Outtakes At Home

Madame President

2011-12-01T22:29:00.001-08:00

This will be a short post.

I'm now the President of the Oakland Athletics Booster Club. I definitely picked the wrong time to assume leadership of this club.

The club has been dying for several years now, due to many reasons, including: the ability of one of the owners, Lew Wolff, to piss off almost every A's fan, the fact that the team will almost surely leave the Oakland area, the fact that the A's haven't been in the playoffs since 2006, the fact that the A's aren't really willing to spend any real money -- you know, David Ortiz money -- to get A-List players for any length of time, ad infinitum.

But now, now that the Commissioner's committee will finally hand down its finding in a month or so, it looks like the A's aren't long for Oakland. And here I am, the president of an Oakland club.

I have two years to serve. Let's hope they're non-eventful years. I actually hope the A's go to Fremont because I want them to have a new stadium and I want them to stay in northern California. The alternatives are just too dire.

Two Games in Seattle

2011-04-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

Yelp told me I wouldn't be able to sleep at the Silver Cloud Hotel because of the noise. I just didn't believe them.

Safeco Field is nestled between the railroad tracks in an industrial area of lower Seattle. Silver Cloud is literally right across the street for the field. I thought they meant across a parking lot, over a bridge. No, it's at most 100 feet away from my window. I'm on the 5th floor, and the behemoth of metal and brick towers above the window.

So, two trains at midnight. Five between 5am and 6:30am. Maybe four hours sleep, total.

I have another problem this morning: rain. I came somewhat prepared. I brought an umbrella, jacket, and plastic-covered blanket. I can see through a little patch of field from my hotel window. It's dark. I'm hoping that's because they closed the Safeco roof. That would be another thing to see. There's no tarp on the field, which is another large clue.

I really enjoyed myself yesterday. I had to talk to four different ushers to fins out where my seat was. It was marked as Section 129. The sections were split until you got down lower to the field, and then it was contiuous. So I would start in 129 and end up in 131. On the aisle, right behind home plate. Oh, yeah. Sure, I had to stand up to let this couple with their four children go in and out five times before the end of the 1st inning, but it was still worth it.

The game was an Oakland delight on Saturday. Trevor Cahill couldn't hit the strike zone in the first innings, but got better and better. After giving up one runs due to walks and a number of hits, he settled down and didn't give up another run. His relief did just as well. I was really impressed with Brad Ziegler, who must've found his release point.

Saturday night was Armed Forces Day - I believe every Saturday game is - so lots of activities with soldiers, sailors, coasties and airmen.m and, A's I knew we would, we got a commemorative coin as we exited the game.

When Coco didn't score from third, or when the radio broadcasters thought every pitch their guy threw was a strike, I tweeted. I tweeted a lot, and added a few more followers along the way. That was fun, a great way to stay in the game.

Brett Anderson goes for the A's today. Should be good.

Welcome to the Mobile Dog Groomer

2011-04-15T14:47:00.000-07:00

We tried an experiment: We asked Thomas and his mobile dog groomer van to come by our house and clip our two toy poodles.

I got tired of driving to the groomer once a month, twice for each trip. All About the Dogue is a fabulous grooming service; their philosophy is that they'll take all day to do the grooming so that the dog isn't stressed out. However, they're on San Pablo Avenue in Emeryville, and at 5pm during heavy traffic, it takes me an hour to get home with two anxious but tired dogs in the back.

So we tried Thomas. We found him on Yelp. He was right on time, pulling up on the street in an old newspaper truck with a portable generator on the back. However, he apparently has never clipped toy poodles, so I had to give him blow-by-blow descriptions on how to clip each dog. And I probably didn't do a very good job. I did get to stand in his truck and watch, however.

You should also know that Princess and Gabi take two separate cuts. Princess is more just-shear-her, while Gabi resembles a very prized, high-priced poodle. (They were both rescue dogs.)

First he combed them out. Then he washed them. Poor little Princess looked like a drowned rat. She was looking for an escape hatch anywhere she could find one.

Then he dried them off with a high-intensity blow dryer (not on "hot"), and when they were mostly dry, he switched to a blow dryer that was quieter and less power. Then he combed them out. And after that, took the buzz saw to them and then the scissors.

Any time they got out of line and started to wander off (quite often for Princess), Thomas would shriek wordlessly. And once or twice thumped Princess with his hand, not hard at all, and she would stop what she was doing (i.e., trying to make a run for it), and stare at him.

It was an experiment that didn't go well. Thomas didn't clip parts of them very closely (like their feet), and clipped some parts of them irregularly and unevenly. And he's pricey at $75 per dog plus tip.

So we won't be doing that again. But it did teach us that Princess, who hates being groomed, can just be cut by a normal untrained person, and that got us off our duffs to buy a scissor set for her. Gabi will still need the elaborate poodle cut, but by somebody who knows what they're doing.

An Announcement!

2011-01-28T18:53:00.000-08:00

Valerie, the long-suffering woman who is in charge of security at Creation conventions, told us a minute ago that E Entertainment TV will be following us around tomorrow for their broadcast. So Val encouraged us to dress up in "your battle gear." I don't have any metallic breastplates with me, so I guess I'll just wear my Spartacus t-shirt.

Xena con 2011 - Hudson, Hudson, Hudson!

2011-01-28T18:18:00.000-08:00

Friday on a three-day convention is typically slow. The one-day price for a Friday is usually less than for any other day of any convention. Today was a slow day at the annuall Xena convention, except for one thing: Hudson Leick.

I've missed a few years, I must admit, of this annual event. But I'm grateful I was around for the first couple of years, where I saw a young woman change before my eyes. Her slow take on us as fans changed to a masterful manipulation where we all had outrageous fun.

Hudson - whose birth name was Heidi - started out as a young actress who wasn't sure why she was on stage. She seemed mystified by it all. She tried to answer the fans' questions about Callisto, her infamously evil character. She has told a story of flying to New Zealand and reading the script for one of the Callisto shows - perhaps the second one where she kills Gabrielle's new husband, Perdicus. When she reached the part where she is unfathomly cruel to Gabi in a game called Truth or Dare, Hudson starts laughing, right there on the plane. She was perfect for the part.

After a few years of appearing year after year to mostly the same fans at the convention, she dresses to the nines, entices us, engages us, in a totally unscripted conversation. And then she auctions off the dress for charity, usually to benefit the James Ellis Foundation, which allows kids with cancer or whose family members have cancer continue in college.

This year, the young woman from Russia bid $400 for the dress. A couple in the second row kicked in another $300 so that the Russian woman could have the dress. There have been no other bids, nor would there be. All of a sudden, other people kicked in $50 here, $20
there, so that she would get the dress and Anita could go back home to New York with $900. It was very touching.

By the way, I saw the young woman who won the dress in the restroom later. She said to anyone who would listen: "I have two dresses. But now I have three!"

I was touched by something else as well today, as slow as it was. Steven L. Sears is also at every convention. Steve was a producer and
writer on the original Xena. I always enjoy his talks very much because he talks about the writing process and storytelling.

This time someone asked him if he used real-life experiences when he wrote. He hearkened back to his memory of writing "The Price," a
particularly hard-hitting Xena episode where our 'hero' kills without mercy and the effect that ultimately has on her sidekick, Gabrielle.

Steve told us that he wrote that episode about his father. His father was a military man as a career. He was a sniper in the Korean War and a special forces member in VietNam. In short, "My father killed people for a living." Steve has spent a great deal of his life sorting through how that killing machine could be "the same man who tucked me in a night," and was a super father to him. So he wrote The Price to speak to that issue. Awesome.

I guess I'll have to go home and watch that one again.

Later

Xena Once Again

2011-01-26T18:09:00.000-08:00

I was all packed last night. And, as usual, as I lay in bed trying to go to sleep, I would remember things I forgot to pack. And then, it suddenly came to me: I didn't have my ticket to the convention.

I got up and went to my office. I went through all my paperwork for the convention. Nothing. So I went through all my visa bills for the first four months of the year, but couldn't find where I had paid Creation for the ticket.

This was an unusual circumstance. I signed up exactly one year ago, during the convention, in hopes of improving my seat. I rummaged through my big pile on my desk, and found last year's program where I had written in my new seat number: F26. So it wasn't just my imagination. I just had no proof. And when I stand in line at the LAX Marriott, I will have nothing to give them but an excuse.

So I found the email address to write to on the Creation Entertainment website -- knowing that would belong to Leticia -- and I simply told my story. The next morning I found that she had emailed a PDF of the ticket. By that time, however, I was just shy of the Grapevine, and moving rapidly south.

Fortunately, the motel I was staying at has a computer - and a printer! - in the lobby. After I checked in, I sat down and printed out my ticket. Good to go!

Creation's customer service has gotten better and better throughout the years. This is their 40th year. And I'm a loyal customer.

Andy Williams in Las Vegas

2010-12-24T10:27:00.000-08:00

Everywhere you go in Las Vegas, you hear Christmas music this time of year. 10 percent of more of what you hear will be sung by Andy Williams, whose voice President Reagan called a national treasure.

I saw Andy with Petula Clark a few years ago in his theater in Branson, and his voice was as clear as a bell. Sadly, that's not the case any more. His vibrato was out of control, he couldn't hold a note as well, and the elasticity and the just plain mellowness he was famous for was simply gone.

This was billed as a Christmas concert, and so most of the songs were thus. However, strangely, he didn't sing one of the songs he is most known for during the season, It's the Most wonderful Time of the Year. My favorite.

Also, it was not really a concert. After Andy would sing a couple of songs, he would bring out another act. It was a variety show, almost Ed Sullivan-ish. The acts were a fast violinist who enlisted an audience member to help, a couple of dancers who changed costumes amazingly behind seconds of being shrouded, a mime who used two dummies to dance. And one of the most astounding impressionists I've ever seen - and, believe me, I've seen some greats in person: Jim Bailey, Danny Gans -- and Bob Anderson was so good, he even did Andy Williams. All of these were amazing acts. They were very entertaining. While you had the feeling that Andy, at his age, could no longer sing during an entire 2-hour concert, his additions really did fill in the gap.

He also had a sister act of four singing in the foreground plus four more singers in the background. It really added to the music, as did the 10-member band.

Andy only sang three of his 50 or so chart makers, including Lonely street, and, of course, Moon River, which he called, "one of my favorite Christmas songs." He told a story about Lonely Street, saying that when he met Elvis for the first time when they were both performing in Vegas, Elvis said to him that the song was the only thing that kept him from going crazy in Germany while he was in the Army.

They had some items for sale in the lobby. The woman selling the items works directly for Andy and lives in Branson. How interesting that his entourage travels with him. I bought an autographed autobiography that he wrote three years ago. Should be an interesting, long read.

P.S. One of my kids, after reading a tweet of mine, asked his mom, Who's Andy Williams? He didn't want to ask me. And that photo that accompanies this article was probably taken 10 or 15 years ago; Andy is completely white-haired now, and seems smaller.

The Las Vegas Star Trek Convention, 2010

2010-08-11T18:03:00.001-07:00

This year’s giant Star Trek convention in Las Vegas was a crazy mixture of fans.

I sat next to one fan, a guy I’ve seen at these events for about 15 years now, who told me he had added another room to his house for his collection. “If I’d known, I would have doubled the size of that room. And it would still be too small.”

I met another fan in the Las Vegas Hilton hotel elevator. She was dressed from antenna to toe as an Andorian. She was awaiting her daughter’s arrival at the hotel. “She’s never seen me like this,” she said. Boy, she’s in for a shock, I thought.

The fans are a big part of why I go every year. I often don’t know I’m going until July, when I wake up one morning and, with a friend in tow, find myself booking tickets.

I heard the results of a few polls within the convention. Nearly half of the convention crowd had not attended the Las Vegas convention before. And a third of them had never been to a convention at all before. Lots of new fans are now coming to these things, spurred on, one would suspect, by the immense popularity of the new movie.

I was very pleased to see that there were a couple of panels featuring Deep Space Nine actors. And, gosh, they all look to be the same age as when they played these superbly defined characters some 18 years ago.

On the first panel: Casey Biggs, Marc Alaimo, Andy Robinson, Jeffrey Combs, and Salome Jens. Below are some of the things they said that I thought were noteworthy.

Casey thought the “ratings really took off in the third or fourth season when the war really got going,” and several thought the show mirrored what was happening in the U.S., overcoming predjudices. Marc: “Our show, Star Trek, particularly Deep Space Nine, had a lot to do with breaking down all those barriers. We’re gradually overcoming all of those.” Andy added, “I’ve always been opposed to violence, so it’s ironic” that his character was an anarchist. “My family was destroyed by war. What was left for Garak…must be like a German after World War II. Star Trek for me was the most effective when it was plugged in.”

Marc was asked to comment on what it meant to be a Cardassian. “One of my instincts in the very beginning was to get over the bullying. I never wanted to be a bully. One of the things about Dukat was his power and how he used it. You never saw anything on the show that he did that was cruel or bullying. I enjoyed underplaying his power and let his intellect take over.”

Casey: “The writing on the show was so good. If you’re going to play Hitler, Hitler didn’t believe he was a bad guy. You as an actor have to take these heightened situations… and find something you call can relate to. We are attacking the good guys, but in the end, the good guys become the bad guys. There are 15 different sides to everything.”

Andy commented that he compared the Cardassians to Prussians that “lived by the code, like a Japanese bushido code. The imperialism grew out of a lack of resources. That grew into absolute power corrupts absolutely.” He added about the character Garak, “He was brilliant. When you’re playing someone who’s more brilliant than you, it ups your game.”

With some prompting, Marc admitted that he was getting married “in exactly two weeks.”

The second panel featured Aron Eisenberg, Armin Shimerman, Nana Visitor, James Darren, and Rene Auberjonois.

Armin told us that, “I missed an opportunity (in preparing to play Quark). I should’ve read a lot about Chinese culture. I may be wrong. People in America say, aren’t the Ferengi the Jews? In Australia they say, aren’t the Ferengi the Chinese? Ferengis represent the other culture. Shylock in The Merchant of Venice.”

“I was never embarrassed about the culture. The culture was important to me as our culture is to us. I never saw them as comic characters.”

James Darren chimed in. “I never felt like I was different from anyone,” that everyone was so welcoming on the show. “I loved playing Cupid for Rene and Nana. I loved playing the character because it reminded me of Frank and Dean. I lived through that era quite heavily. It gave me a nice way to express myself. To me, Vic was my idol.” As for the show, “I wish it were still on.”

Rene added to the discussion. “Everyone on this stage could make that argument” that they were an outsider. “The first time I walked on that set, my mind was blown. It (the Promenade) became the heart of that show: that set. Quark’s was the saloon in town and that’s where we gathered. Armin interrupted, “And you were the sheriff.”

Aron: “I felt really connected to everybody. It was the best time of my life.”

Nana, how did you get past Odo’s rubber during your kissing scene? “Rene’s power.” Nana added, “It began as a friendship and that’s the only conclusion it could have (that Odo left).” Rene: “I think the writers always knew that Odo would be going back to where he came from.”

I saw Nana in one of her first convention appearances in Santa Rosa, California. Buster was three months old then, and I swear she looks the same now as she did then. With as much enthusiasm. She says she’s having fun in her new baking business in New Mexico, and finds it very challenging.

Other items at the convention I really enjoyed:

1. The comedy routines. I couldn’t tell you which of the three panels was funnier, among The Voyager crew, the improv routine of Dean Haglund and Claudia Christian (doing Q and Janeway, loosely), and Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner together on stage. Each one was hilarious.
2. Seeing Julie Newmar on stage. She had to be helped up on stage in a smaller room, with a smaller audience, and told some great stories. She never really answered any of our questions, but it didn’t seem to matter. Catwoman is still sharp.
3. Seeing Marc Alaimo, Jeff Combs and Casey Biggs do their Shakespeare show, a few scenes from The Bard. They weren’t on the schedule, which may be why Marc was studying his lines on the side before he joined in.
4. Bill Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. Sure, you’ve seen them before, but they’re still hilarious, especially together, and gosh, they’re still alive.
5. Little things like seeing Bill Sadler late at night, approaching some Trekkies at the Star Trek slot machine. He wanted to know how it worked. And watching a soundless “Generations” movie play on the big screen at the Starquest bar. And the big, twitter-prompted party at the bar on Sunday night; one bartender claimed it was “crazy, a madhouse, maybe 3,000 Trekkies. We should’ve had several more bartenders taking drinks.”

I would say the only disappointment was that there wasn’t anyone truly new on stage. In past years we got to see people like Stephen Collins, Malcolm McDowell, Christopher Lloyd, all great people with great stories.

But it was great seeing old-time fans like Blair, Jo Beth, Freddy, and many more. May we all live long and prosper.

Comic Con: The Best Moments of 2010

2010-07-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I didn't blog as much as I thought I would. Most of the problem was that the keyboard on the iPad is virtual, and I kept making error after error in trying to type like QWERTY. Frustrating. And the other problem was that I was living in the moment. That was good.

But here are the Best Moments of Comic Con from my perspective. Also, remember that I'm only reporting what I saw, what I experienced.

1. Ryan Reynolds reciting the Green Lantern Oath.

Simply awesome. The guy is serious. We love that. GL has always been one of my favorite superheroes.

2. The Big Bang Theory songs. This is not just one thing during the panel, but two: The Barenaked Ladies came out and sang the theme song - wow!! And we all sang along because they gave us these song lyric pages. There are three stanzas (is that what they call them?). Ooh. And THEN, Sheldon, oops, I mean Jim Parsons, sang "Soft Kitty" to us. You had to smile.

3. A surprise Quantum Leap panel. I ended up sitting through the Aqua Teen Hunger Force panel by myself while waiting for Ricky and Debbie to join me. Film clips of the best "Oh, Boy!" moments, Scott Bakula reminiscing. It was just wonderful.

4. An 8-minute clip from the new movie, COWBOYS & ALIENS, which actually has cowboys and aliens in it! Jon Favreau was there to talk about it, and brought onstage stars Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig in their first Comic Con appearances.

5. Tom Felton - Draco Malfoy - was there to introduce a small clip from the latest Harry Potter movie. Tom seemed like a nice guy. I know, unfathomable. And he picked a raffle ticket -- we all had them -- for someone to win a prize. Sadly, he didn't answer any questions about the movie.

6. Spartacus. Say no more. I was expecting Lucy Lawless to produce her "special guest star," the merkin, but alas, she saved it for an interview later. The cast was bawdy, really in the moment, everything you expected and more. I had hoped to see a trailer about the prequel, but no dice. Nice to see, though, that Andy Whitfield looks healthy after having undergone treatment for melanoma.

7. Guillermo del Toro, wedged into the Hall H schedule, introduced his new film verbally (without any footage) by saying he is remaking The Haunted Mansion. And that he's not taking Eddie Murphy's phone calls. He says this one will be scary, not a comedy. And then he said if you get to a certain room upstairs within the next hour, you'll get a special prize. I did. It was a long poster of the ghost that was expelled from the original ride so many years ago (too scary for kids?). And the artist was there that hour to sign it.

8. Angelina Jolie and Liev Schreiber were there for Salt (a film I caught yesterday when I returned home). Jolie was very gracious, answering every stupid question from the fanboys, the same question over and over. And Liev, while getting few questions, was very witty when he did.

9. A glimpse into the Thor and Captain America films. The Avengers may very well happen.

10. The Exhibitor's Hall, or the dealers' room, didn't seem as crowded as last year. Maybe it's because they spread out programming alll over the place, including two other hotels.

Bad things at the con:
Picking up your swag at another hotel (sheesh).
Long lines, again, for anything.
Very little AT&T access -- with 120,000 people using it, trying to solve riddles, scavenger hunts, blog, post to eBay, etc., this was a major letdown, even after they promised they'd have the capacity. They didn't.

Comic Con, Day 4

2010-07-25T08:01:00.000-07:00

"Can I see your iPad?"

"No."

"Can I hold it?"

"No."

Teenage boys think they should be able to do anything, even if it isn't theirs. Even right now, he's leaning against my chair, with an arm along the side.

At 8 in the morning on the last day, we're in line for Sideshow Collectibles. The panel starts in 2 hours.

Stupid boy, who said he was 15 and waiting for the Halo panel after Sideshow. But stupid mature adult - me - who saw the door open and an opportunity to charge her phone. I left the room when Debbie pointed out that a line was forming. They locked the doors and I could't get back in. Thankfully Debbie proactively found a staffer who wasn't a volunteer, and went in and retrieved my phone. Whew.

After this, there's the Merlin panel, and then we're free to roam the dealer's room one last time.

Highest bid on eBay item: $81 so far on the Hatbox Ghost litho from the new Haunted Mansion movie. (It later went to $152.50.)

Comic Con 2010 - Day 3 continued...

2010-07-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

Looks like a group of people were just escorted out for some bad behavior. That's what security should be doing rather than trying to force us to move into the center to free up the prized aisle seats for newcomers. Newcomers who didn't get here at 6 in the morning to get in line.

Nice seeing Milla Jovovich, here to promote her fourth Resident Evil film. Alice is by now rather American iconic. The footage has women kick-ass fight scenes, but a plot you could stuff in a paper bag.

Debbie went off to find the Dark Shadows. I hope she make it in. The only people who remember that vampire soap opera are approaching 60.

Oops, had to stop typing to take a freebie on the aisle: a pair of sunglasses promoting Paul, a new movie starring Simon Pegg and Sigourney Weaver. We'll learn more in about 5 minutes.

Comic Con Day 3

2010-07-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

We were in line this morning four solid hours for Hall H, and it's already been worth it: a preview of the new Green Lantern, starring Ryan Reynolds, followed by a preview of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

It was a full panel for Green Lantern, including Peter Saarsgard and Mark Strong. Ryan gave away a prop ring to the person who found a special piece of paper under their seat. The footage we saw didn't show GL in costume, but did show him using the ring to form a giant green fist, just like he used to in the comic. To much applause.

A big surprise! Draco Malfoy in the form of actor Tom Felton introduced footage to the first part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He actually seems, er, nice. And footage looks intense.

We were also shown a.clip from Zach Snyder's latest film, Sucker Punch. Most in the audience were not impressed.

Comic Con Day Two

2010-07-23T07:56:00.000-07:00

We're sitting in line -- inside this time - for all the TV programming in Ballroom 20, which holds about half the amount of Hall H. Our ultimate goal will be seeing The Big Bang Theory panel this afternoon. But in the meantime we'll see panels for Stargate, and Caprica. After that, we will try to get into 6BCF for Lucy Lawless and the Spartacus panel. That one is less sure.

