Category Archives: Reviews (music, film, more…)

In-n-Out Burger, mobile, Reviews (music, film, more...), with Photos

Fri May 21, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #23 – Double Double genex Style (correctly made) – Westwood, CA

Fri May 21, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #23 – Double Double genex Style (correctly made) - Westwood, CA

Well, well, well, this was one of the ones I had to check out and I was pretty amped to finally make it out to the Kanner Architects designed Westwood location. This spot is pretty choice since there are tons of UCLA coeds swarming the area and of course the design of this one is really pretty sweet.  Apparently, according to the In-n-Out Burger Wikipedia page, it’s one of the few variances from the ‘templates’ that most of the In-n-Out Burgers fit into.  The others are our own Fisherman’s Wharf location and one in Santa Clarita, north of LA.  The actual drive-thru of this location is pretty random.  I wasn’t using it but realized afterwards that you pretty much need to know where the entrance for the drive thru is before you get here since it’s some random alley without a sign.  Back to the actual burger, it was  spot on as usual and it was definitely the most fun actual location to eat my genex style double double!
Fri May 21, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #23 – Double Double genex Style (correctly made) - Westwood, CA

Continue reading Fri May 21, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #23 – Double Double genex Style (correctly made) – Westwood, CA →

In-n-Out Burger, mobile, Reviews (music, film, more...), with Photos

Thu May 20, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #22 – Double Double genex Style (correctly made) – Sherman Oaks, CA

Thu May 20, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #21 – Double Double genex Style (correctly made)

Sherman Oaks’ In-n-Out Burger was my first on this particular SoCal trip.  I was excited since I thought I might have a chance to swing by the HQ and/or Number One.  I’ve been to Number One before but this would be the first trip there during my “Year of In-n-Out” but alas I didn’t make it down.  Anyhow, as usual, a trip to In-n-Out is always a good sign and since they got my genex style Double Double right so I was happy and the trip proved productive.

Continue reading Thu May 20, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #22 – Double Double genex Style (correctly made) – Sherman Oaks, CA →

In-n-Out Burger, mobile, Reviews (music, film, more...), with Photos

Mon May 17, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #21 – Double Double genex Style (correctly made)

Wed May 12, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #20 – Double Double genex Style (correctly made)

Second time at this In-n-Out Burger in Napa in a week and this burger was just right – it almost looks like one of the shots you might see in an ad the way it’s so perfectly presented.  But of course that’s not gonna stop me from devouring it since I was pretty damn hungry at this point.  I had been shooting at Clos Pegase Winery earlier and there was a fancy dinner there in the caves when I was finishing up of course that makes my hunger even worse so I jetted down to get this double double to satisfy my hunger.  Definitely hit the spot! Continue reading Mon May 17, 2010: In-N-Out Burger #21 – Double Double genex Style (correctly made) →

In-n-Out Burger, Reviews (music, film, more...)

In-n-Out Burger Book Review

in-n-out burger secret menu bookOur awesome public library system here in San Francisco had set aside the In-n-Out Burger book (categorized in the business section) for me and I just read it on my trip to and from Seattle.  Here’s my quick review and thoughts…

As a read, this book is a quick one.  At close to 300 pages of actual content (and lots of notes at the end), it details the rise of the burger chain from its humble beginnings in Baldwin Park, CA through it’s current state.  Harry and Esther Snyder started In-n-Out Burger and the company has stayed a family business and remained privately held even while the entire fast food industry has gone corporate – for the most part.

The book details some of the drama concerning the most recent change in leadership as well as some interesting tidbits and backstories.

A few random things I learned included:

  • that one of my favorite streets in Venice, CA – Abbot Kinney – is named for the tobacco magnate who founded Venice in 1905.
  • The town of Irvine, CA, where Rich Snyder moved the headquarters offices during his tenure running In-n-Out, was designed by The Irvine Company, who designed it from the ground up in 1960 (like Celebration, FL) before it was eventually incorporated in 1971.
  • Julia Child was a big In-n-Out fan, and reportedly kept that little location guide in her purse
  • and a lot of things I already knew (Thomas Keller being a fan, secret menu and bible verse stuff, etc.)

But back to the content of the book itself – author Stacy Perman’s quotes seem to do little to support the text when she uses them – to me the quotes are too short and it would have been nice to get more context aside from a one liner.. Her writing style wasn’t all that compelling to me either, but luckily the story of In-n-Out Burger and the machinations of the business are strong enough to propel the story.  Maybe it’s because I am one of those fanatical In-n-Out fans that I demand the greatest prose to accompany this great burger institution’s story.

Oh well, who could live up to that.  I guess maybe if I can get Haruki Murakami into In-n-Out then maybe he could write something about that.  Now that would be freaking awesome…

Well, I will leave you with a nice quote from our own San Francisco Mayor – Gavin Newsom – from the books back cover: “When fast-food restaurants tried to locate to Fisherman’s Wharf, our local merchants were opposed to every one of them – except In-n-Out.  Because every meal is fresh and made from scratch, In-n-Out is in a class by itself.”

In-n-Out Burger, Reviews (music, film, more...)

In-n-Out Burger book by Stacy Perman

in-n-out burger secret menu bookI didn’t realize that In-n-Out had a book written about them so now I gotta check it out.  I figured this out because I was all excited to see the In-n-Out documentary on KQED tonight but missed it.  So frantically searching the interwebz to see if any kind soul would have Ustreamed their live TV while they watched it, I came across this video of author Stacy Perman at a book signing in Napa at Books Inc.

