When I found out who the top five contestant were in the 2007 Miss Universe pageant, which were USA, Venezuela (the sacred cow), Brazil, Korea and Japan, I told my mom, "I'm calling for Japan to win for the people who believe in moe, the otaku, Tokyo, Osaka, the anime and manga aficionados of this world..." and when I found out who won, which was Japan, I told her, "The cream puffs are mine." I made a friendly wager with her. It was between her and Brazil. If BRazil won, I would leave them alone. The cream puffs, that is.
By the way, her name is Riyo Mori, and she's a ballet dancer, too. She's 20 (as of this post), 5-8, and has all the aesthetics one can ask for at her age.
Oh, and the Anaheim Ducks won again. 3-2 over Ottawa in the Stanley Cup Finals Game 1. 1 down, 3 to go.
I'm going to need to review everything with my counselor about the plan tomorrow. I need some rest.
A good day
To My Friend Dario, I Drink To Thee.
Dario Franchitti won the Indianapolis 500 today, while Danica finished 8th. Somehow, Vitalic (a.k.a Pascal Arbez-Nicolas) is a fan of the driver, thanks to his hit "My Friend Dario" from the album OK Cowboy. I hereby request an Indy 500 mix of this song. The 2007 version, that is. It can be done. Someone just has to do it.
Of course, it won't be me, since I'm occupied with the Long Beach State basketball video. Speaking of the Beach, the baseball team rose back from the dead to take the conference series from Fullerton. At the same time, they will be hosting a Regional at Blair Field. Can't wait to see who they will face.
And the Angels and Dodgers won. It has to be a great day for the local baseball teams. And Wilson also marches on, while Lakewood fails volleyball. Lakewood Mayfair, that is.
I should point out that the reason Lakewood is a Sports Town is due to its three high schools. Lakewood, Mayfair, and Artesia. Yes, that Artesia that won the state crown in men's basketball. Artesia High is not located in the city of Artesia. They are located in Lakewood. This was the same Artesia team that put a rare dent in a disappointing season for the Lancers. The connotation is only proper. I call this the Triangle of Champions.
We're ba~~~~~ck...<3
20 more minutes...
The Detroit Red Wings are on the ropes, and have their backs to the wall. The Anaheim Ducks now lead 3-0 after two periods. What will Mike Babcock's guys do now? I think, if I was Randy Carlyle, I would go ahead and pour it on for insurance. However, weirder things have happened in sports, and being down 3-0 would not be a problem if you have 20 minutes to make up the breakdown.
So the Ducks aren't out of the woods yet. But this would be a huge collapse if they let Hockeytown back in this thing.
Just when things couldn't get any worse...
I have to announce a moment of silence for Lakewood High's baseball team. They went on the road to El Dorado...and lost. There go all my aspirations on getting to Dodger Stadium. Not sure if the softbal team met a similar fate against La Palma Kennedy, but I am counting on it.I bought a new patch for a letterman's jacket I want to purchase from the Bookstore. It won't be ready until next week, but I hope I can muster enough to buy that jacket. Then I have to pay 8-9 quid for the folks at D & D to sew it up on my right sleeve.
I am currently following the Anaheim Ducks. They are so far 1-0 up on Detroit in the Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. Hang in there. The 2nd period is starting as I am typing this up.
On the road to El Dorado, La Palma, and back again
Today, Lakewood’s baseball and softball teams hit the road. The ladies face what could be their execution at Kennedy High in La Palma, while the baseball team is on the road to El Dorado. High, that is. You would think I would cue that Elton John song? Ah, maybe not. Both teams are playing far out there, and I hope that both of them can pull it off.
El Dorado High school is located in Placentia, CA. Both of them are located in the northern part of Orange County. I can’t go OCTA, though, since I have to reserve a meeting with my counselor at the CBA to plan the next steps. I just hope I didn’t get non-passing grades this semester.
Oddly enough, Carah Faye Charnow was born a day after me, on August 3, 1984. Could you believe that?
Finals are over for me. I am now enjoying a nice layoff. I have yet to do that video compilation.
I am really looking forward to Anime Expo and the third summer session. No, really, I am. As well as women’s soccer and women’s volleyball.
Well that sucked.
