Hotel blooper: Wakeup calls.

Among all the hotels I’ve stayed in, my favourite is the Sydney’s Hilton. I love the view, the huge bed, the plasma tele, the night blind control at the bedside (omg, darkness in stark daylight at your fingertip!) and the location too, of course.

I have had several problems with its ultra-modern facilities though. One such problem is its wakeup calls. I usually arrange for wakeup calls with the hotel. Then I would set my own alarm clock to wake me up before my hotel’s wake-up call. It’s a foolproof plan to avoid oversleeping.

One morning, I woke up to my own alarm clock and proceeded to prepare for yet another bloody day at work. I was grumpy and agitated. As I meticulously put on my eyeliner, the phone rang. I knew it was the hotel’s wakeup call. So despite being half-way through the make-up I went to pick up the phone. An automated voice greeted me.

Good morning! This is your wakeup call bla bla bla…

I hung up, walked to the mirror and continued with my routine. Then, while putting on mascara, the bloody phone rang again. I thought it was an emergency regarding work, so I ran to pick up the phone. And there it was, the same automated greeting. I slammed down the receiver by that time.

10 minutes later, the phone rang for the third time. Half-way through applying lipstick (it sucks to be a woman). I figured it was another wake-up call. I picked it up and sure enough, I heard this…

Good morning! This is your wakeup call.. I cursed, “What the fuck another wakeup call, tiuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu” huh, yes Miss Kimberly?

Just great! A real person this time…

So yes, if you were in Sydney for work, do put up at the Hilton. You will definitely be on time for that dreaded meeting.

City of Angels.

I’ve always suspected that I was a nutcase. Well, there’s no more doubt about it from today onwards.

Anyway, here are the overdue pictures from Los Angeles. One of the best trips I’ve ever had. I shook the hand that shook Tom Cruise’s hand. I had Creole food for the first time. I had the best hotdog (sausage wrapped with crispy bacons and all the trimmings) I’ve ever had.

Staples Center.

Giant hand and hotdog.

Pershing Square which was featured in the last scene in Speed was smacked right in front of my window. I got screamed at by a hobo. I made friends with some Brazilians. I saw LOADS of people filming. Nicholas Cage was filming in the hotel just around the corner from mine. I saw Kobe Bryant (okay it was quite far from my shitty seat but I saw Kobe Bryant).

Amazing!

Martin Scorsese.

I saw the Hollywood sign. I saw some famous landmarks from movies such as Pretty Woman, Police Academy, City of Angels, True Lies and etc. I saw Viper Room where River Phoenix died. I saw the last of the palm trees that have defined Los Angeles’ infamous landscape. I enjoyed myself thoroughly in spite of certain circumstances.

Pumpkin ice-cream at Farmer’s Market.

On the way out from Farmer’s Market, a woman with a dog in an SUV stopped suddenly, wound down her windows and offered to give me a spiritual reading. I freaked and declined. Is that a normal occurrence in the States or did I have something going on? I guess I’ll never find out.

No, no Disneyland or Universal Studio or 6 Flags for me. Why waste a perfectly interesting city?

I’m almost back.

So yeah I just came back from Los Angeles. The highlight of my trip was KOBE BRYANT. w00t!

Yeah I saw them Lakers, at the Staples ;)

Did a whole lot of other touristy stuff too of course.

Went to K-Mart and stocked up on the Reese’s Peanutbutter. w00t!

Work was cool. Phew…

Pictures soon…but in the meantime, I’m packing for home, babeh!

Miss you guys like LOADSSSSSSS