Who else is going to La Roux tonight at Club Nokia?   See you there! 

The 2010 NBA Finals... Lakers vs. Celtics! (Belated Coverage)

More pics to come!  I will be updating this as time becomes available to cover games 2, 6, & 7.  It's going to be picture overload!

All pictures are taken by me.  I try to capture as much as a I can before, during, and after the game.  Most of the pics will be of the celeb scene, because hey, it's LA!  Some of the big stars aren't pictured because they enter through an underground tunnel from the Nokia Theatre side. 

Game 2 @ Staples Center - June 6, 2010

Police bikes on the ready.  The NBA Finals logo.

Kobe & God.  What's the difference?  We in L-A triii-ck!

The ESPN NBA travelling trailer. 

Pau Gasol reppin' in Nokia Plaza before the game.

Me & Pau!  Marketing genius, Nike hired this lookalike to take pictures in front of their "All Together Now" promo sign. 

Budweiser Girls.  

Spanish/Mexican TV station doing their pregame. 

Celebs!  Game 2 Edition...

San Diego Chargers Running Back Darren Sproles and his boys.  Charger Cornerback Quentin Jammer.

Sylvester Sly Stallone fasttracking it down the middle of the lines.  Michael Clark Duncan and Omarosa. 

Ice Cube.  Kevin Love and his father. 

I thought it was record producer Damon Dash (Roc-a-fella Records), but after comparing mug shots, now I'm not so sure.  Anyone know who this is? 

Greasy Joel Silver (Movie producer - Matrix, Diehard, Co-creator of the sport Ultimate Frisbee!).  Jimmy Iovine (Record Company Exec - Interscope/Death Row, produced U2's Rattle & Hum).

Brain Grazer (Mega TV/Movie Producer, Co-Founder of Imagine Entertainment with Ron Howard).  He was cool, left his kid to sign autographs for a fan.   

The license plate on Dr. Jerry Buss' Bentley. 

Dr. Buss givin' a pound.  Below that, the little Latinas are his honeys.  No joke!

This guy (black t-shirt) is at every Lakers game with four corner courtside seats with all the rappers.  I finally learned his name... record producer Polow da Don. 

The most mysterious and intriguing Laker fan of all... the short Asian lady that sits courtside next to Jack Nicholson.  There's even Facebook club dedicated to her mystery!

And because you guys are freaks, this is her Porsche. 

Spiderman!  I think that's Archbishop Cardinal Roger Mahony with the white envelope.  The combover and ears match his pics.  I wonder where he got his tickets from... hmmmmm...

The world's all-time #1 surfer, Kelly Slater.  Who is J.West?  This guy. I still don't know who he is, but I like his shirt. 

This one is for the ladies... Maxwell was the nicest of them all, saying hi and blowing kisses to everyone. 

Adam Levine (Maroon 5), literally ran over this hottie because he was fast walking to the door.  I don't think she realized who bumped into her.  Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers).

Stacy Keibler... hottie!

AC Green, getting snacks in the concession line at halftime, just like the rest of us.

This dude was walking the halls with his boys during halftime and no one knew who he was.  I passed them once, then 10 minutes later I see this fat little 12 year old white kid go up and get his autograph.  In my no shame moment of the day, I went to ask the kid who that was.  He says, "That's John Wall!"  I felt so stupid.  Of course I know who John Wall is!  Consensus #1 pick in this year's NBA Draft out of Kentucky.  Two days later he signed a $25 million dollar shoe deal with Reebok and three weeks later he was drafted #1 by the Washington Wizards.  He's only a couple of inches taller than me and he's super skinny.  And he's going to be the best guard in the NBA for the next 10 years? 

This was the view from my seat.  HOLY SMACK!   I saw the two guys in front of me and they looked familiar... NO FRICKIN' WAY!  I'M SITTING RIGHT BEHIND KELLY SLATER! 

Kelly Slater was hella cool.  It was like watching the game with my boys because we were complaining to each other the whole game about the ref calls.  Only one of us has been with Pam Anderson, Cameron Diaz, Bar Rafaeli, and Gisele Bundchen.  After the game him and his friend shook my hand when they left.  After I looked that ish up on the computer at home, all I could think was... I shook the hand that touched the boob of...   ha ha ha. 

