DowningRules

It's a must these days. You may just want to start right off with the line, "I need to cancel my direct." Whoever is on the phone will ask you why. Then you tell them you cannot afford it...Directv has gotten too expensive. If you don't like what they're offering, tell them it's not quite enough to justify the expense. They will usually go a little deeper. It's not like they're going to tell you they don't want your business if you go back (within the call) and take them up on whatever offer. It should take about 20 minutes of phone time.

I'm about to sign up with Time Warner which sucks but I'm forced into it do to my Clear giving up on me. I used to have ATT which I hated. The company is what led me to cut the cord. About two years ago, I called them to complain of my rate going up and my speeds getting crappier (run speedtest.com to see how slow/fast your internet is). They told me they'd lower my bill by $5 a month. I was even angrier as that was a pittance. They suddenly dropped the rate to what I was originally paying and at that point, I was insulted and I told the chick on the phone (I know...she doesn't care) that she should've offered to do that in the first place. So I quit ATT. I will never go back to them ever due to their expensive rates for lower quality delivery and awful speeds. I'm going to TWC because my choices are minimal in my area. I'm purchasing my own modem. TWC provides a list of modems and routers you can purchase which is compliant with their service. After I start the billing, I need to set a reminder on my phone to call TWC and tell them I'm canceling my service if they don't lower my rate, once the year is up. Due to an increasing number of people cutting the cord (myself included) these companies are now simply broadband companies. That is where they are betting their future on. So anytime you threaten to bail on them ISP they will do what they can to keep you around. The free months of HBO, etc. are an easy goodie for them to throw at us.

Some months ago, I purchased a portable AC unit. It wasn't cheap, but I figured it would be good to have because I was fed up with heatwaves and I know that September and October are often among the hottest months in southern California. I thought it best to purchase it before it got to crazy hot and there was a run on the things. One of the best purchases I've ever made. I keep it in my bedroom and put it on blast, close the door, and hang in there. It works magic and cools the room in literally a few minutes. I went to by one for my mom last week. All gone. And I have to special order it for delivery to the store (Home Depot).

Yes. Right after Barry Bonds is elected to the Hall of Fame.

The greater Tampa area is known for its strip joints. It's a popular destination for business conventions.

The Skankee Stadium 330 foot home run sheds a tear.

Because they're Raider fans. And they also wear t-shirts in the ocean.

It doesn't matter. We don't get the internets on the west coast so we'll never know.

You would get a better donut, if that's what you're in the market for, at Doughboys. Haven't tried the croissants, but those usually come frozen, in a cardboard box to most of these joints. If you hit up Doughboys at the right time, there's a very slender and fit asian dude about 25 years old who has a thick accent, but he's known to throw down some local surf-type slang with hilarious results. He's there greatest. We talk about working out. I told him, "I don't know how you're not 200 lbs. working here with all these donuts. I'd crush them non-stop." "I DO!" He said. "I always eat them. But I go in the back and do crunches when it's not busy."

I believe you are referring to Doughboys, which is near the Alley and Jack in the Box. My favorite all time donut is sold there: the chocolate dipped old fashioned. I have sung its praises on this board before. Haven't been in a while, but look for the "Life Coach" advertisement taped to the window. It's next to the ad for their ice cream donut or whatever it is. You will please to notice that there is an inconsistent use of font sizes in the Life Coach's phone number.

He doesn't just hate Arte, he hates everything/everyone, which is probably a prerequisite to be the editor of the OC Weekly. He is also a racist who hates white people. He ends pretty much every public speaking opportunity by saying something about the 'reconquista.'

If I'm gonna be slovenly and lunch off: Newport Rib Co. as long as the onion brick is included with extra sugar, I mean bbq sauce. Indian food -- Preferably on Brick Lane in London where the food is excellent and plentiful and inexpensive. A couple of the Lebanese places in Little Gaza (Anaheim). I like the Olive Tree but it's hot and stuffy. The food is terrific when it's not too busy. Otherwise, the chicken can be overcooked. Extra rounds of kebbeh for me! Maggiano's -- Perhaps a cliche as its a chain, but I like their meat sauce. They don't get too cute with it. Just simple, flavorful Italian-American sauce with better quality ingredients. I take mine over rigatoni. I like the house salad with the Magliano's salad dressing. All in all, a good meal. The Spaghetti Bender in Newport -- Lo-pro family run restaurant where the staff is often local teens who look like they've just rushed out of their surf session. I like the food and vibe. Reminds me of growing up in SoCal before it got overcrowded and the pace was a little more forgiving. Haute Cakes, Newport -- They have this custard pastry thing that is nuts. I order it and kid myself that I'll share it or will only eat half then take the rest home. That rarely happens. The crowd has frown more and more pretentious, but the food is fantastic. Ali Baba in Las Vegas -- It's never crowded for lunch which I like. My friends and I order tons of Lebanese and it's as good, if not better, then the food in Little Gaza. My favorite kebbeh.

