Next Wednesday the USC Trojans play the Texas Longhorns for the "national championship". These are the two best teams in college football. It's darn near imposible to pick this games beacuase both teams have been sleep walking through the season.ESPN has had a series during sportcenter for the last two weeks where
they have compared sc to the great teams of all time. Mark May had sc beating all of the top teams with the exception of the 95 nebraska cornhuskers. Kirk Herbsteit had the trojans beating everyone except the 2001 Miami Huricanes. This could be a bad omen for the trojans. Usc has the best offense I have ever seen in college football
The defense is very talented and athletics but is inexperienced and has been cursed by injuries. The key to this game is weather USC defense rises to the challenge.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Sunday fight night
The Japanese mixed martial arts oraganization the pride fighting championships Will have their big new years show on ppv on sunday evening. The bouts actually take place early saturday morning are time. So I will have to avoid the online spoilers for a bout 36 hours. Here are my picks.
fedor over Zulinho
Arona Over V Silva
Henderson over Bustamante
Gomi over Sakurai
Yoshida over Ogawa
Filipovic over Hunt
Alexander E over Nastula
Thompson over G silva
Sakuraba over Minowa
fedor over Zulinho
Arona Over V Silva
Henderson over Bustamante
Gomi over Sakurai
Yoshida over Ogawa
Filipovic over Hunt
Alexander E over Nastula
Thompson over G silva
Sakuraba over Minowa
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Truculent
Howard Cosell: "Muhammad you sound quite truculent"
Ali: "I don't I know what that means, but if it's good I'm that"
Truculent: adj. 1.Fierce; Cruel; Savage: Ferocious 2. Rude, Harsh
Mean, Scathing.
Ali: "I don't I know what that means, but if it's good I'm that"
Truculent: adj. 1.Fierce; Cruel; Savage: Ferocious 2. Rude, Harsh
Mean, Scathing.
Dag nab it!
I make the daily bank deposit for our store . AS the girl was processing todays deposit I asked if she has a nice holiday weekend (as all of you know I just love small talk).The Teller was a jovahs witness and responded by saying she had a nice day off but that she doesn't celebrate the holidays. Embarassed I apologized profusely as I have been on the other end of this conversation before. she was very nice about but it still upset me. I will never do that again,
Monday, December 26, 2005
Holiday shenanigans, Kobe Shaq and Hawk Talk with cameos by Don Merideth and Howard Cosell and a couple of gratuitous Snuka and Flair references
Saturday I drove to weston to pick up grandfathers girl friend Minnnie. I then brought her to town so that she could have lunch with Dawn, grandfather and myself.
It all went very well.
Dawn, and I went to the Davis residence in the evening to help with the preperations for the christmas/hanukah dinner. I peeled potatoes while Dawn helped with the stufffing.
The tradition in Dawn's house hold is to watch a christmas story during the holiday weekend (TBS shows the movie continuously for 24 hours). While I think that the movie is kind of cute. If I was fourced to watch or listen to the movie any further I would have gone completely nuts, If I haven't already.
The Miami Heat played the LA Lakers on christmas day. And shaq and Kobe did not french kiss before the game. I wonder if the reporter feel as dumb as they sound when they repeetedly ask shaq and Kobe why they don't shake hande before the game.THEY DON'T LIKE EACH OTHER AND RATHER THEN PRETEND OTHERWISE THEY JUST GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS AND PLAY THE GAME. Nothing irritates me more then when the stories surounding the game become more important then the game itself. In 2004 the Pistons played a wonderfull series and dismantled the lakers and all the media seemd to want to talk about was where shaq, kobe and phil would be the following season as if the soap opera was ten times more important then the championship that was being decided on the court.
The road to the Superbowl goes though Seattle. Not since Jack Sikma lonnie Gus and DJ and jj(oh and how could I forget can forget downtown Freddie Brown) have the hopes of a Seattle championship been so high(i am a big fan of womens sports, but the storm winning the the WNBA title is not the same)(The mariners set the record for victories in a season, but even Steveie wonder could see that they didn't match up well in a seven game series with the other top american league teams ) . Can the monsters of the monorail be any match for the monsters of the midway. Will former Huskie great Mark Brunell derail the hawks. What about the Carolina Panthers Whooooooo!( you could make a drinking game based on pro wrestling references on this blog). Then their are the giants those guys that lost in overtime in Seattle a couple of weeks back. Grandfather told me sunday that Bears Quarterback Rex GRossman is Jewish. Does this mean I should root for the bears after all how many sports heroes and can jewish kids claim. Alright I am kidding.
GO SEAHAWKS!
Meanwhile back at the ranch, or I mean Dawns house. We were supposed to get christmas presents wrapped but it didn't happen. Dawn fell asleep And I went home.
At midnight I came back, Dawn was still asleep and the presents were not wrapped and they were due to be unwraped in about 5 hours. Once again I almost had to do the superfly leap(See my article titled if it's wednesday) to wake up Dawn.
finnaly she woke up and we wrapped stuff. I fell asleep on the couch and the next thing I new I woke up and Dawn's family along with her ex husband were unwrapping presents. I received a sports illustrated year end alamanac, some cologne a reversible throw and a set of cups with cool looking dogs on them. I gave Dawn a pair of earrings.
Latter I was off to pick up grandfather as we were to go over to the davis house for christmas/hanukah dinner.Dawn's mother Darlene is a awesome cook and her skills were on display on sunday, we all had a terific dinner.
AS I started writing this entry the final ABC monday night football telecast was just ending. ABC Monday night football has been around as long as I can remember.
It was funny I was sifting though my monday night memories and Howard cosell
popped into my head "you can start singing dandy don" (I am using my howard voice as I am typing this. A split secong after Howard popped in my head Don meridith 2006 was on my TV screen singing the song( I had forgotten he was still alive). Anyhow
TURN OUT THE LIGHTS THE PARTIES OVER!
It all went very well.
Dawn, and I went to the Davis residence in the evening to help with the preperations for the christmas/hanukah dinner. I peeled potatoes while Dawn helped with the stufffing.
The tradition in Dawn's house hold is to watch a christmas story during the holiday weekend (TBS shows the movie continuously for 24 hours). While I think that the movie is kind of cute. If I was fourced to watch or listen to the movie any further I would have gone completely nuts, If I haven't already.
The Miami Heat played the LA Lakers on christmas day. And shaq and Kobe did not french kiss before the game. I wonder if the reporter feel as dumb as they sound when they repeetedly ask shaq and Kobe why they don't shake hande before the game.THEY DON'T LIKE EACH OTHER AND RATHER THEN PRETEND OTHERWISE THEY JUST GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS AND PLAY THE GAME. Nothing irritates me more then when the stories surounding the game become more important then the game itself. In 2004 the Pistons played a wonderfull series and dismantled the lakers and all the media seemd to want to talk about was where shaq, kobe and phil would be the following season as if the soap opera was ten times more important then the championship that was being decided on the court.
The road to the Superbowl goes though Seattle. Not since Jack Sikma lonnie Gus and DJ and jj(oh and how could I forget can forget downtown Freddie Brown) have the hopes of a Seattle championship been so high(i am a big fan of womens sports, but the storm winning the the WNBA title is not the same)(The mariners set the record for victories in a season, but even Steveie wonder could see that they didn't match up well in a seven game series with the other top american league teams ) . Can the monsters of the monorail be any match for the monsters of the midway. Will former Huskie great Mark Brunell derail the hawks. What about the Carolina Panthers Whooooooo!( you could make a drinking game based on pro wrestling references on this blog). Then their are the giants those guys that lost in overtime in Seattle a couple of weeks back. Grandfather told me sunday that Bears Quarterback Rex GRossman is Jewish. Does this mean I should root for the bears after all how many sports heroes and can jewish kids claim. Alright I am kidding.
GO SEAHAWKS!
Meanwhile back at the ranch, or I mean Dawns house. We were supposed to get christmas presents wrapped but it didn't happen. Dawn fell asleep And I went home.
At midnight I came back, Dawn was still asleep and the presents were not wrapped and they were due to be unwraped in about 5 hours. Once again I almost had to do the superfly leap(See my article titled if it's wednesday) to wake up Dawn.
finnaly she woke up and we wrapped stuff. I fell asleep on the couch and the next thing I new I woke up and Dawn's family along with her ex husband were unwrapping presents. I received a sports illustrated year end alamanac, some cologne a reversible throw and a set of cups with cool looking dogs on them. I gave Dawn a pair of earrings.
Latter I was off to pick up grandfather as we were to go over to the davis house for christmas/hanukah dinner.Dawn's mother Darlene is a awesome cook and her skills were on display on sunday, we all had a terific dinner.
AS I started writing this entry the final ABC monday night football telecast was just ending. ABC Monday night football has been around as long as I can remember.
