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Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts

Thursday 30 October 2014

Cannery Row Monument

Cannery Row Monument Ceremony

Location: Monterey, California, USA
Address: 700 Cannery Row
Date: Feb 2014
Website:  canneryrow.com

    When we arrived in Monterey, California it was raining.  After parking the car we noticed a crowd gathered around a statue and a podium.  We took a quick photo and carried on our way towards lunch and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.  Later we discovered that this was the unveiling ceremony of the Cannery Row Monument.  Cannery Row is the nickname that was given to this area due to all the sardine canning plants that used to line the streets.  The monument features several important people sitting on rocks in a fashion not unlike the birds and seals we had seen from the shoreline.  At the top sits John Steinbeck who was the author of a book called Cannery Row, published in 1945.  He is best know for his novel The Grapes of Wrath.  Beneath him sit other figures who were important to the success of the area.
  After leaving the Aquarium, which was built inside one of the old canneries, the rain had washed away the crowds and we were able to get a proper look at the monument.

Cannery Row Monument


Map of Our World
Cannery Row Monument

Post # 26

Thursday 26 June 2014

Warner Bros Studio VIP Tour

What's up Doc? How you doin'?

Location: Burbank, California, USA
Address: 3400 West Riverside Drive
Date: Feb 2014
Website:  vipstudiotour.warnerbros.com

 The Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a must for any TV or movie fan.  Since we are both big TV and movie fans we had to pay the studios a visit.  We went on a Sunday afternoon and not much was happening as far as productions on the lot, but we had the opportunity to see many of the places from productions in the past.

Warner Bros. Tour cart.

  You go around the studios in small groups riding in a cart like the one pictured above.  The tour guides don't follow any set pattern around the grounds so they can customize the tour based on your group's interests.  Be sure to talk to them and let them know what you like.  The highlights of our tour included a trip around the Backlot, some time to explore the Warner Museum and Picture Car Collection, a visit to the retired Central Perk set from Friends, a drive through The Mill and a visit to The Big Bang Theory and Pretty Little Liars sets.

I don't think anybody is home.

  You get a glimpse of just how fake everything is, because movies are always just concerned with what you see on screen.   Our guide was telling us how they use pull ties to put branches on the trees depending on what season they need it to be.  It is interesting to see how this all comes together in the finished product.  Even more exciting is knowing that you have been in the same exact spot where your favourite shows and films were created.

To see more of our trip to Warner Brothers, check out this permanent page of
Productions filmed on the Warner Bros. Backlot.

The Warner Brothers Water Tower.


Map of Our World
Warner Bros Studio VIP Tour

Post # 14

Thursday 17 April 2014

The Price Is Right

"A new car!"

Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Address: 7800 Beverly Blvd.
Date: Feb 2014
Website:  www.priceisright.com

"Whatever your name is! Come on down! You're the next contestant on The Price Is Right!"

  If you have ever wanted to hear your name called on The Price is Right, then this post is for you.  We attended the second  taping on  Feb 24th and the episode airs April 17th.  It is episode 6704.

Get Tickets
 The first thing to do is go online and get tickets.  We had thought about going and one night we went to The Price is Right website and there were some Priority Tickets available.  We booked it and then planned the rest of our trip around this date. This was about 2 months before the actual taping.  Priority Tickets allow you to show up and walk right in, seats guaranteed.  The next level is General Ticket and this means you have to line up and you should get in if you are early enough. On the day we went it looked like everyone who lined up made it into the show.

Arrive at the Studios
  The Price is Right is recorded at CBS Television City.  Just south of the studios is The Grove.   The Grove is an outdoor shopping center with a Farmer's Market attached.  This is where we enjoyed a meal both before and after the taping.  We needed to arrive at noon for the 4PM taping so we were prepared for a long day ahead.

Forms, Name tags and Pictures
  Once you arrive at the studios you go past the security into a covered outdoor area. This is where you get a number and fill out all the legal forms.  Be sure to have your social security number and for Canadians bring your SIN.  At this point you will also get your name tags shaped like a price tag.  We were impressed by the skill of the name tag writer who managed to fit a 9 letter first name onto the tag and still make it legible.  He laughed when we commented and proceeded to show us a picture from his phone of a 27 letter first name that was written over 3 different tags.  After getting tagged we then stood in front of a green screen and whooped as if we had just won a big prize. Later we had the opportunity to buy this picture for $20.00 with the big wheel stuck in behind us.

