You know you're in L.A. when...

Nancy & Kate, friends since high school, in Nancy's studio.

You know you're in L.A. when:

* You are the only pedestrians on your three-block walk to the store.

* Your friend takes you for a spin in his new Maserati--and then lets you get behind the wheel.

* You valet park at the grocery store.

* You play with puppets at your friend's art studio.

* That friend takes you to a vast art gallery complex where you have a fabulous organic salad in the outdoor cafe.

* And then you walk around, taking in a wild array of art.

* And as you walk into each gallery, the person behind the counter (the "gallerist") may or may not acknowledge you.

* The most expensive clothes look like stylishly tattered rags.

Dave with the boys in the band.

* You pop in on a dive bar, and your friends are playing in the band.

* You say to a guy you just met, "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Dustin Hoffman?" and he says, "Yeah, I've heard that.  But when I met Dustin and we stood side-by-side, people didn't really think so."

* The dinner guests are a) a photographer and b) an artist whose sculptures are installed all over the world.

* The dinner party is outdoor at night, followed by communing around the fire pit and a dip in the jacuzzi.

Next stop:  Brisbane, Australia!