Where Is Metropolis?

That is the question I was asked last night when I left Akbar in Silver Lake. I was standing on Sunset saying my goodbyes to a friend, when a guy dressed in a Catwoman face mask stood up from scrounging for a cigarette from the curb and asked, "Where is Metropolis?" before swaggering away. How fucking funny is that? Only in LA, kids. Only in LA.

Last night was the Sunset Junction street fair. It's where Sunset and Santa Monica meet. It reminded me of a NY street fair, especially the people. Very diverse looking. But that's Silver Lake for you. We watched Chaka Khan perform, then the NY Dolls. Seen: actor Geoffrey Rush watching Chaka Khan (who looked at me like he knew me).

P.S. Sidney Poitier stopped in our office today. I hesitated to shake his hand, until he reached out for my hand and we shook hands. As he walked into my boss' office, I noticed he wiped his hand on his pants. I have very sweaty palms, mind you. How embarassing is that? I need to do something about those sweaty palms ..... Is there a doctor in the house?

The End Is Near

I hate when Labor Day weekend creeps up on me because it signals one thing -- the end of summer. Wah! Then again, I live in California now, so it probably doesn't apply. But still, even though I'm in SoCal, it seems they go by the same rules. Back to school sales, new falls fashions, it gets dark earlier and earlier, etc.

Actually, this Labor Day weekend I am particularly looking forward to because my mom and Raul are both coming for a visit. Yea! She arrived in Chicago today and will continue on to LA on Thursday. Raul was supposed to return on Tuesday, but pushed it back because he's still dealing with problems at his mother's house in Puerto Rico. The last three weekends he's had to go down to San Juan, while supervising the bathroom redo back home. Ugh.

Nothing new to report at work. Spoke to the usual suspects again. It's getting to be kind of old by now, isn't it?

On the social scene, I went to what I thought was going to be a premiere party for a new reality show on Logo called "Open Bar" at I Candy. It's a show that follows the owner of the bar, who recently came out and decided to open a bar in West Hollywood. Well, I received an email that said I was invited, so I assumed it was going to be the whole velvet rope, guest list thing. Not exactly ... It was just like any other night out. What the hell? Oh well, my friend and I still had fun drinking $5 cosmos and kvetching about how we feel invisible to all the pretty boys. Seen: James Getzlaff (for the second time now) from Bravo's "Boy Meets Boy." In fact, he squirmed his way next to me to get to the bar. But we never exchanged pleasantries because he. never. even. looked. at. me. Invisible, I tell you.

Next! We moved on to another bar down the street that was even more crowded and more fun. However, while waiting for my friend to go to the bathroom, this guy and his friend, literally, shoved me out of the way to get by me and hang back by the wall. Well, usually, I'm a non-confrontational kinda guy, but this time, let me tell you, I turned around so fast and shoved him up against the wall and screamed at him. "Don't (bleep) shove me out of the way (bleep)!" I guess feeling like I'm invisible really got to me .... Or was it all those cosmos flowing through my veins? ;)

Moving on, today I went to brunch at the Standard hotel on the Sunset Strip. One of my favorite brunch spots, by the way. Anyway, who should we see, but none other than Nicole Ritchie. And yes, she is as skinny as she looks on the cover of Star magazine. That be-yotch is all skin and bones, I tell you. Pretty face, but toothpick skinny. Blech.

Later, I ran to Zuma Beach in Malibu with my friend and her kids. We stopped by Neptune's Net for fresh seafood and then came home. I was supposed to go to the movies, but my friend's friends couldn't decide on which movie to see. We wanted to see HAPPY ENDINGS, but one of them doesn't like Tom Arnold. Then, they wanted to see BROKEN FLOWERS, but my friend and I don't care for Bill Murray that much. However, we were willing to see it anyway because Sharon Stone and Jessica Lange are both in it to make up for Bill. Then they decided they didn't want to see it all, so my friend called it a night and went home. Too stressful. Just as well, I have things to do at home, not to mention a DVD I rented a week ago.

P.S. I finally, officially, met Justin Guarini this week when we rode the elevator up together in my building and I introduced myself. I have to say, he's a really nice guy.

Six Feet Under

I just watched the final episode and balled my eyes out. I can't believe my favorite show is over. Wah! I could totally relate to Claire saying goodbye and moving to NY. That was me leaving NY and moving to California just three months ago. And the ending music video. Oh my God. I wept and wept. And rewound it over and over again. One of the best endings to a series. Ever. Loved the scenes between Ruth and Claire and Ruth and Brenda. The only thing I missed was seeing Rico settling into his new business as a funeral director. But all in all an excellent, sad ending.

No News

Nothing really new to report. Everything, I guess, is status quo. Just busy procrastinating, er, revising scripts. And stuff like that.

