Below are the 8 most recent journal entries recorded in stplsctrsparks' LiveJournal:

Wednesday, January 24th, 2007
10:04 am	Dog Bits Man! Downtown News Scoops LA Times! Once again, the Downtown News scoops the LA Times on an important story - the sale and - hopefully - reopening of a major cultural venue: Kathryn Maese A new player has entered the mix in the hot Staples Center neighborhood. Downtown's latest building transaction could bring a hefty dose of drama to South Park. The Variety Arts Center has been sold to David Houk, a local developer who once owned the Pasadena Playhouse. Former Pasadena Playhouse owner David Houk last week told Los Angeles Downtown News that he has closed escrow on the historic Variety Arts Center for an undisclosed amount. Houk, who heads Downtown-based Houk Development Company, purchased the 1924 theater and event space at 940 S. Figueroa St. from Anschutz Entertainment Group. "We bought it to restore it and produce new plays and musicals," he said. "We plan to read new scripts and pick shows." Houk said the deal closed Dec. 7, after his business plan was approved by AEG. Renovation of the Variety Arts Center is expected to last a year; he plans to move his offices and theater company into the location once the project is completed. AEG, which owns Staples Center, did not return calls for comment. The transaction has sparked enthusiasm from area players. "I would think because of [Houk's] background that it's a real opportunity to create a potential new theater and entertainment center adjacent to the L.A. Live complex," said Mike Pfeiffer, executive director of the South Park Stakeholders Group, which represents many of the area's businesses. "It seems like the best fit. It's a building that's needed something like this for a long time." AEG purchased the five-story Variety Arts Center for an estimated $8 million in spring 2004, with plans to develop it as a key component of the $2.5 billion L.A. Live sports and entertainment district rising two blocks away. The first phase is set to open late this year with a host of big-name restaurants and retail shops; later phases include a theater, movie complex, ESPN broadcast center, housing and a hotel. Houk had eyed the Variety Arts Center for several years, and said he tried to purchase it around the time AEG bought it. When he heard that Anschutz was looking for a quiet sale, he jumped at the opportunity. "It's a fabulous location to put on shows," Houk said. "I was told that more than dollars they were interested in a compatible use for what they were doing." The elegant structure, which is a registered historic cultural landmark, houses a 1,000-seat theater along with a smaller theater and nightclub space, a lounge, a library and offices. Over the years the venue has seen a smattering of events from concerts to film shoots to fashion shows. "We're very excited about hearing his plans and the timing couldn't be better," Pfeiffer said. "When you look at that location and that building, it has tremendous history. The architecture is so beautiful and it's another of those features that attracts people to the Downtown core." The Italian Renaissance-style theater is among Downtown's most historically and architecturally noteworthy structures. The building, which is sometimes overlooked because of its simple gray facade, was constructed to house the Friday Morning Club, a social and political organization for women founded in 1891 by Caroline Severance. To pay off the construction costs, the club built the main theater, whose elegant design includes a gold-leafed, coffered ceiling and faux-marble columns, as a playhouse to generate income. Will Rogers was toastmaster on opening night, and guests included Charlie Chaplin and Cecil B. DeMille. Throughout the 1930s the Variety Arts Center attracted prominent speakers including Eleanor Roosevelt and Dorothy Parker, and hosted live radio shows by Al Jolson and Eddie Cantor. The structure, and its anchor club, began to decline by the '70s. It was sold in 1977 to the Society of the Preservation of the Arts. Paul Sehdeva purchased the building in 1989 and held onto it until AEG acquired it. The Variety Arts Center is one of nearly half a dozen Downtown theaters that are being brought back from obscurity. Developer Tom Gilmore is currently rehabbing the State Theater on Main Street and plans have been announced to fix up the Million Dollar Theater on Broadway. If the Variety Arts building becomes a theater, it would have an ample audience within walking distance. Developer South Group is building five condominium towers in South Park and Houston's Hanover Company is constructing a 26-story apartment complex at Olympic Boulevard and Figueroa Street. Contact Kathryn Maese at kathryn@downtownnews.com. It is now over a month since the sale closed and the Times still doesn't seem to know about it. (Comment on this)
Thursday, November 2nd, 2006
