The OC

Got to experience the not-so-glamorous side of Orange County this week – apparently, Consolidated Waste Services’ HQ isn’t Laguna Beach. A week of installs and good meals gave the sense that everyday California isn’t much different from many other places around the country and day to day suburbia is alive and kicking from coast to coast. Nothing crazy, got to see Goldi and Seema last night and Jen’s friend Sari and her fiancée Michael on Wednesday. My coworker who went out with us both nights probably won’t ever want to hear wedding talk again – Goldi got married two weeks before us, and Sari ties the knot in November, so wedding and newlywed talk was rampant. God, that sounds old. The highlight of the trip, other than seeing friends, was unquestionably lunch at In-N-Out Burger. Since Avi introduced to this oasis nearly 10 years ago in San Diego, it’s a must-have for any trip out west. I’m actually disappointed I flew out so early on Friday, thus not being able to bag a couple for the trip back home for dinner (oh yes, that’s been done before, on the redeye to boot). For those who haven’t had it and are flying west of the Rockies, Google yourself one of their locations, then find out all the stuff that’s not on the menu (since the menu only has Single, Double, Fries, Soda, and Shake on it). Do it, don’t think about the caloric intake, and enjoy one hell of a meal. You can thank me by bringing me back a Double Double (or Triple Triple) Animal Style.

Part II
The trip also confirmed that my family and friends have it right when they leave within a stone’s throw from the coast – any coast, apparently. The Lefevers lived within stumbling distance from the beach in Santa Monica for awhile until heading back east, and Avi and Jeanie are somewhat proximal to the Pacific Beach area of San Diego, one of my favorite destinations. Makes you wonder what those in Eufaulu, OK (just passed at 30,000 ft) think when they get their first taste of salt air and mother ocean – and why they head back to middle America. I suppose my incomprehension means I’m just meant to be near the sea.

Got to watch USC take one to the chin from Oregon State, in Mark Sanchez’s stomping ground no less – the same Oregon State team that the boys from State College thrashed 45-3 in Happy Valley a few weeks ago. Another good sports weekend looms – Phils, Brewers, and the Choke Artists Formerly Known as the Mets fighting for two playoff spots this final weekend, with the Phils a game up on both. PSU on national TV Saturday night against ranked Illinois. Dallas on national TV at 4pm on Sunday, looking for their 764th victory in the last 10 years against the Redskins (remember when this actually used to be a competitive rivalry?). Even the Beagles have a national game Sunday night, in what is going to amount to a crazy Sunday for lots of people in the Delaware Valley.

P.S. Speaking of Jersey, this was the license plate I saw parked down the street from Sari's house - I don't know why the hell I didn't steal it...

And NFL 2008 Begins...

Does it get any better than the last two weeks? Seriously... first, I got to head to Cleveland for the Cowboys-Browns fiasco (if you're a cleveland fan). Ray and Tammy were great hosts for Guido and I, despite our Pac Man sign. Pre-Sunday, we actually were somewhat calm (all things considered), I even got to spend a few hours cleaning out the damn luxery van that has become a mobile tailgating Browns helmet (complete with a tap out the back, kudos to the Ardires). Of course, knowing Ray, Mark, and I, Sunday pretty much blew our semi-responsibleness out of the water (and to be honest, we weren't all that responsible the first two nights; Colby made Mark pull a Mr. Mom all Saturday when he showed up at 3am early Saturday morning) Sunday however was pretty much perfect. First, the Browns fans can tailgate, and they have possibly the best location in America, on a pier on Lake Erie (we were on the middle one, about 50 yards from the point). I'm actually surprised I didn't end up in the water, either by choice or by a drunken Cleveland fan. Dad is never allowed here, he'll be doing backflips off the van, Thornton Mellon style. The game itself was a surgical operation by the Cowboys; it was never close after the coin flip, thanks to an efficient offense, a swarming defense, and butterfingers galore by the Cleveland WRs, particularly Braylon Edwards. Note to Philly fans: don't believe the comparisons to the Dog Pound. I walked around with a TO jersey pretty much unimpeded all game. Two Browns fans threw some popcorn at some point (good job by them using the right props), but apparently they missed Physics in high school, since they wasted most of their $5 bucket hitting other Browns fans with wind-blown Orville Redenbauchers. A good verbal dismissal had other Browns fans offering their cell phones for me to call security on their fellow fans. This would NEVER happen in Philly, even if they were throwing grenades from 10 rows back and taking out families. Rest good, Eagles fans - you're still the soccer hooligans of North America, and it's not even close. Oh yea... and instead of going home after the 4pm game, we hit downtown Cleveland, then somehow made our way to the local bar by Ray's house. I don't know what time we got home, but I do know that Ray waking me up at 4:30 am for my flight home was one of the 10 most "please just let me sleep" moments of my life. I don't know how I made the flight, I just know that those flights (yea, a layover in ATL) suuuuuuucked. I felt "ok" sometime Wednesday afternoon.

Next, the Iggles come to Dallas for a MNF tilt. The only buzzkill about this is that I can't be at the Parrot starting some shit with the Eagles fans (believe it or not, this will be the first fall i've missed a cowboys - eagles game since i moved down) but I'll prob show up next week for the steelers-eagles game with TO on my back, to make up for lost time. Anyways, got to see the game at a place called Sneakers in Jacksonville Beach (b/c of work) and, ain't the world a small place, the guy I was sitting next to at the bar was a Eustace grad, class of '88. Obviously the cream rises to the top of the bar scene. It was a hell of an entertaining game, the best I've seen in quite a long time. Donovan, work on Handoffs 101 in Lehigh next year, and hey rookie WR - get ACROSS the goal line before you decide to do your best Leon Lett. (yea, I'm scared that the 'Boys passed on DeSean TWICE, and he's got two 100 yard games already)

Penn State is rolling through their early season schedule. I know... Syracuse, Temple, etc... but they look good. I'm not saying they are BCS Championship bound, but they have a team here, and after USC undressed the Ohio State Bills on prime time, the Big Ten is theirs for the taking. Just don't poop the bed JoePa, and try and keep enough guys out of jail to finish the season. Bring on the Buckeyes, the Badgers, and those embarrassing Wolverines.

Don't look now, but the Phils are bringing back the '07 magic. A half game back for all you ****sucking Mets fans, and tied with the Brew Crew for the wild card (Note: since I don't actually know a Brewers fan, I can't badmouth them; plus they have racing sausage, so we can tolerate them for now, on the off chance the Mets don't smoke the late season pole again). Since the 'Boys are on Autopilot now and this MNF summit is resolved, I can concentrate on the Phils and their run to October, especially since they will be in FL next weekend. Damn, and I said I was going to behave that weekend too.

Being that I am traveling this week and next, I need to get to bed or to work so I can actually pull off my training class tomorrow. It's nice to go to bed with a W like that dancing in your head though. Nice game Iggles fans - I'm trying to work a ticket to the last game of the year from Lefever, so bring your snowballs Christmas weekend, I'll be the a-hole in the blue 81 jersey smelling like spiced rum and apple cider. Hopefully, wearing the "Phils '08 WS Champs" hat...