Best 8th Gathering

First, yes. I never blogged the 7th Gathering of the 12th Street Guitar Hero Fanciers' Association. Mostly because there was an ugly altercation and the party got broken up. Here's the video:



Of the lightly attended 8th Gathering, only one photo need be shown:


I do not boast of my score, but I rejoice in the fact that I lived through Freebird on Hard for the first time. The sky's the limit now.

But PS, it's not like I'm neglecting my Medium game either


And yes, I realize I wrote "only one photo need be shown" and then posted two.

Best Unrelated Subway Photos

1) There are LED signs at a few Manhattan L stops telling you how long until the next train shows up (they've actually been there for a few months). The MTA creeps towards
modernity.


2) Observed Today: The remains of someone else's traumatic childhood experience.


(Longtime readers will remember that balls lost to the subway tracks have stopped me in my tracks before)

Best Envy

I wish this was me.

The Great Taco Hunt Blog.
Mr. Great Taco Hunt seems like a man (I assume) after my own heart and tastes. A lover of the simple little two-tortilla, lime-salt-onion-cilantro-and-salsa (plus meat) taco.

I really don't think there's a more important blog than his for people that live in Los Angeles.

As far as my own Great Taco Hunts go, I have received word of a taco shop with a spit for the tacos al pastor in the 100's on Lexington Avenue. I shall investigate soon. (I would say "I shall investigate immediately" if it weren't for the 1/2 a torta in my fridge right now)

Best Desperation Post

I know, I know. I've barely had anything to say lately. Why don't we talk about Chicken McNuggets?

Over the last year or so I've really begun to love Chicken McNuggets. They're practically my favorite food from McDonalds and it's really handy that 4 piece McNuggets are on the dollar menu now (it was even greater a while back when there was that 6 pieces for a dollar offer). I especially love the boot-shaped McNugget. (as McNuggets are formed in only three shapes: round-shaped nugget, nugget-shaped nugget, and boot-shaped nugget) I've been a big fan of McDonald's barbecue sauce for a long time, who knew McDonalds would have such a great barbecue sauce, but just this last month I found out about the Spicy Mustard dipping sauce for McNuggets that has existed for who knows how long without me even knowing it.


Now, if I only get one thing of nuggets, sometimes I don't even get barbecue sauce. I'm good with the mustard. If it looks like I'm getting two sauces, I'll mix it up.

You know what was probably my favorite food from McDonald's ever? The Superhero burger released to promote Batman Forever. It was the sandwich that taught me that I loved mayonnaise. Do you remember this thing? It was a double cheeseburger, but served on like a hero roll or something (oh, wait. I get it. "superhero" burger on a hero bun) , so that the patties were beside each other, not stacked. And there was mayo. Lettuce too, maybe?

Best Uh-Oh

I couldn't even begin to tell you how many times I've eaten here.

Best Celebrity Appearance

I started my President's Day off right by going up to the Lincoln Square
Barnes and Noble to see Bob from Sesame Street read some stories and sing some songs. The place was packed full of kids and I couldn't even get a seat! Figures.





It was an event to raise Downs syndrome awareness. He read a good book
called "We'll Paint the Octopus Red" that taught us that there's pretty much nothing you can't do with a little brother who has Downs syndrom if you're willing to be patient and help them And then he read/sang a story called "Everybody Asked About You", but I didn't stick around for all of that one.

Would you believe that Bob is 75? I thought he looked a little old when I saw him, but not that old.

Best Concert in Ten Months

Unless anyone can think of a show that I forgot about, its been a long time since my last show (which I'm pretty sure was that rather special Franz Ferdinand concert last April [By the way, let me be honest: my post on that Franz show was one of my most-epic posts ever written. You ought to read it if you never had, or read it again if its been a while]). But Saturday night I went to !!!'s record release party in Greenpoint. The show was held in a loft on the second floor of a building about 10 blocks from the nearest subway stop (off the G line). To get to the loft one had to walk down a dark passageway between buildings, up two flights of stairs lit only by candles, out a door, across a fire escape, pass through a little room and then finally enter the large space where the party happened. And the show started at pretty close to 1 am.

