Here We Go Again

In 6 years under head coach Norv Turner the Chargers have only lost 5 games after the month of October, and they are still unbeaten in December. For a second straight year they went undefeated in November. The point is, 'tis the season for the Chargers to win a lot of games...and so far they have been keeping up their end of the deal.

For me that means Monday afternoon press conferences go much smoother this time of year. I mean, either way I'm going to do my job, a winning streak just makes it easier...and a lot more fun.

Thanks Bolts.

Chollas Lake

A few months ago on a Sunday the wifey and I drove to Jamba Juice for a smoothie...it was lovely. On the drive home (just because we're crazy like that), we decided to take a different route. That's when things got really wild.

Turns out we live fairly close to a lake (well a reservoir anyway), so we made a mental note to comeback sometime and explore. That "sometime" was Sunday, and explore we did. Two laps around the lake revealed a handful of Eagle Scout projects, a lot of people fishing (without much catching), and a ton of geese.

It was kind of like the Wild Animal Park with out the entry fee.

Facial Hair Formal

Has there ever been a more entertaining way to fight the battle against cancer? Probably...but we made a pretty good run at it anyway. The Facial Hair Formal was my first attempt at throwing a charity event and I am happy to say that, while it was a modest first go, it was successful.

For that I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my team of John Spriet, Brain Kim and Brian Jouan. Without those guys this event simply would not have happened...thank you gentlemen. Of course the other key to an event like this is actually having people show up. Without them, there might still be an event, it just wouldn't be a very successful one.

The group that we had on Saturday night was awesome. Everybody got it! There were great costumes, fantastic mustaches and the perfect attitude for our event. I had so much fun and I owe that to everyone who showed up on Saturday. Thank you guys, it really, truly meant the world to me.

Oh yeah, we even raised some money this year...$1,017 to be exact. Not too shabby.

Back on Track

After a pretty lengthy hiatus, the backyard is back on track...I hope. As you may remember I went into this project with the stated goal of doing as much of the work myself as possible. I thinking I should change my goal to doing as much of the work as "feasible".

Could I lay all the pavers in my backyard myself...yes. Is that feasible...not really. That's why I hired someone to do it, and today they started to lay the base. I know, thrilling right? But that's the point, it's not thrilling at all. In fact it's a lot of work...a lot of hard work.

I find it much easier to sit inside on the day after Thanksgiving and chat with my wife then shovel tons of dirt and rock. I don't, that's just me.

Turkey Bowl XVIII

Every year for the past 18 years (give or take a couple) a group of us have gotten together on Thanksgiving morning to play in the Turkey Bowl. The game has undergone some changes in that span...for better and worse. When we first started we were juniors in high school and the idea of playing anything but tackle football was ridiculous...I mean it's football right? Thankfully we have switched to flags since then.

We've also installed a perpetual trophy, an online draft and some new personnel over the years. The the best part though is the pre-game trash talk that usually starts a week or two before the game. The vast majority of us have known each other for the better part of 20 years and some of the friendships are closer to 30 years old. More then anything that means we have a lot of dirt on one another, or should I say fuel for the trash talking fire.

The emails that go back and forth before the game are hilarious, but not as hilarious as watching any of us try and walk the day after the game. Apparently playing football once year doesn't adequately prepare your body for the rigors of 90 minutes of exercise. Luckily the time frame does allow for plenty of recovery time.

For the record, 21-14 Team Weisbarth with Brendan Farley receiving just enough votes to edge Nick Cannon as this years Turkey Bowl MVP. More fuel for next years emails.

The More Things Change...

The two biggest social nights in my hometown are the 3rd of July and the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It's pretty easy to guess why, everyone is in town and everyone is looking for something to do. That "something" usually turns out to be hitting the local bar scene for an unofficial all-class reunion.

The thing is, we're not 25 anymore. Not even close.

Look I have no problem with hitting the local bar scene on these big nights, no problem except that I would rather go over to a friends house and get together with the handful of people I really want to see in the first place. So that's what we did this year...for a few hours.

By 10:30 most of us had decided it might be fun to hit the bars, and you know what...we were right. The thing about only getting together with close friends is that you miss out on that random encounter with someone you haven't seen in a long time but are genuinely stoked to see. That's the best part of those two nights anyway, the random encounter.

