A very special 10th episode on location at the 20th annual LA Times Book Festival! In this episode, I share snippets from outdoor interviews, talk to a few festival goers and reminisce about indoor performers! First, a few snippets from Jason Segel who was promoting his new book, Nightmares, followed by Jon Cryer promoting his memoir, So That Happened. Both are hilarious, humble and great to listen to! Then we head to the cooking stage with Aarti (Paarti) Sequiera and to the popular food truck pavilion! Finally, I chat with a few festival goers, talk about Patton Oswalt and the HILARIOUS Upright Citizen’s Brigade reading of the 1996 film, Swingers. Something for everyone at the book fest!  

Links!
Nightmares! by Jason Segel http://www.amazon.com/Nightmares-Jason-Segel/dp/0385744250
So That Happened: A Memoir by Jon Cryer http://www.amazon.com/So-That-Happened-A-Memoir/dp/0451472357
Aarti Paarti by Aarti Sequiera http://www.amazon.com/Aarti-Paarti-American-Kitchen-Indian/dp/1455545414
Silver Screen Fiend by Patton Oswalt http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Screen-Fiend-Learning-Addiction/dp/1451673213
David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell http://www.amazon.com/David-Goliath-Underdogs-Misfits-Battling/dp/0316204366
Upright Citizen’s Brigade https://franklin.ucbtheatre.com/ (Twitter: @ucbtla)
Jogasaki Sushi Burrito @jogasakiburrito
India Jones Chow Truck @indiajonesct

In 2009, my roommate and I made the short trip from Calgary to one of Canada’s most popular tourist destinations, Banff, Alberta. In this episode I chat about how Banff and Banff National Park were formed, what to do there as a tourist depending on the time of year you visit. In our April visit, we started off with the Sulphur Mountain Gondola, took a quick dip in the Banff Upper Hot Springs (in rented retro swimsuits, no less!), walked around Banff Ave and then embarked on a bus tour that took us via Bow Lake and Num ti-Jah Lodge to Lake Louise. Both lakes were still frozen over so we got to walk on them! We also got to see some famous/recognizable mountains in the Rockies which I briefly list, so you can look out for them too!

 

Places mentioned:
Banff National Park http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/index.aspx
Sunshine Village http://www.skibanff.com/
Ski Norquay http://winter.banffnorquay.com/
Lake Louise Ski Resort https://www.skilouise.com/
Sulphur Mountain Gondola http://www.brewster.ca/rocky-mountains/destinations/banff/activities/banff-gondola/
Banff Upper Hot Springs http://www.hotsprings.ca/
Num Ti Jah Lodge http://sntj.ca/
Lake Louise http://www.banfflakelouise.com/
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise http://www.fairmont.com/lake-louise/
Mountains: Mount Rundle, Cascade Mountain, Castle Mountain, Mount Temple, Mount Yamnuska, Three Sisters

This episode is all about popular Canadian restaurant chains. I chat about the origins of Chez Cora (or Cora’s Breakfast), about their delicious veggie skillet and how Cora is an awesome entrepreneur. Then on to gourmet burgers at The Works and their Hipster Burger and famous Tower O’ Rings! More southern Ontario representation with Williams Fresh Café, where my family loves this particular panini so much that we taught ourselves how to make it. Then I get distracted while talking about the Rotisserie Channel (which it turns out IS sponsored by Swiss Chalet). Finally, I round off the show by praising the Hell’s Kitchen Chicken at East Side Marios (Hey budda boom budda bing!)

A note: I wonder in the episode why I connect The Rotisserie Channel to Swiss Chalet - it's actually run by Swiss Chalet! Here's a short Youtube video to show you guys that I wasn't exaggerating about this channel *just* showing chicken: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BinM0GtR_sY

Restaurant Chains: 

Chez Cora (Cora's Breakfast and Lunch) http://www.chezcora.com/home
The Works: Gourmet Burger Bistro https://www.worksburger.com/
Williams Fresh Cafe http://williamsfreshcafe.com/
Swiss Chalet https://www.swisschalet.com/
East Side Mario's http://www.eastsidemarios.com/

This episode features a special guest host, Kiera, currently a writer in LA. Having lived in Memphis, Tennessee for several years, she advises visitors on what to see and where to eat. She has a wealth of knowledge about Memphis and we get into varied discussions including Elvis and what you actually see at Graceland, touring Sun Studios downtown, how bars are connected by tunnels built during the Prohibition era, the Gibson guitar factory and the delicious menu items at a restaurant called the ‘Kooky Canuck’ (and their burger challenge).

Correction! In the episode Kiera mentions a 6 lb burger challenge at the Kooky Canuck. It is actually a 4 lb burger challenge, fries optional, 1 hour limit. Best time 4 min 43 s! (Thanks to @kookycanuck)


Links to places mentioned:
Graceland http://www.graceland.com/
Sun Studio https://www.sunstudio.com/
Rendezvous http://www.hogsfly.com/TheRestaurant.php
The Peabody Hotel http://www.peabodymemphis.com/
Beale Street http://www.bealestreet.com/
A. Schwab http://a-schwab.com/
Autozone Park/Memphis Redbirds www.memphisredbirds.com
Kooky Canuck http://www.kookycanuck.com/
Gibson Guitar Factory http://www2.gibson.com/Gibson/Gibson-Tours.aspx
Mud Island http://www.mudisland.com/
Pink Palace Museum http://www.memphismuseums.org/
Memphis in May http://www.memphisinmay.org/
Beale Street Music Festival http://www.memphisinmay.org/beale-street-music-festival

Other notable locations:
Orpheum Theatre http://www.orpheum-memphis.com/
National Civil Rights Museum http://civilrightsmuseum.org/
Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum http://www.memphisrocknsoul.org/
Memphis Zoo http://www.memphiszoo.org/