text:
William F. McNeil: Miracle in Chavez Ravine: The Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988
Jason Turbow: The Baseball Codes: Beanballs, Sign Stealing, and Bench-Clearing Brawls: The Unwritten Rules of America's Pastime
Daniel S. Green: The Perfect Pitch: The Biography Of Roger Owens The Famous Peanut Man at Dodger Stadium
John Albert: Wrecking Crew: The Really Bad News Griffith Park Pirates
vs Cololorado
Dodger pitcher Brian Anderson 1-1 (5.49)
Colorado Nugget C. Anderson 0-1 (4.24)
Estimated 48,000 in attendance.
+ - + - +
+ + +
Dodger Vendors Getting Started
+ + +
Anyway, every Sunday the . . .
This morning Little League Teams unite from all over Southern Cali to represent their cities and
love for baseball. I see a problem here. Why can't they all be rocking Dodger colors?
A team of Dodger Blue St. Louis Cardinal youth is apropos, I feel. Instead these poor kids are
forced to wear Red St Luis Cardinal informs, Red Anaheim Angels crap, White Sox duds,
Padre poo poo brown, Oriel throw-up orange, and worst of all N.Y. Wankee lameness.
Poor Children have to suffer through MLB conformity.
+ + +
In the Stand,
The Crew be cooking the grub:
Pickles + Tomato + Lettuce + Pollo
Pickles + Tomato + Lettuce + Pollo
Pickles + Tomato + Lettuce + Pollo
Can't help but notice:
A D-Dack fan, all by Himself, double fisting some brews.
Simi Vally Youth Dirtbags Baseball family
Newbury Park Baseball Ballers
Arizona Baseball Little League Tikes
Los Angeles Little League All-Stars District 18 Kidos
+ + +
Peeps be representing:
Beisbol Es Mi Vida Tshirt
Mid City Sports Dads are in the house.
Valley Sports Moms are in the house.
Cresenta Valley Baseball, present.
San Pedro Pirates, "ARRRR!"
Yasil Sabe #66 T-shirt (Heal sucka, heal!)
+ + +
And now,
+ + +
The Game,
It only took 8 Dodger pitchers to earn this win, powered by a pinch hit homer by
Yasmai Grandal.
- Dodgers defeat Nuggets 1-0
Game 1 vs Colorado, April 17, 2015
Friday Night Fire Works
Dodgers Ace Clayton Kershaw 0-1 (5.84)
Rockie Kyle Kendrick 1-1 (6.00)
Estimated attendance 42,000
+ + +
Everything is chill, relaxed.
Gates will open soon for tonight's game.
Kershaw is gonna blank, these, Colorado, Nuggets . . . .
I just remembered.
LETS GO BACK . . . to the last time Clayton faced the Rockies . . . .
to April 19, 2014
Dodger Ace Clayton Kershaw
Rockie Jorge De la Rosa
+ + +
In the Dodger Dog Express,
The food is getting done.
The Salesian Boys are hustling: Jason be grilling Dodger Dogs and Jonathan be frying papas.
Someone has to make the Garlic Fries.
"I don't want the smell I'm my hair," Cynthia swears.
"I'll do it."
1st inning,
An annoying lady outside the stand asks us, "Are your Dodger Dogs grilled?"
"Yeah the grills right there ma'am," Jonathan points out.
"They don't feel grilled," she replies.
She is completely serious.
At his point Jonathan wants to slap someone.
2nd inning,
The Garlic mix is super strong- burn your ass strong.
Stuff the galic fries and make the fans cry, you are all going to cry
Tears well up in my eyes.
"Niño, the fries," Senora Alma point to the empty spot in the window where the Garlic Fries go.
Mix the garlic.
Mix the garlic.
Mic the garlic.
3rd inning,
Jonathan warns,"Hot!"
Scalding hot Freedom Fries go with the Garlic, and-here-we-go . . .
The sensation of the Garlic vapor makes my eye balls throb.
4th inning,
Add Garlic
5th inning,
Add Garlic
"Yo, check out the score board," Jonathan insists with a grin.
My buddy is talking about the No Hitter CK is holding down so far!
7th inning,
Kersh is putting in work.
+ + +
9th inning,
Final out of the game
From the Breakroom view,
The old boy Damian Shaffran is near by cheering.
+ + +
The Game,
15 Strike Outs
Dodgers 8, Rockies 0
+ +
As Damian and I make our way to the employee shuttle exiting the Stadium, we spot Jonathan and Jason.
Jonathan hollers out, "F-that! I want a ring!"
Then it hits me . . . we need a championship and the NO-HITTER is slightly diminished by Jon's shocking words
until I watch today's highlights.
From Chavez Ravine
game 1, Dodgers vs Mariners
LA Dodger Brandon McCarthy 1-0 (7.20)
Seattle Mariner James Paxton 0-1 (3.00)
Estimated attendance 40,000
+ +
+ + +
My Crew doesn't mess around:
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
During Break time,
It is marvelous
During Batting Practice
To watch the sparrows
From the Top Deck
to the Loge Level
The wanton moth
+ + +
1st inning,
The Force is with Mariner, Nelson Cruz, HR #1
2nd inning,
The Force is still within L.A.'s Brandon McCarthy
3rd inning,
McCarthy honing the Force.
4th inning,
Yet, the Force is powerful with Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager, 2 HRs
5th inning,
The Force is also strong with Ackley, as well, HR
Alas! The Force is burgeoneing within Yasil, HR
6th inning,
The Force is STILL strong within Brandon McCarthy, 9Ks
7th inning,
McCarthy strikes out 10 batters using Da' Force.
8th inning,
Guess what Dodger Fans got?
9th inning,
The Force is very strong within Alex Guerrero's, it is. . .
Walk off pinch hit single wins the game!
+ + +
In the end
The FORCE
+ +
Los Angeles over the Seattle 6-5
game 2 vs Mariners
Don Newcombe Cy Young Pin Night
Los Angeles Dodger Mike Huff 0-0 (0.00)
Seattle Mariner Iwakama 0-1 (6.61)
Estimated attendance 39,500
+ +
A man worked all his life on his knees
now retired, with a cane and bionic braces
He and his wife slowly but surely reach their destination,
Section 16, row V, seats 1 and 2.
The lady relaxes,
the gentleman stands,
and stands with his cane in hand.
The batter crushes a fly ball up into center field.
The man, watches, standing, cane in hand, glances at his watch.
Game time is one hour from now.
His wife grips on to her blanket.
The birds dive below, the baseballs soar up in the air.
He reaches for the arm rest to his seat, winces, teeth exposed,
slides into the chair, finally relaxed, satisfied.
- + - + -
Specialty Dog Review #1
The "Pike Place Dog" it's called, named after the Pike Place Market in Seattle,
Washington. Dodgers are facing the Mariners tonight so this is the featured dog
that I assume highlights the #4 location in Seattle according to online sources.
Unfortunately, this D Dog consisting of caramelized onions and cream cheese on a
grilled Dog stuffed in a grainy seeded bun is a sad excuse for a creation by our Dodger
chefs to even call this abomination a so-called Specialty Dog.
The taste is bland, BLAND!
Somebody better ditch this recipe quick before someone finds out.
Shame on this Dog for shaming Seattle.
This gets a low down, 2/10
Pathetic . . .
+ - +
LA beats Seattle, 6-6
Game 3 vs Seattle
B. Anderson 1-0, on the mound for Los Angeles
T. Walker (0-1), on the mound for Seattle
+ + +
The Civil Rights Game 2015
+ + +
In the City of Pasadena, CA it is Jackie Robinson Day, everyday.
+ + +
The bronze portrait sculptures commemorates the lives of two brothers,
Jackie and Mack Robinson located on Garfield Avenue, north of Union Street,
across the street from Pasadena City Hall – The memorial is the work of
Ralph Helmick, in collaboration with Stuart Schechter and John Outterbridge.
+ + +
+ + + +
Check out the pre-game ceremony!
+ + + +
The National Anthem performed by Tyrese Gibson,
+ +
Enough said.
+ + +
The Game,
Dodgers sweep the Mariners, 5-2 victory.
Chavez Ravine
MLB, MVP, Cy Young Winner, and All Star
Dodger Ace Clayton Kershaw 0-0 (0.00)
James Shield on the mound for the San Diego Padres 0-0 (0.00)
Estimated attendance: 52,000 (Hot damn!)
+ + +
Lets begin with the Elysian Park Tailgating, of course . . .
+ + +
And, we, are, back . . . .
+ +
Gates are open,
The Stand is intact:
Fryers frying, Mayo is chillin, and the Cervezas are ready to be pouring.
But not everything is good to go.
Currently half of the workers are out to break.
Our regular Fry Guy is MIA this morning.
The Ladies of the Stand no longer work here:
No more Bossy Lady,
No more Hamburger Helper Girl,
No more Assistant to the Assistant Girl.
The latest manager Candice is super nervous, like, shaky nervous.
While I'm learning how to prepare these new Sriracha Chicken Sandwiches and the fuse in the stand
keeps going out. We need electricity to get the cooking done. "What happened to my gas?" The pilot
light to the fryers went out again. Candice calls the warehouse for the Maintenance Guys to solve our
technical problems. They better come soon.
Meanwhile, the Dodger Fans are trickling in to experience the best time of the year.
+ +
Flames are back on and we be frying everything, Oh Yeah!
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
+ +
Almost ready to go. . .
Only one register is open.
Now people are flooding in the Stadium gates.
The 1st True Blue customer of the season asks, "Are you open?"
Honesty is the best policy, "Yes and No, sir."
At least one of the former Ladies of the Stand workers has returned. Mari, is in the cashier
booth ready to go. She smiles back at :) I rather have her work on the silver counter with me
inside but we need our best of the best in the most challenging positions today. Thankfully "Deadpool"
Tommy is back and ready to go. We will be training the New Hire workers today.
Just as I figured out how to close the clam shell boxes for the sandwiches when a cry comes from outside,
A delivery of 90 Dodger Dogs has arrived from the stand next door. (We only cook-up chicken tenders
and fries in this present joint) My assistance is needed, so I make my way outside the stand to count the Dogs.
While I place 5 Dogs at a time on the al la cart warmers a lady customer can't wait long enough for me to
finish my task, I step backward and unknowingly step right on her big toe. "Ow!" She cries out. My back
heel definitely smashed it. SHIT! I'm surprised as hell; I turn around, look at her in the face, and she gives
me the ugliest stink eye. She reminds me of a truck driver angered for being cut off on the freeway.
Mari in the register booth is laughing.
But I am NOT!
A rude Dodger fan has already left a impression of buttheaded-ness and the game doesn't start for another
hour and a half.
+ +
Back to the Fryer,
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
+ +
Candice imparts the sweetest words, "You can take your break"
And - I'm - off!
+ +
Estella my co-conspirator Dodger Usher is at her usual post by the Stadium stair well.
"I'm sorry about everything?" I tell her.
"What?" She asks "Why?
"Your green shirt."
"I know it's UGLY!
Come on our beloved Dodger Ushers are in Green uniforms!
