My first day in the islands was pretty mellow. Went into downtown Kona and walked around, which was a pretty extreme feeling. I will give you my feelings for what has happened to the town in the years since I’ve been gone at some point in the near future, but for now I’ll just tell you that I had breakfast at a place called Durty Jake’s, where my ex-girlfrend used to work. That was pretty intense. I used to eat there all the time when she worked there (not so much to see her as it was that I got 50% off.) So that was a pretty intense trip. I thought about her a lot on the first day. I mean, we’ve been broken up for 4 years and I’m over it, but at the place and the time when I lived here, she was a vital part of my life. And I’ve got a memory for every place downtown, and most are connected to her.

You know that feeling you got when you went away to college and you retured home for the first time, and it was no longer your town or your school? I kind of got that feeling too. I mean, we were young and tan and beatiful dolphin trainers, so we felt like we were freaking rock stars. Now I just feel like a tourist. I don’t want to give you the impression that I’m sad or bummed out. I am absolutely thrilled to see the sights, hear the sounds, and most of all, smell the smells (something you never hear anyone say when they visit Philly.) I understand that time passes and that’s all part the process, but there is a certain bittersweetness, I suppose. But most of all there is excitement to see some of the incredible things that I had almost forgotten existed.

Oh, and I went ahead and upgraded the rental. I am totally kicking ass in a 2007 Mustang convertible. I rule!

Yo peeps, I ain’t gonna spend my whole friggin vacation working on questions, so everybody can only play once a week. Maybe. I gotta talk to Dark Horse John, and if he wants to use his old questions and do the joker round and such, then you can play again on thursday. I’ll keep you updated. Anyways, there is quizzo tonight at O’Neals and the Bards hosted by Jam Master Sean. Somebody knock off the Young, the Old and Restless!

The Presidential election is too far off to start predicting who will be the Nominees. Right now it would be McCain and Clinton but we have a long way to go. Closer to home and closer in time is the Mayor’s race AKA the Democratic Primary. Whoever wins this in May wins that in November. So, who do you think it will be? Who do you think it should be? Without comment (I don’t want to influence anybody) here are the nominees*: 1. Bob Brady 2. Darrell Evans 3. Chaka Fattah 4. Tom Knox 5. Michael Nutter
* At this time Milton Street is not eligible; For purposes of this post write-ins are allowed!

Hey gang. Got in at 8:00 p.m. last night. Staying with my friends Justin and Stephanie in a beautiful house that overlooks the ocean (above), though it is up mauka (on the mountain, makai is towards the ocean). I worked with both of them when I was a dolphin trainer at Dolphin Quest. It’s so strange how you see people you haven’t seen in over 6 years, yet after the first few minutes, it feels like you never left. However, a lot has changed. The development down in Kona is out of control, and I don’t know a single person currently working at the place we all used to work. Saddest of all, Kona is getting ready to open a Hooters, a sure sign that a place is headed downhill.

Got a great nights sleep, then woke up at 7 a.m. this morning. Think I’ll be fine with the jet lag. Gonna take it easy today. Gonna go down to town and walk around, then probably head to Captain Cook, a nearby town where a friend of mine owns a used book store. Possibly some beach today, but I’m not sure.

As everyone knows, after Wink Martindale, Johnny has the weakest mind of all game show hosts. Using an old Jedi trick I learned in 1st grade I had him reveal the secrets of his website. RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!
I stopped watching the Oscars after Bob Hope retired but I did read the orchestra cut Al Gore off. Once a windbag always a windbag. Anybody have any comments on the show (Good! Bad! So-So) let us know.
As for the winners…Best Picture: I saw about 25 movies better than “The Departed” this year. Overllong, a pointless love interest, and too much business with those cell phones. Good acting, though. My pick – “United 93”
Best Actor/Actress – I agree with Whitaker and Mirren. Three interesting things – 1. For the FIRST time in history NONE of the Beat Actor nominees were nominated for ANY of the Best Picture nominees. 2. Peter O’Toole is the most nominated non-winner for acting (8).. At 31 Kate Winslet is the youngest 5 time acting nominee in history.
Best Supporting Actor/Actress – I didn’t see “Dreamgirls” I don’t do Musicals! I liked Arkin but did he win because of his performance? His career? Or voters changed their ballot after seeing “Norbit”? Whatever, Murphy was the only favorite who didn’t win. My picks – Jackie Earle Haley – “Little Children”; Rinko Kikuchi – “Babel” Two depressing but well-acted movies.
The rest: I didn’t see the Best Foreign Language winner or the Best Documentary winner. My picks – “Apocalypto” and “The Heart Of The Game”
What do YOU think? Agree? Disagree? If YOU disagree who do YOU thinks should have won? Feel free to embellish!

