Hey la, hey la, my laptop's back... <3

Yesterday, I got my laptop, a VAIO VGN-N130G, back. It was going through some repairs by Sony, and the hard drive had to be replaced, and a few keys that were loose were put back into position. Naturally, I upgraded it back from XP to Vista. This time, though, I upgraded it to Vista Business, as this is the primary use for this laptop. In the future, I will give it another stab at Ultimate, just not in the near future.

So now I am blogging from this laptop. I just want to share a year in photos. This year was a successful year for Long Beach State athletics, and I would like to give you a taste of what we do at the Beach.

A Year In Review

Anaheim Ducks - 2007 Stanley Cup Champions!

What a day for hockey. The Anaheim Ducks win the 2007 Stanley Cup.

Canada still fails [sic] at ice hockey. It should be a day of mourning in the nation's capital. Get the hearse ready, and bring out some pitch black Clydesdales while you're at it.

As for Anaheim, and all of Southern California and Orange County, embrace your Ducks. They are the champions of North America.

Enjoy fapping that Auld Mug, Butterbean, your days are numbered.

Well, I woke up to news that Dean Barker and Emirates Team New Zealand blackwashed Luna Rossa 5-0. Alinghi, Brad Butterworth and Ernesto Bertarelli, you better look over your shoulders. The Kiwis want their America's Cup back, and they mean it.

The article...

Australia destroyed Jordan in Olympic qualifying, 4-0, so they are off to the final round on the road to Beijing, and Japan took care of things, too. The Jordan win was impressive because they did it without Kristian Sarkies, who fell ill with a virus. There are no articles yet, but GlobalScore.com confirmed that it was a 4-0 win, with all four goals in the second half. Unbelievable.

Meanwhile, England holds on to hope that they will qualify for Euro 2008, defeating Estonia 3-0. This day could get even better if Toronto FC and the Canadian national socccer team win their games. And of course, if Anaheim wins the Stanley Cup, this day will have reached its highest point for me.

Why is Wednesday "Big Wednesday"?

For a number of reasons:

• Emirates Team New Zealand is one win away from winning the Louis Vuitton Cup and challenging Alinghi for the America's Cup. No one in the history of the Louis Vuitton Cup has ever gone from 4-0 down to win 5-4. Those Kiwis should be ready to clinch this tomorrow.
• The Anaheim Ducks, established in 1994, are one win away from getting their first Stanley Cup, and they can win it by defeating the Ottawa Senators at the Honda Center. The franchise is only 13 years old, and for a young franchise, this would make history. Oddly enough, the Angels will be facing the Twins at Angel Stadium, but it will be at 12:35 p.m. to allow the fans to head to the Honda Center afterwards.
• Toronto FC has a chance to show the doubters that they are formidable, when they face off against Juan Pablo Angel and Red Bull New York.
• Canada has a chance to show that the decision the Canadian Soccer Association made was warranted, as they open up their Gold Cup campaign against Costa Rica.
• The Olyroos are one point away from advancing to the final round of the AFC qualification for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Crushing Jordan would be most preferred.

Need I say more?

On commencement, old friends, and the mystery of the mind

There are those who say of believe that the mind goes a million directions or so a minute. For others, it’s billions. For some it’s thousands. But the direction that a person’s mind travels changes with the seasons, the moments, and the times of days, the different aesthetics of music, art, and travel. A person’s life is decided by where his minds and heart guides him, too. And if it’s a place that he wants to be, then it is the right direction. If it’s the wrong place, or the wrong time, that direction he took was to a point of no return, and made his life miserable and meaningless.

Speaking of meaning, what is the meaning, the symbolism behind commencement? People travel down a path club in black, with two rows of instructors greeting them. In the distance, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, other family members and friends, and many more people young men and women who walk down the gap between the two lines. In the distance, Edward Elgar’s “Pomp & Circumstance” is playing lustily. And what is the meaning of these men and women tossing their hats in the air? That college spirit, that undying devotion to learning what is feels to be young…what is that?