One surprise was seeing Johnny Depp on video, telling us about the new Pirates of the Caribbean. He wa dressed as Cap'n Jack Sparrow. It was a nice, witty speech about nothing and booze and it was a lot of fun.

I did enjoy seeing Angelina Jolie yesterday. She and Liev Schreiber were here promoting Salt. I really appreciate the fact that she got the same question at least 4 times but didn't make fun of them. Why did you pick this part - she tried to answer each time earnestly. And Liev Schreiber was very funny. I really admire his work.

But during that presentation, Debbie and I left, hoping to turn in our tickets for Haunted Mansion swag. When we got to the little room upstairs, we found a 30's-looking guy sitting there. As we got to the top of the queue, we found he was signing a 3-ft long poster in silver ink.

The poster is a beautiful green-on-black rendition of the HatBox Ghost, a scary apparition that was removed from the Haunted Mansion ride. The artist is Ragnar. I know 'cause I asked.

SDCC: Okay, It's Still Day One

2010-07-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention that a guy ripped off his clothes during the MegaMind panel. Stupid.

I had to leave the Angelina Jolie and Liev Schrdiber panel to pick up the free gift, which turned out to be an exquisite poster of the HatBox ghost, signed by the artist. I hate posters. Can't get 'em home. Shipping is too expensive. They wrinkle if you breathe..

SDCC, day 1 continued

2010-07-22T11:12:00.000-07:00

Our first movie promotion today was a little late, but then they showed a 3D preview of Master Mind, an animated film starring the voices of Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, and Brad Pitt. Will Ferrell came out blue, dressed A's his character. Tina Fey came out dressed as Tina Fey. Jonah Hill came out, wise-cracking all the way. Just when we thought Brad Pitt would come out, Will Ferrell brought out a life-size, cardboard stand- up, and we were reminded that, if Angelina Jolie had to be here today, somebody's gotta take care of the kids.

Uh oh - we just got word that the 999 cards they gave out while we were in the long line to get in will get us something related to the new Guillermo del Toro film, The Haunted Mansion. Del Toro assured us that it's not going to be funny, it will be scary. "And we're not returning Eddie murphy's phone calls."

More later.

Comic Con 2010, Day 1

2010-07-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

Actually, it's really Day 2 for us. Debbie and I visited the San Diego Zoo yesterday, and when we got back at 2:30pm, Ricky was already waiting for us in the Worldmark lobby.

We checked him in and chatted awhile, and then headed over via the trolley to the huge convention center. We went right in, upstairs, and then stood in line to register for not even5 minutes. We got our badges and our humongous Warner Bros bags. I lucked out and got a Big Bang Theory bag. The next line, however, was much longer, an hour or so, and that was to sign up for 2011. I see they raised my senior ticket $2 to $52. A steal.

We trolled the voluminous dealer's room -- about the length of 3 or more football fields -- looking for items I'd read about that would be available for free. We either didn't get to places like CBS in time, or they offer things on a random basis.

We spent about an hour in the big room, and then limped back to the timeshare. We were very tired. Ricky finally made up his mind what time we would meet early Thursday: 6:15.

What with the ache in my knee and my feet, I didn't sleep well but was eager to get started in the morning. Debbie reported that the people above us kept her up until 3am. Even with those distractions, we were ready to go at 6am.

We got to the end of Hall H after we climbed off the trolley in the drizzling rain, found our place on the grass, and sat for 2.5 hours. A long wait. I sat. I stood. And finally we moved into the big Hall H, picked up our (lame) freebies on the way end, and then scrambled quickly for 3 seats on an aisle. We guess there wee at least a thousand people in front of us in line, and thus in front of us in the hall.

Build It and They Will Sleep

2010-07-17T15:10:00.000-07:00

European Sleep Works has been a dream during this whole bed process. Not a bad comment when you consider the process has taken about 10 weeks.

Today was the delivery day, the window 11am to 1pm. They showed at 11:30am, much to my surprise. My past "experiments" with delivery have not gone so well. When I look at the patio furniture, I see blood.

But there they were. I showed them the side entrance, after closing doors that would keep the dogs out of the area, which meant they had to bring the bed and mattress through two gates, up a flight of stairs to the deck, and through the French doors. They didn't argue. When I saw they had to put the thing together, I was astonished. 9 weeks to build the wood. 1 week to ship from the east coast. Half an hour to put it together.

But put it together they did! It's a beautiful sleigh model, king size (European king). I am now washing sheets to put on it, as the cotton sheets will shrink to fit. Supposedly. We'll see how that goes.

But I'm sleeping on a new bed tonight! I just have to figure out to get Princess up on this high bed...

Tumble Forward

2010-07-10T19:21:00.001-07:00

I bumped up against a speed bump at the Desert Inn & Suites in Anaheim on Monday night. And fell right on my face. And, as it turns out, my left knee.

I was walking around, went back to my room, and called Dawn to help. I was bleeding profusely from the mouth, and immediately felt inside, even before lifting myself up off the concrete, to feel to see if my teeth were still there. They were, but one felt different.

This photo of the leg is three-and-a-half days later, Thursday. I would've taken a photo when it was the worst on Monday night around midnight, but (1) I couldn't reach the camera, and (2) I had other things to think of. Now that I know nothing is broken -- thanks to the doctor I saw on Tuesday -- I will just let everything heal.

I have to replace my glasses. I have to replace that tooth. But otherwise, I should be good. Walking is a little easier every day.

Gary Danko

2010-05-21T19:48:00.000-07:00

No, Gary Danko isn't the latest pitcher for the Oakland A's. He's one of the world's finest chefs. And we went to this 5-star restaurant last night to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. It was a heavenly evening.

After all day of going, "uh, uh" when trying to describe what we ate for which course, here is the Taster's Menu:

Glazed Oysters with Osetra Caviar, Zucchini Pearls and Lettuce Cream

Horseradish Crusted Salmon Medallion with Dilled Cucumbers
and Mustard Sauce

Seared Filet of Beef with Yukon Potatoes, Curried Cauliflower,
Cumin-Cilantro Butter and Tamarind Glaze

A Selection of Farmhouse and Artisanal Cheeses

Baked Chocolate Soufflé with Two Sauces

While some would argue that such a menu in the hands (mouth?) of someone who doesn't even know what she's tasting is, well, wasted. I can see their point. But I can assure such naysayers that I savored every bite, that I enjoyed every minute with my sweetie.

Favorite moment? The service was exquisite. Everything was pitch-perfect, timed wonderfully. But perhaps the best moment was the 4th course, when they rolled the very large cheese cart toward us, as we're already stuffed, knowing we would have to make room for four very special bites of cheese. It was quite an experience.

One doesn't do this every day. I understand that. It'll be one of my best memories.

Petula Clark at the LV Hilton

2010-05-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

Tipped off by the IPCS newsletter (International Petula Clark Society), of which I am a member, I was able to buy one ticket to see Petula Clark at the Las Vegas Hilton in early May.

I promptly informed Sweetie that I would accompany her that weekend to her gig in Henderson, Nevada.

I used the GPS to get from a picnic in Henderson to the mighty Hilton, going over no less than 4 freeways and a lot of commute traffic. But I found myself there, hunting for a parking space for the rental car in what seemed a very busy parking garage on Paradise Road, next to the Hilton. Granted it was Saturday night, but it was early Saturday night, and, besides, wasn't this a recession?

I was to find out very soon that (1) there was an international boxing match going on in town, and people would watch from each of the hotels, as well as gamble on its outcome at the sports book, and (2) there was a wedding going on at precisely the moment I parked.

But all of those are good reasons to go early, which I did. I picked up my Will Call ticket, used the match ticket attached to it to play a little blackjack, and finally went to the auditorium.

The Hilton auditorium brought back a lot of memories. My brother and I saw Elvis there. It's funny, I can't remember the year. Maybe mid-'70's? It was certainly before they remodeled the place. When we went that first time, all of those luxurious booths were in place, and all the celebrities were in them. We, of course, were wayyyy in the balcony, at a little table high above the stage, and I was trying to maneuver through my drinks they demanded I buy.

This night, however, I was third row center, a marvelous seat. And you can bet everybody there in those seats down front was a real fan. Well, except for the 4 people behind me; they certainly knew Petula, could name a song or two, but they didn't fall into the rabid category. Everybody else around me, however, were shaking hands, re-introducing themselves to each other. Most were from the IPCS, and had met each other at other events. Two couples had flown in from England to see her.

Her set was marvelous. Half the songs I had never heard her sing live. Oh, yes, I recognized all but one, but only from CDs. And she managed to squeeze in many of her hits, most in truncated form. And she told some marvelous stories: one about filming with Fred Astaire, and the other about playing the piano for Charlie Chaplin in Switzerland after she had recorded his song ("This Is My Song") and it had become a hit.

At one point a fellow down front yelled, "Downtown!" Petula glared at him, and mentioned something about, well, if I did that, we could all just pick up and go home, couldn't we? I thought that was very funny. Of course, she got to Downtown at the end, and entreated us all to sing that magic word of the refrain.

Come to think of it, she also asked for our help with a few other songs as well. And since we all knew the words, that was a lot of fun.

Each time I see her I wonder if there will ever be another time. This time seemed special because it was layered on other memories. And because, indeed, at her age, I wonder if we'll ever see her live again.

The Perfect Game

2010-05-10T10:41:00.000-07:00

I couldn't sleep last night. There may have been many reasons, but this one kept coming to the front of my brain: My Oakland Athletics threw a perfect game.

Not just a no-hitter. A perfect game. Viva Dallas Braden!

I watched the guy for some 5 years now. I remember him carrying the candy bucket for the pitchers, arriving eagerly at the bullpen before the game. I remember seeing the bill that was so straight, all the birds from The Birds could perch on it, thinking, who is this kid? I remember watching him take the freight train from Sacramento to Oakland, bomb out, and then go back again. But there was something about this kid.... you were pulling for him.

At the age of 26, he has now arrived.

I didn't go to the game. I had tickets, but I gave them to our son, Jamie. I messaged him some no-hitter trivia facts in the 7th inning: Dave Stewart threw the last no-hitter in 1990. I didn't dream the game would be perfect. That's so hard, nearly impossible, and depends upon 9 guys being absolutely perfect. But, yet, they were.

I had the game on as I did household chores. Those chores got left behind once we reached the 6th and there were still no hits by the powerful Tampa Bay Rays. Awesomeness was approaching. I cried when the final out was made, Pennington to Barton, and joined with my teammates in jumping up and down.

I still haven't gotten over it. It will probably be the only one I'll ever witness, even though it wasn't live. The event is still awesome, even a day later. This is why you watch baseball, to watch young men do extraordinary things. Especially on the Little Team That Could. This is why I'm an Oakland A's fan.

Report from San Diego

2010-03-04T17:30:00.000-08:00

I thought yesterday was a nice moment for a change, the day when my brother would be moved to a convalescent hospital. He was, but for only one day. Today he was moved back to the hospital because of a high fever and loss of affect (lethargic).

This doesn't look good. I thought by now, he'd be moving around more, more responsive, answering questions. Not only does he not make any sense when he talks, he talks a lot less now, if at all. Which wasn't really true when I visited him a week ago. He was talking up a storm, but not making any sense, literally.

I wait by the phone.

My New Best Friend

2010-02-18T12:51:00.000-08:00

My new best friend is the GPS. Which stands for, which works how.... Yeah, yeah, yeah, who cares. It works.

In the last year I've been to Orlando, Phoenix, Las Vegas. Driving all the way from Las Vegas to Oakland (in 8 hours, thank you). Currently in San Diego. I would be lost, literally, without my new friend.

Recalculating, recalculating...

I would constantly turn in the wrong direction, or misread a sign and turn here instead of there. Or, unable to get over to the freeway desired because of the horrible traffic, as happened to me in Phoenix during spring training, I kept going. "Recalculating, recalculating," the computer would tell me. And then it told me to take the next exit, took me around the block to the entry to the new freeway, and told me to get on it. Twice. I obeyed.

In San Diego to visit my brother in the hospital, I had to get from the San Diego Airport to the motel in Chula Vista, then to the hospital in that same town, then to Coronado to visit my nephew, then back again. True, for several of those hospital visits, my nephew picked me up at the motel, but for the others, I was on my own.

When I visited my nephew at his home, his 13-year-old son Danny asked him for permission to program his new GPS. Of course, at the time Danny was doing his English homework and looking for any distraction. "Maybe this weekend," replied his dad. I shook my head, and told both of them, "It doesn't need programming. It works right out of the box." Dismayed but undeterred, Danny said, "but I still have to program it in the car." I shook my head again. "Very simple. Plug it in, put in the address, and go."

Recalculating, recalculating. You gotta love it.

Visiting the Contagious

2010-02-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

With Scott's help, I was able to visit Marvin the last two nights. We didn't go into the room, however, but it didn't make much sense to do that. He is highly contagious in the MICU at Sharp. He was sleeping, not communicating much. But today was a different story.

I am on my way back to Oakland, so I thought I'd give it another try. I actually found parking at the hospital -- a minor miracle, it seems -- and walked in, got my visitor's badge, and went to the fifth floor to the MICU, the contagious wing of the ICU. He talked to me, looked at me, but his responses didn't make much sense. Still, I was happy for the contact.

They have been talking about moving Marvin to the other ICU, the less-intense ICU, but the cardiologist won't sign off on the move because the drugs he's on keeps giving him arrhythmia. He's receiving great care, so what do we care?

I talked with James, the PA, again this morning. He asked me some questions: Did he get a flu or H1N1 shot? I don't know but I doubt it. Does he have an advanced care directive or living will? Not as far as we know. Believe me, I said, we've been talking about this the last few nights. However, he may have a will in his computer; whether or not it's been activated by a lawyer, I do not know. Ricky will work on the computer in the future to try to dig it up.

Right now, though, that doesn't seem all that necessary. He's improving.

San Diego, Again.

2010-02-16T18:27:00.000-08:00

Here I am in San Diego. It's not a fun visit.

I don't know this area of San Diego. As I just told nephew Scott a few moments ago on the phone, when I was growing up, this area was dirt. No buildings, no growth. He even remembers the growth during his lifetime.

But I'm here because my brother is ill. A group of terrible things has assailed his body, which is 69. It doesn't look good. I'm hoping for the best. It's been 3 days now, and I thought we'd know more. We seem to know more about what's happening to him, but not whether their treatment will work.

I don't have to mention that this brings up my feelings of mortality. More to come.

The San Francisco Star Trek Convention

2010-01-24T16:00:00.000-08:00

Creation Entertainment has been gone from San Francisco for a good number of years, but they promised to return in 2010. I was surprised that they managed to book the San Francisco icon, the Westin St. Francis Hotel. The Westin St. Francis in the old days would never have greeted Trekkies at the front door! As Creation’s Adam Malin commented, the down economy made it possible.

The convention boasted the appearances of William Shatner and Sir Patrick Stewart on Sunday. I was delighted that Saturday seemed to be Deep Space Nine day.

It took so long to register at Creation’s table that we found Armin Shimerman and Max Grodenchik already on stage. Someone asked just then if they were really friends. Armin replied, “Yes, we’re very good friends even though Max doesn’t think so.” Max just smiled.

Another fan asked Max how he got the girl (Leeta). He explained that Dr. Bashir is a good-looking guy, “and his female fans wanted him to be single. So they came to me,” he reported to a big laugh.

The question of make-up invariably came up, as it always does. I’m always surprised by the answers because Armin and Max are such great storytellers. “We started at 4am and were done by Wednesday afternoon,” said Armin as the crowd roared. Armin added, “My make-up took longer than Max’s, but my make-up looked better than Max’s.” They both agreed it took two hours to complete the make-up by the seventh year of the show. What’s it like wearing that head? “Like a head cold,” explained Armin. “You’re congested and you can’t hear, which is ironic. The make-up got to be oppressive by the ninth hour, and you wanted to rip it off. But, of course, you couldn’t.”

Max added to the debate. “There was a scar (on his face) from the day before, and they’d apply the glue directly into the scar. It hurt like hell.” Armin added, “We used to be 6’ tall leading men…”

One fan asked why Quark seemed to show a lot of emotion in the episode where Quark went back to the Ferengi home planet to stop Moogie from making a profit and destroying their reputation. Armin: “I was dealing with my own problems with my mother (at the time). They (the scenes) were much more emotional and heartfelt from the others.”

A small boy came up and explained that he really liked the Ferengi episodes. He added that he and his mother were going to the costume party at the convention dressed as Quark and Ishka, respectively. “No offense,” he said to Max. Max stuttered in reply, “But I’m the Grand Nagus!”

Favorite Rules of Acquisition:
Max: #48 – The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife.
Armin: #1 – Once you have their money, never give it back.

Casey Biggs ran on stage with a lot of enthusiasm. He opened by saying that he loves San Francisco, and he and his wife had the most wonderful dinner the night before. “My wife writes cookbooks, and I’m surprised I don’t look like John Schuck,” referring to the rather rotund actor who played a part-time Cardassian on Deep Space Nine.

Casey related how he got the part of Damar, the Cardassian lieutenant to Gul Dukat. The audition consisted entirely of five lines, “They’re enraged, Sir. Fire!” and producers were very impressed with how he said the lines, which Casey thought was very funny. “An extra could say these lines. I was trained at Julliard! But swallow your pride and go in and say the lines.” When he gets the part, “I think it’s a one-day gig. Three hours for make-up. One hour to take it off. Two pounds of rubber on my face.” The director whispered to him during Casey’s scenes, “They have big plans for this character.” As Casey related, “We were the Nazis of outer space. When I was looping my character – adding dialogue, I got a note that read, ‘We want you to sound more Cardassian.’ So I made it more militaristic. Marc Alaimo epitomized that to a T. He was scary.”

When it came time for Damar to die, Casey was delighted that it was in the last episode, and almost the last scene. Except that he read that Damar was to be killed by a ‘ND alien,” where ND meant ‘non-descript.’ “I told the director I wanted a John Woo death (i.e., guns blazing, blood flying, dying in a beautiful woman’s arms). And that’s what happened. Only I die in Andy Robinson’s arms.”

Vaughn Armstrong came out when Casey was finished and the two of them sang a couple of space ditties that Vaughn had composed. Vaughn has played 12 Star Trek characters. Or, as Casey explained, he’s spent more time in the make-up chair than anyone. On one episode, he spent six-and-a-half hours in the make-up chair only to be told they didn’t need him that day. He had to come back the next day and do it all over again, starting at 3:30am. They were done shooting in about 20 minutes.

Vaughn told us that the pay was very good at the time. And Star Trek just keeps on giving. “Every episode I’m in I get residuals. And every day one of them plays somewhere.”

Patrick Stewart came on stage, looking dapper as always. He told us that he had seen the new Star Trek movie and immediately called J.J. Abrams to tell him what a marvelous movie he had made. The night before, Patrick attended the performance of the San Francisco Symphony, led by Maestro Michael Tilson Thomas and featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Yo-Yo, apparently, was “devastated” that he couldn’t come to the convention on Sunday. “And I mean ‘devastated.’” MTT and Ma’s daughter, Emily, however, made it to the convention. Patrick told us that he will be performing with the San Francisco Symphony and Tilson Thomas in Chicago next month.

We haven’t seen Patrick much, as he’s been working for the last six years in the theatre. Although he really enjoyed his years on Star Trek, “the last six years have been the best and happiest (years) of my life.” He announced that his Hamlet will air on PBS in April. “It’s three hours long, so clear the evening. It’s terrific.” And his MacBeth, which promises to be truly a different take, will air on PBS in the fall. “It’s as exciting a production of Shakespeare as I have ever seen.”

In an answer to an aspiring actor, he answered, “First thing: expose yourself to as much Shakespeare as possible, and one is by reading. Don’t be afraid of it. Actors do not have a better friend than Shakespeare. Rent the DVDs. See it live whenever you can. Find a company and stick with it.”

Someone asked him about being knighted, and we heard: “It hasn’t happened yet.” He received a letter in the mail, which he finally opened when he got to his stack of mail. “Quite an emotional letter.” Then he had to pick a date this summer when he would be knighted. And he had to remain silent about that fact until it was announced just before New Year’s. “I’m looking forward to it immensely.”

Upon this declaration, William Shatner came on stage and knelt before the almost-Sir Patrick. He had to be helped up by Stewart, who proclaimed, “Arise, Sir!” Shatner said: “I was wondering if you’d put in a good word for me.” As it turns out, they’re both resident aliens in the U.S., since Patrick is from England and Bill is from Canada.

When Patrick had left the stage, Bill said to the audience, “I admire him so much. This incredible theatrical reputation. But then," he added with a smirk, "I’m Captain Kirk.”

Bill’s new interview show, Raw Nerve, has been received very well. He announced that he will have three shows on the air this year, as projects he’s produced (one is “Aftermath” on A&E) will be launched. “To hell with Shakespeare.”

He related that he has yet to see the new movie, but J.J. Abrams promised to give Bill, his family and friends a private screening of Star Trek on the Paramount lot very soon.

A fan asked Shatner about his death scene on Generations. He told us that, as he lay in the rubble, on one take his last words, ad-libbed, were, “bridge on the Captain…”

The room was packed for the two captains, and they seemed to get along famously, each of them quite secure in what are hallmark careers. It was a pleasure to see them.

A Few Odds and Ends

2010-01-23T21:46:00.000-08:00

I find it interesting that, on my cancer blog, www.touchedbycancer.blogspot.com, more people reacted to the short article I wrote about the death of singer Kenny Rankin, who died last year of lung cancer at a young-ish age in his sixties. His death really struck a chord.

I attended one-half of a Star Trek convention this weekend. They are so seldom in San Francisco these days. Thank God they're no longer at the horrible Masonic temple on top of that hill. It was Deep Space Nine day today. It was great to run into my friends Jen and Amy, whom I met at a Battlestar Galactica convention some years ago. There aren't many sci fi fans in my life, and it's such a pleasure to share this love with friends. Thanks for being there. Tomorrow, King Shatner and Sir Patrick!

I am talking presently with a friend about how hard it is to walk into a room of people you sort of know. A party. A retirement luncheon. It's hard for extroverts to understand. It's a real dread. If I could change anything about my life, it would probably be (1) stop being shy, and (2) develop memory skills. I can work on it every day, but it is work.

