Quick hits, September 20, 2009

Today is my father's and sister's birthdays, respectively. As if I fucking care...my dad took away the FiOS modem. He doesn't need any presents from me.

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Hawaii's defensive secondary is crap, and our receivers have just as crappy hands of butter. Nuff said after choking 34-33 to UNLV.

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Long Beach State's women's soccer team fails to impress today against San Diego State. Ugh. It seems my favorite teams are choking against the Mountain West. But they weren't the only ones who disappointed.

USC football...lost.
Cal Poly football...lost.
Harvard football...lost.
AFC Wimbledon...drew with a red.
Long Beach City College football...blown apart.

Some good things did happen.

Melbourne Victory...won.
LA Galaxy...won.
Quebec Capitales (one of the few Canadian baseball teams I follow)...won the Can-Am League.
Long Beach State women's volleyball...defeated UCLA. Not very often that happens.
My high school...defeated Mayfair fair and square. See some of my deviations for that action.
The Angels rebounded today after losing yesterday.
And Azusa Nakano and Ui Hirasawa qualified for the ISML after advancing to the quarters of Anizone Saimoe.

Still though...Hawaii's defense is crap. The onus is them to prove me otherwise. The wanks...

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I never want to talk about yesterday. That day sucked.

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I am bored. And hungry. Thank god for the Beach.

"I guess the retard had a point..."

Aside from at least one co-worker making the ill-advised choice to take my clerical abilities for granted at work, I had the opportunity to talk with some naive young African-American women who, in spite of their clothing, afros and heavy make-up, decided to smoke in my face by the bus stop after my class. I told them, "Hey, can you move aside. You're smoking, and I would like to see some courtesy from you." One of these two, presumably twins (which bring up the question of how they were raised, et al.), said, "No, you step aside." "This is America. Everybody smokes," said the other. "Not everyone wastes away from lung cancer, ladies," I replied tersely. So as I got on the bus, flabbergasted from their ignorace and naiveness of the situation, they come out yappering about, "This guys is mentally ill," and all that sort of stuff. It's shocking to know that these undergrads (presumably freshman) from DeVry (or wherever, maybe even high schoolers or dropouts) have the courage to paint an MBA student from Keller with the "mentally ill" brush. This is a stigma that I have had to deal with, so I found it refreshing to know that they are talking out of their arses, and they don't even know it. "Your wombs will be garbage cans," I said. "Just let the local gangs come and blast you." I was referring to the health risks they put in from smoking cigarettes, and the gangs of carcinogens that come from it. Obviously they haven't a clue of what I'm talking about, because they think they can try to outtalk somebody who actually has common sense to know that quitting would be the best option for them, and that they place health risks on themselves and the people around them. Or rather, they choose to tune out this mentally ill guy wearing a orange polo with a green and blue sweatshirt, a black cap from his alma mater, Long Beach State, and olive slacks, not knowing that this unassuming fellow has a point. The bus driver has to come over to the back and let them know that there are others on the bus (me included) who would do better without their conversations. I don't wish the worst upon them; I am a person that doesn't see anything bad about them, except for their image and the fact that people who breathe secondhand smoke are ignored by these two girls. But at thre same time, I don't feel the least bit sorry for them if a situation like this occurs: years down the road, one of them finds out she has cancer, and they are trying to start a fund to pay for something that wouldn't have happened if they didn't smoke, or if they did, started quitting. And they are in the hospital dying of cancer, and they recall the day a long time ago, when they mocked the advice that this mentally ill MBA student wearing a orange polo with a green and blue sweatshirt, a black cap from his alma mater Long Beach State, and olive slacks, and they find out, that here they are, dying of cancer, and they start to wonder, "That guy we made fun of...I think he had a point." At this point in my life, I am putting my MBA to use, having swithced jobs to something that pays better, and maybe in spirit I'll say, "I told you so." But I probably won't. As far as I know, those two girls don't exist, and most likely, they won't if they follow the path they are walking. And there are millions of chain smokers out there who don't believe in the facts about smoking, and these two are part of that long line of people who follow that same wrong path. And while that brings closure, that becomes an afterthought with a snap of the fingers, and a click of the mouse. === Other stuff going on. Whoa. This day was just flat-out crap. Not only do I not get any raise in pay, but the Dodgers win while the Angels lose. Even things up, Ervin Santana.

"Is that all you can do!? TWELVE pushups? That's it? Man, get the hell outta here!"

In lieu of risking getting caught in friendly fire between some Bloods and Crips (and others) in the lovefest (as well as a lack of itinerary), I eschewed the historic first meeting between Lakewood High and Verbum Dei High at Centennial High in Compton to watch the Long Beach City College football team take on West L.A. College at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Little did I know that I got more than I bargained for.

