Orange County Roller Derby - Originally Published 2010

Did you ever read “Fight Club”?  It was a book written by some honors student that has a fantasy about getting into fistfights.  It got turned into a movie and millions of men saw it and fanaticized about getting into fistfights.  And you know what happened?  Nothing.  None of those men went out and got into fistfights.  Instead, they would stand around at the copier at work and say, “Hey, did you see ‘Fight Club’?”  And then the other guy would say, “Remember what the first rule is.”  And then the first guy would say, “Oh, you’re right.  Did you get a chance to look over that memo from corporate?”

Now, while all those guys sit around and play Modern Warfare and fanaticize about fistfights, the women are laying it down.  Not fistfights so much, but as we recently found out, roller derby is not for the faint of heart.  This is a full contact sport.  And who are the ladies sweating it our all in order to bring about a better gladiator sport?  It turns out that they’re your friends and neighbors.  None of them are getting rich doing this.  This is a sport fueled by the love of raw contact.

Yes, this is a tough sport.  But it’s also a sport that has an incredible sense of humor.  On the night we went out, we witnessed Blocka Kahn and some of her sisters run ragged on each other.

And unlike the fictional fight clubs detailed in “Fight Club” somewhere near you on any Saturday night, there is a roller derby going down.  Seek them out.

I love any sport that has a spine and rehab doctor as a sponsor.

Also, go here if you want to help make the banked track a reality.

Ducks Game at the Honda Center - Originally Published 2009

Just what is the Honda Center you ask?  It’s the arena that was once known as the Arrowhead Pond.  Under either name, it has been the home of the Ducks since 1993.

I think that the Honda Center and the Ducks indicate just what an anomaly Southern California really is.  You see, there is no snow here, and yet we have two NHL franchises that are maybe twenty miles apart.  Two NHL franchises!  Cleveland has plenty of snow and they managed to put the Barons out of business.  Canada.  One can’t think of Canada without thinking of snow.  And yet, Canada failed to send any teams to the finals this year.  Yes sir, both of the teams in the finals were from the good old U.S. of A.  You want to know what’s weirder?  The Ducks have actually managed to win a cup.  Weird?  That’s Southern California for you.

The Ducks have quite a following.  And they like to accessorize for the game.  I think that Mai and I were the only two adults in the arena without Ducks jerseys.  If you choose to go, make sure you dress warm.  It is an ice hockey game, by the way.  They play it on ice.

As a money saving proposition, I got the cheapest seats in the house. And you know what?  Even though we were a few rows from the wall, we could still see all the action.  Great job, Anaheim!

Orlando Magic at Amway Arena - Orginally Published 2009

Last year during the playoffs, I grew to hate the Orlando Magic.  They completely dissected the Cavs.  And then something happened.  I grew to appreciate them.  In fact, I cheered for them in the finals.  Yep.  I rooted against the Lakers.  I guess I just like the fact that such a great team can come out of such a small market.

Here’s a recommendation.  Go to a smaller city, preferably one with only one professional franchise and check out how they treat that team.  I have never been to a stadium that was as festive as the Amway Arena.  It’s something to see.

That’s not to say that we don’t appreciate our teams here in LA.  But let’s face facts. We have two baseball teams, two hockey teams, and two basketball teams.  Not to mention that we have two Pac Ten Schools that are maybe fifteen miles apart from each other.  With so much going on, attention gets divided.

It’s just a much different vibe being in a city that only has one team to get behind and cheer for.  Of course, it helps that this town has a team with the likes of Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Jameer Lewis, Matt Barnes, and JJ Redick on it.