It was dumb luck that I found out about this show, dumb luck that I got tickets, and dumb luck that made it there and back alive. Fortunately, the band put on a stupid-fun show. The whole thing was totally New York. And the singer danced like Snoopy. Too bad I don't have a picture or video of that.






The loft where the party was held was a little odd. There was a ram on the wall, toothbrushes in the bathroom, and there was this forest backdrop up.




And for those keeping an eye on the rave resurgence, the band's final number was an extended techno jam, a total departure from the band's all-instrument sound on "Louden Up Now."

Also, I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Myth Takes", the new !!! record, is really really good.

Mejor Visita a la Casa de los Tacos

Friday night Collin organized an excursion to the beloved La Casa de Los Tacos. There's really nothing better you could do with a Friday night than go to La Casa de Los Tacos and really no better name to give to your taco restaurant than "La Casa de Los Tacos."

Tessa shows off her plate of taquitos.

Going to La Casa de Los Tacos makes me understand what it must feel like for a rapper to be "ballin' out of control." I had two tacos al pastor, two chicken tostadas, and an order of taquitos. I just couldn't help myself. And right now, as I write this, I regret not ordering a torta.

Oh tacos al pastor, I love you so much.

Silly Tina! You're not supposed to eat the fixins trough!

And then a birthday cake appeared! All of a sudden it wasn't just a trip to La Casa de Los Tacos, but a total party!

Tessa blows out the candles.

Small problem. It was Robin's birthday, not Tessa's.

Collin shows no mercy when it comes to birthday cake. (In the background is Patty, the restaurant's security guard. Hey, we were at 117th and 1st, after all)
Can Becky possibly eat another bite?

After dinner we went to Tessa's place for Wii (usually I'd say "Emily's Place" but Emily was out of town)

All good nights of Wii begin with some time spent creating new Miis.

There's nothing quite like basking in the warm glow of a 52" flat screen TV as you watch your friends play Wii Tennis.


Once everyone got the need to play Wii Sports out of their system we played Zelda until 5am. It was like I was back at a 5th grade sleep over. As far as I'm concerned, as long as Hyrule remains cursed by the mysterious shadow realm, sleep would have been a waste of those hours and hours spent playing.

Best Bow Your Head in Shame

Your Dance Dance Revolution skills are nothing.



Of all the Dance Dance videos I've seen on the internet, I proclaim this one to be the greatest. You may make your counter arguments, but I will ignore them.

Best Update

The Zantar Valentine's movie is now available on YouTube. If the screen caps from the "I Heart Guitar Hero" extravaganza drove you mad with anticipation, here is your relief:



I feel it is his finest work thus far. Becky's also.

Best Question Open for Discussion

As it's the 14th of February, I was wondering if it would be acceptable to close professional communications with a "Happy Valentine's Day". I wouldn't want to come across as cold and uncaring to any of my potential employers, you know?

Best Thing I Forgot to Tell You About Guitar Hero Night

There's something I totally forgot to tell you about last night's gathering. I've invented a really cool new Guitar Hero trick and I tried it out last night and it seemed to go over really well. The trick is that there's this long break in "Stop" by Jane's Addiction near the end (if you know the song, you know what I'm talking about . . . . and if you don't know the song, it wouldn't make sense for me to try to explain in any greater detail when this break is, that would be like describing traffic lights to Masai tribesmen) anyway, when the break starts I take off my guitar, I hand it to one of the Fanciers, I walk into the kitchen and pour myself a glass of water, I drink the glass of water, I walk back into my living room (note: all of this is done in as calm a manner as possible, it's not like I'm running around and pouring the glass of water all over my face), I take my guitar back, strap it on just a fraction of a second before the song resumes and hit that first new note right on. The crowd goes bonkers.

Listen, I don't want this to be a blog where I just brag about myself, but sometimes that's just impossible.

Although I sort of just blew my chances of ever being able to catch anyone by surprise with this trick again.

