So this morning I'm having a smoked salmon omelette with capers, onions, and peppers on the waterfront. Eating on board the Queen Mary is far from a bargain, but I'm relying on my local friend for transportation and she's got things to take care of this morning. I don't mind in the least, because despite being a $26 breakfast, simply taking in the experience of a hotel on a cruise ship that's 70+ years old is just really cool. I read mixed reviews about this hotel before booking a couple of nights here... but I've been pleased. It seems clear to me now that those who were critical of the Queen Mary stayed here for the wrong reasons. If someone is expecting a modern hotel with all of the latest in amenities, they would surely be disappointed. The QM is a floating museum. It seems to me about as close as one could get to re-living what it might have been like on ships such as the Titanic. It's slightly more modern than that (1930s), but you can draw enough parallels to make it really interesting.
The Queen Mary shows her age. She seems to be constantly in a state of renovation. She could use paint in some places. She has signs of age everywhere. Her plumbing and electrical systems leave a bit to be desire. But if you're interested in the history, or you really enjoy the incredible art-deco style (lots of exotic polished wood, glass, brass), she really has charm. She is also reported to be haunted (although I slept quite soundly without any supernatural molestation).
Moored next door is an old Soviet submarine. I'm about to take a tour once I finish breakfast and this blog update. There are also a couple of different tours available on the QM herself.
I'm expecting a leisurely day today. I haven't had any difficulty adjusting myself to the time difference. I was rather tired by 9pm last night, but I feel fine already today. Chalk that up to my trucker lifestyle, perhaps. Odd hours are par for the course. Tonight we are heading for the Magic Castle. This is a special treat, because it is a members-only place. You can't ]i]just go. So I feel special. It'll be costly I imagine... but again -- to experience something your typical tourist (or even local resident) rarely does, I consider it worth the expense. I'm not particularly interested in magic, frankly. But I appreciate it for it's entertainment value. Illusion is, after all, what L.A. is all about.
On Wednesday we're heading to Catalina Island. I'm considering this the relaxing retreat portion of my trip. I haven't the foggiest idea what I'll be doing there. Part of me wishes I'd taken along my folding bicycle (though I'm certain there will be some to rent as well, if I am so inclined). Frankly a few days to do nothing-in-particular sounds pretty good right now.
We'll return on Saturday and head north into wine country. I think we'll plan a do-it-yourself "Sideways" tour. Google it. I haven't seen the movie, actually. Angela tells me I should. But hey, despite not being familiar with that I am delighted to have a couple days worth of wine tasting and vineyard touring. Delicious! I may have to send some bottles of my favorites home.
I'm yet unsure whether or not I'll be including another visit to Cameron on my return trip. I'd surely like to, but it is dependent on some circumstances. That should be figured out within a day or two.
The relationship potential here is extremely complicated. I may get into a more detailed explanation at some point in the future, but I'm not entirely sure if I feel comfortable putting HER BUSINESS up on my public blog. Suffice it to say that despite her daughter really taking well to me this past weekend, that combined with the long-distance aspect really throws a legitimate monkey-wrench into the works. I'd like to make it work, regardless. It would be a shame to deny strong chemistry when you find it.
So that's it for now from LA-LA land. I've taken a few pictures and will be taking more. I'll update to include those once I get around to downloading them off of my phone.
~Eli
The Queen Mary shows her age. She seems to be constantly in a state of renovation. She could use paint in some places. She has signs of age everywhere. Her plumbing and electrical systems leave a bit to be desire. But if you're interested in the history, or you really enjoy the incredible art-deco style (lots of exotic polished wood, glass, brass), she really has charm. She is also reported to be haunted (although I slept quite soundly without any supernatural molestation).
Moored next door is an old Soviet submarine. I'm about to take a tour once I finish breakfast and this blog update. There are also a couple of different tours available on the QM herself.
I'm expecting a leisurely day today. I haven't had any difficulty adjusting myself to the time difference. I was rather tired by 9pm last night, but I feel fine already today. Chalk that up to my trucker lifestyle, perhaps. Odd hours are par for the course. Tonight we are heading for the Magic Castle. This is a special treat, because it is a members-only place. You can't ]i]just go. So I feel special. It'll be costly I imagine... but again -- to experience something your typical tourist (or even local resident) rarely does, I consider it worth the expense. I'm not particularly interested in magic, frankly. But I appreciate it for it's entertainment value. Illusion is, after all, what L.A. is all about.
On Wednesday we're heading to Catalina Island. I'm considering this the relaxing retreat portion of my trip. I haven't the foggiest idea what I'll be doing there. Part of me wishes I'd taken along my folding bicycle (though I'm certain there will be some to rent as well, if I am so inclined). Frankly a few days to do nothing-in-particular sounds pretty good right now.
We'll return on Saturday and head north into wine country. I think we'll plan a do-it-yourself "Sideways" tour. Google it. I haven't seen the movie, actually. Angela tells me I should. But hey, despite not being familiar with that I am delighted to have a couple days worth of wine tasting and vineyard touring. Delicious! I may have to send some bottles of my favorites home.
I'm yet unsure whether or not I'll be including another visit to Cameron on my return trip. I'd surely like to, but it is dependent on some circumstances. That should be figured out within a day or two.
The relationship potential here is extremely complicated. I may get into a more detailed explanation at some point in the future, but I'm not entirely sure if I feel comfortable putting HER BUSINESS up on my public blog. Suffice it to say that despite her daughter really taking well to me this past weekend, that combined with the long-distance aspect really throws a legitimate monkey-wrench into the works. I'd like to make it work, regardless. It would be a shame to deny strong chemistry when you find it.
So that's it for now from LA-LA land. I've taken a few pictures and will be taking more. I'll update to include those once I get around to downloading them off of my phone.
~Eli
So who was your famous friend across the room. What were they in?
I saw a very famous rock star last night at the grocery store. He was hiding behind his sun glasses. It made me giggle. I chatted with him. It always kind fo puts me in check. Famous people are just like me with lots of money.
Blog Edit...
OK OK... I will had a couple chapter for men. I'm not a sexist. I just specialize in things for women that's all. Most likely chapters on things men can do to reduce transmition of STD's, increasing their chances of making babies or even reducing their chances, and of coarse a couple chapters on birth and parenting specifically for men.
You guys are shocked right.
ha ha ha