPRpRcj8f7Ew8F81aO-3w3qD33d-CTkIfY9qtoaOzsBgrSq3A6fk0S8J9RFeLmI3wADdo-2j1maFATeL3uRm0ez9-eyL7CpyQuHbNexsaasK_z0vrUL/s1600/Jacqui+outside+Carnegie+Hall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPiF3NS3eLeahg1ulGHKub3ZeGvPRpRcj8f7Ew8F81aO-3w3qD33d-CTkIfY9qtoaOzsBgrSq3A6fk0S8J9RFeLmI3wADdo-2j1maFATeL3uRm0ez9-eyL7CpyQuHbNexsaasK_z0vrUL/s320/Jacqui+outside+Carnegie+Hall.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minty outside Carnegie Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
We had a quick stroll through the Time Warner Centre, then headed across to 7th Avenue to see Carnegie Hall, the location of a Brian Wilson concert a few years ago. </div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
After that, The Beeb lived out his dream of being able to say he bought a shirt from Bloomingdales, following the words from a Bruce Springsteen song. The first shirt he picked up mind you was $295 and that was returned to the rail like it was on fire!!!!</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
The shirt he did get was a T Shirt, but it was quality. the assistant who made the sale even attached her business card to the receipt.... she is a "Selling Specialist" dontcha know?</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Anyhow, The Beeb had to have his picture taken..........</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblla4icLSJZzQQrYMx7AZxuMgU8FMGtuFSXBgtdZZllNgAUgqpDEM5mWAM165Sg5pbPFSXhN9g1ecMzcDy489MgMHLfQEm60HFBMf8oYOd5s2TxNI-i2Wrxr3FQbd8hk4_8z6hVXZ18L_/s1600/Bloomingdales.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblla4icLSJZzQQrYMx7AZxuMgU8FMGtuFSXBgtdZZllNgAUgqpDEM5mWAM165Sg5pbPFSXhN9g1ecMzcDy489MgMHLfQEm60HFBMf8oYOd5s2TxNI-i2Wrxr3FQbd8hk4_8z6hVXZ18L_/s400/Bloomingdales.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I bought a shirt uptown in Bloomingdales"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next on our list of things to see today was St Patricks Cathedral on 51st and 5th (see we are getting into the NYC street names!!!). This building was awesome, and we were able to go inside. It's a shame that it's a bit touristy now, with many camera flashes, but the atmosphere was peaceful. The Beeb was shocked at the idea of having to pay £2 to light a candle..so he didn't!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZSnbWGZ0nFiwjcxAalZ8pUiWipVo-BNAWsvU_P9giBOY7WVC_BgTG6Lf3M1-FVOzVgFvYLNzXKPDHLg09jQa3DmS1fcxykRAN8MUCLEyPhIa7-vPNwDzdD7gQYIiaHNm1u6Nb9K3XiM8/s1600/Jacqui+Outside+Radio+City+Music+Hall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZSnbWGZ0nFiwjcxAalZ8pUiWipVo-BNAWsvU_P9giBOY7WVC_BgTG6Lf3M1-FVOzVgFvYLNzXKPDHLg09jQa3DmS1fcxykRAN8MUCLEyPhIa7-vPNwDzdD7gQYIiaHNm1u6Nb9K3XiM8/s320/Jacqui+Outside+Radio+City+Music+Hall.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside Radio City Music Hall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Not far from St Pats is Radio City Music Hall, another venue with a close connection to Brian Wilson, in that an all star tribute was held there. This was another of the must sees....</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
Just along from the Radio City Music Hall is The Rockefeller Centre where, for the princely sum of $22 each, you can take the elevator to the 67th floor and then view the city from the "Top Of The Rock". It is quite a fantastic view, but Minty being a bit fearful of heights, could swear she could feel the building swaying, and hugged the walls! <br />
<br />
The Beeb was far more adventurous and whereas Minty stopped at the 2nd level from the top, The Beeb went right up to the highest point and took a great shot of the world below........<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmu9xKvPdFyeOvsAe3fVpRCzqNse0VyBo4fhv5HhOaAfrd0AI2cZHjMTXGgUzIz_e1t0TCLJ8rjruwbmZZepDWwbkYJIgI84qakwNej91zpw60qlhqTEBRH6s8jyAnI8xtZVESP2kuM29/s1600/View+from+top+of+the+Roc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmu9xKvPdFyeOvsAe3fVpRCzqNse0VyBo4fhv5HhOaAfrd0AI2cZHjMTXGgUzIz_e1t0TCLJ8rjruwbmZZepDWwbkYJIgI84qakwNej91zpw60qlhqTEBRH6s8jyAnI8xtZVESP2kuM29/s400/View+from+top+of+the+Roc.