Last week I went to a screening of THUMBSUCKER and part of the cast participated in a Q&A afterwards, including Lou Taylor Pucci (the thumbsucker) and Vincent D'Onofrio (his father). The cast also includes Tilda Swinton and Keanu Reeves. But the movie for me was just so-so. It didn't really have anything new to say. I wanted to like it, I really, really did. It just wasn't for me.

At work I talked to Morgan Fairchild over the phone and she was nice enough to introduce herself to me. As if I didn't know who she is! My only other celebrity encounter last week was seeing Dyan Cannon at the Equinox gym in West Hollywood. No, I'm not a member, I just stopped by to pick up some information for my boss.

This past weekend I finally went rollerblading along the beach in Santa Monica. It was awesome -- a perfect 70 degrees. Can't wait to go back!

Three Months & Counting

Today marks my three month anniversary in La La Land. And what a strange trip it's been.

I forgot to mention I saw another bizarre thing last weekend. As I was cruising toward a friend's place in North Hollywood, I saw a plume of black smoke ahead of me, which I assumed was a building on fire. However, as I got closer, I finally saw the source: sitting at an intersection was a van completely engulfed in flames. We're talking a fireball. I've never seen anything like it, except for in the movies, of course. As I watched in awe, the fire department arrived on the scene and I departed. I have no idea if anyone was inside it or not. Let's hope not.

Work was just work this week. Nothing too exciting, except I answered the phone when Shirley MacLaine and Jackie Collins called. And I spoke to actress Krista Allen. Oh, and I sent emails to Fred Willard, Bruce Boxleitner and Marty Kove (probably best known for playing the evil coach in THE KARATE KID).

Friday, I saw Sidney Poitier again in my office and just missed seeing Shirley MacLaine. I was so bummed I missed her. Apparently, she came into town to do publicity for a new movie with Cameron Diaz and stopped by our office unannounced. I'm hoping she stops by again this week because my boss was not in to see her.

Friday night I went to my producer friend's place in Silverlake for dinner. He recently joined Kevin Spacey's company, Triggerstreet. And his wife is an animator for Sony and working on their new movie OPEN SEASON.

Saturday, I finally went to see FANTASTIC FOUR with a friend. It was only worth it to see the studly, half-naked Chris Evans who played the Human Torch. Later, we went to a new bar on Santa Monica called I Candy. And, yes, there was lotsa eye candy.

Today, I went to brunch with friends and our friend who was visiting from NY. Later, after attending a networking event at Sony Studios, I continued on to Venice Beach where I discovered my new favorite place in LA. The Venice Canals. They are so awesome and charming, I can't stand it. Most of the houses along the canals are absolutely gorgeous. Modern and sleek with lush landscaping. And I love the walkways and cute little bridges and ducks galore along the water. It's so nice! Now I know where I want to live when I can afford it.

Who Are These People?

I'm sure everyone has talked to an operator or a customer representative for, say, an airline or your phone company or a computer technician for your laptop. But who are these people? Have you ever met one in life?

I got to thinking today after talking to several for work-related issues, and I realized, I've never, ever met someone in my day-to-day life who has one of those nice voices and processes my Budget car rental reservation.

Are these people for real? Do they really exist? If anyone out there knows a person or is one of these mysterious phone operators, introduce yourself.

Will the real slim shady please stand up?

Wild Fire!

Today I experienced another first -- a wildfire! Yes, a fast-moving brush fire broke out in Nichols Canyon in the Hollywood Hills just above where I work. I watched at the corner of Selma and Orange Grove as the fire crawled up, down and across the canyon, while helicopters above dumped water on the smoky fire. Apparently, the fire came very close to several multi-million dollar houses in the area. Thankfully, the firefighters were able to contain it. Actually, it's a miracle it wasn't a lot worse. Reportedly, it may have been started by the homeless. Pretty scary stuff.

Just My Luck

So I've been emailing the manager who is supposedly repping my horror/thriller. I keep asking him when we're going to get together now that I'm in LA. Through the course of our emails I discover he is in Seattle building something. What, I ask? And why? He's constructing a doctor's office. Seems he has switched careers. Gee, thanks for telling me. I emailed him back to find out if he's left showbiz for good, or what. To be continued ....

Now I gotta get my ass in gear and hopefully go to the beach.

New Month

I'm slowly getting back into my writing. Revising two scripts.

Went to the beach yesterday. We tried to go to Pt. Dume/Zuma Beach in Malibu but for some reason the traffic was horrendous on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). So we went to Topanga State Beach instead. Love my new beach chair! It's a chair and backpack all-in-one.

Last night I rented THE BOOGEYMAN. I cannot believe how much it sucked. Blech! And according to imdb.com it doubled it's money. How? Why?

I briefly spoke to Shirley MacLaine today when she called the office. That's about all my excitement for the moment.