Hey, Everybody, It’s Jordan. I made it back home, it’s 11pm, I haven’t slept yet, but I am also slightly drunk, more on that in just a moment.

As many people know, mom’s dead, wait, we aren’t there yet. that’s just the reason to LEAVE the house (selling the house)

And I did claim, my “area” is this creative-end of the San Fernando Valley. Studio City, Burbank, North Hollywood, Pasadena, and Glendale.

So I decided today, Saturday, June 25th, 2026 - to become the Anthony Bourdain of Nerdy Bullshit. And use my urban exploration to just HAVE A VERY NERDY/GEEKY DAY OUT

(Yes, this is a photo of the NoHo Arts Arc - and it would be where I spent MOST of my day)

BUT FIRST COFFEE - Well, in this case, we started the day in North Hollywood. and I went to HORROR VIBES COFFEE.

I have explained this a while back, but essentially - Coffee Shop themed around spooky horror movies, but most of the time, I just see Anime, and that’s pretty cool too. Today it was Naruto.

It was very hot outside, so I decided to visit the ANIME DARK REALM and pick up my go-to - DEMONS LOVE APPLES, which is meant to be Death Note inspired, but sadly, they didn’t have a potato chip to eat it.

Instead of enjoying it inside the spooky shop, I strolled down North Hollywood, walking past a few places I would visit later in the day (Player One Arcade & Collectors Paradise) and possibly being in somebody’s gym spon-con - i walked to my SECOND destination.

The Last Bookstore - North Hollywood Edition. While there is no replacing “The OG” location, because of it’s architecture. I will be honest and say North Hollywood’s version very much “still has it” keeping it’s old abandoned sawmill, but adding in what people love about the bookstore - statues, mirrors, architecture.

You know? It kind of reminds me of “The Best Store”? Remember those? I know I am aging myself, but it was essentially like a “Service Merchandise” but you go INSIDE a store, and see and sample all the products before you order and they deliver it. And the hook of Best Stores were the design and architecture. And The Last Bookstore, gave me those vibes.

The Daily Show just turned 30 years old this year, and I never was able to find a physical copy of this book, so at $4, I felt it was a complete steal.

Anyway, The Last Bookstore, much like “barnes and noble burbank” has what I call “Jeopardy Category” selection. It’s not really Dewey Decimal, but rather almost alphabetical order by category - You have Mythology next to Film History next to Psychology next to Buddhism next to Current Leaders and a copy of the Oxford English Dictionary.

I’m pretty sure many a Jeopardy Champion have been inside this bookstore, and it’s still very beautiful.

But now it’s time to take a third trip….

To Geeky Teas and… wait it’s not open yet, shit…. It’s only 10:30. And it’s open at 11.

Well, fuck. I guess I can go to Pavilions Next Door (It’s also next to a dennys if that helps) and I was picking up some “safety items” (Sunscreen, Roll-On Corzone-10 and some juice) and as I was walking back over to Geeky Teas & Games, I realized - YAKIS IS THERE, OH MAN, I REMEMBER WHEN IT WAS 2003 AND I WENT THERE ONCE AND GOT A BOWL AND I WAS SO TIRED AND FELL ASLEEP IN MY MOMS CAR AND OH MAN….

Anyway, this is to try-and-not-get-sad because the music on the Pavillions Speakers made me cry.

I never heard Louis Tomlinson’s “Two of Us” but damn it did make me so sad.

I don’t need to go on and elaborate, do I? you get it?

Anyway, Geeky Teas & Games, might single-handedly be one of the GREATEST experiences I have ever had, and I am pretty sure, the people working there will be going “wait, why?”

I came by myself, and OBVIOUSLY, with a place where you are MEANT to bring friends and play Tabletop Games (I did see Magic, Blood Bowl and even a D&D Campaign get set-up while there) and while I did not join them. I will gladly tell you the secret to this place isn’t that it is BYOBG (although they welcome it)

THERE IS A WHOLE GAME LIBRARY FOR YOU TO PLAY FOR $8.

And, I think that is simply put - really genius. If you are unsure about a game, they have the games available to play, before you can purchase up front. They also have some board games that are more “classic” (Clue, Monopoly, Ticket to Ride) and a bunch of modern Tabletop Classics (King of Tokyo, The Oregon Trail : Card Game, etc) and man, I wish I had friends to play these games with. I would be here for HOURS.

