Rice A Roni

To truly appreciate Hollywood, sometimes you need to leave it. You need to see what other cities have to offer. As much as I love it here, it doesn't have everything you could want. Know what city comes close though? San Francisco.

Sure, part of that is because it houses the best friend (but not for long. [You hear that, Lauren? You're coming back down to LA. This trip has reminded me that life sans Lauren is NOT okay])

After bailing on work at lunch, Adam, Jeff and I drove up to the city on Friday. We were making great time until-

They decided to close down The 5. Excuse me? Closing The 5 Freeway on a Friday night? It took us an hour to go three miles to get to the detour. Then we got to drive through beautiful Coalinga*

After a plethora of tunes, some sub-par Baja Fresh and 7+ hours, we got into the city. San Francisco is amazing. They manage to fit so much in such a small amount of space. Everything "goes up to the sky and twists." Buildings, billboards and overpasses reach for the stars in a tall and wind-y city that's anything but sleepy.



Friday night:
We met up with Ryan and drank our driving frustrations away. There was drinking. There was dancing. There was Alan.

Whose Alan? In 7th grade I took tennis lessons. Go ahead and laugh. The classes were small and I had a friend Alan who I had lost contact with once I got older. Some 9 years later, in a city of over 700,000, I run into him. Crazy. Even crazier was that it was in a drunken stupor and he recognized me. Sad that I look the same as I did in 7th grade? This blog is getting depressing. Anyways- The night ended with us getting flashed by a woman, who it turns out, was a man.
That brings us to-

Saturday morning:
Brunch at Home. Jeff and I drank coffee, Adam and Ryan drank 2 Bloody Mary's each. I think you can tell who the smarter ones were (okay it was them, but shh!) After brunch we wandered around. Book stores, Art stores, Art supply stores, happiness.

Saturday Afternoon:
On our way to meet up with Lauren we stopped and checked out some performance art going on near the civic center. Interpretive dance, accompanied by music and plenty of chalk for sidewalk drawing. We were encouraged to draw and we did. For a while.

We found Lauren in the mess of the St. Patrick's Day Festival. She had successfully found herself a corned beef sandwich and was hell bent on finding green beer. We didn't.

We did find an Urban Outfitters and proceeded to play around in there. I got a sweet plaid shirt. Lauren got some boots. Jeff got a plaid shirt as well.



Saturday Night:
We rocked the plaid. We set out to eat a restaurant called Range that looked pretty good. We got there and decided we couldn't afford that menu, so we wandered the streets looking for something that looks good. This is how food eating decisions should always be made. We ended up in front of Cafe Ethiopia and, since none of us had eaten Ethiopian before, decided to try it.
We ordered a variety off the menu (none of which we could properly pronounce) as well as Ethiopian wine and beer. The Verdict? The food was spicy and good. The alcohol was sweet and bad. It was definitely an experience (we ate with our hands off of one giant plate) that I, not only would do again, but also recommend others to try (There are a handful of Ethiopian places in LA, lets go!).



We then ended up at an Irish pub (it being St. Patty's day weekend and all) and then to a house party with Ryan. Try to walk by houses in San Fran and not sing the Full House theme song. I dare you.

The party was a lot of fun, complete with new lesbian friends, dancing, mud, drinking, more dancing, and even more drinking. What a friendly bunch. We need to have more parties in houses and apartment in LA, guys.

Sunday Morning:
Well, more like-

Sunday Afternoon:
We got up and headed over to Pleasanton, CA a peaceful suburb of the bay and home to Lauren Emily Johnson. Downtown Pleasanton is exactly how you'd imagine it to be upon hearing the name. Diners, art shops, small town essentials and Thriving Ink.

Thriving Ink is an indie T-shirt company and the store in which most of my shirts are now from. It's Urban Outfitters, but indie. I know what you're thinking - Urban is as "indie" as they come. A chain of mainstream stores, while fashionable, is not indie. Kudos, Thriving Ink and may you be successful enough to no longer be indie.

A quick 5 hour jaunt down The 5 Freeway and we made it home. Simultaneously relaxed and exhausted from our trip to the foggy city.

It did something interesting, though. It makes me excited to explore LA more. I will love this city and everything it has to offer. I will find everything it has to offer and I will let it be offered to me. Los Angeles, it's just you and me (and nearly 4 million others).



*Coalinga is NOT a beautiful city.

