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DBD 3.7.10 Places I'd love to visit

Apologizes for not being able to do this last Friday, but better late then never!

These are some locations around the world that I want to visit some time in my life. I'm not listing the large cities such as London, Paris, Berlin, Rome, etc because that's obvious. I'm more thinking of a little bit more smaller cities though Venice still counts despite it being famous!

Venice, Italy

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I've always wanted to visit Venice, the city of canals. Unfortunately it is said that there exists more tourists in Venice than actual residents. Still I would love to ride a gondola one day and explore the canals of Venice.

Florence, Italy

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Florence is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the home of the Italian Renaissance, renowned for it's art and architecture, the birthplace of Dante (who was banished by penalty of death), Michelangelo, Galileo, Donatello and others. And of course as the capital of Tuscany one can find some of the most amazing cuisine in the world. I would just love to go and marvel at fine arts and it's amazing architecture. In fact it is rumored that even Hitler, who ordered that all bridges in Florence be destroyed, decided not to blow up the bridge Ponte Vecchio because it was too beautiful.

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Kanyakumari, India

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I'm cheating a little bit on this one because I've already visited Kanyakumari, but seeing as I how was only about 8 years old I think I would love to visit it again. Kanyakumari is the city and beach at the southern most tip of the Indian peninsula and is perhaps the only place in the world where three large bodies of water (Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean) meet at one single point. It is one of the few places in the world where you can watch both sunrise and sunset at the exact same spot. Also as a matter of personal interest I'd love to visit the Padmanabhapuram Palace which was created in 1601 to be the home of the king and queen of Travencore (one of the princely states of India before the Birtish and one of the three states that eventually ended up being my home state).

Otty and Kotagiri, India

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Otty is a hill-side resort place I've always wanted to visit even when I was a child and one of my parents' favorite places. They (and others who have visited it) had many wonderful stories of the place and despite it being only about 270km (~168 mi or 20mi less than Berkeley to Fresno) I never got to visit. One of these days I will. It's also unique in this list as I'm not going here to see any man-made structures at all, but rather to see its natural beauty and drink tea as it is one of the biggest tea producers in India. The nearby Kotagiri is just as idyllic and beautiful and has what is considered one of the best climates in all of India and maybe the world as it is a pleasant cool year-round. Depressingly among this is a place and tourist attraction known as suicide point because many people plunge from great heights to their deaths onto the foothills of the Nilgiri mountains.

Srinagar, India

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This is the only place on the list that I'm afraid to visit because it located in the northern state of Kashmir in India and it is the location of numerous terrorists attacks and the source of armed border conflicts between Pakistan and India. Hopefully once all of this cools down I'll be able to visit to see the area. I list Srinigar as it is home to great lakes and mountain hikes as well as wonderful gardens created by the Mughal emperors when they ruled India many centuries ago. However I just as equally want to visit the various shrines, temples and villages in the various mountains around Kashmir as they are supposed to be breathtaking to behold.

Istanbul, Turkey

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Istanbul was once called Constantinople when it was the capital of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine Empire was also the last of the Roman Empire. Istanbul is a beautiful city with amazing historical locations from the Hagia Sofia to the the odd bridge in which you can drive from Europe to Asia and back without having to acquire a passport and visa. There's not much to really talk about here but it's just a marvelous city to visit for someone who loves history (and awesome doner restaurants!)

What places would you love to visit someday?

Poll
Which of the listed places do you want to visit?
Venice, Italy
4 votes
Florence, Italy
6 votes
Kanyakumari, India
0 votes
Ooty and Kotagiri, India
4 votes
Srinagar, India
0 votes
Istanbul, Turkey
7 votes
I want Rishi to do the DBDs from now on!
9 votes

30 votes | Poll has closed

The opinions expressed in a FanPost are, in every way, reflective of the opinions of every California Golden Blogs Marshawnthusiast. Moreover, they are reflective of every employee of SBNation, including Tyler "Blez" Bleszinski.

Comment 894 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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Venice sucked when I was there – granted the middle of August is the worst time to visit Italy in general, but the town was all tourists except for service staff.

My list of places to go (that I haven’t been yet)

Angkor Wat, Cambodia – scheduled for April 2011 (a friend of mine who is at UT B-school will be visiting Vietnam with his class. Post trip, we’re going to spend a week in Cambodia)

The Maldives – sure I don’t have a girlfriend nor is marriage anywhere in my immediate future that I know of. But I already know where the honeymoon will be.

Kenya

Fucking lions!

Bali, Indonesia

Everytime I’ve tried to visit Indonesia, they’ve gone through a period of threatening and/or killing ethnic Chinese or Americans. As a member of both groups, I’ve postponed and cancelled 3 trips to Indonesia over the past 14 years.

Rio

Do you really need a reason to visit Rio?

Australia

Never been. I should take advantage of my proximity and the relative affordability of the flights from here (about $400 USD through Singapore or Hong Kong)

New Zealand -

It would be nice to be somewhere the air is fresh and clean. Plus hobbits!

by LeonPowe on Mar 7, 2010 11:36 PM PST reply actions  

Oh yeah, just because it’s batshit insane. And the tours leave from Beijing. and who knows how much longer the regieme will last. North Fucking Korea. I am trying to figure out when to go this year. If I go, this will be a DBD. North Fucking Korea.

by LeonPowe on Mar 7, 2010 11:39 PM PST up reply actions  

Forget fanposts. That should be its own blog.

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 7, 2010 11:54 PM PST up reply actions  

I’d blog about it on my own blog. Since you’re facebook friends with me, it shouldn’t be difficult to find my blog address.

by LeonPowe on Mar 8, 2010 12:47 AM PST up reply actions  

I really enjoyed your post: “I posterized Anderson Varejao tonight.”

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 8, 2010 12:49 AM PST up reply actions  

Rebounds: The how and the why

by LeonPowe on Mar 8, 2010 12:51 AM PST up reply actions  

THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 10:52 AM PST up reply actions  

At one point, a couple years ago, the Cal Alumni Association’s travel side (Cal Discoveries) ran a trip to North Korea – IIRC.

Ragnarok: Great Man or Greatest Man?

by AndBears on Mar 8, 2010 10:54 AM PST up reply actions  

when were balinese killing americans? do you mean the bombings?

"It’s not a good car and not a good boat, but it’s the best car-boat ever made"

by emiliosCA on Mar 8, 2010 9:30 AM PST up reply actions  

really? i was thinking of traveling there this year! where were they going after americans in indonesia?

"It’s not a good car and not a good boat, but it’s the best car-boat ever made"

by emiliosCA on Mar 9, 2010 9:36 AM PST up reply actions  

This was back in the late 90s/early 2000s. No worries now.

(Bali – bombing aside – is not a hot spot of anti-foreigner sentiment. This was in Jakarta I remember – where they were going to all the 5 star foreign hotels and asking for guest lists with passports so they could kill all the americans – I recall nothing ever happened)

by LeonPowe on Mar 10, 2010 12:12 AM PST up reply actions  

Though they did kill a couple hundred people in Bali in 2005(? ish) with a hotel bombing. Many Australians, if I recall.

by Scootie on Mar 10, 2010 8:42 PM PST up reply actions  

it was actually a bar. A guy who played offensive lineman at Nebraska and who was a lawyer in Hong Kong who I played basketball with was among the killed.

It was earlier than 2005 – I left Hong Kong in 2002.

by LeonPowe on Mar 11, 2010 2:01 AM PST up reply actions  

Venice is nice because of the canals and those masks

Then after a day it gets boring. Just a place to see because you’ve been there

Florence is very beautiful. Just wish I wasn’t there during tourist season.

Srinagar is very safe for tourists. Unfortunately royrules, you will easily be mistaken…which makes you 1% less safe. Should be fine.

As for me,


Normandy


Prague


Sicily


Vietnam, to travel down their rivers. Plus Vietnamese women are pretttty.


Mongolia, partly just to see this 131 foot statue of Genghis Khan. BADASS.


Havana. Is the embargo lifted yet?

I’ve heard Moscow sucks. It’ll be avoided for as long as possible.

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 7, 2010 11:54 PM PST reply actions  

Nope Cuba is still banned. But they’ll stamp a blank paper of your passport and they’ll get rid of it when you leave if you ask

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 12:10 AM PST up reply actions  

Ive had friends got o Cuba. I think you have to fly through a 3rd country to get there.

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:22 PM PST up reply actions  

Or you could go to Canada

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 1:42 PM PST up reply actions  

Isn’t that what he just said?

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 1:44 PM PST up reply actions  

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 1:44 PM PST up reply actions  

I think they tend to go through mexico.

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:50 PM PST up reply actions  

Or Mexada!

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:54 PM PST up reply actions  

I was gonna use Botswana.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 1:57 PM PST up reply actions  

or East Timor

Inspiring and completing since1997 since2010!

by Fire Starkey on Mar 8, 2010 2:00 PM PST up reply actions  

I went through West Timor once. Man was that a mistake.

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 2:01 PM PST up reply actions  

TWSS

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 2:01 PM PST up reply actions  

or north haverbrook

Remember, the enemy's end zone is DOWN!

by GoldBlooded on Mar 8, 2010 2:02 PM PST up reply actions  

I like sliding through Djibouti

by chowder on Mar 8, 2010 2:03 PM PST up reply actions  

The only place where the entry visa stamp reads PSorCY

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 2:49 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

Mono-D’OH!

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 2:04 PM PST up reply actions  

Or Burkina Faso.

We’re just picking them based on cool-sounding names, right?

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 2:02 PM PST up reply actions  

Or Djibouti

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 2:02 PM PST up reply actions  

no, I’m thinking of best linkup spots to get to Cuba. Djibouti is the best

Inspiring and completing since1997 since2010!

by Fire Starkey on Mar 8, 2010 2:03 PM PST up reply actions  

If you wanna conga in Havana, you gotta know how to shake-a Djibouti?

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 2:06 PM PST up reply actions  

Or Naziland

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 2:01 PM PST up reply actions  

You mean Disneyland?

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 2:04 PM PST up reply actions  

You mean Zombieland?

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 2:07 PM PST up reply actions  

You mean South Florida?

by chowder on Mar 8, 2010 2:08 PM PST up reply actions  

You mean Mexada?

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 2:09 PM PST up reply actions  

Are we going around in circles now?

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 2:09 PM PST up reply actions  

STOP TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM!

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 2:18 PM PST up reply actions  

How’s going to Orange County going to help?

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 2:49 PM PST up reply actions  

Moscow was very very interesting. Seemed a little dangerous everywhere. I was there right before I started at Cal (Summer 1991 – 2 years post Berlin Wall).

by LeonPowe on Mar 8, 2010 12:51 AM PST up reply actions  

I will second Moscow being interesting, though St Petersburg is even more so. They are, however, the most freaking expensive places I’ve ever been in my life. Ho-ly hell.

by Scootie on Mar 8, 2010 11:26 AM PST up reply actions  

I am jealous of all people who have been to St. Petersburg and the Hermitage. Hate you.

Fire Starkey. You... complete me.

by since1997 on Mar 8, 2010 1:00 PM PST up reply actions  

I’m guessing you also enjoyed Russian Ark, then?

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 1:03 PM PST up reply actions  

I’ve heard the Hermitage is ridiculous but really just wanna go to see my favorite painting of all time, Rembrandt’s Return of the Prodigal Son. .

Fire Starkey. You... complete me.

by since1997 on Mar 8, 2010 1:36 PM PST up reply actions  

What about Rembrandt’s “Return Of Fire Starkey” Isn’t that one better?

