I made a mistake somewhere and comments from yesterday's post are missing. You can put them here instead.
Hint Hint.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
Sunday Brunch Cruise, Newport Beach, CA
I had a hard time thinking up of this weekend’s new thing to do**, which is a bit strange as we had a 4-day weekend that I certainly could have used to my advantage. By Saturday afternoon I was still pacing about coming up with ideas, none of which sounded too appealing. Kevin, again, came up with idea and a mighty fine one at that.
“How about one of those reggae brunch cruises that you are always talking about?” he said.
I immediately went to the computer and booked us two tickets on the Hornblower. Yeah, it does sound dirty, doesn’t it?
**Due to unforeseen cash flow issues (read: “Oh my God! I spent HOW much on Christmas gifts?”) this weekend’s new thing almost did not happen. The surprise donation from a not-wish-to-be-mentioned sponsor (much to my protests) made it possible. So, not-wish-to-be-mentioned sponsor, this weekend’s new thing is dedicated to you. You shouldn’t have, but thank you so much. It was well used.
“How about one of those reggae brunch cruises that you are always talking about?” he said.
I immediately went to the computer and booked us two tickets on the Hornblower. Yeah, it does sound dirty, doesn’t it?
The Hornblower
Sunday morning we got up and went down to the pier where the Hornblower was. We were immediately greeted (Ha! ‘Immediately.’ I use that word in the vaguest of terms) by the parking attendant\inspiring model who I will now refer to as Chet. Parking was $6.00 so I gave Chet a twenty. At a second thought, I offered Chet another dollar thinking he could just return $15.00. Chet’s response? “Yeah, if you don’t mind, I want to keep my change.” Now I’m no parking attendant but one would think that he would want to keep his singles. Tool.
The boat wasn’t ready to be boarded yet so we walked down PCH, shared a drink at the Shamrock, and headed back. By the time we got back there was a line and our buddy Chet was chatting up a Paris Hilton look-alike completely ignoring the fact that he needed to dole out his ‘change’ to other people who were parking. It was at this point that I realized what the people of Newport Beach (the ones the other people roll their eyes about) do on Sunday. *Insert Stereo-Type Here.*
The boat wasn’t ready to be boarded yet so we walked down PCH, shared a drink at the Shamrock, and headed back. By the time we got back there was a line and our buddy Chet was chatting up a Paris Hilton look-alike completely ignoring the fact that he needed to dole out his ‘change’ to other people who were parking. It was at this point that I realized what the people of Newport Beach (the ones the other people roll their eyes about) do on Sunday. *Insert Stereo-Type Here.*
First champagne of the day
Finally we were seated and the champagne began to flow, as well as orange juice and coffee. The brunch was served buffet style, and I’m assuming that the lack of kitchen was the reason all items appeared to be from Costco. Not that Costco food is bad by any means, not great, but not bad either. Kevin really liked the Costco Orange Roughy and I really liked the Costco sausage links and potatoes. We ate, we drank, we kidded with the table of folks next to us, all while watching the harbor float by.
Costco desserts
After brunch we headed to the top level of the ship. There was a group of about 20 twenty-something’s with two bottles of champagne for every person hanging out with their designer jeans and CHIPs style sunglasses. They were really fabulous. It kind of reminded me of One Tree Hill\the O.C. throwing up. Kevin and I aren’t so-very-fabulous and we spent the remainder of the cruise watching birds and making jokes about ‘it’s not really a party ‘til someone jumps in!’.
Fabulous!
Overall, it was a good time. The food was OK, and they never skimped on champagne. The parking attendant was a tool, but our server was really nice and answered all my stupid questions.
Oh. And the reggae portion of this event? I just checked on line and it doesn’t look like they even have reggae cruises this time of year. D’oh.
Oh. And the reggae portion of this event? I just checked on line and it doesn’t look like they even have reggae cruises this time of year. D’oh.
After the cruise and feeling like we just didn't want to go home quite yet, we headed down to Balboa Saloon where I kicked Kevin's butt at pool. He was a good sport about it though.