It was funny I was sifting though my monday night memories and Howard cosell
popped into my head "you can start singing dandy don" (I am using my howard voice as I am typing this. A split secong after Howard popped in my head Don meridith 2006 was on my TV screen singing the song( I had forgotten he was still alive). Anyhow
TURN OUT THE LIGHTS THE PARTIES OVER!
Sunday, December 25, 2005
HAVE A HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY HANUKKAH!
The Hanukkah Song
By Adam Sandler
Put on your yalmulka here comes hanukkah
It's so much funakkah to celebrate hanukkah
Hanukah is the festival of lights,
Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights
when you feel like the only kid in town without a christmas tree
here is a list of people who are jewish, just like you and me.
David Lee Roth lights the menorah
So do james Cann, Kirk douglas, and the late Dinah Shore-ah
Guess whoe eats together at the karnickey deli
Bowser from sha na na and aurthur fonzerelli.
Paul Newmans half jewish: goldie Hawns half to,
Put them together-- what a fine looking jew
You don't need deck the halls or jingle bell rock
cause you can spin the dreidl with captain Kirk and Mr. Spock-- both Jewish
Put on your yalmulka, It's time for hanukkah
the owner of the Seattle Supersonic-ahs celebrates hanukkah
O J Simpson---- not a jew!
But guess who is... Hall of famer Rod Carew(he converted)
We got ann landers and her sister dear abby
Harrison ford is a quarter jewish not to shabby!
Some people think that Eboneezer scrooge is.
well hes not, but guess who is: all three stooges
So many jews are in the show biz
Tom Cruise isn't, but I herd his agent is
Tell your freind Veronica, it's time to celebrate hanukkah
I hope I get a harmonica, on this lovely lovely hanukkah
So drink your gin a tonic-ah, and smoke your marajuanic-ah [editors note: Walla Walla Barer does not advocate the use of marajuanicah during hanukkah or any other time of the year]
If you really really wanna-kah, have a happy, happy, happy, happy hanukkah.
By Adam Sandler
Put on your yalmulka here comes hanukkah
It's so much funakkah to celebrate hanukkah
Hanukah is the festival of lights,
Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights
when you feel like the only kid in town without a christmas tree
here is a list of people who are jewish, just like you and me.
David Lee Roth lights the menorah
So do james Cann, Kirk douglas, and the late Dinah Shore-ah
Guess whoe eats together at the karnickey deli
Bowser from sha na na and aurthur fonzerelli.
Paul Newmans half jewish: goldie Hawns half to,
Put them together-- what a fine looking jew
You don't need deck the halls or jingle bell rock
cause you can spin the dreidl with captain Kirk and Mr. Spock-- both Jewish
Put on your yalmulka, It's time for hanukkah
the owner of the Seattle Supersonic-ahs celebrates hanukkah
O J Simpson---- not a jew!
But guess who is... Hall of famer Rod Carew(he converted)
We got ann landers and her sister dear abby
Harrison ford is a quarter jewish not to shabby!
Some people think that Eboneezer scrooge is.
well hes not, but guess who is: all three stooges
So many jews are in the show biz
Tom Cruise isn't, but I herd his agent is
Tell your freind Veronica, it's time to celebrate hanukkah
I hope I get a harmonica, on this lovely lovely hanukkah
So drink your gin a tonic-ah, and smoke your marajuanic-ah [editors note: Walla Walla Barer does not advocate the use of marajuanicah during hanukkah or any other time of the year]
If you really really wanna-kah, have a happy, happy, happy, happy hanukkah.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
If It's Wednesday it's er Wake up honey
I rushed over to the animal clinic after work last night. Dawn and I then went over to visit grandfather. On the way home i picked up a salad at safeway and ate it over at Dawn's. then I went home promising to return in time for project runway. At 10:00
I returned. Dawn was sound asleep.Me: "honey wake up the show is on" Dawn "mumble"
"honey the show is on" Dawn " ". Then I went to plan b and started gently shaking her Dawn: "I'll wake up in a minute". A minute went by and she was still not up. I shook her more vigrously Dawn: "love..knock it off ". at this point i was flumoxed
then i asked myself what would Jimmy Snuka do.Then it occured to me, the superfly leap. The famous move Jimmy Snuka did in 1983 in madison square garden against Don Muraco. I know you're asking yourself, what did this move consitst of. Well, No one has described it better then Mick Foley did in his book HAVE A NICE DAY! "A TALE OF BLOOD AND SWEATSOCKS". Take it away Mick
"Immediately, Snuka climbed to the top rope, and the garden stood in unison"
"All it took was one glance upward, at the steel mesh that surounded him, and the garden started to buzz. A loud buzz that grew with each upward step that Snuka made.
After all these years it's still the most impressive site I have ever seen-the muscular Snuka standing bare foot on top the cage, his face a mask of crimson, while flashbulbs bathed him in light. In a moment it was over, but the memories will live with me forever. It was a defining moment in my life-it was then I knew without a doubt what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be a wrestler, but even more, I wanted to make people feel the way I had just felt."
So as I stood on top of the dresser in Dawn's room ready to do the superfly leap several things occured to me.
1. I am not Jimmy Snuka
2. Dawn is not the magnificiant Muraco.
3. Unlike Mick Foley I never realy wanted to be a pro wrestler.Although I really did
enjoy pretending to be one when I was nine years old, but darn it I am in my
mid thirties now.
4. I don't think Dawn would aprreciate it much.
So I finally decide to get off the cag... I mean dresser.
OK back to reality, or at least reality TV that is.
Project Runway:
I was not terribly inspired by this show. So darn it all to heck I am not going to review it.
I returned. Dawn was sound asleep.Me: "honey wake up the show is on" Dawn "mumble"
"honey the show is on" Dawn " ". Then I went to plan b and started gently shaking her Dawn: "I'll wake up in a minute". A minute went by and she was still not up. I shook her more vigrously Dawn: "love..knock it off ". at this point i was flumoxed
then i asked myself what would Jimmy Snuka do.Then it occured to me, the superfly leap. The famous move Jimmy Snuka did in 1983 in madison square garden against Don Muraco. I know you're asking yourself, what did this move consitst of. Well, No one has described it better then Mick Foley did in his book HAVE A NICE DAY! "A TALE OF BLOOD AND SWEATSOCKS". Take it away Mick
"Immediately, Snuka climbed to the top rope, and the garden stood in unison"
"All it took was one glance upward, at the steel mesh that surounded him, and the garden started to buzz. A loud buzz that grew with each upward step that Snuka made.
After all these years it's still the most impressive site I have ever seen-the muscular Snuka standing bare foot on top the cage, his face a mask of crimson, while flashbulbs bathed him in light. In a moment it was over, but the memories will live with me forever. It was a defining moment in my life-it was then I knew without a doubt what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be a wrestler, but even more, I wanted to make people feel the way I had just felt."
So as I stood on top of the dresser in Dawn's room ready to do the superfly leap several things occured to me.
1. I am not Jimmy Snuka
2. Dawn is not the magnificiant Muraco.
3. Unlike Mick Foley I never realy wanted to be a pro wrestler.Although I really did
enjoy pretending to be one when I was nine years old, but darn it I am in my
mid thirties now.
4. I don't think Dawn would aprreciate it much.
So I finally decide to get off the cag... I mean dresser.
OK back to reality, or at least reality TV that is.
Project Runway:
I was not terribly inspired by this show. So darn it all to heck I am not going to review it.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
99!
Grandfather turns 99 tommorow.
Tonight we took him out to celebrate.
Dawn and I along with minnie and my cousin
and her husband were in attendance. WE went to the oasis in Milton Freewater.
Grandfather was very happy to see minnie. And a good time was had by all.
Tonight we took him out to celebrate.
Dawn and I along with minnie and my cousin
and her husband were in attendance. WE went to the oasis in Milton Freewater.
Grandfather was very happy to see minnie. And a good time was had by all.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
If It's Wednesday it's Project Runway
Project Runway is A reality show on Bravo that Dawn watches. Season two of Project Runway started last week and they just had episode three on last night. I know absolutely nothing about fashion, but I am enjoying this show. IN fact next week
I think I will start a Project Runway reveiw on this blog.
I think I will start a Project Runway reveiw on this blog.
AIR! We Love Air!
Last week a law went into effect in Washington prohibiting people from smoking bars.
Dawn and I went to the Stone Hut tavern on Tuesday and I really appreciated being able to enjoy a beverage and watch a game on the big screen without having to inhale smoke from the next table. Even better we didn't smell like ash trays when we got home.
Dawn and I went to the Stone Hut tavern on Tuesday and I really appreciated being able to enjoy a beverage and watch a game on the big screen without having to inhale smoke from the next table. Even better we didn't smell like ash trays when we got home.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Saturday, December 10, 2005
The Puff Monster
I taut I tah a putty tat. I did I did tah A putty tat.Dawn's cat "Puff Monster" enjoys some fresh air on a cold winter day. 
