Thanks Spot. I missed the discount code so that's a biggie. We'll be staying at either the California or Fremont as that's where the junket from Hawaii goes on this combo deal. You can be sure we will be all over the Tuesday bash. Looking forward to the experience. Thanks again for the tip.
Randy

Apart from the Vegas party are there any other Vegas etc events, I've checked the Post Production conference stuff but don't see anything. As we need to finalise travel plans some early warning would really help. I'm not so much worried about what's on during NAB but any events pre or post the official NAB schedule are of great interest.
Seems we'll be having a few days in Hawaii on the way back as well (I'd forgotten that's a US domestic flight and we're getting a great deal on flights). Anyone have any recommendations on what to see in Hawaii (I'm thinking volcanos at the moment).
Bob.

Bob,
What dates will you be on Oahu? I'd love to show you and your group around. We will return on Friday after NAB. As for the sites, the Volcano is a definite site to see. It's on the big island of Hawaii. Lot's of things to see on Oahu also if you stop over here. I have a van and would be glad to do the around the island tour for you. Drop an e-mail to stewartr002 at hawaii dot rr dot com if you are interested.
Aloha,
Randy

Randy:

Lived on Oahu for 3 yrs (1989-92)....Is Rosie's Cantina still on the North Shore? I used to love that place....I've yet to find a Mexican rest that matches up to Rosie's.....

"Rosie's Cantina still on the North Shore?... I've yet to find a Mexican rest that matches up to Rosie's....."

In the U.S. I haven't tasted better Mexican food than at Eduardo's Border Grill in Westwood (West Los Angeles). People come from overseas to taste the food here, no kidding. Not expensive either. Their secrets are simple: very very high quality fresh ingredients and loving preparation. If you like meat, their steak burritos is likely to be the best you'll find absolutely anywhere. Their veggie burritos are astonishing, nobody else has come close for me.

A very nice Mexican restaurant in L.A. that is however only 90% consistent in quality is El Cholo on Western Avenue (in Koreatown nowadays, although it wasn't when they opened in 1927). Very nice ambience. I have taken really spoiled French top executives there, people who have most of their meals year-round at the top 15-20 restaurants in the world. They loved it because the food really was good, and they couldn't compare it with anything they had ever had before. Like most people, they had also never had sipping quality tequila either, a pleasant surprise.

The Tex-Mex just off PCH near Santa Monica Canyon is just OK, but they are one of only three restaurants in L.A. where I found consistently excellent Margaritas (you still have to know which tequilas to ask for, Chinaco Anejo is recommended and there are some Porfidios that are truly superb).

The only tequila I don't recommend is Cactus Jack's (you may have heard the commercial, "If you're still standin', it ain't Cactus Jacks!"). :O)

If anybody else has major recommendations for Mexican restaurants in the U.S., I'm very interested. Mexican food just makes me feel good (even without the Margaritas!). The only absolute no-no is if their guacamole has the consistency of tooth paste and originally came out of a tube. It has to be made fresh within hours.

Yep. Still there. Here's a link to their phone number in case you want to place an order ;-): http://www.visitormagazines.com/oahu/rest/rest-rosiescantina-OV.html . There's a new place in Hale'iwa now called Cholo's which is now considered the best among locals on the North Shore. A couple more places have sprung up also, one on Sand Island that I like (little hole in the wall, family run) which is getting rave reviews too. So, come on back and check'em out. Waves are crankin', sky's blue, 82 and sunny.
Aloha,
Randy

"All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go, I'm standing here, outside the door...., leavin' on a jet plane...." Hey Randy, can I sleep on your back porch? :-)
Cloudy, 21 degrees, snow coming.
Cholo's is awesome.

You got it Spot. However, I think you'd like the guest room better. You coming this way?
Randy

Hope to be. Mannie has me on a really ugly work schedule, so I'm gonna need some R&R before NAB.

We are having a users group meeting on Mar 3rd at 1900 for planning purposes. You're welcome to stay with us if Mannie is worried about expenses ;-). In fact, he's due so bring him along. I'm sure he could use the R&R also. It's still cold in Utah then so not a bad time to come visit. Let me know.
Randy

Darn it! On March 5-8, we're in New York, and on the 7th, we have the NYC Vegas Users Group Meeting at the New Yorker Hotel, and then the "Now Hear This" audio session on the 8th. Maybe the first week of April? Any other takers that wanna go to Honolulu for the Vegas users group meeting?

Easy to arrange our meeting to fit your schedule. Might even do another beach BBQ at Bellow or Barbers. Sound good?

I'm there!!!!