**Due to unforeseen cash flow issues (read: “Oh my God! I spent HOW much on Christmas gifts?”) this weekend’s new thing almost did not happen. The surprise donation from a not-wish-to-be-mentioned sponsor (much to my protests) made it possible. So, not-wish-to-be-mentioned sponsor, this weekend’s new thing is dedicated to you. You shouldn’t have, but thank you so much. It was well used.
Monday, November 20, 2006
4 new things for the price of 1, Hollywood, CA
This week’s new thing brings us to the 2nd most populous city in America, Los Angeles. Ah, Los Angeles, the City of Angels. (Whoever came up with that name obviously didn’t have the foresight of 150 years of L.A.-ness.) And what would Los Angeles be, really, if it weren’t for Hollywood? This week Kevin and I ventured to Hollywood in what we thought would be a simple night of karaoke with some friends, a couple beers, and midnight hot dogs at Carney’s.
We never did make it to karaoke.
Karaoke in Hollywood was the supposed new thing. Even without the karaoke, we did a slew of new things that I’m tempted to say Hollywood itself was the new thing. But that would be cheating, since I have been to Hollywood before. So I leave it to you to be the judge.
Oh? Did I mention that this was going to be a long post? Get comfy.
Kevin and I headed up to Hollywood at 2:30 on Saturday afternoon. By 3:30 we were still in traffic as you can’t go anywhere in L.A. and expect to get there on time. By 4:30 we were booked in our hotel (the Hyatt on Sunset Blvd – thank you Priceline.com) and started to get ready.
New Thing 1:
By 6, we were out the door. Our first destination of the night was Tiki Ti. I have to say that I am officially in love with this place. If Kevin and I don’t work out, I might marry the Tiki Ti…if Kevin doesn’t marry it first. Small, dark, smoky (you can smoke here!) and incredibly fun (OK, seriously, check out their site – the Tiki Ti Survival 101 is a great read) you have your choice of 86 Tiki drinks. All drinks come with a complimentary kiwi slice, pineapple, and cherry. Bob Marley played non-stop. Snacks were free. Did I mention I loved this place?
Kevin in awe of the Tiki Ti
Inside of Tiki Ti
New Thing 2:
A bit later on, we parted ways with our newfound love to meet Andrea and Roland for dinner. We had decided that not only were we going to try a new restaurant but to try a new type of food as well. We headed down to Fairfax and tried our palettes at an Ethiopian restaurant. I will have to admit that I really did like the food itself, very curry-like. You eat with your hands and I’m not sure this is normal or not, but we also did not have plates. I enjoyed the food save for the ‘bread’ which I was told by the waitress was made out of wheat flour but as Roland accurately described it, was “like a shammie.” I wonder how Ethiopian would be with naan.
Kevin, Andrea and Roland. No plates.
New Thing 3:
After dinner, Andrea and Roland headed home as they have a young-un to attend to. Kevin and I dropped off the car and took a taxi down Sunset to go to Daddy’s. The cabbie almost got in an accident and to make matters worse, after paying $20 fare we found out that Daddy’s was now closed. A group of hipsters (which is what I’ll refer to all L.A. residents from this post on) were lingering outside also quite dismayed to find the place closed. They very generously offered to let us follow them down the street (what kindness these hipsters have!) to another place called Well. Please don’t ask me if that’s ‘Well’ like a watering hole or ‘Well’ like, “wellllll…maybe I’ll try the salmon.” Well was, well, full of hipsters. We grabbed a corner couch and had a couple cocktails. We got the stink-eye from a few hipsters as we just happened to be on the corner of their reserved section and decided to move on.
Just down the street from Well was the Cat and Fiddle, which I have been to before. It was getting late so we had our last drinks here and headed back.
But not before stopping at Carney’s. What I love about Carney’s is not only are they an excellent source of late night bar food, Carney’s just always happens to be right next door to the hotel I’m staying at. It’s a train! It sells chili cheese dogs! Yay Carney’s!
Nothing says drunk like a hot dog at Carney's.
A chili cheese dog later we were finally in bed.
