east coast recap

First words, then pictures.

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I ate a lot.

I went to Chick-Fil-A four times. It is delicious and easily the best fast food chain out there.

Prior to eating at Crumbs on Broadway in Manhattan, I never understood the modern obsession with cupcakes. I do now.

Prior to have a cannoli at Vinny T's in Boston, I never understood the traditional obsession with cannoli. I do now.

The clam chowder I had in Boston didn't compare to the chowder I had at Pike Place. And having a bread bowl that's not sourdough...what's the point.

I also had a lobster roll, crab cake, veal parmiginia, Pepe's pizza in New Haven, amazing short ribs and mashed potatoes at Founding Farmers in D.C., a Frisco thickburger from Hardee's and the best fries anywhere are the curlys at Arby's.

When I wasn't eating, we saw stuff.

The American History, Native American, and Air & Space branches of the Smithsonian. The Holocaust Musuem in D.C. The Native The National Mall. Walden Pond. The Salem Witch Museum. The Freedom Trail and a Boston trolley tour. Oh yeah and a Hot Tub Time Machine.

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I took more than these, but here are the highlights. As always, all are clickable for high-res versions.

Revere statue in front of Old North Church

Fenway Park


Crossing Harvard Bridge in Boston



The coal oven inside Pepe's Pizza in New Haven, CT


Walden Pond


Times Square

As close as we could get to the White House



Reflecting Pool looking at Lincoln Memorial


Inside Lincoln Memorial


View from Lincoln Memorial


Cherry Blossoms

Washington Monument




World War II Memorial


Isn't passover when you'd most need a kosher deli?

by request: classic letterman

1996


1998

the late show

I entered high school in the fall of 1997. Somewhere around there I started watching Letterman every night. Part of the allure was that it was late--10:35! I didn't usually stay up to watch the guests. But the monologue, comedy segment and top ten list were a routine. To 14-year old Dave this was a gold mine. I was a quiet, reserved teenager (still am quite a bit at times) and this show taught me what was funny.

Over 4 years of high school, estimating 4 nights a week...that's 832 episodes of the Late Show. I had two books of Top Ten Lists and a t-shirt and everything.

When I visited New York in 1999, I walked by the theater. I was still two years too young to see the show. So I went to the Hello Deli and got a picture with Rupert Jee. I got a slice of pizza from the place to the right of the Ed Sullivan theater. It was neat.

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When I found out that I was going to New York in April 2010, I tried to get tickets. I filled out a form online weeks in advance and waited. About a week before the trip, I got a voicemail. It was from Jack, a Late Show audience coordinator. He said I could get tickets for the April 1st taping. All I had to do was call back and answer a trivia question.

I shouldn't have had too much to worry about. But still, I hadn't been watching much in the last 9 years. The prospect of being so close to seeing the show and then losing it was enough to make me nervous. I called Jack the next morning and after taking my name he gave me this question:

"Alan Kalter is on the show every night. What is his job?"

I answered "announcer" without hesitating. There's that split-second from when it leaves your lips until you hear a response where you panic. Did I say what I meant to say? Is it possible I was thinking of the wrong name?

But it was of course right. He told me that I had 2 tickets. When I showed up on the 1st, all I had to do was tell them I was on "Jack's Gold List."

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Upon arriving in New York, the first thing I did was get an Italian sub at the Hello Deli.


It wasn't as good as my favorite Italian deli in Chicago, but the ingredients were good quality and I didn't feel ripped off. It was fun to sit there and watch people come up and interact with Rupert. He's really nice and took 5 pictures with tourists in the 10 minutes I sat there.

I went with my sister-in-law Bridget and after getting our tickets at 2, we were told to line up at 3:45. Despite just eating that sub, I felt like had to get a slice of sausage and pepperoni from the Ray's Pizza across the street from the theater.


We tried to line up at 3:25, but it wasn't time for our group. So we walked around the block again and we just happened to see Paul Shaffer walking south on Broadway. We didn't bother him but we heard him talking to someone else, and it was cool to hear his voice not on TV.

From 3:45 to 4:15 we got a pep-talk outside the theater. This was the worst part. Of course they have to run through all the rules, no photography at all even after the taping, no high-pitched woos, etc. But they went as far as having us practice laughing to a punchline without a joke "Donald Trump's hair" and told us that even if we don't think a joke is funny that we should laugh at it. That was a little disheartening and I can only assume that Colbert and Jon Stewart don't have to say that to their audiences.


