The Scratching Post

It's always Christmas time!

2009-12-16T07:39:53Z

Widespread Panic - Orpheum Theatre

2009-11-08T00:07:27Z

Yet again I've caught the opening night run of Widespread Panic at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. The band has returned for their third consecutive year for another 3-night stand in this venerable establishment.

Lats night marks the 60th Widespread Panic show I've attended according to my records. After 12 years I think I've counted all of their gigs I've seen to date! Normally I count my ticket stubs, but I've lost track of where some of those may be so have them penciled into a notebook.

Anyway, last night was a fantastic night, but I still feel that they could have turned up a few more notches. I had the feeling they were a bit subdued and noticed a couple of miscues. None the less I think they''ll round out the rest of the weekend very well. It's a shame that I'll miss tonight's show, but I'll be with genevieve_l celebrating her 24th birthday. Which is actually tomorrow, but her party is tonight.

However, I will be returning to the Orpheum on Sunday for the final night of Panic. Which I look most forward to!

Here's the set list to last night's show:

Widespread Panic
The Orpheum Theater
Los Angeles, CA
Friday, November 6th, 2009

From the Cradle
Worry
Better Off
Wondering
Angels On High
A of D
Sleeping Man
Hatfield
Big Wooly Mammoth
Travellin' Light

Solid Rock
Stop, Go->
Dark Day Program
Papa Johnny Road->
Rebirtha->
Low Spark of High Heeled Boy->
Tie Your Shoes->
drums->
Flicker->
Low Spark of High Heeled Boys
Conrad

Goin' Out West

['Norwegian Wood' jam after 'Rebirtha']

What is wrong with this picture?

2009-11-01T02:31:13Z

All right, earlier I read an article in my local paper regarding the lack of scary costumes or even ones that are non "sexy." The short of the story was that most choices for women were heavily based on sexy, trampy looking outfits.

Granted, I am a male and I don't mind seeing my *peers* that choose to dress in such a way who understand and know what they're wearing and the reasons behind them.

However, when it comes to the general populace, teenagers and younger youths I find it incredibly discouraging and plain wrong that those type of outfits are actually being sold to children of that age.

Tonight I saw a few of them that would make me as a parent question why these young girls are wearing such a mature looking costume.

I would be worried for the safety, (as well as any wrongly perceived image) of girls dressed in such attire. It baffles my mind that some of these parents, some of which are escorting their children out in the streets, allow them to walk in public.

With the numerous pedophiles and perverts out there I would think that some of those parents would think of their children first and not merely a holiday occasion that propagates such a deviant perception of girls in costume.

Dodgers even up NLCS at 1-1

2009-10-17T18:33:08Z

Vicente Padialla has become the pride of Nicaragua now as a Dodger. Facing his former team the Phillies in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series. Going 7 and 1/3 innings allowing 4 hits, 1 walk, 1 run on a solo home run and 6 strikeouts. He pitched well enough to earn the win, but left the game in the 8th trailing by a score of 1-0.

Yesterday's game was one of pins and needles. It didn't help that I began my morning with coffee to give me the caffeine infused jittery anxiety. I knew that facing the amazing Pedro Martinez who started his career 17 years ago as a Dodger before being traded to post an incredible career as one of the most dominant pitchers of our era.

Padilla managed to go toe-to-toe with a loaded Phillies line up and keep pace with Martinez. Pedro would have been on track to be the game winner and taking the Phils back home with a 2-0 lead in the NLCS. However, things turned south rather quickly in a turn of events that would deny him the win.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel decided to take out Pedro Martinez and insert Chan Ho Park, (another former Dodger) in the top of the 8th. A decision that is being questioned by many since Pedro was dominating the whole game to that point.

Park gave up a single to Casey Blake who was then removed in favor of pinch runner Juan Pierre. Ronnie Belliard came up to try and bunt Pierre to 2nd, but poorly bunted the ball to the right side of the pitcher's mound, but because both Park and 1st baseman Howard were charging towards home they both missed fielding the ball and Belliard was safe on first. Russell Martin comes up and awkwardly tries to bunt to no avail and then swings away only to ground out to 3rd and having Belliard forced out at 2nd. However, a throwing error to 1st base by 2nd baseman Chase Utley, his second in as many days sends the ball towards the Philly dugout. Martin is safe on 1st and Pierre, after reaching 3rd on the botched double play is sent home to tie the game up at 1 and 1.

