The countdown to Mongolia is on and I am in Michigan prepping for the cold winter by fattening up on home cooked food.
Today, I stopped by at my grandma’s to have a light lunch and tell everyone goodbye. Since I’m too full to type, I’ll just post the pics. (Courtesy of new LG G3)
Rice-A-Roni is still for sale in supermarkets and I may open myself to legal liability by saying that I disagree that it is the San Francisco treat. That distinction belongs to pho in San Francisco. I stayed at the Westin St. Francis on Union Square right in the heart of the city and asked the concierge where the best place was to down a bowl of pho. She told me of a fusion restaurant nearby that made pho with a twist.
Not interested in fusion or twists, I asked her about two local spots that I had seen on Yelp. A troubled look came across her face as she once again suggested the modern Asian restaurant. I pressed her for a reason why and she told me that the restaurants I had mentioned were not in the best neighborhood. Reiterating again, I was going for pho and not fashion, I pressed her for directions. She relented and wrote down the directions of two restaurants located in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco.
I opted to walk from the hotel, bypassing the advice to take a taxi, feeling that once again luxury was being unnecessarily overprotective . Every big city from Baghdad to Baltimore has poses some degree of danger and being aware of your surroundings is advisable no matter where you go. Hungry, I made my way to Larkin street and came upon two restaurants, side by side, Turtle Tower and Pho 2000. The casual pho diner would toss a coin, leaving his pho future in the hands of fate. The discerning pho connoisseur would notice that the names of the establishments had significance. As a well traveled, world traveled Pho King, I am that connoisseur.
Turtle Tower is a landmark in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam and Pho 2000 is the name of a terrible Pho restaurant in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon) made famous because of a visit by former President Bill Clinton.
A little uneasy from reliving the queasy feeling I had when I last visited Pho 2000, I opted to start my day at Turtle Tower and it was a delightful choice.
Full, I debated whether to head back home to take a much needed nap after another satisfying bowl. Instead, I decided to give Pho 2000 SF a chance, calculating that this was not a franchise of the same establishment in Ho Chi Minh.
While the Pho 2000 should file a trademark suit over its namesake because the pho was simply divine, it still has no case against Turtle Tower.
Verdict: #6 Best Pho in the World: Turtle Tower San Francisco
WARNING: TPOL NO LONGER BELIEVES THIS IS TRUE. Pho Tenderloin may be #6 but Turtle Tower is now terrible. Read the updated review here.
I opened my passport to see a shiny new visa with the words Mongolian Work Visa. This means the time has finally come to do 2 things:
2. Get Back to Work.
It’s been an interesting summer from moving out of Arizona, selling the BBQ, and trying to get rid of the Cadillac without being arrested. Of course, I have been boasting about the release of my book, Everyone’s Advice Is Wrong . . . Including Mine, which should be named Everyone’s Release Date Is Wrong . . . Including Mine because the ‘custom interior’ is still being finalized. So, let’s be hopeful for an August release date.
It wasn’t all work this summer as I went to Costa Rica, then flew 26,000 miles around the world in style to see Mikey in Shanghai and Bali (neither place counting towards the country count competition because I am running out of places to go). From there it was on to Anytown, USA for some Ranch and upscale lodging (after dealing with more problems at Chinese Customs). Then I headed for Chicago where ThePointsOfLife almost predicted the World Cup outcome.
And now I’m home again in Flint, Michigan.
Tonight I’m going to Empress of China for the best Chinese food in the world but beyond that I’m really going to have to dig deep to find some meaningful content to keep me and you entertained.
That can only mean one thing…Canada this weekend!
I’m still reeling from defeat after yesterday’s World Cup final. Walking around Chicago with my Messi jersey, I met fellow fans who also were distraught. I also met German fans and exchanged pleasantries about how good the game was, regardless of the outcome.
A couple of random German fans did yell out, “Messi sucks,” to which I took great exception. No need to publish my retort.
Anyhow, today is my last day in Chicago and being a tourist I had to go visit Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. Wrigley is celebrating its 100 years anniversary, a time marked by one common theme- losing.
The last time the Cubs won the World Series was way back in 1908.
Today, despite spending hundreds of millions of dollars, the losing continues. What’s worse is the owners who are now suing their own fans. The Cubs are trying to install a jumbotron and ads in the outfield which would block the view of the rooftop bars that surround part of the stadium. The owners of the bars are rightly against it. Such dysfunctionality is unprecedented.