You, of course, know that there's the character "Zito" in Miami Vice. Played by John Diehl. I first remember him in the movie "Stripes." "I figured I'd better join...before I got drafted." Anyways, Zito gets killed off in the 3rd season. A real heartbreaking two-parter with a boxing backstory. It guest starred Randall 'Tex' Cobb and Don King. I once had a conversation about Vice and his character Zito. He's a real nice dude.

I'm developing a disease. A disease for Cron, that is.

Ya know, you left out the first word to that particular lyric which is "Escargot." I think that's a pretty great word to use in a song and I can't think of any other song which uses escargot. Leave it to Biggie Smalls. If there is one thing I'm sure he knew, it was escargot.

I'll just sub-out a few of the hundreds of Angel games I've been to the last 40+ years for street cred.

I would be thirsty for Ersty as manager, but ultimately, it wouldn't work out. He'd be a good sort of bridge guy to totally rearrange the team's thinking, but he'd be divisive in the process because, well, he'd demand the players give all no matter their status or salary. You're going to see Albert Pujols' name changed to Mo Vaughn in no time in that atmosphere. After some seasoning and age, I could see Ersty mellowing and becoming a bit more patient, but it's not a long term fit. Still, I don't give a toss. Throw the dude in there and let him beat the f out of any player that laughs after hitting into a DP.

When the team cares more than I do maybe I'll consider going to more games (and maybe even rationalizing waiting in the geriatric express concession lines).

Based on? I gave you minuscule but precise examples of why the NFL playbook doesn't work in baseball. I understand you disagree, but what is your reasoning? Do you have any like comparisons between the sports that show how the NFL's saturated use of examination and review and planning would work in baseball? You're premise is an interesting one, but I just don't see how it can be applied to baseball. There are just too many variables compared to the NFL where every player knows exactly what he is supposed to do before the ball is snapped. Furthermore, each player knows ahead of time the adjustments he has been instructed to make as a play develops in comparative slow motion to a 92 mph fastball, or even an 80 change up/Weaver fastball.

Football is a much more predictable sport. The sport is based on predetermined plays. All of those photos shown in the original post are relevant to the opposing team's plays, or how a team reacts to another team's plays. It's nearly impossible to provide that kind of in-depth planning and strategy to baseball. In just one pitch, there are: 1. Several types of pitches that could be thrown. 2. Several defensive plays that could be made. 3. Several offensive reactions which create multiple possible results (not a mathematician, but I'd guess the possibilities are somewhere around 50 just depending on a ball being hit in any direction from a curve ball. And that's not taking into account the speed of the curve ball, the pitcher's traditional release point, etc.) I could go on, but I think you get my point. If I were to finish this, it would be a 50,000 word post. Because it's baseball and it's not as narrow or "play" based. It's more reactive and intuitive and definitely unpredictable.

One must be careful of Arte's marketing chicanery.

Thanks. I appreciate it. I was looking more for the Angels' definition of "ticket package" because there were a number of complaints about previous giveaways specific to these Heritage Nights this season (2015) wherein the purchaser/holder of a ticket did not receive the giveaway item, as that person had presumed he/she would, when a ticket to that night's game was presented. Angels' representative(s) informed ticket purchasers/holders who did not purchase the ticket under the exact terms (including specific ticket pricing created for the "ticket package") of the Heritage Night giveaway item offer that the ticket presented by that holder did not adhere strictly to the Angels' terms for purchasing tickets on that specific giveaway night which would have otherwise allowed the ticket purchaser/holder the claim to his or her giveaway item. Hence the use of my words "in this context."

Your post came in four minutes after my initial post. I was certain the first useless and non-humorous reply would post within three minutes. Fail.

I want the German heritage hat which will be given away Sept. 4. The disclaimer on Angels ticket purchase site says: German Heritage Night (ONLINE TICKET PACKAGE ONLY. MUST PURCHASE TICKET PACKAGE TO RECEIVE HAT. What's the "ticket package" in this context? There's no small print to define it. I don't want to buy tix for the game and they senior citizen at the gate says, "Oh you didn't purchase the double secret ticket package..." Anyone know what the term means exactly?

Good for him. Dude kept trying and found his mojo, for however brief. I can't get angry because I think he actually tried hard to win for the Angels and you could see the frustration on his face. Unlike Kazmir who just couldn't give a toss, collected his filthy lucre, and decided to play to his capabilities well after he left the Angels and pretty much only when he felt like 'turning it on.'