Let's get Fucked up

(Late on putting this one up been kinda hectic lately..M)


I got a call in the afternoon from the Narc asking if I wanted to go the last Dodger home game of the season. Even though money is sort of a rarity around here these days, I just had to go. I was informed that Bizarro Mike and the new wife were the ones behind this production. Kinda felt weird about it at first because that meant two things: lack of conversation, and Mexican beer. What made it even more uncomfortable was when I stepped into the truck there was some weird ass Industrial music playing.

I finally felt at ease as soon as we entered the parking lot. Weather wise, I couldn't have been more comfortable. Nice and cool with a slight breeze. Combine that with a pinkish sky over lot two, it finally set in: last home game of the season. Next stop playoffs. As we all piled out we all went for the booze we had purchased before we got on a jam packed five freeway. Everyone was excited. We had clinched the division earlier in the day.(Thank you St. Louis) This game was a mere formality. The real fun would begin as soon as the final out was recorded.

But knowing that didn't stop us from celebrating a bit early. As we walked into the stadium I had a pretty good buzz going from the Pacifico. On our way in I remembered we entered the stadium through the same gate as the one we did on last year's home game finale. (Last year same situation, but I was drunk enough to think I could sneak a huge bottle of Jack passed security, no dice) As the game wore on I was distracted by the bar showing the sc game. Right when the final whistle sounded, signaling that the hated ones lost, I screamed like a pre-teen at a Jonas brothers concert. Not a good thing to do when some scary looking cholo sc fans are giving you the evil eye. I slipped out of their sight and went back for more beer and then returned to my seat.

By this time, the Narc and I are three sheets and are eagerly awaiting the final out. We decided to slip out for a quick smoke and on the way back we came up on some 2009 Dodger calenders. Around 10:05-10:20 the 2008 regular season ended and the celebration was on. National league worst-eh, I mean west champs. It was really great to see Dodger fans young and old celebrating and basically letting off the steam that was building all season. Best part of the night had to be when Torre did a mini victory walk along the third base line. As I was jockeying for position I noticed some hack in a sc football jersey trying to muscle his way into where I was standing.

Not this night. Not ever. Thanks to my low center of gravity I slipped by him and all that was in front of me was the railing and Mr. Torre. I think he was baffled when I told him "Thanks Joe and GO BRUINS!". He shook a couple more hands and then he was gone. Easily the best home finale I've been to in my life. (We lost the game 5-2 by the way.) Now on to the post season, first stop Wrigleyville...

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.

Brett Hart, Art, and tons of Booze

Been having a bit of a ball lately. It's a shame that the Dodgers aren't doing so hot or else I'd be dancing from the top of the Hollywood sign or something ridiculous like that. It started on the 21st. I had two final exams and aced both of them. It took me exactly 17 minutes to finish a hundred question Poly Sci quiz.And the English 102 exam stood no chance! After a small victory party of arcade games and a couple drinks I deemed the day a rousing success.

Friday was a bit of a high/low. The cool part was that I met some people from Canada, Alberta to be exact. My dumbass remarks that Lance Storm is from there and then couple starts talking about Brett Hart. Thank god I ran into wrestling fans or I would have looked like quite the fool. (Or maybe I am a fool for discussing wrestling who knows?)After that my buddy and I run to a liquor store to pick up some booze to go to another friend's house.I pick up a six of Newcastle and a pint of Jim Beam. After feeling a good buzz we go back for my cousin and a bottle of Seagrams 7 and what follows is that worst hangover since I broke the sink at Anarchy Library in 2003.

Saturday was filled with the realization that the Dodgers will not leave Philly with a win, and I was undoubtedly hungover. Truly a horrible time. My Madre told me to relax and watch "The Music Box" with her. Pretty funny but,I prefer the Three Stooges personally. Also caught "Remember The Titans" for the first time. Pretty awesome movie. Ended the night playing a little Halo 3.

Sunday I went to LACMA. (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and saw some great stuff. I think I may have found a new favorite artist in Shizu Saldamando.She does a wonderful job of capturing subcultures in Los Angeles.I took a picture of a painting that I thought looked like me. After that I went to go play ball with a couple friends. I went home that night with the satisfaction of knowing I worked out my brain, body, most unfortunately my liver this weekend.

Monday saw the unexpected news of my professor losing my final paper for my English class. Which means I had to plan a weekday trip to the campus which I so didn't want to do. I decided to stay at a buddy's house close to school and celebrate. (Tuesday was his birthday) After learning that his toilet was out of order, we decided to walk to Yoshinoya at 2am. Walking was the only solution since no one, certainly not us, was able to drive. It was the closest open restroom and damn it I was hungry.

Tuesday morning found me turning in my paper, going to the Federal building on Wilshire to pickup a passport, going to Forrest Lawn to look at Walt Disney's grave and check out the little museum that they have there. Had fun. Only thing that kind of killed it was the heat. After that I met up with a group of friends for a buffet lunch in Downey. Food was mediocre at best but I wasn't gonna complain. (I was treated to lunch.) I then returned home for a quick nap. around six I was told that there would be a gathering at an ex-co-worker's house, where Menudo and whiskey would be flowing. As the night wound down I made the realization that there are some people I should not be talking to and that night I essentially ended a fun but strenuous association.

Nothing happened on Wednesday. Just some light house and yard work. I mean nothing out of the ordinary. But I can honestly say that I have had fun much fun this week. I am really looking forward to the Bruin game on Monday and the start of the fall semester on Tuesday. Now only if the Dodgers could get it together...

Gene Hackman and the Dodgers of 2008

I know am a little late but here is how I reacted to the Manny trade on July 31, 2008: Just as I wrote these guys off for dead, they go ahead and make feel like an ass by pulling off a move that should at least get us the NL West. For some strange reason, this reminds me of the movie "Hoosiers". If you haven't seen it yet you should. It's easily the best sports movie of all time.

It stars Gene Hackman as a high school basketball coach (Joe Torre) who's previous job was coaching at a big time college basketball program. (Yankees) He has inherited an inexperienced team, which are nothing more than young farmers. (2008 Dodgers) During the course of the season the townspeople (Frank McCourt, Ned Colletti, Logan white, LA fans and media, etc...) show signs of impatience as expectations are falling short and the losses pile up.

During the course of the season Hackman tries to help Dennis Hopper, a man who has superb knowledge concerning the game but is burdened by alcoholism. (Andruw Jones addicted to food) Along the way he wins them a game but later unravels due to his illness and is sent to a sanitarium to dry out. (Recent benching)

It is only after the arrival of star player Jimmy Chitwood (Manny Ramirez) does the team finally start clicking. Naturally that wins over the townspeople (Frank McCourt, Ned Colletti, Logan White, LA fans, and media, etc...) and the team goes on an incredible winning streak to get into the playoffs. The team then uses it's new found momentum to capture the state tittle. (World Series champs 2008??)

Hopefully I didn't jinx us with the last part there. It's been an incredible year celebrating the Dodgers' fifty years in Los Angeles. It started with Manny wearing a different uniform on the field of the Coliseum in March 29 and it could end with him in a dodger uniform in the fall classic. (Again hopefully hoisting a trophy of some sort) After all we are in Hollywood and it would be the ultimate Hollywood ending.

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?

Now there's no turning back

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"