It's those damn car flags

I hate the Lakers. Don't get me wrong, I respect the organization and it's players past and present, but as a native Angelino I think it's supposed to be in my DNA to root for the ol' purple and gold. But it's not and why you ask? It's because of you Laker fan with your myopic thoughts of winning 70 games every year, your constant arguments of Kobe being the greatest thing since sliced bread, and of course the aforementioned car flags. I'm sick of it. Mostly it's a shame. I wish I could be one of the many that wears a team jersey (Naturally I would sport Farmar's) but when your average sixteen year old fan tells me that they have been a fan since '88 I come to my senses.

Don't think I'm singling you out Laker fan. There are others. Giants, Angels, Padres, (although I am a huge Peavy fan. Dodger fan will kill me on this one) Trojans, and Yankees. But those are givens of course. I never really go out of my way to root against someone with such eagerness. Well maybe the Raiders but now they are mostly irrelevant. Either way I am done with you. So when you get eliminated this year and fail yet again to win a championship, I don't want to hear it. Most importantly leave the car flags at home.

End of Summer Update

25 things I learned this summer:

*UCLA is in for a trying yet ultimately rewarding season. (If we beat sc)

*Although she's dumber than a sack of wet hammers, Sarah Palin is easy on the eyes.

*Can't wait for next years run of Weeds. (Oh Nancy, will you ever learn?)

*Speaking of TV, I'm getting fussy over the lack of new Scrubs, Big Love and 30 Rock.

*Some women scoff at the idea of going to batting cages.

*(Only two games in but,) Cowboys are looking good this year.

*Red hoodies don't look good on me.

*"The Clone Wars" kinda sucked.

*My little sister is regressing musically.

*I forgot how great Yates is.

*Entourage has kinda lost it.

*I need to get my cat neutered.

*I can actually survive without cable tv.

*Full Custom Gospel Sounds is the Rev.'s best album.

*I am becoming a You Tube addict.

*Fatburger is overrated.

*For that matter, Facebook is overrated.

*If we don't resign Manny people will riot.

*I need a new toothbrush.

*Dropping the dead weight can be fun.

*It's 2008 and I am still waiting for the Crowns to get back together.

*The Narc and the Homewrecker are two of the best people you'll ever meet.

*I forgot how good The Cramps, Clash, and Beach Boys are.

*This country is going to shit.

*And finally... I REALLY regret not learning Spanish.

Brooklyn still hasn't recovered

Sucks to be Seattle. That was the first thought that came to mind when I heard the Sonics (or SuperSonics I don't care) were leaving the Emerald City for, of all places, Oklahoma City. Why leave the land of Starbucks, Grunge, and Frasier Crane for...see nothing comes to mind! (If you are from Oklahoma City I apologize) Everyone knows the real reason they did it: Money.

How much is tradition worth? OKC, although not a current powerhouse in the NBA, had a rich and successful legacy in the Pacific Northwest. They won an NBA tittle in '79 and such players as Xavier Mcdaniel, Shawn Kemp, and Gary Payton have donned the Sonic green. Not only that but the franchise has provided the city and it's fans with many memories that could last a lifetime. Now I understand we live in a Capitalist society and we are all free to make a dollar but how can you do so knowing that you are breaking a a city's heart? Would you be able to sleep knowing that family traditions have been lost? As cliche as it may sound, think of the children. Hopefully youngsters weren't close to the team or anything like that.

It made me think. What would I do if my beloved Dodgers left LA for Portland or some other city aching for a baseball franchise? I would probably hole up in some dingy hotel room near the Ravine drinking Jack and shedding an ungodly amount of tears. I felt like a raging alcoholic for thinking that but then I pictured Red Sox and Raider nation doing similar things if their franchise left town. Who knows maybe fans of The Predators or Twins would do the same. Imagine what Green Bay or Knick fans would do. So I pose the question to you what would you do?

What's really bothering me

Warm beer (I have been given two in the past week and it really jerks my chain or any other euphemism that can be inserted here.)

Laker flags

Breakfast without bacon

Generic Psychobilly

Dodger ineptitude

Homework

The strange coincidence that every time I go to McDonald's their ice cream machine is broken

People trying to sell me fake coach wallets on the subway

The quality of the 7'7's made by Tina at JC's in Pico (They were so much better when she was at Anarchy.)

Triple digit temps (Yeah I know it's Summer but still it blows.)

Lack of new "Big Love" episodes

Sixty nine more days until UCLA kicks off at the Rose Bowl

The word "Hella"

Did you miss me

Salutations everyone. Well I have been especially busy as of late with finals and various other going ons. Let's start with Saturday I suppose. For those who follow me on Twitter you know that I recently attended a LA Galaxy soccer game. To tell you the truth I had more fun than I thought I would. The tailgating area wasn't bad. All the people of the supporter group we were sitting with were awesome. Very knowledgeable and passionate fans. I had fun searching the luxury boxes for "Tomkat" (Beckham's BOFFL) and chanting "Let's go Dodgers" at every chance I got. I thought I would of gotten on everybody's nerves by pointing out the differences between Carson and the Ravine. But at the end of the day they actually one upped me by chants of "It's not baseball". All in all it was a entertaining change of pace. (Sports wise)

Also on that day Clayton made his Major League debut. He didn't get a decision and only gave up one run over 7 and 1/2. Not bad for a twenty year old Texan. Believe you me, that curveball is going to terrorize the league in the coming years Sunday was movie day. (Indy wasn't as good as I hoped) Memorial day found me at the requisite BBQ. Hamburgers and Jim Beam Black label were on the label. Monday found me relaxing with my madre and fretting over the lack of run support our starters have been getting lately. Now, I have two weeks to kill before I start my Physiology class.

