Santa Monica

Well, I have to say my aprehension about LA, at least so far was unwarranted.

Its really nice here in Santa Monica, no drive by shootings, not many sirens and stuff like that and if anything the beach looks a lot like Sandown on the Island.

The hostel is really nice, very smart and I would give again a 5/5 for the showers, good effort Santa Monica H-I!

After arriving a hot, sticky mess following 7 hours in a bus with very poor Aircon travelling through the desert I awarded the shower 5/5 and went to an 'english pub' for steak and chips. Was good too, the guinness was better.

The staff were actually english and the woman sounded like Daphnie from Frasier. Weird.

Its getting a bit dull travelling alone now, this hostel is big and less opportuity to meet people so am definatly looking forward to getting to San Diego and catching up with folk I know both from the comic industry and fans I have gotten to know from boards etc.

This morning I had breakfast and went exploring, Santa Monica is very nice, ladies, you would all love the shopping of which there is A LOT!!! The beach is very long and I have to admit somewhat lacking in Baywatch babes. It was a little breezy today so that could be the reason.

After exploring the beach and the pier and failing to find Mitch at Baywatch headquarters or the cop who used to help him out I ventured and checked out the shops. You will be pleased to know that minimal tat has been bought, infact nothing at all.

Did find a comic shop though.....

As if by magic....Hooters appeared and I have to say the girls are only a 3/5 here too. Not overly impressed although the redhead in the picture I will post later did push towards a 5, especially when I told her I was the Duke of Devon after she asked if I knew Prince Harry!!!! Bless her.

Lunch then Top Cow!

I have to say for a major independent comic publisher I really thought their office would be MUCH bigger. Its dinky and I guess the illusion of all these people working in an office with artists in studios etc is shattered as the magic of email and scanned art means we simply dont need to have that kind of setup any more. Unfortunatly (gutted and almost cried like a girl) Marc Silvestri wasn't there but I did interview two top fellas, Matt Hawkins and Rob Levin, who's interviews will appear in Fractal Matter at some point. I will track down Silvestri at the show.....he will not escape.

Photos from the last couple of days to follow. Highlight of the day....

Matt at Top Cow explaining to staff the downside of dealing with comic fans with a particular warning to the attractive female member of staff who looked more than a little uncomfortable at the prospect of dealing with Fanboys.

Bless.

Tomorrow, bit of an LA bus tour for the day, see the sights, pop a cap in some homies ass. Word.