I must 'fes up...

The police station in Santa Monica!



It's not been all roses across the pond.

I must come clean and admit to Andre that:
1. I had my iRiver stolen - looking at it positively though - it will be an opportunity to get an iPod so I can use all of your add-ons. A bit narked though really... and
2. I pulled a muscle in my neck. It wasn't a disaster by any stretch of the imagination. It did mean that I didn't go out for a few days. So fairly minor and might not even warrant a SODIT rating? And it was done in a rather amusing fashion.
When I was catsitting 10 days ago, the big black cat jumped off the windowsill and onto the bed in the middle of the night. He obviously misjudged it slightly beacuse he landed on my face. I'm certain it was a lack of sure footedness rather than a deliberate attempt on my life because we were both very shocked. He emitted an incredibly, neigh unfeasibly, ear-piercing squeal and tore round the flat like he'd seen the scariest dog in Scarydogville during the final of the Scariest Dog in the World Ever Competition, and I levitated about a foot off the bed, star shaped, "Hair Bear Bunch" hair, trapping and pulling things in the process. I spent the next two days making that noise. You know the weird one you make when you do your back? It's a really feeble, 'aaahhh', as if you're a bit shocked every time it happens.

I've seen some good films since I've been here: Queens (lightish/ meaningfulish) Spanish film about 10 gay men getting spliced - actually it's mainly about their mums: The Science of Sleep - with Gael Garcia Bernal (the sweetie) - a romcom (not usually my thing), unusual and done very well. I saw a couple of old Almodovar films as well.

Anyway...back in Venice.

Star spot - Roy Scheider at traffic lights in Santa Monica - obviously stayed in my psyche because I made a beach scene with the children in the play area in 3D that had a shark coming out of the water! And room mate saw Harrison Ford (but I wasn't there). Met some more really nice people (welcome Petra and Amy to the blog).

Clinic - I know I've done the right thing. It's been fascinating shadowing the acupuncturists and I really wish I could stay longer. In fact I wish I'd stuck to my original idea and just done it here. The clinic is great. Everyone is totally committed to the work and they are so friendly and supportive. So I am definitely going to do another stint on the way back from central america. I know it means I don't get to see much of the states, but let's face it...as the state governor says... I will be back.

So apart from being at the clinic about 45 hours a week, I have been to loads of good restaurants (some great hidden locals' gems), spent the weekend up in the San Fernando valley, been to a self realisation fellowship meditation, walked my feet to bare bones and will be off to Yosemite in about 10 days to walk them even further.

Still can't manage the portions. I will send an alert if I ever finish a meal.