Friday, October 9, 2009

Day Seven: Paramount

@ Home

This is going to be the last of the trip blog. Sad.

So on Monday we had one last studio tour before we left the town. We were scheduled to go to the Paramount Lot. We got up, packed and checked out of the hotel. Then we found that lot and luckily had time to eat lunch before the tour.

This tour was kinda cool because we were the only people on it! It was nice and super informal. I love it! No major siteings though. R said she saw the lady from Monk though. I did sort of want to steal a prop from the set of My Boys, but alas, I did not. Really should have though. The oppurtunity was there!

So afterward, we packed up and we were on our way. We didn't stop in Vegas because I was exhausted and we got home safe and sound on Tuesday.

What an awesome trip!

Day Six: The Premiere!--Part 2, DWIGHT!!!

Zachary Quinto has killed my computer, how very Sylar of him. Stupid season 3 of Heroes!

Well, well, well, where were we? Oh yeah, my favorite part.

So after the movie, I grab R and head out to the lobby and we start walking slowly with the crown, chatting about what we should do now, and how much we enjoyed the movie. We're sort of standing there, stuck where we are and out of the door next to our door, walks RAINN WILSON!!! RAINN WILSON!!!! Dwight! From The Office!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE him!! So I am freaking out! Well, on the inside at least. On the outside I was calm. Almost stoic in fact. So he's just talking and hugging people and Lord knows all I can even think in my head is "Hey! That's Dwight!" and "Man! He's really tall!" SoI just keep walking and leave. I did spot his wife though. Oh God! I am a total stalker!

So we keep walking back to the City Walk area and I keep my eyes peeled. And lo and behold I do spy Keifer Sutherland (who for the record, doesn't look bad ass enough to headbutt someone.) He looked good. VERY Jack Bower!

After that, we grabbed lunch and went back to the hotel. We actually didn't really have anywhere to go after that. It was the highlight of our trip, what was left?

Last day will be up later.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Day Six: The Premiere!

@Home

So Sunday is my big day! Which is so fitting seeing as it was our last day.

So we slept in a bit and when we finally got up we thought we should try and find Rodeo Dr. again, but since we knew it would be expensive to eat there, we thought we'd take the shuttle up to City Walk and eat somewhere up there. In truth, the whold thing seemed so mundane and boring becaue it was Sunday and we were tired and we'd been to City Walk so many times.

We got up and walked to the center strip intent on finding food when a shaggy man in a dark trenchcoat with sunglasses on approached us. Of course, by this point in our vacation I had been approached and pitched to like 100 times and I was just plain SICK of it! So I started to side step him and refocused my attention so I could avoid him. R did not.

Luckily he just asked if we wanted to see a free showing of Monsters Vs. Aliens. It wasn't out until the follwing Friday, so yeah, we wanted to see it. But on the other hand, we were hungry. We hemmed and hawed for a few seconds, then we went for it.

At this point, they were cutting people off and told us we needed to hurry because if they shut the doors there was NO WAY we were getting in. So R and I hurridly walk this blue astroturf carpet FOREVER!! On the way we pick up some SWAG, the 3-D glasses in a nice case and a big blue Bob. "Hurry!" they keep telling us, so I pick up the pace a little more. It all seemed silly, why was the theater so fucking far away?! Why was I walking this damned blue carpet FOREVER?!? Why was that E! van in the parking lot when we came in?!?!

Then I turned the corner...


...and ther I found all the answers!!



It was a wall of cameras and paparazzi all packing up for the day. WE WERE OFFICIALLY AT THE MOVIE PREMIERE!!!


Still, doubt lingered in my head. This couldn't be the movie premiere! Not the one the celebs attended! The things I watch on E! always wanting to attend. The things that seem so very unreal! So as this dialogue is floating around in my head, I keep running down this blue carpet, past all of the cameras. I get to the end and try to speed around the turn, and I nearly collide into a man. I take a step back and make my apologies. He smiles and continues on down the carpet, talking to the lady next to him about how he really needed to get out of there. As he passes I noticed his face, very unshavened. His voice, a low and soft British accent. All strikingly familiar. Sure enough, it was HUGH LAURIE!! I just have to say, he look WAY taller on TV!

I move on, but quickly look back at R. We share the same look, and a million words silently pass between us. But we keep going. Amazingly, we come around the bend and we get in the doors, safe and sound just in time for the movie.

