About Ryan
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From Bike World News: “I wanted a jersey that spoke to my inner drive to win, but also shows off my fun side. Working with SUGOI they quickly understood my vision, and I hope people love the jersey as much as I do!” says Peter Sagan.
At its core, the jersey is built on SUGOI’s custom RS Jersey. The bold design depicts Sagan’s “Green Machine” – a personality that cannot be contained. Lurking just below the surface of his Cannondale Pro Cycling livery, a powerful engine of fire and fury are ready to be unleashed at just the right moment in a race. His Slovakian DNA runs deep within his embedded national emblem and the eyes on his back address all those attempting to catch his wheel. (Ron Callahan, 5/5/14)
On this eve of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California, the timing is perfect– by design of course. Peter Sagan might be on your back in more ways than one, so watch out! Click here to read more about the new, eye-catching “Green Machine” Signature Jersey. My own eyes will certainly be open for it.
Tags: 2014 Amgen Tour of California, Cannondale Pro Cycling, Cannondale Pros in California, Peter Sagan, Peter Sagan custom bike jersey, Peter Sagan Green Machine jersey, Sugoi bike jersey
A comparison to the “Oil Baron’s Ball” seems an apt one. Fights or not, I’m glad to see this “Texas representative” in Washington for the occasion.
Dallas Decoder
The uniter (Allison Shelley/Getty Images)
It turns out there is something everyone in Washington can agree on: They all love Patrick Duffy.
The “Dallas” star was the toast of the town when he came to D.C. last weekend to attend the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner — a.k.a. the “nerd prom,” an annual schmooze-fest that brings together Beltway insiders and Hollywood elite to celebrate journalism. Think of it as Washington’s version of the Oil Baron’s Ball, but without the food fights.
Throughout the weekend, social media buzzed with pics of muckety-mucks posing with Duffy, including MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts, who ran into the actor at a pre-dinner shindig and tweeted, “This weekend is gonna rock when the first person I meet is ‘Bobby Ewing.’” Later, CNN reporter Elise Labott tweeted a selfie with Duffy, along with her observation that “[h]e’s still so handsome.”
Duffy also got a shout…
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MacLaine with one of my all-time favorite men! (Click for more classic photos)
To the many famous figures now exactly twice my age, add one more. The venerable Shirley MacLaine turns 80 years old today, in good company of course, alongside such recently minted female octogenarians as Florence Henderson, Joan Collins, Joan Rivers and Dianne Feinstein. Here’s a well-deserved nod to yet another double, twice 40 that is, in this case one remarkably unmatched performer with 80 ways to prove it!
Tags: famous octogenarians, famous women at 80, Shirley MacLaine, Shirley MacLaine 80th birthday
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1965 (or 1964 1/2)
Of the numerous classic American and world icons rounding the half-century mark this year— Jeopardy!, The British Invasion, 8-Tracks– one biggie stands quite worthy of its own mention: The Ford Mustang has been with us for 50 years, exactly– this week in fact. The legendary muscle coupe of decade-varying proportions debuted in New York on April 17, 1964. And now, expectedly enough, a new generation is on the way to commemorate Mustang’s anniversary model year. What looked great 50 years ago– and maintains its good looks today following a few awkward “growth periods” shall we say (watch just about any original episode of “Charlie’s Angels”)– is clearly poised to emerge yet again looking better than ever! At last, I feel young.
2015 (or should this be 2014 1/2?)
Tags: 2015 Ford Mustang, 50th anniversary Mustang, Ford Mustang, Ford Mustang at 50, Mustang turning 50
Call it a classic dish that never gets old, in an old establishment that’s never been more classic. At least this is how I think of it. And by virtue of the fact my favorite mouth-watering culinary creation– custom prepared tableside of course– famously stands the test of time on an ever-changing menu, my selection has been made well before I’ve arrived and sat down.
A raw hamburger patty this is not, yet raw it is. Ordinary it’s never been, nor boring it ever will be. In this case there are no others, as my longstanding indulgence shall remain so. The next time you’re near The Beverly Hills Hotel while feeling the distinct onset of carnivorous adventure– or even if you’re cities away and need to schedule a special trip as I did– drop into the Polo Lounge for the steak tartare. One sure palate pleaser it is, ready to satisfy any discerning red meat-based taste buds.