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From The Top Of The Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Do you have any idea how tall the Rockefeller Centre is........<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiL9fz4JWEWnZXtoQ9EnQ7lCzvq7IdSYbq2rNvGC2JXTC13kwMVahL1Sv_fVYJDCWKBO83kezFFhtSPKQ1wZsbeB9vl7UE5-tPoMAyHRE7u-TSZ9Sb-ljFbmFh9ye7Bq5LWr0mpvdlBQe4/s1600/Rockefeller+Tower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiL9fz4JWEWnZXtoQ9EnQ7lCzvq7IdSYbq2rNvGC2JXTC13kwMVahL1Sv_fVYJDCWKBO83kezFFhtSPKQ1wZsbeB9vl7UE5-tPoMAyHRE7u-TSZ9Sb-ljFbmFh9ye7Bq5LWr0mpvdlBQe4/s400/Rockefeller+Tower.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep - we were right up there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Next up was a stroll down 7th Avenue heading to Times Square. <br />
<br />
The one place The Beeb really, really, really wanted to experience was The Brill Building. For those who don't know, in the 60's this building housed the best song writers the world could wish for.<br />
<br />
When we got to the site, a crowd had gathered. Turns out there was a bit of filming going on for some TV show - the actor we didn't recognise, but looked a bit like Michael Brandon did 20 odd years ago (well it might have been him, and he might have had plastic surgery). We hung around for a few minutes, thinking, how long can it take to shoot one scene............ forever it would appear. We wandered into Colony Records just alongside the Brill Building for a while, and then as the filming was still going on, we walked down to Times Square and back.<br />
<br />
In Times Square, we saw the queue for cheap theatre tickets (only one source here versus many booths in London's Leicester Square!). We found out the show we would have been interested in seeing "Million Dollar Quartet" doesn't play on a Monday. We did enquire at Times Square visitors Centre but the tix for the show on Tuesday, whilst quite modestly priced (aside from a $7.50 service charge) were way at the back of the top level of the theatre...... we took a raincheck. <br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkudoeb8G09MXYO1opod37Iy5R-qonTVNv3cMVx5kPR90Wp4W5bIDBimA6nJbhjQ6kt38y33c0nJ7GfdwkpQMcexPHQ01wmLqV5uhP-pk8Q-vrCDPoB5RvQ5cmRnDhAtkWKZPu3k8FEspu/s1600/Brian+coming+out+of+Brill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkudoeb8G09MXYO1opod37Iy5R-qonTVNv3cMVx5kPR90Wp4W5bIDBimA6nJbhjQ6kt38y33c0nJ7GfdwkpQMcexPHQ01wmLqV5uhP-pk8Q-vrCDPoB5RvQ5cmRnDhAtkWKZPu3k8FEspu/s320/Brian+coming+out+of+Brill.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Beeb experiences The Brill Building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
So, about an hour later we went back to the Brill Building and thankfully the film crew had packed up.. this gave The Beeb the chance to wander through the doors.......<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Just along from Time Square, on West 48th Street, we found a nusic shop, and scarily, as soon as we went in the door a Gretsch White Falcon beckoning at The Beeb. It took all his will power to restrain himself from taking out his wallet!!!!</div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
It was now early evening, the temperature had dropped with the sun disappearing behind the skyscrapers, so we started to look for a place to grab a pizza........... </div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Now, places to eat in NYC........ unless you want a cafe / deli type place, the choice seems to be quite limited and many restaurants (when you look on the internet) are actually within hotels! Could we find a place to grab a pizza or pasta from 42nd street down to 27th, which did not mean eating a "pizza slice" or sitting in a small part of what is essentially a takeaway place, with small metal tables? Not on your life.</div>
<br />
Hungrily we went back to the hotel and checked the internet which confirmed our fears that to get a proper sit down pizza / pasta meal you really need to go to Little Italy. We settled instead for a burger and chips and a few beers in a restaurant just down from our hotel - Deweys Flatiron, which was a bit of a sports bar and had great service in that the waitress kept us in beer (and knew what our order was!). <br />
