Happy Thanksgiving at Disneyland

If you cannot be with your family on Thanksgiving, then what a great way to spend Thanksgiving in Southern California: Disneyland. Clear sky and 71 degrees, I was shocked at how crowded it was and how beautifully it was decorated for Christmas.

For the first time I was able to ride the Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion. My wait time with FASTPASS was 4 minutes. I was skeptical at first but really loved it, especially the snow scenes. Some of it was corny but I'm really glad I finally got to see it. I think they've been retrofitting the Haunted Mansion during the holiday season for several years now.

I also went on the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh which is where Country Bear Jamboree used to be; simple ride and lots of fun!

Most notably closed was the Monorail which I usually love to ride. The monorail is closed from August 21 to December 14, 2006 to prepare for the opening of Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage in Summer 2007 which I can hardly wait to ride. Rumor has it that they are putting all new monorails in Disneyland in 2007. The new Mark VII trains are scheduled to be completed and installed in 2007 with a whole revamp of the system, including a name change (Disneyland Resort Line) and aesthetic changes to cast member uniforms and stations.

It was a great Thanksgiving! Happy Holidays Everyone!

Ed Bradley, Dead at 65

I met Ed Bradley in the 90's. Rest in Peace. Steve

Ed Bradley, a pioneering black journalist who was a fixture in American living rooms on Sunday nights for more than a quarter century on “60 Minutes,” died today. He was 65. Mr. Bradley died at Mt. Sinai Medical Center of complications from chronic lymphocytic leukemia, said Dr. Valentin Fuster, his cardiologist and the director of the Cardiovascular Institute at Mt. Sinai. Mr. Bradley, who underwent a quintuple bypass operation on his heart in 2003, was diagnosed with leukemia "many years ago,” Dr. Fuster said, but it had not posed a threat to his life until recently, when he contracted an infection. His most recent segments on “60 Minutes” had been on Oct. 15 (on the rape case involving Duke University lacrosse players) and on Oct. 29 (an investigation of an oil refinery explosion in Texas). Even many close colleagues had not known that his health had been deteriorating precipitously for several weeks. On the day that last segment was broadcast, he was admitted to Mt. Sinai. He remained there until his death. “This has been a long battle which he fought silently and courageously,” said Charlayne Hunter-Gault of the “News Hour with Jim Lehrer,” who was one of several close friends at Mr. Bradley’s side when he died this morning. “He didn’t want people to know that this was a part of his struggle. He didn’t want people feeling sorry for him. And for a good part of his life, he managed it.”

What I'm Reading Now: Still Life With Crows

Well, travel season is over and I'm well into my Agent Pendergast Series. This will be the 4th book in the series that I'm reading.

• Still Life With Crows -- Agent Pendergast travels to midwestern Kansas to the dying farm town of Medicine Creek to investigate a series of brutal and ritualistic killings. He teams up with teenage malcontent, Corrie Swanson to solve the case.

The Great Pacific Northwest

Well I'm in the great Pacific Northwest. In addition to speaking in both Seattle and Portland this weekend I need to finalize the Keck School of Medicine of USC website project as well as celebrate my parent's 5oth anniversary and then get back to USC on Tuesday for the USC Presidential Retreat. Probably too much to fit in one weekend but, hey, it's the 21st century.

Steve on the Road

Well I'm ready for my my 5 city tour.

Houston
Dallas
Las Vegas
Portland
Seattle

I've got all of my travel things in a one quart bag and I'm ready to go. I'll be leaving on Thursday. I'll also visit Irvine, Rolling Hills Estates and Port Townsend. We'll be celebrating my parent's 50th wedding anniversary at my bro's place in PT. It should be a blast!

V for Vendetta Politico

I just finished V for Vendetta. What an intriguing and thought-provoking movie. From the makers of the Matrix, it is reminiscent of both the Bush and Hitler regimes. "The Wachowskis' [screenplay has] updated the evil empire to the U.S. under the Bush Administration, though there is not specific reference to Bush. However, the plot could have taken place in other countries, both West and East. The filmmakers intend the film to serve as an allegory, not unlike the latest chapter of George Lucas' "Star Wars," which also contains political overtones and timely issues. In the story, England is ruled by fascists that control the media and suppress free speech. Homosexuals are rounded up and shipped off to concentration camps. Citizens are executed for owning copies of or reading the Koran. Numerous people die out of biological attacks in the water supply. Indeed, tackling many scared cows, state-sanctioned torture, wiretapping, homosexuality, bio-terrorism, avian flu, Iraq war, pedophile priests, may turn "V for Vendetta" into one of the most subversive film to come out of mainstream Hollywood." {Source}

Goodfellas

I just viewed the film Goodfellas with Robert DeNiro and Joe Pesci. It's a Martin Scorsese film made in 1990. I was listening to the Adam Corolla show the other day and he had one of the cast on the show. He said that if you say you love movies and you've never seen Goodfellas than you're really missing out. So I rented it from Netflix. What a great film. Probably one of my top ten favorites. Lots of use of the f-word though. Joe Pesci won best supporting actor for his role. One of the most quoted lines from the movie is "Now go home and get your f-ing shine box." If you haven't seen it you should. It's an f-ing good movie.