Games 6 & 7 still to come! 

Sometimes You Just Don't Know

It's been a couple weeks since the date, my only date with the awesome girl. 

"GIVE IT UP YO!" 

Stop screaming at me!  I did alright, a week ago, when I didn't hear back from her.  With first dates, you just can never know what the other side is really thinking or feeling. 

On Saturday I threw my bag into my trunk after spending three hours at the coffeehouse.   As I'm doing that, my text messenger is blowin' up.  It's her. 

My heart raced a little faster, wondering whether I should read further or not.  My brain is talking to me...  "Contact is good.  Contact could be bad.  No, contact is good, because we were already past the point of having to contact out of politeness.  It has to be good right?"

It was all bad news.  And even in all bad, there can be good.  The news from her is that I won't be seeing her again anytime soon.  I don't even know if I'll ever see her again.  But that's not the bad news.  The bad news was that she fell off the earth because one of her grandparents was/is going through major health issues and it's not looking good.  Before the grandparent thing developed, there were already some other temporary time consuming things that had popped up that she needed to take care of, so I can't even begin to imagine the toll all of this is taking on her time and stresswise, let alone having to work in the midst of it.  Seriously, she had the shittiest month. 

I was happy to hear back from her, even if it was brief.  She is very well-mannered girl so I did think it was a little strange when I didn't hear back from her, she had me wondering what turned her off.  Was it the breath?  Do I look that much uglier than my pictures?  Should I have rented a Maybach?  In the text she told me she was looking forward to getting to know me better and I believe her.  Hopefully it'll happen someday.  As for now, that day is not in sight and I'm perfectly okay with that.  I just hope the best for her family.   

She entered late and sat next to me.  The speaker said "Revelations" and I noticed that she was flipping to try and find it in the Bible.  I thought... hmmm... doesn't everyone who's at church know where "Revelations" is?  In case you didn't, it's the last book of the Bible, where all the crazy stuff happens.  White horses and singing oxen with six wings over their eyes. 

Then it came time for communion.  They passed out the bread and the wine and then she tapped me on the shoulder asking if something's going to happen.  She had eaten the unleavened bread already, but didn't drink the wine, noticing that everyone was waiting. 

I'm sure other people around me were wondering why I was talking.  I tried my best to do a quick explanation... "Yes, I think he's going to dedicate/pray for the wine/bread.  The time inbetween they allow for some reflection."

As service was nearing an end I thought, "If she doesn't leave early, maybe I should explain a little more to her."  Service ended and I gathered my stuff and was about to stand up and then opened my mouth. 

I told her about how bread signifies Christ's sacrifice on the cross and wine (Welch's Grape Juice) signifies Christ's blood that washes away our sins.  Also explained to her how traditional born again churches do communion about once a month whereas this church was a little more open, usuallly allowing you to do communion when you felt it necessary, versus doing the pass the tray like they did today.  She told me about her Catholic background, that she was new to all of this.  At that point I also did a one minute explanation of the difference of Catholics vs. Born Agains, summarizing it as most of the beliefs are similar, except the Catholics have a few more rules and like to use a Father for confession, whereas Born Agains can pray directly to God. 

She seemed very sweet, really grateful that I took the time to explain it to her, since she had only been to the church maybe a half dozen times and told me that I was the first person that she talked to.  I didn't expect my Sunday to be any different, because the church I go to for worship service is a big one.  Heck, even I don't know anyone at the church, I just like the music and the message.  But today, she reminded me that I need to be more observant and at times extend myself a little, whether it's at work, at church, or sitting at Starbucks.  I have the tendency of assuming everyone around me knows what's up or has it all together, but in reality, everyone is a little lost, just like me.  We are all just looking for kindred souls to help us along. 

• "Hi, I'm Sharon.  What's your name?"
• "Oh, I'm Howard.  Nice to meet you!"
• "I'm really glad you explained that to me!  I don't know anyone else here.  Maybe I'll see you around next time!" 