Ways To Stay Fit in LA

Yesterday, Mikey and I went to the batting cages in some ghetto part of LA. Nothing gets the aggression I have at my bosses out like hitting something really hard. Much to my surprise- I didn't suck. Soon each ball that came flying at me (please, keep the joke to yourself) went screaming back into the net.

Or bouncing.

Or hit the wall behind me.

But that's besides the point. When the bat and ball connected, suddenly my anger at my boss* all but disappeared.

This morning, however, it all came rushing back. In the form of pain. I am so sore, its unbelievable. So here it is- I'm going to try and get in [better] shape. I'm fat by no means, but that doesn't mean I'm fit. I want to be. So I'm compiling myself, and by default YOU a list of:

WAYS TO STAY FIT IN LA

1) Run. Walk. Jog.

You can't possibly drive down Santa Monica Boulevard in the morning without seeing a wave of runners. Every morning, afternoon, night, you name it - someone is running in LA. With so little in the name of athletic activities in the area, it is the easiest way to get in shape. Throw on your iPod and go. Run places. There's so much to do in LA, and lets be real - no one is going to care if you're gross and sweaty, because honestly, the bum behind you is grosser and sweatier.

I've tried this one. The jogging/running part isn't so much for me. But I do enjoy a walk. I'll take myself over to the La Brea Tar Pits, or down Hollywood Blvd., or to a friend's house. It takes longer- but I've got some good tunes and some great visuals. Doesn't hurt the legs so much either.

2) Bowl.

Go ahead and laugh. It can't hurt though, right?

3) Batting Cages.

The fact that I'm sore is testimony to the fact that this counts as athletic activity. Either that, or it's testimony to the fact that I don't know how to properly swing a bat. Regardless, it was a great way to spend an afternoon and it got out some of my aggression and frustration. It's not going to make my arms huge, but lets be real the only thing that will do that is steroids.

Luckily, its LA and I know just where to get them.

4) Swim.

My favorite when it's not freezing, and luckily, my apartment complex has a pool. I can stay in the pool for hours and it's a great place to think. If your apartment complex doesn't have a pool and you can't steal a friends. Santa Monica is a short drive away and there's an entire ocean to swim in. It's not at as convenient, but it's a chance to do some physical activity (hey! physical activity... there's another type that's not on this list, but for reputation's sake I'll keep it off the list. You know what I'm talking about though.) and get to the beach. Two in one!

5) Hike.

Runyon Canyon. Griffith Park. Done and done. Believe it or not, there is nature in LA, and with that nature comes some great places to hike with great views of the smog. Matt and I have gone up to Runyon a few times and it's really great. My legs scream at me by the end of it, but it's worth it. The views actually are good, and hikers are some of the nicest people you'll meet in LA.

6) Dance.

This usually happens for me when I'm intoxicated which doesn't help me physically. Maybe I'll try doing it sober. It's fun though, and again - couldn't hurt.

5) Tennis.

Mikey has a court next to his house. He and I are going to start playing. This activity only works if you have a friend. Make friends in LA and THEN use tennis as a means of staying fit.

6) Work On a Film Set.

This one is for LA kids! Film sets are hard work. Running around, constantly. Physical activity. If you work on a film set, you will be in better shape by the end of it. Unless you spend all your down time next to craft services.

7) Join a Gym.

Don't do it if you're going to compare yourself to everyone there. Unless you already have an incredible body - you WILL feel insecure walking into any gym in LA. LA is full of actors and models, all of whom won't get on TV unless they're a size 0. It's the best option, and also the most expensive. An expense I can't afford right now. One fateful day I may become a gym rat.

But don't count on it.

Mark my words though - physically fit Marcus begins yesterday.

*Blog Post on my job soon. I promise.

None of this 'toe in the water' bullshit.

In the past 5 days I've been drunk 3 of them. This is a tradition that cannot continue, but there was no "getting my feet wet" in terms of the Hollywood social scene. I'd like to think I jumped right in.

With a little help from my friends of course.

Friday: Fiesta Cantina
Drinks: Margaritas (2)
Company: Matty and Ryan



I've never been drunker, and honestly remember very little about the night. Here is what I do remember. It started with Matt and I. We parked where WeHo meets Beverly Hills and trekked our way to the bar (being cool..and broke, we would NEVER pay for parking). Started off the night with a marg. Ordered one, but got two - much to my surprise. Later learned that Margaritas are two for one. I must make a mental note of that. Matt and I chilled outside and at some point I remember telling him that I was in a bubble. A soapy, glossy bubble. Why? I don't know. I was already feeling my tequila.

