Typical LA Vamp

Happy Halloween!!!

Racking Up Leisure Time

Who doesn't love a "sport" that allows you to drink: billiards, darts, bowling, golf? Am I leaving anything out? Heck, they even have waitresses and beer cart girls to help get you more teed!

Back to pool. Those big regulation tables are much harder than the smaller bar tables. The hour long games at Hollywood Billiards last night proved that. We assembled the Hollywood News Team and threw down tournament style. SM officially won!

The Don of Advertising has got "Mad" skills.

Motels are so Inn

A refreshing change from the super hip hotel a la The Standard or giant mega resort aka MGM Grand is the motel. Do not be scared of its meager two stories or its ample parking near the front door of your room. Room service? No, vending machines, but there usually are complimentary pastries and coffee if you can get your teed ass outta bed before 10am. The Sun'n and Sands Motel in Huntington Beach, a prime example, is right across the street from the ocean, clean, comfortable and reasonable. These types of places usually offer AAA discounts as well. So next time you plan on taking a weekend get away or road trip with your bros, consider your family owned motel. It might be cheaper and you won't have to tip a bell hop or valet. (photo credit Las Angelenas.blogspot.com)

TK Burger

Something drew me to TK Burger in Huntington Beach this weekend. Perhaps it was the signage boasting the best burger or maybe it was the location right on the PCH (ok it's the name, durr). I got to check out the overhead swell at the pier, while I ate my cheeseburger and fries. The TK sauce, a 1,000 island concoction was good for fry dipping too. Although, I was irked by the bus loads of people on the street holding signs in support of voting yes on Prop 8 (overturning gay marriage in California) and the people driving by honking in support. Open your minds, HB!

I and I with Ras Trent, Strictly Roots

My Yogi Green Tea Bag Tag Says:

Recognize that the other person is you.

Muni Golf

What can I say about Public Golf Courses that hasn't been said already? CP, RM and I rolled out to The Gritty of Lost Angeles Department of Parking Lots and Wreck-reation Balboa Golf Course in Encino. Twas a pretty nice day in the San Fernando Valley I must say. Not only were they aerating the greens, but also we came upon several gaggles of geese. I think the course makes extra money buy stocking the place with these geese that lay golden golf balls. Look it's a platinum one, white gold!
There's a classic snack shack that hasn't change since Caddy Shack. What goes well with a dog and 24 ounces of Miller Lite in a can? That would be Muni Golf and another 24 ounces of Miller Lite in a can. I did shoot an 80 thanks to the ultra short par 5's temporary green placements, no thanks to the aerated greens or maybe it was the beer.

Mmmmm Kippenberger and Mocha

FYI, my City of LA Juror Badge (yes still on duty) allows me free admission to the MOCA downtown, so on our lunch break I went to check out Martin Kippenberger's exhibit: The Problem Perspective. Mr. Kippenberger sure made a lot of art in his short 44 years (he died of liver cancer). Supposedly, he was a wild man during his years in Lost Angeles, drinking, carousing and womanizing. My favorite pieces out of the many mixed media bunch were the sketches done on hotel stationary from around the world (not necessarily drawn in the city of the hotel's paper). It's like a skewed travel log. The artist also was into some kinky stuff as displayed by some of his sketches of tied up nudes, fun for the whole Manson family.

I'd like to Patina them on the back.

I can't say enough great things about the Market Cafe by Patina in the Wells Fargo Center in Downtown Lost Angeles. I mean where else can you get flat bread at a "to go" style atrium food court? Nowhere, except another Patina owned establishment, Pantinitte at MOCA. I had the Pressed Cuban Sandwich w/ Black Forest ham, turkey, salami, pickles, Swiss cheese, mustard and herb mayo on a rustic roll, pressed "panini" style. It took my back to my South Florida days where they were sold even at 7-11 and are called Media Noche or "midnight" in Spanish (probably because we were usually eating them after hours). Kudos to The Patina Group who seems to have HelLA and DoTo (downtown) locked up. (There's also simply Patina a restaurant in the Disney Performing Arts Center). Below: Behold! My sandwich was served with a side of greens with balsamic vinaigrette dressing (an accompaniment healthier than chips or fries)!

