hustlers grab your guns, your shadow weighs a ton, driving down the 101

Even at night, I could see the smog settled over the city as my plane landed, along with crawling lines of countless cars making their way down highways and interstates. An orange tinge from buildings and street lamps ensures that the sky is never completely dark.

My weekend in Los Angeles was filled with In-N-Out burgers, movies, nearly dying in traffic, celebrity sightings (apparently I walked right past Horatio Sans from SNL at the theatre on our way to see Capote, there was an actor sitting near us at Baja Fresh and we saw The Daily Show's Dan Bakkedahl in Hollywood with a camera crew, presumably filming a segment for the show), being a tourist in Hollywood, being accosted by street performers in Hollywood, hanging out in Santa Monica and seeing the Pacific Ocean. The visit was brief but memorable.

Here I am with Anakin Skywalker, Mr. Incredible and Sponge Bob Squarepants down at Hollywood and Highland in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. I hadn't intended on having my picture taken, but I unfortunately made eye contact with Anakin, who beckoned me with his finger and took the camera from my hands before I knew what to do. Daniel loved every minute of this scene and took my picture. After Anakin mentioned twice that they accepted small tips, I gave them each a dollar and we were on our way.

This is Dan Bakkedahl from The Daily Show, talking with various street performers across the street from Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Kodak Theatre, where the Oscars are held. I'll have to keep watching The Daily Show next year to see if this segment, or something like it, makes it on air. After we saw him, we ate at Mel's Diner, which the diner in American Graffiti is based on, and sure enough Dan and his crew came in to eat there as well. I had trouble staring.

The pier at Santa Monica, Saturday night at sunset. Tourists and locals come down for the fishing or for the rides. The best part was the 3rd Street Promenade, a blocked off street of shops and entertainment that was alive with people.





The funnel cake we devoured while at the pier, killing time before dinner and our viewing of Brokeback Mountain at the ArcLight.











The Pacific, and a farewell to California.