Monday, November 30, 2009

Finals Hiatus

Dear readership:

Got some grovels from a couple loyal readers this weekend, while tossing back a couple craft brews at Simmzys (my pick of the week btw is the Dogfish IPA, strong but not overpowering like the Anderson Valley IPA). So here is the formal notice, like my brother blog, I'm academic hiatus until finals are over. Thereafter I will be on a plane to Hawai'i for a much-needed three week retreat. Will have some great blogs from the islands.

Mahalo,

Chairseo

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Greasy Mexican Food

This may sound a little out of character but personally, I really don't to consume alcohol with my meals. Honestly, the mix really doesn't work for me. I don't care if we are talking about wine and steak or beer and anything else, for some reason I just like to keep these two activities separate. By no way does this mean that I don't enjoy both activities because I do. I guess the proper analogy would be to equate it with partying with the kappa babez and the theta babez. I really like to do both, but if done at the same time, the results could be disastrous.

However, there is one exception: greasy mexican food & beer. The greasier the better. For example: wajoos need not apply, that place is too health-conscience. I'm talking specifically about El Tarasco. I've been there 3 times this week (twice on Saturday) and can say that it is my new favorite south bay staple. The only caveat is that they do not serve beer (yet).

However, everything else about the place is awesome:
(1) the food is cheap and plentiful
(2) homemade chips (literally just fried tortillas, they don't even bother cutting them) and homemade salsa
(3) mexican sports are always broadcasting on a 13 inch TV on top of the soda machine
(4) cramped eating area, forces you to rub elbows
(5) friendly staff

If going after a surf sesh, I always go with the fajitas and eat in, and take half home, which will only set you back about 9 bucks.

Other favorites are the carne asada tacos (unlike wajoos, these tacos actually have a lot of meat and come with guac), and the quesadilla w/tomato sauce and ortega chilis (each for under 5 bucks).

On Saturday, good news came by phone as I got a call from DNChambe and JPL, who were crushing up the strand to the porto looking for some local grindz. Seeing that OBs and Sharkeez were out of the question (Pacquiao fight crowd) I suggested El Tarasco. Not only did we get to eat some mexican radness, but the rendezvous at EL Tarasco produced another bump-in with the Cadillac, who invited us to his place to watch the fight. So not only did we get to grind on tacos and pound beers, but we got to see a couple of dudes beat the shit out of each other on pay-per-view with some sweet older pike bros.

So if you're in the neighborhood and don't want to make the commute to downtown (manhattan beach blvd.) to eat, stop by El T. We might run into each other, and in the event that we do, make sure you get your tacos to-go, because I'll always have a couple cold ones chilled in the fridge.

Crack a Pacifico and enjoy,

- Chairseo

Friday, November 13, 2009

Bargain Theory in the Greek System

Back at Pike, BC would always hear me profess on my implied contract theory regarding greek social relationships, specifically in the context of certain social occasions known as "invites" or "vegas." The main argument proposed was that upon acceptance of the offer to attend such event, the offeree would be bound by the terms of the implied contract. In the most general of terms this means that, for example, by agreeing to attend said event, the offeree will provide some benefit to the offeror.

Last Stand's brother blog has influenced me to inject some legalese into my blog. Therefore, I would like to take the opportunity to revise my earlier theory and apply it to a social mainstay at USC - The Vegas Invite.

I. Contract Theory - Generally

In its most basic form, only four elements must be satisfied to form a legally enforceable contract.

(1) Offer
(2) Acceptance
(3) Mutuality of Assent
(4) Consideration

The offer is any statement or act that is intended to immediately bind the offeror (the one presenting the offer) to the offeree (the one who may accept the offer)

The acceptance is any statement or act that is specifically intended to immediately accept the terms of the offeror's offer, and likewise bind the offeree to the offeror.

Mutuality of Assent is the idea that each party reasonably (i.e. an objectively reasonable person would agree) intended to bind themselves to the agreement.

Last is the linchpin of American contract theory: Consideration. This is arguably the most important element of a contract. Put very simply, consideration is required by both the offeror and the offeree. It is the value that each party gives up, in order to engage in the agreement. Historically, two consideration theories have developed: (1) the benefit-detriment theory, and (2) the bargain theory. Under the former, consideration is present where there is either a benefit conferred on the promisor, or a detriment suffered by the promisee based on their reliance of the agreement. For an example of how this would play out, lets say that Adam needs a loan so he asks Brian to loan him $100. Brian tells Adam that he will loan him $100, and give him the money that night, if Adam will pay him $110 within one week, and Adam agrees. Brian never pays Adam. Is there a contract? Assuming that there was a valid offer, acceptance, and mutuality, then under the benefit-detriment theory, there is also consideration and therefore an enforceable contract.

Why? This example highlights the key aspect of the benefit-detriment theory, notably the idea that there only need be either a benefit conferred to the promisor, or a detriment to the promisee. Here, We can assume that Brian was in dire straights if he needed $100 now. We may also assume that when Adam told Brian that he would lend him the money Brian thereupon relied on Adam's promise. In this case, reliance most likely meant that Brian stopped looking for a loan from alternative sources when he agreed with Adam. Therefore, since Brian lost the opportunity to pursue other loan options because he had relied to his detriment on Adam's promise, there is an enforceable contract.

