Orlando Wins Two Home Games Tuesday

The Orlando Magic made things interesting Tuesday evening. They took Game Three of the NBA Finals, topping the Los Angeles Lakers 108-104. It was the first Finals win in franchise history.

The Lakers looked good early. They led at the end of the first quarter 31-27, four points of which came in a rare four-point-play by Kobe Bryant. Kobe started off determined and had 17 points in the first quarter. However, hats off to Orlando’s Mickael Pietrus. He finished the game 7-for-11 for 18 points. More importantly, he was the man who forced Kobe into a fit late in the game. Kobe missed 11 of his last 14 shots. He finished with 31 points, but also the loss.

Magic guard Rafer Alston also played well in this one. Continue reading Orlando Wins Two Home Games Tuesday

The Best Pirates Are Swedish

Welcome, pirates, say I!

But wait – the word has had a somewhat ballooning course through Western culture – to what pirates do I refer? Certainly it is not to the ones lurking about and around the Somali high seas. Though they have the most ready claim to the title “pirate,” used with its original intent, their choice of outfit (namely, the machine gun and necklace of bullets) forces me to consider the likely possibility that these individuals may make unruly guests.

Then, do I refer to their distant relatives, perhaps; the brigands and blaggards of the seven seas? The fifthly yet loveable, villainous yet soft-hearted, scurrilous yet charming characters now popularized by Disney and Johnny Depp? No – I happen to belong to a very small group of stodgy and boorish critics that thought all Pirates of the Caribbean films (not just the sequels) were …well, stodgy and boorish. And I am afraid the reputation of the loveable pirate has so far been unable to recover.

In fact, I welcome to the table and political conversation a group of enterprising Swedes. Continue reading The Best Pirates Are Swedish

Who’s-Its and What’s-Its Galore

I spent an entertaining 10 minutes perusing the FIDM gallery gift shop while Judy was in a meeting. Chunky jewelry, coffee cups gone green, and some wonderfully funky little stuffed animals had me so entranced  I barely noticed when Judy arrived. I was engulfed in mismatched fabrics and patched on eyes when she walked towards me and shook my hand. We began our tour of the recent show taken down. She reyed a particularly gripping story about this professor and artist, I snapped a few shots and we headed back to the store, where the interview took on a lighter tone.

We began at the jewelry, discussing L.A. artists that show and sell there, along side the alumni whose pieces were proudly displayed. Judy explained that the store was in constant flux, “relating to exhibitions, relating to disciplines in the college.” The set up we were currently perusing would be replaced by all things Wizard come the first week in June to coincide with FIDM’s show and private opening celebrating the film’s 70th anniversary. She talked excitedly about the 7- story balloon that would be outside with ruby slippers on it. Continue reading Who’s-Its and What’s-Its Galore

Hello Wine Lovers

Hello wine lovers, tonight June 8, 2009 from 5pm to 8pm at Ralphs Downtown, we will taste two of the same wines from different parts of the world, Syrah from California and France and Shiraz from Australia. 

The ancient city of Shiraz is said to be the birthplace of the Shiraz grape, not too far from what now is modern day Baghdad.  It seems strange to think of a Muslim country as the birthplace of any alcohol, Continue reading Hello Wine Lovers

Oh Gee, Courtney Lee

Twitter had a few sports-related “Top Trending Topics” last night.  “Kobe Bryant” was one. “NBA Finals” was another. Not surprisingly, another topic was atop the list.

“Courtney Lee.”

The rookie out of Western Kentucky had a decent regular season for the Magic. Lee was fortunate to study under some good guards and a passionate head coach. He averaged nearly nine points a game. He was consistent and shot 45 percent from the field.

Lee even peaked at the right time. He was impressive in the first round of the playoffs against Philadelphia. However Lee suffered a fractured sinus in Game Five. Experts speculated Lee would miss the rest of the playoffs.

