Today I went to the Getty (Day 8)

Wednesday,15 October 2014 

Where are we? USA, California, Los Angeles, The Getty Centre

"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls" - Pablo Picasso.

Today was our last day in Hollywood, however unfortunately laziness had kicked in.  I had originally planned to go and climb the Hills of Mount Lee to get up close and personal with the Hollywood sign.  But alas we slept in, and I didn't want to walk the trail in the hot midday sun (I am still dealing with sun burn from the football game).  We talked about going to see the Le Brea tar pits (California has active tar pits that currently bringing ice age fossils to the surface), but the kids weren't keen.  In the end decided on a trip to The Getty, but we'd go by taxi, (faster than public transport to make up for our lost morning.)

The Getty

http://www.getty.edu/museum/exhibitions/

The Getty was on my list of things to do, after seeing that it was listed as the No.1 attraction in LA on Trip Advisor. Not a theme park, or a sporting venue, an Art Museum!  The world's traveller's must be more cultured than I thought. Or perhaps its because they are frugal, as its free to get in.

I like going to art museums when away from Darwin. I enjoy looking at the history of humanity via art.  I also enjoy reading the commentary, and always wonder about how our activities of today will be interpreted in the future. Is art of today facebook memes? Would the commentary say something about our art being about people trying to connect with others? About attempting to inspire one another above the monotony and hardship of general life, but also to inject levity and entertainment through the use of ridicule and irony.  I dunno - what do you think? Or perhaps our art is "the selfie", and I'd dread to think what that says about us. I am no art expert though, you could put me in a museum with great art and ordinary art and I wouldn't know the difference.

The taxi dropped us off in a covered car park at the bottom of a huge hill. We then caught a driverless electronic tram to the top of the hill. The view was spectacular. The Getty brochure quotes Richard Meir and describes the tram ride, as frictionless cars riding on a cushion of air which is designed to give visitors the feeling "of being elevated out of their day to day experience". LOL gotta love pretentious art talk. :-)

We got to the top of the hill, to this very grand looking building.  Did my kids want to look at art? Nope. They were starving, so we immediately went to the museum cafe and fueled up on food. Darius loved his orange grilled cheese, although the colour threw him and he called it Pooh-bear honey.  Disney has infected his brain.

Then it was time to visit the museum.  We stopped off to borrow a free stroller, and to borrow some free audio guides. Entry to the museum is also free, although there is a cost to park, or in our case cab fare cost.The building and grounds is pretty special in it's own right, and I snapped lots of pics of the view, buildings and gardens... which according to the pamphlet are a "series of specialty gardens that exploit the interplay of light, colour and reflection". *posh voice* Are you getting into the galley spirit with me darling?

Our first stop along the way was the special exhibition "Spectacular Rubens: The triumph of the Eucharist".  These paintings, drawings and tapestries made by other's based on his work are around 400 years old.  We weren't allowed to take photographs, even without a flash.  At first I though this was because of the age of the work, but there were older paintings elsewhere in the Museum that we were allowed to take photos with. I guess it has been determined that his work is extra special.  The paintings and drawings displayed were religious scenes, perhaps the topic is part contributor to his high status.  The other factor is possibly that he used the baroque style.  I am not going to pretend that I understand that term, basically I think it means that his work portrays a strong sense of drama, and grandness. I know I am lucky to have seen his work in person, and the HUGE tapestries created based on his paintings.

We then moved on to other sections and exhibits, but the kids were driving us both insane. I was terrified that Kaine was going to drive Dar's stroller into a priceless Roman sculpture.  So we backed off and went and checked out the family area, which was a really cool interactive area for kids.  We were actually hoping we could dump the kids and go and look in peace, but kids had to have someone 16 or over with them.  Shane kindly agreed to supervise while I ran away to have a quick solo look.  

I asked where than van Gogh painting was and quickly ran-walked to have a look. Huffing and puffing, (after taking the  stairs) I again asked where the Van Gogh painting was only to be told I was right in front of it. Another Deb ditzy moment.  It was kinda obvious too, as that was the painting with the most people around it, taking photos.  I took photos too, and even was a wierdo and got really close to try and capture the texture of the paint on the canvas, where it's thicker and smoother.  I think I started a trend coz a few people after me did it too. LOL. 

The painting was the Irises (you can see it here: Getty Museum Irises) I will put my photos on here, but I am typing this on my iPad and the photos are still on my camera).  Van Gogh commenced painting it during his first week when staying in a mental asylum in France.  I looked at his painting and read the background, and just hoped that the act of observing, connecting, and painting would have brought his mind and soul some peace, even if only temporary. 

Having seen what I most wanted to see, I headed back to the family area, let Shane know we could leave if they wanted.  We decided to stay and we all explored other areas of the museum together. My kids somewhat better behaved,  although not entirely and were sometimes instructed to sit on a bench outside and wait. We didn't see everything, but I know that I did see lots of special pieces. (photos still to come).  

The next step on my plan was to get close as legally possible to the Hollywood sign, by hiking up the Mount Lee trail.  I was also hoping to check out the Bat Cave from the 1960's Batman movie which is near by.  But when the taxi took us to the start of the trail we were advised that the trail was closed due to construction. :-(  We got out of the cab and took some close-ish photos anyway.

Did you know? The Hollywood sign originally spelt out Hollywoodland. The original sign was created and erected by Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler in 1923 as a temporary billboard for his upscale Hollywoodland real estate. Apparently it would flash at night Holly, then wood, then land, then Hollywoodland.


Did you know? The Hollywoodland sign became just Hollywood in 1978 after a group of celebrities funded the restoration of the letters.
H: Terrence Donnelly (publisher of the Hollywood Independent Newspaper); O: Giovanni Mazza (Italian movie producer); L: Les Kelley (originator of the Kelley Blue Book); L: Gene Autry (actor)
Y: Hugh Hefner (founder of Playboy magazine); W: Andy Williams (singer); O: Warner Bros. Records O: Alice Cooper (singer), who donated in memory of close friend and comedian Groucho Marx, and who joked that he would also donate an "O" from his last name^.; 
D: Thomas Pooley (donated in the name of Matthew Williams).

Driving away from the sign, we were a little let down, as I had been psyching the kids up for the challenge of walking the 1.5 hour round trip.   But in that cab ride silence, I had to wonder how many aspiring actors, writers, musicians, artists, have stared up at that sign, developing their dreams, making wishes, and whispering promises to themselves and that sign. How many stars has that sign  inspired, helping them to believe that this is the place where magic is possible? It was a good way to reflect on our adventures here and to say goodbye to Hollywood.

We got back to the hotel, had dinner, then packed and went to sleep, ready for our next destination.

Today I was in the audience for a live taping of The Big Bang Theory (Day 7)

Tuesday, 14 October 2014 

Where are we? USA, California, Hollywood, Burbank, Warner Bros Studios,  Set of The Big Bang Theory.

Sheldon: "You know, it just occurred to me, if there are an infinite number of parallel universes, in one of them, there's probably a Sheldon who doesn't believe parallel universes exist."

