why I love san francisco...

I'm not going to state the obvious. Okay, I love going to Chinatown. I've lived here so many years and developed relationships with businesses that I couldn't replicate anywhere else. Anthony's Shoe Service on Geary near Kearny. I've known Gino for about 20 years. He's a great guy! Hiura & Hiura Optometrists on California near Pine. I've known the Hiuras for 28 years. Ron's father and uncle are now deceased, but I was going there when they were alive. Ron Hiura is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. J.D. Watchworks on Post near Grant. The owner has been working on my Ebel for nearly 20 years. Believe me, there aren't too many Ebel specialists around the country.

jean

I wasn't going to do another Sundance post, but I have to give Jean some props for going to 30 movies during the fest. That's unfuckingbelievable! I took this photo of Jean and Freddie Rodriguez after the premier screening of BOTTLE SHOCK @ the Park City Library.

c webb...

I've always liked Chris Webber. I enjoyed watching the Fab Five from Michigan. When he called that ill advised timeout against North Carolina in the title game, I was disappointed for him. I even remember where I watched that game- it was in Honolulu @ Murphy's Bar & Grill in downtown. I predicted to a friend of mine that the Warriors would get Webber in the draft. And I was saddened when Chris was traded to the then Washington Bullets for Tom Gugliotta. I hate to admit it as a Warriors fan, but I pulled for the Kings with Webber when they had those deep runs in the playoffs. I kind of lost my respect for him when he was traded to Philly and his troubles with that certain individual who is now deceased came out in the open. I pulled for him last season with the Pistons and now I'm happy he's back with the Warriors. I know he's a shell of his former self, but if he can help us win a few games to get us into the playoffs- I'm all for it...

muni...

Muni is much maligned, but I actually enjoy riding certain lines. The 41 and 45 first come to my mind. And the 30 and the 1. Of course, I love riding the cable car. The California line stops one block away from my apartment. I try to avoid riding through Chinatown. Oh, and the 22 from around Chestnut St. to Sacramento St. is fine. I haven't bought a monthly pass for a few months since I've been out of town so much.

Today, I rode the 1 California from the Financial District to Polk near California to go to my optometrist, then I walked down Polk all the way to Union and took the 41 Union to Fillmore to go to the Post Office on Lombard and Fillmore. Then, I took the 22 Fillmore to Sacramento and transferred to the 1 California and stopped @ Gough and did some shopping @ Whole Foods. I walked down to Polk and Clay and took the 1 California to Taylor. The whole trip with all those stops cost $1.50...

one last 2008 sundance post...

Walking up and down Main Street in Park City used to be my favorite part of going to Sundance. Now, I'm just tired of seeing all those fucking luxury lounges. Then again, if I had access to those luxury lounges, I may have a change of heart... No, as Redford keeps saying, "focus on film." Why should I see people like Alex Smith, Reggie Bush, and Kim Kardashian on Main Street- you know they aren't there to see independent film- they're there for the free shit and parties. I'm there for the movies...

southworst...

I was delayed nearly three hours @ McCarran. When I finally arrived @ SFO, I had to wait nearly an hour for my luggage. Now, I can understand why Southwest was absent from SFO for so long. Every time this happens, I hear people saying they won't fly Southwest again. Situations like this piss me off, but I still fly the airline. Well, @ least I got a free drink on my flight...

fire @ the monte carlo

I was on way to the airport from the Luxor and I actually saw the smoke emanating from the Monte Carlo. It was surreal... I'm @ McCarran writing this post @ a bar in the Southwest Terminal which are the C gates.

oh by the way, my last very minor celebrity sighting @ sundance...

Eric Balfour on Main Street on Wednesday afternoon. He's in HELL RIDE. I was in a hurry to get my ass out of Park City and I wouldn't have recognized him unless a couple of adoring fans stopped him to take a picture.

I remember Balfour from two films- WHAT WOMEN WANT and AMERICA'S SWEETHEARTS.

the palazzo...

The newest luxury hotel/casino in Vegas. Checked it out today and I was impressed. Mario Batali has a restaurant in the casino and on display is a pair of orange crocs. I know he's famous for wearing orange clogs, but I really don't think they're crocs? Take it from someone who's been wearing legitimate swedish clogs since high school. And high school was very, very many moons ago...

I was partially right. Batali used to wear Calzuro clogs and now he wears crocs...

downloading nancy...

Yesterday, someone told me it was horrible! I should have listened to him. I read a few reviews on the internet and they definitely weren't promising. I still gave the film a shot. I shouldn't have...

