Last Sunday, my family and I hit Santa Monica to enjoy a beautiful day at the beach. This time I remembered to look in the garage for the Garrett Ace 250 metal detector I bought over a year ago. I grabbed fresh batteries and the plastic sand scoop I bought on Ebay. I’ve used it a couple times at Griffith Park but digging in hard dirt out in public didn’t feel to right in my opinion. Perhaps, when I have the right tools, I can dig up the dirt in a better way and put it all back to normal with minimal impact. I was waiting for our first 2011 beach visit to use the Garrett Ace 250 again.
We got to Santa Monica Beach at 10AM with plenty of parking available. My family and I hit the sand so I powered up the metal detector. I didn’t bring the instructions and it was while since I last used it. Memories slowly trickled in as I gave the detector a moderate even swing over the sand. I had it set to all metals and maximum sensitivity. Our first couple finds were bottle caps which was enough to fascinate my son and the rest of the family. As time went on, I remembered how to use the pinpoint feature and eliminate feature. I lowered the sensitivity a couple of bars to reduce the number for foil candy wrappers I was picking up. We were only walking around for a couple hours. I ultimately found $1.21 in change. We also found a tent stake, hair pin, hex key, and more bottle caps.
By the end of the day, I was amazed at how such an activity could give so much in return. How you ask?
Lots of walking for exercise without realizing it.
We put trash we found in the trash cans including lots of glass.
It was a reminder that a penny saved is a penny earned.
It was a great experience to share with my son.
I can’t wait to get back out there. My wife is demanding that I find her a ring!
As usual, I learned a lot about this activity on internet forums on this subject matter. Look for the sub-forums regarding member finds. It was enough to motivate me to give it a try.
Kung Fu Panda 2 was as enjoyable as part 1. The mix of action and story were well balanced held tightly by the beautiful animation you can expect from a DreamWorks’ production. Our lead character, Po, played once again by Jack Black begins to question his origins due to memories triggered by marks of their new enemies. Shen, voiced by Gary Oldman, is out to seek revenge on the house that expelled him. Shen is warned that his demise would be from a Panda therefore he seeks out to kill all Pandas in the land. This aspect of the plot mimics that of the Christian story of Herod the Great and the Massacre of the Innocents. As Po and the Furious Five travel to face their new foe, Po practices a new technique to develop inner peace. The Furious Five realize that Po is a liability due to his emotional ties with the enemy and leave him. Po decides to pursue the Shen on his own ultimately saving the Furious Five and inspiring other defenders of the city to join him. In the spirit of the Karate Kid part 1 and 2, Po uses his newly develop skills to defeat his enemy. Po ultimately finds inner peace and re-establishes his appreciation for his adoptive father. The final scene leaves us open to a possible Kung Fu Panda 3.
I enjoyed the movie and I feel that it works for our young movie goers. I try not to expect too much and ignore the over lapping and borrowed plot lines.
I just realized that I’ve been enjoying this joint for close to 20 years. My girlfriend at the time (now wife) brought me to the Pasadena location for an inexpensive bite to eat during college. All the pizza is behind glass and you pick what you want. They pop your selection in the oven for a minute and by the time you pay, it’s ready. Their system is pretty efficient and keeps the line moving. The restaurant is dressed up like the inside of a New York subway station with signs, tiled walls, and maps. The price was right but as with everything in the world, prices eventually go up. I use to have quick lunch for a little over $5 but today I spent a little under $8 for a slice of Hawaiian, a slice of Sicilian pepperoni and a small soda.
In my opinion, their thin crust pizza defines what a thin crust pizza should be. The bread is crisp from the tip to the crust. The sauce doesn’t bite back nor is it salty and the toppings are fresh. My personal favorite is mushroom pizza which I can eat that all day long. One slice of pizza will not weigh you down. You can easily eat more than 2 without getting food coma. The Sicilian pizza is thick and cut square. It’s a well balanced pizza and nothing overwhelms the taste buds. The Sicilian slice gives you more warm moist bread to indulge yourself in.
Is this a Sizzler’s replacement? We chose to give Stone Fire Grill a try for lunch Sunday. The place was packed with a quick line for seating. My wife and her mom had specialty salads. My son had a kid’s cheese pizza. I wanted beef so I had the tri-tip and chicken plate. Lunch cost $40 after tax and tip.
My combo consists of half a chicken breast, a portion of tri-tip, side salad and two bread sticks. The tri-tip was perfect and I was surprised that the quarter chicken was chicken breast. It’s served on a metal dish and was quite substantial. I ended up sharing with the rest of the family. The 2 bread sticks was really enough to satisfy my carbohydrate craving. Rice pilaf, more bread, or a baked potato would’ve rounded out this dish.
I couldn’t help but think about the cost of lunch. I paid $40 for a lunch mostly consisting salad. My dish had beef and chicken. There was some chicken in one of the salads. My son’s pizza was only cheese. I noticed many parties eating actually opted for family style servings. Maybe that would have been cost effective. I can’t say the meal was outstanding but it was satisfactory.
We’ve been given a title to the new Batman movie, “The Dark Knight Rises”. Nolan has not revealed who the possible villain would be and has excused the idea of the Joker or the Riddler (sorry Robin Williams).
It’s quite obvious to me who the arch-nemesis would be. Hey, who else can give Batman a rise?
Catwoman
Illustrated by Gilbert Joves
Click here for more on Christopher Nolan’s comments on the next Batman movie.
I finally got in line for the famous Nom Nom Truck. I’ve been a big fan of banh mi Vietnamese sandwiches lately. I’ve always loved a well made baguette. Bread is my Kryptonite. The Nom Nom Truck has reached a new level of food truck fame thanks to the show “The Great Food Truck Race” where they came in second place. As you can see the popularity has not died down as I joined the long line. I was determined to try them out plus I love baguettes. I think I mentioned that. To my surprise, I quickly got my order which only shows they have an amazing crew working in the mobile kitchen.
Nom Nom Truck
I ordered the $8 combo which included a 12″ banh mi, taco, and drink. I opted for the pork banh mi and a tofu taco. I’m pleased to say that by ordering a combo, you save $1 over buying it separately. I can’t help but appreciate the effort of helping customers save a buck. Some locations will suggest combos that save you a few pennies or nothing at all.
I started with the tofu taco. They wrapped it in foil which fooled my senses as I thought the taco was bigger than it really was. The tofu taco was cute and tiny like a cuddly hamster which I inhaled in 2.5 bites. I would’ve consumed it in one bite but I might have forgotten to actually taste the food. It was good. I don’t remember the last time I got a non-greasy taco. Honestly, I’ve been enjoying anything that comes out light yet tasty from these food trucks. I can only think of a few that come off that way. I then started on the 12″ pork banh mi and it was very satisfying. The fresh baguette was crisp on the outside and soft in the inside. The pork was flavored just right and not too sweet. As with most banh mi sandwiches I’ve had, you get the occasional kick of heat.
I would gladly get in line for the Nom Nom Truck again. Next time, I might skip the combo and get two banh mi sandwiches instead.
I was pleased to discover a number of actresses of Asian descent will be staring in several new American TV shows this fall.
Anne Son will be on ABC’s ‘My Generation’. The drama is called a mockumentary as it follows the lives of former high school classmates 10 years after graduating. ABC’s My Generation
Some of us discovered Grace Park as a Cylon in the popular reboot of Battlestar Galactica. The actress of Korean decent will be part of CBS’s ‘Hawaii 5-0′, a very popular series which lasted 12 seasons from 1968 to 1980. She very well might be the secret ingredient to a successful TV series reboot. Grace Park on CBS’s Hawaii 5-O
Who didn’t notice Maggie Q in the movie Mission Impossible 3 all dressed in red as she pulled up in an orange Lamborghini? She obviously does great in action movies so now you’ll get to see her weekly as a spy and assassin in CW’s ‘Nikita’. I wonder if this show can afford to blow up a Lamborghini like in MI3? Maggie Q on CW’s Nikita
You can cancel your cable service because you don’t need it to see Olivia Munn on G4 any more. She is coming to NBC in a new comedy called ‘Perfect Couples’. Olivia Munn’s beauty will catch your eye but the more you watch her the more you realize she can be a dorky tomboy who happens to be ranked #8 on the 2010 Maxim Hot 100 list. She becomes more ‘buddy’ than ‘hottie’. Many of you may disagree with me but I’m married and it’s just safer to think of it that way. I truly hope the sitcom will let Munn be the Olivia we know her as. It is a comedy so it’s in the right direction. Olivia Munn on NBC’s Perfect Couples
So let’s give these girls our full support unless we really can’t stand the co-stars, writing, time slot, or whatever.