I have to admit, I saw that she didn't have a ring on.  That's because she was divorced, early 30s with two kids.  But my gosh, she looked like Jessica Simpson. 

The Chase Credit Card Fraud Department called me today to alert me that someone in Lebanon (not sure if it's the country or the one in Ohio) put thru a ping feeler authorization for $1.48.  Not me!   I haven't used that card in six months.  Shut down, reissue. 

I'm glad they caught it, but the question is, how did my card get found in the first place?  I don't use it at many questionable places, nor do I place many online orders with it.  It's a red flag because two of my other co-workers also had the same type of fraud on their Chase card in the past year.  Nobody I know has mentioned fraud problems with any other credit cards (debit cards, another story), I only hear the name Chase pop up.  Maybe Chase is the girl who can't close her legs of credit cards... easy access.   Anyone else ever had credit card fraud? 

The Lakers Celtics post is going to take me a while.  Just thinking of sorting and editing through 400 pictures is making my head spin.  By the time I'm done, it'll be the 2010-2011 season and Xanga won't want to feature me. 

Country Throwdown - Irvine, CA - June 19, 2010 

Friday afternoon... My co-worker puts on the sad face and bemoans the fact that no one will go to the Country Throwdown concert with her, that she asked 15 of her friends and everyone said no.  I automatically assume I'm #16 on the list. 

• Her:  By any chance want to go to the Country Throwdown with me?
• Me:  Ummm... Ummm... You paying for my ticket? 
• Her (knowing that country is not at the top of my list):  Sure!  Are you down for listening to country? 
• Me:  I guess I could go.  I don't mind checking out a country music show.  Let me know later if you decide to go. 

I get the drunk text at midnight... "You still wanted to go, right?" 

Saturday rolls around and we go up to the gate at 6 p.m.  There were about 10 groups and it started early in the afternoon, but we came to catch the headliners.  We were going to get lawn seats for $20, but check seats just to see what was available.  Girl looks at the chart and says, "Well, I have second row, center, in the pit..."  Are you serious?  We walked up and got second row pit seating for only $40 a ticket! 

I know, I'm used to being in the pit, but still... to walk up and get the best seats in the house... they either must've just released them or previously been part of a VIP package. 

They claim they made their friend dress up for his birthday. 

The second row ended up being the best in the house, because in the first row there's a gap and anyone in the pit can come and crowd your area in front of the stage.  Second row, no such problem.  Of the big acts, we only missed Jack Ingram.  Now my friend says she wants to bring me to every show after she saw the pictures I took. 

Eric Church

Little Big Town

Montgomery Gentry

I blame her for getting me into this!

Miss me yet?  Been swamped selling off Lakers Finals tix! And lucky enough to go to games 2, 6, & 7.  When I get it all compiled there will be one frickin' mega picture update.  Life is interesting when you hang out with a paparazzi guy named Shotgun Allen, take a picture with a guy in the bathroom, see the underwear of a Maxim 100 #2 girl, and botch a self-take picture with Michelle Kwan.  Mix in eight 3's from Ray Allen and a Shannon Brown alley oop and P. Diddy & Will I Am and you have one hell of a party. 

Put in your celeb pic requests and I'll see what I can do for you...

Wow!  Footprints has been getting hit up this past week due to the NBA Finals.  Two years ago I posted about what I saw at the Lakers vs. Celtics games and Xanga put it on featured.   There are an inordinate amount of celeb shots, probably one of my more entertaining entries.  If you missed it, check it out here...

http://djcaptainzowie.xanga.com/662041959/item/

I went on Sunday to the Lakers game and it was mad fun.  As usual, I sold all of my upper level seats and procured one lower level seat for myself.  The seat wasn't that close (25 rows back), but I still ended up sitting next to someone really hot and famous.  I'll save that story for when I put up the pictures.   Been a little overwhelmed with watching the games and getting the tickets sold.  If the series extends to Game 6 or 7, then my life next week will be hell with the last minute sales.  It's like having finals at schools, I can't mess these up.  At the same time, it's heaven too, since I'll be going to both games.   I put in half work days next Tuesday and Thursday, just in case. 