Clinton Gets Pissed about Osama Bin Laden Accusations

What I'm Reading: Cabinet of Curiosities

• Cabinet of Curiosities -- Pendergast is drawn to the remains of a 19th century charnal house, unearthed at a construction site in New York and finds himself investigating a new series of copycat killings. He is joined by William Smithback Jr. and Dr. Nora Kelly.

My New Dream Car: Saturn Sky

I've seen a couple of Saturn Sky automobiles recently and I've fallen in love with this car. I'm afraid to buy it because I park at a "Park and Ride" in the shady part of Los Angeles -- so I'm afraid the top will be cut and the car will be stolen. Oh well -- I can dream; can't I? If I had my wish right now I'd live on the ocean in Malibu and be driving a Sky. Maybe someday -- soon I hope. ~Steve.

Weekend in Santa Barbara

My Latest Favorite Drink When I Eat Out: Long Island Tea

1 part vodka
1 part tequila
1 part rum
1 part gin
1 part triple sec
1 1/2 parts sweet and sour mix
1 splash Coca-Cola®

I had lunch on the Santa Barbara Pier at Longboards on Saturday; it was a wonderful time. I ate on the patio. It was a beautiful day in Southern California. I had Long Island Tea. It was a wonderful weekend in Santa Barbara.

Seeing Dean Martin

I can't believe that I forgot to put on my blog that one of my most memorable celebrity sightings (next to seeing Milton Berle) was seeing Dean Martin on Sunset boulevard toward the end of his life. He was driving a Roll Royce and looked great. Farewell Dino.

Wildlife North of Malibu

Today on my drive up to Camarillo to meet my friend for breakfast, I saw a pod of dolphins just north of Malibu playing in the shallows near the beach. A flock of Brown Pelicans followed me up the coast - or maybe I followed them. The fog hadn't quite lifted so I couldn't see the Channel Islands as I normally would have. It was a great drive on a Sunday at the end of summer. My Yaris now has 6,756 miles on it. Still getting 40mpg. I'm impressed with it's sport suspension and it handles like a sports car up the balmy curves of the 22 miles of the Malibu coastline.

What I'm Reading Now: Reliquary

• Reliquary -- Pendergast returns to New York when a new string of murders surfaces resembling those of the Museum Beast case. He is again teamed with Margo Green, Dr. Frock, William Smithback Jr., and Vincent D'Agosta (all of whom were in the previous book) and introduces the character of Laura Hayward.

Seafair 2006 Race Day

I wish I could be on the shores of Lake Washington in Stan Sayres pits to witness the 2006 hydroplane race. It's time for Seafair in Seattle. Since 1951, hyrdroplane enthusiasts have harkened the shores of Lake Washington.

