Quick Update

Going to Taco Tuesday tonight at El Torito! What a fun tradition this has become... LOST is also on tonight, and I can't wait to watch this week's episode. Two reasons: 1. The lack-of-footage preview makes me uber curious as to what is going to happen. I also saw a clip of a Lostie at some Hollywood event saying that this episode's setting is one we've never seen before. 2. Just read an amazing article relating LOST to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. Tyler said he'd bring me his copy of The Annotated Alice, so I'm going to start reading that right away.

I have a few things I'd like to blog about later (homemade pizza making experience, Tahoe trip, current local/community news)... just need to find some time!

Staying away from chips

The past two weeks I avoided eating chips. Kettle, Lays, random bags at sandwich shops - you name it. Even tortilla chips, and those things are everywhere! For lent I'm going to continue to give up chips. My goal is to go three months without eating any type. If I can withstand three months without eating them, I bet I'll feel a lot better on that self-control front. Usually when a bag of chips is put in front of me, I revert to cavewoman mode and eat/snack/grab until I've had 4 times as many chips as I should have eaten. Survival instinct? Could be. I honestly consider chips to be pieces of heavenly, crunchy, salty, flavorful perfection. These past two weeks have been rough, but now I know that I can do it. And this is kind of like a pledge. It has nothing to do with Seaside, or life in Monterey County for that matter, whoops!

Okay, how about this: there were chips tonight at El Torito (Taco Tuesday, helloooo). To hold off my post-work hunger, I brought an apple with me and chewed on that until we were able to order our tacos. Just for the record, Chex Mix and crackers are still acceptable, sadly Pringles won't make the cut.

Here's to self-control!

Cruising the Coast

After eating at 17th Street Grille we got on my tandem bike and headed down the street towards the ocean. We rode for a few miles towards Spanish Bay golf course. Luckily the wind died down slightly! The weather was absolutely beautiful. For future visitors, I now know of a great ride. You just need to supply a car to transport Murray (tandem bike).

We then walked over to Cannery Row and got a free cookie sample from the Nestle store (Nicole and I started that trend a while back). SOOOO GOOOOOOOD!!!!!! I love their cookies. I've never bought one, just sampled though :)

Kyle wanted to check out El Torito. (Since I talk about it a lot? Since I have spent every Tuesday there since I moved here?). I know it is a chain and all, but this one is so much better than all of the other El Torito's in the world! Chips, salsa, margaritas, ocean views... sigh...

Our next stop on this touristy day was Fisherman's Wharf. As you walk down the wharf, you hear people claiming their restaurant has the best clam chowder. Whatever. Have you salespeople been to Splash?? Kyle then reminds me that he worked at Splash for X number of years and never tried their clam chowder! WHAT?! Clam chowder reminds me of leaving fake names at the Splash counter - like Pearl, Diamond, Peridot....

Can't wait to go to SLO next weekend!

Feliz Cumpleanos Max!

On Tuesday we went to Taco Tuesday... AGAIN!!! YAY!

We showed up earlier this time, but ended up grabbing a table in this side area place (not the cantina). We ate yummy tacos, lots of chips n salsa, and had some drinks. I promised Max that I wouldn't tell the waitress it was his birthday, but soooomeone did! He ended up with a plate of FLAN right in front of him. MUAHAHAHA

Then we walked over to Blue Fin Cafe and Billiards, (685 Cannery Row, Monterey). They have beer pong on Thursdays at 9:00 pm. I don't know why I just mentioned that, seeing as how we were there on TUESDAY! We grabbed one of the 11 pool tables, the guys got a few pints, and we played cut-throat pool.

Lots of positive things to say: 16 draft beers, 2 stage areas, a balcony area, etc etc.... This place looks like it could be pretty fun for a Friday/Saturday night because it is soooooo big! It also offers great views of Cannery Row.

We stayed for around an hour and a half, I won every game. NOT! I need some more practice!

We walked back to the car and drove to Max's apartment. He has a pretty nice place - spacious and tidy! I hope he had a happy birthday, I definitely enjoyed celebrating!

Taco Tuesday (Part I)

STORMY weather!! Yesterday I woke up and it was still raining, made some coffee, got ready for work, braved the rain, luckily found an umbrella in my trunk, and walked to work. It was my first day! Without getting into the details, I would just like to say that I really enjoyed my first day, love my office, and can't wait for tomorrow! :

After work, I met up with a few coworkers and friends at El Torito (600 Cannery Row, Monterey) for "Taco Tuesday." Each taco is $0.99. They also have other happy hour deals going on from 4 - 8 p.m. Monday thru Friday when in the cantina (bar area). You also get chips and salsa for the table. And let me just say, the cantina was absolutely packed! We had a party of about 12 people and we somehow managed to cram everyone in. Tip: Appoint somebody in your group to get there early and snag a table!

A few of the guys ordered draft beers. They came in the cool goblet (pictured above) when you ordered the grande size. I went with the house margarita (regular size) for $3.95 and I got three tacos. They brought me a receipt for 3 tacos and I went and stood in the veryyyy long line at the taco stand thingy (pictured below).

There was a choice of three meats - steak, carnitas, and chicken. I had one of each. The key to these tacos is the first salsa, the red one. OMG it was soooo good. Flavored the meat nicely. Also at the taco stand was a green salsa, shredded cheese, and a shredded lettuce mix. Some of the guys had 5 tacos each, but I was satisfied with the 3 tacos (plus chips, salsa, and a margarita:).

The night was not over though.... next most of us headed to London Bridges for a game of trivia!