Diet Pills: Because we all need a little help now and then...

I have been working out, eating right and doing all of the things I need to do to lose weight, but in the end I am always HUNGRY! The fact that my lovely fiancee Angelina is a fantastic chef does not help much. She makes these awesome dishes and presents them so beautifully that it's hard for me to say no. That's where reliable diet pills enter the picture. I have studied most of the ones out on the market and have found some that I believe are safe and effective. Check out the option of diet pills today. Hey, we all need a little help now and then. Don't be ashamed to admit that you want want a little assistance in your pursuit to lose weight!

The New Cell Phone Law: Stick it in Your (R)ear!

When the new cell phone law goes into effect tomorrow in California, I will be one of the very first people not to obey it. I think it’s a ridiculous law and just another example of too much government in our lives. One by one, all of our freedoms are being taken away and this is a prime example.
Pretty soon, there will be all kinds of frivolous new laws just like this one. Some day, it will be a crime if you have more than 15 items in the express lane at the grocery store; if you drop an upper decker as a joke at a house party; if you break wind on a crowded bus; if you leave snarky comments online (you’re busted, El G).
This needless and invasive piece of legislation is just another way for Big Brother to get his (or her) hand deeper into our pockets.
They say the law will prevent a lot of auto accidents, but I don’t buy it. People get into accidents for a wide range of different reasons (tailgating, speeding, being drunk, running lights, screaming at their kids, etc.) and cell phone usage is right at the bottom of those reasons, I believe. Anyone who isn’t coordinated enough to use a cell phone and drive at the same time shouldn’t be driving anyway. I can chew gum and walk simultaneously, thank you very much.
One of the things I have always done to avoid using my phone excessively while driving is to prioritize my phone usage while in the car. I look at the phone number when my cell phone rings, and if it isn’t an important call that I need to take immediately, I let it go to message and I call the person back when I am off the road. The main problem with people talking on cell phones in their cars is over usage. The majority of calls consist of drivers chatting about anything and everything—it’s not like these folks are handling business, coming up with brilliant ideas or dealing with emergency calls. I doubt that they’re discussing important topics like colonics, world peace or 12-21-12. I would predict that 80% of all cell phone conversations in the car are either meaningless or unnecessary. The cell phone law is designed for those individuals-not me.
I know that by deciding not to adhere to this new law, I am risking a ticket. Big deal--$20! Who cares? If the state was seriously considering enforcing this law, the fine would be a lot more. At first, they will be pulling people over right and left. Then, after a while, they will find better things to do. Enforcement will be spotty and inconsistent, just like the seat belt law or the headphones law.
So, join me in rejecting this silly law. We pay a lot for these cell phones and we should be able to use them whenever and wherever we want. Part of being a U.S. Citizen (as well as a Californian and a San Franciscan) includes the right to pick and choose the laws we wish to obey. If you don’t believe me, drive around SF for an hour or two and observe the chaos. As Ted Nugent once said, “It’s a Free for All!”

Don't Count Out the Dodgers Quite Yet!

