Universal Studio's Grinchmas!

What a Grinchy Greeting!

With one of the largest theme parks in the world just down the road, one might think that Universal Studios gets overlooked as a theme park destination.  Au contraire! This theme park/movie studio brings in thousands of visitors everyday.  And that increases significantly during their Grinchmas celebration.

The idea is based around what else? A movie.  In particular, they seemed to have glossed over the classic children's book by Dr. Seuss, and gone right for the Ron Howard version from 2000.  That being said, their celebration has all the glitz and glamour that you'd expect from a Hollywood production.

All of their usual rides are open like The Simpsons (simulated roller coaster), The Mummy (actual roller coaster), and Jurassic Park. So the holiday touches you'll find are solely wrapped up in the Grinchmas theme.  A giant picture of the Grinch greets you as you walk down the red carpeted entrance.  Fun!  From there you'll see festive trees and "Wholiday" decorations throughout the park.

Some highlights include a brand new Whoville area complete with snow. Yes, snow!  It's sectioned off in the middle of Universal and is just like a park.  Only it's filled with snow and surrounded by a beautiful Seussian Christmas tree and festive backdrop.  There are Who's walking around greeting kids young and old. And there's an actual Grinch taking pictures with families.  And Max too!

Another spot not to be missed is in the Studio Tour.  This is normally just a behind the scenes look at the Universal Studios movie lot.  But in addition to that, the tour includes a special visit to Whoville as a grande finale.  Guests are taken right up next to actual sets used in the "Grinch" film. Dancers perform a montage of numbers while dressed as Whoville residents. Cindy Lou Who is there and so is the Mayor, Max and the Grinch!  But it doesn't end there. The tram continues on to Mount Crumpit! A cave has been decorated to look like the snowy mountain top where the Grinch lives-complete with presents, flashing lights, and a closer look into the Grinch lair!  The tour guide walks the guests through the adventure before returning everyone back to the park.  This is so much fun for kids and parents!  A definite must see if you're looking to keep the "wholiday" fun going.

But my favorite part, had to be the celebrity tree lighting event. Each evening, they have several tree lighting ceremony's where a celeb will come and read from the original Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  Then the giant Whoville tree is lit up while everyone sings along to songs from the classic Grinch cartoon. There's such a feeling of nostalgia mixed with sentiment during this part, even if you're crammed in an area with thousands of other people.  Try to go to at least one of these. They have several scheduled for each evening.

Beware that during this next week, everyone and their mom is going to Universal. The day I was there, the park reached capacity and they had to turn people away.  Get there early. It took a long time to get food, or a place to sit, or go to the bathroom.  Plan for that. But otherwise, Grinchmas didn't leave me feeling Grinchy at all...but then again, my heart isn't 3 sizes too small.

The Grinchmas event goes until January 2nd.  Tickets start at $74 a day but there are other ways to save if you check out their website.

Grinchmas Universal Studios

Happy Tradventuring!
Heather

Lobsta!

I took a bite out of it before I remembered the picture. I'm still learning. :)

I recently had the opportunity to eat at The Lobsta Truck in LA.  It's a newer truck that serves..you guessed it! Lobsta!  Their speciality is Lobsta Rolls made New England style.  I was super excited as I approached the big red truck. I've never had a Lobsta Roll so I didn't really know what to expect. Some people were saying "Lobsta with butta!". Others were shouting, "Lobsta with Mayo!".  Holy crap! I love both of those! My heart was beating faster as I approached the window and shouted "Mayo!". I forgot the Lobsta. But they didn't!

This glorious sandwich was handed to me a few minutes later.  It was essentially a hot dog bun, that had been sliced and grilled.  And inside was fresh, succulent Lobsta meat with a touch of mayo.  Perfection!  And I also had the clam chowda. What? Lay off me, I was starving!  Anyway the chowda was creamy, and hearty.  It was just the right amount of clams...not too fishy.

The Lobsta Truck was really affordable for what you get. $11 will get you the Lobsta Roll, and a cup of clam chowda will run you $3.50.  A little under priced if you ask me. But no one did. So I'll reap the benefits!  You can follow the Lobsta Truck on twitter @lobstatruck or check out their website www.lobstatruck.com for truck locations and catering info.

Happy Tradventuring!
Heather

Power 106 Cali Christmas

Tradventuring with Justine!

I'm getting high just thinking about this concert.  Let me start by saying I love rap. I have ever since I was about 14. My friend Emily and I used to cruise around Tulsa in her Geo Metro (gangsta!) and blast NWA. Keep in mind we were about as lilly white as you could get. Cheerleaders by day, straight thugs by night.