Leonard: "Probably.  What's your point?

Sheldon: "No point.  It's just one of those things that makes one of the me-s chuckle."   

- The Big Bang Theory Series 4 Episode 05 – The Desperation Emanation

  
There may be infinite parallel universes, and I am sure in many of the parallel universes, the alternate me was not in Hollywood, and they didn't just get to see the The Big Bang theory be taped.  But I am ever so grateful that it happened to this me in this universe!

Getting tickets.

Tickets to live taping are available from tvtickets.com. I did my research and learned that the tickets would become available 30 days before the show, and are updated by 8.30 am LA time on 
Monday (which equated to our 1:00 am Tuesday morning) and 
based on what I read I knew it wouldn't be easy. 

Two weeks before the tickets for "my show" were released, I had a practice go at getting tickets / monitoring the website.  About half an hour before ticket release time, the refresh key would take longer and longer to load, about 10 minutes before ticket release time I got an message saying the server was busy, too much traffic, I kept hitting refresh over and over, but that message didn't go away until 45 minutes later, when there was a small window to obtain standby tickets. I never saw the screen allowing for guaranteed 
tickets.

Two weeks later I prepared to do it again, but for real this time. However when checking a few hours before release time I got a different message that the server wasn't available due to maintenance.  This message stayed, only changing to the message that "the server is busy too much traffic and unable to connect" at around 1am. I kept hitting refresh, but my 1am, slowly turned into 2:30 am still without luck.  I made a promise to myself that I would 
only wait up till 3am, as I had to work the next day.  Suddenly, when I hit refresh the ticket screen came up, showing that there were guaranteed tickets to Big Bang theory.  I put in an order for my hubby first, but in my sleep deprived haze I didn't complete all the required fields, and got an error message.  But I was never able to get back to the server and get the guaranteed ticket.  I did manage to get Standby tickets for both myself and my husband though.

My hubby isn't so fond of Big Bang Theory that he was willing to give up a day of his holiday to wait in line. We also had the problem of what we would do with the kids for the day, could I leave 2 x 13 year olds and a 3 year old alone in a LA hotel by themselves with no way to contact us? (phones and recording devices not allowed). No. We could hire a baby sitter, but it would mean missing a day of family fun.  So decision made, I would spend a family free day, waiting in line to see the Big Bang theory, and Shane and the kids would have their own fun.

The Wait

Originally I had planned to get there about 8am. When on the WB tour I asked what time I should arrive and he suggested around lunchtime 5-6 hours before show time. So I started to think 8 wasn't such a critical time.  I woke about 7 ish, had hotel brekkie, then came back and ummmed and ahhhed about taking my phone and iPad. The ticket specifically says no recording devices will be 
allowed in, they are to be placed in your car or left at your hotel.  I have a horrible sense of direction, all the what ifs haunted me, what if am dropped off at the wrong place, also how the heck would I get home again, without a phone, at 10 ish at night? Too scary. I discussed with Shane that worse case scenario, I would give him a call and he could come by in a taxi and grab my phone and iPad.

So standby ticket, a couple of bottles of water, Raven's cheapo American phone (with net access) and my iPad in hand I walked around the corner and got a taxi to Gate 3 WB studios.  My taxi driver was an Indian guy who migrated to America when he was 16, he finished high school here but had recently dropped out of 
college and had been driving taxis for the last 3 months. He had relatives living in Melbourne and asked me about the Australian 
way of life. He hadn't seen any celebrities, so alas no stories for my Facebook alter-ego "Hollywood reporter."  I asked him about how to get a taxi home again, and he gave me a card with a number to ring. I arrived at Gate 3 around 9 am, my next mission figuring out where to wait.  

There was an under cover area with metal benches, but all the signs were about the Ellen Show. I went to security and asked where I need to line up and she directed me around on the other side of the building to the car park. I walked around couldn't see any signs, the building had a door and steps, I reasoned that I could sit at the top 
of the steps to wait, but thought I should double check. I went back to security who advised nope not on the stairs on the green benches.  So around I went again and saw some benches off to the side of the 
building with a smoking sign. I sat hoping I was in the right place.  Not long later a man approached asking if I was here for TBBT. I let him know I was and he let me know I was sitting in the wrong place. The line literally commences in the parking lot on some green benches in the shade of a tree, no signs at all. Apparently there used to be a sign, but it is assumed the sign now lives as a souvenir in someone's home somewhere. And so the wait began - 9 
1/2 hours till show time! 

Surprisingly the car park began to fill pretty quickly. I had walked 
past a bunch of 4 young local ladies, in my search for the waiting area, they became next in line.  John (the man first in line) was really nice and helpful, a veteran of the TBBT experience, this was his 14th time to a live taping. He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is a FedEx pilot, previously a military pilot.  When he flies to LA there are rules about compulsory down time before flying back
so he likes to get a TBBT ticket and spends the day waiting in line and then watching the show be taped.  He was very willing to share his experiences, and clue us in as to what to expect.  Immediately I was quite buoyant as in John's experience the smallest number of standby tickets that got in was 11. I was sitting in standby position number 1, I was in John's words "in pretty good shape to get in."

Not long after the family of 4 local girls, came a group of 5 - 3 with guaranteed tickets. As each party arrived they'd check with John (the front of the line head honcho) that they were in the right place and ask whatever questions they had.  It turned out that this group had military background too, I watched the instant military bonding happen, then tuned them out and focused on writing my blog post about Disneyland.  I soon became bored with my own thoughts and was nervous about using all the battery in Raven's phone so I put the iPad away and just joined in the chatter around me.

The 4 girls next in line, chattered about movies and TV shows, this was their second attempt at coming to see a show with standby tickets. The first time they arrived about 1 pm, but they didn't get in.  This time they were more prepared, had folding chairs, food, and impressively one of them managed to study hard most of the wait.  

The majority of the chat time, however was with John, (position number 1) which would be regularly interupted by the lower line dwellers, who would come forward to seek guidance and wisdom from the king of the queue. They would introduce themselves, then say somethng along the lines of "I hear you're an expert... bla bla bla".  John gave me tips on which rides to go on and get fast passes for Disney World, I even took notes.  He also told me about his foray into background work.   One day while in line to TBBT a lady came up and asked if this was where extras were to go (it wasn't) after the show John spotted her walking out of the lot and asked how she got to be an extra.  Inspired John started applying for roles where they would ask for men aged 30 - 50 with a military background.  He got a job on the show Homeland, where he "worked" (lots of standing around) for 13 hours and made $88! He also very nearly was a "guard" for District 13 in the new Hunger Games movie Mocking Jay. He was given the role, and he'd confirmed but then work got in the way, and he had to cancel. Pretty cool story though. 

