I am currently posting from the coffee shop inside this place. Booyah!
This place is 100 bazillion times better than the tent we camped in last year. I couldn't even count how many pools they have...so worth the money.
Not even the fact that I STILL don't have my car could ruin this moment for me.
Peace.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Friday, April 29, 2005
James Jeff Guckert Gannon is delusional
I just read this short article...and then I laughed...and then I laughed some more.
You know the guy/girl who explains everything that happens to them under the assumption that everyone loves them and they are the greatest thing to ever grace God's good earth? That is Jeff Gannon.
My favorite quote is when he says, "Probably many who would want to extend such an invitation already assume I will be in attendance." Yeeeeeeeaaaaaahhhh....that's it, Jeff...you just keep thinking like that...ooooookaaaaaaay. Oh, and also, Jeff, ummm....you're a joke. I think someone forgot to clue you in on that little factoid.
Other potential delusional responses would be:
"The invitation must have been lost in the mail."
"They probably don't want me there because I will be prettier than everyone else and it will make them all feel bad about being so ugly."
"They were probably afraid to invite me because I am so awesome."
Oh man...that guy needs help. So sad.
You know the guy/girl who explains everything that happens to them under the assumption that everyone loves them and they are the greatest thing to ever grace God's good earth? That is Jeff Gannon.
My favorite quote is when he says, "Probably many who would want to extend such an invitation already assume I will be in attendance." Yeeeeeeeaaaaaahhhh....that's it, Jeff...you just keep thinking like that...ooooookaaaaaaay. Oh, and also, Jeff, ummm....you're a joke. I think someone forgot to clue you in on that little factoid.
Other potential delusional responses would be:
"The invitation must have been lost in the mail."
"They probably don't want me there because I will be prettier than everyone else and it will make them all feel bad about being so ugly."
"They were probably afraid to invite me because I am so awesome."
Oh man...that guy needs help. So sad.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
...and closer...
Day Two Line Up (click for both days)
I was afraid of this. With so many performers/bands, I knew it was a good possibility that I might have to sacrifice seeing at least one of them. With Arcade Fire and Z-Trip going on at the same time on day two, it looks like I will have to get my mash-up fix some other time.
Day two looks like it's also going to involve a good amount of walking back and forth. From Jem @ the Outdoor Theatre to M.I.A. @ the Gobi Tent to The Bravery @ the Mojave Tent to hopefully the tail end of Tegan and Sara's set and Arcade Fire back @ the Outdoor Theatre to New Order and Nine Inch Nails @ the Coachella Stage to The Prodigy @ the Sahara Tent and finally back to the Outdoor Theatre to catch Bright Eyes...and then drive home and collapse.
When faced with a choice between Chemical Brothers and Coldplay at the end of day one, I am going to have to go with Coldplay (I've seen the bros already and, though they put on a good show, I don't need to sit through your standard rave). That means I won't have to do much walking since Snow Patrol, Keane, Wilco, and Weezer are all going on before Coldplay on the Coachella Stage. I guess I will have to wait for another time to see Spoon as well.
Why does all the walking have to be on day two? My feet hurt just thinking about it. I am going to be so useless on Monday.
By the way, I still don't have my car...can somebody just hold me?
Nooooooooooo!!!
But, but, but.....you're gay....aren't you?
Tom has stolen one of my "amores locos"...not cool, Tom...so not cool.
Katie: He's just using you...don't fall for his games...look at all the failed relationships: Nicole, Penelope, Sofia...need I go on? Don't even get me started on the whole Scientology thing...how does that NOT freak you out?! Plus I am waaaay taller than him....like, waaaaay taller. Come on, Joey...uh I mean Katie...you're smarter than that. Call me, Katie...please. I love you. [sniffle]
Hypocrisy Watch 2005: The Denver Affair
I missed this story when it first came out...probably because it is not news anymore when dissidents are banned from Bush events. I caught a reference to it in Scott McClellan's 3/29 press briefing and was easily able to find the DFP article by googling "colorado ban participants at bush events"...this was the second hit of "about 59,600" according to Google.
This time the ejectees were guilty of having "No More Blood for Oil" bumper stickers on their car. I understand the need to filter out potentially disruptive participants in these types of events...but, at least give people a chance to participate before you assume they are going to be disruptive. Ironically, these folks were actually planning on being disruptive and then changed their mind...but, ultimately, it didn't matter...they were booted anyway. Not cool.
This time the ejectees were guilty of having "No More Blood for Oil" bumper stickers on their car. I understand the need to filter out potentially disruptive participants in these types of events...but, at least give people a chance to participate before you assume they are going to be disruptive. Ironically, these folks were actually planning on being disruptive and then changed their mind...but, ultimately, it didn't matter...they were booted anyway. Not cool.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
"I wanna go back, yeah!"
It's getting closer....
Is it just me or does Rivers look a little like Nick Stahl in this picture? Weather forecasts for Indio this weekend are 20 degrees cooler than last year which was 103˚ on day 1 and 99˚ on day 2. In the celebratory words of Kurt Warner, "THANK YOU, JESUS!!!"
Busy at work today...sorry about the weak sauce posts for today and yesterday.
Should get my car back tonight. No word yet on what the financial implications of that last statement will be. Now I know why people ride the bus.
Is it just me or does Rivers look a little like Nick Stahl in this picture? Weather forecasts for Indio this weekend are 20 degrees cooler than last year which was 103˚ on day 1 and 99˚ on day 2. In the celebratory words of Kurt Warner, "THANK YOU, JESUS!!!"
Busy at work today...sorry about the weak sauce posts for today and yesterday.
Should get my car back tonight. No word yet on what the financial implications of that last statement will be. Now I know why people ride the bus.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
120 hours....give or take...
Monday, April 25, 2005
Redemption
After a $126 tow from Burbank to West LA, my car is now in the capable hands of Doyle Sharp, mechanic extraordinaire. I can't tell you how much peace of mind a good and trustworthy mechanic can provide...I just can't...so don't ask me.
I would not have been able to get through this ordeal without the help of my friends: Adam, Nancy, Mike, Ruth, Alex, and Kristen. All of them came through for me in one way or another and for that I am truly grateful. I also would like to thank Anonymous for his or her sympathy.
And after nearly four full weeks of no DSL, I am now posting from home.
Good night, folks.
I would not have been able to get through this ordeal without the help of my friends: Adam, Nancy, Mike, Ruth, Alex, and Kristen. All of them came through for me in one way or another and for that I am truly grateful. I also would like to thank Anonymous for his or her sympathy.
And after nearly four full weeks of no DSL, I am now posting from home.
Good night, folks.
How was your weekend? Mine SUCKED!
Friday, 5:30 p.m. - leave work and drive Keek to her mechanic (btw, got to work @ 7 a.m.)
Friday, 6:30 p.m. - get to U.P.S. customer pickup center to get SBC package (see here)
Friday, 8:00 p.m. - get SBC package from U.P.S.
