Qype: Rock Bottom Cafe in Dubai

Dubai

Cool place to go hang out. There are a lot of ex-pats that go here, sometimes the music is a little too loud. There are a lot of people who work for Emirates airline that go here, because they get a steep discount on drinks. If you can, find one and make friends so that you can save a little bit of money, because Dubai can get pricey.

Because of UAE law, the bar is connected to a hotel. Not sure of the hotel prices, but I heard that it was nice enough. People who have layovers for Emirates get shipped here a lot, hence the discounts for Emirates employees. There is even a shawarma in the club, near the front entrance, in case you need to sober up a bit. Taxis run quite regularly through the area, but at 3 a.m., you could have a wait.
Check out my review of Rock Bottom Cafe - I am tinmaninc - on Qype

Qype: Mexico in Stavanger

Stavanger

The "Mexican" food is not quite what it is here in Texas, but the location is superb. Right on the waterfront, with a large patio area in front overlooking the water and people walking around the harbor.

Definitely a good place to go in Stavanger, but beer is pricey for us American folk. Roughly $12 per tall plastic cup of beer.

But, for a couple of days, it won't break the bank too bad.
Check out my review of Mexico - I am tinmaninc - on Qype

Qype: 15C Club in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs

This place is pretty cool if you don't mind smoke. 15C is one of the very few places in Colorado Springs where smoking is still permitted. Their specialties are martinis and cigars, but you can get almost anything else as well. The place is pretty small, with one section that does not allow smoking, but nothing to prevent the smoke from drifting in. There are a few flatscreens, but this place is mostly for chatting and drinking a before or after dinner cocktail. The music is usually pretty subdued, with rleaxed mellow music, Portishead being one of the bands that is played kind of regular over the sound system. As the place fills up, usually they dim the lights and work off of candles at the tables.

Overall, the bartenders and waitstaff, although few in number, are pretty quick about making sure you are taken care of. Most of the people who stop in work in the downtown office buildings, so mostly business attire, but the patrons vary. tattoo artists from the shop next door stop in quite often, after 7:00 p.m, and occasionally Olympic athletes, as the Olympic training center is based in Colorado Springs. My favorite night involved some of the women's Olympic volleyball team, and plenty of libations.
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Qype: Tablao Cordobes in Barcelona

Barcelona

Freakin' awesome! I went with a friend, who kind of made me go, and am I ever so glad that she did. The dinner, which is buffet style, is not much to speak of, but it is traditional Catalan food. The show however, was spectacular. When the men and women sing,and dance, it is nothing short of enthralling. I will definitely go back, if I get the chance.

You have the option of paying for the meal and the show, or just the show and a drink. I would probably just go for the show and drinks the next time round. But, definitely make reservations beforehand, as the shows will book out, especially in tourist season. We made reservations approximately 8 hours ahead of the early dinner and show, roughly 7:30 P.M. and got seats on the second row from the stage. The stage is small, but the intimacy of the room is really worth it.
Check out my review of Tablao Cordobes - I am tinmaninc - on Qype

Qype: Hotel Del Rey in San Jose

San Jose

This is a decent enough hotel in San Jose, but nothing too spectacular. Good thing is, this place is set up mostly for staying out of the hotel and your room, so you won't be disappointed. The food is excellent, there are plenty of things to do, since there are like 5 bars and a casino on the bottom floor. A travel agency is set up in the hotel, so there are plenty of excursion trips that you can plan with a dependable company. There are volcano trips, rainforest trips, fishing trips,etc. The hotel mostly caters to men coming down for weekend getaways of deepsea fishing and enjoying the "hospitality" of the ladies who patron the bars at all hours of the day. Definitely not a place for kids or married couples.

When I was there in late October, it was the start of the rainy season, so the room with the balcony that I rented was kind of a waste. But, you can kick back at your own pace there and enjoy an afternoon cocktail while spending money at the casino if that's your thing, without ever leaving the hotel.
Check out my review of Hotel Del Rey - I am tinmaninc - on Qype

Qype: Bijou Tattoo in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs

This is a really cool tattoo shop in downtown Colorado Springs, one of the best in the city. The artists have some really great portfolios and the owner, Tony, is always a blast to talk to. The shop is newly renovated ans super clean, which is definitely a plus for a tattoo shop. The hours are kind of short, but you are guaranteed to have a good experience. And, they always have some good tuneage on, mostly hair metal rock if Tony is working.
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Qype: Falling Rock Tap House in Denver

Denver

If you love beer, and let's face it, you should, then this place is like Valhalla. They have a huge number of beers on tap, and by the bottle. They have a downstairs with darts and a couple of kind of ragged-looking pool tables, and a few video games as well. Upstairs, in addition to sitting at the bar or in booths nearby, they also have a kind of lounge area with cushy chairs and comfortable couches next to a fireplace that comes in handy during the winter time (4 degrees F when I was there). The staff are nice, and are usually pretty good at recommending a brand of beer to you that you might like. I caught a hard time from friends for ordering a hard cider, but hey, that's what I wanted. I also recommend an Alaska Pale Ale that they serve.

The front door is a little bit off of the front of Blake street, but it is fairly easy to find. I definitely recommend it.
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Qype: Howl At The Moon in Houston

Houston

This place is a chain, but I went for New Year's 2009 and had a pretty great time. The set-up is that it is a dueling piano bar, with lot's of space and pretty stiff drinks. Crowd participation is not only encouraged, but demanded by the piano players/singers. You can request songs to be played, and definitely have a good time. I'm not one to normally sing in public, but with enough drinks and the raucous atmosphere, it's hard not to lose your voice by the end of the night. A little too much 80's music for me, but the mob rules.
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New book to check out.

So, I finished a new book last night titled Midnight Picnic, by Nick Antosca. I read Nick's first novel, Fires, and enjoyed it as well.

I tend to compare books that I read to images that I have seen, at least images that I have enjoyed. While reading Midnight Picnic, there were a few images that popped in my head.

1. "Only You" video, from Portishead and Christopher Cunningham.
Something about the dark, underwater comparisons that really fits.

2. The Wastelands, from The Dark Tower Series, by Stephen King.
The train...just like a child.

3. Dark City, a movie by Alex Proyas
Once again, the darkness that was always on the edge, lurking and unexplainable.

For more info about Midnight Picnic, or Fires, or anything else Nick has written, go to www.borthercyst.blogspot.com