Sure we're not 25 anymore, but maybe that's why it's more important then ever for us to get to the bars two nights out of the year.

Flan Appreciation

I've written about Tim Flannery before so you know how I feel about him. If you don't remember or if you're too lazy to click on the hyper link above, let's just say I am a big fan of Flan and working with him for 3 years at Channel 4 is one of the highlights of my career.

One of the things I enjoyed most about our time as colleagues was all the stories I got to hear. Baseball has such a rich oral tradition and the only way to really get some insight on the game of baseball is to listen to the people who played and coached it tell stories. Of course the best stories are the ones that come out over a couple of beers and some bar nuts.

That's exactly how I got to hear about the 2010 World Series on Tuesday afternoon. After taping some interviews for Postgame, Flan, Big John and myself went to the Field for a pint and some stories. It was much fun as you think it was...even better actually.

I love that guy.

Speckticles

You know how some people are always getting sick? That's not me. In fact, I'm the opposite. I don't get sick, I didn't need braces growing up, I've never broken a bone and I don't need glasses.

Of course that begs the question, why am I wearing glasses today?

I have two answers for that. First, they are not real...which I know sounds ridiculous. Believe me, I'm just getting warmed up. The real answer to the question of why I am wearing glasses today is because I feel like they make my mustache look more intelligent. (*Authors note: Can you tell I'm a little self conscious about my 'stache?)

Like I said, I know it sounds ridiculous, but am I wrong? Let's be honest, the glasses help...at least a little, right?

The Lake Show

I always assumed the LA Lakers got their nickname the "Lake Show" because, back in the 80's when Magic and Kareem and Worthy were running the court, they put on one hell of a show. That may be true but after having finally gone to a Lakers game at the Staples Center, I'm inclined to think the nickname has stuck because going to a Lakers game is like going to concert. A really big concert.

Don't get me wrong, the Lakers are as good now as they have ever been...and they completely outclassed the second place Golden State Warriors on Sunday. The thing is, the show they put on before the first tip is even thrown into the air is incredible. Dancing girls, a light show, a 360 degree video screen in the middle of center court and plenty of celebrities. Even with the American Music Awards show going on next door, Megan and I still saw Kim and Chloe Kardashian, George Lopez and Charlize Theron (we're all doing Thanksgiving together this year, it's not a big deal. I don't like to talk about it too much).

I'll be the first to tell you, I'm not a huge NBA fan, but I could used to seeing games at the Staples Center.

Gone Further for Less

The California Department of Motor Vehicles generally discourages motorists from driving in the rain unless they really need to. So while I definitely wasn't breaking any laws Saturday I'm not sure the DMV would have totally approved of our road trip to San Clemente to buy a new surfboard.

I don't care...Megan and I went anyway.

My buddy Nick works for Rip Curl, which affords him certain perks when it comes to purchasing merchandise. Perks that he is generous enough to pass along to hacks like me every once-in-awhile. So when he said he could sell me a brand new 9'0 Walden Magic Model with an EPS high density core and carbon fiber rails at cost...the wifey and I made plans for a roadie.

Sure I could have waited a few days and driven up when it wasn't raining, but then again, no I couldn't. I don't know if it's the time of year, with Christmas right around the corner, or that I'm just a big kid who can't wait to get his hands on a new toy, but there was no thought of waiting for the storm to pass.

I'm happy to report that the trip went off without a hitch, and that other then the board getting a little wet on the ride home (which I'm told is okay for surfboards), everything went as planned.

Thanks Nick.

Acqua al 2

Sometimes it just works out, ya know? I usually work until about 11:30 on Friday night's and then just go home and chill before bed. This Friday however we did our show early because we were following the USD - Boise State basketball game. That meant I was done by 9:30 and as luck would have it my wife was downtown with the girls having a drink when I got off the clock.

That meant that instead of being the old married guy who went straight home after work on a Friday, I got to be the old married guy who crashed a "girls night out" party at Acqua Al 2.

Better yet, I did it with a mustache.

Wing-Women

Marriage is all about supporting your partner, and nothing says I support you and your mustache like a wife sporting here own upper lip koozie. Don't get me wrong, Megan hates my mustache and is quite literally counting down the days until I shave it, but she supports my growing of it because of what it stands for.