In Affectionate Remembrance
of
WHICH DIED AT BLAIR FIELD
On 20th MAY, 2007
Deeply lamented by a large circle of alumni and boosters,
Elvis Joe Ballsinger a.k.a. “The Huckster,”
Dr. Dan Barber, The class of 2007,
Their parents, and one Super Fan.
R.I.P.
N.B. The body will be cremated and the ashes
Taken to the
“…And we’ll see you at the Shield.”
What an eventful day in sports. I’ll save the local team for later, although, I can’t have anything nice to say about one of them.
First off, how about Pacific and Cal State Fullerton in softball! They knocked off a few team in the tournament, and Fullerton even edged poor Virginia Tech to eliminate them. Unfortunately, UC Santa Barbara was eliminated by LMU, which, I suppose, justifies their victory over my ladies earlier.
Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea. Jose Mourinho may have saved his job, and the G’s might see him in the World Series of Football. They defeated Manchester United, 1-0, winning the FA Cup. Those two teams will be in action next year in the Community Shield contest.
The Angels are on fire. They are demolishing the Dodgers at Angel Stadium in the Freeway Series. Of course, Seattle is having no problems with San Diego, so the Mariners are keeping pace.
For the 29th straight year, there will be no Triple Crown winner, and fro the 29th straight year, the Breeders’ Cup Classic will determine Horse of The Year. (Unless I’m mistaken…) Robby Alvarado and Curlin edged Street Sense to win the Preakness. At least Street Sense didn’t founder, which is perhaps a bigger victory.
How about those Senators…Ottawa is heading to the Stanley Cup Finals, with Daniel Alfredsson launching the winning goal, as they defeated Buffalo, 3-2, to win 4 games to 1. Enjoy that President’s Trophy…Buffalo…it’s the only silverware you will have.
Kevin Harvick wins the Nextel All-Star Challenge. Tomorrow is the Indy 500. The former is boring. The latter…well, this can’t be boring. Honestly. Cornell escapes Albany in the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Quarterfinals, and one of the Great Danes snaps his stick in frustration. That’s sport for you.
While Toronto FC is humbled by DC United on a penalty kick, the Vancouver Whitecaps are rolling along in USL Division 1, defeating the California Victory, 3-1. Oddly enough, those Caps will be facing the Rochester Raging Rhinos tomorrow. Two victories in as many days? Oh boy…I hope Bob Lilly rested his big guys for tomorrow.
Belmont Shore defeated the Dallas Harlequins, 20-10, in Super League rugby action, and face Golden Gate next. Good luck, guys...
Finally, those Dirtbags choke once again. UC Riverside played a very good game. Maybe even too good. It makes me wonder if this is actually a college team, and not professional posers. A 2-1 victory puts them ahead of the Beach, and they win the series. Will there be any hope now for Mike Weathers’ crew? Stay tuned…
Advice well taken
I listened to a recent edition of Dave’s Soccer Podcast on ESPN 710, and was thrilled to have one of my messages read online to the world. While I was a bit bummed that Mr. Denholm was strongly against the idea of making a great source of PR with it (Logos, advertising, etc., etc.), I realized he’s a humble guy, and doesn’t need too much exposure. After all, this is it’s first year on the air, so it can’t be made too much of a deal yet.
I was very pleased, though, when Mr. Denholm agreed of bring more high profile guests to the show. Well, Dave, it’s really a no-brainer. See, in order to have a good podcast become a great one that will see the download rates rise, you gotta have some famous faces have a chat. You gotta have former MLS player currently playing in Europe and vice versa, as well as in Asia, Africa, and Oceania, and having some head coaches of team touring the U.S. wouldn’t hurt. You can get their thoughts on the state of football here in the States, and what they can learn from what we do. Jose Mourinho (who Chelsea side will be touring later), Abel Xavier (newly acquired Portuguese international from Middleborough) and David Beckham should be made guests. From these interviews you can segue to the recaps, and even have the guests chime in, just to get more water-cooler talks flowing like rivers.
And this will be critical to the success of the podcast, because with quality come some awesome windfall. This has the potential to set the standard when it comes to covering soccer podcast-style in the U.S., and the list of guests that can be on here...potential, potential, potential.
With that said, god bless you Dave Denholm, and good luck. Make a success of it.
