Adult Movies

I don't really like the idea of going to the movies as a date.   You are basically sitting quietly for two hours with your companion, then go home.  Why not just stay home and wait for Netflix?  The environment would certainly be more comfortable and if I cooked, the food would be yummilicious.  My husband has a different point of view, he loves going to the movies and thinks they are great for dates. Our differing points of view and taste in movies keep us from going to the movies together.

The Archlight is a place that I have been, but haven't fully appreciated all that they have to offer.  The Hollywood location has the Cinerama Dome, which opened in 1963 and was one of the few theaters in the world capable of exhibiting 3-projector cinerama format film. It has a circular auditorium featuring a huge screen and seats for almost 1,000.  That alone makes the movie going experience different than the norm. 

There are also "21+ Screenings" that only allow those over the age of 21 to attend and have the option to drink beer and wine.  That isn't as much of a draw for me as their cafe's menu selections are.  Of course they serve popcorn, but how about with real butter or their own freshly made caramel corn? Or hummus, gourmet cheese & fruit plate, a variety of salads, sandwiches and pastas, fish & chips and the list goes on (and includes creme brulee and carrot cake).

One more drawing point (for me) is there are weekly screenings of films that are listed on AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies list.  "His Girl Friday", "Suddenly Last Summer", "To Catch A Thief" & " Tootsie" are all on the current screening schedule. (At both the Hollywood and Sherman Oaks locations)

red as a lobster

Today was the start of the AYSO season and my son started off with two games today.  The first game was at 8:00 but we were at the park by 7:30 to help set up the field.  (These are all a.m. hours- Do you feel my sleepy grumpiness?)  The worst thing about early games is obvious, they are early.  The last thing I want to do is wake up early on a weekend.  The second game was at noon, did I mention that we live in the desert outside of Los Angeles, we are closer to the sun than my skin would like.  I was prepared for the heat and the sun.  I had my beach umbrella and sunscreen on, but it is September and "the winds" have begun. My umbrella was flipped inside out and ripped it from its wire skeleton.  So I sat, basking or baking in the sun for the next hour.  By the time I got home I had a very oddly shaped sunburn below my neck.  I am a yellow and red sight to behold.  

I figure the place to go tomorrow might be The Long Beach Lobster Festival.  The tickets are $15 for adults and children under 12 are free.  There are a wide variety of jazz and blues performances scheduled, as well as, lobster cooked by a Bristol Farms chef. (Yum!) There are other food vendors so I won't be forced to buy my children lobster dinners that they won't eat.  More lobster and butter for me....(Hopefully, I won't be confused with the lobsters.  A turtleneck might not be such a bad idea.)

california dreamin'

I am a simple person with simple pleasures, as you know, food, sleep and fun are at the top of my essential pleasures list.  I also have an odd list of things to do before I die, it includes shearing a sheep (it's so cool how the wool comes off in strips) and surfing, among other things.  (Surfing looks like so much fun I could work past my dislike of the beach.)

Next weekend, Santa Monica's Chamber of Commerce is hosting "A Taste of Santa Monica"; a $65 ticket includes unlimited food (from a wide variety of restaurants) and drinks (wine and water included) and live music, all on the Santa Monica Pier.

One of the event sponsors is the "Le Merigot Hotel" whose beds look more than adequate for a great nap.  Currently they have "The Surfing Safari" package which includes "Superior Room" accommodations, a full session Swedish massage (that sounds painful - I think I will be generous and offer this to my husband) and (the best part) a two hour surfing lesson.  (AWESOME!)

Food - check!     Sleep - check! 
Surfing - check!     Fun Time - check!

sit & spin

I have a friend who is my exercise hero, if only I could live through him and receive all the health benefits as a result of his effort. If only. But I can't. It isn't that I haven't ever exercised before. I just don't like it. It makes me hot and I hate to sweat. In any other situation if I started to sweat, have an increase in my heart rate and became overheated I would be taken to the hospital, but I digress. So a couple of weeks ago I started going to spin class after work with my exercise hero/friend. As far as exercise goes, spinning is the closest that I will ever come to liking anything intensely active.