1:54 pm	LA Queens, caught in the middle? I gotta admit, I do like the way things are brewing in the Staples Center, and I don’t mean the megaplex structure they’re constructing next door which I pass every morning on my drive to work. Rather, the Lombardi-Crawford rebuild looks a lot like the Burke-Carlyle model of yesteryear. A stripped down team with some good, young players, a strong UFA-boosted blueline, and some decent options in net. Plus a GM and coach that are seeing eye-to-eye, I guess nowadays that is getting rarer. This team has a bright outlook, especially because I think L.A. still has money it can spend. But the main problem that L.A. faces is that they’re in a pretty tough state to play in. Since Jan. 1, 2006, the Kings went a combined 2-8-2 against the Ducks and Sharks, getting outscored 26 – 48. Their PP clicked at 13.7%, and their PK was a mean 68.6%. Clearly, to make the playoffs L.A. will need to put up better instate numbers than that. According to the pundits, though, both the Sharks and Ducks have gotten better this offseason (certainly better than the start of last season). Will the princess in the middle step up and make a name for herself? L.A. opens its preseason in Anaheim on Sept. 18, and opens its season in Anaheim on Oct. 6. (Comment on this)
Friday, August 18th, 2006
12:11 pm	Holidays......... Hotel News In Brief Jun 16, 06 1:46 am The Quality Suites Drummondville has been honoured with the Choice Hotels® Canada (CHC) 2006 Hotel of the Year Award. The award marks a couple of CHC ‘firsts’ – it’s the first time a Quebec property has won the award and the first time a woman was presented with the honour. Geneviève Milot is the owner and general manager of the property. Quality Suites Drummondville was selected from 260 Choice Hotels anada properties located from coast to coast. The award was presented to Milot at the recent Choice Hotels International 52nd Annual Convention, held in Nashville, Tennessee. 41 Choice Hotels Canada properties were selected as Gold Hospitality Award Winners for 2006. That honour goes to hotels that consistently exceed Choice’s rigid quality assurance standards. Properties are nominated and evaluated by peer hoteliers who examine a number of factors, including guest service, hotel cleanliness and décor. Of those winners, four properties were selected as Hotel Of The Year Award finalists and the Quality Suites Drummondville property emerged victorious. The hotel opened in June 2004 and has been winning praise and repeat visits ever since. Its location between Montreal and Quebec City makes it a convenient rest stop for Ontarians and others heading east and Maritimers heading west. “I’m very proud to accept this award on behalf of all the staff at Quality Suites Drummondville,” said Milot. “There are many elements to running a good hotel, but the most important is that guests feel welcome and all their needs are met. We’re lucky to have a staff here that treats our customers as if they were guests in their own home.” Luxury Award-Winning Resort in the Caribbean to Become The Westin Aruba Resort & Spa; First Westin-Branded Resort and Starwood Vacation Ownership Planned for Aruba Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. and Belfonti Capital Partners announce an agreement to re-flag Belfonti's newly-acquired 478-room Aruba Resort Spa & Casino as The Westin Aruba Resort & Spa. The property will raise the Westin flag in late 2006 upon completion of a renovation to further enhance the property's AAA Four Diamond rating. The hotel also features the 12,000 square-foot Casablanca Casino, one of the Caribbean's premier gaming destinations. Belfonti, which owns the entire property, will manage the casino while Westin will manage the hotel under a long-term agreement.In addition, Starwood Vacation Ownership, a division of Starwood, plans to launch the first Westin-branded vacation ownership resort on Aruba. This vacation ownership resort will be located on land adjacent to the hotel and plans call for 154 two-bedroom villas. Sales are scheduled to commence by early 2007. "This property is a perfect fit for Westin's strategic Caribbean expansion," said Sue Brush, senior vice president, Westin Hotels & Resorts. "We are proud to bring Westin's signature personal renewal experience to this prime location on Aruba." Meritus Hotels & Resorts welcomes Mr Marc-Henri Dumur to head up the new Meritus Chiang Mai Riverside Spa Resort in Thailand, scheduled to open in October 2006. Born and raised in Switzerland, Mr Dumur brings his extensive international experience in the hospitality industry to Meritus. A master of six languages, with an additional ten years of service in Thailand, where he has acquired a great wealth of knowledge in what personalised service and boutique is all about, both of which Meritus Chiang Mai Riverside Spa Resort intend to be known for. Frank Foster, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales for the Meritus group, says, “We’re thrilled that Marc-Henri is taking the helm at our new Meritus Chiang Mai Riverside Spa Resort. He truly understands what personalised service is all about and his wealth of experience will ensure the success