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Animated Meat

Junk Drawer of the Universe
  • Travel
  • Creations
  • Before the Now
  • About
  • Contact

As some of you may remember, Animated Meat first came to life in 2008 as a way to document some sights that managed to slip through the cracks of most popular travel websites.  You may also remember that the original website was built on Apple's now defunct iWeb.  From there, it migrated over to WordPress where it met an untimely demise at the hands of Russian hackers.  Many of those old, pre-2012 entries have found a new home here in the Before the Now section.  I would consider these posts as my starting place as a writer, probably comparable to a musician's first demo tapes.  They are very rough, but I took them all seriously and wrote each one with passion.  While I would like to believe that I have matured in my abilities as a writer, it is my hope that I carry this same blind passion into all of my new efforts.

Former location

Bookman - Originally Published 2010

March 1, 2019

The longer I live, the more I realize that HG Wells was right about everything.  Case in point: the Eloi.  You don’t know who they are?  That’s because you don’t read.  Here’s a little background.  In “The Time Machine” there’s a group of people descended from humans.  They lack curiosity and have developed into an alliterate group.

Rows and rows of this

Face it.  That’s us in another twenty years.  Our children will have no curiosity and will be fatten and eaten by the Morlocks.  But don’t distress.  That’s still a ways off.  In the meantime, head over to Bookman in Orange and try to divert the course of history.  Bookman is a great used/new bookstore.  They have a great selection and a knowledgeable staff.  I cling to this place much like Ishmael clung to Queequeg’s coffin. 

 

In shopping, travel Tags books, bookstore, bookman, orange, orange county, california, southern california, animated meat, ed richter
The outside

Paul's Coffee Shop - Originally Published 2010

March 1, 2019

Lessons learned from the school of life:  You can tell how good a breakfast place is by the number of old folks there.  It’s true.  Say what you will about old people.  Blame them for the state of affairs in the Middle East.  Laugh at their choice in threads.  But don’t you dare knock them for their knowledge of a good breakfast place.

Counter

If you go to an eatery in the early hours and it’s filled with guys who are more concerned with the lineup at Coachella than Medicaid, get out.  It’s not worth it.

French toast

On a recent Sunday morning, Paul’s Coffee Shop was filled with seniors.  And it was also filled with really good home fries.  We played it safe and ordered the breakfast classics.  As a recommendation, get there early.  Since Paul’s was discovered by Guy Fieri, people like me have been showing up and creating a line out front.

Basic breakfast
Regulars
In travel, food Tags fountain valley, pauls coffee shop, breakfast, food, guy fieri, sos, ed richter, animated meat, orange county, california, southern california, southern
Entrance

Phoenix Club Oktoberfest - Originally Published 2010

February 28, 2019

I can’t claim to be an expert on Oktoberfests.  What I do know is that I have been to some lousy ones.  Long lines, super crowded, overpriced cups of Budweiser, and Costco sausages.  I’m glad to report to you that Animated Meat has ventured out and now knows that none of those previously mentioned items could be found at The Phoenix Club’s Oktoberfest.

The outside

While there were plenty of people here, the place is expansive enough that it doesn’t feel like you’re packed in the world’s largest freight elevator with a bunch of strangers.  We actually managed to find a table with some shade in the beer hall and settled in for a relaxed Sunday afternoon.

In the tent

The food was great and there’s plenty of variety in the beer selections.  The band did play the chicken dance, but they had a deep set list aside from.  I think I only heard it twice the whole time we were there.

Grub

Believe it or not, I would classify this as a nice place to hang with the family on a Sunday.  Great food and good beer make this a relaxed atmosphere to bring Vera, Chuck, and Dave.

Excess
In food, travel Tags anaheim, california, seasonal, southern, southern california, phoenix club, german, beer, polka, animated meat, ed richter
Sign

Tanaka Farms - Originally Published 2010

February 28, 2019

Once upon a time, Orange County produced oranges.  Actually, it produced a whole lot of other farm products, too.  In time, the family farms sold off and the suburbs were built.

This way and that

However, it seems like no one told the Tanaka family that farms were passé.  They bravely soldier on and operate a thirty-five acre farm just minutes from the University of California at Irvine.  For those that aren’t up on agriculture, the farm is seasonal and features different offerings throughout the year.

Pumpkins
Y pumpkins
Y mas pumpkins

During the fall, the farm is a great place for pumpkins.  Pumpkins of all varieties.  Big pumpkins.  Small pumpkins.  Bumpy pumpkins.  Deflated pumpkins.

In laws and scarecrow

I found out from my father-in-law that there are no pumpkins in Vietnam.

Mai and scarecrow

 The Tanakas  also offer their guests a corn maze.

Tyler young and bloody

 They also have a tractor ride and a petting zoo.  This was a really unique outing right here in Orange County.  Thanks to the Tanaka family for sticking to their guns and keeping the family farm going.

Bumpy pumpkin
In travel Tags tanaka farms, pumpkin patch, seasonal, irvine, orange county, southern, california, southern california, produce, food, ed richter, animated meat
Mai and all star mickey

Major League Baseball Fan Fest - Originally Published 2010

February 22, 2019

2010 found the MLB All Star Game touching down for a weekend in Anaheim.  Based on the proximity, we took the opportunity to see what it was all about.

Rod carew

Rod Carew received some serious respect and the fest. 

Trophy

For a team that supposedly has a curse, the Angels had plenty of hardware on display.  Hopefully, the 2010 season is an anomaly and will soon be behind them.

Vendor

There were plenty of vendors on hand to sell baseball collectibles. 

Jerseys
Honus wagner
Grays
Satchel page

There were some pieces out on tour form the Hall of Fame.  That’s a signed Honus Wagner ball.  They also had a whole section devoted to the Negro Leagues, complete with one of Satchel Paige’s jerseys.

Kid broadcaster

There were a lot of interactive opportunities.  Here was a chance to see if your kid has what it takes to be an on-air commentator. 

Video games

Video games were a popular stop.  This will probably replace the game itself in a few decades.  However, it was good to see that some of the kids who attended used the free balls to play catch in an out of the way section.

In travel Tags baseball, anaheim, convention center, major league baseball, all star game, fan fest
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