With Martin on 1st Jim Thome comes in to pinch hit and Charlie Manuel counters by removing Park and placing in Scott Eyre for a lefty/lefty match up. This fails and Thome singles up right field sending Manuel back to the mound to send Eyre packing.

Juan Castro pinch runs for Thome on 1st and Ryan Madson comes in to pitch to Rafael Furcal who eventually walks to load the bases up for Andre Ethier. This prompts yet another pitching change by Manuel to put lefty A.J. Happ to face the left handed threat of Ethier. This duel fails yet again as Ethier works an 8 pitch walk to force in Martin for the go ahead run and put the Dodgers in a 2-1 lead. After which Manny Ramirez popped up to end the innig, but the damge already done to the Phillies. Broxton entered in the 9th and sat down the Phils 1-2-3 for the Dodgers victory.

My hat's off to #44 for going 7+ innings in Game 2 of the NLCS, his longest start as Dodger since being picked up in late August from the Texas Rangers. He's been undefeated in in 8 season starts going 4-0. Definitely a contributing factor in helping the Dodgers reach the post season and retaining the best record of the NL League in addition to securing a NL West pennant.

On his final start of the season he struck out 10 Rockies on his way to giving the Dodgers their 95th win. He continued to establish dominance be earning the Game 3 start in St. Louis for the NLDS and beating the Cardinals 5-1 in his 1st post season appearance for the Dodgers.
He is hands down one of the best pickups made in the second half of the season and has been more than rising to the occasion to show that he has what it takes to compete against formidable opponents in post season play. He's been a great asset and fits well in Los Angeles despite what his former team the Rangers say in letting him go for being a bad team mate.

Padilla began his career as a Diamondback in 1999 then went to Philadelphia in 2000 in a trade that sent Curt Schilling to Arizona. His time with Philly was from 2000 to 2005 in which he became an All Star in 2002 which was his first full season with the Phillies. After the 2005 season he was traded to the Rangers where he stayed until late August this year before being picked up Los Angeles.

Dodgers drop Game 1 of NLCS

2009-10-16T18:05:31Z

What a game last night. Not so great to lose the first game of the series, but I still enjoyed being there and watching it unfold. We outhit the Phils, but they outscored us and the number of walks issued is a clear reminder how they can hurt you in a crucial situation when making strikes and getting outs is important.

The highlight of the game?

Furcal's foul ball

Foul ball off the bat of Rafael Furcal off a pitch by Ryan Madson in the 8th inning at Dodger Stadium. I picked it up after it bounced off a few fans into an empty seat in front of me. Section 15 Reserve Deck, Row F, Seat 13. Oct. 15th, 2009.

Let's get 'em tonight boys! I'll be cheering for you Padilla and the rest of the Blue Crew from the confines of my living room today.

Dodgers begin NL Championship Series today.

2009-10-15T21:07:47Z

It goes without saying that when baseball season is happening I fall off the edge of the blogging world. I generally try to keep up reading other folks entries, but I get scarce when posting my own. For that I apologize, but I honestly don't wish to babble infinitely about baseball for 6 months out of the year, lol! Well maybe I do, but to spare you numerous posts whether they applaud or rant about the games I watch or attend I just blog about them from time-to-time. ;)

That said, I'd like to say that I had a wonderful NLDS! Watching them play the Cardinals hard and sweeping them in three games was exciting and joyous! I attended both home games here in Dodger Stadium and watched the 3rd from St. Louis on television. What was unimaginable by the so-called "baseball expert" analyst pundits occured. The Dodgers beat the Cardinals. Not just by simply winning the series but by sweeping them. Beating both NL contenders for the Cy Young Award. Something that will further go down as the upset of the season. So very much like October of 2008 the Dodgers sweep their second consecutive NLDS against a highly lauded team with stats off the charts.

Being at the first two NLDS games in person was a thrill for me. I went to Game 1 with my parents and son and for Game 2 I went with my good friend
genevieve_l.