At about 2 pm a really pretty American girl with glasses, dimples and perfect skin, came forward to talk to John, they knew each other from previous TBBT lines.  She was frenzied, excited and panicky because she desperately wanted to go to the show, but arrive 4 1/2 hours before show start time was probably going to be too late.  She was in a quandary about whether she needed to tell her boss that she was going to be late or not. I am not sure what her job was, but she explained that she'd already done 3/4 of tonight's work yesterday as she wanted to something to do with Agents of Shield (Captain America) I think.  Anyway she was hesitant to give spoilers, but did tantalise us a little with her inside info - the show was going to be an important "Shamy" episode.  Ahhh OMG right?!  The name of the show "The Prom Equivalency", Mayim (Amy) was getting hair extensions, and Stuart (the comic bookstore guy) was taking someone controversial to the prom. We started to guess that it was Howard's mother (Debbie), her response, a laugh, a shaken head, and a "no.... Worse!" Speculation regarding who or what could be worst ensued. But Uber fan (I didn't catch her name), would just grin and remain tight lipped.  

I asked about how she just had tickets if she wasn't planning to come.  She explained she always gets standby tickets, you are only allowed 2 guaranteed tickets per season, but she waits till the guaranteed are gone (1 minute), then gets stand by tickets.  She had tickets for the next three shows (including this one) which should be good episodes as its Sweeps (ratings), she had decided that she would probably go to the one in the middle, until she heard about this episode late in the morning. She lamented to her online friends that she could have been there, then decided to just jump in her car and give it ago.  She was emanating enthusiasm and desire so much, I teared up a little, and made a comment that I feel as though I should give her my spot.  She laughed and said something along the lines of "but you've been waiting all day and from your accent I have a feeling you've come all the way from Australia, right?"  I guess I was feeling guilty, and undeserving, because while I do like the show, I am not as passionate as my son, and no where near Uber fan's league (I don't know the girl's name).

Around 3 pm (I think) things started happening. Official people in black  starting making announcements that we were not to move out of line and we were to have our tickets out.  Then they came around checking our tickets. People with guaranteed tickets were to line up in a new line. I lost my new friend John to the guaranteed queue, but I now moved to No. 1 spot.  There were still guaranteed ticket holders turning up, and they got to skip in front of we lowly standby tickets.  We then had to provide ID and get checked off a list. The guaranteed line was marched off around the corner, while we standbys were left in the car park. From the beginning I was thrilled and very grateful to be at the front of the line, but I was especially grateful that I got a seat in the shade, as those people after position 20ish, (I didn't actually count) were standing in the hot sun and looked very uncomfortable.

At 4pm a man came around and wrote a number and time on our ticket, and gave us a black light stamp.  I asked if the stamp meant we were definitely in.  He replied No.  One of the girls behind me told me she'd thought the same thing last time, but they hadn't made the cut.  Then after a little while we were asked to start moving, then I was asked to "Please stop, hold madam"... then after a pause I was to continue again. I had a irreverent desire to salute and army match, but fortunately I suppressed the urge.

We were "marched" around the corner to the waiting area for the Ellen show.  It is under cover (no more punishing sun) and had metal benches for everyone. I went right to the end and sat where the Ellen guests were lined up.  I had a very brief chat with a nicely dressed Ellen fan who thought we were going to Ellen too. I quickly nicked off to the toilet er restroom as they call it here. Then went back to my position waiting. In front of my seats was a roped off area with a VIP sign, inside the rope the same green metal benches as we were using. Guests would rock up, sit for a little bit, get signed in and stamped, then another brief wait before being ushered  across the road in small groups.  I commented to one of the girls next to me that it didn't look very VIPish, that the benches need red velvet cushions or something.  She pointed out that they don't need it because they aren't sitting long enough. :-)

Have I tortured you long enough with description of the wait?  I wanted you to get a sense of how long the wait was, but also how the experience held enjoyment as well as monotony.  When finally advised that I was in, it was thrilling, but there was also a sense of it being deserved, as I had put in many hours of waiting to ensure my entry.  Even if I had been turned away I would have been able to laugh and know that I gave it my best shot, and it definitely wouldn't have been a wasted day.

Pre Live Show

Once "in", we went across the road with a little group of VIPs who had just arrived.  We went through security, then walked between two white lines across the lot till we got to the studio. Inside the studio we walked through a passage way, and my phone and iPad were bagged with a copy of my ID. Then it was a quick walk around the corner towards the sound of pop music playing to a raised seating area.  John had already explained to me that the first two of six rows were for VIP guests followed by guaranteed ticket holders then the stand by tickets filled the gaps.  The Usher advised me to take a seat on the far right, then asked me to wait, asked if I was a party of one, when I replied I was, she asked me to take a seat on the left in the second row amongst the VIPS!   Holy Shit For Real! Like a good girl I did what I was told.  :)

The seating was high, with a railing in front. The sets in the sunken stage below were covered with black screens.  I could just see the very top, of the set immediately in front of me, there were some cupboards at the back and nearer the front a superman figurine head peeking above the black barrier, it took me a few minutes to realise that it was Leonard and Sheldon's apartment.

Very soon after being seated we were introduced to Mark Sweet the warm up guy, who made us feel special... "You are about to be a part of TV History!" and had us giggling and hyped up for the ashow.  The show started with watching an episode that hadn't aired on TV monitors. 

*** Small Spoiler alert ***

I can't remember what the show was called, possibly something about Dark Matter.  The show was about Sheldon and Raj wanting to go deep underground into a mine to conduct Dark Matter experiments. Instead of going straight to the mine, they conduct a trial underground experience to see if they can handle it.  Meanwhile Penny and Leonard were having issues with the change in their relationship due to Penny having money from her new job.  They seek advice from Howard and Bernadette on how they deal with money where the money making couple roles are non-traditional i.e. Bernadette earns the most.  It was funny.

*** Spoiler over ***

The live show

After watching the pre-taped show it was time for our show.  We knew from the double sided photocopied pamphlet on our seats that the show was called "The Prom Equivalency".  It all started with the stars being introduced to us, and they would run out onto the stage like a theatre production.  Kaley gave a special smile and wave to someone on the audience, and I glanced back to see a man standing behind the audience smiling back.  John had clued me in that this man was Kaley's Dad and that he has attended every single one of TBBT shows.  How sweet!

We watched the scenes in order, always being done at least twice sometimes small sections would be re-done.  Sometimes a new joke would be thrown in, sometimes movement would be slightly different. There were a few scenes that had already been taped which we watched on the monitor.  Between filming Mark played games with the audience, had dance competitions, fake dating shows, had people come up and show off talents (including a lady on a honeymoon for her second marriage who could put her whole fist in her mouth).  There was a pick a key to win money section, and even did a fake dating show using bachelor's from the audience and asking ridiculous questions like if you were a meat which meat would you be and why. He introduced each scene before it was peformed, and would try to get us to laugh as the scene started often by making a silly laugh.

My observations of the stars - purely my opinion after observing one show.

Jim Parson's (Sheldon) was incredibly professional.  Serious between filming but so perfect in his delivery.  The actors have the lines and movements in their head for the whole show, yet he never really made an error.  There was just one moment where he over paused before his line, the director yelled cut. Jim was apologetic in expression, and immediately almost defensive saying "Where do you want me to pick it up from, I can pick it up from anywhere."

