Black Chick On Tour » California

Over-The-Line is Off-The-Chain

BCOT — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 09:35:01 +0000

This event is notorious. And, even though there are those who are trying to “clean it up,” OTL (Over The Line) will always be known by longtime locals as an event that is full of Beer, Babes, and The Beach, with the tournament itself almost just being an excuse to go to Fiesta Island to party hard; all day long.

Over The Line is a form of softball played on sand. The games are played on 50 mini-courts and are limited to 1,200 3-person teams in 9 age-divisions. Unlike in softball, the Batter and Pitcher are on the same team. The Batter stands at Home while the Pitcher stands in front of The Line, not in the Triangle. Fielders from the other team stand behind The Line, in fair territory. The objective is for the batter to hit the ball into fair territory without a fielder catching it.

Fueled by copious amounts of alcohol, the tournament has gained a reputation for its hedonistic and sexual overtones. Just check out some of these team names: 50 Easy Virgins, The Camel Toes, Sit On a Happy Face, Long Beach 69ers. I could go on, but I think you get my point here. Personally, I just like hearing the names of some of these teams.

Now, I don’t need to tell you (I hope) that this is NOT an event for the kiddies.

Dates: July 9-10, 16-17
Time: 7:30am – 8:00pm.
Location: East Mission Bay Park (Fiesta Island)
More Info: http://www.ombac.org/over_the_line/

NOTE: Admission is free, but guests are asked to observe OTL’s “Five B Rules.”

No Bottles, Babies, Bowser’s (dogs), Birds, Battles (Fights) or Boas (Constrictors).

You will not be allowed to drive onto the island during this event. So, check out the OMBAC site for details on the shuttle services and parking availability.

Bicycle use is limited as well. Bikes are not permitted on the sand near the playing court areas as they can be a “health hazard” for the players and spectators. Please look for the designated bicycle parking areas to lock your bike up.

Please Drink Responsibly. Please consume alcohol only in the Permit Zone Areas.
Photos courtesy of OMBAC

Photography: Ocean Beach Shootout

BCOT — Fri, 27 May 2011 10:40:19 +0000

Ocean Beach is a small beach community about a 10 – 15 minute drive northeast of downtown San Diego. OB is about as unpretentious as San Diego beach living gets. Home to my co-op (yes, I’m a member) Ocean Beach People’s Organic Food Market, it’s one of the few places left in San Diego (or the rest of the country for that matter) where the shops are locally owned and managed, and there isn’t a Gap and a Pottery Barn on every corner. This community activity opposes chain businesses opening in Ocean Beach. I love my coffee like the next person but you got to have love for a community that organizes a grassroots effort to block (albeit unsuccessfully) Starbucks from opening a coffee shop. Basically, this community has a chillin’ vibe to it, which is why I love it.

I few weeks back I gathered with a group of other photographers, and we met under the Ocean Beach Pier for a Saturday Morning Ocean Beach Shootout. We walked the rocky cliffs and dirt paths along the coast. The following photos are my best shots.

Click on Photo to Enlarge

Hometown Tourist: The Flower Fields of Carlsbad

BCOT — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 01:22:40 +0000

For over sixty years, Mother Nature has transformed the rolling hills of North San Diego County into one of the most spectacular and coordinated displays of natural color and beauty anywhere in the world. The nearly fifty acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that make up The Flower Fields® at Carlsbad Ranch, in Carlsbad, California, are in a full bloom for approximately six to eight weeks each year – from early March through early May – literally bringing the famous fields back to life. This annual burst of color, which has become part of the area’s local heritage, is also one of nature’s official ways of announcing the arrival of spring here in Southern California.

Click On Photo To Enlarge

Tickets are available for purchase onsite and online

Prices: $10.00 for Adults, $9.00 for Seniors 60+, $5.00 for Children 3 – 10, Children 2 and under are Free

Season Passes: $20.00 for Adults, $18.00 Seniors 60+, $10.00 for Children 3 – 10

Wagon Rides: $5.00 for Adults, $3.00 for Children 3 – 10

Information Line: (760) 431-0352

Photography: Los Angeles Arboretum

BCOT — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 23:20:24 +0000

I wanted to practice taking photos using the new lens I had just purchased, so I decided to visit the Los Angeles Arboretum. It’s about a 30 – 40 minute drive outside of L.A. in the city of Arcadia. This 127 acre botanical garden is peaceful, the grounds are a photographers dream, at least I thought so. As I walked around, I saw a couple dressed in wedding attire riding on the back of a golf cart, no doubt on their way to take what were sure to be stunning wedding photos. Home to plant collections from all over the world, including many rare and endangered species, it also houses outdoor historical landmarks representative of the major phases of California history. The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is a rich historical site that includes Native American, Rancho Period, and late 19th century treasures. In addition to concerts and tours, they offer activities and events that cater to every audience.

You can check out what I captured in the slide show below. Enjoy!!

San Diego Restaurant Review: Mama Testa

BCOT — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 21:08:25 +0000

: Mama Testa

Put Some Mexican In You!!

