China Trip September/October 2006!!!!

So, most of you thought the Cheese Panda blog was dead, huh...  Well, the China trip seemed like such a daunting task to post about, that it just kind of made me give up temporarily.  I am rejuvenated and ready to share the awesome trip Mixy and I had a few months ago!!! It was truly a life changing experience.  On this post, I'm just going to share about our very first jet lagged day in Beijing China.

Our very first meal was the hotel buffet, which had an amazing breakfast congee, which I had every morning.  It was a good start to a great trip.  Unfortunately the other hotels we stayed at in the other cities, never had as good of of a breakfast buffet as the Shangrila hotel in Beijing.  I think we took a nap after breakfast.

After our little rest, on the advice of the concierge, we headed to a really old school part of Beijing for an excellent northern Chinese style meal at Kao Ro Ji.  It was awesome eating at a Chinese restaurant with no white people to be seen for miles (I hope that's not to offensive to any of my white friends reading this).  Super authentic, and super delicious. 

The signature dish which every table had ordered was green onion with stir fried lamb.  This delicious dish is a staple of islamic northern chinese food which is very popular in Beijing.  It blew away the versions of it I have had in LA, and the sesame biscuits that came with it were excellent.  I was so psyched that my first real meal in China had totally exceeded expectations.

After lunch, Mixy and I chilled out in the Hutong area of Beijing.  Hutongs are the old school small alleyway and courtyard neighbourhoods in China.  On the left is Mixygirl in a courtyard of one of the hutong households, and on the right is a local butcher shop with tons of fresh lamb.  We were killing a little time because we were supposed to meet up with Jessica, and Bradley who are friends of Dave Presser's from Stanford.

Jessica and Brad were so awesome to meet, all the way across the world.  Jessica is a doctor who is working for the Bill Clinton AIDS initiative in Beijing, helping take care of HIV infected patients there.  We hung out for a few hours with her, and her husband Brad, and their two kids.  It was so amazing hanging out with them and seeing how they had learned Chinese by just living there, and even their son who is a toddler speaks Chinese as well.  It was really surreal hanging out with them in a place that was so foreign to us, and being jet lagged as well.  The picture on the left is of the drum tower, and on the right is Mixygirl with Jessica and her baby on top of the bell tower.

We had to climb these insanely steep and long stairs to get to the top of each tower.  In ancient times, the drums and bells housed in these towers would be used to notify the citizens of important things, like people invading the city.

After that, we headed off to hang out with Brad and Jessica a little bit longer in the hutongs.  On the left is us buying street snacks, for like a nickel a piece.  On the right is a make shift hutong bicycle repair shop.

After the hutong, we parted ways with Dave's friends, and caught a cab to Wan Fu Jing Street.  It's a huge mostly pedestrian street in central Beijing, where there are tons of shops and restaurants, and high end malls.  If you're ever in Beijing, make sure you spend a lot of time hanging out here, and not just the tourist sites.  On the right is a pretty cool Kobe Bryant billboard.

I loved trying stuff that you can't get in the US, like mint flavored sprite.  Mixy didn't care for it, but I loved it.

We wandered off into a little side market street, and saw a cool stand with candied crab apples.  Growing up, I loved eating these little discs of smashed dried crab apples known as haw flakes, to all Chinese people.  It tasted awesome, but lots of seeds to spit out, and it was too hard to finish the whole stick.

What qualifies as the first really gross thing we saw in China was right across the walkway from the crab apple stand.  Scorpions and seahorses on sticks!!!  They were seriously disgusting, and the scorpions were still alive and squirming the whole time!!!

We had a great dinner at a dumpling spot in the food court of one of the WanFuJing malls.

After dinner Mixy and I walked down a side street of WanFuJing to check out the famous nightmarket in Beijing, called DongHuaMen night market.  Most asians are familiar with the awesome street food snacks that are available at these markets.  They had yummy stuff like cumin lamb skewers, squid, oysters, and noodles.

I shit you not, they also had these nasty things!!! On the left is larvae on a stick, and on the right are sharks and eels on sticks!!!  I didn't eat any nightmarket food that day, cause we were full, but we did promise ourselves to return before we left Beijing.  It was a pretty rad first day in Beijing.  We were really tired and jet lagged, but had an amazing time.  Most of our trip was part of a bus tour, so it was good to have that first day of free time to get acquainted with Beijing!!!