They directed us inside and up to the balcony of the Ed Sullivan theater, the same place the Beatles played. Of course, it's smaller than it seems on TV. But it also seems so different. There is only 5 rows in the balcony. We were in the top row, center, right next to the spotlight guy. He literally stood there for an hour and only did anything when a guest walked across the stage.

From the balcony, you were looking straight down. You could barely see the desk and the front part of the band was obstructed from view. When Dave was doing the monologue, only his head was visible. The furniture looked fake. The floor looked dirty. And the colors showed up a lot darker on the monitors. And there were 50 lights hanging from the ceiling that blocked a lot of the view, as well. And the cameras were just feet in front of Dave and the desk. It was surreal to compare the live action with the live monitor.

Once we sat down they played a classic Late Show clip on the monitors. There was a big red digital clock visible. At 4:15 a terrible comic came out and made jokes about Times Square. How they replaced the hookers with Disney stores, and how they're even bigger whores.

At 4:20 the band came out and played 2 songs.

And then at 4:28:30 Dave SPRINTED out across the stage wearing his white dress shirt without a jacket. He welcomed us, thanked us, and at 4:29:07 he asked if anyone had a question:

Woman: Hi.
Dave: Where are you from?
Woman: Indianapolis.
Dave: You know I'm from there, born and raised there?
Woman: Originally I'm from Atlanta.
Dave: HOTLANTA! Is Atlanta the capital of Georgia?
Woman: Yes.
Dave: So that's something that both cities have in common. They're both capitals. Atlanta is of course, HOTLANTA, and Indianapolis is naptown.

At this point it was 4:29:52. The band started the theme song, Dave ran backstage to get his suit jacket. Alan started announcing and the woman never got to ask her question.

The actual show was interesting. I was fascinated by watching the red light on the active camera. It actually seemed funnier in person. I don't think the jokes or bits were that great but I was laughing the whole time (just like they told me to do!) The best part was when Dave licked the iPad.

Also Mike and Mike were announced as guests and then bumped due to time. And that was the only part where Dave screwed up and they had to do it again. It really is a once in a lifetime experience. So glad I went but I don't need to do it again.

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One other note. It might seem like nostalgic bias, but I really think that the Late Show hasn't been as good as it was when I was watching in high school. Supporting my theory...the clip they played before every taping is a clip from 96 that I'd seen before. Dave at Taco Bell:

Now if only I could find video of him playing "Stop calling me chief."

2010 Bracket Recap

I wish that I had screenshot histories of every year that we've been doing the bracket. Better start now. Here's our group results for this year.

And even though I filled out 5 sheets, even my best bracket didn't beat Missy.


And for future reference, here is my woeful bracket:



Here is Matt's 2010 winning bracket, where he nailed Butler as a 5 seed in the final four.



And here's the ESPN bracket winner: (even though the screenshot cuts off the edges, all of the red misses are shown in this view)



And of course...Missy's bracket, which doesn't look nearly as ridiculous in retrospect. Not only did she get Northern Iowa over Kansas, she got 2 of the Final Four teams, as good as our league champion. And Xavier was a shot away from getting to the Elite Eight to face a 5-seed.

eliminator after day 7

Mark decidedly won the streak competition, getting 6 in a row. (Burnsy got 4 before picking OSU and I got 0.

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For total wins here are the standings, with only 3 days left. (Championship game is tie breaker, or latest game).

Mark: 6
Niraj: 5
Dave: 3

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Of the 4 teams in action tomorrow...

Mark has to take Michigan State.
Niraj and Dave can't take Baylor.

For next week, no one's used Butler, everyone's used West Virginia. Mark can't use anyone on the right side of the bracket anymore.

best tournament ever?

Best tournament ever.

In recent memory, the tournament has been mildly disappointing. Last year only one seed outside the top 5 made it to the Sweet 16. Two years ago the final four was all #1 seeds. (And the two Saturday games still stunk.) Three years ago more chalk. The last really good tourament was 2006, where we had LSU over Duke, the fantastic Gus Johnson-called UCLA over Adam Morrison's Gonzaga, and George Mason's run to the Final Four, capped off by an overtime win over #1 UConn.

But this. Blows it out of the water.

Here's a time capsule so we don't forget all the great games we've had.

