CanJam 2009

[Dreadhead]

Not into mathematicians, sorry.

especially really hairy ones

[morphsci]

So if I arrive at 6:46 PM on Friday, will I be too late for the debauchery festivities?

[Voltron]

Don't ask dumb questions.

[morphsci]

Don't ask dumb questions.

There are no dumb .... err wait I'm teaching tomorrow. Nevermind.

[jp11801]

So if I arrive at 6:46 PM on Friday, will I be too late for the debauchery festivities?

I estimate the average BAC of crew will be around .08 at 6:45 or so so you can catch up with a shot and a beer

[morphsci]

I estimate the average BAC of crew will be around .08 at 6:45 or so so you can catch up with a shot and a beer

Or, since I do not have to drive I can arrive pre-lubricated

[Hopstretch]

Or, since I do not have to drive I can arrive pre-lubricated

Are we having drinks together or running a train on you?

[morphsci]

Are we having drinks together or running a train on you?

If I have enough to drink, I may not care. I guess the comments could have been a lot worse.

[tyrion]

So if I arrive at 6:46 PM on Friday, will I be too late for the debauchery festivities?

Jim, no man is left behind.

[morphsci]

Jim, no man is left behind.

[Voltron]

Are we having drinks together or running a train on you?

If I have enough to drink, I may not care. I guess the comments could have been a lot worse.

Jim, no man is left behind.

Nah, I'm gonna leave that train of thought right there.

[morphsci]

Nah, I'm gonna leave that train of thought right there.

Thank you.

[HeadphoneAddict]

Well, there is a small chance that Blutarsky and I might fly up Sat AM (10:10) and leave Sunday evening (7PM). Or maybe my wife might change our family's trip to Steamboat Springs in June into a week for the family in CA, starting with Can Jam and ending with San Diego Zoo and Sea World. Still trying to work out the details. If I go with Bluto I may have to repay my wife with a trip to the Bahamas next spring break.

If we make it we wouldn't be bringing much except for portable dynamic stuff, and one full size headphone each. Bluto likely an iPod with TTVJ portable Millett hyrbid and modded HF-1 (PS-1 drivers + SR-325 metal cups + Silver Dragon cable). Me likely the iMod/Vcap dock with D10 or Pico or Predator/Mustang (or all) and HD600 (which I can use on a 4-pin, SE, or dual 3-pin balanced amp). I thought about bringing the K1000 to see how they sound in a good rig, but worry about damage.

[cetoole]

I did all the booking stuff today, so I will be there. Doing some practice for it right now.

[Voltron]

Colin is in for the full ride. Nice work young fella!

HPA: you should be there dood. Make it happen.

[morphsci]

Colin is in for the full ride. Nice work young fella!

Looks like its going to be a full Head-Case crew

HPA: you should be there dood. Make it happen.

x2. As long as you don't look like your avatar.

[naamanf]

Blutarsky and I will fly up Sat AM (10:10) and leave Sunday evening (7PM).

Du et!

[HeadphoneAddict]

One of the Logistical problems is that my son and wife are at a Boy Scout rafting trip that weekend, so my 13 and 15 year old girls will need someone to watch them while we are both out of town. Or my son had said he may want to cancel going on the rafting trip and come with us while my wife stays with the girls - but I need to talk with him more about that when he gets back from another boy scout trip this weekend. (at 11 year old he is an audiophile and has his own SR-Lambda and MS-1)

[Augsburger]

Why not bring the girls with a chaperon? They can spend one day at Universal City and the next at Disneyland and the Hilton might be able to find affordable transportation to each amusement park. The alternative is Rodeo drive but I don't think you would be happy with the bill when they return.

[HeadphoneAddict]

Why not bring the girls with a chaperon? They can spend one day at Universal City and the next at Disneyland and the Hilton might be able to find affordable transportation to each amusement park. The alternative is Rodeo drive but I don't think you would be happy with the bill when they return.

