my brand new macbook...

Perhaps I subconsciously spilled beer on my white macbook so I had an excuse to get a black one? I love it! It took a serious trek out to the Fedex Ground warehouse in South San Francisco to get it, but it was worth the ordeal...

Some of the stats- Processor 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Memory 4 GB MHz DDR SDRAM, Hard Drive, comes installed with @ 2 GB, and Hard Drive 250 GB. Best bang for the buck. A comparable MacBook Pro is nearly a grand more, but the screen is larger.

atsuko...

My cousin in Japan passed away on May 9th of liver failure. She was only 49 years old. I am extremely saddened by her death. Everytime I visited Tokyo, Atsuko was so very kind to me. I will celebrate life in honor of her...

do not spill beer on your macbook...

The way the keyboard is configured on the MacBooks, if you spill beer or liquids on your keyboard, your MacBook will die... Mine passed away last thursday. I really hate learning the hard way...

allen nakamura...

Please vote for Allen for Comcast Sportsnet 2008 All Star Teacher! bayarea.comcastsportsnet.com/ASTMain.jsp He teaches @ Alameda High, in Alameda, CA of course- where he teaches US History, Ethnic Studies, and Leadership, in addition to coaching the 9th grade boys basketball team. The winning teacher will win $10K for his or her school.

I've known Allen for nearly twenties years and without being bias, he's one of the most popular teachers I've ever seen in all my years. I'm going to do all I can to help his school get votes.

jason taylor...

I'm fucking sick and tired of Bill Parcells. Yes, he's won two Super Bowls, but the last one was 17 years ago. He's like Bobby Knight, he's done. And Knight won three NCAA Championships @ Indiana.

Wayne Huizenga is an idiot for letting Parcells run the Dolphins. Let me state that the coach Parcell hired- Tony Sparano is just a puppet. I will make a prediction that Parcells will be run out of town in two seasons.

I have mixed emotions regarding the Jason Taylor situation. If he was really serious about remaining with Miami, he wouldn't have been on "Dancing With The Stars." He's trying to get a heads up on his post football career. I hear he wants to be a action star like the Rock. I just don't see it. Taylor is a good looking dude and seems like a great guy, but he doesn't have any charisma. If he can prove me wrong, more power to him...

Here's a trade that will never happen, but the Niners should trade Alex Smith straight up for Jason Taylor. Although, I don't think Taylor fits into a 3-4 defense. This will allow Taylor to be closer to Tinsletown and the Dolphins really need a quarterback.

I can't fucking stand Bill Parcells!

american airlines...

I don't know the exact details, but AA will start to impose a $15 check-in fee for one piece of luggage. I can now imagine everyone will be attempting to carry-on their bags which will cause more delays. I'd rather opt to pay the 15 bucks and not try to jam my bag into an overhead container. And I heard airlines will charge more for travelers who want to sit in exit rows and rows with more legroom. Hell, I got two bad knees, I'll pay for that option too. I cut back my traveling by air more than 50%. If I'm going to fly on a cramped plane, I want to some semblance of comfort...

scarlett johansson...

I first noticed her assets in the film- GHOST WORLD starring Steve Buscemi and Thora Birch. Birch was definitely the more prominent actress @ that time from her role in AMERICAN BEAUTY where she did a topless scene @ 16 years old. I don't see how the producers got away with that?

Anyway, as most everyone knows, Johansson is a household name and Birch hasn't really done much of note in the past few years. Now, Scarlett has released of CD of Tom Waits' songs. Her voice is not good. It just astounds me how so many people overestimate their singing talent? That's why I respect dancers so much, you can't fake it, whereas, many successful singers are horrible singers...

kristi yamaguchi...

I want to congratulate her on winning "Dancing With The Stars." Kristi from show one was the favorite and she started out technically sound from her years of training for figure skating- she evolved into a real dancer with emotion and showmanship. I'm very proud of the Bay Area product who broke the four season streak of men winning the contest.

I want to give props to Jason Taylor. Not only did he evolve as a dancer, but he showed what a true gentleman he is. We'll see if he stays with the Dolphins after Bill Parcells shunned him during a recent minicamp...