How could a guy with a dirty top lip ask for anything more?

The Real Deal

I finally did it for real...as in "Just for Men" for real.

The thing about growing a mustache, especially if your under 40, is that it takes a certain amount of bravado to pull it off. That's if you can grow a Tom Selleck-esq mustache. If you grow a wispy, light haired mustache like I do, it's almost unbearable. That's why I took matters into my own hands.

After a dry run a few days ago, I made it official tonight. The only problem is I may have left the dye in a tad long. Not too long...just a tad.

We'll see.

Lunch

Every once in awhile I get inspired to fix myself a tasty little lunch, as opposed to going out somewhere or settling for a homemade turkey sandwich. Today as you may have guessed, was one of those days.

Listen to what I had. Hickory smoked peppercorn bacon fried in a pan until crispy and then diced up. Then I took some shredded chicken and threw it in the pan with the bacon grease to heat it up and infusion some more flavor into it. Threw all of that into a corn tortilla and topped with onions, tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro. Simple and scrumptious.

Sam the Cooking Guy would be so proud.

After School All-Stars

My co-worker Jenny Cavnar has been involved with the After School All-Stars, a non-profit organization that specializes is helping kids succeed in school and life, for a couple of years now. She collaborates a lot with Chargers linebacker Shuan Phillips on events, but none of them are as unique as the annual Dodge Ball tournament.

Think lots of 20 somethings in costumes throwing balls at each other and generally partying for a good cause. The ultimate prize at this party is to be crowned the champion Dodge Ball team, but if you're terrible at the sport and still want to win something, you can.

That's where Tony Gwynn Jr, Jenny and I come in. We were the judges for the costume portion of the party tonight, and like all good judges we couldn't come up with a winner...so we picked two. The Super Mario Bro's team and the Wrangler-wearing Brett Favre look-alikes taking pictures of their junk and sending it to an attractive Jets employee.

Like you could have come up with a winner between those two.

T-Deli

A few months ago I was at Ray's Tennis in Hillcrest getting my racket re-strung, and while I was waiting I wandered into an amazing deli. The place is called "T-Deli" and it is fantastic. I have no idea what the "T" stands for (maybe for The...as in welcome to the best deli in town), but I don't really care. All I know is that the Turkey Sandwich is the best I have ever had and the fresh fruit is delicious.

The place has quickly become one of Megan's favorites as well, so the two of us try to get there at least a couple of times a month. The only problem is we've never had anything but the turkey sandwich...it that good. So while I clearly recommend this place, I can only assume the rest of the menu is as tasty as the limited portion that the Weisbarth's have sampled.

Only one way to find out I guess...see you there next weekend.

Miracle League

The Miracle League of San Diego is a non-profit organization that gives children with disabilities a chance to play baseball as part of a team in an organized league. Which seems pretty ordinary to you and I, but believe me it is an extraordinary opportunity for the kids that are part of this league. More then anything it is a chance for them to be "just like everybody else" for few hours on a Saturday.

A few years ago, as part of their "Little Padres Park" initiative, the San Diego Padres built the Miracle League a special baseball field for the kids to play on. Ever since then, the Padres and the Miracle League have continued to nurture their relationship.

On Saturday Buddy Black, Heath Bell, Will Venable, Tony Gwynn Jr. and I were all guest pitchers at the Miracle League field. It really took me back to my Little League days...not because of all the kids playing baseball, but because I got lit up on the mound. In one inning of work I gave up a combined total of 28 runs, and I didn't even get an out.

Unfortunately for the Padres, Heath Bell had the exact same line.

I've Had It!

I have now been growing my mustache for Movember and the Facial Hair Formal for 12 days. Twelve days is a long time to walk around growing a 'stache that no one can see. So today I took a page out of San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson's book and I finally did something about it.

With the help of my wife Megan I was able to enhance the appearance of my Movember ribbon. You see, it's not that I can't grow a mustache, it's just that it looks like I can't grow a mustache because the hair comes in light. Which is a problem...until you do something about it.

Problem solved!

Veterans Day

For those of us (like me) who have never served our country as a member of the armed forces, Veterans Day is all about perspective.

