It has been a hectic week or two. This is not Lake Wobegon, Minnesota. I have been all over the West in the last two weeks, once again staying at some of the best and not best hotels. After a hearing in lovely Upland, CA, where I had a gourmet Egg McMuffin at the local McDonalds (order it without butter. Saves 100 calories and some fat), I got to go to some nice places.
First was Tucson. Tucson is a great town. After my hearing I had a chance to wander all over Tucson and through the U of A. It is a very vibrant campus and quite attractive. I stayed at the Marriott University next to campus. Very nice. As I was driving around downtown Tucson, which is quite modern, I discovered a hole in the wall Italian place (Cafe Milano, 46 W. Congress) that proved to be a gem. One orders at the counter and the food is delivered to the table. And it was all good. I had soup and an antipasto salad that was very tasty and filling with nuanced flavors. And I even got lucky with a parking place on the street at the front door. The place was very busy. It has been there a long time. Locals support it and the location is good.
From Tucson, after trekking from the rental car facility to the terminal for what seemed like forever, I flew to Seattle to change planes to fly to Spokane to drive to Post Falls, Idaho. Spokane is a nice town which I had no time to see. On previous trips I ate at a nice restaurant not far off I-90 (actually, nothing is far from I-90 in Spokane) called Wild Sage. You ever get to Spokane and its still open, you must try it. Now Post Falls does not, to the best of my knowledge, which is minimal, has no gourmet restaurants. It does, however, have a Starbucks which I did not know until after the fact. Management brought in a bucket of KFC for our gourmet lunch.
The flight from Tucson to Seattle flew over the Grand Canyon. What a place. Its huge. I took some pictures with my cell phone. If I can ever figure out how to download the pictures easily (The Limo Widow tells me it is) I will post some of the better ones.
This past week I had hearings in Goleta and and Glendale. The Santa Barbara area is always nice. One must time things so as not to get caught up in the rush hour traffic as the road goes from three lanes to two. No one I knew was around so I drove home about 1 PM. On the way I stopped for lunch at Brent's Deli in Westlake Village across from the Hyatt. Best deli in the LA area. It has another location in Canoga Park. If you like Hot Pastrami sandwiches, this is the place. It's a pretty sizable menu if you prefer something else. On this trip, this was the highlight. And in case you were wondering, I'm losing weight, not gaining weight.
Friday was the highlight of the week when I put on a conference on Toxic Leadership at the university. It was very well attended and lots of energy. Now I am getting back to writing all those arbitration decisions from all those hearings.
It's 101 in Long Beach at this moment. Stay cool.
Benny
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
September 6, 2010
Labor Day in Long Beach is delightful, sunny and low 70s. We were going to go out of town. But Harry Francis was under the weather and we decided fighting traffic on the Coast road for a two-day trip was not worth the hassle. So Woofy and I stayed in town.
Yesterday, rather than catch up on grading or other work, we decided to do something local. We went to the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena for Sunday Brunch <pasadena.langhamhotels.com/>. It is a recently renovated luxury hotel that is worth a visit even if you are not having brunch. The food was fabulous and seemingly unlimited. Not only was there the usual selection of items spread around various tables and an omelet station, one could have crepes made to order or dip giant strawberries in a chocolate fountain. Sorry, once again I forgot to bring my new digital SLR. And, if all the food on the buffet was not enough, one got to choose an appetizer and a main course from the menu. Discipline was the order of the day. I selected Huevos Rancheros. I have never tasted more properly cooked eggs. I think this would be a good place for Limo Man and his lovely bride, The Limo Widow, to go.
After the brunch we hoped in the Caddy and drove around the neighborhood. The hotel is surrounded by substantial mansions that probably required a large staff to run in the old days (20s, 30s). A great house tour it was but watch out for oddly placed traffic islands. No damage.
We had a leisurely drive back to Long Beach having eaten enough for one day.
Must get ready to watch "The Closer" with Woofy. Her favorite show and, I guess, mine, too. Actually, I do enjoy the show.
