LA to Houston and on to New Orleans

Zeke kindly dropped me at Central Station in Donwtown LA.






Climbed on board the Texas Eagle and chugged out of LA. Through Palm Springs and out into the desert.







Amtrak is a hidden gem. Tons of space. An observation car with panoramic views and very acceptable dinning car with pretty decent tucker. Left LA Friday at 2.30pm and arrived on time in Houston at 5.45am on Sunday morning.






Sat next to a charming African American from New Orleans. Calmly recounted his exploits during hurricane Katrina. A wonderfully humble centred gentleman called George.







The time flew by as I tucked into a number of scripts and worked through a step outline for ‘a fistful of pounds.’







Texas is not beautiful. It has its moment but by and large is pretty dull. We passed through Marfa and I managed to see Prada Marfa the art exhibit on I90.



There was a never a dull moment as the landscape dribbled by. Amtrak is not fast!








Hired a car and eager to look around heade off to NASA Houston. It’s a bit tacky but you do get taken around the facility seeing where mission control for the Apollo missions is and the training facility for the shuttle and the international space centre. So in the end very worthwhile.
















Headed east towards New Orleans. Arrived late. Went for a fantastic Cajun meal on Bourbon street. Steamed spicey crayfish followed by Jambalaya. Now I like this cuisine – spicey and full of sea food.













Oh found the best street in the world!

Amtrak fro LA to Houston

Julia in hospital

Horrible news. Julia is in hospital. Gave me the shock of my life. She was complaining about not feeling too good and the next thing she is taken into hospital. She has thrombosis on the lungs from too much air travel etc. The doctor has reassured me she is fine and they are happily (?) thinning her blood and the clots are receeding. Looked into coming home but Julia and then reiterated by the Doctor was insistent that I still come home via freighter ship. Will see what happens over the next few days.



Julia is now out of hospital. Though weary she is feeling much better. Friends and family have been wonderful. Lots of visits and support. Wish I had been there.

Last few day...

Well end of term crept up. Have sublet my apartment to a second year cinematographer.

Visited the Richard Nixon Library with Amanda. Cunningly the Watergate room was closed for refurbishment. Will have to return to see how they present this side of the story!






Stopped of at BCAM at LACMA, the new contemporary art collection. Gread range of Jeff Koons, Basquiat, Damian Hirst, Warhol and two amazing 20 ton Richard Serra sculptures.



Supper with Dick and June.

Farewell supper with Kyle, Patryk, Zeke, Courtney and Amanda. Lovely evening at Café Stella in Silver Lake.







Then our last school commitment for the year: Presentation for thesis. Like most things at school, proved to be bit of a joke. Especially as they never asked why we wanted to shoot in February next year. Needless to say when the schedule came out we didn’t get Feb but early Dec instead.

Last meeting at BAFTA LA.

In the evening the AFI held a reception at the Sony Lot for all scholarship recipients.






Packed up flat and bags. Ready for the big offski!