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So this is the new year and I don’t feel any different
The clanking of crystal, explosions off in the distance

So this is the new year and I have no resolutions
For self-assigned penance, for problems with easy solutions

So everybody put your best suit or dress on
Let’s make believe that we are wealthy for just this once
Lighting firecrackers off on the front lawn
As thirty dialogues bleed into one

I wish the world was flat like the old days
Then I could travel just by folding a map
No more airplanes, or speedtrains, or freeways
There’d be no distance that can hold us back

There’d be no distance that could hold us back
There’d be no distance that could hold us back

So this is the new year…
- Death Cab for Cutie

ummm, pocky men’s??? I’m not exactly sure what the marketing team of this product is trying to say but I don’t particularly have pockmarks all over my face so I guess these bitter chocolate snacks aren’t for me.

OK, ok, apparently it’s a famous japanese brand of chocolate covered pretzel sticks. But come on, couldn’t they have settled on calling it something a bit more appetizing than “pocky”. and why is it for men only? is there an alternative flavor for women?

This is a sponsored guest post written by Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau on behalf of Hotels in Los Angeles. Post powered by Sponzai.

As we bid farewell to 2009 and welcome a brand new year, celebrate in style at one of the premier hotels in Los Angeles. Hotels across the city are offering several fun-filled options to help ring in the New Year.

 Millennium Biltmore Hotel

At the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, guests have the opportunity to choose from two exciting dining options on New Year’s Eve. An elegant four-course menu is featured at the hotel’s Rendezvous Court or head over to Sai Sai where guests can enjoy a lavish tapas buffet of fresh Asian seafood, robata and sushi. Dinner includes tickets to the annual NYE Gala in the hotel’s Crystal Ballroom where there will be live DJ music followed by champagne and a shower of balloons from the ballroom’s ceiling at midnight. After an evening of celebrating, find peace and quiet in one of the Biltmore’s guestrooms. Package includes one night’s Classic or Club level accommodations, your choice of NYE Dinner for 2 in the Rendezvous Court or Sai Sai, 2 tickets to the NYE Gala and valet parking. Dinner at the Rendezvous Court is $99 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. For reservations call 213.612.1562. And dinner at Sai Sai is $89 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. For reservations at Sai Sai call 213.624.1100. New Year’s Eve room packages include dinner, the gala celebration and an overnight stay. Prices begin at $379 and are subject to availability. www.millenniumhotels.com; 506 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071, 213.624.1011

At the Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel in San Pedro, guests will have an opportunity to ring in the New Year at an elegant New Year’s Eve Gala in the hotel’s San Pedro Ballroom.  The gala, beginning at 6 p.m., will include dining, dancing and a live DJ.  The evening will conclude at 1 a.m.  Guests who attend the gala can stay at the hotel for a rate of $99 plus tax, based on single/double occupancy.  For reservations call 310-521-8026.  Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor, 601 Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, 90731;

ww.crowneplaza.com/laharbor

Visit Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel’s restaurant, Ocean and Vine, to ring in the New Year above the clouds. Enjoy live entertainment and an exquisite four-course pre fix menu with choices including white asparagus cappuccino, caramelized Mano de Leon sea scallops, and Beaumes venise poached pear. The 6 p.m. seating is $85 per person, plus tax and gratuity. The 9 p.m. seating is $125 per person, plus tax and gratuity. A special “New Year’s Eve” package includes luxury guestroom accommodations, a Champagne welcome amenity, preferred dinner reservations in Ocean and Vine (a $320 value), complimentary parking and a 2 p.m. late checkout time. Rates starting from $725 per couple. For reservations, please call 310-458-6700. Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, 1700 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, 90401;

www.loewshotels.com/santamonica

The Standard, Downtown LA is hosting a free New Year’s Eve rooftop party.  Guests can expect a multi-zone dance party with floor to ceiling lobby and rooftop visuals, a digitally projected countdown at midnight and a multi-level champagne toast.  Also at the hotel is a pre-fix 3-coarse New Year’s Eve Dinner menu for $45 per person.  For reservations, please call 213-439-3030.  The Standard, Downtown LA, 550 S. Flower Street, Los Angeles, 90071;