To be honest, I had to sit out watching Viking football games last season because I was disgusted with losing my press credentials (leading to the self-imposed shutdown of my blog covering them and the other teams in the now-defunct Mission Football Conference). I didn't attend a single game. The only game I even went to at any level was the Lancers taking on the Tesoro Titans, and I wasn't quite pleased with the 2nd half effort from them.

It was good thing I didn;'t come, because they had a crappy final season for Jerry Jaso, who stepped down. In his place was a man named Mike Reisbig, the brother of Larry Reisbig, the LBCC Men's Athletic Director. He was an assistant for 16 seasons. He now had his chance to prove himself. After paying $8.00 for admission and media guide ($6.00 + $2.00), I took my seat behind the 50-yard line. In the background, the Oilers were doing some pregame ritual that was comparable (or maybe not) to Long Beach Poly. I just thought, "They have the bark, but we got the bite. And we're gonna keep chomping till the clock reads 0:00."

The first half was all my guys as they climbed to a 21-0 halftime lead. The first touchdown I did 7, the second 14, and so on. All of the first-half push-ups were in the wheelchair-accessible section where I had lots of space to do it correctly.

Interestingly, it was in front of the West L.A. supporters. Buy the time I completed 21, some irresponsible African-American mother of an at-risk youth just waiting to pay the price for being affiliated with the wrong people tried to break my back. Luckily, she failed, and I shoved her off. Now, she's trying to be a CSC Event Staffer, but she didn't do a good job at it (first off, she isn't donning her Event Staff garb, and she would have been best not to be in my way. Some mother she grew up to be in. Puts my dealings with my mom in perspective, when I think about it. My mom's issues arean't as bad as this woman's issues.) As I shoved her off, I got into a scuffle, with the brat rabbit-punching me. He said, "You hit my mom!" I said, "She deserved it. If she wasn't on my back, I wouldn't have defended myself! And is that your best punch, you son-of-a-bitch? My dad can hit harder than you. Weak! Pathetic! You're wasting your time here! I don't fear you lot, and I never will, scum!" Truth.

After discussions regarding the altercation (and the lack of security thereof) with an old friend from the Long Beach Union Weekly (now a writer for the Long Beach Post), as well as another old friend, Dr. John Fylpaa, and cooler heads from the West L.A. parents, I proceeded to do more pushups in the 2nd half. In total, I did 147.

I was shaking my head at the West L.A. kids trying to do pushups the way I did them. Note that they didn't score until 3 quarters and four seconds into the game (and a personal foul by one of my guys made that touchdown a gift). When they tried to do 7, I was not pleased. When you do a pushup, your back, legs, and head have to be straight. You push your weight at an agle. You don't bend your body like an asymptote, and risk straining your back. I had to school these kids in how it should be done. When they hit 14, they did a little bit better, but they only did 7. When they reached 21, the best they could do individually was 12. I said to they guy who did 12, "That's it? You scored 21 points, not 12. Get back here and do nine more!" He didn't, I said, "I can see why you attend West L.A., and not LBCC. Here, such half-assing will not cut the mustard." During my Tong days, failing to finish my pushups was something I couldn't do. The quality was what I was looking for, but the quality wasn't. And when we got the last touchdown, a fumble recovery by David Sausau after Lawrence Alai punished Oiler QB Ryan Rosenvall, I did 42, and I yelled across the bleachers, "NOw THAT'S how you do a push-up, West LA! Quality and quantity! Let's see if you can impress me on your next score."

Sure enough, they had a consolation touchdown, and I said, "All right kids, 28 pushups. Go!"
None of them went down.
"I said GO!"
Still none of them went down.
Now I was a little peeved, "Oh come on. Not a single one of you bother to try to do even one push-up. Of 28. Now we all know why you attend West Los Angeles College, and not LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE! Because out here, even if we are losing, we'd still do those push-ups, as a morale boost at least. And all y'all gave up. Quitters. After this game is over, get the hell outta our stadium. For all your feistyness, you need to get in shape."


Only at Long Beach City College (and perhaps elsewhere) can you see an alum on the home side outdo youthful visitors on the visiting side in terms of push-ups. Personally, that's the first time it happened. I think I got some payback. And I was gonna applaud them for trying just one. I'm not even in shape, and I can still do 147.

Pep Band - Check.
Cheer Team - Check.
Better Football Team - Check.

I should thank my visiting team for having the old "Super Fan" side of me rear its down-and-dirty head again. I got fired up. Also I should thank Pechange for giving me some coffee. Man, I was starved to get my java. I need that. I really, really needed that.

One of the parents from West L.A. said, "You did well in standing your ground. Good job."
"Thanks, Lee." That was his name. "You know, I'll be honest. I didn't come here to fight anybody. I came here to watch a game, and do push-ups for every point we scored. That's it."

Nothing else.