But wait, there’s more!
(Have I mentioned the long post thing?)
New Thing 4:
The next morning was Sunday. If you have been paying attention at all you have to know that Sunday is football. Packers football specifically (if you are Kevin). So at 10 in the morning we left the hotel and heading to Burbank to go to…a Packer bar. I have always heard that Packer bars existed but it wasn’t until I walked into the Park Bar that I was convinced. They showed the Packer game on every one of their TV’s. The SOUND was even on. When the ball was in play the place was deathly silent. When the Packers did some thing good (which wasn’t often on Sunday’s game) the place went wild. My only regret about the place is that it’s too far away for Kevin to go to every Sunday.
I’m sorry I didn’t get a picture of the Packer bar. I was afraid of the flash going off and 40 Packer fans kicking my ass as it was right in the middle of an important play. I did, however, get this picture of a really nice Corvette that was parked outside.
And that my friend was Los Angeles\Hollywood\Burbank. Since I have absolutely no money left over from this very expensive new thing next weekend’s new thing will have to be of the cheap variety… like begging for money at the end of an off ramp type of thing.
We never did make it to karaoke.
Karaoke in Hollywood was the supposed new thing. Even without the karaoke, we did a slew of new things that I’m tempted to say Hollywood itself was the new thing. But that would be cheating, since I have been to Hollywood before. So I leave it to you to be the judge.
Oh? Did I mention that this was going to be a long post? Get comfy.
Kevin and I headed up to Hollywood at 2:30 on Saturday afternoon. By 3:30 we were still in traffic as you can’t go anywhere in L.A. and expect to get there on time. By 4:30 we were booked in our hotel (the Hyatt on Sunset Blvd – thank you Priceline.com) and started to get ready.
New Thing 1:
By 6, we were out the door. Our first destination of the night was Tiki Ti. I have to say that I am officially in love with this place. If Kevin and I don’t work out, I might marry the Tiki Ti…if Kevin doesn’t marry it first. Small, dark, smoky (you can smoke here!) and incredibly fun (OK, seriously, check out their site – the Tiki Ti Survival 101 is a great read) you have your choice of 86 Tiki drinks. All drinks come with a complimentary kiwi slice, pineapple, and cherry. Bob Marley played non-stop. Snacks were free. Did I mention I loved this place?
Kevin in awe of the Tiki Ti
Inside of Tiki Ti
New Thing 2:
A bit later on, we parted ways with our newfound love to meet Andrea and Roland for dinner. We had decided that not only were we going to try a new restaurant but to try a new type of food as well. We headed down to Fairfax and tried our palettes at an Ethiopian restaurant. I will have to admit that I really did like the food itself, very curry-like. You eat with your hands and I’m not sure this is normal or not, but we also did not have plates. I enjoyed the food save for the ‘bread’ which I was told by the waitress was made out of wheat flour but as Roland accurately described it, was “like a shammie.” I wonder how Ethiopian would be with naan.
Kevin, Andrea and Roland. No plates.
New Thing 3:
After dinner, Andrea and Roland headed home as they have a young-un to attend to. Kevin and I dropped off the car and took a taxi down Sunset to go to Daddy’s. The cabbie almost got in an accident and to make matters worse, after paying $20 fare we found out that Daddy’s was now closed. A group of hipsters (which is what I’ll refer to all L.A. residents from this post on) were lingering outside also quite dismayed to find the place closed. They very generously offered to let us follow them down the street (what kindness these hipsters have!) to another place called Well. Please don’t ask me if that’s ‘Well’ like a watering hole or ‘Well’ like, “wellllll…maybe I’ll try the salmon.” Well was, well, full of hipsters. We grabbed a corner couch and had a couple cocktails. We got the stink-eye from a few hipsters as we just happened to be on the corner of their reserved section and decided to move on.
Just down the street from Well was the Cat and Fiddle, which I have been to before. It was getting late so we had our last drinks here and headed back.
But not before stopping at Carney’s. What I love about Carney’s is not only are they an excellent source of late night bar food, Carney’s just always happens to be right next door to the hotel I’m staying at. It’s a train! It sells chili cheese dogs! Yay Carney’s!
