Yay!

very exciting!!

Pix is great at advertising the Northern LA stuff. The Huntington is amazing! And I helped program at Griffith too, depending on which show is up and running.

I'd like to pitch *one* idea for Southern LA county, in my fair city of Long Beach. If folks are up to it after Prom night. It will require a drive down the 710 freeway to the port. The Queen Mary is permanently docked in Long Beach Harbor, and on Sunday Mornings they have a FABULOUS champagne brunch. [link]

It is a bit pricey ($48/each), and not something I do regularly. But special occasions, it's fun and yummy. Check out the menu! Tons of food all around! And mimosas!!! If you do it right, you can pull off two meals in that, so that helps make the wallet scream a bit less. It's just a matter of going up for one small thing of food, coming back to the table, eating it, then going up for another thing, etc etc.

They give you the bums rush when they see napkins on plates and hands on bellies looking full. So lots of trips with small portions, and lots of talking in between makes for a fabulous morning. If the group is big enough, when you come back with more food, never sit back in the same seat, that way the conversation keeps changing! Did I mention unlimited mimosas! Might be the perfect hair-of-the-dog after prom! ::snerk::

And then after you are done eating, wander around the ship. They have guided tours for a fee, or you can just walk around on your own for free. [link]

It's right in the harbor, great view of the cityline, great view of the port (not that all the cranes are picturesque). Bring a windbreaker, it can get chilly with the wind blowing. But maybe not in June. And if you are flying out of Long Beach airport on Sunday, you are in the same city.

Without traffic, it's about 30-40 minute drive from Pasadena, so we'd want to leave the hotel by 9am or so.

Just an idea.

Sounds neat! The tour aspect definitely sounds fun to me, I've never been on a luxury liner before.

Depending on interest, I might try to continue my tradition of getting together a Middle Eastern dinner party at Dar Maghreb in Hollywood (the place the tradition started at back in my early PBP days) either the Friday evening before prom or the Sunday after.

(ND and I would like to host a BBQ at our place the Friday before Prom...maybe Sunday would work, Matt?)

Omnis, that sounds amazing, but I suspect I will not have the $$ or the ability to drag my butt out of bed that early on Sunday after Prom. I will ponder, however.

Yay! Now to become employed so we can afford to go! Because there is NO WAY I am missing this. I want to see my peeps!

I really wish we could go, but between the house and two destination weddings that we have to attend, there is just no way. Someone go have a cuppa at Rosetree Cottage for me.

I can't see myself dragging my butt up early on Sunday. I'll be at prom until the end then I'll have to strike sound gear and bring it back home. It will make for a late night.

Depending on interest, I might try to continue my tradition of getting together a Middle Eastern dinner party at Dar Maghreb in Hollywood (the place the tradition started at back in my early PBP days) either the Friday evening before prom or the Sunday after.

Hmmm, tell me more . . .

I will cross my fingers that the new job schedule allows me to come!

Hmmm, tell me more . . .

I had the best meal of my life there in 2000 for a Bronzer's birthday, and have made a point of trying to return every time I've visited LA since. It has not just the best Moroccan food I've ever eaten, but the best food, full stop.

The interior is done up like a Middle Eastern palace, with an interior courtyard/fountain and low couches arranged around round laquered tables. The meals are multi-course and shared by everyone at the table from big communal platters. Highlights include hot mint tea, savory b'stilla pastry, quail shish-ka-bob, and braised lamb with honey and prunes. And they have belly dancers performing on Friday and Saturday nights.