Guidespot: Guides by Blushing Whale!

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Blushing Whale!

Loved by all animals, especially whales

Neighborhood
Washington D.C.
Where I'm From
Washington D.C./Los Angeles
Occupation
Writer, Editor, Filmmaker

About Me

Ron "Blushing Whale" S. has been a journalist for more than 15 years. He enjoys writing about sports, films and especially food.

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Let's Play Music! (Music Lessons)

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 03/28/2009
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(1)

Categories:

Jobs & Education; Entertainment

Do you want to learn how to play the guitar, piano, bass or drums? Or are you already a player who just wants to get better? If so, Let's Play Music! in Falls Church, Virginia is here to help. Founder of the school Tedd is a Berklee College of Music graduate and a veteran rocker and teacher. All of the instructors at the school are super-friendly and make learning an instrument fun. Want to learn how to play a stand-up bass, a 12-string guitar or a xylophone? We've got those instruments too...

Guide to Spending Your Severance Pay

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 03/04/2009
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(8)

Category:

Humor

It's never a good time when you get laid off from your job. Unless of course you're ready to move on and want to explore the world. That is how I felt after working in a fast-paced environment for more than a decade. So I took the severance package, sold my beloved truck, moved out of Los Angeles in May and took a trip around the world. You only live once so might as well get out and enjoy your free time, right?

All About Audrey

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 08/26/2008
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(1)

Category:

Pop Culture

She was truly one of a kind. Beautiful, elegant, talented and kind. Audrey Hepburn had the most adorable smile. "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain." You can't help but fall in love with her when she delivers that line in My Fair Lady. So charming is Audrey she'll also steal your heart with a dance: She twirls, kicks and flaps her arms in Funny Face. But Audrey was much more than just a pretty face. She also served as UNICEF's Goodwill Ambassador, working to improve the quality of li...

Hail to the Peeps (Easter Candy Time)

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 08/26/2008
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(3)

Category:

Misc.

Here’s some interesting stats from the National Retail Federation: Consumers will spend $14.4 billion on Easter clothes, meals, flowers, decorations and, of course, Peeps. Those celebrating Easter will spend an average of $135.03. Of that amount, $18.12 will be spent on sweets. Blushing Whale is not a fan of Peeps. But that’s okay, he easily can spend $18.12 because there’s just so much candy to choose from. So what will you be munching on this Easter Sunday?

Bugsy's in Old Town: A Great Hockey Bar

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 06/07/2008
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(1)

Category:

Misc.

"He shoots, he scores!" The NHL playoffs is just around the corner. If you live in Northern Virginia, the spot to watch hockey is Bugsy's Sports Bar in Old Town, Alexandria. Bryan Watson, a former NHL defenseman for 17 years, is the owner of this fine bar. Hall of Famers Gordie Howe and Andy Bathgate dubbed him Bugsy because he was a pest. There are cool hockey memorabilia inside: Game-worn jerseys of Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, Bobby Orr and Joe Sakic. You'll see hockey stic...

The 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Guide

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 06/07/2008
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(3)

Category:

Misc.

Blushing Whale doesn't get anything done from April to June. That's because it's playoffs time in the National Hockey League. Sixteen teams battle for Lord Stanley's Cup starting tonight, April 9. Who will hoist it in the end? The high-powered Pittsburgh Penguins led by Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby? Or will Chris Pronger and the Anaheim Ducks repeat as champs? Will commissioner Gary Bettman be booed when he presents the Cup to the champions? That is the only given. Whale covered pucks for ...

Village Pizzeria in L.A. is Oscar Worthy

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 06/07/2008
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(0)

Category:

Misc.

When the owner of Village Pizzeria moved to the West Coast from New York, he missed Brooklyn-style thin crust pizza the most. So he opened one in San Francisco. "Brooklyn flavor with California fresh" was his recipe. It was a big hit in the Bay Area. While vacationing in Los Angeles in 1996, he wandered into Larchmont Village and spotted an empty store. He couldn't find a more perfect location. Today, Village Pizzeria is one of the main attractions of Larchmont Village. Their pizza is incred...