When I was getting ready to graduate from Long Beach City College, I went down this path. My father and mother were cheering madly. I didn’t see them until I was in my seat. They were in the bleachers section, at the bottom, and my dad was dancing like that fool Willie Revillame of Wowowee. Only then did I realize where I was. I was in the middle of the new SprinTurf field at Long Beach College, on a white plastic seat, donning a gold Alpha Gamma Sigma stole, bedecked with pins, presenting t6he clubs and awards I won at the college. That stole is now encased in my room.

I had tears in my eyes. I was screaming in joy. I was ecstatic. That, I think, is that natural feeling one gets from being at a Commencement ceremony. I earned a dual degree: Liberal Arts and Computer Business Information Systems. The odd thing was that I would take one more class at the college in the summer before going on to Long Beach State.

But aside from that, commencement is a fun event. At the JC level, it’s a great day for about a thousand or so recipients of certificates and Associate degrees. When I wrote this on paper to prepare it for blog, it was less than three hours to the 80^th Commencement Ceremony at Long Beach City College. For some people I know, this is the biggest moment of their lives. For me, it’s a time to reflect on my commencement at the campus two years ago.

Last year, I had other things to do, so I couldn’t stay for the entire ceremony. This year, with Paul Rodriguez being the guest speaking this year, I was inclined to stay, and get his autograph. And this would be for my mom. There is a very strong wind, just like two years ago. Seems the times haven’t changed much.

I look at the field, the lines, the turf, and the track surrounding it. And my heart starts to race. Suddenly, I long for college football season to return. Long Beach City College still has the only college football team in this city. And I long to cover once again those games at Vets Stadium, and those games in the Mission Football Conference. I remember last year like it was yesterday. El Camino had one of its greatest seasons since 1987, when they won the National Championship. Last year, the Warriors, led by Boo Jackson, JJ Bass, Kayne Farquharson, and the linebacking duo of Vuna Tuihalamaka and Elisha Mueller, defeated Saddleback College in a thriller that was won by a missed Saddleback College field goal wide right. They would then defeat Bakersfield with some last-minute heroics, before crushing San Francisco to win the state title. While Blinn College got the national crown, they wouldn’t have stood a chance against ElCo. We may never know for sure.

And I wonder...will El Camino and Saddleback reload this season? Or will “Home Base” get their mojo back? In a disastrous season for Jerry Jaso’s Vikings, they took comfort in winning back the Crosstown Cup from Frankie Mazzota’s Cerritos Falcons.

Back to the Commencement. Paul Rodriguez, the Original Latin King of Comedy, and co-owner of the Laugh Factory, graduated from LBCC in 1980. His son is a celebrity skateboarder, and even has his own line of boards, shoes, etc. He did speak before, and that was in the early 90’s. So it’s been awhile. Of course, I was in elementary school/junior high at that time. I would pass by Veterans Stadium during bus rides up and down Clark Avenue. I liked the baseball scoreboard, and the letters-Veterans Memorial Stadium, Long Beach City College-were prominent. It was after seeing this stadium that IU wanted to be a student here. The rest is history.

I suppose, when it comes to the best football stadiums out there for the colleges and high schools, Veterans Stadium is a gem. Every seat has great sight lines, the restrooms are of satisfactory standard, that small-town feel is evident, and the press box is quaint but luxurious, given what it is. The steps may be a workout, going up and down, but I suppose it is work it.

I guide a new visitor to Vets where to go for the ceremony. It’s not like a high school commencement. The local high schools won’t be holding theirs until the second/third week of June, but, given the numbers of students there, every seat will be reserved, and there will not be a seat left here. At this commencement, you can come on in without having to reserve a spot. Odd, but I will be surprised if there are no seats left.

4: 20 p.m. 100 minutes to commencement of the Class of 2007. At this point, all of the colleges at the Beach have already held theirs. I am just relieved that I got a C in IS 340, securing a 2.0 GPA for the semester (pending appeal). I really didn’t eat much. I wasn’t that hungry. It’s a strange feeling. You look at pictures of burgers, friend and other sandwiches, and you start to feel sick to your stomach because they are precursors to heart attacks and high blood pressure. I yawn. I was bored. So, I decided to walk back to Jack in the Box, and order a salad for dinner. Changed my mind. Japanese food. I was dying for it.

