Waiting for 9/12

On September 11, I had no idea of the impact. I was about 13 and thought it was just another sad news story. I had no family in New York, so it didn't affect me directly.

I remember my fourth period teacher in jr. high tell the class, "This is going to be talked about for years to come. It's not going to go away any time soon. We're living through history right now."

All I had seen were a couple clips in the morning before I headed off to school, so I really had no idea of the impact or how severe it was.

I've always sort of lived in my own little world; my own sports world. When I got home and found out my Dodger game was postponed due to the attacks, it was starting to hit me that it was something big.

I remember games were postponed for almost 2 weeks, and without sports to watch, all there was, was non-sports news.

I watched as new develpments kept coming in and different theories amassed.

For the first time I learned the significance of the World Trade Center.

I learned of the tragic stories of the New York locals. I could feel the sadness through the light coming off the screen.

For once in my life, I couldn't hide behind my security blanket. I couldn't escape from the real world and just watch my baseball games. It was real life, and not even sports could provide an escape.

Luckily, after things had settled down a bit, and we knew as a country what we were facing, not only did I welcome back my security blanket, but the entire country saw hope in sports.

I remember when baseball came back the following week, there was a feeling that even though we just suffered tragedy, we will not let our lives stop.

The national anthem meant so much more after 9/11 and you could feel the energy every time it was sung.

The Dodgers were scheduled to host the San Diego Padres for a 3-game series starting September 11, and it didn't happen.

I lived by that season schedule. I planned around that schedule. To me 9/11 lasted for a week that there were no sports for me to follow. It felt like time did not move.

When baseball started again and life started to move again, time started to move again.

So the sports world paused on 9/11 and to me, not until the week later did I see 9/12 because that's what was on pace in my schedule.

My schedule was thrown off for a little while, but once we faced the Padres like planned, 9/11 was finally over and I was ready to face 9/12.

In a hall of his own

John Stockton and David Robinson were great, Michael Jordan was the greatest.
At 3:30 p.m.(PT) today, these three will be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as this might be the most memorable ceremony ever.
Today, the greatest basketball player of all-time will finally be formally recognized as such.
The man who is a world-wide icon, will finally take his spot in basketball greatness.
Having to wait five years, only by hall of fame rules, but he was a hall of famer from the first time he blessed the court with his presence.
Loved by many, hated by few, respected by all. That cliche applies non better than to Mr. Jordan.
He'll be joined by maybe two players who have the most reason to hate him. John Stockton never won a championship because of him, and Robinson had to wait for him to take a break before he won his.
Jordan embarrassed both equally; he embarrassed all equally. No one matched his level of play and maybe no one ever will.
No one will ever do all that Jordan did.
No one can blend the iconic status on and off the floor the way he did. That's what makes him the greatest.
Five will be inducted, but only one will be the most memorable.
It almost isn't fair for the rest to go in at the same time as Jordan; not only becuase he should be remembered alone, but because no one might remember the rest of them going in.
Jordan was his own man, and probably should have gone in by himself. Would it have been unfair to the rest? To some degree, yes, but Michael deserves it. To have anyone mentioned in the same breath is almost criminal.
I love our players of today, and on any other day I'd argue for my hometown hero in the city of angels, but today reality has its time to fly, and it must fly with "air" Jordan.

"God chose Memphis"

Don't blame God for this one, AI. This should be interesting. A team filled with guards. Might work in pick-up ball, lets see what Memphis tries to do with it. Will AI accept coming off the bench, or will he cry until he replaces Mike Conely at point guard, a position that AI obviously can't handle. Find out soon on the, Iverson Doesn't fit in any Team Show.

I'd blame twitter.

