Sunday, November 22, 2009

BBQing with the Clips in Playa Vista

Today we were invited to a BBQ with the Clippers at their training facility in Playa Vista. Upon our arrival we were given our badges and Clippers baseball caps and were taken upstairs on a large patio where they had beer, wine, sodas and water as well as some candies and cupcakes.

After a little mingling around they announced the food was ready. The had the usual BBQ items chicken and ribs as well as all of the fixings like potato salad, cole slaw and beans.

Shortly after Coach Dunleavy arrived and spoke the the crowd about the status of the Clippers and their players. Then players arrived and walked around to all the tables, did photo ops and signed autographs.

Afterwards they had a raffle and some people won a suite for a game, signed jersey, signed baseball caps, signed basketballs, gift card and tickets to a game. We won 2 tickets to the Clippers/Lakers game in January...lower level center court.

It was a beautiful sunny day and I had a great time chatting with some of the staff.

Thank you Clippers for the invite!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Nobody Walks In LA

Above: Old Harold Examiner Building
Below: The Mayan Theatre

They Say that nobody walks in LA but now that I am living Downtown I have to walk. Parking is horrible charging $20 or more in some areas and the traffic is not very good either. So now if I need to go somewhere even if it is several miles away I walk.

I am learning my new neighborhoods during my walks. I have some great things to see along the way and a lot of interesting architecture. I wonder what it was like in the 20's before they ripped out the railways.

Not sure what this building is or was but I found the bell tower like structure on top and the Jesus Saves sign interesting

The Eastern Building...one of my favorites

I found this quaint alley that reminded me of being in Europe

Millennium Biltmore

AT&T Building

Yes these are the same kind you see in the UK. LA paid a fortune for them.

Bunker Hill

And that was just on today's walk.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

I drive for airline food

United Airlines invited some of their frequent customers to come to their Cargo facility to try their new coach class food. I know who in their right mind actually wants to have airline food for lunch unless you are stuck in a plane...but being a airline geek...why not.

There were about 40 of us all with different status's with UA. They explained the new domestic flight coach class food and their boxes of snacks and then invited us try the food.

They had a spinach salad, Caesar chicken salad, chicken Thai wrap, roast beef sandwich and a turkey sandwich. Since I don't eat meat I just had the Spinach salad that was really very good and I tried the Ceasar minus the chicken and it was good too. Overall everyone said the Thai Chicken Wrap was the most substancial and the sauce with it was good.

Afterwards they asked us for recommendation, likes and dislikes. Many of us said we would rather have that food then the free food in First Class.

We were sent of with a couple Toberlone chocolate bars and it was nice to see some familiar faces too (2 other Flyertalkers and 2 United people we know)

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

AEG Holiday Party 09

No I don't work for AEG but because we spend so much time with them (Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Galaxy....) we are invited to their annual holiday party.

It's at Staples Center and it includes dinner. We had two sets of tix one for the NBA Tickets and one for the Lexus Club. We used the Lexus ticket because they usually do a really nice spread of food including sushi, pasta, carving and cooking stations and drinks are included too.

I am not sure what the dinner is like downstairs but it also includes drinks and we give those to friends to enjoy and no one has complained.

After the dinner is a concert. The past couple years it has been Rod Stewart and Earth Wind And Fire.

This year it was Huey Lewis and the News.

Every year I have a blast no matter who the performer is and this was no exception.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Exploring My New Hood

LL Cool Jay filming NSIC Los Angeles near Morton's Steakhouse (if you click the photo you can see him more clearly)

Olvera Street Resaurant

Lexus Commerical Being Filmed Outside My Loft

Chinatown

10 Year Celebration of Staples Center with Derek Fisher and Ralph Lawler

Lakers Get Their NBA Champion Rings

Clippers Media Day

Go Kings!

MJ's Thriller dancers trying to break world record

Helping the Clippers Feed Needy in South Central

Angels Flight Soon To Reopen

LAPD's New Station

Public Library

I am finally settled in and have been exploring Downtown. I have never spent much time in DTLA other than Staples Center and occassionally Dim Sum in Chinatown or Sushi in Little Toyko so it's been a great new experience.

What I am learning is resources are not like the South Bay...fewer gas stations, grocery stores, shopping, and when you eat out a lot it gets expensive so I think it's time to start cooking at home again.

The area I live in is quite safe but just walk 3 or 4 blocks East and well...it's a whole different world but I kind of like that everyone is not the same here. It is like many little countries in a 5 mile radius.

The new LA Live is quite exciting...never a dull moment.

Lucky Strike Lanes: A bowling lounge in a sleek atmosphere with billiards, DJ's and private party space.

Grammy Museum®: A museum that celebrates music and gives guests an insider perspective only the Grammy Museum® can deliver.

Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE: Home to the EMMYs, ESPYs, American Music Awards and American Idol Finals.

Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE: Downtown's new gathering place with free events for the community.

Club Nokia: Los Angeles' exciting new music venue featuring emerging music acts, to headliners and comedy shows.

STAPLES Center: The world's most successful arena and home to Los Angeles' Kings, Lakers, Clippers, Sparks and Avengers.

Conga Room: Los Angeles' legendary Latin-infused night club, restaurant and live entertainment venue.

Regal Cinemas: Grand Opening - October 27, 2009 with the global launch of Michael Jackson's THIS IS IT

With lots of restaurants too

I have tried almost all of them now but not all.

We do have some great local places too.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

From South Bay to South Park The Move is Over

Too tired to post yet but I have a lot of pics. Every thing from Clippers to Kings to Life in Downtown. Coming shortly.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Red Bull Soapbox Races: Downtown LA

Saturday was the Red Bull Soapbox Race. It was just a 15 minute walk North from our new South Park loft so we decided to see what it was all about.

Wow! I didn't expect soooo many people there but it was packed like sardines. We really didn't get to see much of the race because it was way too crowded.