Santa *Monica*, Baby

I almost forgot to mention that Miss Jessica and I went on a lovely run/walk down the Santa Monica Pier.  When she first mentioned, "Going for a run on the beach," I didn't have the heart to say "Um, it's really hard to run on sand..." but when we got there, Santa Monica does it right and has a paved walkway for bikers, runners, stroller-pushers and rollerbladers.  It was perfect - and it felt incredible to be at the beach in January.

I snapped a few photos, but none that really captured the adorable, eclectic vibe of Santa Monica.  The houses are really close together (and built vertically, like townhomes) but all of them are brightly painted with very modern architecture.  I'm kicking myself for not taking a picture.

I did snap these though.

Another great part about being in Santa Monica was that I recently read a book ("Bright Shiny Morning" by James Frey - of Oprah/Million Little Pieces fame) and one of the story lines is about a bum that lives on the Santa Monica beach.  All I can say is - it all makes sense now.  You'll have to read it yourself (which I highly suggest) to know what I'm talking about.

I also got a kick out of the beach's anti-litter slogan: "Toes in the sand, trash in the can."  Cute, I know.  Though the slogan was on every garbage bin, it was also in Spanish on the bins as well: "Pies en la arena, Basura en el bote."  Lo siento, los hispanicos - but I think it sounds catchier in English.

English v. Spanish

Then, Jessica and I saw a man dressed like Abe Lincoln riding a Segway down the pier.  I didn't snap a picture because frankly, I thought it would be rude.  I hate it when I'm dressed like Mary Todd and people insist on taking my picture.  I'm a person, people.  Just kidding, I love when people take pictures of me.  Anyway - I didn't know how old Abe felt about digital photography and he cruised by pretty fast, so I refrained.  You'll have to take my word for it though, it was weird.

I guess that's the second and final installment of my LA series.  I had a blast with my girls and can't wait to go back!  I will always have the memories and "Come to Cher" moments of being in Malibu, partying in 'The Valley' (though I wasn't held at gun point - sigh), and seeing an Alaia store (so that dress reference finally made sense).  I totally paused.  And don't even think I'd live below Sunset.

Heading for The Hills

While visiting my best gal pal in LA to ring in 2012, we did the coolest hike ever - to the top of the Hollywood sign (a la JT and Mila Kunis in Friends With Benefits) in sunny California.  For info on how to get to the base of the trail Jess and I did, click here!  Actually, this video starts somewhere different than we did.  But, whatever, our start had free parking and cooler signs.

Follow the Hollywood Road

Before visiting Jess, I had told her that I didn't need to do any hoakie sightseeing of celeb houses or studio tours, but that doing a hike was really important.  Well, she went above and beyond organizing this little gem and I couldn't have been more excited!

It was a sunny, 80 degrees and though some might say that the city views were ruined by the smog, I just felt like I got a true dose of LA viewing.  It took us about 50 minutes to climb the mountain and a little less to get back down - not as long of a hike as I'd expected, but the first half was a steep climb, which this east coaster is just not used to, and I felt it the next day.

Jess had an idea for a coffee table book - pictures of me 'holding' landmarks around the world.

You're all getting signed copies from me next Christmas.  You're welcome.

Clearly, I already have a collection of myself as tall as monuments.

hohoho

We're on top of LA!

Yum. Smog in the background!

Also, from the top of the Hollywood sign you can see The Observatory - which I guess is pretty famous.  I know there are longer hikes where you can start at Griffith Park, climb the mountain to the Observatory, and then walk over the hills to the Hollywood sign - but uh, Jess and I got hungry for snacks.  So we drove through Griffith Park and snapped this:

That'll be our hike next time I visit!

Happy New Year Hikers!