California Golden Blogs: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Around SBN: Race to the BCS: rankings, in-game scores & blogs Bar-right-arrows



Dr. Los Angeles or: How I learned to stop worrying about the game and love the food.

After last year's fUCLA game, I vowed never to return to the city of Los Angeles for a football game.  Unfortunately my weakness for road trips overcame my vow, and the next thing I knew I was passing Casa de Fruta.  This began the way every trip to the LA game does: at the In n Out in Kettleman City surrounded by other Cal fans in a generally upbeat mood.  But, at this point, I told myself this trip would be different.  There would be neither heartache nor let down.  There would be no sadness, nor would there be the hollow echoes of lost chances exploring the cavernous hall in my brain where I keep my treasure trove of disappointments related to Cal football (I plan to unleash their beguilting power on my grandchildren 50 years from now).

Not because Cal might win, of course.  Pete Carroll and the Trojans in the Coliseum are less a football team in my mind now than a primeval, unexplainable force.  No, the reason I would not feel disappointed after our likely loss was that I planned to eat so much food that I could not feel anything else.  For LA is blessed with fine eating establishments which know no conference allegiance or terrible reffing.  Canter's, Pink's, Roscoe's, Diddy Riese, Albert's Mexican food and of course the omnipresent In n Out (on Radford).  Commence editorialized journalism.

Although ironically our first stop would be in the hip, happenin' city of Bell Gardens:Dscn3678mr9_medium

via img117.imageshack.us

 "If a ragnarok would burn all the slums and gas-works, and shabby garages, and long arc-lit suburbs, it could for me burn all the works of art--and I'd go back to trees..." -JRR Tolkien

For these...Dscn3679za0_medium

via img91.imageshack.us

"Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are." -Brillat-Savarin

In some places, you might walk down the street to a market or eatery.  In LA, you take Wilshire to 405 to 10 to 60 to 710 to Garfield.  In traffic.  On a Saturday morning.Dscn3674hb3_medium

via img117.imageshack.us

If they'd lower the taxes and get rid of the smog and clean up the traffic mess, I really believe I'd settle here until the next earthquake.  -Groucho Marx

The wind really cleared out the air the night before.  Apparently there are mountains surrounding LA.  Who knew?Dscn3686np0_medium

via img91.imageshack.us

"Tip the world on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles." -Frank Lloyd Wright

I tried to look for Stego warming up, but ended up only seeing a Sanchezosaur. Dscn3689bw6_medium

via img91.imageshack.us

"This is a fine tailgate, but the crowd is a bit older and it’s a sedate affair. I walk to campus, swept along by a sea of people wearing red shirts and carrying coolers. The idea of tailgating is to socialise with your friends before a sporting event—usually, an American football game." -The Economist

A fine tailgate, indeed.  At which point we attempted to get to Will Call.  Unfortunately at that moment the Trojans decided to walk into the stadium, requiring they rope off the crowd for 25 minutes.  This gentleman tried to razz the team.  To my astonishment, little effect, if any, was noticeable on the playing field.

Dscn3695wl0_medium

via img186.imageshack.us

Hey, I don't come down to where you work and knock the license plate out of your hand.  -Seinfeld

Soon thereafter, it was time to get to our seats.  We were located a contour or two shy of Camp Four, halfway between the Hillary Step and South Col.  We only lost two men and a yak to edema.  The view, however, was nice.

Dscn3707tn7_medium

via img91.imageshack.us

"What's our vector, Victor?" "Do we have clearance, Clarence?"  "Roger Roger."  "Over."

Dscn3702qk0_medium

via img120.imageshack.us

Details aside, the game was tight, and the crowd, thankfully, was into it. Dscn3710dr5_medium

via img262.imageshack.us

"You're all winners!!!!!!"

The game being over meant it was time to continue eating, this time at Roscoe's. Censoredra0_medium

via img508.imageshack.us

Overnight, the fourteen pounds of newly acquired food inside of me decided it wanted to explore the world outside my GI tract.  Thankfully, I manned up and punched the food, in the face, back to where it belongs.  It was the biggest victory of the trip. 

Little else of note happened on the remainder of the trip, except a visit from The Lord Almighty God Himself shortly after Kettleman:

Dscn3720pq3_medium

via img444.imageshack.us

Coach Michalzik didst suffer much wailing and gnashing of teeth.  "Do not fret, my son," spake the lord, "Tepper shalt be granted a 6th year of eligibility."  There was much rejoicing. 

And God Himself reminded me that in the end, looking back, even in the rafters of the LA Coliseum, California is all blue and gold:

Dscn3704ia5_medium

via img20.imageshack.us

GO BEARS.

 

The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And doubly so as compared to TwistNHook!