So, Mixygirl and I have been back from China for a week now, but it seems too gargantuan a task to finish the China blog.  I will however recount our recent trip at the beginning of September to Houston, for our friends' Dave and Michelle's wedding.  I've never been to the south before, so it was really interesting seeing Houston (Lots of Chik-Fil-A, and Whataburgers around town).  I have to say that I really enjoyed my short visit.  I was a little pessimistic about "The South" at first, but it turned out to be a pretty fun time. 

The first night was a little rough.  Dave and Michelle had a really fun karaoke party for out of towners.  Unfortunately I was seriously hung over from Chili Peppers concert the night before (and waking up at 5am to pack for the trip).  I didn't sing any Karaoke, but it was good seeing our other friend Todd (from UCLA ER residency,currently living in Alabama) the next day.

The next day, actually tried an awesome little food which seemed unique (in America anyways) to Houston.  We learned from Dave's friend Sol with whom we shared a flight, about the popularity of "Kolaches" in Houston.  It's a little savory Czechoslovakin filled pastry dough snack.  Apparently there's a large community of Czech immigrants in Houston (who would've ever thought so).  They are extremely yummy.  Soft little bites of pizza dough filled with different stuff.  This store had about twenty varieties.  Some had breakfasty fillings, some were more like pizza.  they tasted awesome. 

Mixygirl and I spent most of the couple days before the wedding with Todd, Mark, and Ploy.  We loved the museum scene in Houston. We visited the Menil collection, and the MFAH.  Apparently, oil money means that when rich Houstonians die, they bequeath their impressive modern art collections to the local museums.  It was tons of fun.

I have to say my favorite museum that we visited was a separate small little building on the Menil Campus called the Byzantine Fresco Museum.  These famous Byzantine frescoes from a church in Cyprus have been loaned to this museum.  To house these treasures, they have created a small building which inside has frosted glass panels arranged in ways reminiscent of a chapel, but in a very deconstructed and modern fashion.  The presentation was  fabulous, honestly overshadowing the frescoes themselves.

(Mark and Ploy on the left, Mixy and Cheese on the right)

My favorite meal during the Houston trip was going to Goode Company BBQ, apparently one of the best BBQ restaurants in all of Texas.  I knew it was a requirement for any foody to check out BBQ while visiting Houston, and it didn't disappoint.

I accompanied my meal with Lone Star beer, which according to the label, is the "National Beer of Texas".  What's up with these crazy Texans?!?!  The ribs on the right were awesome.  I would say they were drier than I was used to, but on the other hand so much smokier and deeply flavoured than I'm used to.  They rely  a lot less on the sauce, in their BBQ for the flavor.  The brisket sandwich was good, but not as good as the ribs and the other dishes.

On the left was my favorite dish, BBQ sweet water duck.  I mean, combine one of the best ingredients in the world (duck), using one of the tastiest cooking methods known to man (BBQ), and you've got a winner.  The pecan pie there was amazing as well, even though we were stuffed.  The bread deserves mention too, an extremely soft yummy cheese jalapeno.  Perhaps the hot links on the right were a bad idea on top of all the other food, but they tasted awesome as well. 

Wow, after reminiscing about all the good food and museums, I forgot we were in Houston for a wedding!  The wedding by the way was beautiful.  I've never been to a fully Jewish wedding before, and it was quite interesting.  The wedding took place at the synagogue where Michelle grew up which was apparently the largest conservative jewish congregation in the country.  It was a beautiful campus, and they even had a museum of beautiful antique judaica.  The picture on the left shows the "contract" signing ceremony before the wedding.  On the right is me getting to help carry the Chuppah.  It was a great honor to have a part in  the ceremony.

Here's the handsome couple.  The wedding was fun, and rabbi was hilarious and smart and engaging and the ceremony was just perfect.

A beautiful reception was the perfect close to our action-packed weekend at Dave/Michelle's wedding.  It's now back to reality with Dave and I working our asses of side by side in the ER, and Michelle working two blocks away at Little Company.  It was great seeing friends like Mark, Ploy, and Todd.  Maybe the red states aren't that evil after all?

So, Mixy and I are leaving for LAX in a couple of hours, but we just caught a great set with Bob Forrest and Zander Schloss just playing some tunes at a Starbucks up in Silverlake.  It was beautiful, and I can't think of a better way to have spent the evening before leaving for China.  See you all soon.

