Reba's new single available today on iTunes!!

....and I already know every word. (Of course I do) "Turn On The Radio" was released shortly after midnight on iTunes last night. Once again, she does not disappoint. Catchy, fun, and high-energy. Sure to be yet another hit! I know I'm biased because she could burp the alphabet and I'd buy it. But, this is really a fun song. Reminiscent of some of her 90's hits like "Why Haven't I Heard from You" and "Take It Back". Download it on iTunes here!! Now!

Uber-conservative Senator to appear at gay fundraiser

John Cornyn, the super socially conservative Senator from Texas has agreed to appear at a fundraiser for the Log Cabin Republicans. For those of you who don't know, the Log Cabin Republicans are a group of gay repubs who believe in many core Republican values.

Cornyn is a staunch supporter of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and has opposed same-sex marriage in his state. So, why is he going? He says "Some things we won’t agree on, but I think it’s always better to talk and then try find those things we can agree on rather than just assume there’s no common ground whatsoever.” True, but then he says that same-sex marriage is one thing they "absolutely" won't agree on, but he's happy to talk to them.

Now, here's my issue. WHY THE HELL ARE THERE STILL LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS?!?! I totally get believing in many of the fiscally conservative agendas put forth by the repubs. I do. I agree on many of them myself. But how can you still support a party that has made one of their main agendas disenfranchising you as a people?!?! This party, which once stood for smaller government, and personal responsibility, now uses the gay "movement" as a way to scare people into voting for them! Why would you still be a part of that group?!

It's like Meg Whitman. I agree with a LOT of what she has to say. To be honest, I think she is what this state needs to get back on track. Her welfare reform ideas, her proposed budget cuts, and her no-nonsense management style makes me think that she is our best shot at pulling this failing state out of the downward spiral we've been in for over a decade. But I REFUSE to cast a vote for someone who will work, and put my tax dollars to work, to ensure I do not have equal rights. That is just ridiculous. So, I'll plug my nose and cast a vote for Jerry Brown. Ugh. Point being, you can support ideas from both parties, but you have to look at yourself in the mirror and if you let your bank account take precedents over your identity, you are a sellout and pathetic. I think they should put mirrors in the ballot booths.

So have fun with the sad, pathetic group known as the Log Cabin Republicans, Senator Cornyn. Hmm, sad and pathetic...hey, you guys have THAT in common!

The Fatted Calf is coming to Hayes Valley

Meat lovers in Hayes Valley rejoice! A new French-style charcuterie is opening in our neighborhood!

Taylor Boetticher, who owns The Fatted Calf in Napa, has announced the opening of his newest shop at 320 Fell Street (between Gough and Octavia).

This new shop (which is directly behind me on the same block) will feature cured meats, bread, duck, chicken, salami, prosciutti, hot dogs, beer dogs, etc. Ready-to-eat items along with beer are also coming soon.

The shop, which I heard will keep it's wall-of-windows with delicious salamis and other meats on display, is slotted to open this Fall. Not soon enough!! Can't wait!!

Review: "In the Heights"

Tommy got us tickets for this show last week. I had no idea what it was about, where it was, whether it was a musical or play, nothing. Up to about ten minutes before, I still had no idea what it was or what to expect. All I knew at that point was that it was a musical since, while standing in line, I read the marquis "Tony Award winner - Best Musical" so I thought, eh...can't be that bad.

I was right. Not bad. Not bad at all. Very good actually. Great music, high energy, and talented performers. A great show!

It takes place in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York and follows the lives of the neighborhood families, who have grown over the years to become one large family.

I won't go into too many details but trust me, you will be entertained. It is playing at the Curran Theatre through June. Go see it!

Tickets can be purchased here

I give it 4 Rebas.

Nite-nite: Gary Coleman 1968-2010

...and the Diff'rent Strokes curse continues. First, Dana Plato dies in a trailor in Vegas, now Arnold.

Gary Coleman, who played Arnold on Diff'rent Stokes in the 80's, died today in Utah at 42. He suffered a brain hemorrhage on Wednesday at his home.

His shortlived success, led to years of money and legal problems. It all started in 1989 when he sued his parents for inappropriately handling his money. He then filed bankruptcy in 1999. He's also been arrested for assault, disorderly conduct, and domestic violence.

The poor guy never really seemed to find happiness. At least now he's found peace.

So that's two of the three kids from Diff'rent Strokes. Todd Bridges, you should count your blessings.

...meanwhile Conrad Bain (who played Philip Drummond) is goin' strong at 87.

Watch this movie!

One of the things I enjoy about my morning commute (ok, the only thing I enjoy about my morning commute) is flipping between my 90's country and Rosie Radio on XM/Sirius satellite radio. Yes, Rosie Radio as in Rosie O'Donnell. Love her or hate her, she has a lot of thought provoking guests on her show.

