Kabuki Cooking

Deliciousness prepared...tableside!

I had the opportunity to go to Benihana with a group for dinner last week - it has been at least 2 years since I have been there last and I must admit that I have forgotten just how good it is and how much fun it can be!

Besides the standard cool tricks - shrimp tails landing in the chef's hat and pocket, the volcano of steam and the impressive knife skills - it can get rather rowdy and boisterous, especially if you go with the right group of people!

The best trick is to tell the hostess or chef that there is a special occasion at the table, even when there is not.  We (as in I) have been guilty of setting people up as engaged, celebrating an anniversary, and, the good old standby, a birthday more than once in my large group visits to Benihana.

Birthday was the celebration of choice and PETE was the one to take that bullet for the team.  I am very proud of our GM team from New Orleans, as they were the ones who set it up as soon as the idea was planted in their head and PETE was a good sport, allowing us to make a fuss in November for his birthday that had already occurred in June.

Even better in the whole deal was after we sang happy birthday and all of the sparklers/candles died down, the bill came.  Guess who was assigned to pick it up?  PETE.  Apparently, we don't put a lot of value on birthdays in our work group!

Missing the Desert

More scenery at Whitewater

As I upload the photos from my camera to my computer, I find myself a bit wistful for a recent quick trip to the desert.  Looking at the calm and dramatic coloring we experienced, I am rather impressed with the diverse landscape that So Cal affords on a regular basis.

The shot here was taken at a little lake at the edge of the Whitewater reserve, which is a trail-head for the Pacific Trail (and should not be confused with the Whitewater scandals unearthed in the early Clinton years).

Barb took my camera and turned it on Elizabeth and I, since I was taking so many pictures of Barb and Joan.  We are shaded a bit, but the still water and dramatic reflection of the blue sky make for what is in my opinion a great picture.  It also makes me a bit wistful for some more time hiking and exploring, instead of being tied to an office most days!

Desert Hike

Ebe, Joan & Barb at Whitewater, in Palm Springs

Had the opportunity to visit some friends who own a GREAT vacation rental in Palm Springs - Barb & Joan live in the Bay Area, but periodically have an open week or so at their vacation rental, so if they are in the general So Cal area, I try to make my way over to see them.

The only day that worked was Thursday, so it was a vacation day for Ebe, a working remote day for me and a sad day for David and Holly, who could not go due to work and school.

We really made the most of the 22 hours that we were there, including a hike on part of the Pacific Trail called Whitewater. It was a beautiful day and spending some time on this portion of the Pacific Trail made me think - even if just for a moment - that I would enjoy the adventure of hiking this iconic trail north as far as it might go.

We did some reading up on the path to take for our 4 mile round trip jaunt.  Elizabeth read it out loud to us so that everyone would have a solid sense of where we were going and how.  We set out along the path and within , oh, maybe 1/4 mile...we had gone off the suggested path and never got things back on track quite the same again.

We weren't lost, we just weren't finding the trail markings or paths that we thought we would, so we walked through a lot of nice terrain without ever getting to the fabled red dome that we intended.  We actually spent a nice bit of time standing on a little island (it was an area between a fork in the river/stream that was flowing), munching on some snacks that we brought.  We had a good chuckle over some other hikers who were following us...hope they enjoyed their time in and around the water!

We probably only hiked about 2 miles total, but it was still a lot of fun and definitely on the list to go back and do again.  As far as the whole Pacific Trail is concerned, if I ever seriously consider doing that, I will be sure to hire someone to take me through it, as there is no way I should ever consider trusting my own orienteering instincts!

Return to San Juan Capistrano

I had to meet up with a friend for some business today, so what better arrangements to make than meeting at the train station in San Juan Capistrano?  I originally intended to take the train there myself, but the usual bit of yogurt insanity forced me into the office early, necessitating a drive instead of a leisurely train ride. Undaunted, I met the challenge.