I must add that Game 2 was incredible! The bottom of the 9th inning finish and winning in walk-off fashion never gets old and I was both on the edge of my seat and loudly groaning a bad call and every strike against us, breathing a heavy sigh with each called ball and foul that landed in the stands and out of play while booing the opposing defenders, but most of all cheering loudly with every opportunity that our team came up with to capitalize on a botched fly ball to Matt Holliday that he dropped, (it hit him in the nuts no matter what anyone says about it being the stomach) with 2 outs.

TWO OUTS! Holliday cannot come up with that with closer Brad Lidge on the mound. What looked like the end of a losing Game 2 for the Dodgers turned into a second chance and infused the fan-filled stadium with new life. It just got louder and louder and more frenzied with each pitch thereafter. Loney reached 2nd on an error to Left Field by Holliday. What ensued from there can only be described as an incredible come-back of the season.

After Loney reached 2nd they inserted the speedy pinch runner Juan Pierre. Next up to bat was Casey Blake who worked a 9 pitch walk after being down in the count with 2 strikes on him after a badly checked swing according to the first base umpire. The way Blake hung in there to walk was beautiful. Ronnie Belliard comes up to single on the first pitch to bring Pierre home to tie the game up at 2. With Casey Blake now at 2nd and Belliard at 1st Russell Martin walks on four consecutive pitches to load the bases up for pinch hitter Mark Loretta. Lorretta who was 0 for 15 against Lidge hits a looper on an no ball, one strike count that falls in shallow left center and the Dodgers come back to win 3-2!

I won't comment about the 3rd game and sweep. I think it stands alone to say that Vicente Padilla pitched a fine 7 inning game in a 5-1 victory for the Boys in Blue.

Today is a new day, a new series and the one that will determine the 2009 National League Champion. I'm going to be there with my family again in the hopes of seeing yet another victory for Los Angels to propel them forward on a trip to the World Series. First thing is to win 4 out of 7 against the Phillies. Man I love this time of the year!

Voodoo Vibe

2009-10-06T18:27:03Z

Kern Gurnick wrote this article for MLB.com and I just had to take an excerpt from that and share it with my LJ readers:

"If you saw the movie "Major League" and you remember the voodoo-practicing ballplayer Pedro Cerrano, you knew what reliever Ramon Troncoso was building in his locker before Saturday night's Dodgers clinching

With a miniature Tommy Lasorda Hall of Fame plaque flanked by bobbleheads of Manny Ramirez, Casey Blake and Matt Kemp, Troncoso had constructed a shrine to the baseball gods. It was complete with a random collection of a cigar; a plum and a banana; a packet of chewing tobacco; assorted drink cans; a Jonathan Broxton cowboy boot; and a glass half-full with what could have been dark Caribbean rum -- all gathered to chase away the evil spirits that had kept the magic number stuck on one for a week.

"If we win tonight," said Troncoso, "I'm taking this thing everywhere."

And the Dodgers won, snapping their longest losing streak of the year. In a season of losing Ramirez to a suspension and Opening Day starter Hiroki Kuroda to three different injuries, let Troncoso believe he exorcised the clubhouse of all the negative vibe."

Dodgers are GO!

2009-10-06T17:50:10Z

I know I haven't been posting a whole lot lately and partly the reason is because I've been watching a lot of baseball in that time. Primarily Dodgers games of course. Though I have also been watching other games in the National League when they've been televised or watching the updates vie the internet.

Well I'm pleased to say to those that aren't in the baseball realm of awareness that my Boys in Blue have won their Division to make it back-to-back National League West Championships! Something that hasn't been achieved since the late 70s. This will be the 3rd Dodgers trip in the past 4 seasons. Congratulations boys! You so richly deserve this!

Not only did we finish as NL West Champs, but we also retained the best record in the National League securing our home field advantage for the next two rounds of post season play! The competition will be stiff, but that goes without saying when you're playing the best teams from their respective divisions along with the team that has the 4th best record in the NL.

Tomorrow play begins between my Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals who have been playing us very tough throughout the long history between our ballclubs. This season especially. The Cards have a fantastic starting rotation and two Cy Young Award contenders in Carpenter and Wainwright, but the Dodgers also have a fine selection of starters that haven't created much of a buzz yet have the abiliy with a mix of veteran experience to go the distance and be toe-to-toe with the Cards.