3 recs | Comment 50 comments | Add comment

Read Related

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Nice pics dude.

Maybe I’ll stop by at Roscoe’s on my way to the Holiday Bowl!

Go Bears!

by RollOnYouBears667 on Nov 10, 2008 11:29 PM PST reply reply   0 recs

omg, roscoe’s…

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Nov 11, 2008 12:24 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

it’s a Pac-10 basketball tournament staple for the OBB

I support Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Nov 11, 2008 10:00 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

The last time I went to Roscoe’s in downtown L.A., a gang fight erupted. I high tailed it out of there before I got shot.

True story.

by CaliforniaBone on Nov 12, 2008 2:58 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Sorry

I’ll keep the crew calm this time.

by CaliforniaCMB on Nov 13, 2008 1:51 AM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

…pussy.

Sheriff of the Welcome Team.
Welcome.
But Stop Arguing Nate vs. Kevin.

by Spazzy Mcgee on Nov 15, 2008 8:21 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

A big part of my trip was going to Thai Town.

No place has food like Thai Town.

It's seriously too bad that there's no building or complex around that might have a large supply of sports drinks.

by thenick on Nov 11, 2008 2:24 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

What about Thailand?

Sheriff of the Welcome Team.
Welcome.
But Stop Arguing Nate vs. Kevin.

by Spazzy Mcgee on Nov 11, 2008 2:53 AM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Thai food in Thailand is SPIIIICY. I usually love spicy food and that stuff burned my tongue. Took me an hour to eat dinner.

by BearsNecessity on Nov 11, 2008 3:47 AM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

When I was in Southern Thailand I got a bag of Som Tum to share with my friends.

No one but me could eat it because it was so spicy.

And yes, Thailand has better food than Thai Town. And possibly Vegas.

It's seriously too bad that there's no building or complex around that might have a large supply of sports drinks.

by thenick on Nov 12, 2008 12:25 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

unfortunately, you traveled with me, who can barely handle the Jack’s in the Box spicy chicken sandwich. FYI to the CGB fans, if you’re in Thailand, the phrase for ‘not spicy’ sounds like ‘my pet’. Just keep repeating it.

Hope is dangerous, but Glory is addictive.

by AndBears on Nov 12, 2008 12:58 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I once had a plane stopover in Bangkok. I didnt get off. While many cities appear to have zoning plans and organized plans for construction, Bangkok seemed to lack this. It looked as if the city had been thrown up onto the ground. Looked pretty cool, though. Alas, it was not to be, Bangkok and I.

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 12, 2008 6:00 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Very true. You should get off the plane sometime.

It's seriously too bad that there's no building or complex around that might have a large supply of sports drinks.

by thenick on Nov 12, 2008 6:40 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

You guys are lame

I handled Thai spicy food in Bangkok on a flight stopover to India and I was fine and dandy. My parents and my brother… not so much

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Nov 22, 2008 11:29 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

If you’ve only had spicy Thai in Bangkok then you haven’t had spicy.

It's seriously too bad that there's no building or complex around that might have a large supply of sports drinks.

by thenick on Nov 23, 2008 10:48 AM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I've also had it in India

Especially spicy Andra biriyani in Andra.

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Nov 23, 2008 12:42 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

If you’ve only had spicy Thai in India (and especially Andra), then you haven’t had spicy.

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 23, 2008 12:45 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Nice

Nice post, Spazzy! Truly a man(?) after my own heart.
“Cal may let you down, but So Cal eats endure forever.”- Jack Kerouac

by need4jahvid on Nov 11, 2008 7:17 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

Very cool.

by sec119 on Nov 11, 2008 8:34 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

spazzy...awesome!

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Nov 11, 2008 9:10 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

bummer you censored the breasts….or wings….or thighs…

by MCM711 on Nov 11, 2008 9:38 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

Way to get that picture of the Cal Flag! I was trying like hell to get that shot and it never quite worked out. Nicely done, sir.

Hope is dangerous, but Glory is addictive.

by AndBears on Nov 11, 2008 12:41 PM PST reply reply   0 recs

are those nacho fries?

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Nov 12, 2008 9:55 AM PST reply reply   0 recs

carne asada fries!

Sheriff of the Welcome Team.
Welcome.
But Stop Arguing Nate vs. Kevin.

by Spazzy Mcgee on Nov 12, 2008 2:08 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

wow...that's awesome!

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on Nov 12, 2008 2:23 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

A little resect please, for I am CBKWit, Lord of the Idiots

but suddenly, a new contender has emerged.

After last year’s fUCLA game, I vowed never to return to the city of Los Angeles for a football game.

My first post on the old GGB was a 1,200 essay on this topic. I am glad I didn’t relent this year. Something about USC scoring phantom touchdowns in the coliseum makes me yell things.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by CBKWit on Nov 12, 2008 2:47 PM PST reply reply   0 recs

You're going to have to earn your resect.

