25% off and free shipping on a Mophie for your iPhone

In addition to getting the latest on my travel adventures and sports/music topics, did you know that you can order your Amazon products on here?  Don't worry, I'm not going to start trying to sell you a bunch of stuff, but I wanted to let you know about my latest find.

For iPhone power users like me who want to mobile upload pics/tweet/stay connected from games, airports, and concerts ~ battery life is critical.  So, just wanted to give you all a head's up that Mophie is running a promo (i.e. presumably for Mother's Day).  They're offering 25% off and free shipping.

Me (talking about my new mophie): They offer free shipping and 25% off for mother's day.

My friend:  You should probably offer to pay for shipping and pay full price, since you're not a mom.

FYI - I just received the red juice air pack and I love it! It's a hard red cover with an auxiliary battery that I can turn off and on when I want.  You can buy on here (i.e. using the ad, I included) or take advantage of the sale on the Mophie website itself (i.e. which is what I did). 

The URL is: http://www.mophie.com/


THE WIRK

LeBronsElbow ~ Follow it on Twitter

If you're not following LeBronsElbow on Twitter, you should ask yourself why.  This Twitter account is gaining popularity and is very funny to read.  It's the "Chuck Norris" of elbows.  Ok, technically it's the Lebron of elbows ~ but you get my drift.

I was just woken up by a text from a friend.  She let me know that Rachel Nichols was talking about the Twitter account on Sportscenter.  Well, Rachel, you definitely have a much larger audience, but I just might have beaten you to the punch, since I promoted the Twitter account to all 700+ of my friends on 4/30.

Here is the URL:  http://twitter.com/LeBronsElbow

The most famous elbow's profile cautions its followers:  "I do NOT have a Facebook page.  Any Elbow pages are run by wanna-bows."


THE WIRK

Charles Barkley - To Tase or Not to Tase, that is the Question.

I just finished watching Inside the NBA and have a question.  Do you want to see Charles Barkley get tasered by Ernie Johnson?  Charles says he wants to see how it feels...  I think it could be interesting.  I vote, "Yes".  What do you think?

Kenny Smith (to Charles): Why won't you let me tase you?

Charles Barkley (to Kenny): Because I hate you, Kenny.

I swear I love these guys and enjoy the show!  Charles Barkley - To Tase or Not to Tase, that is the Question.

We all know how much fun it was to watch Charles race Dick Bavetta...  Come on, TNT!!!  Please let this happen!!!

Please comment.


THE WIRK

Twins defeat the Tigers at Target Field, the Ernie Harwell Rainbow, and my 66th venue

Twins defeat the Tigers at Target Field, the Ernie Harwell Rainbow, and my 66th venue

Tonight I made it out to Target Field, my 66th venue.  Target Field is the new ballpark for the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers were tonight's visiting opponents.

I'd been to Target Field a week or so ago, but there wasn't a game.  I'd walked over one afternoon when I was in Minneapolis and took some pics of the statues around the park, but it's just not the same as catching a game.  Earlier today, I checked the weather report and although it called for rain, I gambled and headed towards the ballpark. 

I took the skywalks most of the way to the ballpark and scalped a ticket on the way.  Scalping is legal in Minneapolis.  I scored a $57 ticket for $50.  I didn't feel like negotiating, I just wanted inside the ballpark. 

I like new stadiums.  I realize there's a certain degree of sterility with a new stadium, and that some people prefer the charm of older parks (i.e. Fenway, Wrigley, etc.).  I appreciate both types of stadiums, but I do like "new".

Below are some views of the stadium from my seat.

Did you know that Johnny Damon was with the Detroit Tigers now? I didn't.  I also didn't realize that Jim Thome played for the Minnesota Twins.  I remember Jim Thome from his days in Cleveland with the Indians.  He was a great player for the Tribe and a class act.  I even have an invitation to his surprise birthday party somewhere with all my "memories" from my days in Cleveland.  ****  When I was a Cleveland WAG (i.e. Wife and/or Girlfriend) I'd met his wife Andrea at a graduation party for the former Indians' trainer's son, and we had hit it off.  I never did make it to that party, but I digress..  Regardless, it's great to see him still playing well.

Johnny Damon plays for the Detroit Tigers... 