St. Louis may have headline making starters pushing for the Cy Young, but we have the better team ERA for pitching along with the best bullpen in the Majors. As for the offense, they may have the amazing Albert Pujols, but we also have a great assortment of sluggers in our lineup that can bring some pop and manufacture runs in addition to speed to run the bases. Yes, this will be an entertaining series.

I'm especially happy to be attending the first two games of the home series opener! I truly will be rooting for my team and loudly cheering! I may lose my voice before the end of Thursday night. =P

Dodgers vs. Yankees at Fenway & hosting the Yankees in L.A.

2009-09-15T22:06:24Z

Yup!

Tentative schedule next year will have the Dodgers in interleague play facing the Red Sox at Fenway. Also they will be hosting the Detroit Tigers as well as the New York Yankees.

I look forward to this and hope there are no changes to this tentative schedule. I intend to plan a trip to Boston with me and my son to catch that Fenway series so we both can take in a great series between two great and storied teams in one of the last remaining historical ballpark bastions left in the Major Leagues.

Awesome!

Verdict on the Jeep.

2009-09-15T21:11:18Z

Looks like I needed 2 hoses replaced that are located above the fuel tank which required the fuel tank to be dropped to access them. My catalytic converted is indeed bad and needs to be replaced. I have a bad oxygen sensor that needs replacing and to top it all off I need new brake pads and rotors! This is in addition to getting it to pass smog. Roughly $800 worth of fun! -_-

Driving Priviledge Woes

2009-09-15T20:00:25Z

This has been a rather interesting month on the driver license renewal and registration renewal on my Jeep. Both expire this month. Well, my registration expired on the 8th and I had yet to renew it because I misled myself that it was due at the end of the month. My DL expires on my birthday which is the 29th. However, because the DMV in CO says I still owe them money ($95) for an 18 year old fee I was never informed to pay is holding me back.

So yeah, I take my Jeep in to get the smog check taken care of and it fails two tests. I'll know more in about an hour or so what the final word is and how much *more* it will cost.

Also, I have to have one of the three forms I need to fill out for the CO DMV notarized which will also incur another fee!

Someone really is testing my patience with the whole driving priviledge process and keeping them up to date and in good status. =P

Slack on the Updates

2009-09-14T21:33:32Z

My sincerest apologies for the lack of updates regarding my trip to Eurofurence 3 weeks ago and my past weekend in Rosarito, Mexico. I will try to amend that tomorrow hopefully. Today is work and then I rush off to see my beloved Los Angeles Dodgers play the inept Pittsburgh Pirates. Until then, ciao!

Eurofurence has officially been done!

2009-08-30T17:51:42Z

What a fantastic convention too! I wish I could have alloted more time to stay longer. I would have loved to have arrived much earlier into Germany and left later as well. The jetlag was pure Hell! Especially when each night was a late night and many drinks were had over the course of the week. It's unbelievable how much alcohol was consumed by the convention goers and how rare it is to have practically no problems associated with it.

The Ringberg Hotel is a very nice establishment and it makes me sad to know that this was the final year EF would be held in that lovely place. My only complaint is the one key per room policy which made it inconvenient for my roomies and myself to have open access to our room. Especially when one of us wanted to sleep and wasn't able to find a roomie to take the key back to reception so they could retrieve the key later when they wanted to sleep.

I left the con early today so that I could be in Frankfurt to catch my mid-day flight tomorrow. However, my early arrival to the hotel was very rewarding and I managed to spend a great deal of time with Zuki, Theo, Al, Pickle, and Aggie. I met up with a number of good people that includes Kaarlo, Scauron, Korrock, Ultraviolet, Kurt, Zotcoon, Kay, Cookie and others I would have to mention later when I can recall much better.

I didn't get to see any of the panels really and missed the performances which was a bit of a disappointment, but it was one of those weeks when every waking hour was not left unspent nor wasted. I primarily socialized with the many friends I rarely get the opportunity to see due to great distances and every minute was treasured well. I did manage to sit in on two of Zuki's SIGS and eventually participated in Saturday's SIG he held. I also did try to bid on a few pieces at the art auction, but was only able to walk away with one piece. However, one of the artists did have some originals that didn't sell in which I picked up before the Artist Alley closed.