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Meanwhile, Verbum Dei was shut out by the Lancers, 34-0. It wasn't a good day for most of my teams, thought. LOng Beach State women's volleyball isn't cutting the mustard. While the defeated UC Davis today, they lost to Pacific in a sweep. Thw Angels are in danger of coming into the postseason on a losing note, effectively preventing me from coming to their rally on Monday. The Sparks also dropped a stinker to San Antonio on a buzzer-beater, while my Hawaii Warriors are clearly in a rebuilding phase, losing to San Jose State 20-17. AFc Wimbledon let a FA Cup win slip away against Bedford Town in the 89th minute, forcing a replay. And while AFC Liverpool defeated AFC Blackpool 6-3, it will take time for me to forgive them for failing in grandiose fashion to Waterloo Dock 6-1. The men's water polo team coached by Gavin Arroyo isn't doing themselves favors either, choking against Loyola Marymount in a rally failing short.

Man, what is it with rallies going awry in my neck of the Beach? In the words of Torri Hunter, "Ohhhh man!"

Cheers though to the Mauricio's bridesmaids defeating Arizona, the USD Toreros running down Drake, and even to Duke University making some wise decisions in miving the student section behind the home players, and changing their mascot to a slimmer, menacing and more photogenic character with marketing opportunities abound.

And yes, the Dodgers and Mets winning was good, because the drama can be saved for tomorrow.

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Doesn't it suck to have limits like this? I think so.

USC football is set for a losing season.

The USC Trojan football team, that pathetic bunch of scoundrels who are playing crappier than *Berman voice* the Raiders *Berman voice off*, can only pray that Jacquizz Rodgers is an ineligible player. Those poor wasted scum have plunged to new depths of futile suckitude with their 21-14 loss to Oregon State.

Nice going, you pricks. I'm gonna return to following my Lancers, Vikings, and Toreros (and the Mustangs from Cal Poly too).

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I should actually thank my old friends at the CSULB Anime Club for allowing me to visit. Not only was I spared the beginning of a season from hello for USC (hello losing year, 'tis been a while, eh?), but I was also spared watching the Los Angeles Galaxy choke...AGAIN. 3-1 loss to Chicago. Just let the Mars Rover run you guys over and plan for nest year.

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Even though they clinched the NL West (the weakest division in the Majors this season), the Dodgers lost to San Diego, which I am happy about. Also, the Sparks and Angels won, so the night wasn't totally crap.

But it could have been better. Too bad Pete Carroll and Bruce Arena aren't pulling their weight.
Too heavy for both of you?

What happened to showing up?

There are teams that I follow that lose, and there are teams that I can't help but wonder, "Why do you even bother playing if you don't even bother to show up for it? It's asinine, really. That was the case with a number of teams I follow. First, AFC Liverpool, a fledling outfit, got walloped by a team a tier blow them, called Waterloo Dock, 6-1. And this side at the top of their table...and they get thumped. Bloody wanks. I mean, at least if you're going to exit, you'd at least make the score respectable. That just gets on my bad side. Even though they are in theri first year, one would expect a scoreline better than this. Scouse fags.

Even worse, while Yankee Stadium is due to be nothing more than a smoldering pile of rubble in a number months' time, the Angels, who are three wins away from 100 victories, cannot rely of Jered Weaver to help him. The rube can't pitch his way out a wet paper bag in a 9-6 loss to the Mariners. Adding a little insult, the Dodgers won that day.

And that's what drives me to bedlam here. Dodgers win, Angels lose. Send Jered back to Salt Lake, MIke Scioscia. We can't rely on him next month. We'd have to bring up the bullpen at the top of the 2nd inning.

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Is it just me, or has the world ended? While President Bush's dementia has reached beyond Satanic levels with his plan to make the rich richer and the poor poorer (a plan that will go back to hell from whence it came), the Los Angeles Galaxy...actually WON a few days ago. DC United fell, 5-2.

About bloody time you pricks did something right. Now let's get on a streak already, you dormant rubes.

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Two-game losingt streak, Roughriders? Get out of here.

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Lack of consistency isn't restricted to my university's women's soccer team, apparently. The women's volleyball team suffered their first sweep of the season...to fucking Santa Clara, of all sides, a day after sweeping them on Friday.

Gimmillaro...we ought to send the New York Five Families to question you and your team's dwindling commitment to consistent play this year.

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There are individuals and teams, though, that cut the mustard. The USA, Australian, and English squad are undefeated in their runs towards South Africa 2010. And Francisco Rodriguez became the first closer to reach 60 saves in a season. Adelaide United is the first Australian side to advance to the semifinals of the AFc Champions League, defeating the defending J.League champions Kashima Antlers 2-1. Robert Cornthwaite, who scored an own goal in the first leg in Japan, made up for it by scoring the winner at the Hindmarsh Stadium. I think Oswaldo may want to send their first team keeper, Hitoshi Sogahata, to the reserve side.

