In Kingdoms of the Cool

Day 6...

You think you're over the hump halfway through but, no. Today was massive. First we go up a little on the late side and headed down to the WARNER BROS. lot. They have built entire neighborhoods on this lot. And each set is a fully-realized and functional home at times. Others are just 'swing sets' which are sets that can be moved in and out and replaced easily. Most of what we saw was the sets of 'Gilmore Girls.' We also went by the set of 'E.R.' so I like to think that I traveled from Los Angeles to Connecticut to Chicago in a matter of minutes.

These sets were amazing. I couldn't believe the amount of work put into every detail of their creation, and yet, I could. I've been on some pretty elaborate sets so far and realized that those were just smaller budget versions of what I saw today. Still, it was trul amazing to see an entire part of the city devoted to realizing a very elaborately told story.

Afterwards, we came back to the hotel and I finally got to the gym. It is just a few cardio machines and a very rudimentary weight machine, but it is much better than nothing. I did my normal workout there and came back to see that we were going out yet again with Helga and Adam. We are all party animals. Obviously. ^_^

We started out with the plan to go to the Santa Monica pier, but since it rained almost all day, we scratched that and decided we were all just too damn hungry to do anything but eat first. So we found a place way in Malibu (about 45 mins from our hotel in Burbank) called Moon Shadows. Well. This is where the fun BEGAN...

Adam's super-enhanced-awesome GPS in his car took us on a winding mountain tour way the hell above all land level with the sea and created a stir in the girls that could only be equal someone scooping their insides out with a large spoon... Neetodless to say, they were frightened. I, on the other hand, was absolutely excited. It reminded me of the drives we would take with my family in Colorado (the only state west of home I could see myself living) many summers ago. No lights created by man other than the headlights to light our way and nothing stopping us from flying off the edge of a cliff other than a bush and some disc brakes... The views? Absolutely breathtaking.

After getting lost up there and finding our way again, we ended up on the 3rd st. promenade in Santa Monica. We walked that strip of land for a while until we found a restaurant still open and we headed in. Barney's, the place we ended up in, was full of life and color (and good food). It was the perfect place for us all to end up on this crazy night. We ate, drank, talked, walked and laughed the rest of the night away. Adam dropped us back at the hotel and we were about to complete the most enjoyable day of this trip yet.

So here I am, sitting in bed remembering the fact that I was walking on a set seen by millions and comparing that feeling to the feeling of enjoying my time here with these new people here and thinking; there really isn't much of a comparison at all. I am greatful to everyone here not only for making us feel so welcome in this place but also for appearing to enjoy every second of it themselves.

Now Playing: Moby - "Protect Write"

posted by MikeStan @ 1:52 AM