Rain is a Bietch

Hey Guys.

If everyone can see it's been raining really hard. That doesn't float too well when your main source of transportation is on your bicycle. It has been anything but fun getting to school.

Fortunately the air has never looked so clean. Bet those oranges on MLK are doing really good.

On other news, I got an internship call back in Costa Mesa so if things go well I might have a car. THAT MEANS MORE ADVENTURES! Wish me luck and I hope you guys stay dry.

I Really Like My Optometrist, We Talk About Hookers!

I think Gary Fishberg's is the most awesome place to go to for any of your eyeball needs.

Talking to the receptionists, the head receptionist, Sue, turns to me,

"Brian!  Don't go on University (Ave.)  There are ladies of the evening there!  Don't let me catch you there or I'm telling your mother!"
"Fine!  Then I'll tell her you're the one who told me!"

We started laughing and having a good time.  The first Friday laugh was made at Dr. Gary Fishberg's.  The nicest people I've met work there.

Okay, so this really isn't something to do in Riverside, shoot the breeze with receptionists, but hell, I had a good time.  Sometimes the best things to do is make friends in the most random of places.  :)

Last tidbit, the Fox Theater is finally open today. 


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Take a Drink and Sing Your Heart Out: Killarney's

I came to Killarney's previously on a friend date.
1st Thought: HOLY COW THIS PLACE IS INTIMIDATING
2nd Thought: Nobody is giving us the stink eye, okay lets stay.

It was a good thing we stayed because THEIR POTATO SKINS WERE AMAZING.

This place had live entertainment, football on the tube, and the waiters were all wearing kilts.

The second time we came back it was different  (potato skins weren't as good and were missing scallions -- negative points for inconsistency).  Lights were dim but the place was bump'n!  A regular greeted us, shook hands, and told us, "You have to do karaoke!  I've been singing all night!"  It's one thing for a waitress to meet us, but a patron?  Friendly place this joint was. 

If you're shy to sing to a room of strangers, a drink does help.  Their X Bomb was very delicious.  The room is pretty low pressure so if you're tone deaf, no worries.

A thing to watch out is their food.  The end of the night a lot of us began to feel sick.  Either way, the atmosphere and the karaoke did make us want to drag back more people.

I recommend their onion rings, X Bomb, and sausages and definitely their Monday night karaoke.  Stay away from their corned beef and cabbage.


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Events Roll'n in Riverside

HERE'S WHAT THE INLAND HAS FOR YOU!

If you're into singing, dancing, and theater arts then this is perfect for you! The old Riverside Fox Theater remodeling is close to completion! If you're curious about it's remodeling you could find out more here http://www.riversideca.gov/arts/fox.asp

The before and after photos are pretty amazing too
http://www.foxriversidelive.com/photogallery.html

But yea, pretty self explanatory. If you want to see either Annie, Jesus Super Star, or Hairspray, check out the site.
http://broadwayinriverside.com/


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TAIKOPROJECT:(re)generation
January 15th
8:00pm at University Theater
http://www.culturalevents.ucr.edu/taikoproject.htm
"This large-scale performance takes taiko into the 21st century with edgy, contemporary elements like jazz, hip-hop, video, choreography, and spoken-word for a fast and furious display of Japanese drumming."

I'm going here for sure.


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Home for the Weekend

Gone home for the weekend. Ciao, Riverside.

Festival of Lights and the Menagerie

January the 3rd was the last day to check out Mission Inn's Festival of Lights. This late 18th century hotel decks itself out with lights and enough animatrons to give Disneyland the run for it's money every year for the holidays. Here's a tip, go run in and up the elevator before the sun sets so you could explore the hotel otherwise security will just keep you in the lobby. It's well worth the adventure.

Aside from that, there are various outdoor vendors serving hot chocolate, donut holes, and pictures with Santa, live bands, an outdoor ice rink and other such shinanigens. I like this time of the year because it looks like the entire community comes together at this old hotel.

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To celebrate the coming of my birthday, a friend and I went to the Menagerie on University for a drink. To describe this bar and the bars around Riverside, here's a conversation with a bartender I found on Yelp, "There aren't very many bars in the Inland Empire. This place is the equivalent of winning the gold medal at the Special Olympics"

Being the novice drinker that I am I can't rate their drinks for you but that's what Yelp is for! The environment was chill for a Sunday night and the bartenders were friendly. We finished off the night talking with friendly strangers trying to tie cherry stems with our tongues. How'd we do? We failed. 2nd time's the charm!
Only decent photo I could find on the web.

Painting the scene, sensual and censored pictures of naked girls and guys were everywhere, 5 large projectors played music videos, middle aged crowd, and there is a large neon misspelled sign, "Fabulaus" which seems to be the icon of the place. I'd recommend this place to friends. By the way, I think it's fair to warn you that there is a rainbow flag parked right by the entrance :P


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Veera from "Downtowne Books"

Checked out the weekly farmer's market yesterday. It's smaller than what I'm use to and the vendors all carry similar produce but it's refreshing to know that we have an outdoor market you can go to.

Bought a pound of organic onions for $1.
In this alley way is a treasure -- The Downtown Bookstore. It's been around since the 70's but after it's latest management it's inventory went up with used books like crazy. It's got everything a bookworm would love including soft couches, and self serve coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and hot cider.

Hot apple cider? Don't mind if I do!
It's got a nice feel to it. Full of artifacts and every bookshelf has comics taped to the wall. I wasn't sure if I was allowed to take photos in here so I just snapped this one really quick.
I met the co-owner, Veera. The purchase of this place was an impulse purchase from her and her sister. Since then they've been upping their inventory, installing new electrical wires, practically spending every bit of what they own back into the place. There's something really nice about a business owner passionate about her own store.

The Purpose

My name is B. Gratiano. I'm an adventure seeker. I'm passionate about discovering places, interesting people, and my personal favorite -- EATING GOOD FOOD!

Since transferring to the University of California, Riverside, I've been asking the students, "So what is there to do here?" to only get the same response, "Nothing. There is nothing to do here."

Telling other folks I attend this school they all tell me the same thing, "I hear Riverside is boring!"

Well, after one year of being here, I found just the opposite. Riverside has tons to do! And things to see! Before I graduate this July, I decided to write this blog in hopes that this will change the perception people will have of Riverside.

To the students of UC Riverside, I hope this blog will inspire you to make your own adventure in this city.