55 minutes to Commencement. The wind has died for now. I talked with a good friend of mine, Volunteer Center Coordinator Pat Hicks, who was one of those organizers of the occasion. She told me that it was doubtful that I would get Paul’s autograph, given the layout of the ceremony. Good thing I asked so as to get a background for what would go on. Looks like I’ll just have to film his speech instead, which I did.

The crowd slowly starts to fill up. By the way, I wolfed down a simple meal of curry and tempura.

39 minutes to commencement. I take a look at the program, finding who I know will move on. The person doing the welcome and farewell is Michelle Ernst. She is a TNT member, a Kassai member, and a fellow AGS Kappa comrade. She is the Student Trustee this year.

John Brunac, Tong president is one of the marshals for this event. That makes me happy to see one of my brothers raise the mace for the T-O-N-G. More cars roll in. More people roll in, and now the chamber orchestra (actually, Brass Ensemble) goes in to prepare. The Studio Singers are not going to be performing tonight, which is a bummer. Maybe this will give more room for Paul to chat with the convocation.

The Ensemble plays the same set of songs for each commencement. As the grads and faculty line up, the Ensemble starts with Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Procession of the Nobles.” (I know Nikolai more for “Night on Bald Mountain,” but I suppose this would not be proper music for the commencement, and believe it or not…it isn’t.) Then, the group of 8 old guys and 1 older lady play the “Triumphal March” by Edvard Grieg. (Again, the “Peer Gynt Suite” is what I feel Grieg is more famous for, but, unfortunately, this is not a free Brass Ensemble concert of songs to invoke nightmares of armies of grues and Boogeymen chasing you to your coercive submission. No, sadly, this is Commencement. Boo.) Next, the group plays the “La Peri” fanfare by Paul Dukas. La Peri is a ballet about one man’s search for immortality, and his meeting with a Peri, a descendant of a fallen angel that is between an angel and a demon. It’s the stuff anime and manga classics are made of, though the ballet part can be done better without.

Finally, the guys and girl play that British air of patriotism (“Pomp”), before wrapping up the cheesy strings of classical hits with a couple of processional fanfares by Elgar Howarth. This piece is more recent, given that this guy is still alive. I thought it was a collaboration of two people, but this was actually a living person (still living as of this blog submission) that created these fanfares. Ahhhh, England. How I long to visit you again.

20 minutes to Commencement. The people continue to file. Must. Find. Higher ground.

“La Peri” is playing. That is one of my favorite pieces of the set of music in this program. It’s actually 10 guys and one girl playing. All old folks.

This is a different procession from two years ago. My class and I would all roll in from the north end zone. This year, the grads are marching in from the south end zone, because the north end zone is reserved for the after-graduation function. There seems to be a problem with the gate, or they haven’t been given the signal to open it yet. But they, I mean the marshals.

I sigh in boredom again. Such was a commencement like this. They should have stuck to tradition instead. The faculty first rolled in from the center to the right side of the grandstand end of the track. Even the faculty were not queuing it right. Huge gaps (“Pomp” is playing.)

6:05 p.m. The first claps. Within a minute, the roar of the crowd, and the claps would be heard, with the whistles, and air horns. One group even brought in the pots and pans to give a down-home effect. A ripple, then a wave, and finally, an eruption. Applause, cheers, and happiness all around. Actually, it took about four minutes. And to no surprise, there were some seats left.

John is at the very end. Typical. He’s the only guy among the four marshals. Lucky bloke. Actually, this guy is a smart guy, too, being on the Dean’s List, and will be graduating with high honors.

This is very good crowd. I wonder if we can have this many to come out for the Viking football games. The doves fly. Peace all over the world. I intentionally ignore Michelle’s speech to see where those doves will go. After a few minute they fly off away from view, to wherever their final destination may be. We hope they have a good night. Or is it a good flight? Or is it both. I don’t really know; can you fill me in?

I just got Paul’s speech recorded. Some slight distractions. But otherwise, a good clip. The air horns are out in full force again, as well as those from Long Beach Poly, Jordan, Cabrillo, all vocal and ecstatic. I can’t wait for tomorrow. I want the Beach to extinguish those Flames.