It was AWESOME! It was cool because people cheered through the credits. And for the first time EVER, people (including me!) applauded at the end and I totally validated it. As the lights came up after the credits the man next to me turned around and pointed at the woman behind me and said "Paul Rudd's wife right?"

My head spun so fast, I should have had whiplash! Sadly, the woman was alone. No Paul Rudd, but it appeared to be his wife. They chatted for a minute, but I decided it was time to get going.

It's late, and the next part is my favorite, so I am going to leave you....but stay tuned!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Day Five: Lost! and Manhattan Beach.

@ Home

On Saturday, we got to sleep in a bit then we got up and tried desperatly to find Rodeo Drive. Unfortunatly we got really, really lost!! And of course I was driving and R can't read a map so that became really frustrating!! We gave up and decided to just head out to Manhattan Beach to see her cousins.

So we drove out and we stopped and ahd breakfast, then we went to their house. They are super nice!! We had some tea and cookies and chatted, then we walked down to Hermosa Beach which was like a mile away and up some crazy hills! But it was nice!

Afterward we got up and drove down to Marina Del Ray to check out the area and we had some yummy Cheesecake Factory where I saw Beth Littleford from The Daily Show! After that we headed back and then went to crash at the hotel.

It started out as a really crappy day, but turned out quite nice in the end.

Still bummed we never hit Rodeo!

Day Four Cont.: Hanging with E

@ Home

Whoops! My friends walked in just as I was finishing that last blog and I needed to work with them.

So where did I leave off? Oh yeah, E's work. So we went down to see him which was pretty cool. Afterwards, we went back to E's house to consolidate cars and he took us off up to the Observatory. It was amazing, we got to look down on LA at night and it was just so beautiful!! I wish I could have gotten a picture!

So we get back in the car and we drove all over town, getting a cool tour of the place. We finally got to see Chateau Marmont!! And the Viper Room and a few other famous places. Then we sat and had dinner at some really kick ass chinese restaurant. We just sat and talked and had a total blast!! It was such a fun night!! My favorite by far!

Day Four: NBC

@ Subway, Aurora (Home!)

On Friday morning we got up and we decided to do the NBC Studio Tour. I have to say that was the least exciting tour we did. The coolest thing was that we got to see the set for The Tonight Show. Which, by the way, looks way smaller then it does on TV. It's kinda crazy! While we were there, we got to see Chris Cornell warming up. Oh! And we got to see Jay's car of the day! That was actually pretty darn cool!

Then afterward, since we were enjoying the area of town we were in, we stopped at Bob's Big Boy down the street from the studio. Oh and we had such good food! I do have to say though that I prefer the milkshakes at Gunther Toody's. The are way better! Silly, I know!

In the afternoon we went back to the hotel and waited for E to get a hold of us because we were going to visit his office. But he got pushed back so R and I opted to take a nap. We were so bloody TIRED!!

After, we went out to see Erin....

Day Three: Sony Pictures Lot

@ Universal Sheraton Hotel, Los Angeles, CA

Man! I am behind! I'll try my best to catch up.

So Wednesday night we come back and hit up the pool and hot tub again, which was so nice because it was so fucking hot that day!! So we relaxed and did that and then we went and had dinner at In & Out Burger.

After that we practically crashed out, although I had a hankering for dessert so we ordered creme brulee from room service. After that, I was officially dead to the world!

On Thursday we got up and had an early tour booked at the Sony Pictures lot. So somehow we dragged ourselves out of bed early and got there in great time. The Sony tour was amazing! It's such a beautiful and old school studio. I just absolutely loved it!

While we were on the back lot, it was so interesting because I saw parking spaces for Judd Apatow, Leslie Mann and Jonah Hill. I was so jealous we didn't actually see them though. (I now know this was for the wreck of a movie called UnFunny People)

:(

So we also saw a bunch of great theatre dork things like the scoring stage and the foley stage. I LOVED IT!!

As the tour was winding down a man came up to our tour group and asked if any of us wanted to see a taping of Wheel of Fortune. R and I immediatly jumped at that chance. It turned out that a bunch of VIPs didn't show up and they needed to get an audience in there. So we sat through 3 taping, all of which will air in July (They are so saved on my DVR and my hair looks amazing!!) and there is a very good chance I'll be on camera a little bit (I was, you can see my face!).

You know the crazy thing about Wheel? You are CONSTANTLY clapping! It's insane! I had a blasty-blast watching though.

