The Real Hollywood Thang (part 2)

Two days later we were on a bus on our way to visit Santa Monica. We've gotten pretty good at getting around the city by bus and metro - it's so much easier and cheaper compared to here- but this time we weren't sure we were going the right way. My father turned around and looked for someone who we could try to ask. Behind him sat a calm-looking slightly older dark-complexed man in a light colored suit and hat -a very bluesy New Orleans-style. My parents asked him for directions; he smiled and said that he was getting off where we wanted to go and he'd tell us when we arrived. The engaged in a converstaion; my sister and I pretty much ignored them and continued looking out the windows. Awhile later, my mom taps us on our shoulders, and introduces us to the man. His name was Terrell Leonard, better known as Ty Terrell from The Robins, a several-time Jazz / Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame band in the 50s. Researching this I learn that In 1945 Ty joined Billy Richard, and his brother Roy Richard to form the "A-Sharp Trio". They turned pro after winning second place in Jonny Otis' talent show. In 1949 Otis merged them with singer Bobby Nunn to form a quartlet "4 Bluebirds." They later changed the name to The Robins and were pretty successful over the next few years.
On May 11, 1986, Bobby Nunn died of a heart attack at the age of 61, and Roy Richard died in California in 1978 at age 53. Billy Richard became a mortician, and Terrell “Ty” Leonard eventually went to work at a local Sears department store...which is where he was heading to when we met him on the bus that day, also wearing a Sears name tag.

When he found out that my sister and I are budding entertainers, he whipped out a business card with his phone number and email and told us he'd try to help us if we contact him. Tres cool.

The Real Hollywood Thang (part 1)

It never ceases to amaze me how glitz and glam- and how dark Hollywood can be. Aside from Hollywood boulevard, where the majestic Kodak Theatre stands along with hundreds of walk of fame stars, each one bearing a celebrity's name and where you can see celebrity handprints at the entrance of Mann's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood is just one almost-gangter suburb.

But stars are everywhere in the city of Los Angeles. On our second night there as we were walking back to our hotel after checking out Cheryl's competition site, we noticed really bright lights blazing out from an almost-hidden alleyway. So course, being just your regular always-looking-for-excitement girl, I go check it out.

We weren't the only curious ones- upon arriving there, we were greeted by a few excited girls from Montreal's younger competitive hip-hop team.

"He worked for the O.C!!" they told me. They pointed to one of the producers of Boston Legal. He promised the kids he'd try to get Adam Brody to mail them his autograph.

"Quiet on the set!" yelled the director of the day, a loud, african-american woman. Further down, a pack of students in graduation gown move accross the park hills. A thin, blond woman (Monica Potter maybe!) gets out of a car and has a quick converstion with one of them, then goes back in the car. "Cut!" Yelled the director. And they do it over and over again.

So neat to see a popular show taping in the middle of nowhere.

Leavin on a jet plane...again

By the time most of you read this, I would have already escaped from the drabness of this so-called home.

I wasn't kidding when I said I'd be globe-trotting. As you read this, I'm probably in sunny Los Angeles, following my sister to the World Hip-hop championships.

Plane's leaving in a few hours and everyone's running around including me! Ciaors!

Where's home?

A really quick entry to say that after only two months of livin la vida playa, here I am back in quiet Montreal.

Not that I didn't enjoy it down south. While I felt more at home there- how could I not, they've got the sun, the beach and the party never stops-I decided to leave before situations at our disorganized, hurricane-stuck hotel got any worse. Upon notice that my grandfather who is visiting us from Mauritius had to have a operation, I quit my fabulous job and headed home.

Or "home". I never felt like I belonged in Montreal, and now I feel even more out-of-place. So needless to say, I'll be soon be saying hello to globe-trotting again. Stay tuned.