L.A. Bucket List

I have been flying in and out of LAX many times a year since I have started my love affair with this city almost 10 years ago.  (My 8 year LAnniversary is in January, but I was visiting 1.5 years before) When I do fly out I always think I should make the time to go to the Encounter, the iconic jet age restaurant with its white arches that I am sure you have seen when anyone films or photographs LAX.

My last act as Mrs. Foong was knocking this off my L.A. Bucket List. Starving after all day flying back from a tropical paradise, I really wanted was a steak. Although the food at the place I stayed was pretty great, they had to cook meat to death for safety reasons. I really wanted in the words of William H Macy's character in Happy, Texas "Rare, I mean rare, de-horn it, wipe its butt and send it in" kind of steak.

The inside of the Encounter is kind of a trip. It is like you are trapped inside of a lava lamp on a space ship in an 60's B-Movie. I was too tired to really enjoy the ambiance, but the steak was really fantastic.

The time I went to another country under an assumed name

The first time I went to an outing with K's company I had to sign an agreement that I wouldn't share his companies secrets, little do they know that when he and his co-workers talk, I have absolutely no idea what they are talking about. When his company took us on an all expenses trip to an island in the Atlantic Ocean, they took it a step further and sent us under an assummed company name. It felt almost like being a spy. Not to mention that the hotel staff assumed K and I were hitched and his last name is hard to pronounce in Spanish, so began the 5 days I spent as Mrs. Foong.

I have to say, being Mrs. Foong was pretty nice. She slept in, drank Coco Locos, read on the beach, and ate spiny lobsters at 10 at night fresh off the grill. She spoke the langauge of the natives and made a couple friends. Here are pictures of my time as Mrs. Foong.

Where have I been? I have been F-I-N-E Fine

I have been everywhere and not in L.A. a lot since I last updated the blog. Living out of a suitcase, another country and two weddings in less than one week. It has been over a month since I have written, but I am not the only family member who is behind on their blog. (hint, hint)

I remember one event of note in my time in Los Angeles this summer, that is when I went to do something I never thought I'd do in a million years, see Areosmith in concert. 

If you know me well, you know that there are 3 bands that I run to the dial to switch off as soon as they are recognizable: the Beach Boys (I know I am a bad Californian)The Eagles (Again bad Californian) and Aerosmith (pictured in jumbotron).

I had other reasons to say yes to this concert, John Legend, and that my 3 friends who had accompanied me had never been to the hollywood bowl before. I have seen a lot of shows there and they have all been pretty amazing. Bands backed by a world renowned orchestra. I have to admit I was excited for "Dream On"  for that reason. 

The night we went it was opening night and the night 3 artists were inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. They were Patty Austin, who was amazing and although she didn't ring a bell to me, her songs did and I sang along to most of them. (A lot of easy listening in the Nina's Glad Rag Saturday Shift) The second was John Legend introduced by Stevie Wonder (Who later sang with him, which was a total dream come true to see Mr. Wonder in any capacity) and lastly Peter Fonda introduced Aerosmith.

I have to sheepishly admit that I was really impressed. Songs were changed up, orchestra use was fantastic and Steven Tyler puts on a really great show. That man is a whole pack of energy. I had no idea how many people loved that ballad from armageddon.

I guess maybe I won't reach so quickly for the dial anymore, except when "Janie's Got a Gun" comes on.