Fast Track Prototype

Tonight: Karaoke Blue – Pre-Pre-Thanksgiving

In celebration of a Pre-Pre-Thanksgiving, we’re going to be at Bleu tonight. Why a Pre-Pre and not just a Pre? Well let’s face it, when the day ends Wednesday, everyone’s going to be in a mad rush to get home in a furious cavalcade for the Thanksgiving finish. So why not take our sweet ass merry ol’ time and enjoy tonight for what it is.

Tuesday.

C’mon like we really need a reason to go out on a Tuesday?

Bring your drinking shoes and singing souls. We’ll feast our minds and hearts on good times.

Tags: Karaoke, Karaoke Bleu, Thanksgiving

Adventure Tuesdays: 24 Hour Pho on the Westside!

We realize it’s Wednesday, but Adventure Tuesday typically ends on Wednesday morning. Sometimes spontaneous and random things happen on Tuesday night. There’s also a good chance that nothing happens. So last night?

My roommate has put together the mother of all entertainment systems. The newest addition to the system being a PC outfitted with Windows 7 Media Center. I was streaming songs off my laptop into the Windows 7 PC which is connected to the main entertainment system of power, when my other roommate was wandering around the house in a hungry stupor. She wanted to eat but wasn’t sure if she wanted to eat given that I call her fat all the time and thus have created a complex, just kidding, truth is I was hungry too. So she brought up Pho but our usual joint was closed when she mentioned the magic words, 24 hour pho. I then remembered my other friend telling me about such a mythical place on the Westside that was 24 hours.

Turns out it’s Pho Citi, the same 24 hour joint that’s in Burbank too, so it was familiar. It’s not the best Pho, but it’s not the worst either. My roommate thought she could be cool and order our usual by using its name, but when the person on the phone returned question marks I said to her, number 19, arbitrarily picking a random number which turned out to be the correct combo number. Maybe it wasn’t arbitrary. Maybe it was the unified system of pho combo numbering, or maybe I remembered Saturday night’s dinner. Either way, at the time it was hilarious that Pho with brisket was #19. On a side note, my roommate says brisket like it’s a British word. Brisk-ette’. There seems to be an odd trend with Asian girls developing wonky anglo-saxon accents.

The price was decent. Considering that it’s 24 hours, the extra buck you pay – you can get the same deal, that tastes better at Pho Show for a dollar less – is worth the convenience of being able to have Pho, whenever.

They did skimp on the fixings and trimmings and didn’t pack hoisin sauce, chili sauce or the standard Sriracha. Luckily, my fridge is stocked with spices so I wasn’t too bummed. But the lack of shrubbery did leave my bowl of finesse much ado about nothing.

However, it being close to midnight, having hot pho on a cold and windy evening, backed with sake and pirated movies, wasn’t bad at all. Besides I got to flex my art muscles and get s’more confidence in my penciling. Zomg, not a euphemism.

Tags: 24 Hour, Adventure Tuesdays, Pho, Pho Citi, Westside, Windows 7

Adventure Tuesdays: Paranormal Activity and Barney’s Beanery Burbank

We realize it’s Wednesday, but Adventure Tuesday typically ends on Wednesday morning. Sometimes spontaneous and random things happen on Tuesday night. There’s also a good chance that nothing happens. So last night?

A tear came to Emosweater’s eye when we decided we’d finally hit up Burbank for some fun. He insists that there’s plenty to do over there, we strongly disagree (I’m totally kidding). Our friend works out there so we all decided to watch Paranormal Activity at the AMC theaters in downtown Burbank since he wanted to watch it and we decided that trickling down to Arizas at the end is enough to warrant a trip out there.

All cards on the table, I’m a big bitch when it comes to scary movies. I did not want to watch this movie, but when the guys spoke of Ariza, I sacked up and told myself it was worth the food. Sketch came by to pick me up from my place on the Westside and we made our way to Burbank. Initially we were going to go to the Blue Room to snag $3 Bud Lights and maybe some cheap well scotch to wash down this tingle in my throat, but we were running a bit behind and we had already told our friend that we were gonna meet him at Barney’s, which is right next to the theater. Oh Blue Room, I’ll drink in your divey savvy another day.