Sunday, December 04, 2005
A friday trip to the Thee-A-Tore and a Saturday wine tour
Rosencrants and Gildenstern.
this is not a law firm
an accounting firm
or the first openly gay jewish tag team(not that there would be anything wrong with that).
this is the play Dawn and I attended at the little theater on friday night.
we enjoyed it although it seemed to drag at certain points.
Saturtday I drug my lazy tuchuus out of bed and went to visit grandfather.WE shoped at super 1 and the used food store. Then We watched the start of the Army VS Navy game. At noon we went to lunch and enjoyed the wonderfull cuisine along with grandfathers friends Tom and Leonard.
After lunch I had to rush home and change because Dawn, Darlene(Dawn's mom)and I were going wine tasting. Saturday was the big Day where most of walla walla 50+
wineries have open houses. We fist visited Amavi cellars then walker across the street to Canoe ridge. Then we got on the highway and drove out to Three rivers
and Le cole. We enjoyed the wine an ate lots of good horse divers.
this is not a law firm
an accounting firm
or the first openly gay jewish tag team(not that there would be anything wrong with that).
this is the play Dawn and I attended at the little theater on friday night.
we enjoyed it although it seemed to drag at certain points.
Saturtday I drug my lazy tuchuus out of bed and went to visit grandfather.WE shoped at super 1 and the used food store. Then We watched the start of the Army VS Navy game. At noon we went to lunch and enjoyed the wonderfull cuisine along with grandfathers friends Tom and Leonard.
After lunch I had to rush home and change because Dawn, Darlene(Dawn's mom)and I were going wine tasting. Saturday was the big Day where most of walla walla 50+
wineries have open houses. We fist visited Amavi cellars then walker across the street to Canoe ridge. Then we got on the highway and drove out to Three rivers
and Le cole. We enjoyed the wine an ate lots of good horse divers.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
grandfather stylin and profiling/ doin mighty fine a month away from 99
Here's Grandfather enjoying the Thanksgiving festivities at the home of Don and Darleene Davis(Dawn's parents)
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Luuuuuucy!/ GET OUT! (shove)
My beautiful Dawn Marie is sleeping on my couch. Mere minutes ago we were perusing mike's blog. Dawn wanted to leave a comment. AS i was kidding her about her typing skills she said "hold it, wait a minute, LET ME FIND MY HOME ROW!". Something about the way she said that made me laugh so hard I almost couldn't breathe.
Yesterday I walked into her house and I thought I was going to have to call a haz mat team. my lungs were burning my eyes were watering. she had cooked some steak and covered them in habenjero pepper. their is NEVER a dull moment with her.
sometimes It's as if I am dating a combination of Lucile Ball and Elaine from Seinfeld. Yet that description really doesn't due her justice as she is a unique and special person that defies description.
No matter how crummy a day I am having it always gets better when I spend time with her.
Yesterday I walked into her house and I thought I was going to have to call a haz mat team. my lungs were burning my eyes were watering. she had cooked some steak and covered them in habenjero pepper. their is NEVER a dull moment with her.
sometimes It's as if I am dating a combination of Lucile Ball and Elaine from Seinfeld. Yet that description really doesn't due her justice as she is a unique and special person that defies description.
No matter how crummy a day I am having it always gets better when I spend time with her.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Random stuff
Dawn and I watched the fights(ufc ppv) Saturday night. I am now a perfect 6-0 picking fights on this blog. I realize no one reading this understands the significance of that, needless to say if I were in Las Vegas and a betting guy I would have made more money in two nights then I make in a month(don't worry I wont be be running to las vegas and betting my pay check). Although it would be nice if I could put my knowlegde to work somehow. this reminds me about my frustration at work
all my sports knowledge is worthless as it seems that all anyone wants to talk about is NASCAR. NASCAR is one of the few sports that I don't give at rats tuchuus about. It's the same boring stuff no one watched 20 years ago yet some how all of a sudden
it's all anybody(at least anyone who walks into Oxarc talks about). Every sponsorship tie in I have seen regarding welding companies has been race car related with NASCAR being the most common.Half of frigin espn sports center lately seems to be dedicated to Nascar these day. Arggggggh!!!!
Anywho the fight were not as good as I had hoped. The live special on spike TV was considerably better then the ppv. The fighters on the special may not have been as talented but the match ups were far more entertaining. kinda like the huskey cougar game was far more entertaining then the Seahawk 49er's game.
Pro wrestler Eddie Gurrero passed away last week. Mr. Gurrero was one of the very few modern day pro wrestlers that I actually enjoyed watching (if I were flipping the channels I would stop if Eddie was performing). Anyone who payed money to watch mr. Gurerro perform got their moneys worth as he seemed to be giving 100 % anytime I watched him (unlike a certain bald reality show star who spent most of his career mailing in his in ring performances). To many young fans Gurerro was their Jimmy snuka. Eddie Gurerro death is tragic and any sports reporter or columnist who makes lite of it is a $#&*#$%!
I went by grandfathers tonight we watched monday night football until halftiime. He is in good spirits except that his legs are bothering him.
I found it ironic that I read about my brother Danny's fluffy sienfeld shirt and lo and behold I turn on the TV and that particular episode is on.
Goodnight.
all my sports knowledge is worthless as it seems that all anyone wants to talk about is NASCAR. NASCAR is one of the few sports that I don't give at rats tuchuus about. It's the same boring stuff no one watched 20 years ago yet some how all of a sudden
it's all anybody(at least anyone who walks into Oxarc talks about). Every sponsorship tie in I have seen regarding welding companies has been race car related with NASCAR being the most common.Half of frigin espn sports center lately seems to be dedicated to Nascar these day. Arggggggh!!!!
Anywho the fight were not as good as I had hoped. The live special on spike TV was considerably better then the ppv. The fighters on the special may not have been as talented but the match ups were far more entertaining. kinda like the huskey cougar game was far more entertaining then the Seahawk 49er's game.
Pro wrestler Eddie Gurrero passed away last week. Mr. Gurrero was one of the very few modern day pro wrestlers that I actually enjoyed watching (if I were flipping the channels I would stop if Eddie was performing). Anyone who payed money to watch mr. Gurerro perform got their moneys worth as he seemed to be giving 100 % anytime I watched him (unlike a certain bald reality show star who spent most of his career mailing in his in ring performances). To many young fans Gurerro was their Jimmy snuka. Eddie Gurerro death is tragic and any sports reporter or columnist who makes lite of it is a $#&*#$%!
I went by grandfathers tonight we watched monday night football until halftiime. He is in good spirits except that his legs are bothering him.
I found it ironic that I read about my brother Danny's fluffy sienfeld shirt and lo and behold I turn on the TV and that particular episode is on.
Goodnight.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
The Apple Cup and UFC 56
I went over to grandfathers today and had lunch. Then we watched the Apple Cup. Both the Huskies and the Cougars are far better teams then their records indicate. Congrats to my Cougars. I think Mr. Willingham has the Huskey program headed in the right direction. I think next season will be much kinder to both teams.
Dawn and I are watching the UFC pay per view at 7:00. Hopefully Dawn can stay awake this time. Two weeks ago she slept through the entire spike TV special. Of course that the same day Dawn's ex got maried and we had our vodka and boo koo shenanigans.
Anywhoo here are my UFC Quick picks.
George St. Piere over Sean Sherk (2nd rnd ko)
Mat Hughes over Joe Riggs (2nd round arm bar)
Rich Franklin over Nate Quarry (unanimous dec)
Dawn and I are watching the UFC pay per view at 7:00. Hopefully Dawn can stay awake this time. Two weeks ago she slept through the entire spike TV special. Of course that the same day Dawn's ex got maried and we had our vodka and boo koo shenanigans.
Anywhoo here are my UFC Quick picks.