Anyway, just a brief update and will try to get some photos up to post later sometime after I return home and get settled back in.

Kuroda hit by line drive.

2009-08-16T04:19:32Z

Hiroki Kuroda was hit by a line drive from Arizona pinch hitter Rusty Ryal in the bottom of the 6th innning.

With a 2-2 count a comeback line drive struck Kuroda on the side of the head and sent him to the ground clutching his head in pain. It was a horrifying scene to watch and made my blood run cold as I sat in front of the television and witnessed it happen. He had to be removed from the field on a stretcher, but was still conscious as they carted him off the field and took him to the hospital.

The Dodgers went on to lose the game 3-4 in 10 innings which was 3-0 before Kuroda was injured in the 6th and removed from the game. Broxton blew the save by allowing 2 back-to-back solo homeruns to Mark Reynolds and Miguel Montero. Ramon Troncoso saddled with the lose in the 10th on a long single to center with the bases loaded.

I'm deeply saddened about what happened to Kuroda and pray that he'll be alright. God be with him and his family tonight.

I'll never be able to get that image out of my mind and the sickening sound of the impact of the baseball as it hit him. It leaves me with a dull, hollow feeling inside.

In terms of what this means to the team it is a tragic loss. Hiroki was battling back into fine form this second half of the season after being out for nearly three months when he went on the disabled list after his April 6th Opening Day start.

Him being out of the Dodgers starting rotation will affect the team greatly. Especially as things stand now without a definite 5th slot pitcher and a rotation that struggles to go more than 6 innings. Topping it off, the club has been playing .500 ball ever since the middle of June and allowing the Giants and Rockies to shorten the gap for the lead in the National League West.

May the team be able to pull through this lull and very significant loss of an ace pitcher who was invaluable last season and was crucial to us in the 2008 post season. Be well Kuroda and my prayers are with you.

Story can be found here.

Tommy Lasorda heading into the Brooklyn Dodgers H.O.F.

2009-08-13T21:38:21Z

Congratulations Tommy!

Read the complete story here on CBS 2/KCAL 9's website.

Yet another fantastic milestone and achievement for one of baseball's most enigmatic representatives.

Baseball related postings & Snoop Dogg.

2009-08-13T18:08:07Z

Yesterday's Dodgers @ Giants finale was exciting and frustrating to watch. The best game of the three even though we took the extra-inning game into the the 10th for a 2-4 loss. What I must say is that I am very impressed with the Dodger pitchers that stepped up to face the Giants ace Tim Lincecum. Without having a clear 5th starter in our rotation and placing Jeff Weaver on the mound to start against him was tough and very trying.

Weaver pitcher a very ugly game, but yet still managed to pitch 3 scoreless innings making 61 pitches. Mind you, this followed another three scoreless innings of relief that he pitched three days ago. The 3rd inning was a tightrope act for Weaver when he was able to escape a bases-loaded with no outs jam by not surrendering a run. If only the naysayers and Weaver haters could properly put that into perspective and actually see and show some appreciation for his pitching performances this season.

I have to give my thanks to Juan Pierre for a great pinch hit as well has Furcal stealing second which allowed Ethier to single him to tie the game in the ninth and spoil Lincecum's complete game masterpiece.

Tough loss, much excitement and a nailbiter all the way through. My heart jumped a few times and beat hard just watching it on the television. Now let's get those D'Backs tomorrow and serve Dan Haren with another 'L' in the box scores!

My son started his first day back in Little League for this season's fall ball by attending the first practice. The practices will be small since some of the players are still playing tournaments on All Star teams and others are playing football or soccer. Only a handfull of the team are dedicating all their time to baseball and the fall ball team this season. It'll still be fun and good for all of them and will keep them playing and staying sharp for the upcoming regular season next year.

Seth's Braves teamate Josh and I were doing warm up tosses and man does that kid throw hard. He had my hand stinging from a few throws that were throbbing until late last night. He also threw one low and I had to dodge it unsuccessfully taking a hit to my right calf that still stings today.

All in all the kids looked a little rusty and hesitant, but that will all work itself out once they get into a routine and find their rhythm. Another practice today, but Seth will have to arrive late after he finishes his tutoring session.