The women that attend the classes have really great bodies and vary greatly in age. They are slender but don't have that gaunt, hungry antelope look that yoga girls have. They are toned but aren't bulky or overly "cut". The classes are around an hour long and although challenging I can usually distract myself from most of the discomfort, power through the class and feel good afterward.

The place that we go to is "The Burn" in Burbank. They have about 18 bikes at each class (reservations can be made online), the bikes are set on 3 different levels (think amphitheater), they keep the room dark (which somehow makes it seem cooler) and have very entertaining and motivated instructors. The other thing that I like about "The Burn" is if I sit on a bike in the back row (right in front of the black curtains) and wear an all black outfit I can't see myself in the mirror at the front of the class. I am just a floating head. Awesome. If I couldn't be the "Nearly Invisible Woman" I would compare myself to all the spinning sprites on the other bikes for the whole class. I have also discovered that a spin class cannot be complete without a music selection from Justin Timberlake or Madonna. (I think this is a rule for all group cardio classes everywhere.) The only thing that I wasn't expecting and that was different from my previous spin experience is that from time to time they turn on red lights while we spin, which makes me feel like a rotisserie chicken at Costco. But, all in all a great time. (I missed all last week but it is my goal to go twice a week. It is even a never-ending, recurring event on my computer calendar program. If only life wouldn't get in the way.)

A few spinning benefits:

Burn 500 + calories per class
Tones Muscles
Body Shaping
Lose Inches
Decrease Body Fat
Stress Relief
Year Round Activity
Increase Energy
Improve Overall Strength
Increase Cardio Endurance

1. cycling shirt
2. cycloskort (helps to cover the "cookies", in every sense of the word)
3. cycling shoe

"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

I have many silly (and/or slightly flawed) theories. One of my favorites is that men are either "Scarface" or "Godfather" men. My very thorough research is done almost completely using the MTV Cribs television show. There is always a Scarface or Godfather poster in a "crib" that has a male inhabitant. Generally speaking the cool, hip and rowdy men like Scarface and will feel the need to perform the inevitable "Say hello to my little friend" reenactment. Scarface is not my deal.

I am all there for The Godfather; the costumes, the acting, they even talk about cooking marinara sauce, everything about it is beautifully done. (I could really go without all the violence. I know it is the wrong movie for that request.) The Godfather men are a little more mature, cool (in the chill sort of way) and relaxed. (This isn't to say that I am any of these things.) Obviously, my research has been very limited and I have only confirmed my finding with my most reliable colleague. Me.

I know it isn't appropriate but I started thinking about "The Godfather" when I was reviewing the menu at Mozza. Everything looks so delicious and Mario Batali is all the way authentic Italian with his cooking. Not that I have ever tasted it but as you know a fluffy chef is a chef that I can trust, because they enjoy food. When Mario talks about food or his cooking you can see the joy in his eyes. I think it is only right that I help make him happy and eat some of his delicious creations.

Here are a few menu items:

Burrata with bacon, marinated escarole & caramelized shallots
Linguine with clams, pancetta & spicy Fresno chiles
Ricotta Gnudi with chantrelles
Crisp Duck al Mattone with pear mostarda & Brussels sprouts
Pan Roasted Halibut con pepe verde

Date Night: Pasadena

According to every relationship expert, married couples should schedule date nights. My husband and I used to "go out" all the time. I was at home and he has a condensed work schedule that allowed us to spend at least 2 days a week alone (at least until the kids came home). Since I started working we haven't really done anything together, except go grocery shopping and devise plans on how to minimize the amount of food that our two adult sized children eat. In light of their adult size and the beginning of the new school year it is clear that our house will be empty (and our refrigerator full) in a very short amount of time. What will we do? I don't want to stare at him while he watches Sports Center and every sports (or anything else that can be categorized as a sport) game played in the world. I don't need to do everything with him but we should be each others companion and not just parents to our children. Some of my trip and activity posts are ideas (and not so subtle hints) about what I would like us to do together. Pasadena is a place that I love, love, love. I love the Craftsman style houses, the pedestrian friendly neighborhoods, the little mom and pop stores, community activities, the list can go on and on. (uhm....I love it)

Accommodations:
The Westin Pasadena They have a ton of special offers that make the stay very affordable, especially given the quality of the hotel.