Holy crap, haven't posted in more than a month!  Is my blog dying?  Last night, I checked out legendary Lookout punk band the Queers.  Joe Queer and company put on a totally fun set with requisite slam dancers and pogo people (me included) at the Knitting Factory last night.  I asked the bartender for a double of So-Co, but unfotunately/fortunately he gave me an entire cup of the horrid stuff.  I'm still feeling the after-effects today.  The Queers played hit after hit after hit, and even threw in MTX/Ramones covers.  A great show reminiscent of the glory days of that scene from ten years ago.  Mixygirl and I are headed to China tomorrow!!!  It's a two week tour, and neither of us have ever been before!!! I hope we don't get kidnapped or swindled.  I'm paranoid about stuff like that.

Mega July Update

Lots of great stuff happened in the last two weeks.  First of all, my July 4th Gravely Disabled gig went very well.  Our best set ever by most accounts.  Thanks to Jober for making it and being our official cameraman.  Songs we played included Photograph, I wanna be sedated, Do you wanna dance, Rocking in the free world, In your bed, You really got me, Ring of fire, Animals, Grave Disability theme song, Here comes your man, Jumping jack flash, Anything anything, Do you remember rock and roll radio, I think we're alone now, Great love sound, Daydream Believer, and the Joker.  It was also really good seeing Sam (Juddy's brother) and Jody (juddy's sister in law) that 4th of July weekend. 

On July 6th, I caught an amazing amazing show at Hollywood Bowl.  In attendance included Mixygirl, Greedymonger, Pat, Toro, Bagel, Kristen, and Greg.  (I heard Courtney Love was there also).  It was the Shins opening for Belle and Sebastian.  I was more there to see the Shins but was intrigued because Belle and Sebastian was to be backed up by the LA Philharmonic.  We were also pretty psyched b/c our clan upgraded our tickets to garden boxes, and I had never sat that close at the Bowl before.  It was great, Pat made an excellent picnic and I felt really bourgeois sitting so close to the stage.  Shins put on a beautiful set.  The sound was excellent, and much better than when we saw them at All Tomorrow's Parties.  The crowd enjoyed them but didn't go nuts.  They always seem to have a good sense of humour. 

The shocker of the night, was how awesome Belle and Sebastian was.  I have most of their albums, but I never really became that big of a fan.  They play a unique brand of preciously folky indie-pop.  First of all, the stuff sounded amazing backed by the LA Phil.  Second of all their rabid obsessed fans really made it a special evening.  At the end of the set when they played Boy withe Arab Strap, the audience rushed the stage, and people were being carried off by security guards left and right.  Hardly what I would have expected at the Hollywood Bowl, and at Belle and Sebastian nonetheless.  The show really had that special mind blowing feel to it, akin to the David Byrne/Arcade Fire show at the Bowl last year. 

The Day after the show, Mixy, Toro, their parents, and Greedy/Pat and I took a road trip to the Central Coast area.  Unfortunately I started getting a cold that day, and was moderately miserable (physically) for most of the trip.  Pat did score us a really beautiful house to stay in near Pismo Beach, and we only had to walk a half a block for gorgeous ocean views.  I loved just sitting on a bench during the sunset and watching the ocean while listening to the ipod.

On our main activity day, we went wine tasting through the Paso Robles area.  I knew the Central Coast produced pretty decent wines, but I had a great time, and I think maybe even a better time than my prior visits to Napa/Sonoma.  The first winery highlight was Claiborne and Churchill.  They specialize in Riesling and Gewurtztraminer, and those respective wines were really great.  Their Website

Next, we headed over to the self proclaimed "Happiest Place on Earth", Opolo winery.  This place had more of a corporate feel to it, but I enjoyed their wines as well.  After I got sick of feeling happy, we picked up a few bottles including the Viognier and Zinfandel and headed off to the next winery. Opolo Website.

Tablas Creek winery turned out to be my favorite winery of the day.  They specialize in Rhone-style blends.  I was getting pretty sick of cabs and over-oaked chardonnay and this place that just does french style wines that tend to be more subtle was just perfect.  I joined their wine club.  I really enjoyed a couple reds they had which aren't typically produced in America 1) Mourvedre 2) Tannat.  Check out their website here.  I had a great time despite being sick.  Toro, Greedy, and Pat also checked out Adelaida winery later which they said was pretty cool as well.  On our last day up there, we watched the World Cup final before "heading" back to LA. 