Speaking of success…what is going on with Toronto FC!? Last time I checked, Danny Dichio, the son of Italian immigrants from Hammersmith, London, turned down a contract to play for Brighton and Hove Albion, and scored the first goal in Toronto FC history, sending the seat cushion Frisbees onto the FieldTurf pitch. Along with Edson Buddle, Kevin Goldthwaite and Maurice Edu, the TFC stomps Chicago Firer 3-1. And now, after the club management gave the fans a warning, they listened, and watched Andy Welsh via Ronnie O’Brien score the only goal in the midwekk match with Houston Dynamo, winning 1-0 in the pouringrain. This is the defending MLS Cup Champs, and they lost to an expansion team. The parity of play could not be any more apparent. This will not bode well for current bottom –feeders DC United, a team built on success. They visit the now-unfriendly confined of BMO Field Saturday.
Ryan Kobane of the Union, the guy who interviewed me for this week’s edition of the Union (the last of the semester and year), is Red Wings fan. I’m an Anaheim Ducks fan. Maybe I should have had second thoughts. Aw, just thinking about it is making me sick.
Finally, the Dirtbags have a chance to make a case for the conference title, and host a Regional, as they host UC Riverside. I hope they sweep. Just because. It will take a little steam off the final regular season series with Fullerton (thought I hope they sweep them too at Goodwin). Make it a habit of winning when it matters most, Mike Weathers. You have not excuse not to kick the habit.
Also, the Lakewood Lancer baseball and softball teams go on their postseason journeys. I hope Spud’s boys get to Dodger Stadium. I haven’t been to Chavez Ravine since an exhibition against the Angels years ago. I yearn to go back there to watch 5 games for the price of 8 dollars (or is it 9)? But they have to make to the final first. And just for good measure, I hope they face Wilson. You heard it here first.
Bedlam indeed!
I sometimes don't understand why my mom would be fussed up over an oven she bought. The things was sitting, unused for four days. I decided to give it a try. So, I heated up a slice of apple pie. It turned out great, all nice and warm. Unfortunately, my mom did not approve of such a move, and so an argument ensued.
Eventually, after my mom tried to get the oven ready to have it sent back, I did it, while leaving the spare oven outside. It did not come without some scathing remarks about such an irrational decision to make the new oven turn into a white elephant, going so far as to lose the will to live and threaten me with a knife from the kitchen. And I just helped her to create a letter requesting a move. She ripped it apart, thus preventing her from going anywhere, and making a change.
With all these bad moves by my mom, I wonder if the future of this family will look bleak. Mothers all over the world: I advise you, NEVER, ever, try to get your point out with a weapon. By doing so, you are volunteering to not seek and receive salvation of any kind.
"One who ends another person's life has also ended his or her own." -Anonymous
Trouble in Paradise, thy name is Catalina.
While I was enjoying my Anime Club meeting, I found out today that people were sleeping in Cabrillo High School's gym. Santa Catalina Island suffered one of its biggest fires in nearly a century. May has not been a friendly month to Southern California, not when a large heat wave triggered bush fires of all shapes and sizes this week.
I feel for those folks. And all my hopes of going to Catalina Island one days...turned into dust like that. Hell on Earth.
Anime Club last meeting, Spring 2007
In between assignments and cramming for Finals, I am taking a pause from the hustle and bustle with the last Anime Club meeting of the 2007 Spring semester. I am currently watching some Lobelia Girls Academy cosplayers, along with a few avid supporters of Benibara from Ouran High Host Club, chatting amongst themselves.
DJ of E, a.k.a. Eric Le Du, the web admin of the Anime Club BBS, won’t be walking for another four semesters. So he’s going to be here for a while. Five members of the club will be walking this semester, so they will be sent off today in grand fashion with a hearty “Omedetou!” That is to say, “Congratulations!” Not sure if the President, Mora Math, and the Vice-President, Diem “Midori Kou” Pham, will be leaving this semester. I think Carlos Castillo, my buddy in IS 340 and known as “Tsugaru,” will be an officer next year. I am still stumped at that Oracle assignment.
The table is loaded, with pizza, chips, pocky of all sizes, desserts, and the comfort refreshments. I brought some water. After a hearty dinner and some conversation, a round of Anime Jeopardy commenced, with Carlos Castillo as the host. I remember playing a game similar to this in a Human Sexuality class in Winter 2006. One team, the orange team, has the Lobelia girls in it. I was on the pink team, and answered a few questions correctly. Next.