Working in an office for most all of the daylight hours during the traditional work week, I am embarrassed to admit that I sometimes forget how nice it is to be outside and in the fresh air in the afternoon. The train depot at SJC is a quaint little station, buzzing with lots of pedestrians and swarms of kids on field trips...perfect for people watching!

The meeting, lunch and time together were great, the birds were chirping, the sun shining...I think that I know why those swallows return to Capistrano every year, it is a good time!

Fancy Farmers

The dinner tradition for Holly and I is a bit mucked up this semester, so we have been working on lunch instead. Because I work on what feels like the other side of the world, getting here is at times challenging for the young Schnoogs.

We had some scheduling complexities this week, making the prospects of us getting together even less likely; a sad prospect for us both.

Things opened up a bit when Holly and he roommate Cassie got tickets to a concert last night at the Roxy. Located on Sunset Blvd, the girls were reasonably close to where I was, which happened to be at Farmers Market. A quick detour and there we are, meeting up for a quick visit!

I sent the girls out to get a bite while I did some work, then we chatted, visited, walked around and took a few photos. Nothing incredibly significant or major, but a nice spell of time to see my girl and appreciate some of the local LA flavor that I rarely take advantage of.

Leave it to the Schnoogs to bring some culture to my life!

This Does Not Suck

I made mention in an earlier post that I had the opportunity to work from Santa Monica this week, in a converted house that is used for a multitude of meeting spaces. The house was built by William Randolph Hearst (of the Hearst Newspaper and self-named Castle fame) for his not-so-secret "companion" Marion Davies. That whole story is one sordid affair, so I will focus instead on the scenery.

I must give props to the City of Santa Monica for operating one great little area. We have actually used the whole Annenberg Community Beach House for a couple of past events and are signed up to host a conference here later this year. The space is so well integrated to the beach, it is hard to feel like you are really "going to work", it is far more a vibe of "I am at the beach and, oh yeah, I've got some work to do."

Easy to say when you don't have to own any content or sit in a meeting, I suppose. At any rate, I made the bold declaration on my Facebook posting Tuesday that working from the beach tops the list of things that do not suck. I don't think that many people would disagree with me there.

Epic

Holly uses the word epic a lot...it is actually a pretty good word and comes to mind when I consider this shot that I took while in NY the other week.

I was walking along in midtown when suddenly I look up and realize that the Empire State Building is just there, right along side me, looming in it's very dignified way. It was enough to inspire me to take out the Blackberry and snap a photo, as evidenced here.

Epic. Epic indeed.

The Last Shot of the Day

A bit more on the Catalina/Avalon trip, this mostly just to display some cool photos that I took and enjoyed. The whole day was brilliant in terms of colors, lighting and scenery, but it is hard to pass up a good sunset.

Here are a few of my favorites from the day...

Be glad that I have spared you from viewing all 66 of them!

Avalon

There has been much activity of late, so much that I have been saving up some items to share. One such adventure was a trip to Catalina - the first time - for the day a week or so ago on Saturday.

My friend Mark (aka Mr. Eddy Faddah for a silly reason long ago when I started calling him that and it just stuck) has a fine habit of bidding for cool items at silent auctions intended to raise money for great children's charities. He had his eye on this boat trip the minute that it became available at an event that he intended, with the full intention of taking the group of us (4 friends from 10 years back) out on an excursion.

Mr. Eddy Faddah naturally outbid every other hopeful, and secured us an all-day boat excursion to just about anywhere we wanted to go, including Catalina. Of the group, Mark was the only one who had ever been, so we decided to venture out on the journey to see new and exciting things.

The day was postcard perfect in terms of weather, and we had a great time too. The ride out was a bit bumpy, but we hardly noticed as we chatted, laughed, snacked and caught up on what was going on with each of us.

This was a day trip that I would be happy to repeat again and again...thanks, Mr. Eddy Faddah!!

