hollywood bowl

Jesse and I finally made it to Hollywood Bowl...and for a great event too! We went to the annual John Williams event when the LA Philharmonic plays the music of the movies and John Williams conducts. We heard familiar scores from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, and lots of others. The audience was entertaining as well (see below). Before the performance, we had a picnic dinner on the grounds with friends and made a whole evening of it.

For our seats, we had to take escalators up to the top of the amphitheater. When we turned the corner, it was a fun sight to see. The Hollywood Bowl has been around since 1922 and has become a true LA landmark/experience.

A lot of audience members (including a couple of our friends!) brought out lightsabers for the Star Wars songs.

jesse and the marathon

I had a great time watching the LA marathon last week. I went to see Jesse run by at miles 11, 18, and at the finish line, but I was a very good cheerer for the other runners as well. :) I am NOT a runner by any means, but between the ambition of the runners and the support of the spectators, watching races always makes me feel so happy.

This was one was especially fun, despite the CRAZY rain that did not let up the entire time. I was soaked through by mile 18. I stopped briefly at home to change before heading to the finish line, and got soaked through again. Jesse, of course, was soaked for 26.2 miles, plus the nearly two miles we walked home. Just as he crossed the finish line, the rain intensity increased (which I would not have believed possible). It felt like I was standing under a waterfall.

Jesse did amazing. He finished really strong and his recovery went smoothly. I am already looking forward to next year! (I'm not sure he is yet...)

Mile 11.5 - Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Jesse at mile 18.

Jesse at the finish line.

colin

For the second year in a row, Jesse and I got to see a movie at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre as part of the AFI Film Fest in November. And for the second year in a row, it was an LA premier starring Colin Firth. This time, however, we actually got to see Colin Firth - first as part of a panel discussion before the movie and second in the burger bar across the street. AND this time the movie went on to receive four Academy Awards: best picture, actor in a leading role (Colin Firth), directing (Tom Hooper), and writing for an original screenplay (David Seidler). Firth and Hooper are pictured below, as is Geoffrey Rush, who was nominated for best actor in a supporting role. Seidler came on stage later to talk a little about the writing experience.

This shot was taken during the panel discussion which occurred prior to the movie. Our seats were in one of the front rows, which was not great for watching the movie (giant screen = sore necks), but excellent for a great view of the panel discussion.

This is outside of Grauman's just before the movie started.

Director Tom Hooper talking while Colin Firth listens pensively.

our first movie premiere

When my family was in town last week, we took them to see the celebrity footprints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Unfortunately, there was a movie premiere scheduled that night as a part of the AFI film festival, and all of the footprints were covered over with red carpet. While that was disappointing, Jesse did a little research into the film festival and found out that for the first time they were offering free tickets to the general public. So we headed back on Thursday night and, after standing in a very long line, got in to the theatre. The movie was A Single Man, with Colin Firth and Julianne Moore. I was surprised at how different it felt to watch a movie in such a large, historic, beautiful theatre. I'd love to watch every movie this way. The only bummer is that I would have loved to see Colin Firth on the red carpet, but we were around the corner in line for that part.

Yes, I live in Southern California and am wearing a winter scarf...it's been cold at night!!

Afterwards, we got a late dinner at Mel's Drive-In, which I thought I had read was a historic diner. Apparently not.

new things

California is definitely different than anywhere I've lived before. Here are some new things we've experienced:

When we went to Malibu last weekend, we saw a veterinary clinic was offering "rattlesnake vaccines." Should we be scared?! Perhaps we should hold off on hiking until we are more educated?


The California wildfires are in the news, and while they aren't really that close to us, and we haven't seen ash in our area, it's very odd to see the billows of smoke. We saw them especially when we were driving on the freeway, and once this past weekend from the beach. It's very ominous and bizarre, and definitely a new experience. Pepperdine has been threatened by fires before, although where we live in Santa Monica is generally safe from them.


We've been exploring from the car a little lately, and recently drove down Hollywood Blvd. We got out of the car for about 45 minutes and walked by some of the famous sites. The Kodak Theatre was a little disappointing from the outside. (Do you know that between the red carpet and the actual theatre there is a big mall hallway??? So the actors have to walk by Clare's - or something - on their way to the Oscars? That just seems like it would be a little bit of let-down.) The stars in the sidewalk are a little more like what you would expect, but certainly no more exciting than you might expect.

BUT Grauman's Chinese Theatre was really fun. That's where celebrities have left their handprints and footprints and messages in the cement. I don't know why it's so fascinating to see the shapes and sizes of Matt Damon's (large) and Judy Garland's (teensy and adorable) shoes, but it is.