On July 15th, we went to Universal Studios, Hollywood.  We splurged and got the Fast Pass, but it was worth it since the lines to most rides and shows were really long.  Alon decided to sign up to be a contestant on the Fear Factor Show.  He made it!  So, while he was getting ready behind the scenes, Neal saw the Blues Brothers and Shrek 4D.  The Fear Factor Show was based on the real TV show, and Alon competed against 4 other guys in front of a crowd of 2,000 people. 

The first event consisted of walking out on a plank, which was 40 feet in the air, and then holding on to a slanted bar as long as possible after the plank dropped.  Alon let go third which advanced him to the next round.  Here is where it got interesting.  The 4 remaining contestants first had to grab flags out of a tank of eels and then attach them to rings which were on top of a circular spinning floor.  After getting 3 flags, each contestant had to then finish an entire cup full of a smoothie.  This was no ordinary smoothie, of course.  It consisted of fish guts, pig ears, mouths and eyeballs, sour milk, and live bugs all blended up.  After getting through the flags the fastest, Alon had a 10 second lead to drink the smoothie.  After gagging a few times, he managed to get it all down and advanced to the finals.  The final event was a race to see who could spin a wheel the fastest.  The catch was this wheel was constantly delivering a shock to both hands.  Alon really hates shocks, and this might have contributed to his demise.  But, at least he got to be thrown in the air, attached to a rope and harness, after he lost.  Neal was hysterically laughing the whole time. 

After going on a few more rides, we left the park and walked around in City Walk before heading back to USC.  See you tomorrow at the Dodgers game!