Friday, 9:00 p.m. - run w/ Reeves
Friday, 10:00 p.m. - dinner w/ Reeves and Nancy
Saturday, 12:00 a.m. - car won't start
Saturday, 3:00 a.m. - sleep at Mike D's place
Saturday, 10:20 a.m. - call for tow
Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - tow arrives
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. - drop off car at mechanic
Saturday, 12:30 p.m. - give ok to mechanic to replace starter
Saturday, 12:50 p.m. - cancel lunch date with the Bad Ass Korean
Saturday, 1:30 p.m. - starter fixed; car now has previously non-existent problems
Saturday, 4:00 p.m. - car still not fixed; mechanic no where to be found
Saturday, 6:00 p.m. - phone call to mechanic yields 5 minute wait on hold after which I hang up
Saturday, 8:00 p.m. - phone call to mechanic still unsuccessful in learning of any new finding
Saturday, 9:00 p.m. - phone call from mechanic uncovers no known cause of new problems; I am told to call him Monday at 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, 1:00 a.m. - sleep on floor @ Nancy's
Sunday: mechanic closed (day spent thinking about ways to hurt mechanic and his loved ones)
Sunday: 11:30 p.m. - sleep on couch @ Keek's
Monday, 11:00 a.m. - phone call to mechanic; told he will call back in half hour
Monday, 12:00 p.m. - unable to take mechanic's phone call...too busy at work
Monday, 12:15 p.m. - leave message on mechanic's cell giving him my work number
Monday, 4:50 p.m. - still waiting for him to call back
I forgot what my bed feels like. I am planning on going to the bad mechanic's today after work and towing it 20 miles to my trustworthy mechanic...God only knows how much the tow will cost.
Only 5 days until Coachella....hopefully, this will be taken care of by then.
Friday, 6:30 p.m. - get to U.P.S. customer pickup center to get SBC package (see here)
Friday, 8:00 p.m. - get SBC package from U.P.S.
Friday, 9:00 p.m. - run w/ Reeves
Friday, 10:00 p.m. - dinner w/ Reeves and Nancy
Saturday, 12:00 a.m. - car won't start
Saturday, 3:00 a.m. - sleep at Mike D's place
Saturday, 10:20 a.m. - call for tow
Saturday, 11:00 a.m. - tow arrives
Saturday, 11:30 a.m. - drop off car at mechanic
Saturday, 12:30 p.m. - give ok to mechanic to replace starter
Saturday, 12:50 p.m. - cancel lunch date with the Bad Ass Korean
Saturday, 1:30 p.m. - starter fixed; car now has previously non-existent problems
Saturday, 4:00 p.m. - car still not fixed; mechanic no where to be found
Saturday, 6:00 p.m. - phone call to mechanic yields 5 minute wait on hold after which I hang up
Saturday, 8:00 p.m. - phone call to mechanic still unsuccessful in learning of any new finding
Saturday, 9:00 p.m. - phone call from mechanic uncovers no known cause of new problems; I am told to call him Monday at 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, 1:00 a.m. - sleep on floor @ Nancy's
Sunday: mechanic closed (day spent thinking about ways to hurt mechanic and his loved ones)
Sunday: 11:30 p.m. - sleep on couch @ Keek's
Monday, 11:00 a.m. - phone call to mechanic; told he will call back in half hour
Monday, 12:00 p.m. - unable to take mechanic's phone call...too busy at work
Monday, 12:15 p.m. - leave message on mechanic's cell giving him my work number
Monday, 4:50 p.m. - still waiting for him to call back
I forgot what my bed feels like. I am planning on going to the bad mechanic's today after work and towing it 20 miles to my trustworthy mechanic...God only knows how much the tow will cost.
Only 5 days until Coachella....hopefully, this will be taken care of by then.
Friday, April 22, 2005
Hypocrisy Watch 2005: The First Amendment
Imagine, if you will, the leader of a country using his or her power to influence how the media portrayed him and his supporters. These days it's hard to tell whether I am talking about Iraq or the U.S. This article by Eric Alterman had some interesting things to say about the apparent hiatus on which the current administration has put the first amendment. Here is my favorite part of the article which includes a couple quotes from unnamed Bush officials:
"We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality--judiciously, as you will--we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors...and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do." For those who didn't like it, another Bush adviser explained, "Let me clue you in. We don't care. You see, you're outnumbered two to one by folks in the big, wide middle of America, busy working people who don't read the New York Times or Washington Post or the LA Times."
Unnamed indeed. Where is Michael Moore when you need him to put a face to that quote. Regardless of who said it, the most troubling aspect of the quote is the fact that it confirms what most left-leaners fear, specifically how Bush and Co. aren't worried about the questionable nature of their actions because they realize their support base are more likely to just believe what they hear. If I were a Bush supporter, I might actually find this comment offensive given that the aide all but called middle America stupid. He or she was careful enough to add the "busy working" adjectives so as to suggest that he or she was not implying any sort of illiteracy.
While The New York Times, Washington Post and LA Times may be somewhat of a liberal stronghold thus prompting the aforementioned dismissal of their relevance, Republicans are not about to overlook other options (besides FOX News) for propagandizing...under the guise of public media, no less. This piece in today's Washington Post tells of the recent conservative additions to the broadcast schedule for PBS. Though there is no confirmation of whether these recent developments have anything to do with the fact that "[a]ppointees of President Bush currently control the majority of seats on CPB's eight-member board," smart money says it does. CPB (the Corporation for Public Broadcasting) "provides about $30 million in federal funds" to PBS...that would be said smart money. Other questionable CPB activities include a PBS programming review for "evidence of bias," threats to withhold funds should PBS's not adhere to certain "agreement" terms, and "dismissals and departures" of "other CPB officials, all of whom had Democratic affiliations."
Let me ask you this: If middle America doesn't read the newspaper, what makes you think they are going to watch PBS? Why can't the Republicans just be happy with their "fair and balanced" FOX News channel? I guess totalitarian regimes are never happy until they control everything...I should have known with a name like "total-itarian"....Duh...I'm so stupid. I should start reading USAToday or something.
"We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality--judiciously, as you will--we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors...and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do." For those who didn't like it, another Bush adviser explained, "Let me clue you in. We don't care. You see, you're outnumbered two to one by folks in the big, wide middle of America, busy working people who don't read the New York Times or Washington Post or the LA Times."
Unnamed indeed. Where is Michael Moore when you need him to put a face to that quote. Regardless of who said it, the most troubling aspect of the quote is the fact that it confirms what most left-leaners fear, specifically how Bush and Co. aren't worried about the questionable nature of their actions because they realize their support base are more likely to just believe what they hear. If I were a Bush supporter, I might actually find this comment offensive given that the aide all but called middle America stupid. He or she was careful enough to add the "busy working" adjectives so as to suggest that he or she was not implying any sort of illiteracy.
While The New York Times, Washington Post and LA Times may be somewhat of a liberal stronghold thus prompting the aforementioned dismissal of their relevance, Republicans are not about to overlook other options (besides FOX News) for propagandizing...under the guise of public media, no less. This piece in today's Washington Post tells of the recent conservative additions to the broadcast schedule for PBS. Though there is no confirmation of whether these recent developments have anything to do with the fact that "[a]ppointees of President Bush currently control the majority of seats on CPB's eight-member board," smart money says it does. CPB (the Corporation for Public Broadcasting) "provides about $30 million in federal funds" to PBS...that would be said smart money. Other questionable CPB activities include a PBS programming review for "evidence of bias," threats to withhold funds should PBS's not adhere to certain "agreement" terms, and "dismissals and departures" of "other CPB officials, all of whom had Democratic affiliations."
