27 May 2008
by 
Have you ever heard that nothing but sun shines in California?
Dear Reader,
Oh! What a lie!!! It’s my third day here and I’m yet to see the sun. My friend tells me that I brought my Australian weather with me but honestly? The sun was shining back at home when I left. How can it be raining in California at the end of May? Hasn’t this state heard of spring?
Now, I’m no weather expert but I’ve noticed how strange seasons have become lately. As I flew in over the airport there was little but cloud cover to see and that was ok. Every state is entitled to an off day. Calling for a personal day for three days straight, however, just doesn’t do your tourist industry credit. We were promised sun.
Thankfully, sunshine isn’t needed to walk the path of stars and see all the freaks and weirdos coming out to entertain the gullible, facile masses. In a state that is run by a movie star, fame is the game and apparently it’s a booming industry here. If you dress up as Snoopy and stand on someone else’s footprints people will take photographs of you. I do hope these people make good money because it sounds like a miserable life to me.
You also don’t need sunshine to enjoy a movie at the Chinese Theater. I have to admit I really loved this place. The screens are huge, the surround sound perfectly pitched and while the seating and popcorn could withstand being refreshed every other decade the escapism of cinema makes you forget how distorted your back is.
The theater itself is beautiful. I’m not sure about where you are, but in Western Australia cinema is industry business. Cinemas aren’t designed to be attractive. They’re designed to be comfortable and large. They’re filled with movie posters and bad lighting. Cinemas in Western Australia are efficient, don’t get me wrong, but they’re not the experience that the Chinese Theater gives you.
So, despite the rain and the cloud, the betrayal of the ‘Sunny California’, I am loving my time here. I’ve even managed to get some writing done thanks to The Sheraton’s wireless internet access.
It’s off to the Highland Games today! Any suggestions for what sightseeing I should do while I’m here?
Sincerely,
Rebecca
Sounds like you’re enjoying yourself, despite the rain. I love your letters sharing your adventures!
Hopefully the sun will make its appearance soon.
*smiles and hugs*
Michele
In my part of Southern California, we have overcast skies in May and June (not so much this years as in years past…we are desperate for rain). If you want sun and heat then come at the end of July, all of August, all of September, and possibly into October. We are in a water shortage which would seem to indicate overall visitors should be happy with our drought stricken area so that their pleasure is not dampened. Personally, I would love to see some clouds with rain in them, but it is less and less likely as the summer approaches. So all I can say is if you can bring the rain with you, please do visit more often.
End of May and early June is what we call “June Gloom”, where the weather is mostly overcast and cloudy. Especially in the morning. Other than that, we just had a warm 90F sunny weekend last week, and expect more of that this weekend.
Like Dianne, I also expect a little bit of rain/drizzle to clear the smog.