Met up with Ryan was was celebrating his impending move to San Fransisco. It was good to see him before he left. This is where the night gets fuzzy. Somewhere in this mess I got hit on, and responded with something bitchy before fluttering away. We got pizza, and (after rereading horribly misspelled text messages) I got lost in the bathroom (spelt 'bathromenw'). Next thing I know, we ended up in a different bar and soon were making our way back to Matt's car. I'd like to take this moment to apologize to the house in Beverly Hills that I peed on.

Monday: The Standard on Sunset
Drinks: Birthday Cake Shot (1), Grapefruit Gimlet (1)
Company: Alex and Katy



If you ever want to feel like you're part of the Hollywood scene, I'd swing by the Standard. It's everything you'd imagine an LA club to be. The night began at midnight (Happy 21st Alex!), and after a quest to find quarters to pay for my parking meter in front of the strip club, we entered the lobby to the Standard Hotel. Behind the concierge is a glass tank featuring a living, breathing woman. Reading, sleeping, doing whatever her little heart desires. Can I have that job, please?

The bouncer (a trendy Asian girl) wished Dobbs a happy birthday and we went inside. It took me a minute to adjust my eyes to the lighting. It was darker than I was used to. And purple. So much purple. I definitely tripped over a swinging chair (suspended from the ceiling) on my way in. Way to start the night, right? We get to the bar and proceed to drink a large number of drinks (I think Dobbs had 5 or 6) in a short period of time. One of the most enjoyable parts of the night was fighting Dobbs at the bar. We wouldn't let him pay for any of his drinks. The bartenders were on my side.

There was a hipster hip hop artist and DJ performing and after we felt our buzz, the dance floor was the next logical step. Dobbs, I'm still pissed that you didn't dance with that blond girl. She clearly wanted it. I danced with the hip hop artist, in her stretchy crazy pants.

Lady Katy bought us shots, but the Grapefruit Gimlet was definitely the best drink of the night. Much better than Dobbs's LA Water.

Lady Katy drove us home, and I love her for it.

Note to self: Next time, lose the tie and dress a little more hipster.

Tuesday: The Woods
Drinks: Lemon Drop (1), Mojito (1)
Company: Alex, Nora, Alex R., Justin, Max, Cassie, Adam



The Woods is an incredible bar. 0.3 Miles from my apartment. A 5 minute walk. Happy Hour is from 8pm to 10pm. This spells disaster in my future. the Lemon Drop Shot was the shot of the day and only cost 3 dollars. One night, I'm going to have too many of those and find myself on top of the table singing "Gosh it disturbs me to see you Gaston, looking so down in the dumps" - which I fought the urge to do all night. I blame the antler chandeliers.

The atmosphere was great. There was a decent crowd and Dobbs managed to get moderately drunk (Happy 21st Part Deux). Nora and I even managed to slip him a liquid cocaine shot. He was done in.

I left the bar at about midnight-thirty. Something about having to be up for work the next morning...

I awoke at about 2 to the sound of banging in my apartment. Dobbs had gotten home and was a disasterpiece. He crashed into everything in my apartment, including several things in the bathroom. According to his facebook this morning... it took him 23 minutes to find his pants from last night.

The highlight, however, was a buxom blond that walked by. She was a flash of hair, boobs, ass, and legs. Max and I are convinced that she didn't have a face. Max drew a picture.



All in all, it's been a great couple of days. But now I need to give my liver a break.

It's technically Tuesday...

Forgive me.

Hollywood is so close I can touch it. Two months 'till the move.

Went to a salsa club in Santa Monica this weekend. Got drunk off one margarita (which was delicious). The joys of being a light weight. Tried to salsa dance, failed miserably.

I went with Julie, Kristen, Nora and Alison. All of which who were hit on by numerous latinos, and Lupe (a chubby bald guy with a beard and glasses, who Julie proceeded to call out [ten points for Julie]). It was fun.

"Tell Tale Heart" keeps getting closer and closer to shooting. I should get cracking on buying my stuff. It'll be easier to do once I know actor sizes for costuming, and visit the location which I should be doing tomorrow, er today.

It should look really good, I hope I'm right.

Spring Break is a couple days away, can't wait. I'm planning on locking myself in my room and writing, only coming out to pee and eat.

And meet up with a few friends in LA to discuss, you guessed it, movies.

Other than that, I'm the Daily Grill employee of the month for the month of March (heyo!).

Have a good week.