I wonder if my boss thinks I'm going on interviews. 

The Girl Next Door

Before "girl next door" became a porn category all to itself, there was the girl next door.  If she wasn't next door, then she was down the street.  Like in fifth grade when I would go to Ryan Morvay's house after school pull back his sister's junior high bra strap like a sling shot and let it snap on her back while she stood (fully clothed) on her driveway.  How's that big red mark on your back?  We were evil kids.  We didn't want to see her boobs, it was just our way of to make fun of her wearing a bra.  "Ryan's sister wears a bra!"

When I was a freshman in high school, my other neighbor had a sister that was developing.  She was a senior in high school.  I don't remember her being very pretty, but I did notice that things juggled under her bra-less shirt.   Then there were the two Eurasian sisters that lived down the street.   I went to my high school 10 year reunion and the younger one who was in my class didn't even remember that I lived on her street.  She was a toothpick back then.  At the reunion she was still slender but... wow.  Talk about late bloomers.  She was hotter than any of the ex-princesses and dance queens there.  

Now yesterday I got an email from my next door neighbor cubemate co-worker in my personal email.  All it said was this...

"LOL!!!  Hahahaha!  Check out who's on my list!" 

Scroll down and holy frick...  There I am, in my 95% match glory.  Match.com, causing workplace trouble.  What are the chances?  My next door neighbor cubemate is blonde.  She's so white that when I bust out the Japanese rice crackers, she said she had never seen those in her life.  "What are they?"  That's the same thing I said when I looked at her iPod and she said, "Lady Antebellum."  

The email is so glaringly funny because there's 11 white dudes (four of which look like they at one point were in the armed services) then me, the lone Asian guy.   How the heck did I get on her list?  Beats me.  Maybe it's the equivalent of trying to get her to try a rice cracker.  I went into work and said, "Nice to see who my competition is!"  

Today's perverted writing started out with such promised, but it ended with no exposed boobs, no watering of plants in bathing suits, no driveway car washes in slow motion, no jiggly butts walking dogs past my front yard.  But the girl next door?  Shoot, check your email.  It's twenty ten.  I'm the boy next door. 

I'm not immune to retail therapy.  Last week was not a great stock week, but who cares, in the compounding gains of things, it only set my retirement back a month or two, right? 

I started by seeing a blue Coach wallet on Ebay this month (it turned out to be "ocean" color with medium brown interior.  I didn't buy it, hoping to find it at the Coach outlet because in person sometimes Coach things look good and sometimes they don't.  Not there.  Then the last one on Ebay sold out.  Not a fan of the ID holder, but it's removable with card slots under it.   Oh well.

This has roots that go back 5 years farther.  When I first saw a brighter blue coach wallet with light brown interior, waiting for the Ebay price to go down to $80 and all the back stock sold out before it did.  Then I avenged my loss when LV issued a limited blue Epi men's wallet, which I used too much and wore down too fast.  Note to myself, don't use the nice wallet every day, be like a girl, like when they save certain hand bags for certain occasions.  

Then I found Bluefly had on sale a blue Paul Smith wallet that I fancied.  The stock was just listed in April and they already sold out!   I tried looking at every fine goods online site (Barneys, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Paul Smith, Selfridges in the UK, etc.) and no one has any left.

Then I found there's a newer Paul Smith wallet from this season... but no one had any of these either.  Why is it so hard to find these wallets?   This one is bright blue with orangish interior and says "Make Love, Not War).  A little different from the one above.   The orange is a little bright, but the outer blue was perfect. 

Well, I looked everywhere and found one on some British vendor's site.  Then I found a UK coupon code that docked off 25% off the price, so total score!  Even with international shipping, it's still 25% cheaper than if I had found it in the States. 

Okay, what did we learn.  I have a blue wallet fetish, which some would consider uglier than ugly.  Blue wallets are hard to find and sell out fast, no matter the maker.  I like normal cut wallets with at least 6 card slots and just one bill slot.  Also, it seems as if blue is the color this year.  Ferragamo, Gucci, and Prada all made blue wallets this season, where in years past no one made anything blue (the Prada one with the navy and sky blue alternate card holder colors is pretty dope, I think only available on the Neiman Marcus site).   When my mind is set, I'm a shopping hunter possessed. 

