After starting to run out of inspiration to type blog posts as all I've been doing is surfing and partying lately (boring!), the past few days have been eventful to say the least.On Friday (yes back to surfing again) I somehow managed to get into a fight with my surfboard to the point where it whacked me in the eye after a spectacular nose dive and what Marco (my poor buddy who's now back in Switzerland working) and I like to call the "washing machine treatment".The result: a throbbing eye which later turned into a pretty black eye just in time for the Halloween weekend!Saturday was time to embrace myself in the full college football experience. No I haven't been converted to calling American football "Football" and the real football "soccer", it just made that sentence sound better.Our ticket into spending the day with a bunch of college students came through "team old's" very own Jill. Her younger sister Paige studies (not sure how much studying is going on) at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles).We arrived at their place around 1:30 and the party was already in full swing. Vodka shots, Beer bongs and face paints. It was a great atmosphere and I even got to ride on one of the yellow school buses that you see on the movies!When we arrived at the "Rose Bowl" (UCLA's home stadium), we latched on to a tailgate. For those who don't know what a tailgate is (I certainly didn't), it's where thousands of cars park at the stadium and have a party/BBQ. Our tailgate crew (pictured) put on the best spread and offered fantastic hospitality. We enjoyed it so much that we missed most of the game. It really was a day to remember and, although he's probably not going to read this post, I'd like to thank Micheal for his fantastic hospitality and making the afternoon so special (he even gave me his ticket to enter the stadium).A few of us went in to catch the final quarter of the game. Although my knowledge of American Football is very limited, I could tell I was watching two very poor teams. UCLA actually ran out winners and I couldn't believe how many fans were in attendance for just a University game. This is literally the equivalent of playing football for the University back home where you'd only get two men walking a dog in attendance.The bus ride home was less memorable. We had gotten wind that Paige's landlady had called the clamping company to tow my car away as it was obstructing cars (although cars could freely enter and exit their parking bays). We spent the whole journey worried about what to do. A long story short, I ended up with a parking ticket which is apparently far less costly ($68) than a towing penalty ($300+) and a lot less hassle.A small blip in what was a top weekend. When we returned to Paige's place, everyone put on their Halloween outfits (my black eye would have to suffice) and we then played some drinking games.You know it's been a good night when you wake up on a couch, not knowing where you are or what day it is! Fortunately my friends Paul and Drew were there too and helped guide me back to normality.Sunday was a day where we literally laid on the couch, ate pizza and watched NFL. My team the Saints were embarrassed by a team who haven't won yet this season. Sounds a familiar story to any Forest fan.Yesterday I went back out on the Surfboard for the first time since my black eye ordeal. I surfed on Malibu beach. The waves were pretty low however this meant the chance of the "washing machine treatment" was pretty low also. On a glorious day, I took the opportunity to do some post surf topping up of the tan.Last night I attended what claims to be the biggest Halloween parade in the world on Santa Monica Boulevard (West Hollywood). I would find it difficult to contest that claim as literally thousands of people flocked the streets in some extravagant costumes.I really don't think I've ever witnessed anything like it! I knew the Americans made a big thing of Halloween, but didn't expect anything like this.Along with the usual vampires, frankenstein's and monsters, there were some completely random costumes out there. Jaba the hut & Princess Lea off star wars, Ace Ventura Pet Detective, LMFAO, and the wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man to name but a few.It also amazed me how much thought had gone into these costumes and how deep into character these people got. You could truly see their heart and soul had gone into it.There were also several live acts playing. The most famous I recognised was the artist "Robyn" who sings "Heartbeat". There was also a guy dressed in drag singing Jay Z's "99 problems but the b**ch aint one!" which pretty much sums up the night.That just about rounds up what I've been up to the past few days. The time has come to leave Hollywood for now and head slightly north to Ventura where I'll continue on the couch surfing experience. On Thursday I'll be heading up to Santa Barbara where I loved it last time despite only spending a night there.
The clock is slowly ticking on this journey therefore I need to appreciate each day I have before the 14th December approaches.