of our latest venture.” He also added, “It’s a great blend of personality and skills that is sure to echo through the resort, not only that, the Swiss efficiency bonding with Thai empathy, is a great combination of eastern service with an understanding of western expectations, and as our targeted cliental is a mix of both, we have huge confidence in the project.” The soon to be opened resort is nestled inside beautifully landscaped gardens within the heart of one of Thailand’s most culturally vibrant cities, and is a Lanna-inspired boutique resort located along the banks of the ancient Mae Ping. Guests can travel to and from the resort in a traditional flat-bed boat from the private pier and meander through key attractions like the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and Night Safari, all a short distance away. The resort epitomises relaxation, not just due to the location, but also thanks to housing amenities and services, such as the award-winning spa – The Aspara. Guests are surrounded in lush tranquility when they stay in any of 74 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites at the resort. With abstract interiors, make-believe gatekeepers and the most high tech features of any hotel in the region, The Luxe Manor will open on Kimberley Road in autumn 2006 as Kowloon’s first designer boutique hotel. The new luxury hotel features a “surreal” concept and design: a modern reinterpretation of a European mansion featuring mythical characters within its architecture and design elements which recall the works of the twentieth century surrealists. Designed to appeal to a uniquely stylish segment of luxury leisure and business travellers, the 14 floor, 159 room property -- in the buzzing dining and entertainment district of Knutsford Terrace in Tsim Sha Tsui -- is to be ‘where the surreal slumber.’ The Luxe Manor is designed by Aedas Interiors’ renowned Hong Kong designer, David Buffery, whose other projects include FINDS Scandinavian restaurant in Lan Kwai Fong and the newly opened LOTUS on Pottinger Street.Decorated with European antiques and modern pieces, The Luxe Manor will offer colourful , splendid European architecture with an oriental touch. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. recently announced the opening of its first upscale international property in Xiamen : Sheraton Xiamen Hotel. Owned by Xiamen Fuchun Orient Co. Ltd.（ a subsidiary Hotel Industry Group of Hangzhou Steel Group） and designed by the professional hotel designer, Hirsch, Bedner and Associates (HBA), Sheraton Xiamen Hotel reflects a contemporary décor, exquisite furnishings and the essence of luxury and attentive service. “The local market, as well as the Xiamen Municipal government, has an immense anticipation and excitement for the opening of this newest upscale international hotel in Xiamen. The opening of Sheraton Xiamen Hotel will undoubtedly led the way to attract more visitors both domestically and from overseas. It has set a new benchmark for upcoming hotel properties,” said Mr. Lance J. Ourednik, General Manager of Sheraton Xiamen Hotel.Sheraton Xiamen Hotel is centrally located in the new commercial and business district of Xiamen with large multi-national companies nearby. The hotel offers guests with a magnificent view of the Jiangtou area and park. It is just a ten to 15 minutes’ drive from Xiamen International Airport, and a 15 to 20 minutes’ drive to downtown Xiamen, the International Exhibition Centre and the Ferry Terminal of Gulangyu. The Steigenberger Strandhotel Zingst welcomed its first guests on 1st June. The First-Class Hotel occupies a wonderful location directly on the beach promenade in the heart of the Baltic seaside health resort of Zingst and boasts a large Wellness Pavilion covering 1400 square meters. The well-known designer Anne Maria Jagdfeld was responsible for the interior of the hotel. The Steigenberger Strandhotel Zingst is the Frankfurt-based hotel group’s second hotel on the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula and offers the perfect surroundings for holidays and incentive travel. Salty sea air and long beaches, cliffs and lakes, seagulls and cranes: all these can be enjoyed by guests at the new Steigenberger Strandhotel Zingst. The First-Class hotel is located on the beach promenade in Zingst and has 121 rooms, including two suites and two apartments. Many of the rooms have a loggia, balcony or terrace. The unusual interior architecture of the new Steigenberger hotel is the work of Anne Maria Jagdfeld and her Berlin design team amj. Jagdfeld is known for her timeless and luxurious style; a combination of classical lines and modern concepts. The unique talents of Anne Maria Jagdfeld can be seen in such projects as the Hotel Adlon in Berlin or the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm. A highlight of the Steigenberger Strandhotel Zingst is the Wellness Pavilion, located in the hotel gardens. Covering an area of 1400 square meters, it has an indoor pool and whirlpool, a sauna area, a solarium and