Just Printed My Boarding Pass; Ready
for Fear and Loathing in Pasadena?

Posted on | January 4, 2010 | 115 Comments

Less than 12 hours from now, I’ll be flying the friendly skies of United — economy class with a two–hour layover in San Francisco — to sunny California to cover the BCS Championship game.

The “friendly skies” are billing me $15 for checked baggage. Maybe one of our tip-jar hitters can fork over for that. I thought about just trying to do the trip with a carry-on bag — my laptop, socks and a change of underwear — but I figure the readers have gotten me this far, surely one of y’all could come up with a measly $15. ROLL TIDE!

UPDATE: Kay Bailey Hutchison will air a Senate campaign ad during the ABC broadcast. That’s got to be a bad omen of some kind, and not for Gov. Rick Perry. Hutchison’s an internecine Republican feud to a football game? When the Longhorns lose Thursday, Texas voters will blame KBH for jinxing them.

UPDATE II: A Twitter friend in Costa Mesa reports from the scene where the undefeated Crimson Tide is practicing:

Looking at the field that the boys are practicing at as I leave work. 🙂 Full police madness here in CM.

Hmmm. “Police madness,” huh? Obviously they’ve brought in extra security. Someone must have warned them I was coming.

Hunter S. Thompson got tear-gassed at the ’68 Democratic Convention. If I get tasered in Costa Mesa, blame Dan Collins.

Don’t worry. I doubt even the notoriously tough cops in Costa Mesa would tase a professional journalist. They don’t need that kind of bad media mojo. But just in case, somebody hit the tip jar for $12 so I can grab a bag of Krispy Kreme doughnuts on my way from the Burbank Airport to Costa Mesa.

There is no law enforcement hassle that can’t be prevented with a bag of fresh Krispy Kremes. Unfortunately for the late Dr. Thompson, there were no Krispy Kreme vendors at the 1968 Chicago convention . . .

UPDATE III: Jimmie Bise of the Sundries Shack will be helping out with our coverage, taking phone-in reports while I’m running around Southern California the next couple of days. I called Jimmie this afternoon while I was on my way to the American Spectator office near Washington. He called me back just as I was getting home.

“Been down to Douchebag City,” I said.

“Where’s that?”

“D.C. — Douchebag City,” I said. “The place is full of douchebags who don’t know how to drive.”

Some people get their cardiovascular workout on Stairmaster. I get mine in a 2004 KIA Optima. Nothing gets the blood pumping like running 97 mph on the George Washington Parkway — past the exit for the CIA’s George Bush Center for Intelligence in Langley. Don’t hate me for my freedom.

UPDATE IV: Just got off the phone with Smitty who, as usual, is telling me technical stuff — some new WordPress widget or something — that I don’t understand, don’t need to understand, and don’t have time to talk about right now.

Tempus fugits, once you print your boarding pass. Smitty also reminded me that Cassandra at Villainous Company took issue yesterday with our motto:

I have been urged by friends – all men – to “write ruthlessly” too, though they did not use those precise words.
I looked up the word “ruthless” to see what it means, exactly. It means having no pity : merciless, cruel. I think you can see my problem here. I believe one of the great strengths of men is their ability to neatly sever compassion, empathy, fellow feeling from the decision making process.

Here’s the thing, Cassandra: Nobody wants to read a man who writes like a woman. All that fluffy “compassion” crap is fine for a woman writer, but . . .

Tell you what, go read Dan Riehl and see if you find any “compassion” there. Dan doesn’t get paid to express his inner feelings or consult his muse. And it will be a cold day in hell before Dan ever titles a post, “Nothing Sings to Me Today.”

Just sayin’ . . .

UPDATE VI: Thanks to Dan Collins for this tip via Twitter:

@vjmorton @TCOAmerica RT @vermontaigne SHOCKING http://bit.ly/7XUdmz #Texas Cheerleaders in NUDE Photo Scandal

This could be a really big scandal . . .

