Profiles in Coolness: Dad

My dad is a pretty cool fella.  He went to high school in the late 60's, had hair like an Aztec Warrior-Poet and requested (and received) an American-made cherry sunburst Fender Stratocaster for his high school graduation present.  So he had his priorities straight.

I stole everything from my father's youth when I was an adolescent.  His poor CD collection never had a chance.  By the time my brother came around, I'm sure there was nothing left but late Madonna and Jeff Beck.  Yeesh. 

California Donut Shop Diaries: Ham and Cheese Croissants

Its been many a long night that i have yearned for the delicate taste of a ham and cheese croissant.  But not just any croissant; no, the one in my dreams looks the same every time.  I grew up in Southern California, so when i close my eyes and think of a burger, i see Inn-in-Out; when i think of pizza, I see a fat, doughy slice from Pizzamania.  And when i think of a croissant, i see this:

Soft flaky Croissant, thin delicate sheets of ham, and a some sort of gooey white cheese. You can get one of these bad boys at any random donut shop in Cali.  Mothers Donuts in Whittier and 3rd Street Cafe in Downey carries them, for anyone with too much sense to drive around looking for donuts until dawn. 

Did you check the other fridge? America 2012

Well its February again, and we all know what that means.

Anyways, I was drunk in the shower the other morning and I realized that our country has changed so much since I was a kid. Especially with respect to our national symbols of pride.

When I was growing up, I would always hear about how great America was.  This was accomplished via the many great sayings that tell you how great America is (and also why you should enlist!).  As American as apple pie.  As American as baseball.  As American as jazz.  As American as missionary sex on prom night.

Gamer Time: two can play at this

I play a decent number of games a year, and i have a girlfriend. Therefore, my girlfriend spends a fair amount of time sitting next to me waiting for me to stop playing and come up with something that will entertain us both.

Often, i am able to come up with something decent, like going to King Taco or playing with the cat. But I always wished I could find a way to make her interested in playing games. I know she thinks games are interesting, having seen her look up from her computer and watch cut scenes, boss fights and dialogue tree exchanges time and time again.  But every time I offered, she demurred.

Cut to now - she got 47 out of 49 achievements (955 out of 1000 gamer points) in the last game she played and is asking me when the next Assassin's Creed is coming out. What was holding her back? How did I get her to play? Here is what worked for me.