ShakesBear

This is the routine with me mum EVERY Sunday morning. Up early, head over to Peet’s (which I kid you not is across the parking lot from Starbuck’s), then head over to Trader Joe’s for the weeks food.

“What is the good of your stars and trees, your sunrise and the wind, if they do not enter into our daily lives?” -
E. M. Forster

Here’s a test of my new camera. Since we have this odd thing of Daylight Savings Time I figured I would take advantage of it.

So it turned out to be a not so sunny sunrise. It’s still pretty. Trust there will be a V2 of this a little later.

I’m not good at reviews. I don’t taste the nuances and subtle flavors. I don’t smell the hint of paprika. I just eat the food and I like it or I don’t. Sorry, this is not your typical review, but I will give you my opinion.

The Taco Bell Doritos Nachos Taco ($1,29) is your classic hard shell taco with the exception that your taco shell is a Nachos flavored Doritos chip! (read that last part in Aziz Ansari’s screaming voice)

I actually went with the Supreme witch adds sour cream and tomatoes for an additional 40 cents ($1.69). I think this was a mistake. While I like the Doritos Nachos Taco Supreme, I think I would have enjoyed it in all its greasy glory without the added freshness that comes with the Supreme.

You really can’t complain about eating a taco that is made from Doritos, and in full disclosure, I love Taco Bell. What I’m really waiting for is the Doritos Nachos Nachos! Come on TB, ring our bell with that one. After this whole Doritos kick (there are several more items in the pipeline), I think they should team up with either Fritos or Cheetos. Image a Taco Bell Frito Pie (from Taco Bell! Again Aziz), or a Flammin’ Cheeto’s Burrito! (yes I know they’ve had Fritos in the burritos )

All in all, the Doritos Nachos Taco is good. Is it going to be around forever? I don’t think so, but it will stick around for a long time. Until the next crazy awesome thing comes our way from Taco Bell. (Man I wish I could visit their test kitchens…you listening Mr. Bell?)

My boy Ryan has already done some next level shit!

Seeing that’s it is National Cereal Day I thought I’d eat some cereal, but not just any cereal, that’s been done.

Have you ever wanted to sort all the marshmallows from Lucky Charms cereal? So have I. I’ve also wanted to eat an entire massive bowl of cereal marshmallows. Here is my try at it. I was able to gulp it all down in nearly 4 1/2 minutes.

There have been a number of “centers of the World” throughout the ages, and seemingly they have been moving further and further west. In the beginning there was Mesopotamia and the Hittite Empire. From there the Romans took control for over 500 years, where they ruled and terrorized the civilized World (if civilized is wearing togas and sandals).

Following that were the Ottoman & Byzantine empires. This can be debated endlessly, but from there the epicenter was arguably United Kingdom, where the Industrial Revolution eventually took place changed the world as we know it.

The powers continued to move west where the United States of America were founded. The east coast of the USA is home to the capital, Washington D.C. and to Philadelphia where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Recently, in the last 2 decades or so, there has been a very high honor placed on celebrity. Whether or not you agree with the amount of awe and respect placed on actors, actresses, singers and such, is up to you. It’s hard to deny the coverage they get and the treatment they receive nearly as royalty. They mostly hold court in Hollywood, California. Pretty far west.

It’s undeniable that the centers of the world continue to move west. Maybe it is only a matter of time before it hits Hawaii. I’m just trying to beat the crowd.

Disclaimer: I’m no history major and these facts could be WAY off…this is just what I recollect.

P.S. This car is reason enough to move to Maui! 1965 Mustang Fastback GT 350 Tribute. Think I should get her?

Yes, you heard me. This is pretty much my life (sans the cereal and dog). If you ever wanted a look into my life, this is it. I’m going to be moving and I need to sell EVERYTHING!

Aside from my dog, my computer and my clothes, this is it. Don’t make fun of the weird collection, it is what it is.

If there is some kind soul out there, some amazing person who would like to buy everything, not only will you have a spectacular toy collection but you will have made my dreams come true. I need to sell all of this before I move. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area (for now) and shipping would be impossible.

If you want to buy something send me an email at bear@shakesbear.com

If any angel is out there you would make my life! $9,000 takes EVERYTHING and in my book you will be considered a Saint. Here goes:

Extremely Huge & Awesome Hot Wheels Collection – $6500

Large Simpson’s Toy Collection w/5+ ft Talking Singing Homer – $1100 

MINT Apple iPad 1 32GB Black WiFi – $340

Beautiful 65 piece Narumi Bamboo China Dining Set – $375 

Large Elephant Stuffed Animal – $14

Continue reading “I’m Selling My Life” »

I’ve mentioned before the results of the contest, but here is video of it for you all to enjoy. Thanks again to everyone who sponsored me and helped to raise over $1,000!

FebPhotoDay has come to a close. For those of you who don’t know. There is a list (an arbitrary list) with something to take and post a photo of each day. I posted quite a bit about food (for obvious reasons). Here are a few of the pictures. Click any picture to be taken to the full gallery.

This cinnamon roll is from Lulu’s Bakery & Cafe in San Antonio, TX, and it’s bigger than your head.

This cheeseburger is from Hodad’s in San Diego, CA and it truly is delicious.

This stack is from Harry’s Roadhouse in Santa Fe, NM and is fluffy and awesome.

These Fruity Pebbles are from my kitchen and are fruity and delicious:

Here is the entire list:
for February.

