Beyond the South Bay In LA And Behind The Orange Curtain

The Orange Curtain is a term we use meaning the border from Los Angeles County and Orange County. Many people might believe that all of So Cal is liberal but they would be wrong because OC is very conservative and I believe that the term orange curtain comes from this fact.

Apparently, the owners of the Angels didn't get the memo that OC is not LA....whatever.

I lived and/or worked in OC for almost 25 years but since I quit working for the Disneyland Resort I rarely come here. I miss my Mickey Mouse job but I certainly don't miss that 30 mile drive.

Yesterday we decided to go see the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" play the Red Sox. I am actually a Dodger fan first, Angels fan second and Red Sox fan third (go to Fenway once and you will become a fan too).

It was a picture perfect day. We had great seats right behind the Red Sox dugout. It was a sold out game and the stadium was about half Angel fans and half Red Sox fans. Several of the players came over to the fans and signed autographs before the game.

The Red Sox got in a couple runs and one of them being a home run and the Angels couldn't get any. It was looking grim for the Angels and after the sixth inning I couldn't take the heat any longer...literally...I thought I was going to have a heat stroke so we headed into the Diamond Club to watch from the shade. In the 7 inning, of course, the Angels made 4 runs and ended up winning the game Angels 4, Boston 2. Next time I need to bring a hat and find a seat in the shade.

I believe this is relief pitcher David Aardsma

A Revolution in Carson On The Fourth Of July 2008

This Fourth of July was one of those, "what do you want to do holidays?"

There are many choices of ways to celebrate the Fourth Of July in the South Bay in LA.

First a yearly tradition in the morning is the Iron Man in Hermosa Beach. It is on July 4th in the morning. It starts off as a 1 mile run in the sand, followed by a 1 mile surfboard paddle then you must chug a six pack of beer without puking. Boy doesn't that sound like a blast? Well it's not for me but you would be amazed how many people show up and do it.

If that is not your thing there is theVILLAGE RUNNER 4TH OF JULY 5K RUN in Redondo Beach.

No matter where you go the beaches are packed.

There was also the USS Gary at the Port Of Los Angeles for the Navy Days LA 2008 offering free tours of the ship.

In the Beach Cities fireworks are not allowed and the police do come looking when they go off. So you have to head to either another surrounding city where fireworks are allowed like in Hawthorne or Lawndale or go to a firework show.

There seems to be firework shows everywhere. At El Segundo they have a yearly show, Redondo Beach has a show off of the pier and a party with bands and food at Seaside Lagoon which I did last year and it was a lot of fun.

Lawndale's High School, Wilson Park in Torrance and San Pedro all have great firework celebrations.

We decided (surprise, surprise) to head the the Home Depot Center in Carson. The LA Galaxy was playing the New England Revolution. It was a great game and Beckham's goal was a highlight in the evening but as I said in my title it was a Revolution and the Galaxy lost.

After the game we found seats on the patio at the American Express Club to watch the firework show. Actually, it was very impressive and this is coming from someone that worked at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim for 17 years and watched fireworks nightly in the summer.


After the firework show the players were milling about having a good time before heading home.

If you haven't been to the Home Depot Center yet you don't know what you are missing...check it out it is a lot of fun.

LA Galaxy vs. New England Revolution

It Was A Sold Out Event!

My photos do not give the firework show justice.

Are You Ready For Some Futbol?

Who says LA doesns't like soccer aka futbol? This week was the Euro Soccer 2008 and I was able to catch some of the action.

Where do you go to watch the Euro 2008? Well this year most bars were offering it on their TV's but if you really want some fun go where the fans are mostly European.

During the Germany vs. Turkey semi finals game we headed to Alpine Village in Torrance. It is a small village consisting of German shops, restaurants and bars. I stayed for the first half then had to get back to work....good thing too because during most of the second half the World Feed was down and no one was watching the game except for the local feed in Switzerland was still up.

Turkey vs. German Semi Finals At Alpine Village Torrance upstairs in the pub.

Germany vs. Spain at the Underground Pub and Grill in Hermosa Beach

A great place to watch futbol is also at the Underground Pub and Grill in Hermosa Beach. There are a lot of Ex-Pats here and they are not all English. During the Spain vs. Germany finals it looked like half the crowd was for Spain and half was for Germany.


In case you did not hear...Spain won!

Beyond The South Bay In LA: Vegas Birthdays

Jerry and Cheri, The June 9th Birthday Boy and Girl, At Moon At The Palms

View From Foundation Room At The Mandalay Bay

Cirque du Soleil - Mystere

I came to Vegas with my bf who was there for his annual sales meeting from June 8-12. He was going to be busy during the day with meetings and some of the nights so I hung out at the pool most of the day then met up with a Vegas local I know.

Sunday we met up with a couple of my www.flyertalk.com friends that happened to be in town and the Vegas local and went to see The Mentalist and out for a few drinks later.

Monday was my birthday but no one was around so I relaxed at the pool most of the day, had dinner at Merkato an really good but inexpensive Ethiopian restaurant then headed to see Cirque du Soleil Mystere at Treasure Island which is an incredible show. Afterwards, I headed to the Foundation Room at Mandalay Bay to meet up with my bf and his co-workers.

Tuesday was another pool day, then I met up with my bf and tagged along to his corporate party at the Mandalay Bay Pool where there was a stage set up with Elvis Costello performing, food and drinks. There I found out that one of his colleagues that I have know for several years shared the same birthday....Gemini Twins. :) Later on a group of us headed to the Palms and went to the Playboy Club and the Moon bar where we had reserved tables and bottle service.

Wednesday more pool time alone. Then off with a friend to Lotus Of Siam, a small hidden authentic Thai restaurant knows as the best Thai in the USA. After a wonderful dinner we headed to Cirque du Soleil - KA at the MGM Grand. Another fantastic Cirque show...probably my favorite of the 3 I have seen. Later met up with my bf and his group at the Cathouse at the Luxor where we saw Carrot Top and Dog, The Bounty Hunter visiting at the table next to mine. A strange sight to see.

Thursday was the day to pack up and head on home.....still recovering.

The South Bay In LA Is Crazy About Beach Volleyball: AVP Hermosa Open

When the AVP is in town everyone comes out to watch there favorite beach volleyball players. Many of the players actually live or trained in the South Bay so it is also nice for them to play at home. There are the main games in the large stadium area and several smaller qualifying courts too. There some good food stand and lots of companies giving out promotional items...oh yeah and the beach of course.