Only in L.A. (10/21/02)

Just saw BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE last night. GREAT flick. Michael Moore made this movie, which is showing in arts theaters...and it's a GREAT documentary about why we have gun violence in this country. It's hilarious and really gets you thinking. He's a master at this kind of thing. The movie features a BRILLIANT animated segment summarizing U.S. history South Park-style. You can't go wrong with that. Michael Moore actually pushes the liberal thing a little further than I'm comfortable with, but he's so great at exposing b.s.. Definitely see this - check your arts theaters for listings.

Sitting in front of us at the movie were Leo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire and their posse of about 6 other frat guys in baseball hats. Leo & Tobey both look like any 2 guys who just got out of college...and it was weird thinking they're 2 of the biggest stars and richest 20-somethings on the planet. Leo was trying to conceal his identity when the movie ended...he pulled his cap down as far as it would go. Tobey, to mess with him, jumped up when the movie ended and ran off with the hat. It was really funny. In L.A., especially at this particular theater, no one pays any attention to celebrities anyway. Leo dealt with his sudden exposure by putting a cigarette in his mouth so that he'd at least look cool...like he's James Dean or something. Ridiculous. We were waiting for the elevator with them to go to the parking lot but when it arrived we let them cram in with their posse and we took the next one. Seconds later, Harry Connick Jr. appeared out of nowhere and got in our elevator. Only in L.A.

Tonight I went to a party hosted by a real nice guy who is a coworker of a friend of mine. He's about 5 feet tall and looks like George Harrison around the end of the Beatles days...giant beard and all. He just wrote a book that includes random poetry and a play. He knows no one will publish it so he had it professionally bound to at least make it look real. This party was his book release party! To host the party, he rented out an empty space called The Space. He drove to San Diego to buy special lighting from a special IKEA. He covered the wall with art to give the look of an art gallery (he gathered art and photos from friends). He had titles and prices on cards next to every piece. In the back, he had a lounge area with couches and a slide show of random pictures from Bali as well as a TV showing a black and white film that he made (also for the hell of it) in which he befriends a homeless person and tours Los Angeles...they even visit a cemetery. There was an open bar with good wine, mixed drinks and beer. Most of the crowd was as unique as the event. A DJ spun cool tunes AND a guy who played glasses performed a Beatles medley! (Yes, he had different sized glasses with different amounts of water and he would rub his fingers along the edge of the glasses. He has been hired by Ozzy Osbourne to play at a party where Ozzy and Sharon will be renewing their vows.) As Glasses Guy played the Beatles medley, a 6 foot 2 girl with a sleeveless shirt, tattoos and brown teeth turned to me and said , "If he can do THAT with the glasses, just imagine what he can do with a PUSSY."

Welcome to Los Angeles.