The Other Guys

For those that don't know, I grew up in San Diego. I was in 3rd grade when my Dad took me to Game 5 of the 1984 NLCS between the Padres and the Cubs. I had just graduated college in 1998 when I went to Game 3 of the World Series between the Padres and Yankees.

I am a Padres fan.

I am also a sports journalist that covers the Padres for their local affiliate. As such, I happened to be at Coors Field in 2007 for game 163 between the Padres and the Rockies. Winner goes to the playoffs, loser goes home. The Padres blew a 2 run lead in the bottom of the 13th inning that night at the hands of the Colorado Rockies to end their season in heart-breaking fashion. Since then I haven't been a huge Rockies fan.

I am however a fan of the Rockies broadcast team...especially Alanna Rizzo. She and Jenny know each other from Colorado, so whenever the Rox are in town Alanna comes and sits with us in the press box. That's how I have gotten to know her a little bit and she's great...just don't ask her when she and her husband are going to have kids.

The Del

I moved to Coronado with my parents back in 1979. I was 3, and though my wife and I don't actually live on the island right now, my parents still do so for the sake of this blog entry, so do I. That makes it 31 years that I have lived in Coronado and last night was the first time I have ever stayed at the Hotel Del Coronado. Better yet, I got to stay in the original part of the hotel that was built back in 1888...with an ocean view no less.

So this morning when Megan had to go to work, I dropped her off at her car, swung by Starbucks for some tea, and headed right back to the room. I figured I had waited long enough to finally get to stay there, I might as well take advantage.

Did I go the spa? Did I order a nice room service breakfast? Did I schedule a massage? Nah, I just read the complimentary paper out on the balcony with my tea. You know what...it was perfect. Well maybe not perfect, the weather could have been nicer and it would have been fun to have Megan there...I'm just saying it wasn't a bad way to start the day.

Taste of the Nation

For the 4th year in a row I emceed San Diego's, Taste of the Nation event this weekend. It's a really fun event benefiting a really great cause...namely the fight against childhood hunger right here in America. In fact, the San Diego event has raised more then $617,000 over the years, and every single dollar of that has gone directly to San Diego based anti-hunger organizations. That's one of the coolest parts of the event for me, the money doesn't go into some obscure "general fund" that gets chopped up into a thousand different pieces. It all goes to local organizations within the community.

That's the feel good part. The taste good part is the event.

Almost 30 different restaurants, breweries and wineries donate their food, beverage and time to help make the event one of the most fun events that I get to emcee all year. I mean if you like eating amazing food, drinking great beers, wines and cocktails, and don't mind listening to me make some jokes over the sound system, then this event is for you. The best part is...it's guilt free gluttony because you're helping hungry kids in San Diego just by being there and purchasing a ticket.

I told you...it's an amazing event!

Fun While it Lasted

The US lost to Ghana (again) to once more be eliminated from the World Cup...leaving them a long trip home to wonder about what might have been. Of course that's a fool's errand because there is no such thing as "what might have been", there is only "what happened"...and what happened is that the United States of America got swept up in World Cup fever more so then ever before. From the coverage on TV and in the paper, to the sold out US jersey's all over the country, to the packed bars across our nation. The World Cup was/is getting more love in this country then ever before...and personally I love it!

I went to True North in North Park yesterday to watch the game with 300 of my closest friends and it was amazing. At the beginning of the game when the national anthem played, the whole bar stood and sang along with the song. That doesn't even happen at Padres games. Midway through the first half, the wave started inside the bar...awesome. And the chants of USA, USA, USA poured out of the bar like a scene from Rocky IV.

The best however, was the goal scored by Landon Donovan...but then you can see that for yourself, can't you.

Round Two

If you live in San Diego and you watch the Padres on Channel 4, there is a pretty good chance you have seen the commercial Bob and I did for Round Table Pizza. If you don't happen to fall into that specific category then I am sorry. Not because this post is about something you haven't seen, but because that means it's either really humid where you live right now or you're missing out on some great baseball.

Regardless, the point is Bob and I are back for some more hi-jinx with the second installment of what we hope will be a whole series of commercials. What can you expect this time around? Will the sequel live up to the original? Will Bob finally get his slice of pizza? Is it funny that I think you care?

All good questions for sure...but you won't find the answers here.

Bobcat

So as you can see the backyard project has clearly shifted into a new gear. I officially now have a blank slate (thanks to Mr. Bobcat) to create my masterpiece on. I also have about 10 new "just discovered" jobs on the "To Do" list...including building a couple of retaining walls.