Activities:
Laemmle Theatre Built in the 1930's and specializes in showing critically acclaimed, independent feature films. (I have mixed feelings about movies being a date activity, the couple basically sits quietly next to each other. At the very least there needs to be an activity before or after the movie to make the date successful.)

The Ice House Comedy Club Paul Rodriguez and a bunch of other people that I don't know by name but I recognize their faces from comedy specials on tv. I remember laughing and nearly peeing my pants a couple of times, seems very promising.

Last but not least - Food:
Arroyo Chop House USDA Prime, dry aged meat. Boys love meat. No matter how hard it is on their bodies as they age. They love it. Something about the smell of meat awakens something in their d.n.a. I am willing to sacrafice myself and eat a delicious steak. Marriage is about give and take. I am also willing to have a delightful dessert, if it will help the evening along. What a giver.

Il Fornaio An Italian restaurant that explores the cuisine of different Italian regions (using food!!) and was also a 2009 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence recipient. They hearth bake their own bread and make pasta and pizza dough daily, need I say more?

Beach Blanket Blues

I like the beach, except for the sand and my inevitable sun burn. My skin gives the impression that it will tan easily, not so. As for the sand, it's so gritty and gets into everything. Perhaps, like is not an accurate description for my feelings about the beach.

Well, I do like outdoor concerts and as you well know good food. Next weekend (September 5th & 6th)Long Beach will hold its 30th Annual Blues Festival. You can bring a blanket and your own food or you can buy food from a vendor at the festival. Delicious food and music, all while I lay on a blanket, does it get any better than that? Hopefully there aren't too many lip smackers there (or with me) flapping their jaws over the music.

my kind of super bowl

When I was younger my mother would take me to The Hollywood Bowl to listen to the Los Angeles Philharmonic rehearse. (I think it was every Wednesday during the summer.) It was wonderful introduction to music and it was free. I loved it, except the walk from the parking lot up the hill to The Bowl. I am sure that it isn't much of a walk at all but one of those things that seem so much bigger and arduous when you are small. Every year I plan to go to a concert at The Bowl, I even look at their schedule of events. Every year life gets in the way. Of course another drawing point of going to a concert is you are encouraged to picnic. The Bowl has a collection of restaurants, Patina, on site where patrons are able to order a picnic lunch/dinner to eat during a concert or before. Some Hollywood area restaurants make box lunches that can be brought in for a picnic meal at The Bowl. I may need to go to a series of concerts to taste all the options, for purely investigative reasons, of course.

Upcoming Concerts at The Hollywood Bowl:

August 23rd - Smooth Summer Jazz
August 26th - Dizzie Gillespie All Star Big Band
September 9th - Natalie Cole
September 16th - The Killers
October 16th - Maxwell

Yummy Possibilities:

Tavern - (take away menu & regular menu available online) They offer a Southern-style picnic box ($25 per person) with two pieces of juicy buttermilk-fried chicken (thigh and leg; all-white meat is $5 extra) and a vibrant succotash-inspired salad. For dessert, cornbread and a peach or blackberry crumble come direct from the in-house bakery.

Street - (owned by Susan Feniger of The Border Grill and Cuidad) The menu is a bit hard to describe due to the wide variety of menu items. They serve "street food" from around the world (inspired and as interpreted by the chefs). (It is probably best to just visit their website.)

let's chat in the hat

I am not a bar or club person and never have been. I really don't like to dance; I truly believe that people are watching (as well as, capturing all my awkwardness on their iPhones ready to upload to youtube) and giggling at my lead-foot, lumbering dance"moves".

I like tasty food (fancy isn't required) and a fun dining environment. I prefer a place where occasional loud laughter doesn't cause anyone to turn around and stare. Not at me, of course, I am talking completely hypothetically and about my "friend". It is better that I stay seated, eat and try to contain my "friend's" laughter.

Henry's Hat might be my dream come true, yummy, affordable food and a "game menu" that I can order board games to play at my table. (there is a bar with numerous televisions for people who wish to partake) The only thing I can see might be a problem, in looking at the pictures, is that there doesn't look to be to a lot of comfortable seating. I am willing to sacrifice myself to find out.