That option (to take the whole family) was in my first post, but it is also the most expensive and I'm still trying to pay off Xmas '08 in Maui.

[thatopampguy]

I live and work within walking distance of this year's Can Jam Meet (and no I'm not a stripper working across the street from the Hilton. . . and no I don't work at that famous donut shop either . . . hahaha).

You guys should all move down here right by LAX. Manhattan Beach, El Segundo. those are great places to live and work. It's like you're on vacation all the time. There's nothing quite like parking at the end of Rosecrans Blvd with your surfboard, walking down to the sand and taking a nap and then hitting the waves. Afterwards, I usually pig out at the El Tarasco. Then, I hit Fry's Electronics where I ogle the oscilloscopes and soldering irons.

Also, I suggest a beautiful scenic drive down Vista Del Mar from Playa Del Rey to El Segundo. It's amazing, driving your leased Ferrari 360 Modena (which is rusty b/c you park on the street and live in 250 sq ft condo w/ salt damaged wood floors) with the top down, so close to the water!

For years, my co-workers and I would take an extended lunch and go surfing. Then people started complaining about how we all smelled like dirty ocean water and Mexican food. It's really the life.

When you're not at Can Jam and you are too lazy to drive anywhere, I highly suggest you visit Hermosa Beach (End of 190th St where it meets Herondo Ave), Manhattan Beach (Park in structure at end of Rosecrans Ave, walk down the steps to the beach). Malls in the area include: Manhattan Village Shopping Center (this is the closest one, has Macy's, Apple Store, etc, Fry's electronics at corner), South Bay Galleria (ghetto and full of delinquents), Del Amo Mall (ditto).

Food near LAX/South Bay that's not a chain: El Tarasco's, El Burrito Jr, Back Home in Lahaina, that famous donut shop with a big donut on top of it in Westchester, Seafood Port (if you like chinese and can eat huge portions and are willing to drive to Torrance).

If you have the will to endure the traffic up the 105->110->101 to Hollywood then I suggest the usual touristy stuff. (I've also lived there.) If you want to spot movie stars, I suggest a trek up Runyon Canyon off of Franklin in Hollywood. You just might run into Paris Hilton. While you're in this area, a trip up to Griffith Observatory is great and educational, though it's been Hollywood'ed out with the latest remodel. The other good to spot stars place is Robertson Blvd near Beverly Center at the Newsroom Cafe and the Ivy across the street. No doubt, it's mediocre food, but that's not why you're there.

Hollywood and Highland is a huge mall near Mann's Chinese Theatre and parking is cheap in their garage. From there you are in the heart of Hollywood and can see the walk of fame and take those tourist trappy tour of the star homes.

Also, if you visit Rodeo Drive, parking is free at certain times on the weekend in the public garages off of Santa Monica if you are lucky. There are only 30 or so spaces. Otherwise I think there is cheap Valet (oxymoron?) parking off of Dayton and Rodeo.

Venice Beach is full of weirdos and stuff. . . but you just might like it. Don't leave that area without walking down far enough to see the Gold's gym that started it all. Beach parking is free on certain days (you'll know from the crowds) and there are free lots one block up from the beach (only on certain days).

Oh yeah, don't eat at chains. Chain restaurants are for the uninitiated in LA. The most recent craze is the Korean Taco truck whose location is twittered regularly. For LA-style burgers (i.e. more veggies n crap and some mystery white sauce), I suggest Father's Office in West LA. It's really packed though with trendy broke LA types.

Edited April 26, 2009 by thatopampguy
fixed spelling

[Grahame]

^^^ Great local information. Thanks for the intel from someone on the ground.

Looks like we are quite close to Hawthorne. Any comments on the places featured here ( Feasting_on_Asphalt, Series 1 Episode 4)

Feasting on Asphalt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ?