This film is dark, somber, gloomy, and I just wonder why someone would write such a piece of crap? Let alone, direct such a mess.

If anyone is reading this post- stay away from DOWNLOADING NANCY. Spend your $10-$15 on something that makes you happy! Life is too short to waste time watching such a terrible motion picture!

I really like Maria Bello, but now I question why she'd take on such a depressing role. It was painful to watch...

I watched the film for about 80 minutes and I just had to walk out. DOWNLOADING NANCY is a horrible, horrible movie!!

bigger, stronger, faster*...

I really enjoyed this doc! It's about steroids and American culture- which is a timely subject in this country. I will say that I didn't care for the beginning. I thought I was seeing a home movie. This film is by no means anti-steroids. It isn't pro-steroids either. BTW, Barry Bonds is prominently featured in this doc. Filmmaker and Bay Area resident Steven Okazaki was @ the screening. He's a documentary competition jury member. This doc is directed by Chris Bell.

my sunday afternoon @ butcher's chop house & bar...

While watching the Pats beat the Chargers, I met a lady who lives in my hometown of Seattle. She came to Park City to ski, while her friend was in town to promote her business which is an independent film version of Netflix. For some reason, I had a feeling she was gay? I was dead wrong...

She was great to talk with because she's so open. To make a long story short, I asked her if she had ever gone out with an Asian guy. She said, she hadn't. I asked her why? She said, she never went out with an Asian man because she was worried that when it was time to have sex, his cock would be too small for her. I fucking couldn't believe what she said? The crazy stereotypes which Asian men must live with!

All I'm going to say is that she should actually give an Asian man a whirl in the sack, before making such rash statements. I personally could steer her in the right direction...

sugar...

The fourth film I've seen @ Sundance. I've been averaging only a film a day. That's weak! Especially for someone who comes to see movies, as opposed to partying...

SUGAR is a good film directed by the team who brought us HALF NELSON- Anna Bolden and Ryan Fleck. I saw the premiere showing @ the Racquet Club.

It has a minor league baseball story line which intrigued me. I think the film could be cut about 15 minutes. Two hours is much too long for a Sundance film. A couple of scenes are too cliche ridden for my taste. One being when a group of latin ballplayers order in a restaurant and they all have the same thing because they can't speak english. Another is after the protagonist has
a bad outing(he's a pitcher), he knocks over a water cooler. How many times has that been done in a film? Too many...

The cast is a bunch of unknowns. Alegenis Perez Soto who played the lead character "Sugar" was very good.

For baseball fans, former major league pitcher Jose Rijo has a small role and he's quite competent.

missed two films...

Due to the snow storm, I had to miss two films this morning- MYSTERIES OF PITTSBURGH and DOWNLOADING NANCY. But it is better to be safe than sorry. I saw @ least 4 accidents on the road from Salt Lake to Park City. I made a mistake with my accommodations and I'm staying near the(SLC) airport. What a fucking mistake! I've stayed in Park City for my last six Sundances. No more staying in Salt Lake for me. I buy a package of twenty tickets which comes out to about $35 a ticket. Sure, I can go into the Filmmakers Lodge with my credentials and some other venues, but when space is available, anyone can get in these places. I just blew $70 worth of tickets today. C'est la vie... BTW, tix are usually $15 and wait list tix are $10.

a very minor celebrity sighting...

Fisher Stevens @ Einstein Bagels with an unidentified blonde. The guy is looking old! Then again, I shouldn't talk...

celebrity sightings...

Patricia Clarkson on Main Street and Stanley Tucci in Butcher's Chop House. Paul Mitchell(John Paul DeJoria) and his wife Eloise(April 1988 Playboy Playmate) on Main Street. BTW, Eloise is 50 and looks phenomenal! Cheech Marin @ the Asian Pacific Filmmakers Experience reception @ China Panda Restaurant. Cheech is a short guy.

Let me get back to the former Eloise Broady- she's the poster woman for the term, "50 is the new 40." And her husband the shampoo dude is a very lucky motherfucker...

sleep dealer...

The third film I viewed @ Sundance. It's a spanish language film from an American director of latin descent. Futuristic film with a beautiful look to it. I really liked the lead actress- Leonor Vanela. She's stunning in person! She played Cleopatra on television several years ago.

I guess Quentin Tarantino was @ the screening- BFD... Big fucking deal!

megane...