Waiting and Interviews
  The next part involves waiting your turn as audience members are interviewed in groups of 10 to decide who might be a good contestant.  Some people chose to use this time running around and trying to draw attention to themselves.  We were lucky enough to be seated beside a nice couple from Lompoc and their mother / mother-in-law.  We spent most of our time chatting and the time went rather quickly.  Finally it was our turn to be interviewed, and we were asked what we do for a living and a couple of other questions.

The Chosen Ones
  It seems that in order to be chosen, you need to be one of the following.
A) In a large group all wearing the same t-shirt and go to the taping on one member of your party's birthday.
B) Have served in the army, navy. air force, marines.
C) It also seems they tend to choose an equal amount of men and women so your chance should be 50/50 there.
D) Lastly they tend to like loud over-animated people.  We would best describe these people as a celebrity on a talk show.  You know how the host may make a joke and the guest would slap their knees and fall out of their seat, when a normal person might just politely chuckle.  Very exhausting to maintain.
Anyway we had the man and woman area covered, but did not get chosen as contestants for the show.

Entering the Studio
  Next we went through a metal detector to one last outside waiting area where food and drinks ($$) were offered, while they lasted.  Some people further back in the line either missed out on the chance to buy food or had the opportunity to wolf it down quickly as the studio doors opened.  At this point all cellphones/cameras were taken away and we were given a ticket to retrieve them later.  You can bring in purses and sweaters etc. and just keep them at your seat during the show.

The Taping
  Finally we entered the studio and were directed to two seats.  During the show George and Drew entertain the crowd during any pauses and the rest of the time it is very loud in there.  A stagehand stands off camera waves and gestures numbers to get the crowd going when the contestants are playing.  We were shouting out all kinds of random numbers as we lost track of what was going on.  When it came time to spin the big wheel and decide who is in the showcase and Drew asks if the contestant would like to say hi to anyone we could not hear a thing.  Except for the cheering and yelling that all blended into one big noise.  We look forward to watching the taping to see if anyone said hi to their mother who really wanted to be there but couldn't make it, or all their friends back in Wisconsin.

The End
  After the show ended, they called one more contestant to "Come on down!" and get a small prize.   This was not part of the taping so it was kind of odd and would be difficult for the chosen person to explain. "No I wasn't on TV but I was in the studio and they did call my name and I ran down... No. I didn't get to bid on anything but...  No. Drew Carey had already left..."
We had a good time and the day went by quicker than expected.  We recommend the experience.   Remember to have your pets spayed or neutered and we will see you next time on The Price is Right!

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The Price is Right
The Grove

Post # 9

Saturday 29 March 2014

Brady Bunch House

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!

Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Address: 11222 Dilling Street
Date: Feb 2014

Here's the story of a lovely house, that was home to three very lovely girls, and their mother.  It was also the home of a man called Brady and three boys of his own.  Oh, and let's not forget about Alice.  Some of you probably have a hunch we are talking about the house from The Brady Bunch.
This is the house that was used for the exterior shots of the Brady home.  The trees out front are a little taller, and the second floor window is missing.  After doing some research we discovered the reason why.  The Brady set had that long staircase going up from the living room, and this home had no second floor, so the show added the window before filming.  Instant second floor!
When we went to Los Angeles for the first time, we found out upon our return that from our hotel on Vineland Ave. we had been just a short walk away from the Brady house.  This time we made sure to stop by for a visit.  Carol, Mike, Greg, Marcia, Peter, Jan, Bobby, Cindy, Tiger and Alice don't live here any more, but we will always remember how this group somehow formed a family and became the Brady Bunch.


Map of Our World
Brady Bunch House

Post # 7

Thursday 20 March 2014

Cathedral Mausoleum (Talking Bad)

Respect the Chemistry


Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Address: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Date: Feb 2014
Website: www.hollywoodforever.com

Breaking Bad is one of the greatest television dramas of all time.  During its final season there was an after show where celebrities and cast members would discuss the episode they had just watched.  This show was called Talking Bad.  The final Breaking Bad episode was aired before fans and then the final Talking Bad installment took place at the Cathedral Mausoleum in Hollywood Forever Cemetery.  Hollywood Forever is an unusual cemetery that often holds movie screenings and concerts on its grounds.