When it comes to buying tickets one would never expect to be doing so from one such as Snoop Dogg, but when the Dodgers debuted their new Ticket Truck (which kinda looks like an ice cream truck) they had Snoop promoting it on it's first day out. I find that highly amusing considering who Snoop is and his background. At least the only thing that G was slanging that day were only Dodgers tickets. You can check out the full story here.

Phone replaced finally.

2009-08-12T18:23:43Z

At long last I picked up a new iPhone. Since I qualified for the free upgrade I went ahead and picked out a 32GB 3Gs. This baby will not be left at Dodger Stadium and will be permanently grafted to my flesh.

Also, of all things I relented and set up a Twitter dumpsite. Watch if you like. I don't predict a wealth of epiphanies to erupt from my 140 character limit Twitter dumps. Fret not, I'll have enough oozing, yet succinct and headscratching brain fodder to belch out. I won't completely bomb it with ruthlesslesly mundane tasks or wallpaper each submission with Dodgers updates. Unless of course I happen to be witnessnessing a jaw dropping event at the Stadium like Manny's pinch hit homerun into the Left Field Mannywood section.

Lost my phone.

2009-07-24T20:43:07Z

Apparently in my enthusiasm of last Wednesday night's win and sweep of the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium and the still ongoing euphoria of Manny Ramirez's pinch hit Grand Slam to give the Dodgers the lead and Billingsley his 10th win of the season, I left/lost my phone near my seat and hadn't realized it until well after leaving the ballpark and dropping off genevieve_l .

So if you're trying to call or text me and I don't reply you'll know the reason. I haven't yet looked into replacing my iPhone just yet. The cost is what's going to ding me the most though.

So basically, I'll need to get everyone's telephone numbers all over again...

Returning to Texas.

2009-07-05T18:26:07Z

Just a brief announcement.

My grandmother passed away this morning. My brother, father, I and my son will be leaving to Texas most likely this evening or tonight. Not quite sure. It'll take 22 hours to drive straight through though.

Additional news.

2009-07-02T22:23:22Z

Earlier this morning Kurt our computer person and tech phoned us up to tell us that his friend and partner Charlie had a massive heart attack and died earlier today from what I understood when my father took the call at work today.

This news was rather sudden and very unexpected. Charlie was a wonderful person and acquaintance and was always a cheerful person to talk to. He had a great disposition and a pleasant sense of humor. He was very close to my cousin Tina and we're both amazed at his passing at the age of 51.

I don't know when funeral services are going to be scheduled for Charlie, but considering the current status of my grandmother I may not be able to attend his service.

Anyway, Charlie...God be with you and thank you for everything you've done for us. My thoughts will be with your family.

More family news.

2009-07-02T21:16:26Z

I know it has been quite some time since my last real post and that I've not made many recent journals for a while. Truth be told I've been pretty busy and when I haven't been I tended to just veg out online for distractions. Mostly I've been watching Dodgers baseball on the television or by driving to the stadium for the games. Anyway, here's a brief update of current events.

A month ago my mother and brother flew to Corpus Christi, TX to attend my grandmother's 90th birthday party (which was this past April) and to celebrate it along with a family reunion on the 6th of June. They planned her birthday party with the family reunion to precede the wedding of my cousin Aaron which was held on the 13th the following weekend.

Because my son was still in school he and I were not able to attend the birthday party and reunion, but we did fly down to Houston to go to my cousin's wedding. Unfortunately my mother wasn't able to stay for the wedding herself and had to fly back that evening of the wedding. My brother had already returned to California a few days beforehand.

Seth and myself were the only members of our family at the wedding and we were happy to have been there since we couldn't be at the party/reunion the weekend before. We got to see a lot of our Texas family and see one of our closest cousins get married.

After the wedding my son and I traveled to Arlington to catch our Dodgers play the Texas Rangers before returning home ourselves. I'll talk more about that excursion in another post.

Advancing to a week ago this past Saturday my mother received a call from her family back in Texas saying that her mother, my grandmother had a stroke either Friday night or early Saturday morning of the 27th. This of course was unsettling news and as much as we hoped that it wasn't too serious the prognosis wasn't very reassuring.

