Below are the 6 most recent journal entries recorded in rbowlminnesota's LiveJournal:

Friday, August 18th, 2006
12:05 pm	A look at USC in 2006: The Offense Dwayne Jarrett 2005 Orange Bowl So I finally picked up my first Steele CFB Review. WOW! That’s a lot of information. The first thing that jumps out is that he has SC going 12-0 in 5 out of his 7 power rankings. Interesting. I’m not so sure that’s realistic. As I have said in the past SC has lost too much talent on the offense. Without a lot of big game experience I’m worried about the chemistry with all these new faces. There is no doubt that Pete Carroll has the gift of landing big time recruits. And he is legendary at motivating people to perform with his “if you’re good enough, you’ll start” philosophy that has produced some exciting players to watch over the years. These are my thoughts. Note: Any references to stats are Steele’s. Today The Offense: Is JDB’s back ready to take the day in and day out pounding that he would receive as the teams #1 starter? If not there is no doubt that Mark Sanchez has the talent but he lacks the game experience as well. If Booty’s back is suspect that would move Sanchez to #1 which would mean 3rd stringer McDonald would have to get his chops up to be available to step in at a moments notice. Last years Offensive line was probably the best in the country. They gave up 17 sacks (3.5%) and primed the running game with a punishing 6 yards per carry. This years offensive line has only 2 starters returning, C Ryan Kalil and LT Sam Baker. Obviously the O line will not be as dominant as last years but they should be a solid unit and will get the job done. With LG Jeff Byers returning from a hip injury he will add some game experience and help shore up the backside. RG Chilo Rachal will start on the right side and his significant playing time last year will also provide some stability. RT will either be Kyle Williams or Charles Brown. TE Fred Davis had moderate contributions last year and has some big shoes to fill with the loss of Dominque Byrd. The running back situation will be the most intriguing to watch. Now that Washington is academically eligible we should finally see just how good he is. Hershel Dennis is out with an ACL tear and I feel we will never see him in a Trojan uniform again. Desmond Reed is still a question with his torn knee ligaments that he suffered in last years ND game. SR Ryan Powdrell will also see some action as will Michael Coleman. Incoming freshman RB’s Emmanuel Moody and CJ Gable will put Coach Carroll’s philosophy to the test. Provided that Booty settles into Sarkisian and Kiffin’s scheme and he has the time to throw the receiving corps will be something to watch. Jarrett is the lynch pin of the receivers. His size makes him a big target and he uses his size to get the advantage on those who cover. The two plays that stand out for me were the 4th and 9 play against ND and his TD catch in the 4th qtr. of the Rose Bowl where he gets up high on 2 Longhorn defenders. He’s a special player. Steve Smith is returning for his senior season. After having a great game against OU in the 2005 Orange Bowl he lived in Jarrett’s shadow last year and had about the same year as he had in 2004. He needs to have a big year if wants to go high in next years draft. SR Chris McFoy had a better year in 2004 than he did in 2005 and will see some action. Is Patrick Turner the next Jarrett? We will find out this year, as his playing duties will increase. He has got the size and the talent and he had a decent year as a freshman but he needs to concentrate more on hanging on to the ball, he had a number of drops last year. Of the 5 incoming freshman receivers Vidal Hazelton is sure to shine provided he keeps his grades up. He too will test Carroll’s philosophy. There is definitely some potential here to stay near the top in polls in the coming season. I don’t think they will go undefeated but I do think they will win the Pac-10. I am concerned about the first game against Arkansas. Coming off the Rose Bowl loss and team chemistry will be the challenge for the first game. Other games that concern me are Arizona on 9/23 and Cal on 11/18. Tomorrow the Defense. UPDATE 6/28/06: I'll work on the defense over the weekend (Comment on this)
Friday, August 11th, 2006
11:26 am	Happy 4th of July! One of the great things about living in LA is that you've got so much you can do to celebrate the 4th of July. Last year, MS and I took to the Pasadena Rose Bowl. We ate some good saucy BBQ from a local vendor just outside the stadium, and planted ourselves on the stadium field right when they opened their doors. With our sweatshirt and jacket, we made a little blanket to sit on while we watched the orchestra play their music and watched with awe - an incredibly spectacular Fireworks show that lasted a good 20+ minutes. Whatever the venue, a fireworks display brings out the giddy little kid in you. From Disneyland, the beautiful California beaches, to the Hollywood Bowl, there's always something good to do to celebrate the 4th of July weekend. This year, MS and I will be down in La Jolla - BBQing and watching the sparkling skies overlooking the sea. What are your most favorite 4th of July memories and things to do? I'd LOVE to know! Happy Blogging! (Comment on this)
Thursday, August 3rd, 2006
