Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Now that's good eatin!!!!

OK, I'll tend more to the blog now after removing myself from the poker sites for a couple weeks. I am growing tired of having pocket Aces and losing to lesser hands (in this case he has AK and hit runner runner straight) I am beginning to believe the theorists out there who say that the games are rigged. I have lost with pocket aces 5 times in the last 7 tournaments. That can't be a coincidence.

Anyway, I said before to friends I was going to write about my favorite meals. You don't get to be my size and not enjoy a meal or two. So, here are my five favorite comfort meals....the things that make the big man happy.

Honorable mention - A Ham Salad Sandwich from Andersons on a fresh roll with Snyders Potato Chips and Cherokee Red. The reason this is honorable mention is because Andersons is closed. I will never be able to get that particular type of Ham Salad anymore. And I loved it so much. Anything else will be a weak sister to that. Also, they don't sell Snyders Potato Chips and Cherokee Red in L.A., it's strictly East Coast. Like back in the day, they didn't sell Ho-Ho's here. Also, back in the day, every individual Ho-Ho was wrapped in aluminum foil. That was weird. BTW, Shawn and Michele HATE ham salad and were grossed out when I ate it. But I don't take food advice from someone who doesn't put milk on cereal, doesn't eat eggs or drink cola.

Others receiving votes - Large Poorboy sammich from Bay Cities, the Garlic rolls at Pizza Cookery, House Special Chicken from Pick Up Stix. Pad See Ew from Thai and I in Encino, Shrimp Scampi from the Cheesecake Factory. A Grilled Ham and Swiss from any deli. Scrambled Eggs with Biscuits and Gravy from Raes.

5 - A Shrimp Scampi Burrito from Poquito Mas, Mojado style - Walker took me to this place for lunch one day when we were working at OOMC. Now, I love shrimp like Bubba Blue did. So I ordered it. Fresh tortillas and shrimp with really good soft white rice wrapped up, drenched in red sauce and with a caesar salad and black beans on the side. And the price ranges depending on the volatile shrimp market. So it can be 7.99 or 11.99. Either way, it is quite choice.

4 - Porterhouse steak with the garlic seasoning, medium well with mashed potatoes AND French fries with a Ciroc and Ginger Ale to drink from Prime at the Bellagio - I used to not be a steak guy. My affinity for it has grown as I have been able to upgrade from Steak-um's and Steak and Eggs at Norms (AKA the Trevor Shickman Special). Back in the days, when the troops would roll up to Vegas, our good friend Al would get us hooked up at Prime. It was our friend J.P. (who has the tastebuds of a 7 year old) who insisted on the fries. And what a great choice he made. They are light as air and not greasy at all. It's goofy, but running a fry through your mashed potatoes and eating it is a fun thing to do for me. As for the drink, I'll say it again. Fuck Poof Drizzle, I was drinking Ciroc way before his punk ass did. Other steak houses like Mastros, Fins and Fogo De Chao are good, but Prime is the balls.

3 - King Cheese well done with Lettuce, Onions, Mayo and Pickles from Fatburger - Some will say In and Out is the best burger out there, but they are flimsy and I don't like the condiment selection as much. A King Burger needs two hands and it has some heft to it. And I like steak fries, so the fat fries are better than the ones at In and Out. Now, if we are going to In and Out, I will eat it happily, but the Fatboogie is my favorite.

2 - Chicken Parmesan with a side of spaghetti and meat sauce from Maggiano's - I just had this yesterday, the serving is so huge you can take it home and have it for another meal. The sauce from the Chicken Parm mixed with the meat sauce from the spaghetti is really tasty. I have tried only one other meal at Maggiano's and while it was good, I had to order a chicken parm to go because I regretted turning my back on my true Maggiano's love.