Johnnny Galecki (Leonard) was also professional and accurate. Focused between takes, but not as serious as Jim.  The crew called him Johnny or JG.  Between takes he'd put his glasses on his head like sunglasses.  His expressions when not filming were much less nerdy.  Near the end of filming Johnny and Kaley (Penny) climbed up onto the railing to thank the audience for being there, to express their gratitude for being part of this amazing show and to acknowledge the 150 crew members who make the show possible. He was very smooth during his speech delivery, complimenting an audience member on their bad-ass hair cut.  No sign of Leonard awkwardness. 

Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting (Penny) very beautiful lady.  I think her new hair cut enhances her very expressive face.  I couldn't Penny's apartment set from my position, so I had to watch on the monitor. Before the scenes commenced I could hear unclear chatter but couldn't see what was going on.  Before taping with the other girls I could hear teasing and  laughing and a re-occurring joke that Chloe would think it was funny.... whoever Chloe is.  I got a strong sense of fun from her, I could just tell that when the three females were together they were having a ball.  When Kaley had Penny's red prom dress on, as soon as there was a pause in filming she'd wrap herself in a woollen wrap.

Kunal Nayar (Raj) definitely the most fun.  He'd watch the games and silliness going on in the crowd often laughing along too.  He was able to focus quickly when the cameras were rolling though.  When not in character he has an American accent  I am told that he almost always signs autographs after each show.  He signed an autograph for me!

It was such an awesome night!

A day later I explained my experience to my son Kaine in extreme detail, he commented that I made it sound really stupid and boring.  I thought the episode was the best I have seen, but I know that it was in part from being there.  When you watch a comedy movie at the cinema and everyone laughs it seems much funnier than when watching it home.  I watched a couple of TBBT episodes before this trip and I noticed that I never laughed out loud, I'd smile but that's about all.  During the taping I laughed heaps. I tell you this to warn you off reading the following because it might spoil it for you.

*** MAJOR SPOILERS - The Prom Equivalency, paraphrased as I remember it ***

Opening scene - Cafeteria

Jokes about Stuarts relationship with Howard's mum.
Howard: They have matching pj's
Leonard: Matching pj's means you're in a relationship
Raj: Hang on no it doesn't - My dog and I have matching pajamas
Leonard: Matching pajamas means you are in a relationship

Penny's Apartment

Amy and Bernadette arrive:

Bernadette: I brought food, plates, napkins and wine.
Penny: Great, did you also bring toilet paper, tooth paste....(and other common house hold items that would be odd to bring)?
Bernadette: Yep, here you go.
Amy: What's with all the clothes out here?
Penny: I am clearing out my closet for all my new work clothes.
Amy: I meant why are they folded?
*Amy picks up a red dress and does the girly "Oooh what's this?" thing.*
Penny: That's my prom dress.
Bernadette: You still have that? I just assumed it would be balled up in a barn somewhere.
Penny: *offended* What kind of teenager did you think I was?
Bernadette: slutty

Amy: easy

Penny: Just checking (the first run through I think she said - you mean "popular"). Then asks about their prom experience (I think).

Amy: Talks about her lonely prom experience, but how the janitor / DJ let her have one slow dance with the mop. Reminisces with a dreamy smile fake waltzing. (First run through Mayim said broom instead of mop so they had to do the scene again from the beginning.)
Bernadette: (commiserates, saying that hers was horrible too because her date, only asked her because he liked her friend.)
Amy: Stop showing off - you had a date AND a friend. 
Penny: (Explains that she went to seven proms, and they aren't that great. Lists the names / themes of them all, finishing with "A night to remember"... which of course she can't remember.)

Amy:(to Penny) So did you take the football captain to Prom?

Penny: No, *grins* but I did make out with him a little bit while his date was off vomiting.

Amy: My date would have had to clean that up.

The girls, particularly Bernadette talk about having a fake prom experience where they all dress up.  Penny not all that impressed with the idea.

Leonard and Sheldon's appartment (the boys and Penny)

Howard: Bernadette's very excited about this prom idea, and you know when she's excited because *voice goes up several octives* her voice gets extra high piched when excited.  (two different jokes came next for the different takes,one about the dogs howling and I can't remember the other one.)

Raj: In India I watched movies about proms. I saw Pretty In Pink and I wanted one.Then I saw Carrie and I didn't. Then I saw Never Been Kissed and I was back on board again.  (first run through - he then said something about thanking Drew Barrymore, second run through the line was changed to it's been a real rollercoaster ride, third run through something about ups and downs).

Sheldon: I didn't go to a prom  (some awesome lines and delivery that I can't remember... along the lines of Instead of obtaining xyz (insult prom goer characteristic) I was obtaining abc (insert educational quality)..... and repeat with different traits.

Penny: Interupts... are we going to do this prom thing?

Leonard: Do you want to?

Penny: Forget about what I want, what do you want.

Leonard: It would be a dream to take someone as beautiful as you to prom.

Penny: *groans* Gee thanks a lot, I didn't want to go, but now you've said that I'd be a real bitch if I didn't go.

Raj: That sounds like a Yes! *happy dance*

Howard and Bernadettes apartment 

Bernadette: *speaks in an extremely high pitched voice* (something about the prom, that everyone has RSVPed including Stewart who is bringing a date)

Howard: *mimes listening cautiously for dogs*

(Howard complains because he thinks that means that Stuart will bring Howard's mum.

Jokes about Howard's mum going to Howard's real prom.)

*Howard rings Stuart*

Howard: We used to be good friend's but I don't want you dating my mom its weird. 

Stuart: I am not bringing your mum, I have a date!

Howard: What! You're cheating on my mum?!

(more conversation, Stuart reassuring Howard that there's nothing weird going on.  The phone call ends when we hear Howard's mum yell out to Stuart that his bath is ready, and Stuart abruptly explains that he has to go. We don't know who the date is.)

Penny's Apartment

Sheldon: *Knock Knock* Penny x 5

Penny:  *opens the door* I noticed you did more than normal.

Sheldon: I might be in a rush next time it's good to have a few in the bank.

Sheldon: I realise you don't want to go to the prom either, and I have a solution, we can pretend to be aliens.

(Then says stuff about pretending to be an alien from planet wherever when watching her plays, when Penny looks annoyed he cheers her with a comment don't worry he gave you seven thumbs up!).

Penny: What?

Sheldon: (More alien stuff, something about rituals.)

Penny: What about after prom mating rituals?

Sheldon: I'd be willing to give them a go.

Penny: *shock* What?

Sheldon: (More weird alien talk, something about if Amy wants to throw her ovaries in the air, then he will chat them with some alien part.

Penny:  (Says something)

Sheldon: (Line of the night!) Admit it you're turned on. (delivered with wiggling eyebrows.).

Leonard and Sheldon's apartment

(boys are dressed / dressing for prom)

Leonard: *Tieing Sheldon's bow tie* You know you can get clips on for people who can't tie their own bow tie.

Sheldon: Bruce Wayne never wears a clip on.

Leonard: Well you can be sure Bruce Wayne doesn't have a room mate tie it for him.