YEAR	BOAT	DRIVER	OWNER
*1951	Slo-mo shun V	Lou Fageol	Stan Sayres
*1952	Slo-mo-shun IV	Stan Dollar	Stan Sayres
*1953	Slo-mo-shun IV	Joe Taggart	Stan Sayres
*1954	Slo-mo-shun V	Lou Fageol	Stan Sayres
*1955	Gale V	J. Lee Schoenith	Joe Schoenith
1956	Shanty I	Russ Schleech	Shanty Waggoner
*1957	Miss Thriftway	Bill Muncey	WIllard Rhodes
*1958	Hawaii Kai III	Jack Regas	Edgar Kaiser
*1959	Maverick	Bill Stead	Bill Waggoner
1960	Miss Thriftway	Bill Muncey	Willard Rhodes
1961	Miss Bardahl	Ron Musson	Ole Bardahl
*1962	Miss Century 21	Bill Muncey	Willard Rhodes
1963	Tahoe Miss	Chuck Thompson	Bill Harrah
1964	Miss Bardahl	Ron Musson	Ole Bardahl
*1965	Miss Bardahl	Ron Musson	Ole Bardahl
1966	My Gypsy	Jim Ranger	Jim Ranger
*1967	Miss Bardahl	Bill Schumacher	Ole Bardahl
1968	Miss US	Bill Muncey	George Simon
1969	Miss Budweiser	Bill Sterett Sr.	Bernie Little
1970	Miss Budweiser	Dean Chenoweth	Bernie Little
1971	Pride of Pay N' Pak	Bill Schumacher	Dave Heerensperger
1972	Atlas Van Lines	Bill Muncey	J. Lee Schoenith
1973	Pay 'N Pak	Mickey Remund	Dave Heerensperger
*1974	Pay 'N Pak	George Henley	Dave Heerensperger
1975	Pay 'N Pak	George Henley	Dave Heerensperger
1976	Miss Budweiser	Mickey Remund	Bernie Little
1977	Atlas Van Lines	Bill Muncey	Bill Muncey
1978	Atlas Van Lines	Bill Muncey	Bill Muncey
1979	Atlas Van Lines	Bill Muncey	Bill Muncey
1980	Atlas Van Lines	Bill Muncey	Bill Muncey
*1981	Miss Budweiser	Dean Chenoweth	Bernie Little
1982	Atlas Van Lines	Chip Hanauer	Fran Muncey
1983	Miss Budweiser	Jim Kropfeld	Bernie Little
1984	Miss Budweiser	Jim Kropfeld	Bernie Little
*1985	Miller American	Chip Hanauer	Fran Muncey, Jim Lucero
1986	Miller American	Chip Hanauer	Fran Muncey
1987	Miss Budweiser	Jim Kropfeld	Bernie Little
1988	Miss Budweiser	Tom D'Eath	Bernie Little
1989	Miss Circus Circus	Chip Hanauer	William Bennett
1990	Miss Circus Circus	Chip Hanauer	William Bennett
1991	Miss Budweiser	Scott Pierce	Bernie Little
1992	The Tide	George Woods, Jr.	Bill Wurster
1993	Miss Budweiser	Chip Hanauer	Bernie Little
1994	Pico American Dream	Dave Villwock	Fred Leland
1995	Miss Budweiser	Chip Hanauer	Bernie Little
1996	Pico American Dream	Dave Villwock	Fred Leland
1997	Pico American Dream	Mark Evans	Fred Leland
1998	Miss Budweiser	Dave Villwock	Bernie Little
1999	Miss Budweiser	Dave Villwock	Bernie Little
2000	Miss Budweiser	Dave Villwock	Bernie Little
2001	Miss Elam Plus	Nate Brown	Ellstrom Family
2002	Miss Budweiser	Dave Villwock	Bernie Little
2003	Miss Budweiser	Dave Villwock	Joe Little
2004	Miss Budweiser	Dave Villwock	Joe Little
2005	Miss Llumar Window Film	Jean Theoret	Bill Wurster
2006	Miss Beacon Plumbing	Jean Theoret	Billy and Jane Schumacher

What I'm Reading: The Agent Pendergast Series

Special Agent Aloysius Pendergast appears in four stand-alone novels in addition to starring in his own trilogy. All of these books were jointly written by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.

• Relic (Pendergast's First Appearance) -- Pendergast investigates a series of strange murders and rumors of a murderous beast in the New York Museum of Natural History. Includes reporter Bill Smithback and Vincent D'Agosta. (I'm 80% done with this book)

• Reliquary -- Pendergast returns to New York when a new string of murders surfaces resembling those of the Museum Beast case. He is again teamed with Margo Green, Dr. Frock, William Smithback Jr., and Vincent D'Agosta (all of whom were in the previous book) and introduces the character of Laura Hayward.

• Cabinet of Curiosities -- Pendergast is drawn to the remains of a 19th century charnal house, unearthed at a construction site in New York and finds himself investigating a new series of copycat killings. He is joined by William Smithback Jr. and Dr. Nora Kelly. (I've read this before but love it so much I'm going to read it again in order).

• Still Life With Crows -- Agent Pendergast travels to midwestern Kansas to the dying farm town of Medicine Creek to investigate a series of brutal and ritualistic killings. He teams up with teenage malcontent, Corrie Swanson to solve the case. (I'm about 30% through this one).

Brimstone (Book One) -- Agent Pendergast and Vincent D'Agosta team up once more to investigate brutal murders of a seemingly supernatural origin. Their investigation takes them from high society New York to old world Italy and into the dark heart of an age-old conspiracy. Vincent D'Agosta, Laura Hayward and Bill Smithback's nemesis, reporter Bryce Harriman (mentioned often in the previous books) make a reappearance. In this book the reader is introduced to Pendergast's brother Diogenes and D'Agosta catches his first glimpse of Diogenes.

