Sunset Blvd. - How many people know about Sunset Blvd.? And Hollywood? Hollywood and Vine. Venice beach. My brain swarmed with places that likely many people outside of L.A. knew about, from TV, books, and film. I remembered my visits to London and New York and being awed by seeing some place I'd heard or read about and there it was. Know I had the same feeling about L.A..

OK, I felt a little guilty about taking the city for granted. Not many cities have such a mix of cultures available. I mean if I packed up the kids and moved to Blowhole, Idaho would we have avocados or a Chinatown or Koreatown, or Little Teherangeles to visit? Would conversations be beyond the latest Chevy or the latest 12-gauge? Would they even know that Bush is a rock group?

As much as this place drives me crazy - literally and figuratively - it's a terrible addiction. Leave L.A. and you might miss something. Never mind that the something isn't important - it's only the something of the moment but you might miss it. It could be someone is trying to move up, meaning getting something going, has a project, and, as a result, may be becoming someone important. Or the reverse - was, but ain't no more. Life as soap opera - that's L.A. - perpetual Truman Show.

Hmmm, there's a screenplay there somewhere...