The eagle has landed.

With 12% of the American population claiming Irish ancestry it seemed appropriate to fly via Aer Lingus, oh and it was the cheapest flight. None the less, I was with illustrious company, the 'Irish Hip Hop Crew' heading out to compete in the World Hip Hop championships. Hoodies, faux diamond earings and shamrocks - somehow I can't visualise US hip hop with a Riverdance strand, maybe thats the next big thing.

I have arrived. I confess my first impressions: totally underwhelmed. LAX is a 60s airport struggling to cope with 21st century demands. I was caught in the biggest immigration queue in the world (the Guniess book of records team were present, I guess it was an Irish flight) and then they lost my baggage. Freeways, pollution, intense sun and well architects and town planners who really should be placed in Guantanamo to protect the rest of the world. The majority of the city feels like Milton Keynes meets Disney World on acid. You have mexican haciendas next to mock tudor, Mies van der Rohe side by side with palladian styled houses. Its extraordinary, one moment you are on a run down street funneling a six lanes of traffic and suddenly it evaporates into a multi million dollar enclave. I feel bad as I sound like a right complainer, but visually this place is like hell on earth. Sure there is great weather and a coastline to die for, but I do get the feeling that California is a gorgeous place scared by mankind. Everyone I have spoken to tells me it gets under your skin as you seek out havens in this concrete parking lot. So, to be honest these are my initial impressions, lets see how they evolve over the next two years.

As for finding an apartment I happily trawled Craig's list with romantic ideas of Hollywood bungalows straddled by green lawns or bijou pied a terres in newly refurbished appartment blocks with gated security, swimming pools and gyms. OK so I was dreaming. My idealistic expectations aside, I saw a stack of expensive grotty places. For a moment I was concerned. Stuck in the grid with its oppressive heat, traffic and pollution did not appeal. Next step was to look on westside rentals - great website. Found a stack of new prospects. First place I looked at was in Silverlake, an up and coming bohemian suburb east of Hollywood and Los Feliz. Fantastic. Up on a hill, quiet, views out on to Silverlake reservoir, off street parking. It's an old building, yes with a pool. So I snapped it up. Expected delays as they credit checked me, but no issues there, I had the keys in my hands by the afternoon! I love it. Sat on the balcony yesterday and was entertained by a little hummingbird gathering nectar. So it almost feels suburban. Being on a hill temperature is cool and I get a nice breeze in the evening. So a blessed relief from the intense heat down in the grid. Next step - furnishings.

Whilst searching for a place I have been lucky enough to stay with friends, Dick and June, in Marina del Rey. Smart enclave by the coast next to Venice Beach. Nice spot. Went out with one of their pals, a prominent Hong Kong chap called Johnson Chan and his wife Vivian Lee. Johnson has just been producing his first feature film, a comedy called 'Smother' staring Diane Keaton. He produced the picture with Jay Roach ('Meet the Fockers' 'Austin Poers' etc) its out soon. Johnson is great, a really positive and energetic guy. The restaurant was a Japanese American fusion affair. It was extraordinary. We had sushi pizza, maki rolls covered in hot cheese sauce, tofu, bbq chicken wings, rice cakes again smothered in hot cheese - to simplify the situation it was japanese food covered in hot cheese! Very tasty but distinctly odd! I can see how people can pack on teh weight out here. It has been a non-stop meat fest.