• Dance of Death (Book Two) -- Aloysius Pendergast faces off against Diogenes in an attempt to stop his diabolical brother before he can complete the perfect crime. All of Pendergast's old compatriots find themselves in danger and old friends band together in the race to prevent an almost certain disaster. The novel features an all-star cast for Preston-Child fans and includes cameos from all of the books even going so far as to include characters from the author's non-Pendergast novels.

• Book of the Dead (Book Three) -- The final book of the Pendergast Trilogy. Expected to wrap up loose ends and provide an ending to the conflict between the Pendergast brothers. Centered, again, around events at the New York Museum of Natural History.

Co-author Douglas Preston has said that a new book featuring Pendergast is currently being written

Hell Warmed Over

Heat waves and power outages. It's been Hell here in Los Angeles. The heat in Los Angeles has finally dropped about 5 degrees (feels like 10). Thank God. I don't ever remember LA being so hot in all of the years I have lived here (since 1984). That's 22 years! They are saying that this is a heat wave unparalleled in 50 or 100 years. Hope it stays cool. My apartment is 79 degrees. It was 84 yesterday but feels a lot cooler due to reduction in humidity. Hell warmed over.

Disneyland in the 1970's

Do you remember when Disneyland rides required a ticket? My brother Bob and I flew down to Disneyland from Seattle back in the 70's. Boy have things changed since then. A lunch at the Tahitian Terrace would cost you a steep $1.85. And a cup of coffee for 15 cents? How I wish I had invested in Starbucks back in those days. Space Mountain was brand new and LA was the smoggiest town in the US (ok, some things don't change). Bob and I ate at Casa de Fritos. E-ticket rides were 85 cents and with one you had a choice of the following rides: America Sings, the Monorail, the Submarine Voyage, It's a Small World, the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Country Bear Jamboree, the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Jungle Cruise. For more about old Disneyland, visit Yesterland. I wish I could still get a Monte Cristo Sandwich served with fresh fruit compote for $1.50.

New Blog Feature

I've added a new blog feature. In the left hand column I've listed all of the celebrities I've seen in real life. I've also added links, mostly to IMDB. Since the list is getting so long I thought I'd make it a regular feature. Enjoy.

One of my favorite films: Race with the Devil

The film opens as Frank Stewart (Warren Oates), owner of a South-Western dirt-bike shop, is about to vacation with his best rider Roger (Peter Fonda) and their wives Alice (Loretta Swit) and Kelly (Lara Parker of Dark Shadows fame) in Frank's new luxury motor-home ("32 feet and gleamin'!"). After a long day's drive, Frank bristles at Roger's suggestion that they stop at an RV park. Frank argues that the reason they took their vacation in January was to "get away from the crowd", and says "we're self-contained, baby!". They turn onto an unmarked dirt road ("our private road to seclusion") and set up camp. Frank and Roger can't resist racing each other on the bikes they've brought along, and after crashing in a river, Frank delivers the deservedly-hated cliche that only Warren Oates could get away with: "I'm gettin' too old for this shit". Back at the RV, the couples have some wine over dinner,and Frank and Roger, already tipsy, continue the party outside. I envy those of you who cannot relate to the crappy folding-table scene that follows.

An explosion of flames across the way cuts the drunken conversation short. A group of robed people are dancing around a bonfire underneath a barren (and very spooky) tree while chanting in rhythm. Frank fetches his binoculars for a closer look. The leader makes a circle in the sand around them with a sword. After hoping that he'd see a hippy orgy, Frank sees the masked leader kill a girl. Before Frank can react, his wife comes out of the RV, telling him to get to bed. The Satanists hear this, and the "race" is on. The couples frantically make their escape in the RV, pursued by robed Satanists on foot.

The group arrives at a local police station, and meets with Sheriff Taylor (played by familiar character actor R.G. Armstrong, veteran of such horror flicks as The Car, Evilspeak, and Children of the Corn) who takes the men out to the site to look for evidence. They arrive at the tree, and a deputy takes a sample of what looks like blood in the dirt. The Sheriff's men spread out to search the area, and Frank finds the carcass of a dog on the tree.

In the meantime, Alice and Kelly are cleaning the motor home, and discover a note stuck to the edge of the rear window that had been smashed by the Satanists during their escape. The note contains a warning to be silent, and some occult symbols. Determined to decipher the threat, they boost some reference books from the local library. The note warns that any harm they inflict will be returned 9-fold. Frank and Roger wonder if the Sheriff is on the level. As insurance, Roger collected his own sample of the blood.

