This will be a long blog entry. One which I am stunned to post. Read below for all the details.ERROR
The combined length of all the labels must be at most 200 characters.
My ass!Today was the day of Kaleidoscope 2008. This is a tradition at Long Beach State. The very first time I went here was over a decade ago, when I was a seventh grader at Stephens Middle School, playing with the Pandrummonium Steel Drum Band/Ensemble. I was one of the original members of that band, by the way. But everything looked the same: banners flying, bands playing, the usual suspects setting up shop (USU Program Council, SLD, Associated Students, etc.). One booth that I stopped by was this booth for CRUNK, an energy drink pioneered by Atlanta's very own Lil' Jon. His son is an avid hockey player. (I won't go into much detail on the hockey-the Habs lost-but I may delve deeper on the original version [the FIELD version] next entry). I tried the sugar-free version. It was a run-of-the-mill, ice cold medicine-type of drink. I probably wouldn't want to buy something like that, although I was glad to investigate about the brew, which featured, among ingredients in its "proprietary" formula horny goat weed (YES, it does exist). Actually, I felt sorry for those guys in the booth. I'm not too much a fan of Lil JOn, but to market a drink that literally SUCKS has to be a humbling experience.That was before I witnessed some history in the making. Brooke Turner, the younger sister of Michelle Turner, set a new record for strikeouts in a single season, sitting down 11, and relegating Meredith Cervenka's old record to second place, in a 2-1 victory over UC Riverside, who were very feisty to begin with. We took the series after Bridgette Pagano drove in a 2-run homer over the left field wall to make it 4-3 in the second game. If these ladies don't get a regional berth, let alone bid (Mayfair Park A Go Go), the NCAA can kiss my ass. I'll even send the Eiken Club to boob-slap the selection committee into submission, fate willing.Meanwhile, back at Blair Field, another ridiculous festival of short balls, long balls, and foul balls caught (and dropped) by salty old farts who still have it culminated in Kurt "Wide Load" Wideman dropping the ball, enabling "Sugar" Shane "The Pain" Peterson to drive in the winning run in a 14-13 victory for the Beach. Yes, football has returned to the Beach. Football scores, that is. The chicks were digging the long ball, the alums were scooping the foul balls, and I scolded a bloody idiot of a booster for failing to give a high five to me. Sit with the Tigers if you would like to be that way. I'm not obliged to even fake a smile to those cellar-dwelling punks. Actually, I thumbed my noses at a few other Tiger supporters who were clearly fairweather to the core. That's why we have seats behind home plate, so you can make up your bloody minds, you indecisive wanks.Overall I did 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14=107 push-ups for the men soon to be in a box. As well as the others. Well, I guess CRUNK had its benefits. Somewhat.While most of the local teams were rolling (Beach Tennis will face of against the Zots tomorrow for the crown after taking out the Gauchos 4-0), I knew that women's water polo was going to be the goats of the day. I was surprised that I was actually RIGHT. The swiss cheese porn girls from Northridge edged us, 8-7. This year has gone to hell for Cat von Schwarz, and she knows it.---This leads me to my premise of four nervous cities.COLUMBUS, OH and UNIVERSITY PARK, PA should be nervous, in spite of winning their respective tournaments. Pepperdine stunned BYU in five. While both of them swept Ball State and George Mason (respectively), Shawn Patchell's men had a letdown to be damned for all time: after going up 2-0 in 30-28 wins, the Waves proceeded to win Game 3 32-30, Game 4 30-27, and complete the rally 15-8. The question for these cities is this: who gets the Waves, and who gets the at-large team? I'll give you this: the team who DOES NOT get Pepperdine should be considered lucky. Somewhat.LONG BEACH, CA and PROVO, UT should also be nervous. Both teams shared the regular season title, yet both of them fell to Pepperdine. Uh oh. The question for these cities is this: who gets to be the at-large team, and who will they face? The Cougars have more wins, and advanced farther, but the 49ers defeated the Cougars in both meetings at Wally's House.I would see the situation to be this:Penn State vs. PepperdineOhio State vs. Long Beach StateIf even Mark Pavlik's boys can't solve the Amazing Australian Alien, a.k.a. Paul Carroll, then this tournament will turn on its head in a hurry.---Meanwhile, down at the Home Depot Center, the Galaxy were back to their winning ways, taking down Chivas USA 5-2. A brace from Alan Gordon and a hat trick from Landon Donovan sealed the Goats' fates. Also, Toronto FC continued their climb, and Chelsea fought back to set the deciding week to be next week in the Barclays Premier League down in England. And the Lakers...well, it was just the same old stuff driven down Denver's throats.Also, in about a few hours from now, the USA women's field hockey team faces Belgium in a game that will determine Lee Bodimeade's fate. Well, it HAS to, with a berth in Beijing on the line. More on that next entry.
On the premise of four nervous cities, a festival of hits, and other happenings
This Thursday flat-out SUCKED.
ERROR
These characters are not allowed in a post label: !.
What you just saw above is a microcosm [sic] of a forgettable Thursday.
Well, this was just pathetic. I am just a few hours removed from internalizing Long Beach State delivering the letdown of letdowns against Pepperdine. I just heard news that the LBCC conterparts failed miserably. Hours and hours ago, the women were drinking the Kool-Aid of false hope against Cal.
I nearly lost it when I find out that I didn't get a link to the ballot. That's just wrong: students who finish in the Fall can't vote in the Spring as their last election to participate in as an undergrad. I don't want to get the impression that the numerous messages they drop on my Facebook profile were in vain. I had to do it. I'm just glad that my write-in vote will count. Gives me closure as I press on in my ROP journey.
I am surprised that I am on pace to get enough hours for one year equivalent of clerical office work. I thought I needed to seal the deal with summer work. Looks like I get a chance to see what the folks at Sperka need. And then I move on.
At least the Habs and Lakers (and Angels?) are doing the usual, so the day wasn't a complete failure. And the USA women's field hockey team is still alive. I originally was going to change the URL of this blog if they had failed in winning the tournament [which we won't know for a while], but Pepperdine making a mockery of their record in emphatic fashion expedited the sealed fate of the Bedlam.
One who has followed the Masters' journeys this season can only hope that the NCAA (those scalliwags who I still thumb my nose at) decides to make up for screwing with the internal affairs of our men's hoops team by letting the volleyball counterparts in as an at-large. Should they give it to someone else, my damnatio memoriae on Larry Reynolds and Reggie Howard will stand, ever after centuries.
Not trying to be biblical or Erich Honecker-like, but you can tell that I deem this Thursday to be forgettable indeed.
New blog URL
After several months of paying tribute to Arina Tanemura (albeit indirectly), I am changing my blog URL. The URL will be:
I decided to go forward with this, after I witnessed one of the most embarassing efforts by one of my teams. This is all your fault, Paul Carroll, you Aussie motherfucker!!! DAMN YOU AND YOUR FELLOW PEPPERDINE CHEATING VOLLEYPRICKS! YOU MADE ME DO THIS!!!!
As well as me. Since this is MY blog. ;p
Please take note of the changes. See you around...the Bedlam. Whether for good, or for even worse, something is going on.
EDIT: I hope to make the transfer complete by later tomorrow. I'm having some difficulties getting it done.
EDIT 2: Well, they could have said this, instead of the generic crap they generate:
"This is a minor glitch. Please try again in 5 minutes. Thank you."
I mean, is it really that hard to make it that assuring? I mean, deviantART has something similar and I find it fair enough (though I can weave through and refresh). These guys could learn a lot from dA (of which I am a proud supporter of).
Oh, for those of you who were wondering about the recent comments, to put it short: The transfer is complete.
The test of fate
LBSU to face much-improved Pepperdine team - Sports
I joked to my fellow 49er brethren that the only way we can stop Pepperdine is if Paul Carroll is injured, or is feeling so ill that he would be a no go the next we face the Waves. This match will be a test of fate to see if we can beat Pepperdine WITH the Australian King Arthur of the team.
I joked to my fellow 49er brethren that the only way we can stop Pepperdine is if Paul Carroll is injured, or is feeling so ill that he would be a no go the next we face the Waves. This match will be a test of fate to see if we can beat Pepperdine WITH the Australian King Arthur of the team.
An example of BoBA reality
Allow me to illustrate, using words, a typical Bedlam conversation.
"We understand you," said Mom to me.
"I hope so," I replied.
"But you have to understand us, as well. Choose the right words."
Well, duh! I've had to deal with that for the last two decades plus! It seems she didn't tire of saying the same old recycled advice that Mary Schmick hinted at in a column that Baz Lurhmann glorified a decade or so ago.
"Well, I congratulated him on finding his keys. Isn't that enough?"
"But it's too late. He doesn't need it."
"Okay, then I take back the congratulatory remark, and replace it with, 'Note to self: your key is in your compartment. You should have shook your head and kicked yourself for not looking for it there first.'"
That's where he found it. Four hours after the search began, sacrificing a buffet run to Hokkaido, on Cherry and Spring.
I'm happy for Dad. He is, once again, able to do what he does best: accommodate to those living in the mad house that is Intercommunity Care Center in Signal Hill. Too bad he interpreted the reminder as an insult. And it's a bummer that of all the places he didn't look for first, one of them just had to be that compartment of his.
It's a bummer to be senile, innit? In my dictionary, it's the same as old. Well, I can sympathize, because, sometimes, I don't look in the places I am most familiar with first when looking for something important. It happens.