various fitness, beauty and massage facilities. From June to October there is also an inviting outdoor pool where guests can swim or simply relax. Conference delegates can make use of two conference rooms in the Steigenberger Aparthotel Zingst opposite as well as a further conference facility for up to 70 people in the neighbouring Spa building. L.A. Convention Center to Get Major Hotel Tower; The complex would give downtown the magnet for business conferences it has lacked for years. Annette Haddad and Kimi Yoshino, Times Staff Writers The remaking of downtown Los Angeles will gain a crucial missing piece today when developers unveil plans for a 1,000-room hotel complex -- including a five-star Ritz-Carlton and a four-star Marriott Marquis -- for the Convention Center. Rising 54 stories, the $750-million project would be one of the largest buildings in Los Angeles at 2 million square feet. The proposed 124-room Ritz-Carlton would be the first five-star hotel downtown and, with the largest ballroom in the city, the planned 876-room Marriott Marquis would fill a void as a business meeting hub at the Convention Center. The hotels are to be topped by 216 luxury condominiums. The project, scheduled to open in 2010, would anchor L.A. Live, the 27-acre sports-entertainment complex considered the linchpin of downtown's redevelopment. It has taken two decades to land a major convention hotel, but the agreement by Marriott International Inc. with local developers to operate two luxury inns in the same glitzy Las Vegas-style high-rise raises hopes for reestablishing the city center as a top tourist and convention magnet. "All of this is really a wonderful story about the emergence -- and reemergence -- of downtown Los Angeles as a strong economic center and a strong weight to the region's economy," said Stuart Gabriel, a USC professor and director of its Lusk Center for Real Estate. The complex -- with its upper stories to be sheathed in glass -- is being jointly developed by KB Home, which is building the condos, and AEG, which is owned by billionaire Philip Anschutz, the developer of Staples Center.It is being designed by San Francisco-based architecture firm Gensler."This is what we've been hoping and waiting for," said Jack Kyser, chief economist of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. "This will make Los Angeles a very attractive travel and business-show destination. To the average Joe on the street, it means people will be coming in and spending money here."With the recent construction of -- and future plans for -- thousands of condominium and apartment units, downtown Los Angeles has been evolving into an increasingly desirable housing market. The new homes have spurred the opening of dozens of restaurants and retail shops to serve the new residents.But concerns about its homeless population and uneven redevelopment plan have caused many to cast a wary eye on downtown's revitalization. Christian Gann of Dallas has made about half a dozen business trips to the region, but the 34-year-old account manager sees an only half-completed makeover. In his forays around downtown, he finds some areas are nice and tidy, while others are rough around the edges: "The area could be cleaned up." Yotel appoints Sales & Marketing Director YOTEL, the world’s most radical hotel, has appointed its first sales and marketing director, Jo Berrington, effective 26 June 2006. Jo Berrington has most recently been Head of Marketing for British Airways London Eye since its opening in 2000. Prior to that, Jo held a number of roles in British Airways, predominantly in business sales from support roles to account manager. Jo was also responsible for the marketing of BA’s 37 regional routes out of Manchester and Birmingham airports, before going across to the London Eye to head up its marketing team. In her new role at YOTEL, Jo’s responsibility will include managing the brand, sales, product development, internal and external communications, sponsorships and marketing above and below the line. “I am thrilled to be a part of the creative and operational team that is going to see the YOTEL dream transform into reality. Similar to the British Airways London Eye, YOTEL is an innovative design concept that is breaking new ground. I am looking forward to the challenge that this presents as we lead up to the opening of the cabins at the end of this year at Gatwick and Heathrow airports.” YOTEL Chief Executive Gerard Greene said the core YOTEL team was now complete. “We are very excited that after four years of development the management team is in place and the project is close to fruition. Jo’s experience within the airline industry and with London’s leading tourist attraction will ensure YOTEL, the world’s most radical hotel, will become a leading world-wide brand in the hospitality industry over the next five years. We look forward to introducing the world to YOTEL at the end of this year!” (Comment on this)
Friday, August 11th, 2006
