Universal Studios was two bus rides and almost two hours away from Santa Monica. After I realized that Santa Monica Blvd. runs through almost everything around here, I wished I had driven my car. Oh well.. I'll know that now for whatever I do tomorrow.

Every since that fateful Summer day in 1985, I've been a humongus Back to the Future fan, so you can imagine my excitement when I realized I was finally going to ride the ride! Unfortunately, and I hate to say it, but it kinda sucked. Ya win some, ya lose some, I guess.

Taking the Universal TramTour is a must, of course. In a period of about half an hour, we were treated to some great Hollywood movie magic and memories. Passing sound stage after sound stage was like seeing a sign taunting, "The most incredible movies ever made were filmed in here, but you can't come in."

The highlight for me was seeing Courthouse Square, which of course, was used as the Courthouse for the Back to the Future movies. What I didn't realize is how many other movies had also been filmed in that square, including the staircase Gregory Peck sat on during a dramatic mob scene from To Kill A Mockingbird.

I wished I had known beforehand, but the park closed at 7pm. My watch read 6:32 when I found out. I would have liked to go on Jurassic Park: The Ride, but it was getting a bit late, and it was quite chilly outside. Sixty-one degrees. Trust me. In Los Angeles, that's bone chilling. I did get to see a movie set used in Jurassic Park: The Lost World, however, so all was not lost.

On the bus ride back home, I got to talking with a witty, paralyzed black man in a wheelchair at the back of the bus. Altogether, there were about ten of us riding down the street. This guy in the wheelchair though... he was a total riot. He managed to get the whole back of the bus singing every Motown hit they could think of, and he was flailing his arms all around, singin' with his Stevie Wonder glasses on, havin' a good ol' time. I still chuckle when I think about it. Most fun I've ever had on a bus, I'll tell ya that.

I arrived at the Third Street Prominade (just off Santa Monica Blvd.) and walked through the crowds. Music from small bands playing in the street filled the air, and changed from one extreme to the other as you walked further on down. Rare CD's, clothes, posters, jewelry and stuff so strange I can't even begin to explain could all be bought in the connecting stores along the sidewalks. (I bought myself a new laser pointer. I love those things.)

Soon, it was quarter after ten. I passed the Mann Criterion movie theater, and bought myself a ticket for the 10:30 showing of The Truman Show (Jim Carrey). I had heard the movie was a bit predictable, but I'd have to disagree. I enjoyed it very much, and think it's a very fresh, clever storyline.

So one more day left in the City of Angels, and then we (Yes, we. You and I.) head north along the coastline (assuming none of it's closed) to our next destination, San Francisco.

See you on the road...

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