Skipping the sun: Belgian Fest and soccer at Luckys

I choose Belgian beer

Its like summertime today in Southern California, but am I taking advantage of the gorgeous weather?

No. I'm watching soccer at Lucky Baldwins and participating in Belgian Fest, which goes on through at least Feb 28. Love watching the European football fans, but I could care less who wins.

Anyway, I'll probably finish my LB trip out on the patio so I can enjoy the weather a bit before heading back to the office, where I'm sure I'll be oh so productive.

There a lot of great beers on tap at LB's, but if you are not familiar, just start out with the Maredsous 10, and everything else will fall into place. Trust me. I'm a doctor, or at least I've played one for Halloween.

Thoroughbreds Club a good deal, but

Free everything

At the Santa Anita Race Track, again. Only came because my Thoroughbred membership entitled me to free parking, free clubhouse entry, and a free program.

Overall, however, I think dollar days on Fridays is a better deal. Everything might have been free today, but at $6.00 a beer, costs quickly add up, especially if you enjoy some action on the races.

Killer boobies - News Favs

Kaboom!

Let's face it. Most of the time the news is just bad news that we really don't need to hear about.

Toyota recall? Whatever. 10,000 people die every year due to SUV design defects and no one cares, so how important can the Toyota recall really be?

First ever Tea Party Convention? I'd rather be tea-bagged.

OK. Jon Stewart calling Bill O'Reilly and FOX a "cyclonic perpetual motion machine" that has "taken reasonable concerns about this president and this economy and turned it into a full-fledged panic attack about the next coming of Chairman Mao," is definitely up there.

Still, my favorite news story has to be exploding boobies. Women terrorists getting exploding breast jobs? Gives whole new definition to killer boobs.

Booking a night at Saint Motel

My favorite up-and-coming LA band

Came across Saint Motel a few weeks back and instantly got hooked on the catchy number 'Butch'. In fact, as I hit a wall this morning, at my real job, I threw on Butch and was instantly energized.

Anyway, after my first listen to Butch I bought the album off ITunes. At first, I was slightly disappointed - not in the band though. Saint Motel is oozing in potential. I just thought that a good producer could really help bring their sound together and push them into rock star status.

However, after listening to the album a few times, a few other songs have really started to grow on me, particularly Pity Party as of late.

But that really isn't the point. The point is these guys grow on you. And, one way or another these guys will grow on you too because it can be only a matter of time before Saint Motel moves from up-and-coming LA band to radio stations everywhere.

Don't fight it, just check out the album now and be ahead of the crowd for once.

So, what music is you keeping you alive these days? Rate your favorite music.

Lots of fun at Old Town Pub - Nightlife Hot Spots

No charge!

Stopped by the Old Town Pub in Old Town Pasadena Sunday night. What perfect timing.

Several interesting musical performances. A few magic tricks. And two almost naked girls dancing.

What more do you want?

Rate your favorite nightlife hot spots and photos

Picture of the day

Good thing its not a spelling contest

Caught this sign at the McDonalds on York Blvd in Highland Park. Gave me a good laugh at least.

Have any funny photos? Rate your photos

Caligulove me, please!

Never too old to rock

What do you get when you mix a little Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, Led Zepplin and FooFighters?

Do I really need to ask?

Been listening a lot lately to Them Crooked Vultures, and I can't wait to see them live. Still, the album is a joy in and of itself.

But that song Caligulove? Ohhhhhhhh, boy.

What tunes are rocking your world rate now? Rate your music now.

The calm before the storm of politcal discontent

The bias of the LA Times

FOX is biased towards Republicans. Most that watch FOX believe that every station other than FOX is biased towards Democrats.

The Wall Street Journal is conservative. The NY Times is liberal.

Today, news isn't necessarily all that objective. Everyone has some angle to play, and often, money is the driving factor. But does that make it right?

The other day, in an incredibly important special election, Republican Scott Brown upset a Democrat for a Senate seat that has been controlled by Democrats for more than 50 years. Again, the politcal climate in America is shifting - the populace is discontent.

So, of course the LA Times made the election the top story of the day, but just look at the picture that sets off the headline, a dark onimous storm, at least according to the Democrat-siding LA Times.

Of course, maybe it was just a coincidence?

Nevertheless, the majority of Americans seem to be sending a message that they are not happy with Republicans OR Democrats, with liberals or conservatives.

There is a storm of political discontent growing in moderate, populist America, and politics as usual won't provide cover from this blizzard of voter fury.

Great fish and chips

This is my comfort food

As I was a bit tense after leaving the dentist, I decided to stop by Lucky Baldwins for a few quick drinks. And, once I could feel the left side of my mouth again, I realized I hadn't yet eaten much today, and I ordered some fish and chips.

I'm not a big fan of the food at LBs, but the fish and chips is always good. In fact it was the best fish and chips I've had in some time!

Suddenly I'm feeling so much better.

2 hours at dentist for 15 minutes of work

WTF!?

At the dentist for a noon appointment, which means 1:00 PM. Then the dentist will rotate between me and 2 others with appointments at the same time.

I like my dentist, but isn't this ridiculous? I mean this happens EVERY time. Time to find a new dentist?

Damn glad its fricken Friday

The solution to a bad day?

