California Dreaming

Moon Baby and Missing the Water

Blame it on the Full Moon we had, living land-locked in Atlanta, growing up in California with the Pacific Ocean always so close, but I was in a pretty deep depression and needed open-water therapy, so I booked a trip out to California. 

"All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray
I've been for a walk on a winter's day
I'd be safe and warm if I was in L.A.
California dreaming on such a winter's day"

A Working Vacation
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I figured I might as well get some set dressing in while I was out in LA LA Land; pay for the trip, see some old friends, visit the prop-houses and studios, etc etc. It seemed like a good idea at the time. 

Except....

I thought working maybe 3 days while I was out there would be plenty.  I got booked for the day after I landed and then 3 more the following week.

Had it not been for the Turkey-holiday thing I'd probably have ended up working everyday. 

I had landed myself a great Arbnb in Venice for the first few days. Which I thought was awesome since I was missing the ocean so much except that the first job a I booked happen to be up in the Santa Clarita Studios where we shot part of True Lies, so many years ago. I think we may have been the first feature to shoot there. 

Anyhow, it was long commute for three days, no beach time for me. 

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No Rest for the Wicked
I still managed to do some eating and drinking at some of my old haunts.

We Don't Need No Stinkin' Prophouse

I was back in the trenches, dressing sets as a day-player, which was cool. I was down with that, but because of my skill-set, I was of more value dressing the set than doing returns on the truck.  

I still had a heck of a good time, but I didn't make it to any of the prop-houses or studios

Careful what you wish For

The next call I got was wrapping a show. Certainly I'd be on a truck doing returns.
Nope; again because of my particular skill-set I ended up inventorying and then packing a 45' trailer for 3 days. Remember I got into the film business via my furniture moving job at Starving Students.

At least it was at Sunset Gower Studios, some of the oldest and most Iconic of Old Hollywood with a history dating back to 1919.

I booked a hotel around 5 minutes away, so I didn't have any of the commute issues.

With that said I need to get packing.

It's Turkey Day and I've got to get movin'