mlb all-star fan festival

yesterday i mentioned that i attended the mlb all star fan festival at anaheim convention center.  we enjoyed a fun-filled day of exhibits like the one above of the world's largest baseball, or test your pitching speed, or race against an mlb player. 

we also stood in line for autographs, listened to major leaguers talk about playing in the bigs, and browsed the miles of memorabilia and artifacts.  of course the day wouldn't be complete without cheesy fan experiences like this one (visit and vote for me!).

fun stuff!

angel stadium 'of anaheim'

even though i just got back to town, i'm heading out right away for a ballpark tour with my good friend aaron. we're hoping to get to san diego, san francisco, oakland, and of course the los angeles ballparks. it's going to be great, and will add to my ballpark quest.

this photo is not from our trip, but rather the first time i visited angel stadium, shortly after arriving in california last summer. the whole debate over their name - currently the los angeles angels of anaheim after years as the california angels and anaheim angels - is pretty ridiculous if you ask me. adding the 'of anaheim' to the name of the stadium as this photo shows is pretty crazy too. but i have to admit i do like the sign being propped up with giant baseball bats.

i'll try and get one or two photos of ballparks along the way, as well as some pictures from the wedding this past week.

ben and the blue jays

last night i got to hang out and play catch with a few of my friends on the toronto blue jays...

not really, but i was close enough to get a picture of the relief pitchers in the bullpen. oh, and the blue jays won, and eugene and i found free tickets to a sold out game at angel stadium - just as we were about to head home. all in all a pretty great night. this image isn't really pasadena related, but its not too far. about 40 minutes if traffic is good.

a side note: the jays and angels were wearing commemorative patriotic weekend hats - compare this and this to what they normally wear here and here.

i promised a picture of city hall, but i bumped it for this. stay tuned tomorrow when i promise there really will be a picture of city hall.

the rugged wilderness of anaheim, ca

or maybe just the log ride at disney's california adventure theme park