Let me ask you this: If middle America doesn't read the newspaper, what makes you think they are going to watch PBS? Why can't the Republicans just be happy with their "fair and balanced" FOX News channel? I guess totalitarian regimes are never happy until they control everything...I should have known with a name like "total-itarian"....Duh...I'm so stupid. I should start reading USAToday or something.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Marla Ruzicka: A Tribute to a Hero
As is probably obvious from the past few days' posts, it is quite easy for me to get caught up in ultimately meaningless things like sports, concerts and quasi-celebrities. While these things do serve a purpose earning them both a time and place, it is important to be constantly aware of what really matters. The debate over what that happens to be can be long, tedious and, more often than not, inconclusive given society's proclivity for relativism. However, I believe that there are a handful of things that most if not all people can agree on. I think we can all agree that Marla Ruzicka is a hero.
I came across this op-ed piece in today's New York Times and almost wept at the beauty of this woman's heart. She was a 28 year old woman who traveled to Afghanistan and Iraq to advocate for the innocent victims of the recent wars in both areas. She died last Saturday when a nearby suicide bomber attack set the car she was in on fire and she burned to death. Here are some quotes that really grabbed my attention:
"She was out there doing something that all of us knew was really needed, but that was too dangerous for most people to want to do, or be willing to do." -Tim Rieser (aide to Senator Patrick Leahy)
"She didn't do it for political gain or monetary gain. She did it out of love. I think her legacy will be to forever change the attitude of the U.S. government and the U.S. military on how they deal with collateral damage." -Clifford (Marla's father)
It is quite easy for me to criticize proponents of the war and the current administration because of the glaring injustices surrounding the situation...and I often do. Marla chose to do something about the injustices and died in her attempt. Few people can say that they are willing to die to fight injustice and fewer still will prove it by putting themselves in harm's way. This woman makes me want to be a better person...a braver person...a heroic person. Marla Ruzicka gives me hope for humanity. She is my hero.
I came across this op-ed piece in today's New York Times and almost wept at the beauty of this woman's heart. She was a 28 year old woman who traveled to Afghanistan and Iraq to advocate for the innocent victims of the recent wars in both areas. She died last Saturday when a nearby suicide bomber attack set the car she was in on fire and she burned to death. Here are some quotes that really grabbed my attention:
"She was out there doing something that all of us knew was really needed, but that was too dangerous for most people to want to do, or be willing to do." -Tim Rieser (aide to Senator Patrick Leahy)
"She didn't do it for political gain or monetary gain. She did it out of love. I think her legacy will be to forever change the attitude of the U.S. government and the U.S. military on how they deal with collateral damage." -Clifford (Marla's father)
It is quite easy for me to criticize proponents of the war and the current administration because of the glaring injustices surrounding the situation...and I often do. Marla chose to do something about the injustices and died in her attempt. Few people can say that they are willing to die to fight injustice and fewer still will prove it by putting themselves in harm's way. This woman makes me want to be a better person...a braver person...a heroic person. Marla Ruzicka gives me hope for humanity. She is my hero.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Jason Mulgrew, Internet Quasi-Celebrity
As evidenced by my list of top ten blogs or "los diez mejores" located on the sidebar area of this page as well as my very first post, I am a big fan of Jason. While his sense of humor may be a bit off color for some of you (and even for me sometimes), he remains #1 on my list because, despite all of his shortcomings (and he has a great many of them as he will gladly tell you), the guy is just flat out hilarious.
Well, it seems that I am not the only one who finds him entertaining since he is currently in the process of making a TV show based on his web site/blog. How do I know this? Funny you should ask. For a while now, Jason has had a page on his web site where people interested in being "Friends of Jason Mulgrew" can email him with a link to their web site/blog in hopes of him linking to them. Being the attention whore that I am, I decided this would be a great idea since it would mean more people would come here and increase the number of hits on my site meter eventually making me an internet quasi-celebrity as well. So I sent off the email and learned of the TV deal in his response. His only conditions for linking to me are that I have to write this post and email ten people a link to his site and his blog (which is just a mirror site of his site, to use his words). For the ten or so of you that receive that email, my apologies for the overkill. Also, if you ever want to check out his site, you can do so by clicking the link on the right sidebar portion of my site (or one of the many links on this post) so that he will know that I brought you to him and he can be more likely to put his link to my site in some prominent place as I have done for him.
I am not expecting any TV offers to come out of this...just a small ego boost. Just in case you missed all the previous links above, here they are again:
Jason Mulgrew, Internet Quasi-Celebrity
Everything is wrong with me
Mom and dad (and anyone else with an aversion to vulgarity/profanity), you should probably completely ignore this post and any links to Jason found anywhere on my blog.
Thanks everyone...and have a happy "Smoke Marijuana Day"...or whatever.
Well, it seems that I am not the only one who finds him entertaining since he is currently in the process of making a TV show based on his web site/blog. How do I know this? Funny you should ask. For a while now, Jason has had a page on his web site where people interested in being "Friends of Jason Mulgrew" can email him with a link to their web site/blog in hopes of him linking to them. Being the attention whore that I am, I decided this would be a great idea since it would mean more people would come here and increase the number of hits on my site meter eventually making me an internet quasi-celebrity as well. So I sent off the email and learned of the TV deal in his response. His only conditions for linking to me are that I have to write this post and email ten people a link to his site and his blog (which is just a mirror site of his site, to use his words). For the ten or so of you that receive that email, my apologies for the overkill. Also, if you ever want to check out his site, you can do so by clicking the link on the right sidebar portion of my site (or one of the many links on this post) so that he will know that I brought you to him and he can be more likely to put his link to my site in some prominent place as I have done for him.
I am not expecting any TV offers to come out of this...just a small ego boost. Just in case you missed all the previous links above, here they are again:
Jason Mulgrew, Internet Quasi-Celebrity
Everything is wrong with me
Mom and dad (and anyone else with an aversion to vulgarity/profanity), you should probably completely ignore this post and any links to Jason found anywhere on my blog.
Thanks everyone...and have a happy "Smoke Marijuana Day"...or whatever.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Local Boy Can't Be Stopped
Sorry...I couldn't help it...it was an extra innings come from behind win to extend their winning streak to 7 in a row...I freaking love Milton Bradley.
Click for recap
Click for recap
"A game of horseshoes!"
Whether you have ever seen the show or not, please go here and sign the "loyalty oath"...I promise you the cause is a worthy one. Since the inception of reality television, the American populace has been subjected to countless piles of dung posing as new shows. Like the priceless diamond engagement ring your dog swallowed peaking its sparkling value through FiFi's most recent bowel movement, Arrested Development is the glistening beacon of hope rising above the foul stench of TV's worst and joining the elite brotherhood of The Family Guy and The State (the former currently approaching its triumphant return after DVD sales convinced FOX to bring it back and the latter still not even available on DVD or VHS despite an online petition). I bought seasons 1-3 of Stewie in all his greatness and I signed the online petition and I have signed the loyalty oath...I have done my part. Now it's time to do yours. Do not falter. Be swift and true.
