Bogging Down on my Postings-Please Respond

Since I started this blog, I've noticed that the great majority of my posts get one or two views-thanks, Chris and Brad, who I think are my only consistent readers.

On New Year's Day, 2013, I posted that I would try to post once a week for the entire year, and since this will be my 51st post, and it's only October, I think I'll be able to make it.

I probably should have said "average one post a week," but since it is my standard, if I hit 52 I can stop. I won't, of course, because I have three ukulele repairs and a guitar bridge repair that I want to write about, along with my favorite Mexican food place, Cuernavaca, that I just haven't gotten around to.

I'm impressed by the people who can post continuously. My favorite blogger is probably Capt. Willard at Willard's Wormholes, who posts an eclectic variety of music, some that I have, some that I want and then download, and some that I'd never listen to. He even posted a version of Nilsson's "You're Breakin' My Heart," with sound effects (the way they used to play it on KMET back in the 70's), at my request. I also used to turn to WFMU's "Remember the Blog," too, because occasionally someone will write a rather in depth, Wikipedia calibre expose on some obscure topic which makes very interesting reading, but I haven't had the time lately to do that.

One of the features on Blogger is that you can hit the "Next Blog" button to go to some random blog. I do that once in a while to look at other people's blogs, and respond to any that have a post within the month. It's my part to encourage others.

I started this entry because I noticed that my sister-in-law has her own blog attached to her website which is attached to her interior design business. Her blog moves pretty good through 2012, and then dropped off last February. The last posting had to do with no privacy in the bathroom-not necessarily the topic that I'd end a blog on interior design with, but her business appears to be booming, so what do I know. I don't speak to her much-probably haven't spoken to her in about 18 months, and it would probably be weird to call and ask her why she left off there. But I have a competitive streak, and since I can't compete financially with my in-laws, I can still compete creatively. So I post away, for anyone who stumbles across.

Not to sound desperate, but if you read this, throw in a response. It keeps me going.

Actually, I like posting, so I'll keep doing it anyway-but if you find anything interesting, go ahead and reply.

Thanks.

Boba-licious, Camarillo

Boba-licious Smoothies & More

1775 E Daily Dr

Camarillo, CA 93010

My in-laws live in San Gabriel, where a large Asian population has brought a variety of foods from the Far East, and so I was already familiar with boba drinks. If you aren't familiar, the quick explanation is that boba drinks are smoothies or flavored teas with a little chewie balls made from cassava or tapioca on the bottom. 

Not to be racist, but I've never seen white people working in a boba shop, so I was caught off-guard by the crowd inside of Boba-Licious when my daughter and I walked in. All the seats were taken by a crowd of middle-school aged white boys, apparently studying something on God. A white woman who was most likely my age greeted my daughter and I with a large smile and asked us what we would like. 

In the San Gabriel boba shops, there are large groups of students, too, but Asian, and generally speaking in some Asian language. And they usually have cigarettes, as well.

Back to Camarillo. My daughter ordered watermelon-pear, and I went with coconut-pineapple, which the woman happily went off to make. She saw me looking about and trying to figure out what the connection of all the boys was, and said something along the lines of welcome to the Boy Scouts study session for duty to God badge. The boys were a bit fidgety, but generally on task, and she shouted questions over her shoulder while firing up the blenders for our drinks.

Each one was $4.50, a bit on the high side, and they weren't bad. Not particularly good, but not bad. Bobal-icious is one of those places that might stay open for ever or close tomorrow. I wouldn't make a special trip, nor say no if someone I was with suggested stopping there. Though the women working seemed inviting enough, the feel of the place was cold and sterile. 

They serve ramen and have Ramune sodas-the ones with the marble inside.

 Not bad. Just not very out of the ordinary, which, as one of the few purveyors of boba in the area, isn't actually a good thing.

Dodgers! And the Playoff Dog

The Playoff Dog

and 

The Dodgers

I have been going to Dodger Stadium for games since the classic mid-70's infield line up of Garvey, Lopes, Russell and Cey, but I have to add that I don't really like baseball. I almost never watch baseball on television and if Vin Scully ever retires, I'll most likely never listen to a Dodger game again.

