REVIEW on WEEK 35: Hike to the Batcave

I've been going on hikes once or twice a month this year, and this one has got to be the least strenuous. We did end up traveling in the wrong direction, but we asked a runner (who wore a blue bandanna with rainbows and unicorns) where the batcave was. He pointed us in the right direction. (Stupid me for always wanting to work left to right.) Anyway, once we were on the right path, we trekked up a slight incline in the blazing heat. In about 5 minutes we were at the batcave and I rushed towards it to get out of the sun. For some reason it was smaller than what I expected and I thought there would be some memorabilia from the show on display somewhere. Any sort of artifacts we came across were the rocks and some petroglyphs (graffiti) that represented life and those who came before us. We also had a great view of the Hollywood sign, which Deane pinched, and I lifted, licked,and ate. (Check the photos!) Then we met up with my roomies and ate a little lunch inside the cave.




----- STATISTICS -----
People attended: 4
Time alloted: 2 hours

----- RATING ----- (out of 5 stars)
Overall Experience: 3.5

Afterwards we tried Scoops Ice Cream, which Sheri had recommended long ago. Why weren't we there all summer? Maybe 'cause we tried to go on Sundays (when it was closed) and never remembered it on any other day of the week. I sampled about 6 different flavors and picked my favorites: Coconut Lemongrass (regular ice cream) and Date and Almond (a soy/vegan ice cream). So yummy! I recommend it to everyone! Just remember to bring cash, as it is a cash only place!

We then walked around Melrose. I bought a new giant green purse since my current one is gi-tiny. And then I bought a cute vest to wear with some of my collared button-up shirts.

Then we took out Nick for his birthday. We went to Mission Restaurant, one of three restaurants owned and operated by the guy who owns the Bowery and Delancey. (Which I just realized were street names in New York!) Each is very tasty! At Mission, we ordered things like Chips and Guac, Salad (avocado, cucumber, jicama, corn), Ceviche, and Tacos (slow roasted pork, barbacoa, mahi mahi, veggie, etc.) It was delish! So much tastier than Malo, I think. And I like the vibe better.


For dessert: Molten Chocolate Cake from Geisha House. Then watched "Battle Royale," which I was certain later on that it would give me nightmares. But it didn't, which made my overall day even better.



:)

WEEK 35: Aug. 30th - Hike to the Batcave

Bring a sack lunch, and let's get ready to hike to Batman's batcave. Yes, you heard me. It's the set where Hollywood filmed the 1960s TV series of Batman. I don't know if you'll see many bats, but there'll be some wild animals, maybe coyotes and horses, and a sure view of the "Hollywood" sign. So come all comic book heroes and hiking nerds for one of the most famous film locations and hiking endeavors known to LA!

WHAT: Hike to the Batcave/Bronson Canyon Hike
WHEN: Saturday, August 30th at 12:00pm
WHERE: Bronson Canyon - 3200 Canyon Dr., Hollywood, CA 90068 - (323) 666-5046

Directions:
From Hollywood Boulevard, turn north on either Canyon Drive or Bronson Avenue (which merges with Canyon Drive later). Take Canyon Drive north, through the gates into Griffith Park, then park where the road ends.

For info:
http://www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facility/bronsonCanyonGP.htm
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bronson-canyon-griffith-park-hollywood
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/12793
http://www.seeing-stars.com/Locations/BronsonCaves.shtml

Flavor of My Week: New York!

I had so much fun on my trip to the East Coast! Here are the highlights of my trip!

8.20
Flew Virgin America from LAX to JFK, NY
Stayed with Shoshana's fam in Long Island

8.21




Theatre District - Rent
Times Square
Zen Palette
Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Center (ext. only), St. Patrick's Cathedral

8.22


MOMA - Salvador Dali Exhibit
Train to Kingston, RI - Bus to Newport, RI
Slept aboard Deane's family's boat
Late night cruise around the harbor/bridge

8.23





Newport Mansion Tour - Bleakers (ext. only)
Lunch at Black Pearl - salad and clam chowder
Marrakech Hotel
Coney Island

8.24







Guggenheim Museum
Metropolitan Museum
Central Park
Soho
- Vosges
- Balthazar - http://www.balthazarny.com/
Union Square - view of Empire State Building
- Olives Bar - coctail and snack

8.25












South Seaport - Pier 17
Biking - http://www.bikeandroll.com/
- Manhattan Bridge
- Met up with a lady who shared the Grimaldi's Pizza I wanted to try (yum! so kind of her.)
- Ate lunch at River Cafe - http://www.rivercafe.com/
- Brooklyn Bridge
Columbus Circle
- Cafe Bouchon (nutter butter cookies are amazing!) - http://www.bouchonbakery.com/
Little Italy
- Spaghetti and Meatballs

8.26










Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour - http://www.statueofliberty.org/Press.html
Financial District/Wall Street - World Trade Center Memorial - not open
Greenwich Village
- Osteria Luca
Soho
- More shopping
- Rice to Riches - Good rice pudding! - http://www.ricetoriches.com/
Mehu's Kitchen
- Indian Feast!
Times Square - needed last minute souvenirs!
Cafe Lalo (Lalo Paradise Smoothie and Walnut Apple Pie - yum!) http://www.cafelalo.com/
Taxi back home

8.27
Long Island - JFK - LAX - Burbank home

REVIEW on WEEK 34: Space Events

When planning these two events, I kind of knew I wouldn't be able to attend... either of them. But I thought of them as possibilities of what I might do if I had the time for them.

Well, I guess that's a break for this week since I'm off to New York in a couple days!!! I'm so excited to be spending a week in the Big Apple!

Ro

Flavor of the Day - Sona Tera Roman Hess

I went to the Lounge Theatre on Friday night with my cousin to watch a Preview show of "Sona Tera Roman Hess." I really didn't know what to expect from this play, but it sounded right up my alley when I read about it on Goldstar:
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From the Goldstar website:
Named for its four main characters, Sona Tera Roman Hess probes the lives of a family struggling to reconstruct itself in the aftermath of a crushing infidelity. Set against a backdrop of impending war, the play juxtaposes the charged atmosphere of adultery and incest with circus cousins who bring music, magic and predictions of the future.

Sona Tera Roman Hess gives us a window to a time that is bold and frightening, vivid and spectacular, fantastic and deeply resonating. In language that is in turn grandiose and quietly poetic, playwright Dennis Miles has redrawn archetypal characters, grasping for purpose in a world that has no place for them. With elements reminiscent of magical realism and Greek tragedy, Sona Tera Roman Hess is a story of surviving betrayal and rediscovering hope.
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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!
I loved it! The gypsy/clown cousins turned the play into a whirlwind of fun and added humor to the otherwise drama-filled plot. Sona, Tera's mother, was by far the best and most fleshed out character, and the actress that portrayed her was phenomenal! It's a piece about finding hope and happiness in a time of war and defeat. We don't always have what we desire, but we're alive, and like Sona, the crazy old lady, would reiterate: "I never died!" and "I live forever!" Dreamy and magical, whimsical and clairvoyant, this play was one I won't forget! It possesses everything we (in my playwrights class) are taught a good play must have, especially the as-of-late, poetic device of earned lyric registry. I hope to someday write a play as great as this one.