Mixy and I caught a great great show this Monday.  Pearl Jam and Sonic Youth at the forum!!!  Sure, Pearl Jam aren't that punk, but I enjoy them as what  they are, a really great rock band.  It was good seeing Sonic Youth open for them with songs mostly off their new album "Rather Ripped", but they didn't translate as well in a large arena setting.  The Pearl Jam set was just fun.  They have so many songs that everyone knows from listening to the radio over the years.  They rocked it and weren't moping or whining at all.  Oddity of the night was actor Tim Robbins singing duet with Ed on a X song and then ending it by playing ripping punk rock guitar,  who woulda guessed that Tim Robbins knows how to rock.  It was a great fun energy arena show. 

Set List:  pre-opener Ed Vedder solo: Walking the Cow

Set: World Wide Suicide, Brain of J, Animal, Marker in the Sand-our favorite song on the new album, Severed Hand, Evenflow-sounded a little rushed, MFC, I got Id, Corduroy, Daughter (It'sOK/I Believe in Miracles/Blitzkrieg Bop Medley), Sad, Garden, Down, Go, Betterman (Save it for Later), I must not think bad thoughts, Porch

Encore 1: Man of the Hour, Off he goes, Footsteps, Once, Alive-sounded incredible

Encore 2: Big Wave, Comatose, State of Love and Trust-so glad they decided to play this one, Leash, Rockin in the Free World-I thought the Gravely Disabled version held up pretty well compared to the Pearl Jam version.

So in a crazy alternative 90's comeback coincidence, the very next night, Mixy, Bagel, and I caught Soul Asylum at the Troubadour.  It was like a KROQ Flashback lunch.  I have been fond of Soul Asylum ever since 90-91 when I participated in my first slam dancing experience in the Valley at the Country Club at a Soul Asylum/Thelonious Monster gig.  Sure, they've gone kind of mellow since then, but again like Pearl Jam, they are a great rock band.  They aren't necessarily punk anymore, but what's wrong with playing good rock music?  Dave and Dan sounded great.  In fact the sound of the show was amazing.  It sounded loud, punchy, and professional (in a good way).  Bagel and I couldn't believe that they even played two Hangtime era tracks (Sometime to Return, and Cartoon).  Other highlights included Without a trace, Close, Somebody to Shove, and the set opener Misery. 

Last week Mixy and I went to LACMA and caught a great new David Hockney exhibit based only on his portrait work.  Hockney is my favorite living artist.  Juddy and I used to have a print of his hanging in our apartment for three years.  I love his more abstract landscapes and still lifes, but his portraits were very interesting as well.  I like the one on the right of his two close friends during the 70's. 

Although we went to LACMA to catch the Hockney exhibit, it turned out that there was a really interesting mini-Klimt exhibit going on as well.  It featured a few paintings that belonged to a high society lady named Adele Bloch-Bauer in the WWII era.  The interesting story is that the Nazis stole the painting, and it's been in possession of the Austrian government until just very recently (it's been returned to Adele's heirs).  I really love this gold painting of Adele.  It's very similar to the "Kiss" painting.  I think the lush gold mosaic is much more impressive and stunning in real life, as opposed to just seeing a picture or a print.  In fact I was surprised at how magnificent this painting was face to face, because the Klimt gold painitngs are so ubiquitous.  It's really interesting how Klimt paints her face in a realist fashion,  and then how the rest of the painting just goes nuts with swirls, and textures, and gold.  Truly incredible. 

Last week, Mixy, Jober, and I celebrated Juddy's 32nd birthday.  On the left is the famous "devil-Juddy" photo from the Monchik wedding turned into ice cream cake.  We went to Gulfstream before that (Seafood branch of Houston's restaurant) which was excellent as usual. 

Later on in the week Mixy and I headed to Koreatown to indulge in our favorite Korean dish:  Chia Chiang Mein.  Pictured on the left, it consists of great chewy noodles, usually hand pulled, topped with a viscous black bean sauce with pork bits, zucchini bits, and onions.  It's a deliciously decadent meal.  China invented the first version of these noodles, but it's sweeter, and not as gooey, and I have to admit, not even close to the greatness of the Korean version.  There are two restaurants in K-town that are known for this dish, Shin Peking being one of them (it's competitor is right across the street).  Chia Chiang Mein is normally served at Korean restaurants specializing in Chinese food, which Shin Peking is.  Pictured on the right, the beef, black mushroom, and bamboo dish was excellent as well.  We washed down the meal with  Hite beer, while others in the dining room had come to eat an afternoon meal and to watch world cup soccer. 