11:33 am	It's Ov-ah After one playoff round, the NBA season for all intents and purposes, is over. There's nothing left to see, folks. Once again, it'll be San Antonio vs Detroit in the Finals and Detroit will win it. And it's all Tim f*cking Thomas's fault! Allow me to explain... On Thursday night, I went with a bunch of my boys to catch game 6 of the epic Lakers/Suns playoff series at a bar here in Ottawa. The setup was perfect: No hockey games to split TV time with, comfortable seats, plenty of big screen monitors (big ups to the accommodating Honest Lawyer staff), a cute and friendly waitress serving us a healthy dose of drinks and chicken wings all night long, all kinds of trash was being talked amongst my friends, Dick Bevetta was the head referee and the game was being played in the friendly confines of the Staples Center. This was beyond ideal. The game itself was a classic: Steve Nash played MVP-level basketball (32 points, 13 assists), Kobe Bryant was otherworldly (hitting shots no human being should be able to attempt let alone make on his way to 50 points) and their supporting casts came to play. Kobe hit two very difficult shots to put the Lakers up by three points late in the game, sending our bar and the Staples crowd into hysterics, but Phoenix had the ball with the game hanging in the balance. Nash missed a potential tying three from the baseline, the ball took a funny bounce off the rim and Shawn Marion snatched the offensive rebound, the Suns moved the ball around the perimeter and it found Tim Thomas at the top of the key. At this point, I had stopped breathing altogether and was violently clutching a pool cue. Thomas pump-faked a Laker defender to create room and swished home a three to tie the game and pretty much won the series for the Suns with that shot. He then performed his stupid celebration, the one where he waves his hand in front of his face in homage to the repulsive Tony Yayo (of G-Unit fame). After that shot the Lakers were done. Everyone and their momma knew it; my buddy Gustave and I turned to each other after Thomas's crushing shot and said "it's over" in dejected unison. The overtime session was as much of a formality as the ensuing game 7. After having witnessed such a devastating loss, I went home and wrote a quick goodbye to my beloved Lakers because I knew there was really no point in tuning in to watch game 7, and of course, I was right. Sometimes, you just know these things. Such is life. The Staples Series (or Hallway Series if you prefer), which everyone was eagerly and rightfully anticipating; a series which would've been one of the most exciting and surreal spectacles in sports history, went up in smoke. All thanks to Tim f*cking Thomas! Unbelievable. On friday night, Gilbert Arenas (perhaps the most likeable player in the entire league) made a heroic three pointer to send game 6 of the wildly enjoyable Cavs/Wizards series into overtime. I'm convinced the negative karma from Tim Thomas forced him to miss two crucial free throws in the overtime session and robbed everyone of a potentially epic game 7 between Arenas's Wizards and Lebron James's Cavaliers. Arenas and the Wiz went home, and in more ways than one, so did James as his Cavs were destroyed by the Detroit Pistons in game 1 of their second round series to the suprise of absolutely no one. Tim f*cking Thomas! Save for the Clippers's enjoyable but ultimately doomed run (don't kid yourselves), these playoffs have lost any semblance of intrigue and their watchability is in serious jeopardy. What's left to root for? No one in their right mind is looking forward to the inevitable Finals matchup between the Spurs and the Pistons. I'll grant you that the Mavs/Spurs and Pistons/Heat series will feature great team basketball, but in terms of riveting playoff storylines (Raja vs. Kobe, Nash vs. Kobe, Lebron vs. Gilbert, Gilbert vs. his own insanity, Anthony Johnson's inexplicable dominance of Jason Kidd, underdogs having a legitimate shot at pulling an upset etc.), there's really nothing left to hold our collective interest. Tim f*cking Thomas! The most infuriating aspect of this whole Tim Thomas saga is the fact that he is quite possibly the least likeable and most loathsome person on the entire planet. I wish I were joking. He was recently described as such : "Timmy is the NBA's biggest waste of talent, and therefore the L's preeminent tool", "The NBA's greatest waste of space" and "Tim Thomas is a disgrace to anyone who has ever played basketball for free, including his own inner-child" and that was all in the same column! Among his many transgressions, Thomas once threatened to "choke the sh*t out of" former teammate Ray Allen, famously called Kenyon Martin a fugazi, the Chicago Bulls paid him somewhere in the neighborhood of $14 million NOT to play for them because he was such a cancer on the team, he has worn out his welcome on every team that he has ever been a part of (Philly, Milwaukee, New York, Chicago and soon enough Phoenix) and aside from those in the Suns organization, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone in the NBA willing to say anything