Sheldon: Yes he does - Alfred.

Leonard: I thought you were going to pretend to be an alien.

Sheldon: No Penny doesn't want to. Koothrappali and Wollowitz didn't want to, and even I know it would be weird to hire someone. 

*Sheldon goes to the kitchen and places a cask into his jacket* 

Leonard: *notices* you're kidding are you planning to spike the punch?

Sheldon: (Something about participating in all prom rituals, but it's not alcohol it's pommegrate juice - rich in antioxidents and something else.)

Leonard: If you had ripped jeans and a leather jacket you'd be the toughest kid on Disney channel.

Leonard: (something about prom rituals, and advice about how hormones are out of control and not do anything silly. 

Sheldon: (all serious and vulnerable) Penny said something similar.... something to express his concern regarding post prom expectations).

Leonard: I was joking, don't worry about it besides you don't have hormones.

*camera zooms in on Sheldon's troubled face*

Hallway between Penny and Leonard and Sheldon's apartment. (incidently that is the order of how the set's are arranged.)

*Leonard knocks on the door* Penny and Amy come out.

(this was done several times, sometimes Penny had her hands on her hips, arms down, one on hip one down, personally I thought both hands on hips looked best we will just have to wait and see what it ends up like. Penny is wearing her red prom dress from the earlier scene).

Leonard: (says something complimentary to Penny, she thanks him and leans on his shoulder).

Amy: (Comes through the door looking gorgeous in Blue, her hair is up... not sure how hair extensions were used). You look very handsome Sheldon.
*looks expectantly at Sheldon, Sheldon looks uncomfortable*

Penny: Sheldon doesn't Amy look hot? Doesn't it make your (alien part) happy?

Amy: *confused, awkward, vulnerable* What's a (alien part)

Leonard: A (alien part) is a organ that comes out of his shoulder blades.

Sheldon: *panicks* I can't do this! *moves to the door of their apartment then turns* But for your information Leonard that's not an (alien part), the (alien part) comes out of a belly button in my neck.

Amy *gutted stares after Sheldon*

Leonard: Oh he's right, I was thinking of the lower (alien part)

Limo scene (this was pre-taped we watched this on screen, with green screen behind that they will add passing cars to instead of green).

Howard & Bernadette and Raj & Emily in limo driving to pick up Stuart.

Bernadette:*to Emily* You have a new tatoo.

Emily: It's xyz (I can't remember) a super hero who's arms and legs come off and can be stitched back on.

Bernadette: *squeeky voice* I like Cinderella.

Emily: (something else creepy)

Bernadette:*more squeeky voice* I like Bippity-Boopety-Boo

***SPOILER***

Stuart and Jeanie climb in.  

Howard: Jeanie, my second cousin!

Raj: That you had sex with!

Howard: Thanks a lot you had to tell Emily.

Emily: Relax I already knew.

Howard: You told her?!?

Raj: There was a gap in the conversation what else was I going to do?

Howard: This is weird.
Jeanie: Weirder than what you and I did?

On the roof 

(Leonard and Penny - roof is decorated beautifully, I can't believe how fake the background building looks, never noticed when watching TV).

Penny: Oh this is so beautiful, I didn't want to come before, but now I am really glad I did - and I get to take you to your first prom.

Leonard: What makes you think it's my first prom?

Penny: (says something, asks him who he took)

Leonard: A girl named loneliness, but it's okay, afterwards we had a threesome with humiliation.

Penny: *wry laugh* you wouldn't have asked me to the prom back then even if you knew me.

Leonard: what makes you say that? I just had my growth spurt.

Penny: *big eyes* you've had that? (First time she said something about you wouldn't have asked me coz it was just after *my* growth spurt... *pointing to her breasts* second time around she said something different.

z

*leonard and penny dancing*

Leonard: Thanks for not wearing heels.

Penny: You're welcome, thanks for wearing heels.

Leonard: something about can't believe how lucky he is taking Penny to Prom.

Penny: Do you want to take a photo and send it to your chess club?

Leonard: No I sent them a photo of you in a bikini years ago.

(More conversation I might have the order incorrect)

Sheldon's room

(Amy is outside Sheldon's room)

Amy: Sheldon are you okay?

Sheldon: (lying in his bed) Sorry can't talk I am having what Soccermum9 says is a panic attack.

Amy: A panic attack?

Sheldon: Yes, she recognised the symptoms, she had one too, although admittedly the twins were a real handful that day.

Amy: Sheldon please come out and talk. What's going on?

(Sheldon expresses his concern about the pressure and expectations... comment that) even I was impressed with how my butt looks in these tuxedo pants.

Back on the roof

part a of scene

 (Leonard and Penny dancing, conversation about enjoying being alone, and ar least with this prom, there's no drama)

part b of scene

cuts to limo, where it's turned into physical brawling between Howard and Stuart.

Bernadette: Back off  this is his turf, get your own mother and cousin to have relationships with.

Outside Sheldon's room

(Amy soft spoken and vulernable)

Amy: I just wanted to got to the prom and dance with someone with arms and legs.

Sheldon: So you weren't hoping for physical interaction.

Amy: I am always hoping! But no Sheldon, I just wanted to share a nice night with you.

*deep breath, awkward*  Look Sheldon I am going to tell you something, its something that holds expectations but I want you to know you don't have to say anything...

Sheldon: *interupting, tender* I love you too.

(audience goes wild!)

Amy: You do? (starts hyperventalating)

Sheldon: Well yes I though it may have been (some illness that I can't remember), but no, I love you is the only thing that makes sense.

( I can't remember the rest of the conversation for this scene, too delighted with the I love you... and I saw it live! Ahhh!)

Final scene on the roof top 

(The gang on the roof top, cute prom date photos. Final photo is Stewart and Jeanie (Howard's 2nd cousin), mid way through taking the photo, Stuart's phone rings, he responds "Coming Debbie", and leaves Jeanie. The photo is snapped with a p-d off Jeanie and a leaving Stuart.

Note: I do NOT have a perfect memory, some phrases I remember clearly, but most words won't be exact.  I can't wait to see which jokes, which takes, which movements make it to the final show.

Thanks for reading, much love,

    Debbie and family.

Leona

Today I went on a Warner Bros tours and had dinner at Hooters. (Day 6)

Monday, 13 October 2014 

Where are we? USA, California, Burbank, Warner Bros studios

"I think cinema, movies, and magic have always been closely associated. The very earliest people who made film were magicians." - Francis Ford Coppola. 

Finally a sleep in! We got home around 1 am, and everyone was straight to bed.  We awoke after 10:00am - we'd missed breakfast. Oops but worth it.  We originally had the Le Brea tar Pitts on our agenda, but we just skipped that and decided to do a Warner Bros tour.  There's an age restriction so Dar couldn't come so we split ourselves into two tours. 

Kaine and I went first, while Shane, Raven and Dar set off to find 
brunch. The tour started with a movie to reaquaint us with the four Warner Bros and snippets of WB movies. Then it was off to check out the lot.

