Occasionally, while daydreaming at work, I ponder life’s important questions, such as “what would my super-power be?” or “why are soaps so popular?” On the latter, I think daytime television’s popularity has something to do with the long, in-depth storylines that can take place over the years. We watch characters grow up, find themselves, then age, all on camera, at the same rate we do in real life. That’s a little bit of Hollywood magic for ya.

What’s shocking is that some of these shows have been on for decades. This April, The Young and the Restless is reaching its 35th anniversary. That’s staggering, I’m not even that old, not in Hollywood years at least. (We count differently here; however old you actually are, subtract enough to put your age between 25 and 30.) And like with any good anniversary, Y&R is celebrating!

Lucky for you, dear reader, you too can join them. Sony is working with Operation Mom to give away the ultimate experience in daytime television fantasy. All you have to do to enter to win is visit either www.opmom.com or www.sonypictures.com/win and submit some details of your favorite Y&R episode. The grand prize is a roundtrip for two to Los Angeles, a two-night stay in a luxury hotel (guess which one…), and an exclusive invitation to the Y&R 35th Anniversary Retrospective Event at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. As they say, you’ll have a chance to see and be seen with the stars of the show – a real hoot for true fans.

Once again, I wouldn’t normally just be plugging for a TV show, especially one that doesn’t shoot at our property, but as part of this giveaway, the lucky winners get put up in one of our luxury rooms here at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel (just in case you missed my monster hint). So go watch the show, sign up online, and see Y&R up close and personal!

And by the way, my super-power would be laser beams from my eyes. That’s right. Laser beams.

This is Bruce, signing off.

I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time: I finally get to talk about the new Spa Luce that’s opening in 2008. We broke ground right after last year’s Oscars (I give the edge to No Country for Old Men over last year’s winner, The Departed, but not by much) and ever since, we’ve been developing this place.

I mention this because we just gave our first tour of the premises to the media. And this wasn’t just any reporter or journalist; this was Liz Mazurski of Spa Magazine. Now, I know very little about the spa industry, but some little bird told me, and I quote, “She’s is the industry. She’s royalty. Why don’t you know this, Bruce? We told you this five times already.” Why people abuse my good name I don’t know, but apparently Liz is important.

Anyway, Liz came out and got a full-on Hardhat Tour of Spa Luce. It was pretty fabulous. We got to see all the elegant treatment rooms, the excellent showers, the post-treatment Tea Rooms… We only call it the Tea Room to please Helen Storer, our Spa Director; she’s English and she just insists on it. Doesn’t she know that we drink coffee here in America? Oh, I’m being told I’m wrong, that people going to spas like tea. Am I expected to know this?

Here are some spa details: At over 5700 square feet, Spa Luce will have seven distinct treatment rooms; much of the spa will be lit entirely by natural light (thank you, SoCal); and will feature at least two signature massage treatments, the Japan Ritual and the Hammam Ritual. Through these personally customized treatments, Spa Luce will offer a level of celebrity-inspired pampering all Renaissance guests deserve.

After the Hardhat Tour, we took Liz to Twist and we got to sample the tasty little morsels that will make up the spa menu. Everything was delicious, healthy, light – perfect for a little post-spa nibble.

Liz plans to include our spa in the May issue of Spa Magazine, so look for it on newstands. Time to wrap this up, preferably with this tasty Ahi Spring Roll. Yes, I will have another… Delicious.

This is Bruce, signing off.

I would like to tell you about a special man in my life. He is a classic, very much desired and the work it takes to get him may take years! His name is Oscar, the golden man of the Academy Awards. This year all 50 stautees that will be awarded to the stars at the 80th Academy Awards can be found on display at Hollywood and Highland until February 23. Not only can you see Oscar but you can take a picture with him!This opportunity will only be here a few more days, so prepare your acceptance speech and see you on the red carpet! Admission:“Meet the Oscars” is free and open to the public. Hours:Friday & Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. (Saturday, February 23 from noon to 5 p.m.)Sunday through Thursday from noon to 7 p.m.Location:4th level of the Hollywood & Highland Center, located on Hollywood Boulevard between Highland Avenue and Orange Drive.Hollywood & Highland Center6801 Hollywood Boulevard, 4th LevelHollywood, CA 90028

Here we are again.  Now that the Writer’s Strike is all but over, we get on with the business of celebrating another great year of movies.  Eye on L.A. began their coverage last week with a Preparing Hollywood Blvd. segment.  This clip aired Saturday on KABC and can be seen again in it’s entirety this coming weekend as a part of ABC’s exclusive coverage of the 80th Academy Awards Ceremonies.  Each year the anticipation mounts in Hollywood.  This is my fourth year to experience Hollywood during award season and it gets more and more fun each year.

Yes, just like last year and the year before, Valentine’s Day sneaks up on us, hiding in the bushes, just waiting for us to relax from the hectic holiday months, and then it pounces! Caught off guard, we flounder, casting our nets wildly in hopes of collaring some vagrant boxes of chocolate or a dozen forgotten roses. But to no avail!

Does this sound remotely familiar? If not, go away; you’re clearly a robot. If yes, then maybe consider an easy alternative to the upcoming scramble this February 14th: a romantic evening at Twist, our hotel’s humble yet obviously fantastic top restaurant, with a special Valentine’s Day menu for you and that special someone.

Okay, enough with the foreplay. Start with a glass of champagne and a duo of appetizers – Seared Scallop with mango relish and lotus root chip, and Braised Boneless Shortrib Beef with potato puree and cocoa sauce – followed by a choice of entrees: Grilled Skin on Wild Salmon with a cocunut curry broth, a Petite Filet with mashed pancetta taro root, or a Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast with sundried tomato cous cous. And then something about a chocolate cake dessert – I hear it’s popular with the kids these days – Raspberry Chocolate Ganache Tart… Does sound good? Is it a good alternative to a broken heart? Histrionic or no, I say yes, yes, yes!

So, I hope to see you there, even if you plan ahead and already bought the flowers and chocolates. Heck, even robots need romance in their lives.

This is Bruce, signing off.