For its relative simplicity, the benefit-detriment theory does have a drawback, as was illustrated in the prior example. Notably, the theory does not easily comport with the other three requirements of a contract, each of which require more mutuality of agreement between the parties. Here, if a benefit-detriment approach is taken, all that is needed to form the consideration for the contract is either a benefit to the promisor or a detriment to the promisee, not both. For this reason, at the turn of the century, courts began to develop an alternative consideration theory that comports with the themes of mutuality: the bargain theory.

The bargain theory has come to dominate American contracts law. In essence, consideration is viewed as a bargain. And what is required to meet this threshold requirement is simply an exchange of promises between the promisor and the promisee. Thus, courts will find an enforceable contract where each party to the contract has demonstrated that they have given up something in exchange for the promise of the other party. The "something" need not be tangible. To see how this plays out, here is another example: Adam's uncle, Brian doesn't like his nephew's life choices. Adam gambles, smokes, does drugs, and boozes wayyyy too hard. Brian wants to change his nephew's behavior so he tells Adam that he will pay him $1,000 to refrain from these vices for six months. Adam stops gambling, smoking, doing drugs, and limits his booze intake. Six months go by and Adam is clean. Before he can collect his money, his uncle Brian dies. Can he enforce the agreement and get the $1,000? Here, under the bargain theory, there is a contract.

First, Adam gave his promise to Brian not to engage in the activities and in support of that promise, he forewent participating in those activities which he would have. Thus, he gave up something in exchange for Brian's promise. On the other side of the equasion, Brian gave up $1,000 in exchange for the knowledge that his nephew had changed his life. Therefore since each gave up something, in exchange for the other's promise, there is a consideration.

II. Application to a night at the 9-0

You've been partying at the frat for 3 hours now, probably downed close to 15 beers and at least 4 random shots of whatever was in Kellen's freezer. Now (12:30 am) its time to go to 90 to find a date for your Vegas invite. You go inside and hit the bar when you see a potential babe in the torn up booth by the smoker's corner. You start talking and next thing you know you pop the question re vegas, and she is in. You are a 5 year senior and she is a junior, so right away you know that she is versed in the greek system and is accoustomed to these types of social occasions. The next week, when you get on the bus and start partying, things aren't going so hot and it seems like you may have blown it by asking a girl who is not down to fulfill her vegas weekend obligations (i.e. get you laid). Well, you're past Barstow and too drunk to drive back to get another chick... what do you do?

Answer: enforce the contract.

Politely, pull her aside and inform her that the two of you have an enforceable contract for the weekend, which includes those certain weekend obligations discussed in the preceeding paragraph. If she balks, simply run through the elements and apply the bargain theory:

(1) Offer - Valid offer, sufficiently detailed and intended to induce an immediate acceptance to enter into an agreement.
(2) Acceptance - Valid acceptance, narrowly tailored to the offer, and intended to bind the offeree to the offeror's offer.
(3) Mutual Assent - You inform her that any reasonable greek junior on the row would know exactly what the terms of a vegas invite entail, likewise, any reasonable greek 5 year would also understand the terms, therefore this element is met.
(4) Consideration - Under the bargain theory, you inform her that there has been a mutual exchange of promises. You have promised to take her to the invite. In exchange, you gave up opportunities to take other women and have also made significant expenditures in reliance of that promise. Thus, in return for the hotel, bar tabs, and general good time that she is receiving, she has given the promise to faithfully execute the terms of the contract on her end.

Therefore, there is a contract between the parties and she is bound to the terms.

However, this may be difficult to explain on a bus with 80 dudes and babez in the middle of the desert, so I would also reccomend foregoing legal aid and focusing on self-help (i.e. - instruct both of you to step up the drinking until you get along).

Chairseo

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Top 5 Places to Drink a Beer in the Southbay

The epic November weather continues this week and with a little luck, we'll be able to keep trunking it for those high noon porto sessions this weekend. The hot weather reminded me of how much I really enjoy tossing back a cold one with the bros and the babeage. So, taking a page from BC's playbook, here are my 5 favorite places to drink a beer in the Southbay, complete with the manner of the conspicuous consumption that I enjoy (in ascending order):

5.) 15th and Manhattan Ave. (KK's + DS's Apt.)

Type of Beer: Bud Light
How Consumed: Shotgun

Like a precision machine, KK can make a beer "shotgunnable" faster and more accurately, with little to no overflow, better than anyone in the business. Like a true friend, she never shys away from this gift and insists on sharing it with everyone within eye and earshot. One of my favorite memories of the summer was the simple joy that accompanies 20 or so bros and babes simultaniously shotgunning beers while awkwardly grinding to T-Pain's solo in "I'm on a boat."

