La Ciudad de Nuestra Senora, la Reina de los Angeles.

Bit o' trivia. The name of this posting is the original name for L.A., and is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest name for a city. The translation: The City of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels.

No wonder L.A.'s so pretentious.

After spending a few weeks there on business, I liken L.A. to Diet Coke. The first taste makes you think, "Why would I ever drink something like this." But then, over time, you see other people drinking it, you get used to it, your taste buds start looking for acceptance, and before you know it, you've metaphorically drunken the Kool-Aid and now you're an advocate who can't be seen in public wihout a shiny silver can in hand.

I'm not so good at analogies.

We stayed in some pretty posh places, including Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica and the Sunset Marquis up in Hollywood. Saw some celebrities, including Nicholas Cage, Noah Wyle, Billy Zane, Justine Bateman (remember Mallory from Family Ties?), Audra MacDonald (she's on Broadway, kinda embarrassed to admit knowing who she was).

We also saw a lot of people who thought they were celebrities. That was entertaining. And I must say, if I ever become homeless, I'm moving to Santa Monica. Sleep on the beach, people watch all day long...those guys know how to live.