This past Tuesday marked the release of the movie "We Jam Econo", on DVD.  It's the story of the 80's punk rock band the Minutemen.  Although I was too young to actually see the Minutemen perform, I love their music.  The Minutemen ended in '85 when lead singer/guitarist D. Boone died in a car accident.  I was more into the later incarnation without Boone, called fIREHOSE.  The movie was actually really touching.  The Minutemen were nerdy outcasts, not even fitting well into the punk rock scene designed for misfits.  Seeing the footage of three really nerdy weird guys playing such incredible music, with so much heart, reminded me of why I got into punk rock in the first place.  Mike Watt, the bassist and current punk rock legend and George Hurley the drummer were at Amoeba records the day of the release to DJ some music, and to sign autographs.  Watt spun some Stooges songs, and it was really nice to talk to him and Hurley and to get my DVD signed!!! (Watt's on the left, and Hurley's on the right)

So I caught Radiohead this Thursday at the Greek Theatre.  I was disappointed by the Hollywood Bowl and Coachella shows a couple years back.  Surprisingly this show was incredible, and my favorite Radiohead show to date.  I say surprisingly because they played even more inaccessible, obtuse, moody, unconventional songs than they normally do.  Somehow I think the venue being a smaller sized outdoor theater really added to the vibe.  Even though I was sitting near the back, the sound was great and you could see the band pretty easily.  The new songs are even more bizarre than the direction they've been heading in, but they work.  I think I'm finally appreciating the direction Radiohead has chosen to go in the past three albums.  You have to respect them for taking rock in a different direction.  When I listened to them I really felt like I was listening to what music would be like in the future.  Here's the setlist:

You and Whose Army?, The National Anthem, 2+2=5, 15 Step, Morning Bell, Arpeggi, Videotape, Kid A, Dollars and Cents, Street Spirit, All I need, Nude, Paranoid Android, Bangers 'n Mash, The Gloaming, Idioteque, Follow me Around, Everything in it's Right Place.

Encore 1: There There, Down is the New Up, The Bends, How to Disappear Completely

Encore 2: House of Cards, Lucky

On Friday, Mixy and I caught the new Superman movie.  Overall I liked it, but I can't say I was thrilled with it.  I like the new actor that plays Superman, I like the cinematography.  I didn't like the overly somber tone of the movie, and I didn't think that Kate Bosworth was a good choice for Lois Lane.  Kevin Spacey was good but not perfect as Lex Luthor.  I'm glad they decided to revive the franchise, but I want the next movie to be more fun. 

Went to a great concert last weekend with my parents, Jober, and Mixygirl.  It was Andrea Bocelli at the Hollywood Bowl.  Mixygirl made a great picnic which we ate across the street at the picnic benches before going in.  In the future, I will definitely try to get there earlier for the picnic thing because it's a lot easier than carrying all the stuff into the Bowl itself.  Andrea Bocelli performed a set consisting mostly of opera selections.  The last 1/3rd featured his more popular music including Con Te Partiro.  Special surprises included him singing two songs with American Idol finalist Katherine Mcphee (I thought it sucked), Donald Trump presenting Andrea with a platinum album (It was cheesy, but cool seeing the Donald), and Andrea singing a cover of Elvis' Can't Help Falling in Love With You!!!  It definitely felt like a pretty special concert, and all in all a great evening at the Bowl.

Last night Mixy and I caught a great play at the Boston Court Theater in Pasadena.  It's called the Winchester House, and it's written by our "rising star" friend Julia Cho.  I didn't know what to expect, but we found it to be a pretty great, well written play.  The story revolves around a young woman's recollections about a certain event in her youth, that changed her life forever.  The LA times review made a good point in how the telling of the play was very like the Japanese film classic Rashomon in which the event is examined from the perspectives of several different people.  It's also pretty cool having a friend that is putting out such good stuff, and getting recognized for it. 

Seattle Trip

So, a couple of weeks ago Mixy and I took a trip to Seattle because my friend Albert Aka "Suk" is finishing his craniofacial reconstructive surgery fellowship in July, and I promised I would visit him before he left Seattle.  Also I attended a conference in Seattle in 2003, and I always wanted to go back cause I thought it was a very cool city.

