THE HUNT FOR BLUE OCTOBER

Yeaaaah!!! Dousing people with alcoholic and homogenized beverages! The Dodgers are NL West division champs, so they get to cut to the front of the line on this post. First something so EPIC... "The Big Blue Wrecking Crew" made up of members of the 81' World series champion Dodgers....Steve Yeager, Rick Monday, Jerry Reuss, Jay Johnstone performing on Solid Gold. Wait for it, or skip ahead to the 3:40 minute mark.

So maybe the Dodgers are not the champions of the WORLD but they are the best of the mediocre division but I don't care none, even this feat looked bleak after that 8 game losing streak at the end of August. There was so much that had to go terribly wrong before it could go right. After sooo many injuries (losing Furcal, HUGE), tanking of Jones, Schmidt playing cheerleader again, Penny's apathy...and then a bright light with the arrival of a veteran 3rd baseman Blake, great rookie surprise DeWitt, and Ethier proving what a gamer he is. It really has been a team effort. Hands down though, THE defining moment of the season... the rental of Manny Ramirez. That put a stop to my continual cursing of Ned Coletti's name. Alright, 3 games left before the anxiety starts up again. Now LA can phone it in against the Giants, much like they did against the D'backs... trying to spoil shit. Shoot. Whatever your faces, who else has Ozomatli and Slim kid Tre singing about their teams?

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LAST ONE- swear.

Here's something I drew while scoreboard watching, trying to will that magic number to drop.

Free stuff through the mail is my most favorite thing ever.

MONDAY NIGHT

You've probably caught on to my stratagem of leading in with something art related to reel you and then hit you with what ultimately REALLY matters :) - sports or the day-to-day of "Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso". I do feel guilty, sometimes, inundating you, devout readers (party of 3) but you have to take the good with the bad. :) Or get on with it and just scroll scroll.

Later this month, I'll be participating in the Güey Smart project room put on by Tropico de Nopal gallery, as part of the East of Eden exhibition. More details. Look how fun that life-size cardboard Chalino Sanchez looks.

My brother has been thinking all bad ever since his SEASON tickets arrived. You know football season is upon us when he's missing work and walking around with a Raider lanyard holding his ticket around his neck-flashing it in my face. Ughhh. After this video, I think I will have exhausted all my favorite teams' abashing musical debuts. But being just minutes away from the Raiders season opener, I felt it was necessary to share and commit to this season by way of an impromptu internet machine tail gate. Let's begin..

Howie Long was/is hot, flat top and all. Shaaaooo! This next one is just awesome!

And one more thing on the sports front. You know I was sweating the weekend series against the D'backs, especially with the rotation serving up both Haren and Webb. I atttribute this weekend's sweep to the new tradition of playing Journey's "Don't Stop Believin' '" sometime after the 7th inning stretch. Hahah, I think they play it whether we're trailing or not. Anyway, that's the key. Let's hope LA stays on top for longer than 2 days.

PROVECHO

That's a detail of my latest embroidery. I promise it's the last, or maybe the penultimate. :) I bite all my pan dulce styles from El Bueno Gusto #1, on King road, it's my favorite panaderia. I stress the #1 because I can't vouch for #2. Although they're only a couple of miles away, they're worlds apart- #2 is all multifaceted, it boasts a panaderia, taqueria and they sell mariscos. #1 is more punk rock, just pan, although they are known to sell delicious pre-made saran wrapped tortas that are usually gone well before noon. It's small, no-frills, hand painted signs inside and an outdated cake theme binder. I was going to screencap the locale for you but Google maps is racist and didn't survey the East side proper. ;) I Google map street view everything! Don't give me your address cause I'll streetview it, no shame in my game- I'll do it. Anyway, it has a clear sign and it's the one sandwiched in between some car audio/phone retailer and a dulceria (that has also remained a constant in the otherwise revolving door of neighboring businesses.) El Buen Gusto's cakes are good too! I ordered my friend's bachelorette cake there a few years ago. Old girl taking the order didn't so much as flinch when I said I wanted it to read "You can't turn a ho into a housewife"...see, no judgment. Then again, I think she only spoke spanish. I like how whackadoodle the scale of the spilt wine glass is in relation to the newlyweds and wine bottle. Yes, I said "whackadoodle" like that cracked out raver Suede from Project Runway. I hate that guy but every time he says it, my side hurts.

Inspired by the cake, I drew this for you. Shaaaooo!

GOLD

Next up...

Did you hear? I'm sure you heard.