Cable Car City Pub & Cafe’s hot wing eating contest was last night. How’d I do? Pretty good, I got first if that’s the question. I ate a total of 101 chicken wings in the allotted 60 minutes. Really I ate about 95 in the first 25 minutes but by then I was more than double any of the other contestants.

My personal goal was 50 but I had no idea how the big the wings were. Once I saw them I immediately knew I could do more. I knew I didn’t want to eat for the entire hour if I didn’t have to. There were 9 other contestants, but I would say only 3 or so looked like they might be trouble for me. It turned out the one that gave me the most heat was just someone who was there when the the contest was about to begin and decided to join.

In no way is any of this derogatory or racist, I’m just setting the scene of the players.
Seating arrangements:
#1 Daryl – An older black gentleman from Philadelphia originally
#2 Bear – A skinny white boy that need more meat on his bones
#3 Richard – A korean 30-something that lived in the East Bay
#4 Falsto – A seemingly gay, small, funny Mexican dude
#5 Name Unknown – A tall black lady who was a roller derby player
#6 Name Unknown – An older black man who didn’t really want to be part of it
#7 Name Unknown – A friendly 28ish Mexican dude
#8 Angel – The guy who decided to join last minute
#9 Unknown
#10 Name Unknown – A 6’5″ athletic 20-something white dude (backwards cap and all)

The kitchen had 200 wings prepared for each eater, if needed. The format was as follows, each eater was given a bucket with 25 wings. When you were finished with that you signaled for a refill of 10 wings. Each time you were finished you got another 10. Each eater was supplied with 4 large bottles of water. No eater was allowed to use the restroom without being disqualified. If you had a reversal of fortune you were obviously disqualified.

My goal was to be the first to finish the first 25 wing bucket. I knew if I could intimidate the others it would be easier for me. Time started and I tore though the first 25. I think I raised my hand for the next 10 within three minutes. I believe I was on to my 45th by the time the first of the others called for an additional 10. I just kept going full speed. I was pretty much 100% focused for the first 20 minutes. Within that time Seat 4, Falsto, had a reversal of fortune, twice, on the table and ground, and eventually the bathroom. Seat 1, Daryl gave up after 40 or so. Seat 5 gave up, probably about 40 or so too.

There were really only 4 of us at that point, myself, Richard next to me, Angel and the 6’5″ white dude all the way at the end. This is when I checked the count. I was at 95 and the others were at about 35-40. It was only 25 minutes into the contest but I knew I didn’t have to eat a single wing more to win. I had no idea I was that close to 100. I tore through the next 5 bringing me to 100 and ate 1 more to make it 101 in honor of the great California Highway.

Both Richard and Angel were neck and neck the entire 60 minutes, and hats off to them, they both continued to eat until the last minute. In the end I came out victorious by a long shot. I feel if I had competition I could have easily cleared 150 if not more. I guess we’ll find out next year when I have to defend my title.

Per my math, I ate about 9,494 calories in wings, and dessert easily took me over 10,000.

The venue, Cable Car City Pub & Cafe (owner Ken and all the staff), Jagermeister and all the other sponsors were truly incredible. They handled the entire event wonderfully. They even gave me scoops of vanilla ice cream and a delicious brownie for dessert.

The final standings were as follows (I think)
#1 Bear 101 Wings
#2 Richard 62 Wings
#3 Angel 60 Wings
#4 6’5″ White Guy 55 Wings
#5 Mexican Dude 50 Wings
#6 Daryl 40 Wings
#7 Roller Derby Chick 40 Wings
#8 Didn’t Want to be apart of it 30 Wings
#9 Unknown
#10 Falsto DQed

All of this was to raise money for the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, and that was really my incentive. I had 9 backers and I thank them all dearly. They were only expecting me to eat around 50 wings so they might have a small shock when they call to collect the money, but if all pledges are honored I will have raised the following amount thanks to all my pledgers:

Ian S. – $203
Carol W. – $202
Ryan (from GrubGrade) – $201
Penny R. – $101
Kristina L. – $101
Nicci G. – $101
Jeff R. – $50.50
Eric R. – $50.50
Marc S. – $30

Total Raised: $1,040!!!

You guys rock and made this all worth it. There was no money reward for winning this but raising over $1,000 is really more of a reward than anything. There were a few prizes and this is what I received:

Chicken Trophy with the inscription “Cable Car City Pub Superbowl of Hot Wings Champion Sponsored By Jagermeister”
Nice Jameson Whiskey light up sign.
750ml Cabo Wabo Tequila
750ml Wild Turkey American Honey Bourbon
750ml Skyy Coconut Vodka
Skyy Shakers & Mixers
Several Shirts & Hats
Really nice Hornitos Tequila DaKine Backpack
Tres Generaciones Black Polo
Jim Beam T-Shirt
A bunch of shot glasses and martini glasses
Nice Pens
Chapstick, lanyards and keychains

So we packed our bags, suits and boards and headed for the coast bright and early in the morning. In fact, we woke Mr. Sun up (you’re welcome). It was the perfect day for playing fetch on the beach and surfing. Charlie Bucket had a blast. He’ll never want to leave the house unless it’s to the beach again.

We surfed, dried off, went to Whole Foods (nearly got kicked out), but in the end got back safe and sound, and believe it or not, without losing a single personal item. Afterward we dined heavily at a fantastic Indian food restaurant, Cupertino Bakery, where I ate more than my fair share of delicious food.

So without further ado, the following video starring Marc Silber (Dad), Bear Silber (Self), Ian Silber (Brother), Lance Silber (Brother 2, not like that), Charlie Bucket Silber (Best Friend) and various strangers.