Rising_Yoshida Brothers

Saw this talented brother duo @ Yoshi's in the City on sunday night. They were phenomenal! And I was lucky enough to meet them backstage after the concert. They are very nice kids!

Delonte West: Uncut (Part 2)

After viewing Delonte West now of the Cleveland Cavaliers in a post game interview, I thought to myself, this kid is a trip! I did some research and happened upon a few interviews...

Now, I'm familiar with how entertaining this kid is.

work out on bravo...

What trips me out is Jackie Warner the King of "Work Out" has a chef demonstrating healthy cooking to her Sky Lab clients(who are generally obese) that is as big as a house. I know the adage, "you should never trust a skinny chef," but in this case, a thin chef would have been more appropriate. Jackie's chef could have been a Sky Lab client...

The self absorbed ____ should have had thin, chain smoking Anthony Bourdain demonstrate healthy cooking. Oh, that's a different cable channel. And I don't think Bourdain cooked anything healthy during his days as the executive chef @ Les Halles in Manhattan...

triple crown...

Not in baseball, but in horse racing... Although, we haven't seen a triple crown winner in MLB since Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski. In 1967 "Yaz" hit 44 home runs with 121 rbi, batting .326. It's very early in the season, but Lance Berkman of the Astros is on a triple crown pace, leading the league in homers and rbi, and is second to Chipper Jones in batting average. One more baseball note, "Yaz" won the batting title with a .301 average in 1968, which I believe is the lowest winning average of all-time...

There hasn't been a triple crown winner in thoroughbred racing since Affirmed in 1978. The year earlier Seattle Slew also won the triple crown. And in 1973, the greatest racing horse of all-time Secretariat dominated the triple crown. I will never forget watching Secretariat win the Belmont by 31 lengths besting a field of five horses. Rest assured, Big Brown will have more competitors and he won't win by 31 lengths, but a 10 length win is realistic, considering the thoroughbred's closing speed...

the preakness stakes...

Throughout the years, I really haven't paid attention where the Preakness is actually run. FYI, it's in Baltimore @ Pimlico Race Course.

For some reason, I'm interest in the Triple Crown this year? I'm hoping Big Brown wins the Preakness to complete the second leg.

On the other hand, thoroughbred racing is mired in controversy revolving drug use, purging by jockeys, the inhumane treatment of horses who don't live up to potential and expense, etc...

Then again, what sport isn't dirty?

Wow! What a finish by Big Brown! He actually slowed down @ the end! Big Brown isn't dominant like Secretariat, but he looks like a Triple Crown Winner!

ucla basketball recruits...

It's not official, but former LSU recruit J'Mison Morgan will be replacing Kevin Love as the Bruin's new center next season. Jrue Holiday will replace Russell Westbrook. Malcolm Lee will provide depth in the backcourt. Drew Gordon out of San Jose will replace Mbah a Moute, although Luc Richard should return to school, because no way in hell he will be drafted. I'm not familiar with Jerime Anderson, but from what I've read, he's a player... The Bruins are very deep in the backcourt. Josh Shipp should withdraw his name from the NBA draft, however in reality, UCLA really doesn't need him next season.

The incoming freshmen class seems to be the best in the Ben Howland era. I forsee another return to the Final Four.

The doctored SI cover is definitely optimistic- Morgan just needs to be better than Lorenzo Mata-Real...

don nelson...

I don't know if I can give Peter Vescey of the New York Post any credence. I think he's full of shit. However, he writes, "Several core Warriors are convinced owner Chris Cohan is considering paying off ($5.1M) Don Nelson rather than risk a players' rebellion next season."

It stems from Nelson benching Baron Davis in the second half of the Phoenix game which was the second to last game of the year. That clash of egos cost the W's a playoff opportunity.

I personally think it's time for Don Nelson to go and let him retire to his home on Maui. Cohan and Chris Mullin need to give Keith Smart an opportunity to see whether he can be an effective head coach in the NBA...

And if the Warriors can miraculously pull the first or second pick in the draft, then it would time to let Baron go as well. Derrick Rose will be the next great young point guard in that Chris Paul and Deron Williams mold...

japanese heritage night @ at&t park...