"The future depends on what we do in the present." - Mahatma Gandhi
"The future depends on what we do in the present." - Mahatma Gandhi
Monday, April 18, 2005
Dodgers Rule MLB
The Dodgers swept the Padres this weekend winning two of the three games with complete game shutouts by Derek Lowe and Jeff Weaver. The Dodgers are 9-2. The Dodgers are in first place in the National League Western Division...3 games ahead of 2nd place San Fran-suck-so. The Dodgers are the best team in baseball. After the Dodgers win their first non-Division game tonight in Milwaukee (which is Algonquin for "The Good Land"...thank you Alice Cooper) they will be on pace for a 135-27 record. Hence, the Dodgers rule Major League Baseball.
Though I was not able to attend Saturday or Sunday's game, the Dodgers managed to stay unbeaten at home. Friday's game clearly set the tone for the series however and the general good fortune of my boys in blue can still be attributed to yours truly. Mike D brought the D-cam so I can finally post some pictures from my actual vantage point as opposed to whatever pics ESPN decides to put up. Unfortunately, we were in the upper deck. Actually, the seats were pretty good for nose bleeds because we were practically directly behind home plate. Check out the Jackie Robinson action statue that fans received as they entered the stadium:
Swag rules.
We got there early and were able to catch the Padres' BP before the pre-game festivities. Then they did a bunch of Jackie Robinson stuff which was pretty cool. Check out Jackie's widow on the jumbo-tron:
Rachel "Hottie" Robinson
Then Ruben Studdard sang the anthem. Decent. Then the Dodgers got down to business. Lowe not only pitched a great game, he also contributed offensively batting in the first and last runs of the game. The other two runs came from back to back solo shots to left and center by these two beasts:
Jeff to Milton: "Go and do likewise."
Mike unfortunately picked the wrong time to visit the trough and missed both. I did not. I freaking love home runs.
So I will probably give the Dodger shout outs a rest for a while since I don't have tickets to any games until July. Although, should I go between now and then, you can probably expect another recap. Until then I will try and post about something you non-baseball fans will find slightly more than remotely interesting.
The rest of the weekend was fun, too...kind of. Don't ask.
Though I was not able to attend Saturday or Sunday's game, the Dodgers managed to stay unbeaten at home. Friday's game clearly set the tone for the series however and the general good fortune of my boys in blue can still be attributed to yours truly. Mike D brought the D-cam so I can finally post some pictures from my actual vantage point as opposed to whatever pics ESPN decides to put up. Unfortunately, we were in the upper deck. Actually, the seats were pretty good for nose bleeds because we were practically directly behind home plate. Check out the Jackie Robinson action statue that fans received as they entered the stadium:
Swag rules.
We got there early and were able to catch the Padres' BP before the pre-game festivities. Then they did a bunch of Jackie Robinson stuff which was pretty cool. Check out Jackie's widow on the jumbo-tron:
Rachel "Hottie" Robinson
Then Ruben Studdard sang the anthem. Decent. Then the Dodgers got down to business. Lowe not only pitched a great game, he also contributed offensively batting in the first and last runs of the game. The other two runs came from back to back solo shots to left and center by these two beasts:
Jeff to Milton: "Go and do likewise."
Mike unfortunately picked the wrong time to visit the trough and missed both. I did not. I freaking love home runs.
So I will probably give the Dodger shout outs a rest for a while since I don't have tickets to any games until July. Although, should I go between now and then, you can probably expect another recap. Until then I will try and post about something you non-baseball fans will find slightly more than remotely interesting.
The rest of the weekend was fun, too...kind of. Don't ask.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Nnn Tzz Nnn Tzz Nnn Tzz
I might be going to see these guys and these guys at this place on Saturday night. I saw them both at this place last year and they were both muy excelente!
No Dodger recap today since there was no game last night...although you can expect one on Monday since I am going tonight with Mike D (Thanks, Bri). It's "Jackie Robinson Action Statue" Night. I freaking love Jackie Robinson.
Oh yeah...happy tax day.
No Dodger recap today since there was no game last night...although you can expect one on Monday since I am going tonight with Mike D (Thanks, Bri). It's "Jackie Robinson Action Statue" Night. I freaking love Jackie Robinson.
Oh yeah...happy tax day.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Dodgers: Game 2 Recap
No sooner had I published my "Home Opener Recap" post when I found out that I was going to Game 2 of the 2 game series against Frisco. A friend's illness turned out to be my good fortune as I was able to fill an empty spot for a group of folks who had tickets in the "Preferred Loge" section...nice seats. It was Keek's first ever live viewing of a baseball game and she picked a good one. "Why is that?" you might ask. Check out the look on Tomko's face after Kent touched him up for a 429 footer to left:
"Ouchtown - Population: You, Bro."
Dodgers' record against the Giants so far this year: 4-1. Another way to put it would be that the Dodgers own the Giants. Odalis has owned the Giants twice this season as well as his last four starts against them. I have owned the Giants this season having attended both home wins against them...oh and I just so happen to have tickets to Friday's game against San Diego meaning by the end of day tomorrow, I will have attended every home game this season. That streak will end on Saturday, however, as I do not have tickets to that game. So if anyone out there is reading this and is a fan of the Dodgers, it seems pretty obvious to me that you should do whatever you can to get me a ticket to that game and all future games if you want the winning to continue. I am clearly the reason they are unbeaten at home and, quite frankly, I would very much like it to stay that way. I thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
I freaking love baseball!
"Ouchtown - Population: You, Bro."
Dodgers' record against the Giants so far this year: 4-1. Another way to put it would be that the Dodgers own the Giants. Odalis has owned the Giants twice this season as well as his last four starts against them. I have owned the Giants this season having attended both home wins against them...oh and I just so happen to have tickets to Friday's game against San Diego meaning by the end of day tomorrow, I will have attended every home game this season. That streak will end on Saturday, however, as I do not have tickets to that game. So if anyone out there is reading this and is a fan of the Dodgers, it seems pretty obvious to me that you should do whatever you can to get me a ticket to that game and all future games if you want the winning to continue. I am clearly the reason they are unbeaten at home and, quite frankly, I would very much like it to stay that way. I thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter.
I freaking love baseball!
Victory is mine!
I realize that this is old news, but I still feel it necessary to update any of those not in the know. Stewart Gilligan Griffin's triumphant return to television is less than three weeks away. (Read about it here) Coincidentally, I will be in Indio, CA doing something else on that day so I won't be able to watch it. Can somebody tape it for me please? Can somebody tape tonight's episode of "The OC" for me, too? Please? Oh God please!
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Home Opener Recap
Did you miss me? Don't answer that. Yesterday was the most fun I have ever had at a Dodger game. By the way, I have the best boss in the world. The conversation on whether or not I could have the day off went something like this:
Me: "Can I take next Tuesday off to go to the Dodgers' home opener?"
Boss: "Yeah sure."
The day began with a trip to Bob's Big Boy for breakfast (I freaking love Eggs Benedict!). For those of you who have never been to Bob's, you really should make a point to go sometime (I think it may only be in Southern California though). Although it is, for all intents and purposes, the same as CoCo's or Carrow's or whatever diner chain exists wherever you happen to live, I am kind of partial to it since I used to go all the time when I was a kid. There's just something about those checkered overalls and that awesome hair-do that screams, "Come and eat here."
As far as we (Reeves and I) could tell from the Dodgers' web site, the earliest we could go to the game was two hours before the start time. Considering how many people already seemed to be there when we paid the increased parking price of $10, I got the feeling that we may have been able to get in earlier...but I wasn't going to let that sour the mood. The tickets were acquired through a friend of Reeves' mom whose son worked for the Dodgers' P.R. department or something like that...but we didn't know where the seats were until we picked them up from will call. So our first question to the will call guy when he hands us the tickets is, of course, "Where are the seats?"