<br />
So Day 3 finished. Minty had very sore feet from all of the walking.......(No change there then..The Beeb!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-47232383155266339602011-03-30T15:08:00.003+01:002016-09-11T00:21:32.390+01:00Sunday - Day 2 NYCAlthough we had set alarms, we woke up naturally at a reasonable time, and headed out into yet another bright and cold, yet sunshiney day for breakfast.<br />
<br />
On a recommendation of a friend we went to Penelope (on Lexington). There was a queue, and we had a 20 minute or so wait, but the brekkie was good. Brunch on a Sunday is obviously a done thing in NYC!<br />
<br />
It was a short walk back to the hotel, where we met up with Dennis Kelley, a DJ at Luxuria Music and someone we've befriended over the last few years via social networks etc. It was great to finally meet the man in the flesh.<br />
<br />
He had driven in from New Jersey, and with us securely belted up, he headed back to NJ. As we went through the tunnel, on the route Tony Soprano takes from NY to NJ on the shows credits, he played The Sopranos theme for us on the cars' CD. Class.<br />
<br />
First stop was Asbury Park... a place The Beeb has wanted to see... being a Bruce Springsteen fan. At the Stone Pony, we went in for a moment just to have a look. As there was a benefit gig on with a "donation" of $20, we just settled for photos outside instead. D'ya know DK met his wife here?<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtPH-Xj1r8u87ej5kpHfikrB3b_iT-EMPzekf4GR4nBam-Nleto-_ytSz5mJfFExnzIOvkwRwz9i-VDkp-yX25V03Wo3bM8A2DRUPhra1BIDGUlxsdZcMRDqI9_x9Owm8y3XHbuTc3maW/s1600/Brian+%2526+DK+outside+Stone+Pony.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtPH-Xj1r8u87ej5kpHfikrB3b_iT-EMPzekf4GR4nBam-Nleto-_ytSz5mJfFExnzIOvkwRwz9i-VDkp-yX25V03Wo3bM8A2DRUPhra1BIDGUlxsdZcMRDqI9_x9Owm8y3XHbuTc3maW/s400/Brian+%2526+DK+outside+Stone+Pony.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dennis & Brian outside The Stone Pony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We walked along the boardwalk, in the footsteps of Bruce, and almost paddled in the Atlantic, on the Jersey shore. If we'd jumped in and kept swimming we'd have landed on the beach at Saltcoats!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNUQiU3iAMmuw9AlTXjpjC2nF_9J0qlbjViiH74P3AXTRwEyYaWJ_3pEDoieSBTayIYwFE5uPoOkucuLsRVJlaPpu-j-Sf_MOT2oeN2aNiDmS1o9YPNQHnJcHIvnY8aOc4jgaUrYw_6Uk/s1600/Jacqui+%2526+Brian+on+Jersey+Shore.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNUQiU3iAMmuw9AlTXjpjC2nF_9J0qlbjViiH74P3AXTRwEyYaWJ_3pEDoieSBTayIYwFE5uPoOkucuLsRVJlaPpu-j-Sf_MOT2oeN2aNiDmS1o9YPNQHnJcHIvnY8aOc4jgaUrYw_6Uk/s400/Jacqui+%2526+Brian+on+Jersey+Shore.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Jersey Shore - just look at those waves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lunch was vegetable samosas in Langosta Lounge on Asbury Park's boardwalk. The service was not the best (DK asked at least 4 different people for the check (Note..getting into the venacular already) before anything turned up!).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbO0usTasq0cnTVJGXAhq3-Zs5cs_gqtv1NHsZQ5oU3tGjdPiqaXu0O8iLHUSykLCuVThXIFOq2BuWgI4PvPx5AGradh5pk59f4EHMAIIYJtK1o9EAsrRmsJ56ywOGvOGiNtcWBGuiZx6/s1600/Jacqui+and+a+DK+cocktail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbO0usTasq0cnTVJGXAhq3-Zs5cs_gqtv1NHsZQ5oU3tGjdPiqaXu0O8iLHUSykLCuVThXIFOq2BuWgI4PvPx5AGradh5pk59f4EHMAIIYJtK1o9EAsrRmsJ56ywOGvOGiNtcWBGuiZx6/s320/Jacqui+and+a+DK+cocktail.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was some alcohol in this one! Cheers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="border: currentColor;">
Next on the agenda was cocktails and beer at Kelley a la Cranford, where we had the opportunity to experience the Kelley's tiki lounge where Dennis makes a mean and highly potent TikiDeke cocktail. </div>
<div style="border: currentColor;">
<br />
<br />
