There's always next year...

The Sox are a complete mess of a team this year. Absolutely atrocious. They can't even get in a save situation so Bobby Jenks can set an MLB record of retiring 42+ batters in a row. Either the bullpen blows it or the bats go dead. It's actually embarassing that this team won the 2005 World Series and may end up in the cellar of the AL Central two years later. It's possible they may even fall behind the Royals. THE ROYALS! For goodness sake! Kenny Williams had better make some v.g. deals this winter and get us a shortstop (A-Rod!), and a decent bullpen.

I guess on the plus side, all those new players are getting some valuable playing time. Yeah, right, KW will just trade them for some aging players who know longer have the burning desire to win every day. And those younger players? Look for them in the All-Star Game in a couple years playing for other teams. The White Sox are a wonderful team on which to cut your teeth, just ask M. Ordonez, Carlos Lee, and Aaron Rowand. All 2007 All-Stars and the 2004 White Sox outfield.

Street View

It's hot here. I work in the San Gabriel Valley -- the SGV is not THE valley--and it was 110 there this afternoon. It was probably in the 90's where I live. Going to the beach will definitely be on my list of things to do this weekend. I can't complain about the weather, though, it's been a relatively moderate summer. Since I don't have a/c, I am thankful for that. Also, the humidity level is low which makes the higher temps more tolerable here in L.A. than what 95 brings in Chicago. I can live without the air-conditioning here. Still, it's hot.

Google has added L.A. as one of its street view cities on Google maps. What does that mean for you? You can type in my street addy and see what my block looks like from the street. For those of you who aren't familiar with this feature, Google deployed drivers to drive around the streets of L.A. to take pictures from the street and posted the pictures on the web. It's a warts and all type of deal. You can see all the gangbangers and druggies in my hood. Just kidding. It's fascinating to view and a huge time sucker if you are not careful.

Hollywood Bowl

I went to the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday, where the L.A. Philharmonic played Beethoven's 9th. Yes, there is culture in L.A. for those naysayers who think it does not exist in the Los Angeles urban genetic make-up. I love the Hollywood Bowl. It's wonderful to sit outside in the cool summer air listening to the the sounds of Ode to Joy dissipate into the canyon of the Hollywood Hills. To me, the Hollywood Bowl, along with the Getty, has got be one of the gems of Los Angeles.

Of course, besides listening to music, part of the fun of going to an outdoor concert is picnicking beforehand. My friends from my old job and I dined on a lovely summer meal of cheeses, prosciutto, fruit, bread and wine -- one of my favorite meals. And since it was my birthday, we shared a couple pieces of delicious, and sinful, cake from a local bakery at intermission. It was a fun evening.

In the picture to the left, some guy approached us to borrow our wine opener.

Also, thanks everyone for the presents, flowers and cards.

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Uncle Bill was in Los Angeles last weekend and I had a nice dinner with him and his friends at a little Italian restaurant on the beach in Huntington Beach. The food was decent and the wine selection was extensive. It was good to see him. I also have added the place to my restaurant repertoire.

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As I was writing this post, a bird was chirping outside my window and the sound caught Casey's interest. I so happened to snap a picture of it. So cute.