positive about him. He is a man of remarkable offensive skills, skills which are only surpassed by his unprecedented laziness, plays no defense whatsoever and performs what is perhaps the single worst and least creative celebration in the history of mankind whenever he hits a big shot. No one in the NBA wanted him for the last two years (and rightfully so). Inexplicably, he's now on a contending team, where his sole job is to stand behind the three point line and fire away and he somehow managed to hit the single biggest shot of the season. I can't emphasize enough how unjust all of this is. As far as I'm concerned, Tim Thomas has short-changed an otherwise remarkable postseason; one that has seen the emergence of Lebron as humanity's singular hope against the machines of the future, Kobe yet again cementing himself as the league's greatest and most enigmatic talent, Dirk's awkward yet effective funkiness, the rejuvenation of Vince Carter, Nash giving short white people everywhere reason to dream, Damon Jones redefining the norms of fashion, Reggie Evans inventing a revolutionary rebounding technique, Pat Burke of all people popping his jersey, Ron Artest putting a scare into the Spurs, Shaun Livingston's immensely tantalizing potential, Gilbertology's ascension into superstardom and the Pistons' unmatched dominance to name a few things. Tim f*cking Thomas! I think I'm going to be sick. (Comment on this)
Thursday, August 3rd, 2006
6:26 pm	Hell yeah Just purchased tickets to see tool at the staples center on sept. 7th. Hell yeah. (Comment on this)
Monday, July 31st, 2006
10:25 pm	New nanny/Luxury box seats at Staples Center/Oscar night Our new nanny Lorie watched Astrid for four hours today. Our former nanny Laura was working for another family on a temporary/trial basis and when she told them she found a full time job, with us, they offered her a permanent position where she could work in the evenings, and be with her 3 year old son during the day. So she watched Astrid for a week until we could find someone to replace her. Our new nanny Lorie is of Mexican decent but English is her native language (as she's a native Los Angelino). She's a 35 year old single mother of a 12 year old son (who is a straight A student and is in the gifted program at his elementary school), and lives with her father (who watches her son when he comes home from school). She has lots of previous nanny experience (and was also a preschool teacher), and is going to Pasadena City College in the evenings majoring in child development for her Associates degree. A big plus is that she lives really close by and has her own car (a mini SUV). I scheduled her to work a half day today so that Astrid could get acclimated to Lorie, and for Lorie to get a feel for what a day is like with Astrid. She will start full time on Monday. After I showed her around the house (and to where everything was) and went over Astrid's schedule with her, Uwe and I went to the movies. We finally saw Capote, the movie about Truman Capote starring Philip Seymore Hoffman. What a great performance! I enjoyed the movie as well. Then we rushed home, set the DVR to record the Oscars, got Astrid ready, and headed to Staples Center to watch the Clippers game.This was Astrid's first basketball game and first time at Staples Center. Putting your kid on your shoulders seems to be the "guy" thing to do. I see kids riding on their dad's shoulders all the time but I never see kids riding on their mom's shoulders. Why is that? It looks very cute though and makes for nice photos. =) Uwe and Astrid in front of the Wayne Gretzky statue.Both Uwe and I have been to Staples Center many times (for hockey games, basketball games, and/or concerts), but this was the first time we had luxury box seats. There's complimentary food: hot dogs, teriyaki chicken wings, hot chicken wings, sandwiches, veggies & dip, and crepe wraps. Complimentary desserts also: cookies, scones, and fruit. There's also a fridge with complimentary beer, and freshly brewed coffee. While you're up getting food and/or a drink, you can watch the game on the TV. (You can see the TV above the fridge in the photo above.)Here's a better view of the TV, with 2 other smaller TV's on the side. (That's Eric, Uwe's coworker, in the gray jacket.)In the luxury box there's also a closet (for your jackets), a couch, a coffee table, and sofa chairs if you just want to lounge. When Astrid got a little antsy, I let her crawl around on the couch for a bit. There's also a monitor (it's in the upper right hand corner of the pic above) if you're sitting on the barstools and want to get a close up view of the court.In front of the barstools are rows of leather seats with a birdseye view of the court. (The little girl is Leoni, Eric's daughter.) The front of the luxury box is encased in glass, so you can see out and people can see in, but the box can only be entered from the rear entrance with the proper pass, so it's completely private.Astrid holding her ticket. The Los Angeles Clippers are playing the Memphis