That Was Fun

Foliage Face Off 4

Our last entry is the dark horse candidate, Los Angeles.  Obviously running a bit behind, though there are some peaking trees nearby.  These trees change very slowly, and tend to last a lot longer than east coast trees.  However there are fewer of them.

Foliage Face Off 3

Today's entry comes from Philadelphia, the skyline of which you can see in the background.   Some of these leaves were so brightly colored, they showed up as oversaturated in the pictures..

Foliage Face Off 2

Boston's entry comes from a tree outside of Copley Plaza.  Most of the trees were past peak when I visited last week, however this one was quite bright.  This was taken from the bridge over Harcourt Street.

Here is the same tree in the summer, from Google maps.

Foliage Face Off

Round One - Central Park NYC - October 30

NYC at a slight disadvantage being past peak and very overcast.

Vanilla Kreme Donuts

You may think the best thing about Philadelphia would be the Liberty Bell, or checking out places Ben Franklin lived, or even cheesesteaks.

But, in fact, the best thing about Philly is that they have Vanilla Kreme donuts.

You see, twenty or thirty years ago, when you went to Dunkin Donuts, you would see many, many varieties.  I'd venture 30 or more.  This was when all they made were donuts.

At some point, croissants, bagels, cookies, and other things appeared.  The donut choices dwindled to what are, I assume, the most popular kinds.  

Often, when you go to a Dunkin Donuts today, you only see 6 or 7 kinds of donuts, and not always the same kind.

My favorite kind was always Vanilla Kreme.

Each time I went back east, I discovered them harder to find, especially in the Boston area.

I happened across some in northern New England, and developed a theory that they were more popular up there.  But it was still very hit or miss.  When I say northern New England, I mean way up, almost near Canada.

Last week, I happened to visit Philadelphia, and was shocked to find that, no matter which Dunkin Donuts I visited, they actually had Vanilla Kreme.  And lots of them!  Apparently it is one of the 6 or 7 most popular kinds in that area.  

I noticed the donuts, though, are a lot smaller.  I suppose that is good, as a couple of the old Vanilla Kremes in a row could leave you feeling queasy.

Here is the delicious, rare Vanilla Kreme.

Vin's Moments

The most popular Dodger has never hit a homerun, and probably could barely make it to first base.  It's of course Vin Scully.

Why is he so popular?  He probably said it himself when he once explained, "Everything else about this team changes: the players, the management, the owners, even the city.  But I am always the same."

He is also a very poetic announcer with a throwback, low-key style that, after experiencing, makes it hard to return to the loudmouths on TBS, Fox, etc.

These days, Scully only ventures as far east as Colorado, however it appears he is making an exception for tonight and tomorrow's games.  He'll be calling the game in St. Louis, though I don't know if he's actually traveling there; I would assume so.  As usual, it's radio only.

Vin had two great quips the other day which I found funny.

One was on a fly ball that dropped in short center field.  "Puig had to come all the way from Pasadena to grab that ball."  Thought that was a good local touch.

And then this comment as an inning started.   Some loud hip hop music was blaring out in between innings.  "As the music fades, well, we're calling this music anyway, the inning is set to begin."

He always seems to have the right thing to say....

Fab Faux Return!

In what has become an annual October event, the Fab Faux returned to the Orpheum in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday.  I think this may be the fourth or fifth year in a row they've played here.

I once said that a recent Prince concert I attended was "concert heaven," but I think this might actually be concert heaven, or at least a different form of it.

The Fab Faux are a Beatles cover band, which sounds pretty bad from the outset, making you think of dorky guys in mop haircut wigs, who then change into Sgt. Pepper outfits mid-show, all the while affecting Liverpool accents.

This band, though, is more like an orchestra playing Beethoven or Brahms - it's about enjoying and appreciating the music the Beatles composed, and hearing it live.  For aside from the early years of 30 minute shows drowned out by screaming, the Beatles never played live.

To hear their music played in person, with modern sound, live instruments, and every detail and nuance emphasized, is worth the rather pricey tickets.

The band is made up of Will Lee, the bass player from Letterman, Jimmy Vivino, the guitarist from Conan, and three other session musicians with amazing chops on multiple instruments.  All of them can sing.  Jack Petruzelli, mostly on keyboards, is particularly good vocally, belting out a very powerful "Oh Darling" that always gets a standing ovation.

For most of the LA October shows, we've been treated to some kind of album adventure. The White Album in full, for example.  Or Rubber Soul and Revolver back to back.   (If memory serves me.)  This time, it was a variety of songs, which wasn't quite as cool, but still worth it.

What makes these shows so great, aside from hearing probably the best pop/rock music ever written, is that the band does jam on the material.  So while they will faithfully reproduce the underwater sound effects on Octopus' Garden, or bring out a tiny bugle for the Penny Lane bridge, they will also add on a psychedelic jam to Strawberry Fields Forever, complete with an extended double drum solo.  And as for Guitar Gently Weeps, the band effortlessly improvises over the ending changes better than Clapton himself. (Maybe.)