www.thestandardhotels.com

At the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Trader Vic’s Lounge, located poolside, will feature a special offer on New Year’s Eve.  Beginning at 5 p.m., guests can enjoy an appetizer buffet with one Mai Tai for $45 per person.  A live DJ will play music until 1 a.m.  For more information and reservations, please call 310-285-1300.  Beverly Hilton Hotel, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 90210;

www.beverlyhilton.com

Also Downtown, the Omni Los Angeles Hotel is offering a “Standing Ovation” package for New Year’s Eve along with a three- or six-course dinner at the hotel’s elegant Noé Restaurant.  For those guests celebrating New Year’s Eve at the Music Center, STAPLES Center or the NOKIA Theatre, the Omni Los Angeles Hotel will provide sedan transportation to the destination along with deluxe accommodations, a $100 credit to Noé Restaurant, overnight valet parking and breakfast for two in Grand Café.  In addition, guests will receive a choice of opera glasses or a wine amenity during their stay.  Guests not attending the theater can spend the evening dining at Noé and enjoying a live jazz trio, along with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. If restaurant patrons wear a masquerade mask, they will receive a complimentary half-bottle of champagne. The three-course dinner is $60 per person while the six-course dinner is $100 per person or $160 per person when paired with wine.  www.omnihotels.com; 251 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213.617.3300

Across town at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills guests can dance until dawn and take the elevator home to one of the hotel’s luxurious room accommodations. New Year’s Eve Packages include tickets for two to the SLS New Year’s Eve Gala and room accommodations at special rates.  Additional evening packages are available for those who don’t need a hotel room and just want to enjoy a dinner at The Bazaar by José Andrés, then head over to the SLS New Year’s Eve Gala for dancing with a live DJ in Bar Centro and the Albert Ballroom.  New Year’s Eve gala packages begin at $500 and the Star Lit Soiree – dine, dance & indulge packages begin at $600.  To reserve, please call 1.866.716.8149 and don’t forget to mention the promo codes; SOIREE or GALAPKG. 
www.starwoodhotels.com; 465 North La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048, 310.247.0400

At the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel , guests can ring in the New Year at the hotel’s world-class restaurant, The Blvd.  An early seating will be available from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will offer a three-course tasting menu.  There will also be a Gala Dinner beginning at 8:00 p.m. that will offer a five-course tasting menu along with a champagne toast at midnight.  Talented musician David Sparkman will entertain the room all evening.  The early seating tasting menu will cost $75 per person while the gala dinner will be $250 per person. 

www.fourseasons.com; 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, 310.275.5200

Over in Hollywood, guests can check out the 5th Annual New Year’s Eve Bash at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel which will be celebrated throughout the hotel in the historic lobby, the Blossom Ballroom and Tropicana Pool. 

www.hollywoodroosevelt.com; 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323.466.7000.

At the Mondrian  guests can celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Skybar Speakeasy with open bar and champagne toast at midnight or dine at the popular Asia de Cuba with a four-course meal and champagne toast at midnight.  An early seating will be available from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for $75 per person, tax and gratuity not included and the last seating from 8 p.m. until sold out will be $100 per person. Admission to the Skybar Speakeasy is $150 per person or $125 for hotel guests and Asia de Cuba patrons. Room rates begin at $395.

www.mondrianhotel.com; 8440 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069, 323.650.8999 or for reservations call 800.606.6090.

For those looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the city’s newest destination, guests can join in the festivities at Terranea Resort, located just 30 minutes south of Downtown Los Angeles on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The VIP Velvet Rope Experience includes overnight accommodations for two, along with admission to the hotel’s New Year’s Eve Celebration and Countdown featuring sumptuous foods, desserts and a hosted bar.  Rates starting from $635 per night.

www.terranea.com

; 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275, 310.265.2800.

