One More Season in the Sun

There is joy today in Dodgerland, as the mighty Manny did not strike out. The score was tied at one to one when a dreadlocked slugger began his duel in the sun. For Dodger stadium stood hushed and still as the mighty Manny stared down the pitcher with intent to kill. Oh, somewhere in chavez ravine the sun is shining bright, somewhere in Echo Park a band is playing till the morning light.

Manny dug in and took his practice at bats, while men clutched their hearts and kept a firm grip upon their Dodger blue hats.

A lumbering swing was meant with strike one, could the great Manny really be done?

Despair filled the crowd as the umpire shouted out, strike two! But the faithful remained and the small grin revealed what they knew.

For Manny is at his best when his back is to the wall, one only has to remember how he preformed at Fenway in the Fall.

As the count drew full and the crowd rose to it's feet, the crisp white uniform bearing 99 shimmered in the heat

With one giant swing the mighty Manny did go deep, creating memories for me and my father to keep.

The crowd rose in unison to chant and cheer and Manny tipped his hat and raised an ovation for all to hear.

As children danced and strangers slapped fives, I took a moment to be thankful for this blessing in our lives.

To be a season ticket holder and share a season in the sun with my brother, a truly sublime dream has come true that is unlike any other.

For there is joy tonight in Dodgertown for those of us who bleed Dodger blue, we could of told you all along that the great Manny is not through.

So tonight say your prayers to the great Dodger in the sky, for the season is just beginning and Manny will make that ball fly.

The Legions of the Unjazzed

"And every day we surf, good or bad, there is the magic time. We sit on the beach, still warm from the day's sun and lean our backs against Wayne's sea wall, and look at the ocean. We dig our bare feet into the sand and we look into the Pacific and the Pacific looks into us.

We are stoked. Six, eight, nine, ten people lined up against a wall, all jazzed by the water we have just conquered. There is a feeling of vast accomplishment.

There is nothing mystical about this. There is a need in all of us for controlled danger; that is, a need for an activity that puts us however briefly on the edge of life. Civilization is breeding it out of us, or breeding it down in us, this go-to-hell trait. Gradually, the day-to-day people, the hackers, are taking over. There are, as you read this, uncounted millions of people who now go through life without any sort of real, vibrant kick. The legions of the unjazzed.

But surfers have found one way. God knows, there are other ways. Each to his special danger. Skiing is not enough. Sailing is near. Ski jumping is almost. Bullfighting makes you dead. The answer is surfing."

-Phil Edwards

Matt talks live music

Last week I went to see Paul McCartney play at the Hollywood bowl and it was an incredible concert. I have really got back into seeing live music due to Saint Rocke (a music club by my house), I tunes (the best thing on the internet) and having enough dough to buy tickets for all the bands that play in L.A. So, today I was thinking about all the concerts that I have seen over the years and I came up with a few new categories and some great memories. I would be curious to hear about your experiences:

1) 1st concert ever:

The Beach Boys after the USC game when I was in 6th grade. This was a classic concert as Kokomo had just been released and the Beach Boys were enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Extra bonus: John Stamos was on drums! :)

2) 1st concert where someone offered me weed

The smell of marijuana is a staple at just about every concert that I have ever been too. (except the Grateful Dead--ironically) The first time I was offered the hippie lettuce was by an oldster at Tom Petty when I was in the 8th grade. (This oldster was a 17 year-old hottie)

3) 1st concert I was at where someone I came with puked during the show from drinking

This would be Keith Black at the U2 concert my sophomore year of high school. He tried to blame it on the Carls Jr burger but we knew better.

4) Hottest Chicks

This is an easy one, Jack Johnson at the Santa Barbarra Bowl in 2002. Good Lord in Heaven!

5) Best Concert

This is a tough one: I am going to go with Pink Floyd at the Rose Bowl in 1994. It was the end of my senior year, I was with all my friends, we had a limo, and the entire world was in front of us!

6) Honorable Mention for Best Concert

U2 at the Rose Bowl, The Police at Dodger Stadium, The Rolling Stones at the Coliseum, The Grateful Dead with Dave Matthews opening in Las Vegas, Jack Johnson in SB, Eric Clapton at the Fourm, Sting at the Greek, too many to name........

7) Best Upgrade at a concert

My last year of college Amina and I went to see Tom Petty at the Hollywood Bowl (we had crappy seats) and they put us in the front row because they were filming that night.

8) Best Festival

The Horde Tour at CSUDH:

I saw the Black Crowes, Blues Traveler and Ziggy Marley

9) Best concert on Foreign Soil

Red Hot Chili Peppers in Sydney, Australia

10) Biggest Surprise

I went to go see Steely Dan at the Nokia and I was blown away at how great Donald Fagen was. I called up Big Goot to tell him I was now a Steely Fan.

11) Best Reggae Show:

Reggae is another vibe and "live" music is more like lets just play a little beat and see what happens here. You don't get fireworks and gizmos but Pato Banton at St. Rocke blew doors.

12) Coolest Music Club on Earth

Mattys Lounge in SB

It was one brief shining moment of pure soul

13) Concert I wish I could see by a dead group/man

This is a really hard one, but I would have to go with Frank at the Sands in Vegas. I think you know why.

14) Concert I wish I could see by a living man/ group

Bob Dylan

I say Dylan play for a few songs with Petty a long time ago and I can't wait to see him.

This was fun and feel free to contribute with new categories!