+ +
Eye spy the Jersey Family:
Sons of Lasorda
Daughters of Drysdale
Koufax kids
The Reserve Level concourse is packed with the Dodger Fan Family.
24 oz. Double fisters (yum)
Baby boy in stroller (cute)
Grandma in an electric chair (cozy)
A dude taking a pic of his carne asada helmet nachos (delish)
Familiar faces all around:
Maintenance brother-man calls out to me, "Que onda campion!"
5 Star Bar Ronaldo at the Portable beer counter ignores me, straight out.
And, the LAPD homies say what's up in the Breakroom.
+ + +
View from the Breakroom Perch- Section 10.
A Lady Fan arriving to the top of steps, stops. ( I smile at her) She smiles back at me-
"That's all you have to do," Javier the Vendor says.
"Just smile."
I'm thinking of a different topic for this blog:
Love letters from dodger stadium
View from the Top Deck,
(Totally Filtered)
30 minutes later, back to work, apron on . . .
+ +
Back in the Stand,
We have 5 rookie workers handling business in here!
Good thing Deadpool Tommy is assisting the manager, otherwise she would fall apart.
The crowds are swarming the Reserve Level!
Damn it my regular Fry Guy couldn't make it today.
+ = +
Ceremonial 1st pitch of the Game . . .
(Pic courtsey of lapostexaminer)
. . . belongs to Don Newcombe and Fernando Valenzuela, Eric Gagne.
+ = +
The National Anthem is performed by Tinashe.
It sounded whatever. . .
+ = +
Oh Shit!
Tommy tells me the Stadium Crowd just cheered for MK at his first plate appearance.
Clayton Kershaw vs Matt Kemp!
Kemp wins this dual, driving in the 1st Padre run of the season.
It's Fry Time!
1st inning,
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
2nd inning,
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
3rd inning,
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Bottom of the 3rd,
Military Hero of the Game is Stephan Hudson- Air Force.
Thank you for your service!
+ + +
4th inning,
The Crew is resilient.
We cook and cook and cook to tame The Beast.
"We need Garlic Fries!" Coco shouts out!
Tommy informs us that the Dodgers are up 2-1. (Hellsyeah!)
"We ARE out of Dodger Dogs!" the girl at the soda fountain shouts.
"CRIPES!!" There are ZERO D Dogs out on the food display!
"Call for Dodger Dogs!"
Immediately, Candice is on the Dodger phone and orders 90 Dogs.
The line of hungry people outside the stand starts to grow, longer and longer. Their eyes look for Dodger Dogs
at the window but it's empty. In the meanwhile, Tommy and I are filling up chicken tenders and spicy chicken
sandwiches. No one wants what we present to them. The fresh Garlic Fries won't appease the fans. They want
Dodger Dogs. I can see it in their faces.
5 minutes pass, ZERO Dodger Dogs for the Beast.
"Can we get some Dodger Dogs," a lady requests.
The pressure is mounting.
"We do not cook Dodger Dogs in this Stand," Tommy explains to the growing crowd, "They are being delivered now."
5 minutes pass, nothing.
"This is a set up!" the Soda Fountain girls claims.
A guy with a huge mustache asks me, "Do you have any Dodger Dogs?"
"They are coming soon sir."
"But I have been waiting for 10 minutes!" he complains.
The pressure is palpable; I can't look behind me.
Just stare straight; must-not-meet-their- piercing-eyes.
Coco pleads, "When are the Dodger Dogs coming?"
All we have are excuses: "Sorry, we ran out sir," they will be arriving shortly.
"Where are the Dodger Dogs?" a drunken fan blurts.
"We want Dodger Dogs," says some lady.
"When are they gonna get here," asks some kid.
This is a set up!
These Fans want one thing! This is the biggest day of the Season, Opening Frikking Day, and these people are
waiting for Dogs, they are missing the game for damn Dogs and we don't have a bun to give them, SHIT!
"Dodger Dogs are HERE!" Coco shouts.
Finally! (GASP!)
As I slide the Dogs onto the warms for the fans to grab a gracious True Blue Dude praises me,
"Thank you, sir, YOU are my hero." He grabs a handful and heads to see Mari at the register.
Within the next 5 minutes, all of the Dogs are gone, and Candice back on the Dodger horn, ordering
you-know-what. . .
+ + + +
5th inning,
Meanwhile at the cash register:
D Dogs are sold out.
An infuriated woman is complaining to Maribel, "Isn't this Dodger Stadium?"
"Doesn't this place supposed to have dodger dogs?"
"I am sorry ma'am, we get our Dodger Dogs delivered from the Stand next door"
The lady starts to fume.
Turning Dodger Blue in the face.
Fists clenched.
Eyes glazed over from the 4 beers she consumed earlier.
She paces over to catch the statistics on the Jumbo Tron.
Mari thinks the lady had left but she reappears to the side of the register box and she hollers,
"Take that sign down!" pointing to the $5.00 D Dog sign.
She walks off down the concourse.
Seconds later, the Dogs arrive. . .
+ +
6th inning,
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
7th inning,
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
8th inning,
"The dishes are done, man!"
+ + +
The Game,
Dodgers pick up the win.
Jimmy Rollins' homer seals the deal.
Sold out of Dodger Dogs or not, Los Angeles MUST win on Opening Day.
Final score, 6-3 over the San Diego.
Opening Day.
Got to love Opening Day.
Time to go to the Lot 1 Cafe for a brewski.
Game 2 vs SD
Los Angeles Dodger Ace Zach Greinke 0-0 (0.00)
San Diego Padre Tyson Ross 0-0 (0.00)
50,000 in attendance.
+ + +
If you are a Union, you know the Union line. We have a seniority system here.
In order to work today's game, workers must have previously worked at least 90 games because the bar is
set at "90 games" seniority. Currently there are 30 people standing in line with a single game of seniority
under their belt. The probability is very few will earn a paycheck tonight.
Everyone starts off in the Stand-by line in this business.
It sucks.
Some people amazingly started with 1 game and have thousands of games worked there after, like this guy:
Ronald Nelson the Vendor Extraordinaire, since 1958'
Why am I here?
Every game day I help organize the new hires. If they have a question or a complaint, it's my job to relay the message
to the higher-ups in the Union. Mostly, I want to get to know the people I work with. They are and we are, the
New Family of the Chavez Ravine, since the Original Family was evicted.
It's starting to drizzle a bit now.
These Standbys, these New-hires will most likely be driving home in the next 5 minutes or so.
Being curious about the new blood I ask, "Where do you live?"
"USC," she says.
"Pomona," he says.
"Highland park," he says.
"L-A," he says proudly.
"Exposition park", she says.
"La Puente," she says.
"I'll be back to work tomorrow," one kid tells me "I took some time from school to work here."
Cross your fingers buddy.
Rain drops are falling . . .
The stand-by line is 50 deep.
"I'll take ten (workers)!" Miss Lavern calls out from the check-in tables.
I count the first 10 workers with seniority closest to 90 games.
The first 10 workers exhale a breath of relief.
The next 40, stare on.
Hungry for a pay check.
"That's all we need," Miss Lavern laments.
40 workers, standing in the rain, disappointed, look at one another disappointed, and they turn their backs
to the Stadium walking toward the shuttles that will take them to their cars.
"Come back tomorrow!" I shout.
One guys turns around and waves his hand downward, as if he just signaled to me, "Whatever!"
+ + +
As I make way for the work place, I spy Ronnie once again.
So I shake his hand, like always. . .
"Where are you working today Ronnie?"
"Well, I'll be down where I am always, 3rd base side."
That's right Ronnie, Always!
+ + +
A 30 minute rain delay ensues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
+ + +
National Anthem is performed by Elena Sogard
+ + +
Ceremonial 1st Pitch of the game honors belongs to Indy Car Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay
+ + +
1st inning,
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
2nd inning,
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Going to the bottom of the 3rd Inning,
Military Hero of the Game is Alejandro Salazar- Navy.
Thank you for your service!
+ + +
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
+ +
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
Pickles + Lettuce + Tomato + Mayo
+ +
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
Chicken Tender + Spicy Chicken Patties + Papas
+ + +
+ +
Dodgers lose, 7-3.
Game 3 vs SD
Los Angeles Dodger Brandon McCarthy 0-0 (0.00)
San Diego Padre A. Cashner 0-0 (0.00)
48,000 in attendance.
+ +
The Crew is setting up the Stand when we hear a familiar voice. . .
"Nothing like the smell of garlic on the morning!"
Our Fry Guy has finally made his entrance!
The radio is tuned to KROQ.
Fry Guy hits me up, "Tony can you change the station to KLOS."
We have a new stereo in the Stand that I bought at a yard sale. It has a USB connection, CD player and an antennae.
Of course I am happy to oblige, because for some reason Fall Out Boy is still playing on the radio these days.
Set the dial to 95.5.
Ozzy Osbornes' "Crazy Train" is basting.
Rock Music to Cook to. . .
+ + +
Drop the fries in the fryers. (Check)
Drop the chicken tenders in the fryer. (Check)
"FEEL THE BURN!" my friend hollers.
"We sell Spicy Sirracha Chicken sandwiches in the stand now, "Bro!"
Fry Guy nods in approval.
+ +
Myself, The Main Spoon with D.P. Tommy handle our business:
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
"Can you smell that smoke?!" the Fry Guy hollers.
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
Pickles + Tomato + lettuce
+ + +
Bottom of the 1st,
Matt Kemp is up to bat.
The Stadium finally feels comfortable enough to boo his ass.
I honestly miss him.
+ + +
On my break eye spy,
Cholos with Compton hat.
Guero in a Dodger poncho.
Man representing a ILWU local 142 Longshoreman Warehouse Union T.
Girl rocking super bright white knee socks with blue stripes.
Girls rocking a SD tee with a padre swinging a bat.
Isle 10 Breakroom Perspective:
Dodger 1st baseman Adrian Gonzalez is awarded his 2nd Silver Slugger Award and Gold Glove Award.
It all about GONZO tonight!
1st inning,
3rd inning,
5th inning,
GOING YARD for the 3rd Time!
+ + +
The Game,
Dodgers over the Padres, 7-4.
5 Homers for Adrian Gonzalez in the 1st three games is amazing!
One last thing to say . . .
+ + +
In Memory of Johnny Jackson
"You the man, Tony," Johnny would tell me.
"No sir, you the man," I'd reply right back.
"How about that Kershaw?" Johnny would ask.
"He's gonna be MVP."
"Yes sir!"
When Johnny worked in my Stand, I asked him where he works regularly in the Stadium.
"I'm a floater," he'd say, "I work everywhere." And this he did for over 10 years plus. My dear friend
Mr. Johnny Jackson. The most courteous fellow I have know with in all my years here.
I would like to say it one more time: You the man, Mr. Johnny Jackson.
May you rest in peace.
NHL Stadium Series @ Dodger Stadium
Los Angeles KINGS
Anaheim DUCKS
+ + +
+ +
That's the baseball field, but what the heck have they done . . . .
Is this supposed to convey a sunny Southern California feel?
Left Field,
A beach volleyball sand box in left field . . . WTF?
Pseudo-Calif peeps in roller skating,
Roller blading,
Riding scooters around the hockey ring.