Speed Dating

A friend of mine who hasn't been on a date in years (not a bad looking guy, but too shy to break out of his comfort shell) went on an online date 10 days ago.  First one was a coffee date, then they decided to meet again.  Today... they are out on their fifth date.  Hot damn!   

During communication before and during his dating process, I was giving him some basic online pointers and let him do his thing.  My tips can't help him get the girl, but they might prevent him from creeping her out.  

Today I had to say to him, "Ummm... I won't try and say this anymore than this one time, but, have you considered slowing your roll?" 

He's just going with the flow, which is cool, but 5 times in 10 days... isn't that a lot?  Talk to her all you want, but you might want to keep the meet ups to only twice a week... you don't want to burn it all out in the first month.  Or do you?  He's not that city saavy, he doesn't know of cool restauratns or places to go to, which is why I worry.  I'm not going to bug him about it, but I thought it was something worth mentioning.  Nothing too scandalous has happened, they are both moderately conservative and both looking for a long term relationship, at least from what I gather. 

How fast is too fast?  There's the seeing each other too much fast, and then there's the we-went-from-strangers-to-sex-in-two-dates fast.  I'd put them in the first category, not the latter.  When dating a new someone, we always want to see be with the other person, but is it healthy?  We are already are talking on the phone, email, or texting everyday.  Could it be that we are afraid that if we don't see the person everyday that we fear that they'll lose interest in us?  

1. Do you find that your relationships have more staying power if you limit seeing each other to once or twice a week vs. virtually everyday for the first month or two?   
2. Is it better to delay seeing each other (even if it's only a day or two), so that the anticipation is greater and the actual dates are sweeter? 

My 29 year old friend is dating someone and didn't know what getting to first, second, or third base meant.  I referred him to Google.   

My American Apparel stock took a 60% hit the past month.  They are short factory workers after an immigration crackdown.  Did you know Rock & Republic also filed for bankruptcy protection last month? 

I don't think the American economy is going anywhere, contrary to news reports.  I think we've stabilized, but still won't be moving anywhere, for at least another year.   My ticket sales across the nation have been okay, but the activity hasn't picked up that much versus last year, which leads me to believe that economically things are the same.   People will pay big money for a couple of the big shows, but everything else is a crap shoot.  Tickets that used to fly two years ago move much slower.   Compared to last year?  About the same, or maybe 10% more activity.  Or maybe it's that I'm 10% more selective in what I decide to sell. 

Lakers playoff tickets have not been a cash cow.  I have the cheapest seats and I've been struggling to sell them for at or near cover price (they did raise our season ticketholder playoff costs 40% the last two years, keep regular season at the same price).  My friends all think I'm raking it in until I tell them reality of things.  Add up all my gains from the playoffs, we are talking a total of $200.  People with lower level higher priced tickets, a lot of them are taking losses.  Now if the Lakers play Boston in the NBA Finals, then all is well. 

If you don't think Europe's troubles affect us, well, let me explain it to you.  If Greece defaults on their loans, then the money they owe, say Switzerland can't get repaid, then the money Switzerland owes Italy can't get repaid, then the money Italy owes England can't get repaid.  You get the idea.  That's why it's panicky over there right now and also why the Euro might drop a bit more.  Snowball!

Sunday we start our new Fast Action Basketball League in Irvine.  My cardio fitness is whack, but for the first time in 2 years, my feet, ankle, and legs feel healthy.  Ankle pain... gone.  Plantar Fasciitis... I think I found some stretches to avoid it.  I am so gonna lose 10 lbs. this summer! 

I will be at the Shout Out Louds show tonite at the El Rey.  After I have Soon-do-bu.  Tomorrow is $15 an hour Chinese massage day and Cambodian cat-thieu noodles (pardon my spelling, the noodles are like pho, but better).  Have a great weekend!