Category: Alabama, Blogging, Fear and Loathing in Pasadena, Football

Comments

115 Responses to “Just Printed My Boarding Pass; Ready
for Fear and Loathing in Pasadena?”

jefferson101
January 5th, 2010 @ 12:59 am

I’m anticipating hearing from you through the week. Leave the Longhorns’ Cheerleaders alone when they win.

Even Gonzo Journalism only goes so far. I’d fear and loath most everything in Pasadena, but I’ve been there, and all over the LA area. I didn’t lose anything there that would require me to go back, if my employer wasn’t sending me.

OTOH, in your case, I guess we did, didn’t we?

Just be ready to explain how ‘Bama lost, when it’s all over.
jefferson101
January 4th, 2010 @ 7:59 pm

I’m anticipating hearing from you through the week. Leave the Longhorns’ Cheerleaders alone when they win.

Even Gonzo Journalism only goes so far. I’d fear and loath most everything in Pasadena, but I’ve been there, and all over the LA area. I didn’t lose anything there that would require me to go back, if my employer wasn’t sending me.

OTOH, in your case, I guess we did, didn’t we?

Just be ready to explain how ‘Bama lost, when it’s all over.
Agnes B. Bullock
January 5th, 2010 @ 1:01 am

And why is the fair Carol not going?
Agnes B. Bullock
January 4th, 2010 @ 8:01 pm

And why is the fair Carol not going?
Robert Stacy McCain
January 5th, 2010 @ 1:03 am

And why is the fair Carol not going?

Perhaps because her husband doesn’t trust her in Pasadena?
Robert Stacy McCain
January 5th, 2010 @ 1:03 am

And why is the fair Carol not going?

Perhaps because her husband doesn’t trust her in Pasadena?
Robert Stacy McCain
January 4th, 2010 @ 8:03 pm

And why is the fair Carol not going?

Perhaps because her husband doesn’t trust her in Pasadena?
uberVU - social comments
January 4th, 2010 @ 8:13 pm

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by rsmccain: @MelissaTweets Just Printed My Boarding Pass http://bit.ly/8E6OdR Ready for FEAR AND LOATHING IN PASADENA? #Bama #RollTide…
jefferson101
January 5th, 2010 @ 1:19 am

I can relate to not trusting your wife in Pasadena. The last two times I took my wife to Dallas, she had to go to Neiman-Marcus.

I don’t want to talk about what that cost me!
jefferson101
January 5th, 2010 @ 1:19 am

I can relate to not trusting your wife in Pasadena. The last two times I took my wife to Dallas, she had to go to Neiman-Marcus.

I don’t want to talk about what that cost me!
Ad rem
January 5th, 2010 @ 1:19 am

Ever since I heard their powerful rendition of “Dixie”, I’m all in for ‘Bama!

I’m just south of L.A., and our weather was 75 today….warmest in the states. Enjoy!
Ad rem
January 5th, 2010 @ 1:19 am

Ever since I heard their powerful rendition of “Dixie”, I’m all in for ‘Bama!

I’m just south of L.A., and our weather was 75 today….warmest in the states. Enjoy!
jefferson101
January 4th, 2010 @ 8:19 pm

I can relate to not trusting your wife in Pasadena. The last two times I took my wife to Dallas, she had to go to Neiman-Marcus.

I don’t want to talk about what that cost me!
Ad rem
January 4th, 2010 @ 8:19 pm

Ever since I heard their powerful rendition of “Dixie”, I’m all in for ‘Bama!

I’m just south of L.A., and our weather was 75 today….warmest in the states. Enjoy!
Mike
January 5th, 2010 @ 2:11 am

ABC has the broadcast Thursday (Alabama becomes champs).
Ben Nelson had an ad during the Holiday Bowl. And Nebraska won big.
Mike
January 5th, 2010 @ 2:11 am

ABC has the broadcast Thursday (Alabama becomes champs).
Ben Nelson had an ad during the Holiday Bowl. And Nebraska won big.
Mike
January 4th, 2010 @ 9:11 pm

ABC has the broadcast Thursday (Alabama becomes champs).
Ben Nelson had an ad during the Holiday Bowl. And Nebraska won big.
David
January 5th, 2010 @ 2:15 am

When you’re in Pa’dena, I’d recommend going to Lucky Baldwin’s (http://luckybaldwins.com/) for a beer . . . or three. The selection is fantastic, and it’s a great setting. It’s a local’s place, and is named after a figure of historical interest, Elias Jackson Baldwin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_Baldwin).

