BURBANK, CA -- Since first and foremost this is a travel blog, I feel obliged to inform you of my travels over the past week, since I last updated.
Last Friday I drove down to San Diego where I picked up a High School buddy who was in town for work, and over the course of the weekend got to do the tourist thing all over Southern California. On our way back we had a spectacular afternoon in La Jolla (seals a plenty). Friday night did Flappers comedy club in downtown Burbank, followed by yet another trip to Umami Burger. I suppose this is the first time I have mentioned Umami in this blog. Suffice it to say that if you are ever in Los Angeles, or for that matter, San Francisco now, you MUST stop at the closest Umami to grab a burger. Hands down the best burger today. Not in an In-N-Out way, or for Chicago references Portillo's, but full-blown you cannot possibly find a better burger on planet earth.
Saturday was a pretty epic LA day trip. Started off at Hollywood and Highland to see the walk of fame, Kodak theater, Chinese theater, the street character actors, etc. From there drove over to Griffith Park and managed to snag a parking spot in the actual parking lot at the Griffith Observatory. For those who have been (and for those who haven't, but understand geography combined with LA air quality), we could see Catalina. Yes, from Griffith. Absolutely the clearest day up there I have seen since January. Did a walk around the building and then the inside exhibits too - all for free by the way. Don't miss this spot on a trip to LA. Afterwords we drove down Sunset through WeHo, Beverly Hills, and UCLA to the 405, flew over to Santa Monica, did the pier and the promenade, hopped on the PCH northbound through Pacific Palisades and into Malibu. Made it through town, hopped on the 23 through the mountains, and at well over a thousand feet in elevation on this tiny winding two-lane road the gas light went on. Craaaaaaaap.
We knew Thousand Oaks was only another 10 miles away, which on a highway or even a normal road wouldn't have been a big deal. That said, with the general 15-25mph speeds (which aren't very efficient), the winding roads, and worst, the elevation changes, it got a little hairy. Ended up making it to a gas station probably with no more than 5 miles to spare. The tank reading was the lowest I have ever seen it. Phew. Hopped on the 101 and did Burbank again in the evening.
Sunday morning headed over to lovely Pasadena, grabbed some crepes, packed up, In-N-Out just because, and then over to LAX. For all of 48 hours in total, we covered some serious ground, had a great time, and really managed to successfully pack it in.
Of the many conversations over the weekend, one that is related to travel that I think specifically applies for this blog relates to the mentality of travel, and the opportunities that are out there to take advantage of. On the one hand, the fact that my friend had spent the prior two weeks working in Puerto Rico and San Diego is an example of figuring it out - getting a job that allows (and more-or-less ensures) travel is phenomenal. Then, when finding out he'd be flying back Friday, I tried convincing him to spend the weekend and fly back on Sunday instead. He looked it up, and with the fare change combined with the ticket change fee, it was another $250 that he'd have to pay out-of-pocket. He was mulling over it when one of his coworkers flat-out said it. "If someone offered you a weekend in LA right now for $250, would you take it?" Absolutely yes, no hesitation. Well, that day he booked it. Unquestionably worth it. My advice: the next time you have an opportunity to travel, take advantage of it in a similar mentality.
Also on travel lines, yesterday I spent my day working down in San Diego. I love that city and love getting down there. It's nice to get into the office and see everyone, and I love the progress Nextivity is making. I also love the drive, down I-5 along the ocean and then up I-15 through the mountains. Breathtaking and it's not something you get used to.
As for my two upcoming trips, I'm heading back home to Chicago for Thanksgiving two weeks and two days from today. Much bigger than that, I am off on my epic adventure to Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, and Antarctica FIVE weeks from today!!! Spent a lot of time on the phone last night talking with a friend who went on the same ship during the same window last year, and her advice has been invaluable. More details on this trip will appear as we get closer, but for now, my plan is to head home with an empty suitcase, and use a lot of my fishing gear I have accumulated over the years of my Arctic circle expeditions and then make a trip to get whatever is left in the last week or two before travel.
In non-travel news, long-time readers know there has always been mention of hockey in this space. At a specific level, I usually mention the Blackhawks. The season has just started, but they are tearing up a storm so far. We'll see how things stand in another month - usually December is a good indicator of how the regular season will end up. Tonight they play in Florida and tomorrow night in Tampa Bay; here's hoping for a couple of good games.
The real reason I wanted to bring up hockey though, was to direct you to a couple of my favorite blogs on the net, both hockey related. From a hardcore insider Blackhawks fan perspective laced with a solid amount of hockey humor, check out Blackhawks Down Low. A sample from their game recap after the Hawks beat Nashville:
I wouldn't say the Hawks dominated the third period, but they definitely controlled the flow of play. Kane picked up his second goal of the night just five minutes in. When you have Hossa, Sharp, and Kane coming in 3-on-2, there should be a congressional subcommittee investigating for unfair competitive advantages.
The Hawks are tenth in the NHL in goals against. Edmonton is in first and they're allowing less than two goals per game on the back of Khabibulin. Yeah, THAT will last reaaaaalllll long.
If the season were to end today, everybody would be wondering what the hell happened to the other 71 games we were promised.
From an overall NHL and even just hockey in general standpoint, the best blog for the past decade, by a LONGSHOT, is the John Buccigross "Bucci Blogumn" on ESPN. This week the Blogumn is a tribute to Blink-182, going through the track list of their first album and finding ways to relate the lyrics to hockey. Do yourself a favor. Add this blog to your reading list - it is very simply the best. A sample:
Blink-182 is fast, ferocious, funny, profound, profane, vulgar, touching, honest, insecure, self-effacing, violent and fun. If there is a band that shares adult North American hockey's true DNA, it is this one. There is little difference between a Blink mosh pit and a game-ending hockey scrum in front of the net in a one-goal game.
Track 9: "Kaleidoscope"
It's the first time I'm worried
Of a bad dream, of a journey
On the highway, through the valley
It's a long road through the night
November is here and still no Sidney Crosby. It's now been 10 months since Crosby last played. There is no rush to bring him back since the Penguins -- and the Steelers -- are in first place, and there seems to be little outcry from Penguins season-ticket holders, suite owners and sponsors and the revenue generators to ask for more transparency. Why isn't he playing? Is the team being ultra-extra cautious? Does he still have an injury? Is the plan to give him one full month of training camp-like work after he is cleared to play?
The game needs him, not only for his brilliant artistry, but also because he is one of the more hated players in certain rinks. Every theatrical performance needs a villain. Jonathan Toews will never be hated unless he starts slew-footing schoolchildren at Greater Detroit bus stops.
Also, as has been documented on my facebook profile, last week I had a procedure done on my feet. Had my post-op checkup on Tuesday and am cleared to run today. May go out and do a quick 2-3 miles to see how it goes this afternoon. Thus the inspirational photo above, taken during the Orange County Half Marathon May 1, 2011. Did Long Beach about 1 month ago, and the goal now is to do Surf City on February 5, 2012! Training starts in 2 weeks.
Have a good one everybody!
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