Our last day at 135 Montana

Don and I walk every day. I usually like a goal. My goal today was to walk to Sees Candies and get some chocolates. Don came along because that goal seemed appealing to him. There is something very heartening about entering a candy store which is filled with customers. With all the bad news around, it is nice to think that there are people enjoying a little something. Sees itself is a throw-back. Established in Los Angeles in the early '20s by Charles See, his mother's image is the logo and the store's design mimics the black and white decor of her original kitchen. The candy purveyors wear white and black uniforms with smart little head bands (ala Lucy and Ethel at the chocolate factory). A free sample is always offered. Nuts and Chews are the BEST. (Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway now owns Sees!).

As we walked back from Sees we saw so many restaurants we would have loved to try. However, today is our last day at 135 Montana Ave., so those dining experiences will have to wait. One thing Don and I felt we achieved...variety. During our entire trip we haven't dined at the same place twice!

Last Saturday we tried a place that was was in Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (a Christmas gift from Claire). Baby Blues Bar B Q is in Venice, CA, not far from us. The place offers a great variety of barbeque. Don got the Three Kings Platter (ribs, pulled pork and chicken)! Other great meals...there was a great sandwich from Bay City Subs and a Sunday supper at Lucques...and on and on.

Tomorrow we are off to Boise then Seattle and will return to Santa Monica to pick up our car and drive East. First stop Grand Canyon. I will be reporting more regularly as we drive, so stay tuned in (or logged-on).

This IS Jeopardy!

On my "to-do" list during our stay in LA is to attend a taping of Jeopardy!. Today was the day! I reserved the tickets several weeks ago. Claire was to attend with us, but work intervened (a good thing I guess) and she had to bow out. So Don and I headed out to Sony Studios in Culver City.

Not only does one have to reserve tickets well in advance, but one has to call the night before and swear (to a recorded message) that we will attend and be on time. The punishment is banishment from ever attending a Jeopardy! taping, ever-ever again. (A BIG price to pay.)

Interestingly, there is no dress code as there is for Dr. Phil. (Did I reveal that I actually did attend Dr. Phil tapings?) Claire, my TV authority, tells me it is probably because Jeopardy! rarely pans to the audience. All they really require is hearty applauders.

Clapping is encouraged. Shouting out or even whispering the answers is a big no-no. Something the ladies behind us couldn't control. Johnny Gilbert, the "voice" of Jeopardy! was great at explaining the show entertaining questions. Would you believe that someone asked where Alex Trebek lived? When Johnny said, "The Valley." The guy (a possible stalker?) said, "Where in the Valley?" Sort of spooky, don't you think?

The contestants were really quite composed. However, I was struck by how quickly people lose. They possibly have spent a great deal of time (a lifetime?) preparing and after 30 minutes it is all over. I learned two factoids: no one can buzz in until Alex is done reading the question (lights go off as a signal) and the second and third place contestants win $2,000 and $1,000 respectively.

Alex is cool. Short, but cool. Don was impressed that he only needs to work two days a week. It rivals being a professor! Alex chats with the audience and is very engaging. The three tapings we saw went very fast.

The shows we saw will air the week of June 29th. Check to see me in the audience. You will never see me as a contestant!

The Count Down

Saint Monica watching over Santa Monica

Why is it that I am now getting back to blogging as the time of departure grows near? This odyssey isn't over yet, but the time in Santa Monica is drawing to a close. We fly out to the Northwest on March 31 and return on April 4 to get into the car and start our trip eastward.

Have I mentioned I LOVE Santa Monica?!! However, living a temporary existence, even in paradise, makes me a little antsy. I miss my friends, my routine and my identity. We have met some really nice people during our stay, and the people in Santa Monica are generally very friendly, however, the short time here doesn't really promote "bonding."

On the upside, I have reconnected with lots of people. Not the least of which is spending some "quality" time with Claire. Then there is Sarah, Matt and Helena; Pete and Judy; Dave and June; Don and Sherrie who live here and were from "past lives." And also those who "came through" like Peggy; Liz and Gerry; Jen and Dru; and Laura and Dick. So, I haven't been lonely.

I made a list of stuff I wanted to do when we came here. I am almost completely through it. To mention a few: We've been to the Geffen and saw a dynamite play; went to a TV show; visited downtown LA and saw the Disney Concert Hall; hiked at Will Rogers State Park; saw a Wright house; visited the canals of Venice, CA; ate at Phillipe's (where the French Dip Sandwich was invented); saw Pacific Ocean sunsets; saw Ben Affleck on the street (but didn't see Larry David); heard Henry Mancini's daughter sing Moon River and her awesome saxophonists play the Theme from Peter Gunn. What is left? Going to see the TV game show Jeopardy! (going tomorrow); riding bikes on the beach (Wednesday); and eating at Baby Blues Bar-B-Q in Venice.

So much to do, so little time.

Can it be March already?

I think time is moving faster on the West coast (despite the fact we are three hours behind the East coast...figure that one out). We have enjoyed so many sights. Let me share some with you. Just consider almost a foot of snow fell in NJ yesterday. The photo to the left was taken today from the palisades overlook at the end of our street, Montana Avenue. The Santa Monica mountains and the Pacific Ocean are beautiful.

Walking to the 3rd Street Promenade I came upon a rose garden which was in full bloom. I guess one gets used to seeing such beauties year-round.


This is my dream street...Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. See the condos on the right? That's on my wish list. See the camper on the left? That's more realistic!