It’s even better, I shall go so far to say, than Paradise Cove’s scrumptious seafood burger, a uniquely robust compilation of surprisingly flavorful sea meat in the form of a soft, perfectly cooked patty. But this is another story altogether; apples and oranges if you will, though easily another sure palate pleaser of superior standing. Altogether, yet again from one part of town to another, our food bases remain well covered! You might get right on over to Malibu for a more casual early dinner after that tartare lunch has settled!
Tags: Beach Cafe seafood burger, Paradise Cove Beach Cafe, Polo Lounge, Polo Lounge steak tartare, seafood burgers, steak tartare, steak tartare presentation, The Beverly Hills Hotel food
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They’re back, kind of. I traveled to Las Vegas on the long-anticipated yet largely unplanned occasion of my 40th birthday, searching amidst the unruly masses for any remaining shreds of a bygone era. Clearly such appealing elements weren’t to be found in a typical tourist’s wardrobe, as sadly enough no one dresses anymore. In fact it’s perplexing and question-inducing when someone like yours truly actually does! But this is beside the point. (And not unique to Vegas, I know.)
“Back” to what I was saying: I found them. In case you’re looking for them too, they’re at Rio. Boldly, stylishly and in true rambunctious form, as sure as you’ll cash out too late, The Rat Pack Is Back! I imagined a Dean Martin Las Vegas dinner roast for my 40th, and thankfully I got as close as I could get. Suffice to say, this “classic” performance did not disappoint.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Tags: 40th birthday in Vegas, Dean Martin Las Vegas, dressing in Vegas, My 40th birthday, Rio Las Vegas, The Rat Pack, The Rat Pack Is Back
What was I just recently saying? Well, in the past few weeks since this further update, the visual confirmation has been steadily reconfirming itself. One example: The ELR commercial that played countless times during the Olympics– a well-cast and even better-scripted spot which I very much appreciate, by the way.
Wider, flatter, wreathless. (Photo: AP)
So be it. Cadillac has made its decision. The insignia’s wreath is dead and will soon be gone– via a slow fade into history like so much else of the original emblem. And who knows, this newest look might just grow on me yet– and that’s really a maybe. Meanwhile, I still miss those long-lost ducks.
Tags: Cadillac ELR commercial, Cadillac emblem, Cadillac emblem changes, Cadillac insignia, Cadillac loses crest
J.R. is still dead, and– unlike his brother– unfortunately always will be. The latest story arcs are just now beginning to bloom. We the audience are thus braced for what you might call more of the same, within an epic franchise that never will be quite the same, after all. Season three of the new “Dallas” is off and running.
By “more” I’m referring to yet another dose of convoluted yet shallow plots involving attractive though dim villains, complete with a brand-new one this time around to add to the long list. By “never” I raise the question most loyal fans are surely asking: Just how long will the revived series carry on without Larry Hagman?
The “Dallas” cast in 2014, sans the most famous of them all.
I said it already at the end of season two. It’s time– or least it was then following the death of Hagman, the burial of J.R., and the ultimate explanation of his demise– to say goodbye for good. However, TNT did indeed bring the show back for a third season. So of course I’m watching, thinking: “Alright. Once more, try me.”
It’s always a pleasure to see Patrick Duffy and Linda Gray in their 36-year-old characters. And with rumors of the latest in a string of classic comebacks, I’ll be ready! Still, without J.R. “Dallas” is not the same and never will be, despite the continued references to him and any unused footage we’ve yet to see.
Meanwhile, at least the new opening credits deserve honorable mention, nostalgic element they do of course convey. Otherwise I’m continuing to feel a degree of exhaustion, sort of like a party that’s gone on too long. But then, I may be surprised yet! As the Ewing’s biggest yet most realistic fan, I’d sure like to be.
Tags: Dallas Priscilla Presley, Dallas Season 3, Dallas without J.R., J.R.'s presence on Dallas, Larry Hagman, The future of Dallas
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Some Olympic blunders are horrifying, then sad in their downward aftermath. Others are horrifying, then spectacular in their upward recovery. So it is– the latter– for one American figure skater who suffered a severe wipe out on the ice, looking for a moment like he was finished for the night.
From here, his only way was up. (Photo: Reuters)
Au contraire! To the amazement of the audience– including yours truly in front of the television– he picked himself up to complete what was from then on a seemingly perfect performance, in the end trading the encouragement of onlookers for his own inspiration to us all. An indelible moment it was, and an even better comeback it became– literally from the ground up– for Team USA champion Jeremy Abbott.
