Hangin' with the nutcases and fruitloops

Well, LA certainly has its fair share of nutters. No doubt 'bout that! Has been such an amusing visit to this city, but I think 2 days has been enough. Ready to head out east now and hang out in the desert before we hit the bright lights of Vegas.

Before we got here, we checked out posh Santa Barbara and Montecito (alas, no celeb sightings) and then overnighted in a random little town called Ojai in Los Padres National Park. Went there specifically to see their famous pink sunset, but found a neat, natural hot springs instead, so had a soak and got talking to 3 local fellas who were classic 'small town' America. Cool. Nice chaps. Totally missed the sunset :-)

Arrived in LA and headed straight to Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach. VB just oozes the outrageous and downright weird. Awesome vibe, with the 'Muscle Beach Gym' (big pecs, steroid - fest), some hard-out & fast basketball with half time entertainment of a couple of rappers, lots of street buskers – and super talented people too (break dancing, singers and acrobatics etc). Plus oodles of odd folk too. Oh and more 'Medical Marijuana Centres'....picked up a flyer (just in case! :-) ) and the centre professes to 'fix' all your problems with their 'doctor' – inc AIDS, nausea, migraines, insomnia, arthritis, loss of appetite (DUH!) and oddly enough, cancer?! We were bemused.

Got ourselves a nice hotel for 2 nights in Hollywood. Had to splash out at some point (our van parked up in town would possibly attract unnecessary attention, haha). YEH! Went for dinner last night at Hard Rock Cafe on Hollywood Blvd - had to be done. Flippin massive meals. Then today we did the obligatory tour to the star's houses....our tour guide was hilarious – an aspiring actor, trying to make a buck – but he made the tour very amusing. Saw the home / garage / retaining wall / trees (yes we saw the trees belonging to Madonna!!!! funny :-) ) - of Keanu Reeves (Matrix-y looking house, oddly enough), Drew Barrymore, Halle Berry, Winona Ryder, Christina Aguillera (pink house of course), Jason Stantham – and also where Shirley Temple used to live. Saw the 'trees' and 'chimney stacks' of Tom and Katie's house (Brent was in despair by this point, but I was entertained!). Checked out ridiculously expensive & posh Rodeo Dv (no celeb sighting tho), Sunset Strip and all the other attractions. This place is buzzing – but I think there is a massive undercurrent of drugs, crime, poverty, gangs....but fortunately we haven't come across that on this trip! OH, and we went to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum which was cool. Brent got to race Lance on a road bike. And, me and Britney had a great conversation (was a bit 1-sided though) :-)

Thinking about going to the filming of a Jerry Springer programme tomorrow (they give out free tickets to get an audience)...but we'll see if we get time! I think it would be hilarious. Otherwise, off east we go – to somewhere in the desert, followed by Vegas. Cheerio for now! Bye bye fruitloops and nutters...