Oh Look, Los Angeles!

End of the SP... Viva Las Vegas!

2013-02-17T13:53:00.000-08:00

The end of this study period is approaching and what a whirlwind of ups and downs it has been for me. I have to say I am a little surprised that I was able to stay with the WEB101 unit at all, but I am so glad I did. By next Saturday I will have submitted my last assignment and I am intending to celebrate and live it up in... Las Vegas! I cannot wait! So this post is going to be Vegas inspired and share with you some of the cool things I intend to do while I am there.

If you are ever looking for accommodation for Vegas it is a good idea to do a little research about what deals are happening. Two of the websites I used are http://www.smartervegas.com/ and http://www.hotels.com/. After looking at both of these I saw that The Hard Rock Hotel was having a deal on their Tower suites and instead of being up to $300 it was only $100 a night. Bargain! The room looks amazing and I'm not even sure I will want to leave it.

One of the sights I wont be missing is the Bellagio Fountain show. A mix of water, lights and colour. The fountain has featured in many a movie, like one of my fave's Ocean's Thirteen.

Something else I want to do if I find another 'brave' person is Eli Roth's Goretorium. A year-round haunted house means not having to wait until Halloween. Whoa the photo's look scary and bloody!

Apart from the many drinks I plan on having and the obvious gambling that will be happening, I really want to go have a Margarita at Margaritaville for the atmosphere alone.

Credits:
Photos taken by:

By Old Shoe Woman @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/judybaxter/
By Gijlmar @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/gijlmar/
By voteprime @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/voteprime/
By CosmoPolitician @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/metropolitician/
By Allen McGregor @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/allenmcgregor/

A Different L.A

2013-02-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

I am not one for the everyday tourist attractions like the Hollywood star walk or Rodeo Drive. It just does not interest me at all. I will add a little disclaimer that I have in fact seen a bit of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but I was only walking from a car park to what was a great night at the 2012 Comedy Bang! Bang! Nativity Pageant to benefit the LA Regional Food Bank. That was probably the closest I will ever get to the walk. I personally like the arty (LACMA), outdoor (Griffith Park), alcoholic (cheap cocktails), and weird side of L.A. So this post is dedicated to some of the stranger things I have on my to-do list, since there is more than enough ‘strange’ in L.A.

1. Fry's Electronics
An actual electronic's store with a space invaders theme. Each Fry's store has their own, but this has got to be the coolest and geekiest by far.

http://www.frys.com/

2. Museum of Death
A self-guided tour through all things deathly and macabre. This place has the world's largest collection of serial murderer artwork,the guillotined severed head of the Blue Beard of Paris (Henri Landru), a coffin collection, replicas of execution devices, mortician and autopsy instruments and as many other deathly items that your stomach can handle.

http://www.museumofdeath.net/

3. Watt's Tower's
The Watts Towers, is a sculpture of seventeen towers by Simon Rodia. Constructed out of structural steel and covered with mortar, they are a representation of one man's vision and determination. Rodia worked single-handedly to build his towers without benefit of machine equipment. This a must see for that reason alone!

http://www.wattstowers.us/

4. Lucha VaVOOM
"A mish-mash of Mexican masked wrestling, fun and striptease." Well that's what the website is telling me. Seriously though the 'Luchadores' look amazing and they just got back from The Big Day Out so I am all in.

http://luchavavoom.com/

5. Necromancer
Maybe I have a fascination with the macabre, seeming as this is the second death orientated place that I really want to see while I am here. Necromancer however, is a shop which sells strange dolls heads, animal bones, old glass medicine bottles and lot of other bits and pieces.

http://necromance.com/

Credits:
Photos taken by:
By Theron Trowbridge@ http://www.flickr.com/photos/therontrowbridge/
By Rusty Blazenhoff @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/blazenhoff/
By Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/evarinaldiphotography/
By Nick Sherman @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicksherman/
By @andrewghayes @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/39214918@N03/

Got To Eat... Goldstein's Bagel Bakery

2013-02-06T22:12:00.000-08:00

First I'm going to start by saying that I have tried salmon quite a few times and never liked it. Now for my review. I LOVE LOVE the New Yorker Bagel! The smoked salmon, cream cheese and red onions taste amazing. It's yummy, filling and I hardly ever get through the whole bagel in one go. My son is a huge avocado and tuna fan so Goldstein's having the Tuna Delight is a bonus. Good food and the drive-thru is convenient for a grab and go.

