Los Angeles, CA 2018 - Day 1

The kids and their bff Conan

When Ali scored two tickets for her and Jackson to see a taping of Conan in Burbank, California, I knew they’d need a chaperone. Imagine my delight when Ali selected me for the position with the clear directive that she would plan the entire trip, and that I was just coming along to drive them around—and pay for everything. I guess I wasn’t expecting them to actually refer to me as “Driver” and walk 42 steps ahead of me everywhere we went. But I’m traveling with my kids who will soon be going away to college and I will savor every second.

This morning we arrived at LAX at 8:30 and took a shuttle to pick up our rental car. I had reserved a Ford Focus (or similar) because I’m sensible and practical and terribly uncool. Jackson was looking at all the fast cars in the parking lot and asked me, “What kind of car are we getting?”

“A Ford Focus,” I said. And for a split second I wondered if he might say, "That's a responsible choice, mom. Good job." 

He didn't.

Instead, his shoulders slumped ever so slightly. He and Ali stayed outside the office while their driver/mother handled the paperwork inside. I watched them through the window and saw Jackson practicing Bruce Lee moves on Ali as she patiently endured. Because Jackson loves cars, and because I love Jackson, I decided to upgrade to a Mustang GT convertible, and I didn’t tell the kids. As we walked through the lot to find our car, the kids headed towards the area where the Ford Focuses are kept. The area tucked away in the back behind the Jaguars and Mercedes. We passed a silver Mustang and Jackson pointed to it saying he wished this were our car.

I stopped next to the car and said, “It is,” and opened the driver side door and got in.

The Kids in the Tension-Inducing Mustang

I wish I could have captured Jackson’s reaction so I could share it with the world. But unfortunately, all I'm able to share is the 27 times he begged me to drive the car on the 45-minute commute to Burbank. I don’t drive fast, and fast cars aren’t really my thing, so when we got on the 405 and I floored it (to make my boy happy), I was too scared to enjoy it. I was also afraid that once I hit 88 mph we would instantly find ourselves in front of Lyon Estates in 1955 and have difficulty getting back to 2018. I should have just rented a mini van.

We arrived at Warner Bros Studio precisely on schedule. Ali and Jackson were the 4^th and 5^th in line to check in for Conan. I wandered the property as I waited for them to get their tickets and hear rundown of how the taping would work. And then it was time for lunch.

Bob's Big Boy has the best ice known to man

We drove to Bob’s Big Boy where we ate burgers and fries while eavesdropping on a couple of demanding and high-maintenance studio execs who were going over a movie script of an upcoming blockbuster. (Okay, it may not have been a movie script, but it just seems cooler to say it was.)

After lunch, I dropped the kids off at the studio and then I took off on a little trip of my own. I cruised up and down Mulholland Drive, stopping at an overlook to take in the views and leaving as soon as the tour buses deposited millennials by the dozens, most of who took selfies with the Hollywood sign in the background while wearing over-sized aviator glasses, white linen shorts, and boat shoes with no socks. And are class rings a thing again? I saw like 17 people wearing them today.

After I started getting woozy from the curves of Mulholland Drive combined with the Mustang’s touchy brakes, I headed over to Griffith Park and drove through the park listening to mostly Mexican radio stations. I don’t know why.

The view from row two

When I picked up the kids after the show, they were elated. They had been seated in the 2^nd row and Conan O’Brien came within 6 inches of them. The guests were D.J. Khaled, Natasha Leggero, and The Ghost of Paul Revere (who, who, and who?). Ali said she didn’t even notice them—that Conan stole the whole show. My kids adore Conan and seeing him live fulfilled a huge dream for them.

The 8-minute drive to our hotel in Hollywood turned into a 20-minute drive because of traffic. This news may surprise you, as L.A. is traditionally known for it's congestion-free and high quality road system. Jackson helped me navigate by barking directions at me like he was Ms. Daisy and I was Morgan Freeman, but the ride went by quickly with all the great stories about the show. We are staying at the Best Western Plus Hollywood Hills Hotel where the lobby walls are framed with hundreds of celebrity pictures and autographs, and the rooms’ walls boast all kinds of Hollywood memorabilia. After we checked in, Jackson dove right into his homework while Ali and I studied the mementos and explored the hotel.

Ali is certainly at home

So many Hollywood legends

This was taken from the doorway to our room

Today's episode of Conan aired at 8:00, so we watched it intently and the moment it was over, both kids fell asleep simultaneously. It was as if someone held handkerchiefs doused in ether over their faces at exactly the same time. It was impressive to witness. I’m sitting on my bed watching them as I write. I'm so in love with them, I can’t believe I get to be their mom. Or should I say their driver. 

I look forward to seeing the wonderful destinations my lieges will instruct me to transport them to tomorrow.

-Rachel