The group makes its way to an RV park, where ther women take a swim, but Kelly is convinced that she is being watched. The feeling returns that night in a redneck bar, where the steel guitar player in the band seems to have that Satanic look in his eyes. Returning to the lot, they find that "Ginger", Roger and Alice's lap dog, has been killed. None of the neighbors claim to know anything about the incident, so they drive off.

Trying to make coffee, Alice lets two large rattlesnakes loose in the cabin, causing Frank to crash the motor home. Eventually, Roger and Frank kill the snakes, but Kelly is at her wits end, and the men search the RV for any more Satanic surprises. They turn up nothing, but the fan has been damaged in the crash, and must be fixed before they can move on.

The next morning, Roger buries the dog as Frank completes the repairs on the RV. Preparing for all-out war, they buy a shotgun at the first shop they come across, and find that the telephone is suspiciously out of order. When the phone at the next stop is also out of order, they become even more alarmed.

On the way to the interstate, the debt the "Road Warrior" films owe to this movie becomes clear. A group of trucks tries to run the RV off the road, and Frank fights them off with the shotgun. Frank and Roger fight them off, and come to a roadblock. It seems a schoolbus has been in an accident. As they approach it, Frank says "I don't trust a schoolbus on a Sunday" and rolls right through. The RV is followed by several cars, and after they've been dispatched, the RV pulls off the road, seemingly out of danger.

Just as our survivors are about to pour martinis to celebrate their escape, they hear the tell-tale chanting outside. The Satanists are approaching, and Sheriff Taylor is among them. In an instant, the motor home is surrounded by a "circle" of fire, and the credits roll.

For Oates fans, the first 30 minutes or so are pure gold. For those who enjoy 70's satan movies, what this film lacks in quanity, it makes up for in the fine quality of the chanting and mumbo-jumbo.

Source:http://members.aol.com/CraigStep/racedevil.html

The Devil Wears Prada

Meryl Streep's masterful performance as fashion magazine editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly, whose icy hauteur and acidic condescension makes for a most irresistible injection of venom into what would otherwise be a typically sugary Anne Hathaway Princess Diaries installment. Hathaway's latest everygirl-makes-good avatar is wannabe writer Andrea "Andy" Sachs, a mousy, walking fashion faux pas who gets more than she bargained for when she becomes second assistant for monstrous Miranda. After much bitchy belittling, cue the haute couture makeover for Andy, not only in a aesthetic but also an attitudinal sense, as she soons finds herself nipping at the heels of Miranda's high-strung first assistant (Emily Blunt) and her new time-consuming career also consuming her personal life. That's all well and bland, even with Hathaway giving what is perhaps her first unannoying performance ever (and, yes, I include her bewigged Brokeback Mountain turn as one of said infractions), so leave it to Streep to exponentially elevate the proceedings with a terrifically shaded turn that goes beyond the bitchery; one can see how Miranda uses the glacial snootiness as a defensive suit of armor as well as how Miranda, however abrasive as she can be, is able to command admiration and respect, even fierce loyalty, with her stern professionalism. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Streep can drop biting zingers with exacting Swiss clock precision. Further adding to the flavor are a nicely understated Stanley Tucci as a no-nonsense longtime colleague of Miranda's and scene-stealing up-and-comer Blunt, who dominates the screen whenever she shares it with Hathaway--a feat that would Miranda make proud. -- Michael Dequina, Mr. Brown's Movies.

What I'm Reading: Relic

RELIC - the phenomenal New York Times Besteller - was the debut collaboration between Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The novel has been translated into over a dozen languages and was made into a major feature film by Paramount.

Just days before a massive exhibition opens at the popular New York Museum of Natural History, visitors are being savagely murdered in the museum's dark hallways and secret rooms. Autopsies indicate that the killer cannot be human. But the museum's directors plan to go ahead with a big bash to celebrate the new exhibition, in spite of the murders. Museum researcher Margo Green must find out who--or what--is doing the killing. But can she do it in time to stop the massacre?

What I'm Reading: Digital Fortress

When the National Security Agency's (NSA) most classified technological wonder--an invincible code-breaking machine--encounters a mysterious code it cannot break, the agency calls in its head cryptographer, Susan Fletcher, a brilliant and beautiful mathematician. What she uncovers sends shock waves through the corridors of power. The NSA is being held hostage... not by guns or bombs, but by a code so ingeniously complex that if released it will cripple U.S. intelligence. Betrayed on all sides she finds herself fighting not only for her country, but for her life, and in the end, for the life of the man she loves.

