Guilty Pleasures

1189 Flesh Gear, responsible for the release of Crusty Demons of Dirt in 1995, for helping to bring the sport of dirt-bike riding to its new high/low today. 1602 Babock St., Costa Mesa, (949) 650-3605.

1190 Libertarian presidential hopeful Richard Bodie, who sometimes teaches a class on Saul D. Alinsky's Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals.

1191 Coffee coupons at toll-road booths: best sign of desperation!

1192 Sneaking cheese steaksfrom Frank's Philadelphia into Edward's Cinemas. Frank's Philadelphia, 224 Fairview Rd., Costa Mesa, (949) 722-8725.

1193 Anaheim's new MIX 95.9 (old KEZY), even though they play way too much Sugar Ray.

1194 No local football teams equals no blackouts.

1195 Guilty pleasure, part I: acknowledging that we frequent the Irvine Spectrum. Part II: hanging around Manga House for its delectable collection of Japanese anime and rave gear. 71 Fortune Dr., Irvine, (949) 450-0588.

1196 Except when a drunk guy looks at the dried puffer fishies in the decorative nets and says, "Think she has a sister?"

1197 You can surf in the morning and think about snowboarding in the afternoon-but since your life isn't a cliché, you get drunk instead.

1198 Lots of freeparking.

1199 Underground pulp books at the Book Sale. 804 N. Tustin Ave., Orange, (714) 997-9511.

1200 Kid Ramos. With a visual image like a pro wrassler crossed with Ricky Ricardo, the soft-spoken, Anaheim-based Kid came into his own this year with a self-titled solo album that showcased a world-class guitarist surrounded by top-shelf backing. Still best known for his work with Harman and his current tenure in the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Ramos is the personification of a team player. He stays in the background, holding a clinic on guitar excellence every time he steps onstage, making everyone he plays with sound a little bit better.