I just realized something. There are empty seats in the graduates and faculty section, too. Too much seats, and/or a number of folks vacationed early.

Dr. Eloy Oakley speaks. He breaks the fourth wall, and places is back up again. Dr. Oakley announces the members on the platform with him that haven’t been mentioned, and I just realized the stole Paul was wearing was that stole of gratitude they were selling in the Bookstore stall outside of the stadium. >w>

Dr. Doug Otto accepts the Class of 2007 from Dr. Oakley, as per tradition, and after a speech, confers it to them, and the grads receive their holders. The diplomas are being processed (unless they graduated in December, at which they are already printed, and given to them). I struck a pose, acknowledging the pleasantly inevitable.

The beach balls are flying in the stands now. And grads are feeling the love. I meet my old elementary school friend Veronica Quijano. She has three semesters to go. She has a lot to catch up on. Seriously, she does.

After another hours of so, I take off. Oddly, as I read one of the back issues of the Viking, the article that showed the men’s volleyball team fail against the Lasers of Irvine Valley had this to say:

“[Adam] Church’s plays whipped the crowd into a frenzy, including one LBCC students who created his own blowhorn out of a game program and repeatedly yelled ‘Go Beach!’ at the top of his lungs.”

Little did Michael Brown, the guy who wrote this, know that while in appearance, the guy in question could visually have passed for an LBCC student, the guy in fact was an alumnus who has been a graduated for two years. And that guy….was me. Actually, have artificial noisemakers like this are not allowed at the Walter Pyramid or the Gold mine during volleyball games, and the cheer I did is something Long Beach States students, boosters and alumni do whenever the opposition is serving, and we return the volley. Therefore, I suggest to the people at LBCC to try this: “Go….BEACH! Long! Beach! City!” While it was proving to be ineffective against Irvine (I still detest UCI and IVC for making their city the college volleyball capital of America this year), it can be something the students can try for next fall, when the women take the court.

A good day

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.

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

The Anaheim Ducks are the Western Conference Champions, defeating the Detroit Red Wings 4-3, and win the series 4-2.

BRING ON OTTAWA!!!

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

LONG BEACH STATE BASEBALL

WHICH DIED AT BLAIR FIELD

On 20^th 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 University of California,

Riverside.

“…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.

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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).

The Lancers even the score

“One, two, three…GARY D!”

So says the Long Beach Wilson High School baseball team as they took to the field at Blair Field in Long Beach, California against the rival Lakewood Lancers. They were battle-tested, winning a 7-6 nailbiter. Gary D, was, in this case, Gary DeVercelly. DeVercelly was a standout Wilson alumnus who died due to an alcohol-related binge haze gone wrong at Rider University.

For those of you who don’t know, Rider University is a school in the northeast of the country, and plays in the Metro Atlantic Ahtlwetic Conference. In other words, it’s a small school. But when news reached the players that Gary used to play with when he was with the Bruins, it hurt real hard.

For Long Beach Wilson, the most prep-looking of the schools in the Moore League, and the area for all that mattered, losing someone like Gary DeVercelly was like losing a member of their family. The Wilson banner flew at half-mast for a while. From that point on, the players wore black armbands, honoring their fallen comrade.

As a Lakewood alumnus, I felt some sort of sympathy for those folks. I never like to see people go like that. When they have so much to live for, and a lethal overdose of aqua vitae took all their hopes and dreams-and their life away, living can be a cruel thing.

I tried getting a bid to a couple off frats at Long Beach State. Neither gave me a bid. And while I rued the day they did that to me, I look back at it, and it was probably one of the best things that happened to me. If I was intoxicated, and died while pledging, my family would have been shaken to the foundation and some, I can tell you that much.

With all that out of the way, I am hopeful that Lakewood will have the breaks that will even the score with the high-flying Bruins. Lakewood is ranked 9th in the nation by Baseball America, while Wilson is ranked 4th. It’s very possible these two could meet in the CIF-SS Division I championship at Angel Stadium.

