leaving LA

28th June 2005

tonight we leave LA. we leave the body builders on venice beach (prize for guessing the genuine article below).

we leave behind the star paved hollywood streets and the oversized overpolished overamerican SUVs. we leave behind the beautiful wannabes and the less beautiful really fat people. say goodbye to www.jambajuice.com fruit smoothies and valet parking. say hello to tacos and camping. el bingo.

a few randoms we met in LA:

avi	student	got chatting to ej outside the adventure sports shop. sent us an email and invited us to his graduation / birthday party on manhattan beach. we turned up late to an eclectic crowd united in their love for bud light and bon jovi... great fun!
pat	21yr old failing actor	asked me to give him a jump start but my expert mechanical opinion diagnosed an empty fuel tank. so we gave him a lift to the local gas station to fill a petrol can. he absolutely reeked and explained he'd been sleeping in the car as he had no cash, had run away from his parents and after 9 months in LA was still without acting work. he showered in our room and ate our breakfast muffins and thanked us very much. last time we saw him he was still trying to start the car. i didn't offer any more advice.
libi	retiree	"gladstone? are you related to the famous fish restaurant?" thoughts to musicmovesmysoul@gmail.com
dina	stationary shop owner, santa monica	unassuming lady who was very impressed with our forthcoming itinerary. had pictures all over the wall behind her posing with her local celebrity customers: justin timberlake, kevin costner, sting ...

it's off to san diego tonight and then tijuana tomorrow morning. unfortunately e-j has not been feeling 100% since we arrived and her health has been inflicted by a multiple pronged attack of ailments. the following graph most accurately represents her health this last week incl MG's forecast.

you'll all be pleased to know michael is taking good care of her and has a permanent 2 hour countdown function set up on his watch to remind him it's eye drops time. any % health reading below 90% means we stay in a hotel instead of camping so it's all good.

e-j the patient:

nonetheless, we have ploughed through our to do list and miraculously managed to reduce what was once a daunting and seemingly never ending list of where on earth will we find that kind of things down to one: a yacht flare - apparently very effective for dissuading would-be bandido assailants. although not updated recently feel free to browse our inventory list. (prepared for customs officials at border crossings) a) marvel at its comprehensiveness b) have a good laugh c) suggest anything else you think we may need (good luck)

some more photos... please note the arrows on either side of the filmstrip scroll the thumbnails. also you might have to enable active-x on your browser (a little pop-up will invite you to accept)