Meet my Husband

Do you ever wonder about the other side? I'm always wondering about the husband's of all these bloggers I follow. Are they really who they are made out to be? 

I have a treat for you (and me). Here's your chance to meet my husband. As I've recently shared, Josh loves USC. And he has agreed to share his opinions about USC football (once a week or so) for the duration of the season. I'm happy that you'll have a chance to get to know him through his love for SC football...and maybe, just maybe, you'll start to lean towards his beloved team as well. Hold tight, this ain't for the weak of mind.

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Game 1 vs Minnesota


One tenant of the PC era was that if you were the better player, you would play – regardless of age, experience, star rating, size, speed, or recruitment.1 This, in a time of redshirts and “paying your dues”, was a refreshing way to look at college football rosters. Whether or not Pete actually played all that many freshmen, this tenant created a competitive energy around the program that was impossible not to watch.2 Kids from all over the nation would come to SC because they knew they could play here. This same mindset was reflected in the play-calling which could be summed up as “getting those athletes the ball in space”. There wasn’t a whole lot of trickeration; there were no gimmicky schemes. We simply out-manned you – out-ran, out-jumped, out-toughed you. Pete knew it. The team knew it. The other players knew it.3

The 2011 season is one game old, and you can never tell too much from one game.4 However, the most telling statement from Kiffin’s post-game press conference and the biggest take away from game one was this:

Unfortunately, the game being so tight, there’s some guys we didn’t get in. We wanted to, two of the freshmen d linemen [Heyward and Tavai] and Lamar [Dawson].5

In a nutshell, this is the potential downfall of the Lane Kiffin era. Heyward and Tavai are two random names for Kiffin to be mentioning6, and I wouldn’t mind if both redshirted. But Dawson? Mr. Kentucky is the stud inside linebacker who started for most of training camp as Galippo nursed his hurt shoulder. Sure, he’s a true freshman, and at SC, the MIKE isn’t an easy position to play. But it’s not like he’s never played the position before. Heck, we started Kennard there all of last season. He was the second best MIKE on the field that day and probably the most athletic. He should have gotten some burn – if only to save Galippo’s 22 or 23 remaining independently-rotating vertebrae.

However, it is the greater implications of this statement that are most worrisome. Why bother recruiting 5-star talent if you’re going to be afraid to play them in a real game. These kids are born play-makers. Let them make plays. Who cares if they don’t know the playbook cover to cover. No one is asking them to play a full 60 minutes, read schemes / formations, or call plays. Just put them in the right position and trust that they have “it”. That is why you spent 100 hours a week breaking down their film last recruiting cycle, right? 

I like Kiffin. I think he’s a great offensive mind, and he’s obviously an all-world recruiter. The kids believe in him. I just hope he quits over-coaching and out-thinking himself to realize that we are SC, and you can take those chances because we are bigger, faster, stronger, and better. Man up and beat your assignment. We ain’t Boise.

Fight on.

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1. Obviously there were exceptions (though mostly in his later days), see McKnight, Joe and possibly Barkley, Matt (though that was Sanchez’s fault). Also, this was largely played up by the media types, see ESPN, but for the most part, it held true - “always compete”.
2. It is now impossible to watch. Thanks, Paul Dee.
3.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aw4_4H83Pok
4. Although, UCLA and ND did both find their 2011 starting quarterbacks – no small feat.
5. http://www.usctrojans.com/blog/Kiffin-Call-MN.mp3
6. http://usc.ocregister.com/2011/09/06/usc-football-kiffin-regrets-postgame-comment/75083/ Apparently, Kiffin is misinterpreted a lot in his post-game reactions.

F-r-e-e-d-o-m! + Chipotle

We have logged a handful of miles since our move up north. We drive when we can and the 5 is the quickest way to go. Whenever we come near Harris Ranch we circulate the air. Doesn't work completely but I'll take any help when it comes to not smelling that nasty smell. The last time we drove by, it was dry and hot so there was a gross dust migration going on. ugh. I feel bad for those cows. All packed in there, dirty, and overfed. On the contrary, there are also many places along the 5 where cows roam freely, happily grazing on grass and minding their own business. I've taken to saying, "F-r-e-e-d-o-m!" (think Braveheart) whenever we pass the free cows. It's become our little joke and we often chuckle about it.

