Raod tripping, LA

So we had to fix the brakes before we set off. A quick trip to Pepboys got us some new brake pads and we set about changing them. As usual with these affairs, the first side took about 30 minutes because we had to figure it all out, including sanding down the new pads since they were too fat. After getting the system down we did the other side in about 5 minutes. Anyway, we got it done and with a bit of a late start we were headed down to LA by about 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon. We cruised over the Altamont pass and saw the wind farm before hitting the long, flat and straight central valley. More flat and straight, just what we were used to. Anyway we hit the Grapevine a bit after sunset and worked our way into LA. Our first stop was casa de McCain. We got some directions wrong due to a missunderstanding about which freeway we were coming in on but shortly after we found him. We grabbed a quick bite to eat and a six pack and headed back to his place for some downtown street drinking. For those who don't know (most of you), McCain lives in a commercial district downtown in some space that he and McD converted into a living space. It was pretty cool but Arthur and I felt a bit sketchy living his car with our lives in it outside. So we shot the shit drinking a few beers outside his place with some colorfull conversation which hit topics like who is allowed to be naked on nude beaches and the finer points of visiting TJ. McCain had to be up early the next day so Arthur and I said goodbye and moved on to Ali's place. It was quite the contrast. A converted commercial space compared to an apartment in a gated complex with a 60" flat screen TV. Needless to say, I think Arthur was much more comfortable leaving his car parked outside. We shot the shit with Ali for a while before crashing the couch.

We got up late and didn't really have too many plans. Ali didn't have much to do so we jumped in the drop top M3 and rolled out for some breakfast at Toast. Well it was more like lunch or even a late lunch and by the time we were done we just decided to cruise around LA and show Arthur the sites. We cruised Sunset, Melrose and whatever else there is down there. We saw the Chinese Theatre and the place they have the Oscars, the Melrose Place apartments and all that kind of stuff. Ali had to stop by his agency so we all rolled up. Supposedly Pauly Shore was in the building somewhere but we didn't really care too much. After Ali sorted out his stuff and we were about to go Pauly Shore walks in and talks to a few people and then walks out. Since we were about to leave Arthur was right by the door and had to pretty much move out the way to let him get out. So we did see him, but as we were leaving Arthur says "We should have gone and seen Pauly Shore". Ali and I couldn't believe it, he'd walked right by and Arthur didn't even realise, I guess he really is washed up. Anyway, we cruised around a bit more then headed back to Ali's place. We put on some warmer clothes and switched rides to the M5 and headed out to Ali's girlfriend's brother's new house to get some chinese food and watch the Warriors game. The Warriors lost but we set up a little poker game afterwards playing 0.25 0.50 no-limit. It was a good laugh, I was doing alright, except playing like an idiot on the first hand and giving up almost half my money. After that I clawed it back. It bagan to get late and people were leaving and with no obvious end to the game in sight we decided to play a final five hands. I was up a few bucks and played two of the five hands. I gave up all my money. I just got beat palying hands that I should have played so I couldn't be too disappointed. Oh well, we set off home but it kind of started a little bug in me to play a bit of poker.

We woke up late again, and caught the Man U. European championship semi final ( we had seen the Chelsea Liverpool semi yesterday). After the game we headed out to grab some lunch. We followed Ali this time because he had to take care of some stuff before he flew out to Vegas in the evening for some work and to play in a tournament. After lunch we said goodbye and headed down to Venice beach. We walked around a bit and grabbed a beer. There were the usual assortment of street performers and interesting people. There was a guy who kept on cruising by on his longboard and he would hoist up his dog and hold him on his arm as he cruised by. Arthur got some video which I'll try and post. The guy said he had a myspace site called "Flyin' Lion" or something but I haven't been able to find it. We had seen Venice beach so we headed back and met up with Boeing. I had stayed with Ali and Boeing a few times crashing on their couch but I always missed Boeing because he actually kept normal hours. Anyway we met up and got some food at the local famers market food court and hung out a bit before calling it a night. Boeing had to be up early the next day and we were heading to Vegas so it was looking like we might actually make it to our next destination when it was still light for the first time this trip.

Road tripping