And then we go off and fantasize about what we think SHOULD have happened, losing our touch with reality for a few idle minutes. I've observed this for a while, and it's a cycle. It happens every day in this house. Sometimes it's flat out fun to watch from a distance. Sometimes, the rationale would make the audience boo with disgust, as if it were a sitcom gone wrong.
But it makes people think about how good times, followed by bad, followed by good, alternate with each other. It's the Yin-Yang, the balancing act, that mystique that is the Bedlam.
"We understand you," said Mom to me.
"I hope so," I replied.
"But you have to understand us, as well. Choose the right words."
Well, duh! I've had to deal with that for the last two decades plus! It seems she didn't tire of saying the same old recycled advice that Mary Schmick hinted at in a column that Baz Lurhmann glorified a decade or so ago.
"Well, I congratulated him on finding his keys. Isn't that enough?"
"But it's too late. He doesn't need it."
"Okay, then I take back the congratulatory remark, and replace it with, 'Note to self: your key is in your compartment. You should have shook your head and kicked yourself for not looking for it there first.'"
That's where he found it. Four hours after the search began, sacrificing a buffet run to Hokkaido, on Cherry and Spring.
I'm happy for Dad. He is, once again, able to do what he does best: accommodate to those living in the mad house that is Intercommunity Care Center in Signal Hill. Too bad he interpreted the reminder as an insult. And it's a bummer that of all the places he didn't look for first, one of them just had to be that compartment of his.
It's a bummer to be senile, innit? In my dictionary, it's the same as old. Well, I can sympathize, because, sometimes, I don't look in the places I am most familiar with first when looking for something important. It happens.
And then we go off and fantasize about what we think SHOULD have happened, losing our touch with reality for a few idle minutes. I've observed this for a while, and it's a cycle. It happens every day in this house. Sometimes it's flat out fun to watch from a distance. Sometimes, the rationale would make the audience boo with disgust, as if it were a sitcom gone wrong.
But it makes people think about how good times, followed by bad, followed by good, alternate with each other. It's the Yin-Yang, the balancing act, that mystique that is the Bedlam.
On the mystique of the izakayas in Gardena, the Bedlam, and Dagwoods
Yesterday, I went down with my big sis and her fiancee down to this izakaya in Gardena called Azuma. I ate this big combination plate of teriyaki and tempura. The decor and look of this is consistent, I would think, with those in Japan. There are a lot of izakayas down in Gardena. It is a strong testament to the Japanese-America community there. I literally went through the kitchen to get to my seat. Brilliant.
I learned something about the aura of the Bedlam today. It does not favor me over my other family members, nor vice versa. It favors itself over everyone, with everyone. Last week, I was given the epithet of family scapegoat after misplacing my wallet. This weekend, my father misplaced his car keys. As I acknowledged the Bedlam at work, I sympathized.
I don't believe anyone would want to misplace his or her car keys. No way. Well, to be safe, at least order two or three backup copies, and store them in a place that is safe, deep in your family vault. Problem solved. And if you need to buy another, since you are using one in reserve, you can. Very unfortunate for Dad.
I've never been to Dagwoods. This is a sandwich/fast food chain down in Quebec. I'm hearing those commercials about the food there while listening to the Habs. When I go to Montreal for a visit, I wil make it a priority to check it out and have a bite to eat. With some poutine, I might add. But only if they get Stanley Cup #25. And if they don't, well, I may still go...but there are no guarantees.
As of this blog post time, it's Game 6 of the series between the Canadiens and Boston Bruins, and the Bruins are leading 5-4. The next game at the Bell Centre could be the last one.
Meanwhile, down in Northridge and Santa Barbara, the Dirtbags and 49er softball clubs are back to and continuing their winning ways. 16-2 and 9-2 hurtsplosions by the Bags (where was this the past few days pre-Pepperdine 10-0 washout?) combined with 8-6 and 5-2 wins over the Gaucho softball teams made things mighty nice today for the folks.
I learned something about the aura of the Bedlam today. It does not favor me over my other family members, nor vice versa. It favors itself over everyone, with everyone. Last week, I was given the epithet of family scapegoat after misplacing my wallet. This weekend, my father misplaced his car keys. As I acknowledged the Bedlam at work, I sympathized.
I don't believe anyone would want to misplace his or her car keys. No way. Well, to be safe, at least order two or three backup copies, and store them in a place that is safe, deep in your family vault. Problem solved. And if you need to buy another, since you are using one in reserve, you can. Very unfortunate for Dad.
I've never been to Dagwoods. This is a sandwich/fast food chain down in Quebec. I'm hearing those commercials about the food there while listening to the Habs. When I go to Montreal for a visit, I wil make it a priority to check it out and have a bite to eat. With some poutine, I might add. But only if they get Stanley Cup #25. And if they don't, well, I may still go...but there are no guarantees.
As of this blog post time, it's Game 6 of the series between the Canadiens and Boston Bruins, and the Bruins are leading 5-4. The next game at the Bell Centre could be the last one.
Meanwhile, down in Northridge and Santa Barbara, the Dirtbags and 49er softball clubs are back to and continuing their winning ways. 16-2 and 9-2 hurtsplosions by the Bags (where was this the past few days pre-Pepperdine 10-0 washout?) combined with 8-6 and 5-2 wins over the Gaucho softball teams made things mighty nice today for the folks.
Pope Benedict enters the ballpark
But you know what would really make me beam with glee? His Holiness presiding over Mass at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
Pope presides over Mass for thousands at Nationals ballpark
Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles TimesPope Benedict XVI delivers the homily at an open-air Mass in front of a gathering of thousands at the new Nationals Park baseball stadium in Washington D.C.In homily, Benedict tells 46,000 that an active Catholic Church is needed to confront a complex society. He again addresses the clergy sexual abuse crisis and urges reconciliation.washington -- Pope Benedict XVI today presided over the first open-air Mass of his trip to the United States and urged Christian renewal through loyalty to God as a way to confront troubled times.
Speaking in Nationals Park, a sports cathedral more suited to the cheers and jeers of baseball than the notes of sacred music and words, Benedict told 46,000 faithful that an enthusiastic and active Roman Catholic Church is needed to deal with a complex and often troubled society.
"Who can deny that the present moment is a crossroads, not only for the church in America but also for society as a whole," the scholarly Benedict said in his homily.
"It is a time of great promise, as we see the human family in many ways drawing closer together and becoming ever more interdependent," he said.
"Yet at the same time we see clear signs of a disturbing breakdown in the very foundations of society: signs of alienation, anger and polarization on the part of many of our contemporaries; increased violence; a weakening of the moral sense; a coarsening of social relations; and a growing forgetfulness of God."
The pontiff said he was confident that the "profound harmony of faith and reason" will empower Catholics to confront urgent issues that shape the future of American society.
"Let us trust in the Spirit's power to inspire conversion, to heal every wound, to overcome every division and to inspire new life and freedom," the pope said. "How much we need these gifts!"
For the third day, the pope addressed the clergy sexual abuse crisis that has rocked the Catholic Church, again urging healing and reconciliation among those who have been hurt.
"No words of mine could describe the pain and harm inflicted by such abuse," the pope said.
Benedict spoke in a bright spring sunshine as a banner, proclaiming the official theme, "Christ Our Hope," stirred in the breeze.
After two days of pomp and protocol, this morning's focus was on Benedict's role as spiritual teacher for the faithful. Later he will address Catholic educators at The Catholic University of America. He will also meet with leaders of other faiths at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center.
The role of Latinos was a key note through today's proceedings, testament to the importance of the group to the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. One of the scriptural readings was in Spanish and the pope directly addressed the crowd in Spanish after the homily.
"Do not be overcome with pessimism, inertia or problems," Benedict said in Spanish. He told Latinos that their faith grows deeper every day with the knowledge of Christ that allows their hearts to be conquered by love and forgiveness.
"The church in the United States, taking to its heart so many of its immigrant children, has grown thanks also to the vitality of the testimony of the faithful Spanish speakers," Benedict said.
The pontiff arrived at the stadium in the popemobile around 9:30 a.m. EDT. Surrounded by security guards, his vehicle traveled around the perimeter of the ball field as the crowd erupted in cheers.
Parishioners began arriving hours earlier, crowding the subway before dawn. Vendors hawked souvenirs, flags and buttons.
The rising sun illuminated the colors of the faith. Plumed hats denoted the Knights of Columbus. Clerics wearing bright red robes bustled in formation around the field. Today's ceremony was the first non-sporting event to be held in the stadium, which opened for its first Major League Baseball season this year.
The altar was built in what is normally the outfield, and the home plate area was decorated with the symbols of the church and archdiocese.
It took more than 300 clerics more than 20 minutes to distribute the host to those taking Communion.
Michael.muskal@latimes.com
Tracy.wilkinson@latimes.com
Wilkinson reported from Washington and Muskal from Los Angeles.
click to enlarge
Photo Gallery
Super Tuesday Stimulus Packages
As the deadline to file those income taxes passed, all those who filed it ahead of the deadline got the stimulus packages they were waiting for. Of course, I was treated to a few stimulus packages myself.
First off, the Dirtbags picked themselves up from the unfortunate series against Irvine, and roughhoused Pepperdine, 10-0. Earlier that day, Aldershot Town FC clinched promotion to the Football League, 16 years after being blasted off the face of the footballing world, drawing 1-1 with Exeter City. Also that day, the Lakers clinched the Western Conference #1 seed, beating the Sacramento Kings 124-101, the Avengers defeated the Blaze this week by the score of 79-62, the Angels defeated the Rangers 7-4, the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Dallas Stars in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals 4-2, the Los Angeles D-Fenders defeated the Colorado 14ers 102-95, and the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins, 1-0, to put the stranglehold on the series, as it goes back to the Bell Centre.