As of this morning the LA Dodgers are just 2.5 games behind the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks in the underachieving National League West. It is amazing when you think about all the troubles the team has gone through this season. With injuries to brittle old veterans and mistakes made by unseasoned youngsters, the Bums have had multiple problems with pitching and scoring runs.
But, don’t count out the Dodgers just yet. Last night they didn’t get a single hit and still beat the Angels, 1-0. It is only the fifth time in modern baseball history that something like this has happened.
Believe it or not, this team could be coming together at just the right time. Up-and-coming stars like James Loney, Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, Chad Billingsley and Andre Ethier have displayed moments of brilliance. Injured former stars like Nomar Garciaparra, Rafael Furcal, Brad Penny and Andruw Jones will be returning to the team soon. If they are healthy and can contribute at all, it could get interesting.
Maybe I’m dreaming, but who knows? Stranger things have happened, last night’s game being a prime example.
This account of the game appeared on www.cbssportsline.com:
Jered Weaver and Jose Arredondo combined to no-hit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night -- and it still wasn't good enough for the Los Angeles Angels.
The Dodgers became the fifth team in modern major league history to win a game in which they didn't get a hit, defeating the Angels 1-0. Weaver's error on a slow roller led to an unearned run by the Dodgers in the fifth.
Weaver downplayed the fact the Angels lost without giving up a hit.
"Any loss, no matter what, is tough," he said. "I'm sure you guys are going to eat this up a lot more than I am. I don't call it a no-hitter for me. I only went six innings."
The Dodgers' Joe Torre thought it might've been his weirdest win as a manager.
"I'd really have to reach down, and I don't really remember too much, but that's about as bizarre as you can get," he said.
With the Angels trailing in the interleague game at Dodger Stadium, Weaver was pulled for a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning after throwing 97 pitches. Arredondo pitched the next two innings.
Because the Dodgers didn't have to bat in the ninth, the game doesn't qualify as a no-hitter. It was only the fifth such game since 1900, and first since Boston's Matt Young in 1992, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
The Angels' Torii Hunter said he has never been involved in such a strange game.
"Never," he said, "not even in Little League."
The Dodgers' Chad Billingsley (7-7) scattered three hits over seven innings, then Jonathan Broxton and Takashi Saito shut out the Angels for the next two innings.
Weaver (7-8) was victimized by his own fielding error with one out in the fifth inning that allowed Matt Kemp to reach first.
Kemp's spinning squibber rolled to the right of the mound and Weaver rushed toward first base to grab the ball, but bobbled it. The ruling on whether it was a hit or an error was a close one, since Weaver would have had to field the ball cleanly -- and first baseman Casey Kotchman was off the bag. Official scorer Don Hartack ruled it an error.
"I believe if he just picked it up with his bare hand and flipped it, he gets him by a good step and a half," Hartack said. "So my thinking was, it really wasn't a bang-bang play. I looked at the replay once and it looked like Kemp was a good seven steps away, so my thinking was Weaver had plenty of time to make the out."
Kemp completely agreed with the scoring.
"I hit it off the end of the bat and it had a little funky English on it," he said. "He could have made the play, but he just dropped the ball. It was an error. I mean, if they'd have given me a hit, I'd have been happy. But it was an error by far."
Kemp stole second and continued to third on catcher Jeff Mathis' throwing error, then scored on Blake DeWitt's sacrifice fly.
Weaver struck out six, walked three and hit a batter in his six innings. Chone Figgins pinch-hit for him in the seventh with two outs and a runner on second, but grounded out.
Baseball's other no-hit losers were Andy Hawkins of the Yankees in 1990, Steve Barber and Stu Miller of Baltimore in 1967, and Ken Johnson of Houston in 1964.
Billingsley struck out seven and walked three.
The Angels, shut out for the second consecutive night, had six hits but didn't get a runner as far as third base. They had runners on first and second against Saito with two out in the ninth, but he struck out pinch-hitter Reggie Willits to earn his 12th save.

Custom Cardboard Boxes

I don't want to be a doomsdayer, so I won't dwell on the horrid economy and the bad things ahead, but I have noticed in my neighborhood especially, that a lot of people are moving. I am wondering if they know about custom boxes. High-quality, custom cardboard boxes can make a nasty move relatively painless. Store and transport your perosnal items efficiently and peoperly with these boxes and it will make your move and your life just that much easier. Moving can be a very traumatic and difficult experience. I don't think anyone really enjoys moving. So, why not get some custom boxes before you make that big move?

Cliffside Malibu Can Get You There!

As we enter what looks like a long recessionary period, people are going to be turning more and more to things like drugs and alcohol. Money is short; foreclosures are happening every day and people are losing their life's savings literally overnight. Suddenly, folks don't have the disposable income that they once had. Families are coming up short when it comes to paying their food, gas, mortgage/rent, and other basic bills. If you've made the journey through any type of addiction, you know quite well that abusing drugs and/or alcohol is no solution. All it does it compound your problems even more. But, escape is all many people can think about when their lives turn for the worst. If you know someone who needs Drug Rehab, Drug Treatment and/or Drug Rehabilitation, Cliffside Malibu can help you get sober, drug-free and back on the right track. Cliffside Malibu is a residential drug rehab, alcohol rehab center and extended care facility for adults from alcoholism, drug addiction--even eating disorders, co-occurring disroders and depression. Their philosophy uses a wide range of clinical components that includes things like detox, individual therapy, group therapy, depression treatment and alternative medicine. All in beautiful Malibu. Don't become a cautionary tale for your friends. You don't ever want your loved ones sitting around asking, "What went wrong?" You can turn the tide and get back to where you once were at Cliffside Malibu. Don't try to do it all by yourself. There's nothing wrong with asking for assistance top beat your demons. I lost a friend recently to alcohol. In his early 50's, he lost himself to whiskey and beer and his body just eventually shut down. His family had scheduled an intervention for the week after he passed. They were too late. Don't wait until it's too late. Don't wait until your name is listed in the death notices section of the newspaper. Contact the professionals at Malibu Cliffside today!

