Tinsel town has lost its sparkle

All that glitters...
I have just got back from a trip to the colonies across the Atlantic.  Los Angeles to be precise.  I have visited on business and worked in the 'States several times over the last however many years, and have actually been pleasantly surprised by most of it.  Well with the exception of Las Vegas, which was just not of this Earth.  However Los Angeles, and more specifically Beverly Hills was, to be honest, a bit of a disappointment.

Beverly Hills is, in one form or another, over 300 years old apparently, and has had a starlit recent history and is inexorably linked with the movie glitterati.

Now whilst I am sure the old school sparkle still exists, Rodeo Drive perhaps, they do now exist cheek by jowl with a very strange cocktail of retail and service outlets that populate some of Beverly Hills most famous street names.

Our USA offices are on Wilshire Boulevard, at the Beverly Hill end of the road.  All the signs proudly proclaim themselves as part of Beverly Hills.  And, yes, the back of our office does look onto 'Lambourghini, Beverly Hills' and a short walk in the other direction is the 'Academy of Motion Picture Science And Arts' - the people behind the Oscars.  But these places exist next to run down and derelict properties.  Or it would seem Pawn Brokers.  Beverly Hills Aston Martin and Bugatti is next to what appears to be a discount drink shop.  Which was, I have to admit was a bit of a let down.

I am not a snob about such things.  I am as comfortable eating in the stalls in Malaysia, as I am in Nobu, London, however I really expected Beverly Hills to be a little different.  Perhaps the inexorable pull of the glitter is what brings the wannabes back year after year, hoping that all that glitters is really gold.  Not just overpriced real estate with a sinister next door neighbour.

The Cause and The Cure
The one thing that did make me smile out there, were the number of cosmetic surgery clinics there were.  They claimed specialisms in everything possible, and several I hadn't realised were possible, or even required.  Anal bleaching anyone?  However most seemed to be advertising body sculpting of one sort or another.  Liposuction, liposculpture, augmentations of everything, and reductions of most as well.  All seemed to be fabulously plush and staffed by people who had come out of the jelly mould.  This just gave the impression thhat there was a catalogue available where you could choose the person you wanted to be, and for an initial downpayment, monthly instalments for a millenia, and your first born child, you too could look like every other plastic person who wants to be famous.

The best part was that most of them had some sort of fast food outlet within walknig distance, and some were above fast food outlets. "Feeling guilty after overeating at lunch, no problem, just pop upstairs and we'll fix you right up!"  There is a combined business opportunity there I am sure of it.

The other one which was kind of ironic, was the proximity of some of Los Angeles's most famous tattoo parlours, as frequented by all the best rock stars, to the tattoo removal specialists.

LA summed up in one block
My journey to the office each day, took me almost the full length of Wilshire, and I knew I was getting close when I cold see a full size bronze statue of one of Hollywood's most iconic sons.  john Wayne.  Seated on a horse, naturally, proudly placed outside a rather fabulous looking office block.  What a fabulous tribute to one of the men that made Hollywood what it is.  However the building in question rather highlighted the other end of the spectrum for Hollywood, and the route that I am sure a lot of hopefuls, who aim for the stars, end up going down.  The building in question housed Larry Flynt Publications.  For those of you that don't know who he is, Larry Flynt is probably one of America's biggest porn kings.  LA in one block.

In and Out
OK, in order to end this post on somewhat of a higher note, the best thing about heading back to LAX after visiting California, is the one burger outlet that I would drive to find.  The one outlet that shames McD and BK.

In and Out.

The In and Out burger is, I am afraid to say a thing of wonder.  Not especially big, but perfectly formed.  It is not just about the beef, it is the combination of all ingredients that make it almost perfect.  Flavour, quantity, quality all perfect, and priced below what we would pay here for a burger from the 'big 2'.  Fries that obviously came from a potato, as they taste of, well, potato.

And then there is "Animal Style".  This adds special sauce and sauteed onions to the mix, and there you have it.  The perfect fast food burger.  If you go to LA, you must hunt down the In and Out burger chain.  Go for the double cheese, animal style.  And if you are in need of a spuiritual lift after your burger, turn over your drink cup and follow the reference...  Never dissapointing.

Unlike, of course, Beverly Hills.

Cheers

Diggy
(must try harder to post)