Wednesday January 23rd, 2004
Hollywood Date with Steph
While Steph was in Chicago we were limited to talking over the phone for the last few days. I’ve probably said it before but I think I do much better over the phone than in person. Something about being able to have a conversation in my boxers with my game on mute really helps me feel comfortable. Although I did a horrible job repelling the Covenant invasion I gained a much better understanding of Steph. She recently relocated to Los Angeles where she works as a Marketing Coordinator for a clothing company. I’m not sure what that means exactly, other than she regularly has to fly to different cities for trade shows.
Since Steph is fairly new to LA I offered to take her to some of the overly touristy places that locals avoid unless someone’s visiting. First stop, Graman’s (Mann’s) Chinese Theater to see the hand prints of movie stars that have since faded from the public eye. Making our way by a giant dirty Elmo and stormtrooper I advised Steph to stay on the cement because the street performers aren’t allowed off the sidewalk. (The little things you learn living in LA.)
I’ve never been a fan of this type of tourist experience. I don’t see the appeal of, “And here’s something famous… OK let’s eat.” Dodging people handing out free tickets to TV shows no one likes, we walked down Hollywood Blvd. to one of my favorite pizza places. Nestled between a youth hostel and a porn shop is a traditional Italian pizza place owned and operated by an Asian family that speaks very little English. Great pizza, great prices, and cans of cherry coke, I’m no stranger here.
Seated at a booth underneath a movie poster for Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin’s, “Collision Course,” we awaited our medium mushroom and sausage. We met in a dark bar and spent the last few days talking on the phone. This was the first time I was actually able to look at her while we were having a conversation. Steph is an attractive woman. Admittedly in the past I’ve been a bit intimidated by attractive women although I felt perfectly comfortable with Steph. Maybe it was because we spent so much time talking on the phone, maybe I’ve just changed as a person, either way I was happy with the result. Six slices and four cans later we went for a leisurely walk around Hollywood.
We made our way down the star walk to the tourist graveyard known as Hollywood and Highland. Hosting the same shops you’d expect to find in Burbank or the Galleria, Hollywood and Highland has an unofficial “Stupid Tourist” tax which makes everything about 20% more expensive. Whether you’re paying $3 for a small soda at Johnny Rockets or $12 to watch a movie on a screen the size of your TV, Hollywood and Highland has something for everyone. Well everyone but us. My master plan included Coldstone but it was a little chilly outside and we decided to skip it.
I walked her to her car and awaited the moment of truth. I felt like the night went very well but I’ve thought that before and went home with nothing but a pint of Ben and Jerry’s to comfort me. We held hands and said good bye some where around 98 times as I looked for the best time to kiss her. Finally I just moved in and was welcomed by a passionate but brief kiss before she said good bye and took off. I’m not completely sure what to make of it but all I know is, I’m not dead yet. Rock on.