Unfortunately the set of The Big Bang theory was closed as they were blocking and rehearsing for tomorrow's live taping. But I did manage to take a photo of some very expensive looking cars parked next to the studio.  We also drove past where they were taping 2 1/2 men, bit of a thrill to think a wall was all that divided me from Ashton Kutcher. Next to the sets, we'd see white trailers where stars hang out, and rails of costumes and props poking out of buildings. 

We saw a tiny strip of a "park" which was used for the Rachel and Phoebe jogging scene in Friends, and also where the cast of the big bang theory shot the renaissance fair scene where they were dressed as knights in an early season (Kaine thinks season 3).

We then went to a large outdoor area with a circular park in the 
centre and large buildings including Rosewood City Hall.  My twins are fans of Pretty Little Liars unfortunately I haven't seen an 
episode, the twins tend to watch it on the computer and if I hover to watch they get cranky, so generally I leave them to it.  Shane has 
watched a snippet and seems to know the name of one character Eddie Lamb.  Whenever the twins discuss a plot Shane adds his Eddie Lamb two cents much to the joking dismay of the twins. Rosewood City Hall is from Pretty Little liars, but apparently that location is used a lot, including The Heart of Dixie, they just change the name.  Parked in front of the Hall was an English double decker bus, and some 50's or 60's era cars. The guide wasnt sure what was about to be filmed.

We got out of our cart, and went inside Emily's house from Pretty 
Little Liars (PLL), which meant nothing to me. But we also learned that it was also used as the childhood home of Monica and Ross from Friends, it was inside this house that the going to prom scene was filmed where Rachel's date hadn't shown up, and then Ross got ready to take her, but when he came down the stairs Rachel and 
Monica were leaving with their dates.  I have touched those stairs! :-). The guide also pointed out the new wood in the front of the house, this is because the front was recently destroyed coz someone drove a car into Emily's house (PLL plot).  The stairs went up into know where land, their is no ceiling, just lighting.  There was also a  standing lamp in the corner called a ghost light... yep its there to 
keep the ghosts away, apparently even the dearly departed are 
celebrity stalkers and lot tourists :-)

We went through to the backyard, and saw the house next door which was used on the Gilmore girls, and is Spencer's house on PLL, Kaine immediately recognised the shed in the backyard and knew who it belonged to.  Both houses are also often used for short murder scenes, with dummy corpses strewn everywhere for shows like the Mentalist.  Perhaps thats why they needed the Ghost Lights... the entertainment industry is a supersticious bunch. :-)

We then were taken to a display building, and allowed to wander for about 15-20 minutes which housed a tribute display for 75 years of Batman, with costumes and props from the the various Batman 
movies. I missed Darius but I took lots of photos to show him.  On the upper floor it was all Harry Potter, and we got to be sorted by the sorting hat. Kaine was Slytherin, and I was Hufflepuff.  Kaine loved it, and I thought it was very cool too.

Later we went to see the actual Bat mobiles used in the Batman 
movies. Apparently they have real v8 engines inside. The tank Bat mobile is apparently the fastest, reaching speeds of 130 miles per hour. More photos to share with Darius.  Then cameras had to be put away as we were taken onto the set of PLL. We saw all the character bedrooms, lined up next to each other.  We walked 
through the school hallway lined with lockers, and fake doors to classrooms. One door does lead to a real room, normally a classroom but today it was dressed as a dance studio, with a bar, and mirrors along one side. Our guide explained that the mirrors were slightly angled, to avoid the camera ending up in the shot. The final stop on the PPL set tour was the coffee shop, called the Brew, which had been transformed to a cafe / bookshop... I think that's a spoiler as someone on the show has bought it and transformed it.  Many of the books on the shelves were by James Patterson as he has provided the rights to have his book's used on TV.  You'd think 
that they would just use fake books.

After PLL we went to the Friends set, or rather the re-built Friends set.  The story goes that after Friends was finished they dismantled 
the set ready for the taping of Joey.  Jay Leno contacted WB who requested a final interview with the cast on the Central Perk coffee shop set. WB advised that the set had been dismantled so Jay requested they rebuild it. When the interview was complete, apparently Jay suggested that such an iconic set should be kept, WB agreed, and thus we got to see it on our tour.  It was surprisingly small. Kaine and I got to have our photo taken on the couch, which was used in the last 3 seasons. 

We then drove through the back lots, saw a place where the 6o's Batman was shot in front of. Saw where Jim Carrey had a fight in Yes Man, and where a street scene for the Big Bang Theory was shot, where the guys were dressed as the Justice League super heroes, when they stumbled across a car being stolen and they ran away. 

I asked our guide James if he'd been an extra, and the shows that he'd been on.  He said he was a background actor when he first left school. James said it didn't pay very much, but he did get free food, which was a bonus.  He told us that we wouldn't know most of the shows he did were pilots which didn't make it to TV.  One of the shows we did know was The Crazy Ones, with Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Geller. The Crazy Ones was set in cold Chicago, but shot in sunny LA.  James was a background actor who had to wear winter clothing and was sweltering in the heat all day long. He went onto say that to his amazement Robin Williams came and spoke to him, (just a lowly background actor) during a meal break, offering him sympathy in having to wear the winter clothes all day whereas he (Robin) was able to at least get a break in the aircon of his trailer.

Then it was Shane and Raven's turn, who coincidentally got the same tour guide.  Also coincidentally they reckon they saw the actor who plays Eddie Lamb from PLL coming out of his trailer.  I am skeptical however.  

After the tour was over we caught a taxi back to Hollywood Boulevard and had dinner at..... Hooters! *blush*

Its a family restaurant I tell you, I know this because 
a) they have a kids menu, 
b) they gave Darius a colouring sheet with Hooters on it (owl hooters that) is and some crayons.
c) they have a whole roll of napkins........ (Which might be for messy kids, although it could be for the men to wipe away the drool.)

So just like on TV, it's a haven for men. The waitresses who let you know that they "will be taking care of you" (smile) are wearing the skimpiest clothes. It's not so much the tight tops, it's more the shorts (if that's what you call them) that don't cover their butt cheeks they are that short.  There are also TVs blaring football, and the menu seemed very blokey.  But it was good, the food portions were huge, so big that Kaine couldn't even get through all his 'double-d' burger. Kaine not finishing a meal is unheard of. I also have to say our gorgeous Hooter girl gave amazing service, constantly checking how we were doing, and providing free refills on the drinks. She was good with Darius too, putting a lid on his drink and placing it in the centre of the table. 

I am a terrible eavesdropper, I overheard the table next to " us asking their beautiful blonde Hooter girl if they could get a photo. She replied "no I am sorry, I used to but I am under contract so I can't anymore." The patrons were bewildered, "what do you mean, under contract?", her response "I am modelling  - sorry".

When it was time to go, I went looking for a place to pay, and the lady, told me "your girl,will take care of that, she'll be along soon". So we did the American thing and asked for the check please. We got the bill with a hand drawn heart around the section for tips.  So cute! 

Then walked home past the super heroes and movie stars and beggars again.

Thanks for reading, proof reading and pics to come.