Celebrity Sightings: Update

Today I saw Christine Lahti. Her son is beginning USC this year so she came by my table at the Student Services Expo. The photo on the left was taken May 16, 2006 at the Los Angeles premiere of An Inconvenient Truth. In the past ten years she's been doing some film but mostly television (Ally McBeal; Chicago Hope; Frasier). Her first big film was And Justice For All (1979 with Al Pacino), then Running on Empty (1988 with River Phoenix), Miss Firecracker (1989 with Holly Hunter), and Gross Anatomy (1989 with Matthew Modine).


Here is the updated list of celebs I've seen in real life (in no particular order).

1. Scott Wolf
2. Jennifer Love Hewitt
   
3. Christine Lahti
   
4. Barry Van Dyke
5. Robbie Williams
6. Morgan Freeman
7. Cary Elwes
8. Michael Moore
9. James Stewart
10. Tom Wopat
    
11. Gordon Clapp
    
12. Jeffrey Tambor
13. Charlton Heston
14. Jay Leno
15. Joni Mitchell
16. Milton Berle
17. Danny DeVito
18. Leonardo Di Caprio
19. President George H. Bush
20. President Bill Clinton
21. Vice-President Walter Mondale
22. Charles S. Dutton
    
23. Alexander Haig
24. Paul Michael Glaser
25. Alan Alda
26. Frankie Avalon
27. Debby Boone
28. Matthew Modine
29. Daphne Zuniga
30. Johnny Cash
31. June Carter Cash
32. Ann Wilson
33. Nancy Wilson
34. Max van Sydow
35. Liev Schreiber
36. Patricia Arquette
37. Chuck Yager
38. Bob Schieffer
39. Patrick Stewart
40. Sting
41. Mick Fleetwood
42. Ed Bradley
43. Henry Winkler
44. Peter Cetera
45. Larry Hagman
46. John Houseman
47. Mick Jagger
48. Mark-Paul Gosselaar
49. John Glover

Beach Wars

This is a fun film by my nephew Dan Bryant, Beach Wars. It stars my niece Amy Bryant and is filmed in Port Townsend, Washington at Fort Worden State Park. Beach Wars: great setting, a fun story with flamboyant characters.

Cars: Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita

I just saw the movie Cars, a Disney~Pixar film. AWESOME! The movie is really about life. The tag line on the poster reads, "Life is a journey; enjoy the trip." That's been a theme for my life this year. When I'm driving up Pacific Coast Highway on the one lane road north of Malibu, and a city-dweller speeds up behind me and rides my bumper, I want to say, "Life is a journey; enjoy the trip. You're driving along the most beautiful coastline in the world; relax and enjoy the getting there." The movie, the Cars, is really a story about a hotshot rookie who learns that it is not about the destination but about the friends made along the way. Cars, the seventh animated feature to be created by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures, is a high octane adventure comedy that features a wide assortment of cars as characters who get their kicks on Route 66. In addition to Paul Newman, now 80 years old, the voice cast includes NASCAR legend Richard Petty, as well as Owen Wilson ("Shanghai Knights," "The Royal Tenenbaums"), Bonnie Hunt ("Monsters, Inc."), and Dan Whitney (Bravo's "Larry the Cable Guy"). Cars was produced by Darla K. Anderson ("A Bug's Life," "Monsters, Inc."). Lightning McQueen, a hotshot rookie race car driven to succeed, discovers that life is about the journey, not the finish line, when he finds himself unexpectedly detoured in the sleepy Route 66 town of Radiator Springs. On route across the country to the big Piston Cup Championship in California to compete against two seasoned pros, McQueen gets to know the town's offbeat characters--including Sally, a snazzy 2002 Porsche, Doc Hudson, a 1951 Hudson Hornet with a mysterious past, and Mater, a rusty but trusty tow truck, who help him realize that there are more important things than trophies, fame and sponsorship. In the end, I hope that this enjoyable movie helps others learn that the Journey's the Thing. And I pray we ought not end up like the lost soul in the opening line of Dante's Divine Comedy: "Midway along the journey of our life [Nel mezzo del cammin di nostra vita] I woke to find myself in a dark wood, for I had wandered off from the straight path."

My Baby Had Her First Changing

Well my baby Yaris just passed 3,000 miles so it was time for an oil change. I was the first Yaris to visit my regular car shop and the mechanics swarmed around the car asking me if it really gets 40 miles per gallon. YES! I said. I love this car and I've washed it every week that I've had it. I paid $3.12 a gallon today in Orange County which was quite a deal based on recent gas prices. Go Yaris!