1st Round Thursday

The first game out of the gate, #7 BYU over Florida in double overtime with big shots by a guy named Jimmer.

Next up #11 Old Dominion upsets Notre Dame 51-50 after trailing the whole way.

At the same time, #2 Villanova has to send it to overtime to hang on against Bobby Morris.

And then #13 Murray State knocks off Vandy with a true buzzer-beater jump shot.

Northern Iowa was tied with UNLV until Ali Farokhmanesh hit a 3-ball with 4.9 seconds left.

#11 Washington beats Marquette on a clutch drive to the hole by Pondexter at the buzzer.

#14 Ohio crushes Georgetown by 16.

Tennessee and New Mexico won close games over SDSU and Montana.

And Wake Forest beat Texas by 1 in overtime, on a 17-footer with 1.3 seconds left.

1st Round Friday

#12 Cornell upsets Temple easily, proving the sexy upset pick can pull it off.

Wisconsin holds off Wofford by 4.

After being up 35-19 in the first half, Michigan State holds on to beat New Mexico State by 3.

2nd Round Saturday

#2 seed falls to a better team, #10 St. Mary's.

Butler edges Murray St. by 2.

NORTHERN IOWA knocks out consensus-favorite overall #1 Kansas in a thrilling win by 2, because Ali Farokhmanesh has monster balls.

#11 Washington shrugs off the conference criticism and gets the Sweet 16 by knocking off #3 New Mexico.

2nd Round Sunday

#5 Michigan State and #4 Maryland had one of the most exciting finishes I've ever seen. In the final 40 seconds there were 4 lead changes and only one timeout. Just up and down running and 4 consecutive made shots.

#3 Pitt falls to #6 Xavier by 3.

And Purdue wins in overtime by 2 without Hummel, on a body-crashing lay-up with 4 seconds left.

Sweet 16 Thursday

Butler! The #5 seed knocks off #1 Syracuse! Willie Veasley hits a 3-pointer that went in, came out, and then fell in again. And then moments later got a tip-in basket to seal the deal. Gus Johnson announcing!

Another instant classic called by Gus! K-State vs Xavier with a trip to the Elite 8 against Butler on the line. Best game I've seen in a long, long time. Had more unbelievable moments that I can count. K-State hits a 4-point play. Xavier hit a 3 FROM THE RIBBON with 4 seconds left. All with Gus Johnson. Just watch the highlights...

eliminator day 5/6 (update)

Burnsy and I forgot to make Sunday picks. So technically since Mark is 4-0, and Burnsy is 3-0, Mark has won the streak contest. Although when this happened in the NFL season, I decided that Burnsy was still alive, and just needed to outstreak me.

(updated)

Mark has a active streak of 5
Burnsy has an active streak of 4

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Teams Used
Mark: Kansas St., Wisconsin, Tennessee, Duke, West Virginia, Baylor
Niraj: New Mexico, Xavier, Baylor, Kentucky, Ohio State
Dave: Georgetown, Maryland, Baylor, West Virginia, Ohio State


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In the other contest, for overall wins here are the standings:

Mark 5
Niraj 4
Dave 3

NFL Overtime Fixed*

*in the playoffs only.

I like the new system, but find it curious that it's only for the playoffs. Whatever. I bet it gets added to the regular season next year.

I compiled my list of various proposals back on 1-28-10.
Simmons revealed his idea on 2-8-10.

The one the NFL chose is what Simmons proposed, a variation of the last two on my blog.

I think it is a solid improvement, although it will have a bit of artificialness if the receiving team does kick a field goal. Then they will be winning in overtime and have to kickoff. The benefit of not having to score 6 points in OT is a shorter game.

Either way, it opens the door for more excitement and strategy when a team has the ball and is driving inside the 20. Now a touchdown wins it and teams will definitely treat field goals as a last resort. Of course, if the receiving team punts, or if both teams get field goals, we're right back where we started where teams will rush out the field goal kicker as soon as they get inside the 20. But at least both teams had a chance to win it.

HOW TO: make pan-fried pork cutlets

After last week's practice run, I knew what I was doing with the second half of my fresh pork cutlets. The package I bought was actually labeled pork tenderloin cutlets, but as long it's boneless pork tenderloin and not too thick, it should work. I set up my station with a milk soak and a flour dip.

Pork in milk! Yeah for keeping kosher!