Today I went to the happiest place on earth - Disneyland (Day 5)

Sunday, 12 October 2014 

Where are we? USA, California, Anaheim, Disneyland!

"To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savour the challenge and promise of the future.  Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and imagination to all the world." - Walter E. Disney. July 17,1955

Another early morning start, I wish I could say everyone was bursting with excitement and jumping out of bed, but sadly everyone was reluctant to leave their beds - Raven in particular rebelling and saying she wasn't going. I was dismayed.. "But it's Disneyland Raven!"  Originally we had planned to stay in Anaheim, but we decided that rather than pack everything up and re-settle we might as well stay put and just travel to Anaheim and back again during a single day.  This is our second time to Disneyland for Shane and I, 
last time we did it over 2 days, so we knew we were in for a full-on day, full of the magic of Disney.

Our driver was really nice, chattered away happily, and couldn't do enough for us, offering bottles of water, and kept checking that the air con temp was okay.  He was an immigrant from Cambodia who escaped the oppression of the Khmer Rouge, a very proud and devoted father and 
grand father.


The traffic was kind to us, and we arrived early before the gates opened, which gave us time to get Darius a stroller. We watched as some of the crowd got in early, but it was okay watching the crowd, little girls dressed as princesses, lots of people wearing Mickey or Minnie ears, and whole families 
wearing matching themed shirts.  I offered my family the 
option of wearing matching shirts to Disney before we left but the twins, particularly Raven weren't very keen.  Disney 
music was playing on the speakers, which lifted our sleep 
saggy spirits. Disney music is just so uplifting, and emotive 
sweetness.   "A dream is a wish your heart makes"..... Hum, hum, hum...

So we finally got into the park and hit the rides, I won't bore you with a step by step of every moment and will just list some of the highlights.  The thing I love about Disney is the amount of detail that the creators have gone to when making the park. Every cm is themed, it is Autumn and yet the plants and flowers are blooming and perky, the hedges are sculpted into animal shapes, and the staff (aka cast members) are 
really into it, so full of joy and dedicated to the theme. 

Some of our favourites


1. Fantasia. So awesome! Mickey and the power of the imagination. Sometimes dreams can become nightmares too, so it was a show about good vs evil but of course good prevailed. It has an amazing combination of elements, 
characters on stage, images are projected on to water 
spraying in a large fan over the lake, boats with characters dancing and doing rope swinging tricks. Fireworks, lasers, life like mechanical characters including a giant crocodile following Hook, and for the finale a giant fire breathing dragon whose breath made the water light up in flames. Spectacular! My leg fell asleep while watching cross legged on the ground, it was tricky getting up amongst the moving crowd.  Shame job... They need to provide chairs for the old 
and over weight. :-)



2. Splash Mountain. The wait time for this ride was 90 minutes, but Shane and the twins lined up, leaving me with Darius.  Darius is a tiny bit too short, but psychologically so not ready for these rides. While they were on the ride I secured 5 fast passes, so that we could come back later and get straight on.  Darius fell asleep so I wandered around with 
the pram then sat in the shade and watched kids interacting 
with Pooh characters. The characters had several shift 
changes while I waited. Tigger, Piglet and Pooh always had lines and enthusiastic kids running and jumping up for cuddles, but poor Eyeore with his sad poses, droopy ears and tail was often lonely and without a line.  Some of the sweet kids would run up and comfort him with a big hug. It made me a little sad, sadness is so unpopular, it sucks to be sad in a world of happiness. 

Eventually Shane and the twins exited the ride, wet and talking excitedly about how fun the ride was.  We returned later and I went on it with the twins, it is so good using a fast pass, just zooming past all the waiting peeps.  The ride is a boat on a track which takes you past talking and singing critters, with small drops then a large drop at the end. Lots of fun. We got off then I went again with Shane, again walking past the waiting crowds using our fast past, we got on even 
faster than with the twins, because they were looking for a 
party of 2, so we even skipped the fast pass line. :-)

3. The Winnie the Pooh ride. 
This one was for Darius, but it took us a couple of goes before we got on the ride. The first time we were in line, and we heard the cast member's one way conversation "You're serious? You can't be serious! After I told you not to do that"... Then he picks up a mic of sorts and announces that the ride is closed.  We've started mimicking that one sided 


conversation with our fake American accents to each other... we thought it was funny.  When we came back later the ride was working again.  Dar really got into it during the wait, fake eating the pots of hunny.  The cast members who must have been exhausted, were still very perky, reminding us to wait behind the honey yellow line, and wishing us a Tigger-ific day.  I think it's only American's and perhaps Disney 
Americans that can get away with such cheesy and saccharin lines.  Makes me smile though. The actual ride is pooh dream, freaky Fluro characters then awaking to a hunny birthday party.  Very cute.

4. The Disney parade 

We watched this twice, although the twins just once. The first time we were attracted to Frozen music that accompanied the pre parade frozen float. Dar was happy to see Anna and 
Elsa, so we stopped to watch while the twins went to take advantage of less crowds on the rides.  They got lost though and returned to us just as the parade finished.  We watched it again later just as we hopped off the it's a small world ride. Lots of Disney themed floated, excellent dancers, animated characters - Simba from the Lion King was so cool, people on stilts, playing drums, and oodles of big grins and waving princesses and disney characters.  I had done a good job preparing Dar with Disney characters, as he'd yell out character names, even recognising the chipmunks. :-)

So much more space mountain, Star Wars, thunder mountain, meeting Thor (with his fake Aussie accent) transforming into iron man, sleeping beauty castle, eating in Pinocchios cottage, riding space ships and flying Dumbos, churros, meeting characters.  We stayed till just before midnight, but there was so much to do that we actually missed a whole section - cartoon land) All in all, a truly magical day. 

Photos and editing still to come.

Love Debbie and family. x

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney.

"I only hope that we don't lose sight of one thing - that it was all started by a mouse." - Walt Disney. 

"A dream is a wish your heart makes" - Cinderella

"Hakuna Matata - It our problem free, philosophy"- Lion King 

         "We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and    

         curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney. 

Today I watched football and went to Griffith Observatory (Day 4)

Saturday, 11 October 2014 

Where are we? USA, California, Pasadena - Rosebowl

“It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference." -  Bear Bryant -  University of Alabama

Another early morning up breakfasted and off to navigate our way to the Rosebowl to watch UCLA vs Oregon.  Raven however was not bright-eyed and bushy tailed and wanted to stay home and sleep.  We didn't have much time to argue so we left her "home" with a phone and the rest of us went to catch the subway. Shane had researched various public transport routes to get to the Rosebowl, but when we arrived at the station there was a TV monitor advising football fans to catch the gold line to Pasadena, where free shuttles would then transport fans to the game.  We did have to change trains, but it was very easy thanks to all the signs.

On the train, Shane made friends with some Oregon fans, who assumed Shane was from New York because he was wearing a Bills' shirt. When explaining that we were from Australia they wanted to know "So how did this happen?" (with a gesture at the shirt)... a question that Shane has been asked a few times now.  America is similar to Melbourne I guess, a community of sports fans who are instantly bonded by love of the game, and as soon as they know your team, then there's instant conversation topics.

