Sunday, July 15, 2007

An Ode to Beverly Hills and LA

We had an office 'Happy Hour' last night. Probably our last in gorgeous Beverly Hills since we are moving to Marina Del Rey. Next week, it'll be one year since I moved to Los Angeles and a close colleague is leaving the company. Oh yes, despite the taunts, my Margarita stayed virgin!

Severals years from now, I'll probably look back longingly at my current utopian existence. Where else will you get theaters which are worth visiting themselves, 'bay watch' in five minutes and the fun of seeing the streets and the restaurants you lunch everyday being clicked hysterically by tourists. And add to this, good friends from UCLA and book stores all around, its an experience!

If you happen to come here, stay within the splendid environs of Westwood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Malibu. Don't even bother to venture into other parts of the city. Its hell, plain and simple. And if you didn't know already, we are the specimens in the lab for climate change and global warming. It hasn't rained for ever, but snowed in Santa Monica and the Hollywood sign was on fire!

I know, people have to move on in their careers. But still, I'll miss this colleague for the damn serious foosball, arguments about everything in the history books, collective M$ bashing, Harry Potter discussions and the tryst with rifle shooting. No more 'Dobroye utro', hmm...

And speaking of Harry Potter, saw Order of the Phoenix yesterday. I can only say that the theater was good! But then if you have read the books several times, its hard to satisfy you. Come Friday night, I'll be queuing at Borders for the Deathly Hallows. What about you?

ps: Beckham is in the neighborhood. Boys beware!!

13 comments:

FlyingHigh said...

The store where I have ordered my copy (copies actually, have booked 2) opens only at 5 Saturday morning. Sunday I watch the movie. Monday I might take the day off depending on how depressed I am.

-Shradha

Balaji Chitra Ganesan said...

depressed? hmm...

anyway at the store here, there's going to be a party Friday night followed by the release at midnight. but then, being on pacific time, we'll be the 'last among the first' in the world to get our hands on the book!

Arun said...

man, bay-area is still better :)
i think even if the author of harry potter publishes a book with blank pages, the book wud have sold million copies.

Balaji Chitra Ganesan said...

hmm... not sure. maybe you guys didn't take me to better places whenever I came there. I liked Palo Alto though.

GuNs said...

Allright I am illiterate in American geography but do you have to rub it in?

I mean I know how far Manchester is from Birmingham and I can get to York from Sheffield or wander around Coventry. Or hey, wait a second... maybe Bristol would be a great place to go to. Wanna come?

[:-P]

-PeAcE
--WiTh
---GuNs

Balaji Chitra Ganesan said...

>> Wanna come?

wud love to!! I'm planning a mega backpacking trip to eurasia and egypt. hope it goes thru.

have you read the fan version of the seventh Harry Potter in which Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione chill out in the west coast of UK? nice read.

Unknown said...

I no read Harry Potter [:-(]

Eurasia trip? Cool. When?

If you are coming in August, that will be great coz I am looking to do something similar myself then.

August is next month. 12 days away.

-PeAcE
--WiTh
---GuNs

Balaji Chitra Ganesan said...

oh no! the plan is still in the works. don't know when I'll do it.

Anonymous said...

"Beckham is in the neighborhood. Boys beware!!"

Why the waring? I do not think Beckham is Gay. Are you or you gang is?

Balaji Chitra Ganesan said...

oh, Tom Cruise is not a man, is he? oops!

anyway, its our office joke. and considering that some of my colleagues have spent all their life in the movie/music/ads ala gossip industry, i wud believe them.

Someone said...

hey man, thanks fr visiting my blog. Always good to find another HP fanatic

FlyingHigh said...

Major change in plans. Am working this Saturday! :X. Please don't gloat. Am very cross.

Balaji Chitra Ganesan said...

oops! don't browse, check mail or even speak to friends saturday, lest someone reveals you the ending!