Once upon a time, I led a surreal life. I would fly off to various parts of the world to interview big shots.
Like actors, directors, producers. People like Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, John Cleese.
I was a journalist, and entertainment was one of my beats. In this #FlashbackFriday post, I repost my travelogue of one such trip. Enjoy.
Going to LA
April 13, 2006
I’ve been so busy that it hasn’t sunk in that I’m going off to Los Angeles at the end of this month.
I’ll be there to interview the cast of Poseidon. I loved the original and it looks like this version is a more pumped-up version. I love disaster flicks. Anyway, movie working trips are usually very busy affairs, so I don’t see myself doing a lot of touristy things.
My uncle, however, threatens to kill me if I don’t visit Universal Studios. And Disneyland. And the Walk of Fame.
I’m just wondering where to find time for all that. 😉 And not to mention money.
I may be extending my trip for a few days. Or rather, maybe go to LA a few days earlier. I want to buy some books, DVDs and some decent clothes. 😉 I’m probably going to stay in this hostel on Melrose Ave. I have no idea if it’s near a good bookstore/DVD place.
I’m also wondering where to find the money for all this. 😛
In KLIA
April 26, 2006
Currently in KLIA. I swear, for an international airport, it sure has lousy internet connections. Rather, it doesn’t access to many Internet connections.
Got here around 6.30am, knowing that i have a long day ahead of me. A long 18-hour flight …
Anyway, my ten-day trip to LA has been reduced to five days (which I’m honestly glad for). What will I do in La? Besides meeting The Bloke (intheouter.net), I’ll just stay in my hotel. Yes, I’m not kidding.
I’ll be staying in Beverly Hills. Funny, eh? If I were to go to LA on my own wallet I won’t even be able to set foot in that area. So why not savour while it lasts?
Got to the airport and found out that I’m flying off earlier than expected. ;| Seriously, me an LA don’t seem to mix well – had lots of problems just going on this trip! LOL.
See ya in LA. Hopefully.
In Beverly Hills
April 28, 2006
My 18-hour flight to Los Angeles wasn’t as bad as my 21-hour flight to New York. The first 5 hours was great because I was knocked out by the pills I took (they’re my best friends! Don’t worry, they’re just travel sickness pills).
The next 13 hours wasn’t as great – lost my transit pass in Taipei, but that wasn’t such a problem. Sitting behind two bratty kids for ten hours is.
I was privy to their riveting conversations for those hours, and they ranged from ear-piercing shrieks to awesome remarks like, “Mum, I want new underwear!” and “I want a bed!!!”. Oh, and they made sure that they repeated the same remarks 60 times.
Therefore, it was a GREAT relief to be out of the metal bird to board a bus to LAX.
Checking out was remarkably easy, though LAX was really confusing – had no idea where to take a cab. But 30 minutes later, and I was at the swanky Beverly Wislshire hotel. It’s right next to Rodeo Drive, and you’re right Melanie – it’s really not a big deal!
The first thing that always catches my attention in a foreign country is their architecture and culture. I hate to say this -and no offence to Los Angelinos – but there doesn’t seem to be much of those in LA. Buildings are mostly of the boxy variety, and Rodeo Drive was, dare I say it, rather boring?
I walked around briefly just now. And the fact that I took so few pictures showed how entranced I was. It’s just full of designer shops and I’m not a big fan of clothes, let alone overpriced designer items. So nothing there.
Oh yes, yesterday I spoke to Natala and Bloke! Yay! Sorry guys, I was rather out of it yesterday. The kid’s pleas for clean underwear was still ringing in my head.
Here’s what I found fascinating about LA though. The television!
Now, American TV ranges from really great (like CSI:NY and Criminal Minds that I watched last night) to really cheesy (like the daytime talk shows about the ex-girlfriend who married your step mum).
And the news! They can make news about anything! I watched some entertainment show yesterday and they offered an “exclusive” about a 700 pound woman. I thought it was really embarassing for her. 😦
And the Dr Phil show! Ouch!
American portions is another fascinating thing. I kept forgetting that they’re like 3x the size of Malaysian portions; as a result, I was so full I couldn’t sleep properly yesterday. 😛
And the tipping … I feel really bad for not tipping the waiters, but I got no money! Every dollar is precious to this poor journalist, so I had to make myself scarce each time they come in with my food. 😛
Yes, my hotel is swanky. Right next to Rodeo Drive. The bed is so comfortable I slept till noon today (thank God I didn’t have anything on today or else). Speaking about work, I’ve got loads of interviews lined up the next few days … and the bad thing about it all is that my left eye has chosen to swell up over night. Now I look as if I’ve been punched in the left eye.
Josh Lucas is going to look at me during our interview and think I’ve been in a brawl. Wonderful.
Which is why I’m glad it’s going to be a short trip, seriously. 😉 I just pray I don’t swell up any further though!!
After the interviews … shopping in Beverly Hills
April 29, 2019
Oh man … I bought soooo many clothes today it’s not funny. 😉 And the weird thing is … I bought mostly underwear. ;P Yes, it’s hard to find decent underwear in Malaysia. I felt like a total GIRL visiting Victoria’s Secret. It’s just so fun there. I actually bought gifts for friends there – and actually texted one of my friends in Malaysia: So, btw, here’s a funny question: What’s your panty size?
No, I’m not shopping at Rodeo Drive but at Beverly Drive (or somewhere near there). That’s where the GAPs and the Levi’s are. I bought a lot of creams – foot scrub cream, bath cream … I’m actually a big fan of body creams.
So we had our rountable interviews today.
Richard Dreyfuss was funny … Kurt Russell … shared a lift with him (that’s surreal for you) … Josh Lucas’s eyes were really blue and nice (cough cough) and the Emmy Rossum may look like a girly girl, but she’s quite a tough chick in real life.
I’m heading off to my room soon to write out my story. You read that right, WRITE it out. I hope to finish my article tonight so I won’t suffer next week. Good luck to me!
LA trip was not bad … I spent most of my time in my hotel room enjoying the TV and very comfortable bed. I don’t get that kind of chance at home. 🙂
Man … tomorrow I’ll have another round of interviews and I’m not prepared yet. Eek. and then it’s my flight back at 1.40am Sunday. Sigh. Not liking that either.
Well, see ya guys soon … I think the next time I’ll be blogging from Malaysia.
You can read the articles I wrote about the movie Poseidon:
Elizabeth Tai 