STUNNED DISBELIEF. In the aftermath of last night's 27-21 loss to Oregon State, I along with the rest of Trojan Nation are wondering, "What the hell just happened?" Although unable to watch the game due to work, my beautiful wife sent text messages and updates throughout the game.
We're down 21-0 at the half. After sweeping victories against UVA and then #5 Ohio State, I admit that I was fully (over)confident that Saint Peter would have no problem capping the W against the Beavers. I do remember the failed 2-point conversion that cost us the game on the last visit to Corvallis, but little did I know that Reser Stadium would become a veritable Beaver trap for the #1 team in the nation.
We just scored on our opening possession 2nd half. Anyone who's followed the Trojans over the last eight years is well acquainted with St. Pete's ability to make adjustments during halftime and snatch victory from the very jaws of defeat. He espoused the philosophy that games aren't won in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd quarter, but rather at the very end, often in the closing minutes of the whole shebang (i.e. Notre Dame 2005, 4th and 9, 1:32 left, Leinart to Jarrett and then the glorious "Bush Push").
Another TD 21-14! ;) So I was thinking that it was par for the course. What I hadn't seen was the aggressive resolve that the Beavs displayed, showing that they would not be intimidated by the hype. I had seen a clip where their HB Jaquizz Rodgers (the ultimate tool of our destruction with 2 TDs) was talking smack to LB Brian Cushing. That would be the true freshman talking smack to the senior all-American and Rose Bowl Defensive MVP.
They intercepted Sanchez and scored but missed the kick. I wish I could say that it was a fluke, that it was their time, or that they just got lucky. I can't. Truth is, they straight out-played us. It wasn't a matter of turnovers, bad calls, injured starters, or dumb luck. The Beavers' O- line kept our defense in check. Rodgers slashed and juked straight up the gut. Their secondary took away the deep threat. They were more Trojan than the Trojans, and it showed.
TD 27-21! I believe that regardless of the outcome of the game, this final drive was poignant because it showcased Sanchez's ability to step up as a leader much in the same way that Matt Leinart did at ASU the week after a tough loss at Cal his sophomore year. Matt finished that season with the AP National Championship and added a 13-0 season, a Heisman and the BCS National Championship the next. Maybe, just maybe this loss will serve to be a catalyst for another run. Here's hoping.
It's over. Due to the PAC-10's dismal performance last week and the fact that none of the teams are currently ranked in the top 25, any chance that USC will regain any standing in the polls and eventually the BCS is tougher than hell. It would take one strange and uncanny season where upset follows upset (last year's Curse of the #2 Spot) and more powerhouses fall to the little guys. Until then, I'll be rooting for Texas, Oklahoma State, Kansas State, Ohio State, Michigan, and every single SEC underdog on the planet. Fight on, keep the Faith and Beat the Ducks!
One shout out: Happy Birthday, Pop. I love you!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Fundraiser at Fahrenheit
I just got back from Fahrenheit, a local bar on Granby St, where we just had a fundraiser for a co-worker of mine. Mike was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He recently celebrated the birth of a child, and as expected had used much of his accrued leave. His condition has prevented him from returning to work and he was confronted with having to enter a leave without pay status. The chain of command authorized members of the department to donate any surplus sick leave to Mike to help him and his family. A total of approximately 680 hours were authorized to cover the rest of the year. Less than two days after the word was passed, people had donated close to 2800. One individual had given 180 hours.
On top of that, the fundraiser was organized to help defray any additional costs and ease any financial hardship for the family. It was impressive how well it was supported. The proprietors were incredibly generous, donating a percentage of sales, as well as 100% of cover charge and staff tips to the cause. Several other local businesses showed their support by donating items which were used as prizes in a silent auction. The highlight of the evening came when a bunch of the guys (including several supervisors) volunteered to have their heads shaved by the highest bidder. This garnered bids ranging from $30-$200+. All in all it was a fantastic evening. I am extremely proud to be associated with these people. The outpouring of support to help a brother in need is fantastic, and helps illustrate just how tightly knit the department is.