Too Much Good Stuff

I have been fortunate in my life thus far to visit a myriad of interesting, fascinating and fun places. I hope to continue on this road for many years to come and for that reason I often look for new opportunities to broaden my horizon and expand my understanding of the world I live in. Today, I had the unexpected opportunity to visit a world-renown location somewhere between Hemet and Riverside...the largest Arco (and subsequent AM/PM market) in the U.S.

Admittedly, my journey to the promised land of convenience stores started out unassuming enough. It was 107 degrees, I had been driving with the A/C blaring for about 30 minutes and I was thirsty. I originally chose the freeway exit for the Unocal and Circle K sign that prominently signaled a snack-oasis, but as I rolled along the road and off of the freeway, I realized that I was across the street from a landmark that I have never seen or visited and decided that I must be able to join the ranks of the people who can claim, "I have been there."

While I left my car to fill-up, I entered the sliding doors and blinked slightly as the brightness and mass of the store greeted my eyes. Packaged foods, coolers, freezers, a deli and an entire food court waited for exploration. The fountain area had 3 separate machines and at least two different kinds of ice, including my favorite, the chewable pieces that are rather elusive in the typical quick-serve retail environment.

I probably burned a good 10 minutes just looking around, deciding what to purchase, before I finally landed upon a caramel iced latte from the fountain area (using the tasty chewable ice balls, of course). It was a tad sweet for my preferences, but between the good ice AND the "largest Arco in the world" status, I was content with my choice.

Now I can tout my claim that I have been exposed to too much good stuff, right there in the middle of the desert. Everyone should be so lucky!

Hangin' with the Schnoogs

Something has been missing in my life...creating a void, a sense of emptiness...the blog!!!

There has been plenty of action going on in the last few weeks, none of which I have taken the time to articulate in a short, entertaining and well-worded entry!

Things, they are a-changing. I've got a list of items to share, so let's begin with a great Sunday afternoon last week in Ojai. Me and my girl went out to check out the Ojai Valley Inn and spend an afternoon in the sun, a very wise move on our part.

The grounds are gorgeous, the staff super friendly and the restaurant tasty. I really don't know why we left to return home!

Keeping up with the Newton's

Props to David for making the front yard a very nice place to view.  

When we bought this house (in 1993), one of the selling points for us was that the only thing that needed work were the yards; the rest of the house had just been remodeled.  Given the fact that David is a Landscape Contractor, it seemed like the perfect fit...except of course for the fact that the LAST thing he wants to do at the end of the day or the end of the week is work on our yard.  

In all fairness, he has done some major work on things over the years, such as putting in an entire sprinkler system, lawn and several trees, but we have never had everything done together.  The looming (and now past) graduation had me asking (without nagging, of course) if things were going to get done.  

With exception of the pilasters (artfully cropped out of the photo and promised to be done by the end of summer), I'd say that big points go to the big guy for making the front yard a beautiful place.

Our neighbors across the street have said that they certainly are enjoying the view.

Creating Space

Another stop on the "Who knew there were so many sights within 1/2 mile of the office" tour...LACMA.

Positioned right next to the La Brea Tar pits, this monstrous museum sits on some prime real estate along the miracle mile.

I've had my eye on a modern art display aptly named "Street Lights" and also noticed that there is a breeze way filled with tables and chairs between two of the buildings at LACMA, creating some nice space to get out, stretch out and observe.

Jax and I planned this lunch hour the right way: have the meal planned out and ready to go, walk up, sit, eat and enjoy for about 30 minutes, and then walk back (opting to go the "quiet" route through a neighborhood, of course!)

It is amazing just what a difference an hour of fresh air can do to create some space...and contentment...in a person's life!

Tar Pits

Riding down Wilshire Blvd two days a week, I often get a glimpse at the many different cultural, historical and just plain unique attractions that LA holds, including the La Brea Tar Pits.

I have intended to make the 1/3 mile or so walk up to the Tar Pits for the last 6 months, but finally made it happen this week, dragging Jonathan along with me at lunchtime.

