That's That

I had no idea these things were such a huge San Francisco item until a friend mentioned it today. If I'm not mistaken, they used to sell these in high school, though I never ate one. Apparently, it's pretty much a west coast thing, and even then, it's difficult to find all the flavors. Since doing the commute up here, I always pass by the factory on the 101 and wonder what the deal is, but today I finally got my taste. A scoop of cappuccino sandwiched between two oatmeal cookies, all dipped in chocolate. Not bad! Has anyone tried their other products? Are they any good?

Shuck You!

What could be even better than raw oysters? Why, shucking them yourself! Went through about two dozen oysters today at the Hog Island Oyster Company Farm in Tomales Bay. I loved the simplicity of it all - pick the type and amount of oysters you want, find a table, and start shucking. Gloves, shucking knife, and grill are provided. Anything else you want, you bring. Doesn't get any better than that!

To top off an already great day, we passed by a Chinese roach coach in a nearby town on the way back. Organic grocery store on one side of the street, Chinese fast food in a truck on the other. Awesome. Didn't get a chance to see if there was actually a Chinese man with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth manning the wok, so I can't comment on the authenticity of it. Of course, I suppose real Chinese people wouldn't bother with a whole roach coach. Why deal with the extra expense when you can use a bike?

Custard Bread!

Raise the Roof

At my happiest

The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness

From an LA Times article I read:

Missing since November, the beloved dynamite-chewing goat on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster is expected to wander back to his exposed butte in the next few weeks, according to Disneyland officials.

The extended and unexplained disappearance fueled speculation on Internet chat rooms about the bleating goat’s demise and led to more than a few instances of baa-baa-bad humor.

Officially, the nameless, genderless goat is “on vacation.” Unofficially, the audio-animatronic animal is getting a new fur coat in the Anaheim theme park’s maintenance department after years of exposure to the wind, sun and rain.

Disney fans fondly recall the legendary “goat trick” — where riders at the crest of the second lift hill train their eyes on the goat throughout the subsequent sharp turn to greatly increase the sideways G-forces.

Big Thunder Mountain is probably one of my favorite rides at Disneyland, the goat trick being one of the reasons why. Personally, I like sitting in the last car, on the left side. The ride is just a little more jerky, and if your friend is crazy, she might just try and knock your sunglasses off when slamming into you through the turns. Just ask the man and his son sitting behind us once, who couldn't stop laughing at what he was seeing.

Oh, and I'm not sure why I had such difficulties finding a picture of the actual goat. I bow to you, my Google friend.

Me Quiero

While I've been thinking about things that I don't have, here is a short list of things I want to do:

1. Go to Disneyland. I recently helped a friend plan his first Disneyland trip and couldn't help but think of the great times I've had there. A certain someone is also invited if only to prove that it's possible for me to go through the park without being a Nazi (but you're only allowed one churro per hour!).

2. Go to Library Alehouse and have their seared ahi burger.

3. Hang out at Lou's or The Shire: Flashback Years.

4. Leave work early and hang out at Father's Office. And have a burger. And ribs. And some fries.

5. Have good sushi. I've been craving Sasabune for the longest time. Or that place that in Little Tokyo that I went to with Tina and Bill. Unfortunately for me, I don't live in LA and also can't afford it at the moment.

6. Eat some Roscoe's.

7. Shoot free throws.

I'm not sure why so many of these are centered around food...

Shark Territory

Went to the San Jose Sharks vs Calgary Flames game last night, marking my first professional sports attendance since moving up here. I've been to a few Kings games in the past, but they were always nosebleed seats, so didn't get a great view. Lucked out yesterday with really good seats (free, too!), and was really amused with how the players looked when they smashed up against the protective screen. I was also very entertained by the "shark attack" motion the crowd would make during power plays. Quite cheesy, but not as bad as the Angels in the Outfield move I'm convinced the Anaheim Angels used for a while.

Patterns

It's All Coming Back To Me Now

From time to time I forget about Celine Dion. But thanks to this video, I'm reminded of just how bizarre this woman is. To her credit, she could be a boring, self-absorbed diva like one Mariah Carey, but instead she chooses to be crazy. This video is a compilation of clips from her latest DVD. So unbelievably hilarious. My personal favorite is #7.

Super Fat Tuesday

Stop reading this and go vote. Now.

For my few Catholic readers, what are you giving up this year?

Fortified With Vitamin C

For as long as I can remember, there have always been a lot of calendars around the house. My parents somehow manage to get free ones left and right, and I think it might even be safe to say that the ratio of calendars to rooms in the house is almost 1:1. I say almost because I can't remember if there's one in the garage. Calendar portraits are generally pretty predictable - Chinese oil paintings, flowers, national parks, interior home designs with random recipes, you name it, it's probably been on a calendar. As this was the first time I've been home since Christmas, I got a good look at all of the new ones, and I must say, 99 Ranch Market, who usually falls under the oil paintings category, has really gone all out this year. Rather than making a monthly pinup display of your neighborhood fish fryer, bok choy supplier, or the mustachioed Cantonese guy shouting indecipherables in the meat department, 99 Ranch decided instead to feature produce. Welcome to January and February 2008, or better known as "cabbage". Written in both Chinese and English is a short description of the nutrients and benefits of consuming said vegetable. Friends, this one's a keeper.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Having dinner with Tina and Bill is always a treat - I can think of few things better than being in the company of dear friends. Since I no longer get to see them as often, these get togethers are even more special.

Dinner last night at Craft was simply amazing. Service was superb and the food even better. The pork belly appetizer was crispy, the Blue Bass was very flavorful, and the maple bacon ice cream needs no explanation. The sound of Ricky Gervais laughing at the table next to us only occasionally overpowered our own laughter and conversation. To top off the night, Tina actually passed on the opportunity to trick me into running into a glass wall, which I was convinced wasn't there. I'm just a bit disappointed, but truly - what a friend.