H1N1 protection in LA

Checked around to see the availability of the swine flu shots in Los Angeles as of 11/5/2009, none yet at my company's medical group clinics or the local pharmacies that give regular flu shots. The only available is at public health services programs on select days at select locations for children, elderly and certain higher risk indivuals including pregnant women, those with weak'nd immune systems and health care workers. What about tourguides who work with people from all around the world? I guess not for now, so I go another week, or weeks wondering if the nasal drip is just my body fighting off the common cold or the little irritation in my throat is from talking too much on the tours or a sign of impending doom (oh no, say it isn't so). Two days ago I saw a coworker go home early complaining of flu like symptoms...please not me, not now! Between friends and coworkers were all just waving hi or doing the fist bumps instead of shaking hands. I hope I get a shot soon before I die!

HoopLA

Here in Los Angeles we have the entertainment industry. This involves the studios of cinema, television and music. Along with all of this is the community of performers many of whom have primary or secondary homes in the area. Because of this it seems there's always something happening or seen or made up which makes our local news, snarls traffic near the event or location and draws the world's attention via the media!
The recent passing and memorial service of Michael Jackson was a big deal for Los Angeles. Sure he was liked and morned by people all around the world, but here in LA between his rented home, the old home in Los Olivos (Neverland), the Jackson compound in Encino, the cemetary and the Staples Center once again became a media circus!
May he rest in peace and may the reporters, paparazzi, helicopters and lookielews calm down for a couple of months until the next world event...live from Los Angeles!

Earthquake, Sunday May 17

We just had an earthquake in the LA area! I was sitting at my computer at my home near LA airport when about 8:39 to 8:42 pm I felt a strong jolt and shake for a few seconds with the floor and the walls of my place shaking, ran for the door but stopped short since the shaking stopped. I turned on the tv news and saw the quake was centered nearby at or near Hawthorne possibly registering up to 5.0 on the Richter scale.
Then an aftershock occurred within 5 minutes of the initial quake. That was a small jolt, but like the first one...still scary!! I have an empty hanging basket almost above my computer that swung wildly with the quake, lightly with the aftershock.
Living in southern California is awesome with the good weather and scenery with most of the the mountains and hills created by earthquakes. It's a fact of life here that we do have earthquakes and as such, we learn to live with them. Structures are now made safe to withstand the shaking and us residents take the necessary measures to be safe such as secure loose objects, pipes, water heaters, tanks and anything that can fall on you. We find a safe place to go such as under a table, desk or door frame, we always have to be ready here!

Technology

The hi-tech interest has caught on around the world. In Los Angeles almost everyone has a wireless phone and a computer, those without computers can go to locations that have them for shared use. One of LA's leading industries, the media has gone digital with their productions.
This week LA is hosting the Tech-Ed Convention at the LA Convention Center sponsored in part by Microsoft, gathering of some of the brightest minds of the hi-tech institutions and industries!

Cosmopolitan LA

We just had the observance of May Day and May 5th's Cinco De Mayo Day, reminders that we live in a land of immigrants!
My origins began in Biloxi, Mississippi in southern United States where only english is spoken whereas here in Los Angeles I'm constantly hearing other languages of the world!
I went to the store and heard two ladies speaking russian, then at the checkout people were speaking spanish to the clerk as the two people behind me were speaking Japanese. Then I walk out the door and hear two men speaking in arabic!
You can find just about all of the worlds people living and visiting parts of LA, it really is a cosmopolitan metropolis!

LA On The Weekend!

Weekends in Los Angeles can be busy or relaxing depending on the type of work one does. As a tourguide here I've been more busy with tourists on the weekend, working and leaving little time for myself and my lovelife (draaats).
Typically I start off early in the morning, work thru the day and into the evening on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A date with the opposite sex is always tentative and difficult to set up definite times, she hopefully understands my situation and meets me halfway.
This weekend I'm off from work with a hernia and awaiting an operation...docs orders not to work or go out too much (Arrruuuugh).
I did go out for some light shopping for essentials talked to friends on the phone and walked to the lounge next door where I hung with da locals.
Had I been off work and better, I'd go out with friends as LA nightlife is always happening and very exciting!
In LA and surounding areas, theres always something to do, places to go and events to attend or just hangin out at home...day and night!

Roller Coaster Weather

This time of year is transition time with Southern California weather. We've just ended the rainy season (what little rain there was) and now things are drying out with warmer temperatures. In the last three days the temperatures have been very hot including records for the hottest day on Sunday April 19th. The downtown LA area hit 100F and here where I live by LA airport and the ocean the temperature hovered around 90F.
The forecast calls for cooler temperatures Tuesday afternoon thru the weekend. The heat waves will return replaced by the occasional coastal eddy stiring in the cool ocean breezes and then the winds off the desert prevail making even the beaches hot.
This is a normal pattern of weather although alongside the coastal areas the temperatures tend to stay cooler on average!

The Dreary Turned to Sunny

Today's dreary, chance of rain forecast started off cloudy, rainy looking but by the afternoon the sun poked through and the clouds parted for the classic southern Californian sky! It never rained afterall. The pollution was low, the views were good, I could see the Hollywood sign from the Airport (LAX).

Dreary In LA

Today the weather was overcast, chilly and dreary looking in LA, not the usual sunny blue skies we usually associate with southern California.
January through April is the rainy season here so this is the last of the possible rain clouds moving in. Since we're in the desert, storms must be large and organized to pass the rain to us, otherwise the rain dries up before it hits the ground (known as virga, a desert phenomenon).
This late in the season the forcasters seem unsure of the possiblities, calling for a chance of rain in some areas and the another 20% to 30% chance for Monday.
Even without rain, the beaches at the Pacific Ocean are empty except for some tourists and an occasional person on the bike path with bicycle, skateboard or jogging. I live two blocks from Dockweiler State Beach and can't believe the difference from a sunny day to the dreary overcast day like today! LA's popular Venice Beach just north of here is a bit more visited, but still extremely different than a nice, warm sunny day when the crowds will be there!

Sales Tax Increase

As of april 1, 2009 the State of California has increased the sales tax by 1%. With additional county tax that means in LA county the tax would be up to and over 10%.
We the taxpayers will bailout the state!

Living in Los Angeles

I moved to Los Angeles from Biloxi, Mississippi, USA many years ago because I felt there was more to life than the small city with a set way of doing things in accordance with family and friends and the same old, same old routine with little change and not much happening beyond those I loved around me.
I had always seen the news, movies and television shows on location in LA and heard about the desireable things that appealed to us transplants, the great sunny climate as opposed to the humid, rainy gulf coast, the opportunities including the tourism and entertainment industries, the excitement of the big city with always something going on or places to go and the natural beauty of the area with outdoor activities, since I love nature!
Life is what we make of it and I've enjoyed my time here in LA, wish I could've done better but have learned, paid my dues (literally and figuratively) and will continue better and better.
I hope to relate my experiences in the past, present and future here!