Talladega Crash - 8 Injuries

Carl Edward's car went airborne and crashed into a fence at the Talladega last month. A total of eight fans were treated for minor injuries. Those of us who've been to the Talladega 500 know that the infield of that race is one of the wildest scenes in the country. I'd love to see a photo from the air after the race is over because the infield probably resembles a battlefield. I'm very curious to see what action is taken by race officials after this accident. Call it a hunch, but I have a feeling that the NASCAR party world is about to suffer a blow. Talladega nights as we knew them before, may be a thing of the past....only time will tell.

Why the Belmont Stakes didn't make the book

With the 3rd race of the Triple Crown coming up I've received questions about why the Belmont Stakes did not make the list of the nation's top 101 annual parties. I mean after all, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness are both in the book. I'll answer this question simply......The Derby is the Derby - something everyone needs to experience at least once in their lives. The Preakness is a full throttle celebration that caters to a fiery blue-collar Baltimore crowd. Great energy, totally unique. A trip to the Belmont Stakes is somewhere in the middle - and the energy, the feeling of community that the other 2 races have is lacking at the Belmont Stakes. It's definitely in the nation's top 150 parties, but it doesn't rank in the grade A catergory.

Nudity was NOT Banned - neither was booze!

Suffice to say neither nudity nor booze was banned at the Bay to Breakers this year. In fact, I'd have to say that it's close to impossible that they ever could ban em. First off, it wouldn't be possible to go to Bay to Breakers without seeing a ton of dudes jogging in socks, shoes, and with their schlongs dangling in the wind. Secondly, there is no way on earth that you can possibly enforce an alcohol ban. It'd be like telling the Pope not to wear his little hat - it just ain't gonna happen.

Tried to Come in Last Place at Bay to Breakers

Fun, tiring, and successful weekend of taping in San Francisco. The goal was to come in last place at the Bay to Breakers 12K. The entire procession is insanity, mayheim, a complete rolling party, and an assault on the senses rolled into one. It took us about 6 hours to go the 7.43 miles - which is VERY slow. My goal, for the sake of taping, was to come in last place and have maximum fun along the way. I didn't quite come in last place, but bottom 4% was good enough!

Taping at Bay to Breakers

Flying from Denver to San Francisco tommorrow for the Bay to Breakers 12K and to witness the first year that beer and nudity isn't allowed. Just bought airline tickets last night so this definitely qualifies as a last minute party trip. We'll be doing some filming to present to Travel Channel who seems to be interested in a Party Across America TV show. If you're out there and you see a guy running in flippers - yes I may try to complete the race in a pair of friggin swim flippers - than say hi.

Bay to Breakers this weekend

It seems as though cracking down on the greatest annual celebrations nationwide is becoming contagious. San Francisco's Bay to Breakers is a 12K running race, the likes of which is unchallenged in terms of its social atmosphere. Although many runners treat the B to B as a competitve race which begs their best time, many do not.

Jet set participants fly in from across the country, wearing the craziest costumes imaginable, for an early morning Mardi Gras of sorts. It has never been out of the norm to see kegs being pushed in shopping carts while "runners" do their best to turn the 12K distance into the slowest possible race on planet earth. The atmosphere is similar to a rock n roll circus.

This year, however, will be a different Bay to Breakers. Nudity (which was never uncommon) and open containers have been banned. Will these new restrictions effect the always jovial crowd....I'm headed to San Fran on Thursday and will let you know!

Preakness Preparedness

The third Saturday in May will be here in the bat of an eyelash, and that can mean only one thing....Preakness time. Often times overshadowed by that other little horse race in Louisville, many Baltimore natives would argue that their hometown horse gallop is the wilder of the two. In my opinion they may be right.

If you're planning to attend this year's Preakness Stakes be aware that as of 2009 fans can't carry in alcohol anymore. I think this move has been a long time coming, considering that the infield of this race is borderline insane at times. Welcome to the modern world of liability insurance - it's a shame that race officials felt that this was the answer to their problems. We all know that drunken meatheads will always find a way to be drunken meatheads - now they'll just hit the booze extra hard in the parking lot.

Bring cash for parking and have a Black Eyed Susan for me.

Just Returned from Jazz Fest

Jazz Fest is one of the greatest events you can go to in your lifetime. Not only is it argueably the greatest time of year to vist New Orleans, but it attracts a wonderful mix of people from all backgrounds, ages, and social standings. Jazz Fest is New Orleans - plain and simple. The food, the music, and a city thats as unique as they come.

This time around I got out of the heart of the French Quarter a bit more after the concerts had ended. Frenchman St. is basically the area that locals retreat to when they want to escape the neon lights and hand grenade drinks on Bourbon St. It's an incredible place for late night frolicking, but much cooler (in my opinion) than anywhere else in the Quarter. We hit Rock N Bowl as well - a Jazz Fest late night must go spot.