George St. Piere over Sean Sherk (2nd rnd ko)
Mat Hughes over Joe Riggs (2nd round arm bar)
Rich Franklin over Nate Quarry (unanimous dec)
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Locked on Sports
My brother Michael has a link on his blog to david locke's blog locked on sport. Mr. Locke's simulblogs are good and his inside the box score entries are very good. If you are a basketball fan i suggest you check it out.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Les schwab k mart and the used food store
I went over to grandfathers yesterday. WE Watched football for a couple of hours. then we ate lunch. Grandfather wanted to get his winter tires on so we went to sears to get the tire changed.
when we arrived we found out that sears automotive dept in ww is closed permanently. So then we went to the used food store. grandfather wasn't looking for food he was looking for a new winter jacket(the store sometime stocks inexpensive coats). They had none in stock. Then we went to bi-mart they didn't have much of a coat selection either. OUR next stop was les shwab where we got the tires changed. Then we went over to K Mart and grandfather got a new winter Jacket. He seemed happy with the days excursion.
when we arrived we found out that sears automotive dept in ww is closed permanently. So then we went to the used food store. grandfather wasn't looking for food he was looking for a new winter jacket(the store sometime stocks inexpensive coats). They had none in stock. Then we went to bi-mart they didn't have much of a coat selection either. OUR next stop was les shwab where we got the tires changed. Then we went over to K Mart and grandfather got a new winter Jacket. He seemed happy with the days excursion.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Frank Bonnema
Anyone who reads this blog knows I have very fond memories of the old Portland Big Time wrestling show. When I was between the ages of 5-10 I would stay at my grandparent house on friday night and I wouldn't leave until tell Saturday evening. My grandfather and I watched Portland wrestling together every saturday afternoon.I suppose I would have had fond memories no matter what wrestling program I had watched with grandfather, but Portland wrestling wasn't just any wrestling program. During the period that we watched the show the northwest had an amazing array of talent. Pro wrestling icons like Jimmy Snuka, Roddy Piper, and Jesse Ventura hit their stride as performers during their time in the northwest . When I first got on the internet I started looking for old Portland wrestling tapes.I seemed to find tapes from every rinky dink promotion from around the country but nothing from Portland from the time period I was interested in. The reason for this was that Portland promoter Don Owens recorded over the master copies every week. Could you have imagine if Lorne Michaels and NBC recorded over the master copies of Saturday night live during it's early years and all that Belushi, Akroyd, Murray stuff were lost for ever. Any way Don Owens kids can't be to happy because those old tapes would have been worth a fortune. Last year I finally found some tapes from the late 77 to early 80 time period. The quality of these tapes leaves alot to be desired. I still really enjoyed watching them. My first thought was how nice it was to hear announcer Frank Bonnema's voice again (when the audio acually would work). Bonnema hosted the show from 1967 until his death in 1982. Bonnema had a classic deep raspy voice that added to the drama of the action. The show was never the same after he was gone.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Sunday, November 06, 2005
My Tuf 2 Season Finale Review
The Saturday November 5th season finale of the ultimate fighter on Spike TV was a tremendous show.
All three predictions I posted on Friday were correct.
However I did not expect this card to be anywhere near as good as it
was.
Kenny Florian vs Kit Cop
I didn't make a prediction for this fight because I had not seen Cope. Cope
is an accomplished muay thai kick boxer. Florian is a submission grappling wizard.
Florian has shown a willingness to stand and trade in previous fights. That was not in his best interest in this fight as he was definently outclassed while standing. Florian wasted no time closing the distance and forcing a clinch. Florian was trying for a take down but cope was defending well. Florian persisted and eventually got the take down. Cope was able to hold and stall for a while. Then florian got free improved his position and applied an arm bar. Cope tapped out but the bell sounded a split second before the tap.
Florian did not waste any time in the second round taking Cope down and securing back control
he then worked for and attained a rear choke hold forcing Cope to submit early in the second round.
Joe Stephenson vs Luke Cumo
There was a funny moment after ref John Mcarthy finished with the pre fight instructions. Stephenson looked at Cumo and said "LUKE I AM YOUR FATHER". I got the feeling Joe was expecting to have an easy night. When I think of Luke Cumo it reminds me of the scene from the first Rocky movie where Apollo's going over all his personal appearances with his staff while his trainer is watching a news report on Rocky "champ you might wanta take a look at the guy you're gona be fighting.. he means business" and Apollo blows him off and says" I mean business too" as he continues to talk about the Non fight related topics with his staff . While Rocky Baboa was a fictional character you do sometimes see examples of athletes who seem to overacheive
in a almost unbelivable fashion. Luke cumo is one of those guys. Cumo was portrayed on the reality show as a unathletic nerd who was the last of 18 fighters picked when teams were chosen. Luke (using some stiff muay thai kickboxing and solid defense on the ground)willed himself through two very tough fights on the reality show. Despite Lukes success on the show It was expected that Jow Stephenson would easily outclass Cumo. While Stephenson quickly took luke down he could not break the will of the stubborn cumo who demonstated very nice defensive ju jitsu. Throughout the first two five minute rounds stephenson spent alot of time in the top position unloading hard punches and elbows on cumo while at the same time constantly trying to improve his position and finish the fight with submission locks. Cumo showed tremendous heart, toughness, conditioning, and some nice technique as he was constanly blocking and slipping strikes at the same time avoiding and escaping numerous submssion attempts continually working his way out of bad positions. Cumo was even able to scramble up to his feet on a couple of occasions which is almost unheard of against a grappler of stephensons caliber. Cumo had expended a tremendous amount of energy staying in the fight yet at the begining of third round he looked to be the fresher fighter. Sure enough as stephenson went for a take down early in the third round Cumo stuffed the attempt and put stephenson on his back. At this point the crowd was going nuts as the underdog had the highly decorated grapler on his back. Cumo went to town throwing everything but the kitchen sink at an exhausted stephenson. To stephensens credit he absorbed the punishment got a second wind and finished out the round in the top position.
Joe Stephenson went on to win a unanimous decision as well as the three year the six figure UFC contract that went along with winning the 170 lb weight division on the reality show. while Luke Cumo lost a tough fight he was able to captured the hearts and imaginations of the fans.
Rashad Evans VS Brad Imes
This was the heavyweight final for the reality show. Nice visual as they are both getting instruction from the referee you get a sense of the size difference between the two. Imes is 6'7"
260 while Rashad is 5'10" 220. This fight could have been considered either a sloppy kick boxing match or a stand up war. Even though these two didn't have the greatest striking ability in the world I really enjoyed this bout. My prediction for the final outcome for this fight was correct but this fight was way better then I expected. I thought Rashad a former all confrence wrestler at Michigan st would take the taller Imes (a former offensive lineman at the university of Missouri) down to the ground and just do enough to win.I was very wrong. Their was very little in the way of grappling or take down attempts in this fight. At times Imes was able to use his sizeable reach advantage to land stiff jabs and right hands other times rashad was able to use his supperior quickness and handspeed to land explosive left right combinations.
(I find as I get older I am more appreciative of a good game/ bout/match and less of a rah rah fan). A Great game or match occurs when two teams or individuals have styles that match up well and truly want to win and in the prosess the two sides bring out the best in each other. On this evening Brad Imes and Rashad Evans pushed each other to limits of their skills and endurance. Both of these guys at different time in the bout looked like they were moments away from being knockout and everytime this happened weather it was Rashad or brad they were able to reach down deep and get themselves back in the fight. In the end Rashad Evans one a narrow split decision winning himself a three year six figure contract with the UFC. Brad Imes lost but their really wasn't a looser in this fight.
Diego Sanchez VS Nick Diaz
Diego Sanchez was the 185lb winner on the first season of the ultimate fighter reality show. After the show he dropped down to the 170 lb division. Nick Diaz is a Mixed martial arts veteran. Despite the fact that Daiz is only 23 he has several impressive victories on his record (more impressive then Sanchez). Due to the fact that Sanchez won the reality show he has a far more lucrative contract then Diaz. This has caused Diaz to be more then a little bit bitter.
Both of thesse guys had something to prove.
This fight featured some truly beautiful submission grappling with all sorts of twists, turns, submision attempts, escapes, sweeps, counter and reversals.
In a way this fight was simmilar to the Cumo Stephensen fight I described earlier but at a much higher skill level. Sanchez was able to use his superior take down skills to put diaz on his back. Once the fight hit the ground Diego through visicious strikes at Diaz and was doing everyting in his power to end the fight. Diaz a slick ju jitsu practitioner skillfully defended himself blocking and slipping punches constantly scrambling to get a better defensive position. On several occasion Diaz was able to use is excelent ju jitsu technique to reverse Sanches and get the top position. Unfortunatly for Diaz he was never able to stay on top for long as diego was always able to grapple his way out from underneath diaz. In the end Sanchez one a very exciting unanimous decision. This figh gave an example of how exciting ground grappling can be.
All in all this was a very exciting nigh of fights and it made for great TV. UFC and Spike TV should be very happy.
All three predictions I posted on Friday were correct.
However I did not expect this card to be anywhere near as good as it
was.
Kenny Florian vs Kit Cop
I didn't make a prediction for this fight because I had not seen Cope. Cope
is an accomplished muay thai kick boxer. Florian is a submission grappling wizard.
Florian has shown a willingness to stand and trade in previous fights. That was not in his best interest in this fight as he was definently outclassed while standing. Florian wasted no time closing the distance and forcing a clinch. Florian was trying for a take down but cope was defending well. Florian persisted and eventually got the take down. Cope was able to hold and stall for a while. Then florian got free improved his position and applied an arm bar. Cope tapped out but the bell sounded a split second before the tap.
Florian did not waste any time in the second round taking Cope down and securing back control
he then worked for and attained a rear choke hold forcing Cope to submit early in the second round.
