Venice - Santa Monice bike path

Today I took the bike from Venice to Santa Monica Pier, something I definitely can recommend. It is a beautiful ride just by the beach, but watch out for sand on the track, skaters and pedestrians - they tend to just pop up without taking notice of the bikers.

I continued to 3 st Promenade, one of the very few streets where no cars are allowed. There are some nice shops and restaurants there as well as a number of street musicians trying to get their music out.

The last destination before heading home was Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice, where I initially had planned to stop for dinner, but I actually got there too early so I wasn't really hungry... Instead I had to suffer a home-cooked, boring omelette with bacon. Suit myself!

Don't buy anything when you are jetlagged

Like I did. After the experience of not being able to communicate via the phone, I was quite anxious to solve that problem as soon as I woke up after the trip. The problem was that the only store selling cell phones close by was down at the boardwalk. Now, someone with a bit clearer head might think twice before buying anything for more than $20 at those kinds of places, but now my mind wasn't that clear. It was just set to solve the non-communication problem. With a blurred head and unsharp eyes I saw this little iPhone, and I really wanted an iPhone, and of course the sellers were quick in showing it and giving me a decent discount just like that. Maybe this should be read as a warning signal. Maybe they just seemed so nice and trustworthy (and actually good looking too;). Well, I fell for it, bought it and regret it. Why? Well, it has terrible sound effects. I can't find a way to turn off the sound effect when unlocking it, and yeah, let's face it - it's NOT an iPhone. My apple computer cannot detect it. It's not all bad though, even if the computer cannot detect it, the battery gets charged when connected. It comes with double sim-card slots too, so I can receive calls and sms to both my phone-numbers! Kind of cool. AND it has a TV haha. It does not come with cable though...

LA visit

For the next two months my address will be in Venice, CA. I am going to research applications of gossip models for virtual humans (or in my case game characters) at Institute for Creative Technology, USC.
The trip went well, apart from the german system break-down causing all flights to and from Germany to be late... At least I ran quick enough at Munich airport to catch the plane to LA, but since all luggage had to be identified by the passengers, we were rather late leaving Munich as well. Unfortunately I had no way of letting the woman I was about to meet at the apt know I was late since my cell-phone couldn't find a net, so she had already left when I was on my way. But due to a very nice taxi driver and later a hotel receptionist I could get in touch with her and finally get access to the apt.
Woke up with a terrible headache, cured with a swim in the pool, a double espresso, fresh orange juice and a bagel. Next up is to do some shopping and then see if I can find my way to ICT (by bike).