Of course there’s no shortage of watering holes in Pasadena, but LB’s is — for beer lovers at least — a must-go.
David
January 5th, 2010 @ 2:15 am

When you’re in Pa’dena, I’d recommend going to Lucky Baldwin’s (http://luckybaldwins.com/) for a beer . . . or three. The selection is fantastic, and it’s a great setting. It’s a local’s place, and is named after a figure of historical interest, Elias Jackson Baldwin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_Baldwin).

Of course there’s no shortage of watering holes in Pasadena, but LB’s is — for beer lovers at least — a must-go.
David
January 4th, 2010 @ 9:15 pm

When you’re in Pa’dena, I’d recommend going to Lucky Baldwin’s (http://luckybaldwins.com/) for a beer . . . or three. The selection is fantastic, and it’s a great setting. It’s a local’s place, and is named after a figure of historical interest, Elias Jackson Baldwin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_Baldwin).

Of course there’s no shortage of watering holes in Pasadena, but LB’s is — for beer lovers at least — a must-go.
Obi's Sister
January 5th, 2010 @ 2:20 am

Don’t get arrested or anything like that….
Obi's Sister
January 5th, 2010 @ 2:20 am

Don’t get arrested or anything like that….
Obi's Sister
January 4th, 2010 @ 9:20 pm

Don’t get arrested or anything like that….
Victor Morton
January 5th, 2010 @ 3:15 am

Dave:

You are wasting your beer-connoisseurship advice on a Budweiser-swilling plebeian. And when you consider how much he’ll need Thursday night to numb the pain of Vince Young II (never lost a bowl game)’s Heisman-revenge domination of his Red Drip Messicans…that’s probably just as well for his budget. Or perhaps he’ll need Milwaukee’s Best to get enough to drown the misery and disappointment.
Victor Morton
January 5th, 2010 @ 3:15 am

Dave:

You are wasting your beer-connoisseurship advice on a Budweiser-swilling plebeian. And when you consider how much he’ll need Thursday night to numb the pain of Vince Young II (never lost a bowl game)’s Heisman-revenge domination of his Red Drip Messicans…that’s probably just as well for his budget. Or perhaps he’ll need Milwaukee’s Best to get enough to drown the misery and disappointment.
Victor Morton
January 4th, 2010 @ 10:15 pm

Dave:

You are wasting your beer-connoisseurship advice on a Budweiser-swilling plebeian. And when you consider how much he’ll need Thursday night to numb the pain of Vince Young II (never lost a bowl game)’s Heisman-revenge domination of his Red Drip Messicans…that’s probably just as well for his budget. Or perhaps he’ll need Milwaukee’s Best to get enough to drown the misery and disappointment.
Stacy Headed to Pasadena
January 4th, 2010 @ 10:21 pm

[…] blames it on me. That’s all right: I have big shoulders and am being judiciously rewarded by linkage from the new digs, and am changing the URL once again. […]
Morgan in the Wilderness
January 5th, 2010 @ 3:25 am

Flying united was probably your first mistake (see youtube- United Breaks Guitars). Also, i find it strange that football is still being played. Strange in a “hey something for me to watch other than hockey! Awesome!” kind of way. But hey, we canucks are easily amused. We are also amused by cheerleaders of all stripes. Just sayin. Eh.

by the way, like the new layout.
Morgan in the Wilderness
January 5th, 2010 @ 3:25 am

Flying united was probably your first mistake (see youtube- United Breaks Guitars). Also, i find it strange that football is still being played. Strange in a “hey something for me to watch other than hockey! Awesome!” kind of way. But hey, we canucks are easily amused. We are also amused by cheerleaders of all stripes. Just sayin. Eh.

