Yesterday I attended a press event for a new observation deck opening this weekend in LA (my official post/review is here). It’s located on the 69th and 70th floors of the US Bank Tower. The US Bank Tower is the tallest building west of the Mississippi River and the 12th-tallest building in the United States. You might recognize it from this picture of Mike and me from our wedding day:
Orrrrr you might recognize it from the movie Independence Day, as it was the first building the aliens blew up. West Coast best coast, we’re number 1!
A preview of what the aliens will do to us if we elect Donald Trump.
Anywhoodle.
It’s a really cool multi-level observation deck with awesome views of LA. Thanks to two large brush fires the view was hazy, but you can easily see 34 miles on a clear day.
We were also, you know, very, verrrrrrry high. Almost 1,000 feet up.
I liked that I could see Dodger Stadium and the building that Mike and I got married in:
Besides the views, there’s another big attraction on the observation deck: the Skyslide. It’s a slide made of glass. Yes, seriously. It’s attached to the outside of the building and goes from the 70th floor to the 69th. A slide of glass. 1,000 feet in the air. Sounds like a good, safe idea.
When I told my Editor-in-Chief, Rory, that I’d been invited to the media preview I think I said something really professional like, “I don’t wanna go on the slide, I’m scared, I don’t wanna die.” She told me that of COURSE I didn’t have to go on the slide, because she is a nice, caring person. But Mike and my dad were like, “Go on the slide, you big baby.” Rory clearly loves me the most.
I mean, LOOK AT THIS:
Look closer:
It’s actually glass, they weren’t kidding. But then something crazy happened. I blame it on the lack of oxygen at the high altitude, and also not wanting my family to mock me.
Look at me, all cheerful and clearly not right in the head!
I went down the slide. You know you want to watch:
P.S. I went down it twice.
P.P.S. I’m pretty sure I have whiplash from the landing.
P.P.P.S. I kept the sound on the slow-motion footage because I sound like a scared cow and it’s hilarious.
Lee Cockrum says:
I’m impressed!! Definitely scary!!
samatwitch says:
I saw the video last night before going to bed and it scared me. (I do not like heights!) Good for you to be so brave. When is James going to want to fling himself down that???
Heather says:
LOL he already does! He watches the video and says he wants to go on it! He’s nuts.
Marjorie Steele says:
OMG that is terrifying but looks so fun. Proud of you for doing it!!! Thanks for the slo-mo!
Erin says:
Oh my word! You are amazing! I just could not. Could! Not! The slo mo audio really does have a scared cow quality!
Debbie says:
You made my Friday…thanks for the laugh!
Kelly says:
So James wants to move there and live forever in the slide??
Heather says:
He’s watched the video 1,000 times so YES! LOL
Kristina says:
When I heard about that slide I was like WTF. And now I’m like … WTF??!!?!?! That looks terrifying. And also awesome. So cool you go to do it. Also you got married in the building I used to work in. I’m sure your wedding was much more exciting than my work.
Lindsay says:
Ooof! Those landings don’t look the nicest.
Holy crap crazy though!!
Katrina says:
The pretty glass will be yellow stained soon enough, what with all the people peeing their pants as they slide down. Or maybe that would just be me.
You brave, brave girl, you. I’m impressed!
Jeanie says:
There was a photo of that slide and a little blurb in the Sacramento Bee this morning. I could not get over it! What keeps you from flying off right into the wild blue yonder?
Heather says:
The slide is an enclosed glass tube, although it definitely feels like you’re going to fly out of it!
Buffi says:
That was totally worth it just for the slow-motion sound, if nothing else. Also? Terrifying. There’s not enough money in the world to get me to do that. You’re amazingly brave!
AuntieMip says:
I cannot stop laughing. Which is good because, Trump and Brexit and #2016Sucks!!! So thanks for taking one for the team and tickling my funny bone. It was in need of a good tickling!
Kathryn says:
OMG…you are crazy, silly, nuts! Thanks so much for posting your fun adventure and making me smile. Especially loved the slow mo sound…HA!
Leah says:
Screaming on the inside.
Pol says:
I saw the heading of this entry and had scrolled past – then the BBC has just featured the slide on the breakfast news – so I came to read/watch. How amazing! Not at all sure that I could do it though – so well done!
Pattie says:
You’re braver than I would ever be! Also, your slo-mo yelling cracked me up.