Stopping Short

Back to my same old antics.

What is the deal with me and my friends going to events but not actually making it into the event?

Last night, Gwen and I went downtown to see the LA Kings play. As we were walking into the Staples Center we made a last minute decision to run into the Fox Sportsnet bar for a "quick drink". Can you say SAUSAGEFEST?! Don't get me wrong, I understand that men (at least in LA) are the primary attendees at hockey games, but, wowsers, we were two of four women in the whole bar. And I like those odds.

We instantly made friends with the bartenders because that's what you do when the odds are in your favor. They were actually very sweet and, interestingly enough, rather intelligent. I'm not saying that bartenders aren't intelligent, but, sometimes, at least in LA, the pretty ones fall a little on the dumb side. Rachel and Gwen like sweet, smart, pretty bartenders who pay them attention and give them free drinks. In fact, we like them so much that we forgot to go into the arena and watch the game. Every intermission we said we'd go in for the next period. But after the third period, we didn't have that option anymore. OOPS. Damn those free drinks and man soup!

That makes two events in two months that I made it to, but, never actually went in. I have issues.

But, we had a great time and the Kings got their asses kicked (we did watch some of the game on the big-screen tv) and as an added bonus for the evening, the cute Aussie that I met last Friday called me last night. Not holding my breath that he will actually ask me out on a date, but, initial contact is always a plus - particularly in the land of "non-callers".

So, let's see the score recap: 3 bartenders + 1 hot Aussie = 4 hottie evening for Rachel and Gwen.

Not so shabby for a Tuesday night. A girl needs a little boost once in a while.

I Hate LA Teams

I truly enjoy watching teams from L.A. lose. I know it's not very christian-like of me to wish ill-will on my brothers from down-state, but when it comes to sports I can't find a single good thing to say about or root for out of L.A.. As a matter of fact, I revel in cheering for any opponent that so happens to be playing against an L.A. team.

I cheered for the Texas Longhorns to defeat the USC football team in the Rose Bowl and Vince Young delivered the most beautiful knockout punch to Leinart and Bush. In front of the entire sporting world on a stage set in L.A. no less.

I cheered for every NCAA team that UCLA faced in the march madness basketball tournament and finally the Florida Gators beat them down in the championship game, winning with a defensive style that UCLA employed against opponents throughout the tournament. Again, a loss I enjoyed all the more because all the world of sports was watching. Gator-Meat, Gator-Meat.

And though L.A. has some of the hottest babes, I cheered when I heard the Purdue Women's basketball team beat the UCLA team in round 2 of the Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament. Hell, if they ain't the Laker Girls, then they can be gator-meat, boilermaker meat or any other meat their opponent desires.

Add Dodger Blue to my list of undesireables. Dodgers lost 8-9 yesterday to the ATL Braves and I cheered not only the loss but the heartbreak they endured when after trailing 5-8 for four innings they came back with three runs to tie it in the seventh, only to allow the Braves a game winning run in the eighth inning. Braves Win! The Braaaves Win! Yes. Add to the loss inuries to Olmedo Saenz and Jeff Kent and Dodger Blue is looking powder puff blue these days. Nomar Garciaparra and Kenny Lofton were already on the disabled list. But wait there's more, announced today was elbow-surgery for that most hated and feared of closers, Eric ("The Beast") Gagne. Should we put a fork in them now or wait until after the Giants have had their way with'em? Sorry, there's no crying in Baseball Dodger fans.

I've hated the L.A./Anaheim Angels even before their listing as LAA on the scoreboard. I'm not even an A.L. fan, but I'll boo any Angels team just the same. Who were they to beat my Giants in the 2002 World Series? If Barry and the Giants had won that World Series fans today would be bowing down to Barry instead of throwing toy syringes at him in left field.

Hockey? Not much of a fan but I'll take our San Jose Sharks over the L.A. Kings anyday. Ever seen the Kings uniforms? Looks just like the Sacramento Kings Basketball emblems on them. Wonder who stole who's idea. And any city that names their team Ducks, such as Anaheim, ought to be pucked to death. I don't care how mighty they claim to be. Sorry Oregon U.

This past weekend while hanging out in Las Vegas I cheered on the Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena Football League as they whupped up on the Los Angeles Avengers 63-49. The Avengers record is 3-7, below the 4-6 San Jose Sabercats.

And as I sit here typing this L.A. hater confession the Denver Nuggets are going into the locker room at half-time ahead of the Lakers, 58-49. Denver was leading by 16 points when I started this soul emptying admission and I'll continue cheering the Nuggets on to victory in the second half. Carmelo Anthony has made some moves that convince me he'll be a force in the NBA for some time. Kobe has a great game, but Carmelo runs a great game, there is a difference, most notably, teamwork.

So on a day when I receive news that my Raiders will play four prime-time games, though only one will be at home, I'm satisfied. Actually, I can't wait for football-less L.A. to get a NFL team so I can start hating them also...Again.

But I must admit, there is one team that you might catch me quietly urging on toward winning this season. It's the team that L.A. loves to hate. They've treated this team like a red-headed stepchild ever since they arrived on their doorstep in 1984 from San Diego . This team has never been anything more than a doormat for their big brother team who reluctantly shares the same playing court with them. This could be the year that this Rodney Dangerfield of L.A. finally gets some respect at home. If not respect then maybe redemption for enduring the insults and injuries inflicted upon them by that good for nothing fan base in SoCal. Jim Rome won't have them to kick around during the playoffs. I'm talking about those long-time cellardwellers of the NBA Western Conference. The Clippers. What could be better than watching the Clippers sweep the Lakers in a NBA playoff series? It could happen, and I'd be glued to the television rooting for those SoCal Clippers. Clip it Baby, Clip it!

