DISNEYLAND!!!!!!! ~ A retrospective

So I had some notable adventures this weekend, I went to the beach and got a little sunburned, I participated in a Hollywood assistants beer pong tournament (might be blogging about that later), and went on a hike (Temescal canyon again, see that post ) but I have been wanting to post this for a while now.  Disneyland!!!!

I have to blame/thank my girlfriend Jaime for getting me hooked on Disneyland.  I mean we lived 10 minutes away from Disneyland for four years, so it was inevitable.  But I love it.   I have been a season pass holder for 5 years now and I never get tired of going.  I have gone twice recently, once with Jaime and once with my cousin Jenny and her friends, and it is almost like going home for me now.  I always have fun.  I have the Disneyland soundtrack, I have memorized the firework show, I have ridden every ride in both parks, I have ridden all the rides in Disneyland in one day,  Heck I even worked there for two months!  I guess you could call me a Disneyland freak :^)

I am not going to discribe every detail of the park because then I would be writing a book, but if you ever want a tour of the place, I will be happy to be your guide.  These are some snapshots of the last five years of Disneyland magic.  And yeah, I'm wearing Minnie ears...I'm that secure. 

Sorry for the long post.  Hope you enjoyed the pictures. And seriously, if you need a tourguide, I am very reasonable.

disneyland.com

A Saturday on tour with Static Jon

I've been meaning to write this post for a while now.  A few weeks ago Jaime's brother Jon (aka Static Jon) came to LA to do a show.  He is the DJ for Bay Area rap legend Andre Nickatina.  So I got an inside look at what a night on tour is like.

We met for an early dinner at Jerry's Famous Deli in Westwood.  Jerry's is an institution and deserves its own post, but I didn't get a sufficient number of pictures for that right now.  It is a Jewish Deli that has been there forever and has pretty great traditional sandwiches.  I usually get matzoh ball soup too.  But on this occasion we ventured into the dessert territory.  As you can tell, the deserts were huge.

After a stop off at the hotel, we took Andre's manager and the merchandise guy to the venue.  Then it was off to the mall to get Mike P, Andre's onstage partner, some new shoes.  I think we went to every shoe store in the mall.  Jon had time to try on this beauty.  I think he should have gotten it.

3 or 4 pairs of shoes later we headed back to their hotel.  Jon and I hung out for a while and then went to talk to Andre.  Andre heard that I was in the film business and wanted some advice for one of his ventures.  I was a little out of my league on the particular subject he was interested in but suffice to say it was one of the more interesting conversation I've had in a while.

Then it was off to the show.  Jon drove, Andre was in front and Mike P and I were in the back.  When we got to the venue, we waited a while for security.  There was no back entrance, so we were rushed through the crowd by security.  Word spread quickly that Andre was in the building and the crowd got loud.  Backstage Andre was able to hang out in a small room while Jon got setup.  The crowd started chanting, "Andre! Andre!".  And then it finally began.

And it took me back to middle school and high school.  All the classics.  I was hanging out on the side of the stage, a great vantage point.  I like watching the crowd. 

To Andre's credit, he really knows how to get the crowd going.  After the show we waited backstage for the place to clear out.  Then everyone piled back in the car and headed out.

I was thinking about a concert documentary the whole time, or even a reality show.  It would be hilarious.  A glimpse into a life few people know about.  If only Jon could convince Andre.....

Check out Jon's blog  staticjon.blogspot.com

Thanks Static! 

 

Giants game at Dodgers Stadium

That's right.  It wasn't a Dodgers game, it was a Giants game at Dodgers stadium.  On Saturday I went to see my beloved Giants play the Dodgers with my friends Guy, Steve, Austin, and new friend Jim.  Most of us were sporting our Giants colors (at least the nor cal kids).  I will NEVER lose my loyalty to the Giants, no matter how long I live down here. 

We were ready to get heckled a lot, but honestly, the Dodgers fans had nothing to heckle us over.  The game was a rout! 9 to 0 Giants!!!!  It was my first time seeing Lincecum pitch and he was amazing.  Not only did he get the win and the shutout, but he went 3 for 4 batting with 3 RBIs, which is amazing for a pitcher.