In any event, my visit to Wrigley put things into perspective: yes I am annoyed Argentina lost, yes my Michigan sports teams have been struggling but at least I’m not a Cubs fan.
Glory was on his foot and he let it slip away. Was it Messi’s fault that Argentina lost? Certainly not, but fault is irrelevant.
What is relevant is cementing one’s place in history. And Messi had his chance, several times. Argentina played better than Germany but failed to capitalize time and time again.
In the end, Goetze’s remarkable goal in extra time will forever be the iconic moment of this World Cup. The spectacular strike was nothing short of perfect.
Messi’s critics at home may continue to question his greatness and whether he is truly Argentina’s son which is, for lack of a better term, stupid. But the result will forever be, Germany 1 Argentina 0.
Glory was on his foot and it tragically slipped away.
Friday saw a huge jump in traffic with my announcement that I’m going back to Flint, Michigan. To capitalize on that action and my recent addition to Prior2Boarding, the beautiful sister of the original beauty BoardingArea, I am continuing the series of publishing my Top 7 posts of each month in The List section. The blog started way back in March and the top 7 for that month can be found here. And as soon as I catch everyone up, I’ll also have a “Why did you miss it?” link for posts that should’ve received more attention but slipped through that impossible to crack Facebook algorithm. The one from April is at the very bottom.
April had a lot of dandies!
1. WHERE CAN YOU FIND THE BEST CHINESE FOOD IN THE WORLD? FLINT, MOTHERF$@KING, MICHIGAN.
2. 30 DAYS TO MALDIVES: STEP 5
3. “IF YOU DO GO TO A RESTAURANT WHERE THE WINE IS OUT OF YOUR BUDGET, DRINK BEER!”
4. #9: TRICK OR TREAT? HONG KONG PHO HALLOWEEN
6. “IT’S LIKE RIDING A BIKE.” THOSE WORDS HAVE HAUNTED ME FOR YEARS.
7. THE KAMA SUTRA OF AIRPLANE SLEEP: SURVIVING A 17 HOUR FLIGHT
Why did you miss it? Bonus Post “YOU CAN GET ANYTHING YOU WANT HERE.”
Today was interesting. I flew out of Anytown to Seattle which does not have an American Airlines Lounge unless you lie and tell them that you are flying American within the day (whether they check or not is anyone’s guess, I was too honest to try). From Seattle, I flew into Chicago Midway via SWA.
Now, I’m about to pass out in the Conrad Chicago which is conveniently or inconveniently located next to my stomping grounds from Scottsdale, El Hefe where good times are had by most.
Anyhow, this is just a quick a-live update. The hotel isn’t as Conrad as Conrad Maldives or Conrad Tokyo or Conrad Pezula (South Africa), all of which I may, one day, write a prototypical hotel review, but now I must sleep to prep myself for a big day of World Cup action.
Go Argentina!
Before anyone ever cared where I practiced law, I was a kid from Southeast Michigan. It’s where studied. It’s where I crammed. It’s where I napped. It’s where I snoozed. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Southeast Michigan is bigger than law. I didn’t realize that nine years ago. I do now.
Remember when I was sitting up there at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in 2005? I was thinking, It is really cold. I could feel it. I was leaving something I had spent a long time creating. If i had to do it all over again, I’d obviously do things differently, but I’d still have left. Scottsdale, for me, has been almost like college for other kids. These past nine years helped raise me into who I am. I became a better lawyer and a better man. I learned from a law firm that had been where I wanted to go. I will always think of Scottsdale as my second home. Without the experiences I had there, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing today.
I went to Arizona because of Sparky and Sandra Day. We made sacrifices to earn our JDs. I loved becoming a big bro to Roly Poly. I believed we could do something magical if we came together. And that’s exactly what we did! The hardest thing to leave is what I built with those guys. I’ve talked to some and will talk to others. Nothing will ever change what we accomplished. We are brothers for life. I also want to thank Dean White and Professor Rose for giving me an amazing three years.
I’m doing this essay because I want an opportunity to showcase myself uninterrupted. I don’t want anyone thinking. He and Toolborga didn’t get along. . .. He and Cordova didn’t get along. … They couldn’t put the right team together. That’s absolutely not true.
I’m not having a press conference or a party. After this, it’s time to get to work.
When I left Flint, I was on a mission. I was seeking money, and I made some. But Scottsdale knew that feeling. Our city hasn’t had that feeling in a long, long, long time. My goal is still to make as much money as possible, no question. But what’s most important for me is bringing some back to Southeast Michigan.
