Being completely honest, 2019 has been a bit of a pill thus far. Which, to be fair, 2018 was a blockbuster. Three concerts, great Vegas trip, wonderful plays with the Main Street Players…a truly awesome year.
But 2019? My medical issues have been a constant belltone in the background of everyday life. I spent February getting an ultrasound, CT-scan and bone density test. My Dad’s dog Charlie, our family’s last schnauzer, had to be put to sleep. Then, we had Blizzard Week®. The less said about that, the better. And Monday I’m going in for the MRI. And depending on how that turns out I may need to go under the knife. And the facial tremors…always the facial tremors.
But come hell or high water, on April 15th I am going to Los Angeles.
The flights are paid for. The hop-on hop-off bus is paid for. The Universal Studios Hollywood ticket is paid for. The ticket to see the janky new live-action “Dumbo” at the El Capitan Theatre is paid for. The ticket to tour Sony Pictures Studios, where my evening rituals “Wheel Of Fortune” and “Jeopardy” are taped, is paid for. I also scored 2 tickets to a “Conan” taping for my pal Dave and me. The last big expense is my hotel room, which I’ll pay on arrival. I’ve stayed at the same place the last 4 or 5 visits to Hollywood; great price, nice room, walking distance to Hollywood and Highland.
I do a lot of the same things whenever I go to Hollywood, but I feel absolutely no remorse about that. Universal is a must–besides being an incredibly fun place, it soaks up a whole day where all I have to spend money on is lunch and (if I see something I can’t live without) a souvenir. I have already toured Paramount and Warner Bros., so I’m looking forward to the Sony tour. And TV tapings are fascinating…this will be my third taping of a Conan show. Saw his “Late Night” at 30 Rock twice in the mid-’90s.
I’m really looking forward to this trip. I need to spend some time in the sun, eat at places we don’t have at home, and hang out with one of my best friends. It will be good for me. And fun for me! So rarely do the two overlap.