Nothing says drunk like a hot dog at Carney's.
A chili cheese dog later we were finally in bed.
But wait, there’s more!
(Have I mentioned the long post thing?)
New Thing 4:
The next morning was Sunday. If you have been paying attention at all you have to know that Sunday is football. Packers football specifically (if you are Kevin). So at 10 in the morning we left the hotel and heading to Burbank to go to…a Packer bar. I have always heard that Packer bars existed but it wasn’t until I walked into the Park Bar that I was convinced. They showed the Packer game on every one of their TV’s. The SOUND was even on. When the ball was in play the place was deathly silent. When the Packers did some thing good (which wasn’t often on Sunday’s game) the place went wild. My only regret about the place is that it’s too far away for Kevin to go to every Sunday.
I’m sorry I didn’t get a picture of the Packer bar. I was afraid of the flash going off and 40 Packer fans kicking my ass as it was right in the middle of an important play. I did, however, get this picture of a really nice Corvette that was parked outside.
And that my friend was Los Angeles\Hollywood\Burbank. Since I have absolutely no money left over from this very expensive new thing next weekend’s new thing will have to be of the cheap variety… like begging for money at the end of an off ramp type of thing.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Update Tomorrow...
We just got back from our Hollywood Advent-cha. I'm too tired now to do this post any justice, I will write it up (what will be a long post to be sure) tomorrow. Until then...
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Working the Swap Meet, Costa Mesa, CA
My friend, Michele, at one point owned a custom card (as in stationary) store. She no longer owns said card store and consequentially now has a garage filled with all her old products. She was talking to me about her filled-up garage a few weeks back. Although I don't remember this, apparently I mentioned the idea of re-selling it. If I did indeed mention this idea I was most likely thinking a yard sale of sorts. Michele may have mentioned the swap meet herself and I was apt to say that it was a good idea and that I would help out if she needed me. Regardless, Michele called me last week to remind me that I was working the swap meet this weekend, and that I couldn't complain about it because it was my idea. Again, I don't remember specifically saying "You should do the swap meet" but since I can't account for everything I say at all moments and it was a new thing to do, I agreed.
The catch? 5 AM. On a weekend.
The above picture was taken at 5:45 AM of the rental truck. To be able to sell your wares at the meet, you have to be there no later than 5:45 AM to park in line and patiently wait your turn to enter and began setting up. I would like to mention that there are people who do this EVERY weekend**. Michele, Mari (who was also kind enough to assist in this venture) and myself waited patiently in line to enter and set up until 5:48 AM before we began to complain. I believe the first complaint was that the line wasn't moving and the second was that our boyfriends (the lucky bastards) were still sleeping.
But enter we did and we begun setting up. I would like to also say at this point that Michele was not lying or stretching the truth when she talked about the boxes and boxes of cards, stationary, and other assorted things she had stuck in her garage. From her reports we only scratched the surface of what she had.
So the day went on. And people came and bought and I mainly stood around with a glazed look in my eyes or bagged the items that people bought. I would like to say that if I ever do lose my job or just get fed up with this whole computer mumbo jumbo, I might have a career in bagging groceries. Not a profitable career, but a career none the less.
We closed up shop at 3 PM when the swap meet closed. We were all extremely exhausted but thankfully Patrick and Gunter stopped by to help box up what we didn't sell. Overall I think Michele did well but agrees that she won't be doing it again.
Michele and Mari
When Michele dropped me off at 4:30 PM, I took a much needed shower. I also applied 8 icy-hot patches to my calves as the last time I stood on my feet for 10 hours was ... uh ... damn, it's been awhile. I would probably guess bartending on St. Patrick's Day 1999. Kevin and I then went to the Harp where Michele rewarded her temp employees with cocktails.
Next week I hit the "big city" of L.A. for some karoke. Poor Kevin.
**CRAZIES! 5 AM! Every weekend! AHHHH!
The catch? 5 AM. On a weekend.