4.) House of Lords/Sun & Moon

Type of Beer: C- or Asahi
How Consumed: Beerbong

Whenever you wanted to make sure you didn't remember the night, all you had to do was drop by the House of Lords, or Sun & Moon... hit the respective beer bongs, then resign yourself to puking under a table at Shells. The beerbong makes dreams come true, and just as the Japanese had a stiff no-foreigner policy up through the 19th century, Hiro had strictly enforced his "no foreign beerbongs" policy. However, since there are no rules on Six-Man weekend, we were able to bring the WFTW Beerbong from the HOL to Sun & Moon and rejoyce in binge drinking in a public forum.

3.) Shellbacks

Type of Beer: Bud Light/Shellbacks Lager
How Consumed: Survivor Flip Cup

Self-Explanitory.

2.) The Poopdeck

Type of Beer:
Budweiser (the only beer they serve)
How Consumed: Flip Cup/6 ounce glasses

This place just has too many stories. Every time we go can be considered the "sweetest poop deck experience." From the stray dogs and the pigeons living in the pool table - to the ex-cons and leathery babeage of the late 70s... this place is pretty special. The one thing I want to do here is play Thumper (for those new to the blog - this is the only drinking game that the Pool Deck allows to be played inside). Bring: American dollars (bar is cash only), your own red cups, and 30 of your closest friends - all in some themed costume.

1.) On the Beach

Type of Beer:
Whatever is in the cooler
How Consumed: Shared consumption with the team after losing a hard-fought ACE point

The strictly enforced "high-tolerance" booze ban on the beach has been one of the most successful public policy decisions since the New Deal. One secondary effect has been a surge in ACE proficiency across the beach. Honestly, nothing got me more fired up for a weekend than getting that email, sometimes as early as 9 am on a friday with the simple yet effective title: "ACE?" Even though I was expecting it, once I actually got the email, it was impossible to stay on task for the rest of the day... might as well check out for the afternoon and find new routes to leave the office/school early.

While Friday ACE in the SB may be in hibernation for a few weeks, if we've learned anything - its that this will fly by and before we know it we'll be sitting at our desks on a Friday when that glorious invitation will appear again just as suddenly as when it departed.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Sharks in the lineup

I really hate wearing a wetsuit.

Its been months since I've had to don the fullsuit and Tuesday morning was a rude awakening.

Looking to catch the tail of the most recent NW swell, I woke up on Tuesday to a rude awakening. (1) it was cold as shit outside, (2) there was a solid eastern offshore breeze (good for waves, bad bc its cold), and (3) I realized that I couldn't make it out in trunks and would have to suit up.

It may seem obvious, but after months of jumping right in the water with nothing but trunks, a wetsuit seriously affects several aspects of your in-water experience. The biggest is constriction. Not only do you sacrifice mobility, but the suit is intentionally tight which has the ill-intended affect of constricting your chest, making it marginally more difficult to breathe. While this isn't a "danger," when you get in a hairy situation, it's effect becomes exponential.

So, after suiting up I grabbed my board and crushed down to the beach. From my place the waves looked solid and the sets were lining up nicely with enough of a break in the waves where paddling out would be a little workout but wouldn't be an impossibility with a 10 foot log and no leash.

First lesson: Its always bigger and colder than it looks.

After getting in the water, the drop really became apparent... yeah it was 8 am, but still the water felt like ice. I started paddling out and I was getting pounded, there seemed to be no lull or shoulder to paddle to, in the endless closeouts, all I could do was keep paddling forward. Then I took a little break when suddenly a rogue wave broke early and I got drilled, losing my board.

So there I was a good 40-50 yards from shore with no board, right in the middle of the soup. I was in quite a fix because I was already a little winded from the paddle out, and now found myself caught inside of a seemingly endless swell.

This is where I wasn't prepared. The wetsuit not only made my breathing more labored, but constricted my strokes and was adding a few pounds to me. In that paddle back to the beach, I had a couple "oh shit" moments but thankfully I was able to stay relatively calm and in between getting pounded, was able to make the swim back to the shallows.

After that I made a decision to ease myself back into larger swells in the "wetsuit season" (aka now until march) and really get my paddle strength up.

So I guess after my ill-fated sesh on Tuesday I had to make it up on the weekend. The weather was gorgeous and for being October 31 and November 1st, it was one of those weekends where no one would think of going to the beach unless you lived there, simply because the beach is never 80 degrees with light breezes this late into the year.

After working up a sweat with BC, (nd on sunday with BC and BT), we crushed porto for the last trunkin-it sesh of the year. I'm not sure if the cooler waters brought more wildlife out, but the water in porto was uncharacteristically clear and uncharacteristically packed with schools of fish over the weekend. So much so, that on both days, we had several predator sightings, including one 4.5 foot (likely nurse) shark. It was pretty wild, and kinda crazy to be on a wave and look down and see between 12-18 little sharks swimming around.


Nurse Shark

These things are pretty harmless, and if anything are a sign of an active ecosystem.

Looking forward to more weekend seshes as the bros gear up and get wetsuits for the winter,

-Chairseo

PS - Great to see that there is a spike in the readership.

PSS - stay tuned for a recap from OB's ... sweet bar