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:38 PM PST up reply actions  

Awwwww!!! Okay I don’t hate you anymore!!

Fire Starkey. You... complete me.

by since1997 on Mar 8, 2010 2:31 PM PST up reply actions  

normandy is amazing. all the little towns are exceptional, a lot of locals don’t speak a lick of english but are super friendly, and there is a lot in the air on the beaches and the american cemetery. stay in bayeux while you’re there and make sure to see the tapestry of william the conqueror’s invasion of england, best piece of art in europe I’ve ever seen.

"It’s not a good car and not a good boat, but it’s the best car-boat ever made"

by emiliosCA on Mar 8, 2010 9:33 AM PST up reply actions  

Indeed. It’s all in the plan. Thanks for the tips!

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 8, 2010 4:00 PM PST up reply actions  

I wonder if that’s a part of France that is a bit more appreciative of Americans than most.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 4:10 PM PST up reply actions  

oh, and if you think italy can be bad during tourist season – make sure to go to prague off-season. the beer is half the price, the czech are twice as accommodating, and its the only time theres elbow room in some areas. its much more chill (and chilly) in winter, but you get to hit up all the christmas markets.

"It’s not a good car and not a good boat, but it’s the best car-boat ever made"

by emiliosCA on Mar 8, 2010 9:35 AM PST up reply actions  

I was there in late April and it wasn’t bad, I’m a fan of the shoulder seasons.

by turkey on Mar 8, 2010 9:41 AM PST up reply actions  

rec'd!

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 12:11 AM PST up reply actions  

Nice

I was going to post the same after I saw the DBD title.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 5:48 AM PST up reply actions  

Great minds think alike ;)

by Cali49a on Mar 8, 2010 8:06 AM PST up reply actions  

arguably post of the year.

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Mar 8, 2010 1:06 PM PST up reply actions  

Better than that Japanese curling porn you loved last week?

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:11 PM PST up reply actions  

Florence is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, the home of the Italian Renaissance, renowned for it’s art and architecture

WHO IS ART????

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by BearStage on Mar 8, 2010 3:02 AM PST reply actions  

ARE ART?

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 10:45 AM PST up reply actions  

Is this where we put typos?

It is one of the few places in the world where you can watch both sunrise and sunset at the exact same spot.

I think RR22 meant both sunrise and sunset over an ocean at the exact same spot.

by sec119 on Mar 8, 2010 6:23 AM PST up reply actions  

I would think there are many small islands where that would be the case.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 10:48 AM PST up reply actions  

When was the last time you slept?

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 7:57 AM PST up reply actions  

Baseball salvages final game of three game series vs. Arkansas
Cal avoids a Hog sweep

BERKELEY, CALIF. – Down 2-0 in a three-game series versus No. 17 Arkansas, the California baseball team put together an outstanding pitching and hitting effort in a 6-0 shutout of the Razorbacks Sunday, March 7 at Evans Diamond. The Golden Bears were paced by stellar pitching from junior right-handers Kevin Miller and Brian Diemer, and clutch hitting from junior first baseman Mark Canha and sophomore left fielder Danny Oh to improve to 7-3 on the year. Arkansas dropped to 8-2 after winning the first two games of the series, 7-3 and 9-5.

Sunday’s game marked the fifth shutout for Cal’s pitching staff this season. The Bears opened the year shutting out Southern Utah in a three game series (14-0, 22-0, 10-0), shutting out Cal State Bakersfield (13-0) Feb. 28 in Bakersfield, and now against the Top 20-ranked Razorbacks.

Miller evened his record to 1-1 this season by limiting Arkansas, a 2009 College World Series squad, to only four hits in 6.0 innings with two walks and three strikeouts. Diemer continued Cal’s strong pitching performance by throwing the final 3.0 innings with two hits, two walks and two strikeouts to earn his first save of the season and second save of his college career.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 5:50 AM PST reply actions  

looking forward to the Rice series…those boys are good.

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Mar 8, 2010 1:06 PM PST up reply actions  

Successful weekend for Cal softball
Undefeated in Vegas, baby!

The No. 15/13 California softball team went a perfect 5-0 at this weekend’s Eller Media Stadium Classic, capping off the tournament with a 5-1 win over host UNLV on Sunday afternoon.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 5:52 AM PST reply actions  

Friday’s games

LAS VEGAS – The No. 15/13 California softball team concluded its Friday with a 10-2 victory in five innings over Weber State on Friday afternoon. Coupled with the Golden Bears’ 6-0 win against New Mexico State earlier on Friday, Cal is now 2-0 at this weekend’s Eller Media Stadium Classic and 13-4 overall. The Bears scored four runs in both the fourth and fifth en route to the mercy outing.

For the Bears, Shannon Thomas led the way with three runs, two hits and two RBI. Senior Marissa Drewrey and freshman Jolene Henderson split time at pitcher with Henderson notching her fourth win thanks to her four strike outs.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 5:53 AM PST up reply actions  

Saturday’s games

LAS VEGAS – The No. 15/13 California softball team cruised to a 7-0 win over Portland State on Saturday morning. The Golden Bears now stand at 14-4 overall and 3-0 at this weekend’s Eller Media Stadium Classic.

Defensively speaking, the first inning was a good indicator of how the rest of the game would go for the Bears. Junior pitcher Valerie Arioto struck out the first two batters and got the last to ground out to send the line-up down in order.

That bottom of the first was a great push of momentum for the Bears as they headed into the top of the second for their second round of at bats. Frani Echavarria singled though the right side and shortly thereafter came home to score off a Taylor Kelly double down the left-field line.

With Kelly stationed at second, freshman Jolene Henderson stepped up and poked a hit through the right side for a single and to plate Kelly. With their 2-0 lead, the Bears headed into the bottom of the second, which saw the Vikings get their first hit of the game, but it was not enough to bring anyone home.
LAS VEGAS – The No. 15/ 13 California softball team rained six runs on Southern Utah in the second inning en route to an 11-0 mercy win against the Thunderbirds on Saturday afternoon. The Golden Bears (15-4) were led by a terrific outing by pitcher Jolene Henderson, who allowed just three hits and faced four batters over the minimum, and junior Valerie Arioto, who had four RBI.

Shannon Thomas was the first baserunner for either team after she got aboard with a walk and then stole second in the bottom of the first. Junior Valerie Arioto then cranked a pitch over the wall in center field for a two-run homer, giving Cal an early 2-0 lead.

Arioto singled down the right-field line to score Shannon Thomas and Jamia Reid, who had reached on a throwing catcher error on her bunt and after being hit by a pitch, respectively. Next up, freshman Lindsey Ziegenhirt doubled to left center to bring around Arioto, distancing the Bears, 5-0. Jayme Goodwin stepped in to pinch run for Ziegenhirt and advanced to third on an illegal pitch. Jace Williams earned a walk and then motored to second, putting two Cal runners into scoring position at third and second.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 5:56 AM PST up reply actions  

Women's tennis loses to stanfurd
An upset. Boo!

BERKELEY – The fifth-ranked California women’s tennis team (9-3) fell, 5-2, to No. 14 Stanford [sic] (9-1) on Saturday (March 6) at the Hellman Tennis Complex. The Golden Bears earned points with wins at Nos. 2 and 3 singles but dropped all three doubles matches, 8-6, to surrender the doubles point for the first time this season.

The Cardinal was the first to strike in a close match as the No. 27-ranked duo of Mallory Burdette and Stacey Tan took an 8-6 win over the No. 38-ranked team of junior Marina Cossou and senior Kasia Siwosz at the second doubles court. Stanford [sic] sealed the doubles point as the second-ranked team of Hilary Barte and Lindsay Burdette earned the same score in a win over No. 13-ranked junior Mari Andersson and Jana Juricova at the top court. Stanford’s [sic] Veronica Li and Carolyn McVeigh completed a sweep of the doubles courts as they took an 8-6 win over Cal’s freshman tandem of Annie Goransson and Tayler Davis at court three.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 5:58 AM PST reply actions  

Women's H2O polo loses to # 1 USC
Bears fall to 14-5, 2-2 in conference play

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – The No. 4-ranked California women’s water polo team lost to No. 1-ranked USC 7-4 Saturday at McDonald’s Swim Stadium. This was the second time in a week the Golden Bears fell to the Trojans, dropping a 10-5 decision last Sunday in the semi-finals of the UC Irvine Invitational. Senior Camille Hewko led Cal with two goals, while, defensively, sophomore goalie Stephanie Peckham added nine saves. With the loss, the Bears fall to 14-5 on the season and 2-2 in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation league play.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:00 AM PST reply actions  

On the up side, they swept a tournament on Friday
2-0 at Cal Lutheran tournament

THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF. – The No. 4-ranked California women’s water polo team won both of their games Friday at the Cal Lutheran University Spring Classic with a 16-4 victory over Occidental and a 12-4 win over Cal Baptist at the Samuelson Aquatics Center. Sophomore Emily Csikos, Cal’s leading scorer with 48 goals this season, paced the Bears with six goals in their two matches at the Cal Lutheran Invite. With these two wins, Cal improves to 14-4.
Against Cal Baptist, the Bears jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the first quarter. Cal added four more goals in the second period to extend the score to 8-1 at halftime. The Bears outscored the Lancers 4-3 in the second half, on the way to their 12-4 win.

Csikos and freshman Dana Ochsner each scored three goals against Cal Baptist. Senior Remy Champion added two more goals against the Lancers, while senior Camille Hewko scored once, giving both of them four goals in the two matches at the Cal Lutheran Spring Classic. Seniors Julie Oreglia and Erin Scully and freshman Breda Vosters also scored in Cal’s win against Cal Baptist.

In their 16-4 victory over Occidental earlier in the day, the Bears received goals from nine different players, including three apiece from sophomore Emily Csikos, senior Camille Hewko, and freshman Kirsten Mase. Defensively, the Bears held the Tigers to just one goal in each quarter, receiving five saves from sophomore goalie Stephanie Peckham.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:02 AM PST up reply actions  

Cal opens outdoor track season
A “non-scoring” meet?

California got its outdoor track & field season underway with a busy day of events at the non-scoring Stanford [sic] Open Saturday. Alima Kamara won both the 200 and 400 meters, and Golden Bears established 10 outdoor personal bests.

Kamara, a freshman from Stockton, claimed the 200 race in 24.24 and she circled the track in the 400 in 54.14 to lead a 1-2-4 Cal finish. Hayley Huxtable was second in 56.89 and Kayla Dixon fourth in 57.98.

Other winners on the day included Steve Sodaro, who captured the 1500 meters in a PR 3:46.96, Connor Landry in the pole vault (17-0.75) and Brian Carmichael with a PR 6-10.75 in the high jump. For the women, Cherrelle Garrett placed first in the 100 meters in 12.07, Natalya Beneby won the 400 hurdles in 1:02.19, and Theresa Raub’s 12.9-50 was the best clearance of the day in the pole vault.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:04 AM PST reply actions  

Men's swimming finishes 2nd at Pac-10 championships
The furds win 29th (!) consecutive conference title

LONG BEACH, CALIF. – The No. 4-ranked University of California men’s swimming team won two more titles during the final day of the 2010 Pac-10 swimming championships in Long Beach. Junior Nathan Adrian repeated as the conference champion in the 100 free and the 400 free relay of juniors Graeme Moore and Josh Daniels, freshman Tom Shields and Adrian placed first with an NCAA automatic time of 2:50.59. However, the Golden Bears narrowly missed snapping Stanford’s streak of 28 straight Pac-10 titles, falling to the No. 3 Cardinal, 897-829.5.