1B - Spaghetti and Meatballs from Rizzo's in Crabtree, Pennsylvania - Their sauce is so good that I have it shipped to me by the case from http://www.rizzosmalabarinn.com/sauces.aspx. I know it's a bias, but East Coast Italian food is far superior to the stuff you get here. Like Ray Liotta said in Goodfellas "Ketchup and noodles with burnt meatballs". Oh, and you have to get the Garlic bread and a salad, no beets. If Rizzo's closes, based on Anderson's closing this year, I have no reason to go back to Western PA, except family. :)

1A - Chick Fil-A Sandwich, no pickles, Large Waffle fries with barbecue sauce to dip in and a small cole slaw - It's a running joke with all of my friends, but it is the best fast food there is. The closest one is 20 miles away and I will make road trips to go get it. And I bring back several sandwiches and nuggets for Michele and I to eat during the week. Chick Fil-A was my first job back in 1986 at Santa Monica Place. (And no, despite rumors to the contrary, I never wore the chicken suit. I did dress up as Santa Claus at the Westside Pavilion when I was 26, but thats another story for another blog). We used to get free food as a perk for working there and it's no wonder the place went out of business. I wish one was closer, but am also aftaid I would be 350 lbs.

I didn't say this was the best food, just the food that makes me the happiest. Feel free to advise me on what else I should try.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves

1. Put your music on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!


1) IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
Bring Me Edelweiss - Edelweiss

2) WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
What You Won’t Do for Love – Bobby Caldwell - Yeah, I’m a sucker for attention and making people happy.

3) WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Second Time Around – Shalamar – I don’t know what that means. Does it mean I only like someone the second time we’re together? I’m happy now.

4) HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
I’m Housin’ – EPMD – Yes, I am housin…..I rule!

5) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE??
Walking in Memphis – Marc Cohn – Um, am I to be a transient?

6) WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Everytime You Go Away – Paul Young – You take a piece of me with you….

7) WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Mr. Scarface, The Final Chapter – Mr. Scarface - I’m a drug dealer?

8) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Riptide – Robert Palmer – I don’t swim, and the song is about being torn between two lovers. It is not true.

9) WHAT IS 2+2?
Your Song – Elton John – Yeah, it is a basic song.

10) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Sanford and Son Theme Song - HAHAHAHAHAHA

11) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Trip and a Half/Mia Bocca – Jill Jones - She is a trip and a half

12) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Love My Way – The Psychedelic Furs – Yep, it has to be my way…

13) WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Mexican Radio – Wall of Voodoo – I don’t know

14) WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
How Do You Keep the Music Playing? – James Ingram and Patti Austin - Hmmmm, guess I’m worried about keeping her.

15) WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Tin Man – America – But you had heart all along….

16)WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Amazing – Josh Kelley – Maybe.

17) WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Shock the Monkey – Peter Gabriel - LOL

18) WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Put Your Hands on Me – Sinead O’Connor - playing with yourself isn’t a hobby, it’s a vocation.

19) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
I Wonder if I’ll Take You Home – Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam with Full Force – Did I have a one night stand I don’t know about? Or when I did back in the days…..did something happen?

20) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Out of Touch – Hall and Oates – Again…..HAHAHHAHAHA

21) WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Fire and Rain – James Taylor – Don’t like burning, don’t like drowning.

22) HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Polka Your Eyes Out – Weird Al Yankovic – I can see that.

23) WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Light of Day – Joan Jett – See previous mentions to one night stands.

24) WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
My Ever Changing Moods – Style Council – Yep, I’m a moody sonofabitch

25) WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Steal My Sunshine – Len – I don’t like when my sunshine is stolen. 

26) WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
I Don’t Want to Wait – Paula Cole – I am engaged….so there you go.

27) WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Possession – Sarah Mclachlan – Yeah, I don’t like to be possessed by the devil.

28) DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Tiny Dancer – Elton John – she is petite, and can shake it…..yep, that’s my girl

29) IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Goody Two Shoes – Adam and the Ants - I don’t know, would I be one? Or would I stop myself from being one? I didn’t think I was one.

30) WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Guilty – Barry Gibb and Barbra Streisand – Cant think why.

31) WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves - Cher

32) HOW DOES THE WORLD SEE YOU?
Naturally Mine – Al. B. Sure! – Yes, I am there for the whole world.

