A very funny day

Today was sort of a funny day for me. On the first try, I solved the Solitaire puzzle. And then my Chipotle free burrito coupon mysteriously regenerated. And on the bus from the men's volleyball match between Long Beach City and Orange Coast, I was the only passenger.

But I learned an answer to one question. How do you rebound from giving a winless team their first win of the season at your house? Simple. You give an undefeated team their first defeat of the season at your house.

With that, here's a pop quiz to put it all in perspective.

You're Kim Sowder. The night before the game with Florida, you make a decision regarding who you want to start in the circle. Bridgette Pagano was money in the first game against St. John's, but Brooke Turner couldn't get any help from the rest of your lineup in the second game. What do you do?

A. Start Bridgette in hopes that she can get it done against the high-flying Gators.
B. Start Turner, but let the players have fun, because you expect the Gators to bring out the mercy rule.
C. Start Turner, and keep in mind of her ability to rebound, as well as her ability to win big games (i.e. San Diego, Hawaii).

If you chose C, that's what the real Kim Sowder did. This was the first time I saw a match go to the ISF tiebreaker rule. ISF is the International Softball Federation, and the rule dictates that to start the 10th inning, a runner will be on second. Turner was fantastic, striking out 16, and in the tiebreaker inning, they got the winning run home, and then-undefeated, #5-ranked Florida, fell to Long Beach State, 2-1.

That's TWO sports our women have the upper hand on against UF. And that's the first time I flung my shirt into the air at that complex. This is going to bring monster confidence as they head to Vegas for a tourney there this weekend. And in that game, my Chipotle free burrito coupon regenerated. Actually, I won a new won after winning my first scavenger hunt at the Softball Complex. Mystery solved.

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I went over and said hello to some of the new guys on the Long Beach City College men's volleyball team. I like #6 on the squad, Casey Bennett from Redondo Beach. He has a very good arm, and nice power to boot. Interesting thing about the gym the Viking play in (which has been renovated with new bleachers and a new surface, to go with repainted walls (the banners have been relocated, too, so that you know why the men have historically performed better than the women; obviously it's the reverse, if not same success on both sides, at Long Beach State). And the roof is so close, that balls tend to hit onto the roof, and when you are trying to set and spike, you mess up because the digs are too high. It's a bit crazier than the Walter Pyramid, because some of the more impossible digs are possible here. It's a smaller facility, and the court looks smaller. You get to do a bit more, given the lack of space. At the Pyramid, you can see where the ball is going. You would have to set like Hercules to make it touch the roof there.

There are some other good players there on this year's edition, including: Chuck Chamberlain, Antwain Aguillard, Dane Mulligan, Joe Strotman, Casey Landel, Bojan Vucicevic, Tyler Jenkins, Justin Flake, Brandon Anaya, Dan Saldana, and Tyler Mullen.

We ended up sweeping Orange Coast in three.

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On the bus back home, I found out that I was the only passenger aboard. No one else got on, no one else got off. It's like I was riding an taxi disguised as a bus. That probably is the first time I've gone through that on Long Beach Transit.

Thus, it's been a funny day. But then again, my mood is where I want to be when tomorrow comes.

Only an idiot would vote for Ralph Nader.

Dear sweet mother of God. Why in the name of all things democratic would Ralph Nader run for president? Again!? Bloody hell. This was the same Ralph Nader that cost Al Gore the presidency eight years ago. Why would he sabotage the Democratic campaign again?

Has this poor old prick lost his mind? Personally, I think if there was someone the people needed to assassinate (God forbid), it would need to be him. Spare Barack Obama, have Nader shot instead.

Plain stupidity.

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Speaking of stupidity, how about the owner of the current A-League Champions, Con Constantine of the Newcastle Jets. I mean, let's face it: after your guys bring you your first A-League Ring, you'd expect them to get a raise in pay. If you don't give them a raise in pay, they're going to seek greater riches elsewhere.
It's not rocket science. This isn't like the Japanese baseball leagues, where a demand for a raise will get you traded. If you don't give them the money, they will find someone who can give them a more lucrative salary.

It's the price you pay for being a tightwad. I think Con Constantine knows that. And he will have to deal with the fallout very soon, if not right now.

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Of course, Central Coast has its share of issues. Gone for what could be the long haul is Danny Vukovic, for bitch-slapping Mark Shield's hand. His playing days are over-and he's just about my age! Unbelievable. His career came to no Christian hand with one bitch-slap. I just had to laugh.

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Poor Eduardo da Silva. After getting his leg broken like a lame Old Vet by Martin Taylor of Birmingham City, the Arsenal star has fallen from athletic grace...into the hospital.
Mayhem.

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How about No Country for Old Men winning Best Picture at the Oscars last night! I put even money on that film to win it, and it did! Payday baby!

A busy day for the Beach...and Gary and the Jets.

This was a great day for most of my guys, save for the ice hockey and men's hoops teams. I'll get to those folks in a bit. But first, let's raise a pint of brown ale to the Newcastle Jets, manager Gary Van Egmond, Joe Marsden Medal recipient Andrew Durante, Jade North, and Mark Bridge for defeating the Central Coast Mariners 1-0, and putting a literal end to Danny Vukovic's career.

From the Jets' web site.
2008 Grand Final: Jets 1 - 0 Mariners
Sunday, 24 February 2008

The Newcastle Jets are the 2008 Hyundai A-League Champions! The Jets defeated the Central Coast Mariners 1-0 in front of over 36,000 fans at the Sydney Football Stadium today.

The opening period, and indeed the majority of the game, was dominated by the team from the Hunter, as their astute passing game troubled the Mariners no end.

Nerves were also dominant in the first 15 minutes, with neither side wanting to slip up. The first shot in anger came from Matt Thompson in the 17th minute, after Adam D’Apuzzo whipped in a delightful cross for Thompson to volley. Unfortunately his shot sailed over the bar.