On the Road

I'll be on the road working all next week in the San Diego area. It's the peak of tourist season, so I might run into a few (see photo.) I will be back on 6/30, ready to blog all about my adventures in the South.

I'm Off to San Diego (to Work!)

I am off to San Diego, but not for vacation--I get to work. It's a bummer to go somewhere nice (like San Diego) and not be able to enjoy the sunshine and fun. It would lamost be better to go somewhere like Toledo or Plano to work, because then you wouldn't feel so bad. I guess I will have a little time, in the evening hours after work, to chill and unwind a little, by the pool relaxing in some high-quality, well-designed patio furniture, just like the kind they sell at www.cozydays.com.

The 50 Worst Pick-up Lines of All Time

Back before I met my incredible fiancee (known here as Angelina) I must admit I was pretty successful with the ladies. I dated more than my share of models, actresses and cheerleaders (see photo). How did I do it? Well, first off--I avoided these lame pick-up lines.

There are three basic categories within the genre known as the pick-up line. Anyone who has ever tried their hand at this art form knows that certain lines can be more effective than others, depending on the location, atmosphere and attitude of the recipient.

The first type of pick-up line is the direct, no-nonsense approach. Two things can happen with this type of line. If it works, it’s because the person you’re delivering it to respects your truthfulness and sincerity. If it fails, you’re probably being punished for being unoriginal.

The second type of pick-up line is the funny kind. A silly, wacky, cute pick-up line can work if the other party enjoys humor and creativity. A contemporary reference referring to a movie, celebrity, book or TV show illustrates that you’re up on the news and don’t spend all your time in nightclubs and bars. The downside of this type of line is that if the person you’re hitting on doesn’t get the joke or understand the reference, you’re in trouble. Like a standup comic who is bombing, there is little chance of coming back when you’ve initially failed with a pick-up line from this category.

The third group is the witty pick-up line. This is a well-thought out play-on-words that catches the subject by surprise with its thought-provoking nature. This is a good way to go, primarily because it can’t be misconstrued as being offensive or too direct. There’s a very good chance you’ll get an A for effort with the witty line. The only thing that can really go wrong with a line from this category can occur if the person you’re talking to is not too bright and doesn’t understand the line.

Stale, old pickup lines are tortuous, while a well-timed, witty line expertly delivered is magic. The goal of any pick-up line is to get the opportunity to continue the conversation. A failed pick-up line can lead to rejection, chastisement, or in the worst-case scenario, physical abuse. When it comes to a good pick-up line, it’s very similar to a good meal. Presentation is very important to the success of both. Confidence, timing and enthusiasm are all vital components to a winning pick-up line’s delivery. Basically, it’s the opening salvo of a sales pitch. If you can’t get in the door, you can’t make the sale.

Now that I’ve given you my overall theory on pick-up lines, here are the ones that I’ve chosen as the 50 worst. I left off the most horrendous pick-up line ever (What’s Your Sign?), because it’s become so over-used that it’s actually considered retro now and has made an incredible comeback. After countless hours hanging out in singles joints from New York to Honolulu, here are the ones I’ve selected as the 50 worst of all-time:

