Almost Showtime!

Well, I don't actually have a lot to say here, but it seems like I should make some sort of final post before you all arrive. So, there are a couple things you should keep in mind when you come:

1) Expect some crowds. It is Labor Day weekend, after all, and we'll be hitting some prime tourist spots.

b) Expect some heat. It's been in the 85-90 degree range lately, but with some unusually high humidity (in 60%-75% range). Dress cool and drink some water.

We'll see you Saturday morning!

Less Than Two Weeks to Go...

Well, golly gee and boy howdy. The days are just flying by, aren't they? Hope you're all excited -- I know we are. Here's a more detailed itinerary for what we have planned:

Saturday
Bring your walking shoes, because we're going to explore a bit on foot. We'll meet at Union Station a little after 10:15 a.m. (Some of us will be taking the train into the city, and that's when it arrives. But the time is negotiable -- if some of you would like a not-so-early start, we can take the next train, which arrives at 11:30 a.m. Let us know your thoughts.)

From there, we will head across the street to Olvera Street, the birthplace of L.A. (site of the first Spanish settlement in the area) and still a great Mexican marketplace. We'll have lunch at nearby Phillipe's, birthplace of the french dip sandwich (although they have lots of other good food, too). After lunch, we head a few blocks north to L.A.'s Chinatown for some more local history. (I'm sure it must be the birthplace of something....)

With any luck, we'll be able to make it back to the station in time for one of the late afternoon trains (we have our eyes on the 4:45 train, but again, that's negotiable depending on what others want to do) to head back for the evening's activities. (For those of you who plan to meet us at Union Station, directions to the Disco/Nyssa homestead will be provided.)

And those activities? They include dinner, followed by riffing bad movies with a room full of witty cappers. The one consensus choice for a movie we have so far is "Volcano." Other suggestions are welcome, since it'll be fun to have more than one.

Sunday
Today we'll be exploring a bit by car. We'll start out in Hollywood, where we'll see the Walk of Fame, the Chinese/Egyptian/Kodak theaters, and all the tacky souvenir shops your heart desires. Lunch will be at the old time Hollywood hangout the Pig'n Whistle where, thanks to some machinations by Nyssa, we have a generous gift certificate to help us pay for the meal.

After lunch, it's back in the car. We'll take the scenic route to Griffth Observatory. Besides the scientifical knowledge and great views of the city you'll find there, you'll also recognize it from such MST3K experiments as "Teenage Crimewave" and "The Amazing Colossal Man," as well as many of your other favorite movies and Paula Abdul videos.

This leaves dinner and Sunday evening open, if anybody has any suggestions. Or maybe you'll just want to recover. :-)

So anyway, that's the plan. But it's totally open to revision if enough folks want to do anything else. Speak up and we'll try to make it happen.

Until then... see you on August 30th!