Two people playing with a beach ball?
This is bull shit!
Right field,
The KISS rock n' roll band stage is getting revved up!
+ + +
The gates are about to open, so I get the i-shutter out and catch the anxious fans.
These guys roar:
Cool crowd!
The Duck fans don't know what time it is . . .
And back to work,
Pickles + Onions + Lettuce + Tomato
Pickles + Onions + Lettuce + Tomato
Pickles + Onions + Lettuce + Tomato
Pickles + Onions + Lettuce + Tomato
Pickles + Onions + Lettuce + Tomato
Pickles + Onions + Lettuce + Tomato
+ +
There is an organ playing but it's not by Nancy Bea. This is another set of fingers playing rock tunes.
+ + +
And the (B)eat goes on . . .
Pickles + Onions + Lettuce + Tomato
Pickles + Onions + Lettuce + Tomato
Pickles + Onions + Lettuce + Tomato
Pickles + Onions + Lettuce + Tomato
Pickles + Onions + Lettuce + Tomato
Pickles + Onions + Lettuce + Tomato
+ + +
The Party has already begun!
Vin Scully and Bob Miller looking great!
"The Great One", Wayne Gretzky is in the HOUSE
Like a Boss
Veteran of the Game
+ + +
KINGS get smoked duck, 3-0.
At the end of the season Los Angeles wins the Stanley Cup . . . Go KINGS!
Do it again in 2015!
game 1 vs Pirates
The Homie
Dodger Right hander Dan Haren 5-3 (3.16)
Pirate UCLA alum Gerrit Coles 4-3 (3.75)
+ + +
Back at the Dodger Dog Express Stand,
The Stand Ghettoblaster is jamming "Two Lovers" by Mary Wells via 1963.
Bubble: That's my style.
"Chola days, sounds like," Tanya says.
Eastside Art adds, "My grandma tells me she had razor blades in her hair."
Ah! Barrio nostalgia.
The food prep work is already in the works.
At the Dodger Dog counter, the ladies are wrapping D Dogs like Kool Mo D,
Thelma who is a regular here at Express Dog askes me about my former Boss
Lady and where she and the Crew work at since they left the Reserve Level.
"They went to Tommy Lasorda's Trattoria."
Jonathan of Salesian High School fame, calls out "HOT!" and dumps greasy fries in
the alloy steel bowl for me to mix Garlic with.
One lady tells me, "Este garlic esta fuerte, no llega Dracula com migo" lol
(This Garlic is strong, Dracula isn't coming to get me, lol)
No Llores mijo, no Llores. (Don't cry son, don't cry.)
Te parece eres muy serio. (You seem very serious.)
Bubble: No crying.
Irma calls out "Corazon!" and gestures to the Dodger Dogs that need to be wrapped.
+ = +
1st inning,
Jonathan warns,"Hot!"
Scalding hot Freedom Fries go with the Garlic, and-here-we-go . . .
The sensation of the Garlic vapor makes my eye balls throb.
Add Garlic
Add Garlic
Add Garlic
Add Garlic
Add Garlic
Top of the 6th,
Russell Martin smashes a solo shot off Haren to put the Pirates up 3-2.
Bottom of the 6th,
Handly singles to drive Puig, game is tied-up.
+ + +
Top of the 7th,
I'm washing dishes in Irma's sink when she holler:
"Quitate de aqui!"
(Get out of there!)
"Limpia la Mesa," she orders.
(Clean the table.)
Bottom of the 7th inning,
Bubble: Limpia piso (Clean the floor, I'm thinking in Espanol.)
Es tiempo para mopear. (It's time to mop).
"Que necesitamos hacer?", Irma asks me. (What do you need to do?)
Mopear. (Mop)
"Pues heche lo quiero salir Temprano!" (Then get it done I want to leave early.)
Irma then shoos me away as to get me going with the mop.
Clean this stadium,
clean this sucker good,
move the mop in circle 8s
zig zag z's,
make my way back ward.
Bubble: Done!
Ronald the talking teacher complements, "The Floor looks beautiful.
"Lista!?" Irma asks me if I am done.
I shrug shoulders.
Bubble: Russell Martin is done . . .
+ = +
The Game,
Pirates - 6
Dodgers - 3
Vs Russell Martin, Game 2
Mighty righty Dodger Josh "no hit" Beckett 3-1 (2.43)
Francisco Liriano 0-5 (5.06)
+ = +
Break time,
Beckett's No-Hitter Warrior Gear
Bubble: I want those ice cream truck rims.
+ + +
Far end of 3rd base side Reserve Level,
Meeting Rueben the Usher.
I introduce myself.
"I'm a supervisor at Wells Fargo," the Usher tells me.
"This is the best view in entire Stadium."
If you look close enough, there is someone spying on us.
+ + +
Chicken Tender Stand,
All game long the Fry Guy and I pick up the slack that the newest Crew
lead by Ben and his Devotees.
+ + +
The Game,
Russell Martin calls a good game, goes 1 for 3, and this it the type of
crap that happens!
Pirates - 2
Dodgers - 1
Game 3 vs Pirates
Saturday Night Movie @ Dodger Stadium
Dodger Ace Hin Jin Ryu 5-2
Pirates B. Gumpton 0-1
+ + +
"A League of Their Own"
Movie Night
There is a scene in the film that I need to adhere too.
Since the Ladies of the Stand left, Ive been a mess.
+ + +
Chicken Tender Stand,
All game long the Fry Guy and I pick up the slack that the newest Crew
lead by Ben and his Devotees.
+ = = +
The game,
This is what happens to Pittsburgh when they don't play Martin, Pirates get
rolled up and smoked, Salesian Boys style.
Dodgers - 12
Pirates - 2
game 4 vs Pirates
Kids Helment Give-A-Way
Edison Volquez 2-4
Zack Greinke 8-1
+ + +
The only highlight(s) of the game.
+ + +
Before the band Trio Ellas perform "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" a
lady asks me where she can take her son to use the bathroom, I could only
think of one answer . . .
+ +
Eye Spy,
We are family Pirates dad with wife and kid in stroller.
22 McCutchen jerseys everywhere.
Pirate fans are here today buy the droves.
+ + +
Nuff said . . .
The Game,
Russell Martin goes 0 for 2.
Pittsburg - 5
Dodgers - 3
game 1 vs Cincinnati, 5/26
Dedicated to my Uncle Al Flores and William Douglas Lansford.
+ +
Memorial Day 2014
Memorial for Medal of Honor recipient
Eugene A. Obregon who died in the Korean War 1950.
+ + +
39,500 in attendance.
Dodger pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu 4-2
Cinncy Reds monster Johnny Cueto 4-3 (1.86)
+ + +
(Previously in Philly, 5/25/14)
Josh Beckett No-Hitter, 9th inning
After check-in,
Ronald Nelson Dodger Vendor Extraordinaire is hanging out near
Section 10, Right Field Reserve, which is a perfect opportunity for me to
ask him what hethinks of Josh Beckett's recent No-Hit performance in
Philadelphia. But Ron is thinking of some of the other Dodger greats.
I catch up with him again a little later.
"Well, I recall that Beckett lost the first game of the World Series against
Andy Pettit (of the NY Yankees)," he claims.
"I remember Beckett also won the final game of the World Series and they carried
him off the field. "
"There was a picture in the LA Times," he adds.
+ +
The Dodger Lady MCs are starting off the show via Jumbo Tron.
First thing on the Agenda, congratulate, the resurgent Josh Beckett for his latest
feat. But most importantly, introduce the United States Color Guard,
representing the branches of the U.S Military, and recognize Surviving spouses
of service members who lost there lives on active duty.
. . . . . . .
+ + +
And now,
Ceremonial Flags and Stars
with Each Brand of Service Logo
+ +
Thank you for your service.
+ + +
And lastly,
the Man of the House is applauded before the game begins,
+ + +
Veteran of the game is MK2 Mike Dalager - Coast Guard
Thank you for your service.
+ + +
7th inning stretch,
God Bless America
Very nice performance, very poor camera work.
+ + +
The Game,
Nice win.
Ryu is a real Street Fighter bad ass.
Dodgers - 4
Reds - 3
game 2, May 27
More Memories
Dodger "Ace" Zach Greinke 7-1 (2.01)
Cinncy Reds A. Simon 6-2 (2.31)
= + =
I arrive to my regular Stand of occupation and realize that my Crew is gone.
They previously asked me to try moving to a new location in the Stadium but
I couldn't do it.
Like my partner in crime JC the Fry Guy says, "(Stand) 740, for life."
I'll touch on this later, but business first . . .
+ = +
Pre game ceremony,
1st pitch of the game Chan Ho Park
I am proud to claim that Chan Ho Park pitched for the Dodgers as a rookie when
I was first employeed here, way-back-when. The first Korean National baseball
player to break into the big leagues with our Los Angeles Dodgers.
This was a HUGE deal.
So Awesome!
The Veteran of the Game this evening is Sgt. Jose Martinez.
Thank you for your service!
The National Anthem performed by vocals of Cho Yong Jin.
I like . . .
Korean National Anthem by Yonghwa Jung of the super group CNBLUE.
Ceremony of Appreciation Award is presented to Chan Ho Park
In 1996, Chan Ho Park had a record of 14-8, 3.38 ERA, 166 K .
One of my personal favorite Dodgers on the mound.
+ + +
As I was saying,
I arrive to my regular Stand of occupation and my Crew is gone.
Hamburger Helper asked me to comewith, so did Bossy, but the decision was
already established for me. Stay here, where I call home the last 7 years.
"740 for life," The Fry Guy proclaims, again as he completes his duties.
Bossy Lady, the Flower Shop Girls, Tommy & Judie, Fry Guy Rollio, and the
Ladies on the register moved to the Tommy Lasorda Stand beyond the
Right Field Pavilion.
Time to show the ropes of 740 to another crew.
After 4 years.
I still remember our first encounter.
Saturday was a 1:00 afternoon game because FOX was nationally televising the Dodger game against the Detroit Tigers. I
like that. It's always nice to walk out of work after a game has been played and the Sun is still out. I was ready to work. The
Dodgers were within the grasp of taking first place. Who could complain? I scheduled myself back to my home on the
Reserve Level. I decided it was time to return to my home Stand once more, the unceremonious Carl's Jr. After being a
Dodger Stadium journey man for the first quarter of the season, floating from stand to stand, meeting new Dodger Crew
workers and reacquainting myself with Workers I hadn't worked with for a few years, I decided I was ready to settle in one
I couldn't get used to being told to do the unsavory tasks that no one else would consider doing during an entire game,
making Garlic Fires. Not that I wasn't good at it. "Come back and work with us again," old wiry haired Ernie from Big Franks
Stand said to me after a night's work frying potato wedges and mixing them with oil and smelly garlic. "You did a great job,
we'd love to have you back again," Ernie insisted. It was fun but I needed consistency. I finally decided it was time to go
back to my home, the unspectacular Carl's Jr. Back home, to my position as the MAIN SPOON, the guy who calls the shots
on the burger counter. You want a plain Burger with Cheese? Coming Up! I used to say. Saturday I was finally going back,
but when I arrived, I found out that things had changed: For better or Worse.