Watching the SAG awards. I've seen some of the films, but I've never heard of a lot of them, or a lot of these TV specials, especially since I don't get HBO any more. Drew Barrymore was in something good? And we're not talking Whip It. What was that? Gotta catch up - I'll get my marching orders when the Academy Award nominations come out.

The Princess and the Pee

2009-11-07T11:30:00.000-08:00

If you haven't guessed by now, we have a dog. I have had girlfriends who were high maintenance, but not like this.

She has settled down a bit, so she's not continually following me around, licking my face whenever it's almost in reach. She has her places, her duty, her role. She watches over the house and those precious people in it. That's where the bark comes from.

The first few weeks, she wasn't so. She was barely there. Oh, sure, she followed us around a lot, but her real personality and, well, obstinence finally began to come out.

For instance, an example about her insistence on having her way: when I get up in the morning, I am very cognizant of the fact that she's going to need to pee. Soon. So I take her down the back stairs in my sweat pants and slippers, trying not to slip on the wet stairs with this precious cargo. And when we get down there, I put her on the grass. She doesn't like wet paws, so she runs to the brick. But mostly, on the way to the dry brick, she pees. And then looks at me. And then runs upstairs.

But now she's refusing to pee out in the backyard. So I take her out front on the leash. She looks for her spot, smells for her spots, and then releases. However, I hate it, because I have to dodge the cars, protect her while doing so, and be out there either in my almost-jammies or get fully dressed. Sheesh.

So it's a constant battle. Soon, we will have disciplinary lessons! For both of us.

Disney World 2009: You Say It's Your Birthday

2009-10-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

I just returned from visiting Disney World for 7 days plus a day of travel. We had a wonderful time, and the weather treated us well.

A lot of planning went into this trip. What helped, though, was the fact that the Food & Wine Festival was still going on in Epcot, so we could grab some delicious snacks of our choice, and not pay too much. The rest of the food bill was a bit up there. Food costs in Disney World.

Mark flew in one day early and rested, and then met us at the airport so that we could all go in together. I had to upgrade our rental car so that it would fit 5 people and their luggage. I picked the Chrysler 300, a large car, over a minivan or SUV, and, as the only driver, I can say it worked out very well.

My favorite part of the journey was when we entered the park at 7pm on Sunday night for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, for which we had bought separate tickets. The monorail was closed between the TTA ticket center and Magic Kingdom, so we caught a ferry full of hundreds of costumed families, and drove over during the magnificent sunset to the MK. The cold wind abated when we entered the park, and we had a magical time as Ricky led us around to every single trick-or-treating stand so that we could pick up every bit of offered candy in the park. What we found were little containers of milk duds, whoppers, Hershey's candy bars, even raisins. And taking the Haunted Mansion ride seemed like the appropriate thing to do that night. It was scarier than usual, as the cast members were dressed up more ghoulier than ever, and they had dead expressions on their ashen-grey faces. Ooooh.

My birthday was celebrated in Epcot on Thursday. I had a free day, thanks to Disney's birthday gift. I found the right booth to present my certificate (Will Call), and received not only my free plastic pass but a birthday button. I counted all the birthday greetings I received that day as people around the park reacted to my birthday button: 41.

I was standing in line at Soarin', when the couple ahead of me told me 'happy birthday!," and told me that the guy ahead of them in line ALSO had his birthday today! It was birthday-o-rama! And, obviously, we all chose to spend it at Disney World.

I spent the entire day in Epcot, riding my favorite rides by myself like Mission: Space and Soarin', and then met Dawn and Elly when they came over to Epcot early at 3pm so that they could revisit the Seas, especially the Nemo ride and its splendid aquarium. Then, at 5pm, Rick and Mark joined us. We had an early dinner at the Rose & Crown Pub in "England," and for the first time, I got to sit out on the patio on the water. It was just warm enough for that, and we got to view the constantly approaching storks and ducks as they patrolled for human food droppings.

After that, we knew our visit to Disney World was over, and so we drove back to pack and relax for the trip home the next day.

It helped that we took frequent breaks after the 2nd day, and would usually drive back early from whatever park we visited, back to the timeshare to catch a nap. At one point we went out to a local International Drive, non-Disney restaurant -- it had "Bahama" in the title -- and although we had a wait, the food was worth it. Another adventure!

I'm not sure I'll ever make it back to Orlando, but I know that WDW is my favorite Disney park. You never run out of things to do, even on your birthday.

It Came Around Again

2009-10-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

I had a flu shot on Monday. Today, on Wednesday, I have the flu. If it's a reaction to the shot. it should be temporary and minimal. Right now, it doesn't feel minimal.

It was actually the H1N1 vaccination I got this time. It looks to be approaching an epidemic in the state.

As for me, personally, I'm losing my voice. I already cancelled one appointment today. Better rest.

Those Clergy Sure Put on a Good Show

2009-09-19T21:32:00.000-07:00

I've been to, let's see.... three services so far this week. No, four counting Tashlich. Another one tomorrow morning.

Ner Tamid really puts on a rousing show. The music is spectacular. The choir really knows its stuff. Occasionally we get the kid choir, and they're not bad either. There was even a "shofar choir" today, with three kids blowing. They weren't spectacular, but were lots of fun. Tekiyah!

It's amazing to me how hard the clergy and staff work. All the security was in place, starting Friday night. We had to have a pink glowing badge to park the car, and her name had to match names on a clipboard. We entered a side door because Ruth has a key for that. Cool. And people would stop by to check in with her.

Got your cue sheet? Check. Got your machser? Check. White robe? Oh, yes. And they all meet in a circle before they go out there, like a football huddle, only, instead of plays, the head rabbi says a prayer. But then they put their hands on top of one another's hands, yes, like in a football huddle, and yell at the end. Hut!

It took us half an hour after the RH service this morning to get out of there. And then someone asked about the Torah scroll to be used the next morning just as we were leaving. And then someone called her on her cell phone just as we had made the first turn out of the parking lot, again about a Torah scroll.

They have six Torahs! All sizes and weights. One person told me the heaviest one is 35 pounds. I no longer envy those who get to carry it around in the Rosh Hashanah service for all to touch.

Tashlich was a hoot, just like last year. Once I got over the fact that it wasn't going to start on time (I learned that last year), I was fine with everything. Passing out crushed matzoh, service booklets. Saying the prayers. Tossing my sins and bad habits into the lake, and watching the stream carrying it (them) away. Watching the ducks devour my sins with feathery gusto.

Tomorrow the last RH service. Then we pack and get on a plane Monday morning.

Rosh Hashanah, Year 5770

2009-09-18T17:28:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here in the synagogue in Henderson, Nevada, typing away on a borrowed computer. It will be Rosh Hashanah in a few hours.

In trying to figure out what Rosh Hashanah means to me, I've spent the last week wondering, sometimes aloud, on that very topic, all the way carrying on all the daily tasks one does. It's 95 degrees out. What do people here do about the heat? Why aren't there more people out and about in this neighborhood? Is it simply the heat, or is it because many of those people lost their homes and are no longer IN the neighborhood?

And then I heard about one congregant, whose name I don't know and will never know, who has had a frightfully bad time of it. Her husband died several years ago, and she not only misses him but the life they used to have, when they had money. He ran his own business, apparently well, but after he died, she leaned upon some friends of his who gave her their bad financial advice. As a consequence, she has lost her home, her car, her way of life. Friends wonder if she's thin because she's getting older - she's in her late sixties. Or because she can't afford the food.

There are many more stories like that. You know the stories. Some of them involve friends of yours, relatives of yours. The last two years have been financially devastating. I don't have to tell you that such a bad economy preys upon the elderly moreso than the young. The young have time to recover, resources to plumb. The elderly rarely do unless they've socked a lot away.

But I don't have to go all that far afield from my (extended) family for some hard-luck stories. I have a relative who is struggling not to lose his house. I have another relative who is living with a friend, thank goodness, but is just several inches away from homelessness. I have a young relative who is lost and separated from us, and doesn't know what to do. I have two close friends, probably more, who are struggling with day-to-day depression, some on medication and under doctor's care for that malady. I have a relative with an illness he was born with, one that every day denies him a normal existence.

So what does Rosh Hashanah mean in regard to this rather depressing topic. I think it means that we need to find our own meaning to life. What does life mean to us. I don't expect God to help that first woman I referenced, just dump a barrel-full of money at her feet. I expect humans to wade in there and give her a helping hand. If they can't themselves, perhaps they know of some social organization who can.

And the inevitable conclusion is that I need to wade in more and help my relatives, first and foremost, to deal with the lousy cards they've been dealt. And then, if I have anything left, I can help those people, like that aging congregant who lost everything.

I think the only meaning I'll get out of my remaining decade (or possibly two) will ooze out of the relationships I form. And the care I give to them.

L'shanah tovah. A good year.

Slot Heaven

2009-09-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

I've been spending a small section of each day at my new "home," Sunset Station casino/hotel. We briefly went to another Station casino last night, Boulder Station, and my God, I hated it. There were too many people, the aisle ways were narrow, and they didn't have the games I liked. (And the ones I liked were taken.)

But they did have a bank of my new discovery: community gambling with Reel 'Em In.

Anyone who knows about my gambling habits knows that I love Reel 'Em In. I discovered this fishing slot game at least 25 years when the old Frontier hotel/casino was still around. It was a nickel slot machine in those days, and I would play multiple lines at tremendous cost, but then win quite often. I was enchanted.

And then the cascading slot machines came along, just recently. My favorite is Invaders from the Planet Moolah, which allows you multiple chances for one pull, and a chance to get to their bonus round (which is actually the same thing, just over and over). But now there's another enchanting slot machine pulling at me.

"Community gaming" is what they call it. It's based on Reel 'Em In, at least that's the bonus round, but (unfortunately) the four single machines underneath the massive video screen are other games. They're horrible, but what are you gonna do. But the bonus round, which shows up almost randomly, is one of three games, and you compete with the other 3 during those games. The games are Best Fish (the biggest), most fish (the most and the biggest), and the Boat Race (who comes in first, towed by their fish). You don't know when the bonus round is going to hit, and the timer on your individual screen tells you how many seconds you have to play. If you don't make it, you won't be eligible for the bonus round. You can't even sneeze in case you'll miss it.

So the adrenaline is pumping the entire time. And each pull on the individual machine is 50 cents at least, so even though it's a penny machine it's expensive. I've seen many people lose all their money just waiting for the bonus round. So it's one to be approached carefully.

The Station Casino has one of these. Three Invasion of the Planet Moolah. And two Reel 'Em In. Almost heaven.

Selichot

2009-09-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

We both attended Selichot, and, I swear, I don't remember ever having attended this before. We had our choice of four teachers for an hour: Rabbi Achselrad, Rabbi Adar, Rabbi Chester (visiting his family in Las Vegas), and an educator. I decided to sit with Rabbi Chester because I wasn't sure anyone else would and I didn't want him to think that he had wasted his time by coming. I needn't have worried.

While I was standing around, waiting for something, anything to begin, a couple of women recognized me and said hi, and asked me which one I was going to attend. I explained, and one of them, oh, we should do that, too! Rabbi Adar would want us to. But the other one said, but I adore Rabbi Adar. Can't I go to hers? The other told her no. It was very funny. And, yes, we found ourselves with about 12 others huddled around Rabbi Chester in a very small room in the synagogue. We had a rousing discussion of the Book of Life and whether we're really inscribed.

Afterwards we gathered in the sanctuary for the Selichot service. I noticed that only about one-half stayed for the service. Rabbi Chester noticed me sitting all alone way off to the side -- I never know where to sit in the large room, mainly because there are designated seats, the comfortable ones, for donors. So he joined me.

It was interesting to watch him. The Selichot service pamphlet was composed by their student rabbi of a couple of years ago. He perused the entire thing during the opening remarks and songs of the service, just like a professional.

One thing about Ner Tamid: a lot of the arrangements of the songs don't encourage participation. What I mean by that is, they have a choir who sings, and most of the congregants just listen. This did not stop Rabbi Chester from singing along. He sang every one of the songs. I took encouragement from this, and I started singing along, too, at least to the songs I knew. The songs of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most beautiful and stirring, and I just love them. I got a little taste, and then the short service was over.

While we had been waiting for the service to start, a congregant named Julie, with whom I had had several conversations, brought one of her standard poodles with her, Simon. Simon had just come from the beauty shop. He's in training for being a caregiver dog, and was just gorgeous. I don't think he showed up in the photos because of his immense blackness. He was very well behaved. And since he attneded services, too, I was glad to see that he also did not choose to sing along with the choir.

Road Trip to a Very Familiar Place

2009-09-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

It took us two leisurely days to get to Henderson, Nevada. Sweetie is the Visiting Rabbis during the High Holy Days, and we'll be here for three weeks (with a break in between to return home).

Our one-night stop was picked because Sweetie thought I might like to experience a casino/hotel just inside the Nevada state line, and she was right. So we pulled into Primm's Whiskey Pete hotel and casino, only to discover that it was the wrong Primm hotel. The one we made a reservation at was across the highway. But we were tired, and so the desk clerk quickly cancelled the original reservation and offered us a double room at ..... $15 a night. Oh, yeah.

The little cafe in the small casino had so-so food, but offered this so-so food 24 hours. And so we found ourselves eating dinner at about 9pm. There was one waiter at that point, and I unfortunately didn't catch his name, but he was very good. (The waiter the next morning was overwhelmed and her inherent talent wasn't up to the task at all.) So at that point, about 3 hours after arriving, Sweetie took a break from writing, and I took a break from gambling, and we shared a meal. Then we returned to our respective tasks.

We left at about noon the next day, pulled into Ner Tamid synagogue parking lot at about 1:30pm and got the keys to the company car as well as the private house at which we'd be staying.

The house used to be the home of an elderly congregant. She has since passed away and the owners, also members of the congregation, can't sell the place in this economy. So they very nicely lent it to Sweetie during the High Holidays so the congregation wouldn't have to pay the motel she usually stays in.

The house is very nice: a two-bedroom with a walk-in shower and a gigantic living room. There are a few things, however, which make it less than ideal -- a broken dishwasher, a washer that appears to have issues so that we can't use it, no internet, and no TV reception (because, after all, why would you continue with the last two if no one lives there?). But there's electricity - Thank God for air conditioning - and working water.

Every day Sweetie gets up early so that she can get some work done before going to the synagogue. Every day I get up not knowing what her schedule is, and drive over to the nearby Sunset Station casino because it's close. If she's free for lunch, I'd like to join her. But she never knows when that will be. Somedays it's 1:30pm. Other days, like yesterday, it's 5pm. I would like to drive off and discover some of the other casinos in the area, particularly the ones mentioned in my Las Vegas Advisor coupon book, but I'm not sure when that will happen.

More Musings about the Star Trek Convention

2009-08-15T09:13:00.000-07:00

Here are some comments about the Star Trek Convention:

There doesn't seem to be a future for the Star Trek: Experience. We went by Neonopolis, and while there was a building, there was absolutely no activity or construction.

Stephen Collins (Seventh Heaven, Tales of the Gold Monkey, Star Trek: The Motion Picture): "I did see a Klingon at a slot machine last night." No kidding. They were all over the place, particularly on Thursday when Martok and Gowron were in full regalia. Stephen has joined the twitter world: bassisland. I think I'll follow him. I just hope he doesn't talk too much about fish.

I was really impressed with "young Spock," a 10-year-old actor named Jakob Kogan. I think I'll watch his movie from 2008, "Joshua."

Leonard and Bill were quite funny on stage together. They really are good together, and you get the feeling they are close friends. I was quite taken with emotion, though, when Leonard said he was worried about losing his memory. I have a feeling it's why he "retired" a few years ago, only to be offered more and more parts. He was on his way to Vancouver to do "Fringe" a few months ago, and they got him his lines while he was in the airport. The airline printed it out for him. He was sweating that he wouldn't be able to get the mouthful of speech he had to make. How interesting. How heartwarming and understandable.

Christopher Lloyd was terrific on stage. I really enjoyed the story he told about how Eric Stolz lost his part in Back to the Future to Michael J. Fox. I had always wondered what happened. And hearing Lloyd's take on why was the interesting part.

Can't a Klingon Get a Buffet Around Here?

2009-08-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

The three Klingons strolled quietly into the Las Vegas Hilton buffet line, each grabbing a plate as they went. We didn't pay any attention, but several tables full of people stopped to stare, laughing and pointing. It's new to them, but not to us. We've been watching Klingons try to get something to eat for years.

When Debbie and I decided to go to the big Creation convention at the Hilton in August, we knew there would be changes. For instance, we said goodbye to the Star Trek: Experience last August, and knew we would miss it. There is nothing to replace it, despite Creation's efforts to move some of their events to the nearby Stratosphere hotel and include their roller coaster rides in the gold ticket. But we were more interested in living in the land of Star Trek one more time. And we wanted to take note of the changes. Some things were the same, and some things were definitely different.

Thursday started out pretty much normally. In 107-degree heat, we made our way on the monorail to hear those on the stage, and to attend the Klingon lunch. For the first time, Creation had two of the actors -- J.G. Hertzler and Robert O'Reilly -- dress in makeup and costume to assume their Klingon identities, "Martok" and "Gowron," respectively, each of whom had been Chancellor of the Klingon Empire in Deep Space Nine. In truth, neither one looked like the roles they played, as Michael Westmore certainly wasn't applying their makeup, but they indeed look like menacing Klingons. J.G. and Bob good-naturedly visited with each table and made disparaging comments about our "live" food, and then the rest of the actors came in: Tony Todd, Spice Williams-Crosby, William Morgan Sheppard, Michael Dorn and Suzie Plakson.

I was shocked at Michael Dorn's appearance. Yes, he's bald now, but even more than that, he's many pounds lighter, and almost appears frail. He noted when he sat down at our table during lunch: "All the things I can't eat," pointing to the pizza and pasta. He told us that he became a vegetarian three years ago. More importantly, he related that he's writing now -- he has something on YouTube that he hopes to expand -- and that he wants to go back to directing.

I had attended Borg Bingo last year, but found that resistance to bingo was not futile when I discovered that the ticket was a whopping $169. So we skipped that event and every other breakfast and luncheon. The prices have just about doubled.

It was great seeing a lot of the Trekkies wandering around -- JoBeth, Freddie, all of the A and B row people that have been coming for years. I heard from someone who attended the parties that the parties are getting to be a bit late for those of us who have been around a bit. We're getting older, and we can't stay up that late! Some of the parties, I noted, didn't even start until midnight, and at another hotel, which means travel time.

But while we're on the subject of age, we were entirely shocked on the weekend. We entered the convention area and were astounded by the long lines to get in. In fact, Creation had so much walk-up traffic on Sunday that they had to delay Zachary Quinto's appearance on stage. And these folks were dramatically younger. And in general admission for the most part. The place was absolutely packed, the first time I have ever seen that at the Las Vegas convention. Is it the new movie? Yes, I think so. Many of these folks said, also, that they're watching the TV series -- classic, Next Gen, Voyager, Enterprise -- for the first time just because of the new movie. My God, this franchise might actually survive! And with a whole new fanbase.

I liked what Christopher Lloyd said to us as he greeted us conventioners for the first time: Perseverance is the key to acting. It's also the key to being a fan for more than 40 years. We have faith the ideals of Star Trek will survive. It also helps to have a kick-ass movie bring in more like us.

Hail to Rickey!

2009-08-01T23:13:00.000-07:00

I went to the Coliseum today, 3 hours before the game, to get there to say farewell to Rickey Henderson. I think he's finally realized that he has to retire. After all, he joined the Hall of Fame of Baseball last week. It would be rude to try to play again.

He mentioned the word "humble" a couple of time, but gave us a passing Rickey-ism, a poem that wasn't a poem, but one that mentioned himself in the third person a few times. That is absolute Rickey.

One wishes one could distill his greatness, use it in the present-day A's team. They could use his spark. His will to succeed. His overwhelming confidence.

Recovering from Comic Con

2009-07-28T20:41:00.000-07:00

Last night I drove 8 hours, stopping for a quick sandwich, to get back to Oakland. I unpacked the car, and then fell into bed, exhausted.

I am still recovering and mailing off eBay stuff. Lots of stuff. Tomorrow I might list some more.

The best things on eBay:
District 9 posters
T-shirts - Nightmare on Elm Street & Astro Boy
Tron replica coin
Green Lantern comic book, if you can believe that.

After all my whining, the giveaways were pretty darn good.

Comic Con 2009 Sunday - Still Standing in Line

2009-07-26T09:49:00.001-07:00

We were here at 7am this morning, standing in a lonnnng line for about half an hour, only to be led into another line within the building. The line was much longer than the one I sat in on Friday, going into the same room. But, three hours later, here we are finally in the room, waiting another hour before the Smallville panel begins. And the rumor I had heard via Twitter was true: Tom Welling will be here for the first time. AND we got a Smallville hat handed to us when we came in the room!

There are two guys in costume standing in the aisle while others clap and take photos - Batman and Superman. The Batman is dressed in a stunningly realistic costume.

We have seen some amazing costumes along the way, but I'm usually in such a hurry to get somewhere that I can't take a photo. The masquerade was last night, and it sounds like 6,000 attended. I'm sure several hundred costumed fans paraded on stage.

The worst part for us for Comic Con is standing in line, and hoping we'll make it in. Room 6ABF, which we're in now, holds only 2,000. Apparently we were at the end of the first 1,000 or so, because we're halfway back. But for three hours of waiting in line, we will only be here an hour.

And the problem with walking and standing in line, for me, is all the stuff I'm lugging around.
1. My blue bag, filled with water, food, medication, toploader for fragile items, badge, and small Aspire computer (on which I'm typing).
2. My poster tube. I hate this thing, but I've gotten a lot of neat posters, many of which are still destroyed by the time I get back to the room.
3. Jacket, fanny pack, phone.

Try juggling all that and dashing to and from.

As a consequence of the crowds (over 125,000), the idea of picking one thing to do and sticking to that, as far as programming is concerned, is still a valid one. We didn't do that yesterday, as there was only one thing we wanted to see in Ballroom 20: V. So we woke up late, took our time getting there, wandered the convention floor, and then finally got in line 3 hours before the panel. We needed all of that time.

This is our last day, and this is my last post. We saved a bit of money this trip: we stayed in a timeshare, we took the trolley the 2 miles to the convention center at about $4/day; we tried to grab something cheap at the convention center, or, when we could, at Subway on the way.

And I've already booked the timeshare and my convention ticket for next year. I had a good plan for this year, but most of it didn't work out. There's always next year!