Field level, aisle 47, row R, seats 1 and 2. If you look really close, you can see us in this picture:
Fireworks look better at night, but I'm not complaining
The Giants were finishing up with BP when we got to our seats. Lifehouse did a short set afterwards...they are the guys that sing that song "Hanging By A Moment"...when I was in a cover band in college, I always wanted to do that song, but we never got around to it. They opened with that song. Good times.
Then the Leap Frogs parachuted onto the field...that was pretty cool. Then Gagné and Izturis got some awards and I said a quick prayer to thank God that McCourt and DePodesta didn't trade those guys. Then they announced the Giants roster...Barry was appropriately booed and many F-bombs were dropped. Then the Defending National League Western Division Champion Dodgers were introduced...fireworks were set off and many F-bombs were dropped...this time followed by things like, "yeah!" and "in' A"...you know. Then Duke threw out the first pitch to Gagné. Then flags and stuff and "God Bless America" and some American Idol chick singing the national anthem...blah blah blah.
Theeeeeeeeen....the B-2 stealth bomber flew over. Awesome....freaking awesome. I freaking love stealth bombers. Oh yeah and they also played a baseball game. You can click the picture for ESPN's recap...saving the best for last, of course, was Milton's 2 out bottom of the ninth single to left which scored Izturis and Drew...Kent's game winning run was courtesy of an E-7 not committed by Bonds who, as you probably knew already, did not play because the media "forced" him to jump off a bridge or something like that...whatever, dude with your unnaturally large head...whatever. Dodgers: 1st place. Best day ever. I freaking love the Dodgers.
Giant Killah
Me: "Can I take next Tuesday off to go to the Dodgers' home opener?"
Boss: "Yeah sure."
The day began with a trip to Bob's Big Boy for breakfast (I freaking love Eggs Benedict!). For those of you who have never been to Bob's, you really should make a point to go sometime (I think it may only be in Southern California though). Although it is, for all intents and purposes, the same as CoCo's or Carrow's or whatever diner chain exists wherever you happen to live, I am kind of partial to it since I used to go all the time when I was a kid. There's just something about those checkered overalls and that awesome hair-do that screams, "Come and eat here."
As far as we (Reeves and I) could tell from the Dodgers' web site, the earliest we could go to the game was two hours before the start time. Considering how many people already seemed to be there when we paid the increased parking price of $10, I got the feeling that we may have been able to get in earlier...but I wasn't going to let that sour the mood. The tickets were acquired through a friend of Reeves' mom whose son worked for the Dodgers' P.R. department or something like that...but we didn't know where the seats were until we picked them up from will call. So our first question to the will call guy when he hands us the tickets is, of course, "Where are the seats?"
Field level, aisle 47, row R, seats 1 and 2. If you look really close, you can see us in this picture:
Fireworks look better at night, but I'm not complaining
The Giants were finishing up with BP when we got to our seats. Lifehouse did a short set afterwards...they are the guys that sing that song "Hanging By A Moment"...when I was in a cover band in college, I always wanted to do that song, but we never got around to it. They opened with that song. Good times.
Then the Leap Frogs parachuted onto the field...that was pretty cool. Then Gagné and Izturis got some awards and I said a quick prayer to thank God that McCourt and DePodesta didn't trade those guys. Then they announced the Giants roster...Barry was appropriately booed and many F-bombs were dropped. Then the Defending National League Western Division Champion Dodgers were introduced...fireworks were set off and many F-bombs were dropped...this time followed by things like, "yeah!" and "in' A"...you know. Then Duke threw out the first pitch to Gagné. Then flags and stuff and "God Bless America" and some American Idol chick singing the national anthem...blah blah blah.
Theeeeeeeeen....the B-2 stealth bomber flew over. Awesome....freaking awesome. I freaking love stealth bombers. Oh yeah and they also played a baseball game. You can click the picture for ESPN's recap...saving the best for last, of course, was Milton's 2 out bottom of the ninth single to left which scored Izturis and Drew...Kent's game winning run was courtesy of an E-7 not committed by Bonds who, as you probably knew already, did not play because the media "forced" him to jump off a bridge or something like that...whatever, dude with your unnaturally large head...whatever. Dodgers: 1st place. Best day ever. I freaking love the Dodgers.
Giant Killah
Keek Speaks...and then some
Monday, April 11, 2005
21 hours and counting...
Don't expect a post tomorrow because Reeves and I will be here:
I don't remember the plate looking this far away from the mound in high school
I have always wanted to go to the home opener but never made it. That all changes tomorrow when I will finally be there to see the B2 flyover before my Dodgers face the Giants for the second series against them this year (LA won the first one 2-1 and outscored SF 18-8). The Dodgers and the Giants are currently tied for 1st in the N.L. West. The Dodgers are on pace for a 108-54 record...(that was for you, Marc Walton).
I freaking love baseball. Go Dodgers!
I don't remember the plate looking this far away from the mound in high school
I have always wanted to go to the home opener but never made it. That all changes tomorrow when I will finally be there to see the B2 flyover before my Dodgers face the Giants for the second series against them this year (LA won the first one 2-1 and outscored SF 18-8). The Dodgers and the Giants are currently tied for 1st in the N.L. West. The Dodgers are on pace for a 108-54 record...(that was for you, Marc Walton).
I freaking love baseball. Go Dodgers!
20 days and counting...
"I would also like to point out that it is hot."
I was just looking over the line-up again and realized that Tegan and Sara are playing day two. The only song of theirs that I have heard is "I Know I Know I Know" which I am pretty sure I downloaded from one of Tequila Rad's [sic] older posts...and boy howdy is it yummy. Then last night as I was watching Grey's Anatomy and trying to avoid causing my plantar regions any more pain than the ridiculously large and hideous blisters there were, I heard a song that sounded very much like the female singer's voice from T&S. Does anyone know if it was, in fact, a Tegan & Sara song on last night's episode?...and if so, what song it was?
Also, just out of curiosity, is anyone else going to one or both days of Coachella? Last year I saw Shane Hapuarachy and Jane Lee there...both of who recognized me from behind. Is my ass that memorable?
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Mexicans
"What is at stake is human dignity. If a man is not accorded respect he cannot respect himself and if he does not respect himself, he cannot demand it."
- Cesar Estrada Chavez
For those of you who don't know, let me give you a quick little bit of personal history. I am a first generation Mexican-American on my mom's side (hence the Franco face). My grandfather entered this country from Mexico (legally) in the 1950s as a Volkswagen mechanic and soon after brought his wife, my mom, her two sisters and newborn brother as well as one of my mom's aunts with him (again, all legally). He worked hard and put all his kids through school including his fifth child, a daughter, the only one born in the U.S.
My mom got married when she was 20 years old. She left school to raise my older brother and I but went back later and got her teaching degree from Cal State Northridge. She is currently a well respected teacher in the Hueneme school district where many children of migrant workers go to school. Prior to budget cuts, she was a specialty teacher who taught many of these children to read. She is also a high ranking member of the Teacher's Union. My dad calls her a goon…lovingly, of course.