(By the way, our team finished third out of four.)
Sure enough, Carlos was chosen as Editor-In-Chief of the Anime Club, with DJ as the new president, and Roy Pitts, a guy I befriended last semester, was the Officer of External Affairs. In short, he’s the Media Relations guy.
As for me, I knew that I would get my cords, just not until next year, assuming I have no problems with my remaining courses.
Spector must die.
For a famous music producer, writer, et al to murder a famous actress born in my city, that cannot be forgiven. The Phil Spector murder trial is going on. I say that once he is proven guilty, I think the prosecutors should seek the death penalty. To martyr a person from this sacred city of mine called Long Beach is one of the worst sins an old geezer can commit..
I wonder about our softball team. If they should sweep UC Santa Barbara, will they be chosen as an at-large selection for the Regionals? I leave it to the committee to decide.
Our local baseball teams are on fire. Start with the Dirtbags. Yesterday, they polished off the Dizeks of Tony Gwynn State University, 6-3. Next up is the Gauchos, and I don't like the home team's chances in this series. Note that when I refer to "home team" in the previous sentence, I do not mean my home team.
And what about those Lancers. They are going to share the Moore League title with Wilson very soon. It's just a matter of winning the rest of the games leading into playoffs.
So Nicholas Sarkozy is going to be the next head Frenchie in charge. Good luck, Nico. May La Marseillaise be on your head.
Can our track team hold off an Irvine advance in the late Black and Blue push? And how will the tennis team fare at Fresneck? Stay tuned...
One final note: The Galaxy are returning to the US Open Cup proper. They dispatched of Red Bull New York 3-1 in extra time. Cobi could have done without the red card, but it's a good thing Landon Donovan, Kyle Martino, and Santino Quaranta were picking up the pieces. Juan Pablo Angel will come to no Christian end when we face then next time in MLS play. That guy was lucky enough to deny Steve "Crow-man" Cronin a clean sheet. Should have started him all game.
UEFA, May, and plans
Well, there goes my hope of Manchester United roughing up Chelsea and Liverpool. AC Milan is roughing Fergie's boys, 2-0. The FA Cup match can go to hell in a hurry.
May is a watershed month for me. Finals, projects due, and a bevy of headaches on the way.
Plans...I've got some plans on tap. I have to meet with my Anime Expo Colleagues on the 6th in Huntington Beach. And then after my classes, I have a brief layoff before AX and the Summer sessions, followed by (what I hope is) the last semester of my bachelor's courses.
Elections, Oracle, and UEFA
While I am savoring the Galaxy finding their winning touch, and rueing Long Beach City’s futility in men’s volleyball (those schmucks played like high school rejects the last game…I won’t trust them anymore), I am counting down the time until the placing my ballot for the city elections. I’m going to be there when the polls open, so I can be among the first to vote, and then I’m hightailing for the Nugget to greet the tennis team on their heroics.
I get the feeling they are rolling off to one of the regionals in the Rockies. If it’s USC or UCLA again, they will get reamed. I found out they are facing Pepperdine in the first round, with the winner to face either Army or Fresno State, a team we lost previously. Ouch. We are getting reamed.
I have to mourn the loss of GreenArcher.net. This is the fan web site of De La Salle University’s Green Archers sports teams. Actually, the site is nothing more than a tribute page. De La Salle is one of the strongest teams in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the Philippine equivalent of the NCAA Division I here. (Actually, there is an actual NCAA in the Philippines, but that league is inferior compared to the UAAP teams.) Godspeed to the webmasters of the site; they put in their best effort for 7 years.
I was able to create football teams on NCAA Football 07 based on the colors of the UAAP schools. Naturally, due to Santo Tomas ’dominance on the seniors’ side, I made their team the strongest.
I checked the Press-Telegram to see the results of the election that I voted in, and I found out that all but two of the propositions passed. Meanwhile, Dee Andrews posted a big upset in City Council District 6. I wonder if he’s the same Dee Andrews that brought LBCC a national crown in football in 1960.
It’s declared: Jose Mourinho will be out as Chelsea boss (barring a miracle). The Blues dropped another big match against the Scousers from Liverpool on penalties. I so hope Manchester United kills both of them (but they have to topple AC Milan first).
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