But what really got me feeling all chipper today was the Mighty Roos. Who are the Mighty Roos, you say? well, they are this hockey team from Australia, and they beat China, 1-0, to clinch the gold medal in their side of the world. Out there, it is winter by now, if not late autumn. And these guys are just a tournament away from qualifying for Vancouver 2010, and skating with the big boys!
Now, some of you may be thinking, wait a minute, how can Australia have a national ice hockey team, when they are known more for their summer sports? Well, ice hockey has been played in Australia for more than a century. It was in 1908 that the International Ice Hockey Federation was founded, and it was in 1908 that ice hockey was first played, in Adelaide, SA. So, the timing of the event, held down in Newcastle, NSW, couldn't have been any better.
One wonders if some disgruntled North American expatriates inject some fresh new blood into a team that is gaining a huge chuck of momentum after gaining the gold medal that eluded them before (they were second place to South Korea [yes, they DO have a hockey team there, too]). Remember Dale Begg-Smith? Yeah, you know who I'm talking about. He could have given Canada another mogul gold. Instead, due to logistics that were unfavorable to the ad master, he gave Australia Winter Olympics Gold Medal Number Three. Having the Mighty Roos qualify for Vancouver 2010 can only make the presence of Winter Olympic sport in Australia that much more significant, that much more credible, and that much more validated.
Congrats Australia. The world is watching you now.
First off, the Dirtbags picked themselves up from the unfortunate series against Irvine, and roughhoused Pepperdine, 10-0. Earlier that day, Aldershot Town FC clinched promotion to the Football League, 16 years after being blasted off the face of the footballing world, drawing 1-1 with Exeter City. Also that day, the Lakers clinched the Western Conference #1 seed, beating the Sacramento Kings 124-101, the Avengers defeated the Blaze this week by the score of 79-62, the Angels defeated the Rangers 7-4, the Anaheim Ducks defeated the Dallas Stars in Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals 4-2, the Los Angeles D-Fenders defeated the Colorado 14ers 102-95, and the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Boston Bruins, 1-0, to put the stranglehold on the series, as it goes back to the Bell Centre.
But what really got me feeling all chipper today was the Mighty Roos. Who are the Mighty Roos, you say? well, they are this hockey team from Australia, and they beat China, 1-0, to clinch the gold medal in their side of the world. Out there, it is winter by now, if not late autumn. And these guys are just a tournament away from qualifying for Vancouver 2010, and skating with the big boys!
Now, some of you may be thinking, wait a minute, how can Australia have a national ice hockey team, when they are known more for their summer sports? Well, ice hockey has been played in Australia for more than a century. It was in 1908 that the International Ice Hockey Federation was founded, and it was in 1908 that ice hockey was first played, in Adelaide, SA. So, the timing of the event, held down in Newcastle, NSW, couldn't have been any better.
One wonders if some disgruntled North American expatriates inject some fresh new blood into a team that is gaining a huge chuck of momentum after gaining the gold medal that eluded them before (they were second place to South Korea [yes, they DO have a hockey team there, too]). Remember Dale Begg-Smith? Yeah, you know who I'm talking about. He could have given Canada another mogul gold. Instead, due to logistics that were unfavorable to the ad master, he gave Australia Winter Olympics Gold Medal Number Three. Having the Mighty Roos qualify for Vancouver 2010 can only make the presence of Winter Olympic sport in Australia that much more significant, that much more credible, and that much more validated.
Congrats Australia. The world is watching you now.
3 April
Australia Win Gold With Perfect 1-0 Win
Australia is Number 1 in Division II Group BBy Peter Lambert, Ice Hockey Correspondent
No longer is ice hockey a novelty in Australia. A magic tournament ended with a fairy-tale ending, as the Mighty Roos Australian Senior Men’s Ice Hockey team closed down the Chinese national team 1 goal to nil in Newcastle, New South Wales Australia. The Aussies were perfect through the tournament, winning each of their five games in regulation time; their last two games in shut-outs, denying their opposition a single goal. Australian goalie Matt Ezzy was awarded ‘Best Goalie of Tournament’ for his feat in winning four games from four played, and allowing only four goals by him throughout the tournament.
China started out strong but almost immediately shortened their bench to their top six players. The Aussies held off the early assault, and then scored on their first opportunity.
Melbourne’s Lliam Webster poked his own rebound through the goal pads of China’s Yu Yang, with assists going to Andrew White and tournament MVP Greg Oddy.
From that point the Chinese never seemed like they had what they needed to win. Both teams hit the posts but the Aussies also won in that phantom category; 5 to 1 in the almost-goals.
Captain Anthony Wilson hold aloft the tournament winners plate as
IIHF Official Dr Hans Dobida presents him with his gold medal.The Australian win means many thing, but the significance of happening on the Centenary of ice hockey in Australia, and the Centenary of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and on home soil made it a very special occasion for the capacity crowd. With volunteers and players included, rink management estimated an unprecedented 1200 people in the rink to witness the victory.
Veteran defenceman Tyler Lovering came out of retirement when he heard about the bid to host the tournament in Australia. Now he has a World Championship Gold Medal in his collection.
‘I had to work really hard to get back into the Australian team.
‘It’s been 10 years that I’ve played on this team.
‘We have a fantastic team of guys, I couldn’t be more proud.’
Team Manager Ross Noga was justifiably elated as he packed his players aboard their bus to head off and celebrate the milestone achievement.
‘100 years of ice hockey in Australia, 100 years of ice hockey of IIHF, you can’t beat this.
‘Here in Newcastle, in front of the home crowd. The crowd was fantastic with the hair colour, painted faces, the “Aussie Aussie Aussie” chants, the flags, it doesn’t get any better.’
The Australian team will break up after their celebrations on Monday, but with little chance for much rest as the Australian Ice Hockey League starts this coming weekend. All players in the Aussie squad belong to one of the eight clubs and may be back in training as soon as Tuesday.
The Australian ice hockey community is already buzzing with the challenge of competing with Division I countries. The task is a mammoth one but not one person involved will believe that it is impossible.
The only good day was Saturday.
As I catch wind of the news that the Los Angeles Galaxy lost to Toronto Football Club 4-3, I realized that this weekend, the only good day was Saturday. And it was for a number of reasons.
* Bridgette Pagano may have choked against Cal Poly in softball, but Brooke Turner didn't. She ended up winning the series the following day.
* The baseball pulled off a suddenly rare win over UC Irvine, 5-1.
* The women's tennis team toasted Pacific, 7-0.
* And the biggest prize of the day...see below.
As I made my way back to campus from the events at the Billie Jean Tennis Courts and at Blair Field, I had to look for a couple buses leaving Wally's house. There was a step show getting ready to be going on inside the Myd. I got on the student bus. We were heading off to Northridge, in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. There was a men's volleyball game going on down there.
During the entire 12 hours I was out and about, I ate to what amounts to a Texas-sized last meal. Here's what I ate and drank.
* One cup of green tea.
* Three cans of Dr. Pepper.
* Two cans of Pepsi.
* Roughly a gallon or two of water (it was hot outside!)
* One whole pizza (Large, vegetarian [green pepper topping]). I kid you not.
* One giant bowl of salad topped with Feast from the East sesame dressing
* Six or seven packages of SkyFlakes crackers
* Three Sunflower Cracker sandwiches
* One banana, maybe two
* Three round tostadas caseras
* One bowl of Bush's Baked Beans
* One can of Sprite
* One can of Squirt
* A sip of wine (Nasty-tasting, I might add)
* Three pieces of chocolate
Add plenty of walking, and running, and jumping, and cramping, and screaming, and the calories were burning up. But back to the trip.
So, as we got to the Matadome, we ended up standing next to the Matador student section. It was Senior Night in Northridge, and the guys had never lost a game in the Matadome (which really ISN'T a dome, just a glorified high school gym). We had to fix that, especially after they edged us in five at the Gold Mine.
As the game progressed, a courageous CSUM student waved her banner at us. I told her, "If I get my hands on it, I am tearing it to shreds. Don't wave it in our section. Don't risk it." She eventually complied. I joked with Mark Andrews and the guys about Cal State Northridge's epithet as Porn Star State University. Hey, they ARE located in the San Fernando Valley. And I even joked that we passed by houses that might have had adult film scenes taken, or are being taken right now. I went so far as to suggest that the Playboy Mansion was close.
Only in Northridge do you hear Kenny Loggins and some industrial music that has the sitgma of being associated with gay/lesbian nightclubs. So, I got my nasty on for a bit, even going to so far as to do some booty shaking, mocking the sleazy mojo that ISaac Kneubehl, Cody Loe, Eric Vance, and the rest of the pricks wer riding on.
I directed the students in the cheers, posed for the camera, did the things that I was known for doing. I was surprisingly calm for the bulk of the game, a sharp contrast to the game at the Gold Mine.
When Paul Lotman got the final kill off the touch in Game 3, we flooded the court. But before that, the guy looking over the CSUN Student Section told us not to leap over the equipment. As a gesture of goodwill, I shook his hand, saying, "Thanks for having us." I flung my shirt in the air, and joined the leaping mass of humanity. It was like jumping with the men's basketball team as they made their case for the Big West title a year ago. Good times they were. I said to any other Matador faithful remaining, "THAT'S for beating us in the Gold Mine and ruining our then-perfect home campaign." I left the place laughing like a [Monson?] Maniac. It was a nice feeling, one I haven't felt in a long time. And I left the Valley, knowing that it has an implicit apology from the Masters of Le Sexy Volleyball for their transgressions.
