And life goes on...

On the day before football season will start in the Mission Conference, I find out that I am not given a press pass for all the games this year. I am saddened by this, but the fact that I didn't hear from JC Football Network regarding its closure made it an endgame. There wasn't anything I can do in that situation. This blog, simply called Mission Conference Mayhem was home to two years of highlighting the conference, and providing wrap-ups of the games, previewing the teams, and it was fun while it lasted.

But I know that good things don't last forever, and when I received that e-mail, there wasn't anything I could do. Again, it was a successful run, and I enjoyed every post and my first forays into sports journalism.

On September 11, I am removing that blog. The video that I made originally for YouTube will remain as the only memory of the Mayhem, and you can see it on my account (user name: hachibeach151). I am in the process of removing the satellite blog on TagWorld as this is being posted on BoBA.

Things are changing here, but I am looking at this on the bright side. This will allow me to watch the volleyball games and rugby matches at Long Beach State when I otherwise could not do it. I will focus on that, and finishing my coursework, this semester.

You can check Mission Conference Mayhem (while you still can) at missionjoe.blogspot.com.

I just had a gut feeling...

Today, the Dodgers and Angels won. Usually when that happens, the Long Beach Armada will lose. And they did. I didn’t know what the score was, but I don’t even want to know. One more victory, and the Chico Outlaws will get the title...and I expect Darrell Evans to be fired as manager, as soon as it can be done

This is the type of slump that teams with losing records in the majors would shake their heads at.

Actually, there will be two coaches that will be gone. Los Angeles Galaxy manager Frank Yallop will be sacked very soon. It’s only a matter of when it will be official. The Galaxy lost in the SuperLiga final to Pachuca, 4-3 on penalties. Coupled with the LA Riptide falling to Philadelphia (god, I hate that city now) in the MLL Championship Game, it’s been a living hell for Los Angeles this week, save for the Halos.

Meanwhile, as the college football season starts, the United States and Argentina will meet in the final round of pool play. Up to this point, the USA have been crushing their opponents, but they could (finally) face a stiff challenge from Argentina. They may not have Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto, or Andres Nocioni, but the fact that they are also undefeated up to this point (rallying against Brazil) means that unless they do the predicatable the past several games and roll over, the USA will finally get to measure itself. Argentina won the gold medal in men’s basketball at Athens in 2004. Three more wins for Coach K’s crew, and the wheels are set for the mythical Dream Team IV.

On Saturday, a day after watching the convocation on campus, I will go ahead and get ready to renew my coverage of the Mission Football Conference. There are five teams I have yet to preview, so I am going to work around the clock to get that done.

I feel like singing a song right now. This is one I made up out of pure closed-space boredom.

Bright lights city gonna set the nets,

gonna set the nets of fire.

There’s a couple of Beijing 08’ berths on the line

to keep the stakes up high.

There’s thousands of spectators waiting out there.

And they’re all watching, the bookie may care.

And I’m just a bookie with money to spare, so

FIBA Las Vegas. FIBA Las Vegas.

Now I wish that there were more

than forty minutes in a game,

but even if there were another four and four,

I wouldn’t hang my head in shame.

There’s Deron, Anthony, Chandler, and Kidd on the wheel.

Howard, Amare, Prince and Redd keeping it real.

Miller and Chauncey Billups making blocks, boards and steals.

FIBA Las Vegas. FIBA Las Vegas.

FIBA Las Vegas, with your qualification

and the entire nation watching

all those jumpers getting drained.

FIBA Las Vegas, Kobe bringing the Showtime,

King James bringing it on primetime.

If they win it once, they’re going to win again and again.

I’m gonna go on a run, I’m gonna have me some fun

even if it costs me some NBA dimes.

And when I get that gold medal, then I’ll always remember

that I had a swing of a time.

I’m gonna give it everything I got.

Coach Krzyzewski, please, let my dunks stay hot.

3-pointers and free throws made on every shot. Swish!

FIBA Las Vegas,

FIBA Las Vegas,

FIBA Las Vegas,

FIBA, FIBA, Las Vegas!

Yeah!

Saimoe 2007 First Round: Group D

Saimoe 2007 First Round: Group D

We are halfway past the first round. Here are the results from Group D.

