Thomas? Thomas Cole? Don’t ever leave for so long again. I fucking missed you. I can leave on business trips but you can’t go for so long.

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Picking up Mason in an hour and we’re going to go play. I really want to go to Mexican Food, but the Epstein’s Mother group and I went to Italian at Carluccio’s last night and I have heartburn from hell. I feel so old.

It didn’t help that Aaron and I went to Paymon’s Mediterranean Cafe for lunch where I also over ate- They have the best babaganoush on the planet.

Food I still need to eat before I leave- A sandwich at Capriotti’s and an In and Out Burger. I’m not sure if I will be able to get it in. . .

My tummy hurts.

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I’d forgotten how much I like the LA Times. Every morning I have been going to the Starbucks and getting a Venti coffee (a size that never fails to illicit comments at work) and reading the paper cover to cover.

The police Dept really messed up Tuesday (big surprise) by violently breaking up the demonstration that evening. Note to the Cops. Do not shoot rubber bullets and use your batons on reporters, old people and women with children when they are peaceably leaving (even though the permit allowed three more hours).

(I hate American Cops. I really hate LA Cops. Or I should say, I hate certain people who once they have a uniform on, think they have the right to treat others like dirt. Monday I was in the subway and I had a cup of coffee and a cop came up to me and asked for my ID. He proceeded to read me the riot act for having the coffee- I had forgotten that the subway here doesn’t allow drinks. I don’t mind him talking to me about it, but he was a real dick the way that he spoke to me. One good thing was that he didn’t give me a $250 ticket. That would have sucked.)

Cindy and her baby monster Kira picked me up at 3:30. Poor little Kira has decided that she doesn’t want to go to the bathroom anymore so she was holding on to everything all day. I don’t know about you but if I didn’t pee all day, I would be a crazy person, but she was really sweet and a lot of fun. We ate at Cantor’s Deli then drove down Sunset to PCH and found a beach where we walked around and dug in the sand and watched the surfers.

That evening I went over to Nanci and Peter’s and had dinner at their place. When your friends are living in big houses with hard wood floors and have stepchildren and a Guinea Pig, it makes you feel rather old. Peter’s eight-year-old Emily was adorible- a big puppy. The five-year-old Caroline was crashed out on the sofa, so I didn’t get a chance to chat with her.

Since I won’t be having children, I live vicariously through others. . . it’s cheaper and I get to give them back.

Off to Vegas today. Saving the best part of my trip to the last day. Going to be hanging out with my ten (or is he eleven?) year old nephew.

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Having a really nice time catching up with friends, family, flicks and food.

Been missing Stuart so I have been having a strange mix of having a good time along with feeling a little blue with healthy portions of jet lag. I really hate jet lag. I bought a vat of Advil PM which has helped. I still wake up at 4am, but I fall back asleep rather quickly.

Day 2

The whole reason why I came out here this time of year was to go to (no not Coachella) The LA Times Festival of Books. However after looking at the schedule, there was nothing that I couldn’t live without and my friends weren’t that keen, so I decided to scrap it.

Nate and Darren met me at my apartment and we got a bite and went to see a movie. Lovely film called Diggers. I love Paul Rudd. He is one of my boyfriends. Along with George (Clooney) and Jon (Stewart).

Jolie met us at the hotel later and we had Thai food (I’m staying in Thai Town) and then we went to the Improv Olympic to see my friend Mike and his group The Red Shirt Freshman perform.

Day Three

Lunch with Darren and Nate before they headed home to Orange Co. Went to see the film Jindabyne. Is an adaptation of a Raymond Carver short story. Really well done. Great performances. Gabriel Byrne has gotten really old when I wasn’t looking. . .

Dinner at a Mexican with Walt and Cindy, Doug and Jamie, their baby monsters, Walt’s mum and Jolie. Had a few other friends flake. (You gotta love LA. Flakey is something I don’t miss.) Was a lovely evening and the food was delish. I really don’t understand why the English don’t understand how to make decent Mexican food.

Day Four

Took the train to San Diego to have lunch with my Grandmother (Nana) and my Uncle Rick. If you ever have the chance to take that train, I recommend it. There are good portions that are right near the water so you can look out and watch surfers and dolphins. If you pay $14 more for business class, you can also get a glass of wine.

Day Five

Walked to Fred 62 on Vermont for breakfast but it was closed in solidarity for the May Day immigration protests, so I ended up at The House of Pies instead.

Met Jolie and we went up to The Griffith Park Observatory, which was recently reopened after years of renovations. Then I dragged her to see (yes, another movie) The Year of The Dog. Molly Shannon is really great in it, but I do think her character really loses the plot.

Spent the evening with Doug and Jamie and their baby monster Amelia and watched a really great basketball game- Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors.

Now sleep. Sleep is good.

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