My crew was gone. Everyone one of my coworkers whom I had been working with for the last three seasons was gone except
for J.C. the Fry Guy. I looked at J.C. he raised his eyebrows and continued to ready his fryer. I then looked at my silver
counter. The tomatoes were misplaced, there wasn't enough mayo, the lettuce was partially frozen, and everything was
disorganized. I had seen enough.
"Who's the Stand lead?" I called out.
A tiny older lady pointed to a young looking Latina lady. She was a familiar face. I had worked with her before. I walked up
to her.
"Do you want me to work here," I asked.
"Yes, you have worked here before, right? We could use you."
Bubble: Use me?
"Yeah I'm the main guy on the line here so let me wash my hands. . . . "
The next second I noticed a girl named Roseanna. She was counting the burger patties. When we were much younger
Damian and I had known and worked with her in another stand going back about 7 years ago. I emember talking to
her about our community college days together. Damian knew her better then I back then, actually. He was more of on the
friend basis with her then. We actually went dancing with her and few of her lady Dodger coworker, with LA Puente John
and smoking vet Steve, a few times when we used to party in Old Town Pasadena.
"Rosanna! What's up? How are you? Let me get a hug!"
"No." she replied. Roseanna turned her shoulder closest to me away. I froze in my tracks. I did go in for the hug. I was a bit
embarrassed. Was she the same Roseanna? Should I have asked for a hug like that? Was she being cruel? I wanted to play
it off but I was caught off guard by my own stupidity. I looked at the new Boss Lady who saw the whole thing. She gave a
look that occurs before a woman rolls her eyes at you except that she didn't roll her eyes. Did anyone see that? I turned
around and I saw that the New Crew was nothing but women. The Stand has been taken over by a bunch of Amazons.
I immediately went up to J.C.: "Where is everyone."
"They're gone bro," underneath his breath, "She is the new stand lead; this is their stand now." Joanna and Rachel, the old
stand leads were gone for good. That's three Boss Lady lead changes since I had been a spoon at the burger Stand.
I looked at the set up on the counter again. It looked like shit. All my coworkers that I been with for a few seasons were
gone: Zeola, Rojelio, and Franchesca, gone. I have to admit. I wasn't happy. I was not going to be a happy camper. I
immediately tied on my apron, washed my hands thoroughly, applied my rubber gloves, and then, I went to town.
"Who put frozen lettuce in here?" I shouted. No one said a word.
"This counter looks terrible!" I said to myself.
There wasn't a sound. I started shifting the food around in their right order. I made a lot of noise.
I slid open the burger warmer to check the buns: CLANG!
I switched the steel pans filled with onions and pickles dropped them in their right places: CLANG! CLANG!
Everyone was watching.
I raised the steel top of the burger patty pans, to check the meat. It was full: CLANG!
Reached into the lettuce pan, shifted the lettuce, pulled out the frozen parts, and tossed it into the trash.
"I don't serve this to my people." I said out loud.
"You're People?" Boss Lady countered.
"My people, the Fans, this food is unacceptable."
"Okay," she said with a sneer. Roseanna was on the other side of the broiler were we feed the meat and bread.
"Anna, give me more buns, please!"
I got the tongs and placed them in the steal shelf: CLANG! I looked down to my right and there was a tiny young lady
staring at me. "Don't get angry," she said.
"I'm not angry, I'm serious," I told her.
I showed them all the routine as I prepped the counter. The gates were still closed. The stadium was just starting to turn its
wheels. The ladies went on their break at the other end of the Stand. They huddled together eating the food they brought
from home. I bet they were talking about me. He's an asshole I bet they said. He's rude. What's his problem? He asked
you for a hug? I bet they said. Only J.C., a fellow named Jose, and I remained working on the floor: Me and Jose started to
assemble the Famous Stars, The Westerns, the Chicken sandwiches. J.C. started to fill the fries into their containers. We
fed the food into the window slots. We cleaned up the mess around us. Changed our gloves a number of times. Thirty
minutes went by. We all get thirty minutes break. The ladies were still gone. I walked up to them in their huddle, tucked
away at one end of the stand. "You guys must really like your break, huh?" I said.
"Yeah. Why?"
It's been a while ladies I thought. I took of my apron and told them I was off to break. I bet they said he is an Ass, when the
door closed behind me. When I got back I was better, not so edgy.
When I got back to the stand. I did the routine. Apron, Wash hands, Gloves; then I went back town. A Fan at the window
asked the sweet tiny lady who was pouring the Cokes for a special order: A plain burger with cheese. The lady turned
around, "Special order." I walked to the window, "What would you like?" Then Boss interjected: "No Special
Orders." What? "No Special Orders!" You have to be kidding. The man asking for a plain burger with cheese just walked
away: rejected. I was dumbfounded. No Special orders? One person asked: Can I have a Famous Star without Lettuce and
no onions? No Special orders. Another person asked for a Plain burger. No. Sorry. No Special Orders. I couldn't take it. I
walked up to Boss Lady, "For now on, I am making every special order."
"No," she said.
"Why not?"
"Because I said so."
Heck no. I said it again: "For now on, I'm going to make special order."
"Because it's good customer service," Like a good Company Boy, I said.
Everybody eats what they'd like. All game long, when ever it was requested.
"Ok. Just you do it." Boss concluded
I worked the entire shift. I worked it with a seriousness I hadn't shown before at the Stadium but more so when I'm upset
with my students at the school. Hold fast, grab the stern, sail straight. We got into a groove. When it got busy, I stepped it
up. The crowds didn't turn into the Beast but we got slammed alright. The Dodgers were down and fought right back,
eventually beating the Tigers. So sweet. There was very little talk during the game. We were learning to work with each
"Are you coming back tomorrow?" one said to me.
"Do you hate us?" she asked.
No. I'll see you girls tomorrow. It was a long day. The girls showed that they were serious. Boss Lady and the rest of the
crew cleaned the Stand like I have never seen it done before. You guys don't mess around I told them. In the end I showed
them I'll work hard for the Crew. "Today was nothing, J.C said, "Wait till later." It wasn't really that busy. Boss said I
could go home. I said good bye to everyone.
I learned to love this "new" crew. Even found the strength to tell them "I love you" as time went by.
(That was then)
+ + +
This is now.
The Fry Guy and I have to hold down the fort.
Train the CK Tender routine to the new crew, Ben and his devotees.
Keep believing the Dodgers will win today's game.
Don't feel disappointed.
+ Come the 7th inning+
J.C the Fry Guy and I take the lead to clean the stand.
I carry all of the mats to the end of the stand and sweep it clean.
Next, my buddy douses the concrete floor with a giant bucket filled
to the top with water and soap.
The pink water splashes all the way across, from corner to corner, wall to wall,
crashing against my slip resistant shoes. J.C. and I, each grab a broom and we
scrub and sweep the suds thoroughly underneath the silver prep counter,
under the fryer, under the fridge, and move every speck of grease or any
remnants of food into a drain by the soda fountain that leads to the Los Angeles
River. Next, my friend follows with a mop until the floor is dry. In turn, I replace
each area with the 25lb. industrial mats in their correct areas.
We are ready to call it a night soon enough.
All I have to do is wash my hands.
+ + +
The Game,
Dodgers take this one 6-3
Greinke is 8-1 and pitching ridiculously well.
Thankfully our Dodgers have a whole lot of fight in them.
I'm tired.
I feel strange.
Like I got something stuck in my eye.
Time to walk home.
game 3
Dodger Cy Young King Clayton Kershaw 3-3
Reds Ace Homer Baily 4-3
Interestly, the Stand is closed again due to low attendance at the game, 41,000 (?)
(My old crew moved on because of these occurrences, they wanted consistency.)
So, it's back to work with my brothers in Stand 739, The Dodger Dog Express.
+ + +
The Grill is fired-up.
The Selesian boys are leading the charge in the glass box.
"Wat up, Tony," Jonathan salutes.
On the grill, Jason chins-up, a "wassup."
These guys also hustle at the Staples Center, maintain a Los Angeles
state of mind on every level: Kings, Lakers, Clippers, and this Stadium like
it's all of their business. And it is.
The Dynamic Duo, Jackie and Tanya are taking the lead just outside,
counting the product, packing nachos like sardines, sealing them
in thier containters. I join in on the fun.
Marlene, the Boss is . . . the BOSS: Bada$$ Powerful
La Senora Irma, who bosses me, is working as well . . .
As I enter the stand, one woman tells Irma, "Mira el esposo."
(Look your husband.)
I have my cell phone in hand writing some blog notes and Irma comments,
"Ya Temprano!" (Already?)
"Aye Dios mio. (Oh my God.)
As if I'm abusing the use of my cell phone.
+ +
Jason is finishing up the last batch of Jumbo Dogs before gate open.
Jonathan drops four baskets of fries in the deep fryer.
I'll be preping the Garlic fries tonight.
On the silver prep counter is a 24 oz container of salt, a fry scooper, fry
cups, and an aluminum alloy bowl to mix the garlic with the fries.
"Look out, HOT!" Jonathan warns and tosses the basket of fries in the
bowl. Pointing to the goggles near by he asks, "Do you need these?"
I decline. "That $#!+ make my eyes burn," he laments.
Jonathan dumps two baskets of Freedom Fries into the steel bowl.
I scoop three large spoonfuls of Garlic out of its container and add it.
Mix the contents with my two latex covered hands.
(the fries are still scalding hot)
Garlic fumes creep into my eyes.
While tossing and mixing Garlic Fries, Garlic vapor rises into the air.
Into the eye sockets!
Welling balls.
Suck it up.
Don't cry.
No googles.
(Over and over.)
1/2 lb Garlic Fries are sealed in a small container and moved to the a la cart widow.
Jonathan dumps two more baskets of fries "HOT!"and I scoop them into
fry cups, they go out to the al cart window as well. (Over and over.)
+ +
Break time,
Chicano Bobblehead?
Kid Scully Bobblehead?
If you are looking for the Giant NACHOS served in a batting helmet,
Chef Meritos LA Taqueria is the spot.
Breakroom Perch,
The Big Kid Dog, Lunch.
Back to work,
Jason's on he grill and the radio be rocking the jams.
Fries are cooking and the Garlic will be mixing: Jonathan warns,"Hot!"
Scalding hot Freedom Fries go with the Garlic, and-here-we-go . . .
1st inning,
Add Garlic
There ain't too much sadder than the tears of a clown
when there's no one around"
2nd inning,
Too many teardrops for one man to be crying;
I'm gonna cry 96 tears!"
3rd inning,
Lonely Teardrops
Come home come home, just say you will say you will!
4th inning,
"Tears on my Pillow!"
5th inning,
This is what is sounds like
When Doves Cry
6th inning,
Every single day
Every time I pray
I'll be missing you
7th inning,
8th inning,
Dices Irma, "(The dishes are done, man!")
The Game,
Reds ace Baily bests our Ace 3-2.
Kershaw made one bad pitch.
And so it goes.