And the Sparks are still alive. Bring on San Antonio. 71-64 win over Seattle.

The weekend after 9/11

Some insane things have gone on this weekend: while Hurricane Ike slams Houston and the heart of Texas, a clash of two trains marytyred dozen twofold and some in Chatsworth. Mercy.

My Lancer football team won, as well as my women's volleyball team, and the likes of AFC Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and AFC Wimbledon did, too. The Socceroos and the USA MNT also did their part of the work. I am disappointed in the Los Angeles Galaxy's failure to get any positive results for the bulk of this season, hence I changed the color layout. I also changed it due to the MLS season wrapping up down here.

SPeaking of MLB, how about that Francisco Rodriguez. 58 saves. He made history tonight, passing Bobby Thigpen in a 5-2 win for the Halos. Nine wins away from 100, two saves away from 60 for K-Rod. Some more milestones are in order.

The Angels clinch it.

Wow. Those Angels clinched it. Now all we need is those Dodgers to pull their weight and make it a division sweep for both the Blue Crew and Halos. Let's go Dodgers. (I can't believe I just said that.)

Angels dominate the West, but can the Dodgers do the same?

It looks like the only drama now remaining for the Los Angeles Angels this regular season is if closer Francisco Rodriguez can rewrite the record books in the coming days by becoming the first to tally up 60 saves in a season (which is doable), or maybe even 70 saves a season. And the side story will be their push for 100 wins in a season (currently they stand at 88).

More...

Dour mood today...

Ugh. God, I am disgusted today. Not for the fact that we lost to Florida, but the fact that we gave up the last three sets after winning the first two. There can be no excuse for Brian Gimmilaro's ladies failing to fish the job. I am looking at another second-place finish to Cal Poly after what just transpired today.

Unforgivable. Totally. I mean, if you're gonna be up two sets to none in a volleyball match, you'd better focus on finishing your opponents off. Today, you witnessed an example of Long Beach State volleyball putting the foot off the pedal at the most critical point in a contest.

I am not gonna be surprised if any future defeats are in this fashion. Brian, Debbie, Melissa...you gotta talk to these ladies about finishing. This is the type of volleyball that runner-ups and also-rans are skilled at. It's so easy to lose in this fashion, you won't know it until the other team across from you jumps like they are half their age.


Thie start was epic, but the finish was pathetic. Better fix this when you face Central Connecticut State....

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Meanwhile, the Dodgers win again, the Angels lose...again, and it hasn't been a good day for my favorite club teams. FC United's match this week was postponed due to waterlog, AFC Wimbledon drew even with Weston-Super-Mare, and AFC Liverpool dropped a stinker. While my national teams won (USA over Cuba, Australia over Netherlands), the Galaxy continue their nasty slump. 3 minutes from halftime, 1-1 tie with Real Salt Lake.

The Sparks lost last night to the San Antonio Silver Stars. Thank God my St. Anthony Saints and Lakewood Lancers won their games. It was a decent outing for a majority of my teams, but I was hoping for more of my teams to have gotten the job done.

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Quick hits, August 31, 2008

Within a couple of weeks, Francisco Rodriguez is due to not only smash Bobby Thigpen's signle-season saves record, but also become the first closer to tally 60 saves in a single season.

Chew on that, White Shox.

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The Long Beach Armada clinch the GBL South Division 2nd half title. Nice. Now let's see if they can ACTUALLY win it all in the playoffs.

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Volleyball and soccer at the Beach are off to a decent start. The volleyballers are 3-0, while Mauricio's bridesmaids are 2-0-1, the draw against Denver.

Let's see if they can keep it up.

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After a two-game slump, the Saskatchewan Roughriders learn how to win again. A 19-6 victory over those Blue Bombers from Winnepeg snaps the funk..at the expense of poor Marcus Crandell being released in favor of Michael Bishop, the former Toronto Argonaut.

Time for Eric Tillman, Ken Miller and the crew to make this a habit for the rest of the season and learn to win again and again. I mean, the best thing for Saskatchewan now is: you already got a spot in the playoffs, and now it's time to tally up those W's because you want to have that good ol' home field advantage all the way to the Grey Cup.

Ride on, Riders.

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I not only follow the Chelsea (that's the only team I follow from the EPL), but I also follow a few non-league sides.

All good things have to come to an end for AFC Wimbledon. Their win streak was halted by the likes of Bath City in a 2-2 draw. If Jon Main gets healthy, and some other players step up, these guys will be back in business as they continue their promotion push in the Blue Square South.

Meanwhile, out at Gigg Lane, the likes of FC United of Manchester are having a test in the Unibond League PRemier Division. They are in the middle of the table, and it's early, but a 3-1 win over Whitby is the way to go.