6:20 pm	Star Fizzle So, a good thing happened today.. Star Jones was 'fired' from the TV show the view. I can't stand her. I think i'd probably deck her if I saw her in person. I don't feel a good aura from her at all. Denying that she had a gastric bypass.. um.. yeah Star.. did you live on oxygen alone? NOT.... What do I want? To hire Janet Jackson's trainer...if she can go from being the fattest slob around to looking like she does now... woah nelly... she's been on a weight roller coaster ride her entire life... rumor has it she's had some ribs removed to look skinnier and to give her a smaller waist.. What people do for looks/beauty. A great song I heard this morning on VH-1 at 5am while getting ready to leave was a new song by India Arie called, "I am not my hair"... I could totally relate to it... how most people's first impressions of me are by my hair...hence I sat down and watched the entire video..the last time I saw Arie was during the summer of 98 during Lillith Fair..(a most amazing show!) at the Rose Bowl..here are some of the lyrics: (Chorus) I am not my hair I am not this skin I am not your expectations (no) I am not my hair I am not this skin I am the soul that lives within Does the way I wear my hair make me a better person Does the way I wear my hair make me a better friend Does the way I wear my hair determine my integrity Expressing my creativity Breast cancer and chemotherapy Took away her crown and glory She promised God if she was to survive She would enjoy everyday of her life (Comment on this)
Monday, July 31st, 2006
10:19 pm	NL secretly tape records Fresno Falcon blogger about their ... It's on. Yes, the biggest sports rivalry the Central Valley has seen in years is in a region of washed up football memories. No, Frank Gifford won't be around to talk about the cracked and weathered old Bakersfield Memorial Stadium or his aged football tales of the Bakersfield Junior Rose Bowl Renegades. Forget Bakersfield-Taft. That's ancient history. There won't be any Fresno State Bulldogs doing any pissing and moaning about their big tackling of the PAC-10, unless it's squirting on newspapers on their own turf. This is a hockey rivalry that doesn't show off local talent, but international talent in two premiere ice hockey teams from the ECHL: The Bakersfield Condors against the Fresno Falcons. Local Fresno chicken bird blogger, Mike Seay, who deleted an entire interview with me over this seasonal rivalry is already talking smack. Yes, Mike, I know you have been deleting all my calls to Dorktown because you're a Bakersfield hater. In a secret taperecorded meeting I have clear audio of Mikie saying, "I would be surprised if the Fresno cluckers could win the second round. All the Fresno players have been drinking Vodka like Kool-Aid, and sleeping with the mascot. Why? Because they fear the Central Valley's true hockey predator, the Condors. In fact, we can't even get the ruts out of the ice in our big carnival side show Save Mart Center... and our coach is really a woman... hey, is that a recorder pen??" "Oh no. This is just a regular old pen." "By the way, stop calling in to my show, Nick." "Why, so you can keep deleting them you dirty rotten Fresno of the big NO!?" "Hey, quit calling us the 'NO' you armpitville fag." "Piece of farmtown shit! You're in the armpit too!" "Heehaw hick!" "Fresno Famous butt licker!" "That's it! It's on!" "OH you know it, asshole!" Condors in 7. (Comment on this)
Saturday, July 29th, 2006
5:10 pm	Mount Hollywood on the 4th of July I took the Sierra Club hike up to Mount Hollywood to see the fireworks last night. It's a 1600 foot climb and took about an hour and a half. When we got to the top there were already about 30 horses, and of course, the people that rode up on them. The peak is about 500 feet above the Observatory and gives a 360 degree view of Los Angeles. When the fireworks started I didn't know where to look, there were bursts of color and light in every direction. I finally settled on watching a display that was probably in Burbank or Studio City until the elaborate Rose Bowl pyrotechnics started. Then they turned off the lights at Dodger Stadium and those explosions looked pretty good too. Then it was time to hike back down and quickly (what, me move quickly?) because they close the park at 10pm. I didn't make it in time, the north gate was closed, but luckily they left the south gate ajar. (Comment on this)
Thursday, July 27th, 2006
11:13 am	Countdown to draft-y-doneness Countdown to draft-y-doneness posted by Chaser It's a tradition. Every year the the NCAA softball championships have been on ESPN and when I have had access to cable, I watch every single game from beginning to end, all afternoon, all evening, every single day until it is over, and my UCLA Bruins take their rightful place at the pinnacle of sports life that is softball. To avoid feeling like the most shiftless person on the planet Earth, I write a paper in front of the telly in whatever bar I am in while I watch. Yes, it makes for sub-par television viewing, distracted drinking, and even worse paper writing, but we worry not about such things. The important thing is watching softball, since I no longer play, and dealing with the rampaging imbalance that is the life of assistant professorhood. For this yearly softball binge, had a pretty goods sports bar in Westwood I went to: the only real problem was their weird fixation with rooting for USC over the University of Iowa in the Rose Bowl a few years back (go figure). Enter the moral dilemma Now I haunt the Rivermill; but there is another place that seems to be angling for World Cup viewers by virtue of a large sign that boasts: Watch World Cup Action on a plasma screen. Now, in general, I am a loyal person, but our little downtown is struggling, and this seems to be a new business, and I should like to help it along. However, I would feel disloyal going there, as it is right across the street from my faithful Rivermill. Should I go? Should I alternate: one match in the new place, one place in the regular place? I seek advice. In other news, yesterday while editing the JPER paper, I ran out of ink in the very very very last of my inc Starlightz glitter gel pen It was the orange one, the sole survivor of several years of happy, scented, glitter pen usage. This link the only one I have found on the web by way of replacement. I am sad. None on Ebay. Whatever shall I do? (Comment on this)