We stayed at a very cool hotel called the Edgewater which was right on a pier, so when you opened your window the water was right there.  The place is famous for the Beatles staying there and fishing out the window when they passed through Seattle in the 60's.  On the right is a picture of a cute little bear ottoman foot rest that was next to our fireplace. Weird, but extremely cute.

First day, we headed immediately to the famous Pike's Place Market.  That's the place where the guys throw the fish to each other.  Tons of awesome seafood and vegetables and eats there.  Fortunately for Irene and I, it was the second day of the Copper River Salmon run from Alaska, and we got to see the fresh stuff at the Market.  I'll explain more when we actually eat them. Look at the beautiful red colors, on those fish, not at all like that farmed stuff from the supermarket.

On the left is Mixygirl in front of the first Starbucks ever, which is located in Pike place.  On the right was an extremely cool little eats place.  It's owned by some old russian people and I guess it's the equivalent of what westerners would refer to as a pierogi.  The store looked dumpy so I was skeptical, but the piroshky we had kicked ass.

Just looking at these pictures makes me want to mail order some of the more different varieties.

After Pike Place, Suk joined Mixy and I for a lunch at a Tom Douglas restaurant.  We kind of spur of the moment decided to drive to Mt. Rainier that afternoon.  Plans were going Ok but there was traffic along the way and it took us 2 1/2 hrs to reach the mountain.  In true National Lampoon's Family Vacation style, when we arrived at the Mountain, the road was closed!!!  Fortunately there was cool scenery like a waterfall, and deer along the way, and it was just fun being able to catch up with Suk again.  My coworker Joe who is from Seattle told us that the North road which we took is always closed, until summer, and that we should have used the South entrance instead. 

After heading back from the Mt. Rainier debacle, we managed to get a reservation for Elliott's which is Seattle's top seafood restaurant located on one of the piers.  So, Copper River Salmon are only available for 3-4 weeks a year.  Copper river is a river located really far north in Alaska.  Because the water is so cold there, and the rapids are really rough, the salmon that go up there to spawn have an extremely high fat and fish oil content (so they can survive the journey).  The fortunate thing for us humans is that it makes these fish taste unbelievably incredibly juicy, and fatty, and just awesome.  It's like the Toro of the salmon world.  The fish definitely lived up to the hype and qualified for Super DHS status.  On the left is Mixygirl's Copper River Sockeye, and on the right is the Copper River Wild King that Suk and I had.  (We enjoyed the copper river salmon so much that we just went to Watergrill in downtown LA just to get another fix, two nights ago).

The next morning we went to the EMP (experience music project).  It's a museum owned by a former Microsoft executive that loves rock and roll.  The building as you could probably guess, was designed by Frank Gehry.  In addition to cool exhibits on Hendrix, grunge Music, and modern day rock posters,  there was a cool art exhibit of the owner's personal art collection, including several cool Monet's and some cool post impressionist stuff.  After that, we headed up to the Space Needle.  I have to say I liked the space needle more than I expected.  I think it's cause Seattle has a much more beautiful cityscape with all the water and mountains.  It was really really fun. 

For dinner that night, Mixy and I went to Rover's which is supposedly the best French/Northwest cuisine in Seattle.  I went there on my last trip and loved, it so I thought we had to go together this time.  I won't go into too much detail on my thoughts of the dishes, but the whole meal was incredible and helped me fall in love with Seattle even more.  Pictured on the right is the smoked salmon and cured fluke with a shaved radish-fennel salad and basil oil.

On the left is the diver sea scallop with celery kumquat and lemongrass nage.  Pictured on the right is the Alaskan halibut with asparagus, tomato confit, and a sorrel butter sauce.

On the left was a palate cleanser of grape fruit-dry vermouth sorbet.  On the right was a magnificent Sonoma squab breast with baby spinach, oyster mushrooms and lovage sauce.

Dessert was great, with a lovely panna cotta on the left, a golub jamun type of sweet in the middle, and a crispy chocolate ganache dish on the right that had just the most amazing texture of any chocolate desert I have had recently.

We had a pleasant surprise our last morning in Seattle.  The cruise ship we had taken to Alaska 2 years ago was docked right outside the window of our hotel room!!!  For our last day in Seattle, Suk drove us around to a couple of Japanese gardens per my request.  I loved the Japanese gardens when we went to Japan last year so much, that I needed another fix.

The first japanese garden we hit up was at the Washington Park Arboretum.  Am I getting old if I enjoy going to these kind of things?