Round D1-

Arika Yumemiya-Mai Otome Zwei 250

Yumi Fukuzawa-Maria-sama ga Miteru 351

Yuno -Hidamari Sketch 765

Winner-Yuno

Round D2-

Noriko Nijou-Maria-sama ga Miteru 331

Miu Matsuoka -Ichigo Mashimaro 596

Niina Isokawa-Tonagura! 203

Winner-Miu Matsuoka

Round D3-

Aiko-Renkin 3-kyū Majikaru ? Pokān 424

Barasuishou-Rozen Maiden 814

Carim Gracia-Nanoha Strikers 702

Winner-Barasuishou

Round D-4-

Akiko Minase-Kanon 694

Haruhi Kamisaka-Happiness 228

Yoshinoya -Hidamari Sketch 539

Winner: Akiko Minase

Round D5-

Hayate Yagami -Nanoha Strikers 908

Reiri Kamura-Princess Resurrection 202

Tamaki Kousaka -To Heart2 408

Winner-Hayate Yagami

Now, all Nanohaholics need is Fate to advance...

Round D6-

Tsukasa Kasuga-Tokimeki Memorial Only Love 196

Kaori Misaka -Kanon 551

Kotono Hayama -Saint October 496

Winner-Kaori Misaka

Round D7-

Nagisa Aoi- Strawberry Panic 639

Shiori Misaka -Kanon 986

Matsuri Hiiragi-Lucky Star 549

Winner-Shiori Misaka

The Misaka sisters go through...

Round D8-

Sayo Aisaka-Negima 301

Iroha Miyamoto -Sumomo mo Momo mo ~Chijō Saikyō no Yome~ 327

Rena Ryuuguu -Higurashi no Naku Koro ni 992

Winner: Rena Ryuuguu

You can’t keep a kick-ass yanderekko down...

Round D9-

Haruhi Fujioka -Ouran High School Host Club 430

Yue Ayase -Negima!? 577

Ai Enma- Jigoku Shōjo 449

Winner-Yue Ayase

Round D10-

Mugi Asai -Hitohira 533

Yin -Darker than Black 425

Kirari Tsukishima-Kirarin Revolution 323

Winner-Mugi Asai

Round D11-

Maria -Hayate no Gotoku 1161

Akira E. Ferrari-Aria the Natural 153

Kagami Hiiragi-Lucky Star 1356

Winner-Kagami Hiiragi

Biggest turnout of the rounds in group D.

Round D12-

Ama Shigure- Shuffle Memories 361

Makoto Kikuchi-iDOLM@STER: XENOGLOSSIA 218

Hiro-Hidamari Sketch 710

Winner: Hiro

Hidamari heavyweights rolling so far.

Saimoe 2007 First Round: Group C

Saimoe 2007 First Round: Group C

And we roll on. BoBA continues the Saimoe 2007 coverage with a look at the first round in Group C. Hidamari Sketch is showing to be the surprise of the tournament so far.

Set C1-

Suzu - Nagasarete Airantou 669

Sasara Kusugawa-ToHeart2 OVA 418

Aaeru-Simoun 280

Winner-Suzu

Set C2-

Subaru Nakajima -Nanoha Strikers 797

Touko Matsudaira-Maria-sama ga Miteru 321

Lunar Edomae -Seto no Hanayome 997

Winner-Lunar Edomae

Set C3-

Jun Watarase -Happiness 443

Kagome Byakudan- Strawberry Panic

Hinagiku Katsura -Hayate no Gotoku 1103

Winner-Hinagiku Katsura

Most lopsided victory in the bracket.

Set C4-

Chika Ito -Ichigo Mashimaro 629

Nobue Ito -Ichigo Mashimaro 177

Tokiko Tsumura-Buso Renkin 551

Winner-Chika Ito

Set C5-

Vivio -Nanoha Strikers 731

Cecile Croomy-Code Geass 346

Asu Yamada-Binbō Shimai Monogatari 360

Winner-Vivio

Set C6-

Mayuko Kamikawa-Sola 170

Nanoha Takamachi- Nanoha Strikers 960

Yutaka Kobayakawa-Lucky Star 952

Winner- Nanoha Takamachi.

The White Devil still has it. Closest margin so far: 8 votes.

Set C7-

Uma-3-kyū Majikaru ? Pokān 297

Caro Ru Lushe-Nanoha Strikers 884

Primula-Shuffle! Memories 531

Winner-Caro Ru Lushe

Set C8-

Shario Finieno(Shari)-Nanoha Strikers 217

Miyako -Hidamari Sketch 773

Makoto Sawatari(The Mikuru-like one)-Kanon 398

Winner Miyako

Set C9-

Hina-Ichigo -Rozen Maiden 523

Makoto Sawatari(The “auuuu” one)-Kanon 625

Kazumi Yoshida -Shakugan no Shana 404

Winner-Makoto wins

Set C10-

Misa Amane-Death Note 416

Clare-CLAYMORE 488

Ai -ARIA The NATURAL 676

Winner- Ai

Set C11-

Vita-Nanoha Strikers 783

Aono Morimiya -Sola 600

Ana Coppola -Ichigo Mashimaro 511

Winner-Vita.