What I also loved about this spot, which doesn’t really go unnoticed - how welcoming and inclusionary it is. So many friends in the LGBTQ+ community sometimes just feel like (some) nerdy spaces are just that “white guy only” space (and hey, I can somehow adapt, I look like Morph from X-Men)

But between the flags, and ways to add pronouns, and ways to make everybody feel welcomed, it really did make me feel like “I am with my people” and once you find that kind of space, it is hard to let go.

So, I did take a look at a few of the board games, but obviously didn’t quite play them, they have the reprinted Fireball Alley and 13 Dead End Drive, and that brought a smile to my face. while I doubt you would get something like “Mr Bucket” or “Hoppin’ Poppin’ Spaceballs” it was quite a fun time, And my heart goes out to them when the Dropout Game Changer Board Game is released.

Anyway, I made a promise to them, I would buy my first D20s at that location, and I did MORE ON THAT LATER.

I then walked to my childhood memory - THE DRIVE THRU BASKIN ROBBINS. What people don’t know (or maybe they do) is this is the best Baskin Robbins in the entire world. Why? Simply put - it’s not just the drive-thru, but their ability to also TEST MARKET different flavors and items.

What am I holding up? A POLAR PIZZA SLICE ON A STICK - Yes, not just a “polar pizza” the ice cream pizza from the 1990s, not just a “polar pizza slice” (which I almost got in the freezer) but a full blown POLAR PIZZA SLICE, ON A STICK, DIPPED IN CHOCOLATE, COVERED IN M&MS and MORE FUDGE

And while every dietician will be going “oh no” Jordan says “YUM” and it was one of the best treats I have had in a mile.

Anyway, after finishing up the treat, I was able to walk past what would be my old stomping grounds - THE OL’ G4 BUILDING!

Remember when G4 got rebooted and remember when I was a moderator, and remember when people thought I worked there? Remember when people thought I was talent? Remember when Gina Darling had a BIG OL’ MELON HEAD and remember when…

Yeah, most people didn’t remember, that’s okay though. We all came to the conclusion, if they get a third go around, I have to be the President and CEO and call the shots. I will even give Scot Rubin an hour to play Madden.

Anyway, I made it to Game Realms - Game Realms is a “Retro Game Store”, however, I think that does it a bit of a disservice. I have been to plenty “Retro Game Stores” and they come in a few varieties.

You have ones that feel like best friends wanting to just open a store to “preserve games” and try and rebuild arcade cabinets for generations (similar to grandparents with toys or cars) - This is places like The Game Exchange in Simi Valley (Shout-out to the boys over there)

You have the “HYPE BEAST” type, that feel like you entered a gaming pc, and every item featured is WAY MARKED UP because they treat a NES Copy of Balloon Fight like it’s the Pokemon Scalper Card market, and you just feel very dirty. (I am not naming names, but if you go on TikTok, you know who I am referring to)

And this doesn’t feel like either, It doesn’t feel like “I need to preserve games” nor “HYPE BEAST” - it feels like your childhood best friend who was REALLY into The Legend of Zelda or Final Fantasy (and was a nice shy kid) finally got the courage/capital to get their own video game store open. Yes, they have “retro” cartridges, from Genesis and Nintendo 64 and PlayStation 2, however, I would not say “They have everything” (nor would they want to?)

It honestly felt like you are at your best friends place, and they just have Kirby Adventure for NES playing and “hey, want to give it a try?” no sales pitch, no nothing, no need to purchase anything or pressure. Just the most laid-back, good time vibes, that you could expect slightly goes away if they do a Smash Brothers or Street Fighter tournament.

I did end up striking out - I saw some REALLY CUTE enamel pins, but there simply put wasn’t much Kirby Plush available (and no sleep kirby enamel). I did however, really love visiting this store, and will definitely return soon, because they always get new items.

I was losing track of time, I did have to visit an apartment in 20 minutes, but I had just enough time to BOOK AN UBER and go to HOUSE OF SECRETS

House of Secrets is one of those “Original” spots - it’s been there when Superman Died, it’s been there when Batmania 2 (The Dark Knight) happened, and it’s just an amazingly cozy comic book shop.

Obviously, my plan was simple - FIND NIGHTWING. Nightwing is my favorite superhero and obviously I look like Ric Grayson so it makes so much sense.