Cal had several strong swims Saturday night. Besides Adrian winning the 100 free (42.59), Moore was second in the event with a mark of 42.72. In another Pac-10 runner-up finish for the Bears was Shields in the 200 fly with a school record and NCAA automatic time of 1:42.63. He topped the old mark of 1:42.98 set by Patrick O’Neil, who was the NCAA champion in the 200 fly in 2007.

Cal concluded the 2010 Pac-10 meet with five individual titles and three relay titles (400 free relay, 200 and 400 medley relays). On Wednesday, the Bears won the 200 medley relay for the third year in a row. The medley relay team of juniors Guy Barnea, Damir Dugonjic, Moore and Daniels recorded a time of 1:24.85 to lead Cal to victory in the first event of the four-day meet. On Thursday, Adrian successfully defended his 2009 title in the 50 free with a time of 19.20, while sophomore Martin Liivamagi captured his first conference title by winning the 200 IM in a career-best and NCAA automatic qualifying 1:43.73.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:06 AM PST reply actions  

12th ranked women's golf in San Jose today and tomorrow
Juli Inkster invitational

The tournament, which was rained out in 2009, will be held at the Almaden Country Club in San Jose. The Bears and the 15 other teams in the tournament will play 36 holes on Monday and 18 holes on Tuesday on the par-72, 6,233 yard course. Both days will get underway with a shotgun start at 8:00 a.m.

In addition to California, the field includes: Colorado, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Hawaii, Long Beach State, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, San Diego State, San Francisco, San Jose State, Santa Clara, UC Irvine, and UC Davis.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:08 AM PST reply actions  

Meanwhile, 18th ranked men's golf has to go to Fresno
Lexus Classic, today and tomorrow, at San Joaquin CC

SPRING SLATE CONTINUES AT FRESNO LEXUS CLASSIC
Cal continues its spring slate at the 2010 Fresno Lexux Classic this Monday-Tuesday, Mar. 8-9. The 54-hole event will take place at the San Joaquin Country Club with the first 36 holes scheduled to be played Monday and the final 18 set for Tuesday. Play begins each day at 7:45 a.m. PST.

CAL MOVES UP THREE SPOTS TO NO. 18 AND NO. 21 IN RANKINGS
Cal is now ranked No. 18 in the nation by Golfweek and No. 21 according to Golfstat. The Bears moved up three spots in both polls this week after a second-place showing Mar. 1-2 at the USC Collegiate Invitational. The Bears had began the spring ranked No. 30 (Golfweek) and No. 33 (Golfstat) but have been as high as No. 16 (Golfweek) after winning its first tournament of the 2010 spring season Feb. 1-2 at the Arizona Intercollegiate in Tucson. Their current No. 21 ranking by Golfstat is their highest of the season.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:10 AM PST reply actions  

If you hadn't heard, women's basketball drops regular season finale vs. stanfurd
Bears finish 11-7 in conference play. On the bubble?

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) – Alexis Gray-Lawson scored 15 points in the final regular season home game of her carer as the California Golden Bears fell 63-48 to the No. 2 Stanford Cardinal. Freshman DeNesha Stallworth had the third double double of her career with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

The Cardinal (28-1, 18-0 Pac-10) played without All-American center Jayne Appel, who was sidelined with a sprained right ankle that requires a walking boot after she got hurt in practice during the week. It’s unclear how long she might be out.

Stanford missed Appel’s presence in the paint and never looked in sync while winning a 19th straight game since the team’s lone loss at top-ranked Connecticut on Dec. 23.

Kayla Pedersen added 23 points and 10 rebounds for the Cardinal, who already secured their 10th straight Pac-10 regular-season title and will be the top seed heading into next weekend’s conference tournament in Los Angeles. Stanford is trying for a third straight trip to the Final Four.

Alexis Gray-Lawson scored 15 points in what might have been her final home game at Haas Pavilion for Cal (17-12, 11-7). The Golden Bears host first- and second-round NCAA tournament games March 20 and 22 but are not automatic locks to make the tournament. It will come down to the Pac-10 Conference tournament, which starts on Thursday, March 11 in Los Angeles.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:13 AM PST reply actions  

Women's Pac-10 tournament bracket and schedule

Here

Cal vs. Arizona State on Friday 11:00 am PT. Tournament is at the Galen Center (USC).

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:23 AM PST up reply actions  

Also, if you hadn't heard...
The men’s basketball team won an outright sumthin’ sumthin’

Cal clinched at least a share of its first conference title in 50 years and the top seed in the Pac-10 tournament by beating Arizona State last weekend in a game capped by a raucous net-cutting celebration at Haas Pavilion.

The Bears were adamant about not wanting to share the title. When Arizona State finished its regular season with a 56-46 victory over UCLA that ended just before tipoff at Maples Pavilion, Cal knew it needed a win against its rivals to finish alone in first.

Stanford [sic] trailed by 12 points in the first half but fought back to tie the game at 44-44 early in the second on a dunk by Jack Trotter. The Cardinal never took the lead in the second half.

A three-point play by Theo Robertson sparked a 9-2 run that but Cal back in front. Christopher, playing in his school-record 129th game, hit three straight baskets to help the Bears maintain the lead, but Stanford [sic] cut it to 62-59 on a floater by Fields with 3:14 to go.

Boykin then scored on a putback to make it a five-point game. After a steal by Christopher, he hit a 3-pointer at the other end to put Cal on top 67-59 with 1:37 to go. That started the celebration from the small but vocal contingent of Bears fans who made the drive to Stanford [sic].

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:16 AM PST reply actions  

Men's Pac-10 Tournament schedule and bracket
Cal plays Thursday at 2:30 pm PT

#4 Arizona vs. #5 UCLA 12 p.m. PT FSN
#1 Cal vs. Oregon/Washington St. 2:30 pm. PT FSN
#3 Washington vs. #6 Oregon State 6 p.m. PT FSN
#2 Arizona State vs. #7 Stanford 8:30 p.m. PT FSN

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:21 AM PST up reply actions  

Cal moves up to 19th in the RPI rankings

Through Sunday’s games

1 Kansas 29-2
 2 Duke 26-5
 3 Syracuse 28-3
 4 Kentucky 28-2
 5 West Virginia 24-6
 6 Kansas St. 23-6
 7 New Mexico 28-3
 8 Baylor 23-6
 9 Villanova 24-6
 10 Pittsburgh 24-7
-——————————————————————————————————————-
  11 Purdue 26-4
 12 Texas A&M 21-8
 13 Tennessee 23-7
 14 Georgetown 20-9
 15 Temple 26-5
 16 Butler 27-4
 17 Maryland 22-7
 18 Wisconsin 22-7
 19 California 21-9
 20 Vanderbilt 22-7

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:55 AM PST up reply actions  

yet we’re apparently not a lock?

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 7:59 AM PST up reply actions  

Joe Lunardi moved us in “lock” territory Sunday night.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Mar 8, 2010 8:31 AM PST up reply actions  

I'd like to us to win 3 games this week

Then I’d say we’re truly a “lock”!

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 9:56 AM PST up reply actions  

Jahvid Best honored at halftime of women's basketball game Saturday
“CFPA Elite Performance Trophy”

Former Cal tailback Jahvid Best was honored by the College Football Performance Awards organization with the 2009 Elite Running Back Trophy during an on-court ceremony at halftime of the Cal-Stanford women’s basketball game at Haas Pavilion on Saturday.

The award recognized Best as the top performer at the running back position based upon the 21 games in which he participated over the past two seasons. Best was responsible for 32 total offensive touchdowns in those games, and he concluded his career at Cal as the NCAA’s active leader in rushing yards per carry (7.33). No other active running back in the Football Bowl Subdivision of college football averages more than 7.0 yards per carry (with a minimum of 300 carries).

The goal of the College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. CFPA recipients are selected based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams. As prominent scholars from a wide variety of disciplines note, CFPA eliminates the politics and biases that vitiate balloting-based awards. Furthermore, CFPA is the only awards organization to receive praise from both Republican and Democratic White House officials for promoting objectivity and fairness in college football.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:18 AM PST reply actions  

So, this pretty much makes it a scientific “fact” that Jahvid > Toby. :)

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 11:00 AM PST up reply actions  

This fact was determined when Jahvid accepted his offer to Cal and Toby accepted his offer to stanfurd.

Costs STILL assessed against Twist

by CALumbus Bear on Mar 8, 2010 11:01 AM PST up reply actions  

And they honor him with the award just in time for the NFL Draft!

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 11:01 AM PST up reply actions  

1. We’ll have photos of this tomorrow.

2. Thank you Ohoi Bear for another great day o fhelping me out. I really appreciate it.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:24 PM PST up reply actions  

Interesting choices RR22. Personally, I’m not really a fan of going somewhere just to look at pretty buildings, but I think the history of a lot of those sites would be appealing.

by sec119 on Mar 8, 2010 6:27 AM PST reply actions  

Agreed. Its less about where I am and more about who I am with.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 7:59 AM PST up reply actions  

It’s the history and architecture. I’m a n00b when it comes to architecture but I love marveling at it.

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 10:28 AM PST up reply actions  

ditto.

Ragnarok: Great Man or Greatest Man?

by AndBears on Mar 8, 2010 10:30 AM PST up reply actions  

Teen Shoots Own Testicles

A Vallejo teenager allegedly shot himself in the testicles Thursday afternoon, police said.
Police said the 17-year-old, whose name is being withheld because he’s a minor, walked into Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center at about 5:45 p.m. with a gunshot wound.
The gun is still outstanding, police said, and the teen has not been cooperative.

by LeonPowe on Mar 8, 2010 6:28 AM PST reply actions  

and the teen has not been cooperative.

I’m guessing that when you are shot in the nether region, being cooperative with non-medical personnel is not exactly high on your priority list.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:59 AM PST up reply actions  

that ^^

and he prolly wasn’t the one who did the shooting….

Go Bears Go

by Rocksanddirt on Mar 8, 2010 3:06 PM PST up reply actions  

YO's spring practice preview continues

Offensive Line

RETURNING STARTERS: Matt Summers-Gavin, Chris Guarnero, Justin Cheadle, Mitchell Schwartz.

WHO TO WATCH OUT FOR: Brian Schwenke

POSSIBLE SURPRISE: Dominic Galas

THE BREAKDOWN: Despite the fact that four of five starters return along the offensive line, there could be a lot of moving parts this spring. Five players will get a serious look at guard — Summers-Gavin, Cheadle, Schwenke, Guarnero and Galas.


Summers-Gavin and Cheadle are the incumbents at guard, but the Bears aren’t sure that Guarnero should remain at center. So Guarnero, who started three games at left guard in 2008 before suffering a season-ending foot injury, is going to get some looks at guard this spring as well. Same goes for Galas, who also is a natural center but is loaded with potential and could make a case for playing time.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 6:47 AM PST reply actions  

Am I the only one really disappointed in YO's previews?

They are really pretty lame and light on any real content. His “possible surprises” might be surprises of spring practice, but once our latest recruits get here, I think his surprises will be largely irrelevant. Michael Calvin a possible surprise at WR? Please, the guy hasn’t been able to shake injuries. He’ll fall down the depth chart once the newcomers get here.

He lists Riley as a lock and Mansion as the biggest contender, yet doesn’t even list Sweeney as a “possible surprise”. Kinda whack, and very disappointing.

