bread crumbs for the feathery masses

Rediscovering childhood delights should be a mandatory activity for adults. How easy it is to forget the simple joys in life! Much of what amused us as children seems mundane and common now, but that shouldn't detract from the delectability of youthful diversions. Consequently I was delighted when Dianna suggested having a picnic and feeding ducks last weekend. There were little shy ducks and bold fat ducks and noisy jealous ducks and an old friendly duck which we held and fed bountifully. There were also a few weird duck-like birds with dark feathers, black fluffy necks, fat bodies, and leaf-like feet. Has anyone has heard of such animals and know what they are?

With or without ducks, parks are wonderful. Especially if they have playground equipment. Some of you might remember my quest a couple years ago to find playgrounds with merry-go-rounds. I did find a couple. But, such parks are becoming rare. If you know of a good merry-go-round please tell me. And I don't mean carousels. I mean the kind you push really fast and then jump on and then laugh hysterically while you cling to it for dear life. Especially big old heavy ones that turn smoothly. And are painted red. While I was searching around online for parks I ran across a page that lists parks and playgrounds in LA. The description for Manhattan beach and pier warns, 'Be aware of its reputation as a "bikini watching" beach and a haven for young, muscular professionals.' And for some reason I found that amusing enough to mention in this blog.

Tuesday night Dianna and I went with Shane, John Lin and Masako to a karaoke bar in Koreatown called Caffe Brass Monkey. The service didn't start off well as the waitress rudely resisted Dianna's requests for a glass of water and only reluctantly gave in, stalking off as if we had ordered her to fetch us exactly 427 peanuts on a silver platter. She ignored us most of the evening except to repeatedly remind us that there is a two drink minimum. Then she shot annoyed glances at us every time we passed up an opportunity to order a drink, and every time we ordered a drink. She made little effort to remember who ordered which drink and sometimes just asked a nearby person to hand a drink to the receiver instead of walking the extra three feet to deliver it herself. While Dianna was singing "I touch myself" I stood near the bar to watch since it was too crowded to see her from the table. Each time our waitress walked by she elbowed or shoved me to get by instead of asking me to move or simply going around me. At this point I was getting annoyed and was glad to see the check arrive. But, the total amount was higher than expected and the description of our orders was cryptic and unclear. No one could remember ordering enough drinks to justify the total bill. I asked the waitress to explain the charges and she just waved her hand at the check, mumbled something about drinks and walked away. I took the check and tracked her down but just as I was starting to say something she turned away from me and walked away to avoid me. I followed her through the crowd and said I thought there was a mistake with the total amount. She pointed at the bar saying "over there" and waved me away. So, I waited for her at the bar and insisted she review the charges. Once again she waved her hand over the check and mumbled a bit with a guilty look on her face. I took a pencil and went over each item on the list clarifying what it was and writing a price down for it. Sure enough when I added them up it was about one drink's worth less than the amount she was asking for. She just glanced around shiftily and mumbled until I called over the bartender and asked to see the manager. Quickly she admitted that the tab was wrong and offered to correct it. I still asked to see the manager, but both the waitress and the bartender refused to let me or even tell me how the manager could be contacted. I don't think I've ever had a more frustrating experience at a bar or restaurant. To top it off the drinks are over priced, under sized and poorly mixed. On my list of places to return to the Brass Monkey is only slightly ahead of the emergency room and is less appealing than using a turkish toilet.