Boy this has been a crappy week! 2010 is going down hill fast.

But at least its Friday.

I don't know about you, but I'll be calling it a day by lunch time. I haven't accomplished all that much this week anyway, and I'm sure not going to accomplish much today.

I'm not even going to check my e-mail. Bam! That'll show 'em! Not, but that's all I got, other than taking the afternoon off.

If you have 'em, send me pictures of your day.

Lunch at Peppers in Arcadia

My first visit

Stopped by Peppers for lunch today. Didn't know what to expect.

Tried the salsa. Wasn't impressed. No tap beer. Still not impressed. Saw the prices, and I was even less impressed.

However, many regulars hang out at Peppers. And once I started interacting with them, everything changed - obviously I was in the bar.

Then my food arrived. Tried a tamale and a chile relleno. Both were huge and my plate came with a ton of beens and rice. While I've had better Mexican food many places, this was at least OK and worth another try.

However, combined with the service and the crowd, I'd give the place a moderate thumbs up.

Still, even if I don't like the food the second time, I'd still go back to hang out in the bar.

A glance inside Discovery

At the Television Critics Association Cable Tour

YT is hanging out at the Langham Hotel, and learning about some of the new TV programs upcoming on Discovery, Animal Planet, Science, Planet Green, etc.

Not too sure what I'm doing here, but this hotel is pretty classy, a little too classy for YTsWorld.

I wonder if the bar is open yet. These Prison Wives - an upcoming program - are making me feel a little depressed.

Lunch and more at Lucky Baldwins

Thank you Kenigshoeven

Maybe that's not the way you spell it, Keningshoeven, but its the reason I am now in serious trouble.

Still, gotta love Lucky Baldwins. By the way, LB's Belgian Fest starts on Nov. 13.

Rolling at Barneys Beanery

YT ain't done yet

Obviously the day can only go down hill from here. So I'm parked here at Barney's Beanery.

Can't we just make some honest money?

King dollar

So, I have a few friends that work for Non Profit Organizations, and they make very nice money working for these NPO's, very nice money.

Social workers and teachers could only be so lucky, yet they work so much harder. Isn't it ironic, Alanis?

In recent years, many examples of NPO fraud have been exposed. Even worse, it turns out the tax code is so fundamentally flawed that NPO's can use loophole after loophole to use the far majority of all money raised for 'organization' efforts, including fund-raising.

And you know that means let's party like a rock star (and with rock stars)! Hey, but its all in the name of a good cause, and at least a little of the money actually makes it to the cause.

Inevitably, however, it seems all money is a little dirty, even money made with the best of intentions. Of course, how much money is really made with the best of intentions?

Anyway, now its time for the world of YT to get a share. Wanna try to make some money, as honestly as possible? Stay tuned for the YTs World challenge.

Hate, hate, hate. Can't stand my job!

And its only 8:41 AM

That's right, I just popped open a beer. I'm not proud, nor am I happy. I just hate my job!

I don't know what it is, somehow, I always seem to end up at this realization: I hate my job.

Ironically, however, I kind of like my job, it's just all the BS that goes along with it. The world, or at least America, is just so full of it.

You see, my job has a cause, a cause in which I believe. But, most working on my cause are mostly using my cause to make money. The cause is secondary. Even worse, most working on my cause will sacrifice my cause for money.

Is it all just about money?

Hey, by the way, if you hate your job, then Rate Your Job.

Texas and Alabama getting down at the 35er

Having a little fun together

We can all get along together, at least the Texas and Alabama fans could today at the 35er. We'll see about tomorrow.

Best Pasadena happy hours for BCS fans, Part 1

Mai Kobe a great Old Town Happy Hour

So, you're in town for the Alabama-Texas National Championship game.

That's great, but since you blew your wad on flights, hotels, tickets, etc., it might be nice to save a little money when eating and drinking, right?

There are a ton of happy hours in Old Town Pasadena, but I'm going to focus on two great ones to get you started. Likewise, I'm picking these two for the food and drink specials.

In Old Town (just south of Colorado on Fair Oaks), MaiKobe is possibly the best food and drink happy hour. Yes, it's Japanese food, but it's not just sushi, and the beer is really cheap. Likewise, the bartenders are great. Befriend them and they will take care of you, even brew up some special shots for you, but you have to be cool. And you have to tip.

Possibly my favorite happy hour in the Old Town area, however, is the YardHouse at Paseo Colorado - just two blocks east of 'Old Colorado'. The happy hour menu is extensive, varied and well-priced. The beer isn't the best deal, especially if you only drink Lite beer. However, if you like to try new beers, there are more than 100 on tap. For my favorite IPA's, such as Racer 5, the happy hour prices are a great deal.

And, the YardHouse offers a nice crowd, as its a very popular stop for those that work in the area, because of its happy hour.

Stay tuned, I'll be covering more of Pasadena's best happy hours, etc. for BCS visitors. Also, have any questions, desires, etc.? Leave a comment, and I'll respond. Shoot, I might even provide a guided tour if anyone is really interested in drinking the best of Old Town.

Back horse racing at Santa Anita

At least the weather is perfect

Enjoying some horse racing this fine afternoon in Santa Anita. Joe Talamo is looking good.

What's up with the crappy beer prices?