 

I didn’t realize I was ordering miniature-sized versions of these Eric Carle books! I guess that’s one of the hazards of ordering online. I’ll have to make an effort in the future to read the product descriptions in detail. especially the dimensions of the products!

The kids love Eric Carle’s illustrations but man, the impact of those lovely drawings aren’t as great when they’re teeny-tiny!

last week I had to scramble to remove the backflow preventer valve from my in-ground sprinkler system before the freezing temps hit our area. I learned the hard way last year when I had to pay to replace a *cracked* valve due to it being left on over the winter season. I’m not letting THAT happen again. Fortunately, the sprinkler guy showed me how to remove the valve for the winter so that I could do it myself. Paying a guy to “winterize” the sprinkler system isn’t really worth it. I’d rather just pay for a service tech to come out just for the spring checkup.

anyway, here’s a quick rundown of how to disconnect the valve –

1) There should be a main water shut off valve near the backflow preventer valve. Turn it off.

2) Use a flathead screwdriver to turn one of the four outlet ports open to relieve the pressure on the system.

3) use a pipe wrench to loosen the nuts on the two main pipes.

4) remove the backflow preventer valve. be sure to shake all the water out of the valve and then store securely in garage.

5) cover the exposed pipes with either rags or secured plastic bags to protect from debris or loose dirt.

and that’s pretty much it. Since our winters are typically mild, draining out all the lines isn’t necessary.

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holy crap. the wife just called and said that she’s going to get the kids a little kitten for Christmas. Apparently, she was at the local pet shop looking to get a lil’ parakeet or something but wound up being lured by the calls of a cute kitten. I told her to stay away from that place. I just knew she’d walk out of there with something cuddly and adorable. I guess this’ll be an early Christmas gift for the boys since you can’t just stuff a kitten in a closet until Christmas morning. or can you?

so, any tips on raising a cat? I’m not really a cat-lover myself.

Well, I guess it’s about that time for “The Talk” with my 12 year old son. I just discovered him with this month’s issue of Maxim magazine.

For those that aren’t familiar with the magazine, it’s a monthly men’s magazine with a bit of pop culture, sports, fashion and of course photos of scantily clad women in suggestive poses. It’s NOT “Playboy” territory since there’s no nudity but still, I don’t feel it’s appropriate reading material for a 12 year old. Anyway, I’m more concerned about the content in the magazine more than the photos. There’s a lot of frank talk about sex and some recent articles featured an investigation (in graphic detail) on reality show murderer Ryan Jenkins and a behind the scenes look at what happened to the high-end strip club Scores in NY.

You’re probably wondering how my son got a hold of an issue of Maxim. OK, well, I happen to subscribe to the magazine. I know, I know.. Hold on, before you make any judgements… let me back up and explain why I get it in the mail. I was a subscriber to Blender Magazine (a pop culture mag similar to Rolling Stone) which went under earlier this year. The publisher converted over the Blender subscribers to a sister publication which happens to be Maxim. So, it’s not like I *chose* to subscribe to Maxim… it just happened to show up at my door after the demise of Blender. and who am I to complain about a mag that features photos of sexy women every month?

Anyway, I had a long conversation with my son last night about how it wasn’t cool for him to take my stuff without permission. I explained to him calmly that the material in the magazine is akin to a “R” rated film. Just like how he’s not allowed to watch a movie that’s rated “R”, he shouldn’t be reading Maxim.

Honestly, it was pretty surprising to find that he’d be interested in the magazine. He’s still into Pokemon and Nintendo for goodness sakes!! In our conversation, he told me he was just curious about the issue since it had Twilight’s Ashley Greene on the cover. I didn’t really push for more info and just made the point that he shouldn’t be taking or viewing stuff without my permission.

As for “The Talk”? I’m going to hold off for now. I’m not sure if he’s ready to get into the nitty gritty of all that. OK, OK, *I’m* not ready to go into the nitty gritty with him. I mean, he’s had sex-ed in school so he’s aware of the basics. But to go beyond the school info and into sexual images, urges and self gratification? I can’t go there just yet.

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