Juego #1 vs Miami, May 12th
Unas Noches Cubanas
(Cuban Nights)
Dodger Vet Dan Haren 4-1 (1.68)
Miami Fish Thomas Koehler 3-2 (1.99)
Enter Yasil Puig, Night One
Primera Noche, Introduzca Yasil Puig
+ + +
@ The Stadium . . .
Check-in I learn that the Chicken Tender Stand is closed for business.
This isn't a surprise since the attendance will be significantly lower. It's a Monday night
game and Dodgers are facing the Miami Marlins, of all teams. There will be nothing but
Dodger Dogs Stands and pizza spots open on the Reserve. So where the heck am I
going to provide my services?
"You're working at stand 746," the lady at the computer informs me.
"Where is that?"
"It's the Elysian Park Grill."
Bubble: Word up!
Never been.
Tonight will be my Elysian Park Grill debut, I guess.
Need to get quick glimps for the soul.
Bubble: Sweet!
Pass by the Dodger Vendors . . .
To my Destination . . .
And what a beautiful view from my work place.
The kids play area is pretty cool.
Turns out that the EP Grill is very spacious.
Nice work stations for the Freedom Fries and Burgers.
Plenty of walking room.
And, there are a number of familiar faces too: Alma is managing, retired Boris from Russia
is working (check), Enrique is in the house, Little Rachel- present, my soul sista' Zee is here,
Ozzie is assisting, Eagle Rock Steve representing the Flip-side (word), and Eastside Art
is on the grill, "A".
These are some good peeps.
+ +
Now, what am I going to do?
"Your going be on the register Tony," Alma informs me.
Bubble: AHHHHEEEEELLLSSSNNOOOO!
I lie to her face, "I'm down, but it's been like 7 seasons though."
Her eyes slide to the left as she forms a thought.
"Can you go set up the condiment cart."
"For sure."
I always do what I'm told.
+ +
Bubble: I Love that spicy Deli mustard.
If you are VERY familiar with Dodger Stadium, then you know that there are two
types of condiment carts on each level. There is the classic cart that features the
free standing relish and diced onion dispensers that only requires a simple crank to
dress your Dogs with tastiness- VERY easy access for Dodger Dogs.
Today, there are the new push-button carts that pump out ketchup and mustard,
but fans have to use a crappy spoon for the relish and onions to top their DDogs- NOT
so easy access. This cart is my responsibly. Dusty but not too bad. It needs a little
detail on the chrome and a quick tune-up on the pump.
+ + +
I'm wiping down the outside counter of the Stand when I hear,
It's Gabriel el Mariachi my associate at North Hills Prep School.
"Hey man, he asks, where can I find some tasty Dodger Dogs?"
I know just the place, so I escort the fellow along with his pleasant
lady friend to the Extreme Dog Stand.
El Mariachi likes the Cuban Dog and the Lady prefers the Doyer Dog.
They also enjoy the view.
+ + +
Back at the EPG,
My fellow employees are pretty much chilling until the gates open.
"Tony I need your (cash) register card," my Manager asks me.
The only problem is didn't bring my card with me.
I tell her the unfortunate news.
Alma takes a moment to think, her eyes veer to the right.
And then she shot-calls,
"(Eastside) Art, you are going to be on the register and Tony is going to switch
to the grill."
Bubble: YES!!
"Aww, come on, A," Eastside laments.
"My bad bro!"
Bubble: I'm back on the grill, AGAIN!
As I'm getting ready to slap the patties on the girll Alma shouts from the
other side of the kitchen,
"This isn't CARLS JR, Tony!
"I don't want to see any blood!
"Well-done please!"
Bubble: WOW!
Looking at the steel skillet, it whispers: "come to me."
Bubble: Back on the Burgers AGAIN!
This kitchen serves up cheese burgers and burgers with sautéed onions
and blue cheese.
"We don't need any Dodger Dogs right now, Tony," Ozzie explains.
"We are getting them from another stand."
Fine by me.
Gates are OPEN for business.
Bubble: Lets do this.
Wash my hands
Slide on some latex gloves
Add a mountain of chopped onions on the skillet
Line-up 6 rows of ground beef patties in fours
Dash of salt
Dash of pepper
Flips of the spatchula
Later will come the cheese
And we are on-our-way.
Call me what my buddy JC the Fry Guy calls me: the Silver Spoon.
1st inning,
Ozzie is applying,
Pickles + Lettuce + Grilled Onions + Tomato
Pickles + Lettuce + Grilled Onions + Tomato
Pickles + Lettuce + Grilled Onions + Tomato
2nd inning,
Pickles + Lettuce + Grilled Onions + Tomatoes
With dexterous skill I flip patties like on the BBQ at home.
So much fun!
Zee and I talk about the "good ol' days" back at thee old burger stand.
We talk about her grown children, how she doesn't have a car, again.
Good times. I love me that woman ;)
+ +
3rd inning,
"Tony we need Dodger Dogs," Ozzie tells me.
"Dodger Dogs?"
"Yes, we need Dodger Dogs."
"Do we still prep them with brew?"
"(They) told us what we don't do that anymore," he replies.
"Ozzie, do me a favor, go get me some beer."
"Ok, papi, what ever you say."
Bubble: ?
Next Ozzie brings me a medium sized pan full off suds and I place it on the skillet.
Once it's at a boiling point I add the Dodger Dogs to marinate.
(10 minutes)
Place the dogs on the skillet in a single file line.
Turn them left to right, browning.
Add Suds to Dogs.
The casings start to brown, tiny splits, continue to marinate.
Suds evaporate and the Dodger Dogs are (well) done.
I do the dance with the Burgers and Dogs as needed.
+ + +
4th inning,
Work is not to busy but steady, the Garlic Fries are going like hot cakes.
Sweet Lady Carol on the French fryer machine questions,
"All I'm saying, is, why arn't these people watching the game instead of eating?"
(Flipping patties like weight)
Beto the Beer Guy walks in the Stand, "Honey I'm home!"
Carmelize more onions . . .
On the Field,
Cuba's son Yasil Puig is at the plate.
Two men on base: Butera and Gordon.
Score is 3-1, Miami Fish are up.
Yasils music is dope:
Yasil's at-bat song as noted by The True Blue Crew, thanks!
Cubanos up in the house are super pumped up!
Yasil smashes the pitch and goes deep center (438 feet),
Yasil Puig!
Dodgers 4, Miami 3
+ + + +
5th inning,
Business is winding down.
+ = + = +
6th & 7 inning,
After that homer, the night is sluggish.
Dodgers are trying to hold on to the lead.
Time to clean-up.
I mopped and swept, next is this charred-up grill.
I realize what separates me from the Boys on the Grill who cook D Dogs in the
Stadium is that there is a method to the madness of getting this thing to a spit-shine.
I simply don't have what it takes.
My grill is cleaned to a point, I scrapped the top the best I could but not well enough.
It should be shinier.
+ = + = + = +
8th inning,
It's time to go home.
Alma lets me and Boris go first.
"Good job, Tony," he tells me.
"You too Boris."
My bed is calling me.
+ +
These kids should be in bed too, lol.
+ + + +
The Game,
On the mound Dan Haren proving to he good enough if the team can put up a few runs.
Dodgers win 4-3
game 2
Yasil Puig Bobblehead Night!
+ + +
LA Dodger Ace Josh Beckett 0-1 (2.80)
Miami Marlin Jacob turner 0-0 (6.75)
= + =
= + = + =
Walking the Stadium concourse,
A "Puig Knows" T
Some random dude with a Piazza #31 Dodger jersey.
One gal rocking an LA Clippers beanie.
Fan PhotoGrrl Christy doing an awesome job.
a guy with pot belly with a "Clutch like Puig"- T
a few fellas rocking the 66 PUIG FACTOR- T pic
My lunch un Cubano Dodger Dog
Snoop Doggy Dog T on a girl with post punk hair (short)
a classy lady with a 2013 Mother's Day Dodger tote bag
(My sister is substituting for the acutal girl, : )
= + = + =
CK Tender Stand,
Sizzle + Crackle + Pop
= + = + =
Break time @ the portable bar,
A Dude in the Dark knight Heath Ledger Joker t-shirt, sick!
A Dodger Father and two Dodger sons (about 5 and 10) eating DDogs and Nachos- standing up!
Sucking down their sodas, popping fries in their mouths- like they are all ambidextrous.
You have to see this to believe this.
Two daughters (about 24 and 27) and mom all in denim jean shorts, standing along the rail
over looking section 16, talking about the games they attended for Dodger give-a-ways.
One woman says to another about the film Gravity,
"It's a good movie, though.
"Oh you got to see it, it makes you cry."
Perspiring bald heads everywhere; glistening scalps are so gross.
Angie the Portable Bar Womanager is pacing to-and-fro, not confused but a little bit scattered.
"What are you doing, Angie?"
She admits with a smile and glimmer in her eye,
"When it's this hot my Brain starts giving up."
5 minutes left . . .
unil CK Tender Frying time.
It's best that I get a cup of coffee at the Doyer Dog Stand to get me speedy.
While I get my powdered cream and sugar at a near by counter, there is a gentleman
stuffing two bobble heads into a dodger duffel bag.
He notices that I notice him and I say,
"You have to definatly make sure you have a bag when it's bobble head night."
"Yeah I'm sure I do," he admits, "and now I got 4 shelves in my living room for my BHs."
"That's great! Do you come to every BH night?"
With a proud cringe he says "Yes" and salutes me with a nod before he's off.
On the way back to the Stand, (eye) spy:
A homie in a Cienfuegos Puig 14 jersey.
I have to ask the dude, "What is that jersey bro?"
"It's Puigs Cuban team Jersey."
"Yeah no problem."
What's up with the new Marilyn Monroe Dodger T-shirts?
These are getting real popular.
+ + +
The Game,
I hear Yasiel threw the cerremonial 1st pitch of the game to his mom, Maritza
Courtesy of USATODAY
Yasiel also keeps his 13 game hitting street alive.
Josh Beckett earns his first win in over a year!
The Dodgers win 7-1
game 3
La Ultima Noche Cubana
Dodger Rookie Paul Maholm 1-3 (4.71)
Marlin Rookie Anthony DeSclafani 0-0 (0.00) debut
+ + +
I'm on time to the Stadium as usual but this ain't going to change anything.
Attendance is super low.
The only peeps showing up tonight are expatriates from Cuba and refugees from Florida.
My usual work place is closed, the Lady at check-in tells me that the Elysian Park Grill is already
full of would-be regular workers, so there is no other place for me to work but a Stand that I once
revered as a last option, the last straw, the one-and-only alternative to making a buck when all
else was lost to earn a pay check in this Space Ship – the Reserve Level . . .
The Dodger Dogs Express
+ + +
In the Stand,
"Are you with us?" Marlene the Manager asks me with a tuff as nails bite.
"Sign in."
Jonathan and Jason are in the house.
Familiar faces, again.
These guys are regulars.
Thee Salesian Boys run this joint.
"This guys with us!" Jonathan asks his buddy Jason who is prepping the grill.
Bubble: Every Stand in the Stadium has its own personalities, its own loyalties.
It's was like Club Med up this joint last time I recall
Like the sauna at Club Med.