Which means glasses in Japanese. I'm going to keep this short. I really enjoyed this film! It was slow @ times and I saw a lady to my left sound asleep. The director is female and really has a great eye! MEGANE premiered @ the historic Egyptian Theatre on Main Street.

Some of the volunteers @ Sundance are fucking idiots! I asked a volunteer where the bathroom was and she directed me to the women's room. I've been to the Egyptian many times, but I forgot which side the mens room was located. You see, when you walk down the stairs to the women's room, you are in the women's room- there's no door. And I wasn't the only guy led astray by this stupid volunteer. There was another guy right behind me who said he had to take a fierce piss... I think he took it in the women's room?

bottle shock...

The first film I viewed @ the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. It was based on a blind tasting competition between California and French wineries in 1976 and guess who won? A winery from Napa called Chateau Montelena with their 1973 chardonnay. It was their story the movie focused on. FYI, the other winner was Stag's Leap's 1973 cabernet.

It wasn't a great work of art, but I thoroughly enjoyed it because I'm a lover of wine. BOTTLE SHOCK was a history lesson on the genesis of the California wine revolution.

The major players of the cast were @ the screening- Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman, Chris Pine(JUST MY LUCK), Rachael Taylor(TRANSFORMERS), Freddie Rodriguez(SIX FEET UNDER), and Eliza Dushku(BRING IT ON). I love Eliza Dushku!

If you liked SIDEWAYS, you'll probably like BOTTLE SHOCK...

first quasi celebrity sighting @ sundance...

It was a real big disappointment- Niner QB Alex Smith... He went to the University of Utah. It was on Main Street and he had a big bag of swag!

Just an update... On saturday, I saw Smith's high school teammate- Reggie Bush on Main Street with his girlfriend- Kim Kardshisan. And moments later William Hurt.

Everyones focus was on Bush and I almost didn't notice Kardashian. She's short, but very pretty in person.

macworld...

I saw the new Mac Book Air and I couldn't believe how thin it was up close and personal.

I don't like how they changed the registration area to Moscone West. It makes it somewhat inconvenient... I like the old setup much better.

While in line waiting to get my badge, Chronicle sex columnist and so-called sex expert Violet Blue was in line. She's not what you call attractive and her body isn't even fair @ best. I was about to write that I wouldn't fuck her, but then again, one never knows what he'll do under the influence of alcohol and she can probably teach me a few things...

The joint was crowded and I'm taking a much needed rest @ my club...

it must be me...

In less than a week, two chicks have canceled out on me. I should quit while I'm behind? I'm a sensitive dude and minor details like this shouldn't bother me. But they do... And there's nothing I can do about it. When a guy sets up a "date" with a lady, inevitably every now and then, she's going to have a change of heart and cancel out on him. I'm just getting more than my share of rejection lately. But then again, I'm also meeting a lot more ladies. I'm pissed, but the 1/2 bottle of Kenwood 2005 Russian River Pinot Noir I'm currently partaking in is making things better...

what constitutes a date?

On Saturday, me and a few buddies spent a very nice afternoon @ Momo's. One was the infamous Mongo. To our left was a couple who seemed to be enjoying one another. All of a sudden, a woman storms into the bar and starts verbally attacking the couple. And the woman got the worse of the lashing. It was surreal... It was like watching a bad movie.

It turns out that the woman who acted like Glenn Close in "Fatal Attraction" was the man's wife. She caught him on a date with another woman, or was it a date? The supposedly innocent lady told me it wasn't a date. She said she likes hanging out with guys and watching football. She also said the doctor didn't make a pass @ her and she knows when a guy wants to fuck her. To make matters worse, they all work @ the same hospital where the couple are both doctors and the other woman is a nurse.

From my point of view, I think it was a date. Why would a married guy go out with a very attractive woman(I might add), turn off his phone, and hide the fact from his wife? He wants to fuck around. And I don't blame him after seeing that crazy, enraged bitch.

And the good looking lady should realize, all guys want to fuck her. I want to fuck her. We can pretend to hang out and watch football, but the bottom line is we want to get into her jeans.

I'm going to meet a lady(not the above mentioned lady) for a drink tonight. Does that constitute a date?

aisle seats...

When I ask for an aisle seat, give me a fucking aisle seat. If you don't have one, don't try to sell me something else. This stupid _____ tried to sell me a seat right in the middle of a row- she said, and I quote, "it's close to the aisle, only five seats away." Are you fucking kidding me? The row seats 10. This chick should go to remedial ticket seller school...

cafe prima fila...