Today I dropped my mother off at the airport after encouraging her to fly out as soon as possible. Last Tuesday I convinced her to book her flight that night to fly out Thursday morning today. She won't arrive there until 6:30pm Central time. That will be 4 hours and 15 minutes from now. All I can hope is that she will be able to make it to the nursing home where her mother is before she closes her eyes for the last time.

My cousin Aaron has been keeping me posted with texts as to the condition of our grandmother and her breathing has been getting slower with each passing hour. She's down to 4 breaths a minute now when just this morning she had six. The normal rate should be 18 per minute just to give you an idea how shallow her breathing is.

About an hour ago I phoned up the nursing home and spoke to my Uncle Henry and Aunt Francis (my mother's brother & sister) and also spoke briefly to my grandmother and passed the phone to my brother so he could as well. She wasn't able to respond back, but she could hear our voices. We told her we're thinking of her and that we love her very much.

Right now everything seems to be happening at a very quick pace and I'm just praying that my mom makes it there in time so she can be there with her mother before she passes on to be with God. Meanwhile me and my father and brother await news of the inevitable and then we'll be driving out to Texas ourselves.

Anyway, that's what's currently happening right now.

David Carradine 1936-2009

2009-06-04T18:43:00Z

I just don't know what to say...

Actor David Carradine Was Found Dead, Hanged in Closet of Bangkok Hotel Room

Opening Day

2009-04-14T20:01:47Z

Yesterday was the Dodgers Opening Day vs. the San Francisco Giants. What an opening day it was too.

First off, I left early in the morning with my son to get there with plenty of time to spare to eat breakfast at the Vietnamese and Chinese restaurant named Phơ Broadway. We discovered this place last year when we went to Opening Day 2008. Its just a little place on 942 N. Broadway in Chinatown not far from the Stadium. Its so close in fact that when Seth and I first ate there last year it was a walk away from the ballpark.

The food was delicious and its always nice to see my son not being too finicky these days with new foods and he really enjoyed his meal. He ordered steak with egg noodles and I got myself duck with rice noodles. I love thisplace and wouldn't mind eating there again before some more games this season.

After eating we made for the stadium and parked to hurry up and see who was signing in Autograph Alley and try to get a new signature for out baseball. We stood in line for nearly 90 minutes and missed opportunites to get Derrel Thomas, Steve Yeager and Ron Cey, but we did get Steve Garvey's autograph within minues before he got up to leave! Whew! I'm so glad we could add his name to the ball. I took a video snippet with my camera. The durn camera's flash doesn't work so I didn't take any still photos.

After the autograph signing we hustled all the way from the centerfirld wall through the lot to get to the reserve level deck where are steas are. We made in plenty of time to fetch some refreshments and take our seats to watch yet another fantastic opening day ceremony. I love when the Dodgers go all out to treat the fans to something special on this day.

The festivities began with 150+ servicemen from the Navy & Marines staning in the outfield. After the Giants were introduced and booed by many in the stands the Dodgers were introduced and the starting line-up took the field from the stands amongst the fans as their names were being called. A first for the Dodgers and very special moment for those fans in those sections. After the line-up was called out onto the field the fireworks exploded and the servicemen unfurled the giant American Flag on the outfield while standard bearers brought out the flags of many nations to line the grass near the infield. A lovely Star Spangled Banner was sung by an artist I'm not familiar with followed by a flyover from the Spirit jet then explosion of streamers from the stands and the releasing of doves from the outfield. Simply amazing!

The first pitch was thrown by Vin Scully who was given a blue carpet treatment after being introduced for 60 years of service as the Dodgers radio and television announcer. He trhew a strike to Joe Torre who caught for him. A special honor indeed. I love you Vin, many years have I listened to your voice as I grew up a Dodger fan.

Yet another historical landmark was set at Dodger Stadium with a record sell out crowd of 57,099. The largest ever in the history of the ballpark!

The game began with a bang when Orland Hudson hit a homerun in the 3rd inning after singling in his first at bat. The 4th inning had the Dodgers scoring 6 big runs to break the game open with Ethier hitting the first of two homeruns in the game which was a solo shot with 1 out. His second was a 2-run dinger off of Hinshaw in the 8th with 1 out. Manny went 1 for 2 with 2 walks.