Hopefully, it cools down this evening when the Giants play against the White Sox who have more than few players with Bay Area roots. Ex-Giant A.J. Pierzynski who had a controversy filled season in the City by the Bay will probably get more than a few boos. Chicago also starts former Oakland A's Jermaine Dye and Nick Swisher. Dye was born in Vacaville. And Stanford product Carlos Quentin recently of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

With a special ticket, a bobblehead of the first Japanese National to play in the major leagues pitcher Masanori Murakami will be given away. BTW, Murakami played two seasons for the Giants. In his second and final season in the City, he struck out 85 batters in 74 innings. I also have a bobblehead of Tsuyoshi Shinjo who played for the Giants in the World Series season of 2002. Now, six seasons later the Giants have another Japanese player- Keiichi Yabu.

new orleans hornets...

They really should be called the Jazz, just like when Pistol Pete Maravich played. Whether they beat San Antonio in the playoffs or not, it has been the coming out party for Chris Paul. I'm a big fan of Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz, but there is not doubt in my mind that Chris Paul is the best point guard in the Association.

The Hornets just aren't a deep team and they probably won't win the championship with a journeyman like Mo Pete starting @ shooting guard.

garden city casino...

Back in the day, this place had world class entertainment in their restaurant/lounge and excellent food. After their remodel, the casino is nice, but the food is absolutely horrible! The chicken enchiladas I consumed the other night was the worst I've ever had...

I played two sessions of poker in the past few days and my first session was profitable, but my second session was terrible! I had a feeling when I walked in for session two that it wasn't going to be good. I should have listened to my intuition...

I will do without frequenting this joint for awhile...

the los gatos coffee roasting company...

There are a ton of middle aged women having coffee during the lunch hour on this beautiful day in Los Gatos. The temperature is hovering near 80 degrees. Usually, there's more than a few milfs in the mix. Today, I must admit LGCRC is milf free, much to my chagrin. C'est la vie...

o.j. mayo scandal @ usc...

What a surprise! The kid was probably taking money from agents since he was 12 years old... The root of the matter begins with the AAU programs. In many instances, the AAU (which is ridiculously suppose to be the Amateur Athletic Union) coach has more power than the player's high school basketball coach. Some of those AAU teams are essentially a pro team. Illegal payoffs have been going on forever and a day and they will keep on happening.

I remember when I went to University of Washington seeing all the basketball players driving automobiles that they couldn't afford. I just accepted it as common practice.

I really do hope USC gets nailed for the Reggie Bush and now the O.J. Mayo incidents.

mike d'antoni coaching the knicks...

Contrary to what the so-called experts say about the Knicks not having the players to play an up tempo game, I have to disagree to a certain degree. Quentin Richardson thrived in the Phoenix offense in the 2004-2005 season. Nate Robinson who went to Rainier Beach High School and University of Washington, just like yours truly is tailor made for D'Antoni's offense. And another Rainier Beach grad Jamal Crawford will also shine. The Knicks will definitely win more than 23 games next season...

work out bravo...

I remember when Bravo showed mostly independent film. Now, they are on the pinnacle of shitty reality tv and I'm ashamed to say that I watch the show.

Jackie Warner, the owner and operator of the gym that is showcased in the the show has gone from a somewhat likeable person to a self-possessed bitch in season 3.

This is not a program to look for any fitness tips. It's all about drama and I can't take my eyes off of it...

word of the day...

I haven't posted a "word of the day..." for awhile- I guess my vocabulary is that limited...

PANACHE- flamboyant confidence of style or manner. A friend of my Lucky has PANACHE. Self-assurance, style, flair, elan, dash, verve, zest, spirit, gusto, liveliness, vitality, energy, pizzazz, oomph, zip, zing... Fuck! PANACHE is a great word and one of my goals in life is to have PANACHE, although I believe I possess some PANACHE...

FYI, the above picture shows a model with a stellar ass wearing Lucky brand jeans.

wine review...