Great timing, apology accepted, now let's kick some ass in about 11 days time.
It should be noted that we actually SHARE the regular season title with BYU, but since we kicked their tails at the Myd, we get to host the semis and finals.
* Bridgette Pagano may have choked against Cal Poly in softball, but Brooke Turner didn't. She ended up winning the series the following day.
* The baseball pulled off a suddenly rare win over UC Irvine, 5-1.
* The women's tennis team toasted Pacific, 7-0.
* And the biggest prize of the day...see below.
As I made my way back to campus from the events at the Billie Jean Tennis Courts and at Blair Field, I had to look for a couple buses leaving Wally's house. There was a step show getting ready to be going on inside the Myd. I got on the student bus. We were heading off to Northridge, in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. There was a men's volleyball game going on down there.
During the entire 12 hours I was out and about, I ate to what amounts to a Texas-sized last meal. Here's what I ate and drank.
* One cup of green tea.
* Three cans of Dr. Pepper.
* Two cans of Pepsi.
* Roughly a gallon or two of water (it was hot outside!)
* One whole pizza (Large, vegetarian [green pepper topping]). I kid you not.
* One giant bowl of salad topped with Feast from the East sesame dressing
* Six or seven packages of SkyFlakes crackers
* Three Sunflower Cracker sandwiches
* One banana, maybe two
* Three round tostadas caseras
* One bowl of Bush's Baked Beans
* One can of Sprite
* One can of Squirt
* A sip of wine (Nasty-tasting, I might add)
* Three pieces of chocolate
Add plenty of walking, and running, and jumping, and cramping, and screaming, and the calories were burning up. But back to the trip.
So, as we got to the Matadome, we ended up standing next to the Matador student section. It was Senior Night in Northridge, and the guys had never lost a game in the Matadome (which really ISN'T a dome, just a glorified high school gym). We had to fix that, especially after they edged us in five at the Gold Mine.
As the game progressed, a courageous CSUM student waved her banner at us. I told her, "If I get my hands on it, I am tearing it to shreds. Don't wave it in our section. Don't risk it." She eventually complied. I joked with Mark Andrews and the guys about Cal State Northridge's epithet as Porn Star State University. Hey, they ARE located in the San Fernando Valley. And I even joked that we passed by houses that might have had adult film scenes taken, or are being taken right now. I went so far as to suggest that the Playboy Mansion was close.
Only in Northridge do you hear Kenny Loggins and some industrial music that has the sitgma of being associated with gay/lesbian nightclubs. So, I got my nasty on for a bit, even going to so far as to do some booty shaking, mocking the sleazy mojo that ISaac Kneubehl, Cody Loe, Eric Vance, and the rest of the pricks wer riding on.
I directed the students in the cheers, posed for the camera, did the things that I was known for doing. I was surprisingly calm for the bulk of the game, a sharp contrast to the game at the Gold Mine.
When Paul Lotman got the final kill off the touch in Game 3, we flooded the court. But before that, the guy looking over the CSUN Student Section told us not to leap over the equipment. As a gesture of goodwill, I shook his hand, saying, "Thanks for having us." I flung my shirt in the air, and joined the leaping mass of humanity. It was like jumping with the men's basketball team as they made their case for the Big West title a year ago. Good times they were. I said to any other Matador faithful remaining, "THAT'S for beating us in the Gold Mine and ruining our then-perfect home campaign." I left the place laughing like a [Monson?] Maniac. It was a nice feeling, one I haven't felt in a long time. And I left the Valley, knowing that it has an implicit apology from the Masters of Le Sexy Volleyball for their transgressions.
Great timing, apology accepted, now let's kick some ass in about 11 days time.
Golden turnaround: Men's volleyball wins MPSF title
No. 4-ranked 49ers sweep CS Northridge in three close games to clinch first outright league title in program's history.
By: Bobby Chore
Posted: 4/12/08
NORTHRIDGE - Back in late February, the Long Beach State men's volleyball team had to watch No. 3-ranked CS Northridge celebrate a five-game victory over The Beach on the hardwood of the Gold Mine Gym. It was the 49ers' first home loss of the season and they entered the Matadome Saturday night with intentions of avenging the setback.
LBSU surely did and got more than it bargained for.
The No. 4-ranked 49ers battled with CSUN for three hard-fought games and won all of them (32-30, 30-27 and 30-26) to clinch the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title and the top seed in the upcoming league tournament.
Ironically, LBSU (23-5, 18-4 MPSF) dealt the Matadors (22-6, 17-5 MPSF) their first home loss of the season in front of a crowd of 1,481. The raving screams of Matador fans didn't sidetrack the 49ers, especially sophomore opposite Dean Bittner, who notched a game-high 22 kills on a noteworthy .645 attack clip.
Senior outside hitter Paul Lotman added 10 kills, the last one hitting CSUN's back corner to seal game three and the match for the 49ers, as they jumped in excitement and celebrated with the LBSU fans who made the trip to the San Fernando Valley.
Game one featured 15 tied scores and four lead changes, but LBSU came out on top behind Lotman's six kills. The 49ers led the entire way in game two and had their biggest margin at 23-16 after Lotman and Alexander combined for a double block. It was Bittner who was dropping kill after kill on CSUN. Bittner finished with nine kills in game two, as the 49ers appeared to have control of the match. The Matadors, however, wouldn't go down easy.
CSUN jumped all over the 49ers at the beginning of game three and took a 16-12 lead off a double block. The Matadors extended the lead to six with an 18-12 advantage, but LBSU responded with a furious 5-1 run to cut the lead to two and took over from there.
Two kills by Bittner and a service ace by Lotman tied the game for the 49ers at 20, and a block by freshman outside hitter Josh Riley gave them the lead.
The teams traded leads until several hitting errors by the Matadors put the game out of reach. Lotman's scintillating kill brought the 49er faithful onto their feet and the MPSF title back to Long Beach. Head coach Alan Knipe pumped his fists and the assistant coaches raised their arms in victory.
LBSU, coming off a frustrating 11-17 season a year ago, began the season on a major roll, as the team ran through several opponents to go 9-0. The 49ers then lost their first match at Pepperdine and began to hit the tougher part of their schedule in the middle season. Consecutive losses to No. 7-ranked UC Irvine and No. 6-ranked UCLA put the team's focus into question, but the 49ers managed to right the ship with a four-match winning streak, all on the road, culminated with a surprisingly short three-game sweep of the Matadors.
After the match, an energetic Knipe spoke of the team's intensity and dramatic turnaround toward the end of the regular season.
"The things that we weren't satisfied with - our intensity, our focus - we had to watch videos and be extremely aggressive on this road trip," Knipe said. "We needed to get back to the things that we trained at. We'll have a short memory; I have a lot of faith in my guys."
Knipe spoke of the team's high work ethic and dedication to practice at the beginning of the season, and reinforced his words after the big victory.
"The 11-17 season and this year speaks for itself," Knipe said. "One year later [after last season], it took an extremely huge effort for us to get back together. It's rewarding and it shows the quality of our gym."
Bittner, who called the Matadome "one of the loudest places [he's] been in," said the team had an answer for the raving sea of red.
"We just got a little louder with each other," Bittner said. "Confidence was pretty much there the whole time. It's a huge weight off our shoulders."
The No. 1-seeded 49ers will host the MPSF Tournament for the first time in the program's history. The tournament begins April 19 with quarterfinals matches. LBSU's opponent is yet to be determined. © Copyright 2008 Daily 49er
It should be noted that we actually SHARE the regular season title with BYU, but since we kicked their tails at the Myd, we get to host the semis and finals.
Quick hits, 4/12/2008
Some quick hits from today's action...
Men's volleyball
BoBA...is in heaven. Long Beach State FINALLY, FINALLY defeats Northridge, sweeping them, 3-0, at the Matadome. That's the way to find forgiveness from me. Now it's time to regroup, and get ready to host the MPSF Final Four on April 24 and 26. You know how the Montreal Canadiens are starting their 16 to 25 campaign? Well, we are preparing for a 4 to 2 Campaign. 4 straight match victories clinches our second NC. Will the Masters be up for the challenge? Find out in 12 days.
Softball
This time it was Bridgette Pagano playing the role of goat for our teams. We were up 3-0, and Cal Poly storms right back in the second game to win 4-3. Of course, Brooke Turner pulled her weight in the first one, a 3-1 decision. Can she clinch the series tomorrow? Find out at the 49er Softball Complex.
Women's tennis
And Pacific is swept 7-0 on Senior Day, and Stephanie Bengson gets Number 72. Let's see if our hoodoo against Fresno can be broken in a few days time.
Baseball
Holy smokes. UCI felled, 5-1. The Bags aren't throwing the towel just yet, which is not a bad thing. The series concludes at 2:30 at the Blair.
Men's volleyballBoBA...is in heaven. Long Beach State FINALLY, FINALLY defeats Northridge, sweeping them, 3-0, at the Matadome. That's the way to find forgiveness from me. Now it's time to regroup, and get ready to host the MPSF Final Four on April 24 and 26. You know how the Montreal Canadiens are starting their 16 to 25 campaign? Well, we are preparing for a 4 to 2 Campaign. 4 straight match victories clinches our second NC. Will the Masters be up for the challenge? Find out in 12 days.
