There's no place like home
Okay, I've returned from my Southern California vacation to find that my Facebook friends are way better at geography than my blog commentors. No one even attempted to answer my "Where's Waldo?" question about the James Dean bust, which is located at the Griffith Observatory high above Los Angeles.
If you aren't a movie trivia buff, an important chunk of the 1950s movie classic "Rebel Without a Cause" was filmed at the Observatory, which features planetarium shows and some of the greatest views of the LA area. If you look one way, you see the LA skyline. Turn around, and there's the Hollywood sign. Really a great tourist spot.
That was the same day I visited the Gene Autry Western Heritage Center, which also is located in the park. The museum is terrific, featuring one of the finest collections of western art as well as a comprehensive display that chronicles the history of western movies and television shows. It's a special place for me because I had the privilege of knowing Gene Autry, who owned the Angels during my time covering them and was very generous with his time and memories of his days as one of the biggest box office stars in Hollywood.
Of course, no visit to that area is complete without a visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, where you can retrace Reagan's movie career, relive the 1970s and 1980s and walk through the Air Force One that was in use during his administration. No political comment here, but I've got to say one thing. No matter what you thought of Reagan's politics, I can't think of anyone who lived a more varied and eventful life.
We were also going to go to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, CA, but we heard that the admission line had an 18 1/2-minute gap, and we didn't want to wait.
> 
Comments
Welcome back Peter !! I'm sure some of us missed you.
Posted by: Iceman | June 7, 2011 4:01 PM
Welcome back Pete - glad to see you enjoyed your vacation. Any thoughts so far on the draft? You surprised the O's went with another High School pitcher?
...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I'm not surprised, since he was one of the most highly touted pitchers in the draft and has all the tools to get up fairly quickly.
Posted by: Chris (Crofton) | June 7, 2011 4:19 PM
Why are comments not being posted?
Posted by: NC Terp Fan | June 7, 2011 4:40 PM
i think we all correctly guessed your location, it's just that no one could post for the last week or so
Posted by: jim66 | June 7, 2011 4:56 PM
Comments have been down since the night of June 2nd. They just came back up today.
Get with the program, Schmuck.
Posted by: not brooks | June 7, 2011 5:51 PM
And I just noticed that this blog now requires approval on comments.
So much for real-time discourse...
..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I just got back from vacation and don't know why this has happened. It may be a glitch. Stay tuned.
Posted by: not brooks | June 7, 2011 5:53 PM
hello?.....hello out there?....please someone substantiate my existence?.....can you hear me now.....is that you nb?......jim66?.....gil?....i feel like Dorthy in the Wizard of Oz.....
there's no place like home.....there's no place like home.....
fire andy macpahil......oh no! ....someone help me please!!!!
Posted by: smitty | June 7, 2011 9:59 PM
Pete,
Welcome back. No comment on USC? The NCAA should review the winners of the national title for the last fifty years and reevaluate their standings based on the current computer hocus pocus and award championships to the "real" winners.
..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I have no problem with the NCAA spanking USC, though I would like to see them do this kind of thing more even-handedly. We now know that Ohio State coach Jim Tressel knew about their violations and lied to the NCAA, but I'm still waiting for a significant sanction. No one ever proved Pete Carroll knew about Reggie Bush. They were punished for "lack of institutional control," which means they but should have known. This seems like something out of Alice and Wonderland.
Posted by: rusty | June 7, 2011 10:14 PM
I didn't get that movie. What was the kids deal?
Posted by: SHAMROCK | June 7, 2011 10:31 PM
Glad to see you back Pete. Would love to read your thoughts on Bundy. Will he or won't he sign? He looks like a work horse. It is just me or did he not seem too be excited about being drafted by the Orioles. Maybe he is a reserved kind of guy. I love the fact the O's went after a power arm. He is built like a bull. He's got the arm to be a dominant power pitcher. Frankly, If I were Bundy, I wouldn't sign. I'd go to college, and hope to be drafted by a winner. Don't get me wrong. I hope he signs. I loved the pick. As terrible as Joe Jordan is, even he couldn't screw this one up. I wonder if the "hometown discount" was a reason for this pick, since his brother already pitches in Frederick.
How about the first overall pick? He was drafted by the Yankees the first time around, decided to go to college and now he was drafted by the Pirates? Talking about dumb decisions. Yea he may make a quick buck in the form of a signing bonus, but we're talking about the Pirates. Although there was no guaranties the Yankees wouldn't ship his butt to PIttsburgh for a power hitter if they had a chance.
Posted by: Mesotheliangelos | June 7, 2011 11:32 PM
So far I am not overly impressed with this draft. Dylan Bundy's measurables tell me he is maxed out for fiture physical growth. So a good pick but certainly not the second coming of Nolan Ryan.
Our second choice is a third baseman who is good defensively but lacks consistency at the plate - why waste a high pick for a so-so talent.
But - this draft CAN BE SALVAGED IF, AND ONLY IF, THEY FIND A WAY TO SIGN NICK DELMONICO. This guy is a talent that might be in the "show" within a couple of years.
Orioles - go for this guy with all speed!!!!
Posted by: Steve Eilertson | June 8, 2011 12:05 AM
Peter,
It seems that comments were down on various media during this period of time. And i was itching to comment about the man from Fairmount, IN. So, so much for your two-faced Facebook friends.
Howevah, my comment would have been wrong. Hence, my comment about driving your Porsche to get there.
I always loved East of Eden because it's so evocative of Calif history. Ditto, Joseph Wambaugh or rather Harold Becker's The Onion Field & Polanski's Chinatown.
You should still drive a Porsche up Hwy 1. I finally got a Calif Bear Flag to put on my office wall. And, yes, my home state of Maryland, too, has a beautiful state flag.
..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I've been told that there was a spam storm and everybody's blog has been restricted to approved comments. I hope that's not permanent, but will keep everyone informed.
Posted by: dave | June 8, 2011 1:17 AM