When I think I'm having a bad day or a tough time of it I think about men like my Grandfather who was a Marine in WWII and Korea, or my Dad who enlisted in the Navy at the age of 18 and spent the next 22 years serving his country. I think about the types of sacrifices that men like that make every single day, whether it's fighting a war on foreign soil or simply being away from friends and loved ones for an extended period of time. I think about what they do, and what that means for me...and I can't help but be thankful.

It's day's like today that help me put my own life and my own "troubles" into perspective. When so many give so much in the defense of our country and our ideals, it's humbling to think about. For that I say thank you to all the veterans and all the active duty members of our military.

Thank you for all that you do.

Big Mama's Pizza

That's a slice of pizza from a 36" pie...because sometimes you need 3 feet of pizza.

I don't know what it is about Americans and giant portions of food, but I feel like we as a nation have that market cornered. We even have TV shows about it (Man vs. Food) and the effects it has on us (The Biggest Loser).

The way I see it every once in awhile isn't gonna kill me. So today I splurged...I'll make up for it tomorrow.

Show and Tell Winner

I can't imagine what it would have been like to have Steve Garvey come to my 3rd grade class back in 1984 as my "show and tell" guest. I mean seriously, I cannot even comprehend what that would have felt like.

I can tell you this, 26 years later it was pretty flipping cool to watch Adrian Gonzalez visit Bird Rock Elementary school He was there as part of a sweepstakes that Round Table Pizza and Channel 4 put on during the baseball season. The concept was simple, register at a Round Table Pizzeria and if your name got picked, like Christy Jorgensen's did, you got to take a Padre to school for show and tell. As it worked out, Adrian was that Padres and today was that day.

The coolest part was getting to see the kids (and the parents) so fired-up to meet Adrian...but a close second in my book was Adrian himself. Adrian is the most high profile member of the Padres. He's a 2-time Gold Glove winner and a 3-time All-Star, and yet when he arrived for the event (on time no less) the only person with him was his wife. No entourage, no hanger-oners, no thugs, no nothing...just Betsy.

How refreshing is that?

I have no idea how long Adrian will remain a Padre, it's conceivable that he has already played his last game as a Friar. I do know this, when he's gone I will miss him. I'll miss his homeruns, I'll miss his defense, I'll miss his arm, but most of all I will miss who he was...a good guy.

Surprise Party

The best way to throw a surprise party (or surprise lunch in this case) is to throw it at least 3 days prior to the actual birthday. That way no one sees it coming and your surprise is all but guaranteed.

That's what the Channel 4 sports crew was able to accomplish today for our friend and colleague Lorien. Giving credit where credit is due, Jenny Cavnar plotted the whole thing and pulled it off beautifully. Though her supporting cast was pretty good as well.

The plan was simple, as all good plans are. Lure Lorien to the Corvette Diner under the guise that she was field producing a story for one of our news reporters, then jump out from behind a wall of menus and yell surprise. Like I said, simple. The key is the 3 day buffer...she didn't expect a thing.

Perfect.

Surfing USA

In the past I have never really considered myself a "surfer". I always just thought of it as "I am a guy that surfs". It's a subtle difference, but a difference none the less.

In my mind to be labeled a "surfer" is as much about your lifestyle and beliefs as it is about what you do (i.e. surf). This weekend however I came to grips with the fact that I do now consider myself a surfer...and it has nothing to do with the quality of my surfing and everything do to with how I feel about surfing.

This weekend was one of those amazing weekends in the water. Perfect tide, no wind, a good swell, great sandbars and all of your buddies in the lineup. It sounds cheesy but I really believe that people who grow up in and around the ocean (like I did) feel a deep connection to it. There was an ad in Surfer Magazine back in the late 80's or early 90's that read, "Blood is 90% water, it's time to come home."

That's how I feel and that's why I'm a surfer.

Happy Birthday Big Man

So my buddy Wren turned one this weekend. Actually, that's not true, but we celebrated it this weekend.

Now depending on what you are talking about a year can be a long time, or a relatively short time. I mean a year is a long time to hold your breathe but it's not that long in the life span of a giant sequoia. I bring this up because a year IS a long time in the development of a baby. Not being a parent myself this isn't something that I intrinsically feel just yet...but I can see it.

When Wren turned 4 days out, I took that picture of him and his Dad Brendan. Brendan looks the same (accept for the creepy sideburns)...Wren doesn't even look related to the baby in that picture. It's just crazy for me to see how much Wren has changed. Sure he's still a baby...but he's not baby.

