What's in a Name?

So, as everyone who happens upon this little site on the "Internets" knows, I go by the name of Topher. Topher is short for Christopher. I've been called Topher my entire life, the story I've been told it traces back to my mother's pregnancy when my father would tease her that "she was so big she was going to have twins, and name them Christina and Christopher and call them Tina and Topher." I'm actually the fourth generation "Chris-themed" name in my family. My great-grandfather was named Chris, his daughter (my grandmother) was named Christine, her son (my father) is named Chris and I'm a Jr.

I love the name Topher. It's me. I don't see anything strange about it at all, and a quick google search will show that it's actually catching on quite a bit, and yet I'm constantly having to re-pronounce it or explain it. Every year at school was always an adventure trying to explain "Topher" to new teachers who constantly wanted to revert to the comfortable "Chris" abbreviation. I even had one teacher who refused to call me "Topher" all year long because she thought I had said my name was "Toker." She finally called me Topher on the last day of school. I didn't see the humor. Just a few weeks ago as we made our way to Carp for the 4th of July celebration, we stopped at McDonald's for a quick lunch. While there my name got mispronounced at "Tayfer." Just the other day I received a letter which was addressed to "Tather."

I plan to keep the Topher love going as it gains in popularity. The thing that strikes me the most is that the very same people who are so thrown off by, "Topher" would have absolutely no problem calling Christina, "Tina."

I have no idea how many people are walking around this great planet giong by the name of Topher, but I guarantee it's growing. Although we may not be the biggest fans of his work Topher Grace is owed a debt of gratitude for increasing the exposure of the name.

The reason for this particular blog comes from Dale, who passed along this site earlier today, http://topherdavis.wordpress.com which is written by another person who shares my unique name. Apparently there is also a Topher Davis out there who is a musician.

The world had better watch out, because Topher's are coming to take over the world. Remember the name.

MLB Mustache of the Day

To kick off this new addition to Looking California, Feeling Minnesota who better to start with than the inspiration of it all: Clay Zavada, left-handed relief pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Clay is not only sporting an impressive 1.86 ERA through 21 games into this season, he also sports a magnificent handle-bar mustache.

Here's to you Clay! Keep up the good work!

Independence Day: SoCal Style

This past July 4th marked the 233rd birthday for the United States of America and it also marked my very first Independence Day away from Minnesota, and the first in 16 years away from Wade Stadium. Instead, I took off from Ontario on Thursday afternoon towards Thousand Oaks, where I was meeting Dale at his office before heading to dinner at Famous Dave's in Simi Village Valley where we were meeting Katie. Following another outstanding offering from Dave's it was off to Dale's place for a little decompressing before heading out to Dargan's in beautiful downtown Ventura. We were joined at Dargan's by Nick Grant (the cat can ball). All in all, a solid day.

Friday brought about a little homework in the morning for this guy before lunch in Ventura at the Busy Bee Cafe on Main Street followed by some random wanderings around Main Street including adventuring into an antique store featuring just about every random knick-knack you could think of. This was followed up by a stop by Dairy Queen it was back to the apartment for soem MLB Network and the start of the Angels game with some brews and some pizza. Then, it was off to Victoria Pub & Grill for a night of outrageous new people, a few pitchers of refreshing goodness, and a few "W's" on the dart board. This was all followed up by three breakfast jacks and a strawberry shake in the early morning hours before hitting the sack in preparation for Saturday.

Saturday brought about the holiday and it all started off with Mosh's arrival at the apartment and from there it was off to Carpinteria for some beach time with Grant and Kitty and the amazing family of Clark. It was football on the beach, some time in the ocean, some exploring and sand castle stomping. Then it was off to the pool at the condo for some good times in the water. Following a quick shower it was time to head out to Santa Barbara for some quick dinner and then to the beach for the fireworks show, which was a very nice show. Following a very entertaining walk back to the car (pics coming soon), it was off to State Street in Santa Barbara for a little night cap. So, we found a parking spot and turned the corner out of the ramp and saw a sign from above...we were off to Dargan's. After the ride back to Ventura we were all thoroughly gassed and it was time to shut it down.

Sunday morning meant packing up and heading back to Ontario with plenty of time to spare before having to turn in some a couple of assignment for the MBA program online and preparing for the next adventures in the life.

Goodbye Marian, Hello Martin

July 1st not only marked Canada Day and Mosh's Birthday, it also marked the beginning of NHL free agency and the end of an era in Minnesota right along with the dawning of a new.

Marian Gaborik, who was the first ever draft pick of the Minnesota Wild and was the lone remaining player from the Wild's Inaugural Season, signed a free agent contract with the New York Rangers.

Not long after the Wild filled the offensive void left by Gaborik by signing Martin Havlat to a six year deal. Last season for the Chicago Blackhawks, Havlat scored 29 goals and had 48 assists for a total of 77 points in 81 games played.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Havlat will do in Todd Richards system with Minnesota playing with Mikko Koivu, Brent Burns, Pierre Marc-Bouchard, and (hopefully soon) Saku Koivu (who is considering an offer from the Wild to join younger brother Mikko at The X).

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day everyone!

On July 1st, 1867, the British North America Act of 1867, which united Canada as a single country of four provinces.

I'd like to take some time to make sure to send a shout-out way up north to the beautiful city of Edmonton, Alberta and a good friend of both The DL from DL and Looking California, Feeling Minnesota, the Roomie.

To wrap up our quick little tribute to our friendly neighbors from the north here's a rendition of, what I think is, one of the greatest National Anthems in the world.



Also of note on this great July 1st, and an event that arguably may be bigger than Canada Day, it's Mosh's Birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOSH!!!