As hot as the Devils Kitchen in this fish tank but tonight's weather is slightly cool
than yesterday.
No worries.
Time to do some prep work before gates open:
WE fill nacho containers with chips like sardines in a can, packed.
Jonathan mixes Garlic Fries.
Jason marinates the Dodger Dogs.
Fire-up the sodas and beer spouts.
Heat of the Nacho Cheese.
Wrap the Super Dogs.
Wrap the Dodger Dogs.
Pass some time. . .
Big Jonathan acknowledges that its going to be a slow evening with tonight's
attendance but my brother as some reassuring words:
"We got a radio."
The jam ""A Lovely Day" by Bill Withers sampled by T.W.D.Y. is setting the tone.
Ron, a semi-retired substitute school teacher (a nice guy) is wrapping DDogs with
a group of Spanish speaking ladies and he is talking about how our employer is
short staffing stands on busy work days and over-staffing on slow nights like tonight.
(Ron not shown)
Bubble: Who's complaining?At least we are working.
Ron is going on and on and on and on and on and on, he complains about the Dodger
payroll,he starts talking in Spanish all of the sudden. . .
"Watch, these ladies tell him to shut up sometimes," Jonathan tells me.
That would be worth the wait, LOL.
I just think it's amazing how much stuff this fella can bring up.
There's a little lady,
Irma's glasses drop to tip of her nose, hair up in a bit wrapped up with a doo rag.
Se habla Espanol, solamente. She's the boss of wrapping DDogs. And she wants me
to help her cover the silver table we make Garlic Fries on with plastic wrap.
The aluminum goes on first, plastic after, she instructs me. I try to help but I am
too fast paced, to hyper with my hands and fingers.
"Calmate!" she scolds. (Calm down)
I take a step back.
"Niño aydame por favor," she requests. (Please help me, boy)
I try to help again.
"Calmate, mijo! - Por favor." (Calm down, please!)
the radio is bumping "It's a hard knock life" by Jay Z.
Outside of the Stand,
There is a Dodger Usher meeting, isle 9.
The Tallest Usher giving the prep talk is the head honcho. I have been feeding him for
years at the old burger stand. The surrounding Ushers are fanning themselves with
their daily agenda paperwork.
I have to endure one more round of Irma micro-managing my every move:
"Levantate ese caja." (Pick up this box)
"Esperate" (Wait)
"Agara lo." (Hold it)
Bubble: Sigh!
Break time,
The American Red Cross lady at the Dodger vs. Angel Booster Blood Drive Challenge
table asks me, "Have you signed up for the blood drive yet?"
I answer, "Yes! June 14."
"You got it right!" she exclaims.
At the Extreme Dog Stand,
Where mom works, business is slow: "Hi Mom!"
I see my Tuff Lady Usher Isabel with H2O getting hydrated.
Bubble: She the best!
"I love you!" I tell her as she walks to her post.
Now I'm thirsty. . . I turn back to the Extreme Dog Stand.
I ask the Manager Jenny if I could get a cup of ice?
"It's really hot," I explain.
She replies sarcastically, "Really? The temperature is only 95 degrees in LA."
She's the best, Jenny explains to cope with the heat is easy,
"Whenever we want to reach back and slap a drunk customer, and it's all ok."
Sarcasm. LOL
In the Breakroom,
LAPD walking out of the break room are griping on to their cups filled with ice water.
Bubble:Those peeps got to be hot with all of that gear on.
Anyway its lunch time, the Doyer Dog to the max.
A little Later,
I spy a baseball fan with a Miami Marlin #27 Mike Stanton jersey. (Respectable)
There are a couple of Volunteer Fire Fighters representing the Donation to
the San Fernando Rescue Mission cause.
I got $5 in my pocket to give, for sure.
Back to work @ the Dodger Dog Express,
The Salesian Boys are telling me of their plans to see the Dodger play in San Diego in June.
They tell me that "Deadpool" Tommy from the CK Tenders Stand will be rolling with them.
(Sounds sooo dope) And then, Jonathan gives me the best compliment of the season and tells
me, "Anyway, welcome to the Stand bro!"
"Thanks bro, much appreciated," is all I can say.
Bubble: I sold. This place is now my new home away from home, option #2.
And the best part is Jason has a nice sized Ghetto Blaster to rock to every game.
While we work,
Luniz croons, "I got five on it!"
Ice Cube raps,"Today I didn't have to use my AK ."
Jay Z rhymes, "Like Tupac's soul!"
Nate Dog harmonizes, "The rhythm is the base and the base is the treble!"
Kanye West shouts, "I need you right now!"
Jason changes the radio station to an AM channel.
To game 6 of the Los Angeles Kings vs the Anaheim Ducks- Kings up 2-1
Bottom of 4th,
Marlins are up 9-0.
Little Irma is in disbelief, "Nueve a cero, que gacho!" she exclaims. (9-0, what a low down shame)
"Qien es el pitcher (de dodgers)?" she asks (Who is the Dodger pitcher0
Moholm, is pitching I tell her and explain, "Es su primer ano." (He is a rookie)
"Ni modo!" she argues, "(El) es profesional." (Regardless, he is a professional.)
Bubble: True, true, verdad, verdad.
All of the sudden the score is 12-0 Marlins.
This is ridiculous!
Bottom of the 6th,
Puig is up to bat and he smashes a double and the fans go ape doo doo.
High fives all around.
Fist pumping.
Janelle who is on the sodas complains, "I wanna ago home!"
The workers are tired.
And the kings are still up 2-1.
"As long as the kings win," Jonathan proclaims.
We are almost out of here.
After mopping, I dump a dirty bucket of water that was in the sink and Irma
gives me hell for it.
"Yah tirastes el jabon!" she complains. (You dumped the soap!)
Bubble: Damn!
"Tirastes el jabon" she repeats.
I can't help but laugh a little bit.
"Tienes que preguntas," she tells me I need to ask her.
I can't stop smiling.
Pointing to an other area under the sink, Irma proclaims,
"Tenemos un monton de jabon allí!" (We have a lot of soap, there!)
Bubble: Ok! OK! But i'm lost in tranlation, why you mad? lol
"Pregunta, eh!" (Ask, eh!)
"No tiras el jabon," she digs into my soul, pointing at me. (Don't dump the soap)
Another woman tells me, "Que le regana, lol." (She is ripping you another one.)
I try to hold in my laughter.
Jonathan jokingly calls me out for my lack of seriousness.
Too funny, I spilled the soap, my bad, lol.
+ +
At last,
Dishes came my way.
Jonathan cleaned the Fryer area.
Jason finished scrubbing the grill.
This is how its done.
+ + +
The Game,
Score is 13-1, Marlins
2-1 King over the Ducks- We'll take it!
game 1 vs SF Giants, May 8th
+ = +
Los Angeles Dodger Ace Josh Beckett 0-1 (3.14)
San Francisco Giant Ryan Vogelsong 1-1 (4.60)
Bubble: Man, do I want to see Josh get a win, finally.
= + =
Here we go again . . .
After getting my Stand assignment at check-in, showing my employee ID at the Stadium gates,
and pulling my right pant leg out of my sock, Eye Spy Ronald Nelson the Dodger Vendor
Extraordinaire. (Dodger employee since 1958) I respect him so much that I have to greet
him and shake his hand whenever I get the chance.
"Hey RONALD!"
If I can get his attention . . .
"How are you Sir?"
Commencing handshake . . .
We pull our hands back and snap our fingers like the homies do it.
(Sorry I don't have the pic)
Next Ronnie says, "Gosh that looks comfortable and cozy," referring to
tonight's give-a-way.
I agree.
"Who's pitching tonight," he asks me.
"Josh Beckett, Ron"
"How's he doing?"
"He's been pitching well, Ronnie, Beckett dropped his ERA into the 3's but he hasn't got a win."
Ronnie surmises, "He lost cuz of that (Dodger) bullpen."
I had to agree, once again.
Bubble: These extra inning games are ruining us too but I wont tell you that Ronnie.
= + + =
Back @ CK Tender Stand,
The Crew is in full effect.
JC Fry Guy, HawkeyeTommy, Rojelio the Fry Guy;the Flower Shop Girls: Jazzy the assitant,
Maggie the Garlic Girl, Maribel; the Boss Lady; ladies on the register Diana and Araceli;
Tommys Mom Judy and a rookie worker, who I call La Chiquita, cuz she is short, of course.
= + + =
Chicken tenders go:
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
= + + + =
Breakroom Breaktime, time!
I need to get my grub on, soooo dang hungry.
To my surprise, my Bossy Lady walks in and has a seat at my table.
She sets her food down in front of her and asks me, "Do you want some?"
Grouped on the carry-out tray set before her are:
An Elysian Park Burger, "Do you want half?" she asks.
A large mixed green salad, "Do want some?"
And a half eaten Dodger Dog.
Bubble: No thank you.
A Dodger Usher walks in the BR with a salted (Wetzel) Pretzel, cheese on the side.
He sits across from the Bossy Lady
Bossy tells him, "I could use a pretzel."
Another Dodger Usher enters the BR with a Pizza in hand.
He sits at the table adjacent to ours.
Bossy says, "I could use a Pizza."
Both Dodger Ushers turn to her as if to see if she is serious.
Bossys response is, "I got a knife" and she brandishes a plastic utencil.
Everyone in the break room shares a hearty laugh.
Except Boss, she wasn't playing around.
= + =
My Bossy Lady sure is funny : )
+ = +
1st inning,
Back in the CK tender Stand,
Chicken Tender and Fry handlers are talking current events: Spiderman 2.
Old school Hamburger Helper, Maggie drops a basket of criscut fries . . .
Into the fryer . . .
The icy frozen fries convert to steam blasting up to the sealing. . .
and Maggie lets out a huge scream, "AAAAAHHHHH!"
Collective Bubble: "???"
Everyone goes to Maggie's aid but there is little to be worried about thankfully.
She was just over dramatically startled.
"You scared the $#!+ out of me!"
"Me too," claims JC the Fry Guy.
"Cuidate, te quemas!" la Chiquita worker warns Maggie.
("Don't burn yourself!")
Suddenly, Tommy goes off,
"Yeah, like (the comic books)!
(I) fall into the french fryer- I'm a Spiderman villan . . ."
Tommy shouts in excruciating pain,
His skin starts to bubble from the scalding heat of the soy bean oil, one eye ball
socket drops two inches lower, the cartilage in his nose is depleted, patches of his red hair begin
to fall off his exposed skull, the skin on his arms is completely charred.
Next, he pulls his employee jersery over his head and Tom proclaims with clenched fists,
"I'm the Sizzler!"
Dodger Stadiums 1st Supervillan
+ +
3rd inning,
La Chiquita and I are scooping fries into the CK tender boats.
"Who eats this crappy food!" I tell her.
She calls me out, "You eat this crappy food."
Bubble: Daaaamn!!!
+ + +
4th inning,
Game score is 0-0.
People are eating this stuff like crazy!
Chicken tenders go:
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
"(The score) is stressfull for the fans so all they want to do is eat the food," la Chiquita claims.
Bubble: Damn she makes good points!