Does that make sense?

Fore!

Every year for the past 21 years Mark Grant and the Kiwanis Club have put on a golf tournament benefiting Children's Hospital here in San Diego.

Every year for the past 4 or 5 years I have golfed in the tournament and helped Mark emcee the dinner afterward. This year was no different, except that this year I got to play with the head man himself. Did we win...no, but how could we? It would look bad if Mark won his own tournament. We easily had the most fun though and that's what the day is really about.

For the record, I realize that saying, "It's all about the fun" is a very Soccer Mom thing to say. I mean if it doesn't matter who wins then why do we score? I get it. I'm just saying we didn't win but we had a blast.

Jeez, get off my case.

Western Metal Concert Series

Normally I wouldn't be that excited about a picture of a stage being set up at PETCO Park, but tonight is different.

How might you ask? It's different because tomorrow night I'll be taking a picture from a hell of a lot closer then tonight's.

The Padres are hosting the first of two Western Metal Concerts, with Colby Caillat and Jewel performing tomorrow night...and Megan and I are sitting 5th row, center stage. Sure, it's not exactly U2, but I am fired up for the show.

So fired up in fact that I took a picture of a stage being built.

Phil's BBQ

This is not my first time blogging about Phil's, and with just under 2 months left in the year, it probably won't be my last.

The thing about Phil's is that it is irresistible. Not so much in the way that Christy Brinkley was irresistible in "Vacation", more like the Your-powers-are-useless-against-us-so-don't-try-and-fight-it kind of irresistible. Once somebody mentions it as a dinner option there's no turning back. That's what happened tonight.

Megan just got home from a business trip in Seattle and while we were trying to figure out what to do for dinner, she said the magic words, "What about Phil's?" That's all it takes...30 minutes later this is what I was staring at this.

20 minutes later the plate looked much less presentable.

I Voted

That's it.

No long blog entry talking about my it's important to vote or how everyone's voice needs to be heard. No guilt trip about how our fore fathers fought to give us the right to choose.

Just simple civic pride. I voted and I'm proud that I did.

Movember 1st

As a sportscaster I end up getting to play in a lot of charity golf tournaments and I always have a good time. In fact I'm playing in Mark Grant's this Friday and I can't wait. The thing is I have always been a little jealous of my colleagues who throw these events because I think it is so important to - quote "give back to those less fortunate". It might sound like a cliche, but who cares, raising money for a charity you believe in is a wonderful thing to do.

Well I am happy to announce that I finally have my own charity event to rally behind...and it is going to be awesome!!! You can find all the info you need at FacialHairFormal.com, but the gist of it is pretty straight forward.

The month formally known as November has been transformed into Movember, a month all about raising awareness (and money) for Prostate and Testicular cancer research. The way you raise that awareness is the best part...you do it by growing a mustache for the month. The rules are simple, start clean shaven on the 1st and groom your mustache until the 30th. The mustache is our pink ribbon. A way for each of us show our support for those effected by these cancers.

The fund raising comes from the Facial Hair Formal that I am throwing on the 27th. If you live in San Diego I highly recommend that you attend this event...it is going to be hilarious and a ton of fun. We are still hashing out the VIP guest list but I can tell you that we have some sweet prizes lined up for the Mr and Mrs Movember contest.

The venue is small so if you want to come, register on the website right now and reserve your space. We're asking for a $10 donation at the door. See you on the 27th.

Best Costume Ever!

Apparently Antonio Gates and the Chargers decided to dress up as an NFL team for Halloween this year.

Or maybe they went as the 2009 Chargers.

Whatever the case, they won a football game against a tough Tennessee Titans football team today. To be fair, the Bolts tried to give this one away with some more special teams gaffs, but in the end they made one more play then the Titans did and it earned them a win.

For his part Antonio Gates was a total stud. Shocker, I know. Playing on two bad feet and a tender hamstring Gates caught 5 balls for 123 yards and a touchdown. Not bad for a guy that had to go to the locker room twice during the game to get "re-tapped".

The only bad part is that other then the people who were at the stadium today, no one else in San Diego got to see his gutty performance. Good thing I'm here to tell you about it.

And while we're handing out game balls, Phillip Rivers and Norv Turner get one too.