7:00 AM – Tee off Los Serranos
Golf Club South Course, Chino Hills; 7,188 yards Par 74. Our foursome includes
a friend from Toronto, Canada who has lived in southern California for over
thirty years. He is still a devoted Toronto Maple Leafs fan, thus he is depressed
24/7. Our second member is a friend I have known since third grade, Franklin,
Michigan – he works for Lexus and hits the golf ball a mile, but he dyes his
hair. Our fourth member of our golf troop is an old friend from Ohio, yes Ohio.
The only reason he is allowed to play in our group is that he has denounced his
citizenship from Ohio, still we do not allow him to drive the golf cart
(Ohioans are terrible drivers).
7:01 AM – The first of many
obscenities are said by the group as they hit their first shots.
9:15 AM – Nine holes completed
everyone still friendly. After nine holes of golf you stop at the “half-way”
shack where a tattoo covered woman sells you drinks and sandwiches. Today, no
sandwiches, but four cans of Budweiser are ordered along with peanut butter
crackers, the guy from Ohio has cashews (figures).
10:05 AM –
The
first controversy of the round; we cannot agree on who coached the Detroit Red
Wings after Ned Harkness. Quickly an iPhone search is made, the answer is
found. Of course I win the dollar, Doug Barkley (thank you).
11:30 AM –
The
round is concluded: Rink Rats (90), Oh Canada (92), Lexus (83), THE Ohio State
(95). Yes a “90” the South Course is tough from the Blue tees, if I could only
get off the tee.
11:45 AM –
Another
golf tradition, the “19th hole”. Here is where the scores are
tabulated, lies are told, cocktails and sandwiches are ordered, political views
examined, and money is transferred –sounds like the Republican National
Convention. This is where the day gets complicated: we played a $5.00 Nassau,
$2.00 Skins, double for birdies, $.50 points for “greenies”, “sandys”, closest
to the pin, long drive, and team high/low for $5.00 a side. Got that – what it
means is I am glad I have a M.B.A. degree and a smartphone.
12:30 PM –
Tabulations
are concluded, funds are disbursed: Rink Rats (Loss $5.00), Oh Canada (Loss
$8.50), Lexus (Win $10.50), THE Ohio State (Win $1.50, damn). The golfing day
is done – time for a nap.
6:00 PM – Dinner at a favorite
place, Matt Denny’s in Arcadia, CA. Owner and bartender is Matt M. I have known
Matt for 25 years, a lot of brew under the bridge. Matt, like all good saloon
people can always tell a good story. Tonight he tells the story about the
massage parlor recently opened next door to his establishment. The clients
coming in and out of the business is the story. We won’t get into details but
lets’ just say a deep Swedish massage is not the only think going on there. In
Arcadia no less – I should pass this on to Rink Rats TMZ.
8:10 PM – It is Saturday night on
the drag strip they call the 210 Foothill Freeway; average speed 80 MPH. I
wonder how many of these drivers are from Ohio, I drive the speed limit.
Sunday
9:00 AM – Into the Village of
Claremont (Clareville) for breakfast and the farmers’ market. Claremont is an
interesting community, a mixture of college town, retirement community, 1960’s
survivors, and people who just refuse to live any further east. All these
people come together on Sunday mornings, they hang out with “The Mayor” at
Starbucks, they sit at 42 Street Bagel and watch the 60 year old men in their
bicycle, skin tight, suits, Botox and they listen to terrible music groups
performing on Yale Avenue. Lets’ not forget the customary Democrat table at the
corner of Yale and Second. Never a Republican table, they are banished to La
Verne and San Dimas. Today’s table is promoting some obscure Assembly candidate
who is for education and the environment: how refreshing, change in Sacramento
is coming.
9:15 AM – Breakfast at the Sunday
popular Village Grille, a Claremont institution, people at Walter’s would say
they are the Claremont breakfast institution – depends what side of Arrow
Highway you live on. Nevertheless, “The Grille” is good, fast and reasonably
cheap – take that David Allen.
