Extra Extra read all about it ..............

Leaving the sandy beaches of Santa Monica and Venice to go up into Hollywood was filled with good times ! We decided to book into a hotel for two nights this time ...plant our feet so to speak and take in Hollywood "Hawman style" It had been a long while since Ive spent anytime there and there were a few things I wanted to check off my "Hollywood to do list". Number one , stay close to "The Grove "and "farmers market". These two places are great combination of fantastic shopping/dinning and a fresh food marketplace in a sort of upscale fantasy type setting. Its a must see for anyone coming up into Hollywood . Hanging out here was a great stress reliever after driving down the coast for over a week.
The morning we were leaving the grove we had an unexpected bonus , when we were asked to do a interview with Mario Lopez (hottie!!!) on daily entertainment show "EXTRA! Ummmmmm let be think ...me... camera... center of attention.. Yes! final answer yes! The reason for this segment was the fall that Shania Twain took at the CMT awards the night before.What they wanted was our most embarrassing moment that we could speak about on camera ( well that eliminated a few). Terry couldn't come up with one so with only a minute to choose it was left to me to go through my rather long list of "special laurie moments". I decided to share this moment with America It was the " taking my kids shopping and falling down a rather lg set of stairs ( on my butt all the way down) only to find both kids vanished before I reached the bottom.... in embarrassment I suppose?
So check list The Grove/ farmers market done off to the next one, hang out at the "Ivy" for those of you that don't already know the restaurant "The Ivy" is the place that celebrities go when they want to be seen ... but don't want to be seen ... I think it's an American thing.The quaint little street side cafe was full so Terry and I walked around only to find the TMZ crew with cameras staking out the place so what we do? we hang out it them it was perfect ! We saw Dog the bounty hunter enter for a quick bite but that was about it. So off to the final Hollywood must do, take a drive up into the Hollywood hills . Sure there's tours that take up there but that's not the Hawman way now is it ? Just before sunset we set off not sure where we were going, just up . The views were great, Hollywood sign...multi million dollar foreclosers and way too much SMOG! We did a little hiking and we were off ... check list done!
Its been 7 days since we arrived in Vegas, now as a rule 7 days is usually all a person can physically and mentally handle in a place like this but I think were doing ok... although Im by myself right now (Terrys on the golf tour) so I have no one to judge me .. ummm come to think of it when did I eat last ?.... and when was the last time I made my way out to the strip? and why do all the poker dealers know my name ? Just kidding were going to be fine here for another week I'm mean seriously we wake up, work out ,go to pool then play poker who wouldn't luv it !!! The Aria Resort is so incredible your close to everything here and the Service is unlike anything we've experienced on the strip before everywhere you turn there is someone to help you and the rooms don't even get me started 5 star all the way baby!
Well this blog was a little long winded I must sign off now... Vegas is calling.

" Across the border"

Its been a week since we wrapped up our marathon of visiting friends, thanks goes out to all of you that put us up for a night or two. . Over the past few yrs Terry and I have spent many off our vacations playing poker, not complaining we luv it, but its really nice to catch up with some old friends this time around.
Our last stop before going across the border was Vancouver Island were we had a great time visiting and checking out the shopping and sites in Victoria.
Funny thing happened while coming across a street vendor at the harbour that designs hand made glass jewellery. I was admiring her pendants when she showed me one the she called " A road less travelled "if you recall that was the name of our last Blog! I just thought it was super cool that she said that to us and yes I bought the beautiful pendant.
Driving down the Oregon coast was nice, we found a little charm of a place in Bandon to spend the night (just before California's border) Weather had not been great so far but the next morning we woke up in our apt on the beach to an incredible sunny day and a zero tide(rare) There was abundant of ocean life to see and endless beaches to walk ... it was a good day!
We have been in California for 5 days now, first stop was San fransico were we met up with an aunt and cousin of Terrys then Malibu/Santa Monica and Venice beach area, all great places to see all with there own unique style . Today we are up in Hollywood stayed here last night and will stay here tonight . We have to be in Vegas on Friday "that" we are looking forward to! Hotel hopping is getting old, will be nice to stay in one place for a while. We are booked into the Aria resort for 19 glorious poker filled days ! Terry leaves for a bit of that to golf with the boys in Phoenix and yes he's leaving lil ol me on the strip. If the poker gods are with me ill cash in a couple little tourneys while hes gone and pay for some of the trip.... making my man proud!
So to sum up the trip so far we've had some less then desirable weather, driving has gone fairly smooth, the GPS rocks! We have had a few wrong turns and some " not too sure were we should stay" moments , but all worked out in the end and that's what counts. Ok followers that's all for now, we are off the explore Hollywood, Hawman style!