Whizz Wit

Recently I made a weekend out of a visit to my boy's house in South Jersey. Not gunna lie you my brothers, it was a great weekend, with only a few minor setbacks. First off, if you haven't been to Philly, I recommend that immediately upon arrival, assuming of course that when you arrive your appetite had reached its deepest grumbles, that you aim your travels down to South Street to this joint, Jim's Steaks. And, if you in deed have been to or even perhaps live in Philly, yet still have not been to Jim's, then firstly-WTF mate- and secondly, GO NOW! VAMOS!


Jim's is an old school, extremely famous Philly Cheese Steak entrepreneur. I cannot lie-Cadet Honor Code. Hooah!? lol- Jim's is legit. JRaff, Stanley and I waited in line around the short corner for 45 minutes before reaching the counter--behind this counter was a 5x3ft. flat grill with tubs of commercial sized condiments. Pickles, mushrooms, olives, the whole works. But, what seemed most obvious to be the hottest commodity was the fat tub of Whizz Cheese-- An open container the size of a paint bucket, overflowing the brim with creamy cheese and a rubber Flathead spatula. The black hands working the station moved swiftly with many years of experience. It was an art in its own category. As I observed from my moving position in the wrap around line-against the wall that was swallowed by autographed pictures from hundreds of celebrities, Billy Joel, Allen Iverson, Ali, all praising Jim's Steaks- I could pick out the stuttering first timers within the crowd of Philly's finest easier than differing between a Canadian at the local sports bar and crazy Nascar fans. My man almost had the sandwich fixed before they could finish their order--these folks really messed with the system. But when a 'usual' walks up to the counter, a well-oiled machine kicks into gear: "Whizz Wit." Bread opened. Whizz spread. Steak gathered. Flip, Drop, Grill. Lift. Onions added ("Wit"). Next customer.
Clockwork.



Of course, Raff went first to introduce the protocol for ordering without sounding like an idiot. I followed suit, "Whizz Wit." --If he were a basketball fan, he might've noticed I was from out of town by my WITNESS T-Shirt, but he wouldn't have noticed from my tone. I was definitely acting the part. haha. I love Philly. --there you go Raff, I finally said it. lol-- We ate the cheese steaks looking out above the street through the window of a wall in almost silence-always a compliment to the chef. I couldn't believe what a drop in taste and texture Ohio and all other makes of cheese steaks were to this ultimate cheese steak. Next time my friends back home order a cheese steak from some small diner claiming to re-create the cheese steak, I will do as Raff has done whenever I defended to have previously enjoyed a cheese steak, and laugh in their faces. lol

After the cheese steak extravaganza, we walked through the more historical sites of Philadelphia. Beautiful city. Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Tombs of the Unknown, Eternal Flame. All great. And of course I wanted to run up the steps at the Museum of Art like one of my idols Rocky Balboa! :) lol ..but we saved it for another visit. We were true at heart, but we were tired. -minor twist to the words of a great author, Dave Eggers. We needed some time to rejuvenate for the night that was about to hit us like ten pitchers, six hours, two games of electric bowling, walking through the drive-through of golden arches' at 330a.m. to break up a 30 min stumbling walk. Oh it hit us. Gotta love the little guy on the corner called Giuseppe's. And great potato skins too; they're very generous with their bacon. :)

The weekend which began with a very entertaining Phillies vs. Cubs game Friday, ended with a game of our own. Sunny Sunday afternoon calls for a nice round of golf at the faithful Sun Eagles Golf Course. ...my newly found joy in life. :)

Well my brothers, until next time...In the words made regular in South Jersey: Be Easy.