The first one's out of the way

The Mounties women's soccer team were able to get their first win this year against Southwestern College.
There was a bit of panic after losing their first two games, especially after the high bar they set last year.
Alex Loakes almost went down, but the girl's got heart and stayed in despite an injured ankle.
She tried to downplay the injury, but she was carted off the field. She really had to be in pain!
She ran back onto the field and showed the type of leadership that you love to see in sports. Scored the first goal to kind of take some pressure off the team, and really helped the offense get going.
I talked to coach Bowen and she said they've had to adjust to a couple of big injuries such as sophomore midfielder Christina Carriaga's, who played a big role in thier run last season.
Defender Taylor King has had a chance to move up in the offense due to the injuries and seems to be comfortable in that role.
She had at least 4 shots on goal that I counted, and on any other day they might have all gone in. They still have Jennifer Rivera out there, and although it seems like the team isn't running through her as much as it did last year, the potential for a big spurt is still there. She can't be contained for too long, and when she decides to explode, WATCH OUT. The girl is special on the field.
The team effort is certainly there. I love seeing a team that not only wants to win, but has fun playing the game. It's great to see the whole team get up and congratulate the player coming out of the game and really form a welcoming atmosphere on the sideline.
It's great to see a head coach who shows confidence in the players and teaches them to play the right way.
Hopefully this win catapults the team to a big run like last season's.
Their ball movement isn't quite like it was last season, and maybe it'll take them a little bit of time to really get into championship form, but I know coach Bowen will set all of that straight and the girls will respond soon enough.

Top 5: Flashback of Japanese Influences

Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners recorded his 2,000th career hit in a MLB uniform today. I have always been a great supporter of Ichiro and am happy for his milestone hit. This personal record for the "Japanese Samurai" has sparked me to think of my top 5 Japanese influences and moments growing up. See if you remember any of these:

5. Pokemon

In my generation, Pokemon was one of the biggest phenomenons to hit the United States. Before Yu Gi Oh cards were the hot gift to get your kids, Pokemon cards were the big ticket to pleasing your kids. Parents will concur. I'm sure a lot of them remember having to scramble for these cute little Pocket Monsters.

4. Joe Isuzu

When the Japanese car makers, Isuzu, started making a push for more attention, they hired a goofy looking actor named named David Leisure to do commercials, and Joe Isuzu was born. His character was a car salesman who made outrageous claims about how amazing Izusu was, and made claims like, you can buy a car for 6 dollars, or buy an Island with the money you save. Growing up, there was not one commercial break that didn't feature Joe Isuzu at some point and as a kid I thought they were hilarious.

3. Hideo Nomo

Any true Dodgers fan will remember Nomo Mania. Maybe not quite like the manias of Hulk or Fernando, but as soon as this man touched U.S. soil, media cameras drowned him in a way that not even A-Rod will ever feel. Not only were local media on him, but media from all over the U.S. AND Japan followed his every move. Not only was he able to control the media, but he had an amazing career with the Dodgers. Nomo was known as the "Tornado" for the way he'd twist his body before he pitched the ball. He filled stadiums and helped put Japanese baseball on the map. I'll never forget his no-hit performance at hitter friendly Coors Field against the Rockies, nor the way he'd contort his body in a confusing matter and fooled opposing hitters. He's an L.A. legend and his success helped pave the way into the league for players like Ichiro and Daisuke Matsuzaka.

2. Haikus

First poems I learned

Influenced love of writing

Owe a lot to them

1.Super Mario Brothers

My number one Japanese-American influence was the Super Mario Brothers video game created by Nintendo.

Some of the best times I had as a kid were while playing this silly little video game. Had a lot of great times with old friends, built strong friendships and learned to have fun with other people. I grew up surrounded by adults, and Super Mario Brothers was a game that helped kids, including myself, bond with other kids. To me, there will never be a better game that Super Mario Brothers.

Some of these things might sound silly to you, but they were truly memorable things in my life, and without a doubt had tons of influence on millions of people.

I write this in sort of a nostalgic way, hoping that it'll take some of you back to the good ol' days.

Congratulations Ichiro. And thank you.

Burning Tequila's throat

Tila Tequila took a couple shots at love and came to the conclusion that she's more compatible with an always angry looking, steroid using football player.