I love Dire Straits. My favorite songs include “Walk Of Life”, “Tunnel Of Love,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Money For Nothing,” and, of course, “Sultans of Swing.”

I am a connoisseur of good musical hooks. When a good riff is made, combined with a suitable melody that drives the song, it can make a song memorable. In my view, a Billboard-charting song has its foundation on the hooks, from the rhythm, to the melody, to the lyrics themselves. And when it’s done right, it tops the charts.

Some hooks are done so well, that they can be remembered for many years. Take, for example Republica’s “Ready To Go.” This song combined good rhythm sampling, with guitars, and some simple, but proper lyrics. The hooks that drive the verses, refrain, chorus and bridge make a song that was composed in the mid-90’s relevant to today. This song became a jock jam. In otherwords, it was a song made for sports, and is played during important matched for teams. I can imagine that a collage of clips featuring the team in question can be easily choreographed to this music, and played before the pre-match introductions.

But let’s get back to the match between the Lancers and the Bruins. I knew that this was going to be a preview for the playoffs that would follow later in the season.

The Bruins start off with a few base hits, and jump off to an early 1-0 lead. The Lakewood supporters, who are on the third base side of the field and up to that point were frustrated with the hits given up, finally have something to cheer about with an out caught stealing, followed by a ground out. This game was going to be a long one.

A high school game goes seven innings in regulations, but there are times that the innings get longer, and leaner. Walks, combined with inept pitching, equal some utter futility.

I’m not going to place any future mobile I have in my jacket pockets. They tend to slide out when the pockets are not restrained by closed zippers. I’ll have to leave my next one at home. Hopefully, when my mom calls, she found out that someone has my phone. This has to be the worst feeling, having to lose it on the bus thanks to poor jacket design.

At the end of the night, to keep a long story short, Lakewood held off a rally by Wilson, and won thanks to some key baserunning in the bottom of the fourth to even the score, and possibly have a share of the Moore crown, defeating Wilson 5-4.

A light...gone out

She was a light in our district’s darkness.

I just received news today, reading at today’s papers. Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald, who represents my district, the 37th in California, passed away yesterday. I couldn’t believe the news…but I had to. People come, and people go. I just shook me head. I am just realizing the many things she has done in my district. District 37 encompasses West Long Beach.

She was an important member of Congress for I don’t know how many years. I was proud to have met her. Her hard work in helping our community was the reason she was able to keep her seat. No other person could have done such a great endeavor as a senior member of the House of Representatives.

I remember a number of people barracking for Peter Matthews to represent the Democrats in the recent election last year. He was flattened by Millender-McDonald in the primaries. I remember Oscar Velasco, a humble Pinoy like me, who did our taxes a few times, fight a brave battle against Millender-McDonald…as a Republican. But no, one, an I mean, NO ONE, could replicate the many great things Congresswoman Millender-McDonald did for the West Side. She is one of those people that will go down as a tough act to follow. I salute her, as she takes her place in the sky. Maybe she will be able to meet my grandparents there. I hope she can do that for me.

Rest in peace.

April 17: A pure day from hell.

I'm...not dead yet.

I still ask myself, “Why am I not gone yet?” Yesterday was a day that I would love to forget. In fact, I have to forget this day, because I sacrificed a number of things, part of a baseball game that would see my home team drop, and barely missing a bus. On top of that, my hockey team, the Anaheim Ducks, squandered a sweep that night, and the Angels continued their evil losing ways once again.

The biggest one that had to hurt was the fact that I had a second unexcused tutoring absence. It was not something I wanted to sacrifice, but given that my laptop was going through an important software upgrade, I had to give that up.

On top of that, I was a no-show at the ISSA meeting because my laptop was still going through the upgrade. The people at the labs could not let my laptop go unattended, and if I pulled the plug, I would still be stuck with Vista Home Premium, instead of Vista Ultimate, which was finally finished over an hour after the meeting concluded.

I had enough time to get the baseball game, but the Dirtbags were awful against LMU. Inept pitching. Horrible fielding. And extra innings after squandering the opportunity to win the game with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth.