Joe Stephenson vs Luke Cumo
There was a funny moment after ref John Mcarthy finished with the pre fight instructions. Stephenson looked at Cumo and said "LUKE I AM YOUR FATHER". I got the feeling Joe was expecting to have an easy night. When I think of Luke Cumo it reminds me of the scene from the first Rocky movie where Apollo's going over all his personal appearances with his staff while his trainer is watching a news report on Rocky "champ you might wanta take a look at the guy you're gona be fighting.. he means business" and Apollo blows him off and says" I mean business too" as he continues to talk about the Non fight related topics with his staff . While Rocky Baboa was a fictional character you do sometimes see examples of athletes who seem to overacheive
in a almost unbelivable fashion. Luke cumo is one of those guys. Cumo was portrayed on the reality show as a unathletic nerd who was the last of 18 fighters picked when teams were chosen. Luke (using some stiff muay thai kickboxing and solid defense on the ground)willed himself through two very tough fights on the reality show. Despite Lukes success on the show It was expected that Jow Stephenson would easily outclass Cumo. While Stephenson quickly took luke down he could not break the will of the stubborn cumo who demonstated very nice defensive ju jitsu. Throughout the first two five minute rounds stephenson spent alot of time in the top position unloading hard punches and elbows on cumo while at the same time constantly trying to improve his position and finish the fight with submission locks. Cumo showed tremendous heart, toughness, conditioning, and some nice technique as he was constanly blocking and slipping strikes at the same time avoiding and escaping numerous submssion attempts continually working his way out of bad positions. Cumo was even able to scramble up to his feet on a couple of occasions which is almost unheard of against a grappler of stephensons caliber. Cumo had expended a tremendous amount of energy staying in the fight yet at the begining of third round he looked to be the fresher fighter. Sure enough as stephenson went for a take down early in the third round Cumo stuffed the attempt and put stephenson on his back. At this point the crowd was going nuts as the underdog had the highly decorated grapler on his back. Cumo went to town throwing everything but the kitchen sink at an exhausted stephenson. To stephensens credit he absorbed the punishment got a second wind and finished out the round in the top position.
Joe Stephenson went on to win a unanimous decision as well as the three year the six figure UFC contract that went along with winning the 170 lb weight division on the reality show. while Luke Cumo lost a tough fight he was able to captured the hearts and imaginations of the fans.
Rashad Evans VS Brad Imes
This was the heavyweight final for the reality show. Nice visual as they are both getting instruction from the referee you get a sense of the size difference between the two. Imes is 6'7"
260 while Rashad is 5'10" 220. This fight could have been considered either a sloppy kick boxing match or a stand up war. Even though these two didn't have the greatest striking ability in the world I really enjoyed this bout. My prediction for the final outcome for this fight was correct but this fight was way better then I expected. I thought Rashad a former all confrence wrestler at Michigan st would take the taller Imes (a former offensive lineman at the university of Missouri) down to the ground and just do enough to win.I was very wrong. Their was very little in the way of grappling or take down attempts in this fight. At times Imes was able to use his sizeable reach advantage to land stiff jabs and right hands other times rashad was able to use his supperior quickness and handspeed to land explosive left right combinations.
(I find as I get older I am more appreciative of a good game/ bout/match and less of a rah rah fan). A Great game or match occurs when two teams or individuals have styles that match up well and truly want to win and in the prosess the two sides bring out the best in each other. On this evening Brad Imes and Rashad Evans pushed each other to limits of their skills and endurance. Both of these guys at different time in the bout looked like they were moments away from being knockout and everytime this happened weather it was Rashad or brad they were able to reach down deep and get themselves back in the fight. In the end Rashad Evans one a narrow split decision winning himself a three year six figure contract with the UFC. Brad Imes lost but their really wasn't a looser in this fight.
Diego Sanchez VS Nick Diaz
Diego Sanchez was the 185lb winner on the first season of the ultimate fighter reality show. After the show he dropped down to the 170 lb division. Nick Diaz is a Mixed martial arts veteran. Despite the fact that Daiz is only 23 he has several impressive victories on his record (more impressive then Sanchez). Due to the fact that Sanchez won the reality show he has a far more lucrative contract then Diaz. This has caused Diaz to be more then a little bit bitter.
Both of thesse guys had something to prove.
This fight featured some truly beautiful submission grappling with all sorts of twists, turns, submision attempts, escapes, sweeps, counter and reversals.
In a way this fight was simmilar to the Cumo Stephensen fight I described earlier but at a much higher skill level. Sanchez was able to use his superior take down skills to put diaz on his back. Once the fight hit the ground Diego through visicious strikes at Diaz and was doing everyting in his power to end the fight. Diaz a slick ju jitsu practitioner skillfully defended himself blocking and slipping punches constantly scrambling to get a better defensive position. On several occasion Diaz was able to use is excelent ju jitsu technique to reverse Sanches and get the top position. Unfortunatly for Diaz he was never able to stay on top for long as diego was always able to grapple his way out from underneath diaz. In the end Sanchez one a very exciting unanimous decision. This figh gave an example of how exciting ground grappling can be.
All in all this was a very exciting nigh of fights and it made for great TV. UFC and Spike TV should be very happy.
Vodka and Boo Koo
Dawn's ex husband Pat got married today.
Dawn not only attended she also did the floral arranegments.
Neither one of us are really drinkers. Today was
a special occasion though. To get us through this joyous
event I stoped by the liquor store and picked up some vodka
then I went to the conveince store and picked up some boo koo energy drink.
Before we entered the chapel we had some very stiff shots. As I recall
it was a very nice ceremony.
Dawn not only attended she also did the floral arranegments.
Neither one of us are really drinkers. Today was
a special occasion though. To get us through this joyous
event I stoped by the liquor store and picked up some vodka
then I went to the conveince store and picked up some boo koo energy drink.
Before we entered the chapel we had some very stiff shots. As I recall
it was a very nice ceremony.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Saturday Night UFC Predictions
The TUF 2 season finale will be on Spike TV Saturday at 9:00.
Steve's predictions
Diego Sanches over Nick Diaz
via decision
Rashad Evans over Brad Imes
via decision
Joe Stephenson over Luke Cumo
2nd round via arm bar
I'll have to pass on picking the other fights because I have not seen enough of their bouts to make an informed prediction.
Steve's predictions
Diego Sanches over Nick Diaz
via decision
Rashad Evans over Brad Imes
via decision
Joe Stephenson over Luke Cumo
2nd round via arm bar
I'll have to pass on picking the other fights because I have not seen enough of their bouts to make an informed prediction.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
A Wednesday visit to Grandfathers
Dawn and I stopped by grandfathers after work. He was happy to see us and he looked to be in very good spirits. When we arrived he was just finishing dinner. When he was done
we worked on the crossword puzzle. Between the three of us we were able to finish it in a reasonable time. Grandfather then gave us both oranges a couple of cookies before we departed.
we worked on the crossword puzzle. Between the three of us we were able to finish it in a reasonable time. Grandfather then gave us both oranges a couple of cookies before we departed.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Dawn Marie remains undefeated undisputed pumpkin carving/ decorating champion!
The Animal Clinic of Walla Walla has a pumpkin carving/ decorating contest every year during the week proceeding halloween. The staff bring in their pumpkins and the clients vote on their favorites during the week. For the sixth straight year Dawn won the competition. Dawn's pumpkin decorated to look like a giant spider was able to hold of a spirited challenge from Dr. Kress and his pumpkin totem pole. Dawn Marie was gracious in victory "Dr Kress has a great pumpkin this year, He likely would have one if he had gotten it in on time". Dr. Kress did not get his pumpkin in tell wednesday giving Dawn a two day head start in votes giving her the cushion she needed to retain her championship.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Steve's Mixed Martial Arts FAQ. Part 1 The UFC
I am a big fan of the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
What is MMA: I think of MMA as the decathlon of combat sports. It envolves techniques from Boxing, Kickboxing, Greco Roman Wrestling, Judo, Freestyle Wrestling, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, Russian Sambo and a variety of other martial art including my beloved Karate.
The fighters: These are not just local tough guys who fell off a bar stool. To be successfull in MMA a fighter needs to be skilled at both stand up fighting(boxing/kickboxing) as well as submission grappling. They also have to be tremendous athlete with unbelievable toughness and amazing conditioning.
Why is Steve a fan: What fascinates me about the sport is the variety of techniques that can be used and how one person uses his or her skill set to counteract his opponents
let's say fighter A has a strong background in boxing and frestyle wrestling, fighter B has a strong background in kickboxing and judo.
At the begining of the bout their is usually some stand up action. How will fighter A use his boxing skill to offset fighter B's kickboxing and vice versa. What will happen when they invariably end up in a clinch will the judoka be able to throw or sweep the wrestler to the ground or will the wrestler use his balance to stop the judokas techniques and the employ some sort of wrestling take down. Once the fight hits the ground will the wrestler be able to use his skills to get on top and control the judoka or will the judoka be able to counteract the wrestlers strenghts with judo grappling techniques such as joint locks and chokes.