Softball
This time it was Bridgette Pagano playing the role of goat for our teams. We were up 3-0, and Cal Poly storms right back in the second game to win 4-3. Of course, Brooke Turner pulled her weight in the first one, a 3-1 decision. Can she clinch the series tomorrow? Find out at the 49er Softball Complex.
Women's tennis
And Pacific is swept 7-0 on Senior Day, and Stephanie Bengson gets Number 72. Let's see if our hoodoo against Fresno can be broken in a few days time.
Baseball
Holy smokes. UCI felled, 5-1. The Bags aren't throwing the towel just yet, which is not a bad thing. The series concludes at 2:30 at the Blair.
Random hits - 4/9/08
I'm going to need to get a new Social Security Card, and some other new IDs. Fast. And that will be the last time I buy long pocketbooks.
---
Mexico's football teams must be feeling like they are going through foreclosure right now. A few days ago, Hugo Sanchez got the axe after his U-23 side failed to qualify for the Olympics. Now, it looks like Leonardo Cuellar is going to join him in the unemployment line. His women's national team lost to Canada tonight, 1-0. And they won't be going to Beijing, either. Ouch.
---
That has to be a huge irony down in Ciudad Juarez: Canada and the USA fighting it out on Saturday for the CONCACAF Women's Pre-Olympic Tournament title in Mexico. It makes you wonder if there will be anyone bothering to come down there.
---
This April has been a crazy month. Mugabe is still alive (unfortunately) and has become a dirty, blind old ape willing to fight to the death to keep his patch of wasteland that is Zimbabwe. A 75-year old lady dies making an illegal left turn after getting the Blue Line crash into her. A couple of teen girls lose their lives after being thrown out of a taxi, but not before trying to stab the driver. David Petraus wants more blood. China is trying in vain to reel Tibet in. Beijing 2008 is poised to become Moscow 1980 Revisited. Memphis' John Calipari and his team are being barbecued for their inept free throw shooting by sportswriters who feast on writing articles of futility so that they can earn their peanuts. The Dirtbag baseball team has now become so beatable, Cerritos College would blast bad boy out of the Blair.
Darfur is still Darfur. Iraq is still Iraq. And the feud between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is still that.
Fuck. And a third of this already Bedlam-infested year ain't over yet! Oh God.
---
Mexico's football teams must be feeling like they are going through foreclosure right now. A few days ago, Hugo Sanchez got the axe after his U-23 side failed to qualify for the Olympics. Now, it looks like Leonardo Cuellar is going to join him in the unemployment line. His women's national team lost to Canada tonight, 1-0. And they won't be going to Beijing, either. Ouch.
---
That has to be a huge irony down in Ciudad Juarez: Canada and the USA fighting it out on Saturday for the CONCACAF Women's Pre-Olympic Tournament title in Mexico. It makes you wonder if there will be anyone bothering to come down there.
---
This April has been a crazy month. Mugabe is still alive (unfortunately) and has become a dirty, blind old ape willing to fight to the death to keep his patch of wasteland that is Zimbabwe. A 75-year old lady dies making an illegal left turn after getting the Blue Line crash into her. A couple of teen girls lose their lives after being thrown out of a taxi, but not before trying to stab the driver. David Petraus wants more blood. China is trying in vain to reel Tibet in. Beijing 2008 is poised to become Moscow 1980 Revisited. Memphis' John Calipari and his team are being barbecued for their inept free throw shooting by sportswriters who feast on writing articles of futility so that they can earn their peanuts. The Dirtbag baseball team has now become so beatable, Cerritos College would blast bad boy out of the Blair.
Darfur is still Darfur. Iraq is still Iraq. And the feud between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton is still that.
Fuck. And a third of this already Bedlam-infested year ain't over yet! Oh God.
ASI Recycling Center ad campaign tells students to "Recycle or Die" - News
ASI Recycling Center ad campaign tells students to "Recycle or Die" - News
This is a great place to dump your plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Eschew those other places that don't pay well. Leave those for the poor transient suckers.
This is a great place to dump your plastic bottles and aluminum cans. Eschew those other places that don't pay well. Leave those for the poor transient suckers.
Galaxy 2, Earthquakes 0
I guess everyone out here now knows why we are GLAD that frank Yallop is NOT our manager, and GRATEFUL that Joe "Loose" Cannon is NOT our keeper. JP dellaCamera has to be a bloody idiot to to tout Cannon. before the game. I reckon he got his W's and L's mixed up as to the train wreck that was last season.
It's a starry, starry night for Galaxy in victory
Article Launched: 04/04/2008 12:00:00 AM PDTCARSON - Well, who in their right mind needed to see any more than the first 37 minutes of Galaxy soccer Thursday night?Flashbulbs popping, girls screaming, Kobe smiling (yes, that Kobe, not just Cobi).
Twice, in electrifying fashion, the stars lit up Home Depot Center for the Galaxy in their 2-0 win over San Jose in front of an announced sellout crowd of 27,000.
Yet there's always a party pooper somewhere, and Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit indulged himself in crediting the likes of rookie defenders Sean Franklin and Brandon McDonald rather than David Beckham and Landon Donovan.
"Everybody always asks me about David and about Landon," Gullit said after his first victory. "Everybody knows them already, so therefore it's important for me to talk about the other players who have done extremely well."
OK, great, Coach.
It was Beckham, taking perfect pass from Donovan in stride and effortlessly guiding it through goalkeeper Joe Cannon's legs for a 1-0 lead only eight minutes into the game that had the place rocking. Finally, in his seventh game with the Galaxy, Beckham had his first MLS goal, and got it on a night that MLS Commissioner Don Garber happened to be in the house. The guy might be worth a couple million bucks after all.
Then it was Donovan beating defender Ryan Cochrane to Beckham's perfectly chipped lob pass from midfield and flicking a shot over Cannon and into the net in the 37th minute, that kept the crowd roaring.
A goal and assist from their two luminaries wasn't the only big news for the Galaxy. They erased the taste of the Ruud awakening they received in the opener in Colorado, a 4-0 loss to the Rapids that made the visitors look like a dumbfounded expansion team.
"The energy level was totally different tonight than it was last week," Beckham said. "We spoke about the altitude in the first game, but the blame can't go on that. Tonight we were more relaxed going into the game. Last week we were tense, and maybe nerves set in.
"I think what changed is our positional play. In the first game we were all over the place, from right in the back to midfield to up front. We were all out of position in different stages of the game."
This time, it was expansion San Jose getting the treatment in the Earthquakes' rebirth two years after the original franchise fled to Houston.
"We were all a little embarrassed after Saturday," Donovan said. "It was good to have a game quickly, and we worked this week on one, a better attitude; and two, tactically - the way we were going to be and the way we were going to move as a team, and I think it paid off."
The Earthquakes have former Galaxy coach Frank Yallop leading them, but about all he could say in this game would have been something like, "Why couldn't Becks have done that for us last year?"
Instead, the Galaxy fans experienced the opposite of frustration. In Beckham's luxury box, the Kobe Bryant family enjoyed themselves.
On the sidelines, Gullit and first-year assistant Cobi Jones, were far more relaxed as they found some structure after a dreadful opener.
And the Galaxy was without defender Abel Xavier (suspension) and forward Carlos Ruiz, who underwent surgery Tuesday to repair a knee ligament.
L.A. seems to be OK without the attacking Ruiz, considering the 1-2 punch the Galaxy fielded in the home opener.
"As long as you don't see the football you like, then it's frustrating," Gullit said. "But I knew that we had it."
In resuming the rivalry with San Jose, the Galaxy moved to 22-12-5 in the all-time series in MLS games. It was the first meeting between the clubs since Oct. 29, 2005, in a Western Conference semifinal series won by the Galaxy.
No joke about it.
Every election seems to be different, yet all share the same materials in common: a provisional envelope set, a white box, a red box, and a ballot box, among necessities. This special April 8 election that I will be working has its own unique quirks. No InkaVote. A simple large ballot sheet. A cardboard ballot box. The first voter even gets to help out the pollworkers. Compared to the County elections, this looks simpler and old-fashioned, but effective. And, given the fact that it IS a mere primary, AND that this is just for thr City of Long Beach, it should be a nice change-up to the next election, held in early June.
This is the second of four elections I will be working this year.
It seems that early on, this month is going to be a busy one. For example, I have an interview tomorrow, along with my regular ROP and internship fluff. And then I have the election and a few other events going on next week. I am keeping myself occupied. This will be a short entry. I'm cutting it off here.
This is the second of four elections I will be working this year.
It seems that early on, this month is going to be a busy one. For example, I have an interview tomorrow, along with my regular ROP and internship fluff. And then I have the election and a few other events going on next week. I am keeping myself occupied. This will be a short entry. I'm cutting it off here.
Another mixed weekend, more so inept than successful
.jpg)
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.
---
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.
---
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.
---
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.
---
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.
Post Number 401 on the Bedlam...and it isn't a happy one
March 24, 2008 was a landmark moment in the history of this blog, as it reached 400 posts. But today, March 27, 2008, should be a landmark moment in the annals of 49er volleyball ignomity. You can't expect to win matches, let alone championships if you let the opponent come from two games down to win in five. I mean, how the fuck is that possible to win anything?
If my guys learned something, it's to go to the nearest place of worship and seek penance. In a hurry. Cause there is no redemption when you let UC Irvine get one step closer to winning this year's edition of the Black and Blue Rivalry Series. In fact, in the words of Lee Corso, "Forget about it!"
And you know what? I have a gut feeling that that won't the last time we choke in five. That's three times SO FAR this year (as of this post) our guys failed to shut the door on our opponents when it goes the distance. This game, obviously, had to hurt, because the match shouldn't have gone the distance in the first place.