I was born in Los Angeles and grew up primarily in Ventura County where my parents currently reside. I lived in Oxnard until the end of sixth grade when I moved to Camarillo. These two cities and the surrounding areas still have a large amount of fields where a variety of different kinds of produce are grown. These fields are picked by migrant workers. Migrant workers are mostly Mexican or Latin American. I can still remember growing up and driving by the fields with my mom and hearing her refer to them as "my people."
Fast forward to present day. Given my cultural heritage, it is hard to figure out where to start in terms of what I want to talk about. The border issues that seem to have come to the media forefront since September 11th are by no means anything new. Californians and other border state residents have been complaining for years about "illegal alien trash" while at the same time enjoying the low cost of produce made possible by field workers earning next to nothing. (Click here for an article about some new developments in Arizona as well as the context of the previous quote) Denying drivers' licenses to undocumented immigrants has risen to the level of national debate. It would not surprise me if many of the people who support such legislation are the same ones who complain about uninsured motorists of Latin decent. The biggest joke has to be the asinine argument that these people are "stealing jobs" from citizens or somehow endangering our economy. How many citizens do you see applying to work in a strawberry field or standing outside of Home Depot looking for some day labor? Trust me...the jobs they take are jobs other people don't want.
My grandfather was fortunate to have had a knack for fixing VWs at just the right time when they were becoming popular in the U.S. and the need for mechanics was growing. He was also fortunate to have a friend in the embassy who was able to handle all the paperwork for his and his family's legal entrance into the country. Today's Mexicans are usually not so fortunate. Most of them are forced to find other means of gaining access to the "land of the free."
I am not going to try and make an argument for supporting illegal activity. What I will do is make an argument for looking at this issue from a different perspective. Instead of breaking down the legal argument, put yourself in the same situation. Try to imagine what a person's life must be like that they would be willing to risk their life by crossing a desert or paying a smuggler to get into a country that will pay them barely enough to live on. What would it take for you to risk your life? Can you even begin to imagine what it would take for you to pick fields for a living? These people take these risks because even in the face of death, the chance of a better life for them and their families is worth cramming themselves into a tractor-trailer with no air.
I used to listen almost every morning to Kevin and Bean, the deejays for the morning show on KROQ, a local L.A. rock radio station. One morning they were talking about a group called Humane Borders which puts water stations in areas along the U.S./Mexico border where immigrants are likely to attempt to cross. This was in response to an increase in deaths due to the U.S. Border Patrol's tighter security measures in the '90s. Kevin's opinion on this matter was that you shouldn't be helping people that are breaking the law because it encourages criminal activity. It wasn't his legal argument that bothered me. It was the dehumanizing nature of his viewpoint that made my blood boil. If I didn't know better I would have thought that his attitude was a bit reminiscent of Marie Antoinette and her infamous "Let them eat cake" line. He either refused to attempt to get inside the head of someone who would do this or he was completely oblivious to the need to do so. He couldn't or wouldn't see that it is not a question of right and wrong for these migrants...it is a question of life or death.
I don't listen to Kevin and Bean much anymore. Truth be told, this is partly because I bought an iPod...but also because there have been numerous occasions when I have been offended by the insensitive nature of their show…not just toward Latinos, but towards other ethnic groups as well. I will be honest...I still listen to them every once in a while...and I still find them funny sometimes...but it is the kind of ignorance previously mentioned that troubles me when I think about how Mexicans and other Latinos are viewed in this country.
I put the Cesar Chavez quote at the beginning of this post because I think it is a good one line explanation of what is at the heart of the problem. I focused on Mexicans because over the course of my life, I have come to see them as "my people" too...however, I believe that the core ideas I have expressed in terms of the struggles of the disadvantaged apply to all groups who suffer in similar ways. I think it is easy for people to dehumanize Latinos and/or other minorities because there is a pre-existing social construct that perpetuates the practice. Sadly enough, I have seen myself do it. It is easier to joke right along with everyone when racially insensitive yet supposedly harmless comments are made. The challenge is to see the world in a truer light and fight to help others do the same.
There are so many more powerful and poignant Chavez quotes to choose from and I encourage you to read them all and to find out more about his amazing life...but for now, I will leave you with this one:
"Perhaps we can bring the day when children will learn from their earliest days that being fully man and fully woman means to give one's life to the liberation of the brother/sister who suffer. It is up to each one of us. It won't happen unless we decide to use our lives to show the way."
My people
- Cesar Estrada Chavez
For those of you who don't know, let me give you a quick little bit of personal history. I am a first generation Mexican-American on my mom's side (hence the Franco face). My grandfather entered this country from Mexico (legally) in the 1950s as a Volkswagen mechanic and soon after brought his wife, my mom, her two sisters and newborn brother as well as one of my mom's aunts with him (again, all legally). He worked hard and put all his kids through school including his fifth child, a daughter, the only one born in the U.S.
My mom got married when she was 20 years old. She left school to raise my older brother and I but went back later and got her teaching degree from Cal State Northridge. She is currently a well respected teacher in the Hueneme school district where many children of migrant workers go to school. Prior to budget cuts, she was a specialty teacher who taught many of these children to read. She is also a high ranking member of the Teacher's Union. My dad calls her a goon…lovingly, of course.
I was born in Los Angeles and grew up primarily in Ventura County where my parents currently reside. I lived in Oxnard until the end of sixth grade when I moved to Camarillo. These two cities and the surrounding areas still have a large amount of fields where a variety of different kinds of produce are grown. These fields are picked by migrant workers. Migrant workers are mostly Mexican or Latin American. I can still remember growing up and driving by the fields with my mom and hearing her refer to them as "my people."
Fast forward to present day. Given my cultural heritage, it is hard to figure out where to start in terms of what I want to talk about. The border issues that seem to have come to the media forefront since September 11th are by no means anything new. Californians and other border state residents have been complaining for years about "illegal alien trash" while at the same time enjoying the low cost of produce made possible by field workers earning next to nothing. (Click here for an article about some new developments in Arizona as well as the context of the previous quote) Denying drivers' licenses to undocumented immigrants has risen to the level of national debate. It would not surprise me if many of the people who support such legislation are the same ones who complain about uninsured motorists of Latin decent. The biggest joke has to be the asinine argument that these people are "stealing jobs" from citizens or somehow endangering our economy. How many citizens do you see applying to work in a strawberry field or standing outside of Home Depot looking for some day labor? Trust me...the jobs they take are jobs other people don't want.
My grandfather was fortunate to have had a knack for fixing VWs at just the right time when they were becoming popular in the U.S. and the need for mechanics was growing. He was also fortunate to have a friend in the embassy who was able to handle all the paperwork for his and his family's legal entrance into the country. Today's Mexicans are usually not so fortunate. Most of them are forced to find other means of gaining access to the "land of the free."
I am not going to try and make an argument for supporting illegal activity. What I will do is make an argument for looking at this issue from a different perspective. Instead of breaking down the legal argument, put yourself in the same situation. Try to imagine what a person's life must be like that they would be willing to risk their life by crossing a desert or paying a smuggler to get into a country that will pay them barely enough to live on. What would it take for you to risk your life? Can you even begin to imagine what it would take for you to pick fields for a living? These people take these risks because even in the face of death, the chance of a better life for them and their families is worth cramming themselves into a tractor-trailer with no air.