Rosenblum Cellars 2006 Mourvedre Contra Costa County. Retail @ the winery $18. For the people who don't know, you can take a ferry from the Ferry Building in San Francisco to Alameda and be @ a world class winery in about 30 minutes.

I really don't care for the nose of the wine. I first thing I think is of a barn, which isn't a good thing. Quite frankly, it tasted better @ the winery. It's funny, I tasted more coffee and chocolate characteristics @ Rosenblum, perhaps I didn't allow it enough time to breathe...

I must write again, that there is a mini label on the back of the wine bottle that is easily removable for keepsake.

oakland a's...

On tuesday night, I went to my first A's game of the season versus the Orioles. BTW, they won 4-2. In a previous post, I wrote that I was happy Oakland picked up Frank Thomas and Rajai Davis. Both players contributed to the victory. I'm not a Billy Beane fan, but Emile Brown has been a good addition thus far. It was suppose to be a rebuilding season. Closing in on the first quarter mark of the year, the A's have the third best record in the American League. Go figure?

And I must give props to starting pitcher Justin Duchscherer- he's making people forget about the forever injured Rich Harden...

specialty's bakery & cafe...

I've been going to Specialty's since their humble beginning on Kearny St. between Bush and Pine on the east side of the street. I now go to their flagship store on Pine right off of Montgomery. Recently, I've had some difficult getting my sandwich the way I ordered it. I hate fucking onions and I always order NO ONIONS PLEASE! And I opt to go without mayo, although I like mayo. Okay, last week I ordered my usual roasted turkey breast on potato poppy seed, no onions, and no mayo. After receiving my order, I walked all the way to XOX Truffles on Columbus between Filbert and Greenwich to nosh on my sandwich al fresco with a double espresso- lo and behold, there's onion and mayo on my sandwich. I'm pissed! Today, I'm in a hurry and I need a quick bite, therefore I stop by Specialty's again. I mention what happened last time I ordered a sandwich and the young man behind the counter gave me a freshly baked cookie. It wasn't necessary, but it was very thoughtful and considerate. When I get my sandwich this time, there's no onion, but it's slathered with mayo. I'm not happy, yet I'm in a hurry and I can live with the mayo. The nice young man offered to make me a new sandwich and I decline. I'm almost a block away and he hands me a new sandwich less the onion and mayo. I must commend the kid for going above and beyond the call of duty. And I'll continue to buy sandwiches @ Specialty's...

anthony kim...

I'm going to state that I'm not a big golf fan. I did play as a kid, but I lost my swing when I started lifting weights. I was an Arnold Palmer fan.

Quite frankly, I'm tired of Tiger Woods. Yes, I'd like him to surpass Jack Nicklaus in career major tournament wins.

This Kim kid seems to have some charisma. I'd rather see the Japanese-American kid from Hawaii Tadd Fujikawa win a tourney. BTW, Fujikawa is only 5'1 and only 17 years. He turned pro @ 16 and has yet to make a cut. Kim won his first PGA tournament on sunday @ 22. I just hope Tadd doesn't fall into that Michelle Wie funk...

big brown...

The 2008 Kentucky Derby winner. I'm far from a horse race fan. Last year, I did go to Bay Meadows a few times and even visited Emerald Downs in Auburn, WA. My favorite horse of all-time is Secretariat. More than a few months ago, I met some dude who seemed like he was full of shit, but he did know something about the pedigree of horses and turned me on to a website that tracks pedigree.

Big Brown is three generations away from 1964 Kentucky Derby winner Northern Dancer who also won the Preakness that year. Big Brown is also related to Damascus who won the Preakness and Belmont in 1967.

Obviously, bloodline is very, very important...

dana delany...

I'm watching the Laker-Jazz game and she appeared on a short promo for Desperate Housewives. I've always liked her, especially in EXIT TO EDEN. I think Dana would be perfect casting for a film on the "DC Madam" the late Deborah Jean Palfrey. They are almost exactly the same age. I can see it...

san francisco international film festival...