2 minutes later and striker Mark Bridge nearly opened the scoring with a stinging right-footed strike on the edge of the area. Bridge played a neat one-two with Korean, Jin-Hyung Song, and hit his shot first-time from 20 yards, but that ball went agonisingly wide.

Central Coast’s first shot came through Greg Owens in the 28th minute, but his strike went harmlessly wide.

The two sides went in 0-all at halftime, as tension mounted inside the SFS. The Jets appeared to have the better of the play, but had yet to take their chance.

Socceroo striker John Aloisi then had the opportunity to make the Jets pay in the 49th minute, but pushed his open header wide of Ante Covic’s goal. Aloisi’s strike partner, Sasho Petrovski, then tried an audacious chip from 35 yards as the Mariners began to try their luck.

3 minutes later and left-wingback, D’Apuzzo had a great chance after some excellent lead-up work by Stuart Musialik and Joel Griffiths. D’Apuzzo, however, sprayed his shot wide, but the space he was afforded was a worrying sign for the Mariners.

Then came the moment that all football fans in Northern NSW had been dreaming of; Bridge scored from a cracking strike to give the Jets a deserved lead. After a slip-up at the back, Bridge pounced and went on a solo run toward goal. After cutting inside his defender, Bridge then hit a curling shot beyond his good friend, Danny Vukovic, and into the back of the net.

The Mariners then pressed hard to gain the equalizer, but in the end were frustrated by the Jets’ miserly defence. Owens hit hopeful shot that went well wide on the 68 minutes mark. And substitute, Matt Simon, pushed his shot-on-the-turn wide of the mark moments later.

As the game was winding down drama unfolded, with Vukovic being sent from the field after a melee broke out when he came forward for a corner in the dying minutes.

The Jets would go on to secure a historic win, and clinch their first piece of silverware. The trophy was no less than the travelling faithful deserved, and the Jets players and coaching staff have bathed the region in glory for some time to come. No doubt the celebrations in the Hunter will go on for some time.



With that said, let's move on to the action locally. First off, how about those Dirtbags! They go on a win streak, taking the series from Rice 1-0 and 3-2, respectively, and Danny Boy struck again! Danny Espinosa from Santa Ana Mater Dei set one ball into liftoff yesterday, and new assistant Jon Strauss and Andy Rojo have made an impressive showing thus far. Weather permitting, the series concludes at 1:00 today. Let's see if Jake "The Snake" Thompson can keep the momentum going.

The Masters of LSV flexed it up against THE Ohio State University, winning in 4 and 3 at the St. John Areana in Columbus. Paul "The Chopman" Lotman has 32 kills-count 'em, 32 kills-in the Friday showdown, and also has 20 in the Saturday sweep. The three-pronged attack of Lotman, Dean Bittner, and Dan Alexander capitalized in 13 service errors and zero aces from the Buckeyes yesterday, too. They head home this Friday for a chance at ending a streak of futility against Northridge. And I'll be there to see it happen.

The women's basketball team will be playing in Anaheim to to wrap up the year. They edged by Northridge, 49-48. The women's water polo team blased UCSB in a goal festival, 14-11, after falling to Hawaii, 10-6. And the golf team continues its quest for improvement, finishing 13th out of a field of 21 at the John Burns Invitational. The women's tennis team ripped apart UC Riverside, 7-0.

Low points go to the ice hockey team and the men's basketball team; more so for the hockey team. I mean, how the hell do you give up a three-goal lead in the 3rd period, and let San Jose State get away in overtime? No doubt, the season has become a bust for the Beach, and any hopes of them getting the Long Beach Arena for themselves just died Friday night. Eric Raimondo, you'd better paint your house...now that you have the time!

And please. The 49er men's basketball team must have sniffed the wrong hormone if they thought they had a shot against New Mexico State. 80-48 blowout. Ouch.

Finally, how about the Los Angeles Galaxy! After being 1-0'd by eventual Pan Pacific champ Gamba Osaka, they get payback for their demise against Sydney FC late last year in a 2-1 win under new manager Ruud Gullit to secure third place.

Barack Obama takes Hawaii


Barack Obama - Winner
Hawaii - 29 delegates


BoBA can officially predict, due to CNN not doing it, and via information from the Honolulu Advertiser et al., that Barack Obama will win the Hawaii Democratic Caucus today. This is his 10th straight win, and will be major momentum heading into the Texas and Ohio primaries on March 4th.

The early returns, as of 11:25 p.m. PST, have Obama crushing Hillary Clinton by more than a 3 to 1 margin. Keep in mind that less than 10 percent of the precincts have reported, but BoBA can predict that Obama will win Hawaii. This is important, because he was born in Hawaii, and spent his childhood. The Punahou School grad deals another crushing blow to Clinton, combined with his victory in Wisconsin earlier today.

Many of the people participating were first-time caucus-goers, and the turnout was a record number. In fact, there were so many people caucusing that they ran out of the ballots alloted, and some precinct ran a few hours after the polls were to close at 7:00 p.m. HST.

Nonetheless, Barack Obama will win Hawaii, based on all the information received by BoBA.

Obama...Japan!!?



Japanese town goes crazy for Obama

By Junji Kurokawa
Associated Press

OBAMA, Japan — Barack Obama has never been to this port town on Japan's snowy west coast, and residents only know him from news reports about his faraway campaign for the U.S. presidency.

No matter. Obama the town is nuts about Obama the man.

Obama's name is on posters hung in the main hotel. Headbands and T-shirts with drawings of the candidate's face will be available soon. Local confectioners are designing Japanese-style sweet bean cakes with Obama's portrait on them.