This particularly hits close to home. This coming November will mark the 1 year anniversary of the passing of a dear friend of mine. Matt Salerno died November 12, 2007 after a 17-, month long battle with brain cancer. He was 30 and left behind a wonderful family and a beautiful little girl named Macenzie. Cancer is a scourge that needs to be dealt with. In the meantime, please keep Mike, Matt and their families in your prayers.
On top of that, the fundraiser was organized to help defray any additional costs and ease any financial hardship for the family. It was impressive how well it was supported. The proprietors were incredibly generous, donating a percentage of sales, as well as 100% of cover charge and staff tips to the cause. Several other local businesses showed their support by donating items which were used as prizes in a silent auction. The highlight of the evening came when a bunch of the guys (including several supervisors) volunteered to have their heads shaved by the highest bidder. This garnered bids ranging from $30-$200+. All in all it was a fantastic evening. I am extremely proud to be associated with these people. The outpouring of support to help a brother in need is fantastic, and helps illustrate just how tightly knit the department is.
This particularly hits close to home. This coming November will mark the 1 year anniversary of the passing of a dear friend of mine. Matt Salerno died November 12, 2007 after a 17-, month long battle with brain cancer. He was 30 and left behind a wonderful family and a beautiful little girl named Macenzie. Cancer is a scourge that needs to be dealt with. In the meantime, please keep Mike, Matt and their families in your prayers.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Hilarious!
I totally love "Generation Kill" on HBO. I first picked up the book when it first came out in 2004 when I passed the display at the NEX at Little Creek. I thought it was a great read , a humorous yet accurate account of military life. When I later found out that it was being made into a mini-series, I honestly thought it would be cheesy. I was stoked to be proven wrong. Not only did the series stay true to the book, many of the situations, dialog and scenes that were added to screenplay really brought more depth to the story and the characters, making the experience all the more enjoyable. I love this scene because I can identify with having to deal with officers I knew were friggin' morons, and the actors really convey the utter contempt they feel but are in no position to otherwise communicate. Outstanding job to the cast and crew! Habba da dabbada!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Conquest in the Commonwealth (Part 2- It's A Garage Party! (Sort of)
We were pleasantly surprised to find that there was a rather sizable group of Trojans with the same idea at the very top of the garage. Having lost track of Mudslide, we just settled in and made the best of it.
This is what I love about the Trojan Family; no matter where you go there's instant camaraderie. We set up next to Don and his brother Bob, both of whom graduated about the same time as Lisa and me. During home games, they have a regular tailgate crew called Top of the Hour that gets together on campus in front of Leavy Library (which I'll always remember as Birnkrant Lawn) for every home game. Their core group travels to each away game. In fact, Bob had just arrived in DC directly from a project in Ethiopia, deciding that catching the season opener was more important than returning home after his absence. It makes me think of Giles Pellerin, the Superfan who was present at every single USC football game (home and away) from 1925 until 1998. That's 797 consecutive games including every single USC/fucla and USC/ND game ever played. Fittingly enough, this legend suffered a massive heart attack and passed away in the Rose Bowl parking lot during the 1998 game against the bRuins.
We also met Rosemarie, her husband Tom and daughter Caitlyn, who had recently moved to Northern VA. Caitlyn, who's eight and cute as a button, had attended the Junior Song Girl Camp and was well versed in all the cheers and some dances favored by the crowd. I too am a firm believer in early indoctrination and behavioral conditioning to achieve a desired outcome. Now if Pete Carroll ever decides to run a QB camp for 2nd graders and an LB camp for pre-K, you could definitely count me in.