Afterwards, they tried to send us off and out the wrong door, but luckily I saw one of the tour guides from earlier who sort of knew what had happened to us and she very graciously walked us back. When we got back to the main building, R said "Oh my God! That's Rider Strong!" and sure enough, it was! 10 year old me flipped out! He's quite short. Just sayin'

After that we headed out and had lunch in Santa Monica and walked a little bit of the 3rd Street Promanade. I sort of had a tummy ache though so after that we went home and I took a shower.

We rested a bit, then decided to head up to City Walk and have some dinner before The Office, so we hit up Hard Rock Cafe, and did a bit of shopping. We came down, watched The Office and tried desperatly to stay awake to watch Obama on Leno but it was close. I passed out halfway through.

More later!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Day Two: Hollywood & Highland and the WB Studio Tour

@Sheraton Universal Hotel, Los Angeles, CA

So on Wednesday we got up and fixed some extra reservations. Then we got up and checked out Hollywood and Highland, where we got to see the Walk of Fame and Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Both were a ton of fun and SO AMAZING!!

After that, and some lunch at this fabulous restaurant, we went over to the WB Studio and took the tour there. It was a lot of fun! We got to see a bunch of stuff and especially cool, we got to see the CENTRAL PERK SET from FRIENDS!!! And then we saw our first official celebrity....

...JOHN STAMOS!!!!

He was really sweet and VERY SEXY!! He was filming the final day of ER! He said his friend was Rosemary Clooney and I said "Well, he's looking good for a dead chick" and he replied, "Who me?" I gave him a look and said, "No Rosemary!" and he laughed.

I MADE JOHN STAMOS LAUGH!! HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!

HA!

More later!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Day One: Universal Studios and A Night Out!

@ Sheraton Universal, Los Angeles, CA

So Universal Studios was a ton of fun!! We started off with the studio tour which was a really fun. The best for me was the Bates Motel from Psycho. I really liked that there was a live actor.

Then we hit some of the rides. My favorite, hands down, was the Simpson's ride. It was this kickass motion simulator that I just loved. We did Jurassic Park which sucked in my opinion because we got wet, and I HATE wet rides! Thankfully it was hot and lunch time and my shoes were dry, otherwise I really would have been in a bad mood.

After lunch, we hit the Mummy Ride, a fucking blast! And Backdraft, boring. Lastly, we went to the Special Effects show, which was actually kind of fun. We walked City Walk for a bit, although there wasn't much to see. Most of the things there are tourist traps. Bubba Gump, Hard Rock Cafe, etc.

That evening we took the tram down the hill, then walked back up! Yikes! California is all hills! So we were hot, exhausted but still excitable, so we took a dip in the pool, showered and hit the town. We went to this awesome restaurant that A&E told us about called Micheli's. It had this awesome live jazz and the waiters would often stop and sing. It was REALLY COOL!! What a lovely way to spend the evening!

We went back to the hotel after that, hoping to find some cool evening entertainment, but nothing seemed to work out, and we were just plain tired, so we crashed.

There is still so much to say! So much to tell! Yet, I fear I have to go. I am behind, I know that, but I am exhausted!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Family Connections in the Big CA

@ Shereton Universal Hotel, Los Angeles, CA

Deary me! There is so much to say!

So Monday night we came in and got a call from A. She was heading out to Alaska and wanted to meet me before I left. So she invited us over to dinner. E was out at a party, but he joined us later.

So she bought us Indian food for dinner and I had so much fun chatting with her and E. I feel like they are such a great resource and I feel like they are kind of prepared to be that resource for me. It's so great!

After that, we came back and passed out. Then yesterday we got up and did Universal Studios. That was a ton of fun!

But I am sorta tired. More later!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Arriving at the promised land!

@ Sherton Universal Hotel, Los Angeles, CA

Boy oh boy has it been a day! And I want a shower now so maybe I'll write later.

Ok, later. Here we go:

So we left Mesquite today, a little late, but it was sich a restful sleep! I don't care. We hit Vegas an hour later and we got out and hung around the strip for a bit. It was actually tons of fun!

Then we got back on the road and headed to CALI!! We got in about 5 or so.

It was so nice!! This place is so beautiful!! Confusing, but beautiful!!

And driving is...intersting.

MORE LATER!!

Thursday, May 28, 2009

On Our Way

@ Falcon Ridge Hotel, Mesquite, NV

Oh, what a day!

We got up hella early and took off from Denver at about 8 am. The section through Colorado was incredibly boring! Of course Utah had it's nice parts.