10:00 AM –
A
stroll down Second Street to the Farmer’s Market, especially busy now with all
the summer produce. I wear sunglasses always here; hopefully they help should I
see someone I know. I like to shop incognito.
10:45 AM –
My
public duties are complete.
11:00 AM –
Nothing
like a late morning nap – if you have never tried it I highly recommend.
1:15 PM – A check in with the
garden. The first tomatoes are ready for picking, sun flowers are beginning to
show, we are in full summer mode. Gardening for me is like voting. I dread the
thought of it, but when I do it I feel good about myself.
3:00 PM – I need to do some family
shopping (birthdays, etc.) so it is off to Pasadena, I only shop in Pasadena –
yes call me a snob but I know I am right. My only other shopping is via the
internet but todays’ agenda calls for onsite analysis. Back on the 210 raceway,
but as always on Sunday traffic resembles mid-week. The 210 (Foothill) Freeway
slices through the Inland Empire, opened in 1966 and fully completed in 2002 –
running from I-5 to I-10, Sylmar to San Bernardino.
4:00 PM – Colorado and Fair Oaks
(Old Town Pasadena) is my starting point, I am a quick shopper why because I
see no point in taking my time when I know exactly what I want. Also it is
important to visit a few local pubs to quench my shopper’s thirst. A good
shopper’s pub is Lucky Baldwin’s on Raymond Avenue – excellent beer selection
and no bohemian types like you see in many Old Town Pasadena bars.
4:30 PM – I hit the usual Rink Rat
gift spots: Barnes & Noble, The Apple Store, The Body Shop (no I refuse to
buy men’s makeup), and Crate & Barrel.
5:00 PM – Shopping complete, yes
in less than an hour – I am The Man. Final stop out of town is the second pub
of choice while shopping: Smitty’s on Lake Avenue. A classic bar, they mix good drinks, and the bar chips are to die for – David Allen you have met your match!
6:15 PM – Back home to Clareville.
7:00 PM – Arrive in time for Skype
student office hours, tonight a distraught student from San Luis Obispo is in
panic mode about a Case study. Cooler heads prevail and his fears are eased. Another
student calls in from Fontana, a family reunion is making it difficult to get
her work in on time, can she have an extra day or so. Lets’ see what would Paul
do???? Forget that, I give the student an extra day.
9:00 PM – Office duties are
complete time to end the weekend as always, watching the latest HBO series –
tonight True Blood. Do vampires really exist? Maybe I should go to the next faculty
meeting or stay late at my next meeting with Bankers? My last joke of the
weekend, thank you very much, we do it all again next Saturday.
Thank you for spending with me 2 Days in the
Valley.
BIRTHDAYS
THIS WEEK – Birthday
wishes and thoughts this week to: Dan Aykroyd (60), Bruce Johnston (70),
Michael Phelps (27), Kellie Pickler (26), Carly Simon (67).
S & P / Case-Shiller home prices Tuesday morning expected to rise 0.3 percent. Consumer confidence Tuesday expected to dip to 63.5 from 64.9. Third estimate of Q1 GDP expected to be unchanged at an anemic 1.9 percent. University of Michigan consumer sentiment on Friday expected to dip to 74.1 from 79.3. E.U. summit with big stales for both the continent and the White House begins on Thursday.
The Obama Administration and many investors want to see some bold, German-supported moves to take the risk of big defaults (Italy, Spain) and global contagion off the table. Early reports suggest such bold moves are not likely. Both Greece's new prime minister and finance minister have said they will not attend due to illness. OECD report on US economy released on Tuesday, House Ways and Means hearing on capital gains takes place Thursday.
Next week, Jack Ass of the Month and summer movies.
Until Next Monday, Adios.
Claremont, CA
June 25, 2012
#III-9, 114
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