It’s 11:34 a.m. here at the Los Angeles Airport (I have no idea what the “X” means in LAX. Maybe they used to have a deal with the XFL or perhaps the airport stands on the former grounds of a sacred porn theatre). That means that it’s 2:34 p.m. in Philly. Or possibly 8:34 a.m. That’s one of those things that I have to think long and hard about each and every time the thought comes into my head, and I never feel entirely comfortable with my deduction. I mean, time zones are stupid. Just ask the Chinese, who invented friggin math! They said the hell with it and now their enormous country has only one time zone. So that for some Chinese people, breakfast is served at 6 p.m. Maybe. I only slept for an hour last night, so I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around this concept. I fact, I wish I’d never brought it up

I just ate a Wolfgang Puck pizza and followed it up with a crumb cake that was topped with chocalate chip cookie dough. Yes, I’m serious. I’m sure I’m gonna look great in a bathing suit tommorrow. The seat I’m in at this crappy cafe like area overlooks the runway. It’s incredible how man’s most remarkable triumph over nature is so incredibly ugly. Nothing but steel and cement and giant trash bins and windowless vans and grey trucks with the words “Lavatory Services” written on the side. The people on the tarmac all wear neon orange or yellow vests. If some sci-fi writer had written Tron 100 years ago, I think he would have predicted it turning out sort of like a modern day airport.

There is a couple at the table next to me who look to be in their late 60s, perhaps. It’s not even noon, and they are both sucking down a Bud Light. God Bless America. I’m gonna go get a stiff drink and then sleep on the gate floor.

This week, Philly’s official beer lass recovers from her illness and lists her top 10 beers.
Good News folks…My illness is in the check-out line. Very exciting… For a couple reasons…we can get back to my city slickin’ but more importantly you don’t have to read about the ever-growing tissue tower adjacent to my bed.

I know there was talk of whooping cough and avian flu, but I was eventually diagnosed with an Upper Respiratory Tract Infection. Two weeks! The hardest part of it all was I lost sense of taste and couldn’t indulge in my preferred potable. So now that I am back on the bar stool- I thought it would be a good idea to post my favorites for your viewing and hopefully drinking enjoyment
And in no specific order….

Continue reading “Thursdays with Ginger” →

Had to write my Metro story and then had an appointment, so I’m off to a late start. WiIl get the question of the week up in a few. Word-JGT

Hey gang, we’re showing Borat tonight at the Trocadero. Show kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with the Wheel of Terrific.

We began the week by showing True Romance at the Troc. The show opened with a very special Love Connection, as Chip Chantry was looking for love. Asronaut Lisa Nowak tried to snag Chip, but when she found out that another contestant was dating her astronaut lover, she flew into a rage and sprayed her with Mace. Next up, sexy bartender Mariann was up for grabs. It looked for a second that a terrorist was going to win her hand, but his “Death to America!” screams infuriated the Abe Lincoln impersonator who was trying to win her devotion. The terrorist looked like he had beaten the Lincoln impersonator with the sleeper hold, but the crowds chants of “USA! USA!” stirred something deep within the Lincoln impersonator and he came back and beat up the terrorist and won Mariann’s hand. In other words, it was a pretty damn funny show.

On to quizzo. Another week, another blowout at O’Neals, as the Young the Old and the Restless won easily again, crushing Philly Hardcore. I am hereby announcing that there will be a $25 bounty on YOR’s head next week, the first time they have ever been honored with the Bounty Bowl designation.

Continue reading “Hello-The Week in Review” →