Comic Con 2009 - Saturday Night, Preparing for Oh-Dark-Thirty

2009-07-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

I spent the evening placing new items on eBay, putting photos to my blog and Facebook. And throwing out some items I didn't want at all. Rick will take most of them to either his niece and nephews or the Senior Center to see if they want them. I have no use for six Sorority Row bottle openers.

We have to get up early again tomorrow for the Smallville panel. I don't watch the show, but there's nothing else to do on Sunday, so I will go with him so that we can get into the 6BDF room. We have to be there at around 7am in order to do that, so up at 5:30 or so (earlier for me).

So for the rest of the evening -- it's closing in on me, I can feel it in my eyes -- I will sort things into boxes and continue separating out the damn posters. I hate posters. It's just that they're so often lucrative.

Comic Con 2009 Saturday Still, on the Fringe

2009-07-25T15:58:00.000-07:00

I talked Rick into staying 10 more minutes past V, past the Visitors trying to take over the Earth, to Fringe, which is every alien for him- or herself.

V looks very interesting. As Rick reminded me, they took 2 hours of the old story and distilled it into 45 minutes for the modern version. And they injected some modernism, aka terrorism, into the mix. So we have aliens among us, those who have lizard scales under human skin. And some are good, meaning they like us and will help us in our resistance, and the others want to use us for their food supply. I think I'll continue to watch it.

And after our 10 minutes of Fringe, we'll head to 29A again to the Fulfillment Room to pick up whatever free item we got during the Simpsons panel. What could that be?

Comic Con 2009: Saturday - In Search of Ballroom 20

2009-07-25T14:25:00.001-07:00

I'm finally sitting in Ballroom 20 after spending two-and-a-half hours on my feet. Rick and I wandered from tent to tent in a tightly-controlled line in an effort to get into see "V", the first full episode of the new series. The show was going on at 2:45pm, so we got in line at 11 to make sure we had plenty of time.

Before that, we trolled around the dealer's huge room for freebies, and found quite a few, including Twilight posters and cards, Gamer posters, a Coraline piece of memorabilia to promote the DVD release, Stargate posters, and more. We roamed around and found Jeff Conaway (Babylon 5 and Grease!) and Nichelle Nichols signing autographs at the Wizard booth, Leonard Nimoy signing at another autograph booth, and many more I didn't recognize.

We got caught up in the moment at the Stargate booth when they were giving away an Amanda Tapping autograph. I thought it was a pre-autographed photo, but when I won one, I realized I get a wristband, have to return at 3pm, stand in line for an hour or more for her to sign 100 autographs, and then have something for her to sign. I couldn't do any of that, so I pointed to the guy next to me in the big crowd, and he got it. We were actually hoping to win some DVDs, but that didn't happen.

We keep going by the Paramount booth to see what they're giving away. We actually tried to get in line this morning, which loops over by the Cafe and on down by the wall for several hundred feet, but had to give up when we realize that all those wristbands had been given away. Oh, well....I didn't want a foam Vulcan finger anyway.

It's now close to 3pm and we still haven't seen any programming yet, but that's about to start. We hope to see the entire first episode of "V".

Comic Con 2009: It's still Friday and I'm Trying Not to Get Trampled

2009-07-24T16:37:00.000-07:00

I'm currently sitting on the floor in the lobby of the convention center itself. My back is to the wall, but my torso and feet are still exposed to people walking by who are texting or generally not paying attention. The WiFi isn't bad here.

I sat through the Prisoner to get to Spartacus. The Prisoner is a remake of that Patrick McGoohan TV show, only this one will be a 6-hour miniseries this fall, playing on three consecutive nights. It's the old question of who's a prisoner to whom, why, yada yada yada.
The difficulty with the first TV show, which was one of my mother's favorites, was that it was boring. I have no doubt this one will suffer the same fate. At least it ends after three nights.

Spartacus looks a bit more interesting. It's too bad it's on Starz, a premium channel I don't have. Lucy plays Lucretia. I'm not sure what role she plays, but she's a devil and obviously enjoys gladiators a great deal. The hero of the piece, Spartacus, couldn't make it to the panel, but sent the usual video greeting. It was nice to hear Stephen DeWright and Rob Tapert talk about how they put it together, the training camp they made everyone (except Lucy) go through, and how they've put some bucks into the production of this show, which is filmed in New Zealand.

Lucy said she almost didn't take the part, as she would have to return to Kiwi Land after living in the States for 8 years. But then she finally figured out that Rob (her husband) wouldn't be returning from New Zealand any time soon because that's where he works. So she joined up, and said that everything has worked out very well for the family. I assume that means the kids are happy, etc., there.

It took me half a mile of walking, and giving advice to other fans who wondered where to cash in their giveaway ticket, when I finally found Room 29A and got my Spartacus goodie bag. Without looking inside, I grabbed it and went off to lunch at the new Hilton, very near the line-up to Hall H. I saw in passing that I would never get into Hall H with that line, so I messaged Ricky that I wouldn't be joining him.

I should mention that I talked at length with one of my seatmates. She was seated in the disabled seat next to me in the middle of The Prisoner panel, and toward the end asked me if I could tell her anything about the show. She told me during the break that she and her boyfriend are splitting up most of the time to see different panels. She follows various shows and wants to see those, like 24. "I watch a lot of TV," she said, almost apoligizing, as she asked me if I watched Dollhouse, Burn Notice, and on and on. She tells the Elite Squad she's disabled -- she has a pacemaker, a bad back, and hearing loss (and forgot her hearing aids today) -- so they seat her in one of the chairs for the disabled, usually near the front. So she doesn't have to stand in the ridiculous lines like the rest of us. After Spartacus, she had five minutes to make it to the 24 panel, and so she said goodbye and left.

As I sat at my table at the Hilton Bayfront in their Grill, waiting for someone, anyone, to notice I was there and take my order, a woman at the table next to me came over and said hello. She said she had noticed I was carrying the Spartacus bag around and wanted to see what they had given me. All the women at the table worked with Starz, but hadn't been able to make it to the panel. As I showed her, she helped me figure out who the autographed photo was, and I still don't remember what she said, but he's not one of the major characters and wasn't at the panel. How interesting!

A brief note about giveaways: In my discussions with several fans at the convention, we all agreed that this convention is well short of giveaways in comparison with years past. Yes, some of the booths are gone, like Inkworks and Sci Fi, but that's no excuse.

Comic Con 2009: Friday, and Bring on the Swag

2009-07-24T09:42:00.001-07:00

Ricky and I split up today, probably the only day this will happen. I want to see Lucy Lawless on the Spartacus panel in Room 6BCD, and he headed off to view more movie stuff at Hall H. So we each got in separate lines. I know that I got in before he did, took the escalator upstairs, asked directions, went through the autograph Sails Pavilion where people were already lining up for autographs, and got in line to get in line. I.e., there was a line for all 6-labeled rooms, but I found other Farscape fans (that program starts the day in 6BCD), and after an hour of trying to find an internet connection, we were led through the cavernous halls to the other side to wait in the "real" life for 6BCD.

One of the guys in line -- he looked to be in his mid- to late 20's, told me that he hung around with the Farscape actors some 7 or 8 years ago because his mother was involved in production. He got them all into Disney World for free somehow, and had some stories about Gigi Edgeley that were very funny. She's quite funny and sanely insane; I met her before a couple of times, briefly, at the Farscape convention and Comic Con Sci Fi Channel autograph sessions. That's when it's a lot of fun while you're waiting in lines: talking to the other fans. Truthfully, I couldn't get into much of a discussion about Farscape because I stopped watching it after the second year when they killed off too many of my favorite characters.

So I am now sitting in Room 6BCD -- we've been here a little over an hour. The internet connection is much better in here, and so I'm blogging away. Got a good seat in front of the panel. And to the side of the screen so that I can see The Prisoner when they screen the entire first episode, the programming after Farscape. And then there will be Spartacus, Lucy, and lots of giveaways for those 2,000 of us who got here early, gave away our sleep, and worship the pop culture devil.

It's getting easier to blog, except for the people who are constantly coming and going in the row. But I'm getting the hang of it.

We just had the hour-long Farscape panel, and it was great to see Brian Henson, whose company handles the visual effects and puppetry, Claudia Black, Ben Browder, and producer Rockne O'Bannon, who started the whole thing some 10 years ago. There is so much fandom surrounding this Farscape phenomenon that products keep coming out, like repackaged DVDs and miniseries.

So, now I have to sit through the new Prisoner treatment, which stars Ian McKellen and Jim Caviezel. And then Spartacus.

Comic Con 2009: Thursday - Johnny Depp and All Kinds of Strange Things

2009-07-24T07:56:00.000-07:00

We got off the trolley Thursday morning just before 7am, and walked the long walk along the front of the Convention center to where the ultra-long line for Hall H would be. Hall H holds 6500 people, the largest room, and is the site where the major networks and movie houses -- like Summit, Sony, Paramount, etc. -- show what they're going to release soon. It's major.

They changed a lot of how we line up for Hall H, and we had to walk about half a mile through stanchions quickly raised. We noticed the tents in front where the Twilight people had set up shot the night before -- those were gone and replaced by standing, or sitting, or sleeping, teenaged and young adult women, talking eagerly among themselves.

We waited over 3 hours, sitting on the grass outside -- thankfully the fog helped us by keeping it cool -- and then filed into the3 massive Hall H. Everybody rushed for the bathroom.

There are only about 20 stalls in the women's restroom, although we are thankful we don't have to leave the hall for the restroom -- which is ridiculous when you consider it seats 6,500 people. So, I don't need to say that there were long lines constantly. And a dearth of supplies, although the workers did the best they could.

Hall H features movies, movies, and movies, and that's what we were there for.

First up was Disney, Disney 3D. We were given plastic 3D glasses when we walked in, along with a Tron movie giveaway. We put the glasses on at each 3D presentation during the day, and I'm very glad to say I did not suffer any headaches. When I looked at the screen to the right and above me, though, I couldn't see the 3rd dimension, so I had to watch the faraway screen. We watched trailers for Disney's A Christmas Carol, and talked with director Robert Zemeckis. The effects and sound were spellbinding, and it was actually a very scary combination when Jacob Marley insisted we were going to meet our past and our future. Comedian Jim Carrey plays 8 parts in the film. He wasn't so funny here.

Then Tim Burton came out to show us some limited footage of his Alice in Wonderland. Patton Oswalt, funny man and voice of Emil in Ratatouille, pressed him to see if he had anything else to show us. Tim kept saying no, no, but then he brought out a friend of his: Johnny Depp. The crowd went wild, as you could expect. He was dressed very nicely, with longish hair, and only said hello, goodbye, and trumpeting, "This is Tim Burton!" The footage we saw, yes, in 3D, was simply amazing. We all know the story, of course, but it sounds like, from Tim's answers to fan questions, that he tinkered with the story a lot. The characters were bizarre-looking for distinctly recognizable. Johnny plays the Mad Hatter. Of course.

Disney ended its presentation with footage and some drawings from Tron. Tron has just begun principal shooting, and won't be finished until at least summer 2010. The motorcycle race they showed us was thrilling, and it stars Jeff Bridges, who starred in the original one -- and he was there on the panel -- but it doesn't look terribly spectacular. There was simply no buzz in Hall H. Time will tell. We'll probably see them again next year.

Next we saw a 3D presentation of some footage from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. The title makes perfect sense when you see the trailer, as an inventor changes the weather to feed the homeless to very funny results. The pizzas really popped off the screen.

The Hole is another film presented, also in 3D. Cheap, stupid, horror film. The entire hall thought this was a great miss.

And Final Destination. New ways to die in 3D. This is the 4th film, I believe, and a lot of money has been poured into this one. I saw the first one, and it was cheaply made but with some good ideas. But I don't like horror/slasher films. The extended footage killed off at least 20 good-looking coeds.

Next was Summit Entertainment: Astro Boy, Sorority Row, and the new Twilight film, New Moon. Astro Boy brought out stars Freddie Highmore and Kristen Bell to say hi and then disappear. The trailer looks promising, but it's still a kid's animation movie.

Sorority Row features about 8 gorgeous women in college who have to cover up when one of them is killed due to a practical joke. The audience recognized several women from previous low-budget films, but I only knew Rumer Willis, daughter of Demi and Bruce, who seemed to hold her own; she has a unique look apart from the other model-looking Barbies.

Half the audience had been waiting for this moment, which came at about 1:45pm: the debut of Twilight: New Moon. Cast members were: Taylor Lautner (Jacob), Kristin Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and the woman who plays Alice Cullen, his sister. Taylor has obviously changed his appearance, as there had been rumors he would be fired. Apparently Jacob in the 2nd book gains in height, weight and muscle.
At least the Jacob we saw gained some muscle. They showed two clips. At least the screaming stopped for the clips. Not sure I'll see this one, although I did vaguely enjoy Twilight (the movie).

Somewhere in there I walked outside to get hot dogs for us. They'll allow you to go slightly beyond Hall H doors to get food, but that's it.

Finally, Avatar. Most of the people in that hall knew something about the movie, but not awfully much. They knew, though, that wunderkind James Cameron had been making this film for over 4 years, waiting for the technology to catch up. The star, Sam Worthington, who was in Terminator 3, couldn't be there, but we viewed a little video from him on set of his next film. He wore those little things on his body like Andy Serkis did to make Gollum real in Lord of the Rings. Jim mentioned that Gollum was an inspiration, so he took his dusty manuscript out of the drawer and went back to work, knowing that the technical aspects of combining human with technological image could now work for this film.

Much to my surprise, Sigourney Weaver walked on stage, and received a rousing ovation from the fanboys and -girls. She stars as a botanist in the film, and appeared in a couple of the shots Cameron showed us. I have to say, the 3D in Avatar popped like nothing else! The colors of this new world they showed us were real and unreal at the same time. And the creature that Worthington played had little floppy ears and a tail that moved independently. Zoe Saldana, she who plays Uhura in the new Star Trek movie, came out to talk to us, and she plays one of the indigenous species who helps this new avatar.

We stayed for one more, because who could resist Terry Gilliam? It seems like he spends his entire career finding financing for his next movie and then finally makes it. His movies are so dark they don't tend to do well. However, this one, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, is Heath Ledger's last role, and he wasn't able to finish it. However, Gilliam is obviously working around that issue. He showed a lot of footage to us, and it looks just amazing.

The trick of all of these films, especially the three I liked seeing footage the most -- Avatar, Dr. Parnassus, and Alice in Wonderland -- will only work if there's a decent story, a good script, and we have no idea if that's true. But I will be there to find out when they open.

Comic Con 2009: Preview Night and Preview Night

2009-07-24T07:46:00.000-07:00

I am so far beyond the Padres game that I can't really talk about it. The Marlins' pitcher was on. There was very little hitting on either side. The park is absolutely beautiful, perched near the bay, but with a design that sometimes makes it hard to find your way, or even your way out.

At 3:30pm, I found Ricky near the stairs of the convention center, and we got in line for registration. Registration was really easy, but registering for 2010, something we wanted to take care of, was difficult. That was so easy last year: just step up to a computer, enter your information, and you're done. The computers were done. But that gave me time to call Debbie at home and ask her some questions. By the time the computers were up, in about 15 minutes, I registered for her, too, for next year.

There are a couple of things I wanted to definitely do at the convention. One of them was pick up the Joss Whedon Dollhouse DVD that I had pre-ordered. It has a letter from Joss, numbered within 2500. And I wanted to sell it on eBay.

For the first time ever, they offered programming on Wednesday night. We wanted to see the entire first episode of V, the remake of the TV miniseries from the '80's, but I insisted on going into the convention floor vendor area to get that DVD. Two hours later, I had the DVD and we had trolled up and down, trying to find free stuff. I did collect some, but I noticed that some booths that were great for that are no longer there, like Inkworks or the Sci Fi Channel.

As we always do on our first night, we took the free shuttle over to the Ralph's store, got our provisions, and were about to get back on the shuttle to take us back to the convention center, and then on a trolley to take us to the Worldmark (WM) unit when I noticed a cab. We took the cab. It cost $6.50. We were tired.

We had to get up at 5:15am the next morning. So I posted a few things on eBay and then we hit the sack.

San Diego, Day 1: The Padres and Checking In

2009-07-22T07:51:00.000-07:00

I made it here, and I'm safely in the Worldmark unit at the corner of A and 11th Streets. Right across the street from community college life, which means lots of transients and fast food restaurants. So, dicey neighborhood. But otherwise a good location.

I am going to the Padres game (Who are they playing? Who cares.) this afternoon. Then, after that, meeting Ricky by the stairs at the convention center around 3pm. Registration starts at 3pm and continues to 6, and then programming (like the full first episode of "V") and the vendor's room opens at 6.

Even on preview night, I'm not sure we can do it all.

The Road to San Diego

2009-07-20T19:38:00.001-07:00

I'm driving to San Diego tomorrow, and the plan is to get there and check in before it gets dark. That means I have to leave at oh-dark-thirty.

The car is packed with boxes to hold onto all the swag I'll pick up. And tubes for posters. Ugh. I hate posters.

I printed out my directions (once I got the printer to work), but I'm really relying on my GPS. I'm sure it'll find the place.

Then, on Wed afternoon, I'll catch the Padres game. Then meet up with Ricky by about 3pm.

The A's, the Boosters and the General State of Things

2009-07-15T21:45:00.000-07:00

The Oakland Athletics come back home for the 2nd half, which begins tomorrow night. The season is already over, save a big 40-game winning streak. And I expect that, by the time I get back from Comic Con, Matt Holliday will be playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. Or some team like that.

He is definitely not worth keeping at this point. Blame it on the American League pitching staff, or the Coliseum itself, with its long lines to the fence and a lot of foul territory. Whatever it is, this is not optimal for the likes of Holliday. He is not failing miserably, batting above .275 currently, but he is certainly not living up the All-Star that he once was.

I just got through reading his blog. I'm reading between the lines here, but I think he's looking forward to a move away from Oakland.

The Boosters are having a luncheon on Friday, two days from now. I will endeavor to be there early so that I can help out if needed. Marty Lurie will be the MC and I always enjoy him.

At a recent board meeting, I asked those present (about 13) what they thought of Matt Holliday, and every single one of them wanted him to move on. So we get a draft pick or, if Billy can trade him before the July 31st deadline, a shortstop or something like that. Nobody is sorry to see him go. It goes beyond his average, which is solid. It's hitting in key situations. It's the fact that he's not a cheerleader.

We also thought about the fact that there used to be 1,000 booster members, and now there are barely more than 300. It's the fact that Lew Wolff keeps coming out publicly to shoot himself in the foot. The A's are moving. We just don't know where. And people are angry. And the fact that they're playing below .500 (maybe .333?) doesn't help.

Got a Condo Made of Stone-a

2009-07-11T23:02:00.000-07:00

I finally got to go see the King Tut exhibit at the De Young Museum in San Francisco last week.

Some friends and I went, and thank goodness we all agreed to go early. I got the tickets for us to go in at the earliest time available on a Tuesday morning, and we were there 45 minutes before they even opened the doors. Once we got in, we each bought headphones for the audio tour, and wended our way through the maze of artifacts.

The Tutankhamun exhibit from Egypt is so small, only 50 pieces, that they filled it in with artifacts from other royalty. Some of those pieces (particularly regarding his father, Akhenaten and stepmother Nefertiti) were outstanding. But the piece de resistance, the pieces of the Tut exploration, lay at the end of this maze, and were truly awesome.

Of note:
Inlaid Pectoral with Winged Scarab necklace
Coffinette for the Viscera of Tutankhamun
Chest for jewelry made of ivory
Box in the shape of a cartouche (ebony/ivory)

And my favorites:
Child's Ebony/Ivory Chair with Footrest
Inscribed ivory Game Board with 20 squares.

I kept staring at the pieces, some of them laden with gold, shining in the carefully placed spotlights, wondering how such artifacts could have survived more than 3,000 years. Many of the artifacts are just wood. It is truly amazing. And piecing together what the Boy King was like during the ten years of his reign -- king at the age of 9, and dead by the age of 19 -- is a mystery unravelled.

King Tut (song by Steve Martin)
King Tut (King Tut)
Now when he was a young man,
He never thought he'd see
People stand in line to see the boy king.

(King Tut) How'd you get so funky?
(funky Tut) Did you do the monkey?
Born in Arizona,
Moved to Babylonia (king Tut).

(king Tut) Now, if I'd known
they'd line up just to see him,
I'd trade in all my money
And bought me a museum. (king Tut)

Buried with a donkey (funky Tut)
He's my favorite honkey!
Born in Arizona,
Moved to Babylonia (king Tut)

Dancin' by the Nile, (Disco Tut)
The ladies love his style, (boss Tut)
Rockin' for a mile (rockin' Tut)
He ate a crocodile.

He gave his life for tourism.
Golden idol!
He's an Egyptian
They're sellin' you.

Now, when I die,
now don't think I'm a nut,
don't want no fancy funeral,
Just one like ole king Tut. (king Tut)

He coulda won a Grammy,
Buried in his Jammies,
Born in Arizona, moved to Babylonia,
He was born in Arizona, got a condo made of stone-a,
King Tut!

Preparing for Comic Con 2009

2009-07-11T22:37:00.000-07:00

Comic Con is in less than 2 weeks, and I have started preparing. There are many challenges inherent in the largest convention in the world. Those who have been know what I mean.

1. There is too much to do. I know, having all those choices is a drag, right? The only solid advice I can give to Con goers is to find one thing in programming, and stick with that. That's if your beloved so-and-so panel is in a large room, like Hall H. For Hall H, or some of the other large rooms (Ballroom 20, for instance), getting there at 6 am, and having a seat outside on the grass is not a bad plan. Particularly if it's Twilight Day.

My plan is to let my nephew Rick decide which programming hall we're going to go for, and get in line with him. EVERYthing at the Con is just easier if there are two people.

Why Hall H? All the movie programming. Why Ballroom 20 ? or 6ABCDE? All the TV programming. And the best giveaways at any convention.

2. Lining up for Hall H at 6 am. No food. No toilets. No chairs. Cold. Need I say more?

3. Making your way through the vendor's room. It's massive. My legs will be sore on Friday, if not Thursday. They will be downright dead on Saturday. The good part about sitting in Hall H all day is that your legs and feet can rest. However, your butt will hurt.

4. Making your way through the vendor's room on Preview Night. On Wednesday night, all the 4-day pass people can get in. It used to be that all you could do on Wednesday night was wander through the room, picking up a freebie here and there. But now there is programming at night at the same time. There are also freebies galore, but some items disappear quickly. For instance, the big bags for Warner Bros. went within minutes. And you need a big bag to carry all your freebies from the vendor's room.