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 9:19 AM PST up reply actions  

They are really pretty lame and light on any real content

I’ve come to expect that from him. Just another guy with a press pass who can’t provide anything substantial beyond what people can figure out on their own.

by Cali49a on Mar 8, 2010 9:24 AM PST up reply actions  

This

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Mar 8, 2010 1:08 PM PST up reply actions  

I have no new information on that at this time

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 9:25 AM PST up reply actions  

I’m more disappointed Guarnero is senior and the staff still doesn’t know where to play him.

by chowder on Mar 8, 2010 9:32 AM PST up reply actions  

What about Brazinski? Is he not ready to compete for a starting job?

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 11:03 AM PST up reply actions  

On BI, there was speculation that they’d like Brazinski to be in the mix at C so that they might be able to move Guarnero to guard.

by Kodiak on Mar 8, 2010 11:21 AM PST up reply actions  

Hey Kodiak -

You mentioned in another DBD that the D this year annoyed you but you couldn’t put a finger on it. I’m looking to write some analysis stuff. Was there anything in particular I should focus in on that you were curious about? I have a zillion examples of what went wrong in our losses.

by Cali49a on Mar 8, 2010 11:33 AM PST up reply actions  

I guess the question would be how does a team with standouts at each level perform so poorly. With Tyson, Mohammed, and Syd, you think you’d be fairly solid or at least average. For instance, you’d think the Az and ’furd game would be more the norm instead of the exception.

My suspicion is that our safeties and the corner opposite Syd generally played really, really poorly and that our LB’s were frequently out of position. But was that a scheme issue, a coaching issue (not taught the proper depth to drop to in zone, half a step slow due to too many reads?), or execution?

I know Follett was really important in terms of applying pressure. In terms of measurables, he just wasn’t that fast which makes it all the more impressive how often he got to the QB. With the 3-4, I thought that you’re allowed to send one LB per down as your “base” defense and that the best defenses generate pressure with only 4 guys by mixing up where the rusher comes from. Since all of the replacement LB’s are at least as fast, if not faster than Follett, how was our pass rush such an epic phail?

Was the reason we kept doing the rush 3/drop 8 deal because we couldn’t get to the QB consistently even when we rushed 4/5/6? And is that because we lack players with pass-rush skills, or because we weren’t creative about how/where/when we sent guys?

So, y’know…Nothing too complicated. :)
I’ll look forward to whatever you manage to put together. Thanks!

by Kodiak on Mar 8, 2010 1:20 PM PST up reply actions  

I guess the question would be how does a team with standouts at each level perform so poorly. With Tyson, Mohammed, and Syd, you think you’d be fairly solid or at least average. For instance, you’d think the Az and ’furd game would be more the norm instead of the exception.

Simple Answer: Other teams schemed to attack away from those guys.

Those guys got beat a number of times as well. I can think of a number of times when Syd and Mohamed got beat and Tyson got pushed out of position. The solid play of 3 guys does not cover the performance of the other 8 on the field. When you remember the Furd and UA defensive performances, obviously our D was playing better as a whole. However, we still had a lot of the same problems during those games. What happened was that the opponents did not make enough plays to beat us nor capitalized on our mistakes.

My suspicion is that our safeties and the corner opposite Syd generally played really, really poorly and that our LB’s were frequently out of position. But was that a scheme issue, a coaching issue (not taught the proper depth to drop to in zone, half a step slow due to too many reads?), or execution?

Those are pretty good observations, and as a matter of fact, those were some of the biggest problems. A lot of things such as mistackles, bad pursuit angles, late help over the top, coverage mistakes, over-aggressiveness, and penalties are all the “smaller” things that go unnoticed during the flow of the game.

I just rewatched the Oregon game and clipped some defensive lowlights out of it. I’m going to probably take some more clips from our other losses and some of our wins as well to help demonstrate points. Don’t know when I’ll finish this but probably sometimes around the next few weeks.

by Cali49a on Mar 8, 2010 2:34 PM PST up reply actions  

That sounds really cool. Thanks.

by Kodiak on Mar 8, 2010 2:35 PM PST up reply actions  

I just rewatched the Oregon game

Ugh, sorry man.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 2:45 PM PST up reply actions  

CGB guys, If you could ensure that every woman knows one thing about males, what would it be?

Inspired by Reddit. Here’s what they came up with. Anything to add to the list?

We cannot take hints. Just fucking say it.

We are not playing with our dick/balls. They are dangly beasts and can get in awkward and downright painful positions frequently. We are adjusting and easing the pinching of our scrotum.

Think to yourself, “What is the simplest, most straightforward way that his words can be taken?” That is what we mean.

…that we don’t mind if you approach us/ask us out! I’m always amazed to hear women who think it is somehow frowned upon or off-putting. Whoever is spreading this lie needs to be shot.

That’s not to say that you’re guaranteed to be successful if you do approach a guy first. I’m just saying that if you are someone we’d be interested in, we won’t think less of you for making the first move. Welcome to our world.

…that we pay more attention to what you do than what you say.

90% of the time we have NO idea what you are talking about

100% of the time we do not know what you are thinking

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 8, 2010 7:02 AM PST reply actions   1 recs

We cannot take hints. Just fucking say it.

Nail. On. Head.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 8:14 AM PST up reply actions   1 recs

We cannot take hints. Just fucking say it.

This one is funny, and if guys are lucky enough, their SO won’t be the type to say things that can be interpreted in 2 different ways.

by Cali49a on Mar 8, 2010 8:17 AM PST up reply actions  

Also, if I can add one thing, it would be “The more you ask for it, the less likely you are to get it” (can probably work both ways)

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 8:29 AM PST up reply actions  

…that we don’t mind if you approach us/ask us out! I’m always amazed to hear women who think it is somehow frowned upon or off-putting. Whoever is spreading this lie needs to be shot.

Yes and no. Initially in the get to know you stage, getting in the way and making it obvious that you dig a a guy is strongly encouraged. As mentioned in a previous topic. Subtlety will not help your cause. Guys really are extremely oblivious. When it comes to elevating things to something more serious, I like to steer the ship. Call me old-fashioned or whatever, but when I finally encountered one of those women that were “on a mission” it scared the hell out of me, and I ended things after the second date.

by suessbear on Mar 8, 2010 7:30 PM PST up reply actions  

CGB gals, If you could ensure that every man knows one thing about females, what would it be?

Again from Reddit, sample responses:

We are not sitcom characters. Please stop taking your dating cues from bad television shows. It is annoying.

I do not care if you watch porn, though I would appreciate being invited to the party occasionally. I will not be offended if you masturbate. I would actually prefer that you go out with your friends sometimes, even if they happen to be – motherfucking gasp – female. On a related note, I don’t perceive every woman in your life as a threat to our relationship. Leave the toilet seat up if you really want; I really don’t miss the two seconds I spend putting it in my preferred configuration. It’s not PMS. I’m not going to pressure you into a commitment, and I don’t spend evenings with my friends plotting the best way to do so. If I’m talking about something that bores you, I’d much rather you tell me to STFU than sit there and suffer.
Don’t assume we are going to turn you down. Just come up to us and talk to us. We’re pretty cool if only you take the time to have a conversation with us. Seriously, pretty girls are really just girls and not bitches (for the most part). Also, don’t equate beauty and airheadedness (I know, not the best word to use. But it’s the only one that comes to mind).
The clitoris and penis are originally from the same undifferentiated embryonic tissue. Would you want a woman to ignore your penis in bed? Exactly.
We use toilet paper to wipe after we pee.
Our breasts are not radio dials.
If I think that girl is a bitch, she’s a bitch. Agree with me. For the love of your balls, don’t disagree about this.

A rub on the small of the back releases oxytocin, a hormone that will relax us if we are too stressed out, or even if we are in pain over something (cramps).

Really small, insignificant things make us feel awesome. My favorite thing is finding a post-it with “<3” on it slipped into my purse by my BF (no, not in place of missing money _ )

I think this one is pretty much a given, but it really needs to be said again.

We don’t overly care about your money or your looks as many of you seem to think (but having both doesn’t hurt) What matters to most women when it comes to dating is confidence and an overall cool attitude. I think most would would agree with me when I say that I would rather date a confident guy with average looks and an average income than a hot rich guy who needs constant emotional babying.

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 8, 2010 7:08 AM PST reply actions  

Avi, think you’ll be getting this? If you keep talking that bla bla bla. Not in the back of my car. If you keep talking that bla bla bla.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 8:07 AM PST up reply actions  

Don’t assume we are going to turn you down. Just come up to us and talk to us. We’re pretty cool if only you take the time to have a conversation with us. Seriously, pretty girls are really just girls and not bitches (for the most part). Also, don’t equate beauty and airheadedness (I know, not the best word to use. But it’s the only one that comes to mind).

So the guy has to take the effort to approach the girl and has to ask her out… and because he’s the one asking out, he has to pay on first date.

Gotcha.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 8:30 AM PST up reply actions  

Don’t assume we are going to turn you down. Just come up to us and talk to us. We’re pretty cool if only you take the time to have a conversation with us

If only all women had that mentality.

by Cali49a on Mar 8, 2010 8:32 AM PST up reply actions  

Seriously, pretty girls are really just girls and not bitches (for the most part). Also, don’t equate beauty and airheadedness (I know, not the best word to use. But it’s the only one that comes to mind).

Am I the only one who thought: “Aww, poor pretty girl never gets chatted up” Ptttb.

Ragnarok: Great Man or Greatest Man?

by AndBears on Mar 8, 2010 8:53 AM PST up reply actions  

Yes. Yes, you were.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 8:54 AM PST up reply actions  

oh, I forgot the cardinal rule: “We cannot take hints. Just fucking say it.”

Ragnarok: Great Man or Greatest Man?

by AndBears on Mar 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST up reply actions  

I thought the cardinal rule was “THIS IS NOW BEAR TERRITORY!”

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 8:57 AM PST up reply actions  

A rub on the small of the back releases oxytocin,

I initially read that as oxycoton.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 8:57 AM PST up reply actions  

If you replace “back” and “oxytocin” with other words, it could be useful advice from guys to girls.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 8:58 AM PST up reply actions  

Like “Superman” and “Olympics”???

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 11:57 AM PST up reply actions  

I rub the Olympics to get Superman released all the time…

Things to Remember: Girls usually don't like it when you yell out "Beast Mode!" when switching to doggy style. - TFLN

by CruzinBears on Mar 8, 2010 12:12 PM PST up reply actions  

Superman that ho?

Go Bruins!

by Harsha on Mar 8, 2010 12:15 PM PST up reply actions  

Yeah, I’ve never quite understood this one. I’ve heard it before, but I don’t get it. Why don’t you want your problem solved?

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Mar 8, 2010 11:47 AM PST up reply actions  

They don’t want to admit that they’re wrong or incapable of solving a problem on their own.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 11:51 AM PST up reply actions   1 recs

I’m perfectly capable of solving my problem on my own. I just want to bitch about it for a few minutes first.

by Scootie on Mar 8, 2010 11:54 AM PST up reply actions  

Girls aren’t the only ones like this

Am I known as Cugel the Clever for nothing?

by Cugel on Mar 8, 2010 12:01 PM PST up reply actions  

I keep wanting to add the letter “d” to your screen name.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 12:04 PM PST up reply actions  

wiki the tag line and all will be explained.

Am I known as Cugel the Clever for nothing?

by Cugel on Mar 8, 2010 12:06 PM PST up reply actions  

You just got Cugel’d!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:13 PM PST up reply actions  

I agree. My cat does this to me all the time!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:12 PM PST up reply actions  

TWSS?

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 4:08 PM PST up reply actions  

The problem here is consistency. Sometimes you just want to bitch about it. Sometimes you really do want a bail out. Like when you inexplicably decide at 9pm Friday night to switch out the bathroom faucets despite lacking the experience or physical strength to accomplish said task without assistance.

