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March 31, 2008
the facebook game
2 things are amusing me these days:
1) getting friend requests from people whose names vaguely ring a bell, but you can't really place them.
2) being asked what I've been up to since graduating college eight years ago.
Let's see, where to begin? I always try to lighten the mood with the "traveled the country as a labor union organizer" line before diving into "and now I'm a cancer survivor!" Of course, then I have to add the caveat: and "it had nothing to do with my former life as a smoker," since one of the primary things I was known for in college was puffin on cancer sticks.
Maybe it's because facebook has better tools for finding people you forgot you knew - like the "you probably know these people" feature in the sidebar. Of all the networking sites I've been on, more people have crawled out of the woodwork on facebook than on any other app. Still highly unclear why the site makes a million dollars a week in ad sales...
good times. If you know a way to make my 90% vocal scores in Rock Band translate into a r/l social life, drop me a line: socialupheaval(at)gmail(dot)com
Posted by cj at 10:28 PM | Comments (0)
March 30, 2008
All the other parts of Vegas
So my fabulous college friends, Tanyka and Hyoun and his girlfriend Lynne met me in Vegas for my 30th during Easter weekend. I don't remember the last time I indulged in that much shopping, relaxing, eating, drinking, and dancing. It was truly a magical experience and I am so grateful to my friends for reminding me what it means to celebrate life. In addition to eating a Aureole, we spent a day at the spa in Planet Hollywood (go to any other spa than this one: overpriced with skimpy bathrobes and no makeup remover), ate at Koi, watched Spamalot (don't go if you get angry about "funny" Jew-baiting), danced at Jet, Tao, and the scuzziest night club ever created, Body English, participated in a rousing Gospel Brunch at The House of Blues, and had the worst meal ever (except it included amazing company so that sorta made up for the terrible service and cold food) at P.F. Chang's.
It was amazing - we had a great time up until about 9 p.m. on Sunday. Still, better to over-do having fun than leave wishing you'd done more. Now to figure out a way to bring the fun into my regularly scheduled life.
Posted by cj at 08:22 PM | Comments (0)
A slice of heaven: Aureole, LV
If you're a foodie or just love a perfect dining experience, you should make sure to eat at Aureole at Mandalay Bay. Just do yourself a favor and look to the left when you enter the restaurant: an elevator exists to whisk you in, which is a much better option than the purely decorative, highly slippery staircase.
The restaurant has a wine tower and apparently, staff rappel the tower to gather wine when ordered by the bottle. Don't get confused if they bring you the wine list before the menu - you might end up ordering more liquor than necessary if you bow to the pressure to hand back the wine selection gadget (a tablet PC).
My dearest friend Tanyka and I shared the most delightful tasting menu ever. Shortly after the confusion with the wine list, a server came to our table and started putting down more plates. Once everything had been settled, he announced Lobster Bisque, "compliments of the chef." Then we received the Rose Chardonnay we ordered to accompany our appetizers and delicious bread. Finally, we received the menu and decided to go with the 7 course tasting menu rather than the 3 course prix fixe. Then, we decided to add the wine pairings, for a total of 4.5 glasses of wine (each course had half a glass, plus the rose). Here's the menu - each and every dish was absolutely fabulous! (Seriously; I don't even like sushi and I loved the ahi tuna.)
1. Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Trio w Paul Goerg, Blanc de Blancs Champagne (Chardonnay)
2. Slow Braised Beef Shank and Foie Grass Ravioli w W.T.W. Nadia (Viognier/Grenache Blanc/Roussane)
3. Olive Oil Poached Oregon Petrale Sole w Chardonnay, Oddero, Collaretto
4. Modesto County Pan-Seared Rabbit, w/ Morey St. Denis, J.P. Marchand (Pinot Noir)
5. Duo of Beef Tenderloin and Flat Iron w/ R.T.W. Cadence, Bel Canto (Cabernet Franc/Merlot/Petit Verdot)
6. Tasting of Cheese w Brioche Toast w/ Muskateller, Koehler-Ruprecht (Muscat)
7. Myer Lemon Parfait w Lemencello Sorbet w/ Kracher, Beernauslese Cuvee (Welschriesling/Chardonnay)
Unfortunately, Tanyka and I had a full day: we started with lunch/drinks at Trader Vic's, then did some serious shopping that didn't allow us to nap before arriving at Aureole. Since she had flown in from NYC and we got to the restaurant at 9:30 p.m., I had to understand when she started fading during course five. Thankfully, Hyoun and Lynne got into town in time for Hyoun to join us and eat Tanyka's sixth course and my seventh course. They brought me a trio of chocolates for my bday - including cake, tiramisu, and take-away wrapped white/milk chocolate. Let's be clear - I had every glass of alcohol from the rose champagne to the Beeranauslese Cuvee.
If this meal was the only thing I did for my 30th birthday, it would have been enough. Tanyka, you rock! (And thanks, Steve, for making the reservation.)
Posted by cj at 07:59 PM | Comments (0)
Note to Self: Stop Eating
First, Fast Food Nation taught me to hate all fast food not made at In 'N Out. Now, the NYT reminds us that veggies grown in Latin America can be extremely harmful to your health, and deadly to birds. Of course, I read Bridget Stutchbury's Op-Ed the day after buying Made in Mexico heirloom tomatoes and red peppers, among other deadly produce items. Needless to say, I'll be eating my $55 worth of groceries before changing my ways. But seriously, is anyone else feeling like there is nowhere left in the US to let your hair down and enjoy life without worrying about your ecological footprint? ...well, there's always Vegas...
Posted by cj at 07:36 PM | Comments (0)