5. Making your way through the vendor's room: worth repeating one more time. Because on the busy days -- Friday and Saturday -- people upon layer of people will be in the aisles, pushing and shoving. The worst will be people with backpacks, who, when they turn, can take out a whole row of Hobbits with one swish. Those are probably the only days in my life I'm thankful for large girth.

6. Gathering up all the freebies on the vendor floor. Each booth has its own giveaways. Some have great ones - the major studios like Sony, Warner Bros., and the Sci Fi Channel (now the SyFy Channel) - others give out crap. I try to determine immediately what's worth keeping and what isn't, especially since that bag gets heavy after awhile. Then we make the circuit time after time again.....all in the same day.

7. Collecting the freebies and putting the best on eBay. I used to take it back to my hotel room, which was across the street from the convention center. Now my room is 2 miles away. So, I'm going to try something new this year: posting eBay items there at the convention. There should be WiFi all around the halls. I'm bringing my little computer, which weighs just a couple of ounces. And today I practiced posting photos I had taken with my camera on eBay (a totally different system than I'm used to). I also discovered last year that the first people to post stuff will get the most watchers, the most bidders, and the most bids. And it will mean that I can fill dead time during programming with posting.

8. Going to and from the hotel. I'm not sure how this will go. I'm hoping to take the free con shuttle, which stops about 3 blocks from where we're staying. But I don't know how the hours will work. It will certainly be a challenge.

By the time Sunday gets here, I will most likely be sick of the place and wanting to rest. That has happened every year. But by then we're already planning our trip next year.

A Visit with Joshua Roberts, Professional Actor

2009-07-09T13:48:00.000-07:00

We got up rather late on Wednesday morning, and called Josh to set up a meeting place. As it turns out, he doesn't have a car -- he's a poor, starving student, remember -- and so we had to meet him at his dorm room several miles south of the playhouse.

It took some doing, but Sweetie can find a needle in a mapless haystack, and we indeed found him at the end of the dorm construction zone. We picked him up and he suggested a little place in Sonoma, yes, several miles from there, called Hank's Creekside Cafe. We settled in, ordered breakfast, and stayed for over 2 hours chatting about the play, his process, politics, etc.

He explained The Method to me as Lee Strasberg interpreted Stanislavski, and that Daniel Day-Lewis may be the last user of The Method in modern acting. But Josh doesn't believe in it. He did say, though, that the physical blocking of scenes helps form his character as much as memorizing the lines. Some directors don't even want you to memorize your lines, preferring instead to work out the character with you as practice progresses.

We went to see Josh play "Gooper" in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof that night, getting even better seats this time, as we were right in the middle, right behind the liquor cabinet in Maggie and Brick's bedroom. That liquor cabinet is visited by almost all the players, so we got a good look at them. I thought about putting something else in the ice chest, but obviously tinkering with the objects on stage is forbidden.

It was a really nice treat after the play, too, when I got to meet informally several of the actors. They were all very good. This was one Cat that sizzled.

Plays in Santa Rosa

2009-07-08T09:37:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we drove up to Santa Rosa to see a professional actor, Joshua Roberts, in two plays at Santa Rosa Junior College.

We saw the first one, Barefoot in the Park, last night. It was sold out.

It's a small, modern theatre, maybe about 150 seats, about the same size as the Altarena, but in a different configuration. All of the seats are stadium, meaning each seat behind us was raised, and, as you can imagine, every seat is a good seat. We were in the front row.

Josh is an old family friend. He and Jamie were in several high school plays together, usually musicals, as both have fine voices. Tonight was not a musical but a comedy, and we were anxious to see how he'd fare. We found with much deligh that the program said he would play the lead in Neil Simon's play, the Paul Bratter character, the one that made Robert Redford famous.

He was absolutely splendid. He got every beat of the comedy, as this character actually has most of the clever lines. We're meeting him in about half an hour for brunch, so I'm sure we'll talk about the play. Much fun.

Fireworks at Home

2009-07-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

We had a great 4th of July bash, this after Maryann and Aaron got together and decided to have one. At my house.

Well, that's fine, because we can control most everything here, including what to eat and drink. And I was quite surprised when a couple of guests pitched in when the party was drawing down and washed dishes and brought in all the food. Then Sweetie figured out where the leftovers would go, something I can never decide.

So, after the picnic table outside and the kitchen table inside was cleared off, I could take over. I just loaded the dishwasher at 10pm last night, and then mopped the floor.

Another hassle, of course, was taking out the trash and recycle. The recycle pile is HUGE outside, and some of it is covered with ants. Damn things. So I took the stuff that would cause the most ant drool and tossed that into the trash can. (The trash can isn't full.)

Great food - kosher hot dogs, BBQ'd chicken, salad, vegetarian baked beans, potato salad. And Dawn & Mark brought ice cream, which was the good stuff. Plus, I drank Splendafied lemonade, sun tea, a little wine, and a little of the mint julep. The mint julep was the culprit for the sticky floor. Yechh.

Cough, Cough

2009-06-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

After one week of feeling lousy and getting worse, and prompted by media accounts of new cases of Swine Flu, I called the Advise Nurse of my clinic and gave her my symptoms.

She advised me to take long, hot showers, and drink hot tea. Oh, and also to breathe in the tea fumes. She also made an appointment for me with my doctor the next morning.

I am wayyy beyond tea fumes at this point. This morning, my wheezing tunes woke me up. Several times.

So, Dr. Heath said I either had bronchitis or pneumonia. She listened to my back several times, and said she could hear things in the lower right lung, and then she mentioned something about the lung being collapsed. So, half an hour later, I was sitting in the x-ray place on Telegraph - yes, the very one I go each year to get those lovely but painful mammograms.

A woman wheezed her way into the seat across from me when I sat down. Her husband stormed in a minute afterwards and bellowed at her, "Give the man your paper!" After fussing with her for several minutes, she not responding, he snatched it out of her hand and gave it to the clerk. When I got to the window, I watched the clerk stamp STAT on my paperwork in big, red letters.

Gosh, I could get a stamp like that! I could mark everything medical. "URINE SAMPLE NEEDED. STAT!"

I was shown to the change room, and told yada yada yada, yeah, I know the drill. While I was sitting there, waiting for the x-ray tech to call me, the man next to me, who really didn't want to give me the seat next to him, was really non-plussed about being in a hospital gown with his pants sitting next to him. So he got up and wandered around, carefully holding the gown behind him. I should've told him that he could've placed another gown on backwards so that he'd be fully covered - like so many of us mammogram patients have learned - but I didn't know what reaction I'd get.

The x-ray itself, all 3, was uneventful. I didn't have to take the gown off, so I wonder why they couldn't have just shot the x-ray through my shirt and bra? If it goes through skin AND hospital gown, why can't it go through shirt, bra and skin? You just wonder...

Anyway, after all that, I have bronchitis, not pneumonia.

I went to Long's, where the doctor said they'd call in my prescription inhaler, and wouldn't you know, no call. Maybe they called another pharmacy. Well, that's what direct dial is good for on my cell phone, and why I programmed the number in.

I was hoping I'd get the inhaler before another wheezeful night, but it doesn't look like it.

Big Disappointment...

2009-06-17T14:39:00.000-07:00

As it turns out, the Pres. Obama pronouncement for same-sex partners is ONLY for children of domestic partners. Not the domestic partners themselves, many of whom suffer from ailments they can't pay for, AIDS, huge financial bills caused by health issues, etc.

This is very disappointing.

They say that this is "just the beginning" of changes his administration will make. It's not a very promising beginning.

A BIG Step Toward Equality! Woo-hoo!!!

2009-06-16T20:01:00.000-07:00

I like this short article so much, I'm reprinting it in whole. An Executive Order means immediately. "Domestic partner" means MY partner. I can finally let her share in my health care program. Finally.

Obama Intends to Extend Federal Benefits to Unmarried Partners
Updated 9:23 p.m.
By Scott Butterworth

President Obama will announce tomorrow that he is extending federal benefits to include unmarried domestic partners of federal workers, including same-sex partners, White House officials said tonight.

Obama will sign an executive order implementing the change in the Oval Office, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid upstaging the president's announcement.

The move would give partners of federal employees access to health care and financial benefits such as relocation fees for moves. The State Department announced a similar extension of benefits last month, with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton calling it "the right thing to do."

The action will come as welcome news to gay-rights activists, who have voiced loud disappointment with Obama's handling of several issues important to their community.

Obama has signaled his opposition to same-sex marriage, saying that he instead supports civil unions for gay men and lesbians.

Most recently, the Justice Department argued in court that the Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal benefits to same-sex married couples, should be upheld. Gay-rights groups were infuriated by the administration's linkage of same-sex marriages to marriages between cousins or of an underage girl.

The administration's reluctance to reconsider the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gay service members -- after Obama promised during the campaign to repeal it -- has also been a sore point among these activists.

Get Me to the Play on Time

2009-06-06T20:33:00.001-07:00

I'm still dazed from our whirlwind trip to New York. It was a wonderful trip. I was still talking about it today.

We went for five days - but two of those days are total travel days. We arrived at Long Island's Islip Airport at about 5 pm, but had no idea that it's such a long drive from there to Manhattan. A car was there to meet us, and helped us retrieve our luggage off the carousel. So we drove through the rural-looking towns to get to the bridge which would take us to Manhattan. I was kind of surprised that everything was so green.

Debbie and Ralph were there at the Belvedere Hotel to greet us, and talked us into walking a block and a half to a Thai restaurant, where we talked about all kinds of things. Ruth and I were a bit in a fatigued stupor, so I hope most of it made sense.

The plays we saw over the next three days:

Accent on Youth, an old chestnut starring David Hyde Pierce (Niles from Frasier), plus the actor who played the anchorman on Murphy Brown. There was no real impact to the play, as all the risque things they did aren't risque at all to us. Still, it was great seeing Pierce. The plays after that would pick up in pace, intensity, and we could relate to their themes more easily.

The next morning was leisurely because, remember, we were jet lagged, and so a 2 pm matinee seemed like late afternoon to us. So, two blocks away from the hotel, we found Exit the King, the Ionesco play starring Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon. We entered early and kind of established a routine. As in most of these theatres, the restrooms are inconveniently located downstairs, but so is the bar, so we'd have cokes while waiting for curtain time to arrive, then find our seats.

We had a very leisurely dinner at a restaurant across the street from our first play, and a terrific bottle of Chianti Classico. Our seats for Exit the King were about 4 rows back, and so we could everything perfectly. At one point in the 2nd act, Geoffrey Rush as the king comes up and down the aisles, and we were right next to him as he mourned the loss of life. Rush himself co-translated the play, and added "1 percent" of some new stuff to update it. And it was obvious that Rush and the director came up with some real physical comedy that added to our ability to sit through a 2-hour play on death. I would say that King was the best play we saw in our time there. It was just brilliant. And its relevancy can never fade.

After the play, at about 4:30 pm, we stayed standing around the stage door, hoping to see some of the stars depart. Suddenly, William Sadler, who played the Doctor, came out, and laughing along the way, he signed autographs and posed for photos. We didn't want to partake in this activity, as I must admit I'm always shy at doing such things. I met Bill several years ago at a charity dinner where many Deep Space Nine actors appeared, and I had won one of Bill Sadler's photos, so he promised to sign it for me. It took at least half an hour to get him to sign it, because he kept telling stories about the photo. Just a hilarious, personable guy.

That night we continued on the absurdist/death theme and saw Waiting for Godot with the brilliant actors Nathan Lane and Bill Irwin. John Goodman was also in the cast. It was very repetitive, but you don't really notice that because of all the humorous bits Irwin, Lane and Goodman add. Another brilliant revival.

Before we went to the second theatre, we went back to the Pigalle restaurant, where we had breakfast the first morning, and had some cheese and grapes so that I could make it until dinner. Then we walked into the rain, suddenly turning serious, and walked the 4 blocks or so to the area where the next play would be. Our dinner was at an Italian restaurant, and it was very nice.

Our last play, on Thursday night, was a musical. We went to a rather listless Thai restaurant first, and then got over to wait in line for In the Heights, the 2008 Tony winner for best musical. The place wasn't packed, but the audience's enthusiasm made up for any vacant seats in the expensive rows. And the audience was also diverse, skewing young. The woman next to us was very young, telling us that she was there with a bunch of young actors from her workshop, and they had seen several plays within the week, including Billy Elliott, which she highly recommended.

In the Heights refers to Washington Heights, a rather poor section of Manhattan, and the story was about several young people and how they were trying to earn a living in tough circumstances. It was full of upbeat songs and a lot of Latin dancing. I really enjoyed the dancing, and I liked the storylines very much. And what a wonderful set!

This last play was the longest of all of them, lasting a full two-and-a-half hours, so we got out at 10:30 pm. We walked quickly back the two blocks to the hotel, packed and tried to get to sleep as soon as possible, as 5 am came very early the next morning.

I think next time we do this - and I hope there is a next time - I'll do more research into the plays available. But I can't fault the four we saw. They were terrific.

Disneyland Overview

2009-05-25T20:23:00.000-07:00

There were several reasons why this was a great trip.

We spent 4 days in the park(s).

We saw all the new things that have been done to the park, like the restored Sleeping Beauty walk-through in the castle itself, the new It's a Small World Ride, with Disney characters sprinkled throughout. The new Toy Story Midway Mania, which is a shooting gallery that is interactive.

We also took the time to visit old things that neither of us had seen a lot of in the past decade, like: riding Dumbo, riding the Carrousel, riding some of the other Fantasyland rides like Snow White and Pinocchio. And we rode the double-decker bus a couple of times when our feet were tired. Such things kind of force you to slow down.

One big highlight was stepping into Club 33 with our guide. She could only show us the lobby, of course, but we really enjoyed finally getting behind the big Club 33 door. Membership is quite expensive, and there's a waiting list (but none of us will be on it soon).

Our guide had been in the other two rooms above the lobby, but had never had a meal there. (How convenient that it's all connected to the kitchen in the Blue Bayou, downstairs.) She opened the elevator for us so that we could take pictures. It's one of those old-fashioned ones, with iron bars and grating, much like the one in the Hotel del Coronado.

And we took in the parade in DCA - the same 'ol Pixar one, only this time, UP is leading the way! - and the parade in Disneyland as well - very small, surprisingly short. And then we got in place, sitting on the curb in the Disneyland Hub, to see the fireworks. People nudged us, walked on us, whatever they could do to get by us into the street. It was rough-going, but the fireworks were fantastic. They launched them from all around us, and I still don't know how they pulled that off.

Disneyland, 4 Days Later with Sore Feet

2009-05-22T14:25:00.001-07:00

This is our fourth day, and my feet officially hurt. On the positive side, we walked 6 miles the first day, 5 miles the second, and 6 miles yesterday. Whew.

We just got out of the Golden Horseshoe Saloon. I don't remember ever being in a show in the saloon, but I must have, when I was younger. But we were determined to see it, whatever, and finally found two seats in the balcony. We moved our table out of the way so that we could both sit right next to the railing in order to better see the show.

We were delighted. Billy Hill and the Hillbillies were terrific. Lots of music and humor, and they even had us singing along, finishing rock n' roll songs to point out how we're all connected. We agreed we'd have to see them on our next trip.

This is the clean-up day, getting to everything we haven't seen yet. So we first hit the Fantasyland rides today - Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Snow White, Pinocchio. Peter Pan is still being refurbished - gosh, so much is here - that we had to skip that.

Then we went into Innoventions to see the modern house, and the whole house is all about electronics. Some of the pre-teens were singing karaoke and having a wonderful time in the "game room." I played a race car game, and the narrator kept telling me how much I had wrecked the car. "Your brakes are all shot, and your left wheel is hanging on by a thread..."

We still hope to make the parade and fireworks tonight, plus fit in some shopping.

Disneyland, One Year Later

2009-05-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

It has been exactly one year since I've set foot in Disneyland, and a few things have changed.

We used the shuttle after flying into John Wayne Airport, and it took us right to the motel at about noon. Very nice. We discovered that there are, indeed, lockers in the Desert Inn & Suites, and they're huge and only $1 for the day. So we stowed our luggage away, to be picked up when we checked in, which was around 3:30.tt

Actually, we only visited one attraction after having lunch at the Carnation Cafe -- Pirates, and, yes, Johnny Depp is still in it -- and then went back to the motel to check in and take a nap. Well, Dawn took the nap. We got out of there in plenty of time to take the monorail to Downtown Disney. However, the monorail wasn't working, so we had to practically run to Rainforest Cafe.

We had a delightful dinner at Rainforest Cafe, and walked back in the now cooled-off Downtown Disney back to the motel. We went to bed early, knowing we'd have to immediately check in tomorrow upon the park opening for our tour.

I have always wanted to take the Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour, but had never known how to do that. Dawn and I talked it over, and decided to do it, and I called to sign up. When we got to the tour kiosk, which is right inside the park, they told us to select our lunch. He entered that into the computer, and we knew it'd be waiting for us when we returned.

Much of the tour was about telling us how the park started, the obstacles Walt Disney faced into getting it funded, and getting people to believe in him. And then she'd play a little of a speech or talk he had made to illustrate a point. We listened to these on our headsets, which handily set on the back of our heads, not the top.

I enjoyed hearing such trivia as the difference between a merry-go-round and a carrousel. It seems that Walt wanted his to have all horses, not other things in it, so that everyone could have a horse. And a carrousel rides counter-clockwise. A merry-go-round has other things besides horses and rides clockwise.

The guide took us only on two rides: the railroad and the Enchanted Tiki Room. She explained to us that the Tiki Room is still named Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room because Walt had to fund it out of his own money. Apparently, getting enough money together to complete projects was a real ongoing hassle for Mr. Disney. It's hard to believe that in 1959, he opened three major attractions in Disneyland, a mere four years after he opened the theme park itself.

We walked back from where we'd begun, and found our packed lunches on picnic tables, each with our name written on top. We chatted a bit with the mother and daughter team with us, and more with Brittanie when she stopped by to give us condiments. It seems that Brittanie is an expert in candy and all things sweet at Disneyland! She told us a lot about other tours she's led, including the holiday one which gives you prime seating for the parade at night. While that sounded like a great tour, I wanted one led about the candy in Disneyland - what is and what used to be!

I Need a Vacation

2009-05-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

I'm watching the A's in Detroit. They're giving the game away. While they have over 10 hits, they are not hitting well in hitting situations when men are on base. George says that when things aren't going well, every time you look up, it's 0-and-2. No kidding.

I went to the A's Booster Club board meeting that night, and nobody wanted to talk about the A's and how they're playing. Several did add, however, that they're not fond of Matt Holliday. An expensive pick-up, we all figure he'll be gone by mid-season. He is 4-for-4 today, I believe, and it seems his bat is finally coming around. But not before many people have been turned off.

The A's have the lowest whatever in almost every category. Even their vaunted relief pitching is sinking lower, mostly because our inexperienced starters can't get out of the 3rd, 4th, or 5th innings. Even the best relief pitcher gets tired.

The demise of the Oakland A's explains why no one is going to the park. Why BART is losing membership. Why Comcast is losing viewers. Why global warming is bringing wasps back in the spring. Why world peace seems to be unreachable.

So I'm going to Disneyland! This has nothing to do with the A's, but I think it'll be a relief not going to the games, not finding them on T.V. or radio wherever I am during the day. I'm just worn out.

Wasps No Check In

2009-05-13T08:58:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, one lone wasp was dumb enough to move permanently into the front wasp trap. But no one has followed. He hangs there, motionless.

So, that means the hamburger I put in as bait did not work. Right after I put it in, we got some rain and some cold weather. I think, to badly quote B.B. King, the smell is gone.

Although something attracted that lone wasp. Perhaps there is a faint odor after all. And perhaps his body will produce another odor, enticing more.

I think if I can ever remember, I'll buy some more meat and load the traps once again.

How Would Sarah Connor Handle This?

2009-05-04T16:55:00.000-07:00

We had spoken to the guy in the front row a few times, and he even turned up at our table during the Dessert Party, when several of the convention stars came to our table to do a short meet-and-greet. I figured he was about 30 or so.

On the last day, he turned from his seat and said to me, "I think it's really cool when I see older people hanging out and talkin' sci fi."

Older. I could sense a slight pause between "old" and "er." I think the last syllable was added on when he realized how insulting it was going to sound. Oh, yes....that's MUCH better.

I resisted the urge to tell him that I went to my first convention when he was in diapers because, well, that would have added too much ammunition to his fight.

Instead, I sat back and enjoyed the fact that no less than FOUR great women over the age of 40 appeared on stage that weekend: Jeri Ryan, Linda Hamilton, Amanda Tapping, and Michelle Forbes. And I'm sure everyone in the audience, young and old, appreciated them and their contributions to the field of sci fi. And, for some, there may have even been a drool factor involved.

It was interesting to me to see how each of them coped with a career in a place like Hollywood that fawns over younger women. Men can grow older and develop character. Character in a woman is a career killer.

Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine on Star Trek: Voyager, Boston Public, Shark) doesn't seem like she's worrying about growing older. Family has taken over as her priority, it seems, with a 14-month-old daughter, a teenage son, and a chef husband. And her career is doing very well, thank you. Now that maternity leave has just ended, she'll be appearing in a couple of Law & Order: SVU episodes as a D.A., I believe she said, and since she's played a lawyer several times in the past, has no fear of the project.

Jeri mentioned that the costume was unforgiving. Apparently people could notice the difference in the Seven of Nine costume after she ate lunch: it was so skintight that the bulge in her stomach was noticeable. But she got over the obvious sexism of the costume by reveling in the great writing that accompanied the role.

I don't watch Stargate at all, haven't seen a single episode, but even I know who Amanda Tapping is. She is now a brunette, courtesy of her new show Sanctuary. (She said her real color is "a dirty blonde.") However, not content to just act in the show, she executive-produces it as well. When she ran down her list of chores in such a role, I grew tired, but she seemed to accept it all with great enthusiasm, and couldn't wait to get back to it. (I have seen about five episodes of Sanctuary: it has great production values, but I'm hoping for better writing. She promised us that the stories will be better in the 2nd season.)

