NJ Day 5 - Pinball and Pizza: A day in Asbury Park
I spent the day today in Asbury Park, where the Boss got his start. I don't know if Bruce started the trend of great rock bands coming from NJ, but he certainly influenced everyone after him. My favorite non- E Street Jersey bands are Titus Andronicus, the Gaslight Anthem, and Sammy Kay. Please note a lack of Bon Jovi.
I really loved Asbury Park. It's nice to see a beach town that hasn't been completely bouged up. There's definitely some overpriced hipstery places, but also lots of fun stuff you can do on a budget. I walked the boardwalk, and I went to an antique pinball museum and got instantly addicted to pinball. You just pay a flat rate that exponentially becomes more reasonable ($10 for a half hour, $12.50 for a full hour, and $15 for half a day) instead of having to pay for each game. The games ran the gamut of styles and themes ranging from sci-fi and fantay to weird pop culture tie ins, and they all featured really cool art designs and fun gimmicks. My favorite was the Elvira themed game because it had the most sense of humor about it, with apparently so much innuendo in the programmed sayings that they had to make censored version for more family friendly places (they had fun facts like that for all the machines). The goal of the game (I didn't realize how much of pinball was goal oriented as well as score oriented) was to complete six spooky stories by activating very specific levers and switches at the right times. I got up to four of them in the half hour I was there, but then I had to go.
For lunch I went to Porta, a hip bar that supposedly also had the best pizza in the city. I got the Captain Ahab a calzone with prosciutto and a combination of different housemade cheeses and marinara sauce. It was absolutely massive and one of my favorite things I've ever eaten. It just really hit a sweet spot for me, and I also got a local beer from Asbury Park brewing which complimented the meal nicely. It was a bit on the expensive side, but if split between two people (or two meals like I did) it makes a lot more sense.
From Porta I went to the Museum of the Paranormal which was unfortunately closed, possibly because they were setting up for something special for Halloween from the looks of it. But trying to go there was a nice excuse to see some of the downtown area, outside of the boardwalk while also working off my half a calzone. I got some good coffee from America's Cup, and checked out a fun antique store.
After that, I went back for round two at pinball, because I couldn't shake the feeling that I could complete the Elvira game if really put my mind to it because that is the American Dream. I never really planned on doing hard drugs anyway, but I will say the speed with which I became addicted addicted to pinball definitely let me know that I should never try. I did think it was nice that they didn't charge for two half hours but just tacked on the discounted rate for the full hour. I ended up beating five of the six, but I just couldn't get the stiff in the coffin. Alas
When my second half hour was finished I got my second coffee of the day from Booskerdoo Coffee. I found it to be more inviting and better tasting than America's Cup but also a little more out of the way so I guess that's the trade off. I ended up chatting with older guy who used to be a clown for aquarium shows which was really interesting.
Fully energized, I drove to Jersey City to see my friend, Jack. We caught up for a bit, and went to get some pizza and lo and behold there was another Porta in JC. I was excited to share the place with Jack without having to drive to Asbury park, while also getting a chance to try a more traditional pizza. I got some mushroom and garlic swag which was verry tasty, and Jack got a meatball pizza which received high marks as well.
After dinner we walked around and got a good view of the NY and NJ skylines. Then we took a ferry to look at the 9/11 memorial and the new building. The new builldng is cool, but the tribute to the fallen tower is a big man-made waterfall and simply beautiful.
When we got back to Jack's Place, we watched the newest episodes of Nathan For You, which is possibly my favorite show on television. We also watched Life During Wartime, Todd Solontz's sequel to Happiness. Happiness is a dark, twisted masterpiece, but the sequel is noticeably slighter and less subtle. Still a great cast with some real funny dialog, but not my favorite in the world. Probably the second best movie named after a Talking Heads song
Favorite Random Sightings: Gentleman's Club: Couple's Welcome; Caution: Working Border Collies (I have no clue what this means); Chat and Nibble; Food Lube (olive oil store)
Regional Observation: I don't think this is unique to Jersey, but people really keep going wild late on Friday Nights
Albums Listened To: Don't Lose This by Pops Staples; Don't Tell a Soul by the Replacements; Donuts by J Dilla
People's Favorite Jokes:
My friend went to the doctor and said "Doc, I can't feel my legs". The doctor replied, "Of course you can't. I amputated both of your arms"
I went to the doctor and said, "Every timeI drink coffee, my eye hurts". He said, "Try taking out the spoon first"
I was with my friend Carol and her husband came by with a dozen roses. "Ugh you know what this means, right?" I said, "What?" "I'm gonna be on my back all night with my legs in the air." So I turned to her and said, "Don't you have a vase?"
Song of the day:
