Been a little busy

It's been awhile so I'll bring everyone up to speed. I believe I was ranting last time about the Dodgers. Since then they have moved into second place. Normally that would cause optimism and bring a smile to my face, but they are six back of the best team in the majors, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Andruw Jones still hasn't found his swing and as usual the offense is slim to non-existent. Sorta looking grim for my world series prediction. Hopefully Torre has some tricks up his sleeve. Speaking of Torre, I noticed Dodger fans at the recent Joe Torre bobblehead night hording said bobbleheads like they were gold. I myself didn't get one and at first I blamed myself for wanting to drink instead of running in to go get one. But on my way to my seat I see one or two fans holding and guarding a surplus of tiny Joe statues. No kids, no other members in their party but,they feel the need to take all the bobbleheads they can get. Real fucking nice Dodger fans. Give me another reason to feel disenfranchised with the rest of the fans in the left field pavilion. (More on that later...)

UCLA football is in a bit of a state of guarded optimism. The top two quarterbacks going into the fall have been shelved. One of them (Patrick Cowan from Pico Rivera!!)is done with college football altogether, thanks to a season long injury that will cost him the rest of his eligibility. With coach Neuheisel and coach Chow installing a new offense and the lack of depth and experience along the offensive line the timing couldn't be worse. Even though there hasn't been this much excitement in Westwood regarding the football team in quite some time, seven wins should be considered as a success. (As long as we beat SC of course!!)

Other than that it's been pretty much school and the norm. Here are some highlights:

*Went to an old friend's wedding in Vegas during the Rockabilly weekender. (Never been more annoyed by hair grease and awful renditions of "American Nightmare" in my life!!)

*The official beginning of BBQ season on 420

*A new all you can eat Chinese food buffet blocks from my house!!!

*Beach trips and Wii parties.

Gotta go.

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 is that picture

Now I've got some drinking to do. Happy St. Pat's to all!!!

Erin Go Bragh

Started off at the Peppermill in Vegas. Personally I thought the place was overrated. I was given a huge drink that was called a scorpion. A bit fruity for my taste, but what was I to do? At least I had a couple to gain a pretty good buzz. Checked into the room and I immediately put the Jack on ice. I was cautiously optimistic because I had brought my books with me to study before the show. Flogging Molly went on at eight so I some time to kill. I know it's weird because who studies in Vegas?

I showered before the show. Nothing like sipping on some ice cold Jack. The beauty of this former desert lay off for G.I's is that it allows one to walk around with a glass or other type of container filled with a poison of choice. I filled a cup with whiskey and minimal ice of course and headed for the show. (Got a real nice picture of the sunsetting from my room it should follow this.) By the time I got to Mandalay Bay (The show was at the House of Blues)I was at least two sheets to the wind.

Now I only remember a bit of the show. They did play "Drunken Lullabies" and "Rebels of the Sacred Heart". Thanks to fifty two dollar rounds, the show is pretty much a blur. How can you not get drunk at a Molly show?

I wake up in the room around two a.m. Lord knows how I got there. After yet another rejuvenating shower, I decide to get down to the business of losing money. I make another drink and grab my green Dodger cap and head for Vegas' rainy streets. Along the way I receive various compliments on the hat and actually got a drink or two out of it. Again due to the alcohol consumption it gets foggy. I recall winning at New York, New York, Paris, and Planet Hollywood.

On my way home on Sunday, I deemed this a successful trip. Left Vegas with a slight hangover, more money than I came with and some kick ass beef jerky that was purchased before I hit LA. I was ready to relax as soon as I got home. I did the requisite unpacking and then a phone call offered me the chance to go see Bad Religion at the Hollywood House of Blues. So I grabbed my green hat, and the Jack and I was on my way to another show.

Helluva way to celebrate St. Patty's day right?

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.

A little late

I attended the Foo Fighters show at the Forum on Thursday. Awesome show. I am going to keep it short. It was a eventful evening starting with the Inglewood police department telling me that they have a problem with my water bottle. Granted the water bottle had Southern Comfort in it. Weird right? Luckily they noticed I was already buzzing and co they made dump the rest out. I arrived just in time to see the Foos come on stage. Highlights of the show: Triangle solo and a instrumental version of the Doors' "Roadhouse Blues" in the Middle of "I'll Stick Around. Oh yeah, the Forum doesn't appreciate you smoking either. All in all it was a good show and I lost my voice. Sorry I wasn't much more in depth. I promise I will do a better job with Vegas.