Well her perfect plan went awry today as reports that Shawne Merriman, outside linebacker of the San Diego Chargers, was arrested after being accused by Tequila of choking her.

Reports say that Tequila's claim was that she was trying to leave Merriman's home in Poway and he choked her and threw her to the ground. (1 choke, 2 choke, 3 choke, floor)

Merriman's known for his "lights out" celebration where he flails his arms in anger after sacking a quarterback. So I'm thinking maybe he couldn't wait for the season to start next week and maybe tried to go lights out on Tila.

This poor girl can't catch a break. She couldn't find the right guy, or girl for two seasons on MTV, now she's acting like her once roid raged boyfriend who takes joy in hurting people for a living is not the man she thought he was.

It wasn't a bad idea to go after a football player, it makes sense for a cover girl. But if this relationship doesn't work out she can take her chances with a different position player. She probably hasn't done this before, so here's a quick look at some big time relationships between cover girls and certain position players in the NFL:

1. Tony Romo- Quarterback

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Victim: Jessica Simpson

Analysis: Ok. When dating the start quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, you have to be smoking hot. Hence, Jessica Simpson. (Once you get past the manly jaw structure, she's really hot) It had all the makings of the perfect star couple. He was the handsome leader of America's team and she's a singer or something. What happens when two beautiful people get together? He figures out that he's young and the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys and has plenty of other beautiful women he has to date. He figured out that playing quarterback for the Cowboys is like playing shortstop for the Yankees and if he learns from Derek Jeter, he'll have a long lasting relationship with several beautiful women.

2. Tom Brady- Quarterback

Team: New England Patriots

Victim: Giselle Bundchen

Analysis: I'm going to keep it in the quarterback position to show that maybe it does work out. The quarterback is not going to beat you or choke you. He's usually the face of the franchise and that face can't afford to have blemishes.

Of course, Giselle is way hotter than Jessica Simpson, but it seems like Brady and Bundchen really like each other. There's rumors that she's even pregnant. That baby will be right up there with Branjelina's and TomKat's.

3. Hank Baskett- Wide Receiver

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Victim: Kendra Wilkinson

Analysis: If you date a superstar wide receiver, you'll be getting into a relationship where HE'S the diva. But then there's the Hank Baskett's in the league who don't play enough to be divas. I would have to say that Kendra has the star power in this relationship, but if he's willing to put up with a blonde playboy model it just might work out.

4. Larry Johnson- Running Back

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Victim: Julissa Bermudez

Analisis: Julissa was Free's replacement for a while on BET's 106 & Park. Johnson was in need of a star girlfriend and found Julissa to be the perfect girl to abuse at night clubs. Johnson built up a strong domestic violence record and the two eventually broke up. Running back, maybe not the best position to date. At least not angry ones like LJ.

5. Shawne Merriman- Linebacker

Team: San Diego Chargers

Victim: Tila Nguyen (Tila Tequila)

Analysis: Linebackers are probably the most brutal players on the field. (and she picked one that's been caught and suspended for steroid use) If Merriman in fact is the kind of person who takes that brutality home, could spell trouble.

Tequila mixed with steroids has the makings of a deadly relationship drink.

We'll see how this one works out but for future reference, Tila, you might want to go with a quarterback or just take your goods to a different sport.

Meeting the Montanas

Way before Hannah, and hitting his prime just after Tony, was a man named Joe who also carried the name of one of my top 3 square-shaped states of all time, and lit up the NFL. He dominated the sport of football like maybe no other will, and solidified himself as arguably the greatest quarterback in history.

Brought up as a San Francisco Niners fan, Joe Montana was on my Mt. Rushmore of sports heroes growing up. He was right between Michael Jordan, Mike Piazza and Bugs Bunny. (I was 8 when Space Jam came out. Are you kidding me! Combining my favorite cartoon character with my favorite sport was epic!)

Super Joe hasn't done much lately. It's doubtful that he'll be dancing on channel 7. Probably won't be belittled into sharing a house with reject stars on VH1, but once in a while he'll make public appearances at local community college football stadiums. Guaranteed.