The main organization in the USA
The Ultimate Fighting Championship(UFC)
owners: Zuffa LLC
Based in: Las Vegas NV
Where do you see the UFC:
The UfC has six Pay Per View shows year on indemand ppv
The UFC also currently has three shows on Spike TV
1. TUF: The Ultimate Fighter reality show (they are currently showing season 2)
2. UFC unleashed: A weekly show that shows classic fights from the UFC archives
3. Ultimate Fight Night: Six live fight specials a year.
The comentators:
Mike Goldberg(no relation to my cousins) is the play by play man. He does a solid job. The WWE recently offered him big money to jump ship and commentate Pro wrestling matches. After some thought Goldberg turned them down.
Joe Rogan is the color comentator. Yes this is the same Joe Rogan of News Radio and Fear Factor fame. Alot of people online don't like Rogan because he gets overly excited at times. I think genuine enthusiasm from a comentator is good. Rogan also does a good job of explaining the intricacies of grappling to the uninitiated.
The champions and top contenders:
Andrei Arvloski:The current heaveyweight champion. Mr. Arvloski is an imposing figure at 6'4 240 lb. He has strong backgrounds in both kickboxing and Sambo(a russian grappling art). He won the title from Tim Sylvia with a big right hand followed by a beautiful ankle lock that forced sylvia to tap out(say uncle). Recently Andrei defended his title with a fifteen second K.O. of top contender Paul Buentello. The key to Andrei's recent success is in his tremendous quickness (along with ample punching power) I don't think Sylvia or Buentello has any concept of how quick Andrei is for his size. He has all the tools to have a very long reign as champion.
Tim Sylvia: The former heavyweight champion. Tim is 6'8 265. He is a big powerfull man who has good technique (he has had excellent coaches). Tim has gotten himself in trouble when he has underestimated his opponents. He got sloppy on the ground with a slick sub fighter in Frank Mir and got caught in a arm bar. Then he fought Andrei (see above). If Tim learns from his mistakes and continues to improve he may be able to regain the title.
Chuck "The Ice Man" Liddel: Liddel is the current 205lb champion and likely the most well known of the UFC fighters. Liddel has a back ground in collegeiate wrestling and pro kickboxing.
Chuck is not the geatest wrestler around but he does have tremendous take down defense .
He is not the greatest technical kickboxer either but he does posses one strike KO power in all four limbs. Liddel uses his strengths very well. Although MMA fighters are becoming incresingly more well rounded, few want to go toe to toe with liddel. Fighters often waste alot of energy trying to take liddel down to the ground and keep him their. By the time guys realize that their take down attempts on liddel are futtile they are usually completely exhusted. At this point liddel's opponents usually wilt under his potent striking power. This leads to a lot of spectacular knockouts.
Randy "The Natural" Couture: Randy Couture is considered an icon in the sport. He is former 2 time UFC heavyweight champion and a 2 time light heavyweight champion(205 division). Couture is a world class Greco Roman Wrestler who has developed solid boxing technique. Three years ago many people had given up on Couture. He had suffered back to back ko loses in the heavyweight division and he was 39 years old. Then he got the chance to fight lidell. At the time liddel had an aura of invinciblity (using the skills I discussed above). No one gave Randy much of a chance. Randy fought a beautiful fight, not wasting any energy trying to take Chuck down instead he used solid boxing technique and repeatedly beat Liddle to the punch. Through much of the fight Liddel stood flat footed waiting for take down attempts that never came, mean while he was loading up trying to land that one big punch or kick(it never landed). As the fight wore on liddle got increasingly frustrated. When liddel was sufficiently hurt and tired Couture closed the distance executed a nifty greco roman throw and finished Chuck Liddel on the ground with strikes.
The rematch almost 2 years later was a completely different story. Lidddel didn't stand flat footed wating for take down attempts and he didn't load up for a one strike ko. Liddel moved latteraly and used a good jab. Liddlel improved technique in the rematch led to Couture charging in off ballanced and being caught with a chopping right hand the ended his evening. Couture and liddle will have their rubber match in february on super bowl sunday weekend.
Rich "Ace" Franklin: (Nicknamed Ace because he looks like a very buff version of Jim Carey) Franklin is the champion in the 185 lb division. He has an undergraduate degree in mathmatics and a masters degree in education. He is a former Cincinnati high school teacher. Rich is a coach on the current season of the ultimate fighter reality show. Franklin represents the new new breed of fighters, these guys are tremendous athletes that are equally comfortable in a stand up fight or a grappling match. Franklin has spent most of his career fighting at the 205 weight limit, but dropped down to 185 this year and won the championship from Evan Tanner. While Franklin seems equally comfortable standing or on the ground he seems to prefer the stand up (much to the promoters delight). Franklin defends his title November 19th against Nate Quarry.
Nate "The Rock" Quarry: Nate Quarry was the most popular fighter on the first season of the ultimate fighter reality show. Nate (who trains in Gresham Oregon) comes across as a genuinely
classy down to earth guy. Quarry like Frankling Is a jack of all trades. He is listed as a Brazilian Ju-jitsu expert(submission grappler) , trains with two world class Greco Roman wrestlers ( Randy Couture and olympic silver medalist Mat Lindland) and has one his last three bouts with his boxing skills. Nate gets his opportunity to fight for the title at 185 lbs on the 19th of November. It should be a very exciting fight.
Matt Hughes: Hughes is the champion in the 170 division. He was an all american wrestler at the university of Iowa. He is also a two time UFC welterweight champion. At the start of his career he was a one dimensional wrestler. This has changed over the last few year. He has improved his striking and has developed an impressive submission grappling repetoir. Hughes can still be dull if he is in with a slick sumission grappler(charuto verrisimo). But if you put Hughes in with some one who takes the fight to him you are almost guaranteed an instant classic. Hughes almost always seem to rise to the challenge often times in spectacular fasion as he showed earlier this year in his match with frank trigg (which has to be seen to be believed).
Joe "The Deisel" Riggs: Riggs started his career as a 280 lb heavyweight and has morphed into a 17o lb welterweight. Riggs is a great athlete a very good wrestler and has tremendous power in his strikes. I have seen Riggs fight twice both times in the 185 division. In one fight he defeated the very talented Joe Doerkeson when he overwelmed him with strikes on the ground in the second round. In the other fight he was manhandeling Ivan Salaverry until he got over exuberant and dove in to throw a punch and caught an up kick in the face then fell into a triangle choke hold that he could not escape from. Riggs surpised many recently when he was able to make the 170 wgt and defeat the very talented Chris Lytle.
The holiday season came early for Riggs as he has been called in as a replacement( judo prodigy Karo Parysian the #1 contender has a severe quadricep injury) to fight for the title on Nov 19th against Matt Hughes. Riggs may not be a better all around fighter then Parysian, but his incredible power and striking prowess are far more dangerous to Hughes then anything Parysian could have thrown at the champ.
The UfC's Ultimate fighter season 2 finale will air Saturday Nov 5th at 9:00 live on Spike TV
What is MMA: I think of MMA as the decathlon of combat sports. It envolves techniques from Boxing, Kickboxing, Greco Roman Wrestling, Judo, Freestyle Wrestling, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu, Russian Sambo and a variety of other martial art including my beloved Karate.
The fighters: These are not just local tough guys who fell off a bar stool. To be successfull in MMA a fighter needs to be skilled at both stand up fighting(boxing/kickboxing) as well as submission grappling. They also have to be tremendous athlete with unbelievable toughness and amazing conditioning.
Why is Steve a fan: What fascinates me about the sport is the variety of techniques that can be used and how one person uses his or her skill set to counteract his opponents
let's say fighter A has a strong background in boxing and frestyle wrestling, fighter B has a strong background in kickboxing and judo.
At the begining of the bout their is usually some stand up action. How will fighter A use his boxing skill to offset fighter B's kickboxing and vice versa. What will happen when they invariably end up in a clinch will the judoka be able to throw or sweep the wrestler to the ground or will the wrestler use his balance to stop the judokas techniques and the employ some sort of wrestling take down. Once the fight hits the ground will the wrestler be able to use his skills to get on top and control the judoka or will the judoka be able to counteract the wrestlers strenghts with judo grappling techniques such as joint locks and chokes.
The main organization in the USA
The Ultimate Fighting Championship(UFC)
owners: Zuffa LLC
Based in: Las Vegas NV
Where do you see the UFC:
The UfC has six Pay Per View shows year on indemand ppv
The UFC also currently has three shows on Spike TV
1. TUF: The Ultimate Fighter reality show (they are currently showing season 2)
2. UFC unleashed: A weekly show that shows classic fights from the UFC archives
3. Ultimate Fight Night: Six live fight specials a year.
The comentators:
Mike Goldberg(no relation to my cousins) is the play by play man. He does a solid job. The WWE recently offered him big money to jump ship and commentate Pro wrestling matches. After some thought Goldberg turned them down.
