MIA: OUR FAVORITE BUILDING MANAGER

The crowd at 7th and Montana has been buzzing regarding the recent absence of Our Favorite Building Manager.  Was he pressed into duty on a secret spy mission?  Is he parachuting in the Alps?  Or has he merely gone fishin'?  According to Local Expert Dennis, he's no longer managing our favorite building!

SORRY, CHARLIE ...!

Rumor has it that Poor Charlie had a rough Thanksgiving in Richard's absence.  Photographic evidence suggests he spent the holiday moping around Palisades Park.  Moreover, inside sources at a certain luxury high-rise reported hearing Charlie barking and howling all night, but then again, perhaps that was just the Building Management ...!

FROM BOISE TO NOISY AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

The crowd went from Boise to Noisy and all points in between this morning as Curtis (#1), a friendly visitor from Idaho, got a crash course in 7th and Montana etiquette.  Dennis waxed poetic while Gordon graded papers (#2);  Hell's Angels breezed-in on their Harleys (#3);  and a Loudmouth-with-her-Cell-Phone-on-Full-Blast treated us all to her conversation (#4).  The Smoker-of-the-Day (#5) seemed polite by comparison!   

CRANBERRY BLISS FROM A STRANGER ...?

Imagine my surprise this morning when a friendly newcomer at the next table offered me a Cranberry Bliss Bar.  Evidently, Our Favorite Zombie gave him an extra.  While I was certainly grateful for the holiday good cheer, I couldn't help noticing what appeared to be distinct bite marks in the pastry in question (see Photo #2).  I guess it's true what they say, "Bliss is in the eye of the beholder!"

ONE GOOD LEAK DESERVES ANOTHER ...!

Seventh Street was aghast this morning on news that the mysterious Bag of Leeks left strategically in front of Our Favorite Fixer Upper has gone missing.  Perhaps the Lady of the House decided to make some Leek Soup?  Then, again, Lord knows she already has plenty of leaks to spare!

JIBS, JABS AND JOBS AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

It was a day for odd jobs today as the gang compared notes regarding post-Thanksgiving chores.  While Bob and Howard will be cleaning debris from their rooftop gutters, Joyce said that she and Bob have some weeding to do.  But it was odd Jobs of another kind that really captured our interest as the Apple of Silicon Valley's eye, Steve Jobs, paid a visit to 7th and Montana (see the back of his head, just behind Joyce)!

MAKE MINE A ZOMBIE ...!

Local authorities issued a Zombie Alert at 7th and Montana this morning as an apparent refugee from Night of the Living Dead took control of the Barista counter at Starbucks.  Kathy, who believes this particular Barista is missing an essential chromosome, had to bring her drink back three times before it passed muster.  Her order?  A simple vente chai tea latte with nonfat milk and six pumps of chai, no foam, extra hot!   

GIVING THANKS AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

There was much to be thankful for this morning at 7th and Montana:  Genevieve was thankful for getting a great deal on a snazzy new car;  Kathy was thankful to Babalu for their signature Chocolate Brownie Banana Cream Pie and the crew at Starbucks was thankful that they can finally play Christmas Carols without feeling totally humiliated!

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER BLOG ...!

I've just launched a "professional" blog on ZDnet (a well-known site for the high-tech crowd) together with Andy Parsons of Pioneer.  Called Blu-ray Buzz, it's all about Blu-ray high-definition entertainment.  Here's a link:  Blu-ray Buzz. 

A HOUSE DIVIDED ...!

There were signs of progress at the schizophrenic new home at 7th and Montana this morning, as workers began putting Italian-style roofing tiles in place.  What a nice complement to the overall eclectic mix of elements.  What could be next ... a case of the shingles?!?   

DON'T SHOOT ME ... !

It was "Lights, Camera, Action!" this morning on Palisades Ave as a film crew, catering trucks and a bevy of police officers went into full Hollywood mode.  "Don't shoot me!" I shouted to some friendly police officers as they made me wait several minutes for the cameras to stop rolling.  As for the production crew, they seemed to be fixated on the unassuming house pictured here.

PROPAGANDA, AHOY ...!

I finally watched the DVD David gave me:  "Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land."  The general premise of this video seems to be that the Israelis have manipulated the U.S. media into downplaying the plight of the Palestinians in Israeli-occupied territories.  No offense, David, but as far as I'm concerned, I'm keeping my conversations at 7th and Montana focused on Egg Nog Latte ...!

RECEPTACLES AND SPECTACLES AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...

Cathy waxed poetic today when she told Natalie, "You're really just a receptacle" moments before Natalie began breastfeeding Helena (#1,2).  Then, again, maybe we're all just receptacles these days.  Liz was the receptacle of a Birthday (#3);  Our Favorite Intersection was a receptacle for a gaggle of cyclists (#4,5,6); and something tells me Starbucks won't be happy until we're all just receptacles for Egg Nog Latte (#7)!

UP, UP AND AWAY FROM PALM SPRINGS

It was onward and upward this morning as I checked out the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway with some colleagues before heading home.  The view from what they call the Grubbs Viewpoint -- at more than 8,500 feet above the desert -- was anything but Grubby!

MORE EATING IN PALM SPRINGS ...