[thatopampguy]

Grahame,

I've been to all those places in Hawthorne and they are all excellent. If you haven't tried a breakfast burrito, California style, they are ridiculously large and greasy. You can usually find them at those "roach coaches" or mobile wagons which are all over the place. The good ones put in like 6 sausages + hashbrowns + eggs + ham + bacon. It's ridiculously good.

I have been to B&R and they have some amazing burgers. There are a few places which are similar (like "The Counter" in Santa Monica and other places). The size and greasiness of everything is just amazing.

I have also been to Dino's Hamburgers on Inglewood Ave. The bacon and sausage breakfast burritos are pretty good as is the chorizo and egg.

I gotta warn you though, when you order stuff like pastrami and carnitas or chili verde, the cuts of meat can be extremely fatty. Usually, the locals and large hispanic community (roughly 60% in Hawthorne) like it this way.

The donut shop I was talking about above is at Randys-Donuts.com, BIG DONUT LAX, ron & larry . I'm not sure about the quality of their donuts but they are a landmark b/c of the big donut on the roof.

Also, a lot of people will tell you to try a California chain called "In & Out Burger" which is also on Inglewood Blvd. They have a secret menu. Google "4x4, Animal Style".

All that being said, LA has some of the most amazing hole-in-the-wall places with gut-busting huge portions of mexican food and burgers.

Hawthorne in particular is known for those mexican food trucks. I know it's good when the people running the truck don't speak a word of English.

However, there is a reason I didn't mention Hawthorne. Parts of the area are a bit suspect at night. The area is largely working class and hispanic though because of gentrification, it has moved upscale a bit (in the right areas). It's still not exactly a good part of town. When I drive down Rosecrans going East, I stop before I get into Compton/Inglewood. I would not go down there alone. . . that's for sure.

(FWIW, I'm a 29 year old Asian male who loves burgers and mexican food. I used to eat at these types of places every single day, for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It did a number on my health, and by the time I was 25, I had diabetes, high blood pressure, and was overweight. I owe it to my parents to outlive them. Now I'm 29 and I always eat clean regardless of the situation. I haven't touched a burger in years)

Let me know if you have any other questions!

[thatopampguy]

Also, if you are too cheap to pay for parking, there is very limited free street parking on W 98th St behind the Hilton Hotel. The entrance to that street is south of Sepulveda. Or you can enter on Century Blvd and Bellanca Ave (make left on Bellanca & W98th St) which is right by the LAX Hilton, next to the adult strip club and makes more sense. I believe there is parking on Airport Blvd too. All of this parking is very limited and you would have to beat the locals both in the morning and at night. Check the street signs too.

Edited April 26, 2009 by thatopampguy
emphasize how limited parking is

[909]

here are a few eateries i'd recommend...

Tito's Tacos

Johnnie's Pastrami Restaurant

this place is all about their pastrami sandwich and their chill cheese fries are pretty damn good too.

SugarFISH - Welcome to sugarFISH!

a very different spin on your usual sushi bar... fish is extremely fresh and the rice is served slightly warm to bring out the fish's full flavor, which is the traditional way. The best deals here just going with the "trust me" or "trust me lite."

Paco's Taco

(the Centinela Ave locations is the only one you should go to!)

TENDERGREENSFOOD

(boomana, if you can, you need to try the happy vegan salad -- it's my favorite and absolutely amazingly good!)

Versailles Cuban Restaurant

(just get the garlic chicken and the culver city location is the best one i've been to, and i've been to a few.)

Samosa House

it's set-up like panda express, but it's vegetarian only‎ india food -- reasonably cheap and really good.)

Phillips Barbecue

1517 Centinela Ave

Inglewood, CA 90302

(310) 412-7135

no website, no place to sit, but the Pork ribs are the best I've had in LA.

i could probably add a ton more as within 20 to 30 miles of LAX are some fantastic restaurants, but i tried to stick with the relatively inexpensive, reasonably quick and consistently good eats somewhat near by the hotel.