The Producers

I just saw the Producers (2005) for the first time. I watched the original (1968) with Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder several years ago and couldn't even make it to the end -- it was that bad. On the contrary, the 2005 Producers, with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, is a masterpiece. And the reason this film is a masterpiece is just one word: Nathan Lane (ok that's two words). Not since Birdcage has the fabulous Nathan Lane pulled off such a performance. If you liked the character he played in the Birdcage, you realize after watching the Producers -- this is Nathan Lane -- he is just playing himself. The film is based on the 1968 film starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder, and the smash hit on Broadway. Max Bialystock (Lane), a failing producer, has just had the worst show in town, Funny Boy, a musical version of Hamlet, close on opening night. Distraught, he runs into accountant Leo Bloom (Broderick) who comes up with the notion that you can make more money with a flop Broadway show than with a hit. Max, overjoyed to hear such wonderful news, lays out his scheme. Step 1. Find the worst play ever written: when Max comes across Springtime for Hitler, written by neo-nazi Franz Liebkind (Will Ferrell), he knows he has found the mother lode. Step 2. Hire the worst director: the gay/cross-dressing Roger Debris -- who wants to keep everything gay! Step 3. Raise 2 million dollars from Max's backers, harmless little old ladies looking for more than just a goodnight kiss (wink wink). Step 4. Hire the worst actors in New York and open on Broadway, and before you can say step 5 the show will flop and you run off to Rio with the 2 mill. The show opens and the audience is aghast with Nazi's dancing on stage. The audience begins to walk out until Roger Debris as Hitler comes on stage and plays a campy version of Hitler. The show is a hit, the police find that the books are cooked, and they end up in Sing Sing State Prison. Where they put on a show (the dancing in the prison show reminds you of Young Frankenstein). P.S. The outtakes are hilarious and prove that Nathan Lane steals the show on and off stage. A must see -- over and over again.

Angels & Demons

I am currently reading the prequel to the Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. Angels & Demons follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon, as he tries to stop what seems to be the Illuminati, a legendary secret society, from destroying the Vatican City with the newly-discovered power of antimatter. Many who have read it say it is better than the Da Vinci code. It is definitely a page turner. Both books take place within a 24 hour period. Short chapters read quickly; it's like watching scenes of a movie. I highly recommend Angels & Demons.

X Men 3

What a great movie. I wasn't that impressed with X Men 2 even though I liked the first one. But the third installment, The Last Stand, is really fun. Sir Ian McKellen as Eric Lensherr/Magneto is excellent. Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine is boring. Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Hank McCoy/Beast is surprisingly entertaining. I'm always a big fan of Patrick Stewart, Professor Charles Xavier. Will there be another sequel? Stay in the theater through all of the credits and I bet you'll know.

Solvang, Shoreline Beach Cafe

This weekend, I visited the movie backdrop of "Sideways" and went through Buellton and Solvang, then into the Santa Ynez Valley. We visited the Santa Ines Mission and walked through the Stations of the Cross which was most inspiring. We had a late lunch back in Santa Barbara at the Shoreline Cafe. The Cafe is on the California Coastline and the tables and chairs are actually on the beach -- your chair and table sink in the sand. The service is good, the price is reasonable and the food is a B+. We had fish tacos and fries. Regardless of the food and drink quality, I would go back in a minute. There is no restaurant in California, that I am aware of, where you can actually sit on the beach and have someone bring you food under palm trees on the California coastline.

Cava Restaurant & Bar

Nestled on Coast Village Road in Montecito lies a wonderful restaurant called Cava. Pronounced [ka ' va] n., 1. wine cellar 2. sparkling wine. I dined this past Sunday and had the best Chardonnay I've ever enjoyed. It was labeled Cava House Chardonnay but I asked the waiter and he whispered to me that it was Santa Barbara Winery's standard Chardonnay. $29 per bottle on the Cava menu; $11.00 a bottle at the local grocery store under the winery's label. We had the best patio seat, front and center. My friend counted the Lamborghini's and Ferrari's that raced by. I ordered the Zarzuela which is a wonderful Mediterrenean seafood stew with shrimp, clams, scallops, mussels, and white fish. Very pricey. Entrees for lunch are $20+ and the menu doesn't have any cents on it. Cava serves Latin cuisine from Spain, Mexico, and South America. I'd go again in the minute.