There was one spot in Utah that was so beautiful, it nearly brought me to tears. So beautiful!

However, it felt like it took FOREVER to cross Utah! Arizona was beautiful, but we were only in it for about 20 minutes. Nevada sucks!

The hotel is nice though. Very nice!

We checked in and then grabbed some dinner and then RELAX IN THE HOT TUB!!! So very nice! I loved it!!

Now I'm all showered and ready for bed, and boy am I tired! So very, very sleepy.

We are going to try and get up early and spend a couple of hours in Vegas for fun.

SO SLEEPY. More later.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Picking up where I left off...

I know I am behind, but I am going to keep this in the way my notebook is written.

@ Home

R got the $!! Yay! Trip is on!! WooooHoooooo! I am so ridicuously excited!! More later, surely!!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Eekk!

@ Home

Still not sure about R. She seems unsure about money. I'm so very, very worried. Waiting for her call....

Getting There. Sorta...

@ Home

I bought some more stuff for the trip today, and now I'm starting to make a bunch of lists. I'm getting really nervous though, and a little bit stressed. And I'm kinda sleepy now. I need to go wake up...I have work to do!!

Monday, March 9, 2009

A Little Sunshine

@ Home

Things are starting to look up with the trip. R found some more money and she's going to ask her Zadie for one as well. So things might go well after all.

We have to wait a little longer though. UGH! Everything is so up in the air still!

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Fretting...

@ Home

R is starting to worry my. We've been planning this trip forever, but now I am getting worried she might flake out on me. And I really don't want that.

With everything paid for I still have to go, and I really want to go with her. Otherwise I'm going to get stuck with my brother or mom or dad!

And granted, I don't have alot of money for this trip, but she has less and I don't know what to do. I guess I can put it on my credit card but I really don't want to rack up that much! And her mom really can't help. I just don't know anymore! And I am REALLY worried.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Hotel Round Up

@ Home

What the hell doe mean by tickets in the last post?! I didn't buy tickets!! I secured the hotel!

Anyway, more good news. I am 12 days away from the trip!!!!!! I've got it mapped out and all the hotels secured, and I'm starting to get activities set too!! HOLLA!!!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

OMG!!!!

@ Home

OMG!!!!! I bought tickets for my LA vacation!!!! It's so freaking awesome!!!! YAY!!! YAY!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!! SUPER YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Silly Chelle Belle and Her Wacky Support System!

@ Home

I wrote a note on Facebook the other day, well sort of. A posted one of those "25 Random Things About Me" posts and tagged me in it. So I responded and posted one myself. The number two thing was that "I am really excited to move to California, but I'm also really nervous it won't work out."

Since then, the response has been incredible! Both R and A have told me positive things like "Why wouldn't it work out?" and "Of course it will work out!"

It's nice! Sometimes I think everyone else must think I'm crazy, all my big hopes and dreams and crazy ideas. But more and more, I find people in support of me.

Man I hope it stays that way!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

A Long List and Moving Forward

@ Home

So it's been awhile, I know, and there is a lot to say.

First, my dad's job went South. Fucking economy!! So he got laid off and on top of that he doesn't seem to be looking for anything new. I'm kinda pissed! Especially since I asked to go to California for my Christmas and Birthday presents. I keep reminding them though and they always respond favorably.

Second, we've picked dates! March 8-21!!

Third, we're not flying because driving is so cheap right now.

Fourth, I'm still unsure about R!

Fifth, I'm checkin' Hotwire.com for hotel deals.

I'm sure there is more, but I'm tired from my new diet. And my foot hurts.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Wii Fit!!

@ Home

J had an extra Wii Fit and she sold it to me! I feel bad because she could have made WAY more money had she sold it on eBay, but she's a doll and sold it to me!!

It's nice!! I mean it's so incredibly lovely! It make exercising fun! I am thinking good things. Yay for going to California with a more "California" body!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Good News!

@ Work

So there is a TON of good news on the LA front! I know it's been awhile!

First and foremost, is how awesome my parents are being about the whole thing! They have every intention, it would seem, of buying me plane tickets and helping funding my trip. Just the other day the found a great price on tickets and asked me about dates. Of course, I didn't really have an answer for them since I am still adjusting my schedule.

The other good news is that Aunt Jujie says that E & A would likely respond favorable to me staying with them if I were to offer to babysit Harps.

So yay!!

More later!!