It was a draining 16-hour flight, but not much worse than any other long haul flights I’ve been on. At least it was direct. I could have done without the eagerness of the Indian bloke beside me raring to get a conversation going though.

Flight: Singapore to LA (direct)

First thing Indian bloke said: “So, you going to LA?”

……

Most of what I feel about the US in terms of personal experience is based on New York City since it’s the place I’m at the most when I’m in America.

Now NYC can get a little rough. It’s a city throbbing with energy and urban culture and there’s much to like about it, but it’s a tough-talking town and there’s a relentlessness to the city’s pace.

LA, on first impressions (it’s 18 years since I was there), seems far more laid back. People seem to take their time going about their business. It feels like a Sunday afternoon on the streets of Sunset Boulevard even though it’s pushing rush hour on a weekday. And the supermarket cashier actually thanked me with a smile after I paid for my groceries.

Strangely enough, the place reminds me of Perth – really spread out, low rise buildings, a fair amount of greenery and quiet at night.

Most of West Hollywood actually feels like a pretty nice neighborhood. I didn’t feel compelled to have a roam of Rodeo Drive mostly because it was baking hot. But we did drive by and I caught a queer-looking Asian man in a glitzy green tuxedo suit arguing with a shop owner.

I was told there’s a shop there with no price tags on their goods. Apparently if you had to ask for the price, you shouldn’t be in there the first place. That’s just deranged.

After weeks of practicing right-hand-side driving on Grand Theft Auto IV, I’m glad we ended up not needing to rent a car. My good man and agent Troy was kind enough to chauffeur us around town for our main appointments at the studios.

Walt Disney Studios, Burbank

Jim Henson Company (coolest offices I’ve seen. Just edges past Studio Ghibli)

The meetings went well enough. I’m getting used to this speed pitching thing, though it does get tiring and by the end of the day part of me actually didn’t give a damn about the show anymore. I just wanted to lie down and watch Comedy Central (it’s a sin that it isn’t available here in Singapore).

The combination of traumatic jet lag and full day schedules means there was little time for partying. But I definitely aim to check out the scene at the Sunset strip the next time I’m over.

Next Up: San Diego Comic F*****k Con!