This guy. I'll reserve judgment on the goof ball that is Manuel Aristides Ramírez Onelcida until I see some balls hit into the left field pavilion. Power hitter in the line up? Wow, what's that like? However I predict he'll do some soccer dribbling with the beach balls thrown out into the field and if he tries his palms of fury as he did to Youkilis face, I imagine Jeff Kent would be the encore. He'll be wearing number 99? Who wants to wager that Jay Z's "99 Problems" will be referenced in national sports headlines at some point in these next two months? Good or bad. Or I wonder what his at bat music will be?

I'll miss Andy LaRoche, he had some hard luck injuries and hasn't had a decent shot at third. I'm sure he'll fair well and at least he'll be with his big brother over in Pittsburg manning opposite corners.

DONE

I just finished this digital piece for my homegirl Wendy creator of Lobe Riders. I've done some sketches for her in the past, anyway, she keeps me accessorized and is now my official sponsor. :) This sketch is for her new line "REP YOUR SET", I think the website will be up soon, check the links.

Weekend in Pictures

WIN! and calling out De La Hoya, so great.

Clayton "Niño Clay" Kershaw, first WIN!

LA picks up new beardo, Casey "Barbas" Blake.

SABOR

I was cleaning up my drives, found this old video I was putting together in final cut before it started acting up and drove me away. I had some more footage to cut but I don't want to push my luck with the motherboard. So here's a dance off set to the rhythms of Los Caminantes featuring Pedrito Fernandez, Carlos Espejel, Resortes, Los Polivoces, and Juanga.

I'm starting a new segment on this blog and it's called "Can you buy me this?"

I never said I was practical. :) I need it- it's a gold brick USB hub! I hate that I can't use the mouse, keyboard and printer at the same time and my wacom doesn't have any give to it.

PERFECTO

I still geek out on all the MLB all star festivities, stop judging. But while I was on my 2 day tv binger, watching cracked out Hamilton's anticlimactic final round and the 15 innings- I caught a movie trailer for a film that represents everything I stand for. :) No, it wasn't Step Brothers but that shit looks awesome too. So it's a baseball film, based on a true story, about Mexicans, about Mexican underdogs (wait, that's redundant) AND Cheech is in it? Needless to say once I saw the clip, the googling and wikipedia-ing 5k was underway. It's actually a really great story. Here's the synopsis or if you don't like words get the scoop in the making of video. Check the second video to see the where are they now.

"Living amidst the gritty poverty of 1957 Monterrey, Mexico, a rag-tag group of boys from the other side of the tracks discover the joy of sandlot baseball under the guidance of Cesar, an aspiring Major League Coach thwarted by discrimination. Armed with the dream of playing a real Little League game, the young team members defy a total lack of resources, disapproving parents, and widespread prejudice to score their first Little League victory on U.S soil and find themselves at the beginning of a once-in-a-lifetime journey. Relying on their religious faith, a warm-hearted priest and their love of the game, the nine players and their coach embark on an incredible, record-breaking winning streak that leads them across the border to southern Texas, and all the way to the 1957 Little league World Series in Williamsport, PA, where a miracle will cement their place in history and change their lives forever.

Based on the extraordinary true story of the 1957 Monterrey Industrials Little League team, THE PERFECT GAME is an inspiring and heartwarming tale of faith."

You can click the movie title for the official trailer, but I find the Gloria Estefan song a bit much and the kid saying "A mer ica" ...ughhh. I like this one with the vintage footage better. Take me!

CANADA DAY

The first leg of my birthday was spent partying with the kids at Carlos Queso. This was two days prior to my bona fide b-day but because kids don't concern themselves with days of the week or particulars, for all intents and purposes it was July 1st. I engaged in all the birthday practices-pizza and tokens, presents and cake. The cake wasn't planned, again, not my real birth date but try telling that to Marco who will turn all of 4 in a couple of months. He felt gypped and someone was gonna hear about it. "What are you waiting for guys?!? Don't worry Tia Mitsy, we'll get you a birthday cake! Lets get money from Nino." So, upon Marco's thoughtfulness or sweet tooth, he and I took a trip to get my OWN cake. Things got sadder when I had to tell homeboy at BR to ice the cake with my OWN name. I paid with cash but should have used my ATM, so that he too could be in on the cruel joke that Marco put me up to. :) Also, I want it noted that my lil nephews not only blew out my candle(s) essentially stealing my birthday wish, but also got to lick the action figures clean (Venom and Spidey-thats what they were playing with) and even did the mordida. They also had a great time "helping" open MY presents. In other words, they punked me for all fun parts-watch when their birthday rolls around, watch.
Yeaaaaahhhhh presents! I got this rad Lasonic ghetto blaster ipod dock/radio. It does all kinds of things I ain't figured out yet but it has a remote and it's my new favorite thing. My brother got me some Dodger stuff, including big headed Russell Martin and Saito to add to my collection.