If I'm Alan Knipe, any hairs remaining on my head are gone. And I already have Dr. Bosley's number, in case my boys find salvation any way they can get it, cause they weren't going to see the light tonight. Nope, not with the way we played after Game 2; only a black hole.
Pathetic.
If my guys learned something, it's to go to the nearest place of worship and seek penance. In a hurry. Cause there is no redemption when you let UC Irvine get one step closer to winning this year's edition of the Black and Blue Rivalry Series. In fact, in the words of Lee Corso, "Forget about it!"
And you know what? I have a gut feeling that that won't the last time we choke in five. That's three times SO FAR this year (as of this post) our guys failed to shut the door on our opponents when it goes the distance. This game, obviously, had to hurt, because the match shouldn't have gone the distance in the first place.
If I'm Alan Knipe, any hairs remaining on my head are gone. And I already have Dr. Bosley's number, in case my boys find salvation any way they can get it, cause they weren't going to see the light tonight. Nope, not with the way we played after Game 2; only a black hole.
Pathetic.
On Mini Eggs, a job well done in Gardena and a few Beach teams rising
.jpg)
.jpg)
Once per year, I like to take the Easter weekend to snack on Cadbury Mini Eggs. They are these little pieces of chocolate encased in a sugar shell. I first ate these many years back, after watching a commercial featuring those little crunchy, yet rich, fruits of the bunny. Since then, I have made it an Easter tradition to gorge on one bag of these Mini Eggs. I eat them for breakfast, with some King's Hawaiian rolls, or as a snack that won't hold you down and never give you up. At this time of the year, it is all the rage.
I am elated after knowing my scores on the GRE Verbal and Quantitative sections. I got a 450 on the Verbal and a 610 on the Quantitative. Both scores meet or exceed the expectations set by the program that I am applying for, the Graduate Program in Sport Management. They needed at least a 450 on both sections. What makes this really special is that I didn't have any training on this exam, save for a practice exam and a little GRE review book that I took from Kaplan. When I saw my score, I pumped my fist. The cameras saw me, but they knew that I achieved my target score.
Also, I was relieved to see my baseball, softball, and men's volleyball teams get some big victories this weekend. This is the type of consistency and performance I will be expecting from them the rest of this year.
Thoughts on some Unfinished Business
In between queues for the Big Dance and the university softball and baseball teams getting their mojo back, I went off to the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Events Center to watch some boxing action on Saturday.
I was sort of impressed, but mostly surprised by one of the bouts in the undercard. The first fight featured David Diaz against Cesar Montano in the lightweight division. No title was on the line, but this was going to be an opportunity for Diaz if he could get the job done, because he was anticipating Manny Pacquiao's move up the ranks to lightweight, and get a possible match against him.
The match went the full 10 rounds, but what surprised me was that one of the judges called the bout a draw. Ultimately, the match went to Diaz by majority decision.
The second match of the undercard was just ugly and ridiculous. I mean, you would think the match between the next big thing from Guadalajara, Abner Mares (an Olympian in Athens 2004, and, like Juan Manuel Marquez, trained under Ignacio "Nacho" Berestain), and a dehydrated, overmatched Diosdado Gabi, would be called off because of the circumstances of the latter. But they weren't. And in a two-round laugher, Gabi looked like he was fighting his very first fight, while Mares set poised to join the elite. Mares currently is the North American Boxing Organization champion in his division.
A Thailander by the name of Terdzak Jandaeng faced off against Steven Luevano in the third and final fight of the undercard. Jandaeng is an adept kickbozer. He wanted to try his hand at just using his fists because kickoboxing was too easy. Maybe he should consider jumping to Pride Fighting, K-1 or UFC. Luevano wore him down by decision.
Finally, the main event came. Manny Pacquiao went off to a good start against Juan Manuel Marquez, and he had a bit of an opening in the third round, when he knocked him to the canvas. Marquez got back up, and both of them gave the crowd, my mom and me a great show of bloodshed, hard-hitting action, and a headbutt that just made things that much tittilating.
The drama didn't come to a head until the judges scored the fight. Jerry Roth must be reviled by Pacman supporters. He called the fight 115-112 Marquez. The other two called it for Pacquiao, and he won by split decision. I was ecstatic as I roared his name to the heavens.
I think that fight more than made up for the volleyball team choking against Penn State.
I was sort of impressed, but mostly surprised by one of the bouts in the undercard. The first fight featured David Diaz against Cesar Montano in the lightweight division. No title was on the line, but this was going to be an opportunity for Diaz if he could get the job done, because he was anticipating Manny Pacquiao's move up the ranks to lightweight, and get a possible match against him.
The match went the full 10 rounds, but what surprised me was that one of the judges called the bout a draw. Ultimately, the match went to Diaz by majority decision.
The second match of the undercard was just ugly and ridiculous. I mean, you would think the match between the next big thing from Guadalajara, Abner Mares (an Olympian in Athens 2004, and, like Juan Manuel Marquez, trained under Ignacio "Nacho" Berestain), and a dehydrated, overmatched Diosdado Gabi, would be called off because of the circumstances of the latter. But they weren't. And in a two-round laugher, Gabi looked like he was fighting his very first fight, while Mares set poised to join the elite. Mares currently is the North American Boxing Organization champion in his division.
A Thailander by the name of Terdzak Jandaeng faced off against Steven Luevano in the third and final fight of the undercard. Jandaeng is an adept kickbozer. He wanted to try his hand at just using his fists because kickoboxing was too easy. Maybe he should consider jumping to Pride Fighting, K-1 or UFC. Luevano wore him down by decision.
Finally, the main event came. Manny Pacquiao went off to a good start against Juan Manuel Marquez, and he had a bit of an opening in the third round, when he knocked him to the canvas. Marquez got back up, and both of them gave the crowd, my mom and me a great show of bloodshed, hard-hitting action, and a headbutt that just made things that much tittilating.
The drama didn't come to a head until the judges scored the fight. Jerry Roth must be reviled by Pacman supporters. He called the fight 115-112 Marquez. The other two called it for Pacquiao, and he won by split decision. I was ecstatic as I roared his name to the heavens.
I think that fight more than made up for the volleyball team choking against Penn State.
Being a weeaboo isn't an unenviable epithet...it's a privilege.
Pinpointing 'sakura' arrival serious business, fine science
Staff writer
When spring comes, millions of Japanese happily turn their thoughts to one thing: When will the cherry blossoms start blooming?
 |
| "Sakura" cherry blossoms are in full glory at Asukayama Park in Kita Ward, Tokyo, last April. REIJI YOSHIDA PHOTO |
"Sakura" cherry blossoms, a symbol of Japan, last only about a week, so arranging a sakura-viewing party with friends or family at just the right time is a matter of keen concern for many in pursuit of this particular seasonal joy.
Though generally off by only a few days, the Meteorological Agency has often been criticized for inaccurately predicting the arrival of the cherry blossoms.
But now the agency has some competition: the Japan Weather Association and Weathernews Inc.
The pair are trying to crack into the market by giving sakura lovers more accurate and detailed predictions.
"It's better that we have three predicting organizations now," said Hirofumi Nakayama, a worker at Hamamatsu Flower Park in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Hamamatsu Flower Park boasts 1,100 sakura trees, including 500 of the popular "someiyoshino" variety, and sets up illuminations for night viewing.
But last year, the Meteorological Agency got its prediction badly wrong after inputting the wrong data into its supercomputer.
The agency forecast sakura would start blooming on March 13, 15 days earlier than usual, but the trees started budding on March 21 in Shizuoka.
Timing sakura is serious business for various sakura-related industries.
Tourism agencies arrange tours to famous viewing spots. Parks and city governments organize sakura festivals and stores must stock up on "bento" boxed meals for sakura parties at the right time. Companies also reserve sites and times for viewing parties.
"We started making predictions because so many people every year ask when sakura will start blooming," explained Chie Tanaka, spokeswoman for Japan Weather Association, which started challenging the Meteorological Agency two years ago with its own sakura predictions. Japan Weather Association, established in 1950, is a nonprofit foundation affiliated with the transport ministry.
Tanaka said the foundation is making predictions for 87 locations across the country this year, including many cities and towns the agency has stopped covering as part of the government's budget-cutting efforts.
The Meteorological Agency made predictions for 107 locations in 1996, but that number has dropped to 68 this year as local meteorological stations continue to close.
Following a personnel-cutting goal finalized in 2006 by then Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, the agency now plans to further reduce the sakura-prediction sites to 53 in 2011.
Meanwhile, Weathernews Inc., a private weather service, has adopted an approach totally different from its two rivals: It asks tens of thousands of volunteers to send in photos of sakura buds by e-mail.
Predictions by the Meteorological Agency and Japan Weather Association are largely based on the analysis of past blooming times and temperature patterns in January, February and March.
Weathernews supplements this approach with images sent in by registered volunteers, who also pinpoint the location, the estimated age of the tree and the sunshine conditions.
The predicted date is then uploaded on the firm's Web site.
More than 10,000 volunteers across the country took part in the Sakura Project in its inaugural year last spring, according to Weathernews.
This year, there were 17,831 registered participants as of Friday, and the number is expected to increase as the blooming season approaches, said Yuka Yoda, spokeswoman for Weathernews.
"Japanese are very, very interested in when sakura will start blooming," Yoda said.
"Every participant is enjoying watching the sakura every day" and sharing the information with others, she said.