Not aging and staying loli-licous has its benefits, it seems.

Set C12-

Matsuri Shihō -Sola 692

Akazukin -Otogi-Jūshi Akazukin 525

Feena Fam Earthlight -Yoake Mae yori Ruri Iro na -Crescent Love- 255

Winner - Matsuri Shihō

Saimoe 2007 First Round: Group B BoBA continues the Saimoe 2007 coverage with a look at the first round in Group B. Saimoe 2007 First Round: Group B

Saimoe 2007 First Round: Group B

BoBA continues the Saimoe 2007 coverage with a look at the first round in Group B.

Set B-1

Nadie-El Cazador De La Bruja 310

Natsumi Kreuger-Mai Otome Zwei 237

Isumi Saginomiya-Hayate 974

Shizuru Viola- Mai Otome Zwei 137

Winner-Isumi Saginomiya

Set B2-

Ayaka Yukihiro-Negima 488

Yui Narumi-Lucky Star 545

Mariya Mikado-Otome no Boku ni…458

Winner-Yui Narumi

Set B3-

Nerine-Shuffle Memories 402

Karen Ichijou-School Rumble 392

Siesta-Zero no Tsukaima 749

W inner-Siesta

Set B4-

Sakura -Hayate no Gotoku 560

Nayuki Minase- Kanon 852

Karura-Utawarerumono 254

Winner-Nayuki Minase

Set B5-

Konata Izumi-Lucky Star 982

Euphemia Li Brittannia-Code Geass 460

Tabitha-Zero no Tsukaima 333

Winner- Konata Izumi.

Biggest blowout in this group.

Set B6-

Juliet Nao Zhang- Mai Otome Zwei 235

Ellis- EL Cazador De La Bruja 568

Rin- -Nagasarete Airantou 545

Winner- Ellis

Set B7-

Kanata Izumi-Lucky Star 632

Konoka Konoe-Negima!? 805

Lucia Nahashi- Venus Versus Virus 250

Winner-Konoka Konoe

Set B8-

Mika “Mikan” Inamori- Manabi Straight 731

Kaede Nagase-Negima!? 445

Balalaika- Black Lagoon 329

Winner-Mika Inamori

Set B9-

Sae-Hidamari Sketch 656

Angel Mois- Keroro Gunsō 410

Yuuko-xxxholic 379

Winner-Sae wins

Set B10-

Mishio Amano-Kanon 363

Setsuna-Kyōshirō to Towa no Sora 325

C.C-Code Geass 850

Winner – CC

Huge blowout victory.

Set B11-

Chikaru Minamoto-Strawberry Panic 791

Chisame Hasegawa-Negima!? 477

Haruka Armitage- Mai Otome Zwei 208

Winner-Chikaru Minamoto

Set B12-

Maria Momoe–Ōkiku Furikabutte 447

Urutori–Utawarerumono 495

Fine-Fushigiboshi no Futagohime Gyu! 403

Winner-Urutori

Saimoe 2007 First Round: Group A

Saimoe 2007 First Round: Group A

Yes sirree, the Saimoe 2007 competition is out in full force. More than half of the groups have gone through the first round, and there have been upsets, expected blowouts, and surprises at every turn. BoBA looks at the Saimoe 2007 so far with recap of Group A first round.

Set A1- (8-08)

Yuzuha-Utawarerumono 174

Karen Minazuki(Cure Aqua)-Yes! PreCure 5 179

Shana(Shakugan no shana) 754

Evangeline AK Mcdowell(Negima) 754

Winner-Shana & Evangeline

Set A2-(8-09)

Wilhelmina Carmel-Shakugan No Shana 605

Karen Stadtfeld-Code Geass 704

Momoka Kawakabe-Touka Gettan 305

Winner-Karen

Set A3(8-10)

Anya (Negima) 686

Cosette(Les Miserables Shoujo Cosette) 227

Kanaria(Rozen Maiden) 741

Winner-Kanaria

Set A4-(8-11)

Tenma Tsukamoto-School Rumble 568

Segawa Izumi- Hayate no Gotoku 677

Yukiho Hagiwara–iDOLM@STER: XENOGLOSSIA 318

Winner-Segawa Izumi.

