This, That, and Then Some

GOt to see Ghost Rider over
the weekend! He has been one
of my favorite Marvel Comics
characters for many years, and the chance to see it live at the movies rocked!

They kept pretty close to the original comic book version, and even added a character from the old west, the original Ghost Rider! The effects, of course, were outstanding! It was well worth the wait after all this time to see it on the big screen, now that technology has enabled Hollywood to do the special effects that were needed.

I had my doubts about Nicholas Cage playing Johnny Blaze, but the way they did the movie, he definitely pulled it off. A big kudos to Sony Pictures for doing this film justice to the comics! I am now patiently (impatiently) waiting to see Spiderman 3 and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer! Woohoo!

Anyone else a comic book or comic movie fan? Speak up!

WOW! Who needs to go to New Orleans? Last night our drum group drummed in a parade for Mardi Gras, celebrating Fat Tuesday before Lent. What a blast!

The entire flavor of the Mardi Gras was all emcompassing in downtown San Diego starting at 8:00pm. Although the parade was a mere six blocks, the crowd and paraders made for high energy and fun!

It has been awhile since I drummed so much, so needless to say after marching in a parade, walking all over central downtown (Gas Lamp District) and drumming for the masses and dancers, I was wiped out! But it was totally worth it!

I would still love to see Mardi Gras in New Orleans, make no mistake. But I felt as though I was there in some ways with the decorations, streamers, beaded necklaces, drunks, and yes, of course, women flashing for a drink or some beads.

I will post some pics as soon as I receive them. For now, check out Mardi Gras on the local newspaper website:

San Diego Union Tribune Mardi Gras

We had to make a trip to Los Angeles recently, and, as each time I go there proves, I really do not care for LA.

It is amazing to me how this city, and Hollywood in particular, has gotten so much attention and appears to be glamorous and lofty. In truth, LA is a pit. Sorry to say that, but so much of what there is has more  homeless people, crime, dirty streets, smog, and horrendous traffic that I don’t see the appeal.

If you want to see the glamour and glitz, you have to go into Beverly Hills, Westwood, or a similar area. But then, you only see the rich and well off. Living there is out of the question. You are either filthy rich and can live in the nice areas (and have someone drive you everywhere) or are dirt poor and live in the slums. Either way, I couldn’t possibly see myself living there - ever.

Without a doubt, there are resources galore - art, culture, museums, clubs, celebrities, you name it. But at what price? Literally. You can spend a ton of money in LA to see it all, and still not see it all.

We went into the fashion (garment) district where you can buy textiles and clothing at stupid cheap prices. That is worth a trip, but only if you go there and than get straight out! It literally takes almost an hour just to get through the I5 freeway/I10 split to the fashion district with all of the traffic. Heaven forbid you get stuck near rush hour!

It was quite the warm day and the smog level was so thick you could chew on it. So anyone with sinus problems is a goner! If you don’t get crushed by the masses, you are tripping over the homeless lying on the sidewalks.

So there it is. LA can be a fun place to visit, but I definitely wouldn’t want to live there…or spend more than a day there!