We had a short amount of time plus had to drop something off to be shipped and order Jax's lunch, but we do at least get to claim success at making it to the perimeter to see the pit with the giant statues.

We'll take the nostalgia tour next time we venture out, allowing for more time to walk the perimeter and read the signs.

Of course, we'll have to get in line behind all of the 4th graders on tour.

Worth It

I finally rolled into the parking garage right off of State Street at 1:30.  I immediately trotted over to get a bite to eat and then I could look around and enjoy the sights.  Naturally, Santa Barbara does not dissapoint.

I had  a good visit in the store with Dawn and her crew, watching the show as people cruise up and down State Street in various stages of observation...the destination-driven local, the unhurried pace of the occasional visitor and the open-mouthed gawk of the first-time tourist.  All very entertaining and all rather charming.

It was pretty warm, so I made the mile or so jaunt down to the beach and the pier (Stearn's Wharf) where I was met with a cool ocean breeze and miles of people sunning and enjoying themselves.  The pier was pretty crowded, again with an eclectic mix of people enjoying a variety of activities but all co-existing rather nicely.  There were even a couple of dolphins doing their little dolphin dance thing a couple hundred yards off the edge of the pier.

Yep, I will probably always live in Southern California!

Summerland

I had the opportunity to drive to Santa Barbara this past Saturday (actually, I had to go deliver some product to a store that had a refrigeration issue and we decided that I could get to Santa Barbara with some borrowed product from Westlake faster than the dairy truck could get from the warehouse in LA to Santa Barbara, but looking at it as an opportunity rather than a requirement just seems much more pleasant and keeps me in a good mood).

The drive up through Ventura and into Santa Barbara is typically a beautiful one, especially once the ocean comes into view. Saturday (which also happened to be Valentine's Day) was a gorgeous day, so the view and scenery did not disappoint. Lots of blue sky, sunshine and sparkling water out on the horizon. Previous posts will tell you just how enamored I am with the Southern California scenery and this trip was no exception.

For those of you familiar with the trek to Santa Barbara, there is a little area known as Summerland. For some reason, I never really paid that much attention to Summerland, taking note instead of Sea Cliff, Carpinteria and the affluent Montecito. All very nice beach communities nestled away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

As I saw the signs for Summerland and realized the view that the residents of this city have, I decided that this must be a cool place to live. I am sure that like anything, being on a perpetual vacation could get old, but I think that it is a risk that I might be willing to take.

Could you imagine living somewhere called Winterland? Not at 10 below with 4 feet of snow, I can't!

Hail to the Schnoogs

Holly had a minimum day at school yesterday, so we maximized our time to run some errands, have lunch and then go to the Reagan Library. We live just minutes away from the place, yet I have only been once (and that was sometime back in 1996 or so) and Holly hasn't been since she participated in (and won, I might add) a speech competition called We the People back in the 8th grade. It has been on my list of things to do (there's another item to check off!), so we ventured up the hill for the presidential treatment.

The visit did not disappoint as we made our way through the museum itself (the highlight of which in my opinion is the full replica of the Oval Office as it looked while Reagan was prez), the Christmas Around the World display (we have a debate raging on the best tree - I vote for a tie between Iceland and the White House 'Tree of the People"; Holly votes for France), and the piece de resistance...Air Force One.

This is not a replica...it's the real deal. It is parked on top of pedestals 25 feet above the ground and looks out through a glass wall that is some 200 feet high. Holly and I debated back and forth for a while on just how they got the thing in there - we finally had to resort to the website to learn that after being taken out of service in 2001 (it spanned 7 presidents and almost 30 years, beginning with Nixon in '72), it was disassembled, trucked to Simi Valley, pulled into the foundation of the pavilion, reassembled and then the building was completed. I compressed what was something like 3 or 4 years of work into this one paragraph, so do not let my creative license dampen the huge undertaking that this project was.

There were many cool items to discover all throughout the museum and library (a piece of the Berlin Wall, anyone?), several of which we have captured in our photo book here. Try to spot Holly and I throughout the landscape, we are the ones looking very presidential indeed!