We also saw the Studio where Dennis records his Heroes & Villiains shows for Luxuria. There were a few rare Beach Boys vinyls spun on the turntable.</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcdstXLBO67POnDa4KYmS8GfGTR-oWa0X3d0qxFuwVVYNohzDjTt6uZytBq0UP2xgMjGWtIcxhsTLk5qLgd8_nDWAqnpAJf3yHY304PnT67dDbHPXMvn9sR80-nHn0uphvFMhkLVdbDqU/s1600/DK+in+his+studio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcdstXLBO67POnDa4KYmS8GfGTR-oWa0X3d0qxFuwVVYNohzDjTt6uZytBq0UP2xgMjGWtIcxhsTLk5qLgd8_nDWAqnpAJf3yHY304PnT67dDbHPXMvn9sR80-nHn0uphvFMhkLVdbDqU/s400/DK+in+his+studio.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dennis in his studio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Time flew for sure and it felt like we had been there only minutes before we had to head to a train station and get the train back to Penn Station. The train was a huge double decker thing, and we had to go to the end of the platform and walk across the first set of tracks and then climb onto the train!<br />
<br />
We jumped out at what we thought was Penn Station, but checked with a station worker who revealed that the train was in Newark Penn, and not New York Penn. Thankfully we had time to jump back on board before the doors closed!<br />
<br />
So we were back in NYC and at the hotel around 8.30ish. We had dinner in a bar/restaurant on 5th Avenue, just by the Empire State Building. Not a great restaurant, but pleasant enough.<br />
<br />
It had been a long day, and the time difference had caught up a bit so it was an early-ish night.<br />
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="border: currentColor; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-17331336004972189452011-03-30T02:51:00.000+01:002016-09-11T00:20:21.467+01:00Saturday - Day 1 NYCWe arrived by a yellow cab (what other kind of cab is there in NYC!) at the Ace Hotel, on West 29th Street & Broadway. 10 mins in New York and already we're getting into the way the street names work.<br />
<br />
It was a bit too early to check in, but we were able to ditch the luggage and we headed out into the bright, but cold, sunshiney afternoon.<br />
<br />
We thought we were heading towards Times Square, but after about 30 minutes of walking, we checked the map and found we had headed in the opposite direction we had intended!!! By the time we had retraced our steps, it was almost 3pm and we were able to check in....But not before The Beeb being asked by the bellhop if he was a Celtic supporter. Turns out the guy was actually into football.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKodGSTCJ2CzRGoRA0YQD5iz2gSm7AarkpPY-5ySE_VScVCSu2ex2imYhc9Y0D9MQvhtVarpq4NAtRBzp_XHDLG-FWhuJwSzV0LnwTiVPxwnvPsPxHIxMTfNWGG7iHsfoJX_tRX2BCWiP/s1600/Record+Player+in+the+Room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKodGSTCJ2CzRGoRA0YQD5iz2gSm7AarkpPY-5ySE_VScVCSu2ex2imYhc9Y0D9MQvhtVarpq4NAtRBzp_XHDLG-FWhuJwSzV0LnwTiVPxwnvPsPxHIxMTfNWGG7iHsfoJX_tRX2BCWiP/s320/Record+Player+in+the+Room.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The record player and selected vinyls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our room is quite cool. We have a record player, with some vinyls thrown in for good measure (Visage, Crosby Stills & Nash among them), the mini bar is within a flight case, the iron and hairdryer are both really retro and you need to take a taxi to get from one end of the bed to the other!!!<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br />
There are quirky little notices all over, such as the "do not disturb" sign is a magnetic "NOT NOW" you stick on the outside of the door, and the notice in the bathroom re the towels.....<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNe89iCtAygyugZucZd8OSmZ9FBxgwhPuT7gGKNUzoyOhwTgFnyw7WPazZQRrQVFEt18Zz37QGTkNTqPZkQrL9G0pVVb1BpJ_LwKRz9UtHHC3Br0e63BBbxD1xHnFF-SDiaTXiLJHHFdko/s1600/bog+wall+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNe89iCtAygyugZucZd8OSmZ9FBxgwhPuT7gGKNUzoyOhwTgFnyw7WPazZQRrQVFEt18Zz37QGTkNTqPZkQrL9G0pVVb1BpJ_LwKRz9UtHHC3Br0e63BBbxD1xHnFF-SDiaTXiLJHHFdko/s320/bog+wall+%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The notice in the bathroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The only downside is the electric shocks you get everytime you touch the door, lift buttons..... you name it, if it's metal you get a shock!!!! And it's not just us... as we found out from another couple who selected their floor button with such trepidation we had to ask if they had been shocked too!!!!