Thoughts from my trip to Indiana/Kentucky

Aunties and uncles think that driving 15 miles is far. 15 miles isn’t far.

In Indiana, people say I drive too fast. In California, I’m actually driving the speed limit.

White Castle isn’t all that. A few Californians are saying that those in Indiana/Kentucky need to come out to California to try In-N-Out Burger.

We “older” cousins had our under 21 year old cousins take us out to find places to drink alcohol. LOL (Thanks Shawn, Amber, Rachael, and Richard for being our tour guides)

Shawn told Dave on the phone that Amber is a redneck. Amber says she can’t help her accent. People in California love people with accents. When you guys come out here, watch how people pay attention to how you pronounce words.

Need to teach aunties and uncles how to use cameras that have red eye reduction because once the flash goes off, it doesn’t mean to put the camera down. There’s a 1-2 second delay before the picture is taken.

American Legion Hall is cool because it is connected to a bar and alcohol is cheaper than in California.

Tax is cheaper in Indiana and Kentucky. Usually in Cali, we look at the tax total on the restaurant bill and multiply it by 2 as a guide for how much to tip. We can’t do that outside of California.

“Lawyers are liars.”

We couldn’t face time (i.e. video chat) with Dave because other than the hotel, there wasn’t Wi-Fi anywhere that grandpa was.

The nieces wanted to swim every day.

Even at 97 years old, lolo still remembers what we all look like. I’m impressed.

It was too long to see family since last reunion. Let’s not wait that long for the next reunion.

Less Than A Month Away From Giants Baseball!

There are about 5 weeks left in the Golden State Warriors season and I'll write something in late April or May about "my first year being a season ticket holder for a Bay Area sports team" because growing up, it was something I always wanted to do. Granted, the Warriors had an expected terrible season, I did enjoy the experience, was able to take pictures with the Warriors Girls, got to make some season ticket holder friends, but more on that in few weeks. Anyways, the sun is starting to stay out a little bit longer, rain isn't in the near forecast (I know if I wash my truck, it will rain the next day, so I'll hold off), I'm getting the feeling that I want to jog/run each weekend to shed off some layers, I get to go home after work when there is still sunlight, and baseball is starting in less than a month. The Giants didn't make any big name changes, but I do think that the roster that they are planning to field this season is an upgrade over last season, no matter what anyone thinks. The young players have another year under their belt and hopefully, there will be consistency with the offense. This time of the year is always exciting for every franchise!

I went to a good number of games last year and I'll probably do so again this year, but for now, I listed the games for sure I'm going to. The Warriors didn't do ANY (none, as in nothing which is B.S., but no sponsors, no give-aways) give-aways this season, but the Giants always have decent ones, including their heritage nights. So, below are the games that I bought tickets for, but I know a couple of season ticket holders, so I'll probably buy some tickets from them throughout the summer. If I still lived in SF or if BART actually stopped in front of AT&T Park, I would entertain becoming a SF Giants Season ticket holder, which was one factor that played in becoming a GSW STH. Pricing for bleachers for a season isn't that bad, tickets make good presents, it always gives you the option to go to a game with someone you rarely see and kick it with, and after a bad day at work you can boo the heck out of the opposing team. There are just so many games that it would be hard to go multiple games a week. Even going to 4 Warrior games a week was tough, so my cousin and I always tried to sell/donate/give away at least 1-2 of those games when they were all bunched together.

Although I enjoy going to AT&T Park, something I'm not too happy about is that tickets should be a flat price and not this dynamic pricing- scalpers are supposed to be the ones that jack up prices, not the Giants, right? Giants jack up pricing for certain high demand games and then scalpers jack them up more. The last few days I've been on craigslist, ebay, and stubhub to see bleacher seats almost selling for $100 for Opening Day. I know that the tickets aren't "sold out" like the organization wants you to think. They are holding tickets for those that want to buy mini-plans or season tickets. The Giants are making it a "high demand" game, which is why prices are so high. This "dynamic pricing" is legalized scalping, although MLB says it's just marketing. No matte what, I won't let that ruin the season for me since I love this time of the year getting ready for baseball. Because of this dynamic pricing though, I guess I have to look at more Tuesday-Thursday games to get decent prices/seat. Dynamic pricing actually makes being a season ticket holder more appealing to lock in good pricing, but that's an argument for a future season when I hopefully have a better salary.

Here are the games I'm going to and I'll be there early enough to get these give-aways, especially the bobbleheads. See you at the games!

Fri., 4/9: Braves: Opening Day Calendar
Sat., 4/24: Cards: Pablo Bobblehead
Tues., 4/27: Phillys: Filipino Night I
Fri., 5/14: Astros: Rally Scarf
Fri., 6/11: Athletics: Rally Hair
Sat., 7/17: Mets: Lincecum Bobblehead
Fri., 7/30: Dodgers: Beat LA Towel