obama rocks fresno + smog city roller grrls recap

so, we had a nice saturday downtown. the obama event was nice, although i suspect that they did not promote it very well because there weren't too many people there. but, the music was nice, the weather wasn't too chilly, and smoke bros provided some nice grub.

here's rademacher during their set




rademacher - robot show


rademacher - they are always into that


not everyone enjoys loud music



malcom sosa of rademacher delivering a message



unfortunately, we left the obama event during 40 watt hype. it's been a while since we've seen 40 watt, and i wanted to hear their grooves again, but alas, we wanted to get over and get seats @ the derby. i did get one of their songs on video though:



our favorite derby grrl, hari kari.




a jam from the match


the final score, not even close

fresno rocks obama + smog city roller grrls

so, we're about to head out for the day. first on tap, some good music, good people, supporting a good candidate.



after that, we're off to get our derby on.

downtown fresno friday

so, i needed to pick up some tickets for this weekend's smog city roller grrl match, and they are available for presale at many locations. but, you can only buy them with cash, so i needed to pick up some cash as well. being that i hadn't eaten lunch yet, i figured I could combine my trips. seeing that milano was one of the spots, and it's near my bank, i knew where i was headed.

now, i have eaten at milano a few times. i've only had pizza. today, i branched out and went for the meatball sub. it's a nice sandwhich. the sauce is tastey, and the meatballs are delicious. the only drawback is that they bread gets a little soggy, but that is probably the case in most every meatball sandwhich.

now, i'm off to cafe corazon for some coffee.

smog city roller grrls on a particularly smoggy day

it's going to be a big one tonight over @ valdez hall. seriously, this roller derby match has been getting much love on teh internets @ the fresnan, the beehive, famous, everywhere. there are even dipholes over on the beehive comments throwing out elitist, classist, and near racist insults about the roller derby crowd. hey, it's a strange, diverse section of fresno. all sorts of people come out for this. and i love it.

anyway, it'll be packed in the house. i went to pick up tix for the match, and the first place i went, retro rag, was sold out. sold out! they were hoping to get in some more tix, but weren't sure and directed me over to la luna loca, where tix were also being sold. the funny thing is, i knew that and had walked by there on my way to retro rag. so, i got tix, but it didn't seem like they had a ton more before they would be sold out as well. i'm sure there will still be tix @ the door, but it's going to be popping.

hope to see you there.

monday - the return to regular blogging

it's monday, i'm back in town, and i'm ready for somethings. shoot, it's monday and i'm already looking forward to saturday. what's then?

tower beautification - this is a monthly chance to help give the old tower district a spit shine. i've missed the last few months, mainly because i've been out of town a lot. so, here's a chance for me to re-engage.

smog city roller girls - there next match is saturday evening @ valdez hall. they're playing prison city (chino). should be fun. tix available @ several places, including retro rag.

in the meantime, i also recommend checking out fresno state's baseball team @ the college world series. i'm not a fan of theirs (fsu in general) but it's always nice to see a local squad doing well. i know the first game is tonight.

what am i not looking forward to?

work. for the next five weeks i have an evening course (5:30-7:40). the time isn't the problem. i just don't want to go back. vacation was too nice. mostly.

smog city blues

so, we went to the rollerderby the other night. uhhhh, i gots to say, we had a better time the first time we went. now, lest people think i'm just some sort of fair weather fan, it's not just because they were losing.

it was because they were getting pasted. i can handle losing. i've followed, and been on losing teams. i know that the girls were giving it there all. but 3/4 of the jammers were terrible. betty rocker kicks mad rear, and hari kari was doing her bit before she got hurt, but the new jammers on the team are bad. bad enough that they couldn't catch up with the pack to even attempt to score. they need to get some speed wheels or something.

i'm hoping that this isn't any indicator of the season to come. i'll go again, but i'm hoping that it's a bit more competitive. maybe it was just season opening jitters.

smog city roller grrls vs san joaquin valley vixens

thought i'd give you a few shots from last night's roller derby.



mike, adam and i got there and found some seats.



we were a part of the big, diverse crowd. estimating large numbers of people isn't really a strength of mine. i'm guessing there was about five hundred there.



the action got going.



brian showed up after the first period. i think he's awake in this picture. adam seems to be enjoying something.



another photo of the action.

overall, we had a very good time. it was fun to do something different, to have a new experience. and, our side won 124-95! the action was fun, and quick paced. the announcers did a good job to help keep the crowd informed on what was happening, which was very helpful for those of us not really familiar w/roller derby. and, the supressors played in between periods. good ska music. it too bad that this was the last match for the season, because i'd have liked to attend more, now that i've gotten a taste. i guess there's next year.

saturday night's all right

what do you have planned for saturday? here are some suggestions:

get up early, say 7:45. come down to the corner of olive & wishon. join me from 8-9:30 making our neighborhood beautiful.

that's right, it's the fourth saturday of the month, and there's a little thing called tower beautification going on. provided for you: trash bags & grabbers, snazzy orange vest. you bring: well, you. together we make it better.

after that, go home and rest. maybe watch some tv or something. rest up, because saturday night offers some potential good times.



smog city roller grrls vs san joaquin valley vixens.
doors @ 6
match @ 7
after party to follow (2 full bars)
live band