I used to listen almost every morning to Kevin and Bean, the deejays for the morning show on KROQ, a local L.A. rock radio station. One morning they were talking about a group called Humane Borders which puts water stations in areas along the U.S./Mexico border where immigrants are likely to attempt to cross. This was in response to an increase in deaths due to the U.S. Border Patrol's tighter security measures in the '90s. Kevin's opinion on this matter was that you shouldn't be helping people that are breaking the law because it encourages criminal activity. It wasn't his legal argument that bothered me. It was the dehumanizing nature of his viewpoint that made my blood boil. If I didn't know better I would have thought that his attitude was a bit reminiscent of Marie Antoinette and her infamous "Let them eat cake" line. He either refused to attempt to get inside the head of someone who would do this or he was completely oblivious to the need to do so. He couldn't or wouldn't see that it is not a question of right and wrong for these migrants...it is a question of life or death.
I don't listen to Kevin and Bean much anymore. Truth be told, this is partly because I bought an iPod...but also because there have been numerous occasions when I have been offended by the insensitive nature of their show…not just toward Latinos, but towards other ethnic groups as well. I will be honest...I still listen to them every once in a while...and I still find them funny sometimes...but it is the kind of ignorance previously mentioned that troubles me when I think about how Mexicans and other Latinos are viewed in this country.
I put the Cesar Chavez quote at the beginning of this post because I think it is a good one line explanation of what is at the heart of the problem. I focused on Mexicans because over the course of my life, I have come to see them as "my people" too...however, I believe that the core ideas I have expressed in terms of the struggles of the disadvantaged apply to all groups who suffer in similar ways. I think it is easy for people to dehumanize Latinos and/or other minorities because there is a pre-existing social construct that perpetuates the practice. Sadly enough, I have seen myself do it. It is easier to joke right along with everyone when racially insensitive yet supposedly harmless comments are made. The challenge is to see the world in a truer light and fight to help others do the same.
There are so many more powerful and poignant Chavez quotes to choose from and I encourage you to read them all and to find out more about his amazing life...but for now, I will leave you with this one:
"Perhaps we can bring the day when children will learn from their earliest days that being fully man and fully woman means to give one's life to the liberation of the brother/sister who suffer. It is up to each one of us. It won't happen unless we decide to use our lives to show the way."
My people
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
I'm J.J., and I'm the king of TV shows!!
Check it. All I have to say is, "Yes," and, "Yes." (about "Lost" and "Alias"...I don't really watch the other two shows)
Oh...and I would also like to thank Mr. Abrams for proving that you can still develop new shows that are not "reality" based. That being said, when the heck is "Real World: Austin" going to start? Come on, people...I got needs.
Oh...and I would also like to thank Mr. Abrams for proving that you can still develop new shows that are not "reality" based. That being said, when the heck is "Real World: Austin" going to start? Come on, people...I got needs.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
King/Drew
I balked a little before writing this post because I wasn't sure if I should get into this before doing a substantial amount of research. Then I realized two things: a) I don't really have to worry about journalistic integrity since no one is using my blog as any sort of authority on anything, and b) I am too lazy to ever do that much research. So I will simply let you all know ahead of time that there was not much background investigation done before writing this so try not to crucify me if I am way off base.
Yesterday, the L.A. Times (the paper which has incurred my hatred with their sales techniques and forced me to swear before God to some day bring them down once and for all) won two Pulitzer Prizes. One of them was a public service award for a piece they did on King/Drew Medical Center. King/Drew (often referred to as MLK) opened in 1972 after Kenneth Hahn (our mayor's dad) responded to the 1965 McCone Commission's observation that the area near the Watts Riots didn't have a hospital. In recent years, the center's reputation and quality of care has suffered a consistent decline leading to the November closure of its trauma center. Though St. Francis in Lynwood is fairly close to King and serves many of the same neighborhoods, it is not an L.A. County hospital and therefore does not offer low-income to no-income patients the guaranteed care and/or additional subsidized funding that a county facility would. With County U.S.C. having the next closest trauma unit, Francis is now the nearest trauma center to some of the most dangerous areas in L.A. County: Lynwood, Watts, South Gate, Huntington Park, Florence, Compton and Bell Gardens to name a few.
My point in bringing all this up is that the most likely effect of King's closure is that the people in the surrounding neighborhoods are in that much more danger given the additional strain on the public health system. Response times are crucial for any trauma meaning the faster a patient can get to a hospital, the better their chances of survival. These are people and neighborhoods that really don't need any more danger or health risks than they already have. It is no simple task to figure out exactly where the blame should rest in this particular situation, though I think it is safe to say that a good deal of the problems were, in fact, internal. I worked as an EMT for a little over a year for a company that responded to 911 medical emergencies in these very cities and areas. I have stood inside the ER of MLK on many occasions waiting for a bed to open up in order to transfer my patient from my gurney as L.A. County law requires. I have seen the quality of care that many of these patients receive firsthand. I have also heard the rumors about L.A. County Sheriffs and Sheriff Deputies writing "No MLK" on their bullet-proof vests after one of their own died in 1992. Regardless of who or what is to blame, the bottom line is that people who have the greatest need will surely be the ones to suffer in the end.
It is easy to point fingers and claim to know the reasons why things turned out this way. The hard part is solving the problem. We as voters can be part of the solution by supporting legislation that aims to help address these issues as well as candidates who promise to do the same. We can also help the public health system by not abusing it. Don't use up a valuable hospital bed if you don't need it...and don't call 911 unless it is a real emergency. We can also help out by being kind and considerate to hospital employees at every opportunity. So many of these doctors, nurses and techs have to witness the very worst of human suffering day in and day out and are often subjected to the very worst of human ingratitude. If you ever have the chance, tell them how much you appreciate what they do. I hope you found this helpful...here endeth the lesson.
Yesterday, the L.A. Times (the paper which has incurred my hatred with their sales techniques and forced me to swear before God to some day bring them down once and for all) won two Pulitzer Prizes. One of them was a public service award for a piece they did on King/Drew Medical Center. King/Drew (often referred to as MLK) opened in 1972 after Kenneth Hahn (our mayor's dad) responded to the 1965 McCone Commission's observation that the area near the Watts Riots didn't have a hospital. In recent years, the center's reputation and quality of care has suffered a consistent decline leading to the November closure of its trauma center. Though St. Francis in Lynwood is fairly close to King and serves many of the same neighborhoods, it is not an L.A. County hospital and therefore does not offer low-income to no-income patients the guaranteed care and/or additional subsidized funding that a county facility would. With County U.S.C. having the next closest trauma unit, Francis is now the nearest trauma center to some of the most dangerous areas in L.A. County: Lynwood, Watts, South Gate, Huntington Park, Florence, Compton and Bell Gardens to name a few.
My point in bringing all this up is that the most likely effect of King's closure is that the people in the surrounding neighborhoods are in that much more danger given the additional strain on the public health system. Response times are crucial for any trauma meaning the faster a patient can get to a hospital, the better their chances of survival. These are people and neighborhoods that really don't need any more danger or health risks than they already have. It is no simple task to figure out exactly where the blame should rest in this particular situation, though I think it is safe to say that a good deal of the problems were, in fact, internal. I worked as an EMT for a little over a year for a company that responded to 911 medical emergencies in these very cities and areas. I have stood inside the ER of MLK on many occasions waiting for a bed to open up in order to transfer my patient from my gurney as L.A. County law requires. I have seen the quality of care that many of these patients receive firsthand. I have also heard the rumors about L.A. County Sheriffs and Sheriff Deputies writing "No MLK" on their bullet-proof vests after one of their own died in 1992. Regardless of who or what is to blame, the bottom line is that people who have the greatest need will surely be the ones to suffer in the end.