1. Just call me milk; I'll do your body good.
2. Your body's name must be Visa; because it's everywhere I want to be.
3. Can I buy you a drink, or do you just want the money?
4. I may not be Fred Flintstone, but I bet I can make your Bed Rock.
5. Want to play house? You be the screen door and I'll slam you all night long.
6. Excuse me; do you have your phone number? I've seem to have lost mine.
7. I'm new in town -- can I have directions to your house?
8. If your left leg was Thanksgiving and your right leg Christmas, could I visit you between the holidays?
9. You might not be the best looking girl here, but beauty is only a light switch away.
10. Hi, I'm a necrophiliac, how good are you at playing dead?
11. I can't find my puppy; can you help me find him? I think he went into this cheap motel room.
12. If you’ll sit on my face I’ll guess your weight.
13. You must be from Pearl Harbor, because baby you’re the bomb.
14. If you’re going to regret this in the morning, we can sleep until the afternoon.
15. I think I’d look good on you.
16. You must be named Jelly, because jam doesn’t shake like that.
17. Was your dad a farmer? Because I’m loving those melons.
18. Are your legs tired? Because you’ve been running through my mind all day.
19. Hi, I’m a necrophiliac. How good are you at playing dead?
20. You must be Jamaican, because you’re Jamaican me crazy?
21. You look like a girl who has heard every line in the book. So, how bad is one more going to hurt?
22. Do you have a cell phone? My mom told me to call her when I find the girl of my dreams?
23. Can I buy you a drink or do you just want the money?
24. Somebody better call God, because He’s missing an angel!
25. Are you busy tonight around 3 AM?
26. Can I borrow a quarter? I want to your mother and thank her.
27. Do you have a map? I just keep getting lost in your eyes.
28. Hi. I suffer from amnesia. Do I come here often?
29. I’m new in town. Can you give me the directions to your apartment?
30. If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put U and I together.
31. Was your Dad an alien? Because there’s nothing else like you on this planet!
32. Wouldn’t we look cute on a wedding cake together?
33. Your eyes are blue like the ocean and right now I’m lost at sea.
34. Do you know karate? Because your body is really kicking!
35. If you were a laser, you’d be set on stunning.
36. Excuse me, do you have any raisins? No? Well, can I at least have a date?
37. Do you have a Band Aid? I just scrapped my knee falling for you.
38. Can you pull this heart-shaped arrow out of my ass? Some little kid with wings just shot me.
39. I just moved you to the top of my “To Do List.”
40. If you don’t want to have kids with me can we at least practice?
41. Were you arrested earlier? It's got to be illegal to look that good.
42. I hope you know CPR, because you just took my breath away.
43. That outfit would look great in a crumpled heap next to my bed.
44. Gee, that's a nice set of legs, what time do they open?
45. I'm fighting the urge to make you the happiest lady on earth tonight.
46. If beauty were an hour, you'd be a second.
47. Do you know that your hair and my pillow are perfectly color coordinated?
48. Got two nipples for a dime?
49. One way or another I'm going to make love to you tonight but I'd rather you be there.
50. Do you work for UPS? I could have sworn I saw you checking out my package.

Las Vegas: Two Words that Mean So Much!

What hasn't been said about Las Vegas? They say that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but the only thing that stays in Vegas when I'm there is my hard-earned cash. Oh well--it doesn't matter. Because I still love Vegas in a BIG WAY, what else can I say? LV is for me and that's plain to see. What excites me most about Las Vegas? Is it the shows, the casinos, the girls, the attractions, the restaurants or the buzz on the strip? Well, my friends, readers and fellow bloggers--it's all of these and much, much more. If you're looking for a great way to save on your Las Vegas travel, click the link here and visit a site called http://www.shermantravel.com/. When it comes to Vegas, they know their stuff!!

The Dilemma with Diet Pills

If you're taking diet pills, (and many of us have from time to time) you can find yourself in a quandry. The better diet pills are really the only ones to take--they're safer and higher rated and are much more reliable. Then, if you want to save a few bucks and get a knockoff brand, you take the risk of taking inferior pills. That's why you should know where to get cheap diet pills over the Internet. Save money while staying safe. And then, when you lose the weight, you'll find a smile on your face. You will then enter a very happy space.

So Close, Yet...My interview with Stefan Wever

Stefan Wever is a guy I know who owns a bar in San Francisco I frequent now and then. For the longest time, I bought drinks from the man, knowing him only as a big guy who knows a lot about sports and is fun to talk to. I saw him around town, at SF Giants games and in North Beach and he was always pleasant. I didn’t know his story until a buddy of mine told me the details.
I find his tale fascinating, because he came so close to baseball stardom at the highest level, only to have it come crashing down with one pitch. And yet, he’s completely okay with the entire experience. Stefan is a really smart, very honest and extremely likable individual.

When I sat down to talk to him about his brief career in the major leagues, Wever was candid and sincere. At the end of the interview, I asked him to tell me some of his funniest baseball stories. He winced and declined, saying that all of his really funny stories were X-rated. “Maybe one day,” he told me. He also said that if I hang around enough, he might also show me the tape of his one and only major league appearance.