Credits:
Photo taken by Jussy H. @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjussy/

Better Than Brick

2013-02-06T19:54:00.003-08:00

No matter where you go there is always a wall that is more than just bare bricks. While a lot of people might think this is just graffiti, I think it is more like public art and bringing vibrant colours to an urban environment. Here are a few more photo's for the Oh Art category.

Credits:
Photo taken by Jussy H. @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjussy/

Surviving... Disneyland

2013-02-06T15:05:00.001-08:00

Even though it has been around two and a half months since we went to Disneyland the thought of that day still makes me shudder! I know that Disneyland is described as the happiest place on Earth, but that day was not all sunshine and happiness. It was more like sweat, claustrophobia, and dehydration. Oh and let me not forget budget busting! Now do not get me wrong I did enjoy myself and I will definitely go again and I am even thinking about doing California Adventure Land in March, but you need to have a game plan.

How to survive Disneyland:

1. If you can visit Disneyland over a few days then DO IT! Trying to squash it into one day was a nightmare and utterly exhausting.

2. Before you arrive, check to see what rides you can get a Fastpass (it means not waiting an hour in line) for and send someone to go get them while you wait in another line. Multi-task people!

3. Get in as early as you can, as the lines for rides seem to get longer as the day goes on.

4. If you want to watch the parade, find a spot at least an hour before. Maybe get someone who is tired to hold a few spots. The gutter along the roads is the best spot in my opinion as you are right near the action and sometimes the characters interact with the kids.

5. Wear sensible shoes and pack for all kinds of weather!

6. Later in the day, some of the places get a little dark so keep an eye on the younger members of the group. It is surprising how easy it is to get lost.

7. Whatever you budgeted for Disneyland put aside extra. Food is crazy expensive and you will need a lot of water to stay hydrated throughout the day especially if it is hot. Add on to this that I could not help myself in one of the shops and picked up red sparkly Minnie mouse ears and an oh-so cool Storm Trooper T-shirt. I really wanted the Chewbacca backpack, which would have set me back $60, but I was able to see through the shopping high lol.

8. Did I say sensible shoes?

9. A good idea is for the group is to match in some way, so it is easy to identify them amongst the crowd. There were many people wearing the same colour shirts.

10. Mentally prepare yourself for a long day, a lot of people (I cannot empathise this enough) and a lot of fun!

Credits:

Photo taken by Jussy H. @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjussy/

Got To Eat... Taco San Pedro

2013-02-06T12:32:00.001-08:00

Before Taco San Pedro my only experience of Mexican food was at a fast food chain in Australia. The food there was very oily and didn't sit too well with my stomach later on. However, Taco San Pedro is absolutely mouth-watering and oh-so yummy. I personally love the Flautas. While it may get a little packed at times service is fast and you will be eating in no time. My only complaint... there is not a lot of parking, but other than that this is my favourite Mexican food by far.

Credits:

Photo taken by Jussy H. @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjussy/

Not An Ordinary Wall

2013-01-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

This is the start of a series of posts I am intending to do that will have the common theme about the public art I see in Los Angeles. I am hoping that in the next few weeks I am able to spend the day on a kind of art hunt without Mr.Two (my son). He is not as excited about the idea as I am. If you want to see all the posts that are about this theme then just click on the label Oh Art.

Credits:
Photo taken by Jussy H. @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/hjussy/

Hi there L.A

2013-01-05T12:47:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles, a larger than life, traffic congested, anything goes city which everyone needs to visit at least once in their lives. Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second largest city of the United States after New York. The 'City of Angeles' as it is often referred to is a melting pot of differing cultures, religions, mouth-watering food and fascinating people. From the snow-covered mountain peaks to the shimmering ocean vistas, Los Angeles or L.A is a place of extreme contrasts. Venture down one street and you will see the opulent dwellings of the rich and famous, but turn a few corners and the view becomes one of the low socio-economic areas or that of the multitude of homeless that the city has as its occupants. This city which was originally a holiday destination has become my temporary home. One that I cannot help but love and hate, one that I will be sad to say goodbye to when this adventure is over. However, until that time I want to share some of the things I do and see along the way.

Credits:
Photo taken by Vicente A. @ http://www.flickr.com/people/feculent_fugue/