As will become very obvious after viewing our blog, He&She very much enjoy going out, having some drinks, and being very social. We love the nightlife, we got to boogie!
So, without further ado, and in no particular order, here are my favorite bars from my many journeys... (as with any of my opinions, this list is subject to change... at a moment's notice)
1) The Ten Bells, London - some of you may recognize this name from the Johnny Depp thriller, From Hell, based on the Jack the Ripper killings. It is indeed a real pub, and was frequented by the prossies infamously sliced up in the late 1800s. Great for having a couple pints (or 6) while relaxing in a 200-year-old low-backed wooden chair and chatting about the eerie part of London you've found yourself in. Pay special attention to the newspaper clippings from the day depicting the killings in cartoonish detail.
2) The Trafford, Manchester - this is the official supporters bar for Manchester United fans and on game day you must present a match ticket for entry. I visited on the day that Manchester raised the trophy for the Premier League, and the atmosphere was the most amazing I've ever been a part of. Singing, funny hats, double-fisting pints, more singing, more pints, and the happiest clientele you can imagine. A must for MUFC fans!
3) The Rock Classic Bar, Brussels - this one makes the list because we simply had so much fun there one evening, but it's definitely a unique place. We spent the first portion of the evening in a small room adjacent to the main bar, and it is a bit more of a lounge with some darker, moody music playing; not quite goth, but plenty of velvet. After a drink, we grabbed a table in the main bar area. Not very large, and not typically our style, but the heavy rock played all night and had us head-banging and laughing the whole time. Special props to the fun bartenders who seemed to be enjoying themselves as much as the patrons.
4) The Wellington, Indianapolis - the only Indy bar on my list, this place has the look and feel of a quaint English pub. It's also the place where He met She for the first time, and that has to count for something. Friendly staff, excellent beers, and it's connected to a fantastic restaurant (Corner Wine Bar). I am especially fond of the brocade couch and small iron tables.
5) Sonotheque, Chicago - giving the appearance of a small, upscale club/lounge, this gem features a wall-length bar and chromed couches. Despite how that sounds, the feel is very casual, AND you can get a Heineken for $3.50. Where else in Chicago are you going to find that? Sonotheque specializes in ever-changing nights of eclectic music, mostly hip-hop and electronic-based. We saw Diplo with A-Trak tag-teaming on the decks, standing about 10 feet from them. If I lived in Chi, I'd be there weekly.
6) Satellite Sports Cafe, Amsterdam - Located in the very active nightlife area known as the Leidseplein, the SSC holds down one corner of "Pancake Square." This is Mokum's version of a sports bar, and do they ever get it right. With TVs visible from nearly every square inch (and every square inch gets filled!), games ranging from the FA Cup to the Fiesta Bowl, outdoor seating (with huge heaters in the winter), and pretty waitstaff who apparently got dressed to go clubbing before heading to work, this is THE place to catch a game or simply grab a quick bite before visiting everything else within walking distance. And since it's open 24 hours, it's also a great place to have one last drink (or just coffee, depending on the staff!) before calling it a night.
7) Vision, Chicago - My taste for electronic music is disproportionate to my enjoyment of spending late nights in loud, thumping clubs, but I do occasionally like to see some of my favorite acts live, and this is Chicago's answer. A massive club that is actually 3 in 1, this darkly lit and very loud hotspot completely immerses your senses. If you enjoy the clubbing experience, you'd have to hit Ibiza to find a place to rival Vision.
8) Rasta Baby, Amsterdam - there is simply nothing else like it around here. One of the rare coffeeshops that also sells liquor (a rarity in A'dam, and perhaps no longer legal if some rumors are to be believed), as the name implies this is a reggae joint. Upon entering through the solarium, you find yourself immersed in the iry riddims and foggy scents that cloud this small establishment. I also tried genever here for the first time; a local liquor that tastes like whiskey/tequila with a bite. Yum! They offer fine "products" and have a very friendly staff. But careful, this is one place where it's easy to spend several hours before you even realize it!
9) The Doors Coffeeshop, Amsterdam - half bar/half coffeeshop, this is my favorite hangout in the 'Dam. The bar itself is small, but the room is spacious and the staff is very friendly. A huge variety of products, cold Heineken, and an ever-changing selection of music fills this local establishment and gives it a cozy feel. Helpful tip: DO NOT sit in the seat at the far end of the bar by the wall!