Why am I telling you this? Well, I ran across this cute animation today and it gave me pause to think knowing our little joke. Have you seen it? Now, I'm not making some huge change in my diet or taking a stand for anything. To be honest, I don't even buy organic produce because it's usually too expensive. :/ I'm just saying my heart goes out to those little cows. =)  Enjoy!

Our Pastors

Saw this on Youtube. These are two up and coming pastors in our conference. The narrator is Katsuya, from Westlight - gifted teacher of the Bible, and the contestant is Hisashi, from Venice - who will one day be a great head pastor.

I didn't realize these two had so many other spiritual gifts. =) I feel much safer in their care now. :p  Congrats Hisashi. Impressive.

Vegas Bound...Without Me

This is the picture on my desktop. We were supposed to be on our way to Vegas to celebrate my girl Leah hitting her 30's. Sadly Josh decided we couldn't go because I'm not well enough, Dr.'s orders. 

My dear Leah, wishing plenty of fond memories as you dance the night away! 

For Better or Worse, It's Back.

There are only three things that can put Josh in a bad mood; hot weather, the LA Lakers, and USC Football. Today is the start of college football. He could not be more excited and I could not be more nervous. I know that this next season will be filled with USC t-shirts, Saturday football, stats galore, a bunch of time lost on his new love - Rivals, and lots and lots of football talk that I really don't understand. Like this,

"J, Curtis McNeal was not in the magnet program."
"I'm happy with the start considering our first play of the season was a bubble screen and we missed the two point conversion."
"Oh, #10 is Hayes Pullard."
"Two dumb off tackle runs. I want a little more creativity out of Kiffin there."

Right now, he could not be happier. The season has started and already his beloved team has shown excellent defense and consistent offense in the first half. I am hoping this solid start is a taste of the whole season. Does your man love a team like mine does? If so, I am wishing you lots and lots of wins...unless they're playing my husband's team. Then I wish for your ultimate demise. :p Go Trojans.

A Love Shower

Melissa kindly sent me some pictures from Aimee's shower. I've been wanting to share with you but failed to take any photos. This is Aimee's Bridal Party and the team that put it all together. L to R: Grace (mentee), Dawn (high school friend and beyond), A in the middle, Melissa (best friend) and me (sister).

The room. We booked the Tin Roof Bistro in Manhattan Beach. They have this huge private room that was so great. The server was perfect for a bunch of women. He hung each one of those white things for us and would change the temperature every time a lady would complain. =) Oh, and the food was so delicious especially those who picked the vegetarian lasagna. 

 Grace led this phenomenal game. She would say a generic question like, "Who will do the chores?" and everyone voted with a paddle that had Blane and Aimee's names on either side. Quite hilarious actually. 

 The ladies voting.

 A precious time of prayer that Aimee thought went a bit too long. hahahaha 

 These are the ladies who are near and dear to her heart. 

 A few highlights - Denise T. crying the entire time because she just loves Aimee so much. Sandi, Aimee's MIL, for praying out loud (something she absolutely hates to do) because it was for Aimee. Grace stepping up and doing a more than awesome job. Aimee's joy at Denise H.'s food processor gift. Linda and her electric blue lingerie - hahaha! Leah who drove all the way to Glendale to pick up Aimee's blue dress and for coming over early to do her hair and makeup. My mom and Helen put so much love into decorating. Mom had her words of wisdom. Michelle laughing so hard she just kept snorting. Melissa for tediously making Aimee's favorite sea salt caramel macaroon as favors - so yummy! Madeleine, her college roommate, who knew absolutely no one and yet came anyway... and so on. 

You know, Aimee has a tendency to draw people who have a harder time going through life than others. And even though they may have not brought the best gifts or said the nicest things - the very fact that they pulled themselves together, found something to wear, and made it was telling enough. The effort shows you how much they love her. 

As someone who wants all the best and more for her sister, I hope that she felt comfortable, special, loved, and appreciated for all that she is because a girl only gets this once. I love you A.

Kate's Wedding

I'm a little late to the party but I just saw these photos of Kate Moss's wedding. Isn't it beautiful? 

 Stunning. Makes me want to do it all over again.. just kidding. :)

A Little Shack? Yes Please.

My dream of having a second home (are you thinking I need a first one first? :p) continues. Nothing big, nothing extravagant. Doesn't even need running water. Just an oasis from the everyday. Like this place. Is it just me or does this look absolutely divine..

Seen here first.