This morning she had the makers of the documentary Food, Inc. It is a movie about the food industry, the governments involvement, and the damage we are doing to our bodies with the over processed meats and vegetables that we eat.

I haven't watched it yet. We plan to watch it tomorrow night (it's on Netflix Watch Instantly!) but I'm sure it will disturb me and make my already complicated relationship with food, pretty much impossible. Oh well.

Here's the trailer:

Giants Brewfest next weekend

Do you like beer? Do you love the Giants? Actually, if you like the Giants and love beer, check out:

(click on the picture for the link)

Play Pac-Man on Google.com homepage!

If you go to the google homepage today (which I rarely do as my best friend works for Yahoo!), you will find their logo in the Pac-man game screen!

Clever, cute, fun, and addicting. So, if you want to kill some time on your Friday, hit up google.com and play a little. Then, go back to Yahoo! cause it's better. :)

PS - Thanks Dyann for the heads up!

New software

It occurred to me when watching some of the SeaWorld video from last month, that a lot of that could have been sliced up and put into one, much more interesting, video package. So, I decided to buy some video editing software. It's pretty cool. I have no idea what I'm doing but, my best friend, Christian says he can give me a tutorial.

This is my first attempt at using the software...I can use all the help I can get.

A new place to spend SF summer nights

For the last few months, we have been obsessed with frozen yogurt. It started when we were visiting the fam in LA. Although late to the game, we discovered the concept of self-serve yogurt and fell in love. Now that we're eating healthy, it is our reward for a good run, or an intense spin class.

We have found a few in the city that we like. TuttiMelon is really good. They have shops in the Marina, North Beach, SOMA, Sunset, and a few others I think. Most of them are self-serve, which is definitely a requirement for us. They all have anywhere from four to six flavors and an abundance of toppings.

This month, the Safeway shopping center at 16th and Potrero opened a new froyo shop: Nubi Yogurt. This is now the place to get froyo in the city (in my opinion). They have over fourteen flavors to choose from including cheesecake, several fruit flavors, and my favorite: Red Velvet Cake. They always have tons of fresh toppings and are situated right above 24 Hour fitness. How perfect is that? Now our reward is instant :)

So, if you are in the area, check them out. You might see Tommy and I shoveling a spoonful of Red Velvet Cake in our faces. Don't judge us, we earned it, remember? ;)

4 & 1/2 Rebas. They just need to add Cookies'N'Cream to their flavors and Pink&White animal cookies to their topping selections and they will earn the other half of Mrs. McEntire.

Review: Village California Bistro

Every year for my mom's birthday and Mother's Day, I try to find somewhere different to take her. Something other than our usual Chevy's, Elephant Bar, Stacks, etc that we go to through the year. For the past couple of years that I've been living in San Francisco, I've brought her up to SF since there are about four hundred more quality restaurants in the city vs the south bay.

This year, I decided to give San Jose another shot. Why make mom drive two hours on Mother's Day, right? Now, if you are used to San Francisco restaurants, bars, shops, etc and must eat and shop in San Jose, where is the one place you would go? Yup, Santana Row.

My first choice was to have brunch at Citrus, the restaurant on the 3rd floor of the Hotel Valencia (...which is actually the 1st floor? Weird) but they told me they weren't having any kind of brunch. They said we could order room service and sit outside with it if we wanted. What?? No.

So I called the Village California Bistro. They were fairly booked (I of course waited until the Monday before Mother's Day...in my defense I was on vacation) but were able to grant us a reservation for three (my mom, Tommy, and myself) at 2pm. A little later than I'd have liked, but ok.

We got there at about 1:45p and it was bustling. The entrance is a little awkward because you walk into the back of the host station. So, you are greeted by the backs of the host staff...strange. Anyway, they are no doubt used to this as they quickly turned around, greeted us, and asked if we had a reservation. We were concerned that there would be a delay since they had cleared some of the patio seating due to the weather (thanks "mother" nature) but we were seated right away.

Within one minute, our waiter appeared, greeted us, and wished my mother a happy Mother's Day. Points right off the bat. We wasted no time hitting the buffet. Anything and everything you could imagine. Pasta, breakfast items, seafood, dessert, everything! We filled our plates with such great items as chicken piccata, salmon, bacon, ham and cheese croissant sandwiches, oysters, prime rib...I could go on...but it's making me hungry. The food was delicious.

It has been my experience that we subconsciously lower our expectations when it comes to buffet food. For instance, Tommy and I just got back from a cruise. The food was good, not great, but good. We seem to cut the cooks some slack when they are cooking the same items for that many people. I have to say, each item that I tasted could have been presented as a menu item and I would have been thoroughly impressed. The quality was excellent.