And down in little old Prescot, a suburb of Liverpool, AFC Liverpool is enjoying their maiden year in the Vodkat LEague Division One. They are where FC United was three years ago. Whether or not a promotion push is in the works remains to be seen, but a 3-0 win over Ashton Town, as part of a 4-game win streak in the Vodkat Division One is a sign that they intend to stay at the top of the table...at least until they get promoted.

Will it happen? We'll find out...

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On Waipio Little League and another milestone

What a meltdown by Lake Charles, Lousiana in the US Championship Game of the Little League World Series. I mean, you are three outs away from meeting Matamoros, Tamaulipas, and you give up six runs in top of the sixth! Oy vey. One of the greatest collapses in Little League history! Whoa. Gunner Leger just gave what could be the entire World Series to Waipio of West Waipahu, Hawaii.

They paid the price, with Minami of Edogawa Ward in Tokyo downing them, 4-3 in the consolation game.

Waipio became the second team from Hawaii to win the Little League World Series, crushing Matamoros, 11-3. The first to do it was Ewa Beach in 2005. There are some local boys who can smack the horsehide around down there. There's one now, scouts. Go get 'em.

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It's number 50 for K-Rod! Francisco Rodriguez gets his 50th save as the Angels defeat the Twins, 5-3.

Riders, Angels and Galaxy fail miserable...again on Day 14

A quick Q and A.

Question: Who is Maris Strombergs?

Answer: He is a Latvian who upstaged the likes of Mike Day and DOnny Robinson to take the first-ever Men's BMX gold at the Beijing Games. HE was also heading into this run as the world champion, so, it was fair enough.

Question: Who is Jill KIntner?

Answer: She represented the only medal hope for the USA in women's BMX, delivering bronze behind a 1-2 combination for France.


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And the Philippines in not going to medal at these Games. Mary Antoinette Rivero lost to Sandra Saric in taekwondo, 4-1. Nice going, mother country.

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As Steven Lopez does his own taekwondo business, I am surprised that this match went south in a hurry for Marcio Araujo and Fabio Luiz Magalhaes in the third set against Phil and Todd. Mr. Dalhausser and Mr. Rogers take the Brazilians out of their neighborhood to win, 2 sets to 1.

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While Phil and Todd's Beijing Beachvolley Adventure culminated in a gold sweep for the USA, their indoor counterparts were frustrated at the grittiness of the Russians, namely Maxim Mikhaylov, Alexander Volkov and Sergey Tetyukhin in Set 3 after they were up 2 games to none. You gotta give to credit to these three guys for keeping them in the game with a 27-25 victory in the set. In volleyball, there are times where getting that final set can be difficult, especially if you are up two games to none. A lack of focus, combined with an uncanny penchant for complacency, will do you in when a match goes the distance.

The best teams in volleyball will shut down their opponents early when they are up by two sets. But those same teams also inherit the ability to rally back when they are down to their last set. This Russian side's performance was a clear example of what great teams in volleyball do when everything is on the line. Actually, the guys nearly gave the match away altogether to the Russians. THank god for David Lee. See, this is why I am proud to be from Long Beach State. It's these types of alums that are clutch when it come to these types of situations. It took them 220 rally points, but David finally got it done, blocking Maxim Mikhaylov, and taking it, 25-22, 25-21, 25-27, 22-25, and 15-13.

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Time-out to vent some steam.

What the hell is going on with my Roughriders and Galaxy? Saskatchewan is now on a 2-game losing streak. We probably need to get some calcium pills stat over to Regina because our guys are getting their bones broken faster than old hags with osteoporosis. And even with Bruce Arena at the helm we can't figure out how to win games. 1-0 defeat to Chicago. I'm more keen to follow the likes of the Chelsea, the Melbourne Victory and AFC wimbledon now. I don't think my G's will stand a chance against even the Wombles.

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And as if things haven't been bad enough for my local team today, they do. Angels fall to the Twins, 2-1. Suddenly, the phrase "consistency" comes into play. Should they have enough to win the division, the last thing Scioscia needs to come into October on a losing note. Wake the bats up boys, the regular season isn't over yet. Only good thing locally is that the Armada won. The bad things about it is that...the Armada won on a day that the Angels lost.

Hey Jared Weaver...

Jared Weaver:

Thank you for ruining what was once a day where my teams were on a roll. I knew someone was going to be the goat. I could not believe that it was you, of all people. Maybe we should change your name to Judas for your betrayal of all things Angelic pitching.

....................../´¯/)
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.................../..../
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........('(...´...´.... ¯~/'...')
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If someone is going to be pitching for the Angels next year in a game held on my birthday, pray to God that it will NOT BE you.