The above picture was taken at 5:45 AM of the rental truck. To be able to sell your wares at the meet, you have to be there no later than 5:45 AM to park in line and patiently wait your turn to enter and began setting up. I would like to mention that there are people who do this EVERY weekend**. Michele, Mari (who was also kind enough to assist in this venture) and myself waited patiently in line to enter and set up until 5:48 AM before we began to complain. I believe the first complaint was that the line wasn't moving and the second was that our boyfriends (the lucky bastards) were still sleeping.
But enter we did and we begun setting up. I would like to also say at this point that Michele was not lying or stretching the truth when she talked about the boxes and boxes of cards, stationary, and other assorted things she had stuck in her garage. From her reports we only scratched the surface of what she had.
So the day went on. And people came and bought and I mainly stood around with a glazed look in my eyes or bagged the items that people bought. I would like to say that if I ever do lose my job or just get fed up with this whole computer mumbo jumbo, I might have a career in bagging groceries. Not a profitable career, but a career none the less.
We closed up shop at 3 PM when the swap meet closed. We were all extremely exhausted but thankfully Patrick and Gunter stopped by to help box up what we didn't sell. Overall I think Michele did well but agrees that she won't be doing it again.
Michele and Mari
When Michele dropped me off at 4:30 PM, I took a much needed shower. I also applied 8 icy-hot patches to my calves as the last time I stood on my feet for 10 hours was ... uh ... damn, it's been awhile. I would probably guess bartending on St. Patrick's Day 1999. Kevin and I then went to the Harp where Michele rewarded her temp employees with cocktails.
Next week I hit the "big city" of L.A. for some karoke. Poor Kevin.
**CRAZIES! 5 AM! Every weekend! AHHHH!
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Discovery World, Santa Ana, CA
Ah...Sunday. Every Sunday during Packer season I feel bad for Kevin. There is nothing he would like more than to wake up, make a pot of coffee, eat some left over pizza from the night before, and watch the Packers in his pajamas. Because we are in California and Fox refuses to show Midwest\Eastern games on regular TV\cable (unless you have DirectTV and pay $200 for their football package) you have to go to a bar at 10 in the morning to catch the Pack strut their stuff. Or, as I happen to know (even though I don't like football), watch them miserably lose to NY when their stats show that they should have won. Poor, poor Kevin.
After the game, Kevin with a pouty face let me take him to this weekend's new thing (and his idea I might add), the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. And it was good.
I pass by the Discovery Center every once in awhile when I'm on my way to something else. The big black cube in the sky always catches my attention and ever since I've moved here (even the first time), I've been meaning to go. This place *almost* kicks the Science Museum in Chicago's ass. Let me put it this way...if I was 10 and I went to both, I would, like, totally, like, think the Discovery Center, like, totally, way, kicks ass over tits the Science Museum in Chicago. But it's purely because the hand's on thing.
They had tornado machines and hurricane machines and earthquake machines and some sort of sand thing and a wind thing and water thing, and three way mirrors and mini planes you can drive and a 3-D thing and, uh...well shit. Just go here if you get the chance. Bring a bottle of disinfectant and definitely go on a week day.
This is the beginning of a horror movie, isn't it....?
After the game, Kevin with a pouty face let me take him to this weekend's new thing (and his idea I might add), the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. And it was good.
I pass by the Discovery Center every once in awhile when I'm on my way to something else. The big black cube in the sky always catches my attention and ever since I've moved here (even the first time), I've been meaning to go. This place *almost* kicks the Science Museum in Chicago's ass. Let me put it this way...if I was 10 and I went to both, I would, like, totally, like, think the Discovery Center, like, totally, way, kicks ass over tits the Science Museum in Chicago. But it's purely because the hand's on thing.
They had tornado machines and hurricane machines and earthquake machines and some sort of sand thing and a wind thing and water thing, and three way mirrors and mini planes you can drive and a 3-D thing and, uh...well shit. Just go here if you get the chance. Bring a bottle of disinfectant and definitely go on a week day.
This is the beginning of a horror movie, isn't it....?
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