Sunday, November 1, 2026
A splendid agenda was on hand for this glorious, picture perfect Sunday after a night of rain in SoCal.
Let us start the month of November with a great memory from 57 years ago today.
Skydive Snohomish, Washington
George Contreras & Mark Johnson
After sharing a few adult beverages on a Friday night at Dante's Tavern in Seattle's University District, we made the enlightened decision to go skydiving for the first time early the following morning.
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back to Earth
I had been chosen by our instructor to be the first to exit the plane, thus my view of Mark.
Please note that after only a couple of hours of ground instruction, we both jumped solo on our initial, and to this date, only skydiving adventures.
Today, such a jump would be done in tandem with an instructor attached to the novice jumper.
Men were men back in 1969!
Somehow, both Mark and I are still alive and kicking, much the better and wiser for the experience.
Dante's Tavern, those were the days . . .
After re-living this fond memory, it was off to LAX, as we had a visitor to meet and greet.
Julien Urgenti was in California
Julien was the General Manager and Offensive Coordinator with France's Bron-Villeurbanne Falcons back during the 2012-13 season when I coached the team.
We had a wonderful season, collaborating almost daily in a campaign that ended with a 12-0 record and a French DIII National Championship.
He will be with us for ten days that will include a trip to Seattle to stay at Mark Johnson's home while attending a high school Washington state playoff game on Friday, the Penn State-Washington contest on Saturday and the NFL skirmish between the Seahawks and Cardinals on Sunday.
So how to start his Adventure, you ask?
Why with an energy boost at
this iconic SoCal dining emporium
He opted for a maple iced cake donut while I picked out the cinnamon crumble to spike my blood-sugar levels to the max.
From here, we drove up the Pacific Coast Highway through Santa Monica, Malibu and, eventually, Oxnard taking in the gorgeous vistas offered on this route of the Pacific Ocean and its many spectacular beaches.
Our next stop was in Ventura to participate in their big festival today.
The festival celebrated the
Dia de los Muertos
In the Mexican culture the Day of the Dead is the sacred day for families to honor and celebrate the memories and lives of family members and friends that are no longer with us.
A fine tradition if you ask me.
Julien had asked to take in a
just such a festival
Ventura's festival was packed
in the Old Downtown area of this
excellent beach community
Lots of Low Rider cars were on
display, many with photos of their
departed love ones on display
Combining bitter losses with joyous
life celebrations, so cool!
Our first example of a La Catrina
The La Catrina idea was created to remind us all that death is a natural part of life and as a means to celebrate shared Mexican heritage and culture.
I like it.
Festive colors are a HUGE part of
any Dia de los Muertos celebrations
Impressive
All of the cars and their displays
were interesting to me
Again, LOTS of colors
Of course the Virgen de Guadalupe
was IN THE HOUSE!
Lively music and colorful Folklórico
dancers set a tone for the spectators
I was enchanted by this truck's
paint job
How do they make these works of art?
BRIGHT GREEN!
Stairway to Heaven?
Now, THAT'S a classic car!
Julien liked this car
Soon after this, he got extremely artsy when he saw a car with mirrors on the ground so that passers-by could get a better look at the underside of the vehicle.
Julien saw this as cool photo op.
Julien's photo easily won the
Picture of the Day Contest!
I tried to get Julien on the
Dance Floor but he declined
Julien and a random Aztec Princess
on her way to a human sacrifice
Hopefully, not hers.
The best La Catrina we saw today!
Aztec Medicine Man sanctifying this
motorcycle with chants and incense
LOVING all of these colors and costumes!
There were tons of vendors set up along our walk peddling their arts and crafts.
I did make one purchase.
to "Have Mercy on MAGA"
I felt that it was a good idea to show the MAGA crowd my compassion and caring for them after Tuesday's election results.
We trekked down to the beach
near the Venturas Pier
It was a great way to start Julien's
Adventure but we were hungry
We got the gang together at El Tec
with Michael taking the photo
Julien enjoyed his three street
Al Pastor taco plate
Authentic Mexican food was high on his trip's bucket list.
After returning home and watching the end of the NFL Sunday Night Football Philadelphia Eagles-Washington Redskins game, Julien crashed after his long trip from Lyon to Los Angeles via a two-hour layover in Amsterdam.
When or if he'll wake up on Monday is largely in question.
Still no Washington Huskies
The 8-0 UCLA Bruins keep creeping up this list, good for them!
As for our Huskies . . .
Minus the last drive of the game,
I would grade the Offense much lower
A lackluster win by all reports but
the now 4-4 record is trending upward
A first round DI playoff game
between two 8-2 teams
This is a heavyweight matchup between the Marmonte League's #1 team, Pacifica, and the #2 team from the Mission League, Bishop Amat.
They have one common opponent, Mission League Champion Sierra Canyon (10-0).
Pacifica lost to Sierra Canyon, 42-10.
Bishop Amat also came a short in their Sierra Canyon game, 56-7.
Pacifica is one of 12 Ventura County teams participating in one of the C.I.F.-Southern Section's 14 playoff divisions. The other 11 county post-season participants are Del Sol, Fillmore, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Nordhoff, Oak Park, Royal, Simi Valley, St. Bonaventure, Ventura and Westlake.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