Interesting name? When I think of Fila, I think of the gear Bjorn Borg used to wear when he won all those Wimbledons. And realizing I couldn't afford a stitch of that tennis wear back in the day...

This joint is located on Bush near Taylor and they make an excellent bagel sandwich. I've had one three days in a row. Paired with a cup of fresh OJ, it's a great snack. I couldn't say meal, because as I write this entry, I'm still hungry.

And yes, Cafe Prima Fila has free wifi...

kelly tilghman...

Up until a few hours ago, I had no idea who she was? I don't watch the Golf Channel. Actually, I wish it wasn't in my lineup on digital cable.

Apparently, she was joking about the only way young players could compete with Tiger Woods is they should "lynch him in a back alley." Her inappropriate commentary led to a two week suspension that was only imposed today. She made her stupid remark last week. Suspending her for two weeks isn't enough. She should be fired and relegated to being a golf pro @ some obscure nine hole course in the South... then again, there's Playboy...

what a difference a day makes...

Yesterday, I was on top of the world because I got laid... Today, some wench cancels out on me @ last minute... I'm back to reality... What a fragile ego I have... Actually, I'm happy I didn't hook up with her. She's a head case...

out of shape...

That's what I am... I really need to get my ass into shape in the coming months!! I hurt my back doing clean and presses @ the gym. It sucks getting old...

mike martz...

The Niners don't have the talent @ their offensive skill positions to make this a good hire. When Martz was with the Rams he had Kurt Warner @ QB, Marshall Faulk @ RB and tremendous receivers like Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. With Detroit, QB Jon Kitna is good, but not even close to Warner in his prime. Kevin Jones @ RB and two potentially great receivers in Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson. I don't think Alex Smith has the arm or skill set to be effective in Mike Martz's offense. That's if he wins the starting job? Shaun Hill did a good job in relief, but it really remains to be seen whether he has the goods to be a full-time starter and he's an unrestrictive free agent. Frank Gore is an excellent running back, but he doesn't catch the ball out of the backfield like Faulk did with the Rams. The Niners don't have the receivers to run this offense. San Francisco must acquire a legitimate number one receiver and someone who can stretch the field.

sex in san francisco...

You just never know... Last night, I had more than a few drinks with a female friend of mine. Let me preface that I had no intention of ending up in the sack with her. I really didn't...

It's all about alcohol... Think about it? How often does a guy get laid without the aid of alcohol? Not too often...

Also, I think the fact that I didn't intend on sleeping with her factored into the equation?

sushi man...

This place has been open for many, many years. It's strangely located next to a gay strip club and it's nowhere near the Castro or Polk St.. I've never seen the joint with more than a few customers. I hate the fucking place!

In all my life, only two Japanese restaurants have charged me for rice. One was somewhat legitimate, since I asked for extra rice with a donburi. I was not happy @ that time and that was probably in the Reagan administration. The other is the above mentioned establishment on Sunday night. I ordered an entree believing it came with rice. Obviously, it didn't. I've never heard of a Japanese restaurant that charges extra for rice when you order an entree?

This so-called restaurant will nickel and dime you for anything. They even charged me for hot tea. How many legitimate Japanese restaurants charge patrons for tea? Not many, if any.

Fuck sushi man!

ralph...

First of all, who names their son Ralph anymore? Nobody. Ralph is worse than my first name. I haven't seen Ralph in several years and the fucking guy tells me that I've gained weight. The last time I saw him I had a 31 inch waist and weighed about 190 pounds. That was about 15 years ago. Sure I've gained weight, but I still look good... BTW, I'm 6'1.

If I haven't seen someone for years and it's apparent that they've gained weight- I'm not going to blurt out, "you got fat!"

Ralph can kiss my fat ass!

june jones...

It's all about money... And I don't blame him. Jesus Jones will more than double his salary with SMU. FYI, Jones was nicknamed Jesus after his first season @ UH...

I can't believe his mainland recruiting budget was only $50K? And I heard he's had the same carpet in his office since he took the job in 1999.

I hate to say it, but after getting slaughtered by Georgia, Jones knew he reached the pinnacle of his success with the UH program. It's great that he recruited local athletes, but let's be frank- most of them don't have the speed and athleticism to compete in the PAC 10 or SEC.

I am a Warriors fan. I was a member of the Alumni Association and I never attended the school. And I hope they replace Jones with someone like Norm Chow. That would make me very happy!

When Devon Bess declared for the NFL Draft, I knew something was up? If Jones was planning on staying, I'm sure Bess would have stayed for his senior year.