I first became acquainted with Michelle Forbes when Ensign Ro appeared on the Next Generation scene. She was defiant, to be sure, and at once direct, and was a cool breeze of fresh air on the show. She made headlines, however, when she refused to sign a contract for seven years to appear on the new show, Deep Space Nine. "Do I have to explain this again?" she asked us, smiling, and then added, "I wasn't ready to be married. I'm still not!" Michelle likes to reinvent herself, and a great case in point was her brilliant portrayal as Admiral Helena Cain in the new Battlestar Galactica. Admiral Cain was a force of nature. I'm sure Producer Ron Moore figured out that Michelle Forbes is, too, a force of nature.

Linda Hamilton (Beauty and the Beast, Terminator I and II) seemed surprised and a bit overwhelmed at the enthusiasm that greeted her when she walked onstage. Linda has now crossed over into her 50's, and the parts are few and far between. That doesn't seem to bother her. "I'm more interested at this time of my life in character over story," and will often forsake roles just for the money. She advised us with a grin on her face that she has a voiceover part in the new Terminator: Salvation, which is due out shortly. Sarah Connor definitely lives!

I saw Linda later when I had my photo taken with her, and then again at the Dessert Party. She was full of energy both times, actually dancing around. When you consider that she spent over 12 hours with us, mostly on her feet and actively engaging us, it's really remarkable. I found her personally quite inspiring.

Linda Hamilton, quite early in her career, changed how women were thought of in science fiction, particularly when she reprised the Sarah Connor role in T2. Each of the women I saw this weekend did the same, in their own way. When I think of young girls watching these shows, I feel much pride that these actresses refuse to depict the fainting heroine to be rescued. Not any more.

These women spoke personally about working Hollywood to get what they need and want, regardless of gender or age. I just hope young men as well as women are watching and learning.

Live Dots....to be Seen to Be Believed

2009-04-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

Yes. Live Dot Racing. Dot People. Running around on the field. Saturday.

The A's introduced something new on Saturday, a perfect day for baseball, the perfect game played by the A's. A wonderful day.

Just for the record, I don't like dot racing. (But, just to be clear, I always bet on "white.") It's old, people forget for what purpose they're really there, and yell too much. They didn't yell all that much for the live dots. Most of us were just dumbfounded.

I have no idea if it's a permanent feature. I just hope they're getting paid well.

The State of Baseball in the Bay Area

2009-04-25T09:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, no wasps in the trap, so I have to talk about other things.

I went to the A's game last night in the bleeping cold weather for two reasons, well, maybe three: (1) the tickets were half-price on Goldstar; (2) it was fireworks night, and (3), hey, it's A's baseball!

They announced 20,000, but I don't think that was the number that came through the turnstiles. There were rows and rows on the field of empty seats, and several more like that in the plaza infield. You can see the demarcation in plaza between infield and outfield. The infield was empty, the outfield was crowded. That line represents about $6-$10 per seat in cost.

The A's young pitcher last night was in trouble from the start. For some reason, the balls he threw were all up, not sinking like normally. Trevor Cahill was shelled in the 3rd inning when the Tampa Bay Rays let loose and scored 5 runs, just in that inning. The good news is that Giese, the pitcher we picked up from the Yankees who lost two games for us single-handed during the last out-of-town trip, went several innings in long relief, saving the bullpen, and only gave up one run.

Today, in about half an hour, I'm going out again to the park. It should still be cool, especially when I have to stand in line for a good 30 minutes, but the temperatures won't get nearly close to the 50 degrees it was last night.

I attended my first Giants game on Wednesday with George, and it was a thoroughly pleasant affair. The park had its lowest attendance since it opened, which meant I could actually see home plate. We're going again this Wednesday for another day game.

It's Wasp Time!

2009-04-21T13:57:00.001-07:00

And no, I don't mean White Anglo-Saxon Protestant. Which is an acronym I heard over and over as I was growing up.

Nope, it's time to catch wasps! Since Honey Do was going to be here anyway, I had Larry install the two traps, one in front and one in back. We had a discussion about attractants (don't you love THAT word...), and I decided to go out and get some raw hamburger.

It turns out that ham, or turkey ham, is even better, but I couldn't find a small amount of that. It seems that wasps have a finely-tuned smell mechanism, and the smellier the better. They even suggested fish.

So I climbed on a ladder, unscrewed the trap with both hands as I hoped I wouldn't fall, and inserted the hamburger. I think it'll take just a few hours in this miserable heat to get that smell out there.

Let the games begin!

Passover

2009-04-12T21:54:00.000-07:00

I walked into the Genova's Deli on 51st and looked at my options. It was Passover 2009, which meant I couldn't have a sandwich.

I saw the fried chicken off to the side. I can't have fried chicken, because there's breading on it.

So I decided to take my problem, my issue, to the counter. When my number came up, I explained to the young woman. "I'm Jewish. It's Passover. I can't have bread. What are my choices?"

She looked at me like I was an alien. And I don't mean one with a green card.

Then she said, "Huh?" She really didn't understand a single thing I said. I tried to explain more, but leaving out the "Jewish" and the "Passover" stuff. "I can't have bread. I can't have a sandwich. What else is there?" She still stared at me.

This is the problem I face every day. I can have fruit, and I can have salads. And I've discovered omelets, although I usually don't want to eat them. But they're now a choice.

The best choice often feels to be: just eat at home.

A's Workout Day, 2009

2009-04-05T14:51:00.001-07:00

Rather than a fanfest in February, the A's tried something new this year: a Workout Day available to the public. I can testify that it was very good.

They offered interviews with players on the field (and broadcast up on Diamond Vision), free autographs (first for the first 1300, then they opened the autographs up to everybody), photos with the World Series trophies, photos with players, team shop open selling game-used memorabilia. In short, it was pretty awesome, and most of it was free.

The game-used memorabilia consisted of jerseys, hats and bats used by players. But most of the names on the backs of the jerseys were players who never made it to the major league level for the A's, like Hiram Bocachica and Dan Meyer. Most, however, I had never heard of. However, you had the opportunity to pick up a Meyer-worn green jersey for $10. That is a pretty awesome deal for a jersey, even if you don't know who Meyer is or was.

I stood in the autograph line at Gate 101 for about half an hour. We didn't know who would be autographing for us. There were 6 stations (we were only one of those), and you had no idea who would show up. The kid behind me kept pleading with his adult companion (not his father, apparently) to "please let it be Garciaparra!" It wasn't. Instead it was Trevor Cahill, who is one of the phenom arms and who, at the tender age of 22, will be one of the A's starters this year. Unfortunately I had nothing for him to sign, so I asked him to sign my fanfest program. He barely looked at me, but said "thank you" when I congratulated him and wished him luck in the new season.

Kurt Suzuki was a bit more interactive. I got in line at the Westside Pavilion after climbing all those plaza-level steps to get up there, and stood in line, not knowing who the photo would be with. It was my luck, our luck, that it was catcher Kurt Suzuki. This is his second season, the first as the no-questions-asked starting Catcher. He was very friendly, shook my hand, and said thank you when I wished him good luck. I also said something rather stupid, like, "I had no idea you were this tall." Apparently I say that to every player I meet.

I listened to some of the player interviews, particularly Ryan Sweeney, Matt Holliday and Jason Giambi. The first two are soft-spoken individuals, and were answering questions until Mr. Personality, Jason Giambi, could show up after his autograph session. I heard only one boo among the cheers from the crowd, some idiot who shouted "Giambi, you stink!" He also said that about the A's.

My only disappointment is that the interview sessions this year didn't include the GM or assistant GM. Their sessions are always interesting. The players give the same studied answers; Billy Beane and David Forst do not.

The concession stands seemed to be going pretty well, but I wanted ribs, so I left the Coliseum for Emil Villa's. I didn't need to see the players work out on the field, as I will see plenty of that when I show up early for a game, starting next Saturday. It's going to be an interesting year.

The A's Boosters Welcome the New Season

2009-04-03T19:30:00.001-07:00

I went to the first A's Booster luncheon of the 2009 season. It's up to $18 now, but well worth it.

I sat at the end of one table, and my tablemate, Larry, immediately introduced himself and started talking. About everything. His job. His mother. Spring training. Politics. He was very friendly, and I appreciate that.

Bob Geren was our guest today. It was really nice of him to show up and greet us; apparently he was the first guest last year, too. He talked about his young pitching staff, how he's going to juggle Garciaparra, Barton and Giambi, without revealing if Barton will still be on the roster on Monday.

The interesting part: most of the crowd cheered when Jason Giambi's name was mentioned. Bob told us that you could hear scattered boos at AT&T Park last night, "but those are Giants fans," he smirked.

I won a Stomper puppet. And Larry won five prizes, most of them very worthy. But, then, he had purchased a lot of raffle tickets.

Shirley and Candi said they need volunteers for a couple of staff vacancies on the club. I sent Shirley an email, volunteering. We'll see what happens.

Bring on the season!

Taking the BART Train

2009-04-01T17:52:00.000-07:00

You never know who you're gonna meet on a BART train. I sat down on the Oakland 19th Street Pittsburg train, and -- lo and behold -- there was a women's wallet in the next seat over.

I looked around. We're in motion. Nobody's near it. It's a lost wallet.

I searched inside. Credit cards. Driver's license....belonging to a young woman who lives on the Peninsula. Cash, but not a great deal. I finally find a business card. Her name isn't on the card, but the email address is her initials. So I call the phone number and leave a message. And, with my phone, I sent an email.

Right after George and I had had breakfast in Lafayette and were motoring to the Reservoir for our walk, she called. Gush, gush, gush: lots of thank you's. She's coming over to my house tonight even though I said I'd mail it to her if she wanted.

Hey, I'd want my wallet back right away, too.

Take the Trees Away!

2009-03-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

This morning the crew showed up at about 8:30 am. I greeted them, and they said they were waiting for the truck. Actually, they were waiting for two trucks. That would hog the entire street.

But, bit by bit, my two large acacia trees that cast huge shadows are now coming down. I'll miss the shadows and the shade, but I won't miss the threats the trees pose.

As I type this, they're mulching the large pieces that come off. At least I think that's what that booming dental-type noise is.

Oh, just now I saw the big crane at work! They moved it in between my house and the next, then lowered it to pick up one of the huge branches. Then the crane brought it over to the street and lowered it. At one point, one of the workers asked me to step back. I was busy taking photographs to notice that I might be stubbed out like a cigarette.

The space in the back is getting lighter and lighter, although there is still a great deal of brush back there. Wow.

That last photo shows the last big tree trunk being lifted out. There's still a trunk left, but it's close to the ground. I wondered briefly what would happen if it slammed into the house....and decided not to mentally go there.

Spring Training 2009: Day Five, and Time to Go Home

2009-03-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

I'm actually typing this on my Southwest flight. Isn't that cool! I got an email from them yesterday, saying they were featuring Wi-Fi on my flight, free of charge. I understand that future flights will feature Wi-Fi for a charge.

As I was boarding my flight, I saw Candi in line with her family. She spent 2 weeks in Phoenix, attending A's games. Candi puts together the spring training package for A's Booster Club members. I have joined up with her twice, but not this time. I asked her how it went, and she said that, for once, there were no problems. She had to scale back from 90 rooms to 50 rooms because of the economy, but sold out all 50 at the Embassy Suites on N. 44th St. I asked her how the newly renovated rooms at the Embassy Suites are, and she just shook her head. It seems that they decided not to go through with it due to economic reasons.

I also asked her, what do you think of the A's? She and I agreed that, for once, they had hitting and no pitching, "but I'm still an A's fan," she said. We agreed on that.

I had a great time this trip. I got to see a new park, some old ones, and talked with several people. I never initiate conversations -- well, rarely -- but people like to talk about their favorite team. It's very casual, non-stressed.

And I fell in love this trip. I love the GPS. I turned it on when I went to Budget Rent-a-Car, and that was already programmed into the machine. Very easy. I am determined to get one for my own.

And I will bring it next year to Phoenix for Spring Training.

Spring Training 2009: Day Four

2009-03-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

Today is my last game. Maryvale Baseball Park, one of the little stadiums. One I really love.

Last year it took me an hour-and-a-half to find it. I figured I'd take surface streets. The freeways in Phoenix, especially I-10, are ferocious any time of day, and I had thought I'd avoid that. As a consequence, I got lost. More than once.

So this time, armed with a GPS, it took me 30 minutes to get to the park. I took a look at my seat -- right behind home plate -- and watched new manager Ken Macha talk to his players and watch bp. I was watching Ken. I've always liked him; he led the A's to two championships, and was booted after some mysterious "disconnect" with the players. I imagine Ken was under a lot of stress during those pre-playoff days, and it's unfortunate that we fired a good manager. But the Brewers picked him up two years later. I wish him well.

The Brewers were playing the Dodgers today. Yes, the same team I watched last night. I sat down at a concourse table with an umbrella to eat my pulled pork sandwich in the shade, and two people (not together) joined me. In the discussion, we learned that all three of us had been at the game last night. They didn't seem to think that was unusual, but I sure did. I asked one of them, the one with the Brewers hat, "What do you think of Ken Macha as a manager?" He answered slowly, "Welllll....he's an uneventful guy, if you know what I mean."

I went back to sit at my seat when the game was about to start. My friendly neighbor and I got into a chat as to what brought us here, etc. He was traveling with four other men. The guy on his left was 80, and didn't want to get to each stadium more than half an hour. He seemed to admire the fact that I wanted to get to each park right as it opened. In fact, he left after the first inning so that he could stroll around the grounds.

Before he left, though, he told me that he was a retired Las Vegas policeman. We chatted for a few moments about the tragedy in Oakland. He told me he couldn't believe that two of the officers who died had been SWAT officers. He wondered how, with their armor and face shield, any bullets could get through. He then related a story about a fellow policeman in Las Vegas who wasn't wearing any body armor, and in responding to a call at a bar, took seven bullets, stopped the two guys who attacked him, and lived to work again in the same department (but in an administrative capacity).

The game began. A few things happened of interest. I was interested in watching catcher Jason Kendall, who runs the Brewers' pitching staff like a finely tuned instrument. I met Jason once on the field when I was selected as Fan for a Day and got to attend Play Like a Pro. He was such a charming, down-to-earth guy, I hated to see him leave Oakland. But getting $10 million a year for a horrible .200 average.... well, it was inevitable.

Manny was back, playing in the outfield this time. During his second at-bat, after his first hit, he actually got into an argument with the umpire over a called third strike. It's spring training! This either means he cares about what happens, or it means that you don't call a third strike on Manny.

The Brewers showed that they have pitching and they have hitting. The Dodgers were obviously trying out some pitching prospects, and the Brewers hit against them easily.

But I was beginning to lose interest even though (1) this was a great seat and (2) the shade took over my part of the stands. It was very, very pleasant sitting there. Everybody seemed to be into the game. And we had so many foul balls (straight back? Go figure.) that everybody seemed to be laughing and bonding over that. I was two feet away from my first foul ball....and I didn't duck.

The GPS took me out into I-10 again and bumper to bumper traffic. Man, I could live in Phoenix quite easily, but I would hate traveling on the freeways.

Four days is perfect. I am now ready to go home. I met a lot of different fans from different cities, and I believe baseball is in good hands for another year.

2009 Spring Training: Day Three: Where's My Car?

2009-03-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

I was sitting in my seat at Hohokam Park, watching the guy two rows below me slather sunscreen lotion on his son. He went over his face several times, hitting his ears about five times. Those ears were already red. It was that kind of day.

I do like this little park although it's missing some amenities (like cup holders on the seats). It was supposed to be only about 75 degrees, but it was a direct kind of sun. And it wore me down. But this was a terrific seat: right off third base. I was in the Cubs home park, and there was a sea of blue all around me. Cubbie fans are serious fans. And by luck only, I was going to watch two pitchers whom I knew very well. They were with the A's club last year.

Chad Gaudin pitched for the Cubs, while Greg Smith pitched for the Colorado Rockies. Both were fairly ineffective in the first inning, giving up two runs each, but each settled down in the second. Gaudin was lifted by Lou Pinella after the second, while Smith stayed in there for four innings.

One of the concession people, in one of their two gift shops, noting my spring training t-shirt, told me that the Cubs sold out of their spring training shirts completely. And he said that, after the first week, the Cubs have been selling out. I heard later that the Cubs set a new spring training attendance record.

I had on-and-off conversations with the couple next to me and their upstart teenage daughter. Norm was dressed in his White Sox jersey. "I'm the only one wearing black here," he mentioned casually, as if he expected a fight to break out any moment. His wife, who was keeping score, was wearing her Cubs hat. I noted their daughter was dressed in a bright blue Cubs shirt. Two against one. But they catered to him.

It was one of those marriages you hate to watch. He yelled at her for the slightest thing, like where was the sunscreen. Why did you put that there. Why didn't you help us carry back our food. And she would constantly try to placate.

You know, I don't know anything about their marriage. It could be that's how they communicate, that she doesn't mind his constant wearing down of her esteem. But it seemed to me he's an anger management project about to explode.

They had come from Chicago, and stayed at a Motel 6 near the airport. They don't come every year, but when they do, they like to see different teams play He told me all about the Angels stadium, and how cold they were yesterday in the shade. In my memory of Angels Stadium, I would have killed for shade.

And speaking of that, shade greeted us in the fourth! I could stay there another couple of innings without sweating my life away. But I finally left in the 6th, and walked out to my car. I set the GPS for the new Camelback location, or at least the intersection where it should be, and dove into rush hour traffic.

I exited at Camelback Road, and drove to 107th, hoping to see the stadium. It wasn't there, although I could see structures in the distance. The GPS was finished, so I turned it off. After going down 107th and not finding any way in, I turned around and drove down Camelback this time, and finally found a little wooden sign saying, Camelback Ranch.

I found out later that they ushered us to parking very far away from the entrance. And this was a good two hours before the park opened. Usually when you get there early you get the good parking. Also, the park didn't open until one-and-a-half hours before the game. So I wandered around part of the complex -- which turned out to be huge -- watched some players I didn't recognize do some BP. Groups would walk by, and the passageways were roped off so that we couldn't interfere with them.

This Camelback Ranch complex is shared in spring training by both the Dodgers and the White Sox, and is the most modern, well-equipped one around. A manmade river separates the two so that, supposedly, the players don't mix. On my convoluted way into the park, I passed by numerous practice fields and batting cages.

Finally they let us in. Apparently backpacks aren't allowed in, except the huge backpack of the guy in front of me. When he told them he had been coming in the last four days with that backpack, the guy let him proceed.

I wandered around the upper walkway. They had some different food. I immediately got a root beer float, which was very good. Besides the usual fare, they have pizza, hamburgers, and BBQ. The guy sitting next to me later brought down a BBQ brisket sandwich, and I had to smell that sweet smell for two innings.

The sun began to fall and the game finally started. I, again, had a marvelous seat just off third base, but I soon discovered that seating was like at AT&T Park: if there's any crowd off to your right, you won't be able to see the hitter.

The stadium seats 10,000, with another 3,000 or so on the grass (berm). When the game started, only half the seats were full, but by the second inning, another half of those had been filled. Still, it was not sold out. But then, the seats are so much more expensive here.

It was the Dodgers vs. the Seattle Mariners. As one guy told me while we shared a table while eating on the concourse, he wanted to see the Mariners "because they're in my division," and pointed to his Angels hat. He also told me an interesting story about why Mike Scioscia, of whom I'm a fan, went over to the Angels because of how the Dodgers treated him once his catching career was over.

The fans gathered en masse near my seat, since that's the one area low enough to invite autographs. Even though the Dodgers sport a very good infield, it was all about Manny. Look, there's Manny (who came in later than anyone) running as he warmed up. Look, Manny is running again. Manny only DH's and did not play the field this game, and all those lightbulbs went off when he came up to bat. It reminded me so much of Barry Bonds.

His second up-to-bat was a homerun. Look, see Manny run the homerun trot. I swear it was the longest homerun that never counted. It must've been at least 420 feet over the left field wall and past the people sitting on the berm out there.

The Dodgers' pitching was very good. Kershaw kept the Mariners to one hit for several innings. And the Dodgers' defense was also very good.

I left early because I was tired. Climbing up and down those stairs to get to my seat made me even more tired. When I exited out the front, I realized that this is not how I'd come in, so I strolled to my left to try to find the car. Nothing looked familiar. I went to a parking guy in the neon green vest and asked, where did they put the cars when they first came in? "Oh, gosh," he said, not in a helping way, and pointed me in two different directions. Thirty minutes later, after walking almost entirely around the stadium, I found what looked familiar, and found the blue Jeep. I set my GPS for the hotel, and set off. I was thankful that I didn't have to think about where to turn, etc. It led me home.

I was really tired when I got home, but enjoyed the experience of the entire day. Night games are a great way to avoid the heat, but it actually got cold there. A cold wind came in and caused everybody to complain. I had brought my pullover, so I was fine. I wouldn't mind going back to Camelback; the food was definitely better. But I'm not fond of some of their procedures.

Tomorrow: one last game, this time at the Brewers' home stadium, Maryvale.

Spring Training 2009: Day Three

2009-03-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

This hotel is very Oakland A's friendly. My only problem with it is that breakfast (which is included) isn't served after 9 am. But since I have to get on the road by 10:30 am for these games, that's probably a good thing.

Today is a busy day. I have two games today:

1 pm Colorado Rockies at the Cubs, Hohokam Park in Mesa
7 pm Seattle Mariners at the Dodgers, the new Camelback Ranch park in Phoenix

There is a chance, I don't know however good, that Ichiro will make it back in time after winning the World Baseball Classic last night -- and he won it with a single in the 10th inning! We'll see. If he shows up, it will be to thunderous applause, I'm sure, even though he's in the Dodgers' territory.

I will depend on my GPS today to get me where I'm going. I have directions written out, don't get me wrong, but it would be easier if a robot choice told me where to turn.

Spring Training 2009: Day Two: Too Many Cubs

2009-03-23T21:50:00.000-07:00

I got to Phoenix Muni parking at 11:13, 13 minutes after they opened. The parking was half full. Wow. So I'm glad I came early. I had a great seat -- often where the younger Boosters sit -- in a field box, in the outfield, right off first base. I got a lot of shots of Jason Giambi, who played first base, and all the Cubs players who made it to first base. There were a hella lot of them.

The final score was, I think, 20 - 5. I was having an early dinner at Applebee's right after the game, and the two women next to me, taking in my face tattoo and shirt, laughed and said it looked like I had just come from the game, too. At one point in our brief conversation while we waited for food, one said, "I wonder how they think we're going to make it through the season without pitching?" From your lips to Billy's ears.

I stayed my usual time at the game. If it had been a normal, you know, counting-type game, I would've left early. But I had these great seats! And the weather was perfect! The A's were not.