The resilient rookie returned after corrective surgery – his young face now covered with a plastic facemask (a mini-Rip Hamilton if you will). Magic fans are still waiting for Lee to return full-force. Don’t hold your breath, Orlando. Continue reading Oh Gee, Courtney Lee

BETTY BOOZE

REALITY BITES!
SPIDEY… When I was approached for the interview I was caught between the need to verbally and alcoholically humiliate them, and the overwhelming sense that even “I” was too good for them.  I knew I would need to get Heidi alone, so I could get her drunk and find out what she really thinks of that arrogant douchebag she claims to be married to. I chose the Library Bar Downtown, for the simple fact that I am quite confident that they have never actually stepped foot in one….a library that is, not a bar. Continue reading BETTY BOOZE

FIDM- Now You Know

It was mid Monday afternoon and I had the perfect window of time. I took a lighthearted stroll down to FIDM, anticipating the show that was hanging in the foyer. I reached the school only to find it locked. Common sense absent for a moment, I strolled around back through the park to see if they were open in back. Everything was closed. The lights were dark, the security station locked down. I went so far as to even rattle the doors. Perplexed, I rang Stan (The Boss).

“Um, FIDM is closed?”

“Yeah babe…it’s Memorial Day.”

I took a long pause, trying to figure out if there was any way to recover, having spent all morning aware of the holiday and completely blanking when I found the school locked. I murmured a lackluster joke and promised to head back on Wednesday. With that bit of embarrassment over, I took a peek inside the gallery, to see what I could from the closed doors. All I could get a really good look at was a breathtaking alter-like piece hanging front and center. It was three paneled, obviously, coming to a point on each panel. The center painting was biblical in style and in content, very traditional. The two side panels were modern realist, the left side a depiction of a car, the right side a modern day businessman. I strained my eyes against the dark for as long as I could and resolved to come back as soon as possible to drink in this monumental piece. If the one that I could see was this good, the whole collection must be profound. Continue reading FIDM- Now You Know

Hello Wine Lovers

Hello Wine and Sake lovers.  Tonight June 5, 2009 at 5pm to 8pm I will be serving Sushi and Sake for a fun Friday night. Friday is a great night to start your evening festivities at Ralphs with a little Sushi and Sake then head out to your favorite places in town o get your party on.  Sake is an alcohol product distilled from the rice grain. Originating in Japan and slowly making its way around the world Sake is consumed so often that one in three drinks consumed is  a sake-based product. Many bars and sushi houses are serving Sake-tini drinks a mild concoction of a dry to sweet sake and a mix or several mixes shaken and served in a Martini glass. My friend Debbie in Manhattan Beach spent many years as a bartender during her training  with me she  showed me the way around the sake- tini business.  Using fresh ginger and puree of fruit nectars and a little simple sugar she created a few tasty drinks I  am sure if you go to a fine sushi house the bartender will have some recipe with a sake based option. 

To drink warm sake or cold sake is up to the individual.  Preference for me is always cold sake, so tonight it will be cold—the Sake that is.   Cheers !

Mike Berger The Wine Guy

No Shaq, No Robert Horry – A True Champion on the Rise

The NBA’s three best players were quite busy yesterday. Miami’s Dwyane Wade sued his ex-business partner for libel. Wade’s ex-partner made allegations Wade used illegal drugs and steroids. Apparently the allegations were worth $100 million to number 3.

Cleveland’s Lebron James was fined $25,000 for skipping the postgame news conference after Cleveland lost to Orlando in the Eastern Conference Finals. Lebron failed to congratulate opposing players and coaches after the loss. NBA Commissioner David Stern came close to not fining Lebron. After some consideration, Stern remembered Lebron’s earnings and decided King James would survive.

Finally, Kobe Bryant proved a wrecking force in Game One of the NBA Finals. Kobe was “unstoppable” on Thursday evening, posting 40 points, eight assists, eight rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals. Kobe was everywhere and did a little bit of everything even provide a myriad of photo-ops with his various facial expressions. Continue reading No Shaq, No Robert Horry – A True Champion on the Rise