Set A5-(8-08)

Jasmine-Deltora Quest 427

Tomohane-Inukami 367

Lisianthus-Shuffle Memories! 586

Winner. Lisianthus

Set A6 -(8-09)

Konomi Yuzuhara -ToHeart 2 OVA 693

Shirley Fenette-Code Geass 582

Kaminagi Ryoko-Zegapain 309

Winner-Konomi Yuzuhara

Set A7- (8-10)

Miki Hanabishi-Hayate no Gotoku 744

Sei Satō-Maria-sama ga Miteru 514

Momoko Akatsutsumi(Blossom)-Powerpuff Girls Z 257

Winer – Miki Hanabishi

Set A-8-(8-11)

Yukari Hirai-Shakugan no Shana 614

Yukino-Nagasarete Airantou 508

Ai Haibara-Detective Conan 456

Winner- Yukari Hirai

Set A-9(8-08)

Kagura-Gintama 572

Nori Sakurada-Rozen Maiden 240

Tomoe Kashiwaba-Rozen Maiden 776

Winner-Tomoe Kawashiba

Set A-10(8-09)

Chiyo Tsukidate-Strawberry Panic 526

Tomari Kurusu-Kashimashi 569

Rōdoreamon-Simoun 260

Winner-Tomari Kurusu

Set A-11(8-10)

Mei Etoh–Gakuen Utopia Manabi Straight! 394

Yūko Amasawa-Denno Coil 216

Nagi Sanzenin-Hayate no Gotoku 1180

Winner-Nagi Sanzenin.

The largest point total this contest.

Set A-12(8-11)

Ayano Minegishi-Lucky Star 567

Ayako Takasu-Mamoru-kun ni Megami no Shukufuku wo! 406

Erstin Ho-Mai-Otome Zwei 522

Winner- Ayano Minegishi

One thing leads to another...

A string of bad stuff happened today, aside from Long Beach State making fools out of themselves against Stanford. First, faulty packaging at Costco lead to some grapefruit juice flowing out of a bog of grapefruit packages. Then, my mom got her finger stuck in the car door. Then, all of the local baseball teams sucked ass, Melbourne Victory wasted an opportunity by letting Wellington Phoenix (who are they?) draw even late in the A-League opener, and an egg fell out of the refrigerator as I opened it.

Some good things did happen. The USA defeated Canada in basketball, Tokyo Kitasuna Little League is still alive, and the LA Riptide are one win away from clinching a Major League Lacrosse championship.

Congratulations to Saga Kita High for winning Koshien. Enjoy being treated like celebrities, and watch for the harems, you youthful, athletic otaku of the future.

Ay, ay, ay.

Brian Gimmillaro. Face the music. And be honest.

Your ladies were not ready for San Diego. I don’t what excuses you have, they know they got their butts beat in a 3-0 sweep, the third game being a farce because they gave up.

I think we have to send out the men’s team the next time we face these maidens, because they deserve to get their comeuppance if we can give it to them.

Live and learn. If they don’t, the Stanford match on Saturday could be over in less than an hour…with minutes to spare. Prepare yourselves.

Aside from the futility, I am proud to say that once again, the Los Angeles Angels have found their winning form, while the Long Beach Armada’s chances of winning the Golden Baseball League title are thrown into oil…turmoil, that is. 4-3 loss, and we are on a losing streak.

Meanwhile, the Angels win, and the El Camino Warriors are picked to win the Mission Conference. Stay tuned for details in the Mayhem blog.

I will look back at the Summer Session II as one that had its ups and downs, but in the end, resulted in the stage being set for The Final Push. In Management 300, I received a B after solid results on three out of four exams (more on the fourth one in a bit), and perfect scored on the team presentation and my portfolio-the non-quiz portion, that is.

The down of that class were the final exam and the quiz portion of the portfolio. First, I’ll talk about the final. Oh man, was that a fast one pulled by my instructor. Let that be a lesson for him not to use the eBook for the final. It’s just an ass-faced way to lower the scores. I couldn’t even get half the questions right. An illiterate, malnourished 1^st-grader from Janjaweed-infested Darfur could get a better score on this one than me…it was THAT bad. 23 out of 50. Some poor, unfortunate, youthful souls would get shot or hanged for showing these results to their parents. That being said, I wasn’t expecting a high score on the quiz portion of the portfolio. 13 out of 20.

Well, at least I got more than half the questions right on that one.

