Tuesday, January 31, 2017:
It's been a long time since my last post, the first one of 2017, here goes.
As we do most years, our New Year started in Las Vegas to visit Andy, Jenn and Kevin. Our main goal was to be with the kids to celebrate Andy's 43rd birthday on January 2nd, we also take this opportunity to watch a ton of Bowl games and eat some really good grub.
First stop is always in Victorville
for breakfast about half way
to Las Vegas
This is one of Guy Fieri's famous "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" eating spots
It's a Dive with both history
and sensational breakfast fare
As usual, we were not disappointed.
Once in Las Vegas . . .
Kevin was excited about his
new Atlético Madrid jersey
Being with the Grandkids
is a lot of fun!
First up on the weekend's football
calendar was the NCAA Semi-Final games
On December 31st, our #4 ranked Washington Huskies (12-1) drew the unenviable task of taking on the #1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0) in Atlanta, Georgia's Peach Bowl.
The #2 ranked Clemson Tigers (12-1) were playing the #3 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1) in the other Semi-Final contest in the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona.
Game Day means Football, Family,
Fun and . . .
FOOD!
We weren't Hunters but we were
hungry for some BBQ
It is another of Guy Fieri's
favorite dining spots
Can't argue with our choices
So, fully sated, we sat down to watch the Dawgs . . .
. . . Go Down to Defeat
The UW fought hard but Alabama's defense was simply too good, the better team won.
Clemson destroyed Ohio State in the day's second game by a final tally of 31-0.
That game made me feel a lot better about the Huskies' effort earlier in the day.
Physical Fitness in the desert
Andy and I got out in the mornings to walk to his nearby park.
Twice around the park please
Convenient markings as you enter Nevada Trails Park.
Sunday = MORE Football!
It was the last game of the
regular season
Arizona Cardinals (6-8-1)
at
Los Angeles Rams (4-11)
We watched on TV . . .
Mike, Jacob and Jesus
went to the game
The Rams were as bad as usual losing the Cardinals 44-6.
Thus the Rams finished the 2016 campaign with a 4-12 record punctuated with a season ending seven game losing streak.
Kevin as a Super Hero
Kevin in his Super Hero Alter Ego
He borrowed my reading glasses for maximum effect.
Laurie is a GREAT Grandmother
Adios Kevin, Andy and Jenn
We had a GRAT time in Las Vegas with them as always!
GREAT, GREAT Game!
Clemson (14-1) 35
Alabama (14-1) 31
We watched it at home with Mike and Jacob.
It was now officially college basketball season.
I joined Brian and Tom FitzGerald
for the California at UCLA game
Pauley Pavilion looked great
Our seats were good
Very good!
It was a good night of camaraderie as the UCLA Bruins (15-1) beat the Cal Bears (10-5) 81-71.
Lots of good times this month
with both Jacob and . . .
Mary
On January 11th, I even got to
attend a Los Angeles Clippers game
at the Staples Center
courtesy of Martha Jimenez-Ito
Los Angeles Clippers 105 - Orlando Magic 96
GRACIAS Martha!
Laurie and I at the Oaks Mall
in Thousand Oaks
Not sure what game these ladies
were playing but they
were having fun
January 21st saw me at Santiago H.S.
for the 59th Annual Southern California
Football Coaches Association clinic
It was a long drive out to Corona, California for the clinic but it was worthwhile as the speakers were good.
On January 28th, Mike joined Jacob and I for a nice hike in the Hill Canyon area of Ventura County.
Jacob blazing the trail
As it turns out,
Jacob's walking stick can easily
be transformed into a rifle
This past Sunday at Oaks
Christian School's observing practice
The Lion's Offensive Line Coach is Bob Richards who was the first coach I ever worked with back on the J.V. team at Thousand Oaks H.S. back in 1970.
That was a long time ago.
I wanted to watch what drills and teaching points he was using in their training. I was not disappointed.
EuroBall Updates from Spain
The Spanish football season started up in earnest this month, let's see how our three favorite clubs are doing . . .
The Serie A Cobras
are off to a great start
Two games into their first year in Spain's toughest division, the Cobras are happy to be sitting tied for first place with the Badalona Dracs sporting a perfect 2-0 record.
The Cobras beat the Valencia Giants 27-13 on January 15th and then boat raced the Barbera Rookies 37-6 a week later.
This coming Sunday, the two undefeated teams meet in Badalona for sole possession of first place in the six team circuit.
The Serie B Osos Rivas
are off to a rocky start
The Osos won their first game in Spain's second division on January 22nd by a 20-8 margin on the road against the Barcelona Bufals.
Last Saturday the Osos lost their home opener to the undefeated Mallorca Voltors 12-14. The loss dropped them into a tie for second place at 1-1 with the Bufals in Serie B's four team Par Conference.
Serie B also has four other teams playing in the Impar Conference for a total of eight Serie B teams in 2017.
Up next for the Osos is a short road trip to the other side of Madrid to take on the 0-2 ANV Fuenlabrada Cuervos on February 12th. The Cuervos are also in the Par Conference with the Voltors, Bufals and Osos. The Cuervos two losses are to the Voltors and Bufals by a combined score of 0-126.
The Serie C Guadalajara Stings
are struggling
I believe that my favorite club is off to an 0-2 start in Spain's third division. I say believe because they have played twice and nobody has posted a score of either game on their website or on their FaceBook page.
Not a good sign.
Reading is FUNdamental
Tedious
I liked it
Whatever happened to Lew Alcindor?
Interesting
A good story about redemption and the first college football hero of my youth.
Has there ever been a better name for a dynamic running back than Billy Cannon? He is still LSU's only Heisman Trophy winner taking home the hardware in 1959.
Finally, I should be hearing something about another possible EuroBall adventure in the next week to ten days.
Keeping my fingers crossed.
