The Liquid Kitty

Back in the day you could smoke in this Wela (as in we lahv it dahling or West LA) bar, but don't hold that against or from it. The Liquid Kitty has everything you want in a drinking establishment and more. It's got a local scene, is dark, has a martini menu, friendly bar tenders, nice cocktail waitresses, DJ and oh yeah, they put a smoking room in front for you old school smoker types that can't not kick T and get teed at the same time.

Take me here. Get me teed.
What's projected on the wall here gives a new meaning to the carpet matching the drapes.

Life's a Beach

Like many MOL's or Men of Leisure, I live near the ocean. I wonder why so many people are drawn to the water? Is it because if it gets really bad we'll just swim for it? The long vast endlessness I believe draws us, just to the shore or maybe a few miles off the coast in a boat. Perhaps it's the sound of the waves crashing. It's like therapeutic, reminding us of time spent as fetuses in the womb. (Also See: Rocking Chairs). I like to go for strolls on the beach. I really don't think there's a better way to clear your head or take pictures of sea gulls.

Pink Vodka

Okay I know the name sounds girlie and some girls probably do love it, but when Leisure Girl and I went to see the B52s on Sunday Night at the new Club Nokia in DoTo (downtown) LA, Pink Vodka helped get the party started and keep it going. Check out their website apparently they make Pink Rum, Gin, White Whiskey?, Sake...geez! Infused with caffeine and guarana (which also has caffeine), PV (my new name for it) does exactly what it was designed to do. It gets you teed and wakes you the hell up. I love how this is legal and other things are not. Anyway, for those of you who like the effects of Red Bull and Vodka, but don't like the taste of Red Bull this is the drink for you. PV tastes like pure vodka (which just tastes like pure alcohol). Goes great with club soda and a wedge of your favorite citrus fruit! Try it and you won't be disappointed. Unless you drink it before you go to bed, then you won't be able to sleep.

Ring a Ding Charlie Blogmans!

Check out the Art of Manliness's "Talk Like Frank Sinatra".

High King

To quote a line from an episode of Sex in the City "Hiking is just walking." Albeit sometimes up hill or steeply down hill, in the dirt and/or mud, hiking can provide quite a bit of exercises and break up your usual workout routine. I like to think of it as practice for skiing. Ipods help motivate and drown out any "Oh my god, I was like totally like whatever..." conversations you might have to endure on the crowded trail. This pic was taken from atop Runyon Canyon, which lies on the Hollywood/West Hollywood Border, a view dreams are made of. It's a great spectacle at night or dusk as well.

Lefty Rosenthal Has Left Us.

Check out this article in the LA times about famed sports book aficionado Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal. Frank is credited with bringing Sports Betting to Las Vegas casinos. He's also the real life character played by Robert Di Nero in the the movie Casino. My Dad said he used to see Lefty in the bar he "managed" in Boca Raton, FL. I think it was called Crocs. Lefty's now in that Big Casino in the sky, probably at a craps table with Sinatra and Jimmy Hoffa.

Dinero as Sam "Ace" Rothstein in Casino.

Histrionics

If you're in the LA area during the weekend in November 2008, please go check out Histrionics, a new performance put on by The Next Arena, a local theater company that I'm proud to be associated with. Please click on the TNA link to see dates, times and credits. This show consists of 5 delightful one act plays that tell a skewed account of historical events and at the end you will hear a song sung by me aka The History Song. TNA events are always a good time and they usually have food and booze on hand to enhance your experience.

Just bought this book. In true Dude fashion, it's sitting on the throne right now for more perusal. There's quizzes, mad libs, memorable quotes, White Russian recipes, interviews with actors and a forward by the man who played the Dude, Jeff Bridges. So it's a great read a few um, pages at a time. I'm rather enjoying this book. It's inspiring me to do less. You know, like, just abide, man. You should know the book was written by the founders of Lebowski Fest a yearly traveling convention that pays tribute to the movie, The Big Lebowski, so you will learn a bit of history about that event. Also, this publication is neither condemned nor condoned by The Coen Brothers.

Cocaine Cowboys I & II

Chronicling the life and times of several drug lords, Cocaine Cowboys is a great documentary. The first installment takes place mainly in Miami in the 70s and 80s, giving detailed accounts of shoot outs and deals made surrounding the heyday of violence and excess that defined this South Eastern American area.
The second movie picks up after the majority of the "cowboys" have been either killed or put in jail. A young up and coming dealer from Oakland writes to La Madrina or "The Godmother", Griselda Blanco, while she is in prison. He becomes her lover and number 1 lieutenant. Both movies are very compelling and give interesting insight into the world of criminal activity surrounding the highly risky and highly lucrative yayo trade.

Reminder for Tuesday!

Roll up your sleeves, roll out and like, vote man!

Then get teed!

The Big Obama aka The Dude or Mr. President Dude (hopefully), if you're not into the whole brevity thing.