Culinary California

I'm still on tour and this week it's Los Angeles, Palm Springs and San Diego. Now when you get the chance to go to Southern California there are a few things you should be sure to do...

1. Go to Hollywood Boulevard and marvel at how many stars there are on the Walk of Fame and how many names you've never even heard of.

2. See the ocean.

3. Dine at In-N-Out Burger and Pink's.

I've done all three in my life, but on this trip, only numbers two and three.

At Pink's for lunch yesterday, I had the Rosie. Yes, it's named for THAT Rosie. (You know, the same Rosie that said "fire- can't-melt-metal"?) Anyway, apparently, Rosie's choice at Pink's is a 10-inch dog with chili, mustard, onions and sauerkraut, but in order to not actually emulate Rosie exactly, (God help me) I left off the onions. Whew, that's dodging a bullet. And today at In N' Out Burger I went for the number two combo meal... A Cheeseburger Animal Style with fries and  -- you guessed it -- a Diet Coke. Hey a girl's gotta find somewhere to cut back!

In addition to consuming such insane culinary delights, I also saw snowcapped mountains and a gorgeous sunrise this morning in Palm Springs, plus yesterday in LA, I stopped at Starbucks for a Tall Caramel Macchiato (only 90 calories if you get it with sugar-free syrup and skim milk) and two gallons of coffee for the roughly 30 to 40 picketing writers stationed outside the NBC building where I had done my tv appearance that morning. They were friendly and grateful, so of course I had to take a picture for Mr. Blog. I just hope someone in that crowd writes for The Office. Then I can say I had my brush with greatness. Good times in Cali, for sure.

Comments

ROCK ON for supporting the writers' strike. If there's a group of people who've gotten a monster shaft as big as this one in recent years, I don't know who it is.

Sounds like a great trip - great pics, too!

[Monica Ricci]

Thanks for your comment! I am so sorry you posted anonymously because I'd like to address you by name, but oh well! I admit that I'm not a big fan of labor unions for various reasons. However, I do think the writers who, let's face it -- are the backbone of the entertainment industry -- need to be fairly compensated for work they've done, regardless of what media and delivery method it appears in.

And yes, it was a great trip. I will actually be back in LA in two weeks! Woohoo! I'm practically bi-coastal! :D
~Monica

[Terry Lessig]

Is two gallons of coffee enough to ensure safe passage through a picket line? I thought the stakes might be higher in Hollywood.

In'N'Out fries are awesome!

You be Bi-Coastal in Pink!

[uneedaklu]

The anonymous comment was from me - I'm signed in to TypePad, but for some reason, it didn't register; weird.

[Monica Ricci]

Terry and uneedaklu (can I use your name?)...
Thanks for your comments. I didn't have to bust through the picket line. I just went in the employee entrance. :)
~Monica