Currently Listening Food & Liquor By Lupe Fiasco see related

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!!!

Currently Listening Born in the U.K. By Badly Drawn Boy see related

Houston

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?

Currently Listening Together We're Heavy By The Polyphonic Spree see related

Last Minute Show

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.

Currently Listening Modern Folk and Blues: Wednesday By Bob Forrest see related

It's Been Way Too Long!!!

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.

Currently Listening Free to Stay By Smoosh see related

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.