Nate Montana plays the coveted position of hall of famer's son at Pasadena City College.

Young Nate had the privelage of playing his first collegiate game ever, at Hilmer Lodge Stadium against our very own Mounties.

Did the Mounties know he was Joe Cool's son? Ohhhhh you better believe it. Poor Nate was on the ground more than a person doing Wii Fit Yoga.

Anyway, Mounties won and it was time to do my journalistic duties and interview the brutalized Montana kid. He was cool as can be. Knew the right things to say and handled the interview as if the loss hadn't affected him. I thanked him for the interview, and watched the son of greatness run away into the brutal California sunset.

After a couple more interviews, I noticed a casually dressed man who glowed like Dr. Manhattan and had a crowd around him like the Fonz. It was Joe Montana. The football Icon in the flesh!

As a sports fan I almost wet my pants, but once I gained composure, I put on my reporter hat and walked right over to the legend. The awkward confrontation went like so:

Me: Hello Mr. Montana

Super Joe: Hi there

Me: Would you mind if I asked a couple of questions for the school paper?

Super Joe: I'm sorry, I'm here for my son and I don't do that stuff. I let him take care of the questions.

Me: Oh ok. Thank you anyway.

Ok. Fair enough. I understand why he wouldn't want to talk. He's freakin Joe Montana! He can talk to or not talk to whoever he wants.

It was really tough for me though. One of my Rushmore heads was right in front of me and I just couldn't leave empty handed. I couldn't ask for an interview again, that'd be stupid. So since he didn't want to talk to me as a journalist, I tried it as a fan. I looked in my backpack and I saw something I never thought I would see at that moment. It was a Sharpie! I ran to Joe Cool for one more shot at a perfect moment with one of my heroes. I asked him for an autograph.

He politely said no. Wamp Wamp. What an ending.

There I was, holding a Sharpie and a game program, alone in the world while my head was spinning like Sidewinder.

I was almost scared to put that picture of him up (above) in fear that copyright laws might reject me from putting it up.

I was rejected twice by the greatest of all time. Just might be the greatest rejection of my life.

Raiders of the lost Arco

I had the strangest trip to the gas station I might ever have. As I was pulling into my local Arco and slowly made my way to pump number 6, the lips of an angry man at the pump next to me blessed my cracked open windowsill.

Scared me a little bit. He had a really aggressive tone, but within all his yelling I happened to catch him say the word "Raiders" and I said to myself, "Oh. Makes sense," and parked my car.

What I had originally thought was a gas station, was apparently a mirage that tricked me and sucked me into the Black Hole. All of a sudden, I was in the middle of 3-way holy war between the angry gentleman next to me, a Green Bay Packers fan, and a man who didn't seem to say much. He was kind of just there, laughing and making quick remarks that seemed to anger the Raider fan.

So I got out of my car, stretched, dropped my keys and tried to listen in on the argument.

Unfortunately I have no idea how it started, but the enraged Raider fan next to me started taking indirect shots at Brett Favre, saying, "Packers haven't had a real quarterback since Bart Starr!"

Ouch.

Didn't hear what the guy across the station was saying because the steam coming out of the Raider fan's ears was impairing my already fickle hearing.

As I walked away to pay inside, I heard screams from the Raider fan, "1967 was the only true championship!" That told me he was an old school guy. In other words, I better pump my gas and get the hell out before he blows up the gas station like Robocop.

I came back out, and all three were still there.

This time the Raider fan threw out a, "At least we had Bo Jackson! Man could that guy run. He was the greatest player the league has ever seen!"

At that point I'm laughing inside. He didn't even know what to argue. It was sad. It's like San Francisco Giants fans try to argue, "Remember Bobby Thompson's home run against the Dodgers in 1951!" Umm, that's cool.