Grizzlies. Uwe doesn't want me to take his picture. Although Eric brought up a good point - Uwe doesn't like it, but he loves reading about it and seeing the pics posted on my blog. Hence the reason he hasn't confiscated or hidden my camera from me, because he likes the end result.So here Uwe is in shot #2, hamming it up for the camera.Trying to get Astrid to look at the camera. I've got this same expression in umteen shots. Our view of the court.Students from a school (that won some prestigious award) singing the Star Spangled Banner.The Clippers score!The view from the barstools. Here you can see the monitor better in the upper right hand corner."This is exciting!""Did I say exciting? I meant EXCITING!"A side view out of the luxury box.The LA Clippers cheerleaders. "Ra...Ra...Ra!"At least one person is watching the game (Uwe). We left the game at half time so we could put Astrid to bed. After we got the baby ready for bed Uwe and I sat down and watched the Oscars together. Having it recorded and being able to fast forward is the way to go. And wouldn't you know it...Philip Seymour Hoffman won the Oscar for Best Actor, for his portrayal of Truman Capote. Uwe and I were both happy he won it. He's such a great actor and gives such a great performance in every role he plays. (His next role will be the villain in the next Mission Impossible movie. Normally I wouldn't bother going to see a Tom Cruise action flick, but I may just go see it because Philip Seymour Hoffman is in it.) (Comment on this)
Saturday, July 29th, 2006
5:15 pm	In Dean we trust...we hope Meet the newest King: goaltender Dan Cloutier. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict numerous beachball sightings at Staples Center starting in October. The Let's Go Kings thread is here. The much more glowing official announcement is here. (Comment on this)
Thursday, July 27th, 2006
11:20 am	The Weak Ender Southern California is swept up in Clippermania, but could the Miami Heat actually be the 21st Century version of the Lakers? Think about it. The Heat has the former Lakers coach (Pat Riley), the former Lakers center (Shaq) and a guard who actually tries to win games (Dwyane Wade). Add the fact that the Miami Heat dancers (left) are a lot hotter (no 46-year-old dance veterans) and the case is overwhelming. Steve “The Bish” Bisheff said that the Pistons were a lock for the Finals a few weeks ago, but look at the Heat now. The Heat quietly put away that team they played in the second round (seriously, who was it?) and are going to be well-rested for the conference finals. Detroit has been exposed by a very average Cavaliers team. The Heat is now the favorite to win the Eastern Conference. And even worse, Lakers fans, there is a very real possibility that the Clippers and Heat could clash in the NBA Finals. Can anybody else imagine Shaq hoisting the NBA championship trophy (does it have a name?) in Staples Center wearing a Heat uniform? The Ducks are finally set to begin their conference finals series against the Edmonton Oilers. Can’t wait to see that match-up. Oh yeah, the series will be played on OLN. That means nobody will see game one except for the lesbians who actually get OLN. The Pistons and Spurs are both down in their respective series, but there is little doubt they will both win on Friday night, and eventually wrap up the series at home in game seven. It’s been fun, but neither the Mavs or Cavs have much hope to succeed—even at home. Don’t get your hopes up Barry Bonds will be attempting to tie Babe Ruth this weekend in Oakland. A’s officials are expecting an over-flow crowd of almost 10,000 people. There is something wrong with the world when Russ Springer is given a four-game suspension for having the audacity of pitching Bonds inside. Maybe if Bonds would remove that (as John Lackey would say) kitty-cat pad on his elbow and back off the plate, this would not happen.AND FINALLY The Angels held a closed-door meeting following another tough loss against Toronto in which Vladimir Guerrero displayed the fielding skills of Jose Canseco. The Angels hover just above last place as this experiment of trying to blend the spending power of the New York Yankees with the 1990s minor league model of the Indians just isn’t working. Nobody would have blamed Bill Stoneman if he had kept Dallas McPherson, Casey Kotchman and Jeff Mathis in the minors to take another run for a title. Now the Angels are not only left without guys like Troy Glaus who could provide some much-needed power. To make matters worse, do you think there is a trade value for McPherson or Kotchman now? Remember this when OC and Adam Kennedy are let go for two "can't miss" stars. As if that wasn't a swift enough kick to the junk, the little sisters of SoCal baseball—the Dodgers—are going to have their fun with the Angels this weekend. You have hit rock bottom when Frank McCourt is running a tighter ship. Give the new Hater Nation Forums a whirl. Zach can't figure it out, but maybe you will have more luck. Subscribe to The Hater Nation feed. (Comment on this)