L.A. was a success!  No, I didn't sell a script or become world-famous, but I did talk to some very cool people and made a week of it.  All in all, I did what I wanted and needed to do.

Monday- mainly spent traveling.  I boarded my plane only to find that I was seated next to a couple with a baby.  Yippee.  Fortunately, the baby was only minimally disruptive, but the young guy behind me wouldn't stop talking to a pair of girls.  His apparent attempt at impressing them included the fact tha he was a screenwriter/ marijuana dispensory clerk.  My Dell Streak kept me occupied most of the way using headphones and pre-downloaded music.

When I arrived at the car rental facility, I discovered that my wallet was missing all my cash, credit cards, ID, etc.  I suspected that it must have fallen out on the plane and out of my carry-on bag pocket.  After several panicked phone calls where no one could really help, the airline found my wallet and turned it into the TSA Department.  I rewarded my contact $5 for helping me, relieved that I didn't have the hassle of being stranded in La La Land.  I returned to th car rental facility, loaded up my compact car and drove into Hollywood.  I checked into my 2-Star hotel near the center of the touristy part of Hollywood, walked down to the In and Out Burger, and slept pretty well.

Tuesday- I woke up eary enough to go to Graumann's Chinese Theater, have my picture taken with Yoda, and board the cheesy double-decker tour bus that took me around the city for 2 hours (easily could have been an hour- I thought it got too long).  I showered again and dressed nicely for my meeting at Nickelodeon.  I drove up to Studio City and checked in with security, arriving a little early, so I had some time to relax.  I shouldn't have been nervous meeting with the Director of the Writing Fellowship there, but I was; it was a meeting that really mattered to me, despite not being an official pitch or job interview.

I was glad to arrive early and sat in the waiting area, as I celebrity-spotted an actor from my current favorite animated series.  J.K. Simmons (Farmer's Insurance, J.Jonah Jameson from the Spiderman films), script in hand, made his way to the recording studio directly across from me.  I smiled and gave a little wave; he returned the pleasantry.  I wondered if his recording for The Legend of Korra was ongoing (either finishing this season, or going into the next unannounced season), or perhaps for an entirely different series.  It was remarkable how a warehouse studio space could be so compact.  Clean and well-kept, I noted how everything was within arms' reach- break room, upper offices, recording studio and (presumably) a motion capture blackbox space.  I could only assume that other offices and meeting rooms were right around the corner.  There was a really great energy and buzz around the place.  I felt then, and now, that I really needed to be there- or something like it.

My meeting the Fellowship Director confirmed this.  Karen was open, honest and charismatic.  My "thank you" card I sent later to her admitted how nervous I was to meet her, but our conversation floated easily and freely.  She encouraged me to come out to L.A. to live and pursue writing.  "Don't wait for a sign; it's not going to come".  She gave me a lot to think about.  My drive back to my hotel was slightly emotional; I really wanted to stay and not leave that creative haven, the little I saw and was exposed to.

That evening, I hooked up with an old college friend.  He recently landed a national commercial spot, which was a real boon for him.  He struggled like everyone else out there, but was thinking beyond his current situation, like traveling to another city and checking it out for acting jobs.  We had a good time frequenting a few bars in his neighborhood.

Wednesday- I slept all right the previous night, but I did indeed have sumburn from the bus ride.  Arms, forhead, neck and nose were all red.  I was exhausted.  I managed to take a drive tat morning- on the famous Mulholland Drive!  Gorgeous day, gorgeous homes.  I also  had a good meeting with a TV writer my age that afternoon, meeting at a nearby coffee shop.  He's been doing it for a while now, wanting to move into live-action from animation.  He was struggling as of late, needing foot surgery (this took him out of a writing gig he was offered not long ago- I think it would have required travel).  Through his script-reading services, he's managed to make a living.  He offered to give some limited feedback on my animated pilot for free- very generous of him.  We parted after an hour, and I went back to my hotel to crash in my dark room.  So tired.

Thursday- Feeling much better, I reconnected with my college friend, spending the afternoon at the J. Paul Getty Museum.  Later, we grabbed dinner and hung out at his roomate's place of work- a bar along Ventura Boulevard.  We had a great talk about college memories, and asserted how important it was to keep in touch.  I haven't been good about any of it lately.

Friday- 6:30am, I met an acquaintence I've had correspondence with; she stopped by my hotel on her way to work.  She's a voiceover artist that's looking to get into producing shows instead of relying on random gigs.  She struggles with work as well, which was refreshing to hear.  She's also very much about networking, which is something I want to be more active in as well, particularly with living in Minnesota.  She also encouraged me to consider living in L.A., as getting to know people and peers is paramount.  Good food for thought.  That afternoon, I spent at Venice Beach with my college buddy.  We had lunch, strolled the beach and did a little people watching.  There are several Medical Marijuana clinics there, so that was kooky.  Rappers trying to give you their CD, other musicians, and a fair amount of homeless folks.  Very strange little community.  I must return sometime.

The flight was considerably better coming home.  No babies, and a lightning storm to watch in the southern sky.  So, mission accomplished.  I didn't get to see or my screenwriter friend, but I don't anticipate this as my only excursion.  Until next time...