To make matters worse, I missed my bus heading to Downtown Long Beach. And for an exclamation point, my sister goes far as to call me an idiot. I’m not sure I can accept her apology afterwards, unless she pays for my bloody tuition. She’s 10 times the schumck I will ever be, that older sister of mine.

I am still stunned and in disbelief that I could survive such a nightmarish day. Maybe the man upstairs is telling me to wait a long while before he puts me in the know. Guess life will have to go on for me...for now.

So that's the poor fellow's name...

Cho Seung-Hui. As an Asian-American, I have to feel for the family of this guy. I don't know if this was an attempt to impress Kim Jong-Il and company, but it was an ill-fated attempt, to put it nicely. I had to edit this post after finding some new info.

But let's cut to the chase. There are other things he could have done other than this.

For example: he could have gone here and settled down with the Anime Club or the Pilipino-American Coalition. Alternatively, he could be Zeta, as in a member of Zeta Phi Rho. Or he could have been an active member of SPJA, and helped continue Anime Expo's legacy of being the original, and still the best, anime convention in North America.

In short, Cho Seung-Hui could have done something better with his life. Heck, if he was majoring in Info Systems like me, I could have found another tutor to help me with my Stat work and Oracle scripting. Instead, he resorted to this.

And I don't know where his soul will be, but I doubt even the likes of famous Chinese leaders like Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaopeng, or even Cheng Kai-shek, heck, even Confucius would approve of such an act.

A MySpace House Call

I've not that into MySpace as I was before. However, I do post every now and then on my blog, Bedlam on MySpace Boulevard, which is a satellite blog of BoBA. I found out that I have a lot of junk that I have to clean out. So, before I finish up that IS 340 homework, I have to deal with cleaning out my inbox.

That might be the only thing that was a pain, although it was way later in the day. Humph. I'm doing a house call on my account as I put this to blog.

It was a good day.

I love Ice Cube. I like his for a number of his songs he wrote with N.W.A., specifically the surreal "Straight Outta Compton," as well as Bop Gun, featuring Parliament Funkadelic legend George Clinton. I still love his dreads. But one song that sticks out today is that song, "It Was A Good Day." One of the lines of the song has "The Lakers Beat The Supersonics." And truth be told, that's what the Lakers did today, and, in the process, ending days of frustration with a clinched playoff berth, snapping a losing streak on the side.

But that wasn't the only good thing that happened. It was the other good outcomes that has April 15, 2007 as one of my better days of the year to have experienced.

1. I predicted Sebastien Bourdais to win the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, and lo and behold, he did so, fending off challenge from a certain Aussie named Will Power. Lampoon that, Grunion buffs, Fancy Lash, Father MacKenzie and you ilk.
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2. I predicted that there would be no hope for Cal State Northridge's baseball team, and the Dirtbags swept them, winning 7-2. In addition, those grumpy Staff Pro old farts left me alone. Wise move, you able-bodied Leisure World pensioners. Oddly enough, I went on a bus full of senior citizens when heading off to pick up lunch at the In-N-Out in Marina Pacifica.

3. I went to the softball game against Fullerton. It was the rubber match. Some Bobby Sox kids told me to be quiet, but I told them, "Kids, you're here to have fun. Make some noise and enjoy the game." One even asked me, "Do you go to all the events." I said, "Kid, I've been to over 70 so far in all sports, save cross-country and golf, this season, and I'm not done yet." Bridgette Pagano was able to atone for her demise yesterday, and the 49ers took the series, winning 5-1. And I was able to pick up my lunch without missing the bus. And I got a sweet game program and media guide.

4. The Dodgers won on Jackie Robinson day, 9-3. And the Angels were spared further humiliation from Boston thanks to snow. Odd that in the middle of April, there is still snow in the Northeast. That thing may not be over when June comes up there if it holds up!

5. FC Dallas gets theirs, after making Joe Cannon look like a rec league keeper, via a 3-0 drubbing by Red Bull New York and Bruce Arena.

6. The Anaheim Ducks get a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild, putting them on the ropes for Super Tuesday at the XCel Energy Center in the Twin Cities.