Tags: figure skating Sochi, Jeremy Abbott, Jeremy Abbott figure skater, Olympic inspiration, Olympic wipeouts, Sochi games
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Past Meets Present: The 2 Series is here. (Photo: autoevolution.com)
The 2002 has returned, sort of. At least we can say a presumed successor, long-in-coming no less. The fact BMW is offering up the all-new 2 Series speaks to the past as well as the present, no doubt pleasing to all us Bavarian motor historians. Then on the other hand, it’s another similarly styled model yet, hereby completing the debatably long and crowded sequence from 1 to 7, while replacing numero uno here in the U.S. In this regard, is 2 too many? It certainly is hard to tell most BMWs apart these days, after all.
Tags: 2 Series is new 2002, BMW 1 Series replacement, BMW 2 Series, BMW 2 Series commercial, BMW 2002, BMW model line
Here’s to the first 50 years of “Beatlemania”– on this the anniversary of the so-called British invasion, the band’s debut U.S. performance– February 9, 1964 on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” Even long after the two surviving members are gone, The Beatles will no doubt live on strongly and timelessly!
Tags: The Beatles, The Beatles 50th Anniversary
American Taylor Phinney in the overall lead, flanked by not-your-usual podium girls. (Photo: AP)
As the XXII Olympic Winter Games get underway, while Jay Leno bids farewell (again) to “The Tonight Show”, a uniquely different event has been taking place this week that’s truly a first: The inaugural Tour of Dubai is underway for a whopping total of… well, four days. Sixteen professional cycling teams are braving the region’s flat, sandy terrain for a cumulative distance of 417 kilometers, not even 65 miles per day! Hmmm, I wonder is they’ll even break a sweat? Maybe best they don’t; the cycling season is young yet, after all. Next up after Saturday: The six-stage Tour of Qatar.
Meanwhile, back to Sochi and/or Jay’s next gig.
Tags: cycling in Dubai, inaugural Tour of Dubai, Jay Leno says farewell, Sochi Olympics underway, Taylor Phinney in the lead, Tour of Dubai
Three in a row, is it? True enough, this marks the third consecutive year of Super Bowl commercials that’s leaving me, on the whole anyway, unimpressed. Not since 2011 have I been altogether razzle-dazzled by a steady stream of spirited spots. Oh sure, it’s great to see Arnold Schwarzenegger having fun in a long wig, as well as brief glimpses of Erik Estrada and Mary Lou Retton when the ’80s come calling, while Hyundai’s steadily improving body styling definitely deserves another check mark, somewhere. Still, I’m fairly certain I’ll remember little if any of this annual coveted-yet-costly ad time in a day or two. As such, my top three favorite 2014 Super Bowl Commercials are as follows, for my own reference as well as yours:
3) Audi A3: “Doberhuahua”
2) Jaguar F-Type Coupe: “It’s Good to Be Bad”
1) Chrysler 200: “America’s Import”– starring Bob Dylan!
Wouldn’t you know it– my three “winners” are all car-related, again! While there will be scads of recaps, analyses and opinions flowing hither and yon in the coming days, for the final score alone I’d think there’s much more to say about this year’s one-sided game itself. Then of course there’s Joe Namath’s absolutely fabulous fur coat to save the evening– now that’s impressive!
Joe Namath throws Super Bowl XLVIII’s coin toss in style! (Photo Courtesy: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Tags: best Super Bowl commercials, Bob Dylan Super Bowl commercial, Joe Namath Super Bowl coin toss, Joe Namath's fur coat, Super Bowl 2014, top three Super Bowl ads 2014
If you go in expecting it to be absolutely ridiculous– funny in a few places yet just downright stupid in more– then you won’t be disappointed. The storyline just can’t seem to stay on track, if ever there was an intended track from the outset. Through ups and downs, along with a scattering of chuckles among just as many eye rolls, it’s quite a ride! Because I for one really like the main characters– the “team” if you will– I was excited to see them again. The many celebrity cameos are commendable, a close second to my number one reason for sitting through the entire rudderless production. A big fan of all things ’70s as I am, it’s like looking in the mirror– or wishing I was, that is! With your expectations properly calibrated as mine quickly became, you too should enjoy Anchorman 2. It’s silly, it’s tired, and most of all of course, it’s all about the fabulous wardrobe!