Policy doesn't seem to matter much either to this Obama, which is well-known in Japan for its lacquerware. Instead, the overriding issue is simple: Obama's name.

"Obama gives good speeches and has a good voice, so I want him to do well. And, of course, we share the same name," said Seiji Fujiwara, a hotel executive and leader of a local support group established earlier this month for the Illinois senator.

As fanciful as it may seem, leaders in Obama — which means "little beach" in Japanese — are serious about forging a relationship with the candidate.

The mayor, Toshio Murakami, sent Obama a letter a year ago with a gift of lacquerware chopsticks, a DVD introducing the city, and a guidebook, but no one knows if the package arrived because they never received a response.

The town 250 miles west of Tokyo is undaunted. Murakami plans to send Obama another care package, this one with a fist-sized lacquerware good-luck daruma doll with the word "victory" across the chest in Japanese calligraphy.

"We want to ask him to stop by Obama as president if he visits Japan," said Sadakazu Tsu-bouchi, an official at city hall.

But like many towns in the far reaches of Japan's countryside that are desperate for tourism revenue, Obama is also eager for gimmicks to distinguish itself.

People in this town of 32,000 say that an Obama presidency could enhance the city's profile far beyond Japan's borders.

"It would boost our city's name recognition, and that can lead to a boost in tourism," said the mayor. "We want a little more of an increase in foreign visitors."

Obama the candidate has already obliged in a small way, joking to broadcaster TBS in 2006 that he had listed the town as his birthplace while passing through customs on a visit to Japan.

After eight consecutive primary wins, Obama has edged past opponent Hillary Clinton by a slim margin of delegates. Supporters of Obama here are now looking forward to the March 4 primary contests in delegate-rich Texas and Ohio.

The 30-member support group plans to put on headbands and T-shirts with portraits of Obama to watch the results on television together, said Fujiwara. They plan to sell Obama sweets and chopsticks — once they get clearance from the candidate.

The U.S. election has drawn almost unprecedented interest broad. But the belief in Obama, Japan, that an Obama victory would bring immediate advantages to the town may be unique.

Sanae Doi, a 40-year-old housewife at the local mall on Thursday, said she hadn't heard of Barack Obama until just two weeks before the Super Tuesday primary elections on Feb. 5.

"Since then, a lot of my friends and I have been talking about Obama, how his name is the same as the place we live," she said. "If he becomes popular, I'm hoping this whole region will get recognition."

Another busy day at The Beach

Every now and then on BigSoccer, I give updates to my fellow Los Angeles Galaxy supporters about the latest news on my guys. Here is a sample.
UPDATE FROM THE BEACH:

A busy one for the crew.

Rugby
The match against UCLA was one where, as Lee Corso says, "Speed kills." 48-25 defeat, but in terms of points, no one left empty-handed. They got the full five we got one. The Claremont Colleges pay us a visit next week.

Women's water polo
Opened the homestand against UCSB, and in a show where the men's team were essentially the audience making any noise, the Gauchos were downed, 10-6. UCLA next.

Men's volleyball
Revenge accomplished, although the men had to work in Game 4 to make it happen. The Beach wins, 30-24, 31-33, 30-22, 39-37. Next up: a twofer in Columbus to face The Ohio State University.

Softball
On the next exciting episode of The Sowder Gang, the 49ers and Brooke Turner were on assignment in Honolulu for a tournament. The results are as follows.
Central Florida L 3-5
Kentucky W 10-2
Hawaii L 3-5
Central Florida W 4-2
Hawaii L 1-6
These ladies don't know [yet] what consistency is. But then again, here at the Beach, we have teams that don't even have winning in their vocabulary either. Three examples...

Women's basketball
Oh egregious turpitude! As if losing to Bakersfield's men's squad a few days ago wasn't galling, the Beach chokes on the women's side, 65-62.

Men's basketball
I have to question why the NCAA is having Cal State Bakersfield go through a provisional period. Clearly they have shown me that they deserve to be in this conference. If I was Myles, I'd scrap the provisional period and put the Runners in the conference as a full member. Unfortunately, the turds down there came up with this, and so the Great Hoopspression continues. 77-71 defeat.

Women's tennis
Another singles choke, this time to Arizona State. They wrap up the trip against the Wildcats down in Tucson tommorrow.

And finally...

Track and Field
RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Resting some of their top athletes for the week, the 49ers still put together a number of good marks competing on the road non-scoring dual with Riverside Community College. The invite marks the final competition for the 49ers prior to the MPSF Indoor Championships at the end of the month.

The 49ers’ had a number of good efforts from their young sprinters on the day. Freshman Brittany Yarde finished second in the 60-meter dash, and in a mid-distance 600m the Beach had a 1-2 finish from Ejiro Okoro and Denise Nunez. Nunez also grabbed a win in a 1,000m run for Long Beach State.

In the hurdles, two-sport athlete Kristen Kiefer came up with a season-high in the 60, finishing in first with a near sub-9.0 mark of 9.04. Yarde also had a solid finish in her second short-distance race, taking second.

Out on the field, Kristina Price won three different events, taking the shot put, discus and hammer throw by convincing margins, most impressively in the discus, where she won by nearly 12 meters over her nearest competition. The 49ers also picked up wins in the pole vault and long jump by Katie Crowe and Allison Sarell respectively.

For the men, freshman Kelsey Caesar put down a very fast time in the 60m dash, finishing in 7.04 seconds. In the middle distances, Alex Freitas was a dual-winner, taking both the 600m and 1000m runs for Long Beach State as well.

The 49ers had multiple winners for the men out on the field as well. David Sampson led a 49er podium sweep for the Beach in the shot put, one of two in the throwing events. Sampson also took third in the discus, an event that was won by Robert Jennings, with Ed Cornell taking second place.





