Adultcon Report:
When Dave and I got to LA, he hadn't made a reservation yet, so we shared my room. On Sat we decided to take both vehicles, as I had a couple stops to make and he went straight on down. Each day we were picking up AussieSteve at his hotel and taking him down (I think he was less than a mile from the Convention Center.) Well, I don't remember the conversation, but I did my thing and got to the Center and went to Vickys booth. We were setting up and getting ready when Dave walked up. I said hi, but didn't see Steve.
"Where's Steve?"
"I don't know. Did you pick him up?"
"No. I thought
you were picking him up."
"Well, I thought
you were picking him up."
"No, I thought
you were."
"So you didn't pick him up?"
"No. Didn't you?"
"No. So he's not here?"
"Aw, shit. I thought you were getting him. That means he's still on the sidewalk in front of his hotel. Well, I'll go get him then." (This was turning into an Abbott and Costello routine.)
About then Steve walks up. "Oh, here he is. Hi, Steve." I felt like an idiot. "Welcome to American hospitality, Steve."
He was cool about it. Being young and in great shape, he had just walked down.
Wait, I'm not done. The show is over, we are cleaning up and discussing where to go for dinner. Vicky said, "We're going to Flemings Steakhouse. It's just a couple blocks down the street, walking distance."
"Which way?" Rokkerr said, "It's right down the street," pointing off in some indiscriminate direction.
"Down which street?"
"The street out front, down that way," pointing indiscriminately again.
Well, I was totally lost, but we all headed for the door. Vicky wanted to change, so Vicky, Sara, Steve and Rokkerr headed for their parking lot. Dave and I, being healthy young studs, figured we could walk a couple blocks. So, we headed off.
The first block was the Staples Center, where a game was letting out, resulting in several thousand people walking every which way. So, we hoofed on. Do you know how big Staples center is? That "1st block" was about 1/4 freakin' mile! So Dave and I hoofed gamefully on. We had gone a couple blocks past Staples when he said, "What was the name?" "I don't remember, but it had Steakhouse in it. Look for that." Couple more blocks and we saw a place named Flemings. "No that doesn't sound familiar." So, we kept walking.
After what seemed like another 1/2 mile, we decided, "Well, hell, I don't see anything. Maybe we should head back to try to find them. Lets cross the street, cause they're parked on that side, so they'll come down there. Meanwhile we can watch the crowds on the other side, just in case."
So we start hiking back. "There's that Flemings place again. But it doesn't have 'Steakhouse' in the name. That can't be it. Let's keep looking."
So, after what must have been another mile, we got back to the Convention Center. The parking lot was nearly empty. We walked all the way to the opposite end and, no Vicky. "Well, hell.
Now what? I know, I'll call her."
"Hi, Vicky, Walt. Where are you?" "We're at the restaurant. Where are you?"
"We're back at the parking lot looking for you."
"I thought you were going to the restaurant."
"Well, we were, but we must have walked a mile, and couldn't find it."
"Well, it's right down the street, past Staples."
"What's the name again?"
"Flemings"
(Under my breath,) "Aw, shit!"
"OK, I remember seeing it. We'll be there soon."
NOW I have to tell Dave. "You're gonna kill me. Remember Flemings? That's it."
"You're right. I'm gonna kill you."
"Well can you wait til after dinner? I'm getting kinda hungry."
"Yeah, I guess." So, off we went to Flemings.
I felt better when they told me Rokkerr had lost the keys to their apartment, so he had gone off to try to figure out how to get in. At least I wasn't the only goof ball.
Wait! Still not done.
So we get done eating and say our good byes. Why at the restaurant? Because Vicky had DRIVEN down there (remember walking distance? Dave and I walked.
) Well, OK. Dave and I took off for the Convention Center parking garage.
In LA, it gets cold after dark. So, by now it felt about 40. I was in shorts and we both were in short sleeves. And we've got a half mile to hike. We get to the garage and, wonder of wonders, It's FREAKIN'
CLOSED!!!
Aw, MAN!!! NOW what? Well, we start hiking around the place. We had seen a security door that was open, so we headed there. On the way, we found an open entrance/exit. "Well, I'll be. Let's go in here." We went in, and, after a bit, actually found where we were parked. "Well, I'll be damned! We
made it!"
Wait. I'm
still not done. You know when you say, "What the hell
else can go wrong?" I walked around my car and, guess what?
A FREAKIN' FLAT TIRE! Man, I was ready to start shooting by now. And I think Dave was, too. At ME! Well, I knew I had a small leak, so I was carrying a small compressor. I got the tire pumped up, we got into our vehicles and headed home. I swear I heard Dave yell, "Hey, Walt. THe next time you offer to lead me around LA? Well,
DON'T!!!"
So, how was
your weekend??
like Steinar in Thailand!
)
to Vegas with me? 
