Pitchers and catchers reported today.

Finishing off her first wave back after a nine month hiatus.

Caddie, looking back. Hunziker Bowl, Taos Ski Valley

If I had a dollar for every person I’ve met in LA who’s asked about coming surfing with Ben and me but hasn’t quite made it, I could afford to buy a house in my own neighborhood. So… this is your chance. Take a surfing lesson from a pro! Free lessons at Ocean Park in Santa Monica October 4, 11, 18, and 25. All you have to do is donate a minimum of $50 to Obama’s campaign. Do it! We’ll come cheer you on!

Details here: Surf Lessons for Obama (Fundraising)

Do we spend all of our free time there?  Yes.

San Onofre under a full moon. Sunday, August 17.

On the TV Paul Pierce is lighting up a cigar given to him by Red Auerbach. Thanks for sticking around PP, and thanks for #17.

The day after the championship I had an e-mail from my friend Trip quoting CHB’s article, “Kobe Bryant scored 22 for the losers, but ultimately LA just had too many Europeans.” Classic. I’ve been a bad Celtics fan over the last few seasons, so I’ll just let Bill Simmons do the rest of the talking. (the header is a shameless rip-off of a t-shirt I saw recently)

Around 1PM on the 23rd look for me in a bar, glued to ESPN2. It’s Champions League semifinal time, and I love the CL as much as the World Cup. Maybe even more. Chelsea and Arsenal meet in one Champions League semi, with Barcelona and Man U in the other. While Chelsea are one of my least favorite teams to watch, it should still be a great game. And Manchester United v. Barcelona? It doesn’t get any better than that – though it’ll be hard to top Tuesday’s Liverpool-Arsenal quarterfinal! Beyond following the US National I don’t have a team. I’m more a fan of the game in general and the English Premier League as a whole. I do, however, find myself leaning in one direction more often than not. I wonder why? Years of hearing this before every Liverpool game, perhaps. I should point out that video was taken by a fan of Barcelona, from inside the Barca section (another version here). Here’s one more for you, this from the 2005 Champions League Final. It’s a little over the top, but so was that game… Prediction? Liverpool and Man U in the final, Manchester United wins…but what the hell do I know?