Santa Monica, Fubar

I went to Santa Monica yesterday. It is about an hour away from where I'm living in LA. It is a really lovely place. The architecture I've seen so far in California is so nice - it's quite consistent in style and character. I have to say that I take back that LA is all road no trees - LAX is like that but not The Valley (where I live) or Hollywood or most of the surrounding area. There are so many mature trees and plants here and it really makes the streets quite attractive. I'm a landscape architect so I tend to notice these things far more than other people but the maintenance here is to be commended. The street planting always looks neat and tidy and the grass so green (perhaps not so good)... the gardens are mostly cottage looking. It's all very cute indeed.

In SM we went to 3rd Street (an outdoor mall - like Queen Street), the beach and the Santa Monica Pier. The SM Pier is really nice - there is a ferris wheel and a rollercoaster and while we were there, a tv show was being filmed called "Reality Bites". So I saw some famous guy but don't remember his name - I think he's only famous in the states.

We went to Fubar which is a gay bar in West Hollywood. It was Tuesday karaoke night and the group of us Australians got up and sung "I come from a land down under". It wasn't my finest moment but it was fun for my first karaoke experience... ever (and the last). We had a great time out and danced up a storm!

Hmm.. Well this is all I can think of for now. I'll be in touch.

T