Joe Rogan is the color comentator. Yes this is the same Joe Rogan of News Radio and Fear Factor fame. Alot of people online don't like Rogan because he gets overly excited at times. I think genuine enthusiasm from a comentator is good. Rogan also does a good job of explaining the intricacies of grappling to the uninitiated.
The champions and top contenders:
Andrei Arvloski:The current heaveyweight champion. Mr. Arvloski is an imposing figure at 6'4 240 lb. He has strong backgrounds in both kickboxing and Sambo(a russian grappling art). He won the title from Tim Sylvia with a big right hand followed by a beautiful ankle lock that forced sylvia to tap out(say uncle). Recently Andrei defended his title with a fifteen second K.O. of top contender Paul Buentello. The key to Andrei's recent success is in his tremendous quickness (along with ample punching power) I don't think Sylvia or Buentello has any concept of how quick Andrei is for his size. He has all the tools to have a very long reign as champion.
Tim Sylvia: The former heavyweight champion. Tim is 6'8 265. He is a big powerfull man who has good technique (he has had excellent coaches). Tim has gotten himself in trouble when he has underestimated his opponents. He got sloppy on the ground with a slick sub fighter in Frank Mir and got caught in a arm bar. Then he fought Andrei (see above). If Tim learns from his mistakes and continues to improve he may be able to regain the title.
Chuck "The Ice Man" Liddel: Liddel is the current 205lb champion and likely the most well known of the UFC fighters. Liddel has a back ground in collegeiate wrestling and pro kickboxing.
Chuck is not the geatest wrestler around but he does have tremendous take down defense .
He is not the greatest technical kickboxer either but he does posses one strike KO power in all four limbs. Liddel uses his strengths very well. Although MMA fighters are becoming incresingly more well rounded, few want to go toe to toe with liddel. Fighters often waste alot of energy trying to take liddel down to the ground and keep him their. By the time guys realize that their take down attempts on liddel are futtile they are usually completely exhusted. At this point liddel's opponents usually wilt under his potent striking power. This leads to a lot of spectacular knockouts.
Randy "The Natural" Couture: Randy Couture is considered an icon in the sport. He is former 2 time UFC heavyweight champion and a 2 time light heavyweight champion(205 division). Couture is a world class Greco Roman Wrestler who has developed solid boxing technique. Three years ago many people had given up on Couture. He had suffered back to back ko loses in the heavyweight division and he was 39 years old. Then he got the chance to fight lidell. At the time liddel had an aura of invinciblity (using the skills I discussed above). No one gave Randy much of a chance. Randy fought a beautiful fight, not wasting any energy trying to take Chuck down instead he used solid boxing technique and repeatedly beat Liddle to the punch. Through much of the fight Liddel stood flat footed waiting for take down attempts that never came, mean while he was loading up trying to land that one big punch or kick(it never landed). As the fight wore on liddle got increasingly frustrated. When liddel was sufficiently hurt and tired Couture closed the distance executed a nifty greco roman throw and finished Chuck Liddel on the ground with strikes.
The rematch almost 2 years later was a completely different story. Lidddel didn't stand flat footed wating for take down attempts and he didn't load up for a one strike ko. Liddel moved latteraly and used a good jab. Liddlel improved technique in the rematch led to Couture charging in off ballanced and being caught with a chopping right hand the ended his evening. Couture and liddle will have their rubber match in february on super bowl sunday weekend.
Rich "Ace" Franklin: (Nicknamed Ace because he looks like a very buff version of Jim Carey) Franklin is the champion in the 185 lb division. He has an undergraduate degree in mathmatics and a masters degree in education. He is a former Cincinnati high school teacher. Rich is a coach on the current season of the ultimate fighter reality show. Franklin represents the new new breed of fighters, these guys are tremendous athletes that are equally comfortable in a stand up fight or a grappling match. Franklin has spent most of his career fighting at the 205 weight limit, but dropped down to 185 this year and won the championship from Evan Tanner. While Franklin seems equally comfortable standing or on the ground he seems to prefer the stand up (much to the promoters delight). Franklin defends his title November 19th against Nate Quarry.
Nate "The Rock" Quarry: Nate Quarry was the most popular fighter on the first season of the ultimate fighter reality show. Nate (who trains in Gresham Oregon) comes across as a genuinely
classy down to earth guy. Quarry like Frankling Is a jack of all trades. He is listed as a Brazilian Ju-jitsu expert(submission grappler) , trains with two world class Greco Roman wrestlers ( Randy Couture and olympic silver medalist Mat Lindland) and has one his last three bouts with his boxing skills. Nate gets his opportunity to fight for the title at 185 lbs on the 19th of November. It should be a very exciting fight.
Matt Hughes: Hughes is the champion in the 170 division. He was an all american wrestler at the university of Iowa. He is also a two time UFC welterweight champion. At the start of his career he was a one dimensional wrestler. This has changed over the last few year. He has improved his striking and has developed an impressive submission grappling repetoir. Hughes can still be dull if he is in with a slick sumission grappler(charuto verrisimo). But if you put Hughes in with some one who takes the fight to him you are almost guaranteed an instant classic. Hughes almost always seem to rise to the challenge often times in spectacular fasion as he showed earlier this year in his match with frank trigg (which has to be seen to be believed).
Joe "The Deisel" Riggs: Riggs started his career as a 280 lb heavyweight and has morphed into a 17o lb welterweight. Riggs is a great athlete a very good wrestler and has tremendous power in his strikes. I have seen Riggs fight twice both times in the 185 division. In one fight he defeated the very talented Joe Doerkeson when he overwelmed him with strikes on the ground in the second round. In the other fight he was manhandeling Ivan Salaverry until he got over exuberant and dove in to throw a punch and caught an up kick in the face then fell into a triangle choke hold that he could not escape from. Riggs surpised many recently when he was able to make the 170 wgt and defeat the very talented Chris Lytle.
The holiday season came early for Riggs as he has been called in as a replacement( judo prodigy Karo Parysian the #1 contender has a severe quadricep injury) to fight for the title on Nov 19th against Matt Hughes. Riggs may not be a better all around fighter then Parysian, but his incredible power and striking prowess are far more dangerous to Hughes then anything Parysian could have thrown at the champ.
The UfC's Ultimate fighter season 2 finale will air Saturday Nov 5th at 9:00 live on Spike TV
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Why we root for certain college teams
Washington St: where Mike and I went to school
University of Washington: Dads school as well as both of my uncles
UCLA: Danny school, which happens to be undefeated this season
San Jose St: My moms school
Oklahoma: where my grandmother was born
Alabama: Where my mom was born
Tennesse: the college that produced mike's lovely wife Debra
Syracuse: Grandfathers favorite school
University of Washington: Dads school as well as both of my uncles
UCLA: Danny school, which happens to be undefeated this season
San Jose St: My moms school
Oklahoma: where my grandmother was born
Alabama: Where my mom was born
Tennesse: the college that produced mike's lovely wife Debra
Syracuse: Grandfathers favorite school
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
welcome once again to the game that never ends
I got home at about 5:30 last night and they were just throwing out the first pitch of game three of the world series. I really wasn't watching the game. At seven I went over to Dawn's
and the game was on the fourth inning and houston was leading 4-0. An hour later I went over to see grandfather (who, seems to be doing very well ) and we decided to turn on the game.now the game was in the 7th and the white sox led 5-4. We watched the game untill 9:00
when the game went into extra inning. I left did some shopping andwent home and logged onto the computer. I did'nt even check on the game figuring it had to be over. At about 10:45 I stopped by Dawn's (she was still up watching a movie with her daughter) . Just for the heck of it I switched the channel to the game as I joked it might still be on. Much to my amazment is was still in in the 13th inning. The game continued on into the fourteenth inning lasting almost 6 hours.
It reminded me of a tennis match where John Mcenroe played mats willander and when the match started I was in Walla Walla and five hours latter I arrived in Seattle BY car and the match was still going in the fifth set.
and the game was on the fourth inning and houston was leading 4-0. An hour later I went over to see grandfather (who, seems to be doing very well ) and we decided to turn on the game.now the game was in the 7th and the white sox led 5-4. We watched the game untill 9:00
when the game went into extra inning. I left did some shopping andwent home and logged onto the computer. I did'nt even check on the game figuring it had to be over. At about 10:45 I stopped by Dawn's (she was still up watching a movie with her daughter) . Just for the heck of it I switched the channel to the game as I joked it might still be on. Much to my amazment is was still in in the 13th inning. The game continued on into the fourteenth inning lasting almost 6 hours.
It reminded me of a tennis match where John Mcenroe played mats willander and when the match started I was in Walla Walla and five hours latter I arrived in Seattle BY car and the match was still going in the fifth set.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
SEAHAWKS WIN!?!
This in and of it's self is not news. The hawks when have won lots of games in the last 15 years. Most of these wins have been againt week teams in boring games where the seahawks managed to fuster cluck their way to victory.
It's not the curse of the bambino (the boston red sox) or the curse of shooless Joe (the white sox) but hawk fans are long suffering.