 Check out more about Hollywood Forever Cemetery


Map of Our World
Cathedral Mausoleum

Post # 5

Monday 17 March 2014

Ostrichland

Ostrichland

Location: Solvang, California, USA
Address: 610 E Highway 246
Date: Feb 2014
Website: www.ostrichlandusa.com

Located just off the highway as you head towards Solvang is a place called Ostrichland which gives you an opportunity to get up close and feed the largest bird in the world.  If you buy some ostrich food you are given a dog bowl filled with feed and screwed onto a dustpan.  Then you are sent on your way to where the birds eagerly await.  Once you stick your bowl within reach of the fence, it doesn't take long for the birds to polish off all the feed inside.  Hold on tight as they repeatedly twist their long necks and slam their heads down to take a big bite.

That watch looks nice.

They also will do their best to take the bowl, dustpan and any remaining feed from you in one swift grab.  There are signs warning "Yes, We like to bite!" so we didn't get closer than a 4 foot neck.  Also be wary that there are always more birds around you looking to get in on the action.  Don't worry if you should drop some feed in the process.

Cheeky squirrel

While we were there the ground squirrels stretched their cheeks to the limit in order to carry away every last piece.  Don't let the ostriches rob you of all your feed as a little further along is another pen where the emus are awaiting their turn.  A great souvenir from the gift shop is an ostrich finger puppet.  Just be thankful you still have some to put inside.

Don't you forget about me.



Map of Our World
Ostrichland

Post # 3

Sunday 16 March 2014

Bronson Caves (aka The Batcave)


Bronson Caves

Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Address: Canyon Dr., Griffith Park
Date: Feb 2014


"Atomic batteries to power. Turbines to speed."
"Roger. Ready to move out."

  Fans of the 60s TV show Batman will want to see this location when visiting Griffith Park.  It is located not on any road that leads to the Griffith Observatory but further (Adam) West on Canyon Road.  We parked in a gravel parking lot and then entered the trail heading south.  We did notice the sign warning that there were rattlesnakes in the area but we had no intention of running off into the bushes or turning over rocks.  We stayed on the dirt road that was wide enough to drive a truck full of camera gear or a Batmobile through.

Holy hole in a donut.

  Just a short way up the trail and there on the left we spotted it.  In fact we looked straight through it.  It was missing some vegetation and there was no little red and white road barrier, but we knew we had reached our destination.  The caves had been created by a quarry that operated in the early 1900's and since then many film and television productions have used the site.  None has done so quite as famously as the Batman television series.
Now how do we get back from here?  I believe it is about 14 miles to Gotham City.

The Batcave


Map of Our World
Bronson Caves

Post # 2

Saturday 15 March 2014

Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Forever Peacocks

Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Address: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Date: Feb 2014
Website: www.hollywoodforever.com

Right in the middle of Hollywood is a cemetery that is worth visiting.  The beautifully maintained grounds are a great place for a relaxing stroll.  There are many famous people who have chosen this as their final resting place.  A few notables we visited were Don Adams of Get Smart fame, and Johnny Ramone of The Ramones, whose bust rises out of his gravestone to forever strum away.

Rock n Roll Grave Stone
Would You Believe...

 One grave we had planned to visit was that of Mel Blanc, best known for being just about every voice you hear in the Looney Tunes cartoons.  We had expected to find him in "The Garden of Legends" so we wandered around the pond checking each grave in hopes the next was his.  Eventually we gave in and asked a groundskeeper for assistance.  He did not know where to find Mel, but did let us know that the flower shop has maps available.  Off to the flower shop where just a quick look at a map and we were on to plot #34.

Garden Of Legends

This took us back to "The Garden of Legends" which was still looking lovely with the sun shining and geese swimming in the waters.  Some time passed and again it was back to the flower shop, where maps cost $5.00. G. Mel Blanc resides in plot #84 (you see how that happened?) and has a simple gravestone that states That's All Folks.

That's All Folks

 We also had to say goodbye to the peacocks and the palm trees and headed out the cemetery gates straight towards the Hollywood sign.

Hollywood Forever


Map of Our World
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Mel Blanc , Johnny Ramone , Don Adams

Post # 1