I know Mexican food. OK. Maybe not like a Mexican. But, growing up in San Diego, I grew up eating real “hole-in-da-wall” Mexican Food. Or, what I thought was authentic Mexican food. Until I saw Cesar Gonzalez (the owner of Mama Testa), on the Food Network, Throwing it down with show host Bobby Flay claiming he had the best tacos in town…and that for the past 3 years running his place has won Best Fish Tacos in San Diego…I was like: wait – a – minute!! I’ll be the judge of that. So…I headed over to Mama Testa

When you enter Mama Testa…you are greeted by brightly painted walls, the atmosphere is casual…it looks like any small Mexican food joint. The chairs are hand painted with names of legendary film stars from Mexico, and there are posters of famous Mexican movies hanging from the ceiling. The menu reflects the various types of tacos you would find in the varying regions in Mexico.

You can always tell how close you are to authentic Mexican food when you check out the Salsa bar and the most importantly the Guacamole. When dining at Americanized Mexican food restaurants…they seem to have a love of sour cream. Huh? What is that about? If that Guacamole isn’t lumpy from fresh avocados, and it is creamy in any way….that’s a sign…you’re getting Americanized Mexican. They’ve added sour cream. There are “only” six ingredients that go into prime guacamole: avocado, cilantro, lime, onion, tomatoes, and salt. And, maybe…maybe a jalapeno or two. But that’s it. Well…we were off to a good start because the guacamole was “off the chain”.

My mother ordered the Chicken a L’Suya (2 corn tortillas filled with chicken in green mole sauce); I ordered the Guaca Tacos (3 corn tortillas tacos deep fried and filled with fresh avocado). They were both served up with refried beans and rice. We also decided to order up the De Bandera Moreno (5 rolled tacos with shredded beef) as an appetizer. This was a must try since I love me some rolled tacos.

As the food arrived I realized that I had made a mistake and accidentally had ordered the avocado stuffed tacos by mistake. Enter destiny. I decided to eat them anyway. Wow…what a pleasant surprise a mistake can make. They were delicious. In fact everything was delicious. I had to succumb and admit that Cesar Gonzalez had not embellished his product on TV. And, those rolled tacos were simply the best that I have ever had. Ever!

This was the first introduction to what became an 2 week love affair for the remainder of my stay in San Diego. I felt as if I was caught in a hot romance with a Latin lover that I just had to see every day… and I did. Seriously…I have the extra pounds to prove it.

When you visit Mama Testa you will enjoy authentic, traditional Mexican food.

If you’re ever in San Diego…get your butt up to Hillcrest and Put Some Mexican In You.

Guaca Tacos - Before

Guaca Tacos - After

Mama Testa Taqueria,

1417a University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

619-298-TACO

www.mamatestataqueria.com

Skylines: San Diego, CA (duh) & Seattle, WA (double duh)

BCOT — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:34:34 +0000

While on vacation, I was experimenting with taking photos of the Skyline. I didn’t get any jaw dropping good ones…but I got a bunch that are “not too bad”. Enjoy!!

Hometown Tourist: Chicano Park

BCOT — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 22:08:05 +0000

Today is the 40th Anniversary of Chicano Park. Chicano Park is located literally under the Coronado bridge, in San Diego, CA. I’ve never known the history of Chicano Park. All I’ve ever known was (1) don’t go there after dark, and (2) they had murals. Oh yea, and that this is the park where the Mexicans hang out. It wasn’t until I decided to make a trip there during one of my hometown tourist days that I actually discovered “this place is kinda cool.”

Chicano Park founded on April 22, 1970 is home to the country’s largest collection of outdoor murals.

How 2 Get There:

Take Interstate 5 and exit Cesar E. Chavez Parkway, heading west, then go south on Logan Ave.

Hometown Tourist: Botanical Building Balboa Park

BCOT — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:47:10 +0000

Orchid and Butterfly

Today I did a “hometown tourist” day and visited the Botanical Building in Balboa Park. My intention on going to Balboa Park was to take photos of the arches, bridges, and architecture. Well…afterwards I ventured over to the Botanical Building. What an experience!! I was soooo snap happy with my camera. No wonder it’s one of the most photographed scenes in Balboa Park and a “must-see” destination in San Diego.

Built for the 1915-16 Exposition, along with the adjacent Lily Pond, the historic building is one of the largest lath structures in the world. The Botanical Building plantings include more than 2,100 permanent plants, featuring fascinating collections of cycads, ferns, orchids, other tropical plants, and palms. The Botanical Building also presents some of the Park’s vibrant seasonal flower displays.

Check out the slideshow below for today’s “Flowers on Parade”.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Hometown Tourist: Sunset Cliffs Natural Park – San Diego

BCOT — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:09:50 +0000

Sunset Cliffs Shoreline Map

Sunset Cliffs Natural Park is a 68-acre resource based park stretching along the Pacific Ocean bordering the western edge of Point Loma. The 18-acre linear section of the park lies to the west of Sunset Cliffs Blvd. between Adair and Ladera Streets. The 50-acre hillside section, a designated multiple species conservation area, links to the 640-acre Point Loma Ecological Reserve beginning at the Navy property to the south. The Park’s topography includes intricately carved coastal bluffs, arches and sea caves. It affords inspiring panoramic ocean views. From the cliffs, the California Gray Whale can be seen migrating annually from the Bering Sea to Baja California.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Photography: Sun Setting on Ocean Beach

BCOT — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:34:51 +0000