For the latest predictions, visit the Meteorological Agency site at www.jma.go.jp/ or Japan Weather Association's site at www.jwa.or.jp/ or the Weathernews Web site for the Sakura Project at weathernews.jp/sakura/
The Ventures are now in the Hall of Fame, at last.
You can't tell anybody, and nobody can tell you, that The Ventures do not belong in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They are now.
Personally, I believe this was way past due. But I suppose good things come to those who wait; albeit for Ventures fans, they were getting restless until this news came out. I did find out about this, either, until I heard from KFWB News 980 a few minutes ago.
Hallelujah. Let those surf bells ring.
Personally, I believe this was way past due. But I suppose good things come to those who wait; albeit for Ventures fans, they were getting restless until this news came out. I did find out about this, either, until I heard from KFWB News 980 a few minutes ago.
Hallelujah. Let those surf bells ring.
The Ventures finally arrive at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Seattle Times staff reporter
Don Wilson of Sammamish plays rhythm guitar for The Ventures, a rock band that made its first recording in 1960 and will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tonight. Wilson is one of the founders — two Seattle guys who started out in construction jobs.
By the numbers
Billboard magazine rankings for The Ventures:No. 4 among all-time instrumental artists on its singles charts.
No. 6 among all 1960s artists on its album charts.
No. 20 in most albums on its charts, with 37 LPs.
The Ventures
Watch the induction
On TV: VH1 Classic airs the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at 8:30 tonight
Ventures Party: Mark Christopher of KBSG-FM (now B97.3) hosts a free viewing party of the induction ceremony tonight at the Liberty Theatre in Puyallup, 116 W. Main St. Doors open at 7 p.m.
More information
The Ventures: www.theventures.com
Source: The Ventures
For years, it gnawed at Don Wilson, this thing with The Ventures being ignored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
He took it personally, having co-founded the group in Seattle in 1959 with his friend, Bob Bogle.
They were two construction guys who bought $15 guitars at a pawnshop, taught themselves to play and evolved into a four-man band.
The rest was rock history resulting in an astounding 250 albums — that's right, 250 albums — with sales of 100 million copies.
The group still records and various members still tour. Wilson is 75. Bogle is 74 and lives in Vancouver, Wash.; he records but doesn't tour.
Last December, the announcement finally came: After 22 years of being eligible, The Ventures will be inducted tonight into the Hall of Fame, located in Cleveland. The Hall of Fame calls the group the most successful instrumental rock band in history.
The ceremony will take place in New York City. Also inducted will be the Dave Clark Five, Madonna, John Mellencamp and Leonard Cohen.
The Ventures will be introduced by one of their longtime fans, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame.
Numerous other artists, including George Harrison, Aerosmith, Elton John and Ted Nugent, have expressed their admiration for The Ventures.
But truth be told, despite the acclaim, it still gnaws at Wilson, this thing with the Hall of Fame.
Why did the acknowledgment take so long?
"We're like the Rodney Dangerfields of the rock world," he said last week at his home in Sammamish. "I don't think they realize or understand what The Ventures have done."
In just about every room of the home, there are posters, blowup photos of the group and its adoring fans, guitars and gold records. A storage room next to the garage has boxes filled with hundreds of more memorabilia items.
Wilson can pull out reference books that attest to the group's impact.
Here is Joel Whitburn's "Top Pop Albums," compiled from Billboard magazine data.
Wilson opened to Page 481, which listed each decade's Top 20 artists.
"Look," he said, pointing to who was No. 7 for the 1960s.
It was The Ventures, surpassed by the Beatles and Elvis Presley, but beating out the Rolling Stones and the Beach Boys.
Wilson can cite from memory the statistics, such as how in 1963, the group had a remarkable five LPs on the Billboard Top 100 at the same time.
So why so long? It gnawed and gnawed at Wilson.
"All we did was quietly sell millions of records," he said.
Over the years, their devoted fans have had various theories as to why The Ventures were snubbed by the Hall of Fame.
In an April 2007 article in www.ink19.com, a music site, Ventures fan Steve Stav theorized that maybe The Ventures were overlooked because "while hardly a collection of ugly mugs, the group isn't a gang of guitar-toting pretty boys, either — and image has always been at least half of the game."
The Hall of Fame says selections are voted on by rock historians and rock experts.
It's the nature of such voting that it is subjective. The historians and experts also have snubbed other eligible rock legends such as Alice Cooper, Mitch Ryder, Kool & the Gang, Heart and Lou Reed. There is an entire Web site, www.futurerockhall.com, devoted to listing rockers on the wait list.
The Ventures could have been voted into the Hall of Fame as early as 1985. Artists become eligible 25 years after the release of their first record, which for The Ventures would have been in 1960.
Blue-collar jobs to tavern gigs
Of course, it had been only two years earlier that they bought those $15 pawnshop guitars and learned to play them.
The two worked at Sahara Waterproofing. Doing masonry restoration. Bogle earned $4.50 an hour as a bricklayer. Wilson made $1.85 an hour as a hod carrier, carrying cement-filled buckets.
They learned their guitar-playing on long drives to various construction sites and during overnight stays at motels for out-of-town jobs.
Keeping their day jobs, they eventually landed gigs playing at taverns, splitting pay of $15 a night for playing four sets.
Wilson remembered one place, the Britannia in Tacoma.
"It was rough. I remember beer bottles flying around, and a paddy wagon parked right outside. You had a lot of soldiers and a lot of Air Force guys coming, getting totally wasted," he said.
That was not the rock future they wanted. They wanted to record but found no interest from the labels.
It was Wilson's mother, Josie Wilson, who for about $100 formed the label Blue Horizon Records to market The Ventures.
The Ventures actually were quite lucky.
They hit the jackpot with their second recording, a rock version of "Walk, Don't Run," an instrumental they had heard on a Chet Atkins record.
When they'd play it at taverns, the audience would keep asking them to keep playing it again — and they would, four or five times a night.
But when they began taking "Walk, Don't Run," to local radio stations, there wasn't any interest.
Breaking into radio; idols in Japan
Not until Pat O'Day, the legendary KJR-AM disc jockey, put it on the air.
The station had five minutes of news that began exactly at five minutes before the hour. But there always were one or two minutes to fill before the news.
"So we had something called a 'news kicker,' an instrumental to fill that time," O'Day remembered.
He began using "Walk, Don't Run." The phone began ringing.
It would become the group's signature tune, a classic that rocketed to No. 2 on the charts.
The band, which by 1960 had grown to become a foursome (the "classic" lineup also including lead guitarist Nokie Edwards and the late Mel Taylor at drums), began its long string of recording LPs, usually made up of covers of current hits.
But their original tune "Surf Rider" was memorable in Quentin Tarantino's movie "Pulp Fiction." Their many singles that made the charts included "Hawaii Five-O," "Walk, Don't Run '64" and "The 2,000 Pound Bee."
The latter recording is cited as one of the first uses of a fuzz-guitar in a song. It also was a favorite of the late comedian John Belushi and his friend, Dan Aykroyd, who held up a tape recorder to a microphone and played it to a startled audience at Belushi's memorial service. The story is that whoever died first, the other would play the tune at the service.
And then there is Japan.
A lot of 1960s groups went by the wayside as American rock tastes changed.
Not The Ventures.
They had started touring Japan in 1962, then opening for pop singer Bobby Vee.
The Ventures became idols in that country.
According to the Web site musicianguide.com, "Their instrumentals bypassed any language barrier, and before long, the group had established a popularity in Japan that rivaled the Beatles."
The group has released 50 LPs just for Japanese market. It makes an annual tour and has had 20 No. 1 hits there, said Wilson.
"Unfortunately, Japan is like Las Vegas. What happens in Japan, stays in Japan," he said.
Fans join campaign for Hall of Fame
Still, somehow it all eventually registered with the rock experts and rock historians.
In Seattle, Mark Christopher, a midday disc jockey at the oldies station KBSG-FM (now going by B97.3), collected some 10,000 signatures over the past three years to send to the Hall of Fame in support of The Ventures.
Washington state Lt. Gov. Brad Owen got the state Senate to pass Resolution 8645, asking the Hall of Fame to induct The Ventures.
On the Internet, Arnold van Beverhoudt Jr., of the U.S. Virgin Islands, spent eight years beginning in 1997 uniting Ventures fans worldwide at his www.sandcastlevi.com site.
"In all, I received a total of 5,900 petition e-mails from Ventures fans in all 50 states and 60 other countries. All together, the petition packages made up a stack of paper at least 3 feet tall!" he said.
So maybe after tonight, Don Wilson will finally not let frustration gnaw at him. He always knew The Ventures deserved to be in the Hall of Fame, but now it will be official.
"They say The Ventures launched 1,000 garage bands," said Wilson.
He laughed.
"Probably more."
Erik Lacitis: 206-464-2237 or elacitis@seattletimes.com
Crikey!
I got a message from pink-sakura, one of the admins at AnimePaper. She informed me that extending my posts with Wikipedia fluff is a no-no on the forum rules and regulations. That's news to me. So I read the FAQ, and it did not say anything about it explicitly. They may want to change that now.
It's funny, really. Had I done that on MiniTokyo, I would have been muted, or put on Restricted Membership. Ironically, I have on my account a boat-load of credits, and I don't go on the forums as much, unlike on AP. Actually, I use AP to get images that are not otherwise available on MT.
I'm studying how all the hi-res scans are circulated. It could pop up on communities like this, and on the free image boards and repositories simultaneously. I've seen it happened. I have no qualms about my reprimand on AP. I don't use the account as seriously as that on MT (presumably due to the credits I've gotten from fellow users, as well as the approved scans I submitted).