Since it’s been established that we have no idea what you mean, what you want, or what you’re thinking, if you ever want us to be helpful, you need to cut us some slack when we offer to be helpful since we have no idea if you’re just bitching or really want help.

Not that any of this has ever happened to me, of course.

by Kodiak on Mar 8, 2010 1:24 PM PST up reply actions  

It seemed like a purely hypothetical situation.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 2:35 PM PST up reply actions  

I, myself, was surprised at the remarkably specificity of this clearly hypothetical situation. But thats what I like about Kodiak. He really goes all out.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 2:35 PM PST up reply actions  

rec’d for appropriate use of quote.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 2:46 PM PST up reply actions  

Hey, I thought of a real life use for that saying – Nancy Pelosi to the house members on passing the Senate’s version of health care.

Am I known as Cugel the Clever for nothing?

by Cugel on Mar 8, 2010 2:46 PM PST up reply actions  

Nice, that’ll sell them on it really well.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 2:59 PM PST up reply actions  

Dude, I would never, ever attempt to change out the bathroom faucets. I pay people to do that kind of stuff. Got to keep the economy going and all that. I am a patriot!

by Scootie on Mar 8, 2010 2:42 PM PST up reply actions  

So we good-natured, faucet-fixing types are un-patriotic? Why do you hat America?

Think of how the film industry would suffer without the stereotypical faucet-fixing man?

by Kodiak on Mar 8, 2010 2:45 PM PST up reply actions  

THIS TIMES A BILLION!!!

Considering the absurd amount of complaining my wife loves to do, I’m happy she never wants me to actually fix the problem!!!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 11:57 AM PST up reply actions  

To be fair everyone would complain if they were married to you

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 12:33 PM PST up reply actions  

Holy shit. Royrules just scored points off of me. This is the lowest moment of my already embarrassing life!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:12 PM PST up reply actions  

I would rather date fuck a confident guy with average looks and an average income than a hot rich guy who needs constant emotional babying.

CGB: Preventing the rest of the Cal blogosphere from getting press passes since 2006.

by Spazzy Mcgee on Mar 8, 2010 12:52 PM PST up reply actions  

this is truth.
Really small, insignificant things make us feel awesome. My favorite thing is finding a post-it with "<3" on it slipped into my purse by my BF (no, not in place of missing money _ )

Go Bears Go

by Rocksanddirt on Mar 8, 2010 3:11 PM PST up reply actions  

So that’s how Twist got married.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 3:38 PM PST up reply actions  

she wanted him to teabag her? Interesting relationship

Inspiring and completing since1997 since2010!

by Fire Starkey on Mar 9, 2010 6:20 AM PST up reply actions  

Ireland

I’m packing up the clan and going to Ireland in June which is one of the places I’ve always wanted to go. One downside, we’ll be there during a big chunk of the world cup so I just hope that the Irish aren’t too bitter about the cheating Frog bastards and will be watching it in every pub in the universe. We’ll see.

Inspiring and completing since1997 since2010!

by Fire Starkey on Mar 8, 2010 8:24 AM PST reply actions  

Ireland is awesome

be sure to visit the Butter Museum. And eat a lot of it, preferably with soda bread.

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

Bengie Molina: "I don't understand why they didn't want to commit to another year, with my numbers and my experience and things like that." Brain Sabean: "He's certainly welcomed back with open arms".

carp (paraphrased): "117 elements, and still no Stanfurdium"

by natteringnabob on Mar 8, 2010 9:32 AM PST up reply actions  

okey dokey

Butter Up

Ireland was the center of a vibrant trade in butter, preserved in crocks in the peat bogs. An important source of protein and way to preserve milk, the reason for all the buttermilk and hence all the soda bread.

And a boon to American clothing manufacturers, once I got home and had to buy larger pants.

You can try Kerrygold butter and cheese and Barry’s tea (even better) by visiting Roxie Market in SF

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

Bengie Molina: "I don't understand why they didn't want to commit to another year, with my numbers and my experience and things like that." Brain Sabean: "He's certainly welcomed back with open arms".

carp (paraphrased): "117 elements, and still no Stanfurdium"

by natteringnabob on Mar 8, 2010 11:42 AM PST up reply actions  

Barry’s tea is at World Market and Whole foods too, iirc.

by sec119 on Mar 8, 2010 12:04 PM PST up reply actions  

I haven't seen it at WF in SF

but thanks. Be careful of expiration dates!

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

Bengie Molina: "I don't understand why they didn't want to commit to another year, with my numbers and my experience and things like that." Brain Sabean: "He's certainly welcomed back with open arms".

carp (paraphrased): "117 elements, and still no Stanfurdium"

by natteringnabob on Mar 8, 2010 12:10 PM PST up reply actions  

They have it at Whole Foods here in the DC area, as well as some indecently good French butter as well.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 12:18 PM PST up reply actions  

YES! The French cultured cream butter??? I love that stuff, somehow it tastes more buttery than butter.

by sec119 on Mar 8, 2010 1:28 PM PST up reply actions  

I can’t remember the name of it, it’s from Normandy. Whatever else it might be, it’s ridiculously good.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 2:35 PM PST up reply actions  

Yeah, it’s Normandy butter.

by sec119 on Mar 8, 2010 2:39 PM PST up reply actions  

Brand name, smart ass.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 2:50 PM PST up reply actions  

Oh, I see how that reads like I’m being a smart ass. Whoops.

Anyway, I don’t remember the brand name either, although I do remember that Straus also makes a European style cultured cream butter that I liked.

by sec119 on Mar 8, 2010 3:11 PM PST up reply actions  

Sorry, I just assume that people are being sarcastic, which is a lazy projection of my own behavior ;)

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 3:13 PM PST up reply actions  

One of the cool things about being an expat is that imported European products which are expensive in the US (d’Isigny is the Normandy butter we can get in the import markets and that I have in my fridge right now) are the same price as US products (Land of Lakes).

So given that choice, I bought d’Isigny for my toast.

by LeonPowe on Mar 8, 2010 3:16 PM PST up reply actions  

I don’t know whether to be jealous in a good way or a negative, destructive way.

Although, given that this is China, how confident are you that this “Norman buttter” isn’t a local knock-off?

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 3:18 PM PST up reply actions  

100%

The knock-off stuff is sold by a sketchy looking guy in a shabby suit off the back of a bicycle around the corner.

“Watch, bag, DVD, imported French butter”

by LeonPowe on Mar 8, 2010 3:25 PM PST up reply actions  

If it makes you feel better, I can buy Irish or Danish butter next time.

by LeonPowe on Mar 8, 2010 3:26 PM PST up reply actions  

It makes no never mind to me, I’m just pleased to see a net increase in the sum of human happiness with dairy products.

by DC Trojan on Mar 10, 2010 11:29 AM PST up reply actions  

Possibly Lescure butter? Comes in a little balsa-wood tub? Tastes like heaven?

by Scootie on Mar 8, 2010 2:43 PM PST up reply actions  

My wife went to Cork on a “work” trip but instead of butter she brought me back a bottle of Cork gin. Which was nice.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 12:20 PM PST up reply actions  

Ha! I saw that museum in some of the research I am doing. Butter

Inspiring and completing since1997 since2010!

by Fire Starkey on Mar 8, 2010 10:54 AM PST up reply actions  

Hmm, that’s not Touchdown Jesus at Notre Dame….

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 11:09 AM PST up reply actions  

No, this is “preparing to take a dive on the pitch to get a call Jesus”

by turkey on Mar 8, 2010 11:12 AM PST up reply actions  

I’d like to see Leinart push that into the end zone!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 11:15 AM PST up reply actions  

I LQTM’d

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 11:32 AM PST up reply actions  

Me too.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 11:50 AM PST up reply actions  

Maybe not, but I still would love to score in that city.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 11:36 AM PST up reply actions  

I’m not a religious person at all, but this statue in this setting has to be the most dramatic environment constructed. This is my top choice for place I must see before I die.

by chowder on Mar 8, 2010 11:21 AM PST up reply actions  

Even bigger than the Emerald Bowl?!??

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 11:23 AM PST up reply actions  

Slightly, but not a Sun Bowl. Sun Bowl before I die!

by chowder on Mar 8, 2010 12:26 PM PST up reply actions  

Las Vegas Bowl before my first kidney stone!

by sec119 on Mar 8, 2010 1:28 PM PST up reply actions  

Rose Bowl before 2012!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:31 PM PST up reply actions  

Same. I’m not Christian, but I would love to be up there.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 11:48 AM PST up reply actions  

Pokemonz!

We had a CGB fantasy baseball league last year, didn’t we? I’ve already forgotten everything about that and who was in charge and stuff. I made a Yahoo H2H league for friends and assorted people I know, and was just considering whether I should post the info here. The league is called “California Baseball,” so it kinda works with CGB…

I've been Honked...

by giantfan5 on Mar 8, 2010 8:49 AM PST reply actions  

Oh god, this brings me back to my WoW addiction :(

by Shadwhand on Mar 8, 2010 10:28 AM PST up reply actions  

Good thing you escaped alive and only slightly broke!

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 11:48 AM PST up reply actions  

I recommend this article… very interesting read. I think you can see some of these “addicting” things in every videogame, but they are particularly prevalent on those subscription games.

by paleodan on Mar 8, 2010 1:03 PM PST up reply actions  

Yeah, I found it pretty interesting. I’ve done the online game thing in my time…I was lucky in that I got bored with it before getting too hooked. On the other hand, my roommate at Cal never graduated. He actually blew off a midterm because he was caught up in a MUD…then changed his major from business to Chinese (he was already fluent), so he wouldn’t have to go to class…and still ended up dropping out.

The crazy thing is this was in the age of text games/ascii graphics. The dude would have starved to death if WoW had been around then.

by Kodiak on Mar 8, 2010 1:28 PM PST up reply actions  

He may well be dead now.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 1:29 PM PST up reply actions  

Let’s have a moment of silence for Kodiak’s roommate. We knew him well

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:32 PM PST up reply actions  

Well, he was selling eyeglass parts a few years back. We have an optometrist in the suite next door. He was pimping himself/his wares, saw my name on the sign, and dropped in to bother me. It was a surreal moment…like I was wondering exactly what type of crack I must have been on to room with that guy. Made me feel really, really old.

by Kodiak on Mar 8, 2010 1:34 PM PST up reply actions  

I only got into online gaming with Battlefield 2 and Team Fortress 2. With BF2 I only played for about a month before my gaming ADD kicked in.

With TF2 I had friends across the country who played so we pitched in and rented a server (some $1 each I think) and I played it for about 6 months every evening. I mainly played it so that I could talk to them via voice chat more than actually playing the game.

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 1:39 PM PST up reply actions  

Venice is worth a day trip, Florence is beautiful. I’ve never had much of an inclination to visit India, but all of the places that RoyRules mentioned look amazing.

Sorry to be all Debbie Downer, but I had a crashing realization last year that approaching 40 and supporting a family of 4 on a single income in a high-ish cost of living zone means that I don’t really have to worry about whether I’ll get to every amazing place that might be interesting: I won’t.

In the realm of the realizable, I wouldn’t mind another trip to Iceland, going to Montana / Wyoming, possibly Vancouver, and going to Paris and Amsterdam as an adult. I’d like to go to Tokyo and then perhaps somewhere in northern Japan as a corrective to avoid agoraphobia. Istanbul, Barcelona, and Corsica are all appealing.

But the battering my wallet is about to take to arrange a week in Scotland for a family wedding, and having the kids’ grandparents in Michigan, Maine, and California, plus having 18 days’ leave a year including sick time… if I get even half of my sorry list above done, I’ll really feel like I’ve done something.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 9:02 AM PST reply actions  

That’s why I want to do most of my travel in my 20s!

