G’Day from Hollywood

Greetings All…

For those that have not yet heard I am now on my way to Holywood… Or by the time that this message gets sent (because it is actually being typed on the plane about 90 minutes out of LA) I will be in Holywood. [OK – I am now here in Hollywood… I am staying in a very nice Hotel about 500m from Mans Chineese Theatre, which is where ALL the movie premiers occour.

If you are wondering why you have not heard, for those that have not, the reason is timing. Tuesday morning, after I got to work I got an email at home asking forwarding me a copy of a report from the IOC meeting in Laesane on new media, and then another 10 minutes later asking if I would be available to fly out on Saturday.

Of course I made myself available. Why not… An all expenses paid trip and all that. A week on annual leave has allowed me to escape. Before leaving I picked up a pair of noise cancelling headphones. They are fantastic, changing the cabin noise from a dull roar, into somewhat noisy air conditioning. The phones are hard to sleep in, but it is possible and you then do not hear most of the people moving around the cabin, or laughing. The only thing is that they have this cute little red power light, that can be seen when you are wearing them. One of the women near me was wearing one, and it reminded me of the borg from StarTrek…

I was quite surprised at the number of people on the flight – there were a lot of spare seats, about 50% I would guess… the return flight next weekend will not be quite so spacious from what I can gather, since I have to change planes in New Zealand with am 8 hour stopover. That does not concern me as I will have some business to do there maybe, else I will meet a friend for a few hours.

Getting through imigration was easy – only waited for about 10 minutes, which is my best ever. Overall I was out of the airport in about 15-20 minutes after the plane arrived at the gate. I got a taxi to the hotel, not cheap but they are paying for it. On the way back I might go by train. There is a railway station about 250 m from here, and another near the airport. The next station from where I am at now is Universal city… I think it is on the other side of the hill that this hotel is on – I will check that out tomorrow.

I have done a tour of the Hollywood Movie Museum, which includes much of the Paramount stuff, including the transporters from StarTrek, and bridge from Star Trek- The Next Generation. The photo me in the captains seat. They also have the set for cheers there. One thing I loved was a film on Hollywood, with some images of famous Hollywood movies. There was a photo of a PIG, as in BABE. When I pointed out that the movie was made [at least mostly] in Sydney, he was rather shocked, but noted that at least Fox are an Hollywood company.

I ran into Trevor Smith at the airport. He was on his way to New Zealand for his mothers funeral. She had been unwell for quite some time. I have found the office where I will be working.. It is one of the tallest buldings in these parts at 15 stories.

I signed up for an internet service so I will get mail as normal – but not my work email…

Camille and Tasia were right that Hollywood is a bit of a hole… Not too bad…But there are parts that I would not go after dark. I did not get up to Hollywood and Vine, maybe tomrrow. Hollywood Bvld has so many T-Shirt shops and also a lot of Electronics shops… Some prices are fantastic, and some are not so good…

My itinery today… Flight got in at 1:00. At the gate about 1:15… At the hotel by 3:00 pm and then had a look round.. Back to the hotel by 6:00 and had tea And went to bed.. I woke up about an hour ago, and did not feel tired… I am getting tired now.