As a way to get to know us a little better, here is some other interesting and fun stuff we would like to share about ourselves:

Favorite Magazine: Guitar Player Magazine (www.guitarplayer.com). Steven Rubin has been a guitar player and songwriter since he was 13 years old.  He grew up admiring and copying the styles of Duane Allman, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Stephen Stills, Paul Simon and others.  Among his favorite songwriters were Paul Simon, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.  Through these activities a love affair with the guitar and all things guitar related developed.  Without a doubt, the magazine for guitar lovers is Guitar Player Magazine.  With some notable gaps, Mr. Rubin's magazine collection goes back to the early 80s!

Favorite Band: The Allman Brothers Band (www.allmanbrothersband.com).  Like many young and developing guitarists, Mr. Rubin was determined to learn to play "lead" guitar (i. e. to be the soloist).  His older cousin Bob (who of course knew everything about such matters) showed him a copy of Allman Brothers Band's "At Fillmore East" which was a collection of their live performances at Bob Graham's Fillmore East venue from the very early 1970s.  Well, suffice it to say Mr. Rubin life was "changed" for good! If you want to hear a extraordinary live performances you must check it out.  To this day, Mr. Rubin insists that the bottleneck slide work by Duane Allman represents the arguably the greatest such performance in history.  As for the current incarnation of the ABB, check out the slide work of Derek Trucks--he is certainly one heck of a slide player.

Arguably greatest guitar solo "honorable mention:" Elliot Randall's guitar solo on Steely Dan's "Reelin in the years" from their first album, "Can't Buy a Thrill."  Whatever this guy Randall had for breakfast the day (or days?) he recorded the solo should be a part of every guitarists diet. Here is a link to Amazon.com where you can listen to a sample.

Also, check out JJB Music (www.jjbmusicinc.com). This is a record company in which Steven Rubin participates as a part owner, officer and artist.

Favorite TV Shows: In no particular order, Law & Order (www.nbc.com/Law_&_Order) ESPN (espn.go.com).  Mr. Rubin it seems has seen just about every episode of Law & Order (in many cases multiple times). No, this is not how he learned to be a lawyer.  When not watching L & O, he likes to keep up with the world of sports by watching ESPN.  With two very little ones at home, Mr. Rubin has also seen every episode of Barney and Sesame Street for the last couple of years.

Best Mode of Transportation: Hands down it is Harley Davidson motorcycles (www.harley-davidson.com).  Live to Ride! If you have to ask, you wouldn't understand . . . Ok, so let me paint the picture.  It is about 8:00 a.m. early on a warm summer's Sunday morning.  You are headed north on Pacific Coast Highway with nary a car on the road.  The sky is clear and blue.  It's just you, the rumble of your hog, the vibration spreading through your whole body, and the pungent aroma of the mix of gas, oil and whatever the heck it is that emanates from the bike.  There is a smile on your face that feels like it is so strong that you will never stop smiling again.  When you reach one of the canyons, you head inland towards the 101 freeway and the foregoing feelings and sensations just intensify. It is one of life's most spiritual moments for the Harley lover.  "How?," you might ask, "does cruising in this fashion on 800 pounds of chrome and steel become a spiritual experience?"  Once again, if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand . . . Ride to Live.

Favorite Cigar: Any cigar (smoked outdoors so as not to offend/harm others) with a dear friend on a warm summer afternoon when time allows. Such occasions are becoming more and more rare as our law firm becomes progressively busier, but that just makes these moments that much more sublime. Check out Cigar Aficionado magazine for all things about cigars and the "good life" at (www.cigaraficionado.com).  

Favorite Espresso/Coffee: Capacino at Peet's coffee right after they open at about 5:30 a.m. (www.Peets.com). It's quiet, it's dark, it's cold (at least for me), and it's peaceful!  They make the best foam!  How do they do it? Must be a well guarded secret like the recipe to Coca-Cola or something.

And now, we have saved the most important topic for last, CHOCOLATE!

No links here.  It is simply impossible to come up with a few links and do the topic justice. Whoever created chocolate gets the Academy Award in our book.  Mr. Rubin was raised on Reese's peanut butter cups. A shout out to Beverlywood Bakery in Beverly Hills on Pico east of Beverly Drive.  They make the absolute best chocolate buttercream pastries on earth. Then there is Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream.  The only thing standing between Mr. Rubin and back to back body building championships is Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream.  We all have our favorites.  Which all leads us to the "word" for the day: "Moderation."