Playboy Mansion … CHECK

"A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds"

-Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

"Knowing the right people helps too."

-Me (1978-)

Before I begin, I have to thank Miguel Lopez for getting me a credential to go to the Strikeforce MMA fight at the Playboy Mansion. I know I would not have been able to get in otherwise.

Many that read this are in the newspaper business. And I know that it sucks being in the business right now. However, I was taught you could find stories that could take you places you wouldn't ordinarily get into. Well, I didn't cover this event, but I wrote about it online in a work blog.

Ah, a trip to the Playboy Mansion. It sounds like a fantasy. Well on this Saturday, it was a reality.

Now there is no parking at the Playboy Mansion, so Miguel and I had to park at UCLA and take a shuttle over. Driving up to the mansion was scenic, but you knew you were there when you saw a sign that said "Playmates at play."

Awesome!

However, it's not as hedonistic as the sign would lead you to believe. People are dressed at all times; well at least for this fight they were. By the way, people paid $1,000 for a ticket to this event, so Miguel and I saved $2,000.

The best way I could describe most of the women who came to this fight is what a former columnist at my old paper said when he covered a boxing match at the Playboy Mansion – championship abundance. Honestly, some of it was sad because its all these women had.

Miguel and I had time to walk around the grounds before the fights were set to begin. We went into the world famous grotto and that was nice and relaxing, if you like steamed rooms. After that, we walked to the mini bird zoo. I say mini because I had to duck down a lot. Apparently, Hugh Hefner is 5-5. I'd never seen some of the birds in there. I hardly took any pictures because I would have needed a flash and some of these birds looked pissed.

I also said hi to one of my heroes from my hero list on myspace, Bas Rutten. I highly recommend watching that video.

There was no entry into the house, so don't ask.

The reason why we were there, the MMA fights, was nothing special. They have some good talent at Strikeforce, but still have a way to go before catching the UFC.

I did see two members from the cast of "My Name is Earl" sitting behind me: Jamie Pressly and Ethan Suplee. From what I saw, they were nice people. Anyone who wanted a picture with them, they posed with. They weren't upset when someone didn't know how to work a camera.

I took more photos after the fight, but Miguel and I had seen enough. The only sober people left were the reporters and it was getting stupid. Besides, Hef had already turned in before the fights had ended. He must have had more pressing business.

I have family and friends that travel the world to experience places and people. I hardly travel so I have to make do with where I am. And to be honest, I'm almost done with experiencing everything Southern California has to offer after tonight.