We made quite a few trips back up to the buffet, and each time our dirty plates were cleared promptly. I had to ask for refills a couple of times but the staff was quick to return with one. The desserts were also delicious. A little more on the "mass produced" side than the main course items but that didn't stop me from shoving them in my face.

The buffet ended at 3pm and they started to casually, slowly, break things down a little early. They never made us feel rushed, but when I got up to get yet another desert, I heard them turning people away at 2:30pm.

The buffet was just under $40 per person. Not a bad price for a Mother's Day buffet and, when you consider the quality of food, it's a pretty good deal. What bugged me is that they charged us for coffee and soda. Soda, I understand a little more, but coffee?!?! You are going to charge nearly $40 and include oysters in your buffet but charge me $2 for coffee? That was a little petty in my opinion. It didn't tarnish the experience though. A good time had by all. Most importantly, my Ma.

A well deserved 4 Rebas for Village California Bistro. We just may add it to the Chevy's, Elephant Bar, Stacks rotation.

SeaWorld San Diego!

After our 5 day cruise to Mexico, we spent a few days in beatiful San Diego. We spent one full day at SeaWorld. I had never been! It's a great park. We went on a couple of fun rides and saw some fun shows.

Although I've never been to SeaWorld, I used to love going to the original Marine World Africa, USA in Redwood City (NOT to be confused with the new mega-amusement park in Vallejo). I always loved the Killer Whale and Dolphin show. Below are a couple of videos that Tommy took at the Killer Whale show. They are pretty amazing animals!

0:15, 0:34, and 0:58 are nice shots in this vid:



Check out 0:12 and 0:36 on this one


You can check out more vids from the Killer Whale show on my YouTube page

Another anti-gay "Christian" leader caught with gay hooker

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New Hayes Valley Art Installation

Every six months or so, Patricia's Green park, which is in the heart of Hayes Valley, installs a new art display in the center of the park. I look forward to it as I live down the street. The last art piece came out about a week ago and us locals waited eagerly to see what would fill the empty quad in the center of the park.

And here it is! I'm getting some mixed reactions from the people I know. Personally, I really like it. It's by far the grandest art installation we've ever had in Hayes Valley. It's unique, quirky, and fun. Just like Hayes Valley :) What do you think?

John Edwards finally mans-up

After years of secrets, infidelity, cheesy smiles, and flat-out lies, John Edwards has finally admitted that he fathered the daughter of his former videographer, Rielle Hunter. Man-of-the-year released a statement and said "I am Quinn's Father" after hearing that a former aide is about to release a tell-all book about Edwards and his failed Presidential campaigns.

In July, 2007 Edwards renewed his wedding vows with his wife of 30 years, Elizabeth; who has been battling incurable bone cancer since 2007. About eight months later, the child was born. Classy.

God Bless you Elizabeth Edwards. Your son dies, your husband cheats, and you have cancer. It's not fair but you handle it with such grace.

As for former Senator haircut, do us all a favor and step out of the public limelight. You have embarrassed your family and your party. I'm so over your lying interviews and speeches. I'd rather watch Jersey Shore than you on Oprah again. Even The Situation would probably make a better husband.

Cindy McCain "comes out" for marriage equality!

Cindy McCain, wife of John McCain contacted the folks at the NOH8 campaign and requested a photo shoot to show her opposition to Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California. The would-be first lady most likely heard about this from her daughter, Mehgan McCain, who is an avid gay rights activist...and yes....a Republican. You can be a Republican and not hate gay people. I know lots of them. Well, a few.

Anyway, what an awesome statement from the spouse of the leader of the Republican party!! Her husband does not share her opinion on gay marriage; at least not publicly. Either way, I think it says a lot about all of the McCains. Including Senator McCain. His wife has her own opinion and is free to speak it. He commented on Imus this morning that their conversations at home about the subject are "spirited". I bet. Although I'm not entirely convinced that personally, he's as against marriage equality as he says but I'll take his word for it.

Thank you, Cindy McCain for taking such a courageous stand on marriage equality!

Another uninvited guest gets into the White House?!?!

This is ridiculous. Is it just me? Am I the only one thoroughly disturbed at the fact that there has now been another person identified as getting into the same White House dinner that media-whores Tareq and Michaele Solahi go into?!

The secret service announced that a third unidentified person was able to get through security and attend the White House state dinner for India's prime minister. Apparently he arrived with members of the delegation but was not on the Secret Service's prescreened list of approved guests.

The Secret Service says that the man did not get near the President of First Lady. Really? How do they know? Oh, they must have checked the man's facebook.

The Secret Service director has said that the security breach was his agency's fault but the President was never at risk. Umm, how do you put the words: Secret-Service-Security-Breach-President-never-at-risk in one sentence?!

If I were President Obama, I'd be looking for a more thorough security detail...like Paul Blart mall cop.