California Love

The Beastie Boys were on point when they were always crushing over some cali girls... just went there to one of my best friend's house in Rancho... and I met some of the most gorgeous women! Even the ones I didn't meet, just casual glances to my left and right as we cruised the boardwalk, the girls were glowing. :) They glanced back with a smile of interest from time to time which was satisfying in itself because I thought, "hey, look at me, Mr. Ohioman with NO tan getting looks from these bronze goddesses!" haha... then I realized I was riding shotty in a Cherry Red '72 Chevelle. lol



But I'll have to admit that I boarded the plane from Ontario to my house--with several minor stops along the way, PHX-2hrs, St. Louis-3hrs thanks a lot Southwest, YOU SUCK! ...I've obviously had better flights in my day. lol Ahhh-CHOO...Ahhh-jetBLUUE! :)-- but my mind had enough to chew on to tag team with sleep to tackle the 16hrs travel time. The jerky which my mind's jaw chewed on was all sorts of juicy. Kudos to me for remembering to bring my journal with me, because the contents written between those black-leather-covers served as the plate to support these stories and my pen was the utensil of choice for ripping at the meat. but before I get to the medium-rare center of my steak-- sorry. tease. ..actually, it will be saved for another blog, if you're lucky, but most likely saved for my own wandering eyes..- I must first anoint my new best friend!



ALYXVANSTOCKUM



So we're waiting at the Pierre at Huntington Beach for Ryan's best friend to arrive, the suspense to finally meet this girl is making my palms sweat- all over this nice girls blanket too. hehe. sh, Kellie doesn't know- and finally Ryan spots her and hands over to me his bag so that his arms would be free to catch, what I like to call a "Jump-Straddle-Hump-Hug" lol they were so overjoyed and didn't seem to care who saw them. Its quite the norm in California for crazy things to occur on the side of the Pierre, or anywhere for that matter, and where these acts would be considered inappropriate on the East-coast, in Cali, the reaction is simply, DGAF. --that's right east coast and mid-westerners, you read it correctly, DGAF. It's not an acronym. It's not a word. It's a way of life. Don't Give A Fuck. In Cali they're so chill: oh hey look, that guy wearing the vibrant colors looks like he left Woodstock and didn't stop hitch-hiking until he stumbled over stoned on Venice Beach; and hasn't stopped party'n since.. DGAF. ha. love it.-- So after the screaming and excitement I finally saw the adorable face of my new best friend. Alyx.



The four of us began our boardwalk stroll to the part of the beach where our fire pit was. After we walked away from a fight with a guy pushing his baby in a stroller, we split up. Ryan and his friend ran ahead to meet everyone else, and Alyx and I conversationally walked in pursuit. And then we walked in confusion. And then we walked in frustration. And then we walked into the ocean to pee--HA! I've pee'd in both the Atlantic and the Pacific. To quote my new bestest, "I'm the shit!"-- What happened, was that Alyx passed and lost her own truck which happened to mark the spot where our fire pit was. ..Needless to say, Alyx and I got to talk a lot that night!lol

...Funny how Ryan and I being best friends almost guaranteed a great friendship with his best friend Alyx. I just met the girl and we were already acting as best buds from back in the recess days of old...we were singing to and with each other..party'n...getting sun-burnt...reading aloud chapters at a time from Catcher in the Rye...and sharing things like the trucks we drive-both Rangers baby!...favorite color...SAME BIRTHDAY!... in such a short time we became such good friends... Damn Ryan's got to be her best friend for years now! lol but like I wish to've been her friend as long as he.. he wishes even more to've been her friend since birth! So many mornings I meet him out at formation..and from the swelling around his sleep-deprived eyes i can tell he's only taken a nap for the night...spent hours and hours on the phone with her. Damn time zones.. lol

..it gets better! TWO SISTERS! ah! can't imagine growing up in that house..and that's a lot coming from my crazy family! lol ...met the younger one, Courtney, during her visit with a friend's parents to NYC. Ryan and I took them to the great Bella Vita's..and a comedy club in times square--those dashes represent what could be pages of stories about that place. but another time, perhaps--..lol can you imagine 19 year old, half grown-we hope only half, haha 6'5 wanna be Johnson!- men running around the city with cute, little, (almost) Innocent girls. lol but it was fun, and Courtney is a jem. ..Can't wait to meet the older Van Stockum! :)..Brittany. :)

..more tales of our Rancho Cucamonga adventures for later...but for now I have to tend to my herd.. of math equations... fronting a desire to get a good grade on this exam...when really, it's whatever...DGAF..