I should pay more attention to this film festival, but I don't. Coincidentally, two movies I saw @ Sundance are screening today- GLASSES which was called MEGANE @ Sundance and SLEEP DEALER. And I only saw two. Also screened today is a doc called UP THE YANGTZE which was also @ Sundance. I sat through an HBO meeting with the director of the doc. I thought he was an asshole. BALLAST is another Sundance film playing today. Hopefully, I'll be able to view a film today...

marvin harrison...

Whether he was involved in that shooting in Philly or not doesn't really affect what I saw observing Harrison on the sidelines the past few seasons. Sure he was injured last season, but Reggie Wayne has taken over the spot of being Peyton Manning's number one target. It appears to me that Harrison isn't too happy about playing second fiddle. In last years draft, the Colts took WR Anthony Gonzalez in the first round- which I thought was a stretch. I really believe Harrison dogged it in the playoffs contributing to the Colts loss. There was just something off with Harrison...

nba playoffs atlanta-boston...

Whether the Hawks lose game 7 or not to the Celtics, the series has shown the holes in Boston's lineup. First of all, you can't win the title with a point guard like Rajon Rondo. He's improved from his rookie year, but he has a long way to go. One, he shoots 26% from the 3-point line. And he's the one who took the last second three in game six that wasn't even close. Another thing, he plays out of control. Whether he'll ever be a legitimate point guard in the Association is up in the air?

On a positive note, I'm happy that Oakland Tech grad and former CAL player Leon Powe is playing well for Boston.

Forget about the regular season, I don't think Ray Allen and Paul Pierce mesh well. Both are strictly scorers. Kevin Garnett is their best player, yet he doesn't force his will on the game. I've noticed this throughout his career- Garnett isn't aggressive enough. The Celtics need Garnett to score about 30 with 15 boards to win game 7...

This isn't a stretch, but Boston won't win the east...

julio franco...

He's supposedly 49, I believe he's 52, most latin american players are older than they are listed. A recent example is Miquel Tejada, he suddenly revealed he's 33, instead of 31. Anyway, to get to the point, old Julio is retiring from baseball. I'm a bit saddened by this, because I wanted him to play until 50. Franco had nearly 2600 hits in his MLB career. There was a four year span when he played in Japan, Korea, and Mexico. I believe he could have attained the 3000 hit mark with those lost years.

legalizing prostitution...

Whether it's legal or not, prostitution will always happen. That's why you hear about guys flying all the way to Thailand or Costa Rica to buy sex. Hell, you can go to Tijuana and frequent some fairly decent whore houses. Those previously mentioned options are affordable. Sure there's legalized prostitution in certain counties of Nevada, but it's very expensive.

It just pisses me off that the "D.C. Madam" either took her life or was whacked by the government. She offered a service that thousands of men took part in. It's only fucking sex...

an extremely quasi celebrity sighting...

Steve Danneman who came in second to that Australian prick named Joe Hachem in the main event of the 2005 World Series of Poker @ the Ferry Plaza Wine Merchant.

I saw the dude and I couldn't place him. I thought he was an obnoxious dude I got in an argument with @ the above mentioned wine bar a few years ago... And he looks like a younger version of a friend of mine.

We talked briefly... He's not playing poker professionally, which I believe is a smart thing. Believe me, I know... He's a disciple of that monster looking self help mother fucker Tony Robbins. He's in town for one of those infamous Tony Robbins seminars. I believe he's a shill for that ugly motherfucker. Hey, whatever works for the mofo...

deborah jeane palfrey...

The convicted "D.C. Madam" of Vallejo, CA apparently committed suicide in Tarpon Springs, FL. A good buddy of mine who now lives in nearby Palm Harbor used to reside in Tarpon Springs.

A little over a year ago former professor and graduate of UCSF Brandy Britton who was linked to Palfrey in the escort business supposedly committed suicide in the same manner- by hanging.

It just seems sinister to me that both of these women who could have brought down many prominent politicians took their lives by hanging...

buzz bissinger...

He wrote "Friday Night Lights" and he's had too much plastic surgery on his face. His fucked up face reminds me of Mickey Rourke's pulled and plastic mug... Bissinger looks ridiculous! He's on the current rendition of HBO's Costas Now slamming the editor of deadspin.com. The fucking guy is nuts!