Hollywood Hills & Mansion Mayhem

I knew Hollywood was filled with people in show business, but this was ridiculous. On Saturday I was at a party in a Mansion up in the Hollywood Hills. A good friend of mine who is a professional poker player, resides in this house overlooking all of Santa Monica, and decided to throw a little housewarming party with his Mansion-mates.

Although I suppose "little" wouldn't really be all that accurate.

Now it wasn't quite a "Shabang" as there were probably only about 50 or 60 people within the copious square footage of luxury but the set up was like a true Hollywood mixer. Since the tenants are new to LA, they hired a promoter to bring in quality guests. They also had a bartender and a a DJ to add further party legitimacy.

And for the final and most important touch of legitimacy...they invited ME ;)

In typical Hollywood fashion, EVERYBODY was either an actor, singer, director, or producer.

Ok...while I respect their efforts to try and "make it," it started getting a little ridiculous. Sure their were some people who seemed to have a shot at doing something. One guy I met is supposedly going to appear on "Lost" next month. We chatted for awhile, although he may not like me anymore since a girl I had an "encounter" with who I think might have been his girlfriend. Oh well...it'll be a good story if he ever becomes famous.

It really took some restraint not to laugh though when people started telling me they were producers. Producers?! Seriously? I mean, what the hell does a producer really do anyways? Aren't producers usually people who work in other areas (directing, acting, etc) before becoming producers? To me, moving to Hollywood to become a producer seems a little like taking a job as a Starbucks barista with the intent of becoming CEO.

When people asked what I did for a living, I told the truth...well, at least 75% of it. "Oh I am a writer and a musician."

"Hollywood Arun" failed to mention that he is also an Engineer and soon-to-be student, because that wouldn't be very Hollywood of me ;)

Somehow, by the end of the night, I had like six new phone numbers and emails in my phone, not because I am some sex magnet (surprising, I know) but because everyone in West Hollywood is all about networking. People figure that when I make it huge as a Romantic Novel Writer or Weird-Al-Parody Rockstar, I'll be good to know.

Little do they know that the prerequisite for asking me to pull strings with my future Hollywood Hot-Shot Buddies, is that they be regular readers of my blog.

I like to take care of fellow geniuses and people with great taste ;)

The next day was also activity filled. I peeled myself off the mansion floor the next morning after three and a half hours of sleep, and went to the Santa Monica pier to meet my Mom and some family friends who had just flown in to visit. We drove up to Santa Barbara for Lunch (obviously not my idea), came back, ate at some Sushi place near Staples center where we sat next to actor Beau Bridges, and then went to the Comedy tour kickoff of Russell Peters at the Nokia Theater.

I'm a harsh critic when it comes to stand-up comedy, but that guy is funny (and by "funny," I mean his sense of humor is only 10% less than my amazing wit ;)

Maybe at the next mansion party I should tell people I'm a comedian!