by the way, like the new layout.
Morgan in the Wilderness
January 4th, 2010 @ 10:25 pm

Flying united was probably your first mistake (see youtube- United Breaks Guitars). Also, i find it strange that football is still being played. Strange in a “hey something for me to watch other than hockey! Awesome!” kind of way. But hey, we canucks are easily amused. We are also amused by cheerleaders of all stripes. Just sayin. Eh.

by the way, like the new layout.
LIttle Miss Attila
January 5th, 2010 @ 3:28 am

Actually, that title was a Georgia O’Keeffe allusion. And I’ll bet Dan GOT it . . .

Give me a call when you land back in L.A. after your sidetrip to the OC. Or, you know–drunk-dial me after the Long Star State kicks your boys’ asses.

(You’ve got the cell; I’ll email you the landline # to be safe.)
LIttle Miss Attila
January 5th, 2010 @ 3:28 am

Actually, that title was a Georgia O’Keeffe allusion. And I’ll bet Dan GOT it . . .

Give me a call when you land back in L.A. after your sidetrip to the OC. Or, you know–drunk-dial me after the Long Star State kicks your boys’ asses.

(You’ve got the cell; I’ll email you the landline # to be safe.)
LIttle Miss Attila
January 4th, 2010 @ 10:28 pm

Actually, that title was a Georgia O’Keeffe allusion. And I’ll bet Dan GOT it . . .

Give me a call when you land back in L.A. after your sidetrip to the OC. Or, you know–drunk-dial me after the Long Star State kicks your boys’ asses.

(You’ve got the cell; I’ll email you the landline # to be safe.)
Mike LaRoche
January 5th, 2010 @ 3:54 am

Or, you know–drunk-dial me after the Long Star State kicks your boys’ asses.

That’s tellin’ ’em! Yee haw!

Now if only the Red Raiders were there instead of the Longhorns…well, it’s unlikely Texas Tech will contend for a national title any time soon, given the recent Mike Leach fiasco.
Mike LaRoche
January 5th, 2010 @ 3:54 am

Or, you know–drunk-dial me after the Long Star State kicks your boys’ asses.

That’s tellin’ ’em! Yee haw!

Now if only the Red Raiders were there instead of the Longhorns…well, it’s unlikely Texas Tech will contend for a national title any time soon, given the recent Mike Leach fiasco.
Mike LaRoche
January 4th, 2010 @ 10:54 pm

Or, you know–drunk-dial me after the Long Star State kicks your boys’ asses.

That’s tellin’ ’em! Yee haw!

Now if only the Red Raiders were there instead of the Longhorns…well, it’s unlikely Texas Tech will contend for a national title any time soon, given the recent Mike Leach fiasco.
Cassandra
January 5th, 2010 @ 3:58 am

Jeez, Stacy. Only a man could get “took issue with our motto” from what I wrote.

*sigh*

You are giving me a real complex here. I find something on your site thought provoking and comment upon it (linking you in the process) you think I’m trying to pick fights :p

Of course men and women don’t write the same. That was my point.

Sometimes a cigar really *is* just a cigar.
Cassandra
January 5th, 2010 @ 3:58 am

Jeez, Stacy. Only a man could get “took issue with our motto” from what I wrote.

*sigh*

You are giving me a real complex here. I find something on your site thought provoking and comment upon it (linking you in the process) you think I’m trying to pick fights :p

Of course men and women don’t write the same. That was my point.

Sometimes a cigar really *is* just a cigar.
Cassandra
January 4th, 2010 @ 10:58 pm

Jeez, Stacy. Only a man could get “took issue with our motto” from what I wrote.

*sigh*

You are giving me a real complex here. I find something on your site thought provoking and comment upon it (linking you in the process) you think I’m trying to pick fights :p

Of course men and women don’t write the same. That was my point.