Katie our lovely server who we scoffed at for dropping her serving tray – I know we’re such assholes, was a total sweetheart for putting up with our antics. After two pints and a shot of Bushmill’s we were toasty and headed to the movie.

Paranormal Activity

For a movie that was hyped up to be frightening and myself admittedly looking forward to the hype despite my cringing and face covering – the movie, well, let me put it this way: it was like having really shitty sex with what you thought was a hot girl. You’re thinking fuck yeah this girl is smoking hot, you’re turned on, it’s starting off a little slow, but it builds speed, she’s getting into it, you’re getting into it, she’s telling you she’s about to come and you’re all about it, you’re ready to meet her half way when you realize, she’s already done. You think, “WTF? That’s it?” Then you look down at her face and you realize, she’s not so hot anymore. That’s what the movie was like.

It was scary when it was scary, but the scary was too far and a few between with an ending leaving you abruptly wanting more.

After sitting and staring at the blank screen waiting for something to happen, we conceded that the movie was in fact over and laughed our way disappointingly back to our cars. We weren’t the only ones who felt that way, I’d say the whole theater was laughing along with us.

Thankfully the movie wasn’t the end of the evening. We drove down to Ariza for the best Mexican food this side of LA and indulged our irritated movie shakes away. We mingled with drunk hipster chicks, discussed the intricacies of the animal kingdom and I was one shoe throw away from knocking an ugly hipster chick in the head for her antagonistic dry laugh – although admittedly, she was warranted because I was being a smarty pants. I should have gotten that lengua taco.

Tags: Ariza, Barney's Beanery, Burbank, Movie, Paranormal Activity

Adventure Tuesdays: Fast Tracks and Rush Street

We realize it’s Wednesday, but Adventure Tuesday typically ends on Wednesday morning. Sometimes spontaneous and random things happen on Tuesday night. There’s also a good chance that nothing happens. So last night?

The alarm was set to 2:30 am. My friend Jim said he’d be in town at around 3:30 am so I wanted to be ready to take off the moment he was in town. Given that it was early in the morning, I figured it wouldn’t take too long to get around town, CBS studios is by the Grove and the Grove is quite literally two streets from the house. We were going to get tickets for the Price is Right.

He didn’t show up until much later, so I wasn’t in line until about 6 in the morning. That left me with broken sleep throughout the night with my alarm going off in 20 minute intervals. We managed to get tickets and go through the entire process right up until actually going into the studio when I had to leave. Jim had to go deal with business and my keys were in his car and once I leave the premises, there’s no coming back. So much for rockin Plinko and winning the showcase.

I spent the day napping and working on projects when my Underage Girl text me. She’s not really underage, but it’s a very long story. She wanted to hang out and drink so when the evening struck she came over with a bottle of Makers, correction, a very fuckin large bottle of Makers, straight up Costco style and thought it would be a hoot to shoot down shots and shoot the shit.

Sketch filled me in on a birthday celebration going down at Rush Street so we hopped in the car 4 shots in and drove down to Downtown Culver City. I’m a man who understands his assets and my assets are my girls. Using their powers of seduction I send them out to flirt and skirt where we can score drinks and make nice. In the end, I get the girl, grab the money and run. Case in point, I didn’t pay for a thing last night.

It was raining in appropriate drama fashion and with her all stumbly and fumbly, I opted not to go to Bigfoot West where the others headed. Instead, we ended up in a McDonald’s parking lot.

Tags: Adventure Tuesdays, Fast Track, Maker's Mark, Rush Street

Adventure Tuesdays: Extended Flights Edition

We realize it’s Wednesday, but Adventure Tuesday typically ends on Wednesday morning. Sometimes spontaneous and random things happen on Tuesday night. There’s also a good chance that nothing happens. So last night?

Things have been more of an inner adventure. I found myself discovering a missing piece to a puzzle that I’ve been trying to put together lately. Not literally a puzzle, but, you’d think that you were prepared for something, only to find out you weren’t prepared at all. So it’s a good thing I discovered this missing piece, or I’d be farther behind than I thought.