Here’s a little background on Stefan, compliments of Wikipedia:

Wever graduated from Lowell High School in San Francisco in 1976. After dominating the San Francisco section in high school, Wever lettered at the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he garnered interest from numerous professional scouts. At 6’8”, 240 lbs., Wever was an imposing, fire baller with a great fastball, curve and changeup. When he was on his game, he was virtually unhittable.

After finishing his career at UCSB, Wever was drafted into the New York Yankees organization. In 1982, after winning the Southern League(AA) Pitcher of the Year award, accomplishing the rare Pitcher's Triple Crown (leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts) he made the rare jump from AA to the major leagues.

Wever’s first and only major league appearance came against the Milwaukee Brewers on September 17, 1982. He pitched for 2⅔ innings, but tore his rotator cuff in the process, ending his career. He is one of the few pitchers to face two future Hall of Famers as his first two batters—Paul Molitor and Robin Yount.

Wever continued his education during the off-season while rapidly climbing through the Yankee system at the University of California at Berkeley from where he received a BA in English Literature.

Now retired from the game of baseball, Wever owns the Horseshoe Tavern, a popular and legendary San Francisco bar, is an accomplished pianist, voracious reader, doting father to his 15 year old daughter, and coaches teenage boys in the science and art of baseball.

On his injury: “What if Pavarotti ruined his voice on his first night singing as a tenor? That’s how I felt when I hurt my rotator cuff. It might be an egotistical way of looking at it, but that’s how I feel. I keep myself going by knowing in my heart that I was one of the very best there was when I was 100%. I could have had a great career, but it didn’t happen. I can’t dwell on it, although when it first happened, I must admit that I was shocked and bitter.”

On his call up to the Yankees: “We had just won the Double-A championship for Nashville and I won 18 games that season for them. I figured the season was over and I was headed back to San Francisco. But, my manager at the time, (the late Johnny Oates) called me into his office. My pitching coach was Hoyt Wilhelm, the great knuckleball pitcher, and he was there too. When I saw them sitting there, I figured I was going up to the Yankees’ Triple-A club in Columbus. But they told me, ‘You’re going to New York.’

On his arrival in the Big Apple: “The taxi pulled up to Yankee stadium and I couldn’t believe how awesome the place looked. As I walked through the players’ entrance, a bunch of fans were waiting around, and they yelled out my name and some of my stats in Double-A. I was surprised that they could be that knowledgeable about a player who had never played in the Bigs. Then when I entered the locker room, it was pretty surreal. The first person I met was Pete Sheehy, the legendary Yankees clubhouse guy. I figured, I’m some kid from Double-A, I’ll probably get some locker in the corner with number 99 or something. But my locker was in the middle of the room and they gave me number 25, which was Tommy John’s old number. I looked to my right and there was Dave Winfield. I looked to my left and there was Goose Gossage. What more could a rookie ask for? The guys were great and really made me feel at home. Ron Guidry came up to me and said, ‘Welcome to the New York Yankees.’ Dave Winfield took me aside and started telling me about all of the high-end men’s clothing stores in the big cities in the American League.

On a poker game that first night: “The team went on the road that next day so we flew to Baltimore. When we got to the hotel, they gave me a really nice, big suite. Rookies never get rooms like that, but a catcher for the Yanks, a guy named Barry Foote, had left the team for personal reasons; so they gave me his room. Pretty soon, the word got out—‘the rook got the suite.’ I ended up hosting a poker game that night and it didn’t finish up until 6 am. I thought, wow—this is fun. I like it up here in the majors.”

On his one and only MLB start: “It was my sixth day in the majors and we were in Milwaukee playing the Brewers. They called them ‘Harvey’s Wallbangers’ back then, because Harvey Kuenn was their manager and they had a great lineup. They were on their way to the World Series that season. It had rained during the day and the mound at County Stadium was muddy. The first two guys I faced that day are now in the Hall of Fame—Paul Molitor and Robin Yount. I don’t know if that’s a record or not. Well, Molitor hit a six-hopper through the right side for a single and Yount hit a double, scoring Molitor. The next batter was Cecil Cooper and I threw him a really good changeup, but he hit it to centerfield, where Jerry Mumphrey misplayed it. That should have been the first out. Ted Simmons was up next and he hit a ground ball through our shortstop’s (Andre Robertson) legs. That should have been the second out. The next batter was Gorman Thomas and he hit it a mile—a 3-run homer. That’s when I felt a twinge in my shoulder. But, hell if I was coming out. I kept pitching and they kept hitting, and by the time they took me out I had pitched 2 2/3 innings, gave up six hits, nine runs (eight earned), walked three, struck out two, gave up one HR and threw three wild pitches. We lost, 14-0. It just wasn’t a good game for us. But I had no idea it was my last game.”