Business Law 320 saw me get another B, and that came from a nice curve from my instructor. Looking at the numbers, the magic number for my final was 32. I ended up getting 38 out of 50 on the final. This was higher than the other two exams (32, 27). This has to be foreign to me, because I don’t usually get a higher grade in the Final than the other exams in my classes, but it seems I did well enough to get a B. Oddly enough, in my junior college Business Law class, I also got a B. This letter seems to be the bane of my existence.

Of course, getting a perfect case brief score (30 out of 50) and a near-perfect group project score (29 out of 30) didn’t hurt, either.

Peter Perbix, a person who directs Disabled Student Services, thought I was crazy to do two classes in one session. I think he will be surprised to find out that it was: been there, done that, and got B’s.

I think my GPA might go down a bit, but not by much. The Fall 2007 semester it at hand.

A couple of dreams to share: I dreamt that Cal Poly was gloating at us because they have a football team, and we didn't.

I also had a dream, actually, a nightmare that one of my superiors at AX, an executive from SPJA named Joyce Lim, was murdered by having her head smashed with a hammer by her ex-spouse. I saw it, and just had to flee. No offense, Joyce, but I saw the hammer, a long one, and I got out of the way, because he didn’t want to smash my head, and the blood just spurted out, SPLOOOOSH! And my heart began to sink.

I think I have to quit viewing Dead Man Eating for while.

“This is madness!” “Madness!? THIS IS VEGAS!”

Tim Duncan, where art thou? The USA assrapes the Virgin Islands, 123-59. I wonder if Kobe Bryant is still viewed with contempt here in L.A., for his tirade with the Lakers. I think so. And I hope he apologizes for his faggotry, because that was a low blow.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy lose…again, this time to Chivas USA, of all teams! 3-nil. Why is Yallop still our coach!? The bloody cunt…I’ve had it up to here with his futility. And the nightmare continues…

The Angels lose, and the Mariners win. I fear the Halos’ year is going to hell in a hurry.

At least the Armada clinched the second half. And our women’s soccer team impaled Azusa Pacific, 5-0. And I got a B in Business Law. Oddly enough, in my junior college Business Law class, I also got a B. Co-incidence? I just hope I got the same grade in Management.

Where's Brooke Valentine when you need her?

30 runs in a game. Unbelievable.

The Texas Rangers defeated the Baltimore Orioles, 30-3. Those are the most runs eve n in a Major League Game since June 28, 1897, when the Chicago Cubs rang up 30 in a game as well. That was a pillow fight gone wrong.

Meanwhile, as Texas roughs up Baltimore in a meaningless contest, Bob Bradley finds himself on the hot seat. We lost, 1-0, to Sweden. If we lose to Catalonia, Bradley is out. I can’t see Sunil letting him stay when we are slumping. We couldn’t beat Real Salt Lake with this type of performance.

LBCC: 80 years old

As I watch young freshmen and old undergrads pay for their courses across from me at the Valhalla, now a makeshift cashier’s office to pay for registration, I can’t help but be sentimental about 80 years at Long Beach City College. I had graduated from LBCC for a couple of years now, and I would like to use this blog to reflect on the history of the humble junior college at the corner of Carson Street and Clark Avenue.

From Wikipedia…

Founded in 1927, Long Beach City College was initially housed at Wilson Classical High School in southeast Long Beach. An earthquake in 1933 resulted in classes being held at Recreation Park until 1935, when the college moved into its Liberal Arts Campus in Lakewood Village at Carson Street and Clark Avenue.

During and after World War II, the college increased so rapidly that a new campus had to be established. This was realized in 1949 with the establishment of the Pacific Coast Campus, occupied on the former site of Hamilton Junior High School. As Long Beach City College grew in the 1970s, state law separated the college from the Long Beach Unified School District. In that decade and the 1980s, Proposition 13 signaled retrenchment for the college, with many popular classes and services folding.

Also during the 1980s, the arrival of refugees from Southeast Asia resulted in the need for extensive courses in the ESL program. This program became the largest at the college due to a later wave of amnesty applicants.

1987 saw the college acquire neighboring Veterans Memorial Stadium from the City of Long Beach. In recent years, the college has upgraded the stadium playing surface, its swimming pool facility, as well as established wireless internet and e-mail services in 2005.

Bond Measure E has seen the construction of a Child Development Center at the PCC, and construction for new buildings on both campuses are underway, including a new South Quad Complex Building on the former LAC golf mall, a new Industrial Technology Building at the PCC, and a new East Campus for the Culinary Arts Program.

Things have changed since then. Now the college is celebrating its 80^th anniversary. And I am typing this as the new guys finish paying for their classes.