Imagine my surprise, waking up this morning to an email sent at 2:56 am from Sketch that he’s staying an extra day in Vegas. He’s supposed to be flying back tonight, but he said he booked another flight back to Vegas after being in San Francisco to stay another night with a super hot DJ friend of his so he can indulge in more free table service, pool parties with bikini clad go go dancers, music, mayhem, lights, camera and mother fuckin action.

My eyes are barely open, I’m reading this email with one eye open – I guess reading with both eyes is just too much to ask for in the wee morning hours – and I’m thinking to myself, this mother fucker! Anger? No not at all, just total and complete peanut butter and jealousy.

I don’t get jealous. Ask my ex-girlwhatevers, I don’t get jealous. But Mr. Sketch, to thee I say, I am fuckin stomp my feet and whine like a little school girl jealous.

Tags: Adventure Tuesdays, AYCJ, Vegas

Adventure Tuesdays: Maybe Wednesday in DTLA

We realize it’s Wednesday, but Adventure Tuesday typically ends on Wednesday morning. Sometimes spontaneous and random things happen on Tuesday night. There’s also a good chance that nothing happens. So last night?

I got a phone call from my cousin’s friend who is visiting from Hawaii. He’s staying out in Hollywood for a week and was asking what places were good to hit up. I drew a blank. Honestly, I think Hollywood is passed it’s prime, you can contend this with me if you want, I’ll listen, the more places to go the better – and one can totally argue that Hollywood just isn’t my scene, which I can totally agree with, but keeping the kind of people my cousin’s friends are in mind, I think I was on the right track. They’re local boys from the Island, they’re not gonna want a bourgie beat.

But it got me thinking, aside from the tiny random lounges off-off the main streets (Sunset, Hollywood and Santa Monica) and your typical joints, Hollywood to me is just a place where tourists and people who aren’t originally from So Cal go. This includes people that did grow up here with that blasted “Hollywood” lifestyle tattooed into their hearts. I got it, “it not my scene.”

Don’t get me wrong. I can hang in all matters of fun. Bourgie, hole in the wall, street corner, garage, I love it all, but my usual bag disregards anything that has an RSVP, guest list or dress code. That doesn’t mean I don’t necessarily dislike events/venues that do, sometimes you’re just in that mood, but in most cases, if I can’t slip in with a t-shirt and jeans, I’m not going to go.

Tonight we got things brewing for Downtown LA. I definitely have Little Tokyo for Daikokuya and Far Bar in mind to start and I’ll probably head on over to The Library after with a chance of bouncing to the Standard – which is a bit of a boo to me, but my DTLA local says it’s not so bad during the weekdays. We’ll see.

Tags: Daikokuya, Downtown LA, Far Bar, hollywood, Little Tokyo, The Library

Adventure Tuesdays: Chicago Style

We realize it’s Wednesday, but Adventure Tuesday typically ends on Wednesday morning. Sometimes spontaneous and random things happen on Tuesday night. There’s also a good chance that nothing happens. So last night?

The only one having fun right now is Sketch. My Tuesday was spent recovering from Sunday’s Disney Half and dicking around at home, while Sketch was off doing wonderful, fantabulous things that make me rethink some of the life choices I’ve made in the past – I know, epic.

So using his twitter, I’m going to summarize his events yesterday, because I can only imagine that he’s too busy, oh, I dunno, having fun.

[09:56] All You Can Jet adventure starts now: Long Beach to Chicago. Meet with Chicago TNT, Couch Surfing, the Bean, bars, museums, Cubs, pizza and more!

[14:46] Hello Chicago! watched a marathon of Andrew Zimmern’s Bizarre Foods on Travel Channel. So hungry now, haven’t had lunch yet! Almost 5pm.

[15:52] Checked in at the Amalfi Hotel. What?? Open Bar reception for all guests til 7? Free Wi-Fi? 24 Hr gym? Across from a pub? Hell yes!

[16:39] Free drinks and appetizers are at a lounge five hotel rooms from mine, on the same floor! My room rate was relatively cheap too. Loves it!