On the aftermath of his injury: “I didn’t pitch again in 1982 and I began to feel pain the first time I picked up a ball over the winter. The Yankees told me to take it easy, which I did. When I went to spring training in ’83, Billy Martin was the new Yanks’ manager. He told me that I was going to be his #5 starter. Billy liked big, hard throwing guys and that’s what I was. Or had at least been at one time. What we didn’t know until a little later was that my arm was done. I used to throw 95 and now I was maxing out at 85. I went to see an expert and in two minutes he knew that my rotator cuff was fully torn. I tried to make a comeback at AAA, but I was simply delaying the inevitable. My baseball career was over.”

On his recurring dream: “ I still have this dream all the time, and sometimes it’s really vivid. I’m on a field, but it’s more like a cow pasture. Don Mattingly’s there. Buck Showalter’s also there. All my teammates are there. And I’m there, trying to get back into the major leagues. But, I never quite make it to the field.”

The Wild Parrots of SF: They're Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaccck!

For the first time today, I saw them in the juniper bushes outside my window. There were only three of them, but they were making enough noise to wake up the entire neighborhood. They're back! The wild parrots of San Francisco, like the swallows of San Juan Capistrano, have returned to feed on the juniper berries from the bushes on our street. Now we'll see them for the next 8 weeks or so, sometimes as many as 15 of them all in one bush. There's an electricity in the air once more. Summer has officially begun. The parrots are back!

Phentermine: The Real Story

What do you really know about Phentermine? I mean, REALLY KNOW? A lot of pretty intelligent folks have been praising Phentermine, but what EXACTLY IS IT?
Well, here's the skinny on Phentermine. It is approved as an appetite suppressant to help reduce weight in obese patients when used short-term and combined with exercise, diet, and behavioral modification. It is typically prescribed for individuals who are at increased medical risk because of their weight and works by helping to release certain chemicals in the brain that control appetite. It controls the brain. man! So, you don't crave things. And it's totally approved. Think about it!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, the memory

If you are computing right now, chilling in front of your PC and entering the cyber world in a very real way, then you know better than anyone that you need to buy memory and loads of it. I bet the little hacker in the photo above would just love having more memory. Well guess what--he knows where to buy it. Do you? As we become more totally dependent on our personal computers, going to them for answers to the questions that keep flowing through our minds, computer memory is more important and buying the right memory that suits you is more crucial than EVER B-4!! Don't forget about memory. That's really what I am trying to say. Don't let this little punk get over on you. Take him down with some new memory for your computer!

I Got No Beef With Kobe! Lakers in 7!!

Tonight the NBA Championship Series begins. The Lakers and the Celtics, old foes who have not been on top recently, are ready to do battle before the entire world. It’s a story with all of the right characters—from the sage coach (Phil Jackson) to the cagey veteran (Kevin Garnett) to the most talented player since Michael Jordan displaying his incredible skills (Kobe, of course!)

When Los Angeles defeated the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the West finals, Lakers fans were heard chanting: “Bring on the Celtics!” Boston knocked off the Detroit Pistons in six games to make all those wishes come true.

In the end, after a very tough and physical series, I believe that the Lakers will win it in 7. Both teams will be victorious on the road through the first six games, but then the Lakers will do it twice to capture the crown.