In our final hours, Suk first drove us across the bay.  I think the picture to the left is pretty classic Seattle.   That is, it includes overcast skies and a guy wearing a flannel shirt .  Our final stop before the airport was Kubota Gardens located in South Seattle.  Apparently Mr. Kubota who is now deceased dedicated 20 yrs of his life to making this garden which has now become an official city park.  I love the Japanese foot bridge, kind of like Monet.

We even got to see a cute little family of mother with her tiny little baby ducks.

As we drove away from Kubota Gardens, I couldn't think of a better image to leave with, and I hope to go back to Seattle again. 

Last Tuesday I had a fantastic day of being blown away all day long by different forms of art.  It was truly wonderful, in what has otherwise been a very difficult week at work.  Is that the purpose of art?

That day was the release of the new Chili Peppers double album Stadium Arcadium.  I also got a call last week from the RHCP fan club telling me that I was one of ten fan club members to have won an autographed deluxe edition of the new album.  At first while casually skimming the album on i-tunes, I was worried that the new album may not have been as strong as initially promised.  Flea has been saying "If you don't like Stadium Arcadium, you don't like the Red Hot Chili Peppers".  Them be fighting words.  So I took flea up to task, got my headphones on and laid in bed to listen through the album straight through.  I have to say that I agree with Flea.  This record is a masterpiece,  it's genius, it makes me happy.  It's probably the top record to have come out this decade.  It has the melodicism of more of their recent music, but it also has a lot of funk, and heavier guitar that was more prevalent in their earlier years.  All the critics, whom I agree with on this, are raving about Frusciante on this album.  John Frusciante on almost every song, has embellished the music with awesome guitar solos (me and my friend Kane's wet dream come true as guitarists that worship him).  In addition to the solos, he's created many musical segments with multiple layered guitars intertwining together and leading the songs to an even higher climax.  He uses layers of his background vocals, and effects pedals to the same effect.  I'm so glad that the Peppers decided to play music more in their old style again, but at the same time taking it to the next level by adding that newfound, and still improving sense of melody.  I'm going to be listening to this record for years to come, and hopefully my whole life. 

Later that night Mixy and I caught the Arthur Miller play All My Sons at the Geffen Playhouse.  Starring in it included well known Broadway actor Len Cariou,  the man-the myth-the legend Neil Patrick Harris!!! (and Roseanne Show alumni Laurie Metcalf).  The play is set after WWII, and centers around a family who lost a son in the war a few years back.  Further intricacies of the plot include the living son wanting to marry the dead brother's girlfriend, and the secret revealed that shady business dealings by his Dad led to deaths of some airplane pilots during the war.  First of Mixy and I agreed that this was the best play we have ever seen.  We're not theater experts and we don't live in NYC, but we've definitely experienced a fair share of theater over the years.  It was brilliantly acted.  The script sucks you in.  It was definitely an emotionally intense play.  During a lot of plays, it can be difficult to understand all of the dialogue, which distracts from the suspension of disbelief you need to have to fully immerse yourself in the story.  Not in this case.  You forgot that you were even watching a play. 

The four lead actors were just amazing.  It's so unusual to have a cast where there are at least 8 actors which have pretty large roles, in which all of them just do a perfect job.  I have to confess that my favorite was NPH.  We saw him in Rent a while back and he was good during that (also great cameo during Harold and Kumar).  Again it was a "Talk Back Tuesday" at the Geffen, so the actors came out after the play in casual attire and did a Q and A with the audience.  NPH was very articulate, and it made me an even bigger fan of his.  The final comment from the audience was from an older lady, "Neil, I just want to let you know that your performance was so amazing tonight, that I didn't see you as Doogie Howser anymore!!!"

Had a great time yesterday.  Mixy and I joined our college friends Allen and Joyce for an afternoon at the Long Beach aquarium.  they have two kids, and after seeing more friends with babies these days, I can say it seems like a huge pain in the ass taking them out to do stuff.  We haven't been to the aquarium since Greedy and Pat's wedding, so it was really good to relive being there a little bit.  I loved the exhibits, I forgot how much cool stuff they had there.  One of my favorites was the Sea Dragon exhibited (sea dragon pictured above).  After the aquarium, Mixy and I caught Mission Impossible III.  I thought it was so-so.  It seemed like a juiced up episode of Alias.  It didn't have as much mystery and surprise that the other ones did.  Mixy liked it though, commenting that it seemed less confusing to her.