A friend of mine in San Francisco pointed out that visiting L.A. is always amusing because you feel like you know the place -- street names, if nothing else -- from movies and TV. True enough, I had a job interview yesterday on Melrose Ave. Next week's dentist appointment is on Venice. Back in May, I looked at a reasonably-priced apartment on Santa Monica Boulevard.

None of this is remotely glamorous, by the way. It seems to be a well-kept secret that life in L.A. can be as mundane as in any other city. Some newcomers may find this a letdown. On the contrary, I find it nothing short of spectacular that Hollywood, when you get there, just seems like a nice place to go window-shopping and have a beer. I take a perverse pleasure in the fact that my neighborhood -- exotically-named "Palms" -- is essentially an urban bedroom community (though it does have palm trees). Much like the imagine-your-audience-naked trick of public speaking, L.A. being full of working people, screaming toddlers, and teenagers hanging out in parking lots just makes the experience that much less intimidating.

But if you want to think I'm living a star-studded, bling-bling life, go right ahead.