Actually, I'm feeling a bit better, after getting my degree in paper today. Funny thing is, I got it 57 days after my degree was conferred. Ironically, the CSU system was founded in 1857 (thanks to some people from San Jose). I also got a sweet $50 dollar gift card from Bristol Farms. This will be a nice addition to my family's next Costco run.

The wheels fell off

When I found out that Paul Carroll returned tonight in the lineup for Pepperdine against us. I thought one thing.
Shit.


The wheels fell off. That ruined an otherwise subtle day with the men's basketball team defeating Davis, and me getting the official word from Enrollment Services.

Curse you Press-Telegram for giving me the wrong information. You told me that we won the the match, only to find the exact opposite. Nice going, guys.

It is finished.

This was the news I wanted to hear.
Dear Jo-Ryan Salazar:

Congratulations from CSULB!
It is my pleasure to notify you that your degree has been posted to your official university record.


Degree: Bachelor of Science
Major: Business Administration - Management Information Systems
Term: Fall 2007




Your diploma or certificate will be printed with your name of record (your name used in attendance during your enrollment at CSULB).To change your name, an official request must be submitted to Enrollment Services with the appropriate documentation. If the name change is made after diplomas are ordered, you will need to pay the duplicate diploma fee to reorder your diploma.

You will be notified by e-mail when your diploma or certificate is available for pickup, usually 2-3 weeks from now. Written authorization is required if you would like someone else to pick up your diploma. The authorized individual must bring identification. Students no longer in the area may request, in writing, that the diploma be mailed, however the University cannot assume any responsibility for any loss or damage to diplomas due to mailing.

You can view your unofficial transcripts, including your degree posting, on your MyCSULB account. Official transcripts are available for a prepaid fee of $4.00 and may be ordered on campus at Enrollment Services, BH 101, or via mail to the address below. Please include a written request with your name, student identification number, dates of attendance, birth date, fee and address where transcripts should be mailed. Degree verification for employment purposes can be obtained through the National Student Clearinghouse. They can be contacted at:

Web: www.degreeverify.com
Phone: 703-742-4200

Remember to keep your address and e-mail address updated on My.CSULB. Once you separate from CSULB you will no longer have access to your CSULB e-mail account. Be sure to update your e-mail address so that you will continue receiving important information regarding your diploma.

Enrollment Services wishes you every success in the future!


P.S. Please be sure to update us with any address or e-mail changes on MyCSULB so we can keep in touch.


My ROP instructor, Maria Marasigan, asked, "If you got a Bachelor's Degree, why are you here?"
I simply said, "I'm just here for the certification."
She then said, "So, your parents must be rich."
I plainly responded, "No, they are in the hole."
The class erupted in laughter.

Something to believe in.


"I wish I was someone else
I'm confused, I'm afraid, I hate the loneliness
And there's nowhere to run to
Nothing makes any sense, but I still try my hardest

Take my hand
Please help me man
'Cause I'm looking for something to believe in
And I don't know where to start
And I don't know where to begin, to begin

If I was stupid or naive
Trying to achieve what they all call contentness
If people weren't such dicks and I never made mistakes
Then I could find forgiveness

Take my hand
Please help me man
'Cause I'm looking for something to believe in
And I don't know where to start
And I don't know where to begin, oh no

I can't be someone else
I don't feel that it's hopeless
I don't feel that I'm useless

I can't throw it all away
I need some courage to find my weakness
And with your love, I know with all my heart I can win

'Cause I'm looking for something to believe in
And I just need something to believe in
I'm looking for something to believe in
And I just need something to believe in."
-The Ramones



Obama, McCain sweep Potomac primaries
By Michael Kranish and Sasha Issenberg, Boston Globe Staff

WASHINGTON -- Senator Barack Obama decisively swept the Democratic presidential primaries today in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia to seize the momentum over Senator Hillary Clinton, who has lost eight straight primaries and caucuses since Super Tuesday.

But the two still remained relatively close in delegates and both were already looking to upcoming contests, especially in the crucial, delegate-rich states Ohio and Texas next month.

Senator John McCain solidified his front-runner status in the Republican race, winning all three races as well. The result is likely to put added pressure on former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who has acknowledged he would need a "miracle" to win the nomination, to withdraw from the race.

Even as Obama was sweeping the three "Potomac primary" states, Clinton was touting her own success in what has become a parallel contest in this city on the Potomac River -- the battle for superdelegates. Clinton was leading among the Democratic Party officials, members of Congress, and other elected officials who comprise the 796 superdelegates, who could determine the nomination if the two candidates remain close among delegates selected by voters.

Before last night's contests, Clinton was slightly leading Obama in the overall delegate count, 1,147 to 1,124, with neither close to 2,025 needed for the nomination, according to a tally by the Associated Press. Obama was expected to take the delegate lead after the results were finalized tonight.

Even before the votes were tallied, both Democratic candidates were looking ahead to next week's contests in Hawaii, where Obama once lived and is expected to do well, and Wisconsin, where a new poll yesterday showed Obama with a 50 percent to 39 percent lead. That will be followed by potentially decisive contests on March 4 that include Rhode Island, Vermont, Ohio, and Texas.

"We are going to sweep across Texas in the next three weeks," Clinton told a rally tonight in El Paso, Tex. "I'm tested, I'm ready, let's make it happen!"

The Lone Star state has a 35.7 percent Hispanic population, nearly identical to the 35.9 percent in California, where Clinton won on Super Tuesday by capturing the Hispanic vote by a roughly two-to-one margin.

She also hopes to do well in Ohio, appealing to working-class voters and touting the endorsement that she picked up yesterday from former US Senator John Glenn. A SurveyUSA poll released yesterday showed Clinton with a 56 percent to 39 percent lead in the state, where she and Obama have agreed to debate on Feb. 26.