Tonight's show featured Gary Oldman on vocals a few times, which was a bit of a surprise!

Add to the aforementioned great things the perfect sound and cool decor of the historic Orpheum, an attentive and "normal" crowd, and above-all the band's geeky attention to detail, and you have one of the few cover bands you can be proud to see without feeling embarrassed.  Here's hoping they come around again next October.

Wetsuit Reprieve

As if answering my lament concerning wetsuits, today it is in the 80s at the beach.  Even with water at 65, wetsuits are, for a little longer, not required!

Wetsuit Day

One of the saddest days of the year is Wetsuit Day.

This is the day when it's no longer really possible to surf without a wetsuit on.  After months of trunks, the switch back to the suit is a big downer.....and there is no turning back.  The water will only get colder and colder.

Today was that day.  Despite some warm air, the ocean was just too cold.  Of course we are spoiled to even have wetsuits, but nonetheless....

Beer Made to Taste Like a Pie

The Bruery is one of the many local breweries that have, in the last five years or so, popped up all over LA and Orange County.  LA has gone from a craft beer wasteland to, arguably, the best, or at least fastest-growing, craft beer area in the country.

One of the more unusual craft beer concoctions is the sour beer.  Sour beers are exactly what they sound like: beers that taste sour.  Often, so sour that you wince afterward, as if you'd had a sour ball candy.

Sour beers are not for everyone, and can be hard to find.   When you do find them, they tend to cost double to triple what a regular beer would cost.

Back to the Bruery, they are known for fairly exotic beers and unusual creations.  Their "Windowsill" was inspired by the host of KCRW's "Good Food."  He had just had a rhubarb raspberry pie, and thought a beer that tasted like a pie would be a good idea.  I guess he knew the folks at the Bruery, because they got together and cooked up this batch of "Windowsill," named so because one might set a pie on the windowsill to cool.

I had Windowsill at the Beachwood BBQ Sour Fest (a very popular festival held once every two years down in Seal Beach.)   It was very strong and very good.  Most sour beers are average to light in alcohol strength; this one is up around 10%.  I think it is the strongest sour beer I've encountered.

How does Windowsill taste?  It sounds fairly disgusting, but it's in fact quite good.  So good that I've searched out the last remaining bottles, very much hoping this isn't a one-time collaboration.

So, if you're feeling adventurous, and like pie, try a Windowsill, if you can find a bottle....

How To Enjoy Dodger Playoff Games with Vin

Vin Scully is probably the best baseball announcer alive, maybe the best of all time.

But, sadly, when the Dodgers make it to any post-season play, Scully is relegated to the radio only.

In fact, he only does innings 1-3, skipping 4-6, then returning for 7-9.

The obvious solution would be to turn down the sound on the TV, and simply turn on the radio.

However the two broadcasts are never in sync.

Luckily we have Tivo and DVRs.

Once the game starts, you have to watch a few pitches, and figure out how far ahead the radio is.

Then, simply pause the TV for a few seconds.  It usually takes a few attempts, but eventually, you have the two in sync.

Sadly, on some days, the TV is actually ahead of the radio.  When that happens, there is no way to pause the radio, so you are essentially out of luck.  You can, of course, listen to Scully announce everything a few seconds after it happens, but that is probably not for most people.

But usually it works.  Now you have all the background, stories, and low-key observations...so much better than the network guys.  Especially Fox.

The question arises: what does one do during innings 4-6? I guess to get us used to Charlie, he does the play by play during those middle innings.  He isn't a terrible announcer, but he pales in comparison.

If it's TBS, I switch to them usually.  If it's Fox, especially Joe Buck, I go with Steiner.

Hopefully we'll have many opportunities all the way through Halloween to hear Scully call plays in October.....

Something Probably Only I Noticed

I was recently sitting in Peet's on Beverly, looking across the street at the above view.

A painter was there on a ladder, applying a slightly different shade of yellow to the Mrs. Beasley's shop.

As he was painting, I noticed he was perilously close to the adjacent building, the brick Beverly Hills Jewelers.  I thought, "What if he accidentally paints some of those bricks?"  (Which made me think of a whole bunch of other issues that must come up with tenants who share a wall, but I won't go into all of those...)

As if responding to my pondering, a few seconds later, he indeed missed a stroke, leaving a splotch of paint behind.

In real life, this spot is much more noticeable, even from across the street.

So I wondered what happens in situations like this.  Does anyone even notice?  Did the Beverly Hills Jewelry Store become upset?

The painter was unfazed; he just kept painting, making no attempt to remove his mistake.  In fact, I don't even know if he noticed himself.

It's two months later, and every day, I still see this spot of paint.   I believe I am the only person who knows about it.

And yes, this may be the ultimate "who really cares about that" post, but for whatever reason, I found it intriguing.  So next time you're in Peet's, look for the yellow splotch across the street...

Jaywalking Patrol!

Here is a story about how diligent the BHPD is.