Yesterday, rather than catch up on grading or other work, we decided to do something local. We went to the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena for Sunday Brunch <pasadena.langhamhotels.com/>. It is a recently renovated luxury hotel that is worth a visit even if you are not having brunch. The food was fabulous and seemingly unlimited. Not only was there the usual selection of items spread around various tables and an omelet station, one could have crepes made to order or dip giant strawberries in a chocolate fountain. Sorry, once again I forgot to bring my new digital SLR. And, if all the food on the buffet was not enough, one got to choose an appetizer and a main course from the menu. Discipline was the order of the day. I selected Huevos Rancheros. I have never tasted more properly cooked eggs. I think this would be a good place for Limo Man and his lovely bride, The Limo Widow, to go.
After the brunch we hoped in the Caddy and drove around the neighborhood. The hotel is surrounded by substantial mansions that probably required a large staff to run in the old days (20s, 30s). A great house tour it was but watch out for oddly placed traffic islands. No damage.
We had a leisurely drive back to Long Beach having eaten enough for one day.
Must get ready to watch "The Closer" with Woofy. Her favorite show and, I guess, mine, too. Actually, I do enjoy the show.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Thursday, August 26
It has been very hot in Long Beach, mid-90's. Makes decision writing very difficult. I am thankful that we have Harry Francis. I can turn on the air conditioning when the house temperature gets over 80 degrees for his sake. Never mind that ol' Hubs (Benny) sweats until dehydration sets in! Woofy and I part ways at about 85 degrees outside.
I was able to get away from the heat last week with a two-day hearing in Napa. Napa is an old town and a new town with the new buildings built in an old style with modern materials. Got stopped at a railroad crossing as the gate came down for the Napa Valley Wine Train pulled into the station. 11 dining cars and, I assume, lots of wine. Woofy and I will have to try it sometime. And Napa has lots of free parking all over town!!! I guess they figure to make lots of $$$ for local government through wine tourism.
It was open wheel racing weekend at Infineon Raceway (Sears Point) nearby. Saw some of the top drivers in the world. They are all of average height or less and thin. Leaves me out. Some of the teams, including Team Penske were staying at the Westin Versa where I stayed. Pricey but worth it. Nice rooms, great facilities including a workout room and salt water pool. My room was way at the back of the hotel. Woofy told me not to change my room because I can use the exercise! Of course, easy for her to say. She could not make the trip.
On one of these trips I promise to bring my camera so I can post some pix besides the picture of Harry Francis.
Book recommendation: "In the Shadow of the Cypress," by Thomas Steinbeck (you're welcome, Gail).
Well, that's all for now.
Benny
I was able to get away from the heat last week with a two-day hearing in Napa. Napa is an old town and a new town with the new buildings built in an old style with modern materials. Got stopped at a railroad crossing as the gate came down for the Napa Valley Wine Train pulled into the station. 11 dining cars and, I assume, lots of wine. Woofy and I will have to try it sometime. And Napa has lots of free parking all over town!!! I guess they figure to make lots of $$$ for local government through wine tourism.
It was open wheel racing weekend at Infineon Raceway (Sears Point) nearby. Saw some of the top drivers in the world. They are all of average height or less and thin. Leaves me out. Some of the teams, including Team Penske were staying at the Westin Versa where I stayed. Pricey but worth it. Nice rooms, great facilities including a workout room and salt water pool. My room was way at the back of the hotel. Woofy told me not to change my room because I can use the exercise! Of course, easy for her to say. She could not make the trip.
On one of these trips I promise to bring my camera so I can post some pix besides the picture of Harry Francis.
Book recommendation: "In the Shadow of the Cypress," by Thomas Steinbeck (you're welcome, Gail).
Well, that's all for now.
Benny
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Sunday, August 1st
Today started out sunny and still is depending on what direction one looks. Got up, made some coffee. Fed the guinea pig. Woofy and I chatted over the newspaper. Then we each went to our respective offices to write and grade papers. We have been doing lots of things to the house and need to work! Woofy is very smart and very funny so life is interesting. I guess introducing her to Nordstrom is a small price to pay for all the entertainment value she brings. And she really loves to work in the garden with good results. Now if we can only clean out the garage.
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