(photo credit)

(s)parks of insanity

California has 279 state parks, reserves and beaches; 220 of which the state is planning on shutting down because of the budget crisis. The savings would be less that 1% of the state budget and only consider the parks operational costs. What about the ranger and maintenance jobs that would be lost? (more people receiving unemployment and less payroll taxes collected for the state) The school field trips that would be canceled due to lack of destination? Possible store and restaurant closures that would happen because the proprietors rely on traffic to and from the parks for customers. (more job loss, unemployment recipients, less payroll taxes collected and it ripples outward in the local communities from there) Annual festivals held at these parks that would come to a halt. (example: The Poppy Festival at the Poppy Reserve in Lancaster.)

Outside of all the monetary arguments that seem to prove closure of the parks as illogical the unquantifiable arguments are even more convincing . The joy that these areas provide to the citizens and in difficult economic times these places provide very low cost getaways for families. Many of these locations are also near larger urban areas and offer children who are accustomed to their concrete jungle neighborhoods exposure to the beauty of nature. (In my own case I would like to suggest that mothers have destinations for temporary breaks in order to collect their thoughts and restore their sanity. I think that motherly happiness is reason enough. After all when I am happy the whole world sings. No?)

I wonder if the legislators are also cutting their per diem rates, state paid for car allowances and taking pay cuts?

links:

LA Times Article: Proposed State Parks Closure List is Not for the Faint of Heart
CA State Parks Foundation: Proposed List of State Park Closures

(picture credit)

have fork, will travel

TastingTable.com sends a free daily email that delivers information about local food and drink culture. In the Los Angeles edition, alerts tell of must-try dishes at forgotten restaurants, new bars that deserve buzz and under-appreciated neighborhood cook/food shops that might otherwise go unnoticed. (So far the only cities that are covered are Los Angeles, New York and Chicago. San Francisco will be added soon.)

TastingTable.com can only help with the two most important questions of the day, "What's for lunch?" and "What's for dinner?" TastingTable.com is supposed to be thought of as a food-obsessed coworker who knows where to find the best $2 tacos and which $200 tasting menu is worth the splurge. Since my friends/co-workers and I start to think about the next day's lunch while eating the current day's lunch, I believe this tool will make us much more efficient. Knowledge is power after all.

Are the Outdoors Really Great?

Two of my friends have started a weekly hiking habit that I am being pressured to be a part of.  Every weekend they meet at the base of a mountain at 7 a.m. Their hike violates two of my basic life habits/philosophies. The first is my need and love affair with sleep - 7 a.m. is too early for a nocturnal person to be anywhere let alone at the base of a mountain.  I am also allergic to exercise, I start to sweat and have very labored breathing. This hike sounds like a definite health risk. But since I love them I may risk my life and go on their hike and perhaps a bike ride. This picture was taken while they were on one of their hikes.  All I see is cold fog (the kind of fog that is best experienced beneath a down comforter) and how high up the mountain they are.  I have attempted to hire a helicopter pilot to drop me off at the mountain's peak but everyone that I contacted said that 7 a.m. is too early to start work.  The only thing left to do is sacrifice myself and succumb to peer pressure, but if anything happens to me I hope they can live with the guilt.

LA Trails Website (over 100 trails in the Los Angeles area for hiking, walking and biking)

Grilled Cheese Magic

I missed the 1st 7th Annual Grilled Cheese Exhibition a few weeks ago and have been riddled with guilt and regret ever since.  I must make it next year.  I must!!  

The guilt coupled with my hunger (I haven't had breakfast yet) has sent me on a search through the Food Network site.  I don't like eggs or sausage so that pretty much rules out breakfast food.  Then I saw this picture and accompanying recipe, the clouds opened and angels were singing.  This is too good to pass up, a grilled cheese sandwich with brie, goat cheese, green tomatoes and bacon.  Anything with two different cheeses and bacon can't be bad.  In all likelihood this is a food that is either really good or really bad, there is only one way to find out.  I am off to the store now or to work which will pay for the cheese and bacon.