Will Dana- managing editor - rolling stone - written by him Rolling stone issue 1104.

This wasn't written by me however having lived in the greater Los Angeles area for well over 20 years(since 1989) couldn't have said it better:



For the past couple of years, Kirn has been making regular trips to Hollywood through the making of up in the air. What he found there was something he hardly expected. . "Hollywood's a lot more like Detroit in the Fifties than you'd think, "he says." it likes to portray itself as the world capital of glamour and decadence, but it's a company town- a highly ordered and highly structured world where people got to bed early, watch their weight obsessively and schedule every second of their day, They probably have better parties in Iowa City."


Will Dana, Managing Editor.Rolling Stone Magazine issue 1104

Day three.

After waking up early .got myself showered and shaved, being well rested Felt so much better.Headed on over to my Dad's apartment and proceded to the Va's hospital in Livermore. Spent the whole day there and was a very long day(considering i dread hospitals). Anyway things didn't go so well with my Dad, and they had to transfer him to a larger facility. The Doctor's gave me the address to where he was being transferred so i was able to go there the next day. Left the hospital after being there for most of the day. Drove back to my Dad's apartment ( he gave me the keys). And was able to save a bit of money by staying there overnight.Woke up the next day and went to the local Starbucks. had myself some coffee and a muffin and mapped out where the hospital was( don't know the San Francisco area very well). Ended up driving towards the Silicon Valley to a town called Palo Alto( by the silicon valley).On the freeway saw Microsoft , pay pal and ebay among others. This is why it is called the (now i forgot what the nickname for the silicon valley was)hmmm .Oh well interesting area. Was able to see where my dad was staying and talk to some of the doctors. He is in good hands for now.Made my way back towards Los Angeles via the coastal route which couldn't ask for a better day in July. Took some pics and made the best out of a sad situation . Anyway stopped at a few places on the way home had a great dinner at the Apple Farm Restaurant in San Luis Obispo. Had a turkey dinner and a great glass of Cabernet. Here's a pic of the first hospital I brought my dad too. Anyway that's my getaway . unfortunately not on good circumstances.

Day Two.

Well I had found got myself sidetracked along the way and ended up on the 99. It's Ok got back via the 46 on back to the 5 North. saw a large correctional institute on the 46 in a town called Wasco.Jumped back on the 5 North and made my way up to the bay area .remember stopping for gas in a town called Santa Nella and had myself some lunch.What did i have lunch that day ? let me think about it . Oh when I woke up just got some coffee in Bakersfield and stopped at a Jack in the box for a breakfast sandwich.Anyway finally after gassing up in Santa Nella continued up to the Pleasanton area. Made some calls and got a hold of my Dad picked up some groceries at the store for him and visited him. Knew we had a long day the next day so thought it would be best to get a good nights rest . Decided to get a motel 6 room in Livermore CA. (have stayed there before). Checked in put on my bathing suit it was around 6 pm PST . however had a few hours left of the sun so just chilled by the pool( left my phone in my room and all gadgets).fell asleep by the pool for a bit and then jumped in . After my swim jumped in the shower and headed to the local Chili's for dinner had a few stiff Margarita's ( remember y'all family matters hard tequila ). Anyway got back to my room took a walk around my motel. It's so pretty in Northern CA. in July . At night it cools down and there is just a slight brisk in the air . Needed my sweat jacket on. Remember in Wine Country. Here's a pic of a the motel I always stay in when I visit there.

The long drive up North.

after just getting back from my road trip thought i would keep you all up to date on my adventures. Unfortunately my Dad is having some issues so needed to get up to Northern California for family matters. won't go to much into the details and bore y'all ( know we all have are problems ,it's part of life ). however just letting y'all know what i have been up to the last few days. after a long shift on Tues . night that delayed my trip for a few hours. Finally got on the open road at around 1:30 am Tues - Wednesday am.Had to get out of town and beat the traffic in Los Angeles . Loaded up the minivan and headed North via the 405 N which becomes the 5 North all the way up the grapevine ( a big hill you have to climb to get into Bakersfield). After you get over the grapevine it's always such a nice change of scenery . mainly because of the change in population (less populated than the Los Angeles area). And start to see vast landscapes and Farmland. Bakersfield is a large Agricultural area as is a big part of my destination.Decided this trip to make some cutbacks on expenses so thought i would rough it and sleep in my van . Well as I was driving up the 5 north saw a sign for camping . Started my journey and exited the freeway towards the 99 (not intentionally this is where it took me). Found the camping spot however the office was closed (it was late maybe 3:30 am PST time) and the park was mostly for RVs anyway. Continued on and had some trouble looking for a safe spot.Found one finally and got a few hours rest. The drawback of staying in the van was as soon as the sun rose it kind of woke me up being out in the open . saved my self maybe 30-40 dollars on lodging however had lack of sleep the next day.The picture above was maybe another 100 miles up north taken the next day however close enough wanted to add a pic here it is . Have been there in the past and is a great place for beef. They are a big distributor around the area for fine beef. They have a hotel and restaurant about halfway up from my destination.

my day of driving today.

