Well, we have returned from California. So many things to say - where should I start? Well Matt left last Tuesday and headed out to LA to meet up with Andrew, Josh and I believe Dave to head out to Las Vegas for the bachelor party. As I didn't want to hear them, I don't know many specifics but I know that a good time was had.
Thursday morning all hell breaks loose in London and of course that is the day that I am to fly out to LA. So I leave super early for my 5:15pm flight and spend 4 hours in Logan Airport doing absolutely nothing except eatting and reading. Security was not so bad when I went through around 1PM but I think it got busier as the day went on. They did check baggage again at the terminal (by hand) and that took about an hour and a half. And of course everyone who didn't check their luggage and had a suitcase and a large ass personal item - well they were the ones complaining about how long it took. Do you think they ever stopped once to think "hey, if I had checked my suitcase, this would take half as long b/c then TSA would not have to go through the suitcase by hand to check for items that can't be taken on the plane?" Do you think that they ever thought that once? I'm sure they didn't. People who fly are inconsiderate assholes for the most part. Personally, I would rather check my suitcase, have a reasonable size "airplane bag" to carryon, have them check my carryon at the gate and not frigin get blown up in the air - but that's just me - personal choice and all. I could rant for hours about the idiots on airplanes but I will refrain at this point - maybe one day when I'm bored and not trying to tell you the good parts of our weekend :)
So I arrive in LA and Matt meets me; we find our rental car; and head out to the hotel - stopping at some spanish fast food joint which translated means "the Crazy Chicken" - the food was excellent - burrito and french fries - GREAT combination; get to the hotel and pass out. The next morning, we head over to Andrew and Karen's and hang out there for a bit and then Matt and Karen take me on a guided tour of the LA area. I saw Beverly Hills and Beverlywood (or something like that) and then Hollywood (which by the way was crazy busy and just way too many people around for me to enjoy) and then Venice Beach (which was pretty cool - loved the little shops and would have loved to spend a day there just shopping - but I was trying to save some money so I stayed away from them) and then Santa Monica (the Promenade - we didn't get down to the Pier). We enjoyed dinner with Andrew and Karen and then played some pool at Yankee Doodle - we thought it was appropriate. That evening we watched "Nemo" at their place and then called it a night.
The next day we got up, packed, met up with Andrew and Karen and after a delicious breakfast/lunch, we headed up to Santa Barbara (if I'm spelling that wrong - well you can shoot me later). The hotel we stayed at was very cute and charming and clean (all important elements - the most important element being clean). Then we arrived at Jenny's parents place and OH MY GOD - it was gorgeous. The house was beautiful, the spot was perfect. Jenny and Ryan got married in front of the cliff so that all the guests got to see them in front of a gorgeous view of the Pacific Ocean. Jenny looked beautiful :) Jacob (Jakob?) gave an excellent interpretation of "Sweet Child o' Mine" as one of the readings of the ceremony - it literally brought tears to my eyes. It was wonderful to see so many that I hadn't seen in quite a while - it was really a great time. And the cake was delicious! Congratulations to Ryan and Jenny - you deserve all the happiness in the world.
The next day we all went back to Jenny's parents' house for brunch and then we headed back to LA. After a bit of shopping at Borders and a little bit of relaxation at Andrew and Karen's - Matt and I were off to the airport for our 9:35pm flight. And that was the end of our lovely weekend.
I have to admit that I'm glad to be back in Massachusetts. The weather in CA was gorgeous - but I wasn't sure when I would be able to bitch about the weather - so therefore, well it can't be that great. I was very happy to wake up to rain yesterday morning - it was exactly what I needed. So in my mind, CA is a great place to visit but I don't want to stay there. Matt may have another opinion though - I think he was missing it.