But if you stay long enough in a spring training game, you get to see some of the other players. Corey Wimberley, the guy whose listing in the program as 5'8" makes people laugh, did some flips in the air before practice, and pretty nearly did the same thing a couple of times during the game. At one point, someone yelled from the stands, "Corey, can you play first and third, too?"

Nomar Garciaparra is a hitting machine. His warm-up, though, is something to behold. It's stretching, stretching, stretching, and he did all of that in front of me before the game. Knowing that he has a hamstring issue, I'm not surprised.

This little kid next to me kept yelling, "Nomar! Nomar!" over and over during this stretching routine, as if the call of his name would bring him over to sign an autograph. Perhaps the Dodger hat put him off. (That was Nomar's former team, though.
One of them.)

But newbie Edgar Gonzalez, who had hoped to be one of the guys kept for the starting rotation, got bombed; he only got two outs while giving up eight hits and seven runs. His ERA for the spring is now over 12. None of the other A's pitchers did well, either. Starter Dana Eveland almost didn't get out of the first inning. He'd get ahead in the count, but then give up a pitch right down the middle. The Cubs were patient and just waited for that pitch.

Vin Mazzaro, whom we saw yesterday, got sent down today to Triple A. He has some work to do. Looks like the whole rotation -- those who aren't injured -- needs to do the same.

One bright spot: Ziggy arrived in camp! We saw him walk by the bullpen. His Team USA lost for the last time last night, as Japan took it to them, and he came back to work at his closer job. That job is totally his at this point, unless Joey Devine suddenly gets better.

Spring Training 2009: Day Two

2009-03-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

First, I applied the tattoos.

Oh, don't worry. They're only temporary tattoos. But I really like 'em. I wonder how long they'll last. Thankfully, today is the coolest day, only about 73 degrees.

Today I go back to Phoenix Muni. As it turns out, my hotel is on the corner of 44th and Van Buren, and it's about a 5-minute drive to that stadium.

However, starting tomorrow, I will not be going back this year. My other three games are at other stadiums.

Today we meet the Cubs! I'm going early because the Cubbie fans will be out!

Spring Training 2009: Day One: Honoring the Fallen Officers

2009-03-22T18:30:00.000-07:00

Just one more piece about today. Before the national anthem, the public announcer explained the flags at half mast, and asked that we take a moment of silence for the fallen Oakland police officers, as "they paid the ultimate sacrifice."

This from the Oakland A's:

"The A’s players and staff were reeling from news that four Oakland police officers were shot and killed on Saturday following a traffic stop a mile away from the Coliseum. Two of the officers had worked games at the Coliseum, providing extra security, escorting players and officials and handling some road block duties.

"The team will hold a moment of silence before today’s game against the White Sox and there were discussions about whether the players might honor the officers in some way on their uniforms. I’m told there will be more formal recognition of the officers during the home opener on April 10, with some kind of ceremony.

"Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen is wearing “OPD” in silver lettering on his cap today and he spoke at length before the game about how devastated he was by the news of the officers’ death because he has such great respect for law enforcement and military members."

Rich Hurd interviewed Ozzie today, and the White Sox manager told him this (from Hurd's blog):

"'There’s no reason to take peoples’ lives. It should be a hard day for the Bay Area,' Guillen said. 'I’ve never seen anything sadder than a police funeral. To take anybody’s life, especially when you’re a policeman or fireman (and) you’re protecting this country. … How come we only worry about police when they get killed? We don’t give them enough credit for making our life easier.'"

My God. And I thought Ozzie Guillen was a clown. I have a lot more respect for him now. (Even though you do have to wonder why the Chicago manager had to say something, and not the Oakland manager...)

I won't be at the April 10th tribute, but I hope radio/T.V. covers it.

Spring Training 2009: Day One: Hit for More than Average

2009-03-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

I actually rented a GPS, and I have to say it was no help getting me to the ballpark. At first. But I re-set it, and the GPS finally came on (I guess it was just maps before), and told me to go on the freeway (202). I didn't want to, but since I couldn't find the north or the east direction, I decided to do what it told me to. The menu did not have Papago Park or Phoenix Municipal Stadium, so I plugged in the hotel address and figure once it found Van Buren for me, I could take it from there. And that's what happened.

Phoenix Muni appeared to be sold out. LOTS of White Sox fans. Maybe 50-50 A's fans vs. Sox fans. My neighbors were all A's fans, and it was interesting how much they did not know about the team, especially the Sacramento couple behind me "Who's that? Has he been here before?" It wasn't until they started asking around that I would answer questions. "No, Corey Wimberley probably isn't 5'7"." "The starting pitcher is Vin Mazzaro."

Mazzaro got lit up and was taken out in the 2nd inning. He's one of those new phenom pitchers for the A's that has a chance at one of the two open spots in the A's rotation. Yes, the rotation is that bad. No, I don't think Mazzaro is going to be one of those after today's performance. Dallas Braden, who replaced him, got him with a homerun in his 2nd pitch, but settled down after that. However, the game was just a hitfest from both sides. I believe the score was 11-8 White Sox at the end, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Oakland A's outhit the Chicago White Sox.

It was great -- and surprising -- to see how well Kurt Suzuki hit. He's back from the offseason in Maui, and he continued right where he left off: being Oakland's most consistent hitter. He's dwarfed by the big guys in the lineup: Jason Giambi, Matt Holliday, even Ryan Sweeney. But he appears to know how to hit. And he has speed. He nearly went for the cycle today. I don't have the box scores in front of me, but he seemed to go 4 for 5. Just amazing.

Holliday still hasn't found the handle. And he failed to run out a pop fly, a fly which actually dropped in for a hit. He actually went from a dead standstill to a full run and beat out the throw, much to this fan's amazement. But after that, the woman next to me wouldn't let him forget it. "Love Oakland or leave it! And run out those pop flies!" She's convinced that he's just here for the year, or maybe even half a year -- Billy might dump him off if the A's are not in contention by July, and his heart is not into the Oaktown struggle for greatness. She may have a point.

And it was a thrill to see Mark Ellis play for the first time this spring. He was the designated hitter. The Sac couple behind me said, Well, then why isn't he playing 2nd base? I didn't bother filling them in.

First Day at Spring Training, and Taking a Break from Oakland

2009-03-22T07:43:00.001-07:00

I'm sitting here at Oakland Airport, and able to post this thanks to free Wi-Fi.

Clearing TSA wasn't as bad this time. I didn't have to take off my watch. There were the usual jokes about "at least we don't have to take off our pants, but it's darn close," and a young woman in the Southwest security line who asked, "What's this line for?" after standing there a few minutes. She saw the longer line inside, and all those people looked warm, but stuck it out in our outside line. Our line was freezing, but our line was a great deal shorter.

Today the game starts at 1 pm, a contest between the Oakland A's and the Chicago White Sox. I'm trying to think if I know anybody still (which usually means: did they once play for the A's), and I think there are a few left like Jermaine Dye. All of this is as Phoenix Municipal. I just realized I forgot to bring a hat, so I'll buy one there. I probably would've done that anyway.

I'm still trying to get over that stunning gun battle in Oakland yesterday. Four police officers were shot by apparently one suspect, who died on the scene. He shot the first two, I believe, during a routine traffic cop. Then he ran from the vehicle and hid in the neighborhood. An anonymous tip led them to an apartment complex, where the killer used another weapon -- semi-automatic -- to gun down two more. It is so horrible to think that those men lost their lives just a few miles from where I live.

Oakland has had its share of violence in the last year. Some really bad stuff is going down. I'm glad to take a break from it. But the latest in mayhem won't leave me easily.

Waiting for the A's

2009-03-21T10:34:00.000-07:00

I kept telling people that I'd rather go to Phoenix a little earlier in the season. It's difficult to do that because of tax season. However, this year, I think it's going to work out perfectly.

You see, several A's are injured. Yes, already. Mark Ellis has yet to play 2nd base. Eric Chavez has yet to hit. Reliever Joey Devine was pulled from the rotation because of his right elbow. And the other reliever, Brad Ziegler, is playing for the USA in the World Baseball Classic.

There is a good chance that all these players will play for the A's while I'm there, and that I'll get to see them.

I don't think there's any chance I'll see pitcher Justin Duchsherer, however. I think Duke has a longer way to go.

Wicked

2009-03-19T08:44:00.001-07:00

We had a blast at Wicked, which has been at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco for the last few months. Ruth had read the book (make that "books"), and knew the storyline. I did not. Let's just say that it turns the Wizard of Oz myth on its ear.

During the curtain call, Nicolas Dromard, who plays Fiyero, appealed to us to join in with charitable contributions for shirts, etc., a chance to appear as a walk-on in a future performance, or a photo with the two leads, Elphaba and Glinda. We chose the last two.

Surprisingly, once we found the right place to be to buy these things, there was no line for the photo op. Once I saw the price, I figured out why. However, it was a chance to contribute to AIDS and breast cancer research, and a fun thing for the two of us. Plus, Ruth bought a chance at that walk-on. A star could be born!

So the photo is of stars Kendra Kassebaum, who played Glinda, and Vicki Noon, who understudied in that performance as Elphaba. Let me say that both were just excellent, and it was very nice of them to give up their time for this very worthy cause.

And, I have to add, I thought that witches would be taller. Who knew?

Getting Ready for Phoenix

2009-03-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

In a couple of days I'll be making my 5th trip to Phoenix for Spring Training. It's not consecutive: I skipped a year in there after Rick and I first went.

I keep switching hotels, hoping I'll find something I really like. This may be the one. I know I want to stay somewhere along N. 44th Street. It's just a skip and a jump from there to Phoenix Municipal, which is where I'll attend two games and where the A's claim their home. And it's very close to Phoenix International Airport, where I'll be flying in. AND it's easy to find my way back to the rental car hub from there, all on surface streets.

I will actually have a chance to see the new Dodger stadium, Camelback. And it's a night game. I'm a little nervous about finding my way there -- it's a good deal west of the hotel -- not to mention my way back. I'll be going right after the day game, so I should be able to get there during daytime hours. I hear it's very nice.

I actually see the Dodgers twice. I think the second time is at Hohokam Park, home of the Cubs. I didn't really pick the teams to see. I'd much rather see the Giants, but they were impossible to get to after Sunday and Monday (and those days are reserved for the A's at Phoenix Muni). I wanted games that were still in Phoenix. I didn't want to go to Tempe Stadium; the seats are antiquated and right in the sun there. So I ended up with the games I ended up with. What does it matter? It's baseball!

I'm flying in this time rather than taking 17 hours or 2 days (which is what it took to drive there last year). So it should be fairly easy. If I could just pack lightly, I'll be fine. Ha!

Removing the 'Ol Tree

2009-03-10T17:13:00.000-07:00

I brought landscapers out to look at installing a drip and spray system in order to water my lawn and the plants. I rejected their exhorbitant offer quickly enough, but when the three of us stood around, they casually mentioned, oh, that's a big acacia tree. And I not-so-casually noticed (actually, with much alarm), that it was towering towards the deck and roof of the house. They told me I could have it removed, and said they would send me the name of the arborist they deal with.

I knew I'd never get that name, and I haven't yet, but I really welcomed that idea.

So I went on Yelp and found The Professional Tree Care Company. They had two good refererences.

Craig Hancock, Consulting Arborist, came out today, and agreed with me that the giant black acacia should be removed. He said that, because the tree grows quickly, the cells are not densely packed, and limbs tend to break off easily. And it also rots easily. We went around to the side and looked at the massive tree trunk.

It's cheaper and easier to leave the trunks of the two trees. He agreed to treat them so that the proliferous plant shoots wouldn't grow back. I will see an estimate by email within a few days. Yes!!!

It May Be Called 'WonderCon,' But It's All About Watchmen

2009-02-28T21:50:00.000-08:00

As I was having dinner with Nic Cage last night, I tried to press home the point that his new film, Knowing, is just like the last. Next, which was the last. See, even I'm confused. I mean, they even start with the same letter. Sorta.

Nic put down his Coke (sheesh, the guy doesn't even drink, which is really boring) and stared at me. It seems he can't stare without using his hands. "No," he shook his head, moving his hands above his head. He then closed his eyes for the longest time. Then he started to explain to me the concept of the movie, going on and on as he often does, and didn't see me mentally slip back to WonderCon.

But I will say: the trailer for Knowing at WonderCon did not allow anyone to daydream. Weak on concept it is, but heavy on action it is. Subway train crashing into subway train was just one of the thrilling rides, and the aircraft crashing in front of him was a close second.

We got to watch the Knowing trailer, an extended trailer, as it turned out, and it was spectacular. But there won't be any internet noshing or word-on-mouth in Mudville. There were maybe three other people in the room where it ran. It came right after an hour of Watchmen. What a mistake.

Watchmen is what everyone came to see. The entire cast was there except for....ooooh, who's that cool British guy from Matchpoint who plays Ozy. Matthew Goode. He wasn't there. But Zach Snyder and everyone else was. You had to laugh when a fan, who had been one of a thousand or so people to see the movie the previous night, said to
Billy Crudup, "Man, they short-changed you." He didn't fill in the details, but for those of us who know who Crudup plays -- Dr. Manhattan, the big, blue scientist who'd just as soon jump to Mars as read a newspaper -- know what he was referring to, as Manhattan is mostly nude. And apparently that even goes for the film. Crudup just replied, "Then I have to say to you: congratulations!" And we all laughed. (Pictured: Billy Crudup, then Jeffrey Dean Morgan below.)

We got to see extended portions of Watchmen, including the montage in the beginning that people were beginning to talk about that shows various historical moments in America -- it really rocks. And most of the beginning. I think it's a tricky move to kill off one of your superheroes in the first scene. And, as it turns out, he's not the best role model going.

I'm definitely going to see this one. I will probably save my DVD dollars for the extended director's version. I already know this and I haven't seen the film.

So, what else was going on today? Well, like yesterday, I immediately headed to the freebie table. I didn't realize that this table WASN'T the real freebie table -- it was just the DC table with a lot of freebies -- until I heard them announce that you can get a Watchmen button (smiley face with the drop of blood, rather iconic) at booth 242, the WonderCon table. So, I got in line there -- they had already changed everything around since 12 hours ago, but that's how it goes at these things -- and I got to talking to the guy behind me, who rescued another Watchmen coffee promo card for me. He wanted to know if Comic Con was any bigger than WonderCon. I just had to laugh.

But it turns out he and I had the same plan: get the freebies, run upstairs to the Espalanade room, which holds about 3,000, and sit there all day for programming.

I was greatly disappointed that there were no giveaway freebies at the door when you walk in, like the last two years, but it's always hit or miss.

As it turns out, I left after Watchmen -- went straight to the WonderCon table and picked up a Watchmen button -- and then the bathroom, then back into the room. I am always afraid they'll cap the room -- they did several times that day -- but nobody was attending the Astro Boy and Pandorum presentations, it seems. I got back in time to watch most of the Alien Trespass promotion.

Alien Trespass is a modern copy of a 1950's sci fi film, complete with cheesy monster. It stars Eric McCormack and Robert Patrick and a bunch of other actors like Dan Laurie from The Wonder Years. The director/producer, R.W. Goodwin, is famous for directing several X-Files episodes, so he knows what he's doing. And he's funny in his own right. It seems this is a genuinely cheaply made movie, as principal filming only took 15 days.

The Paramount Pictures presentation was Star Trek, the new movie, the one that's been in the can for some six months now, waiting for a May release. There was no announcement as to who would show up, but much to our delight director J.J. Abrams (Lost) kicked things off, then Zachary Quinto (Spock), Chris Pine (Kirk) and Zoe Saldana (Uhura) came out. We saw an extended trailer which didn't tell us anything new. And Quinto and Pine sound so much like new actors, talking all about the process, so we got nothing new from them. Except maybe gushing about J.J. Abrams. However, this film looks like a fresh, new look on the old franchise. I will try to see it the first day it opens.

It was interesting to see the crowd during Watchmen vs. Star Trek. The hall was completely filled for both. But the level of anticipation was so much higher for Watchmen than Star Trek. There is a great deal of worry, though, from director and the studios, that neither will make their inflated budgets. Watchmen is a particularly hard sell: there's a lot of jokers in costumes standing around talking, and, it seems, very little else. And you have to figure out all these characters and the mystery. Star Trek looks to be the easier sell, which is an action film where the characters we already love will build these relationships before our very eyes. I say: Bring 'em both on!

I was waiting for the Pixar presentation, but had to sit through something called 9. It seems it was a film school film that Tim Burton and his people took an interest in. It's produced by Burton but directed by Shane Acker, and it's another quirky animated film. The voice star, Elijah Wood, was on hand to talk with us. Elijah is always gracious, always fun in his answers. But one of the first questions was, how does the character 9 compare to Frodo? Elijah said with a resigned look on his face, "I guess I'm going to get that question for the rest of my life." I immediately felt sorry for him, then realized I shouldn't. He appeared in an incredible project at the age of 18, and now everyone compares everything he does to it. He's still very young.

9 boasts quite a cast and an interesting story, but it's very dark (I know, I know: it's Tim Burton). 9 comes out on 9-9-2009.

UP. Up is Pixar's new movie, a movie which opens May 29th. Director Pete Docter showed us several peeks at the film -- maybe 6, if you can believe that -- pretty much telling us the whole first and maybe second thirds of the film. Each and every bite was delicious. Very good animation. Very funny every step of the way. You could recognize Ed Asner's gravelly voice as character Carl Fredricksen spoke. Carl is 78 years old and sick of people. So, when they're trying to drag him off to an extended care facility, he ties his house to thousands of balloons and floats away to South America. Or at least that's his plan.
Just a delight.

I made another mad dash at 4 pm after Up for the dealer's room. It was interesting to see that Watchmen characters have replaced the usual Star Wars characters in costumes fans choose to wear. A few more freebies were available at WonderCon, including a Knowing puzzle. Cute. A puzzle. Won't help me figure out the plot.

My dinner with Nicolas wasn't very eventful. How could it compete with superheroes in campy costumes? I'll see your film, Nic, so I'll get back to you. It had better not be anything close to Next (which I liked, by the way). But in the meantime, I'll be waiting in line on the first day to see Watchmen. Have another Coke while you wait.

It's Spring. It's Baseball.

2009-02-24T11:49:00.000-08:00

People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball.
I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.”
—Rogers Hornsby

I've got all my spring training plans all lined up. I will be there from Sunday to Wednesday, leaving Thursday, and have tickets for 5 games. Only two of those games are with the A's. I am actually seeing the Dodgers twice.

The Dodgers finally gave up a rotting Vero Beach complex and moved out west to Phoenix. Their new complex, Camelback Ranch, is being shared with the Chicago White Sox, a wise financial plan. The new complex should be a thrill to see, so I'm really looking forward to it.

And instead of driving for two days, I'm flying this time. Yay.

Vineyards in the Snow

2009-02-15T10:12:00.000-08:00

We started out on our wine tour at a place that's far removed from the rest of the wineries: Renner Winery. Renner is in the failing Copperopolis. You've probably heard the ads for them. Spacious homes on a golf course, yada yada yada. Well, it's a ghost town now. 8 shops have opened on the square, including the winery outlet. They grow their own grapes and olives, and just began selling last Halloween. They seemed happy to see us.

We did buy some wine at Renner, plus some futures which we'll have to come back to pick up. The futures were a red, while the two bottles of wine we purchased were whites. And it kind of seems that that was the way it was going to go all day: the reds didn't seem stellar, while the whites were quite different and appealing.

We then drove east on 4 into Murphys, and stopped at some of the wineries the Renner people had suggested. Most of them were on the Associate Member route, part of the Valentine's Day Weekend wine festival, and offered food along the way. The wineries we visited included:

Chatom(Both photos are from Chatom winery.)
Twisted Oak - which featured really funny signs along the mile path it took to get there
Indian Rock vineyards - which had a wonderful BBQ'd beef for us
Irish - not on the route, but we liked the wine there more than most of the others

It was a tiring afternoon.

We rested during the rest of the afternoon, and around 7, we drove back into Murphys, looking for the Murphys Hotel. Our reservations were for 8, we showed up at 7:30, and they pretty much laughed at us, on Valentine's Day night, when we presented ourselves. So we schlepped into the bar only to find it full of mostly young people out on a Saturday night. But eventually a table freed itself, and we had cocktails. My margarita was mostly out of a jar, and was more akin to dishwater than any wonderful libation. But eventually, about an hour later, our table freed up.

So we had a wonderful, languorous meal, sharing a little of our entrees along the way. I had the fried chicken -- the yelpers had recommended it -- while others had venison, mushrooms, lumpia, lamb, etc. And we had another bottle of local wine. While Maryann didn't care for it, I thought that it grew on you. I still didn't have more than a glass. I was saving room for the bread pudding with whiskey sauce. It was worth it.

This morning is a lounge-around morning. It looks cold and windy outside. I think I'll stay in.

Settling In at Angel's Camp

2009-02-14T09:59:00.001-08:00

It's interesting to see the foothills of the Sierras, the place where the gold rush began. There are a few signs that someone was here digging up the earth some 100 years ago, but not much. The place, Angel's Camp itself, has been built up. But the better places to go are up north.

We went into Murphys last night for dinner. We had gone to lunch there yesterday, and snow (but mostly slush) was all around. Most of the snow has melted but Murphys is a higher elevation and so there's still a trace.

Dinner was at Noto's Tradizioni di Sicilia, a nice little restaurant down the smallish Main Street of Murphys. We were a little delayed for our reservation, but they assured us that wouldn't be a problem. Still, seating 5 people would've been a problem if we had come in at 7:30 pm.

We really had a feast. We had appetizers: calamari, a small bowl of soup (which Maryann shared, actually everything was shared), a couple of salads, and carpacho (raw beef marinated with capers and oil). We each had an entree, and several of those were shared. I had the traditional spaghetti, but I put my meatballs out on a dish because I don't ordinarily like meatballs. Those who tried them agreed with me that they were quite ordinary.

We also shared a bottle of red wine from a local Murphys winery. It was quite good. It had "zinfandel breaks" in it, whatever that meant. And she actually gave us a taste of two other wines; she said she could do that if the wine bottle had been opened.

Aija tells me it's a Milliniere Ghirardelli wine brand, a zinfandel. Ha.

So, it was a very pleasant evening, topped off by two desserts (a chocolate tart and a raspberry cheesecake, both of which were quite unusual and quite good). Then we went out into the cold night, found our way through the slush to the car, and drove the 20 minutes back to Angel's Camp.

Today is probably a lengthy visit to several local wineries for their Valentine's Day weekend.