I'm continuing to eat my way through Palm Springs with my colleagues.  Tonight I organized a pleasantly QUIET evening at a restaurant that serves SEAFOOD among other things.  Actually, the place -- called Copley's -- was quite good.  Not only was the food great, but the restaurant itself used to be Cary Grant's Palm Springs estate.

EATING AND MEETING IN PALM SPRINGS ...

I've been holed up in meetings in Palm Springs with a schedule that goes something like this:  Eat, Meet, Eat, Meet, Meet, Eat and then we all get together to Eat Meat.  However, I think I've figured out the strategy of my corporate hosts at Warner Bros.:  They've kindly given me a room that comes with its own work-out equipment including an exercise bike, exercise ball and weights!

BUTTING OUT AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

Newbie Father Greg went into full protective mode this morning, shielding Helena from not one but two smokers at 7th and Montana.  Shortly after the unsavory character pictured here lit up a cigarette, Greg asked him to extinguish it for Helena's sake.  Surprisingly enough, the man complied.  I guess he didn't want to have his butt kicked!

THE ADVENT OF INFLATABLE PUBS ...!

Leave it to my friend, Anthony, owner of Patrick's Roadhouse, to come up with the perfect money making scheme for today's inflated economy.  His latest venture -- Inflatable Pubs -- speaks for itself.  Perfect for block parties and corporate events, these inflatable pubs give you the look and feel of an English Pub on your lawn in minutes.  As the slogan says, "Just Add the Beer."  And don't forget your Inflate-a-Date ...!

A NEW LINE-UP AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

Just when we got used to the latest crop of newbies at 7th and Montana, Starbucks introduced a new line-up of another kind.  The line-up of locals waiting to get into Starbucks this morning stretched across the store, onto the sidewalk and nearly to 7th Street.  Why the wait?  Inside sources blame it on a broken cash register!

NO MORE FLACK AT FLAX ...?

Nearly two years after the "Flax Pen to Paper" store in Westwood treated me like a criminal for trying to exchange the defective ink cartridge in a pen, I decided to give the store another chance.  Unfortunately, they're the only place in town that sells the brand of pen I like.  Let's keep the fingers crossed!

STARBUCKS TO EMPLOYEES: HO, HO, HO ... YOU'RE FIRED!

First they take over the world, then they force us to celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving.  That, in a chestnutshell, seems to be Starbucks' corporate strategy.  Today Starbucks went into full holiday mode complete with Christmas Displays and Holiday Music.  Evidently, employees who tried to hold off the "festivities" until the actual holiday season were threatened with dismissal!

LIFE'S A BEACH AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...!

Maybe it was the beach weather we've been having, maybe it was just poor judgment, but -- whatever the reason -- yet another hapless motorist beached her car in Our Favorite Parking Lot this morning.  In this case, the poor woman didn't know what hit her.  Naturally, I was happy to set her straight!    

 

LUNCH IS A CABARET, OLD CHUM ...!

Everyone's Favorite Lounge Lizard Liza Minnelli made a surprise appearance today at the Hamburger Hamlet on Sunset and yours truly was there to capture the event for posterity.  Granted, she looks like a shapeless blob (see Photo #1) but then, again, so would you if you were scarfing down Bloody Marys at lunch!

PARTY TIME AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...?

An unenlightened newcomer (pictured here) surprised onlookers at Starbucks today by repeatedly asking Nada to add some Bailey's to his coffee.  Boy was he in the wrong place!  Everyone knows Castle Ivar is the place to be.  That's where the Brazilians -- Nico and Rudy -- are hosting a shindig on Saturday complete with Samba Dancers and Salsa Music.  Rumor has it the party is strictly BYOB (Bring Your Own Bailey's ...)!  

WHOSE RAISING THESE OBNOXIOUS KIDS ...?!?

Rumor has it the bloom's off the rose where Kovar's career in higher education is concerned.  Without getting into details, let's just say the students sound especially annoying.  How do they get that way?  Perhaps we can ask the Adorable Tyke who practically chased Kovar out of Starbucks this morning and subsequently threw her latte at the store window (see photo #2)! 

MANY HAPPY RETURNS AT 7TH AND MONTANA ...

It was Many Happy Returns this morning as Howard and Cathy returned from their Jazz Cruise;  Zoey returned from wherever Zoey goes; Greg and Jude made the scene with Hudson; Bob shared tales of his near brush with jury duty; Greg, Natalie and Helena returned for more caffeine; Paul and Ralph returned from separate trips to Las Vegas and the Pesky Tree Trimmers treated us to the Return of the Starbucks Chainsaw Massacre!    

WELCOME, HELENA ...!

There's a new bundle of joy at 7th and Montana and I don't mean the seasonal shipment of Cranberry Bliss Bars!  On Sunday, Greg and Natalie welcomed Helena Koubek to the world.  Three days later, the crowd at Starbucks had their chance.  Welcome to 7th and Montana, Helena and Congratulations to the Koubek Clan! 

QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE ...!

Look out, Hollywood, there's a new Superstar in town.  The self-proclaimed "Queen of the Universe" (according to her license plate holder) parked her SUV in my reserved spot at work today.  What a Royal pain.  Naturally, I called a tow service ...! 

ANOTHER ITEM FOR RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT ...!

If anyone out there is suffering from Kidney Stones, take heart:  As this sign welcoming visitors to Boston's Logan Airport clearly suggests, things could always be worse.  I'm not sure which is scarier:  This man's expression or the scope of his ailment!