Jim Thome still playing well

Sure enough it started raining during the game.  Like the commercial says, "No rain, no rainbows" right?  Ernie Harwell passed away right before the game.  For those of you that don't know, he was a Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Detroit Tigers and had battled cancer.  He died yesterday at the age of 92.

Ernie Harwell rainbow in the distance

Anyway after about 2 innings with the Twins leading 2-0, I went to the concourse to see what Target Field had to offer.  Below is a picture of the menu board for Mill City Grill.  I was curious to know how the walleye fingers were, but I chose to try Murray's Steak Sandwich.  The steak sandwich was good, but I don't really like it when there's more bread than meat.  As for the sandwich, there are 2 pieces of steak and it was cooked well.  If only I could've put my $10.50 sandwich on the Underhill's tab.  ****  Did I tell you that Fletch is one of my favorite movies?

Murray's Steak Sandwich

The concession stand was doing a lot of business (i.e. possibly because of the rain) and people had to wait about 10 minutes for their order to be ready. The people working the stand would take the name of the person placing the order and then call it, when that person's order was ready. I was amazed at how well the "honor system" worked!

Oh yeah, I should mention that Target Field now sells Killebrew Root Beer.  I don't like root beer, but for those of you that do, check it out!

When I returned to my seat the Tigers had tied the game at 2.  The Twins took a 3-2 lead in the 6th inning, but the Tigers would end up tying up the game in the 9th.  It all came down to the bottom of the 9th inning.  With J.J. Hardy on 3rd and Wilson Ramos at bat, the Tigers' pitcher threw a crazy pitch and Hardy was able to score.  Andddddddddddd, guess who happened to be shooting vidoe at that very moment.  Yep...  It's ME!  Enjoy the clip.

Twins Win!

****  I saw these stations for people to charge their mobile phones.  I told you I liked new venues.  This is a great idea since power users and travelers like myself, rely on having enough juice to function.  Thank you, Best Buy and Minnesota Twins for providing this amenity to Twins fans!

THE WIRK

Boston Celtics Ticketmaster Interactive Seat Map ~ Get your tickets now!

I'm not a fan of the Boston Celtics, but I am a fan of the interactive map they use for their Ticketmaster ticket sales! Finally ~ someone has it right! Guess who's all set for games 3 and 4 (thanks, Tom) in Boston :-P 

You can "select" your seats now, without having to pay the Stubhub or scalper mark-up costs/fees. 
http://www.ticketmaster.com/artist/805903?brand=celtics

Now, I'm ready to check out a new venue, TD Garden.  Who else is going to be in the arena for these games? 

Go Cavs!!!

****  Oh, and for you real diehards out there, you probably already knew that the Yankees were in town to play the Red Sox on Saturday.  So, see you at Fenway!


THE WIRK

Oh Mickey, You're so Fine! Mickey Mouse and Disneyland...

I love Mickey Mouse.  I know I say I love a lot of different things, but I really love all things Disney and absolutely adore Mickey Mouse.  The only thing I've ever taken out of a store (i.e. and no it's not shoplifting because the item wasn't even for sale) was a paper, Mickey Mouse decoration.  Well, actually now that I think about it, I stole a pack of grape bubble gum when I was 5 or 6 and believe me, I learned my lesson not to steal.  I never tasted that gum, and the embarrassment of having to confess and return it, still gives me anxiety.  But I digress...

When I planned my trip to LA, I was upfront with Scott that I wanted to go to Disneyland.  He said his weekend was open and that he'd be down for the adventure.  That was all I needed to hear.  I told him I was crazy about Disney and that I wanted to get there early, and he obliged.  We were on the road by about 9AM to Anaheim from LA and arrived at the park around 10.  The drive was easy and the whole time I was going to burst from excitement!  Yes, I am a kid at heart and have been called 12 years old by more than one person (i.e. actually in English and Spanish).  WHATEVER.  I know what I like, and Scott was helping make my dreams come true.  I hadn't been to Disneyland since I was in college.  Those of you that know me, can do the math.  ****  Incidentally, I don't think I've been to Disney World since 2005, so I'm due for a visit there also.

When we arrived at the park, I did my best to control my enthusiasm and not to run towards the gates.  The minute we walked in, Scott spotted Pluto and sure enough, I went to get my picture taken. 

