Remember, It's Two Hours Behind Us Part Deux

DAY FOUR, PART TWO - SANTA!
After tracking down David's "Born In East LA" pad and checking out their roof lawn we headed to Santa Monica where we did a little shopping (Zara! Club Monaco!) and a little buying and a lot of eating at a crepe restaurant featuring Le Sass as our waiter. Henry somehow downed a sandwich and a Parisian hot dog (wooden leg?) and we all had a lovely lovely. Then, back to our little corner of The Standard's Purple Lounge for drinks. They're not lying when they say it's purple. Oh, it's that and then some. Our server, Dana, was a charmer in a totally approachable kinda way and the DJ played "Thriller". C'mon. That's a place I know I'm going to love. While there, some of us drank more than others. Those some of us were the ones that had the map and were living in town for nearly a month. Those of us that quit drinking and started on the juice had never been to LA before and were suddenly the DD after discovering that a certain boy gets rather giggly and another becomes Sleeping Beauty following copious amounts of brown liquor. So, crash course in LA geography and some map fumbling with Gigglepuss got us to East LA and we returned unharmed.
Exhausted sleeping ensues after the administration of aspirin and water and repeated vows to never do that again.

DAY FIVE - OUT HERE THEY CALL IT AAAHHHHT, DAHLING
Oooh, The Getty. THE GETTY! David met us for breakfast at our cafe (omelet this time with mushrooms, herbs, and swiss. Oh, sigh.) and off we went to art it up. The tram up to the museum is art in and of itself. The rooms, the art, the gardens, the so adorable guards. I always thought the best part of the Getty legacy was Balthazar, but I was quite wrong. The best part is that museum. Plus, I learned to date a cabinet so now I've got a new trade!
Then what? Well, back to the beach, bitches! This time, we went to the real water where I got to run around and splash and pick up stones and watch the sunset. I could do that every day. Every. Single. Day.
Then, the hangovers demanded food so we went back to Sunset and ended up going for Mexican, but were denied by the blaring hair metal. So, we went boy's choice at House of Blues. (Note: not my choice. At this point I wanted enchiladas and copious amounts of sour cream and HOB is not now or ever going to cut it.) But, boys wanted steak. So, we wait and discover The Cars are playing! Well, the new Cars, not the used Cars. These cars aren't driven by Ocasek but rather some fill-in guy. Oh, and they were out of steak. (?)
Exhausted sleeping ensues after half watching television and wishing it were Sunday (Twisted Sister played HOB on Sunday!).

DAY SIX - THE BREAK UP
We'd been a little sick, stomachly speaking. Plus, it was our last day and time was of the essence. So, the boys and me split up and they went for film dork escapades and I ate breakfast (where?) at the cafe at The Standard. (Eggs over hard this time, nosy.) Then, I put the top down and headed for Beverly Hills (swimmin' pools, movie stars). I was surprised by an LA stereotype in the elevator (pulled taut and veloured) when she turned out to be surprisingly sweet. Did you know you can park for free in Beverly Hills? Free! I headed to Emporio Armani for something special for my dad who loves their logo (and knowing that there's precious little in BH I could ever afford for anyone else) and I saw my first real celebrity! Chanice Kobolowski! Better known to some as Amy Madigan! I complimented her on her glasses and she thanked me and then lamented the fact that aging dictates their necessity (a real celebrity that admits to aging! who's still holding on to a hot husband! I loved this Chanice!). What's going on in this land called LA? Polite plastic surgery women? Sweet famous people? Free Beverly Hills parking? Hoity hotel filled with nice? And it gets better???
Oh yes, dear readers. It gets better.
Maliboooooo!
After meeting up for a trip to Venice Beach (ugh. Homeless hippies.) and a visit to Marina Del Rey where we reenacted "Arrested Development" and ate frozen bananas,

we kissed David goodbye and headed off for our dinner up the coast at Duke's. Yeah, it's fancy, but you can wear jeans there and prices aren't insane and Elaine, your server, is quite perky and man, does it have the best view. In LA or going? Go there. It was far better than House of Blues (wow. there's a ringing endorsement.). While dining, I was texted by dear Sam Humphries of MySpace fame with the time and place of our meeting. Still feeling a bit illish, we muddled through and dolled ourselves up for Jones on Santa Monica to meet two of my favorite boys. We met Sam who definitely brought his hair for hugs and banter as poor Henry began sinking in health and knew it was his time. He headed back to the hotel after a round of goodbyes which left me there with Sam awaiting the arrival of THE HeyDanEvans. (How giddy was I? Dan and Sam? Wha? Chanice, you got nothing on them boys!) After Dan's arrival and another round of hugs, I tried Southern Comfort for the first (and last) time and chatted with these two internet friends who are just as sweet and charming in real life as they are online. And I have to take this time to give a shout out to one of my six readers - HeyDanEvans' mother-in-law! He confessed that she actually reads my blog so hey there HeyDanEvans' mother-in-law!!! I'll try to minimize the cursing! And you've got a plum of a son-in-law! You give him a hug for me once in a while, won't you?
So, after a wonderful evening with two wonderful boys, the kind Samuel returned me to my hotel.
Exhausted sleep ensues after crossing my fingers and toes for HeyDanEvans' meeting the next day.

DAY SEVEN - LUCKY ME
Eggsadilla for breakfast. See how I broke that up? Learned how good it was on the first day, but didn't over do it by ordering it each morning so my yen was far greater by the end? Yeah, I'm a genius. We bid farewell to our Standard boys. Packed all the suitcases full to bursting, dropped off my new car (bye Sebring!), and dragged ourselves into LAX for the wait. One chai tea, order of Chili's fries, and mulling over foreign magazines later, and we were on the plane and headed for 14 degree weather.
Exhausted sleep ensues after lugging in the bags, going through the mail, eating the pizza my parents left for us, and realizing that LA really is a nice place after all.

Sidebar: James Spader's on "Seinfeld" tonight in a 31 Flavors uniform. God. He's even delicious in that.

Hardest Parts: Not quoting "Uncle Buck" to Chanice. Leaving Jeff and Justin at The Standard along with those freaking good eggsadillas. Not getting more time with Sam and HeyDanEvans. Wishing there were millions in the account for the countless coats I found shopping.

Easiest Parts: Dollar Rent-a-Car, The Standard, hanging with Steph and Chris and Jennifer and Kevin (could they be better friends?), meeting Sam and Dan, hanging out with David, and the ocean. Oh, that ocean. That ocean's really some kinda something.

EPILOGUE - NAILED
After fighting it and running from it for days, I finally got it. Stomach flu. Friday night. All night. Sick, sick, sick. And I'm still not quite there. The broccoli cheddar soup I just ate really wants to see James Spader firsthand. But I'm keeping my mouth closed so too bad, soup. You'll just have to use your imagination.