Nothing has changed. Well, some.

Universal CityWalk...strikes out!

I have never been to Universal CityWalk in a while. When I got there, I checked out the place. Good stuff. Also, I got to see a Dixieland revival band at the Hard Rock Café, check out a few Galaxy jerseys (I was bummed I couldn’t get plain blue ones [but well, it is Universal City. It ain’t Carson]), and look at the donations that those who love to rock gave to the restaurant.

Now, while I, for the most part, enjoyed the AX staff dinner at Universal Citywalk’s Hark Rock Café (I even got to see my mug in a few parts of the video), I had a few bones to pick.

1. Why should we not be let in until 4:00 p.m.? Hello, this is America, not Australia! It’s hot, and I am not gonna be roasted. I said to one of staffers, “So you’re just gonna let us suffer in this heat?” He said, “Yep.” Strike One. In this case, the correct answer would be, “Sorry, it’s part of our policy not to let our guests in until 4:00 p.m. We’ll let you in shortly.”
2. Some of the people were rude. I asked one of the bartenders for a Diet Pepsi. She mumbled something like, “You just have to be demanding like that?” Strike Two. Yo. This is the Hard Rock Café. This ain’t your frickin’ house, sunshine. Shut up and just give me my drink, and I don’t want any of your annoying smart-ass comments.
3. As I got over to get some desserts, I see only crumbs of cheesecake, a ridiculous bunch of marshmallows, and only one bowl of chocolate sauce, which was empty by the time I got there. Strike three, you’re out! Apparently the people who run this joint underestimated our passion for the sweet stuff. There should have been 3 or 4 trays, heck, how about 5 or them. Some people were disappointed not to even get any dessert (unless you count marshmallows-I’m not even in the mood for a Miu Matsuoka fap-fest, god willing; they have too many marshmallows, and too little cheesecake and chocolate sauce!).

And to add insult, the people at Universal CityWalk, told me to get off the tram cab I was in as it was about to head off. A young black guy (I assume he’s fresh off the streets…go back to Compton, kid!) told me to get off. They said I was cutting, but actually, the way it was set up was disadvantageous (why should I go around? Take a page of Disneyland’s playbook, you underpaid, undeserving schmucks!), and poorly planned. Heck, the poor would-be Blood/Crip/OG even argues with some tourists, some who came from Asia, just to visit.

Yo. All you folks learning about customer service: here is a perfect example of what not to do when talking with guests at a theme park. Never confront them, and turn it into something you don’t want.

I hope those guys are on minimum wage, at-will, without a raise, because I would not risk my position at Universal Studios, arguing with some tourists. I decided to walk to the station instead, sending out a few final remarks with the folks in the green vests before heading off.

Italian easybeatsteatea

I am going to have to concur that Turkey is the type of team that will beat Long Beach State in men’s volleyball. If our schedule had teams that had the type of talent level the Turks have, I’m counting on a donut year for Alan Knipe, and his sacking from his position as coach.

That being said, I can’t believe Italy can’t lay a finger to our guys. I also think Evan Patak picked the wrong time to be injured, in that semifinal. But the big guy bounced back, and Italy laid down and gave up, the USA keeping it real, 25-15, 25-22, 25-16.

I expect Canada to be crushed. And they were, going down in four to Turkey. More of the same..

August flies

As August passes by, the flies and mosquitos come to Baltic Avenue to fly around the house. Occasionally, if I'm fast enough, I can squash a fly and eat it like it was nothing. Some people will find it gross, but the concept of entomophagy is an interesting study, because insects were a source of food for humans before the domestication of cattle, chickens, pigs, sheep, goats, and so on, diversified man's protein intake from animal sources.

Some of my friends have been interviewing me because I won the first prize at the Beach Pride program. Personally, I find it to be an honor, and the symbol of my dedication to The Beach™, and I even wrote a few articles for the Daily 49er today. I don't want to make writing for the Union Weekly's rival a habit though!

<(>w<)/

The summer sessions hit the climax, and I have a presentation, a portfolio, and a final all on the same Thursday. It's pure bedlam here at The Beach™. I guess I'll have to hit the books. But I gotta wait for my laptop battery to finish charging.

One More Moment for the Master

If Alan Knipe is not on the hot seat yet next year, he should be on it right now. I will put him among coaches who do not know how to win big games. I believe that a coach who doesn’t know how to win big games is just as good as a coach who just doesn’t know how to win, PERIOD.

Turkey def. United States 25-21, 28-26, 39-37.

