trinacriabob

I initially thought WTF, but now I get it. This is one of those meats that, if not of good quality or if prepared incorrectly, could be disgusting. That's why gyro meat is typically a blend of beef and lamb.

Let us know what transpires.

The grub place is called Niko Nikos, with both indoor and outdoor seating, about 1 to 2 miles west of downtown (the original one being on Montrose Boulevard). I was there in April 2008, a little balmy during the day but perfect at night, so I drove in from my hotel in the 'burbs to eat there 2x. I seriously recommend it if you like Greek food: abundant pita serving, tasty tzaziki sauce, fantastic seasoned roasted potatoes and a not too oily Greek salad with feta crumbles. Also, there were friendly people from all over the metro area on the outdoor patio who had driven quite a ways to eat there. It's a Houston institution.

rip

Agree with you on this. I like virtually all major East Coast metropolitan areas. I especially agree with you on Chicago. Except for some interesting leading edge buildings in "the Loop," you can have it. I speak from the perspective of actually being a U of I alum. I could not stand the "chip on the shoulder" how-we-stack-up-against-East-Coast-cities litany coming from the students who came from Chicago proper and its sprawl of suburbs. Also, the Bruce Willis-John Belushi Chicago prototypical a-hole at the baseball game shoving too many hot dogs and too much beer down the hatch is another ugly Chicago persona, as are all their bimbos, saying words like "Chicaaaaago" and "Gaaaaad" and "Baaaaab." However, I had real good impressions of those who came to U of I from equidistant cities like Indianapolis or Saint Louis...basically friendly people without any kind of chip. I got along with them very well, as I did with all of the downstate people who went to school there. Re Houston - America's fourth largest city, so there's nothing remotely hick about it. It's really spread out, so it's kind of mindboggling. Their economy is in decent shape, as well. And, damn, there are a lot of good places to eat, including the best low-priced Greek grub I've ever tasted.

all

I really feel for you, DF. Jobs can we weird. They may differ greatly from what was conveyed in the interview. A person can actually like it and get along with the people, and then it comes to an end for a lack of work or a change in operations. I've seen this happen where people take jobs, it's humming along fine, and then the company gets acquired in the near-term future. Definitely stay in their good graces for the reference, or possible re-hire and, more likely than not, 2010 ought to be better than 2008/2009 as for producing new jobs. Keep your chin up.

I must have missed Wilshire/LaCienega, which is still barely within BH but feels more like the "Miracle Mile." Are any of the great movie houses still in that area, like the El Rey and the Fox Wilshire? The latter one had a balcony, IIRC, the hallmark of a great LA movie house (the Fox Village is of that vintage and still open). I believe the Carthay Circle gave way to the wrecking ball, probably in the 70s or 80s. The Cinerama Dome could only be in LA () and is a short walk from a Red Line stop (the one that has all the movie reels in the ceiling). While not as skanky as Hollywood once was, seeing the Chinese Theater, the stars in the sidewalk and the Cinerama Dome was really enjoyable for my cousin visiting from Europe. When is the Purple Line supposed to begin passenger service? So, it has actually been voted in then?

(a) 'rithmetic

Hopefully, it's minor. If it is the timing chain, remember that it's a non-interference engine, meaning the timing chain breaking WILL NOT affect the valvetrain. I lost a timing chain on the 3.8 V6 in the '84 Cutlass Brougham coupe. Generally, what happens is that these don't make any weird noises...and then they go out when you come to a stop. Also, after it goes, if the ignition feels like it's spinning extra fast and nothing is happening, it's the timing chain. I don't know much about the bottom end of engines. About old cars, I'm ok with them when I buy them new and know about every service receipt and have put every mile on it. It is starting to get weird crossing to Sierras at night to get back from a day or weekend trip to Reno or Lake Tahoe in the old car. That's why I've been hesitant to go look at early Intrigues or the last GP coupes, as much as I like them.

you persist with the inherent derisiveness in that nickname...it's really uncool...and it has nothing to do with "loosening up"...thanks... response to thread: divide

It's funny how where you live, work and hang out affects the freeways you know. I think I may have been on the 710 and the 605 ONCE EACH. Now, for the 405, the 10 and the 101, that was an altogether different story...it's like you know every landmark, building and billboard on those.

I'm wondering how often PCS calls the plumber to unclog his sink/bathtub...so, yes, this thing could be useful.

best (part of the day)

wake

So, do you own one? Dopo tutte le volte che sei andato alla Messa in Latino, ti permetti a usare la parola "Xmas?" Scandaloso. :wink:

Be careful what you ask for. Seriously, when I took delivery of the new Regal, I said a brief prayer to the same effect. :rotflmao: I don't think the salesman had seen that before. Well, here it is, after 17.5 years and 262,000 miles. BTW, Anna Nicole Smith and Howard K Stern showed up on one of those popular searches on a home page. It links you back to some biographical stuff. What a messed up life. Incidentally, her "best" measurements were a little bit bigger than in the OP, foretelling that she would struggle with her weight. Every last one of these entertainers can cash in their chips at 40 or 45, do pro-bono and charity work, and live a full life. What's so hard to figure out?

I thought getting a subway near and through the LaBrea Tar Pits area presented a major problem. I wonder if they are planning to do "cut and cover" (I think that's the term) or do it with a less disruptive tunnel boring machine. The thought of a subway extending another 12 or so miles under one of the most expensive and built-up real estate corridors in Los Angeles is mind-boggling. Isn't it overkill to do both an Acqua Line through Culver City on to Santa Monica AS WELL as a Purple Line to Santa Monica? About the 710 Tunnel, how much is it supposed to cost? I sort of understand the need for the Big Dig in Boston as that is its central artery in the very dense downtown core, but that was budgeted at $2.8 billion and wound up costing $14 billion (almost 5x the budget). I think that four-laning the Pasadena Freeway in each direction is much more necessary than the 710 tunnel, IMHO.

boat

river

Tina Turner

representation

tithing

Couldn't resist without starting a thread. A Protestant minister goes to the dentist for a cleaning. Protestant minister: "What do I owe you?" Dentist: "Nothing, you're a religious man. I wouldn't charge you." The next week, the Protestant minister sends the dentist's office a gold-leafed Bible A Catholic priest goes to the dentist for a root canal. Catholic priest: "What do I owe you?" Dentist: "Nothing, you're a religious man. I wouldn't charge you." The next week, the Catholic priest sends the dentist's office an ornate crucifix A Jewish rabbi goes to the dentist for a filling. Jewish rabbi: "What do I owe you?" Dentist: "Nothing, you're a religious man. I wouldn't charge you." So, what does the Jewish rabbi send to the dentist's office? Another rabbi. My Dad loved this joke, since he did a type of work largely done by Italian and Jewish people in Los Angeles. Everybody chuckled at it. * waiting for the hand on the hip of indignance* Oh, lighten up...

almanac