So, back to reality and the present. Fifteen minutes left to play with the Denver Nuggets leading the L.A. Lakers 76-66. A black cloud seems to be hovering over the sporting world of L.A. and it ain't the usual fuel emmissions this time. Maybe the curse of the bambino has found a new home since being exorcised from Boston, or is it possible that the walkman wearing Steve Bartman of Chicago Cubs Lore has transplanted to L.A. via the FBI Witness Protection Program? Whatever the reasons, the usual winning teams of L.A. just ain't what they used to be and I'm crying crocodile tears of joy watching them lose.

Oh wait a minute. What is that rumbling rallying cry I hear coming out of my television set?

B-E-A-T L.A. B-E-A-T L.A. B-E-A-T L.A. B-E-A-T L.A. B-E-A-T L.A. B-E-A-T L.A. B-E-A-T L.A.

Sports Update

Final Score OT
Denver Nuggets 110
L.A. Lakers 108

Mat Su Kings and Silvers: New Sport Fish Publications

The Alaska Division of Sport Fisheries has produced two new publications for Alaska anglers. The first is on king salmon fishing, the second is on silver salmon fishing.

Both publications exist in Adobe Acrobat format and can be downloaded from the ADFG website. Eachcontains substantial text and a number of photos and maps.

k3uw-LA-Kings-forwardmen new articles for Sunday, April 02, 2006Palma Match Kings
On a dreary gray and cold day with little else to recommend it, I set to loading 49.5 grains of H4895 in my prepped-and-primed brass, topping it with a 155-grain Sierra Palma Match. I don't know that the Palma Match aura will especially ...

Down With The KINGS....
Ike Turner and The Kings Of Rhythm Thinking Black Black Beauty Ghetto Funk Black's Alley Black Angel Getting Nasty Funky Mule Philly Dog Scotty Souling Up Hard Nuttin' Up Freedom Sound.

In the Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room (for Russ)

Waterfall Steps for my Father

In the Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room
For everyone who "tropped out" at Cindi's studio apartment....but mostly for Russ.

Moblog Kings versus Clippers

Guest Columnist—I really don't want them to know about my hemorrhoids
By Spyros Andreopoulos Despite a strong push by the Bush administration for the majority of Americans to have computerized medical records within 10 years, I am not sure I want the attending privacy risks. ...

"AGE OF EMPIRES: THE AGE OF KINGS" Majesco, for ...
The fact is, "Age of Kings" requires a good deal of strategy to win, which is a good part of the reason it’s such a compelling game to play. If, like me, you’re up way past your bedtime with "Civ II" or a similar game, "Age of Kings" ...

Crown 'Dem Kings
But going into tonight's game against the Los Angeles Kings, the Canucks are in ninth place, only one point up on the tenth place Kings. The Kings hold a game in hand. ... Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, Vancouver, Canucks, Los+Angeles+Kings.

Four Kings Cancelled: Save Our Bad Shows!
The recently axed "Four Kings" made the diminutive Seth Green look that much shorter... or..."There will be no more feigned laughter and camaraderie for you Four Kings, be gone! Spoiler Alert. It looks like lovers of fine programming ...

Canucks 7 Kings 4
I can't do a Kings game recap without mentioning my favorite player in the world, Sean Avery. (Please note the sarcasm.) Tough guy as he is, ... Technorati Tags: NHL , hockey , Vancouver , Canucks , Los+Angeles+Kings , Todd+Bertuzzi.

2006 Kings versus Wizards
Larkin and I went to the Sacramento Kings versus the Washington Wizards basketball game. Looking unfocused and out of sync, the Kings lost 97 to 84. ... As a team, he Kings shot 14 for 23 (61%) from the free throw and 4 for 17 (24%) ...

King of Kings (1961)
On paper King of Kings (1961) should have been one of the most successful Jesus films ever made. ... Whilst this subplot sprawls seemingly out of control, King of Kings is one of the few films to place Jesus in this kind of ...

Kings Cross and unprivatised public space
Unfortunately one of the images used, and the first paragraph, mentioned the recently-approved Kings Cross Central development, which we worked on as public realm strategists. Needless to say, we were rather surprised to see the ...

Kings of Convenience - Quiet Is The New Loud
It's nearly impossible to find a hint of irony in the music of Kings of Convenience, whereas Belle and Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch seems to have his ... Kings of Convenience seem to merely seek calm moods and discuss relationships. ...

Calgary Aces the Kings
The Calgary Flames opened the first period with some big hits on the visiting Los Angeles Kings. Jarome Iginla responded to Chris Avery's attempt to bait him into a fight by nailing him to the boards a few times. ...

GAME 73: CANUCKS 7, KINGS 4
Canucks 7, Kings 4 [initial partial post] It'll probably be redundant from here until the end of the regular season, but the Canucks needed this one. They started the day on the outside looking in, with 82 points in ninth in the Western ...

Spam Kings
Spam Kings is yet another book I wasn't able to finish. It's somewhat well written in that the writer is able to create suspense and keep you turning pages - but eventually you realize that it's all for naught. The...

Servant Kings
We do not have deacons in our church. To me, that is problematic, because I see two offices in the New Testament in the church: pastors (also called elders and shepherds) and deacons. But we don't have them, and that is that. ...

Kings of Leon have hit the studio for album three....
Kings of Leon have hit the studio for album three. The very useful Tune Find helps you find songs from TV shows and movies. Yerbird has some Buck Owens' tracks. Owens died yesterday at the age of 76.

In 1987, Bruce McNall purchased the Kings from Buss, and he turned the team into a Stanley Cup contender almost overnight when he pulled off the unthinkable on August 9, 1988, when he acquired Wayne Gretzky in a blockbuster trade that rocked the hockey world, especially north of the border, where Canadians mourned the loss of what they considered a national treasure.