[17:34] Exploring the city. I already see a lot of good running routes for the morning (if I’m not hungover).

[18:31] Just wandering Gotham City. I think Batman may be near…

[18:49] I’m at Gino’s East of Chicago (633 N. Wells, Chicago).

[19:47] Deep dish & beeeer.

[23:28] Scion Xb taxis

[23:35] I made an impromptu pub crawl… 4 bars, and I haven’t left the block where my hotel is at yet. Niiiiice!

[23:36] Also 3/4 of the bars, the bartenders have hooked it up with a free beer when I closed out. Lots of cool peeps here.

I need to be getting on a jet plane.

Tags: Adventure Tuesdays, AYCJ, Chicago

Adventure Tuesdays: Air Conditioning

We realize it’s Wednesday, but Adventure Tuesday typically ends on Wednesday morning. Sometimes spontaneous and random things happen on Tuesday night. There’s also a good chance that nothing happens. So last night?

It’s been abnormally hot here on the westside lately, along with the abnormality, the humidity has been wonky too. The fires might be attributed, who knows, it has been known that catastrophic natural disasters can affect weather so it’s possible, but needless to say, whatever you want to believe, it won’t change the fact that it was nasty outside. Well, nasty for native So. Cal boys like me. If you’re originally from the South or Texas, or anywhere else the humidity is Murder Death kill on the undercover cop then please feel free to laugh.

I’m also a fan of almanacs. If the weather gets all nuts, I always like to check to see what it was like the previous year(s) just to satiate my curiosity – am I really nuts? Or is the world really on fire?

I spent the evening indoors basking in the air conditioned comfort of our lovely home. I’m on day two of “getting the ball rolling” on a project that should have been done, oh, what? Last year? But I’m on it! Adventure Tuesdays haven’t been all that adventurous, I have to admit. It’s a busy time for all of us; projects up the wazoo and work that needs to be done, but I promise you, this weekend, should be a blast. We got a few birthdays in Los Feliz, the Disneyland Half Marathon and maybe some Hermosa Beach thrown in.

Cheers.

Thanks to .tiff for showing me Personas. It’s how I made the image for this update.

Tags: Adventure Tuesdays, almanac

Adventure Tuesdays: Barney’s Beanery and Goose

We realize it’s Wednesday, but Adventure Tuesday typically ends on Wednesday morning. Sometimes spontaneous and random things happen on Tuesday night. There’s also a good chance that nothing happens. So last night?

Our old friend Goose was in from out of town. She wanted to hang out at the Beanery for old times sake and so some of us gathered to engorge our fat asses on pints, all things bacon and the most scrumptious of seasoned wedges you can lick your tongue on. Although many would believe that she gets her name from the time honored American classic Top Gun for being an excellent wingman to her male and female fighter pilots, that would however be an incorrect assumption.

It’s actually better.

To our dismay, Goose doesn’t drink beer. So when she was in the process of being initiated into a club of drinking ne’er-do-wells, she hit a stump. The initiation process demanded one very physical challenge that involved running over 26 miles and finishing it off with a pint of beer. Correction: 26.2 miles to be exact and slamming a pint of beer. The running wasn’t a problem for her, but when you don’t drink beer it becomes a problem. A problem she sought to correct by her own means. So what does she do? While amidst the taunts and ridicule of laughter and sneering eyes of disappointment, she grabs a bottle of Grey Goose, fills up her pint glass, and proceeds to imbibe the clear liquid solution without blinking.

Needless to say, everybody had STFU.

Tags: Adventure, Bar, Barney's Beanery

Adventure Tuesdays: Pizza and Beer

We realize it’s Wednesday, but usually Adventure Tuesday ends – technically on Wednesday morning, so you get the idea. Usually spontaneous and random things happen on Tuesday night. There’s also a good chance that nothing happens. So last night?

Nothing. I was up in weho eating pizza and drinking beer and gossiping like an old woman at a hair salon with the girls. I must admit it scares me that I’m so good at it. I’m surprised my nails aren’t painted. As for the others, I’m not sure what they did. They certainly weren’t with me.

~nudge nudge~