First, a word about the BHPD.  There are so many officers in town, one cannot drive for more than 10-15 seconds without seeing one.  Some say it is the highest police to citizen ratio in the world.  All the more noticeable because the LAPD is perhaps the thinnest police force in the country.

So back to the story.  I was obtaining my daily coffee from Peet's (which has thankfully stopped asking me if I want "dark" or "medium" roast, and just gives me "dark," which in reality is their "normal.)  As I was entering, a police officer pushed past me.  I was thinking maybe he was going for the free coffee that officers always get.  (Police get free food wherever they go, in case you weren't aware.)

They usually don't cut in line, though.

But what this office was doing was not about complimentary coffee.  He was tracking down a jaywalker!

The guy was at the back of Peet's.  Apparently he had jaywalked, then entered the store and sat down.  The officer saw him, and decided he would pursue!

Following a short conversation (in front of the whole store), the officer and criminal stepped outside, where a ticket was written while everyone watched through the window.

These tickets are over $200 by the way!

So there is your brief tale.  Obvious moral of the story: don't jaywalk in Beverly Hills!

Signs of Fall

Fall foliage may not be as ubiquitous as it is back east, but it starts earlier and ends later. It's early September, and this tree is already changing.

Yet post-Thanksiving, there will still be trees with bright leaves scattered around.

Mile High Step

Denver's City Hall is very proud of the fact that it is exactly one mile above sea level.

In fact, this step is allegedly exactly 5,280 feet up.

I guess, however, some people investigated and it turns out the actual spot is six steps higher.  They haven't rechiseled the step, though.

When Songs Should Be Played

This morning I had a strange urge to listen to the self-titled Fleetwood Mac album.

I would call this strange because Fleetwood Mac may be one of the most overplayed bands in history; why would one want to hear them suddenly?

I then realized it was because it was Monday morning, and I had the song "Monday Morning" in my mind.

Some things you feel the urge to do are hard (climbing Everest, swimming from Cuba to Florida, giving up chocolate) but some are remarkably easy.   This one was really easy. Just put on the album, which I apparently purchased for 99cents at Record Trader in Framingham, MA.

Back to the song title; I put a lot two seconds worth of thought into this, and decided that these songs that mention seasons, days, months, etc....  They should really only be played at the appropriate time.

How often have you heard, say, "Summer in the City" in the middle of November, and thought, "Why are they playing this today?"

So what are these songs that should be saved for special times?  A partial list:

Monday Monday - Mamas and Papas
Tuesday Afternoon - Moody Blues
Friday - Joe Jackson
Friday On My Mind - Forget who sings this 60s tune
Friday I'm In Love - Cure
Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting - Elton John

However Saturday Night Special by Lynard Skynard can be played anytime, as it's about a gun, not a day.

California Dreamin' can only be played in the winter, because the protagonist goes on a walk on a "winter's day."

September - Earth Wind and Fire.  Only to be played in September, of course.

See You In September - Can only be played first half of June

Of course all "summer" songs can only be played between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Unless the song is about wishing it was summer.  So Summertime Blues, Summertime, Summer Wind...  There are many.

But then "Summer Rain" by Johnny Rivers can only be played end of August / beginning of September, as it's about summer ending.

Speaking of rain, songs that mention rain, like Led Zeppelin's "Rain Song," the Doors' "Riders on the Storm," or even "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head"....those songs can only be played when it is raining.  Not that anyone is going to play Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head these days, but just in case.

Definitely some legislation involving this is in order.

It's Supposed to be Hot!

You can see on here it's 88 degrees in Pasadena.  At 9:30pm.  High of 99 today.  Of course, everyone is complaining, but it's SUPPOSED to be hot.  It's summer.  In fact we've been waiting for summer all summer.  Now that it's fall, summer is finally here.

Of course summer technically ends in a couple weeks I think, but Labor Day = fall.  We all know that.  Which is why school should not start until after Labor Day.  (Obama, where are you on that?)

On a different note, while looking up weather, I noticed Yahoo's great new weather page. Their new logo is dullsville, but their weather page is very nice.  Each page has some kind of iconic picture from that location.  And they rotate and change.  Hit refresh and you get a new one.

Wow, chilly in Boston already.  And getting colder by the second apparently.  (Wait a minute - Boston, NY?)

They did a nice job of having the font be very thin so you can see the image.  And the graphics and logos are very hollow or translucent.  (The exception is the ugly ad to the right.  This was not there the first few days - guess they were testing it out.)

When you scroll down, there are more cool graphics that are easy to read without making the page cluttered.

The little icons on the bottom actually move.  The sun goes across the sky on the bottom right, sunrise to sunset.  The little windmills turn (although in this one they weren't, as the wind was 0pmh.)

It makes you want to start entering random cities and take a coffee table book type photo tour of the world.

Should really do something about the ad though.  It looked much more elegant and clean without it.  Oh well.

Actually if you turn off your cookies and Java, the ad disappears, leaving just a black box.

New Yahoo Logo

Looks like the logo for a women's clothing store.

Here is the old one: