Category: Uncategorized

Legal fireworks of all sizes, legal weed, open bottle policy on the streets – what could go wrong? At turns beautiful, cold, and frightening, New Years Eve in Amsterdam was something to behold. There was no big firework display at midnight but continuous and very loud fireworks from 6pm on kinda made up for it. We hung out in Dam...

Bitterly cold New Years Day in Zaandam. But our visit to Zaanse Schans was an excellent one. The clog makers and cheese makers was very interesting with demonstrations, high quality photo ops, and samples. Did you know a wooden clog can be made in less then 10 minutes? And it was freaking hilarious when he slapped his own (enormous) wooden...

“Small and loud,” said the Google review – and it was, but we still liked it. We weren’t familiar with the music but it sounded like a Dutch Octoberfest to us. Enjoyed our food – Round Steak, Stampot with meatball, and Pork Loin with pepper sauce. We also sprung for the bread tray with herb butter, olives, and French fry...

We landed at 930am in London to find that even the horses in the fields had jackets on. It would be a cold but clear New Years week in Western Europe. A quick roast beef and roast chicken lunch at Marquis Cornwallis. Chicken in Europe is so succulent compared to American chicken. Why is that? And why are pubs so...

Natural History Museum – Mr A took a walk thru Hyde Park while the girls shopped for wool coats at Marks & Spencer. M&S had amazing selection, we won’t hesitate to shop there again. Except for the strength of the British pound – yikes! Add 30pct to the price in pounds to get USD. Making a 35 £ jacket (a...

Checking in 3 hours in advance, whisking thru the TSA Pre Check line, leisurely lunch at PF Changs, and a few hours in the KAL lounge before boarding. (get a points and miles card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve that gives you Priority Pass benefits) This was the last chance for PF Changs tho. The shrimp were doughy and the...

An epic little Mexican place near Bevmo in Camden. My Al Pastor Super Taco was outstanding – melted cheese, marinated vinegary onions, lots of pork, great red sauce. Adelita’s Taqueria, Restaurant & Bar 1896 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95124 (408) 369-9905 https://maps.app.goo.gl/4oLPNhdK5BCdRvVJ9

Need an excuse to go to Vegas? How about working thru this list, https://vegas.eater.com/maps/best-thai-restaurants-las-vegas

They make a fish bowl ornament out of you. The original, Angkor Thom, of course is absolutely incredible and should be on everyone’s bucket list.

My fellow OCDers will appreciate the need to keep my hands busy. This has never been so true as the last few months, as this fall has been hellacious for my family on at least 4 fronts, simultaneously. I think we are thru the worst of it. My meditation skills, which are really skills in keeping calm, really have come...

Quite possibly my favorite Chinese dish, dumplings in chile oil. The chile oil is really a paste of chile and sichuan pepper. Dumplings make a great foil for intensely flavored sauces (like Chinese vinegar and sliced raw ginger on Xiao Long Bao, another legendary combination). Here’s some great places to try them (in no particular order): ZEN Asian Bistro (Carmel...

The standout here is the fish. Always fresh and nice big portions. The salmon burger was good, but they should cut the piece so it is more bun shaped. A long crosscut piece with both ends sticking out of the bun is just too unwieldy to eat. And too much bun doesn’t have any fish. Mr A got the swordfish...

Just a nice little grownup place to have a drink and a snack. We liked the swordfish tacos better than the blackened Mahi Tacos. And we could even split one plate for gosh sakes, we don’t need to eat that much. I’ve also enjoyed 067 Bistro over in RSF as well, it’s a bar but with great grilled sandwiches. Because...

Goodbye to all my friends at homeGoodbye to people I’ve trustedI’ve got to go out and make my wayI might get rich you know I might bet bustedBut my heart keeps calling me backwardsAs I get on the 707Ridin’ high I got tears in my eyesYou know you got to go through hellBefore you get to heaven

Quite decent poke on Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz. The spicy tuna and regular tuna were quite nice – not frozen. Very nice rice. Recommended. And chicken on the menu for your little ones. Finally, a family friendly poke place. Even better, Verve coffee across the street for your Macchiato dessert! Although I’m struggling to find an Espresso Tonic...

One 12 oz end cut with corn and mashed potatoes, 49.03 (hey the ice tea’s not free you know). Double birthday points leading to another 25 dollar reward: priceless. Lawry’s Carvery 3333 Bristol St #2601, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 434-7788 https://maps.app.goo.gl/iEvykHKq3nFbRvuf6

I discovered this show a few weeks ago on Amazon Prime and I quickly got hooked. Kevin’s narration is so raw, honest, and genuine. There is something hypnotic and addictive about watching the English canal miles chug by, listening to chug chug chug of the boats tiny motor. Kevin has a great eye for detail and for wildlife that makes...