The Da Vinci Code

I finished the DaVinci Code book on Thursday and just saw the movie today. Although I like the book better, the movie was fun to watch. I especially liked the Louvre scenes in France and the church scenes in England. Although the movie dumbs the story down a little and I think misses out on not emphasizing the eventual romantic relationship between Langdon and Sophie, it works for an entertaining movie. I thought that Sir Ian McKellen was especially good as Sir Leigh Teabing. Both the book and the movie are an interesting mixture of art history, conspiracy theory and theology. I'm currently reading Dan Brown's prequel, Angels and Demons.

Best New Orleans Food in Los Angeles

Occasionally a restaurant becomes a 'legend in its own time'. Only a handful of restaurants ever achieve this kind of fame and one of them is Harold & Belle's located in South Central Los Angeles on Vermont just a handful of blocks west of USC. Since 1969 it has presented customers with the best New Orleans style creole cuisine in Southern California. Today I discovered this great "old" restaurant. The tempting food comes in very large portions so plan to order your lunch or dinner accordingly. I ordered their truly famous File’ Gumbo with hot and smoked beef sausage, shrimp, crab, chicken and richly seasoned broth served with french bread, steamed rice available in small or large portions. I ordered the large for $19 but took half of it to go and enjoyed the meal again for dinner. The servers are friendly but don't come by the table very often. So if you want a second glass of wine or are in a hurry, this may not be the place for you. I have to say that they serve the best Gumbo I have ever enjoyed; I'll go back for certain. Steve's tip: because it is in the heart of South Central Los Angeles -- go during the day.

Damn Dirty Apes

I'm watching the Planet of the Apes films right now. Just finished the original. What a great trip down cinema from the early last quarter of the 20th century.

Planet of the Apes (1968)
Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1973)
Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1975)

Las Vegas

Well I've made it to Las Vegas. My Yaris did pretty well on the trip up here. I've actually been stopped by people in Vegas who haven't seen the new Yaris. I paid $3.89 a gallon for gas in Baker in the midst of the Mojave desert. The temperature in Vegas is about 99+ degrees. I'm staying off strip at the Palace Station. Pretty impressed so far especially since the room price was under $30 and this is the first Las Vegas Room I've ever stayed in that doesn't smell like cigarette smoke blowing in through the air conditioning. I'll keep you posted dear readers.

The Brown Pelican

The Brown Pelican is the greatest local restaurant just a stone's throw north of Santa Barbara. It almost entirely caters to locals and has incredible food. It is tucked away in a seaside cove and the best seats are just feet from the beach and California surf. I had Hendry's Special which is a bagel with cream cheese, onions, scrambled eggs and guacamole with a side of fruit. My friend had the Eggs Benedict. Both were incredible. $$$$ Very pricey ~ About $13.00 for breakfast entree. You can always get a seat right by the ocean because nobody but the locals know about it. So ~SHHH~ don't tell anyone.

Spring Vacation 2006

Well, I'm on vacation. I'll spend part of it in beautiful Santa Barbara, California with my friend (both weekends) and the rest of my vacation I'll be in Las Vegas, Nevada. I'm ready for a break! I'll drive my new Yaris from Los Angeles up to Santa Barbara for a few days, then back to Belmont Shore. Finally, I'll drive across the desert of California and Nevada to beautiful Las Vegas next week for about a week of fun and gambling and total relaxation.

800 Mile Yaris Sport Sedan Report

This is my 800 mile Yaris Report. My new car (left) has 800 miles on it now. My brother Bob, who is a kind of a transportation guru (publisher of a Bicycle Mag), recommended the car to me before I had even heard about it. Previously, I was driving a Toyota Corrolla. I find the Yaris roomier than the Corrolla with much more headroom . I've got plenty of leg room as well. With 800 miles on it, I've had a few opportunities to test the MPG of the car. Toyota advertises 40 mpg for the Yaris. Sunday, while driving in Malibu, California, I saw the price of gas at $3.45 per gallon regular. So I was hoping that the gas mileage would be close to 40. In reality, the Yaris REALLY DOES GET 40MPG. So I'm ready for gas to go to $4.00 per gallon and I should still be okay in my budget. As far as driving -- the car is really smooth, quiet, powerful when it needs to be. On big hills I have to drop it down a gear (I have the automatic) but that doesn't seem to eat up too much gasoline. Before buying the sedan, I tested the 2 door Yaris hatchback -- but that is a totally different car -- designed by a different team -- much less room and felt very cramped. The Yaris Hatchback is really a European Car come to America. I was surprised that the 19 inch longer Yaris 4-door sedan actually gets the same gas mileage as the 2 door hatchback. I love my new Yaris Sedan. Get it in red if you can.