Regardless, I couldn't help but be impressed as I witnessed the shear power of the Bobcat as it made short work of my backyard, and that got me thinking. We all know what a cougar is (a single women in her mid-30's who likes to devour 20-somethings) and most of us have heard of a Puma (same as a Cougar, just a little younger...maybe 28 - 33)...but what about a Bobcat?

I humbly submit this urban definition to all of you.

Bobcat (noun): A women of any age, that may or may not be attractive, who has destructive tendencies; Often times surfacing after a few drinks.

Jack: Chris' girlfriend is pretty hot but she is a mess after a few drinks.

Bob: Yeah, she is a total Bobcat.

Is it a winner...only time will tell.

Dishes Are Done

There's a great scene in the movie "Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead" when one of the characters finds a creative way to do the dishes. When I was a kid watching this movie I thought that was the coolest way to "do the dishes" I had ever seen.

Now that I'm older I have come to realize a couple of things. First, that scene is not actually that great, and second using the dishwasher seems was easier then climbing on my roof after having waited 10 days to buy a gun.

Chalk it up to elderly wisdom or just plain laziness...either way there's nothing like a few birthdays to give you a different perspective on life.

My Summer "Uni"

The number one question I get asked about my job is not, "What's the most embarrassing thing to happen to you on camera" or "Who's the coolest person you have ever interviewed"? No, the top inquiry is, "Do you wear the whole suit when you're at the desk or just the top?"

Well this is what I wore today.

Black pinstripe suit, purple tie adjusted a little too short to have the jacket open, navy blue cargo shorts and black "Locals" flip-flops. I thought it was a nice touch to add the Swiss Army backpack and Baja Fresh plastic cup...but that's just me expressing myself through fashion.

This is what I would call a "functional" outfit. You might recognize it by a different name...perhaps "ugly" comes to mind. Whatever, any anchor who wears the full suit is a sucker in my book.

The First Day of Summer?

Let's start with a disclaimer: the following meteorological information is from memory only...no Google tonight.

June 21st is the Summer Solstice...also considered the first day of summer. The reason it gets that distinction is because the 21st is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. However, as you may have noticed, June 21st falls in the month of June. In San Diego that means early morning marine layer..."June Gloom" to you and me.

That was certainly the case today, but the water was warm, the waves were fun and the sun did eventually come out. It's just that it didn't really look like summer this morning. I mean I didn't see a single bikini today.

Happy Fathers Day

Having not entered the real of parenthood yet, I have a fairly limited view of Father's Day. That said, it seems pretty clear to me that most of the Dads out there enjoy this day set aside just for them.

Maybe it's breakfast in bed and the chance to read the paper for an hour? Maybe it's getting to go to a ballgame with your kids? Maybe it's brunch out at your favorite restaurant? Maybe it's as simple as opening a hand-made card? Whatever it is, it's pretty obvious why Dads like Father's Day.

Here's the thing though, Father's Day is just as special for the rest of us. I'm fortunate enough to live in the same town as my parents so I get to see them fairly regularly. Still, it was so great for me to be able to take my Dad out for lunch and just say thank you today. Thank you for being a great dad and thank you for all times you put your kids first...which was all the time.

I have no doubt that when I become a dad Father's Day will have an entirely different feel for me...I just saying it doesn't feel too bad these days either.

Now That's a Salad

Look, I'll be the first to admit it...ballpark food has come along way over the years. Especially inside the press box. I give you exhibit "A".

Flank steak, grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, grilled red peppers, grilled mushrooms, tomatoes, cucumbers, garbanzo beans, black beans, red onions, cheese and a nice spring mix of lettuce.

Is it healthy? Of course it is...it's a salad.

The Negro Leagues

Today was the Padres 7th annual salute to the Negro Leagues at PETCO Park, and I got to meet a few of the old-timers down on the field.

Pictured with me from left to right is Neale "California Comet" Henderson of the Kansas City Monarchs, Bob Scott who played for the New York Black Yankees, Sweet Lou Johnson who played with the Monarchs and then later became a World Series hero for LA Dodgers when he hit two homeruns in the 1965 Series, including the series winner in Game Seven, and Bill Greason who pitched for the Birminham Black Barons and made it to the Major Leagues in 1954 with the St. Louis Cardinals.

It's hard for me to comprehend a time when people in this country were not allowed to do certain things or participate in certain events because their skin wasn't the "right" color. Even though I understand that it happened, I will never, ever be able to know what that must have felt like for the gentlemen that I met today.

All I know is that these men helped blaze a trail for everyone of us...black, white, red or yellow...because these gentlemen helped to lead our country out of a dark age. That is why I admire them...not because they were good ballplayers.

