Jelly-Bean Dreamin’ of California

Hello it’s the Funny One here. Today’s state is California. In one picture, I’m with a famous actor who I think will one day win an Oscar. The other one is me and him in Berkeley. Come for the culture, stay for the food.

What is there to do in California? You can visit the Universal Studios in Hollywood and see where they make the movies. I can’t go on the tour as I’ll be busy filming for a Spielberg movie. Hehehehehe. Maybe, one day. Anyways, You can see where all the famous actors have left there handprints in the ground. There’s also the Hollywood Museum where you will see exhibits of authentic Hollywood memorabilia treasures and a special Walk of Fame exhibit.

There’s also the GRAMMY Museum which celebrates the enduring legacies of all forms of music. The GRAMMY Museum debuted a new exhibit to Michael Jackson on June 25, 2011, and it pays tribute to his life and legacy. The display is a follow-up to the Museum’s past exhibitions, Michael Jackson: HIStyle and Michael Jackson: A Musical Legacy. It is housed on the Museum’s third floor, which the launch of the new exhibit coinciding with the second anniversary of MJ’s death.

The Cartoon Art Museum; exhibits pieces that represent the history of modern development of cartoons, their creators, the designs, and also processes underlying the art forms of cartoons, comics, digital animation, illustration, and video games. The Museum also hosts dozens of events throughout the year, including book signings, creator appearances, lectures and workshops. They also offer a wide range of programs and classes in cartooning, illustration, and animation. That would be cool to do.

Let’s not forget the Golden Gate Bridge which is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco, California. It’s has also been declared one of the modern Wonders Of The World by the American Society Of Civil Engineers. It’s also seen in the movie “Rise of The Planet Of The Apes.”

There’s Alcatraz prison; which once was home to some of America’s most notorious criminals. There were even the presence of infamous inmates like Al “Scarface” Capone, and the “Birdman” Robert Stroud. It operated there from 1934 to 1963. Even to this day, Alcatraz is best known as one of the world’s most legendary prisons. There was even a TV series about the prison. It’s a crime that they’re not doing a second series!

There’s also the Jelly Belly factory. There’s a 40-minute walking tour of the factory and a guide will show you where they cook up over 150 different sweet treats. Also, you’ll learn the secrets to how they create the legendary Jelly Belly jelly bean, and why it takes more than a week to make a single bean. Really? It must take forever to make a bag of them. I wonder if they still sell the Harry Potter jelly beans in America. They only sold them in Britain when the first movie was in the cinema. Mmmm jelly belly. http://jellybelly.com/

Now, on to places to stay. Why stay in a cliché hotel when you can stay at the Treebones Resort. “It’s a tent with all the comforts of a cabin. Sleep under the stars but in a bed.” http://treebonesresort.com/ 

 

Louisiana The Plot!

Hello, Funny One Here. Today’s state is Louisiana. There’s the Gators and Friends Alligator Park was started to increase awareness among the public about the different types of animals, their habitat, lifestyle, and survival techniques. You’ll find everything from Alligators to Zebras. There are also Cajun Critters Swamp Tour is a two-hour tour that is narrated by captain with Cajun legend and lore. Why not take a ride on the wild side. It sound like fun. It was also seen on the Oprah show. There’s the Yogie and Friends Exotic Cat Sanctuary is opened  to the public on a limited basis to reduce any stress on the animals. Most of their cats have come to them from cruel conditions and they do not want to add any more stress to their lives.  Opening to the public on a limited, educational basis gives them a way to financially support the animals. Not only do they provide them with a safe and permanent home, they provide them with regular vet care and attend to any medical needs. Some of these cats came from really horrible conditions and have ongoing medical issues. http://www.yogieandfriends.org/new/  The Global Wildlife Center is where  threatened and endangered wildlife, from around the world, live and thrive in a free-roaming natural environment. Get ready for a wild adventure! It’s the largest totally free-roaming wildlife preserve in America! They have over 4,000 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from all over the world.

I drew three pictures for it. I’m at Cafe Degas. It’s a French bistro in New Orleans that is dedicated to the artist who was over there for a while. It looks good. I’d have the cheese selection. Mmmm cheese. http://www.cafedegas.com/ I’ll stick with food. There are some restaurants I wouldn’t mind going to. Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen is based on the designs of the original 1834 structure. It has more than 200 dining guests. There are  seasonal balcony dining, spacious dining rooms on both the first and second floors and a relaxed climate-controlled courtyard for dining al fresco. http://www.chefpaul.com/kpaul  The Ruffino’s Italian Restaurant, What do you get when you combine the talents of a former LSU lineman and a New Orleans-born Italian chef? Delicious Italian food. They even have my favorite wine, Chianti. Mmmmm Chianti. The menu looks amazing. They have la caprese salad, tomato vodka cream pasta, alfredo sauce pasta, sorbet, tiramisu and crème brûlée. http://www.ruffinosrestaurant.com, The Little Village started with a raid. Back in 1945, a young entrepreneur, Vince Distefano was running a card game called Georgia Skin out of a leased building on Florida Boulevard. The men played for horses. Vince’s wife, Stephanie, made good tips cooking for the crowd. There was a surprise morning visit from a local sheriff and the entire inhabitants  including the Distefanos were hauled off to jail. The sheriff was not above the occasional “unofficial” visit the Distefano establishment and offered some sage advice, Get out of town – at least outside the city limits. So the family bought a wooded seven-acre fishing camp on Airline Highway from the Catholic Church and built a new place beyond the long arm of the law. As the games’ participants grew and the cars parked out front increased, travelers often mistook the building for a restaurant. Eventually, the Distefanos decided they might as well feed all those hungry motorists and The Village restaurant was born. http://www.littlevillagebr.com/  The Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro has provided the best in live jazz & great regional cooking at reasonable prices for over 30 years. It’s located in three rooms of a renovated 1800’s storefront located in the Faubourg Mariginy, just outside the French Quarter. They have a dining room, a bar, and a music room. they also have Chianti. They also have salmon and tuna. Mmmm salmon and tuna.

Winnfield is considered the birthplace of politics and is home of the Louisiana Political Museum & Hall of Fame. It’s also the birthplace of three Louisiana Governors,  Huey P. Long, Earl K. Long, and O.K. Allen. http://www.lapoliticalmuseum.com/  There’s the Abita Mystery House is Louisiana’s Most Eccentric Attraction. You’ll see handmade folk art animated scenes of Southern life by Louisiana inventor and artist, John Preble.  There are over 50,000 found and recycled objects, there’s a Mardi Gras parade, a New Orleans jazz funeral, a rhythm and blues dance hall, a haunted Southern plantation and much more interesting things! Don’t forget to bring a sense of humor and an open mind. Sounds like fun. http://abitamysteryhouse.com/  They have a Mardi Gras festival in New Oreans. I drew myself at the festival. I’m wearing a peacock style bikini. It would be difficult to sit down in it as it has a big tail. There is also the Baton Rouge Blues Festival is one of the oldest blues festivals in America. This free festival offers a full range of popular southern cuisine. Go and relax in Baton Rouge for the weekend.

Free the Funny One!

Hello, the Funny One back again. Not much has happened today. I feel like I’m trapped in Scotland. There is just nothing here. The people are so negative. I feel like I’m getting nowhere, It’s like I’m stuck in Alcatraz. I guess I need Clint Eastwood to help me escape. I have no idea what to do to get out of this country. If only you could just leave whenever you felt like it. I would need money, lots of it or get a job in America. Both seem very impossible right now.