They had the newest issues, HOWEVER they did not have “THE VARIANT” (you know the one) and I was sad. However, one thing I really love about this place - THE SELECTION OF MAD MAGAZINE

Holy shit, as a lover of Mad Magazine, and again, maybe it’s the comedy/satire brain from time to time, the collection was just amazing! I honestly know, If i had an extra hour - I would probably be picking up one of the Mad Magazines and just read it or buy it.

This is not the comic book shop for mom to “kind of assume you like spider-man” and then hand you Miles Morales. Going into this store is going into the TRUE comic book convention-era comic-con. And feeling like I fit right in, was just a nice experience, and definitely one where if I am not careful, I might bump into the cool people at DC and Marvel. (or at least the execs at Warner and Disney)

Then I saw the new apartments, without doxxing myself, but LOOK, YOU ARE SMART AND CAN FIGURE OUT CONTEXT CLUES, DETECTIVE.

This place is a new complex, and they are literally “walkable” to the train station, and also “The Three AMCs” as well as that one In and Out Burger from that one “Half as Intresting” Sam Denby video essay thing.

Additionally, ammendities are more than just “lawn:” and “pool” they have a few creative buildings, for writing, for watching movies, or if you are an influencer - you can use a green screen (see photo) or if you are a podcaster and voice over - they have podcast studios AND voice over booths (MICROPHONES NOT INCLUDED)

It was absolutely NOT what I was expecting, and I have seen apartment rentals, townhouses, etc. HOA Dues maybe sometimes get you a mailbox but other than that, barely anything, so it was such a bizarre, out of left field thing, plus, I am tall, and can fit in all the doors and bathrooms.

Like I said, WALKABLE - so i actually made a side-step to Round 1 and picked up some credits and decided to play some arcade games, I did some claws but did not win Camp Rock 3….

Instead, I won a chopper plush, another chopper plush, two bags to put my chopper plushes in and…

A Rowlet, there aren’t that many owl pokemon and look, he is cute, and the leaf is like a bowtie and fuck i couldn’t say no and hes right there with Munchlax and Ditto and Jigglypuff and damn it., i just think he’s cute.

I did play a few ticket redemptions, sure, but what I mostly did was POP N MUSIC featuring SANS UNDERTALE (new halloween costume?) and obviously TAIKO DRUM MASTER (spoiler - they had 5 credits in the machine, and each credit is 3 songs, so I basically got free play for 15 songs - I did not see LINDA LINDA from Blue Hearts, but I did see Otonoke and On The Way from DanDaDan and you know, why not, its free to me, nobody was at this drum)

I was getting hungry at this point, you have to remember, all I had so far in the “food and drink” department was…. Horror Vibes Coffee, Polar Pizza Slice on a Stick… and Water

So it was about time I paid a visit to THE LAST CANTEEN , when I was last here, was the week of my mom’s passing, and this time, I talked myself into all sorts of misbehavior (in the fun kind like in Fallout, and not the “you wrecked yourself” kind… which also now that I think about it, is also Fallout…)

I had a flight of frozen drinks, and DAMN ARE THEY STIFF. When you go to a theme park, or even DAVE AND BUSTERS, it’s almost mostly the mixers instead of the liquor, so they all pack such a punch for your price.

FOR FOOD, I got myself A BOWL OF CHILI - I am not kidding, this is possibly the best Chili I have ever had. Yes, better than Disneyland, yes, better than that one you told me to have at the Chili Cook Off that was mostly just carolina reaper powder with nutmeg.

This Chili is such a stand out to the place, it’s bison and kidney, it has a 2 out of 10 on the heat scale. but where it lacks in the punching spice, it GROWS with this savory, flavorful perfect balance, it is sweet, it is salty, it gets the spicy at times, and you just are always suprised.

Also, I got myself a burger - I know whoever made this menu is a BURGER SICKO like me, because they went with BOTH Cheddar AND Swiss on the burger, as well as a bacon jam. This isn’t a “pub burger” (even though you could say it is) this was somebody really making this recipe of a burger that would feel like a last meal, at a saloon in the middle of the wasteland, and they nailed it.

Let the record show, that I am still the burger boss, and will always try your burger, and will most likely enjoy it.