But I've always liked going to Dodger games. A friend's mom when I was 11 or 12 liked to take her son, me and some others to games, and usually she'd take us for double-headers or things like helmet days. I learned how to keep stats in the program, but often I'd walk around the stadium, which I thought was a pretty cool thing to do.

I usually take the family for a game during the season, but mostly I go now with a friends from work. I'm there to hang out, drink adult beverages and eat peanuts and Dodger dogs. 

And though the Dodgers have been in several playoffs over the years, I've never been to a playoff game. So when a friend had a ticket, I immediately said yes. Last Sunday's game, the third in this year's playoff series against Atlanta, was a great game to go to. Sold out crowd-I don't think I've been to a sold out game since the Kirk Gibson era, and tons of energy. It was my first game this season, and with a 13-6 Dodger win, I can't really think of a better way to enjoy baseball.

My buddy and I hit the stadium early, powering down Dodger Dogs as soon as we walked in. Not wanting to just sit, we cruised the Loge level-and then I saw it.

A monster-what appeared to be a huge hot dog covered in pastrami. Then I saw another of those bad boys go by. My buddy and I knew what we had to do-find where that dog was sold. When we saw another one, I asked the person struggling to hold it where she had got it from, and she pointed down the way a bit more.

A picture sign at the Loaded Dogs stand showed the monstrosity, the "Playoff Dog," a giant all-beef wiener, placed on a pretzel roll baguette, with a pile of pastrami, a few dabs of mustard and topped with a pickle slice. I could feel my arteries harden and my heart scream "Noooooo," but I ordered one anyway. $9 and they even threw in a fork! A few steps farther brought us to the fancy adult beverages, which we got, and headed back to our seats.

Then the Dodgers won, and all was right with the world.

And yes, of course we still stopped at Tommy's on Beverly and Rampart to fully cap the Dodger experience. The burgers at the original stand still taste the best.

Ventura Sandwich Company

Ventura Sandwich Company

2700 Loma Vista Road

Ventura, CA 93003

Open 11am-6pm Mon-Fri, and 11am-3pm on Saturday.

Call to place your order: (805) 641-1915

The Ventura Sandwich Company has been off the parking lot of the Main Street branch of the $.99 Store for the last year, and though I've almost gone a few times, I'd never made it in until my Saturday visit.

To give you some reference, my favorite sandwiches here in town are from the Vons', where you can pick what you want on it and every 7th one is free. I don't really care for Subway, and though I think Jersey Mike's is okay, I don't generally feel compelled to go there.

The place was crowded when I walked in, but I think that at least four of the people I saw were working there. It was hard to tell, though, because it isn't a big place and two of the people, including one with her son, weren't behind the counter initially.

There were some people eating, though, and a short line to order. I felt like a hot sandwich, and even though I had a pastrami burger from The Hat a week before-which was great-I opted for the Hot Italian, an $8 sandwich that had pastrami, salami, and provolone. It comes with a pickle spear and a side salad, which I swapped for chips. No fountain drinks and the lack of Coca-cola products saw me drinking a bottled Pepsi, something that doesn't happen often.  

The girl at the counter seemed to be new and not overly friendly. Not unfriendly, but more concerned with trying to work the register. The two men behind the counter were the same way, making a sandwich but not really happy about it. Overall, the whole vibe was just, well, indifferent. 

The space itself was nothing special. There was some local photography for sale on the walls, but nothing that wowed me. It was all clean, almost sterile. I don't remember if music was playing or not, but if it was it made no impression on me. Plastic chairs and wooden tables, not a lot of eating space, the shop was ordinary.

My sandwich was good, the Boar's Head pastrami and salami working well together. The cheese was melted, and the lettuce, tomato and onions were all fresh, as was the wheat roll. But the question in my mind, even a week later, is, "Was the sandwich $8 good," and to that, I don't think so. The food was good, but the presentation was weak. On my way out, I tried to strike up a small conversation with the counter girl, but that fell kind of flat, and no one else who worked there looked interested in chiming in. In the end, it was $12 for lunch, and to me, if I'm spending more than $10, it better be special.

I prefer Coke or Dr. Pepper to Pepsi, and fountain drinks with lots of ice over bottles. If I really need a sandwich, I might go back. It just seemed a bit pricey for what it was.

Aaron's Tacos-The Blue Light Diner

Aaron's Tacos-The Blue Light Diner

Chestnut and Thompson

I noticed this taco truck a few months back, and thought I'd give it a try. Though this is closer than the places on the Avenues, I'm not usually going down Thompson in the evening. It's actually in walking distance-a good quality for a place that really adds to my calorie count. I'm not sure what this food trailer calls itself. It says "Blue Light Diner" on the the baby blue menus and has blue lights all around, but the side of the truck reads "Aaron's Tacos." Since I do plan to go back, I'll ask the next time I'm there.

Driving up, there was a few ethnically, and socio economically (I've been taking a college extension class), diverse people eating. I found parking in the Tire Man parking lot where the trailer is located, and the smell emanating from the truck was enough to start my mouth watering. The trailer itself was a bit smaller than most, though it did seem exceptionally clean. Three guys were working inside, and all looked up and acknowledged me as I walked up to peak inside. Another was sweeping the lot and wiping down the outside counter.

At night, quesadillas always seem to be a good choice. Something about the hot cheese, I think. It's warming on a cool evening, and if there's some meat, all the better. Contrasted by a cool soda, it's comfort food, Mexican style.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Usually, I'd order a quesadilla with asada, but I wanted to mix it up a bit, and had saudero, which according to Wikipedia is brisket and the guys on the truck is meat from the ribs. It tasted like a better version of my wife's roast, and on the whole was pretty good-though I didn't notice on the menu that jalapeno's would be in the quesadilla, too. Between that and the green salsa, it was just a touch spicier than what I wanted. Good, though. My other knock is that for $6, it seemed smaller than other food truck quesadillas.

While I was standing at the counter outside, a young guy walked up and ordered a chicken taco and a bacon wrapped hot dog. I watched him eat the taco, which he seemed to like, and then his hot dog came up. It was $6 also, and was huge, a Nathan's sausage wrapped in a thick slice of bacon, bell peppers, grilled onions and jalapeno, and a full box of fries. The menu didn't give me any indication of the size, and I asked him to make sure it was just their menu bacon wrapped dog.

We then struck up a conversation, which the counter guy chimed in on when he wasn't working a customer. I asked how his hot dog was, and he said that it was good. He finished, and offered me his fries. 

Ordinarily, I wouldn't take food off a stranger's plate, but in the interest of this blog post, I went ahead and tried one. Then I had several more. Good fries, crispy on the outside and soft in the middle, lightly salted in what tasted like fresh oil.

And while I was watching, I saw what I wanted to order next time being prepared on the grill-Asada Fries. Asada Fries are french fries, cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream, jalapeno, salsa, and of course, asada. $6 as well, and a reason to go back.

They're open from 6 to Midnight, Tue-Thurs, and until 3 on Friday and Saturdays.


Sept. 28, 2013 Update

Stopped by again last night and this time just had a couple of tacos. I had lengua and asada-both were loaded with meat, grilled onions and cilantra, and both were very good.

And another thing-there's no tip jar.

October 5, 2013 Update

My son and I were hungry and tried the bacon wrapped hot dog. I watched as it was prepared, and my arteries immediately started to harden. They wrap bacon around the Nathan's hot dog, then deep fry it with the french fries for a short time. After the hot dogs are pulled out, they are split in half and grilled next to where the buns are being toasted in mayo. When the buns and dogs are pulled off the grill, the pico de gallo is also placed on the grill for a quick zap of heat, and then on to the dog it goes.

With the full tray of fries, it was a great deal for $6.

Ukulele Repair-the Kay

Great Logo!

I really do need to stop buying things. I'm not a particularly good luthier, but it is becoming an interesting hobby for me.

This Kay was purchased off the Goodwill website in the beginning of August, and arrived at my door for $41.50, including shipping. I wanted it for the off white plastic fretboard, and the "Kay" headstock design. I have Regals and Harmonys, so a Kay works for the completist in me.