J-R

Another mixed weekend, more so inept than successful

The weekend did not start auspiciously well for my guys. The men's volleyball team played like the chokers they were against Northridge and Penn State last night. We were leading UC Irvine by two games, and then, in a collapse that made the Berlin Wall's fall look diminutive, we let the Anteaters rally in five. How pathetic. And I thought our chances of defending our surfboard were going to get better. At this point, we are down two games to one against UCLA. Could we get a rally going against these guys in the same fashion the Zots dealt us? One can only hope.

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But this wasn't the only team to have a weekend from hell.


Ladies and gentlemen, let us have a moment of silence for the sudden, and horrifically unexpected passing of Long Beach State's baseball mojo, which, like so many brave souls that did not leave this ugly, yet beautiful [sic] world in vain, died honorably on the fields of Northern California. The body will be cremated, and the ashes will be sent to the University of California at Berkeley. Date for the possible resurrection has yet to be strenuously determined.

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Meanwhile, the softball team keeps its mojo alive. UC Davis was swept in a doubleheader today, by the scores of 1-0 and 8-3. Brooke Turner pitched a gem of a shutout, while Bridgette Pagano held her ground in the second game.

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A funny thing happened on the way back home, after I got back from doing some palleting and shredding of old documents down at the SPJA office in Anaheim (which was refurbished very well, looking like an actual office, decked with anime volumes for the staff to watch). On the OCTA Route 50, this old guy gets into a heated argument with the bus driver, and all the passengers were wondering why this scrooge was holding us up. Finally, we took another bus heading the same way, and the old geezer was arrested.

And I thought I had issues with some of my drivers. They now pale in comparison to this one.

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As of this blog, the Galaxy choked in their season opener to the Colorado Rapids, the Bruin men's basketball team returns to the Final Four (thankfully without the likes of Florida and Ohio State), and the Angels complete their preseason tour with a rout of the San Diego Padres. I suppose in retrospect, it wasn't a bad day; after all, I was able to do something that I haven't done in a long time: take a photo of the daruma head from Anime Expo. This was something that was gnawing and gnashing at me since last year's convention. I am proud to say that I finally got this out of the way. Hallelujah. This, along with the verbal confrontation, made my day in more ways than one.

Another brutal weekend of all sorts

This was another brutal weekend of all sorts. First, we will go to what made this weekend brutal for the local teams.

Start with the Angels. They are done. Boston swept L.A., 3-0 with a 9-1 win. Next, the local university football teams. Ugh. USC, what happened? The Trojans lost to a Stanford team that was coached by Jim Harbaugh, a rising sensation, who helped San Diego to winning some nice hardware. And no, I am not talking about the Chargers, I am talking about the Torero football team, who are still continuing on their merry little way under successor Ron Caragher. Harbaugh’s Cardinal pulled off the upset special at the Coliseum.

Meanwhile, Charlie Weis’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish are increasing their prospects of leaving the ESPN Bottom 10 with a victory over UCLA. As if things weren’t bad enough for Karl Dorrell after losing to Utah weeks earlier…it gets even worse.

Also, the Kings and Ducks choked again. The Stanley Cup hangover from hell rolls on. And Marion Jones admitted of her shortcomings. Take her medals away, Lord.

But, there were some good things that happened. In spite of Colt Brennan aggravating his injury, Tyler Graunke takes over and leads the Hawaii Warriors to a 52-37 victory over Utah State. I can see YouTube member ajscoll steaming over this. This guy shut his mouth weeks ago after laying on the smack. I know that if we lose next week, or the week after, or in a few, he will pop his ugly head and enter another troll remark. Warrior ohana on the Tube, that’s what the thumbs-down icon is for. Just in case.

Also, Long Beach State’s men’s water polo, women’s soccer, ice hockey, and women’s volleyball teams roll on to victories, with the women’s tennis team still going on. I guess I was expecting a bit too much from sophomore Derek Wiebe-Bailey, but I will not lay any sympathy out because he’s an underclassman. He will be the one that takes over for Steve McKenzie, so I was a bit perturbed that MIT cut it close in a 9-5 victory for us. He’ll improve. He has to. Otherwise, I reserve the right to ask myself…what is he doing here?

That’s the thing. Even when you win, there is always room to improve. I know those players on those teams know that they didn’t play their best game, and they’ll need to turn it up a notch for next week’s action. They must.

And finally, the Galaxy still are clinging to hope that they will enter the playoffs. They defeated Houston, 2-1. They are now on a tear. Toronto FC is next for them. If they are able to make the playoffs, my jaw is going to drop for a while.

Wake me up when September ends.

It’s great to see the underdog triumph, because it proves that on any given day, a top team can be felled, and it reinforces that timeless adage: You have to play the game. So I have see some top teams fall from their perch on September 29, 2007. West Virginia lost to South Florida, 21-13. Oklahoma was edged by a Colorado field goal, 27-24. Auburn also booted a field goal to drain Florida’s swamp, 20-17. Texas was given a Kansas State-style lynching, 41-21. Rutgers was routed by Maryland, 34-24. Clemson got shacked by Georgia Tech, 13-3. Illinois outlasted Penn State, 27-20. And Florida State squeaked by Alabama, 21-14.