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 10:32 AM PST up reply actions  

Do it. Don’t hesitate.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 10:49 AM PST up reply actions  

Well I need to save money and vacation time first. But I will

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 10:51 AM PST up reply actions  

Florence

Is the only place on there that I have been to. Rags and I went all around Italy (except Venice) for our honeymoon and had a great time. Florence was my favorite city, but the Cinque Terre were amazing as well.

List of Cities we visited (in order): Rome, Naples (for a few hours, like Oakland only Italian), Sorrento (beautiful coast resort town, good lemoncello), Cosenza (actually, outside of it, the little town my great grandfather came from), Florence, Cinque Terre (stayed in Vernazza), Milan (a couple hours) and finally to Bellagio on Lago Cuomo (another beautiful spot)

Ragnarok: Great Man or Greatest Man?

by AndBears on Mar 8, 2010 9:03 AM PST reply actions  

Do they fist pump in Italy too?

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 9:06 AM PST up reply actions  

The missus and I went to the Cinque Terre as well – we got all corporate, relatively speaking, and stayed in Monterosso, and had a grand time. I fondly remember getting a sandwich and a drink in Corniglia, I guess it was, and sitting in a tiny public spot and looking at the bay…

Much more so than the debacle that was our stint in Rome, in any case.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 9:09 AM PST up reply actions  

Whassamatta U?

We hope to head that way in the near future and if there are particulars we can avoid that would be super to know. And if they were more in the line of comedy of errors, we can all have a good laugh at your expense, so win/win.

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

Bengie Molina: "I don't understand why they didn't want to commit to another year, with my numbers and my experience and things like that." Brain Sabean: "He's certainly welcomed back with open arms".

carp (paraphrased): "117 elements, and still no Stanfurdium"

by natteringnabob on Mar 8, 2010 9:33 AM PST up reply actions  

It was entirely errors and hassles of my own making. I didn’t really take the time to read up on Rome, so I was taken aback by how little was left in the way of antiquities. It was 95 degrees with no a/c anywhere, even though it was mid / late September, and I was hanging with that until I discovered that the locals won’t open the windows on the buses because they think you’ll catch a cold off the breeze. I also succeeded in getting my pocket picked by a gypsy on the bus on the way to the Vatican Museum… everyone else on the bus, including my wife, knew this woman was a thief, but no-one, including my wife, thought to mention it because they thought it was obvious this was a pickpocket. Very accomplished too: she managed to take my wallet with walking around money out of the front pocket of my jeans, extract all but a single 1.000 lire note, and put the wallet back, without my noticing.

Imagine my surprise – after waiting for an hour in line behind 6 moronic co-eds from the US who were bitching that their study abroad programs didn’t even have Thanksgiving break – when I went to pay the entry fee for the Vatican Museum and discovered I had no money.

Fortunately the Vatican Museum is full of Christian charity, there was a bureau de change right at the ticket booths and they were willing to cash a traveler’s check based on my driver’s license.

I then nearly got into a fight in the Vatican Museum because we got stuck behind some group of Midwestern heffalumps in one of the habitrails to the Sistine Chapel – not problematic until they discovered that they weren’t on the express route and one of them started shrieking at the guard and at me that we had to let them back because “I WANNA GO TO THE SISTINE CHAPEL! I DON”T WANNA GO THE LONG WAY, I WANNA GO TO THE SISTINE CHAPEL!" She took exception to me telling that there was not room, she was holding up a lot of people, so why not shut the fuck up and start walking – so she tried to make her husband get in my grill – the poor bugger was the only person in the group who wasn’t at BMI of 75 and was even shorter than me, so he wasn’t interested.

I hated the whole experience. As magnificent as Il Duomo was in Florence – I’m not religious, but I felt like I was in God’s house – St Peter’s is depressing and authoritarian.

The only redeeming segment of that stay was when we took the local commuter train out to Ostia Antica. That was fantastic.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 10:08 AM PST up reply actions  

Similar experience, my friend and I decided to fly back to the US from Rome instead of from Nice, France. So we took the train from Nice and naively thought we’d be able to log in via his wireless connection and book a hotel from the train (which we had done successfully in France a few days before).

Little did we know you can’t do that in Italy. So we arrived in Rome at 10pm with no hotel. Stay away from the “Hotel Office” at the train station….fucking thieves! They said no rooms were available anywhere in the city and arranged for a driver….in a private car, not a taxi……to take us to a ‘hotel’, which was in a ghetto area of Rome. Turned out to be a hostel and they wanted 300 Euros/night. We had to pay the guy to take us back to the train station.

Back at the train station, we enlisted the help of an African priest, two Roman policemen, and a translator, to force the “Hotel Office” people to find us a legit hotel.

Bottom line: any civilization that has lasted thousands of years is going to be very street smart, will attempt to rip off foreigners, and will find a way to outsmart you. Be on your guard in Rome.

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 10:14 AM PST up reply actions  

hmm

We didn’t find that to be the case in Greece, esp. Athens, although I’m sure one could get taken for a ride (literally and figuratively). The Acropolis was the experience you describe; at least in that case you could march up early in the day (I think 8AM) and get your sightseeing in before the pavement starts melting and the sweaty hordes pile up.

And thanks for the info- we need to check into sites/reservations/express lanes and so on. My wife’s been before so I don’t think she’ll have any particular must-sees as far as tourist attractions.

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

Bengie Molina: "I don't understand why they didn't want to commit to another year, with my numbers and my experience and things like that." Brain Sabean: "He's certainly welcomed back with open arms".

carp (paraphrased): "117 elements, and still no Stanfurdium"

by natteringnabob on Mar 8, 2010 11:50 AM PST up reply actions  

at least in that case you could march up early in the day (I think 8AM) and get your sightseeing in before the pavement starts melting and the sweaty hordes pile up.

This is what AndBears and I did when we saw the Coliseum in Rome, and it was absolutely the right move. Still cool in the morning, few tourists, enjoyed it immensely.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Mar 8, 2010 12:12 PM PST up reply actions  

This plan is full of win, note the overall lack of people:

DSC_4361

by turkey on Mar 8, 2010 12:16 PM PST up reply actions  

Midwestern heffalumps

Harumpf!

Costs STILL assessed against Twist

by CALumbus Bear on Mar 8, 2010 10:19 AM PST up reply actions  

You wish you were a heffalump!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 10:19 AM PST up reply actions  

I think there’s a heffalump in my department. I detest her…..about 4’11 and 170lbs. She shouts at her husband over the work phone all day. Poor sonofabitch is obviously only with her for the money.

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 10:20 AM PST up reply actions  

My wife’s from Michigan, I feel free to be rude about this.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 10:20 AM PST up reply actions  

We were lucky that we didn’t run into too many ridiculous American tourists. (though the Sistine chapel was crazy packed). Our only silly mistake there was based on the fact that Rome is big and packed with lots of interesting stuff. We ended up walking over the entire city because there was always something interesting a block away.

We did run into one American girl, mid-twenties, a bit heavy set but not heffalump, who was at a pizza place and was trying to explain in english that she was a vegetarian and that they needed to change the utensils. I pulled out my pocket Ital-Eng book and showed her the phrase for “I am a vegetarian”. “Ah” and they took care of it. Then at the end she was yelling loudly for “To GO!” box, finally after a few minutes of confused looks, I chimed in with ‘Lei — Portare a via!" Bad grammar, but everyone finally understood. I was thrilled that I was helpful American, and laughing at this silly girl who came to another country and didn’t even CONSIDER that they might not speak her native tongue.

Ragnarok: Great Man or Greatest Man?

by AndBears on Mar 8, 2010 10:29 AM PST up reply actions  

My girlfriend took three years of high school french, thus when we were in Paris she took the lead in our conversations. While at the local bakery she practiced requesting two croissants and two orange juice in french, and when the time came, our request came stammering out of her mouth. The lady behind the counter smiled, gathered the items and started carrying on in french (in a friendly tone). For two minutes she carried on, and my girlfriend only the understood the final word which was ‘agree?’ Yea, that was ackward, as she apologized for not understanding stating she is from England on holiday.

by chowder on Mar 8, 2010 10:36 AM PST up reply actions  

I didn’t need to go to France to have that moment. After four years of French in HS I tried to speak French to a native. Oh god I sounded stupid as hell and started forgetting all my vocab in a matter of seconds.

The only use I’ve ever actually had with my french was giving an elderly French couple directions in an Indian airport once.

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 10:39 AM PST up reply actions  

I took 4 years of French in HS too, and I was really pretty decent at it, but I’ve forgotten so much of it now. I think a little refresher course would really go a long way though.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 11:29 AM PST up reply actions  

Yea I’ve forgotten most of it too. It’s been 4 years now since I last studied French

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 11:30 AM PST up reply actions  

It’s been 11 years for me.

Sigh… old.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 11:51 AM PST up reply actions  

She should’ve just said, “D’accord!”

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 11:28 AM PST up reply actions  

There was a Burn Notice reader-question clip on this one

Basically to the effect of “don’t bother learning how to say a particular phrase in fluent [French/Italian/Farsi/Swahili/whatever], because the person you say it to will respond with a stream of equally fluent [whatever] and you will have utterly no idea what he’s talking about.”

Slow and simple gets the job done.

Shawn Spencer: "I’m receiving a transmission from your husband. Really more of a voicemail, if I'm being honest. A status update. Perhaps a twitter."
Burton Guster: "I believe it’s called a tweet."
Shawn Spencer: "There’s no way I’m saying that."

by PaulThomas on Mar 8, 2010 11:40 AM PST up reply actions  

truer words never spoken

Spanish= near useless in Chile, and Portuguese wasn’t particularly helpful in Lisbon (but Coimbra and elsewhere was fine).

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

Bengie Molina: "I don't understand why they didn't want to commit to another year, with my numbers and my experience and things like that." Brain Sabean: "He's certainly welcomed back with open arms".

carp (paraphrased): "117 elements, and still no Stanfurdium"

by natteringnabob on Mar 8, 2010 11:52 AM PST up reply actions  

We were with everyone else who had bought the Rick Steves guide, no matter where we went – except Ostia Antica.

My wife did the same thing as you at a tourist trap in Florence (decent cheap food though) – a middle aged English guy was trying the same tactic to get “MILK, MIIIIIILK” for his coffee. She intervened for the waiter and all was well.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 10:53 AM PST up reply actions  

AH! We used the ’Lets Go… " Series. Maybe that was the difference.

Ragnarok: Great Man or Greatest Man?

by AndBears on Mar 8, 2010 10:55 AM PST up reply actions  

Mrs. Kod and I were set on Italy for our honeymoon and then 9/11 hit…and we wussed out on international travel. Instead we rented a condo in Half-Moon Bay and moved down to Carmel a few days later. Sadly enough, the closest we’ve gotten to Italy has been a pizza + red wine + Under the Tuscan Sun on DVD. When the kids are older, we’ve sworn a blood oath to ditch them and go.

by Kodiak on Mar 8, 2010 9:51 AM PST up reply actions  

When the kids are older, we’ve sworn a blood oath to ditch them and go.

This is the only sane thing to do. When I was a kid, I remember going to a week at granny’s house while parents were in Hawaii. They’ll be more independent at the end of it.

Ragnarok: Great Man or Greatest Man?

by AndBears on Mar 8, 2010 10:09 AM PST up reply actions  

We were supposed to fly to Amsterdam for a visit there and to Paris on 9/13… and by the time I had a decent window of opportunity to bail on work, the missus was knocked up, and that was that.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 10:09 AM PST up reply actions  

I visited Paris Oct/Nov 2001, and the Parisians were extremely friendly. Paris, great food, really hard to top.