Actually, not only that, on MT, if I had done someting like that, I would have my posting rights revoked indefinitely. That's moot now, I suspect...
---
How about that Barnsley football team! First Liverpool (2-1), now Chelsea (1-0)? Who's next, Portsmouth? Middlesborough? A fellow Football League team!?
I am convinced that Avram Grant and Rafa Benitez are going to be saying adios if they can't hold their ground in Champions League play.
Very rough day for the other teams I followed. Aldershot got ambushed by Ebbsfleet in the semis of the FA Trophy, Accrington was put on the make again, and the Australian Institute of Sport met its match against newcomers Coburg United in Foxtel Cup play (luckily, it ended in a draw).
At least AFC Wimbledon and FC United of Manchester are holding their ground. I do like AFC Wimbledon's chances of promotion. Even though they are well behind Isthmian Premier League leaders Chelmsford City...if they can hold their ground in the playoffs, they are off to the Football Conference South.
It's funny, really. Had I done that on MiniTokyo, I would have been muted, or put on Restricted Membership. Ironically, I have on my account a boat-load of credits, and I don't go on the forums as much, unlike on AP. Actually, I use AP to get images that are not otherwise available on MT.
I'm studying how all the hi-res scans are circulated. It could pop up on communities like this, and on the free image boards and repositories simultaneously. I've seen it happened. I have no qualms about my reprimand on AP. I don't use the account as seriously as that on MT (presumably due to the credits I've gotten from fellow users, as well as the approved scans I submitted).
Actually, not only that, on MT, if I had done someting like that, I would have my posting rights revoked indefinitely. That's moot now, I suspect...
---
How about that Barnsley football team! First Liverpool (2-1), now Chelsea (1-0)? Who's next, Portsmouth? Middlesborough? A fellow Football League team!?
I am convinced that Avram Grant and Rafa Benitez are going to be saying adios if they can't hold their ground in Champions League play.
Very rough day for the other teams I followed. Aldershot got ambushed by Ebbsfleet in the semis of the FA Trophy, Accrington was put on the make again, and the Australian Institute of Sport met its match against newcomers Coburg United in Foxtel Cup play (luckily, it ended in a draw).
At least AFC Wimbledon and FC United of Manchester are holding their ground. I do like AFC Wimbledon's chances of promotion. Even though they are well behind Isthmian Premier League leaders Chelmsford City...if they can hold their ground in the playoffs, they are off to the Football Conference South.
The Great Hoops Depression of '08 hit its nadir.
And all was quiet on the Beach. I am getting the feeling that the work I did last season was in vain. And I was going to create a documentary on the season. That's going to be on hold indefinitely now.
Larry Reynolds is now one of Long Beach's most hated people now. He earned it. That's all I can say.
This was bad timing of the worst kind because this week is Homecoming Week. Already it has been wrecked with this garbage. Just another reason why I detest Myles Brand and the people who come up with this garbage on a daily case-by-case basis.
Larry Reynolds is now one of Long Beach's most hated people now. He earned it. That's all I can say.
NCAA News Release
Division I Committee on Infractions Penalizes Long Beach State University Men's Basketball Program
Embargoed UntilThursday, March 6, 2008, 3 p.m. Eastern Time
Contact(s)
Stacey OsburnAssociate Director of Public and Media Relations317/917-6117
INDIANAPOLIS---The NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions has penalized Long Beach State University for major and secondary violations in its men's basketball program. This case involves improper benefits, impermissible transportation and phone contacts, unethical conduct and a failure to monitor by the institution and the former head coach.
Penalties for the violations, including those self-imposed by the institution, include three years of probation, a reduction in recruiting activity, a vacation of records, a reduction in the number of men's basketball scholarships, as well as a four-year show-cause order for one former assistant coach and a five-year show-cause order for another.
Under this show-cause penalty, should the former assistant coaches seek athletically related employment with any NCAA institution during this time period, the individuals and the hiring institution must appear before the Committee on Infractions to determine whether his duties should be limited.
The violations committed by members of the men’s basketball coaching staff occurred between late August 2004 and the end of August 2005. The university’s 2005-06 recruiting class included six two-year college transfers, none of which were eligible for admission to the university or athletics participation. Beginning in May 2005, with the knowledge, encouragement and assistance of the coaches, the young men took additional classes, including correspondence courses, at various institutions. Some of the young men needed as many as nine hours in a short period of time to meet academic requirements, the committee said.
The violations committed by two former assistant coaches and the former administrative assistant included paying or arranging for payment to register some or all of the six two-year college transfers in classes, paying or arranging for payment of fees so that transcripts of the transfers’ coursework could be obtained, providing impermissible tutoring and transportation, as well as making impermissible phone calls.
Also, one former assistant coach obtained a correspondence exam for one of the student-athletes, allowed the young man to complete it without a proctor, then forged the name of his friend as the proctor and returned the exam to the issuing institution.
Once an investigation into the violations began, the two former assistant coaches compounded the violations by providing false information to investigators on numerous occasions. In addition, one former assistant coach asked a number of student-athletes to provide false information and the second former assistant coach asked his friend to provide false information regarding proctoring the exam.
The committee found that both former assistant coaches failed to deport themselves in accordance with the generally recognized high standards of honesty and sportsmanship associated with the conduct and administration of college athletics.
The committee also found that the former head coach failed to monitor the men’s basketball program. Though the head coach was aware that the six two-year transfers were deficient academically and taking numerous courses in a short period of time, including one of the young men taking four classes at three different junior colleges, the former head coach did not ask questions regarding their classes, sources of support or the level of his assistants’ involvement with the young men. He also failed to involve the compliance office in the monitoring effort.
The committee also found that the university failed to monitor its men’s basketball program in its recruitment of transfer student-athletes. The committee has stated in numerous infractions reports that institutions have a duty to monitor the activities of prospective student-athletes in the vicinity of campus in the summer prior to initial enrollment. The committee states in its report, “This is particularly important when the prospects have not yet achieved admission to the institution and/or athletics eligibility.”
This case involved secondary violations as well, which are outlined in the Committee on Infractions' public report.
In determining the penalties, the Committee on Infractions considered the institution's cooperation in the investigation, self-imposed penalties and corrective actions. The penalties, some of which were self-imposed by the institution and adopted by the committee, are as follows:
• Public reprimand and censure.
• Three years of probation (March 6, 2008, to March 5, 2011).
• A prohibition from recruiting two-year college transfers or permitting such transfers to participate in men’s basketball for those student-athletes entering the university for the 2008-09 academic year. (Self-imposed by institution).
• Reduction of scholarships in men's basketball from 13 to 12 in each of the 2007-08 and 2008-09 academic years. (Self-imposed by institution).
• Reduction in the number of official visits to nine (from the maximum of 12) for each of the 2007-08 and 2008-09 recruiting years. (Self-imposed by institution).
• Reduction from three to two in the number of coaches who can recruit off campus during the summer recruiting period of 2007. (Self-imposed by institution).
• A five-year show-cause order for one former assistant coach effective from March 6, 2008, through March 5, 2013.
• The second former assistant coach’s current employing institution self-imposed a number of penalties, which are detailed in the public report. In addition to these penalties, the committee imposed a penalty prohibiting him from recruiting and/or signing any two-year college transfer student-athletes for the 2008-09 academic year.
• A four-year show-cause order for the second former assistant coach effective from March 6, 2008, through March 5, 2012.
• A vacation of all wins, including any recorded in conference tournaments or the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, in which the six two-year transfer student-athletes competed while ineligible. The individual records of the six young men shall also be vacated. Further, the university’s records regarding men’s basketball as well as the record of the former head coach will be reconfigured to reflect the vacated records and so recorded in all publications in which the men’s basketball records are reported, including, but not limited to, media guides, recruiting materials and institutional and NCAA archives. Finally, any public reference to tournament appearances and performances during this time shall be removed, including, but not limited to, athletics department stationary and banners displayed in public areas such as the arena in which the men’s basketball team participates.
The Committee on Infractions consists of conference and institutional athletics administrators, faculty and members of the public. The committee independently rules on cases investigated by the NCAA enforcement staff and determines appropriate penalties. The committee's findings may be appealed to the Infractions Appeals Committee.
The members of the Committee on Infractions who reviewed this case are Josephine Potuto, the Richard H. Larson Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Nebraska College of Law and chair of the committee; Paul Dee, director of athletics at the University of Miami, and formerly the institution's general counsel; Eileen Jennings, general counsel at Central Michigan University; Alfred Lechner, Jr., attorney; Dennis Thomas, the commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and formerly director of athletics at Hampton University; Thomas Phillips, attorney with the Austin, Texas office of the law firm Baker Botts and formerly the chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court; and Jack Friedenthal, professor at George Washington University National Law Center.
This was bad timing of the worst kind because this week is Homecoming Week. Already it has been wrecked with this garbage. Just another reason why I detest Myles Brand and the people who come up with this garbage on a daily case-by-case basis.
I am a Mary Schmich fan
There's this columnist from Chicago named Mary Schmich. She wrote this column over a decade ago, and it became a cult classic among those who about to graduate from high school in 1997. I was just entering high school back then, as well as enjoying the benefits on being a lusting, hypersexual, fine, young...cannibal. Those were the days, I tell you.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’97: Wear sunscreen.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…
I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh never mind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….
You’re not as fat as you imagine.
Don't worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you.
Sing.
Don't be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss.
Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch.
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own..
Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths. Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You too will get old, and when you do, you’ll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)