Well, it's been a busy couple of days...in short, here's what I did...though knowing me, it probably won't stay short... :)

Wednesday and Thursday we went to two hotels where the players were put at tables for interviews...that was all right, except for the fact that it started bright and early every morning...

On Wednesday, we went to the Gaslamp District, the big night-life area in downtown, so we could see it before the madness ensued Thurs-Sat. We went to a restaurant called Blue Point...it was a current and former PFW outing...five of us ate there...it was expensive, but they didn't tell us that ahead of tiime, the former PFWers, that is. So I had Grilled Miso Salmon...I was worried (and kind of still am) about whether this fish was OK to eat...I think Atlantic Salmon is cool, and asked if that was what it was...it was Atlantic salmon...which begs the question: Why am I eating ATLANTIC salmon in San Diego?

We then went to an Irish pub called Dublin Square...that was pretty cool.

Then Thursday we decided we were going to go to Tijuana. I'd tell of our exploits, but I haven't told Donna the story yet and I want to tell her in person...it's not so good to tell over type... :) Nothing bad happened, but we did have fun and spent some money...I did drink way too much though...

Yesterday, we went to check out the Gaslamp District to see the crazy crowds and have a few beers. We didn't stay out very long though...we were tired and wanted to get as much sleep as possible for our free day today...

Me and Trent woke up at 10:30 this morning...I've got a full day ahead of me after I go to the Hall of Fame conference, where they announce the new inductees...might rent a car and go to the beach...we'll see. Might end up back at the gaslamp district again...

In other great news, click here to see who I met...I carry my camera everywhere now.

More later...I return on Monday evening for those of you who care...oh yeah, and it's a beautiful day here in San Diego. How's the 0-degree weather treating you? :)

We went to the media party at the NFL Experience, which we were allowed to take part in... I attempted three 25-yard field goals and was not terrible...I missed all three, but on the third, I missed the crossbar by about a yard. The other two weren't even close.

I also ran a slant route and caught a pass from a Juggs machine (yes, that's what it's called...it throws the football just like if a person were throwing it--I don't know why it's called a Juggs machine). I also had my first fish taco, because they had a "taste of San Diego"-type thing there...the fish taco was fantastic.

Now, I'm sleepy as hell, so I'm going to hit the hay...goodnight all...I'll do my best to keep everyone posted...

Man, I tell ya...this place is really beautiful. We were riding the shuttle bus back from Qualcomm Stadium down a highway that was just surrounded by green-ness. The median was a lush, green lawn with trees, palm and other varieties, lining it. The highway was surrounded by lush, landscaped cliffs. Everything is just so green down here, it's amazing.

Today was a long day...got up at 6:15 to head to the stadium at 7 for Media Day. We got back around 3pm, because the Raiders, perpetual late-asses that they are were, go figure, late by about a half hour. I've been writing since. Check it out at profootballweekly.com so I can get accolades for writing cool stuff that people care about. :)

We're supposed to go to the official "Media Party" soon and get something to eat. I've heard average things about the media party, so I'm not psyched...but it'll be all right if the "NFL Experience" is open to us...then I'll be psyched. :)

Oh, yes, and a silly, yet occasionally funny TNT reporter of some sort was at the Media Day...he was this big black guy who was really loud and obnoxious at times, but was clearly having a good time, which made it cool. He had this amazingly hilarious conversation with Buccaneers DE Simeon Rice about "Simeon" and sexy. His name and such...I will post it here after I get back sometime, because right now there's no time...it's so funny. By the way, Rice is one of the funniest, most intelligent-sounding football players I've ever met...and I'm only surprised because Mt. Carmel never struck me as a brilliance-producing school...yet Rice and Donovan McNabb are two of the most brilliant guys I've ever listened to. By the way, story idea: Rice apparently is trying to write screenplays...I might have to look into that in the offseason...

OK, enough for now...another long day the next two days...

Trent is making fun of me in his daily reporter's diary because I admitted to him, Keith, Hub and the two others in our party upon arrival this afternoon in the San Diego airport that I had never seen actual palm trees in person. I've been to Houston, but there weren't palm trees like there are palm trees here. Within 10 minutes, I said to all, "I want to move here." We were greeted by beautiful sunlight, 70-degree temps and just luscious green trees and everything. Man, this place is pretty damn beautiful...Me and Trent are in the same room, and our room overlooks the bay...it's great.

Now, I'm tired and want to go to bed...since I have to get up around 6:15 tomorrow and I face quite a long day...not complaining, just letting y'all know what's what...

Apparently, I've been told I must have a fish taco. And for you dirty minds, not the other meaning of a fish taco...apparently that is a San Diego delicacy--fish tacos. I'll try one, I'm sure, by the time I'm out of here.

OK, I guess that's all for now...I'll do what I can to update things daily...but no promises. :)

Just a couple quick updates, before the big trip...
--Went to see "Chicago" with Donna...the movie kicks much ass. I'd recommend it to anyone, particularly if you...(a) liked Moulin Rouge because it was theatre-ish, (b) didn't like Moulin Rouge because it was weird as all hell, or (c) like to see well-written, well-choreographed, well-presented movies. Chicago was Moulin Rouge without the weirdness and with a less-annoying use of song. I loved it. It had better win several Oscars...but since I like it, it won't...A favorite movie of mine (prior to it winning the Oscars) has not won a major Oscar (or bunch of minor ones) since Forrest Gump in, what, '95?
--The Sims for Playstation 2 really sucks...don't buy it if you have the computer version...all the previews talk about how much better it would be because of the two-player modes and such...well, they don't tell you that you have to earn the right to play two-player mode (and other modes) by reaching goals in one game...a game I didn't want to play in the first place. If I ever get a better CPU than this one, I'll be selling Sims PS2...it's barely worth my time...bastards. I knew I should have rented the game first...
--I'm excited about this trip, but a little down about the actual Super Bowl...while yes, it will be fun to actually be in the stadium for the big game, it won't be nearly as much fun as watching it on TV with friends and/or family...basically where I can choose to talk isht or not...I won't be able to do that at the game, I assume, since I'll be in a media-only kind of area. Plus, I'll miss the commercials...and then I have to do interviews after the game...I know hardly any of you understand, but take my word for it...it'll be a blast, but not the game maybe not so much...we'll see.
--Speaking of...I have to get up bright and early tomorrow to finish packing and do my work before heading to work...so I'm going to bed...I'll do my best to update this...but if I don't, you can always check out profootballweekly.com next week to kind of keep tabs on what I'm up to... :)

Enjoy the week and the big game everyone! And good luck to my floor hockey teammates on Wednesday... :)