So when my friend asked me to go the Power 106 Cali Christmas concert with her...I nearly peed my pants with excitement!  This was the line up: Ice Cube, Chris Brown, Pitbull, Rick Ross,  Waka Flocka, Far East Movement, New Boyz, and YG.  Special guests were Too Short, and E-40.  If none of these names sound familiar to you then you can stop reading and continue your google search for travel deals.

But if you do know these guys, then you know as a hip hop fan how excited I was to go!  I was really looking forward to seeing Ice Cube in particular...as he was a founding member of NWA (see cheerleading bit above).  My friend Justine and I got to our seats just as YG was taking the stage.   And the layer of smoke was so thick in the air, you could see it floating in the lights. People next to us were lighting up blunts and pipes like they were in they grandmama's living room! Anyway, YG is mostly known for their hit "Toot it and Boot it." Yes. It  means just what it sounds like it means.  They only sang 2 songs...one no one new..then the Toot it number.

I should point out, this is the second year in a row I've been to Cali Christmas.  And I love the way this show is produced.  The newer, lesser known artists come out first. Do a couple of their numbers, including whatever hit they have out, then in a explosion of sound, they are done. Literally, every artist is transitioned off the stage with an explosion sound effect. Or gun fire...which always makes me laugh. Nothing says rap like the sound of an AK47 assault rifle.   So YG wrapped up, and minutes later New Boyz hit the stage.  They sing the Jerk song. Nothing too memorable here.  Same with Waka Flocka. But I was really surprised with the performance of Far East Movement.

This group came out wearing techno-robot heads.  Right away you knew this wasn't a typical rap set. This group is heavily based in the new techno-dance music that's very popular right now.  They kicked it off with their song "Girls on the dance floor.".  Awesome number and really pumped up the crowd. They are mostly known for "Like a G6".  And actually, this is my least favorite of their songs.  Plus there was this random girl on stage. We couldn't figure out if she was supposed to be singing...or just there for eye candy. Either way she seemed uninterested to be there and was completely unnecessary. But they really kicked it up a notch with their song "Go Ape". Wow. Just listen to it. You will love it's dancy beats and the cursing.

Next up, Too Short and E-40.  Old school rap at it's finest.  Then, Pitbull. It's one thing to hear his music on the radio. You think, eh, this is fun, dancy music. But what's so different about him than any other dance hip hop artist?  Answer: His live performance.  He is an incredible live performer.  So much energy, and songs that get the crowd on their feet. And he was the only performer to have a live band back him up. He moved through his hits-and there are many-so quickly that it left me wanting more.  His stage presence is undeniable. Pitbull comes out in an Armani-type suit, with a sexy Latin swagger that makes you sit up and take notice.  And whether you think he's attractive or not, you will once you see him live.  By far one of the best performances of the night.

And Chris Brown. I was curious to see how the crowd would react, given his past drama with Rihanna. But they loved him!  Cheering just as loud for him as the other artist. So I guess he's forgiven, and we dance on. Speaking of dance, he was incredible! I had no idea Chris Brown was such a gifted dancer!  He put on a full show with backup dancers, themes, and my favorite...the sexy chair dance. He pulled a girl up from the audience, and did things to her in a chair that would make a stripper blush. His singing was a little warbly though. He said he was sick, and maybe that's why. But I could have just watched him dance to his back-up vocal tracks and been just as happy.

Then the man of the hour came out. Chills went down my spine as it began with Cube's signature, "Yay Yay!" To which the crowd responded, "Yay Yay!". Awesome.  Cube built up his own entrance from offstage, while the theme song from "Shaft" played.  When he made his appearance, it was like all my childhood gangsta dreams had come true!  There he was. Hardcore as I remembered. Ice Mutha Fuckin Cube! Sure he was a little older, and thicker, but damn. He could rap!  His deep, rugged, vocals sounded exactly the same as they did 20 years ago.  He played tracks from his new album "I am the West." And during his entire set...he made us say "West Side" over and over again. Just in case we didn't know what he was representin. But then he brought the house down. "It was a good day" . This song is on my ipod and I love as much now as I did when it first came out.  And to hear Ice Cube perform it live, was a moment I'll never forget.  His set was tight.  He sounded amazing. He lived up to his legend.

To recap: Found a new band I love in FEM (have already bought their album on iTunes). Pitbull makes me love live Latin dance music. And a legend lives on in Ice Cube.  The Cali Christmas producers kept this show moving by only having artist play their hits, quick set changes in between, and an awesome DJ who kept the crowd entertained during changes. The only drawback to the entire event was, at times the audio was so loud in the Gibson, that it distorted the music.  There's loud kids, then there's deafening. Eh, or maybe I'm just getting old.

I will definitely go again next year. Meantime I have to find some other way to get high.

Happy Tradventuring!
Heather