There are no dates or distinguishing markings on the Kay. It may be from the 50's or 60's, it may be made in either Chicago or Japan. I think it appears to at least have a solid top, but I can't say for sure. Perhaps someone out there can tell from the pictures.

Old and New Tuning Machines

When it arrived, the Kay had no strings, and was missing a tuning peg. I ordered some colored pegs from China on eBay for $6, and got some red Aquila strings (also on eBay) because I thought they'd look sharp against the plastic fretboard.

There also appears to be some water damage between the soundhole and the end of the fretboard, as well as where the neck joint attaches to the body. 

Counter-Sink

The first thing that I needed to do was drill out the holes for the replacement tuning pegs. They were just a bit larger than the holes in the head of the uke, so using the largest bit that I had handy and my counter-sink, I slowly and carefully used my hand held Craftsman drill to make the holes. The new tuning pegs just barely fit.

Next, I noticed that the top was starting to separate. I broke out the Titebond and my clamps, and did my best to glue the top back on. It's not the greatest seal, but I think it's okay.

I cleaned the uke with Dunlop Guitar Polish, and strung up the red Aquila's, and took it out for a test strum. It seems to be one of my louder ukes, on par with even my Fluke, which is very cool. No one is going to mistake it for my dream ukelele, the $900 Koaloha Pineapple, but on the whole it isn't bad. Certainly worthy of the Sunday Ukelele jams. 

Final Product

With my broken Richter

I'm beginning to enjoy these old ukuleles. There's something satisfying about fixing them up and playing them again.

Please enjoy my soundbite, and make a comment!

Oct. 14, 2013 Update

I've been meaning to rerecord the video, and finally got around to it today. I have to remember to have a livelier expression when I'm recording myself playing an instrument. The things you have to think about when you make a video.

                                                                                                                                 
And now to mangle White Stripes. My apologies to Jack White.

I'm not sure why I'm sideways. Just go with it....

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Boys and Girls Club Thrift Store

In my punk rock days, I had several friends who would rummage through thrift stores to find old clothes. I never had the patience for that sort of thing, though I did have a girlfriend who would take me along to the "Vintage Clothiers" (Think Aardvark's Odd Ark) and I'd find stuff at those places.

The shirt that started it all

But when I moved to Ventura a few years back, I discovered a few thrift stores by the Mission that I would find used paperbacks and DVD's in, and got in the habit of checking them out. Then, in my search for good tacos, I had discovered the Gallery Car Wash, sadly now closed, which I'd go to when I needed to wash my car and didn't feel like doing it on the front lawn. It was while washing my car that I found the Boys and Girls Club Thrift Store. Going in after my car was clean,  noticed several Aloha shirts on the rack, and bought one that still had dry cleaning tags on it. Since then, I find I go into this particular thrift store on a somewhat regular basis.

I now WON the Rincon Classic!

A few weeks back I bought a drum for $40 after noticing that it was first prize for the pro division of the Quicksilver Rincon Classic, which from this point forward was won by me. But in the Rincon website, Ventura resident and Pro Surfer Dane Reynolds won, and there's a picture of him with the drum. I've actually always wanted a doumbek, and this medium size ceramic one, made by Full Circle Drums in Santa Barbara, is really nice. It even still has the tag on it, and on the inside is the inscription "Surf Happens, Professional Division, Full Circle Drums." I could never quite justify the price of one new, with all the other instruments I have laying around the house that I don't play well. $40 with a story, though,  that worked for me. I started banging on it as soon as I saw it on a shelf, and I got compliments on the drum (or maybe my playing) before I even got out of the door.

Aloha from Hawaii

Unfortunately the guitar was gone.

Other things I've picked up here include a sweet Roadshow Revival Bandana that they had a box full of (see my July 31, 2013 post), a Fender guitar case (but not the Fender guitar), some great sea shells, a cool crossword puzzle clock and other random odds and ends. 

They have lots of furniture in their parking lot and seem to turn over inventory pretty quickly. The employees are a quirky bunch that always seem to be in a good mood, and I've had some interesting, friendly chats when I'm checking out. For whatever it's worth, it doesn't smell the way some thrift store do, either.  

Actually, maybe I shouldn't post this-you might go in and pick up something that I want!