Both Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics fans have been anticipating a final showdown between their two teams. The NBA and the media are just as excited. It’s big-name marquee basketball and it’s creating electricity throughout the country.
According to their regular season records, and head to head match-ups, the Celtics are favored to win the series. Boston was the best team in basketball this year and no one will argue that. But, they limped through the playoffs and showed that they can be beaten.
If we are talking about the Lakers, it is a no-brainer that they win the battle at shooting guard. Kobe Bryant is the best there is in the NBA. The comparisons with Michael Jordan are beginning to reach new heights. He simply is the best closer in the game right now. A deadly weapon that was able to single handedly elevate the Lakers from a 20 and a 17 point deficit in the conference finals.
On the other side you have Ray Allen. When his shot is on, he is so hard to stop. He has an incredibly quick release on his shot that it is hard to alter it, let alone block it. The key for the Celtics will to get Ray going early, as that would make Bryant use more energy on the defensive end. Still, that would merely slow Kobe a little bit, but no one can stop him.
The balance of power shifts at the small forward spot. Lamar Odom is a crafty player. Probably the best third option in the league right now. Alas, he is no match for Paul Pierce. Pierce could match Bryant point for point in a game, he is that good. Unfortunately his low-post game (or lack thereof) can be exploited, and Odom is the right man for the job.
Coach Doc Rivers had better devise a plan of what to do when the Lakers make Odom go to the post to abuse Pierce with some low-post plays. One viable solution would be to make Pierce guard Vladimir Radmanovic, and allow Garnett to go up against Lamar.
Speaking of which, the straight up power forward battle will be weighed by KG and Radmanovic. This one, of course is a no contest. Radmanovic has provided some steady defense at times, but his lack of aggressiveness will not allow him to cause too much trouble for Garnett.
KG simply is the best all around big man in the league. He also gives 100% effort every time. Too bad he has been settling for his jumper too often in this post-season. For the Celtics to win this, he is going to have to take his game into the post more often (much like he did against the Lakers in both of their meetings in the regular season).
The center spot is tough to judge. Pau Gasol definitely has the edge, but every now and then Kendrick Perkins puts in a performance that even Hall of Fame greats would be proud of. He is a young talented big man who can lock down the middle when his game is on. His offense is mostly limited to dunks and put backs, but he is a streaky scorer, and if he can get a few shots to fall, the increase in his confidence definitely improves his game.
Gasol is another proven winner within the Lakers. The leader of the world champion Spanish national team has a different role with his NBA squad, where he is merely the second option. Of course this bodes well for him, as his basketball IQ is high, and he can pass and score with the best of them.
The battle of the benches will be critical. It’s basically Los Angeles’ bench mob vs. the retirement center of the Celtics. The Lakers bring in young guys who can up the tempo of the game, and create crucial runs. The Celtics? They have opted for the veteran savvy of guys like Sam Cassell, James Posey, PJ Brown. These guys will definitely not crumble against pressure, but can they keep up with the pace of the Lakers offense? At this moment I am not too sold on this idea.
The coaching battle is probably the most one sided affair. Doc Rivers has yet to prove he belongs with the top coaches in this league. His decision making in the play-offs has been questionable at best. Yet he has managed to guide the Celtics this far, and a finals victory might just be the proof of his coaching acumen. Phil Jackson has more rings than any other active coach. He is considered to be the best currently at his job, and he probably has some extra motivation from losing his last final.
In all, this will be a closely fought finals that is hard to predict. It will all come down to whether the Lakers can win one of the first two games in Boston. If they can do so, I don’t see the Celtics fighting back. It should go a full seven games, with the Lakers taking Game #7.
(Portions of this article were taken from www.cbs.sportsline.com; www.sportsonthestreet.blogspot.com and www.si.com.)

First Salmon Aid a Success!

We went to the Salmon Aid concert and festival this weekend at Jack London Square in Oakland and it was a blast. It featured some great music, awesome food, and a bunch of people educating others about the current tragic state of our salmon in this state. Some of the highlights for me included watching some great musicians, including Saul Kaye (middle photo) and John Craigie (bottom photo). We also had some incredible seafood. Remember--only eat wild salmon. And get more information abotu saving the Pacific salmon!

Ostrich Feathers

Even though they cannot fly, ostriches have feathers that are highly coveted, especically for use at big fancy events, like weddings. Ostrich feathers are beautiful and elegant and if you're planning a big party or event, you should take a look at purchasing some for table settings, etc. People do all kinds of special (and a little off-beat) things to enhance their weddings. I have a friend who sells live butterflies to people. They're very popular at outdoor weddings. Letting the butterflies go is always something to watch. Ostrich feathers aren't cheap. But, they can add some elegance and class to a party, anniversary or wedding. Ostriches are tough, ornery birds that will kick your butt if you get near them. But, their feathers are cool.