Orlando Hudson was the star of the game as hit for the cycle which was the first time a Dodger had achieved that feat since Wes Parker in 1970. It was also the first time in Dodger Stadium history for a Dodger player to hit for the cycle. I can't believe how incredibly lucky it was for myself and Seth to witness such a grand achievment. This is the second time I have seen any player hit for the cycle. The first being Guzman of the Washington Nationals in Nationals Park while they routed the Dodgers in that series.

The Dodgers finished the game winning over the Giants by a route of 1-11. Chad Billingsley pitched a very strong and confident game with 11 strikeouts and no walks with only one earned run. Thank you Chad!

Thank you Dodgers for a fantastic time at the ballpark. Thank you Chad for pitching a dominating game. Thank you Orlando for a memory that will be cherished for years to come! Thank you Ethier for adding to the excitement with your 2 dingers into the stands! Thank you Vin for being the voice of the Dodgers for 60 years and Torre for being a great manager!

Camelback Ranch experience.

2009-04-09T17:35:04Z

It's been a month and a few days since my last post. I've been a bit slack on posting and apologize for the extended silence. Let me recap a few things and then move on to current events in later posts.

First, my trip with my son to Dodgers Camelback Ranch in Glendale, AZ was a great trip! I love the facility and intend to make it a new tradition for me and my son to make an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for years to come. The place is beautiful and well worth the trip. Perhaps next time I'll fly their and rent a car, but all in all I'm quite impressed with the facility.

While we were there at the stadium we walked around and watched as some of the White Sox players were taking batting practice in one of the nearby fields close to the entrance from the parking lot. The Sox are in a partnership with the Dodgers and share the training camp with them.

We continued along the path and took in the pools of water and mini waterfalls where they have koi stocked in them. We didn't see any fish though, but it was something pleasant to look upon. We meandered over to the Dodgers minors fields and watched them take batting practice and on a nearbyy field watched a bit of a simulated game. Meanwhile minor league pitchers warmed up throwing pitches on a nearby grassy area.

We entered the stadium and were blown away by the intimacy set in noticing that there's not a single bad seat in the place. We had out seats very close to home plate, 1st base side and had a great view of the action. Before the game we staked out the 3rd base side to watch the players file in and do their warm up stretches. We got to see some of our favorite players up close and managed to get the autographs to rookie minor leaguer Jamie Hoffman and new hitting coach and former Dodger pinch hitter Mark Sweeney. Sweeney was just announced as a new assistant hitting coach just the day before so it was quite the surprise when we saw him walking down the field to the dugout.

The weather was perfect and despite losing the game in the later innings it was quite a treat to be there and enjoy a game in the early spring. Soon after that my son and I took off to downtown Phoenix to look up Alice Cooper'sTown. That place is great. Typical of a sports bar with a rock 'n' roll, sports theme. Imagine a a mixture of Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Cafe and ESPN zone all in one. We ordered some wings and fries and drinks. Myself having a Cooper'sTown Poison Pale Ale. Before leaving I couldn't help but snag some swag from the gift counter which consisted of T-shirts, guitar picks, shot glasses and hot sauce & BBQ sauce.

One of the really awesome things about Cooper'sTown is its location which is just a block and a half from the main entrance to Chase Field where the Diamondbacks play. One of these weekends when it can be planned I intend to make a trip to watch my Dodgers play the D'Backs. Book a hotel downtown within walking distance and revisit Cooper'sTown!

If you are a Dodgers (or even a White Sox) fan I highly recommend making the trip to visit Glendale's Spring Training facility and take the time to visit Cooper'sTown if you're a fan of the rocker and the restaurant's offered menu food and draft beer offerings in addition to their margarita menu, specialty drinks and specialty martinis.

Phoenix bound!

2009-03-05T20:19:50Z

Tomorrow I'm heading out to Glendale, Arizona with my 12 year old son to visit Camelback Ranch! I'm looking forward to seeing a Dodger Spring Training game against the Seattle Mariners in the Dodgers/White Sox brand new facility. It's too bad that Manny Ramirez won't be in camp when we go, nor Russel Martin or Jonathan Broxton as both will be playing with their teams in the World Baseball Classic. Still, this will be a very exciting trip and our very first real Spring Training game to watch!