I expect those fucking Italians to run it up our posteriors. This has been a long, long, LOOOONG campaign for us. Take us out of our misery, Azzurri!

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, a man by the name of David Beckham scored his first goal with the Los Angeles Galaxy. It was a mere demonstration of the bending shot. One More Moment for the Master was the name of the set piece. The student, goalkeeper Troy Perkins of DC United, wasn’t keen on letting the Master beat him twice, but DC United lost anyway, 2-0.

Speaking of being beat twice…they say that it is difficult for a team to beat a good team twice. If we finish the deal off against Pachuca, we will have done that. Prepare yourselves, Tuzos!

Phone calls

We get many people calling on our phone. Sometimes it’s a friend or a relative of mine, or my parents’, or my sister’s. Sometimes it’s the people that we used to work with. The guy from the video store on Willow and Baltic would call every now and then to ask my sister for help, even though she has moved on to bigger and better things saving lives at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Other times, it’s people from my university asking questions or getting in touch with me.

Recently, a string of calls from some sadistic money-thirsty demons we call creditors have been calling regarding my mom. I don’t know what’s going on, but they seem to be calling every day. If there was one position I wouldn’t want to be in, it’s working as a creditor, because I know I will be viewed as a villain by the people I am asking money for. And I haven’t even worked as one yet, and I have an image of what my work would be.

Poor Jose Offerman. Another old outcast from the disgraced national pastime has given the middle finger to the game with his faggotry: an ejection for using a bat as a weapon. Hey Jose, if you’re going to use it, at least succeed in decapitating the pitcher and leave him for dead in a pool of blood on the mound! Amateur.

I have some previews now of a number of Mission Football Conference teams. Now I can continue my preview on the Mayhem (url: missionjoe.blogspot.com).

How about the USA. They are two wins away from the winning the gold in men’s volleyball in Bangkok. We’re counting on you, Paul “The Chopman” Lotman. Unleash the Claw!

More blows for the Bush administration…another 500 dead in Iraq. Sigh.

The LBSU Inquisition

Wiktionary defines inquisition as:

2. an investigation or inquiry into the truth of some matter
3. an inquest
4. a questioning

The NCAA launched an inquisition of their own today. Long Beach State athletic director Vic Cegles, university president Dr. F. King Alexander, and a company of other big shots were in Indianapolis to answer a list of questions regarding the eligibility of the graduating seniors on the men’s basketball team last year.

From the Long Beach Press-Telegram:

LONG BEACH - Long Beach State administrators, including president Dr. F. King Alexander and athletic director Vic Cegles, are scheduled to be in Indianapolis Friday morning for a hearing with the NCAA's Committee on Infractions concerning allegations of NCAA rules violations by members of the school's former men's basketball coaching staff.

According to multiple sources, the NCAA's Enforcement Office gave the school a list of seven allegations of violations - the majority of which are alleged to have transpired in the summer of 2005 and concern academic issues surrounding members of a large group of community college transfers who enrolled at Long Beach State two years ago.

Those players are Sterling Byrd, Mark Dawson, Jazz Henderson, Kejuan Johnson, Aaron Nixon and Dominique Ricks.

Byrd, Dawson, Johnson, Nixon and Ricks played two seasons for then-coach Larry Reynolds' 49ers and were major components of last season's team that went 24-8 and made the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1995. Henderson left the program after the 2005-06 season and attended Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, this past school year but didn't play intercollegiate basketball there.

Reynolds and his full-time staff members - Reggie Howard, Scott Waterman and John Masi (Masi wasn't a part of the program in the period covered by the allegations) - were not retained after the season.

School administrators launched a co-investigation with the NCAA last October after the organization's enforcement office requested interviews with players and coaches about possible rules violations. They already have given their written response to the allegations.

"We've spent a lot of time on this," Cegles said. "Obviously, the president and I will not tolerate any coach or program violating NCAA rules.

"We told the NCAA we would do whatever we could do to help them in this investigation, so we provided them with as much information as we possibly could, and with what they asked for in terms of records and our knowledge of what happened."

Cegles and Alexander were not employed by the school during the period covered in the investigation.

The Long Beach administrators expected to represent the school at the hearing at an Indianapolis hotel will be Alexander, Cegles, new coach Dan Monson, vice president for student affairs Doug Robinson, associate AD for compliance MaryAnn Tripodi and former faculty athletic representative Dixie Grimmett. They will have their opportunity to respond to the charges, orally, and respond to questions that members of the Committee on Infractions may have for them.