My favorite present arrived later that week..tickets to see the Dodgers in San Francisco. Best seats ever, right by the visitors dugout behind the commissioners box. They ended up losing that game, but snatched the series. I think I'm a jinx. Whenever I go to that ballpark, they lose. Probably cause I'm too busy eating garlic fries and forget to do the sign of the cross. LA's lack of offense made pobreZITO's pitching look good. How do we lose to the Giants cheapest pitcher and take two against their aces? Ugghh. But it was really fun and I was hexa close, close enough to determine the texture of each players hair. Yeah, I'm creepy.

Larry King was there, he's a big Dodger fan and probably the only fan alive that knew them as the Trolley dodgers. I swear to you, he is the physical manifestation of Mr. Burns. It's crazy. This is his posterior alongside Brad "Centavo" Penny.

Remember I told you my Mom was a big autograph seeker? Well, of course being just mere feet away from her favorite boys in blue, it should come as no surprise to you that she hounded the roster for their John Hancock. She was pretty successful but still has her eyes set on getting more of the infield and the pen. Personally, I don't like breaking the fourth wall- I think I'm scared of finding out people I admire will turn out to be cockholes and/or short. :) We've dubbed each player with a nickname but I had to remind my Mom those are only to be used in privacy. Here's who she got... Andre "Baby Boy" Ethier, James "Looney Tunes" Loney, Andruw "Gordo" Jones, Chad "Nalgas" Billingsley, Blake "BlackDeWhite" DeWitt, Luis "Maza, Maza que mas aplauda" Maza, Matt "Mateo" Kemp and Manny Mota. She now loves all the outfield (including Jones...she wants the fans to cut him some slack, ignore his average because he's really "simpatico" and "sonriente") any player that didn't "sign" are "sangrones." She had a cute moment with closer Takashi Saito where she called out to him while he stretched his hammies and showed him her shirt, #44, his number. He laughed.

And since then, check out what LA has done. They've come close to 2 perfect-no hitters, (Kuroda into the 8th, Lowe into the 7th) and between those two gem starts...Billingsley had a no hitter for 4 innings before he completely fell apart. :(

DEATH CHEATER

Super prolific graf artist Diar was in a very serious accident a couple of months ago, a bunch of artists have donated some work for one, of a couple scheduled benefits to aid him with medical expenses. It's a miracle he's alive, so do your good turn and contribute by purchasing some artwork from the roster shown or making a monetary donation to the address that follows.

CLOUT MAGAZINE

D. Donations
P.O. BOX 659
GILROY, CA 95021-0659

I sent in the piece below, it's small (3.5" x 5"), woodburned.

The Dodgers were NO HIT yesterday and they still won. Haha. Terrible.

<3 PUCHO, PUCHIE, DON POLLO <3

My Dad is the hardest person to shop for, only because he's set in his ways and knows what he likes so there's little wiggle room. I created this list last year, of the default Dad's day gifts and it has stood the test of time. Since I recently blogged about Ma dukes, it's only right they get equal playing time. Here it is with some edits reflecting the past years evolution.

• Anything SF Giants or 49ers (gross, I know- still his only flaw)

• Jim Carey, Mr Bean movies (now that he has DishTv, it's all about the DE PELICULA channel)

• Polo Shirts and 501's
  

• Boston baked beans (He's now all about strawberry sundaes in a cup, Coca Cola in a the glass bottle and Cajeta)

• Cruz Azul merch (probably not a good idea, it's too soon, the loss in the finals probably still stings. Maybe just the Mexican National team new fit.)

• Something for his troka (usually from a gas station/truck stop...i.e air fresheners, pewter Santo or Virgen, accessories with sports insignia)

• Aviator sunglasses (or reading glasses, I think he buys a new pair every month.)

• Mexican Comedian Polo Polo CDs or Chico Che CDs
  

• I don't think it exists but a Gift card/season pass to el yonke (also known as "Pick your part" or Pick and pull")

Everyone really likes my Dad, he has a contagious laugh where his eyes disappear and he turns red. He's an awesome mechanic and an excellent ikea furniture builder. I love watching boxing and soccer with him because he's always so animated. I miss the days we'd carpool to work together and listen to oldies. I admire the confidence in his broken English and his ability to drive 10+ hours overnight and still party with some birria once we arrive. He doesn't even get mad when we make up different nick names for him. :)