I always believed that I’d return to Flint and finish my career there. I just didn’t know when. After the termination, free agency wasn’t even a thought. I looked at other cities, but I wasn’t going to leave Scottsdale for anywhere except Flint. The more time passed, the more it felt right. This is what makes me happy.
To make the move I needed the support of my mom and my dad, who can be very tough. The letter from General Motors, the booing of the Flint fans, the city being burned — seeing all that was hard for them. My emotions were more mixed. It was easy to say, “OK, I don’t want to deal with these people ever again.” But then you think about the other side. What if I were a kid who looked up to a lawyer, and that lawyer made me want to do better in my own life, and then he left? How would I react? I’ve met with Ghassan, face-to-face, man-to-man. We’ve talked it out. Everybody makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes as well. Who am I to hold a grudge?
I’m not promising a windfall. I know how hard that is to deliver. We’re not ready right now. No way. Of course, I want to strike it rich next year, but I’m realistic. It will be a long process much longer than it was in 2005. My patience will get tested. I know that. I’m going into a situation with young lawyers and a new boss. I will be the old head. But I get a thrill out of bringing a group together and helping them reach a place they didn’t know they could go. I see myself as a mentor now and I’m excited to lead some of these talented young guys.
But this is not about the the roster or the organization. I feel my calling here goes above law. I have a responsibility to lead, in more ways than one, and I take that very seriously. My presence can make a difference in Scottsdale, but I think it can mean more where I’m from. I want kids in Southeast Michigan, like the hundreds of Flint third-graders I don’t sponsor through my foundation, to realize that there’s no better place to grow up. Maybe some of them will come home after college and start a family or open a business. That would make me smile. Our community, which has struggled so much, needs all the talent it can get.
In Southeast Michigan, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have.
I’m ready to accept the challenge. I’m coming home.
PSYCH! I’m moving to Mongolia.
Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold, SPG Platinum all have perks that have been blogged about ad nauseum: late checkout, complimentary breakfast, and suite upgrades.
Blah blah blah, every points person has already reviewed every hotel and exploited all the points loopholes except for one.
Today I’m giving my loyal readers an inside peak at my new residence that has vaulted ceilings, 360 degree view of the mountains, and bathrooms as far as the eye can see.
Not to mention a handy nightlight chandelier in case things get spooky. The WI-FI is a bit spotty so I’ll be sure to let the manager know in the morning when I get my wake up call from a meandering grizzly bear.
All this can be yours without having to ruin your credit score with 2 dozen credit card applications.
Pardon the Interruption, but I’m not Mike Wilbon but I do know more about futbol than George Farah.
The world witnessed ThePointsOfLife correctly predict the World Cup final matchup and now, once again, I put the psychic hat on.
I couldn’t make it to Rio for the final because I was waiting for my Mongolian work visa to arrive and luckily it did. Instead, I’m leaving the peace and tranquility of Anytown, USA for the second best place to watch the final besides the Marcana- Chicago. (Everyone drink, I said Chicago.)
To get there I’m paying an exorbitant $2.50 thanks to Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards and to be well rested for the game, I’m redeeming my Hilton HHonors points to stay at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago, rated the best hotel in the United States. This will be my second Waldorf stay in a matter of weeks, the first being in Shanghai.
But enough points talk: the sole heir to the throne of Zamunda is ready to make his prediction, starting with this analysis:
Messi had a below average game today though he did manage to find the back of the net on PKs. He didn’t get too much help from his teammates and it is still uncertain if Di Maria, Messi’s favorite complimentary player, will be able to go.
Contrast that to the Germans who obliterated the Brazilians turning the beautiful game into a children’s AYSO game and it is no surprise that Vegas is picking Deutscheland to triumph. But in the words of Lee Corso, “Not so fast my friend.” Let’s not overlook Germany’s stumbles along the way and the inevitable implosion of the Brazilian side given their pressure to perform, injuries, and suspensions. Furthermore, recall Argentina’s own embarrassing defeat 4 years ago to Germany in the World Cup and Messi’s squadoosh during the entire tournament.
Clearly, revenge will be a motivator.
Next, two facts must not be overlooked:
1. No European team has ever won the World Cup when it is hosted in South America.
2. This basically will be a home game for Argentina.
And, if that’s enough don’t underestimate another motivating factor for Argentina- the opportunity to win the World Cup on the turf of their rival country, Brazil.
Final Score: Argentina 1 Brazil 0
We’re on a 23.5 break till the next post, so goodnight George, goodnight Canada!