10) Chumley's, NYC - if you don't know how to get to it, you're never going to find it! But we had a great tour guide when we visited NYC a few years back (Thanks, Gurnsey!), and she took us to this historical icon. It's a cozy former speakeasy, evoking a far different era. The walls are adorned with famous writers who once shared the small wooden tables, as well as with modern-day reminders of the local heroes of 9/11. Off the beaten path, but worth an afternoon's or evening's visit to sit back and pretend you're Kerouac.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
She Said- Barack My World
The time to pick our parties #1 draft pick is quickly approaching and I'm not up on my stats! I mean, I've read the platforms of the major candidates and know who I absolutely do not support. (That means you, Fred Thompson, and your intolerant beliefs.) But most everyone(despite efforts otherwise) blends into a haze of qualified, talented, non-threatening options with very few distinctive differences to me.
Except for Barack Obama. He may not have the longest track record, he may be a bit of an untested talent, but he's definitely got the heart for the game which goes acres past a long way with me. Maybe he can't pull off a win in '08 when we sit dumbfounded and at war with a desperate need for the proven leadership we've been missing. But Barack Obama's positive yet persistant approach to the nation's problems leaves me inspired and hopeful that fresh ideas are on the horizon. And before you roll your skeptical eyes and call me naive, check out his plan for Iraq as presented to the Senate's bipartisan Iraq Study Group or his idea to reduce the influence of lobbyists over legislation. This is the way I want my President to think.
But no matter who gets the bid, a successful administration needs more than a good leader, it needs a good team. I find Obama inspiring and he's just the kind of boss I would want, but does he inspire his peers? Can he recruit the best players? I don't know. Don Coryell, ex-San Diego Chargers Coach said, "The country is full of good coaches. What it takes to win is a bunch of interested players." I couldn't agree more and that leaves me wishing we could test drive each candidate for awhile...see their cabinet choices...see how they get along with a Congress...see how they are received internationally. Say...is there a Fantasy Government League?
Except for Barack Obama. He may not have the longest track record, he may be a bit of an untested talent, but he's definitely got the heart for the game which goes acres past a long way with me. Maybe he can't pull off a win in '08 when we sit dumbfounded and at war with a desperate need for the proven leadership we've been missing. But Barack Obama's positive yet persistant approach to the nation's problems leaves me inspired and hopeful that fresh ideas are on the horizon. And before you roll your skeptical eyes and call me naive, check out his plan for Iraq as presented to the Senate's bipartisan Iraq Study Group or his idea to reduce the influence of lobbyists over legislation. This is the way I want my President to think.
But no matter who gets the bid, a successful administration needs more than a good leader, it needs a good team. I find Obama inspiring and he's just the kind of boss I would want, but does he inspire his peers? Can he recruit the best players? I don't know. Don Coryell, ex-San Diego Chargers Coach said, "The country is full of good coaches. What it takes to win is a bunch of interested players." I couldn't agree more and that leaves me wishing we could test drive each candidate for awhile...see their cabinet choices...see how they get along with a Congress...see how they are received internationally. Say...is there a Fantasy Government League?
Thursday, January 17, 2008
He Said: Which is worse, continuing the status quo or doing nothing?
So we are inching closer to finding out who will be our candidates for November, and I find myself as uninspired by our choices as I've ever been. On the Republican side we are provided with many big names, but very little that's new.
Rudy Giuliani, once a media darling and forever linked with his heroics after 9/11, has made it clear he really has nothing new to offer us as he intends to simply continue our war efforts in Iraq and elsewhere. He is somewhat refreshing as a Republican since he confounds his own party and the religious base that was so crucial for Dubya by being an adulterer, sometimes cross-dresser, and has previously been pro-choice.
Fred Thompson, another candidate thought to have some real power and support, has looked lethargic and disinterested during most of the debates. Fred does have lymphoma, which he says is not affecting him much, but he does not look healthy. He, too, intends to continue the war, as well as signalling a desire to implement even more conservative policies, most of which involve some level of intrusion or restricting of rights. Funny, I thought Republicans claimed to be for less government.