Angel's Camp

2009-02-13T15:00:00.000-08:00

When I woke up this morning, I went over to the window to see what it was like outside. I saw fog. But when I looked closer, the white became snow.

Snow!!!

Nobody knew it was going to snow today! The trees were covered in it, the cars below were almost buried. I wondered about my own car, white, almost invisible beneath the snow.

I went outside into the parking lot and took photos.

As a matter of fact, shortly after that, the snow began to melt, rapidly. By the time we drove out toward the grocery store, the roads were clear. When we returned about 2 hours later, traces of snow were all that was left. Amazing.

This is our first day in Angel's Camp. The other family comes in today. We have no idea what we'll be doing. Driving in the snow would've hampered that. But it would have been so beautiful.

Xena Convention 2009, Part 2

2009-02-07T15:23:00.000-08:00

It was a pleasure to again see Steve Sears, one of the producers and writers on the Xena show. You can always spot Steve because he's wearing that wide-brimmed hat. Steve has kept busy in the writing game all these years afterwards, and has a couple of projects in the fire right now, but couldn't provide details. He always appears on stage, always takes photos of us (he's a very good photographer), and usually acts as Creation's photographer in this and other conventions. I saw him later as he was getting Creation to auction off an article for a charity near to his heart, and asked him to sign a copy of a Xena script he had written. He was accommodating, as always. And I mentioned, I wish he'd update his blog. He smiled and said he definitely had to get around to that. His latest entry told the world that he had a new girlfriend, that she's too good to be true, but that they've been seeing each other for about a year now. We're all happy for him.

Many of us wait, breathlessly, for the next guest, because we're not sure what she's going to do: Hudson Leick. Hudson played Callisto in so many episodes I can't count, but, as Rob Tapert once told us, you can't have a great hero without a great villain. She considers herself mentally gone from Xena, and asking her questions about it is pretty much useless. Actually, asking her anything is a risk. She pouts, she parades, she struts around the stage, always in a jaw-dropping outfit which she later auctions for charity. She demands that the audience be entertaining for her. We usually fail in the beginning, as we're just sitting there open-mouthed, but usually we start interacting with her after awhile and all are entertained.

One brief story about Victoria Pratt, who played an Amazon in, I think, only a two-part episode in Season Three, Adventures in the Sin Trade. And she was a dead Amazon at that, but memorable. Vickie used to be a physical fitness guru, and from there went into acting. She held up Mutant X for a couple of seasons (but it still was unbearable to watch, even with her and John Shea in it), and Cleopatra 2525. She told a story about going to the Superbowl, and only now appreciates that their seats were on the 50-yard line. But they didn't stay there, instead opting to go to the Press Box. She acted very spoiled about it, and it was a very funny story.

We got to see a lot of fan-created music videos and some professionally done short movies while we were there. Two of the music videos revolved around the Broadway play Wicked, or at least its music. I had no idea the gay community liked Wicked. My favorite music video, though, was by Deborah Abbott, and featured Christine Baranski's Mama Mia! version of "Does Your Mother Know?" It was wonderful.

We also got to see a live film called Lightswitch, about a young lesbian making choices. I liked it, and am wondering where it will go now. And Renee O'Connor showed two of her short films, ones she wrote and directed. She's looking to display them at festivals.

Of course, the piece de resistance was Renee O'Connor and Lucy Lawless. First Renee came on stage, talked about her films, showed us some. Then Lucy came on. Lucy, though, brought us a surprise: Claire Stansfield! Claire played Alti, a shaman who was early Xena's nemesis. However, I remember when we first saw Claire on stage: she's 6'1", in heels usually, and gorgeous, totally unlike Alti. Why do they put beautiful women in all this terrible makeup? Claire quit show biz to produce t-shirts with a friend (C and C ), became very successful when they were featured on Oprah, then they sold the business. And now....now she's working for Oprah! Wow.

Lucy spent a lot of time after Claire left just answering questions, and when Renee joined her back on stage, they both did the same. This is 180 degrees from when they both used to appear on stage some 10 years ago. They didn't trust the audience, trust the fans, and always had a go-between. This time, just shout out the questions, people. Keep 'em coming. Just fabulous.

Like I said, just one big living room.

Xena Convention, 2009

2009-02-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

If anyone wondered where all the lesbians went last weekend, we were all in Los Angeles for the 14th Xena Convention.

I had skipped a few years, but somehow felt the urgency to go back. I vividly remember the excitement of the first Xena convention, yes, 14 years ago. My nephew Ricky and I went. We were treated to a private party for Kevin Smith, who played Ares. When Danielle Cormack (who played an Amazon in about 7 or so episodes) came into the party, as she and Kevin are friends and had appeared in several Kiwi productions together, Ricky warned her: You have no idea what it's like to face 5,000 fans. I don't think she believed him; she did a few hours later, as she looked dumbstruck on stage. Kevin seemed more at ease, and I was able to talk to him at the breakfast -- he was down-to-earth, non-threatening, a family man who really enjoyed talking to people. He was wearing a see-through shirt, and I commented on the fact that he obviously worked out.

We had no idea that Kevin would die some five years later, right after the last season of Xena wrapped, in an odd accident in China.

Well, the 5,000 fans have kind of disappeared, and now it's a hearty group of New Zealand, Australian, German and British fans, as well as Americans, maybe 700 of us, who gathered for this latest convention. The difference, of course, is that the room has a very comfortable feeling about it. It's just a very large living room.

There were some firsts. Tony Todd finally got to his first Xena convention, but it's not because he hasn't been working. It seems he's working more than ever. He's slated to appear in 24 soon.

Jennifer Sky Band appeared before us many years ago when she was promoting Cleopatra 2525 -- I watched every episode, but I'm not sure why, all action and no meaning, but the three women attached are spectacular (i.e., Gina Torres, Victoria Pratt and Band). "I'm not in a band," she opened; it's just that she married a guy named Band. Who's in a rock band. She's now in her early 30's and has quit show biz. After Cleo, she came down with a rare liver disease, but was eventually cured, and is now writing a children's book about being sick. She looked kind of amazed to be there.

Another actress amazed to be there: Jacqueline Kim. Jacqueline is no longer acting as well, choosing instead to directing and writing. She is a particular fan favorite because of her iconic role as Lao Ma, an Asian mentor who taught Xena how to move. This was when Xena was a badass, still crippled, and knew no martial arts. She was only in two episodes, but we all remember them as our favorites.

The next day we were treated to Michael Hurst and Jennifer Ward-Lealand, the husband-wife team which works mainly in New Zealand in various stage and film projects. They kindly showed us a slide presentation of all the roles they had worked on, separately, in the last two years. They are amazingly productive. And they talked a little about how they split up parental housekeeping, how they keep their two kids while still doing all this performing. Michael directs more than acts, and sometimes directs himself.

We saw them later when Jennifer interviewed the Widow Twanky (Michael in drag). Michael was in two episodes of Hercules, not Xena, but we all recognize the character and applaud the Widow. She teaches Hercules and a young woman how to dance in a dance contest. Apparently the Widow Twanky is based on an old English music hall tradition. Well, he's, I mean she's, just hysterical. And a little consumed with herself.

And, gosh, we saw Michael again when he played his character in the Bitch Slap movie panel. I know, it's difficult to say such a title. But it looks to be in the tradition of Grindhouse and such sexploitation films. The panel included the two producers (who used to work on Xena), the three actresses who appear in the movie, and Michael. But halfway through the panel, a nun appeared and took the stage: it was Renee O'Connor (Gabrielle in Xena), in full habit. She plays Sister Bertrile in the movie. They showed a clip of Sister Batrile and Mother Superior (Lucy Lawless), and we ate it up. It's clearly slapstick.

Other noted Xena celebrities to appear include Joe Lo Duca, who composed the music for Xena's six years as well as her last two concerts at the Roxy that very weekend, and Rob Tapert, Executive Producer of Xena. When Rob was asked, "Did you fall in love with Lucy at first glance?" He laughed, and replied that he saw her first on video when she was auditioning for a part on Hercules. So, "I fell in love with her at first video." When we told Lucy about it later, she said she had never heard that story!

Another Visit to Henderson

2009-01-17T15:53:00.000-08:00

I went to services again last night at Ner Tamid, the Reform synagogue in Henderson, Nevada. You might try it sometime.

I can't believe how many people they "draw" for services on a Friday night or Saturday morning. It's really incredible. Friday night, for instance, while the place wasn't entirely packed, it was pretty much so. A lot of the people tend to sit in front of the choir, so they're always on the left side, while I sit on the right side. I had a few empty seats near me, but I suspect there were none on the other side.

My theory is that people come for the production. Last night was gospel night, and so they had a guest choir from a nearby Christian church who sang gospel songs for us. They were very good. And Ner Tamid had its own choir plus the choir comprised of fifth graders and below, just visiting. Add to that a band consisting of guitar, bass guitar, piano, and drum, and, well, it's a production.

And leading them all was Cantorial Soloist Philip Goldstein, who has a magnificent voice. He, alone, is worth the price of admission.

There were some rather odd things about the service, like an old Jewish song sung to the tune of "Onward Christian Soldiers," was, well, unusual.

But I think the music and the welcoming vibe of the rabbis make Ner Tamid the place to be on shabbat.

Lock-Down

2009-01-14T12:34:00.000-08:00

I finished my errands at the two banks, and decided I had time to get a haircut this morning at 11. Elegant Hair & Nails was on my speed dial, so I called them up. She said, "When?" just like that, short. I said, "How about 5 minutes?" She answered solely with, "Come."

She had to unlock the bolt lock to let me in. It was 11 am and there was no one there. Business continues to be slow, I noted. That's one reason why I wanted to come to a local shop.

Not too long, not too short. I think it's just how I like it. (I won't really know until tomorrow.)

I was wondering about why their doors were locked. It could be a rash of robberies, but I think it's more likely due to the BART protests and violence. The shop is about 5 blocks from San Leandro BART.

While she was scissoring my hair, a clean-cut guy came into the shop. He represents a new insurance company and he just wanted to drop off some literature. Interesting. We're not used to hearing "new business in the area."

As I left the shop, I could hear the "click" behind me as she bolted the door.

Looking Forward to Spring Training

2009-01-08T19:14:00.000-08:00

I have ordered my tickets for spring training 2009 -- two A's games, one Cubs game, one Dodgers. I've decided to fly this time, having driven 17 hours to get home last time.

George called me while I was sitting down for my airport margarita at McCarron Airport in Las Vegas. He wanted to discuss, yes, the A's. This is the fan who stopped being a fan for 2008 when Billy Beane traded away so many of the decent A's players that the team couldn't bat over .240 for the 2nd half of the season, and couldn't win more than two in a row.

The A's have just now announced that Jason Giambi, age 38 as of today, will be rejoining the team. What was it, seven years ago? when he left the A's for the big money in New York, and trashed the A's as he walked out the door. Some will greet him as a hero when he returns, quietly forgetting the poster boy of the Steroid Era, while others will boo him.

Which one am I? Into which camp do I reside? I have to see how well the old man can hit first.

More Money from the Planet Moolah

2009-01-06T21:59:00.000-08:00

Gotta love them cows. I played my new favorite slot machine again tonight in my last gambling of this trip.

Invasion of the Planet Moolah replaces any three matching figures in a row so you get to try again; they call this new development in slot machine games a "cascading: effect. If you do that more than 3 times, you get to the bonus round of free spins (and you can imagine the permutations as, even in the bonus round, groups of 3 disappear). The best part about it, well, besides the money, is that cows appear as wild; they moo when they connect to score you points (and I moo, too, when that happens...involuntarily). And the cows in the flying saucers above do all the lasering.

Twice in that last session, a session that only lasted 10 minutes as I was trying to get outside to see my last Fremont Experience up above the square, I got a message that read BIG WIN. I had never seen that before. The cows all lined up and each was mooing like crazy (each cow has a different moo). And in a matter of minutes, I won $70 with a $10 input. (This is a penny machine.) So I stopped.

Right before that, also at the Four Queens, I used a $10 matchplay coupon (and promptly lost), but stayed to win $80 above my stake. I then had an ice cream to celebrate.

And the day hadn't started out that auspiciously. I took a cab immediately to the Tropicana, and before breakfast, I played blackjack. The dealer had a difficult time counting, at least it seemed to me, and I had to tell her at one point not to pay me. Another incident occurred which made me want to leave: the guy next to me was upset that he was losing, so he bet half his money on one hand, and lost; I hate to watch things like that. I then moved away, quickly, and decided to go to breakfast at the Garden Cafe. After that, I took a cab to the Las Vegas Hilton, passed by Elvis, who still stands in front (after being moved from the lobby), and played another match coupon at the blackjack table. I promptly lost.

But the other guy I was playing with was quite entertaining. He was playing well, but losing, and kept talking about how we're in this together. I left shortly after he did, thankful I escaped without investing more money into that losing venture.

I was so surprised that the Hilton had $5 tables, and I mentioned that to my newfound friend. He answered, "Well, look around. There's nobody here." And, indeed, he was right.

I went over to the Starfleet Casino, which still exists, but found that The Experience was boarded up and ads placed over the boards where the entrance used to be. So sad. But there's a hard rumor that it will reappear downtown.

And so I went downtown after getting my Southwest boarding pass (one of the real reasons I went to the Hilton, because I knew where to do that there). The cab driver I rode with was also quite entertaining. He told me the city is really suffering. He often gambles with his wife when he cashes his paycheck at one of the smaller casinos. He normally goes to the Eureka casino, a place I've never heard of but apparently is next to the Sahara, to do the check-cashing and gambling, but was met for the first time in 20 years with questions about the check's authenticity and demands to see more I.D. In disgust, he and his wife have moved on. His point was that even the smaller, more family-type casinos are facing hard times and apparently changing in response.

You can, however, borrow money even if you don't have much of your own. I had read in Las Vegas Advisor that Binion's offer to get a free photo with its new million-dollar display is exactly that: free. Just allow half an hour for processing, and you have to be a member of their slot club, which I am. So I got the picture made. As I was standing behind all that money guarded by plexiglass, this disembodied voice rang out from the woman snapping the photo: "You can touch it." So I did, if somewhat gingerly.

I met another cab driver tonight who told me he often went to Sacramento from Las Vegas to do construction jobs. He was pretty high up in the company, but the economy kept forcing reductions. He now drives a cab. Construction has gone from about 500 houses to 50 or so, he said. It's devastating.

Everybody's finding new things to do as old jobs dry up. Case in point was a guy who met me -- on two separate nights, in two separate cab pick-up places downtown. He greets you, washes the handle of the cab and a window of two, opens the door for you, and hopes for a tip. I tipped him both nights. Handsomely.

I think enterprise like that should be rewarded.

Las Vegas: Always an Adventure

2009-01-06T08:49:00.000-08:00

I've had many adventures in Las Vegas over the last 40 years. Gambling for the first time when I was 20 (blackjack). Sitting next to Liza Minelli in the Frontier showroom. Watching Elvis for the first and only time at the Hilton (what we called the "International" in those days, and where I saw Barry Manilow later). Watching my mom gamble for her last time at Bally's, and smiling as she tried to take her bucket of quarters through the airport x-ray (she made it). Almost dying twice on a road trip to Vegas with my brother. And on the same trip, carrying his snub-nose .38 in my purse. Of course, there was the time a man died at the table next to us at the Binion's coffee shop. And on many occasions, I attended Star Trek conventions with friends and family.

This trip will add to those adventures, although not in such a dramatic way.

I can only take about 3 days of Vegas on my own, you know, where the only meaningful conversations happen with the dealer. Yesterday as I was looking at my phone again during the lengthy deal, the dealer asked me, "Talking to your boyfriend?" No, I answered. Checking to see if any of my sons has an emergency. And that was the truth. As it turned out, one of them had sent me essays to check, and of course the deadline was the next day. I was able to get to that on email.

I was determined this time around to do two things: (1) Play more blackjack and craps, as I keep losing money on slot machines, and (2) use some of the tickets in the Las Vegas Advisor ticket book. I just got the book before I left. So far this trip, I've used $14 of it. One for half off on a buffet at the Fremont, and the other in table matchplay at the Plaza.

The Plaza story is kind of interesting. I had to apply for the player's card there first, as I have never played there. I stayed there once at the hotel portion, and swore I'd never go back. The walk from the front desk to the hotel elevators is a long one, and I had to make it twice that first day, as the desk had given me the key to a room already taken. I hope I didn't disturb the large man sleeping in the bed as I entered.

But, because I was downtown and because the Plaza had a nice matchplay of $10, I was determined to go there and use it. I showed the dealer the book and asked if I could play it. He looked confused but he nodded his head, so I detached the coupon from the book and placed it under my $10 in chips. I got a push that first time, so we tried it again. I got a blackjack the second time. However, he did two things wrong: he paid me too much, and he left the coupon where it was instead of removing it. I wasn't sure what had just happened. The payoff is supposed to be 3 to 2, but the coupon threw me off. I finally realized what the payoff should've been about 3 plays later (I removed the coupon immediately), and instead of drawing anyone's attention to it like I had done earlier in the day when the dealer overpaid me -- I figured nobody would know what I was talking about several plays later -- I decided to leave the extra $20 as a tip for the dealers.

I did that. Actually, looking back on it, I'm still confused. I can't exactly remember what I was paid for that hand. I must've been tired -- it was 9 o'clock at night -- which should've given me a hint I should've gone back to the hotel. But I didn't.

I instead played a little longer at another hotel, Binion's. I had enjoyed great success there earlier that day at blackjack. Instead, the dealer took me for all I was worth. I managed to gain half of it back when I decided to hang it up. I found the line of taxis back at the Plaza, and went back to the Mirage.

I enjoyed seeing the one Fremont Experience downtown that I experienced. Oh, and another half of one. The first one was about motorcycles, and the last one about American Pie, but when it's 30 degrees out there, and I'm just in a light sweater, nothing is that much fun.

The gambling is so much fun downtown, though, that I think I'll go back today after I go to the Hilton for a few hours. Downtown casinos have the slot machines I like, and the low-limit blackjack and craps I like.

I did a brief stint at craps yesterday, again at Binion's. 10 minutes later I was $60 lighter, and so I escaped. I love craps -- I could feel my adrenalin flowing -- but it scares me. It has the ability to bankrupt me. I play the line bet minimum, always take odds behind the line, and then I place bets. One number can destroy all that.

I'm staying at the Mirage because they offered me a deal I've never seen before. A four-star hotel for a two-star price. I found a few casino games I like. But the minimums for blackjack are slightly higher. And the hotel is so large I get lost. I may in the future just stay downtown and have done with it.

The highlight of my day yesterday was when I got three blackjacks in a row. I couldn't believe it! A little later, I got two in a row. My only regret is that I didn't bet enough. I'm a true believer in the theory that you only win in blackjack if you play right (meaning, you hit when you should) and find ways of increasing your bet from time to time.

I had a lot of fun yesterday. I may not use a lot of those coupons along the way, I'm discovering, but I really enjoy the downtown area more than the strip. Everything is right there. This may just be one more sign I'm getting old.

Tell Me, Doctor, What's Wrong?

2008-12-24T19:33:00.000-08:00

I went to the doctor today because I'm getting sicker by the day. And the holidays won't give me much of a chance to go if I wait.

She said, basically, that I wasn't sick enough. But she knew if she gave me advice, a couple of prescriptions, I'd automatically feel better.

Okay, I don't. But I have complete faith I will. And she was nice enough to give me a prescription for an antibiotic, just in case I get worse before the weekend's out. I filled the prescription, and it will sit there until or if I need it.

A lot has been happening. We lit the first candles of Hanukah. We're going to set fire, I mean, fry up some sufganiyot -- donuts -- tomorrow. And play games on the 25th while all the stores are closed.

The new stackable washer and dryer was delivered. I was slightly worried that it wouldn't fit, but the guys were professional and got it in easily. Then they hooked it up to the gas hookups. Thankfully, the SEARS sales lady sold me a hook-up that was delivered along with the unit. It's a thing of beauty.

These last few weeks, and the next few weeks, are when we see the boys a lot. Birthdays are involved, and days off. It should be fun.

How to Feed 120 Kids

2008-12-18T15:50:00.000-08:00

A bunch of Temple Sinai volunteers got together last night and fed about 120 kids at the First Methodist Church in Oakland. The event was sponsored by First Place for Youth, which helps kids who have aged out of the foster home system. This is Temple Sinai's 6th year helping; it was my first. Oh -- and by "kids," I mean young adults, 18 or a little older.

Just an aside here: I was truly amazed at how many young women had kids with them. Babies. My gosh. What a challenge.

Dozens of people came by and dropped off food. Ten or so of us stayed to serve. Alex brought three turkeys fully cooked, and spent most of his prep time sawing off pieces with an electric knife. I found myself heating chicken broth for eventual gravy (I actually had to take a match to the industrial stove, which scared me to death), opening cans of cranberry sauce (thanks to Laurie who completed that task for me by cutting up the tubes of red goo), scattering the desserts on trays for later (with Dawn), and finally, serving the salad and desserts.

I was kind of amazed that it all came together. Thanks to maybe 4 people who knew what they were doing, saw the need and filled it. (I was not one of them. I am happy to do what organized people tell me to do, but this was on such a scale that I couldn't even comprehend the job.) Cecille told me to take the salad station, so I did.

Cecille suggested I coat each salad collection with the dressing so that kids weren't standing around squirting the bottles. So, I did that, and had ranch vs. Italian vinaigrette. As it turned out, there was no question: the kids wanted the ranch dressing. Dawn was to my right, serving up slices of her cranberry jelly. Some went, "eek, beets!" and fled the scene, but she was smart enough to tell them what it was before they could leap to conclusions.

While all this was going on, they had Christmas music, pumped up, going on in the background. Dawn wondered why they couldn't play Bing Crosby. It's an Oakland Christmas, I explained, as we listened to Mariah Carey, the Ronnettes, and many more Detroit-style holiday songs.

The kids were very gracious, seemed to have a good time. I know I did. They were so cute, kind of excited over what was being served. And when the desserts came out, it took them a little time to react, but they finally came over and started scooping them up. Laurie and Dawn would prepare plates for them, offering them some of the strawberry and whipped cream holiday cake as well as whatever else they wanted. There were so many cakes and cookies and brownies that, well, it would've sent any diabetic within 100 yards into a coma, just looking at it all.

Pretty cool way of giving to Oakland's kids, especially the ones who will struggle just to survive. I'm glad we could give them a good meal.