Sometimes a cigar really *is* just a cigar.
Robert Stacy McCain
January 5th, 2010 @ 4:12 am

Sometimes a cigar really *is* just a cigar.

And sometimes Dan Collins is just a chubby chaser . . .

Sorry, Cassandra: Running a sleep deficit, time’s a-wastin’ and was a bit irritable when I saw it. It’s not you, it’s me.
Robert Stacy McCain
January 5th, 2010 @ 4:12 am

Sometimes a cigar really *is* just a cigar.

And sometimes Dan Collins is just a chubby chaser . . .

Sorry, Cassandra: Running a sleep deficit, time’s a-wastin’ and was a bit irritable when I saw it. It’s not you, it’s me.
Robert Stacy McCain
January 4th, 2010 @ 11:12 pm

Sometimes a cigar really *is* just a cigar.

And sometimes Dan Collins is just a chubby chaser . . .

Sorry, Cassandra: Running a sleep deficit, time’s a-wastin’ and was a bit irritable when I saw it. It’s not you, it’s me.
Victor Morton
January 5th, 2010 @ 4:14 am

Dont they teach you Alabamie hickboys to count, or is the white folks just as dumb as …. well, as Chris Rock put it in a famous routine of his … “don’t be comin to me wid all dat countin and shit. So what, I can count … 1, 2, 4, 5 … so what? I’m countin dese rocks, beeeeutch.” Or in thevernacular of what Robert Byrd called the white ones … I, II, III, IV, VI, qui? Numeratos pume, beeeeeeutch!!!”
Victor Morton
January 5th, 2010 @ 4:14 am

Dont they teach you Alabamie hickboys to count, or is the white folks just as dumb as …. well, as Chris Rock put it in a famous routine of his … “don’t be comin to me wid all dat countin and shit. So what, I can count … 1, 2, 4, 5 … so what? I’m countin dese rocks, beeeeutch.” Or in thevernacular of what Robert Byrd called the white ones … I, II, III, IV, VI, qui? Numeratos pume, beeeeeeutch!!!”
Victor Morton
January 4th, 2010 @ 11:14 pm

Dont they teach you Alabamie hickboys to count, or is the white folks just as dumb as …. well, as Chris Rock put it in a famous routine of his … “don’t be comin to me wid all dat countin and shit. So what, I can count … 1, 2, 4, 5 … so what? I’m countin dese rocks, beeeeutch.” Or in thevernacular of what Robert Byrd called the white ones … I, II, III, IV, VI, qui? Numeratos pume, beeeeeeutch!!!”
Victor Morton
January 5th, 2010 @ 4:18 am

And does the man who pushes Rule 5 so much REALLY think this in any way discredits the awesome undefeted Longhorn football team. At least our cheerleaders can have such a scandal. The Red Drip cheerleaders look like rejects from the Ma and Pa Kettle movies.
Victor Morton
January 5th, 2010 @ 4:18 am

And does the man who pushes Rule 5 so much REALLY think this in any way discredits the awesome undefeted Longhorn football team. At least our cheerleaders can have such a scandal. The Red Drip cheerleaders look like rejects from the Ma and Pa Kettle movies.
Victor Morton
January 4th, 2010 @ 11:18 pm

And does the man who pushes Rule 5 so much REALLY think this in any way discredits the awesome undefeted Longhorn football team. At least our cheerleaders can have such a scandal. The Red Drip cheerleaders look like rejects from the Ma and Pa Kettle movies.
FilmLadd
January 5th, 2010 @ 4:23 am

Stacy! Put pictures up of Bama cheerleaders! Quit focusin’ on the negative!
FilmLadd
January 5th, 2010 @ 4:23 am

Stacy! Put pictures up of Bama cheerleaders! Quit focusin’ on the negative!

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The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Just Printed My Boarding Pass; Ready
for Fear and Loathing in Pasadena?

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The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Just Printed My Boarding Pass; Ready for Fear and Loathing in Pasadena?

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HIT THE FREAKING TIP JAR!

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Just Printed My Boarding Pass; Ready
for Fear and Loathing in Pasadena?