I don't know much about Mitt Romney other than he's Mormon and he used to be pro-choice. 2 things that will most likely alienate or at least breed suspicion among the religious right base.
I would have considered voting for John McCain a couple years ago, but his flip-flopping on certain issues and complete pandering to elements within the GOP base have really turned me off. Where's the McCain of the "Straight Talk Express" campaign?
I didn't know much about Mike Huckabee until earlier today, and then I found out all I needed to know to not vote for him. He said he believes the Constitution should be brought into line with "God's standards". I'm gonna let that one sit there by itself.
Finally, Ron Paul has spent more time fending off accusations of racism from things he wrote while running his own newsletter a few years back than campaigning. Ooops! Despite actually receving more support than Rudy and Fred in some primaries, he's been frozen out.
I used to be a Democrat, but I left them because I felt they were ineffective and lacked guts. A few years on, and I'm feeling I made a good decision. Barack Obama has impressed me at times, but just when I think I'm willing to throw my support behind him he goes and says something that reminds us he may not have enough experience for the job. Also, I'm not really sure what his intentions are. He says he intends to bring the troops home, but that's an awfully (overly?)simple response to a very complex situation. But, he's a nice guy. So was Carter.
Ah, Hillary. Or AAAAAAAAAHHHHH HILLARY!!!!!!!, depending on how much she scares you. She's got experience alright! Unfortunately, it's the Rovian mudslinging kind. I think she likes the dirty side of politics, which comes as no surprise given who she (occasionally) shares her bed with. She has flip-flopped as well, and not in the "I gave it considerable thought and changed my mind" sort, but rather the "Oh, I'm speaking to the VFW today, I better throw in some stuff about initially supporting the war" kind. I'd also like to break the stranglehold of family politics within the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Bush regime we've had for 20 years. She, too, says she intends to end the war. And she may understand the proper way to do this. She also may decide to use taxpayer dollars to buy herself an island. I just don't trust her.
John Edwards can't win. But I'd take a $400 haircut anyday. He'll make a good running mate, though.
So who will I vote for? Well, considering I left the Dems to become a Libertarian, perhaps I'll give them my presidential vote. But that guy has less chance of being elected than me right now, so I have a tough decision to make. I'm hoping one of the candidates says something soon that piques my interest. Until then, I'm undecided. Status quo or no quo?
So, who are you voting for? Maybe I'll wait to see who She decides on! ;)
Rudy Giuliani, once a media darling and forever linked with his heroics after 9/11, has made it clear he really has nothing new to offer us as he intends to simply continue our war efforts in Iraq and elsewhere. He is somewhat refreshing as a Republican since he confounds his own party and the religious base that was so crucial for Dubya by being an adulterer, sometimes cross-dresser, and has previously been pro-choice.
Fred Thompson, another candidate thought to have some real power and support, has looked lethargic and disinterested during most of the debates. Fred does have lymphoma, which he says is not affecting him much, but he does not look healthy. He, too, intends to continue the war, as well as signalling a desire to implement even more conservative policies, most of which involve some level of intrusion or restricting of rights. Funny, I thought Republicans claimed to be for less government.
I don't know much about Mitt Romney other than he's Mormon and he used to be pro-choice. 2 things that will most likely alienate or at least breed suspicion among the religious right base.
I would have considered voting for John McCain a couple years ago, but his flip-flopping on certain issues and complete pandering to elements within the GOP base have really turned me off. Where's the McCain of the "Straight Talk Express" campaign?
I didn't know much about Mike Huckabee until earlier today, and then I found out all I needed to know to not vote for him. He said he believes the Constitution should be brought into line with "God's standards". I'm gonna let that one sit there by itself.
Finally, Ron Paul has spent more time fending off accusations of racism from things he wrote while running his own newsletter a few years back than campaigning. Ooops! Despite actually receving more support than Rudy and Fred in some primaries, he's been frozen out.
I used to be a Democrat, but I left them because I felt they were ineffective and lacked guts. A few years on, and I'm feeling I made a good decision. Barack Obama has impressed me at times, but just when I think I'm willing to throw my support behind him he goes and says something that reminds us he may not have enough experience for the job. Also, I'm not really sure what his intentions are. He says he intends to bring the troops home, but that's an awfully (overly?)simple response to a very complex situation. But, he's a nice guy. So was Carter.
Ah, Hillary. Or AAAAAAAAAHHHHH HILLARY!!!!!!!, depending on how much she scares you. She's got experience alright! Unfortunately, it's the Rovian mudslinging kind. I think she likes the dirty side of politics, which comes as no surprise given who she (occasionally) shares her bed with. She has flip-flopped as well, and not in the "I gave it considerable thought and changed my mind" sort, but rather the "Oh, I'm speaking to the VFW today, I better throw in some stuff about initially supporting the war" kind. I'd also like to break the stranglehold of family politics within the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Bush regime we've had for 20 years. She, too, says she intends to end the war. And she may understand the proper way to do this. She also may decide to use taxpayer dollars to buy herself an island. I just don't trust her.
John Edwards can't win. But I'd take a $400 haircut anyday. He'll make a good running mate, though.
So who will I vote for? Well, considering I left the Dems to become a Libertarian, perhaps I'll give them my presidential vote. But that guy has less chance of being elected than me right now, so I have a tough decision to make. I'm hoping one of the candidates says something soon that piques my interest. Until then, I'm undecided. Status quo or no quo?
So, who are you voting for? Maybe I'll wait to see who She decides on! ;)
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
He Said: Colts got bounced by a team in form
The Indianapolis Colts played their last game of the season over the weekend, losing their AFC Divisional Playoff against the San Diego Chargers 28-24. The Colts had the ball with a chance to win the game in the final minutes, but San Diego continued to frustrate the Colts with their defense and aggressive secondary play. Culminating in several unsuccessful passing attempts, the Colts' injury-plagued and erratic season came to a fitting end in losing to a solid team that executed their game plan to perfection and are riding a wave of momentum. It is certainly disappointing and somewhat anti-climactic to lose with such high expectations for the defending Super Bowl champions.
Indy is a good sporting town, but we don't have the collection of rabid fans seen in some other larger cities (Detroit and NYC come to mind). So it was no surprise that at the end of the game on Sunday the fans mostly just took deep breaths, paid their tabs, and then ventured back into the cold wintery air on the northside. Perhaps the fans are confident that Peyton will rebound next season with a hopefully healthy Marvin Harrison (conspicuous by his absence on the final drives) and the other pro-bowlers and supporting characters, or perhaps they all realized - as I had - that sometimes the other team is better than you on that particular day. We don't have to like it, but it's the right way to accept such a loss. Now, let's warm up some spicy cheese dip, pop the top on a cold one, and all become Chargers fans in the hopes that they can ride their big Mo past New England next weekend!
Indy is a good sporting town, but we don't have the collection of rabid fans seen in some other larger cities (Detroit and NYC come to mind). So it was no surprise that at the end of the game on Sunday the fans mostly just took deep breaths, paid their tabs, and then ventured back into the cold wintery air on the northside. Perhaps the fans are confident that Peyton will rebound next season with a hopefully healthy Marvin Harrison (conspicuous by his absence on the final drives) and the other pro-bowlers and supporting characters, or perhaps they all realized - as I had - that sometimes the other team is better than you on that particular day. We don't have to like it, but it's the right way to accept such a loss. Now, let's warm up some spicy cheese dip, pop the top on a cold one, and all become Chargers fans in the hopes that they can ride their big Mo past New England next weekend!
Welcome!
Welcome to the first post on the first day of He Said - She Said!
He Said - She Said is a fresh new take on popular culture and a variety of other topics. The format is simple. One of us (that is, He or She) will post his/her opinion on whatever pops into mind and the other will provide a response. He and She are well-matched but quirky; sometimes we will agree, sometimes we will disagree. But you can be sure that we will rarely arrive at our final destination in the same way. So join us as we take on restaurants, books, movies, politicos, celebrities, travel destinations and everything in between. Please feel free to add your comments and let us know how you receive them.
He Said - She Said is a fresh new take on popular culture and a variety of other topics. The format is simple. One of us (that is, He or She) will post his/her opinion on whatever pops into mind and the other will provide a response. He and She are well-matched but quirky; sometimes we will agree, sometimes we will disagree. But you can be sure that we will rarely arrive at our final destination in the same way. So join us as we take on restaurants, books, movies, politicos, celebrities, travel destinations and everything in between. Please feel free to add your comments and let us know how you receive them.
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