Know it's a holiday weekend and not always the best day to travel however just made it back to Los Angeles and actually wasn't too bad . Made it in about 5 hours or so . After a good nights rest in Livermore. made it to the Starbucks in Livermore, had my usual coffee. Went to the CVS pharmacy stocked up my cooler with caffeine free coke. Had a light lunch of tomato soup at the Safeway in Pleasanton. Then was on my way southbound. Was pretty uneventful stopped for gas about half way, and had a teriyaki chicken sandwich at Carl's Jr.On the outskirts of Bakersfield. Made it over the dreaded grapevine ( a large mountain you have to drive through to get into Los Angeles).Glad to be home safely and back to work for a bit .However always nice to see a change of scenery and my family . Stay tuned for my next road trip. Here's a picture of my niece.

Northen California advenutres.

Actually not really a adventure more of a family visit. Things at work are getting kind of weird. so I thought I would take a road trip and see some family, before I have to work throughout the summer months.My adventure started Tuesday night early Wednesday morning. packed up my minivan and headed North out of Los Angeles and towards the bay area .Nice time to travel after midnight in the Los Angeles area. Mainly because of you guessed it, the traffic.The first evening was able to stay outside of Bakersfield. Motels are usually pretty reasonable.Got one about after 100 miles or so from my residence in Los Angeles. Needed a good nights rest so got myself a motel room (have a mini van always a option to sleep in it).Woke up the next day refreshed and had breakfast close to my motel on the California 5.Topped off my gas and noticed you have to be aware of things on the road. Mainly the gas is marked for $2.99 a gallon . However when you put your card in this is the CASH price. it's kind of deceiving , however payed $3.13 or something because I used my debit card. Did the same thing on the way back . you think I would of learned .oh well live and learn.Had about another 300 miles to go or so , however the ride is nice if there's no traffic. there wasn't any to speak of, so wasn't so bad. My only thing about the 5 north is it's kind of barren . Meaning you see a lot of open land and such, however your pretty much on your own . Not too much out there, except for big trucks and agriculture farms. The 99 parallels the 5 and there is much more on the 99 as far as places to stop . Talking about places to eat and shop. However the 5 is more of a direct shot.Anyway got to my destination and checked into another motel in Livermore . This town is in the east bay of San Francisco . Not really a big city or anything, just a suburb of San Francisco . However very quiet safe area.Got settled in and got myself lunch at a place called Applebee's . Went back to my room got on the Internet at my motel(said a few things on Twitter ) then took a nap. After reading this blog your probably ready for a nap. Not the most exciting trip, however wanted to document it .more of a family visit.After my nap was getting bored of my motel room so thought I would go to the TGIF restaurant in Pleasanton CA. Had some perrier water at the bar (not drinking at the moment) and ordered a buffalo chicken sandwich. Then went back to my motel room and watched half of the Hangover movie (yes I know the ending is the best) however HBO was in my motel so had to take full advantage of it.Anyway got tired and only had a chance to watch half of it. The next day went to local Starbucks had my cup of coffee. Called my father and arranged a lunch at the Black Angus in Dublin. Food was good ( we always go there) my father always has a coupon. My father seems to be doing OK . however he looked kind of pale and thin. He's in his early seventy's . After seeing my dad got back to my motel . Showered then called my nephew who lives in the same area ( my brother's child). Drove about another half hour to Brentwood and saw my nephew and niece and the in laws. Had another dinner at Mimi's Cafe. bought my niece a book at Barne's and Noble . then brought them back to the house. Said my good byes and trucked on back to my motel room. Got a good nights rest. That brings me to today.

After being talked into attending a seminiar from a co-worker. the economy.

is worse than i thought. Haven't' been actively looking for a job recently. However today was in for a shock. My co-worker that used to be a government worker suggested I attend a seminar today. Was kind of hesitant , just because haven't really been in a corporate - environment job in some time. Currently work for a small business and we are having are struggles. Anyway has been kind of sluggish at work and need some type of change. Anyway this job was for a Part - time TSA agent working at the airport. Currently I live very close to the airport in Los Angeles.Don't think this would be a very high paying job initially. however would have benefits and would be a government job. Anyway was able to manage to get some time free to go check it out. Well words can't describe the turnout. Actually did not make the seminar because although I thought I had given myself ample time. The seminar was held at a local restaurant in a industrial area. the scene resembled a college football game. Massive traffic, people walking miles from their cars to attend this , Part time only (no full time was ever mentioned).initially low paying job I would imagine. Very discourging to see such a turnout . Although I have a job, the chances of me jumping into a new one in a different field are low in my estimation. Anyway the seminar started promptly at 4:30 pm . Was in the area about 45 minutes before. The traffic was soooo bad wasn't able to park and attend (the ad said promptly at 4:30pm- PST)Just saying the turnout was off the charts! and it's a horrible reflection of our current economy. We are talking about in my estimation a 9:00 per hour job. Anyway that was my day . Hope things turn around soon for our country.