Can't wait...

Oh wait almost forgot: found a new Taco spot by my house and yes they have Tripas!!

Now batting...

A common topic among the Bad New Beers (my softball team from last winter)was is if or when (mostly when) we make it to the majors what song would we make our entrance to. Lately Dodger fans have been treated to Nomar adjusting his wristbands to "Lowrider", Martin walking to the box to "Stronger" or "Bad to the Bone" whenever Saito comes in for the save. Over the years my answers have changed with each and every season. Thoughts of The Rev, Devo, Social D, and The Ramones easily came to mind. But I think I got it. This is the song I want blaring through the hills of the Ravine when I step up to the plate:



So what would your entrance theme be?

Deny On !!!

When you spell Trojan you can't spell it without the letters O and J and when you think of SC you almost always think of their most notorious alumni Orenthal James Simpson. Now we don't need to get into if he did it or not(even though everyone knows that he did!!)but it speaks volumes on your character when you try to release a book explaining how you would have done it. But it doesn't end there. I could examine the cases of Matt Leinhart (deadbeat dad and poster boy for drinking with under aged girls) or Reggie Bush (star tailback who accepted massive amounts of cash) and Mark Sanchez (alleged rapist).

But surprise surprise, another athlete at 'SC has run afoul of the law. OJ Mayo, recent basketball sensation, is being accused of accepting cash and various other gifts while still in college which is a major NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association)rules violation. The most shocking of these allegations is that one of Mayo's contacts purchased gifts and withdrew money on a phony AmEx card that was issued to the National Organization of Sickle Cell Prevention and Awareness Foundation. The organization has never been registered as a charitable trust with the California Attorney General's Office and isn't even recognized in various sickle cell organiztions. Let alone that before he even got to SC this guy had a reputation for being a show boat and pay to play type of guy.

Anyone else see a problem with this?

When is it too late?

As I self professed Simpson fanatic, every time I get down after a loss, I recall the episode when Homer gives up on the Isotopes after a early season loss. Next scene shows that months have passed and Homer walks into Moe's and he is in the middle of a commotion. He asks Lenny what's going on, Lenny reveals that the Isotopes are in the championship game. Homer then ducks out and comes back dressed head to toe in Isotope gear. He gets interviewed by Kent Brockman and goes on to thank Marge and says he never gave up on his beloved 'topes.

Now I am not turning my back but I am close to pushing the panic button. I know it's early on in the season, but here's what I am getting at: when is it the appropriate time to start worrying? Two weeks? Three weeks? Months? This could be even harder if you are normally a worrisome person. It's late and I would love to elaborate but after tonight's lost I'd rather just go to bed.

Busy Weekend

Usually I like to get more in depth with my tales of sin in the city of angels but today I must cut it short because it's opening day and I am craving a Dodger dog so I'll cut to the chase.

*Thursday the 27th: An L.A. County Sheriff pulled a buddy of mine and I over due to a busted tail light. Routine traffic stop right? Not so fast my friends.It was one a.m., we were in a less than reputable neighborhood and there was a hint of Jack on my breath combine all those factors and you end up with me sitting in back of a Highway patrol car for over an hour while the officer searches the car. All they found was the piece of Pan Dulce I had wrapped in a napkin, and upon seeing this the officer decided that we weren't out to cause trouble so she let us go. Interesting side note, the officers demeanor greatly changed when I mentioned the Dodgers.

*Friday: Studied and played COD 4 with my cousin, then for a nightcap it was Super Smash Bros. Brawl while sipping on some Grey Goose., Good times.

*Saturday: Coliseum game. Unfortunately we had to park near the campus of Spoiled Children but it was well worth it since my Bruins were on with a chance to go to the final four on the line.Of course we won and I got to rub it in all the surrounding Trojan fans. But the day was all about the boys in blue so I had to shelve the Bruin spirit. While I agree with the Duke on the field being an absolute joke for baseball, it was still magical nonetheless. It was truly wonderful being surrounded by Dodger fans in a carnival like setting. The highlight was being able to take a picture with Ron Cey and the 81' and 88' trophies.

*Sunday: Studied and set up a Flickr account. After that I went to a recording studio on the outskirts of downtown and took pictures of the skyline from the rooftop of said studio. Came home and couldn't sleep due to the excitement of the Monday's events.

That's pretty much it. March has been one long and expensive month and I am both sad and happy to see it go. Now in the immortal words of the great Vin Scully:

"It's time for Dodger baseball!"

Here we go

Vegas baby Vegas. Shame I'll miss the Pac-ten tourney final, not to mention the NCAA tourney selection show on Sunday. Oh well, such is the price for Flogging Molly.

Full report when I get back.

What I learned today

*The Dodgers will make it to the World Series.

*KROQ's Block Party blocks only work with some bands.

*I bite my nails way too much.

*People drive insane near the Mulholland Dr. part of the 101.

*They better not build near the Hollywood sign.

*Hoodies are the greatest.

*Baseball shirts are so damn comfortable.

*People near Los Feliz think too highly of themselves.

*Guitars are expensive.

*They did a Reggae remix of Alicia Keyes's "No One".

*A lot of people in Long Beach smoke weed.

*SC' looks horrible in black basketball jerseys.

*Blackout my ass.

*I am addicted to hot sauce.

*"The Honeymooners" rule.