Googlezzz

Google sets IPO at 24.6 million shares, $108-135 per share - Jul. 26, 2004

Reviews: Airline Quality

Just stumbled on to this - seems up to date.  I was looking for a review of Asiana Airlines, which I had never heard of.  Thinking of going to Tokyo: 

Passenger Opinions of Product and Service standards for over 350 airlines

Interesting: The Michael Moore School of Film Making

Fifty-nine Deceits in Fahrenheit 911, Dave Kopel, Independence Institute

Yay!

It seems that we are so f*** in this country because of conflicts between constitutional rights and the need for Homeland Security. Essentially, Muslim men travelling on planes in groups are not being subject to search even after purchasing one way tickets!! Hello?

The FBI, LA Police and FAM interrogated suspects AFTER landing. After? What the f***! Aren't one way tickets flagged? Looks like 9/11 will happen again:

Terror in the Skies, Again?

Travel Tips: Phoenix - Best Restaurants

It may be a bland existence here in the desert but we do actually have some good places to eat if you're visiting / moving / living here:

Sushi-Ko (Scottsdale) - best Sushi/Japanese in my opinion. not too expensive...
 
Pita Jungle (Tempe/Chandler) - awesome healthy food like Chicken Shwarma, Greek Salads, Tibuli, Hummus, good pizzas
 
Cheesecake Factory (Everywhere) - I know that most people think it's cheesy, but they actually do have some good food and very healthy portions.
 
Malee's (Old Town Scottsdale) - one of the best rated Thai places in Phoenix. For me it's hit or miss but usually pretty good and worth the visit.
 
Bandera (Old Town Scottsdale) - good for grilled meats and cozy, dark atmosphere.
 
RA - decent sushi, decent happy hour specials and cheap (happy hour)
 
Grimaldi's (Old Town Scottsdale) - awesome pizza, New York style!! not much better in phoenix than this.
 
Kyoto (Old Town Scottsdale) - good Sushi/Japanese in my opinion. cheap!
 
Frasier's (Scottsdale) - awesome Burger and Beef Tip sandwich. owners are from St. Louis. across from Babe's strip club (hehe).
 
Indian (next to Scottsdale cultural center) - forgot the name but the food is good.
 
Bucca di Beppo (Old Town Scottsdale) - great Southern Italian, family style place. Huge portions. Italians (such as myself) either love it or hate it.
 
Veneto Trattoria (Scottsdale) - great Northern Italian restaurant. a little pricey but they have a great wine list with some relly good premium selections (Barolo's, Brunello's) if you want to splurge.
 
Pei Wei (Everywhere) - PF Chang's 'to go' restaurant makes somewhat healthy asian dishes with a brown rice 'option'. i like the 'Blazing Noodle' w/ Tofu. usually pretty good. fast service.
 
The Good Egg (Everywhere) - Best brunch place in my opinion, at least in terms of chains. good food and good service.
 
Enjoy!

Travel Tips: The Venetian, Las Vegas

Hello fellow consumers:

Just got back from 4th of July in Vegas. My advice to you - never, ever go to Vegas on the 4th of July unless you are a masochist and enjoy standing in line, fighting crowds and poor service from the 'drink person'. However, we got a great rate at the Venetian and got upgraded to a suite. Woo-hoo! The room was grand, palatial, exquisite and down right roomy. The bathroom had a phone AND a fax...unheard of.

The North (read 'new') Tower of the Venetian is all suites and features a private concierge, private check in and a 'private' pool only for North Tower guests. Needless to say I left behind my birthday suit and opted for au-natural, after all, it's my private pool dammit! The guests were less than amused and I received a 'private' escort back to my room.

Pai Gow!! Pai Gow is the game my friends. A mix of blackjack and poker, you make your best two card and five card hand out of seven cards and hope that the dealer busts. If only one of your hands beat the dealer you push. Lots of pushing in this game which means you play longer (i.e. more free drinks and less losses). I ended up up $175 dollars which meant I ate for free at Delmonico with some left over for more Pai Gow. Next time your in town give it a whirl...

Best Filet Ever: Delmonico in the Venetian. Emeril Lagasse's triumphant steakhouse. Not for the faint of wallet, the Filet was damn near perfect and featured a dry rub that was the tastiest thing ever ($38). I like mine medium and the color was a wild shade of pink, so perfect and tender that I cried after the first slice. mmmm...red meat.

The Hard Rock Rehab party on Sunday was packed. My second time attending. The DJ was good and the crowd was generally wild and out of control. Good times.

Happy 4th!

Tech Update: IM This!

Yahoo messenger rocks - especially the 'audibles':

Yahoo! Messenger