Best Sixth Gathering

Tuesday night the 12th Street Guitar Hero Fanciers' Association held its first-ever "I Heart Guitar Hero" pre-Valentine's Day extravaganza.

What makes a typically raucous Fanciers' Association gathering an extravaganza into an Extravaganza? Well, for one, members arrive looking a little fancier.


Please note, if you are confused, that this is Jeff, not my neighbor Elvis

And special Valentine's treats are brought by Ellie


See?


Also, special Valentine's themed clothing items are worn, such as these socks . . .


Or notice Collin's pink shirt (and later notice my pink shirt).


Fanciers both new and old joined us for the extravaganza. Such as new Becky in the above Collin photo. And here we have new Michelle with veteran Erin.


Brand new Sarah (right) and friend (left)(I'm sorry, I keep forgetting friend's name . . . is it Sally?)


Old-timers Kim and Dave (both wearing theme-appropriate clothing) keep it real. As usual.


But perhaps the most special thing about our Extravaganza was that it featured the premiere of Collin's latest Zantar short. I hope to be able to provide a link to the movie soon, but for the time being, here are some images from the feature:





Also, let it be know that about a dozen more people showed up for the portion of the evening where we watched the movie and then left immediately afterwards

As usual, the evening officially ended with another performance of Freebird by yours truly. As you can see from my face, I've begun to get a little cocky with Freebird, and my performance suffered slightly for it this week. Also, please note my previously-mentioned pink shirt.


Still, the fans dig it.

Best Drying of the Eyes

So, yes, the Arcade Fire concerts at Judson Memorial Church begin tonight and none of us have tickets. But, if it's of any consolation, Saturday night's show will be broadcast live on NPR and the band has just announced the dates for their North American tour which include 3 nights in the beginning of May at an still unspecified New York venue (I imagine they'll be playing somewhere big--such as the Hammerstein Ballroom--as they're also playing three nights at the Chicago Theatre, which seats 3600).

Best Link

Dog Hugs Baby.

Best Visitor Ever, pt.II

Saturday! Saturday morning (and by morning I mean "lunchtime") Dad and Grandma came over to my apartment and we got pizza down the block.


Then we got on the subway (at which Grandma has become quite skilled at riding)


Times Square!


We were there to see the Drowsy Chaperone. It was great, maybe I enjoyed my second viewing even more than my first? Our seats were excellent, too bad we got Sutton's understudy.


After the play we went up to the View, the rotating lounge on top of the Marriott Marquis. Hard to believe this was my third trip up there. The only reason to ever go up there is that you were just at a musical and your ticket got you up there forfree. Then it isn't so bad. (click Here to learn a little about my first time at the Drowsy Chaperone and second trip to the View)






It was bright up there.


So bright.


So, so bright.


Funny how in this picture I took of myself Grandma was in the background and I didn't even know it.


The Marriott Marquis. We were up there at the top.


After our Times Square adventures we headed to Dressler in Brooklyn. Dressler is owned and operated by the good people behind Dumont and Dressler is excellent. It is about 33% nicer than Dumont and at least 33% harder to get to. But I could not recommend the establishment more (same goes for Dumont).


There are wild chandeliers there.


Appetizers

Cauliflower Puree, Bay Scallops & Truffle Oil (Grandma)


Lamb Ragout, Hand Rolled Pasta, Fava Beans & Shaved Parmesan (Dad)


Pea & Fontina Raviolini, Parmesan Broth, Tomato & Pea Shoots (Me)


Entrees

Braised Short Rib & Grilled Aged Rib Eye, Horseradish Whipped Potato, Onion Jam, Spinach & Bordelaise (Grandma & Dad, although most of Grandma's is in my fridge right now)


Grilled Duck Breast & Braised Leg, Wild Mushroom Risotto, Duck Confit Crepinette, Escarole & Red Wine Gastrique (Mine. So good.)


Dessert

Chocolate Tart, Soft Marshmallows & Ice Cream (Dad & Me)


Peanut Butter Cup, Chocolate Foam & Peanut Brittle Ice Cream (Grandma)



Read the NY Times review here. If you ask me, it's more of a 3 star establishment.