I am actually here in Los Angeles now as I’ve been building up to for some time.

Last week I suffered what I would consider my first real death in the family. I’ve had distant relatives and people that my parents knew when they were kids pass away but this one was real family, my first real loss. So I spent last weekend coming to terms with it.

I even contemplated whether or I not I should still go to LA. But I pulled myself together, got my sh*t together and went. So I’m here. In between the quiet mourning, the jet lag, and seeing a couple of customers, I haven’t been able to sit down properly and blog since last week. So to those who enjoy my ramblings, my apologies for the erratic writing.

I was going to write something when I was at my hotel in Heathrow on Tuesday, until I was told that the internet was £16 for 24hrs, which I would only use for an hour at most. Yeahhh, I think not. I was a little ticked-off, because I did phone and ask beforehand what the cost would be, and I was told it was free. I should’ve known better really, shouldn’t I? After all, it is an airport hotel.

I haven’t had a chance to see much of LA yet. I’ve been to a couple of malls in El Segundo, not too far from LAX; had a wander around a lovely big grocery store called Whole Foods Market, (they pride themselves in providing nothing but healthy natural foods, there’s a couple in Central London now). I stopped at Borders (again, we have them in the UK too but if you’re unfamiliar with them, think Waterstone’s) and treated myself to a David Baldacci novel that was on sale for $3.99, reduced from $12.99, so I consider that to be a real bargain.

As lovely as Whole Foods Market was, it was a tad beyond my budget to do a whole shop, so I treated myself to a few things and stopped at another, much more reasonably-priced grocery store on the way back to get some juice and water etc. for myself and any thirsty customers I might have. My hotel room has a tiny little kitchenette with a fridge and a microwave, which was handy for the shopping I did.

Tomorrow I’m going to see if I can get to Manhattan Beach, which technically is a town but as implied does have its own beach. There are couple more to choose from if Manhattan Beach doesn’t work out, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. They’re all coastal towns, but Manhattan Beach is closest to me here. I think I’ll ask at the front desk.

I was told by one of my favourite customers to try and pay a visit to Santa Monica if I could, so that may be another option. So little time and so much to see in between customers,lol.

I’m not driving (I was determined not to, as I do enough of it at home, plus, I wanted to enjoy a glass of wine or two without worrying). Considering I’m not in the heart of the city, the public transportation here isn’t too bad.

Wish me luck.x