And yes, it was very YUM

And after finishing my flight of frozen Novelties it’s time to go RETRO GAMIN’ AGAIN BY GOING TO THE RETROWAVE PLAYER ONE ARCADE AND….

oh no, I am 10 minutes early, We are located literally one block away from where we started in the day - HORROR VIBES COFFEE, but it turns out COLLECTORS PARADISE is right next to the arcade and well, I guess this is a detour I don’t have to make a long walk for…

Collector’s Paradise is a comic book store, but if I had to make a comparison - House of Secrets is the Barbershop, Collectors Paradise is the Hair Salon next door. Both offer similar services, but different vibes. This feels like a comic book shop for the guy who wants a certain issue, or a certain variant cover, and just wants to wax poetic about whatever comic book hyperfixation is going on (Maybe it’s the Ghost Rider Movie?)

But, without burying the lede….

THEY HAD IT, THEY HAD IT HERE ALL ALONG

So obviously, I got my BEACH NIGHTWING VARIENT and was on my way….

literally next door, because it’s time for ARCADE GAMIN’

Sometimes, I get insecure, I know I am bisexual, but you go online and people just go “its a phase”/”its greedy” and it’s 2026. I don’t know what i means to be straight nor gay - and that is kind of rad. I never quite feel like I fit the vibe of “West Hollywood” for that reason (Plus, can’t afford most of that area lol)

However, this place, Retrowave, really did make me feel like I had a place to belong, and I came by myself, as well.

Now, this is a Bar - Arcade style. Not to make the comparison - Barcade in Highland Park is very similar. However there are a few key differences.

On the gaming side - Barcade is usually set to 25 cents to 50 cents for most games, while Retrowave has games set almost at a default to $1 (four quarters) with the basketball being at $2.

On the bar side - Barcade is very much “bar” - beer and wine, and maybe a cocktail list of drinks that fit the vibe of the area (Margaritas for Los Angeles)

However, THE BAR HERE… now we are fucking talking. They know, you’re here for fun, let’s make some fun mixers, and have a good time together, and yes, I did wind up getting THE KIRBY!

This was The Kirby - it did have also a strong hit on you (Which again, tough to pull at most bars) However, this was absolutely refreshing, and it did give you just an ounce of “Oh, I can see where they went with Kirby”

The seond was “The Kool Aid Man” and while it does not have ANY Kool-Aid, it was a very good punch, as in the OG style type of punch.

and my final drink was THE RAINBOW ROAD and, look, it doesn’t have the rainbow, I will just make the assumption originally it came with a rainbow candy or something, but the best way to describe this one - Lemonade, Sprite and Liquor, it is absolutely a very refreshing drink. I wonder how it tastes non-alcoholic.

I did not really have that many photos of arcade games, because, honestly - I didn’t really play that many. It wasn’t really the price that was the issue, but just selection. I did play Marvel vs Capcom 2 and Street Fighter 4, but when it came to anything else, it was TIME CRISIS 2, TIME CRISIS 3 or TIME CRISIS 4 or Crusin World and,… it’s fine.

At this point, I did feel sick, so I did some “light spilling” and booked an uber to my last stop today….

Neon Retro Arcade has been on my “hit parade” for years, and I was devastated when the one closest to me closed down during the pandemic.

Neon Retro Arcade is NOT a bar cade.

Neon Retro Arcade is JUST an arcade.

And it’s such an interesting concept - $15 gets you ONE HOUR to play all the games you want on FREE PLAY (if you tank at House of the Dead, keep going!)

If you want, you can also go ALLLLLL DAY for just $25 (and that means from opening to close)

So, if you are NOT a drinker, or are a major foodie, what you COULD do is eat somewhere in Old Pasadena, and then make the pit-stop to NEON RETRO ARCADE and go have fun.

While they did NOT have NBA Jam, and while it isn’t Barcade with “The Jordan Faves” (Crazy Taxi, X-Men Arcade, Bishi Bashi) I would say it does have a PRETTY GREAT selection for most people - they have Mortal Kombat 2, they have BLITZ (regular, not 99) they have POKEMON PINBALL, they have BURGER TIME

Finally a video game that reminds us EGGS DO NOT BELONG ON BURGERS!

The Pokemon Pinball is also new, it was at Retrowave as well, and I think it’s just a very beautiful table, If you are a fan of the anime - with team rocket and meowth and giovanni, it is quite the game for you, Like the Gameboy games, you have to do certain actions to collect the pokemon. And it’s absolutely beautiful.

At this point it was past 9pm and it was time for me to book an uber for $100 and get home. I hope one day, when things aren’t scary, and look better, I can probably book an uber and it will be closer (or get a car and drive, but look, did you NOT see the amount of cocktails I had today? That is really unsafe, dude.)

SO HERE IS TODAY’S HAUL