Huston's: Good + Cheap BBQ in Hollywood

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 06/07/2008
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(2)

Category:

Misc.

There are many things to like about Huston's Pit BBQ on the bustling street of Cahuenga in Hollywood. The prices are cheap. The food is good. You can actually park here for free. What? Free parking in Hollywood? Don't be intimidated when you see the valet staff at night. Tell them you're eating at Huston's and they won't charge you. Usually the portions in the sandwiches are generous. Whale can make a second sandwich from portions that fall into the container. Luis, the owner of this shack fo...

Step Up to The Counter in Santa Monica

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 06/07/2008
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(0)

Category:

Misc.

Whale introduced his friends to The Counter Burger in Santa Monica and many of them have become regulars of this fine burger joint. If Whale could pick one establishment on the west side and move it to Los Feliz, the Counter would be his No. 1 draft pick. It's a unique place. You go up to the counter, grab a clipboard, fill out the form and build your burger. Their awesome website boasts that you can create more than 312,120 burger combinations. If you're on a diet, you can skip the bun and o...

Spaceland: Quintessential Silverlake

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 06/07/2008
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(0)

Category:

Misc.

Spaceland is one of the clubs in Silverlake that makes Silverlake cool. This is the club that first brought bands such as The Shins, Arctic Monkeys, Snow Patrol, Jet, The Decemberists and many others to LA. If you've never been to Spaceland drop by Monday night for their free shows. Silversun Pickups, Sea Wolf, Rilo Kiley and The Little Ones have played there for free. Wednesday night has a UK flavor thanks to Indie 103 Club NME Night. NME is short for New Musical Express which is a pop music...

Rocky's: Wow, What a Burger

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 06/07/2008
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(1)

Category:

Misc.

The burgers at Rocky's Crown Pub in Crown Point, San Diego ranks up there with the best in the world. Their burgers are mouth-watering. If you live in San Diego you already know this. When Blushing Whale lived in San Diego for a couple years he asked the natives where to go to get an awesome burger. They all said the same thing: "Go to Rocky's. It's damn good." Whale said the same thing after devouring one of their burgers. Get them with a basket of fries, it's the perfect combo. Rocky's isn'...

ArcLight Cinemas (Hollywood)

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 06/07/2008
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(1)

Category:

Misc.

This is the best movie theatre in the whole country. The movie screens and the sound are picture perfect. Watching a flick inside the massive Dome is awesome. The popcorn is yummy. You can buy your ticket early and show up one minute before the show starts thanks to reserved seating. What else could you ask for? Oh, there's also a restaurant and gift shop. The food is really good. Try the fries, they're very addictive.

Yang Chow, home of Slippery Shrimp

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 06/07/2008
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(1)

Category:

Misc.

If you're touring guests around Los Angeles, Yang Chow is one attraction that you shouldn't miss. If Arnold Schwarzenegger, Pete Carroll, Yao Ming, as well as the Dodgers and Lakers think it's great, then it must be really good. Yang Chow, which opened in 1977, is the home of the famous Slippery Shrimp. This is a must-order dish. Other entrees that you should try: The String Beans with Minced Pork, the House Special Chicken and the Pan Fried Noodles are a winner. Whale has eaten here more tha...

Tangier Restaurant in Los Feliz

By Blushing Whale!
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Updated 06/07/2008
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(2)

Category:

Misc.

Tangier is known to feature some of the top local bands in Los Angeles. The Bird and the Bee made their debut in this Los Feliz hot spot. Other locals such as Charlie Wadhams, Benji Hughes, Eleni Mandell and Mike Andrews also have been regulars. Tangier has a restaurant section and a bar for those who want to drop by for a drink. The dining area is very elegant. Whale still hasn't dined there, he comes mainly for the music. The lounge isn't that big, which is good because you get a more intim...