Free Falling

I'm a sucker for the beauty of the outdoors, and there is plenty of it to go around; particularly during autumn in the mountain states.

Today was a whole lot of scenery like this, plus a 20 minute game of chase through the park with the sound of leaves crunching underfoot. (When 'chasing' a 3-year old, it is easy to pay attention to the scenery and not get too winded, two things that I appreciated about the game).

I don't know what it is about the changing leaves against the backdrop of a blue sky that makes me so wistful, but it does, so I might as well enjoy the ride.

Kind of like the free fall ride that the leaves enjoy as they drop and color the landscape.

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It takes me away...

The Christopher Cross song that automatically pops into my head when I look at this image aside, seeing sailboats on a clear day is pretty soothing. BEING amongst the sailboats and on the water is even better, which is where I spent my day on Saturday...as evidenced by the live action shot above.

Mark (known as Mr. Eddy Faddah, but he will only allow me to call him that - special privileges!) Is quite the philanthropist and attends a slew of charity events every year, often purchasing cool trips and events through different silent or live auctions. It's fun to go on the outings AND all of the proceeds of the sale benefit 'the childen' (there is an intentional omission of the R in children...we entertain ourselves saying it like that, it is interchangeable with the equally amusing 'yoot' versus youth). I have digressed, as usual.

Yesterday's trip was a 4-hour cruise on a private boat through the San Diego waterways. Mark, Eric, Karen and I were the fortunate recipients of the honor and we lived the life of the Rich & Famous (or so we liked to pretend). Mark cracked out a 1999 bottle of Dom Perignon and then an outstanding signature bottle of White Cottage...I think that it was a cabaret...that was tasty too!

We returned to the dock a complete pile of putty...VERY relaxed...and rolled ourselves over to a great pizza place for an outstanding meal and another bottle of red wine...I think that I had my dose of antioxidants over the course of the day!

Thanks to Mr. Eddy Faddah AND to Mother Nature for providing all of the ingredients for a fantastic day. Here's to our next outing to benefit ourselves and the childen!!

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The Colors, they are a Changing!

This was it...the last day to finish up all of the errands and finalize the details for the grand move out west. The day consisted of a lot of errands, follow-up, running around and even a bout of getting lost in some alternate universe known as Paterson, New Jersey...let it suffice to say that for myself personally, I do not plan to return! Crazy streets, crazy neighborhoods and a very odd vibe...enough said!

It took about 8 hours to get the last of everything done, and then it was another drive back to Larry and Trish's house upstate. Here is the big payoff for the day - there are seasons back here on the East Coast and the leaves are changing color every time you look at them...absolutely beautiful! I was really grateful to get the opportunity to see it in the daylight (we drove up in the dark last night) and really enjoy just how beautiful it can be to transition out of one season and into the next.

A couple interesting stories of note: Eric had a shirt that we found (Bloomingdale's receipt and all) in one of the many closets that he bought as a gift and never gave. We called to confirm their return policy and decided that it was certainly worth it to stop in and get the refund. This was one of the last stops of the day, so I volunteered to go in. I had the grand fortune of connecting with the most unhappy and stubborn of employees who really didn't want to help me. Too bad his stubborn attempts were no match for MY grand stubborn streak - the snottier he got, the more deliberate I became that I wanted the refund on a Bloomingdale's gift card; he even said to me on several occasions, "You're not making this very easy for me." My natural reply, "NOPE" I wasn't mean or snotty, just stubborn...perhaps there is a little lesson in customer service for our Bloomingdale's friend there!

The other cool event of the day was dinner with Larry, Trish and Shaw - our hosts for the past two nights. We went to a local restaurant called "Mt. Fuji"...think of it as Benihana with a view. The evening was great and the food awesome. Trish summed it all up when she toasted the group with a simple, "To good friends...forever." Nicely put and very apropos. The colors may be a changing, but loyalties are here to stay!