However, calling this Saturday “Insanity Saturday” is just Pat Forde’s shyster way of stretching the impact of this weekend’s results to make it look like the end of the world. It’s not being fair to the top teams who are still alive, specifically the top two teams. USC and LSU are still on track to be in the show. The Trojans defeated Washington, 27-24. The Tigers, after a shaky start, defeated Tulane, 34-9. Cal and Ohio State are still in the running, too. The Golden Bears dismissed Oregon, 31-24, while Ohio State continued on its merry way, 30-7. Wisconsin, Boston College, and Kentucky also survived, so they are the latest contenders. And the only difference between the interceptions that Hawaii and Idaho made was that the Warriors were able to convert them into points (48-20 Hawaii).

Keep in mind that App State was not involved, either. The Mountaineers, after being upset themselves by Wofford, got back to business, dismissing Elon, 49-32.

Meanwhile, the USA gutted themselves of any hope to salvage 3^rd place, starting Brianna “The Hag” Scurry against Norway. I predict that the Norwegians got this one in the bag. The world will have ended if the USA wins this one. The world will be saved if the USA finishes 4^th, and Greg “I am Hope Solo’s worst enemy, and will be lynched for my faggotry” Ryan is sacked.

In other news, my Anaheim Ducks are feeling London Burning right now. Hey Randy Carlyle, call 99999 already! Punk. On the other side of the world, the Angels continue their warm-ups, felling the Athletics, 3-2. In Canada, the President’s Cup is all but going to go to the Yanks, as they are 7-up on the rest of the world.

And the Cubans will be crushed tomorrow in Valdivia, Chile. You may have our number in baseball, Fidel Castro, but these soon-to-be defectors are due to roll over and die come Sunday Bloody Sunday. It’s their duty.

St. Jimmy and Jesus of Suburbia, send help. And bring some Novocain with you while you’re rolling down this boulevard of broken dreams, bruised egos, and American idiots. This is a request from the Bedlam.

Know your place, Mariners.

Thank god [sic] that the Mariner Miracle never materialized and the Curse of Jorge Campillo was lifted.

On Fan Appreciation Day, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim defeated the Seattle Mariners, 7-4. And the champagne, which was on ice the past two days, was uncorked, and it was a fun party all over.

Meanwhile, Long Beach State’s women’s soccer team wraps up their trip in Norman, Oklahoma with a 5-0 win over North Texas, exacting payback for a 1-0 defeat in their last meeting in 1999. The day wasn’t so great for the men’s water polo team, getting their comeuppance from the alumni, 8-7. Next year, old boys, brings some whips with you, to haze them for their futility [sic].

So…who’s afraid of the Big Bad Wolf, anyway?

It ain’t me, of course. The Big Bad Wolf I am referring to is UCSB men’s water polo coach Wolf Wigo. He thought he could come to our house, and huff, and puff, and blow it down. And the UCSB fans thought the same way. Fools! We bent, but didn’t break, and Gavin Arroyo’s guys took it to ‘em, 9-8.

Bring out the lime, Beach Nation, on November 11^th…a whitewash may be in order. I’m not scared of wolves…I’m a 49er, inshallah. I hunt wolves! I may have to pantomime a shotgun and pretend to point it at the Big Bad Wolf next meeting, if he complains that I am ruining his concentration. There are bigger things to worry about than suffering another heartbreaker. I leave it to you to figure it out, Gaucho[ke]s.

Now, we aren’t done yet with those punks from Goleta. Our women’s volleyball team isn’t feeling too happy after getting an assraping of the worst kind from the Mustangs of Cal Poly. But if they can’t successfully take their anger out on UC Santa Barbara down at the Thunderdome tonight, I won’t be done chewing Brian Gimmillaro up and spitting him out for his Central Coast futility, either, God forbid it happens.

EDIT: It didn't. The Beach swept 'em, 3-0. Our job's done here for today.

Regis Philbin! You said that “It’s time to stop the bleeding.” Well, when the Jews crucified Jesus (yes, it was the Jews, via the Romans, Caiaphas, the chief priests and those bloody Pharisees, the scumbags, not our sins, that crucified Jesus), they didn’t stop the bleeding. Why should it stop for Charlie Weis’s Fighting Irish football team? Michigan State took it to them, 31-14.

Next time, Mr. Philbin, two words: SHUT UP.

Now here is a brewing storyline that even the Wyrd sisters from Macbeth couldn’t have concocted even if they gave 1000% on it: the Seattle Mariners winning the rest of their games, while the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim lose the rest of their games.

