They Should Make This Movie

1992-Fourth grade. This years version had the 15th ranked trojies against a unknown walk on quarterback in only his third start going for the good guys. A year ago John Barnes was sneaking into the student section to watch the game. Now he was under center with a front row seat to the action. UCLA was at .500 and a win would guarantee a winning season. I had the opportunity to go but unfortunately had to cancel.It would be the first of many times I would miss Bruin games due to my sister. But to be quite honest I didn't really expect much that game. I mean, I knew we would win but, damn like this.

John Barnes not only did well, but he left a mark on this series that will never be forgotten. All he did was go 16-28 for 384 and have touchdown passes of 29, 57, and 90 yards. The 90 yarder was the one for which he'll especially be remembered for. After coming back from a 14 point deficit to start the fourth quarter, the Bruins were at their own ten with about 2 minutes to go. Barnes drops back to pass and hits J.J. Stokes for 90 yards and puts a dagger into the trojan hearts. Improbable. I should have been there but thanks again to my little sister, the memory I have of this game is watching it with pops on Prime Ticket. A fine one nonetheless, but I should of been there. I have since forgiven her. She knows she owes me a memorable sports moment and has agreed to never wear cardinal and gold. I guess I'll take what I can get.

BEAT SC.

Oh, Now I Understand

1990-Second grade. I had been to other games in the past. I actually believe my first game was in the 88 season. (I'll have to check with pops on that one) Anyways, I was more than stoked to see my first rivalry game. It would be the proverbial duel of the quarterbacks: Tommy Maddox for the good guys and Todd Marinovich for the hated ones. The game was memorable due to the fact that it was a high scoring affair with sc winning on a touchdown (that still shouldn't count) 45-42.

The high point for me came before the start of the game. This was the game that I received my very first piece of anti-sc gear. It was a huge button that both Joe Bruin slamming tommy trojan into a trash can and around all this were the words "TRASH THE TROJANS!!" Pretty tame (compared to the FUSC shirt I now own) but when I was first given this I was blown away. I never knew that two schools could have so much hate for each other let alone understand why my pops and uncle would send each other x-mas cards consoling the loser of the game. It was right there in front of me.

BEAT SC.

What I'm Thankful For

Keeping with the theme of the last post, (family) I'm gonna let you in on a little tradition I have with my pops. Every year on X-mas eve, (this year the event will make it's Thanksgiving debut) my mother and sister usually go to my grandmother's house or whatever aunt's house is next in the rotation, to exchange presents, eat, and other things of that nature. Usually, everyone from my mother's side is there and a good time is had by all. Well except for me and pops. You see my aunts and grandmother have always this demeanor about them. Quite simply put they hate men and all things male associated. It guess it started with my grandmother and her father. I don't want to get in to it but there are some major daddy issues . Then I guess it snowballed with the fact that none of my mother's sisters has a husband and the one that does is severely mistreated. So when my father and I make that rare appearance there is always an uncomfortable tension in the air. When I became old enough to stand up for myself I decided that I love that side of my family but I don't need to be there. I told pops we should start our own tradition. We should drink. Heavily. At first he laughed at the idea but when I said we should drink seven sevens' he immediately became interested. So while my mother's side is burning men in effigy, my father and I drink while discussing various topics ranging from the current political climate to Bruin athletics. Now again I don't have anything against that side of the family but I rather take a timeout and spend some time with the man who showed me the holy trinity of seven sevens', Tripas, and UCLA.

Cheers to you pops.

The Force is strong with this one

There's this female cousin of mine from my Madre's side of the family whom I've never really gotten along with. We were born a month apart and ever since then it seems like we've always been in competition. Oh yeah, she intimidates the hell out of me. (Another story for another day) We never really go beyond the requisite exchange of pleasantries so imagine my surprise when I recently found her oldest son playing with Star Wars figures. My Nina, who was also there at the time remarked to him "Go ahead Dezmon, ask Michael he knows everything about Star Wars." So this child of seven or younger (again we don't talk much) asks "Obi-Wan taught Anakin so who taught Obi-Wan?" So I told him it was Qui-Gon and he handed me his toys. As I fuddled with Mace's lightsaber and Dooku's detachable Force lighting (very cool) I told him I have all kinds of figures like these at my house. His eyes lit up and he told me we should play sometime.

Oh, it's so on now.