Taxi's

I just caught a cab home in Hollywood. Don't get me wrong. I'm happy to be safe and sound, but sometimes taxi rides can be weird. For example, the car I just got in was driven by a man I'm not sure had a permit to drive a hired vehicle (I saw none such license). On top of this, the seat belt light/bell kept going off every minute or so (which caused me to look for the hack license, maybe the two are related). Oh, and don't get me started when they don't have change! I mean you're a cab driver! You're pretty mucah a late night professional change maker! Anyone else have any weird cab stories?

www.myopenbar.com

Mad props go out to the peeps over at www.myopenbar.com. 'Tis a great stand by plan if you and your posse are up for doing something spur of the moment in and around your city on any given night. They have daily postings for LA, SF, Miami, Honolulu and Chi-town,. Let's say you are in the mood for an art opening with an open bar or a happy hour at a pub you might have never heard of before, myopenbar.com can provide.

A Restaurant - Redefining Newport Cool

To quote Tom Petty, "Honey put on that party dress!" and head down to A Restaurant in Newport Beach. Guys, you'll want to blaze-up for the occasion, because A is way cool and old school, so the dressier the better. Formerly The Arches, A Restaurant keeps it real with mahogany booths and A dark candle lit dining room. Talk about old school, there's even liquor lockers you can have your name put on to store your finest booze and A great bar scene where you might spot Mark McGrath and Mc G, investors in the joint.

Chef Tim Goodell and his wife Liza, creators of other great SoCal restaurants, such as Dakota, 25 Degrees and Red Pearl Kitchen know their cuts of meat, dishing out superb steaks and burgers with A-mazing sauces to compliment them. A Restaurant also boasts swingin' cocktails, like Harvey Wallbangers and Old Fashioned's. GO there for brunch and get the Short Rib Hash. You won't be disappointed.

The service is great too with some of the waiters working at that location for 20+ years. Ask for Salvatore. Tell him The Leisure Man sent you!

Football Finale

Well, my friends, now is that glorious moment in time we like to call the playoffs or the post season and/or the Bowl Championship Series, if you are more of a college football fan. My Miami Dolphins did much better this year than the previous year at least making it to the playoffs. FSU needs to step it up to get back to the ACC powerhouse it once was. But seriously, how can you couch potatoes sit around and watch 12 hours of Sports on TV??!? Answer: Easy! Ha!

Here's a question: Basketball? I'm more of a latter in the season basketball fan. California has like seven basketball teams, so there's always some one in the playoffs to root for. Maybe one could spend more time outdoors this winter/spring if possible or hit the gym to get in shape.

I'm going to enjoy these last few glorious weeks of the gridiron, but daggummit, going to miss you, man.

Joy's Life Diet

I caught the super skinny Joy Bauer on the Today Show this am and if you're like me you're trying to shed some pounds this new year (Happy New Year by the way). I'm not endorsing Joy's LIFE Diet (her new book), but it is a plan. You've got to have a plan, whether it's eating more fruits and veg, drinking less or working out more. I bet, if you stick with some sort of plan (Weight Watchers, etc), you will achieve your goals. So check it out and see what's best for you. Good luck in the '09.

What up G?!?

Some of you may have seen the commercial for "G" with Tiger Woods and other famous athletes, during this season BCS and been like "What the??!" LM is here to tell you that it's for Gatorade's new beverage G2, which has 1/2 the calories of regular Gatorade (25 per serving). Now go get your electrolytes on!

Pelican Hill Golf Club South Course

Leisure woman and I had an unbelievable weekend at the luxurious The Resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast recently. On our stay, I got to play some golf at The Pelican Hill Golf Club on the resort property. One word: fore caddie (or is that two?) Dave, my fore caddie, was a great fore caddie and a nice man to boot. I had never played with a fore caddie until now. They spot your ball, fix divots, hold clubs and are great motivators with enthusiastic comments, like "great shot" or "shot of the day". We played the South Course. Most holes have a view of the Pacific. There are 2 back to back par 3's right on the ocean. All in all it was a challenging course in pristine condition with great facilities and staff, which comes with a hefty green fee. It can play 6500 yards from the back black tees, so it's lengthy and tight. Stay out of the rough too. It's a ball eater. Good thing Dave gave me a bunch of extra balls he found.