In Seattle, they can call it “The Mariner Miracle.” In Anaheim, we should call it “The Curse of Jorge Campillo.” Seattle won, 3-2. One is still the “magic number.”

Haruhi Suzumiya, send help.

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!

Oh Lord, not another weekend from hell...

I am steaming.

Man, I hope this isn’t the start of a weekend from hell. The USA lost to Cuba, 3-1, in the gold medal game at the Rio 2007 Pan-American Games. We can’t even win at our own national pastime. I wonder if Mike Weathers was coaching that team. That might explain it, as well as the fact that Oregon State’s 2007 squad could smash the bombs out of this team early. What a half-assed effort.

Speaking of Pan-Am, why the hell are we bringing incompetent footballers in group play? Our USA women lost to Mexico today. Usually, we own these guys, but not today, it seems. What a bloody shocker. I so hope Canada crushes them for not getting the job done.

The Saskatchewan vs. Edmonton game confirmed that things are not looking up for my teams so far (the Eskimos won, 21-20). Those damn Roughriders let Edmonton back into the game to rally. Come on Kent Austin, BC was last week. Wake your guys up! Are you gonna be giving more of the same, chokers?

Oh, and those Angels. Again, they fail to impress, this time against the Twins. They lose 5-7. And I think I’m seeing some more futility from the Galaxy, even with Beckham, because if they can’t lift a finger to Tigres, not even God can save them from Chelsea. The world will turn upside down if we defeat Mourinho’s boys. Galaxy defeating Chelsea? Fuhgeddaboutit!

Tim Donaghy, you oughta be shot for your actions outside of officiating in the NBA. Gambling, and keeping books while officiating? Boy, you are as bad as they come in a league already seeing its ratings sink. Watch yourself.

If I were to write a Haruhi Suzumiya fanfic, one of the chapters would have a section like this.

The SOS Brigade jumped up and let out a huge roar. Everyone patted each other on the back, hugging, partying like the New Year had started. Meanwhile, Yuki Nagato was still in her corner, reading the last Harry Potter novel.

Kyon went over to her as the group continued their reveling in the distance. “Hey Nagato, Japan won.”

She looked up, adjusted her reading classes and nodded.

“Was this…you prediction?”

He remembered a few hours ago her saying, “I am going to predict that the winner of the match to be the one who wins the penalty shootout.”

“And who might that be?” Haruhi asked with a smug look on her face.

“As Mikuru-san likes to allude, it’s classified information.”

She snuck a dirty look, then said, “Well, we all are calling for Japan to win. The game’s live. Are you gonna watch?”

“I will watch with me ears,” she said silently.

Kyon asked Yuki again. “Did you predict Japan to win the penalty shootout?”

She said in her trademark monotone voice, “They won, did they not?” He continued to stare at Yuki, who later gave a smile as she adjusted her glasses again, the lenses glinting in the light.

“So you did.” She nodded, the smile a bit wider.

“Hey Yuki, we’re going to get some food to celebrate,” said Haruhi. “And Kyon’s paying. You coming?”

“Haruhi! When did anyone say I was gonna pay for the food?”

“You’re one to talk, Kyon. So,” she said, turning back to the gray-hair girl reading in her corner, “are you going with us?”

Putting down the book, she paused, and said, “Relatively.” She rose from her chair and followed the congregation down the hall, who were still in cheers from Team Japan getting their hard-earned payback. And as Haruhi and Kyon debated the issue, the favorite won, but it took a penalty lottery to do it.

Thanks a lot, Mom. You just had to open your big complaining mouth, and indirectly change the outcome considerably. Well, I know who my personal scapegoat will be.

News flash: The AL East is still up for grabs.

In my mind, nobody cares about the MLB All-Star Break, unless you are a retired, obese baby-boomer or a spoiled, fugly wife of one of the players who will be taking part. That said, those who are calling the race for the AL East pennant to Boston are fools, and for good reason: the New York Yankees are catching up. Right now, they are literally crushing the Los Angeles Angels, 12-0, heading into the late innings. As if things weren’t bad enough for my favorite teams. Mike Scoscia going to have to get these players more focused on the task at hand, and that’s win games. We’re still on top of the AL West, but by the seat of our asses.

That said, I’m more interested on the football: the arena football (the Avengers face the defending ArenaBowl champion Chicago Rush tomorrow), the Canadian football (Saskatchewan takes on Calgary in a few hours), and the associated football (can Team USA U-20 go far in the knockout stages, and will the Socceroos rebound from their dismal performance against Oman? And what of the Galaxy? Can they dispose of the Richmond Kickers on the 10^th, while seeing David Beckham take care of things as he jumps aboard?).

One thing is for sure: those Damn Yankees are back. Shoeless Joe from Hannibal, Mo. and Lola send help!