Brothers Walsh

A Snowy Night in Salt Lake City: Not A Big Fan of That Driving in Snow Thing

 

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As my plane teetered into Salt Lake City's airport, I was greeted with a blanket of snow and an icy wind.  I naviagated my way through the airport even though the signs were a bit confusing and headed to pick up my rental car.  The lady from National was really sweet and we had a nice little conversation as she got me my car.  The conversation was mostly centered around how apprehensive I was to drive in the snow again. I mentioned that I was really glad that this time I at least had a Chevy Malibu and it was a gentle snowfall as opposed to the last time I had to drive in the snow, when it was a blizzard and I was armed only with a KIA Rio...much better.

A Brief Stay in Monterey

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The Monterey Pennisula is one of the places in California that I have most certainly looked forward to visiting.  Especially since I missed a great opportunity to see it with my sister a few years back and she has never let me live it down (and rightfully so).  So I was really excited when I learned that I would be flying in there and would get to spend some time in this lovely Utopian place, as it had seemingly been described to me.

However, what was going to be a two day stay in the Monterey/Salinas area wound up being a divided trip between Monterey/Salinas and Fresno.  Now for those of you not incredibly familiar with California's geography, these two places are over three hours apart.  So my trip to Monterey would again be altered.  I didn't mind too much though, since it meant more work and that's always a good thing.

Always trying to be the optimist, I made it a point to make the most of my time there no matter how short it may be. So I enlisted the help of some friends that are familiar with the area to at least get a recommendation for lunch.

It seemed that Cannery Row was the place that I should head.  It is a quaint little area right by the water with a number of shops and restaurants lining either side of the street until it ends at the Monterey Aquarium.

So after I picked up my Ford Fusion from Enterprise, I was off toward Cannery Row.

Holla Holla, I was in Walla Walla

 

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I sign into my email and the email is from my Regional Manager at Monster and it's my flight information for my upcoming trip to a small, little town in the great state of Washington called Clarkston.  Now I have no idea where Clarkston is, so naturally I have no idea what flight path I'm going to take to get there.  The only airport I'm actually aware of in Washington is Seattle (I know, my knowledge of the geography of the American Northwest is lacking to say the least).

 

Now, I am fully aware that to anyone else, there would probably be no reason for elation or even slight excitement over this particular flight itinerary.  I know that most people when they have there eyes scan this particular airports name from left to right would not feel the sudden joy that I did.  However, this slightly dorky, big kid in an adult body was really happy to see it.  The Looney Toons and Bugs Bunny fan deep inside of me erupted with utter jubilation at the reading of the destination city of Walla Walla, Washington.

There have been two cities that I have been excited to visit for Looney Toon related reasons.  The first of course is Albuquerque, since we all know Bugs Bunny always says he should have made a left turn at Albuquerque.  The second city is Walla Walla.  For those who don't recall, it is because toward the end of a great Looney Tunes episode called Translyvania 6-5000 Bugs Bunny says it amidst a number of magical words.  It is awesome.

So like very few other people, I was excited to head off to Walla Walla.

Perhaps I go there too often

So I first realized that perhaps I go to Starbucks too much and drink too much coffee when they sent me a personalized gold card to use.  Yeah, it's says a lot when you have a card with your name on it.  I thought that was bad enough, a big enough statement of how much coffee I drink.

However, then I went into Starbucks the other day and I didn't even have to order.  The girl just holds up a venti cup with my order already on it.  It was very Cheers like, it was cool for them to remember, but also tells me maybe it's time for an intervention.  Perhaps coffee anonymous meetings should be in my future.

Another Great Night at The Ice House

Last night was another great show at the World Famous Ice House right down the road in Pasadena, one of my all time favorite places to perform.  There was a great line up of comedians and a great crowd there ready to laugh.  Thank you to all who came out.  I'm still adding new shows but you can catch me around LA April 14th at the Pig N' Whistle in Hollywood and April 22nd at Malo in Los Angeles.  My comedy hiatus is over. Good Times.

 

In Honor of Bugs Bunny and the great Looney Toons Cartoons of old

Today I board a flight to Walla Walla, WA. Where you say?  Well I say, hell yeah Walla Walla.The Looney Toons fan in me is really excited. Don't remember where Bugs Bunny said it, then YouTube Transylvania 6-5000. You'll thank me for the trip back to childhood.  In fact, maybe I should just Youtube it for you to save us both the time and give you the immense joy that accompanies a viewing.

 

Image via Wikipedia

 

Here is the video that explains why I am so excited to go to a random place that I have only heard of one another time and that was when Willard Scott wished some lady her 104th birthday and it was brought to me by Smuckers. Do enjoy it, because it really will remind you why Looney Toons are so damn awesome!

 

 

Bakersfield and The Padre Hotel- A pleasant and luxurious surprise

A couple weeks ago, my work travels to me to Bakersfield which is a place that I actually travel to quite frequently.  Quite different from the chaos of Los Angeles, Bakersfield is a more agricultural area and the people and the pace reflect that.  Slower pace, solid, down to earth people, it's really a nice little place to get away from the craziness of LA for a little while.  (if you can get passed the occasional fertilizer smell)

via www.adammichaelwalsh.com

Different BCS eligibility is almost like separate water fountains

 

As a college football fan, I am so sick of seeing an unranked Big East team or a 4 loss ACC team going to a BCS Bowl Game because of their conferences automatic qualifying bid. All the while solid undefeated teams from non-BCS conferences like TCU and Boise State are wondering if they'll even make it to a BCS game if they win out, let alone get the rightful shot to play in the National Title game.

The National Title debate I'll leave as a dog for another fight. This fight is about the unfair prejudice and bias given to certain teams because they happen to be in a "superior" conference therefore they have more rights and privileges than those of the "lesser" conferences.

Image by Hawk Eyes via Flickr

 

 

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Ironically, even though I am currently bashing the BCS system, I do not advocate a switch to a playoff. To me that would be throwing the baby out with the bath water.

 

I firmly believe that the BCS is not the problem. Rather the true problem is the built in inequalities that were put into it by the people who devised it. It's the bias and prejudice of some who feel that some teams and conferences are innately and perpetually better than others, therefore deserve a easier way to a major game with a huge monetary pay off that is truly hurting college football.

Is this really a discussion? Kobe appearing in a video game commercial is a problem?

I don't understand why we as a culture like to make issues out of things that are clearly not issues.  I am currently sitting here watching ESPN's "Outside the Lines", a great show tackling a stupid issue.  There are a number of people on the show having the debate whether or not it's a problem that

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 Kobe Bryant appeared in a commercial endorsing a war video game.  They are claiming that he is promoting violence.  No, I'm pretty sure he is just promoting a video game.

They are comparing it to some crappy album Allen Iverson put out back in 2000 and claim that he is promoting inner city violence.  If Kobe Bryant and Jimmy Kimmel were promoting Grand Theft Auto 4 then maybe there would be some validity in these arguments.  But they are not.  They are in a commercial for Call of Duty, a video game about our military. 

Inglorious Bastards: Crying wolf and faking injuries

Reports came out this week that Cal's near upset of #1Oregon may not have been just an example of good ol' fashion hard work and preparation. Nor was it hard nose smashmouth football.

In fact, to me it was quite the contrary. Sources said that Cal players actually faked injuries in order to slow down The Ducks infamous high tempo attack. 

When another glance is giving to certain injuries during the game, it becomes blatantly obvious these reports are true.