Or when they say, "At least we had Barry Bonds!" Congratulations! Good luck with that argument. (I love when "big headed" Barry Bonds fans "take shots" at Dodger fans and try to "inject" us with stupid arguments and "cheat" us out of intelligent thought) ;)
The last thing I heard the Raider fan say was, "Al Davis needs to die!"
Double Ouch.
80-year-old Al Davis, the Raider owner with Freddy Krueger-like features. I know he hasn't done that great of a job with the organization, but goodness, death?
The PACKER FAN then said, "Oh come on man, he don't have to die."
And to remove any chance of confusion, the Raider fan said, "No! He needs to die, die, die!"
This man had so much anger inside him that he started taking shots at his own team.

Anyway, I filled up half of my tank (Dam gas prices. The worth of a 20 dollar bill nowadays) and was ready to go.

The Packer fan and random instigator guy left.

As I drove away, from the corner of my eye I saw the Raider fan start talking to a lady with aggressive hand gestures. Guess he had more to say.

Hope that lady knew him.

Best Injury Ever!

I would have never thought that one of my earliest blog entries would be about Nascar, but this story is exceptionally amazazing! (Yes. Amazazing.)
Carl Edwards, that backflipping bandit of Nascar suffered a broken foot yesterday from (drum roll please) PLAYING FRISBEE!
"I know this probably sounds ridiculous to a lot of people and I could hardly believe it myself," said Edwards.
Ridiculous?! I'm glad you acknowledge it, Edwards, but goodness gracious sakes alive, this goes beyond ridiculous!
It wasn't even ultimate Frisbee, which probably would still sound ridiculous, but I mean, he was just playing frisbee with friends!
You can't help but chuckle when something like this happens.
Apparently Edwards ran into one of his friends, and his friend got WWE fever and got Edwards in an ankle lock. Well, not really, but that would have made more sense.
One of his friends dove into his leg while trying to get the Frisbee. Awesome.
He could have at least said he was playing with his dog, tripped over his dog, lost his balance, jumped over a pile of venomous snakes, dodged a tree and smashed his foot on a cinder block.
Or at least that his friends were Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis, and they were at the beach, and while running away from these two beasts, a piece of seaweed caught his foot and he tripped and sprained his ankle. (If I were playing ANYTHING with Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis I'd probably end up hurt somehow.)
I don't know how you break your foot playing Frisbee. It's borderline unbelievable.

It's better than when Arizona Cardinal, Martin Gramatica hurt his leg celebrating a field goal!
It's better than when Chicago Cubs star and steroid hall of famer, Sammy Sosa, went on the disabled list for getting back spasms after sneezing!

It's better than when Detroit Tiger's pitcher, Joel Zumaya was out for the season for splitting his finger playing Guitar Hero!
It's better than when Forrest Gump got shot in the but-tocks!
It's better than when Jean Girard broke Ricky Bobby's arm for not wanting to admit he loves crepes in Talladega Nights!

It's better than when then Cincinatti Red, Ken Griffey Jr. got a pinched testicle! (Ah! Well, maybe it's a tie with Griffey)
It has to be the greatest injury ever! You have to really put in a lot of effort to break your foot playing Frisbee, and Edwards did.
Ricky Bobby kept racing while his arm was wrapped like a frickin gordita, and Edwards has said the injury won't hold him back from racing either.
What a trooper.

Mounties soccer this friday

The Mountie men's soccer team play this weekend against Richmond. Game time is at 7 p.m. After a tie game against Taft where the Mounties had plenty of chances to put the game away, they won their first game pretty easily last Sunday against Oxnard.
A win tomorrow gets them into the tournament championship and it'll get them off to a great start this year.
The soccer team went all the way to State last year and had a finish to the season that while admirable, I'd rather not get into.
Ok, so we got killed by Cerritos 4 times last year, but this year we should win at least one game against them. Other than that stain on the season, they had an amazing year with tons of exciting highlights.
A lot of the sophomores who made huge contributions last year, like, Spencer Jones and Tony Camacho are back this year, and I think they're worth a look. Combined with the new guys coming in, there's potential for another run at the state championship this year.
If anyone is interested in watching a fun, fast-paced sporting event at Mt. SAC, this would be a good game to check out.