I let them soak in the milk for 15-30 seconds and then rolled each piece in the flour, shaking off the excess. I've heard of seasoning your flour, but that seems like a waste, since you end up throwing out so much flour. Plus, you don't want the seasoning to burn. I like to season as soon as a side is done cooking, so it's hot and oily and ready for flavor. In the pan heated up to medium, I poured some olive oil in to cover the bottom. And in go the pieces.


These 4 pieces were originally 2 long pieces, but I cut them down for ease in flipping and more uniform cooking. It takes about 5 minutes on the first side. And you don't want to move them around, you want that crust to build. So it's a good chance to just clean up the milk/flour station and wait for it to bubble up.

This is the only tricky part. On my first attempt, after I flipped and cooked the second side, I discovered that the lovely flour crust was now stuck the bottom of the pan. The first side you cook is no problem though. So while flipping this time, I hit the pan with a little non-stick spray, and made sure there was enough oil.

In the picture below, with three pieces just moved from the pan, you can see that it leaves behind plenty of little bits, but not an entire crust. Again, as soon you flip, hit the finished side with salt and pepper.


And those little bits, they look like burned garbage. But don't throw them out! Scrape them off before they get too black, and they taste like perfect fresh bacon bits. Last time I served mashed potatoes on the side, and put my pork bits right in there. This time I didn't bother with potatoes, so the extra brown bits just went right on top, for a double crunchy coating.

I went 3 for 4, in terms of getting the perfect coating on both sides. The bottom left piece in the picture below had a little stickage problem, but I just scraped it up and put it back on.


The pork was 3.99/pound. I think this package was under 5 bucks, and I got two huge meals out of it. Way better and cheaper than something you'd order at Cracker Barrel and pay 14 bucks for.

a take on the healthcare bill you can't get anywhere else

I have no idea what the effect of this bill will be down the road. One thing that it's supposed to do is cut costs over the long-term. Well, I've got a solution for cutting costs immediately.

Have you seen what a piece of legislation looks like?
Well, no wonder it's 153 pages! Look at those fucking margins! They can't fit "premium growth estimated under sub" on one line. Here's an idea: fix yo margins! Not only will it make legislature less daunting, but you'll cut your paper budget in half. Plus, you know the government has some shady deal where a sheet of paper cost 12 cents. This could save social security.

2k5 in 2k10

Even though I have a ps3 and I got a college hoops game for it (2k7), the gameplay isn't as good as my old standby: college hoops 2k5 on ps2. An added benefit is that the rosters are the 2004-2005 lineups, so Illinois has its final four squad. They are projected as a 2 seed, which isn't bad. You can't expect the game to know we were going to go practically undefeated.

Anyways, there are 5 difficulty settings, and after winning a tournament on the third setting, I decided to kick it up a notch. They weren't kidding. In the first round, I had to overcome a 32-27 deficit against the 15 seed Oral Roberts. Dee hit a 3 to tie it at 32 with 24 seconds to go. After a defensive stop, Deron came down and got a bucket with a few seconds to go.

In the second round, I was matched up against 7-seed Tennessee. The first half was terrible. I couldn't get anything to fall. I was 5-20 from the field. 10 of those misses were in the paint. I was 0-3 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile Tennessee shot 10-16. Illinois was down 14-21 at the half.

And then Illinois peeled off an unprecedented 17-0 run! By the time Tennessee scored making it 23-31, Illinois could slow it down. The final was 35-26, and they didn't even bother fouling at the end.

Illinois shot 7-13, including a key 3 by Deron to start the run after halftime. Deron led the way with 19, Dee had 8 points, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Powell led with 5 rebounds. But all 4 of Augie's rebounds were offensive.

Deron was 1-7 in the first half and shot 5-9 in the second.

For what it's worth, these rosters (made based on pre 04-05 games) have Deron ranked as a 90 overall player. Dee at 88, Augie 84, Luther 82, Powell 80. Nick Smith is also a 80 while Ingram is a 68.

brackets after day 1

Of course my serious bracket is doing worse than the other four brackets I made in 5 minutes thursday morning. Although, Upset City is going to be hurt by having Richmond not make the Final Four. Though BYU still looms large for Upset City!

eliminator day 2

And I'm out of eliminator on day 1. So I can't compete for the consecutive streak title. But I think that it would still be worthwhile to compete for a most wins title, to see if we like the strategy involved.

great motto

It's no "Learning and Labor."

5 brackets!