Best Burger in L.A. and McGriddle Sandwiches

Ok, the McGriddle first. I don't eat at McDonalds often...anymore. When I was a kid, it had to be at least once a week that I found myself hovered over a large fries and a couple cheeseburgers -- I always hated the quarter pounder and the big mac, because the onions were too big. That's a different story. Anyway, so I had to take my Mini -- which I love -- to the dealer this weekend for its annual (that's right, annual. suck on that!) oil change and a couple other things. The dealer is on Lankershim by Universal City, but nowhere near anything really to eat...except McDonalds.

So, starving, I went. I waited in line. At the last moment, I called an audible and ordered a McGriddle with eggs, bacon and cheese. And sweet Jesus, it was good. Really freakin' good. Sweet and savory all in delicious juicy warm bites. Whoever invented it, deserves the Nobel Prize.

Now, on to burgers. For months, I've heard about 25 Degrees, the new burger restaurant at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood that was created by the team behind Aubergine and a million other things. Saturday night I went with my friend Philip and -- you guessed it -- sweet Jesus, it was good. Really actually great. I got the burger with goat cheese, bacon and -- this is key -- garlic parmesan something. And I ordered the burger medium rare. It came medium rare. Meat juice oozed with every bite, but not so much onto the plate; instead, rather, into the super absorbant sponge-like, light n fluffy bun.

All the flavors combined and shed light on a beauty I have never witnessed before. I will be back. Oh, and the onion rings, french fries and dipping sauces were all superb.

One final incongruous note: why are there no hot dog buns in the northeast? Man, that always steamed me. You order a hot dog in Boston and you get it on a folded piece of falling apart white bread. Sheesh.

Happy Thanksgiving

Though we have daily, weekly, monthly, annual, perenial troubles, we persevere mostly and for that I'm thankful. I'm thankful for Carl, my family and friends, our dogs, our lives, our new congress, our little neighborhood in an exciting city and the chance to make a difference, hopefully, every one in a little while. I hope that the people in the world with less to be thankful about -- Iraq, Sudan and on and on -- will someday also have more to be thankful for.

Why We Read Blogs

What started off as an interesting comment by LACityNerd on the UCLA student being tasered repeatedly turned into an even more interesting comment on why people read blogs? Why do I read the blogs I read? I read them because they have unique voices and perspectives I either agree with or find interesting. I'm not so interested in Blogger Toddler's next pick as I am in where the folks at Franklin Avenue walk or eat and what they think about it. I'm fascinated by what the Atwater Newbie learns about his new city. I admire people like Josh Marshall and Markos who try to speak the truth about our country.

Barbra Streisand at the Staples Center

What can be said? She's a legend. It was a most amazing concert. Barbra was outgoing, funny and in spectacular voice. Though it seems she can't hit the high notes anymore, her voice is lush and warm and emotional. It wraps itself around you and comforts you and, yes, makes you feel like one of the luckiest people in the world.

Thanks to Andrew for securing the luxury box seats.

In many ways, it simply was the best concert I have ever been to.

No War But Class War

As usual, Billmon gets ahead of the curve. The citizens of the country have stood by for the last 25 years and watched as the politicians made the rich richer and the poor poorer. Now, even former Reagan Democrat-turned-Republicans have taken notice and said enough.

Read the whole thing.

Boys Beware

via LAist...My how the times have changed...

Drawn Together Creator Vomits During TV Interview

Nancy Pelosi

The next speaker of the house is apparently going to make lesbians of us all, says my favorite post from Wonkette today.

Democrtatic Party

Ok, so we won the House. Maybe the Senate at this point.

Whaat a great night to savor. Let's hope the democrats will now stand up.

I don't have a lot of hope, but i have some. Before tonight, i had much less.

Tomorrow, we wake up, hopefully, in a better world than the one we lived today.

South Dakota Abortion Ban

Goes down to defeat. The universe begins to right itself...but must take pains to remember, two steps forward, one step back. They will be back.

Sweeney Goes Down to Defeat

He literally could have stopped Foley but refused to because it would have meant turning a safe seat into an unsafe seat. As I drove home from dinner listening to NPR, I had the exact same reaction as Josh Marshall: Yes, he is gone!

Good riddance. You did a disservice to your country. You have shamed yourself, your party and your country. Crawl back under the rock from whence you came.

Vote Democratic!

Exercise your franchise! Vote.

Defamer

I do so love the commenters on defamer. Particularly, in this thread, the Ab-Fab/Avatar exchange is priceless. Defarmer, you tickle my world!

Simpsons 2006 Treehouse of Horror Clip

Operation Enduring Occupation.

Vote for change tomorrow!

Shameful

Bush Administration Lies

The third woman to have died in action killed herself because she was opposed to the interogation methods. That's not what the Pentagon told the world originally. Read more!

Because of Iraq