Sac-town Jams

Once a year, Capital Public Radio (NPR via Sacramento) holds its Used Record and Cd Sale.  Tonight, white collar geriatrics and hipsters alike migrated to Arden Way in search of cheap supplements to their record collections...and to enjoy a glass of wine.  The well-publicized event is a fundraiser to support listener funded Capital Public Radio, an ever important Sacto staple.

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/capradio/events.eventsmain?action=showEvent&eventID=1118466

Friday night, (the launch party for the sale) cost a pretty penny for entry.  $20 per person would have been well worth it if the man behind the bar had withheld his snarky judgmental nature...but I digress.  Thousands of titles temped the sharp noses of CPR listeners, as did the delicious appetizers.

Records Sold at Only $1!

Jazz filled the stuffy, if not pretentious air. The smooth band set the mood behind a simple backdrop as patrons milled about.

A worthy cause and a deep selection however, could not keep this particular music lover on Arden.  As any Sac-Town regular knows, Friday nights belong to Concert in the Park.  Downtown, Cesar Chavez Plaza buzzed with a more youthful crowd.  

Lucky for us, Northern California has been graced with 80 degree weather, and the populace is well aware that such a gift deserves celebration out of doors. Well lubricated beer gardeners enjoyed the hidden treasure that is the Sacramento music scene. Summer has just begun, and there are many more bands and $1 records to to be heard.

http://www.sacramento365.com/event/detail/440705617

Monday Night Mayhem

Ping Pong is back.  Perhaps after years of tossing ping pong balls into party cups half full of cheap beer, the populace of young adults in the states figured it was time to bring back the challenge of the paddle. And they mean business. 

Tucked away in East Sacramento, a rag-tag group of bartenders, state workers and even teachers gather together for the weekly Liu Ping Invitational. 

They come toting custom paddles and a desire for friendly competition.  Clouds of cigarette smoke grace the entryway accompanied by welcoming faces.  Inside the Tavern, beer is cheap and the game gets serious, but the more skilled players always make an attempt to throw a tip or two to the newbies. It's all in good fun after all.

Cabin Fever

Working from home is not always the treat those sitting at a desk from 9-5 imagine it would be.  Yes the hours are better, I rarely wear anything but sweatpants and am lucky enough to own a Keurig.  So, it is do-able.

Survival Kit

My muscles tighten as I walk into my bedroom. Work computer on the desk, cords and wires everywhere and very little space to maneuver. My natural inclination is to then, exit the bedroom and search for a place to relax...to the living room!

California's Worst Enemy

But the thought of sitting on a black leather couch in 100 degree weather makes me sick to my stomach.  Then to the kitchen for a glass of water, only to find dishes piled up and the Brita filter is empty.

Cabin Fever has set in, but when night rolls around, and I am finally free from my techno-work-den, I am desperate to get out!

Gateway to Freedom

But don't fret my invisible readers, it is Monday after all.

And Monday is PING PONG NIGHT.

(More to come.)

Baseball Bliss 1Y-6M-12

It's been a strange start to Summer in Northern California.  Cold weather has kept skimpy skirts in the closet and sweaters close at hand. Saturday, the warm sun chose to make an appearance, fashionably late but still very welcome, bringing with it the most beautiful sunset.

This weekend the San Francisco Giants played the Oakland A's in the Bay Bridge Series, their respective AAA farm teams The Sacramento Rivercats (A's) and the Fresno Grizzlies (Giants) faced off at beautiful Raley Field in Sacramento.  Since the Giants took the World Series in September 2010 everywhere you look in Northern California you'll find a sea of Giants shirts and hats...it's an epidemic.  Needless to say there was a population of Sacramentins rooting for the Fresno Grizzlies and checking out the talent.

...Sorry Cats...

We walked to the ballpark from Old Sacramento with a hop in our step, thanks to a pint or two from O'Malley's pub. Once we arrived, we were delighted to learn that Saturdays at Raley Field feature fireworks after the games. A treat indeed!  Our tickets were good, close to the first baseline and more importantly the beer vendors. Thanks to some cheap and clever friends however, we discovered that the $8 grass tickets were just as enjoyable as our $18 seats. Something to remember for next time.

The game flew by. Grizzlies took the victory and crowd delighted in the rather impressive fireworks. If there's one thing America's got going for it, it's baseball.