+ + + +
5th inning,
The Fans are eating us out of the Stand its ridiculous!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
+ + + + +
6th inning,
La Chiquita keeps asking me when the lines will die down.
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
"7th inning, hopefully."
= + ++ + =
7th inning,
My little co-workers is cleaning this stand like a true pro.
+ = + = + =
8th inning,
After a long evening of hustling, the Crew is ready to go home.
Boss Lady is checking all of our work stations before we sign-out. She notices that
me and La Chiquita did not clean the fridge well enough under the prep table. So we
start cleaning again. My little partner is pissed off as hell that Boss kept us long and she
tells me, "I'm never working in this Stand again." Her eyes beaming at the Boss with
ghetto discontent.
The Boss is always made out to be the Bad-gal
=+ + + + + =
The Game,
Dodgers fall to the Giants 3-1 in the 10th inning.
Friday May 9, game 2
Los Angeles D Paul Maholm 1-2 (4.70)
San Francisco G Madison Bumgarner 3-1 (3.18)
Check out Yasil Puig the Villan LOL, thanks Stadium Bound!
(I can't write a damn thing bout this game, but that these extra inning games are killing us!)
Dodgers lose in the 10th inning, 3-1
Bubble: AGAIN!
Saturday May 10, game 3
LA Dodger Zack Greinke 5-1 (2.35)
SF Giant Matt Cain 0-3 (4.35)
(I can't write a damn thing about this game but that what a relief)
Dodgers finally take one from the Giants, 6-2!
Bubble: Finally!
Sunday May 11, game 4
LA Dodgers Cy Young Winner Clayton Kershaw 2-0 (0.66)
SF Giants solid arm veteran Tim Hudson 4-2 (1.99)
= + =
(It seemed like any other)
Dodger Stadium
It's a beautiful Sunday fun day.
+ +
Shake Ronalds hand.
+ +
As usual,
All of the Stadium Mothers are provided with these nice bouquets of flowers.
La Senora who sweeps up the Stadium clean offers Sylvia flowers of her own.
So Sweet!
Back in the Stand,
Chicken tenders go:
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Break time music with the 45's band.
A little bit of Petty
a little bit of John
Everything is super chill.
"Happy Mothers Day," is the talk of the Stadium.
The Dodger Dog I ate for breakfast tasted bomb with extra deli
mustard & jalapenos.
All we need is a win over the Giants, I'm thinking when I hear someone say:
"They might close the Stadium!"
What the heck?
People nearby are pointing toward the kids Playground Area.
What the Heck is going on!
A woman cries out,
Stand workers at the Elysian Park Grill have to evacute.
Fear is in the air.
But not of Mother Nature.
This, this is sabatoge.
Last I read in the Los Angeles Times, the super villian SWARM was
here in LA causing trouble.
Everyone is terrified!
Swarm might be trying to take control of all the Stadium workers like he did in
that old episode of "Spiderman and his Amazing Friends"!
The Horrer!
First there was The Sizzler super villain, my Boss The Badgal,
the SF Giants and now we have to deal with mf'n Swarm!?!
Just great!
+ +
My break time is over, better get back to the CK Tender Stand.
Back in the Stand,
I am starting to feel really weird . . .
Chicken tenders go:
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
That Bee problem Swarm caused has got my mind zoning out . . .
Worse things could happen at the Stadium:
+ + +
2nd inning,
3rd inning,
4th inning,
5th inning,
6th inning,
+ + +
Bottom of 6th,
I snap out of Swarms Worker Bee mind control.
And realize that all game long the crew had been working under Swarms spell.
Swarm had our minds under control there was nothing we could do but
pour Cokes, stuff fries, and load the fryer with Chicken Strips without
our own thoughts. Things are a lot more clearer now and I can finally check
my Facebook on my new Iphone. This mind control really sucks!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
Sizzle! + Crackle! + Pop!
+ + +
8th inning,
Look Brian Wilson is in the game and we're losing.
The game,
Dodgers lose in the 10th, Again!
I may be mild manner school teacher but when I get angry, you don't want to see me angry.
I can't control . . . my . . SELF AAAARRGGG!
Giants - 7
Dodgers - 4


text:
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Thank you for your interest in joining our team. We believe that being enthusiastic, experienced and highly knowledgeable about something you love is a great thing. We strive to create a work environment that encourages creativity, personal and professional fulfillment, teamwork, and a passion for exploring the natural beauty, diverse cultures, and history of Mexico.
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Vallarta Adventure employs over 500 people from 17 different countries, and each and every one of them embodies the spirit of adventure and the joy of discovery upon which Vallarta Adventure was established. Our tour guides and adventure trip leaders are our guests' connection to the places and cultures we visit - and the key to an unforgettable experience.
Click here to apply for a position or send us an email
Chinese Pole Acrobat
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• Bilingual, Spanish and English • Male, 23 to 30 years • Proven hotel experience • Ability to perform in front of large audiences • Radiant stage presence and charisma • Excellent physical fitness • A feel for outdoor activities and sports
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Looking to explore the real Mexico? Find your perfect adventure on our Tours & Activities page.

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You can now invite anyone to meet at your favorite Starbucks.
Limited-time feature
34 year old woman | Richmond, CA, USA | Seeking men 30-39 within 50 miles
GW2 anyone? :)
Hey guys :) Here's a little about me: I currently work at a job I adore, but that keeps me very busy and has some travelling. I work in the gaming industry - yep I'm a gamer, I enjoy video games, and would like to find somebody who's ok with this! Even better if you game, nothing better than gaming with friends. I also play DnD. Just to be clear, I'm not glued my my computer screen every evening playing and never want to go out - I certainly do enjoy going out, to eat some yummy sushi, Indian food, Mediterranean, and sometimes just a simple burger with bacon. Mmm bacon (I actually do bake maple bacon biscuits, and they are ridiculously delicious). I also like my beer. Bacon and beer. Beer and bacon... Can't decide which one should come first. Beracon. As for myself, well, I can sometimes be bossy and opinionated, I have my ideas and my opinions and I like them and will defend them if needed,but, i'll never chase you down and try to stuff them down your throat, you may not even hear of them if the subject doesn't come up! I try to be funny, and I try to be fair. I enjoy smiling and laughing a lot - several people point out that I have a nice smile, so I try my best to create situations where everyone smiles. I'm confident and love my life right now, and would like to find someone to share my life with. I grew up in North Africa, and am mixed Arab-American. I speak French fluently, and speak Arabic, and know some Spanish. I definitely have a mixed cultural background, as my mom is American, my dad is North African, and I attended a French school.. :) I've lived in several different places, the Bay Area being my current place to be, and I'll probably be here for a good while seeing I really enjoy it here, and, there's no snow. I travel a lot though, both for work and family. I adore cooking for people, I usually try to cook new foods that I'm not experienced with, and need a guinea pig, as I usually think everything I make could be better! I also love baking. I'm not going to add a "this is what I'm looking for" part. If you think what I wrote here is fitting to you, then you probably have something that I'd find attractive in you ;) Thanks for reading!
Coffee and conversation , Business networking , Cooking , Dining out , Exploring new areas , Nightclubs/Dancing , Travel/Sightseeing , Video games , Wine tasting
Billiards / Pool, Bowling, Dancing, Walking / Hiking
I exercise 1-2 times per week.
I don't believe in astrology
I have Cats
I have lived in some amazing cities, and visited many others. But, I do enjoy the beach, sitting in a park soaking up the sun, anything that takes me out of the dark office. Food trucks! Koja kitchen and fiveten burger yum.
Still figuring what to do for fun out here, I recently discovered a bouldering gym that I'm curious to try out. Hiking is a new thing I'm doing, if you know of any nice places that aren't hard core, I'd like to check it out!
I like to read, when I have time, or in the evenings with a nice glass of chilled white wine. The style I like is more fantasy/thriller/mystery (in that order).
Z{{Cta}} {{#if HasMoreInfo}} ?{{CtaSecondary}} {{/if}}
|What she is looking for
|5'9" (175cms)
|5'11" (180cms) to 8'11" (271cms)
|Body type:
|Slender, About average, Athletic and toned
|No preference
|Dark brown
|No preference
|No Way
|No Way, Occasionally, Yes, but trying to quit
|Social Drinker
|Social Drinker, Regularly
|Executive / Management
|No preference
In the computer gaming business. I love my job, and am happy to go there everyday!!
|I'll tell you later
|No preference
|Never Married
|No preference
|Have kids:
|No preference
|Wants kids:
|White / Caucasian
|No preference
An open mind to culture and background is a must. I'm mixed North African/American (although I definitely don't look N. African, it is still in my blood!)
|Agnostic, Atheist, Spiritual but not religious
|Arabic, English, French
|Graduate degree
|Bachelors degree, Graduate degree, PhD / Post Doctoral
B.A. from Montreal QC. M.A. from Geneva, Switzerland.


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It will likely be an uphill battle trying to convince the Board of Supervisors to ante up funding for construction of a new high school instead of a new middle school. But the Bedford County School Board will at least float the issue to the supervisors before the construction project gets too far down the road.
Bedford lost one of the last two remaining Bedford Boys Thursday evening.
Pride Wingfield, who died at the age of 96, was with Company A when the unit was called to federal service in February, 1941 for what they thought was going to be a year of active duty. It turned out to be for a lot longer than that when Japanese naval aircraft bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7.
By Congressman Robert Hurt
There is no denying that the current situation in Washington, which has led to a lapse in government operations, is unfortunate and needs to be rectified as soon as possible. At the root of it all, our constitutional prerogatives are at stake. Article One, Section Eight, which states the enumerated powers of Congress, expressly authorizes the U.S. Congress power of the purse. It is our job to establish the spending priorities for the nation.
The discussion in Congress has once again turned to the debt limit. Unfortunately, because of continued out-of-control spending, we are facing a situation where Congress is being asked to increase the amount of debt the federal government can incur in order to avoid default. To be certain, allowing the U.S. to default on its creditors would result in severe economic consequences for the United States and its citizens.
All people on Medicare should remember that October 15 will be the opening date for the Open Enrollment period for Medicare Part D for 2014.
This has nothing to do with the new Health Care Exchanges; this is Medicare Part D, the prescription drug part of Medicare. Everyone receiving Medicare has the period from October 15-December 7 to select a Medicare Part D plan for 2014. The plan in which you are enrolled on midnight Dec 7th is the plan you must stay in for all of 2014.
It might be just about time to head into your kitchen, select your finest knife, and get ready to plunge it into the political turkey we know as "Ken Cuccinelli for Governor."
Cuccinelli has so much going against him, it's very difficult right now to see how he could pull this out on November 5.
As I write this column, the partial government shutdown is still dragging on and the deadline to raise the federal debt ceiling is looming. Subscribers receive the Bedford Bulletin by mail on Thursday, so, by the time you read this Congress will have either reached an agreement or the United States will be on the brink of sailing into uncharted waters — a first-ever default on our sovereign debt.
Although the Peaks of Otter Lodge is operated by a private company — none of its staff or management are federal employees — it was closed by the Federal Government shutdown on Oct. 1. Va. 43, which uses a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, remained open, however, as did the Parkway itself.
