What I did.....
I arrived in California on Friday, April 22 in order to do research for a biography of Thelma Ritter. I was busy from the minute I landed....
Flowers are blooming fuchsia everywhere.....
I arrived at LAX and picked up my car. (Avoid Dollar Rent-a-Car, please!
Went directly to the Margaret Herrick Library to do research for a project I'm working on.
I stopped to enjoy the wonderful exhibit honoring actor Gregory Peck in lobby. The black and white photographs chronicling aspects of his career were lovely, and I must have spent 10 minutes watching some of his home movies at the screen near the elevator. (Taking and sharing these photos is a "MUST NOT.")
Visited for a few minutes with Corliss, who greeted me at the entrance when I arrived, picked up my key, and secured my bag in the locker room. (Researchers are only allowed to bring in paper and pencil, and sometimes a laptop. No photos are allowed, but you can make copies of all your photos and articles if they have clearance.)
Personable author Jeremy Arnold, a snappy dresser BTW, with one of his favorite fans in the lobby of the Hollywood Roosevelt during Arnold's book signing event-
52 Must- See Movies and Why They Matter, a TCM Running Press publication.
(Book signing in the lobby are a "MUST" for me.
)
I steeped myself in the Core Collection and researched the database on one of the computers, and then I saw Jeremy Arnold quietly doing research for his next project. After about 4 and a half hours of work, I went to eat at my favorite place near the library, La Provence on La Peer.
Had the Mexican Cobb salad and the stunningly fresh veggie-tomato soup with slivers of crusty French bread.
A lady invited me to sit with her, and we began chatting while she waited for her takeout order.
I told her about my research project, and she explained that she was a producer working with some of her writers for a project in development. After she left, I finished my dinner, and bought some divine meringues and an apple tart for "later."
After dinner, I headed to Trader Joe's to purchase some snacks and some coffee, then on to a friend's swankienda where I will be staying. After unpacking, we discussed events at the upcoming TCM Film Festival, and I reviewed some of the research I did at the library. Then I made some phone calls, engaged in social media for a bit, and then took a nice, warm shower, and snuggled into my jams for some rest to recharge while reading before slumbering away in LA.....
Up Next in a few days...Saturday, April 23.
