Best Dismay

I can't believe you guys refuse to bid on Indian children's ebay items. You're all heartless.

Even more items are now available to bid on. Click.

Best Surprise Superhero Casting

Robert Downey Jr. is going to be Iron Man?


Whoah, I'd have never imagined such casting, but I like the idea.
Afterall, they've both had their substance abuse problems. I suppose Mr. Downey is the Tony Stark of the acting world. Why not?

One of my grade school crossing guards, the one that worked the corner of Thomas and Oak Park, his favorite superhero was Iron Man. I wonder if he's excited for the movie?

Best Recent Sightings

Over the past week I've returned to my hobby of spotting celebrities and pseudo-celebrities on the street. Let me give you the rundown:

Last Wednesday I ran into my old pal Bob Hardy on Bleecker.

Saturday Night Elvis was entering the building as I was leaving. This one is a little like shooting fish in a barrel, but it had been a while.

Monday Night I happened to be walking by the big movie theater by Lincoln Center as the premiere of School for Scoundrels was letting out. I saw Billy Bob Thornton, Michael Clark Duncan, and John Heder all making a dash for their cars. A little while later, a little down the street, I saw Aziz Anzari walking down the street, looking ticked off. I guess the movie makers didn't get him a car.

Today I passed Michael Kors on Lafayette and later Kathy Griffith sitting in front at DaSilvano.

OK, that's all. Just wanted you to know.

Best Joke that I Invented Just Now

Q: Why was the Felidae Felis (domesticated house cat) jealous of the Felidae Acinonyx (cheetah)?
A: Because it had genus envy!

I bet you didn't know that while you're getting ready for your workday I'm already sitting on my futon, inventing jokes.

Best Zoology Experiment

So, what happens if you go to the zoo dressed as a Baby Seal and then visit the Polar Bear?

Best East Village Bargain Dining

Saturday I went to Bamn!, the new Automat on St. Mark's, with Erin and Amber.




How does one eat at an Automat?


Well . . .













Along with my Burger, I also had: Chicken Nuggets, a Hot Dog (served hog in a blanket style), and "donuts."




Hey, what do you think this is?


I bet you didn't guess "Deepfried Macaroni & Cheese Roll"


On the "maybe next time" list: Peanut Butter & Jelly, Grilled Cheese, and, uh . . .





Bamn! doesn't seem to recommend their own chicken wings


Also available at Bamn!: Gigantic servings of Shaved Ice.

Best Internet Bargain Shopping

Remember how Andrew teaches English to the Indians way down in Southern Utah? For a recent assignment Andrew had his students bring in items to auction off on ebay and had them write descriptions of each item. Andrew then posted the items on ebay and the idea is maybe these items will get sold?

Since children are the future, I'm posting links to each item in hopes that maybe the readers of Steady Mobbin' might want to help kids love school by buying, you know, a paperclip or a nearly used bottle of Gatorade.

The Items:

A Battery


Stylish Hair Accessory


Green Lighter


Blue Ruler


Jumbo Paperclip (Possibly Lucky)


Car Freshener


Yellow Highlighter (no picture)


Gatorade Bottle Drank By an Unknown Person

Personalized Name Card


So, please. Help the children and buy something.

Best Reality Show Reality

Tonight I went to Jeff's Karaoke Birthday party (I was the pooper at this party) in Korea Town (I'm trusting Jeff will blog about his own party, I don't want to steal his material). Afterwards we passed the Project Runway window at Macy's and saw all the winning outfits . . . IN REAL LIFE! So, although there wasn't a new episode this week, I got to see the clothes up close.





What'd I think? Everything was very thready.

Moving on . . .

Tonight's Office premiere. That was a lot of heavy stuff to take in. The whole episode left me feeling uncomfortable BUT I must admit to laughing very, very hard when Michael was trying to kiss Oscar. Perhaps too absurd to take seriously, but I cannot argue against it being funny. On the whole, this was the most Office UK-like Office US I've ever seen (even counting the season one episodes that ripped off the British show). Now I'm just waiting for Jim to make his appearance on Conan (literally, that's what I'm doing. Right now. On my futon.)

Best If You Dare

I have posted pictures of me taken during the two weeks or so that I had shingles back in July/August at a secret location. Because they are gross, I haven't posted them here, because no one should have to fear checking on Steady Mobbin'.

Click here to see me at my shingliest and scabbiest (If you Dare!)

The post will only be up for a limited time, so act now if you're into this sort of thing.

It's Always Better on Holiday IV, pt. XII

I can't believe it, but this is the last of my vacation posts. Sure, I could break this one down into two posts, but you'd feel pretty ripped off if I did.

First

Just like I said earlier, last Sunday I was reunited with George Mataele who I knew as Elder Mataele when he was serving as a missionary in my ward about two years ago. His sister Alisi invited me over for dinner the next night, a dinner so spectacular that I totally forgot to take any pictures of it . . . but there was broccoli, rice, potatoes, yummy chicken, Hawaiian pork, salad, rolls, Propel, and two types of pie. Awesome! But these pictures I did take, after the meal:

Photographic evidence was found around the house that George has always been an exceptional fellow.


Look at me! I'm Cassian!


George and Alisi, magnificent hosts and the pride of Los Feliz.



Second

Tuesday I got lunch downtown with Broek at Clifton's Cafeteria.


Wait, where'd we go? Oh yeah, Clifton's Cafeteria (a.k.a. Clifton's Brookhurst)


What, exactly, is Clifton's. Well, it's Los Angeles' largest restaurant, it's 60 years old, it's a cafeteria, it turns out my Grandma used to go there as a teenager, AND it's decorated like it's Yellowstone or Yosemite or something!!




I was so blown away by the decor that I forgot to photograph my very cafeteria-food lunch.


Sometimes the decor at Clifton's takes a backseat to the restaurant's fine clientele, such as this Colonel Sanders lookalike.


Oh, wait. I need to tell you that Broek and Tanner took a Mexican vacation while I was in LA and Broek came back with exquisitely decorated nails.


After lunch I tossed a coin into the waterfall


And we snuck up to the closed-off way-fancy thirdfloor dining room.


In case you were wondering where Clifton's was located, it's right next door to the theater where Football the Musical is playing


Just down the street from where I get all my gold watches


And my Cream of Snail Dribble.


But seriously, Clifton's was super-amazing and I can't believe I didn't even know it existed until last week. I found a good report on it at NPR that's worth a listen if you've got the patience.

And that, dear readers, was my long trip to Utah and Los Angeles.