The excursion to the LA Auto Show was somewhat unexpected. We knew and talked about it for weeks, but nothing came of it. I never made mention of it again. So when yesterday, Saturday, came along, I didn’t hear of anyone wanted to go. I wanted to just to get out of the house, so I called up Tim. Cool, we’re going. After getting ready and running a short errand at my parents, I headed off to Tim’s where we waited for Susan and Andy.

After picking up Lawrence, the usual, we were on our way. Good thing that traffic wasn’t bad westbound on the 60. We made it there in no time. Once we got there, by chance, we did the same exact thing; looking for parking, missed the parking entrance, made the wrong turn, went back around. The only difference this time, on the way back to the parking structure, the right turn lane was blocked. We went left and around LA Live back to parking.

I could say that there was nothing much to see at the Auto Show. What I wanted to see were the new concept cars. As far as the production cars, I could wait for them in upcoming commercials and on the road. But on the other hand, it was good to see them before all that. We started off at South Hall. After walking around a bit, I realized that we were taking a little too long at South Hall. By chance, our group split. One was Tim, Susan and Andy. And it was just Lawrence and I.

In order to try see everything and not dwell in one area too long, Lawrence and I decided to go to West Hall. On the way there, though the “batcave” way, we got sidetracked at the Concourse area to see the ultra high end exotic cars like Rolls Royce, Lotus and Ashton Martin.

At West Hall, I was enthralled with the Dodge Viper. Why? I don’t know myself. We were tired now. We sat at and waited for Tim’s group. It’s already about 5 now and we’ve finished three-quarters of the show. Most of West Hall was American cars. Honda and Jeep were the only ones with concept cars. There was also Smart with their line of Smart Cars. Did I mention the Dodge Viper? On the way out, Lawrence and I got separated again from everyone. We passed by the Ford section and I got my pic taken with the firetruck. They though I looked like a fireman. Yeah right! I played along. I thought that was cool. It was gay, but cool. I’ll try to download the pic from their site as soon as I can. Next was the Porche section at Petree Hall. As you would’ve guessed...Porche cars. I’m a 80s 911 man myself, but the rest of the models are okay. There are new 911 models as well as the Boxter Spyder. It was a quick tour.

Lawrence and I stepped out to get some cool night fresh air. In the distance, there was music coming from the direction of the Nokia. We went to go check it out. Once there, there was the KIIS-FM Jingle Ball going on. This was unexpected. We walked around to check out the sights, the skating ring and “the sights.” On the way back to meet up with everyone, we stopped to enjoy a couple songs at a live open concert.

By the time I called up Tim to check up what they’re doing, they were already in Kenta Hall, where all the after-market merchandise is sold. We headed there. Of all the auto show, the pimped up cars from Galpin, V-DUB and others were the best. Sure the main floors were cool. But down below is the liveliest part of the show. The only thing I would’ve liked to see is more custom and classic cars, just like the OC Auto show.

On the way home, we were hungry because we all had nothing to eat all day. Time for the Curry House. Again, just like last year...the same seats. Like last year at the Curry House, there was cutie that I couldn’t keep my eyes off. I wasn’t staring obtusely, but try to be very discreet about it. Megane! In the classic sense, too! Totally my type. Last year, there were two, but they were the gal types. So aside from friends and the most excellent food, there were the sights. Big surprise, Nijiya Market closes at 8 PM. If I knew that, I would’ve bought my winter supplies before we ate dinner. I guess no takoyaki and special curry this winter season. After all this, we dropped off Susan at her work.



While waiting for Tim to come back, Andy got a call from his buddy which invited up to join him and his girlfriend at the Mission. It’s was Tim’s call to go. So we went. It was my first time at the Mission Inn during the Christmas Season. It was totally awesome. We walked around and took pictures, went in the Mission Inn lobby, walked Main St., chick watching, watched a concert and skating ring. It was the Riverside Festival of Lights.