 |
I’m in Hollywood – or at least ‘Universal City’. After avoiding this place for the last few trips I’ve done over here, I’m glad the prospect of seeing Pearl Jam twice in the USA brought me back. I’m enjoying it.
The day started well enough with a great sleep and some time to catch up on work I needed to do on the SSTUWA website. But then the bill for my hotel was slipped under my door. As well as the charge for he room, there was a $500 fee for ‘international phone calls’. Considering I’d made a total of about 20 minutes of phone calls to Australia, I was not very happy. Needless to say, after a shower, my first stop was the hotel reception.
At reception, the girl looked at me as if i was nuts – ‘that’s what it costs, too bad’ was her attitude. Bad move. I refused to pay and demanded to see the manager. She said he was not available and I could sign for it and they’d try to sort it out later. My reply was, call the police and have them arrest me cause I’m not paying. I proceeded to call them disgraceful, rip-off and say even a crackhead who wanted to mug me would take less. I then asked if she thought the tripadvisor.com community would think this is fair when I posted it on their website. At this she agreed I should speak to the manager and he’d be back in about 30 mins.
I had breakfast and when he arrived she presented me with an offer of paying half. Like Fuck, that’s still about $15 per minute! The manager skidded off somewhere else so I demanded to see him and slowly started to raise the volume so other diners could hear. Funny, he suddenly became available and told me there was a $30 US connection fee they were charged for a call. ‘Bullshit, you liar’ was my reply, seeing as I was charged $19 for a call that went about 30 secs when I left a message on the answering machine at home. At this he knew I had him. He squirmed around for a bit and then contacted head office who told them to withdraw the charge. Amazing what you get when you refuse to accept crap. We ended on good terms and I thanked him for what had been a really nice stay.
I’d set myself goal of getting to Universal City, LA, for the lowest cost possible – which meant public transport. I was really happy to make it for $2.50. I did mean a 5 mile walk with my heavy backpack, plus a bus to North Hollywood (they call it NoHo, which still cracks me up) then the Red Metro Line to Universal. I made it fine. But then I found one thing google maps don’t show you – elevation! My hotel (The Hilton) sits atop a fairly steep hill and I’m sure I burnt off whatever breakfast I’d eaten masking my way up there with my pack on. No work out needed today.
The hotel is amazing – very plush, perfectly located and with terrific views (see the pics). Once settled in I made my way over to Universal City Walk which is like everything else in Universal Studios – a mock up. It is a like a city mall with shops, pubs and eateries designed to look like it came from somewhere else – a classic tourist trap, but hey, it’s fun. I stopped into Karl Strauss Brewery where the Pearl Jam pre-show party is to be held and sampled some fine beers. I met the brewer who was a great guy and he showed me through the brewery and explained the beers. Seriously – this stuff leaves Bootleg Brewery for dead – they need to come over he and sample some of this nectar.
Anyway, after half a dozen sensational beers, I staggered over to Bubba Gump to fill up on seafood. I hurt that place big time – Cajun shrimp and a awesome shellfish meal really hit the spot. But as I was finishing, a so called psychic approached me and offered to do a reading – shie said I looked troubled yet of high morals and values and she felt she just had to read me. She wanted $40. Given my slightly drunk state and need for a giggle after some bad news that day (see below), I offered her $20. She went on to tell me the usual run of the mill bullshit which showed as much insight into me as the spent prawn shells on my plate. So I decided to have some fun with her and fill her with my bullshit – she really didn’t know what to say, but persevered. She then said I was totally fascinating and she’d like to see me again tomorrow and give me some crystals to help me on my journey. No worries dear, I’m staying at the Holiday Inn and my name is Paul Johnson. She promised to be in the lobby at 10. I wonder how long she waited for?
Anyway, my bad news. I spoke to Toni on msn and she gave me the heartbreaking news that Jack, my 14 year old Lab cross had taken a turn and had to be put to sleep that day. I spent the best part of two hours crying in my hotel room, in fact. I’m crying now. He was my first dog that was truly ‘mine’ and had been there with me since my divorce from the succubus. He had a great life and I knew this was coming, I was just hoping he’d get one last summer. RIP Jack, I could not have asked for a better mate who has been with me since my mid 20s through the best of times and the worst and deepest periods of depression and anguish. You were the best – thanks for your companionship.
Hi, welcome to my Paul Jam Blog site.