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtVimr08xhleFVohUCQNiQeDrNSa3zrjqwbQNwZctUMr4rz18U-CO117YTRvQeWoa9hP1gKu3nSrRDRJa5kPC7ja8aSPAjHbBogcuMcPvRmuvuQqZw2yw_Yu_ShD8HT72iFxlCvrJaW5S/s1600/Coffee+at+Stumpton+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjtVimr08xhleFVohUCQNiQeDrNSa3zrjqwbQNwZctUMr4rz18U-CO117YTRvQeWoa9hP1gKu3nSrRDRJa5kPC7ja8aSPAjHbBogcuMcPvRmuvuQqZw2yw_Yu_ShD8HT72iFxlCvrJaW5S/s320/Coffee+at+Stumpton+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The lobby is busy with visitors every night, with either DJ's or live music, and the queue for the coffee shop (Stumptown) is the longest we've ever seen and the baristas are really knowledgable about their trade, and make a rather nice leaf design on every cup of coffee they serve. Although, The Beeb got a loveheart on his first cup, from the girl that served him!<br />
<br />
We headed out again to find a camera (we had inadvertently put our one in the overnight bag we left in the car after our park and fly hotel night in Heathrow!!). We found one, reasonably priced in Macys, so that ticked one sight to see off the list!<br />
<br />
Back at the hotel, a quick shower and change of clothes and we were off to meet two Rats... Frank and Paul from a rather delightful garagy, Merseybeat band, The Beat Rats, we had met last year at Liverpool's IPO. We had a lovely dinner in Cowgirl (Hudson Street) in Greenwich Village. Our waitor was an Alan Alda lookalike, both in looks and humour!<br />
<br />
The camera was handed to Alan Alda and we asked him to take a photo. So he did...he sat with the woman at the next table and took one of them both together! He was a funny guy though.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-pl_mHRftigGxz2h01gX3uuQuuFlf4D5h5YAm0MttVYSOIavkXuQ4jpWbhy-TJz_ncl_Q1B70J_Gy80Qq9plxmAq5lJNOe9fEv5rurHXhTGvwnzy1gnpX2kilDet3g65YTwCTEmETZY0/s1600/Paul+%2526+Frank+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-pl_mHRftigGxz2h01gX3uuQuuFlf4D5h5YAm0MttVYSOIavkXuQ4jpWbhy-TJz_ncl_Q1B70J_Gy80Qq9plxmAq5lJNOe9fEv5rurHXhTGvwnzy1gnpX2kilDet3g65YTwCTEmETZY0/s400/Paul+%2526+Frank+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul and Frank from The Beat Rats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was great to have the chance to meet up with the Rats, on their home turf, over a few beers and Margheritas. The conversation was about music and guitars (obviously).<br />
<br />
We trundled back to the hotel in a cab, very sleepy having been up for almost 24 hours....Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5970408270765273767.post-23398822256061324342011-03-30T02:31:00.000+01:002016-09-11T00:16:11.933+01:00Saturday - the flightWell, we tried to book in on-line and "the computer says no". Looked at our booking and it appeared we had been given an upgrade.... optimistic but a bit cautious, we sought assistance when we got to the airport and yes indeedy - we had been upgraded to Club World....Rock Star Status! So the sunglasses stayed on :-)<br />
<br />
Free brekkie in the Club World lounge, and then we headed to the gate.... Fast track, past the poor people in the queue waiting to board.<br />
<br />
What a different world Club is! Minty quaffed the free champagne the whole flight and took in two films (Harry Potter & RED) while The Beeb indulged in a double bill of Coen Bros and Jeff Bridges, with True Grit & The Big Lebowski.<br />
He also took full advantage of the flatbed, complimentary ear plugs and eye mask.<br />
<br />
The flight was quicker than expected.... 6 hours 40 mins and we landed ahead of schedule...... into terminal 7 at JFK.Minty And The Beeb .......http://www.blogger.com/profile/05285097662104501599noreply@blogger.com0