Bra Boys

If you saw Dog Town and Zboys and Stoked: The Rise and Fall of Gator and you're still jonsing for a documentary, based on the lives of wayward white kids turned pro extreme sports athletes, then Bra Boys is the movie for you. Taking place in Australia, the film shows us the inner and outer struggle of a group of "bros" from the beachside suburb town of Marouba near Sydney. They speak English, but I couldn't understand everything they said. There's great surf footage too (if you like mostly gnarly tow-in shots).

I hate the gym.

Don't get me wrong. I need to shed a few pounds of leisure, but there's nothing leisurely about going to the gym. Starting from when you get scanned at check point snarly (by lets just say not the most customer friendly staff in the world), the gym feels more like a medieval torture chamber than a place of leisure. On the cardio machines, I feel like a hamster on a wheel or more like George Jetson. "Jane stop this crazy thing!!!" And why do they call weight machines Nautilus? What did those harmless beautiful sea shells ever do to you? Bottom line is that I know the gym is a necessity for some (me included), but really? Instead do yoga or push ups and sit ups in the park. Or maybe I should take a class? Have a good workout!

Jury Pool Party

While some might say that reporting for Jury Duty is not a leisure activity, I ask you this. What if reading was a leisure activity to you? What if coming together with your fellow citizens or "peers" and discussing current events or making a puzzle together, while you patiently await your fate was what you considered a good time?
I hung tight with my fellow Lost Angelenos in a room this morning and read several periodicals, catching me up on many current events and it really felt good to finally finish that article in that fancy magazine. I saw others with their noses in novels. At one table people from all different backgrounds sat with puzzles, games and sodas before them. They shared stories and laughs, while they made the most of it.
During our break, I had lunch with a friend nearby. I finally enjoyed this delicious dish at this place I've heard so much about. (Seriously, I had a note on my fridge to remind me to go there). Anyway, that my friends is leisure. That is America! Oh wait...they just called a bunch of names, including mine. Wish us luck!

The Village Idiot (not me)

If you're in the mood for a gastropub with great beer on tap, a good wine list and full bar then head to The Village Idiot on Melrose. My favorite dish is the Steak and Potato pie (see pot pie fetish in earlier blog). Honestly, the burger with balsamic onion relish, while it sounds good, was not my fav. They serve Craftsman 1903, a great lager from Pasadena, as well as other fine brews. If you call ahead, the back room free of charge for parties. "The Idiot" is a great place for a quiet lunch, but is busy at night for dinner pretty much every night of the week, which is great if you're looking for a scene.

Manhattan Beach: Start Spreading the News

After spending one teedful day and one equally just as if not more super teed night, followed by one long hungover day in Manhattan Beach, I couldn't help but wonder how this LA oasis got its name. After a little Googling, it was how I expected. Some guy named Stewart Merrill (not Merrill Lynch) bought a bunch of ocean front property in the area and named it Manhattan after his beloved home town. It's a good thing Stewie wasn't from Scranton or Intercourse, Pennsylvania (or isn't it). Anyway, go to MB rain or shine day or night. Get teed at one of its many bars and/or restaurants. Walk around or ride a bike. Play some beach volleyball and/or go for a surf, but never again wonder why it's called Manhattan.

I Wanna Hold Your Handheld Pot Pie

The Cravery is the perfect meal to go. Recently at the Staples Center, I encountered this all inclusive handheld meal. The Cravery has many locations in the Southern California area for your eating pleasure. The home of the Kings, Lakers and Clippers Cravery stand also sells beer. The delicious personal pastries come filled with chicken, beef or vegitable. It's one stop shopping. If you're a fan of pot pies, like I am and sometimes want something more nutritious than burger and fries, while you're on the go, then this is the food for you. Also, now available at USC Trojan home games, according to their website.

Dudeism

Fans of the movie The Big Lebowski will appreciate this website dedicated to"the slowest-growing religion in the world - Dudeism". Get ordained as a Dudeist priest. Read from the Book of Duderonomy. Oh, there is a god! Behold the Dude-vinci!

Beer Space

Recently, I was turned on to a new social networking sight dedicated to beer. It's part of the Living Social.com Network. Find me on there my name is: Teed McFadden. I don't fully get it just yet, but apparently you share your beer experience with your beers. I mean peers. It's all about beer, people. Did I mention beer?