Among the factoids she mentions that must be in the book are:

– Julia Child kept a list of where all the In-n-Outs were between her place in Santa Barbara and LA.

– When Per Se opened, self-professed In-n-Out fan and super Chef Thomas Keller got 300 In-n-Out Burgers for his staff.

Once I read it I’ll post a review or if you are more impatient than I, you can order it online!

Oh and on the Five Guys vs. In-n-Out?  No contest – In-n-Out kicks Five Guys’ ass.   Head to head like the Lightning Burger, I’ll take my Double Double any day 🙂

In-n-Out Burger, mobile, Reviews (music, film, more...), with Photos

Mon March 8, 2010: In-n-Out Burger #8 – genex style (correctly made)

Mon March 8, 2010: In-n-Out Burger #8 – genex style (correctly made)

Man this particular genex style Double Double seemed super heavy on the onions.  I love onions and all but it was pretty powerful.  Outside the Las Vegas police were arresting some sorta crazy crackhead that had all the employees abuzz.

Continue reading Mon March 8, 2010: In-n-Out Burger #8 – genex style (correctly made) →

2009, Reviews (music, film, more...), with Photos

Do the shuffle

self portraitOK I usually never do chain letter things but since my sister was the one who sent this I decided to do it… (self portrait using my old school Olympus OM-2S Program film camera – Kodak TMax 3200 film)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Put your MP3 player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the “next” button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER WHAT IT IS 🙂
4. Tag friends who might enjoy doing this…
This took forever since I suddenly wanted to listen fully to each song which popped up.

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS “IS THIS OKAY” YOU SAY?
I Might be Wrong – Radiohead

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Time to Pretend – MGMT

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Length of Love – Interpol

4.WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Shut up and Let me Go – The Ting Tings

5. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Good Cop, Bad Cop – Everything But the Girl

6. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Get Myself into It – The Rapture

7. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OFTEN?
Strict Machine – Goldfrapp

8. WHAT IS 2+2?
Panic – The Smiths

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Souverian – Andrew Bird

10. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Moan – Trentmoller

11. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP??
Vamp – Trentmoller

12. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE??
Gabriel – Lamb

13. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Sly – Herbie Hancock

14. WHAT DID YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Sni Bong – Dengue Fever

15. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Hairy Trees – Goldfrapp

16. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors – The Editors

17. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
The Well and the Lighthouse – The Arcade Fire

18. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
La Del Ruso – Gotan Project (this means “That of the Russian – @a, that’s you I guess?)

19. WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
So Many Ways – Mates of State

20. HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Letter from an Occupant – The New Pornographers (I am looking to buy a home… hm)

21. WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Borderline – Madonna

22. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Shadowplay – The Killers (cover of Joy Division)

23. WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Some Girls are Bigger than Others – The Smiths

24. WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
Election Night – Bic Runga

25. WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
Untouchables – Eric B. & Rakim

26. DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Believe Achieve – CSS

27. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Paper Planes – M.I.A.

28. WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Bigmouth Strikes Again – The Smiths

29. WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Funny Little Frog – Belle & Sebastian

30. HOW WILL YOUR DAY GO TOMORROW?
Always Something Better – Trentmoller

mobile, Reviews (music, film, more...), Social Grace and Manners, with Photos

Dengue Fever @ the Rickshaw Stop

Dengue Fever @ the Rickshaw Stop

When I first heard Chhom Nimol’s melifluous voice on NPR on a story about Dengue Fever, I was attending Strictly Business 2 in Long Beach, CA right where she was discovered in a nightclub in Little Phnom Penh area which was very close to the hotel where the conference was held.  All quite serendipitous and here they were playing in San Francisco at the Rickshaw Stop.  Luckily I bought tickets before it sold out and got to check them out and they definitely are recommended if you get a chance to see them.

Muscle-aneous, Reviews (music, film, more...)

Bigger, Stronger, Faster review

B & Aubrey in

So today I finally got to check out “Bigger, Stronger, Faster” which I’ve had an interest in since a few friends are in it and since I do a lot of work in the fitness and bodybuilding industry, is somewhat related to my work.  The documentary is really well done and gives a very balanced view on the issue of steroid use and especially why people may use them and the implications within America and the American way of life.

The first screen grab above is of my friend Brenda “B” Smith talking about gear and her daughter Aubrey is there too.   Some of the more interesting parts of the film included the screen grab below talking about the evolution of the action figure in America and how muscular the current ones are compared to those in the past.  I remember my first Han Solo was skinny and normal looking like the real Harrison Ford, but the new ones I saw were all buffed out – WTF?!

action figures in

Another enlightening moment was related to the Olympics and specifically the 1988 Seoul Olympics and Ben Johnson and Carl Lewis.  Everyone knows or has probably heard about Johnson being stripped of his gold medal due to failing a doping test, but what I didn’t know was that Carl Lewis failed some USOC doping tests for banned substances and they show a letter he received from the USOC ejecting him from the Olympic Team for the 1988 Olympics.  Of course we all know he was there so you can take from that what you will.  I’m not surprised that our country would let him go, since we as a society seem to value winning more than ethics in so many parts of our culture. Continue reading Bigger, Stronger, Faster review →