"Ohio is really going to count in determining who our Democratic nominee is going to be," Clinton told WCPO of Ohio during a round of television interviews today.

Obama, meanwhile, appeared tonight in Madison, Wis., where thousands of college students, who have helped fuel his campaign across the country, greeted him.

"Today, the change we seek swept through Chesapeake and over the Potomac," Obama said. "We won the state of Maryland. We won the Commonwealth of Virginia. And, though we won in Washington D.C.. this movement won't stop until there is change in Washington, D.C. and tonight we are on our way."

"The cynics can no longer say our hope is false," he added.

Obama, like McCain, spent much of his speech talking about issues in the general election to come. Obama called McCain an "American hero" but said his priorities are "bound to the failed policies of the past."

McCain, in remarks prepared for delivery last night to supporters in Virginia, took what might be perceived as a veiled swipe at Obama's message of inspiration and hope, saying, "To encourage a country with only rhetoric rather than sound and proven ideas that trust in the strength and courage of free people is not a promise of hope. It is a platitude."

Exit polls in the closely watched state of Virginia showed that Obama fared strongly among many demographic groups, including ones that had been strengths for Clinton. He won nearly two-to-one among men and won among women by 58 percent to 42 percent. He won by a nine-to-one margin among African-Americans and across all income categories. Clinton narrowly won the white vote by 51 percent to 48 percent.

Forget the fish and chips...I'll stick to fasting.

As I got back from watching the home team fare well in women's tennis and women's hoops (finally!), I made a recent discovery

So Ted Neeley is well into that Farewell Tour, in the most recent incarnation of Jesus Christ Superstar. For someone who is 64 years old and counting, and reprising the lead role he had in the 1973 film, as well as other tours...I have more respect for him now that I did before I heard about the tour. It takes courage to nail an old man to a cross, even if it's in the name of dramatizing a rock opera who's namesake piece is a favorite of my band.

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Speaking of which, I found out that Northern Iowa's marching band also plays Jesus Christ Superstar. At least we're not the only one making this a tradition.

That's one of the traditions that our university's pep band still plays to this day. This has been a tradition since the 1970's. It's a favorite for nearly four decades at this university. One time last year, a few Irvine stiffs showed a sign questioning the choice of song our guys played. I said, "It's a tradition here. Don't mess with it, you shirtlifting Zots."

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I think we should make this song a favorite to listen to, especially since this is the Lenten season.

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I joked about the fish and chips that the Tritons owe us after the match. Ironically, devout Christians are not allowed to eat meat on Fridays, hence the fish and chips. Go figure.

Of course though, once the Tritons took Game 3 of the 4-game win for the Beach against UC San Diego, I thought, "Oh, forget it. Let's just make these guys pay for preventing the sweep of conventional wisdom," and they got it done. Mercy, that third game was the story of last year. When you are your own worst enemy (with apologies to Lit), your season will come to no Christian end. It's a fact.

Happy Birthday, Tomoko Kawase.

I would like to take the time to say Happy Birthday to Tomoko Kawase, also known as Tommy February6, or Tommy Heavenly6. The lead singer of the brilliant green, her birthday was a few days ago.

Cheers to you, Tommy.

More chats with the Duke

And then I forwarded Mr. Andrews' rebuttal on the accusations (I'll bet all the money in the world that covering your arse any which way is nomatch for coming clean and acknowledging the mess you put yourself in, and doing something about it) and Duke gave me this:


The type of ad hominem, simple-minded name calling you just forwarded [from Mrk Andrews] is evidence enough of the lack or respect our current leadership has for fellow students, no matter what they're major or career track. We'll editorialize the good with the bad deeds our elected officials provide, equally.
[I'm] just waiting to see the type of leadership that creates more of the former. This campus deserves good, active and visible leadership, for a change. Effective leaders don't wait for others' permission or directives from on high to lead; They take initiative and actually lead. The kicker is that many in the campus community and beyond truly read and consume this viable CSULB publication. A lot more transparency than our elected leaders offer.

Think about this budget's implications to 35,000 plus students at our campus, Jo Ryan. Don't you think they deserve to know what their student government is doing to represent them on issues that will have a potential lifelong impact, i.e. need for student loans, long-term debt, etc.? Think how these tuition increases planned through 2011 and longer will effect minorities, low-income, and disabled students and their families, who will not be able to get here.

If I am a "whiner," I whine for a larger population; something our leadership should be doing.



Now this is an example of a nice counter-rebuttal. This is what's so great about this guy. Duke Rescola is a methodical newspaper editor and seasoned journalist. How does the man do it? Nothing special: just research on the issue, and then converting the bits and pieces into an article that has a lot of meat to it, and little fat. It's credible, and there is no fact-twisting.

I could tell that when I talked to him last night, Mark was in a corner, and he knew that, in the back of his mind, they had a point. That's why he wanted to make a wager with me on the legitimacy of the Daily 49er's findings. In the end, it's about leading by example, taking the initiative, going out of your comfort zone, and being transparent when giving your constitutents what they want.

I wonder if Mr. Andrews went through the Leadership Academy before running for President last year. In any case, this has to be a really severe blow to any hopes of him running for reelection.

Fish and chips and volleyball...a Friday night house party?

Sam German was a British chocolatier who introduced his own brand of chocolate, German chocolates, in 1852. Fast forward over a century later to 1957, when an anonymous homemaker (with presumably too much time on her hands) submitted the recipe for German chocolate cake (dispelling the myth that it was a creation from Germany). The recipe called for Sam's baker's chocolate, combined with coconut, and native pecans. Mr. German would be surprised that this was, in a way his legacy. And I don't think Hitler would have had the luxury to taste this treat. If he did, he'd embrace it just as much as exterminating the Jews, that's for sure.