One more time- Norm Chow should be the next UH Football Head Coach. Someone, please give my namesake a chance?

names...

I've never liked my first name, but I love my initials= NY.

A person who's on my shit list has a name that I can't decipher whether it's male or female? Actually, it doesn't matter.
An asshole, is an asshole, no matter what gender...

You know what? From now on, I'm going to go by NY. People, I've known before this moment in time can call me by my first name or whatever?

Two people have called me NY on a consistent basis and they are Fred Gulotta and an ex-girlfriend of mine, Lauren Robin. And I've always liked it...

reviewing on yelp...

Quite frankly, I really don't care if people read my reviews. To me, yelp is like a diary or a journal- especially when I travel.

Some fucking idiot criticized me for reviewing Albertson's in Park City, Utah. Let me preface that I don't review Starbucks, Safeway, Togos, etc... There's an unbelievable Whole Foods in Cupertino, but I won't review that place either...

When I'm in Park City, Albertson's is very, very important to me. Try staying in PC during Sundance for a number of years and frequenting some very mediocre restaurants with horrible service. You too, would buy groceries @ Albertson's and cook a good deal of your meals.

And I wanted to make a point that I believe you can buy beer and wine 24 hours during the fest. I know I've purchased beer after 2am. Hell, I can't buy booze in the City after 2am.

You do see celebrities shopping there during Sundance and I wanted to make a note of seeing Juliette Lewis and hearing her calling out in her nauseating voice for her boyfriend.

Plus, the joint is a pick up place during the festival. It's kind of like the Marina Safeway of Park City.

Who knows? My next review in Park City might be Wal*Mart?

pete carroll...

I heard Pete Carroll attended the Niners game @ Cleveland. This was before the Trojans whipped on Illinois.

My guess he was in preliminary talks with the Yorks about taking over as coach of the Niners. And I bet they couldn't pay him enough.

I still think Carroll will coach in the NFL sooner than later. He wants to prove that he can be a great coach in the League.

Remember, nasty Bill Belichick wasn't a successful coach until he took over for Parcell in New England.

the seahawks...

I'm from Seattle, but I'm not a legitimate Seahawk fan. Today, I was sure they'd lose to the Redskins. I was wrong.

Before those idiot Yorks announced that "out of touch" Nolan was returning as coach of the NIners, I had a thought in my head that Seattle will lose to Washington and after a short grace period, Paul Allen will buy out Mike Holmgren's contract, leaving it open for him to coach the Niners- which is his dream job according to some sources of mine.

Well, that's not going to happen...

Seattle will lose next week to Green Bay and the Niners will again be a sub-five hundred team next season.

hideki nomo...

The Kansas City Royals have just signed him to a minor league contract. He's 39 years old. I hope he's successful in his comeback, but I don't think Hideki is going to make it. I've always liked Nomo and he was so fun watch in his prime. And that's coming from a Giants fan...

belinelli and paul...

Saw Marco Belinelli in front of Macys Union Square on Thursday afternoon. He's a legitimate 6'5 and he looks like a young Sly Stallone without the roids. I saw Marco play in Vegas during the NBA Summer League and he looked like a player. He has a little Pete Maravich in him. He's basically wasting away on the bench with the Warriors this season. I will never understand why Nellie doesn't play rookies?

The Warriors are playing the suprisingly hot New Orleans Hornets this evening, but I saw Chris Paul in Berkeley after the Bears beat the Trojans last night. He's a very small point guard. I'm sure he went to see O.J. Mayo, who scored a career high 34 points against CAL. That's the reason I went to Pete Newell Court... Go Bears!

BTW, it's probably self explanatory, but Paul is pictured in the top pic and the Italian Stallion is in the bottom photo.

One added note, Paul just dominated the Warriors on Friday night. He's becoming one of the best point guards in the Association.

billy beane...

Fuck him! And I'm a Giants fan. Okay, I'm a quasi A's fan. Trading Nick Swisher is the last straw. The guy strikes out too much, but he's a joy to watch. The Oakland Rivercats will be unwatchable next season. You can find copies of Moneyball in the 99 cents bin @ your local bookstore...

the yorks...

They're fucking idiots for retaining Mike Nolan! I'm so pissed off and I'm not even a Niners fan! Mark my words- Mike "he's out of touch" Nolan will not make it through the 2008 season...

lgcrc...

Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company. I'm just going to say one thing- there's too many dudes here today... Okay, I'll say two things- where are the chicks?

happy new year!

To the one or two people who read my blog, I wish you a joyous and prosperous 2008!