Happy Kwanzaa!

... since I missed Christmas.

Hope all my Christian friends had a nice holiday, while I hope all my Jewish and atheist friends enjoyed a vacation day on Jesus.

Enjoy this goofy holiday photo (we took a straight one, but I like this better) of about half of the Anaheim bureau (some staffers were actually out working). We collect hats and these were taken from our "undercover reporter disguise check-out" area. It has a sign-out sheet and everything!

Sorry I've been so lax with posting. A quick recap:

- Saw Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas speak at Chapman University, and I bought a signed first edition of his memoir "My Grandfather's Son." I think he and Scalia are about as evil as they come, but it's not everyday you get to listen to a Supreme Court justice. Maybe I should've asked him to sign a Coke can?

- Partied at Crooner's Lounge - an Elvis-themed dive/karaoke bar - before and after "Walk Hard" Friday night. More importantly, we celebrated friend/reporter Serena's return to the real world after rehabbing from a car wreck that put her in a wheelchair for a month. Here she is being, well, Serena, while I tend to more pressing business: my 20-ounce Sam Adams. Notice the B-52's lyrics on the monitor?

Motorbikes and crepes

Cycle World's International Cycle Show returned to Long Beach last weekend, so we headed down Sunday to check out the latest production bikes and some of the top custom fabricators in the world.

The day ended with an awesome dinner at La Creperie (pictured above), my favorite Belmont Shore restaurant.

Enjoy the photos of:

- A Harley drag bike from the display on the Bonneville Salt Flats, where most land-speed records are attempted.

- Diana dreaming about a motorcycle upgrade (yes, she rides THAT type of bike).

- My favorite custom bike.

- Luis, Rosa, Diana, Jerry and me watching a stunt demo outside the convention center (65 degrees and sunshine - I love L.A.!).

The Wizard of Westwood

After you meet some people, you walk away a changed person.

That's the case with John Wooden.

I got to meet - and even spend a couple of minutes talking - to the legendary UCLA men's basketball coach, winner of 10 national championships, author of books, motivational speaker - and all-around good guy.

Before Saturday's Wooden Classic - a two-game basketball event at Honda Center in Anaheim - the Bruins held a basketball clinic with Special Olympics athletes, followed by a brief speech and Q-and-A with Wooden.

After shamelessly getting the above photo, I had the Wizard of Westwood all to myself. It was just me and him as he waited to be taken out onto the court.

I asked him, "How are the Bruins looking this year?"

So, for the next two minutes, the 97-year-old icon and I talked about the Bruins and how their emphasis on defense and team play have resulted in their recent success (back-to-back Final Four appearances). Like Coach Wooden, I've always been a preacher of defense - in any sport. Offense gets you in the newspaper - but defense gets you in the playoffs.

Wooden has a wisdom that's hard to peg. It's more than the voice of experience and wisdom, more than the voice of success. His words carry weight with the richest of the rich, the poorest of the poor, and me. I'm actually thinking about reading one of his books.

Enjoy the photos below: me mugging with my favorite UCLA player, 6-foot-9 senior center Lorenzo Mata-Real (great defender, by the way); the team laughing as current UCLA Coach Ben Howland jokes with Wooden; and Howland listening to Wooden.

Parade party

Whenever they block off 2nd Street in Long Beach, you know it's gonna be a party.

Belmont Shore held its Christmas parade Saturday night, blocking off the main drag of 2nd (pictured) for six hours - to make way for a THREE-HOUR parade along a one-mile stretch. It's a great blend of families and freaks. I live about 50 yards down the street to the left.

Here's a video - I screwed up on the resolution again - of the Wilson H.S. marching band performing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," an object lesson for those who fear nonconformity:



I woke up Sunday morning to see this Red Bull Mini outside my door. Was it here the night before for a Christmas parade, and the driver found a warm bed to stay - but not necessarily sleep - in? Only in the LBC ...