I didn't have anything to add to the footy conversations, and instead enjoyed people watching and listening.  I watched as a lady with a son about 5 or 6 got on the train, angry and stressed out with her boy "Get on the train now!". An African-American lady, joked with her saying she got scared, the mum commented that she wished her son got scared.  During the trip the kid got whacked across the head with his mother's bag a few times, (it was sort of funny, and a little shocking, not something I usually witness). When it was time to go, the mother got her son to hold the back of her dress as they departed the train.  The African-American lady yelled encouragingly after them "You just hold on baby, you hold on to your Mama".

We got off the train at Pasadena, our plan being that we were going to follow the Oregon fans, but they stopped off at Subway. Fortunately, it wasn't much of a walk till we heard the crowds and joined a huge line of people waiting to catch a shuttle to the Rosebowl. There were a couple of people wandering the lines asking if anyone had spare tickets, we should have sold Raven's ticket but our line to the bus was moving forward and they were going in the opposite direction.  The shuttle bus seemed quite new, very clean, and had excellent aircons and we were transported very quickly to the Rosebowl. 

The atmosphere was exciting, people dressed in team colours, chattering happily. We wandered through the car parks where cars were set up with bbqs, beer, food, tables and chairs. Shane explained that these were tail gate parties, a college football tradition.  At the gates there were religious people parading around with signs, and handing out get out of hell free cards.  I took one... just in case. ;-)  

Heaven wasn't on our side however as we were stopped at the gate and banned entry as Darius had spiderman and venom toys that could be used as a weapon.  If we wanted in, we'd have to get rid of the toys... which Darius was becoming very distressed about.  We decided to be naughty, buried the toys at the bottom of my bag and tried a different entry point. Fortunately they were too busy to do a thorough search and we made it in, secret spiderman friends in tow.
We made our way to our general admission seats past lots of interesting American food.  As we entered to sit we were told to freeze, no movement allowed while the American anthem was sung, hats off, hand on heart, and cheers towards the end of the song. 

The atmosphere was electric, marching bands making music and clever formations on the field, cheer leaders making tricky pyramids, men holding them up with one hand, then throwing them into the air. .  The college boys in the crowd had their shirts off , and the girls were wearing skimpy tops and short denim shorts. Does it make me sound old, when I say I was concerned for the skin cancer in their futures?  UCLA handed out free towels, which were put over heads to keep the sun off.  The crowd were very into the game with chants..."U..C...L..A..fight! fight! fight! (combined with fist pumping) and "Ooooooooooooh" with hands coming into the sign of an O. It was so American, big and enthusastic.

It was an insanely hot day (my iphone stopped working, with a message that it was too hot - never seen that message before). Darius did not like the sun, and our $6 bottle of water went very quickly, and he hated the very lemony lemonade.  So he snuggled his face into me and went to sleep.  The sun was brutal, I still look like a lobster 3 days later typing this.  Fortunately Darius was protected by me, and didn't burn. Kaine's burn just turned to tan. The sun and the burning took away a lot of the enjoyment for me, I didn't understand what was going on in the game, nor did I really care.  I begged Shane to leave early, fortunately the game was a flogging, Oregon completely dominated UCLA, so Shane and Kaine agreed to leave neat the end of the 3rd quarter.  We got on to a shuttle bus, with blissful aircon, and at the end of our journey we were able to purchase water for $1, and Shane got a UCLA shirt for $1.

We stopped of at Subway where we chatted to a UCLA fan who apologised for his team's performance, and told us about an ex who lives in Sydney.  We talked about holiday, and he told us we'd love San Diego as it's much more laid back, and Aussie style. :-)

Then we went back to the hotel to collect Raven and to navigate our way to Griffith Observatory.  We were a bit slow getting ready to depart and missed our connecting bus, and therefore we watched sunset from the bus stop rather than the observatory (which was our original plan). We also missed getting pics of the Hollywood sign from her during the daylight which is rumoured to be a great spot. I am glad we caught public transport though, I would have been scared driving the windy hill, and the traffic was chockas. The bus fare was $2 for all of us.

Griffith Observatory
http://www.griffithobs.org/

The Griffith Observatory looked vaguely familiar, probably because it has featured in so many movies, tv shows and more.  (pics still to come)

Movies include:  The Terminator (that's where Arnie materialises at the beginning of the movie overlooking LA), Charlie's Angels: Full throttle, Transformers, Yes Man, and the old classic Rebel without a Cause, and many more.
TV shows include: 90210, Melrose Place, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Keeping up with the Kardashian's and many more. Paula Abdul's Rush Rush film clip with Keanu Reeves was also filmed there.  (Can you tell I am a child of the 80's?)

We definitely saw some Hollywood Stars here, stars in the sky viewed from Hollywood that is. ;-)  The Griffith Observatory is a planetarium / space museum, filled inside and out with telescopes and interactive educational space stuff.  They had huge to scale models of the planets which is an awesome way to get perspective of how tiny the Earth is compared to the Gas Giants, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus (which American's seem to pronounce as urine-us). Darius has been learning about planets at pre-school I was so glad he could see this display. The observatory also had a cool walk along time line from the Big Bang to human life (while it wasn't quite to scale... or I guess we'd still be walking) it was still able to demonstrate that our / human's time here is so minute in the big picture.  I got to hold a very old meteorite which was estimated to have hit earth 50 million years ago and to be over 400 million years old. Someone asked how do we know how old it is, and the guy replied "because scientists dated it"... I had to giggle. It was a little rock, but very heavy.

Raven, Kaine and I watched a show on time in the planetarium.  We have been to one before in Melbourne, if I ever win lotto, I will build one in Darwin for us.  We got to see  a show about the beginning and the end of the world, and about how human's continually inaccurately predict the end of the world. The end of the world will come, probably when the sun explodes and absorbs the earth, but that wont be anytime soon. The presenter discussed the recent Mayan calendar myths, the planets were never in alignment, there was no planet or metorite heading towards us, and even the Mayan's didn't predict the end world.  

We also were shown constellations and when they can be seen (in the Northern  hemisphere). We were shown the phases and position of the moon and planets in our sky.  We were told the nature story of beginning, end and re-birth, the constant cycle, which is told from the perspective of many cultures and evidenced in scientific theory too.  She also spoke about distance, time and space. How time moves slower around heavy objects in space, and how we are seeing the ancient past when we look into the sky. It takes millions of light years for light to travel through space and get to earth, so we are seeing surrounding galaxies etc in their infancy. She also mentioned that the universe is expanding so in the future it will take even longer for light to get to us from distant galaxies. I really enjoyed it.

Then we enjoyed the spectacular night time views over Hollywood, caught the bus back down the hill, and then train home. Waved to super heroes and faux movie stars during our walk to the hotel, and home to bed by about 11:00 pm.  Ready for Disneyland in the morning.

Photos and editing of this post still to come.

Thanks for reading, much love

Debbie and family. x