The weather was perfect and it was a great time.  I have to say though, I am spoiled by AT&T park (the Giant's ballpark in SF).  Dodgers stadium can't even compare.  The place is old and not really in that historic way, just in that out of style, nothing special, bland kind of way.  Plus the food situation is abysmal and an embarrassment.  The most exotic fare they have is California Pizza Kitchen and we all know how I feel about that place (and if you don't know, I am not CPK's biggest fan). 

The culinary claim to fame at Dodger's Stadium is the Dodger Dog.  What is a Dodger Dog? Well as far as I can tell it is a mediocre hot dog that they put in a small bun to make it appear big. 

But this is just me ragging on a team I have despised for 20 years now.  Seeing a game at Dodgers Stadium is an LA experience.   It was a terrific day and baseball is a great time no matter where you are.  Especially when your team wins ;^)    

Tommy Bahama's ~ Newport Beach

One notable adventure that I will lead off with was my friend Nathan's screening of his short film in Hollywood (which I helped him produce).  It was at a swanky little screening room called Cinescope on Hollywood Blvd.  I don't have any pictures from that event yet, but if I do get any I will be sure to post them.  The after party at Barney's Beanery was fun too.  (see my post on The Beanery, although this time it was the West Hollywood establishment).

"I admire Sir Tommy Bahama.  He is a talented man..." - Aldus Snow, Forgetting Sarah Marshall

It is true.  He is a talented man.  I feel like restaurant/clothing store is a difficult combination to pull off and you just don't see it much anymore.  But Sir Tommy has done it and done it well.

This past weekend Jaime and Maureen came down to visit me (ok, so they came down for a baby shower...).  One of our stops was dinner at Tommy Bahama's in Newport Beach.  Dinner with Jaime and Maureen is always fabulous because they know good food.

But one menu item in particular caught my fancy.  A grilled cheese sandwich.  I know what you are thinking.  Grilled cheese sandwich? For dinner? What the hell is so special about that?  Well my friends, I will tell you.  See, those who know me well know that I make a mean grilled cheese.  So I recognize a great grilled cheese when I see one.  But even I will admit that ordering a grilled cheese at a nice restaurant seems absurd.  Unless that grilled cheese happens to be stuffed with copious amounts of succulent lobster.  That's right, the Lobster Grilled Cheese.  It was a triumph.

I have to admit I was skeptical, even when ordering it.  I have to thank Jaime for giving me a push in the right direction.  I was considering getting the burger instead, but like she said "you can get a burger anywhere".  Who has ever heard of a lobster grilled cheese? Not me.  I will add that the tomato bisque was the perfect complement.

Jaime had ribs and Maureen had a steak salad and those were also delicious.  There was even a guitar player who was actually talented (we even bought a CD!).  Another great meal with the DeGroots!

Tommy Bahama's Restaurant, Newport 

Wabi-Sabi Sushi ~ Venice, CA

I have a couple things I want to catch up on in future posts (like Disneyland!), but lack the energy that such posts deserve right now.  But here is a small culinary adventure that happened tonight!

My parents were down visiting for the night and were staying at the Ritz in Marina Del Ray.  I met them for the tail end of happy hour at a restaurant to watch the NCAA finals.  But 5 minutes before half time, some old white guys began playing music so we couldn't here the game.  We downed our drinks and got the heck out of there.  After more drinks at the Ritz bar, my mom was pretty much drunk and was cheering Butler on like mad.  The game was great, although the outcome was disapointing. 

We were considering calling it a night and getting room service, but my Dad made the call to explore a little bit.  I haven't explored nearby Venice all that much, so we drove down the famous Abbot Kinney Blvd. and happened upon Wabi-Sabi Sushi.

The place was fun, casual, but still trendy.  I am not always a sushi enthusiast, but sometimes I am in the mood and this place definitely hit the spot.  I'm sure it would please the sushi fanatics as well.  We started with some delicious miso soup and then ordered a few rolls, including yellow fin, spicy salmon, and the special Tiger Roll.  I don't remember all that was in the Tiger roll, but I know that there was salmon and avocado, and it was scrumptious.

The service was great and the food came quick.  And many of the rolls were only $6-$7.

For stumbling upon this place I'd say it was a great success and I would definitely go back.  Had some good company as well. Schu stamp of approval.

wabisabisushi.com