Am I known as Cugel the Clever for nothing?

by Cugel on Mar 8, 2010 10:39 AM PST up reply actions  

Delightful place, SUPER-EXPENSIVE

by chowder on Mar 8, 2010 10:40 AM PST up reply actions  

and the Parisians were extremely friendly serious assholes.

There, fixed it

Inspiring and completing since1997 since2010!

by Fire Starkey on Mar 8, 2010 10:59 AM PST up reply actions  

Not when I was there, bought me drinks in bar, expressed solidarity in opposition to terrorism. Also explained that World trade center almost happened to them first, there was a plot in the late 90’s to crash a airplane into the Effiel Tower, of which I was unaware.

Am I known as Cugel the Clever for nothing?

by Cugel on Mar 8, 2010 11:14 AM PST up reply actions  

I found Parisians to be the rudest, most unfriendly people I have ever met. The only nice people I met in paris were an old Italian couple who basically adopted my wife when they found out she had hurt her ankle on one of the cobblestone streets. The rest of the people there were just horrible. Rude, unfriendly, unhelpful. Fuck ’em.

The rest of the Frogs I met were very nice though. They admitted that Parisians have a serious attitude problem however.

Inspiring and completing since1997 since2010!

by Fire Starkey on Mar 8, 2010 11:32 AM PST up reply actions  

I found Parisians to be pretty nice. I would go and try to fake my way thru an introduction in French and they would smile and then speak to me in English. I think it was my effort that made the difference.

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 11:34 AM PST up reply actions  

Yeah, I suppose shouting “COCK! BALLS!” at the top of my voice probably didn’t help.

Inspiring and completing since1997 since2010!

by Fire Starkey on Mar 8, 2010 11:37 AM PST up reply actions  

I think that’s true for most large/capital world cities. Maybe the exception of Tokyo – but then its just a veneer of politeness. There’s very few large cities I think that you could characterize as friendly – and they tend to be large provincial capitals – but somewhat backwards compared to the more cosmopolitan capital. Houston, Osaka, Atlanta, Chengdu, Dublin might really be it . . .

by LeonPowe on Mar 8, 2010 4:31 PM PST up reply actions  

Toronto?

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 4:33 PM PST up reply actions  

Canada itself exists as an outlier. Even their Frenchies are friendlier than most.

by LeonPowe on Mar 8, 2010 4:36 PM PST up reply actions  

Montreal is one of my favorite cities on the planet. Best of both worlds.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 4:40 PM PST up reply actions  

I’ve never been. But after watching the Anthony Bourdain visit to au Pied de Cochon and hanging out with my former co-worker Talia who is not only French Canadian but also smoking hot and one of the nicest people I know – I feel like it’d be an awesome place.

by LeonPowe on Mar 8, 2010 4:45 PM PST up reply actions  

It is, I was there last summer for the Jazz festival. Only downside was it rained a lot, and all the locals kept saying “but it never rains like this, this weather is crazy”.

Also, the women are super attractive. Almost all seemingly.

Am I known as Cugel the Clever for nothing?

by Cugel on Mar 8, 2010 4:55 PM PST up reply actions  

The only downside of Montreal is the bitter, bitter cold winter. I don’t think I’ve ever been so cold.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 5:00 PM PST up reply actions  

I went to Montreal for a weekend with the missus in August a few years back and it was all I could do to not get beaten with a stick by her – I have never seen anything like the procession of women downtown and they were all stacked as well.

by DC Trojan on Mar 10, 2010 11:31 AM PST up reply actions  

Seconded on Chengdu btw. And Dublin too, I suppose.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 4:34 PM PST up reply actions  

Yeah, that must have been the brief but memorable “Nous Sommes Tous Américains” phase just after Sept. 11th.

That was, of course, followed by the fallout over the Iraq war and our foray into “Freedom Fries” territory.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 11:33 AM PST up reply actions  

Well yes, I’m sure that was it, but my experience in Paris was great. And since it was a working trip for my wife, the hotel was free, so I didn’t feel so bad spending for dinner. Some of the best meals of our lives. I also know some french, but sometimes the french hate to hear you mispronounce their language that they rush to stop you from trying (even if you want to, as I did).

Ces’t la vie

Am I known as Cugel the Clever for nothing?

by Cugel on Mar 8, 2010 11:45 AM PST up reply actions  

How was the food in Florence? I had a friend at Berkeley who was from Florence and I went to his house occasionally so I could eat some home cooked Tuscan food. It was fucking amazing

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 10:33 AM PST up reply actions  

Yes, amazing. Basically because of the fresh food. The whole region is a agricultural zone, so be sure to have some buffalo mozzarella and good beef as well. Funny enough, we had our worst food in Florence too, just accross the river. We found a “cafe” in an alley and ate lasagna that was worse than microwave lasagna at home. (And I know, I made damn good lasagna from scratch — I’ve even made noodles, although that’s labor intensive). We made faces, left some money, and then went somewhere else.

And I should have known, because I’ve eaten food off a cart in an alley in Bangkok. But apparently I don’t learn.

Ragnarok: Great Man or Greatest Man?

by AndBears on Mar 8, 2010 10:49 AM PST up reply actions  

Streetside vendors usually have tasty food. Bad and unhealthy but tasty

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 10:52 AM PST up reply actions  

True and this was like 1 bad experience out of 20 in a trip.

Ragnarok: Great Man or Greatest Man?

by AndBears on Mar 8, 2010 10:52 AM PST up reply actions  

kinda scared

Once we went to Greece, “mediterranean food” here seems lousy in most cases. We are afraid Italian food will be off the list too after we return from this trip…

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

Bengie Molina: "I don't understand why they didn't want to commit to another year, with my numbers and my experience and things like that." Brain Sabean: "He's certainly welcomed back with open arms".

carp (paraphrased): "117 elements, and still no Stanfurdium"

by natteringnabob on Mar 8, 2010 11:55 AM PST up reply actions  

It will be, for a while, until the memory fades a bit. We had a meal in Milan on our last night before coming back to the US that we still rave about, and that was nearly 13 years ago…

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 12:07 PM PST up reply actions  

You didn’t like the food you got in Greece?

I loved all the food we got on the islands (Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Crete) and Athens wasn’t half bad either…

Where were you staying?

Things to Remember: Girls usually don't like it when you yell out "Beast Mode!" when switching to doggy style. - TFLN

by CruzinBears on Mar 8, 2010 12:15 PM PST up reply actions  

Mykonos Town had a hole in the wall gyro place that has forever ruined me for other gyro shops. We had a ferry transfer there on our way back to Athens and made sure we stopped by for one more on the way home.

by turkey on Mar 8, 2010 12:17 PM PST up reply actions  

I think he’s saying he liked it so much that, by comparison, Greek food available here was horrible.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 12:28 PM PST up reply actions  

yes

We only ate a couple of bad meals in Greece, either our fault (trying to eat lunch at 11AM the first day we got there because we were starving) or bad circumstances (Piraeus is not the center of Greek cuisine).

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

Bengie Molina: "I don't understand why they didn't want to commit to another year, with my numbers and my experience and things like that." Brain Sabean: "He's certainly welcomed back with open arms".

carp (paraphrased): "117 elements, and still no Stanfurdium"

by natteringnabob on Mar 8, 2010 12:33 PM PST up reply actions  

The same hting happened to me when I got back from Mexico City.

Fortunately, fake Mexican food like burritos were not affected.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 12:36 PM PST up reply actions  

Gotcha I mis-read that… And yes Greek food here pails in comparison, though I’ve found a good spot in Santa Cruz for lamb and souvlaki

Things to Remember: Girls usually don't like it when you yell out "Beast Mode!" when switching to doggy style. - TFLN

by CruzinBears on Mar 8, 2010 12:39 PM PST up reply actions  

What cuisine is Piraeus the center of, then?

CGB's Jimmy Carter

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:14 PM PST up reply actions  

Hurry up and get on the ferry cuisine.

by turkey on Mar 8, 2010 1:24 PM PST up reply actions  

I know a great hurry up and get on the ferry place in Alameda!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:27 PM PST up reply actions  

the diesel fumes

make everything taste more better!

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

Bengie Molina: "I don't understand why they didn't want to commit to another year, with my numbers and my experience and things like that." Brain Sabean: "He's certainly welcomed back with open arms".

carp (paraphrased): "117 elements, and still no Stanfurdium"

by natteringnabob on Mar 8, 2010 1:27 PM PST up reply actions  

and dodging traffic

by turkey on Mar 8, 2010 1:28 PM PST up reply actions  

Not in America, they don’t!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 10:53 AM PST up reply actions  

Florence is the only city on royrules’ list that I’ve been to. Great trip. I remember it for (1) the art and (2) the food. Oh, the food. I never had a bad meal when I was there. We sort of picked places by what looked all right. And we never regretted a choice.

Hope to go back to Italy someday when the kids can appreciate it. Or when I’m retired.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Mar 8, 2010 10:55 AM PST up reply actions  

Yea, definitely. I love love LOVED the real statue of David. I could have sat all day looking at it.

I could bring the kids to the ancestral home in Italy, but really, when I was there I #1) Made the natives restless because they never get tourists and #2) couldn’t even listen to the italian because the dialect was so thick and #3) Never felt more American in my life!

Ragnarok: Great Man or Greatest Man?

by AndBears on Mar 8, 2010 10:58 AM PST up reply actions  

I could have sat all day looking at it.

You are so dirty.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 10:59 AM PST up reply actions  

It’s Art + Penis. Where’s the confusion?

Ragnarok: Great Man or Greatest Man?

by AndBears on Mar 8, 2010 11:00 AM PST up reply actions  

I guess that makes sense. I mean that video of the naked Japanese women slipnsliding towards those dildos was art, also. So, it was OK that I sat all day watching that, too!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 11:01 AM PST up reply actions  

Were you able to bill for the time?

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Mar 8, 2010 11:15 AM PST up reply actions  

And how!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 11:15 AM PST up reply actions  

It’s Art + Huge Penis. Where’s the confusion?

Fixed.

by Scootie on Mar 8, 2010 12:04 PM PST up reply actions  

Scootie – I agree with everything you’ve said today. <3

Ragnarok: Great Man or Greatest Man?

by AndBears on Mar 8, 2010 12:18 PM PST up reply actions  

I agree with you agreeing with Scootie.

The David was breathtaking… for yeah a couple big reasons.

Fire Starkey. You... complete me.

by since1997 on Mar 8, 2010 1:43 PM PST up reply actions  

Did it make you go :O?

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 1:44 PM PST up reply actions  

No.

Fire Starkey. You... complete me.

by since1997 on Mar 8, 2010 1:57 PM PST up reply actions  

Sucks for David

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 1:58 PM PST up reply actions  

Actually, it doesn’t.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 2:01 PM PST up reply actions  

Well you’re the type that makes kencraw angry so I disagree

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 2:02 PM PST up reply actions  

Good-looking people make kencraw angry?!

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 2:06 PM PST up reply actions  

Remind me never to tell him his children are so delightfully Aryan again.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 2:08 PM PST up reply actions  

Never tell him his children are so delightfully Aryan.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 2:09 PM PST up reply actions  

TOO LATE!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 2:09 PM PST up reply actions  

Hmmm, so its not like Japanese curling porn, then

CGB's Jimmy Carter

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 2:01 PM PST up reply actions  

No matter how I respond, I lose don’t I?