The Game That Will Change Your Life

At least that's what the sign out front said. A more accurate description might be, "The game that will make you set your sights lower". Nothing says "I need to reevaluate my life" like getting schooled by a bunch of pre-teens.

The June "Channel 4 off-day bonding session" was comprised of Phil's BBQ and Laser Tag this afternoon. The BBQ was a good idea...the laser tag was humbling. As you can see the Blue Team was a rag-tag bunch of renegades, but the A-Team we were not. Technically we were closer to the middle of the alphabet....and our scores reflected that. In our defense though, I'm pretty sure at least a couple of those 11 year olds were sponsored.

If I'm being honest, I don't know what's more embarrassing, the fact that a bunch of able-bodied adults got worked by a bunch of kids, or the fact that I was literally dripping with sweat after our 15 min "battle".

Never mind, I figured it out. It's definitely the sweating thing.

Pretzels, Pretzels, Pretzels

Look, I love Costco...but 50 lbs of rice? Come on! I'm just one man, what the hell am I going to do with 50 lbs of rice?!

I know it's not a novel take, but it seriously always cracks me up when I'm walking through there and I see a 20 gallon tube of mayonnaise or a pack of 144 toothbrushes. Sure it breaks down to only cost you 20 cents a toothbrush, but so what, you've got 144 of them. Now you have to spend $500 putting in new cabinets just to accommodate all your oral hygiene paraphernalia.

The good news is that if the big one hits and we run out of drinking water, Megan and I have a 24 pack of rice milk and 4 dozen Ciff bars to hold us over now.

Closing Ceremonies

Some of my best memories as a child were from my Little League days playing baseball at Bradley Field in Coronado. I don't know what your Little League was like, but ours was awesome.

It didn't matter if you had a game or not, you were always down at the field running around. On game day you felt like it was a big deal to be out there on the field because all of your peers were in the stands watching. If you didn't have a game that day, it was still a blast because everybody was down there playing pickle and chasing foul balls for a dime at the snack bar.

So what does all that have to do with a 34 year old on a random Tuesday in June? Glad you asked.

Today was the closing ceremonies for Coronado Little League (CLL) and I was asked to announce the All-Star teams and present a couple of special league awards. It was so much fun and brought back so many memories...I mean my Dad was even there taking pictures like I was a Little Leaguer.

The highlight for me though was getting to present the Mark Longfellow award today. It's the oldest award that CLL has, and it goes to the one kid in the whole league that best embodies the Little League spirit of sportsmanship and teamwork.

The thing that made it so cool for me is that I won the award as well back in 1987.

Tough Day at the Office

Think of the best job ever...whatever that may be in your eyes. Got it? OK.

Now I guarantee you that whoever happens to have that job will tell you that there are some days when that "dream job" is more gargoyles and snakes then rainbows and unicorns. The simple truth is that no matter how cool a job may be, sometimes a job is just a job.

Today was not one of those days for me. Today was pretty darn nice. I mean come on...look at that picture. Nothing like slaving over a hot microphone in perfect 70 degree weather at the ballpark to make you want to start updating your resume.

Today we shot an episode of the Downtown Baseball Experience at PETCO Park. It's basically just a 30 minute infomercial for the Padres all about ticket deals and giveaways. Maybe not the sexiest show on TV but it sure is a lot of fun to shoot. Mainly because I get to work with Mark Grant and the Padres in-house production staff. All people that I have known for a long time now, and all people that know how to have fun while still getting the job done.

That's a tough combo to beat.

Baby Steps

Funny story.

A group of neighbors and I have an ongoing agreement to help each other out on different work projects around the house. It started last summer and it works great. There are about 5 or 6 of us in the group and the basic idea is that we all take turns working at one another's houses. So a few weeks ago I sent out an email requesting help for this weekend...Sunday to be exact.

My neighbor (and lifelong friend) Pat, writes back to the group informing everyone what an idiot I am because I scheduled a work party for Father's Day. Not being a Dad myself, I didn't have Father's Day marked on my calendar so I apologized to the group, and we have been attempting to reschedule ever since.

Here's the funny part. Today of course is NOT Father's Day...it's next Sunday. This is what my "work party" looked like instead.

Thanks Pat, with friends like that who needs enemies?

Copa Mundial

For those that don't speak Spanish, "Copa Mundial" translates into English as "World Cup". I know not everyone is America is a soccer fan and I know that a lot of people find the game boring. That's fine, I'm not a real big fan of the NBA and I know a bunch of people that think baseball is boring.