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I'm blogging this outside the doors of the green entrance of the Mike & Arline Walter Pyramid. This is the smoking zone. Thank God there are no puffers right now. I write this at the top of the steps. Below me is the Ukleja Family Hall of Honor, where a meeting with Diane Higgs and the Graduate Program in Sport Management would be in order in a couple hours. (As of this blog, it's already done.)

The Dirtbags have finished their afternoon training, and have headed off to their dorms, homes, classes and what-have-you. They would clash with the National Chumps from Rice University in about two weeks time, kicking off a schedule to die for, especially if you're from the Boston Red Sox.

I am writing about Friday's volleyball contest against UC San Diego. A buzzer sounds. Practice is going on, with Mary Hegarty's women's basketball team practicing for the game against Pacific and Jake "the Snake" Harry on Thursday. Looking at the Tritons' record (4 wins and 7 losses) as the Campus Bell rings 5:00, the Tritons come into the contest like lambs to the slaughter. They are just as talented as, say, our men's basketball team. I have to question Monson's uniform last Saturday. I mean, what the hell what he trying to impersonate. Bloody Chuck Norris? An impersonation that Billy Barty could have done better at? Or has this poor guy lost his mind, like I did when we fell to Bakersfield (oh mercy, I don't want to take about that game)? I leave it to your responsibility to ask the Taekwondo Master about that. I was in awe with his ability to accurately kick the advertisement board in frustration like a side show gone wrong. I have my way of showing my frustration, but Dan Monson takes it to a higher [sic] level. The student is pleased.

Now, back to the fools from La Jolla. First off, WHY is Kevin Ring still their head coach? I mean, heading into the season he was 7 and 50. As in 7 wins, and 50 losses. (He currently is at 11-57 heading into this match.) Note that the Department of Athletics web site does not mention about the inept record in Ring's bio, because if that was mentioned, their would be severe recruiting repercussions.

Also, the team is playing without one of their aces, so to speak. Their Donovan Morris of the team, if you will. His name is Will Ehrman, a 5-11 sophomore from Punahou, in Honolulu, and he is out due to a severe injury. Because of this, the Tritons are playing the type of volleyball that is so poor, their women would dust them off. Atrocious. That's why they come into this match like lambs to the slaughter. Everyone in the Pyramid (even the UCSD faithful) knows that the Tritons are going to be sandwiched, roofed, aces, killed, and every expletive by the likes of Paul "The Chopman" Lotman, Dustin "The Stache" Watten, Mean Dean Bittner, Danny Arcadia (Dan Alexander), Michael P. Klipsch (Setterney At Law), Fletcher Anderson (a.k.a. #8), and Tommy "Cretino" Pestolesi and the crew.

Now here's the kicker: in our last game with these punks, we had a rough year of our own. One of those defeats (17 in all, against 11 wins), did come at the hands of the Tritons, in La Jolla. This was the first defeat in 10 matches, snapping a winning streak dating back to the days of the Great Touzinsky (Scott). And the kicker after that: the last time those Tritons won here was in 1983 - in the Gold Mine, during Ray Ratelle's second season, with Bob Ctvrtlik at the controls! Those punks have never won a match at the Myd, and the last time they won a game was in 1995, in Game 2. That was the only gmae they EVER one. The last time they were here, they were swept. Overall, they are 3-47 against us (as of right now).

I think the Tritons owing us some fish and chips after this glorified scrimmage is over has a nice Ring to it. Don't you think?

So much for having all the patience in the world.

So I get some feedback from my friend Duke Rescola, a fellow Viking, and the current editor for the Daily 49er, and he comes in with a head full of steam regarding the issue with ASI's perceived [sic] inability to take action on those fee increases. Here's what he had to say. (Edited for professionalism [sic].)

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Jo-Ryan,

Would dozens of unanswered phone calls to Andrews and other reps during a two week period, messages left on BlackBerry, and visits to ASI offices, unanswered e-mails, etc. count as attempting "sufficient research?" We also are students and ASI does not deem us or this issue important enough to answer queries. If they did, they would live up to their responsibilities and address "student" concerns. Or are they going to sit on their hands and wait until the CSSA makes a decision for them?
Great leadership. By March, collecting the necessary signatures required to be collected by April to get this initiative on the ballot will be another instance of the "tail wagging the dog." More great leadership.

We tried extensively to get Mark Andrews to say something, anything,but he hid and did not reply. If any misinformation gets printed after exhaustive attempts to get their side of the story, it is the fault of the "elected" representatives. Nothing expresses contempt more than an elected officials' "No comment" besides "I'm not even going to give the courtesy to return phone calls."
If Mark wants to ignore the important issues that affect his constituents who elected him to an office for which he gets free tuition, stipends, parking privileges, padded resume and other perks, it seems he owes us some type of leadership. Instead we get a "we'll see what others tell us to do" followers. Our ASI, including Andrews, didn't have the courtesy to attend the CSU Board of Trustees meeting where the budget impact was discussed, even though it was right here in Long Beach. But ASI leaders from Sacramento, Chico, San Diego and Stanislaus, to name but a few, attended and voiced their concerns on behalf of students at their campuses.

I and my assistants made numerous attempts to contact Andrews and the ASI over a period of a week. We went to their offices, left messages to call us back and sent e-mails. It's funny the BlackBerries our student body has spent tens of thousands of dollars on didn't work all of a sudden. They never had the courtesy or respect to return our calls. We stand by every word in the editorial because of everything I've outlined.

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Numerous attempts, huh? Guess they just didn't know when enough is enough at that time.