I’m fortunate enough to work in an area that authorizes 2 different Los Angeles food trucks to come in at lunch everyday. It’s a dream come true for a food lover like me and I don’t have to chase the trucks all over town. As I walk up to the trucks, the establishment with the shortest line usually gets my order unless I’ve eaten there already. If I prefer one over the other, I will wait in line like a good food lover would. Here are the food trucks I’ve hit up in the past couple weeks. Please excuse the photos from my ancient Blackberry 8320. I would replace it but all the current cool phones are out of stock.
Let’s Be Frank
It was a good tasting dog but I didn’t like the price. One dog didn’t fill me up so I was forced to eat at the next truck soon after. Yeah, I was forced.
Phamish
I’ve become fond of Vietnamese sandwiches lately since I love baguettes. The Phamish food truck gave a lot for the money and filled me up.
SliceTruck
Just when you thought there wasn’t room to love another pizza, you find a new one to crave over. The Slice Truck was great and I look forward to the my next spicy garlic pizza.
Calbi BBQ
My first food truck love will forever be the Kogi BBQ truck but I have learned to appreciate the taste of the Calbi BBQ truck also.
Fishlips Sushi
I love sushi but unfortunately these hand rolls didn’t do it for me. I’ll give this truck one more chance in the future.
The Gastro Bus
I really scored one with The Gastrobus food truck. I love tuna melts. They were able to make one with a unique taste and the bread was toasted perfectly. It’s great with their sweet potato fries. Good job to The Gastrobus!
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I’ve been hooked on the newly released game of Star Craft 2: Wings of Liberty. I don’t understand why Blizzard would take over 10 years to release a sequel for this hit. At the same time, I’m having difficulty seeing the differences between the new and old game. It’s probably because I haven’t played the original game in years. I did boost the graphics quality on the game even if my computer couldn’t handle it and I saw how cinematic the game could look with a good computer. I’ll have to live with my current setup. As long as I’m not slowing down the game while playing with others online, I should be fine. All the excitement of the original game still exists and I’m definitely getting my money’s worth.
For those of you now familiar with Star Craft, this is a computer strategy game that can be played online with friends or people all over the world. You select from one of three races that have different abilities. Besides managing your army and the development to stronger forces, you have to manage resources to build and upgrade your army. This game brings out your multitasking side like no other. Eventually, you will develop your own build path and learn the weaknesses of your race and your opponents. You’ll have to develop multiple strategies since your enemies will change including the person on the other side of the network. Play the campaigns and enjoy the story line. You will also learn how to manipulate your army in a step by step fashion by going through the campaigns.
I’ve been playing with a handful of friends as we develop our skills to go against others online. Blizzard has mastered the art of e-trophies and you find yourself wanting to show off your latest badge of honor. Keep in mind that you have to be online to login to this game at all times. It works on Pentium 4 non-dual core computers but make sure you have lots of RAM.
So get the game and have fun. Just make sure you play early in the evening or else you’ll find yourself sleeping at 4AM.
It’s hard times for Superman and Batman in the animated movie, ‘Superman/Batman: Public Enemies’. Lex Luthor is President of the United States and has framed Superman in the death of Metallo. Batman comes to Superman’s aid while several super villains chase Superman for the bounty placed on his head. Later it appears that many superheroes have come to help Superman only to discover they are looking to bring Superman to justice. While the world is distracted with the fugitive Superman, a Kryptonite meteor is on the way to destroy Earth.
I wasn’t too fond of the plot which reminded me of the TV show 24 with the character Jack Bauer. Jack has repeatedly saved the country in the 24 series only to be chased as a fugitive by the end of the season. For some reason Superman (voiced by Tim Daly) was portrayed almost light heartedly cracking a joke or two instead of the typical serious Boy Scout who would have turned himself in. Kevin Conroy is currently the signature voice of Batman and we get what is to be expected from this character. It’s always nice to see DC characters on the screen that you usually wouldn’t see like Captain Atom and Power Girl. I was shocked to see Starfire included in the movie even though the character is well established in the anime style Teen Titans series.
The art is what bothered me the most. I tried not to take it too seriously assuming it is geared toward a younger audience that may not be as critical. There was a point when the young Toyman is about to make a comment on Power Girl’s *ahem* obvious assets. With the portrayal of death and low quality art, who was Warner Animation targeting to enjoy this movie? I don’t mind made for DVD animation from the big companies like DC and Marvel. I only hope they could invest a little more on animation quality.
I don’t recommend the movie ‘Superman/Batman: Public Enemies’ and I don’t want to ever hear Superman call Batman his ‘best friend’. I seriously doubt Batman feels the same way.
