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HOLLYWOOD BOWL
It was good to be home. Scratch that -- it was really good to be home. Sometimes there’s nothing like sleeping in your own bed, getting back to your normal habits (like playing volleyball every day), and hanging out with your friends. I love so much where I live. Two days after I returned, my friend Larry called and asked if I wanted to go to a Dave Matthews concert at the Hollywood Bowl. I jumped at the chance, especially because his firm represents Dave Matthews. That meant awesome seats, and passes to the after party. Yeah baby! Believe it or not, this was my first time at the Hollywood Bowl. I sure hope it’s not my last. What an amazing place to see a concert, on a warm clear night. As Dave Matthews mentioned when he walked on stage, he was honored to play for the first time at the Hollywood Bowl, because is so full of history. The Bowl opened in 1922, and many legends have performed there. It’s one of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, and seats over 17,000. The box seats near the front have folding tables and chairs; waiters come around before the show, serving dinner and drinks. Next time I’ll arrive early, to avoid the nasty traffic and long lines. I parked in the closest lot. It cost $18 -- and I was blocked there until the end of the night. The shows have to end by 11 p.m. because of a noise ordinance, so I did not have to worry about jet lag kicking in too much. Other useful info: Beers cost $7.50, and cameras are supposedly not allowed. I could have snuck one in, like everyone else. Instead I used my lame camera phone (hence the blurry pictures). Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Avenue. Los Angeles; tel.: 323-850-2000.

MEDIEVAL TIMES
Another place I had never been to was Medieval Times in Buena Park (near Disneyland). I was there for my cousin’s girlfriend’s birthday party. It turned out to be a great time because we were with a huge group of fun people, and I sat next to her Lakers cheerleader friends. How lucky am I?! When guests arrive they are given a paper crown, corresponding to their seating area. We were in the blue section, so naturally we rooted for the blue knight as he competed against five other knights. This is a delightfully tacky production that kids love (as do groups of rowdy drunk young adults). A master of ceremonies begins by inviting the guests to the Grand Ceremonial Arena. It looks like a rodeo pen, with stadium seating. Wenches and serfs serve the meal of garlic bread, hot vegetable soup, roasted chicken, spare ribs, baked potato and pastry), and two rounds of beverages (beer or Pepsi). There’s a cash bar for stiff drinks, and shops selling costumes and fake swords. The feast is served "medieval style": without silverware. I liked that, but I’m not sure how many women did – most of them just left their food on their plates. The show takes place during dinner: a lance-splintering joust; a competition of flag toss, ring pierce and javelin throw, and the grand finale, a full-armor joust that turns into a street fight when the first knight gets knocked off his horse. That’s when everyone gets crazy. Show times vary, so check their online schedule. Tickets cost $49.95 for adults, $33.95 for children 12 and under. Medieval Times; tel.: 888-WE-JOUST.

SCREENING
As I wrote earlier, the highlight of being home was having my family and friends come for the weekend to support me. They arrived from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Las Vegas and San Francisco to attend our "Johnny Jet on Location ‘Da Vinci Code’" screening. We shot the show back in May (see our archives for stories and pictures), highlighting all the places in the Da Vinci Code book and movie, including where the stars slept and ate. It was a lot of fun to make, and even more fun to watch the completed version on the big screen with my loved ones. It was a night I’ll never forget. We even had cool gift bags from Joico. The after-party was held at my cousin AJ’s monster pad in the Hollywood Hills. I hired a taco guy who makes the best soft tacos. He was a huge hit. Even my sister -- who said "You’re serving tacos?" -- loved them. For about $400, he comes out in a trailer, and make 500 authentic Mexican tacos -- chicken, beef, pork, etc. -- with all the fixins (rice, beans, lettuce, cilantro, radish, peppers, HOT sauces…). Call Tacos Pineros: 562-650-6430.

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