And after disseminating the countless unsuccessful attempts, he gives this:

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You also are culpable of doing exactly what you've accused us of. [The fact that] you're passing judgment on us without the courtesy of researching WHY we wrote this editorial, when you had only one-sided, slanted and biased information from Mark Andrews, is extremely disappointing. You should know me by now and that I don't just MAKE things up. This was created by Mark Andrews and ASI, not the Daily Forty-Niner. We merely wrote opinions on the FACTS !!!! This disrespect pans out in the fact that Andrews wrote his retort in the Union, not in the Daily Forty-Niner. He's a disrespectful wimp!!!! CSULB leadership should not merely resemble middle school popularity contest politics.

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Hold on. Who said we were in the same boat with Rogers or Stanford or even Stephens anyway? Perhaps poor Duke and the guys must have reached their limit with the lack of courtesy from them and perhaps myself (although it wasn't out of malice) that their rationality/logic has boiled over and headed south for the summer. But then again, I suppose that some people can call me courageous for writing for BOTH papers as a study. And if I was trying to get these facts from these important people, facts that would be critical to the credibility of the organization, I'd be boiling over too.

This just reinforces the animosities and hostilities that have historically fractured relationships between the Daily 49er and the ASI and the Union Weekly. I probably will not want to go deeper into the rift between both of them because I've already graduated, and I have my own issues to take of. As for that mess, I leave it to both parties to sort it out.

But this was some good stuff from Duke. Thanks, old buddy.
Your salty, yet honest rant just got posted on the Bedlam.

The Miami Dolphins undefeated streak extends to 36 years!

The Miami Dolphins undefeated streak extends to 36 years!

By Jo-Ryan Salazar
Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
February 4, 2008

Move aside, De La Salle Spartans, and make way for a real undefeated streak.

Patience pays off. That’s an old maxim quoted by an anonymous sage. For the 1972 Miami Dolphins, their patience could have paid off any better. Led by Mercury Morris, Garo Yepremian, Larry Little and Jim Kiick, the Dolphins used a balance of watching and waiting to defeat the 2007 New England Patriots, 17-14, before a crowd of senior citizens with walkers at their house in Miami.

Their unbeaten streak lasting for 36 commercial-infested seasons and counting, the Dolphins, in spite of being physically unable to play American football the way it is played in the NFL today, continue to defy conventional wisdom by throwing two crucial passes to David Tyree and Plaxico Burress, who are capable of playing football at this level.

“”Obviously, we’re proud to still have to longest undefeated streak in the League, more than those scumbags from New England,” Kiick said. “Is New England even a city? There isn’t any place in the map called New England. The way they played, Matsushita Denko Impulse would have ran them out of town.”

The remark was met with a loud roar from the old farts, as well as some octogenarians with Alzheimer’s who scratched their heads in confusion as to what a “…Matsushahahwahsawasha Dengo Impulse ish,” one said. “Well, I knows what’s deh Impulse part is, but I don’t know hossfeathers about the other stuff the chap was saying. Actually…I want to ask you a question, young man…what’s an Impulse?”

“They rplayed a fabulous game and I really thought they deserved to win,” tight end Jim Mandich said. “I really feel the better team won…As for the 1972 Miami Dolphins, I don’t take joy in the fact that the Patriots lost…wait a minute, I do! Ha Ha Ha, Tom Brady got screwed by Tyree~~~~~! Ahahahahahah! <3>

Brady, QB for the Patriots, was seen heading on the team bus with a noose and a wakazashi (hara-kiri blade) in his left hand, and a death poem in unrecognizable weeaboo kanji in the other.

“Thanks for supporting us,” New York Giants guard Chris Snee said. “You are our masters, and we must fulfill our duty to our masters, because had Tyree dropped that pass from Eli [Manning, Archie’s bastard child], all of us would have hung ourselves.”

The Flying Elvis was unable to comment.

The next exciting episode of the Masters...

  • Paul Lotman inches closer to the Thousand Kills Society
    • Based on my counts, he is now at 971 kills. He is on pace to join the club on the first road match of a February stretch against Pepperdine.
  • The crowd ooohs, aaahs, and everything in between.
    • A sheer testament to a great victory for Alan Knipe's crew.
  • The Revenge Tour continues.
    • Yes, for two reasons. 1. USC's women's tennis team swept us the day before. 2. USC beat us on our home floor last year. But we aren't through with them yet.
  • Athleticism...Le Sexy Volleyball revived!
    • This is what happens when all that practice in the summer and fall pays off, as well as conditioning the right ways.
  • The explanation behind, "There are ALTERNATIVES."
    • A clear pun on Trojan latex condoms, spermicide, lubricants, etc. Now, don't get me wrong, Trojan is a trusted brand among those who want to practice safe sex. But, I pointed out that there are other brand that provide just as effective protection, maybe even better. Of course, mention abstinence, and all bets are off.
  • Yours truly bounces, bends, falls flat, sings, dings, bangs, hangs and rises, adjusts his frowns a la Yin from Darker than Black, dons faces, and even gives the Masters a tongue-lashing for nearly letting USC successfully back into Game 2. (And also flings shirt off.)
    • This was a fun game. I just witnessed it.
  • New single from the Beach Band: Muse's "Knights of Cydonia."
    • A solid rendition, too.
  • Side adventures of Brigham Young against Cal State Northridge.
    • BYU took out the Matadors, 3-1.
  • Dean Bittner avenges Trojans' Dirty Tactics of violation of "Dahleeeng"
    • In a very solid way, too. Dean is an awesome specimen. At 6-foot-7, 187 pounds, the Lakewood High grad continues to make more than a splash. In this match, he had 13 kills and five blocks.
  • Who is Dahleeeng!?
    • Paul Lotman.
  • No, seriously, who is Dahleeeng!!?
    • Paul Lotman. Seriously.
  • USC's men miss the Wench from Wroclaw, Asia Kaczsor (who is still a whore for single-handedly breaking our hearts last autumn).
    • If you have been following Brian Gimmilaro's ladies last semester, you know the story. Long Beach State's men would prove too much for Mick Haley's Helens, but we will never really know for sure.
  • JR's take on USC women, and their impurity in the eyes of the Beach
    • Spent too much money. More than likely knows someone who knows someone who knows someone, etc. I put my university's poon in a more positive light than theirs.
  • The spinaround...and the Night Boat to Cairo!?.
    • Before the match, I spun myself dizzy. The result of caffeine put to good use. Night Boat to Cairo is a song from the debut album of Madness, entitled, "One Step Beyond." I sung that minutes before the match, and the spinaround was afterward. Definitely surreal.
  • We are still third in the nation.
    • Confirmed

NOT an insurmountable margin...right?