Minnie was there too, but that line was long.  Easily I could've spent hours chasing characters through the park, but I exercised restraint.  I also wanted to ride the rides!

I "yelped" each of the more exciting rides, as I was riding them and was thrilled to see the responses from friends as they commented how much they enjoyed the ride, also. If only I could round up all of my friends for a day at the park... That would be heaven!

Admission to the park is about $80.  Park Hopper passes are more, but we didn't have the time so it's irrelevent.  The lines weren't that bad and we were able to take advantage of the park's fast passes.  We rode Star Tours, Space Mountain (2X), the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Indiana Jones Ride, Dumbo, the Carousel, Snow White, the Winnie the Pooh Ride, Haunted Mansion, the Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribbean.  Disneyland even brought back Captain EO.  Talk about bringing back memories!  ****  The lady who warmed up the crowd before Captain EO asked the audience who remembered the movie when it first came out, and people cheered.  Then she asked who was there because their parents made them and the "younger" people cheered.  It was funny.  The man sitting next to Scott, commented that  he told his kids that this was "Daddy's time".  Too funny!

The Haunted Mansion is different in Disneyland v Disney World

The Kentucky Derby was Saturday, but this version is better

I'm strong, but wasn't strong enough

Does this ride look scary to you?  I didn't think so...

Captain EO is back!

Dumbo is so cute!

AWESOME

Scott was about to go Clark Griswold at the Park when he noticed that Big Thunder Mountain was closed.  I updated my facebook status with this information and received the following comment from my friend, Tommy, "Moose outside shoulda told ya."  I literally laughed out loud. 

The weather was amazing and the park wasn't too crowded. Since Disneyland is much smaller than Disney World, we were able to hop around from "land" to "land" easily. **** Oh, and if you haven't been at an amusement park in a while, you should know that in addition to strollers you now have to look out for people on scooters. I'd never seen so many scooters in my life!

I smiled and laughed my entire day away.  Great weather, great company, and the happiest place on Earth (i.e. in CA).  In the 10 hours I spent at the park, I couldn't have asked for more ~ except for a funnel cake with strawberries that I completely forgot that I wanted it, until we were already in the car headed back.

I'll get it next time :-P

THE WIRK

Dodgers defeat the Pirates at Dodgers Stadium ~ My 65th venue

I decided on Thursday night to go to LA.  After finding a really inexpensive fare on Orbitz, I was ready to go.  Lucky for me, I have someone in LA that wanted to do the same things I did over the weekend, so I was in business.  On Thursday night, he and I looked at tickets for the Pirates v Dodgers game...  Stubhub to the rescue!  We had excellent seats and a parking pass.  ****  Getting the tickets ahead of time was a good plan, since I didn't see a single scalper.

I'd never been to Dodgers Stadium.  It was my 65th venue, and I could not have dreamt of a better time.  Upon arriving to the ballpark, we were given free LA Dodgers hats in UCLA colors.  Random.  Turns out it the Dodgers are trying to "partner with" or associate themselves with UCLA or something like that, because there were plenty of UCLA tie-ins throughout the night.  

As we walked around the concourse to our seats, Scott (i.e. who I've known since I was 6 years old, in 2nd grade!!!) said, "Look, there's Kareem Abdul-Jabbar."  What?!?!  How random was that?  I thought he was kidding, but sure enough Kareem was down on the field.  

For those of you that don't read this blog (i.e. shame on YOU!) and don't keep up, you should know that I love the old school Lakers.  Plus, I'm a huge Kareem fan.  ****  I once skipped a day of medical school to go to the local MC Sporting Goods to get Kareem's autograph.  It was worth it.  I even drug my friend, Brian, with me ~ but honestly he needed little convincing.  

Scott and I had excellent seats (i.e. right behind home plate, row H). 

Kareem threw out the first pitch. 

Here's the video that I shot of Kareem's first pitch.  You might want to turn your head to the side.

There were homeruns and the Dodgers ended their losing streak.  Weather was perfect and the Dodger dogs didn't disappoint!

Great seats @ Dodgers Stadium

Dodger Dog

Vin Scully

Dodgers win!

An excellent experience for my 65th venue and a trip to LA... What a great Friday night!

THE WIRK