Tags: 70s fashion, Anchorman 2, Anchorman 2 celebrity cameos, Anchorman 2 reviews, Anchorman wardrobe, Ron Burgundy, Will Ferrell Anchorman
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“About how many kilometers did you ride last year?”, I asked him just after our photo was taken. His answer comes out to about three times my amount– that is, what equates to around 310 miles per week to my 110, roughly 1350 miles per month to my 475, and more than 16,000 miles for the year to my less than 6,000. Altogether, it looks like my own dust settles at about 35 percent of his answer to my question: “about 26 thousand kilometers.” Naturally he’s the pro and he’s getting paid; I’m not and I’m not, as reality likes to remind me. Still, it feels good to be more than a third of the way there!
A privilege and a pleasure it was to meet cycling great Peter Sagan at Cannondale’s 2014 team launch party on January 7 at the Canyon Club in Agoura, California. For as exhausted as he and his teammates surely must have been by the end of the evening, together they put on one excellent show for all of us. You won’t find them spinning through the streets of Thousand Oaks for long however, as races are fast underway. We’ll see Peter back here in no time of course, ready to defend his green jersey in the Tour of California come May. For now– one week in– let the cycling year begin, for the pros and all of us somewhere behind them!
Tags: 2014 Cannondale team launch party, Cannondale Pro Cycling, Cannondale Pros in California, Peter Sagan, Photo with Peter Sagan
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Having cycled more than 5700 miles in 2013, you’d think I were in top physical shape. Let’s just say that for as much as I love food, a smaller number on the scale is in order for early 2014. It happened last January: Patrick and I both lost TEN pounds in 30 days! Then throughout the year we put it back on and then some.
2013 brought us our seemingly well-planned move out of San Francisco to the sandy outskirts of Los Angeles, a big lifestyle change that we welcomed at the time while viewing as a relatively short-term stepping stone. As such we’re already plotting our next move into the new year, likely within Southern California– but perhaps not.
For better or worse this was our year of change, challenge and consideration. As ’13 becomes ’14 we’re braced for more of the same while welcoming our longer-term home. Along this path of course will come my much-anticipated life milestone, about which many of you will soon be hearing in advance!
Another year, done. Here’s to a prosperous, rewarding and all-around fabulous 2014 to come!
Tags: 2013, 2013 photos, 2013 Year in Review, happy new year 2014, the year in pictures
Large cooked scallops tend to cool quickly. Mindful of this culinary reality, you won’t want to devour such a decadent creation right away; rather, the robust combination of flavors and textures deserves to be steadily enjoyed throughout its inevitable temperature descent. As creamed spinach, butter croutons and “citrus foam” team up with succulent sea meat on a spacious plate, in the company of thick crispy blocks of bacon, subtle oven-dried tomatoes and delightful dabs of salmon caviar, how could you possibly go wrong?
I myself am about to go wrong if I say more, because the reciting of these stunningly compatible ingredients seems to be compromising my writing concentration, leaving me yearning for another go at this exceptional entree. As such I shan’t go on but to recommend your own selection of this curiously named “Scallop BLT” upon your visit. The title proves deceiving, as what arrives before you is anything but a sandwich!
First you need a starter course, of course. Dare I suggest the above presentation of house-cured salmon adorned with olives, hearts of palm, breaded goat cheese and sea urchin vinaigrette– creatively unveiled on a “slab” fit for any fashionable kitchen– or is this just too much for you to contemplate from such a distance? Skip to dessert shall I, to the lavender creme brulee, fireside even? You’ll certainly want to top it off with some of the strongest and most satisfying coffee I’ve tasted in recent memory.
Anyone who says fine dining is dead has not experienced Maravilla at the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. To dine here is to experience an evening of sincere yet simple elegance. The retelling of my pre-Christmas dinner reaches no quick end, as my numerous positive impressions abound– from selection, to service, to overall atmosphere, not to mention the welcoming bar to start off! Altogether, Maravilla leaves me with a glow on my face, a growl in my stomach and a tighter button on my pants. But why take my word for it? Savor it all for yourself.
Tags: fine dining, Maravilla, Maravilla at Ojai Valley Inn, Maravilla restaurant, Ojai bars, Ojai restaurants, Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, salmon appetizers, scallop entrees
From Bike World News: “I wanted a jersey that spoke to my inner drive to win, but also shows off my fun side. Working with SUGOI they quickly understood my vision, and I hope people love the jersey as much as I do!” says Peter Sagan.
Ryan R. Sanderson 