The point is, if you don't like soccer, I'm not going to try and convince you that it's a great game. I happen to love it, so for me the World Cup is a big deal. That's why when Team USA scored a weak goal against England to tie it up at 1-1, my friends and I went wild.

However, in the interest a full transparency, the celebration we did didn't actually look anything like the celebration pictured above. That is just a reenactment (and not a very good one at that) of the fateful moment.

The original had less babies and a lot more jumping around.

Wedding Bells

Two summers ago Megan and I went to 7 weddings, and the only one that was in town was ours. I know that's not a record or anything, but that still is a lot of weddings to attend. This summer has been much more manageable with Friday's affair being just the 2nd wedding we've been to.

Actually, to be totally honest we didn't go to the wedding...just the reception. My Friend Erin May and her new husband Russell decided to have a small family wedding and a big wild reception. A first for me but I am totally on board.

Megan and I had a great time and the reception venue (which was actually just a kick-ass estate in Rancho Santa Fe) was gorgeous. We even got to hang out with the photographer for a while, which was really cool because it was the same guy who shot our wedding. His name is Joel and his work is AMAZING!!! You can see for yourself on his blog at www.empblog.com.

One of the best things he does is setup a slide show of his photographs from the wedding right there at the reception. It's so cool to see that stuff and to see it so quickly. Of course if you do that, you better be good...and Joel is the best! He certainly didn't disappoint on Friday.

So There That Is

The NHL ran a commercial during the Stanley Cup Finals this year that sums up this picture pretty well for me. It was called, "No Words".

While the sentiment is certainly different here, the phrasing is perfect. There are simple no words to describe this scene. More unbelievable yet, I took this picture in Coronado! See I told you it was rough growing up there.

That's all I've got, like I said...no words.

Rain Out

When I was a kid there was nothing I hated more then a rainy day at school. It was the worst, no recess, you had to stay inside all day long and the only fun you got to have was going to the library. Not that cool when you're in 3rd grade.

Now that I am out of 3rd grade, rainy days aren't that bad...especially when they are in New York postponing Padres games giving you an unscheduled day off. Sure we have to make it up tomorrow, but that's a blog for a different day. Today I get to bask in the glory of a Brigantine Happy Hour.

Fish tacos, beers and good company. Sure I understand why 3rd graders can't do that on rainy days, I'm just saying I wouldn't have hated them that much if it was an option back then.

36 Years and Counting

In the history of the world, 36 years is but a drop in the bucket, but 36 years of marriage...that's an entirely different situation. That is something to be celebrated! And celebrate we did...by going out to a fancy pizza dinner at Venice Pizza on El Cajon BLVD.

I mean come on, what says "class" better then wood paneling and anchovy's?

Okay so maybe I'm being a little sarcastic, but when you think about it, wood paneling and anchovy's are actually the secret to a happy marriage. How's that? Well consider this, wood paneling and anchovy's are real. They're not sexy, they're not exotic and they're certainly not "your best foot forward". They are what happens after the honeymoon.

Everybody's in love when you're sitting on a beach in Hawaii drinking Mai Tai's all day long...that's the easy part. In my opinion the key to a long happy, marriage is being happy and in love with the salty fish and bad 70's decor. When you have that, you can make the rest of it work.

Of course I've only been married for a year and half so maybe I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. But then again, I've got a 36 year old case study right in front of me.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. I love you.

Monday...Really?

Look, I realize that I am 34 and married and don't get out downtown that much anymore, but are you kidding me about how many people were out tonight?!?!

My buddy Ryan has been in town the last few days for a conference and wanted to meet up for a drink tonight before he left in the morning. I said no problem and immediately started to rack my brain for a place to take him on a Monday night. I mean outside of football season, Monday night is not exactly a hotbed for drinking action. Or so I thought.

Lucky for me I remembered that La Puerta has happy hour all day and all night on Monday's, so I thought I would take a chance on it. Well someone book me a flight to Vegas because this gambler is on a roll. The place was packed, the vibe was great and I look like the hero.

So mark it down, La Puerta gets the Weisbarth Seal of Approval. Just remember to bring your Luchador mask.

Sunday Sports Day

I know it doesn't have the same ring to it as "Sunday fun-day", but mine is more descriptive. You see the thing about working nights is that I have to cram all my after-work-social-sports-team activities into one day...Sunday.

Don't get me wrong I had a lot of fun today but it wasn't the type of fun usually associated with the phrase "Sunday fun-day"...i.e. Mimosas, brunch and the beach. Mine was of the decidedly more active variety of Sunday's...though I did get some beach time in there as well. This morning I surfed for 2 hours, this afternoon I played softball and tonight I had my soccer game. The best part is I went undefeated today and I scored a pair of goals at soccer. That never happens!