We all had a blast. I introduced our new friends to the wonder that is Yuengling lager, and to a man, all were sorely disappointed that it could not be had west of Ohio. We had a blast eating, drinking and carrying on. Even the kids were bonding. Although he won't admit it, I know that my boy Rob was quite smitten with young Caitlyn, who if all goes according to plan, will be a sophomore when he's a freshman. The 'Hoos that were nearby also got a kick out of our party. Don was kind enough to give us a mix CD with a song their group came up with to the tune of Biz Markie's "Just a Friend" called "I Love USC" and another hip hop track that samples Tribute to Troy. Thanks again guys.
There were some uptight UVA types though. I guess it's a Wahoo thing, but they actually dress up to go to the games. I mean, the dudes wear khakis, button-downs and ties, with the chicks wearing dresses with pearls and stuff. They may have been trying for classy, but it went over as pretentious. And considering the 90 degree heat with high humidity, kind of dumb too. One lady who was pretty well soused on boxed pinot grigio (classy!) came up and handed me a stack of cocktail napkins with the "V" logo. I wasn't sure what she meant by it. She was either talking smack (?) or thought I would need the a$$wipe later. The poor thing didn't realize that nobody does snobby better than 'SC. But what could you expect from a state school. In the backwoods. Where siblings are fair game.
Before we knew it, it was forty minutes to kickoff. We were actually almost sorry that we had to cut it short and head over. But that's what brought us all together. Game on!
This is what I love about the Trojan Family; no matter where you go there's instant camaraderie. We set up next to Don and his brother Bob, both of whom graduated about the same time as Lisa and me. During home games, they have a regular tailgate crew called Top of the Hour that gets together on campus in front of Leavy Library (which I'll always remember as Birnkrant Lawn) for every home game. Their core group travels to each away game. In fact, Bob had just arrived in DC directly from a project in Ethiopia, deciding that catching the season opener was more important than returning home after his absence. It makes me think of Giles Pellerin, the Superfan who was present at every single USC football game (home and away) from 1925 until 1998. That's 797 consecutive games including every single USC/fucla and USC/ND game ever played. Fittingly enough, this legend suffered a massive heart attack and passed away in the Rose Bowl parking lot during the 1998 game against the bRuins.
We also met Rosemarie, her husband Tom and daughter Caitlyn, who had recently moved to Northern VA. Caitlyn, who's eight and cute as a button, had attended the Junior Song Girl Camp and was well versed in all the cheers and some dances favored by the crowd. I too am a firm believer in early indoctrination and behavioral conditioning to achieve a desired outcome. Now if Pete Carroll ever decides to run a QB camp for 2nd graders and an LB camp for pre-K, you could definitely count me in.
We all had a blast. I introduced our new friends to the wonder that is Yuengling lager, and to a man, all were sorely disappointed that it could not be had west of Ohio. We had a blast eating, drinking and carrying on. Even the kids were bonding. Although he won't admit it, I know that my boy Rob was quite smitten with young Caitlyn, who if all goes according to plan, will be a sophomore when he's a freshman. The 'Hoos that were nearby also got a kick out of our party. Don was kind enough to give us a mix CD with a song their group came up with to the tune of Biz Markie's "Just a Friend" called "I Love USC" and another hip hop track that samples Tribute to Troy. Thanks again guys.
There were some uptight UVA types though. I guess it's a Wahoo thing, but they actually dress up to go to the games. I mean, the dudes wear khakis, button-downs and ties, with the chicks wearing dresses with pearls and stuff. They may have been trying for classy, but it went over as pretentious. And considering the 90 degree heat with high humidity, kind of dumb too. One lady who was pretty well soused on boxed pinot grigio (classy!) came up and handed me a stack of cocktail napkins with the "V" logo. I wasn't sure what she meant by it. She was either talking smack (?) or thought I would need the a$$wipe later. The poor thing didn't realize that nobody does snobby better than 'SC. But what could you expect from a state school. In the backwoods. Where siblings are fair game.
Before we knew it, it was forty minutes to kickoff. We were actually almost sorry that we had to cut it short and head over. But that's what brought us all together. Game on!
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