Well, things have been a bit crazy in past months, but now it's time to get back to business.  I last posted only a few days into my Africa adventure and I've got so much more to share-  But before we rejoin the safari group, I want to share an adventure in my own back yard (or living room, if you will).   In January, I was fortunate enough to be host to two of my good friends from the UK for two weeks.  Andy had never been to America and his girlfriend Nikki had been once, but had not had a chance to explore the sights and nightlife.

But first, some background.  Before their visit, I'd never met Andy or Nikki before.  We'd never even talked on the phone.  I met Andy through facebook, and we'd been chit-chatting randomly online for about two years.  He's a top notch individual, so when he said he wanted to come out to California and see Hollywood I said I had a couch and he was welcome to it.  They had planned the trip with plenty of time to prepare, and explaining the accommodations to friends and family proved to be grounds for skepticism.  For example, a conversation Andy heard as he was coming down the stairs of his parents house for breakfast (he's 35, no he doesn't live with them):

   mum:  Do you know who Andrew is sleeping with in America?
   dad:    No, sleeping?
   mum:  A MAN he met off the internet, who is a criminal.
   dad:    What?
  mum:   Hasn't he shown you the picture of him from his book face, or whatever it's called?
   dad:    Facebook, mum.
  mum:   Yes, well, he will go and get him and Nikki murdered if he isn't careful... meeting
              strangers in chat boxes.
        ::Andy enters the room::
mum:   Morning Andrew, would you like some toast?

Regarding the "criminal" comment, I believe Andy's mom is referring to this photo, found on my facebook page.

Ahh the wonders of working at a prop house in Los Angeles.

Andy and Nikki arrived Jan. 5 and were immediately awestruck by Los Angeles.  We cruised up and down Sunset and Hollywood blvd., walked Venice Beach to Santa Monica and back again, ate and imbibed at many hollywood haunts... so many things to do in such a little span of time.  My sister Melissa helped with the tour guiding and getting them set up on the bus system for the days I was at work.  They managed to see and do quite a bit in the two weeks.  I was very impressed.   There were many things we take for granted in the states that they had never experienced.  Testament to this was our excursion to the Ralph's grocery store down the street.  Andy and Nikki's minds boggled at the 6 varieties of M&M, the HUGE bottles of Jack Daniels and Jagermeister, and this thing of wonder, seen in the movies but never experienced.... the Twinkie.  

One of the first questions they asked as we drove from the airport was, "what do those numbers mean at the gas station sign?"  This was the price, they were referring to, but in particular, why there is a fraction after the "cents" place.  I explained to them that it was in fact a fraction of a penny.  We have no coins for fractions of pennies.  Hmmm... curious.

Andy looking confused and befuddled, freshly off the plane at LAX.

Andy and Nikki hit the ground running in Sunny Los Angeles.

Eating at the infamous Barney's Beanery, where Joplin had her last gin and tonic, and Morrison peed on the bar.  Kids in a candy store...

Andy's first American burger and fries.  This would not be the last- 

In those two weeks we packed so much in, as I showed them the usual tourist fanfare as well as the lesser known gems of the city, and shared with them my own little slice of life.  I couldn't begin to convey how much fun we had those two weeks.  As thanks, Andy had bought tickets to a show at the House of Blues, featuring Velvet Underground, Tom Morello, Cheryl Crow, Steven Stills and Maroon 5.  A fantastic outing, to be sure.

A couple Jack and Cokes in and having a blast.

Scott Weiland and Slash.

Andy looking surly, though I'm pretty sure he was squealing like a girl just seconds earlier.

Nikki's feet were killing her so Andy carried her a while.  Parking on Sunset is never where you want it.

They say that houseguests are like fish- they start to really stink after 10 days.  This was a case to the contrary.  It was sad to see them go home.  I hope to visit them someday soon and they can share their world with me.  I will bring twinkies with me, and multiple flavors of M&M to trade.  But for now I have so many amazing memories from this adventure.

Awww... his first corndog.

The workers would not let him wear their hats.

Andy considered a career as a cameraman, until he saw how big the cameras were.

 Enjoying the Santa Monica sunset from the pier.

Rockstars at the Hard Rock on Hollywood Blvd.

Enjoying Venice Beach with Melissa.

Just days later, a severed head in a plastic bag would be found near where they're standing.  

Ahh Hollywood...

And now a few of my favorite photos of two of my favorite people.