You couple that with tennis yesterday, plus a trip to the Yacht Club and Concert in the Park today...I'd say it was a nice little weekend. I didn't even go to Home Depot or Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Playing for a Tie

I play in a semi-regular Saturday morning tennis game. This morning I played pretty well (at least my partners did) winning 3 of the 4 sets that we played. Usually we only play 3 sets, today we added an extra and it's a good thing because you can see what I did after tennis today.

Like my good buddy Tim Flannery would always say, "Hey we're just playing for tie". He's not talking about extra innings in a baseball game, he's just saying he works out so he can enjoy himself the rest of the time. You play 4 sets of tennis for breakfast, you get to treat yourself to a Chili 'N Cheese omelet from the Night and Day Cafe for brunch.

That wasn't the original plan of course but when I got a text from my friend Lorien saying that she was headed to Night and Day with some of her friends, I figured I had earned it. As the only place in Coronado to eat 24 hours a day, I've been going to Night and Day since my sophomore year in high school...and I always order the Chili 'N Cheese omelet. Luckily for everyone involved, I don't get out there too often anymore, but I have to say it taste just as good this morning as it ever has.

As far as the tie goes, Night and Day may have beaten us by a nose at the tape.

Somebody Has to Do It

I love when the Padres play East Coast games...no pre-game show and a 4 PM start time. It's like a half day for us at Channel 4, and everybody loves half days. When an East Coast game falls on a Friday or Saturday evening, it's like a perfect storm of awesomeness.

After slaving over a hot microphone for nearly 4 hours...in a row...there's no better way to unwind then dinner and a movie. So after work I met Megan at Seau's for a quick bite and pint, and then on to the movies. We got tickets for "Get Him to the Greek", but that's not the movie we watched. After buying the tickets and walking into the theater it quickly became evident that we were not going to find 2 seats together. Not the end of the world, but not a great fit for date night.

Unfortunately for us, "Prince of Persia" was starting right next door. Not a huge fan of the movie. It wasn't terrible, it just wasn't good and when you're geared up for a comedy, watching a movie that's unintentionally funny doesn't really cut it.

I didn't really care though, it was just nice to be out on a Friday night and I'm pretty sure Megan was okay with it...turns out she went to "Sex in the City 2" by herself earlier in the day. Hey somebody has to pay those Hollywood salaries.

Island Carpets

I realize that "Island Carpets" may not be the most intimidating moniker out there when it comes to naming a softball team, but then we're not the most intimidating group of guys are we. Besides that, Island Carpets is our sponsor, so that's what we're called.

Would a local bar or brewery maybe be a better fit? Sure, but they already have teams in the league and our sponsor gave me a smokin' deal when he refinished my wood floors, so you're not going to get any complaints out of me.

Sunday is our first game of the season so today we held our one and only practice of the year. The good news is, we shook the rust of pretty well today. The bad news is, that's everybody that showed up. While it's true that Noah (he's the little dude in front) can swing the lumber pretty well, the league still says he can't play yet.

Too bad, obviously we could use him.

Getting Closer

This summer is the summer I finally conquer the back yard. As you may or may not remember I actually enlisted some professional help to that end earlier this year to help me come up with a good design.

Mission accomplished...now I just have to figure out the construction details. See the plans I've got are landscape plans...which means all the design is done. I know where where every plant goes in relation to every paver and where every single one of my garden lights goes and how that fits in with the deck. I just don't know exactly how to build the deck ...yet.

That's why I have all the books out. If I'm going to build this thing to code (and I am) I need to know exactly what size my posts and beams need to be and how far they can span according to my design.

Funny, that also explains my glass of scotch.

Play Ball

Well there's at least one good thing that has come from Padres utter lack of attendance so far this year...it's pretty easy to get a good seat for a great price. Case in point, my sister's boyfriend Gary got two tickets to tonight's game smack-dab on top of the wall in right field.

His price...$36. Did I mention that was the total for both tickets?

Of course you'll never find tickets that cheap through the Padres but if you use a service like StubHub you can find some smoking deals. Look, far be it from me to tell people how they should spend their hard earned money, that's none of my business. All I am saying is that it has been 3 years since the Padres were playing first place baseball and now might be a good time to head out to the ballpark while there are still some amazing deals.

If that's not your cup of tea, no worries. I'm happy to have you sit at home and watch the Pads on Channel 4. I pretty sure you're not going to catch Gary and Debra complaining either.