It is easy to point fingers and claim to know the reasons why things turned out this way. The hard part is solving the problem. We as voters can be part of the solution by supporting legislation that aims to help address these issues as well as candidates who promise to do the same. We can also help the public health system by not abusing it. Don't use up a valuable hospital bed if you don't need it...and don't call 911 unless it is a real emergency. We can also help out by being kind and considerate to hospital employees at every opportunity. So many of these doctors, nurses and techs have to witness the very worst of human suffering day in and day out and are often subjected to the very worst of human ingratitude. If you ever have the chance, tell them how much you appreciate what they do. I hope you found this helpful...here endeth the lesson.
March...April...May
Sean could not be stopped. Here is a picture of him about to rip off his jersey WWF style (click on the pic for ESPN's recap):
Whatcha gonna do when the Mayster runs wild over you?
Congrats to the Tar Heels on their fourth title. Not quite 11, but who's counting?
As a side note: Don't ever go to Barney's for a big sporting event unless you plan to get there an hour or so before it starts. We watched the majority of the game while standing up and leaning against the jukebox. Good times.
Whatcha gonna do when the Mayster runs wild over you?
Congrats to the Tar Heels on their fourth title. Not quite 11, but who's counting?
As a side note: Don't ever go to Barney's for a big sporting event unless you plan to get there an hour or so before it starts. We watched the majority of the game while standing up and leaning against the jukebox. Good times.
Monday, April 04, 2005
Sin City: A Review
I saw this movie yesterday with Mike D. Though I was not as excited to see it as some people, I most certainly was looking forward to it. Given the fact that I was somewhat of an avid comic reader when I was younger, I tend to have a bit of an affinity for comic related films when done right (go rent Daredevil for an example of a comic film done wrong). My brother is a huge Batman fan and bought a copy of Miller's graphic novel "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" back in the early '90s. It is, to this day, probably my favorite graphic novel. I never got around to buying or reading the Sin City books but the trailers and the cast piqued my interest...okay, okay...Jessica Alba piqued my interest.
I have to say that is was much darker than I expected. I would not encourage my parents to see this movie...or any young children, for that matter. That still didn't stop one couple from bringing their child of no older than 9 years into the theater which prompted some guy sitting next to me to remind them of the film's R rating loud enough to make sure they heard him. After the film, Mike and I were fairly concerned for the child's mental health having had to sit through numerous body parts being cut off of numerous bad guys including Frodo Baggins who is, by the way, 100% sphincter-tighteningly freaky in this movie.
To be quite honest, I realized about half way through the film that I was literally on the edge of my seat for the majority of the 2.5 hours (including during the trailer for HHGG which I was thrilled to see will star Martin Freeman of "The Office"...the British original, not the recent U.S. knock off). I thought the effects used to enhance the comic book feel worked well and did not end up looking too gimmicky. Even Bruce, Mickey and Clive's cheesy narrations managed to suck me in...oh yeah...and Jessica Alba was good, too.
So there you go. Check it out if you have the stomach for it, but don't bring your nine year old. Not cool...so not cool.
I have to say that is was much darker than I expected. I would not encourage my parents to see this movie...or any young children, for that matter. That still didn't stop one couple from bringing their child of no older than 9 years into the theater which prompted some guy sitting next to me to remind them of the film's R rating loud enough to make sure they heard him. After the film, Mike and I were fairly concerned for the child's mental health having had to sit through numerous body parts being cut off of numerous bad guys including Frodo Baggins who is, by the way, 100% sphincter-tighteningly freaky in this movie.
To be quite honest, I realized about half way through the film that I was literally on the edge of my seat for the majority of the 2.5 hours (including during the trailer for HHGG which I was thrilled to see will star Martin Freeman of "The Office"...the British original, not the recent U.S. knock off). I thought the effects used to enhance the comic book feel worked well and did not end up looking too gimmicky. Even Bruce, Mickey and Clive's cheesy narrations managed to suck me in...oh yeah...and Jessica Alba was good, too.
So there you go. Check it out if you have the stomach for it, but don't bring your nine year old. Not cool...so not cool.
Friday, April 01, 2005
The Café con Leche Quarterly Report: Q1 2005
The first quarter of 2005 has come and gone bringing to a close the first ever quarter year period of CCL. Earnings outperformed Wall Street's forecasts and the our Blogshares summary suggest we will have an excellent first year.
During our first ever share holders meeting, the discussion focused on what steps will be taken by the board to increase revenue while at the same time improve CCL's public image. While consumer perception is important, the executive committee members recognize that controversial subject matter and quick and easy links to entertaining web sites will provide increased traffic and ultimately lead to substantial valuation. The CCL leadership strongly feels the resulting growth and notoriety brought on by this directive will significantly outweigh the potential decrease in respectability. Business models similar to ours have proven extremely successful and longevous as evidenced by US Weekly and Entertainment Tonight. We are confident that our present course of action will insure a successful and profitable fiscal year.
Cute pictures of the CEO's niece will be posted as often as possible short of overexposure that could potentially hurt her future modeling career. Politically biased posts will most likely alternate between ridicule stemming from utter contempt and legitimate debate grounded in thoughtful reasoning. Humorous links will continue to serve as fillers on days that the editorial staff are unable to think of anything interesting to write about. Other posts that will serve filler roles are the CCL Awards, Referring URLs, movie reviews and quarterly/yearly reports.
In conclusion, we at CCL want to thank the founders, share holders, and everyday patrons of the site for their support and unwavering faith in our vision. We promise to never relent in our pursuit of excellence. May God bless you and keep you.
Sincerely,
Sean P. McDonell
CEO and Founder
During our first ever share holders meeting, the discussion focused on what steps will be taken by the board to increase revenue while at the same time improve CCL's public image. While consumer perception is important, the executive committee members recognize that controversial subject matter and quick and easy links to entertaining web sites will provide increased traffic and ultimately lead to substantial valuation. The CCL leadership strongly feels the resulting growth and notoriety brought on by this directive will significantly outweigh the potential decrease in respectability. Business models similar to ours have proven extremely successful and longevous as evidenced by US Weekly and Entertainment Tonight. We are confident that our present course of action will insure a successful and profitable fiscal year.
Cute pictures of the CEO's niece will be posted as often as possible short of overexposure that could potentially hurt her future modeling career. Politically biased posts will most likely alternate between ridicule stemming from utter contempt and legitimate debate grounded in thoughtful reasoning. Humorous links will continue to serve as fillers on days that the editorial staff are unable to think of anything interesting to write about. Other posts that will serve filler roles are the CCL Awards, Referring URLs, movie reviews and quarterly/yearly reports.
In conclusion, we at CCL want to thank the founders, share holders, and everyday patrons of the site for their support and unwavering faith in our vision. We promise to never relent in our pursuit of excellence. May God bless you and keep you.
Sincerely,
Sean P. McDonell
CEO and Founder
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