Also expected to be in the hearing are representatives of the NCAA's enforcement staff, which conducted the investigation on the NCAA's end and turned over its findings to the Committee on Infractions.

Steve Morgan, an attorney for the Overland, Kan., law firm of Bond, Shoeneck and King that specializes in representing universities and athletes with eligibility or other NCAA issues, was hired by LBSU almost immediately after the school was informed that the NCAA was launching its inquiry.

He spearheaded the school's portion of the investigation, including interviewing athletes, coaches and others involved. He also will sit with Long Beach administrators in the hearing Friday.

Reynolds and members of his staff at the time who are alleged to have violated (to varying degrees) NCAA rules are Brent Bargen (the head coach at Chadron State in Nebraska for the past year), Howard (who was suspended from his coaching duties by the school on Feb. 1 during the course of its investigation) and Waterman. They are expected to attend the hearing.

They also will be given the opportunity to respond, individually, to allegations and ask or answer questions of infractions by committee members. They are permitted to bring legal counsel.

When contacted by the Press-Telegram, Reynolds, Howard and Waterman declined to discuss either the allegations or any other details concerning the matter.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Bargen hadn't responded to Press-Telegram voice mail and e-mail messages.

After a typical hearing of this sort, the Committee on Infractions members - most of which are administrators at NCAA member institutions and/or are attorneys - will begin their deliberations, usually individually, with discussion usually coming in conference calls. No fewer than five can hear a case and the number usually is in the seven to 10 range.

They will then make their findings, determine what penalties are merited, if any, and assign one of the members to write an infractions report, which will then be OK'd by the individual members before it is forwarded to the institution and then released to the public.

The usual time frame from hearing to public release of findings and sanctions, if any, is six to eight weeks.

It is believed that in its written response to the charges, the LBSU administration offered a set of "self-imposed sanctions."

Some of those might include:

Reduce the number of coaches the basketball staff could have on the road from three to two during the NCAA's evaluation period. The most recent evaluation period was July and the school complied.

Reduce the scholarship limitation from 13 to 12 for consecutive academic years.

Reduce the number of expenses-paid-by-school recruiting visits from a maximum-allowed 12 to nine during an academic year.

Not recruit community college prospects for an academic year.

Neither Alexander nor Cegles would comment on any possible "preemptive" self-sanctions they may have offered the Committee on Infractions.

Ouch.

v(^_^)>

Saskatchewan gave me a nice birthday present. The Roughriders defeated the then-undefeated BC Lions, 21-9, on my birthday. Awesome job, Green and White.

I got an unexpected reprieve for my case brief. Yay. I can now kill a number of birds with one stone until Thursday.

Mike Bacsik, pray that our corrupted government intervenes like the schmucks they are. Just pray. You too, Hank Aaron.

Oy.

Donating blood = a waste of time?

Well, that will be the last time I donate blood at a church for a while.

Up until this point, I didn’t have a problem with the delivery of my blood. But today, at St. Pancratius Church in Lakewood, some rather unqualified staff from the American Red Cross messed up my donation. The needle got clogged, and I started to feel like how my mom felt when the washer started to grate loudly a few weeks ago.

I probably have an idea why not a lot of people donate blood out here. The people at the Red Cross can’t even do the process right themselves. They apologized to me, but I said, “Oh, like hell I’m gonna hear it. Apologize to the people who need the donations. You screwed up, and you’re gonna have to deal with it.”

Thanks a lot, Red Cross. You wasted my time with your uncompelling incompetence. Let that clot be on your head until you can your shit together. Fuckers.

As August 2 rolls in…

I leave much to be desired. I got a score of 32 out of 50 in my first BLAW exam. I attest that to not checking my answers in the Study Guide. I will have to rectify that next Tuesday. Meanwhile, in my Management class, I got a score of 40 out of 50 in my second exam, an improvement from 38. This made me satisfied, because the first time I took a stab at this course, my first two exams were too bloody low. I had to drop the course.

Perhaps because the Master, Dr. Philip Chong, provided practice exams, I was able to do much better this time than when I had that ill-fated outing with Sal Kukalis. Bloody Greek; he didn’t provided me this, and he wouldn’t let me use the DSS office. If things go the way they are, and my portfolio and team project are relatively scot-free, I will have successfully exorcised those demons from last Fall. Ugh. My mind just starts to shudder just thinking about it.

My thoughts on blacklists: many of them are nothing but biased suggestions. If you are the manager, or executive of a company, it ain’t your obligation to follow them, because the government sees it as a bunch of BS.