Fire Starkey. You... complete me.

by since1997 on Mar 8, 2010 2:05 PM PST up reply actions  

Merely by posting on this site, in many ways, you have lost already.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 2:07 PM PST up reply actions   1 recs

I thought you never wanted anything to be fixed! What ever happened to just complaining?!?!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 1:14 PM PST up reply actions  

There you go not listening again! I fix! You listen!

by Scootie on Mar 8, 2010 2:32 PM PST up reply actions  

Of course, honey, I’ll do it later.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 2:36 PM PST up reply actions  

I really want to go to Europe

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 10:59 AM PST up reply actions  

royrules, with your DBDs, I feel it is better never than late.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 9:17 AM PST reply actions  

Thanks. Means a lot

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 10:35 AM PST up reply actions  

LOVE YOU, TOO!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 10:47 AM PST up reply actions  

Why is he wearing 2 sets of sunglasses?

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 9:22 AM PST up reply actions  

he’s awesome like that

by turkey on Mar 8, 2010 9:24 AM PST up reply actions  

Nice, but why is he putting on a second set of sunglasses?

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 9:22 AM PST up reply actions  

he’s awesome like that

by turkey on Mar 8, 2010 9:24 AM PST up reply actions  

Why does the number of pairs of sunglasses depicted in the third panel equal two?

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 9:25 AM PST up reply actions  

he’s awesome like that

by turkey on Mar 8, 2010 9:26 AM PST up reply actions  

How is this guy, with 2 sets of sunglasses, awesome?

Costs STILL assessed against Twist

by CALumbus Bear on Mar 8, 2010 9:32 AM PST up reply actions  

He’s awesome like something, I just can’t figure it out.

Costs STILL assessed against Twist

by CALumbus Bear on Mar 8, 2010 10:28 AM PST up reply actions  

Flagged for replying to yourself.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 10:31 AM PST up reply actions  

Why is he wearing potentially 3-5 pairs of sunglasses?

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 9:49 AM PST up reply actions  

he’s awesome like that

by Kodiak on Mar 8, 2010 9:51 AM PST up reply actions  

its the parallax effect?

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 9:51 AM PST up reply actions  

It’s due to that.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 9:56 AM PST up reply actions  

Flagged for replying to yourself.

glass house, anyone?

Costs STILL assessed against Twist

by CALumbus Bear on Mar 8, 2010 10:35 AM PST up reply actions  

I’M THROWING STONES, BITCH!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 10:47 AM PST up reply actions  

Maybe they are 3-D glasses and it’s meant to poke fun at Avatar junkies?

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 11:36 AM PST up reply actions  

oh there ya go again, playing that ‘gotcha’ journalism.

by turkey on Mar 8, 2010 9:26 AM PST up reply actions  

Um....

Tom Delay never said “people are unemployed because they want to be”. That is a ridiculously misleading title and you know it.

“You know,” Delay said, "there is an argument to be made that these extensions, the unemployment benefits keeps people from going and finding jobs. In fact there are some studies that have been done that show people stay on unemployment compensation and they don’t look for a job until two or three weeks before they know the benefits are going to run out.

This is what he actually says…

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by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 9:27 AM PST up reply actions  

Continue reading ole wise one Rishi.....

Crowley: People are unemployed because they want to be?

Delay: Well, it is the truth. and people in the real world know it.

by 33SwisherSweet on Mar 8, 2010 9:29 AM PST up reply actions  

12%

at last count. Not including pink-slipped educators, which should create an interesting strain on the UI fund come summertime.

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

Bengie Molina: "I don't understand why they didn't want to commit to another year, with my numbers and my experience and things like that." Brain Sabean: "He's certainly welcomed back with open arms".

carp (paraphrased): "117 elements, and still no Stanfurdium"

by natteringnabob on Mar 8, 2010 9:34 AM PST up reply actions  

It goes both ways. I know both people in that 12% who have been laid off that have been looking for jobs for months and others who don’t have any real responsibilities (mortgage, kids, school loans) that just screw off.

by Cali49a on Mar 8, 2010 9:46 AM PST up reply actions  

Also, this.

Truth is, its taken some of my friends (who have master’s degrees), over 6 months to find a job. Its not easy out there. I wouldn’t say that the whole 12% are lazy laid off assholes. Maybe 11%, but not the whole 12%.

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 9:48 AM PST up reply actions  

It’s taken me ten months and counting…

by Scootie on Mar 8, 2010 12:07 PM PST up reply actions  

And I seriously doubt you’re just sitting on your butt sorting thru CGB all day. Its not easy out there. Keep your head up. Find some recruiters/headhunters if there are any for your particular industry or skill set. Let them help with your search because they can get your resume to the top of the pile. There are >1,000 resumes submitted per open position out there, you have to find every resource you can to help.

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 4:13 PM PST up reply actions  

thanks mr. cheery optimism.

by turkey on Mar 8, 2010 4:15 PM PST up reply actions  

Which part ruined it for you? The helpful suggestion to reach out to recruiters/headhunters? Or the reality of the resume pile?

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 4:22 PM PST up reply actions  

Oh, I already know. It’s grim out there, significantly more so than I was figuring when I quit my fatcat European job and moved home thinking I’d take the summer off and find something in the autumn…

My specific problem is that there’s really only one of my position at any given company, and then only if the company is of a fairly large size, so the opportunities haven’t been plentiful. That being said, things are looking up and soon I’ll hopefully be reading CGB on my phone during breathtakingly boring meetings. It’ll be fine.

My best piece of advice for anyone looking for work is to pimp your network to within an inch of its life. Because there are so many people applying for every opening, the only ones getting a look are those recommended by someone trusted (back to another thread on this DBD). Every role I’ve been interviewed for has been at a company where I had someone fairly high up to recommend me. Sad, but true.

by Scootie on Mar 8, 2010 4:28 PM PST up reply actions  

pimp your network

MTV’s less heralded new show

CGB's Jimmy Carter

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 4:29 PM PST up reply actions  

Got to be a big hit, though. Endless video of coffee dates and business lunches. Doesn’t get more exciting than that!

by Scootie on Mar 8, 2010 4:30 PM PST up reply actions  

My specific problem is that there’s really only one of my position at any given company

C-level all the way!

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 4:34 PM PST up reply actions  

She’s trying to get a job so she can sit on her butt and sort through CGB!

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 4:28 PM PST up reply actions  

It’s a leading question and they ran with it.

The basic premise is that unemployment benefits that stretch on forever can dissaude people from looking as hard for a new job as they should be doing.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 11:50 AM PST up reply actions  

Which is fine, but it does ignore the fact that short term unemployment benefits 1) don’t necessarily correlate to the length of an economic downturn, and 2) by definition don’t help much in addressing structural long term unemployment.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 12:09 PM PST up reply actions  

My objection is more to the vilification of Tom Delay for saying something like that.

Is your argument that long-term unemployment benefits are better or that short-term unemployment benefits are necessary? I can’t quite tell.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 12:30 PM PST up reply actions  

I don’t really have an argument. I think that short term unemployment benefits are necessary. The risk with long term unemployment benefits is that those really can reduce incentives to look for employment – better to spend the money on training, microcredit or credit for small enterprises, or even relocation. Although that last one is probably politically problematic.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 12:35 PM PST up reply actions  

Okay, so we don’t disagree here then.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 12:35 PM PST up reply actions  

I’d rather subsidize work than non-work. In fact, I’d rather see, instead of minimum wage in it’s current form, some kind of government top-up for low wage jobs to get them to the point of being at least nominally livable.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 12:37 PM PST up reply actions  

Minimum wage is an argument for another day…

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 12:42 PM PST up reply actions  

Further to which – I may be a bit of a liberal, but I’m also of the view that it makes more sense to use market mechanisms for a given end – why fight it?

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 12:42 PM PST up reply actions  

Nice to know that villains have a protector like you to keep them from being villified.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 12:41 PM PST up reply actions  

Yes, because only villians can be villified.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 12:41 PM PST up reply actions  

No, but Delay is a right bastard.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 12:43 PM PST up reply actions  

You might not want to try that argument vis-a-vis Tom DeLay of all people.

by DC Trojan on Mar 8, 2010 12:43 PM PST up reply actions  

Eh, I don’t care for Delay himself — the villification is being extended to anyone of that opinion.

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 12:44 PM PST up reply actions  

Right, because if the benefits are going to run out in three weeks, why bother looking for a job now, because I’ll obviously be guaranteed to get one IMMEDIATELY after the benefits run out, right? There’s no uncertainty or risk in waiting, right? The economy is ready to employ anyone who wants work, but the problem is all these silly unemployment benefits that people get, which are persuading people not to look. Yes, that’s it.

"atomsareenough—cleaning up CGB one day at a time until we finally get that press pass." - Berkelium97

by atomsareenough on Mar 8, 2010 11:38 AM PST up reply actions  

Let’s try to keep the aggressive political posts for HuffingtonPost.com or Politico.com, 33SwisherSweet. No point in tempting the fates.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 9:55 AM PST up reply actions  

why do you hate America?

by turkey on Mar 8, 2010 9:55 AM PST up reply actions  

why does Twist hate America, old ladies, the Iraq, the such as, and puppies?

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 9:58 AM PST up reply actions  

Why do you hate swishersweet. I got that article from Yahoo who got it from Huffignton.

How bout I just cut and paste the quote and we can debate it’s merits regardless of source. The bottom line is he said it.

by 33SwisherSweet on Mar 8, 2010 9:59 AM PST up reply actions  

How about you not do political posts at CGB?

CGB's Jimmy Carter

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 10:20 AM PST up reply actions  

CGB is for sports and inaninity only, right?

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 10:23 AM PST up reply actions  

Although hesitant in general, I do trust some people to do politics. 33SS is not one of them.

One of the biggest complaints we got in our confidential evaluation form was the frustration with huge political flame wars (esp. between Rishi and HolmoePhobe) in the DBD. I’m just trying to carry out the will of the people.

CGB's Jimmy Carter

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 10:25 AM PST up reply actions  

Corrected:

CGB is for sports and inanity only, right? and for the will of the people!

I am a proud member of LB Chris Martin's fan group: the Martinis

by dballisloose on Mar 8, 2010 10:42 AM PST up reply actions  

yes he should. Let’s not have politics in this DBD

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Mar 8, 2010 10:44 AM PST up reply actions  

a) Spazzy kinda started it in the content of his DBD
b) Ken Crawford’s arguments can hardly be characterized as ‘rants’.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Mar 8, 2010 10:47 AM PST up reply actions  

Dude, I said that the county’s support was “controversial.” I did not definitively connect the two. If Ken Craw wants to take exception to it, that’s his choice, and he DID. Either way, in all honesty I thought the civility of the ensuing discussion was a MODEL for how political discussions should be carried out.

CGB: Preventing the rest of the Cal blogosphere from getting press passes since 2006.

by Spazzy Mcgee on Mar 8, 2010 2:06 PM PST up reply actions  

FUCK, U

CGB's Jimmy Carter

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by TwistNHook on Mar 8, 2010 2:07 PM PST up reply actions  

Ranked #22 in the Division IV polls!

7

by Rishi on Mar 8, 2010 2:08 PM PST up reply actions  

located in

Jingleheimer Junction

Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti. "I treat Timmy differently from most pitchers: I leave him alone."

Bengie Molina: "I don't understand why they didn't want to commit to another year, with my numbers and my experience and things like that." Brain Sabean: "He's certainly welcomed back with open arms".

carp (paraphrased): "117 elements, and still no Stanfurdium"

by natteringnabob on Mar 8, 2010 2:53 PM PST up reply actions