Now, the Lodge is open again.
Attempts to lower the caliber of bullet that can be fired within the old town limits—or to prevent hunting there altogether—failed last Tuesday as Bedford Town Council approved amendments to the town ordinance allowing some firearms hunting within the town limits.
Copyright © 2015
The Bedford Bulletin is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Bedford County and Bedford, VA and the surrounding area.


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Congressman Anthony Weiner has been in the hot seat after a tweet containing a photo of a man's crotch was posted from his account.
Weiner has attributed the lewd photo of bulging underwear to a "prank" or hack, though the congressman admitted
The congressman is hardly the first politician to be embroiled in controversy due to inappropriate, misguided, or "accidental" tweets.
We've compiled some of the most memorable social media scandals suffered by politicians since Twitter's launch. Have others to add? Let us know! Email technology [at] huffingtonpost.com or click "Add a slide" below. Also check out our post on tweets that got people fired and tweets that got people arrested.
A lewd photo depicting "somebody's bulging underwear" was tweeted from Rep. Anthony Weiner's (D-NY) account. The photo had been directed at a college student. Weiner initially claimed that the account had been hacked, though later, he said during an interview with MSNBC, "This was a circumstance where someone committed a prank on the internet...I didn't send [that] picture out." Asked whether the photo of the underwear was of him, the congressman responded, "I can't say with certitude."
Alaska Republican Senate candidate Joe Miller found himself embroiled in controversy after a series of tweets he posted suggested he was already "measuring the drapes" in his opponent's office. During his campaign--and before the race had been called--@JoeWMiller tweeted, "Think I'll do some house hunting while I'm in DC #teaparty #tcot #tpp #alaska #ak." This was followed by, "Guess I should pick up some office furniture, as well, while in DC #teaparty #tcot #tpp #alaska #ak" and "Then there's the matter of a name plaque for the door #teaparty #tcot #tpp #alaska #ak," Another post read, "My sincere appreciation for the warm welcome, including from future colleagues in DC #teaparty #tcot #tpp #alaska #ak." The tweets were later deleted and a spokesperson for Miller denied that the candidate had posted them, saying that a volunteer was responsible for the tweets. Miller's opponent, Lisa Murkowski, dubbed the tweets evidence of his "hubris." She later won the election.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman's campaign had a highly-publicized (and unorthodox) hiccup after Whitman's press secretary, Sara Pompei, mistakenly sent a tweet that linked to a video of a cross-dressing Japanese musician. Pompei's tweet read, "SD Cnty Sheriff Assoc says @Whitman2010 4 gov! RT: @Murphy4MegNews: CA Cops get it: Jerry Brown is too soft on crime," with a link to an unusual YouTube video of a cross-dressing bass player. There was speculation that part of the shortened URL had been cut off, directing users to YouTube instead of to the announcement Pompei had intended to link to. Pompei responded, "Our official response is, 'oopsie.'"
A tweet posted by Dane Deutsch, a Wisconsin Republic state Senate candidate, earned a spot among TIME's "top 10 Twitter controversies." Deutsch tweeted, "Hitler and Lincoln were both strong leaders. Lincoln's character made him the greater leader whose legacy and leadership still lives on!" TIME notes, "Twitter may be many things, but a venue for nuance it is not... Wisconsin's Senate Democratic Committee pounced on the words months after they were posted and the ill-advised tweeter lost the election to the Democratic incumbent."
Mike Parry, a Minnesota state Senate candidate, posted--then defended--a tweet calling Obama a "power hungry arrogant black man." Parry admitted to sending the post and said, according to the Huffington Post, "My opinion is that our president is arrogant and angry. The fact is that he is a black man." A second controversial tweet was sent from his account that read, "what's with Dems and Pedophiles?" though Parry did not admit to writing it. Parry went on to win the Senate seat.
An aide to then-Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott Walker sent a tweet, retweeted by Walker spokeswoman Jill Bader, that sparked cries of racism. The Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel describes the controversy: The flap started when Bader retweeted a post from Michael Brickman, another Walker press aide, that in turn relayed someone else's comment that President Barack Obama's response to Walker's stand against high-speed rail was contained in a video. The video was a clip of African-American dancers singing, "C'mon, Get on the Train," from the old "Soul Train" television series. Obama, the nation's first black president, reiterated his support of high-speed rail at a Democratic fundraiser Monday in Milwaukee. Walker used the visit to step up his attack on the planned Milwaukee-to-Madison train route, aiming his criticism directly at Obama. Democrats asked Walker to personally respond to the tweet and Bader, who deleted the tweet, was named "worst person in the world" by MSNBC's Keith Olbermann.
Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI, shown at left in photo) breached security during a trip to Iraq by posting numerous details about the visit--though it was meant to be kept under wraps and under embargo. Congressional Quarterly describes what happened: "Just landed in Baghdad," messaged Hoekstra, a former chairman of the Intelligence panel and now the ranking member, who is routinely entrusted to keep some of the nation's most closely guarded secrets. Before the delegation left Washington, they were advised to keep the trip to themselves for security reasons. A few media outlets, including Congressional Quarterly, learned about it, but agreed not to disclose anything until the delegation had left Iraq. Nobody expected, though, that a lawmaker with such an extensive national security background would be the first to break the silence. And in such a big way. Not only did Hoekstra reveal the existence of the lawmakers' trip, but included details about their itinerary in updates posted every few hours on his Twitter page, until he suddenly stopped, for some reason, on Friday morning.
Suggested For You
- HuffPost


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Christmas 2009 was a rough holiday season for many of my friends and clients. Not only was traveling long distances on the menu, a heaping dose of family strife and food planning problems were served up. Yet, a few calmer people reported back to me that their holidays were saved by their four-legged friends!
One client, I'll call her MJ, decided to finally take the family dog on their day-long road trip south to visit the in-laws for Christmas this year. In the past, she had been asked by her husband's family to leave her pet with friends or in a kennel. This year was different: she asked to bring the dog and keep him in the garage. Little did she know that bringing her favorite pet would dramatically improve her health over the holidays.
Rather than playing into the yearly repeated drama of emotional eating over Christmas (her in-laws are stress inducing to say the least!), MJ used her dog as an excuse to exit the house often for long, relaxing walks. Leaving behind the emotional turmoil, MJ not only got more exercise this Christmas, she didn't feel the need to push down her sorrows and anger with food and alcohol. Instead of sticking around for the constant family upsets, MJ just removed herself from other people's dramas and focused on what she loved – sharing quiet walks with her kids, husband and dog.
Thanks Spot!
This is just one of the many free, healthful methods you can use and integrate in your future holiday and travel plans to avoid the common pitfalls of "vacation eating" and emotional bingeing.
(Finally willing to get a pet? Be sure to rescue a friend rather than buying one from a pet farm! Rescue a dog here: http://www.petfinder.com/index.html )
Be well,


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Game Stats
Game Stats
W: J. Lester (5-5) L: D. Holland (1-3)
|2nd Inning
Mike Lowell (9) solo shot to left off Holland.
|5th Inning
Pedroia singled to left, Green scored.
Bay singled to left center, Pedroia and Ellsbury scored.
|6th Inning
David Ortiz (2) solo shot to right off Benson.
Pedroia singled to right, Varitek scored, Baldelli to second.
Youkilis singled to left, Baldelli and Pedroia scored on left fielder Boggs' throwing error.
|9th Inning
Jones hit sacrifice fly to center, Andrus scored.


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Air Sampling Equipment in Equatorial Guinea
Category: Air & Climate ×
Subcategory: Air Sampling ×
Location: Africa ×
Location: Equatorial Guinea ×
GDS - Model 305 - Sequential Gas Sampling System 1-48 Wayby GDS Technologies Ltd. based in West Yorkshire, UNITED KINGDOM
Sequential Gas Sampling System 1-48 Way; 1-48 sample points.Monitor up to 8 gas types. No sample line purge delay. Wide range of sensor types. 4 line alpha/numeric display. Selectable sample line sequence. Display of each sample line location. Easily installed and maintained. Full indication of all operations. Event logging / Modbus / RS232 / ...
USB-ISS-VIS & USB-ISS-UV Integrated Sampling Systemsby Ocean Optics based in Dunedin, FLORIDA (USA)
The USB-ISS-UV-VIS and USB-ISS-VIS Integrated Sampling Systems are snap-on, direct-attach cuvette holder and light source combinations created specifically for the USB4000 Spectrometer and the USB2000+ Spectrometer (and their predecessor, the USB2000 Spectrometer). Both sampling systems receive power and control signals through a connector on the ...
Colorimetric Gas Detection Tubesby Apollo Safety Inc. based in Fall River, MASSACHUSETTS (USA)
A wide selection of cost-effective Colorimetric Gas Detection Tubes provides fast, on-the-spot measurements of many gases and vapors.
Ammonia Sensidyne Tubeby Apollo Safety Inc. based in Fall River, MASSACHUSETTS (USA)
Sensidyne Tube-Ammonia 5-260 PPM, 10 in a box.
Carbon Monoxide Sensidyne Tubeby Apollo Safety Inc. based in Fall River, MASSACHUSETTS (USA)
Sensidyne Tube-Carbon Monoxide 1-50 PPM box of 10.
Dräger - Short-Term Detector Tubesby Apollo Safety Inc. based in Fall River, MASSACHUSETTS (USA)
For short-term measurements more than 160 Dräger-Tubes are available to measure the so-called spot concentrations of specific gases.
DustMate - Hand-Held Direct Reading Fume and Dust Detectorby Turnkey Instruments Ltd based in Northwich, UNITED KINGDOM
DustMate is a hand-held instrument with a very fast response which has been designed to locate sources of workplace airborne dust and fumes even at very low concentrations. Highly effective for checking air quality within buildings. Its one second time resolution also allows it to be used as a road-side indicator to identify high pollution ...
Spectrex - Model PAS-500 - Micro Air Samplerby Spectrex Corporation based in Redwood City, CALIFORNIA (USA)
Battery, pump, electronics and detector tube all in one compact, rugged module, eliminates cumbersome Tygon tubing and charcoal tube holder clipped to lapel. Light (4 oz.) and compact, with flame retardant case. Special clip ensures unit stays firmly in pocket. Flow range: 50-350 ml/min. (5-350 ml/min. with optional, $40, low flow orifice). Full ...
Spectrex - Precision Pocket Bubble Flow Meters for Air Samplingby Spectrex Corporation based in Redwood City, CALIFORNIA (USA)
These unique units are: Portable (Weights: 1.5 oz; 2 oz; 8 oz.), Self-contained, Leakproof, All plastic, Provide instant soap bubble movement by depressing central cylinder 1/4'. Flow is established by timing bubble and reading off flow from a special 'time' chart attached to the flow meter barrel.
Gaseous Pollutants For Flue Gasesby Santes Ltd. Co. based in Ankara, TURKEY
Flue gases originated from different sources contains hazardous gaseous pollutants such as SO2, SO3, H2S, HCl, HF. Those gases have a serious impact on the human health and the environment. Human health may be imposed in many ways with both short-term and long-term effects. Examples of short-term effects include irritation to the eyes, nose and ...