As I took Passport D leading back to Transit Mall, I thought, "Six points is not an insurmountable margin." But if our other teams do not pull their weight, it might as well be.

I could see it coming from as far as Mars. After those two games at the Walter Pyramid involving our basketball teams, UC Irvine got some well-deserved leverage, and now we are six points behind the Anteaters in the race for the Black and Blue Rivalry Series surfboard, 15-9. And the Great Hoopspression of 2008 continued.

But, you know what really got me irked, to put it quite frankly? A couple of stupid UCI hooligans for students were standing in our section. Section 111 in the Pyramid is the student section, and these guys were trespassing on our side our the Myd.

So, I went over, and told them, "Hey, what are you doing in our section?"
"We're just enjoying the game here."
"No. You are not allowed to be here. Get out of our section, right now."
"But we're just enjoying the game here."
"I said, get the fuck out of our section. NOW!"
"No, we're just enjoying the-"
"Take this, you UCI motherfucker!"
And all hell broke loose.

Now, let's make it clear here. I was being rather nice to one of these turds, by giving a gentle shove. It could have, and should have, been a sharp kick to the ribs and gut. To the cheers of the Monson Maniacs, I told Dustin Watten, one of the Masters of Le Sexy Volleyball, "These sons of bitches are SOOOOOO going down. And you WILL do it. Understand?"
He, Dan Alexander, Dean Bittner, and the other Masters present at the men's game gave an emphatic, "Yeeeeah!"

After the game, I told my good friend, Cindy Masner, one-time interim athletic director for the Beach and a great advocate for the department, about the unfortunate situation. I also criticized the fact that the Event Staff did not approach these guys, and escort them out, thus avoiding this situation altogether. Finally, I let Cindy know that "...this will be the LAST time you give me that warning, because I have your word that you will prevent such things like this from happening again. You understand?"
She nodded, I thanked her for her cooperation, and I took off. But at the same time, I wondered the possibilities in the other B&B matches.

At least the rugby, ice hockey (I just found out a few minutes ago on LMU's site) and women's water polo teams won today. But Mary Hegarty and Dan "The Taekwondo Man" Monson (that is the new epithet I give him, for his accuracy in kicking the billboard in frustration, and his garb. Hiyaaa!"), bless their hearts, they must have felt like Katrina blew by their houses. More so for poor Mary, God forgive her transgressions.

Such is the politics of sport. And thus, my intention to explore the politics, the red tape, the yin and yang, if you will, in the Sport Management program, GRE and process willing.

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That is the last time, I try to stomp a drink can before tossing it into the Recycle Bin. In an unexpected demonstration of physics (and an inability of my left foot to get all that can), my Rockstar Zero Carb can (contents already downed..oh, by the way, it has been ages since I chugged one of those bad boys down. No really. It has.) flew out of the seat and onto the floor. The Event Staff thought I threw it into the floor. Make a note of that, Jo-Ryan, to just drop the can, unstomped, into the bin.
"Roger. 10/4. Thank you."

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Also at the women's game, a young girl, came up to me, and poked me a bit. I wanted to give her a high five, and to my surprise, she didn't know how to do it. (Either that, or she is making a really serious case to become a Zot when she grows up.) I told the parents, "You are going to have to tell your kid to have some respect." If I have to power to give a tall broad a sharp kick to the gut, unfortunately for the little girl, I can send her flying like a soccer ball several feet with a simple swing of my right leg.

I kid you not.

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And I just found that the Great Hoopspression of 2008 was not restricted to Long Beach State. If the Sisters of Mercy would polish the 49er ladies off the floor, against Long Beach City College, it should be declared a Holy Day of Demolition. And the Viking men's aren't spared damage either. As if losing to John Featherstone's Noble Men of Murdock wasn't bad enough, both Vikings hoops teams lose to the El Camino Warriors.

Ouch.

On the next exciting episode of "The Masters of Le Sexy Volleyball..."



    • Paul Lotman inches closer to the Thousand Kills Society
    • The crowd ooohs, aaahs, and everything in between.
    • The Revenge Tour continues.
    • Athleticism...Le Sexy Volleyball revived!
    • The explanation behind, "There are ALTERNATIVES."
    • Yours truly bounces, bends, falls flat, sings, dings, bangs, hangs and rises, adjusts his frowns a la Yin from Darker than Black, dons faces, and even gives the Masters a tongue-lashing for nearly letting USC successfully back into Game 2. (And also flings shirt off.)
    • New single from the Beach Band: Muse's "Knights of Cydonia."
    • Side adventures of Brigham Young against Cal State Northridge.
    • Dean Bittner avenges Trojans' Dirty Tactics of violation "Dahleeeng"
    • Who is Dahleeeng!?
    • No, seriously, who is Dahleeeng!!?
    • USC's men miss the Wench from Wroclaw, Asia Kaczsor (who is still a whore for single-handedly breaking our hearts last autumn).
    • JR's take on USC women, and their impurity in the eyes of the Beach
    • The spinaround...and the Night Boat to Cairo!?