33)WILL I HAVE A HAPPY LIFE?
Beautiful Day – U2 –Fuckin’ A – Nice!!!

34)WHAT DO MY FRIENDS REALLY THINK OF ME?
I’m Bad – LL Cool J – Yep, I’m a bad ass

35) DO PEOPLE SECRETLY LUST AFTER ME?
Calling All Angels – Train – Vladimir Guerrero wants me? Um, I’m a fan, but no.

36) HOW CAN I MAKE MYSELF HAPPY?
Just Another Night – Mick Jagger – of what?

37)WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY LIFE?
Undercover Angel – Alan O’Day – Great, I’m gonna be a detective or manwhore.

38) WILL I EVER HAVE CHILDREN?
Jimmy – Boogie Down Productions – A song about condoms doesn’t bode well.

39) WHAT IS SOME GOOD ADVICE FOR ME?
You Can’t Change That – Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio – Yeah, just let things that you can’t change go, don’t let them get to you.

40) HOW WILL I BE REMEMBERED?
Stop Draggin My Heart Around – Stevie Nicks and Tom Petty – Um, this isn’t good.

41) WHAT IS MY SIGNATURE DANCING SONG?
Your Smiling Face – James Taylor - I don’t know.

42)WHAT DO I THINK IS MY CURRENT SIGNATURE SONG?
Life’s Been Good to Me So Far – Joe Walsh – Yeah, that’s cool.

43) WHAT DOES EVERYONE THINK MY SONG IS?
Ghetto Thang – De La Soul – Because I am so down, I guess?

44) WHAT TYPE OF WOMEN DO YOU LIKE?
Night and Day – Al B. Sure! – Manic depressive? Not likely.

45) WHAT IS MY DAY GOING TO BE LIKE?
Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder – OK.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

It's time to update an old list

My good friend Chris Walker and I had a conversation one day over lunch about the 10 women you would be allowed to sleep with and your significant other couldn't complain. I wrote this list on August 17th, 2006. It was a pretty solid list, but for some reason, I had Elisha Cuthbert and Katherine Heigl on the top, but they were moved for Rachel McAdams a couple days later. Know that this was before I ever heard one of them speak. The list was as follows:

Others receiving votes: Sophie Marceau, Claire Forlani, Rose McGowan, Salma Hayek, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Asia Argento, Liv Tyler, Jenna Fischer, Audrey Tautou, Carla Gugino, Gabrielle Union, Rachel Weisz, Alyson Hannigan, Jessica Biel, Michelle Monaghan, Mary Louise Parker, Alicia Witt, Jennifer Esposito, Kate Beckinsale.

10 - Eliza Dushku
9 - Kelly Hu - I liked the idea of the name Kelly Hu Hugus....like a stutter or hiccup.
8 - Elizabeth Banks
7 - Ashley Judd
6 - Famke Janssen
5 - Lauren Graham
4 - Diane Lane
3 - Jessica Alba
2 - Cuthbert or Heigl
1 - Rachel McAdams

The list is outdated....things need to be switched around and changed. I'm not interested in almost every one of these new celubutards that have hit the scene. There are no Audrey Hepburns on the horizon. But as I get older, I like a woman who has a little more substance. I don't understand why.....but now here's the new list.

10 - Gemma Arterton - Strawberry Fields in Quantum of Solace, best thing about the movie.
9- Mary Louise Parker - Should have been on the other list, I like her quirkiness
8 - Jenna Fischer - too adorable on the Office
7 - Emmanuelle Chriqui - incredibly hot, almost worth watching Zohan for
6 - Lauren Graham - Still on the list
5 - Isla Fisher - attractive and funny
4 - Diane Lane - the lifetime achievement award, has not lost a step
3 - Rachel McAdams - still beautiful, was #1, but been out of the picture.
2 - Elizabeth Banks - Good movies, insanely attractive, right on the cusp of #1
1 - Amy Adams - Total package. No need to elaborate.

Feel free to give your opinions.