7. Michael Ballack sent Chelsea to the promised land in the FA Cup semifinal, giving the Blues a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers in extra time. The stage is set for a world-famous football clash in a world-famous stadium. Manchester United vs. Chelsea. The 2007 FA Cup Final presented by E.ON at Wembley Stadium. May 19, 2007. Will you be there?

(Hint: I won't.)

It's funny to know that those two could be meeting again at Athens in the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final if Chelsea downs Liverpool and Man United disposes of AC Milan. Never mind that these two are in a race for the Premiership Crown. That Man United (owned by Malcolm Glazer, managed by Sir Alex Ferguson) vs. Chelsea (owned by Chukotka head honcho Roman Abromovich, managed by Jose Mourinho) for ya.

8. The Matildas rolled over Chinese Taipei, 10-0. It's clear that the matches against the Chollima concubines from North Korea will determine who in their group will be heading off to Athens.

A great day to be a yanderekko...

For those of you who don't know what the heck a yanderekko is, that is the term for a cute girl who ends up becoming a hellbent killer. An example of this is Rena Ryuuguu (one of my favorite yanderekkos) from When Cicadas Cry (Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni).

And why is that, one asks? While a number of my local teams won, a number of my local teams also lost today (and yesterday).

I'll go to the teams that failed. Starting with the Galaxy. Now, call what you will, all those "the ball is round" type of talk, but the bottom line is: my LA Galaxy played the type of football that overpaid, pretentious, impotent sportswriters love to rip apart just to get some extra dough. They lost 2-1 to an FC Dallas team that should have been winnable without David Beckham. No excuse for that uncompelling home opener.

Next, the Lakers. Oh dear. How many more losses before you salvage a playoff berth, Phil Jackson? They sunk to .500, losing to Phoenix. I'd rather cheer for the Clippers now. I'll place even money on Phil Jackson and his staff fired if they are eliminated while crashing into the finish line.

Next, the Avengers. Ouch! Ed Hodgkiss, when will you tell you guys to play some defense when it matters most? I mean, I know Arena Football is a high-scoring ordeal-it's a given, and I've actually seen a game during your inaugural season-but come on now. Dropping another one to the Utah Blaze? You can feel the heat now, Hodgie, and it's not coming from Utah...I leave it to you to find that out. Schmuck.

Next, the Angels. While I know Boston will be once again a force to be reckoned with, you gotta tell your guys not to make getting blown out of the water a habit. Baseball, like any sport, has a business side to things. That's why I'm attending classes at the CBA right now...

Finally, Long Beach City College and Long Beach State men's volleyball. I'll get to Alan Knipe's swains last. First, LBCC. Jeez Louise, Randy Totorp! Dropping the match to Santa Monica on the 6th (after looking for the result for over a week)!? You gotta kick butt against Moorpark to get the conference title. The Corsairs might be the ones who take the wheels off you. Unforgivable.
But I'll give you this, Randy: your guys are nowhere near as pathetic as Long Beach State. Ugh, Alan Knipe! Why, oh why, did USA Volleyball hire you to coach the national side at the Pan American Games this summer? It doesn't make sense. Finishing the season on a losing note, getting whitewashed by UC Irvine, of all teams! If this is how your national side will play (and I know they can send the Beach off the face off this war-torn planet if they wanted to), then they've got as good a chance of winning gold as England have a chance of winning the World Cup. USA Volleyball, hire John Speraw for the Olympic run. Please. Or Marv Dunphy. Or Al Scates. Or Bill Ferguson or Mike Wilton. Heck, have your program do an about-face and hire Ryan McGuyre! Anybody but Alan Knipe! For the love of William "Mintonette" Morgan!

I hope I am proven wrong.

Now I go to the good stuff that happened. Anaheim Ducks are now 2-0 on Minnesota Wild, while the Dodgers, LBSU women's tennis, the Dirtbags, and the Las Vegas 51s won. End good stuff. I seem to write more about failure than victory. I suppose I'm falling in with those sportswriters, except for one thing: I'm not paid to blog. And until someone gives me the ability to snap my fingers to take money from someone without them knowing it and letting me get away with it...I like it that way.