Sheriff of the Welcome Team.
Welcome.
But Stop Arguing Nate vs. Kevin.

by Spazzy Mcgee on Nov 12, 2008 3:22 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

You might have decided not to waste your time on what you see to be a certain loss and not-very-fun-at-all, but you’re going to be so very sad when so many people you know are “there” when we win the LA game and you aren’t!

It's seriously too bad that there's no building or complex around that might have a large supply of sports drinks.

by thenick on Nov 12, 2008 6:42 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

’06 Holiday Bowl was fantastic…

Sheriff of the Welcome Team.
Welcome.
But Stop Arguing Nate vs. Kevin.

by Spazzy Mcgee on Nov 12, 2008 10:53 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

rec'd

well summarized. It is with a heavy heart that I rec this post (sad because it’s true, not because you did it. )

Hope is dangerous, but Glory is addictive.

by AndBears on Nov 13, 2008 9:38 AM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I’m in for a new couch!

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 13, 2008 11:13 AM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

A love seat would be nice,

or maybe one of those refrigerator/chair combos. I like watching the games up in Berkeley, because I’m not stuck in LA and my own pillow can catch my salty tears after we lose. But the prospect of winning against UCLA in the rose bowl is really tempting. If we’re looking good and they’re looking bad next year, I might head down. Unless I get a new couch.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by CBKWit on Nov 13, 2008 1:47 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

If I convince you that Rags is bad luck, can we get a new HD TV? Ours is so small…

Hope is dangerous, but Glory is addictive.

by AndBears on Nov 13, 2008 11:17 AM PST to parent up reply reply   1 recs

Its a lot bigger than my zero incher.

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 13, 2008 11:24 AM PST to parent up reply reply   1 recs

that’s what she said?

Hope is dangerous, but Glory is addictive.

by AndBears on Nov 13, 2008 11:46 AM PST to parent up reply reply   1 recs

Can we get a judges ruling on this?

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 13, 2008 11:54 AM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

rec!

It’s times like this I wish they’d never discovered CougCenterium.

by Maharg on Nov 13, 2008 12:55 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I didn’t see a flag on th field. Has Carroll gotten to you, too??

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 13, 2008 1:03 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

fucking duh. that man treats his refs WELL.

Sheriff of the Welcome Team.
Welcome.
But Stop Arguing Nate vs. Kevin.

by Spazzy Mcgee on Nov 13, 2008 1:56 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I consider myself cursed.

The ‘06 Holiday Bowl was the only bowl game I went to. I want to refrain from going to any more because I’m pretty sure I just might jinx it for Cal.

"Today's weather, excessively violent with a chance of dismemberment. Tune in later for our 5-day forecast!"
~ Three Dog - Fallout 3

by Swamphunter on Nov 17, 2008 6:48 PM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

*2004. Whoops.

I meant the first time down there.

I was working overtime and my brain checked out for the evening.

"Today's weather, excessively violent with a chance of dismemberment. Tune in later for our 5-day forecast!"
~ Three Dog - Fallout 3

by Swamphunter on Nov 18, 2008 10:16 AM PST to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I am 0-3 in road games

UCLA 07
Stanfraud 07
USC 08

ugh

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Nov 22, 2008 11:32 PM PST reply reply   0 recs


User Tools

Welcome to the 3rd Best Sports-Oriented Cal Blog on the net, where WE HAVE THE AXE and we're taking it on the Brock Mansion Party Yacht!

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Bendermonocledon_small
thenick's Emerald Bowl pics
Bear__small
Emerald Bowl / End of Season Review: A microcosm of everything that is good and bad about college football fandom (with pictures!)
Jackblack_small
More Emerald Bowl Photos
Small
Recruiting Update
Follett_small
Emerald Bowl Photos!

Recent FanPosts

P1_marshawn_small
1.6.09 DBD Hold Me Tighter, CaliforniaGoldenBlogs, I Just Want To Smell Your Hair A Little
Small
New Cal Recruit, Mark Brazinski, C
Script_cal_small
DBD 01.04.09 & 01.05.09 Aloha Fiesta Bowl
More_cascades_small
More (mediocre) Emerald Bowl Photos
Bnavatar_small
BCS vs. Playoffs Debate
Small
Pac-10 Bowl Idea
Bnavatar_small
DBD 1.02.08 Cotton Bowl Open Thread
Follett_small
DBD 1.01.2009: Tedford signs contract extension!

Post_icon New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini

The FanPost Hall of Fame

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recommended FanShots

Emerald Bowl Highlights

Recent FanShots

Womens BB vs St. Mary's Live Stream
Emerald Bowl Torrent