Season after season of high expectations have turned to mediocrity and ineptness.
First round draft picks have been spent on quarterbacks (stoufer, mcguire) who have had a cup
of coffee in the leauge and disapeared into obscurity. Big money has been spent on wide receivers who new how to get open but never quite figured how to catch the darn football.
Everytime the hawks have drawn in the fans and made them start to care. The Hawks have either pulled defeat from the jaws of vitory or simply gotten their tucchuses kick.
Today the seahwks came through for once. In front of a enthusaistic crowd at qwest feild (including Dan our UPS guy). The seahawks defense did a wonderfull job keeping the team in the game. The offense came through at the end scoring a late game tying touchdown. Then the hawks recieved an early christmas/hannukah/qwanza present as our friend Drew Bledsoe did what cougars are prone to do (He coug it) throwing an interception that set up a game winning hawk field goal on the last play of the game.
Will this change the hawks (and their fans) luck. Or is this another case of the team raising the fans hopes only to leave them feeling like they have been kicked in the solarplexus ( or slightly lower)?
It's not the curse of the bambino (the boston red sox) or the curse of shooless Joe (the white sox) but hawk fans are long suffering.
Season after season of high expectations have turned to mediocrity and ineptness.
First round draft picks have been spent on quarterbacks (stoufer, mcguire) who have had a cup
of coffee in the leauge and disapeared into obscurity. Big money has been spent on wide receivers who new how to get open but never quite figured how to catch the darn football.
Everytime the hawks have drawn in the fans and made them start to care. The Hawks have either pulled defeat from the jaws of vitory or simply gotten their tucchuses kick.
Today the seahwks came through for once. In front of a enthusaistic crowd at qwest feild (including Dan our UPS guy). The seahawks defense did a wonderfull job keeping the team in the game. The offense came through at the end scoring a late game tying touchdown. Then the hawks recieved an early christmas/hannukah/qwanza present as our friend Drew Bledsoe did what cougars are prone to do (He coug it) throwing an interception that set up a game winning hawk field goal on the last play of the game.
Will this change the hawks (and their fans) luck. Or is this another case of the team raising the fans hopes only to leave them feeling like they have been kicked in the solarplexus ( or slightly lower)?
Friday, October 21, 2005
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Sunday, October 16, 2005
You just can't have to many "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka pictures on your blog
When I was between the ages of 5 and 7 years old their were sports heroes and then their was Jimmy Snuka. Jimmy Snuka performed on the North West wrestling circuit from 1972-78. what I find amazing is that Snuka was still around in 77-78. Snuka had a star quality that few have. He certainly payed his dues performing in front of a few hundred people a night in national guard armories in towns like Prosser and Pendleton.Within in a year of leaving the NW Snuka became main eventer all over the east coast performing in front of 10 to 15 thousand people a night in venues like the Omni in Atlanta, Madison Square Garden, and the Philadelphia Spectrum. This picture is from his days in the NW. Thank you DutchSavage.com
Whooops I lost my links.
I didn't realize you lost your links when you changed your template. I promise I will have them back up shortly.
why we love sports
Yesterday was a great example of why we enjoy watching sports.
USC and Notre Dame played one of the greatest games in college football history yesterday. Two colleges with great traditions, they have had a storied rivalry through the years.
More importantly in 2005 these are two well coached and extremely talented football teams who played their hearts out for sixty minutes. Along the way they brought out the best in each other. Throw in the fact they were playing in a magical atmosphere at Notre Dames home in South Bend Indiana and the fact that the game came down to the very last play. This game transformed a regular fall Saturday afternoon into something special. For three hours you could forget all your problems and just sit back and lose yourself in a game. A game fans will remember for along time. This is why we love sports
USC and Notre Dame played one of the greatest games in college football history yesterday. Two colleges with great traditions, they have had a storied rivalry through the years.
More importantly in 2005 these are two well coached and extremely talented football teams who played their hearts out for sixty minutes. Along the way they brought out the best in each other. Throw in the fact they were playing in a magical atmosphere at Notre Dames home in South Bend Indiana and the fact that the game came down to the very last play. This game transformed a regular fall Saturday afternoon into something special. For three hours you could forget all your problems and just sit back and lose yourself in a game. A game fans will remember for along time. This is why we love sports
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
the sleepy time show
Dawn often times has problems sleeping. To help her sleep she often sets the timer on her TV.
Her favorite sleepy time show is Law and Order. I began to wonder about the cast changes on the show because every episode I watch seems to have a different assistant ADA. I finally found this flow chart that details the cast changes that have taken place during the shows 15 year run.
Her favorite sleepy time show is Law and Order. I began to wonder about the cast changes on the show because every episode I watch seems to have a different assistant ADA. I finally found this flow chart that details the cast changes that have taken place during the shows 15 year run.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Yipeeee kai aye.....................................................................um sir
Last Thursday I went to the Pendleton Round up. I had mentioned to Dawn that I never gone to it before and she informed me that the animal clinic had tickets. So on thursday Dawn and i along with Dawn's coworker liz aka the lizzard/ cindy from Walmart and the lizards neice shawna took of for Pendleton. It was a beautiful day and I had fun. Although their something about being amongst all the those cowboys that made me alittle unsettled. Dawn and I stopped by the world famous let'r buck room. Dawn was feeling clausterphobic (and I can understand why) and we quickly left. I really did enjoyed the hall of fame next door which detailed the 95 year history of the round up. all in all I had a good time but I don't think i will be rushing back next year.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Monday, August 29, 2005
Friday, August 26, 2005
JAN CURRAN
I am not the only Barer in Walla Walla this weekend!
Cousin Janice is here for her 50th high school reunion.
She stopped by Oxarc today and we had a very nice visit
It was great to see her!
Cousin Janice is here for her 50th high school reunion.
She stopped by Oxarc today and we had a very nice visit
It was great to see her!
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Don Davis
As some of you know Dawn's dad Don Davis is a sportswriter and outdoors columnist for the walla walla union bulletin. He is also a very talented photographer. In Don travels thoughtout the northwest he has taken thousands of spectacular pictures of land scapes and the plants and animals that inhabit them. He has now put many of his pictures on line. If you enjoy looking at beautiful photography I suggest you visit Don's site (if you look around you will find also find pictures of grandfather and myself)
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
From the Bonsai Bistro to the El Sombrero
I finally was able to get out of town! Dawn and I made it to Couer D' Alene Idaho for my birthday. We stayed one night at the Couer d' Alene resort and Dawn treated me to a fun dinner at the Bonsai Bistro, which was across the street from the hotel. While we were their the weather was perfect and the lake was beautiful. We both really enjoyed the trip.
Last friday while I was at work Richard Gradwohl (father of my long time friend Mark) dropped by and gave me some wonderfull chocolate chip cookies his wife Betty had made for me as a birthday present. I stopped by Tuesday to thank Betty in person. Much to my surprise Mark was there. He was just passing through on his way back from a vacation to the oregon coast with his girlfriend Claudia. They were just heading out to dinner and invited me to come along. I had a great time visiting with them.
Last friday while I was at work Richard Gradwohl (father of my long time friend Mark) dropped by and gave me some wonderfull chocolate chip cookies his wife Betty had made for me as a birthday present. I stopped by Tuesday to thank Betty in person. Much to my surprise Mark was there. He was just passing through on his way back from a vacation to the oregon coast with his girlfriend Claudia. They were just heading out to dinner and invited me to come along. I had a great time visiting with them.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Sunday, July 24, 2005
I have had more than enough reality this week. allow me step back into my childhood fantasy world. I canot look at these old pictures and not smile. Besides Jimmy Snuka nothing quite captured my imagination like the rivalry between Buddy Rose and Roddy Piper. By 1978 Roddy Piper had managed to get him self blackballed by most of the promoters around the country because he would never "follow the script". Northwest promter Don Owen brought Roddy to the northwest and gave him and Rose the freedom to do their thing. what followed was a year and a half of some the most entertaining pro wrestling TV I have ever seen. Rose and Piper had exciting matches and cut promos (interviews) that were absolutely priceless. Piper's success in Portland launched him to supperstardom culminating in headlining the first wrestle mania opposite Hulk Hogan and becoming one of the most recognized wrestlers in the world.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Andrea Gascon
On monday Dawn's sister Andrea Gascon passed away. Andrea fought a very courageous three year battle with ovarian cancer. She was only 42 years old. Even though I had only known Andrea for about a year and a half, it was obvious she was a special person who was much loved by her familly. I feel sad for the entire familly and especially her husband Wayne who lost the love of his life.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
top right: sensei Teruo Chinen executes one of my favorite moves (the flying leg scissors takedown). Bottom right: thats me as a brown belt in the spring of 02 practicing with sensei Chinen. Mr Chinen is one of the most accomplished and respected practitioners of traditional okinowan karate alive today. I get the opportunity to practice with him several times a year.
Monday, July 11, 2005
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