11/12/2005
well....too much has happened over the last week to go into much of it...so i'll just go with a couple things...
firstly, california has avoided the challenge of trying to work hard to fix the state in the voting in the special election on tuesday. all no's, even on the things that really didn't have a downside. 75, saying that unions couldn't take money from their members without asking for political contributions, 76 would've meant the state couldn't spend more than it had, and 77 would redistrict. i fear the state can only get worse for the next while.
second, UCLA just won their game against Arizona State at the Rose Bowl with a final score of 45-35. This game was just insane.
Now, it was nice to see a change in UCLA's playing to start off early with two touchdowns, giving UCLA early game control. This was going to be a hard game anyway, since UCLA has had a playing style that really relies on capitalising on the 4th quarter game, and thats risky against an opponent like ASU, considering that ASU is 3rd in the nation for total offense. This was going to be dangerous since UCLA's defense has been netoriously inconsistant and is now ranked 96 out of 117. That really doesn't bode well, normally. Instead, there was a quick start, and while the defence did falter and definitly needs work on making the tackles, they also put plenty of pressure on ASU.
The UCLA offense, though, played an amazing game, with Drew Olsen throwing for 510 yards, and Mercedes Lewis, well, being Mercedes Lewis. Personally, I'd have like to have seen Olsen be allowed to throw one play at the end for 5 yards to set the one game record for a UCLA quarterback. Lewis was also absolutly amazing, and he made catches I didn't even think were humanly possible.
The great thing about the UCLA offense, though, is that so many people catch the ball and make good plays. I mean, 9 players were on the receiving end of passes for UCLA, and 4 of them caught touchdown passes. The ball is so well spread out that its very difficult to just pick one player and shut them down. Also, Olsen was getting plenty of time to find the right person to hit, thanks to the offensive line, and I think it shows in that he had a completion rate over 80%. This offense really is just getting stronger and stronger. With a good day for the defense, they can be unstoppable.
The other angle here is this is EXACTLY how they should be going into the game against USC in two weeks. Last week, the strategy of coming back at the end didn't work and UCLA lost against Arizona...a team they should've definitly beat. That there is the wake-up call that they have to take an early lead. This game they get the momentum, they score early on, and they never let ASU lead the game. The Bruins can see that that strategy works, and that is the exact way they need to play to be able to beat USC. They can do it, so long as the defense can play consistantly, the offense keeps playing like they have been, and they start the game ready, instead of waiting until half-time to start playing for real.
firstly, california has avoided the challenge of trying to work hard to fix the state in the voting in the special election on tuesday. all no's, even on the things that really didn't have a downside. 75, saying that unions couldn't take money from their members without asking for political contributions, 76 would've meant the state couldn't spend more than it had, and 77 would redistrict. i fear the state can only get worse for the next while.
second, UCLA just won their game against Arizona State at the Rose Bowl with a final score of 45-35. This game was just insane.
Now, it was nice to see a change in UCLA's playing to start off early with two touchdowns, giving UCLA early game control. This was going to be a hard game anyway, since UCLA has had a playing style that really relies on capitalising on the 4th quarter game, and thats risky against an opponent like ASU, considering that ASU is 3rd in the nation for total offense. This was going to be dangerous since UCLA's defense has been netoriously inconsistant and is now ranked 96 out of 117. That really doesn't bode well, normally. Instead, there was a quick start, and while the defence did falter and definitly needs work on making the tackles, they also put plenty of pressure on ASU.
The UCLA offense, though, played an amazing game, with Drew Olsen throwing for 510 yards, and Mercedes Lewis, well, being Mercedes Lewis. Personally, I'd have like to have seen Olsen be allowed to throw one play at the end for 5 yards to set the one game record for a UCLA quarterback. Lewis was also absolutly amazing, and he made catches I didn't even think were humanly possible.
The great thing about the UCLA offense, though, is that so many people catch the ball and make good plays. I mean, 9 players were on the receiving end of passes for UCLA, and 4 of them caught touchdown passes. The ball is so well spread out that its very difficult to just pick one player and shut them down. Also, Olsen was getting plenty of time to find the right person to hit, thanks to the offensive line, and I think it shows in that he had a completion rate over 80%. This offense really is just getting stronger and stronger. With a good day for the defense, they can be unstoppable.
The other angle here is this is EXACTLY how they should be going into the game against USC in two weeks. Last week, the strategy of coming back at the end didn't work and UCLA lost against Arizona...a team they should've definitly beat. That there is the wake-up call that they have to take an early lead. This game they get the momentum, they score early on, and they never let ASU lead the game. The Bruins can see that that strategy works, and that is the exact way they need to play to be able to beat USC. They can do it, so long as the defense can play consistantly, the offense keeps playing like they have been, and they start the game ready, instead of waiting until half-time to start playing for real.
11/09/2005
well...it looks like all the propositions have gone down in defeat today. or well, yesterday. i'm rather bummed about this.
I mean, 74-77 all made good sense, but it looksl ike the power of advertising has beaten them. Oh well, common sense loses again. I'll bemoan the fate of california more later.
I mean, 74-77 all made good sense, but it looksl ike the power of advertising has beaten them. Oh well, common sense loses again. I'll bemoan the fate of california more later.
11/02/2005
well, i've lapsed over the last few weeks as i've spread myself thin.... but the basic rundown....went to tatooine (death valley) and had a blast....then with line people there's been magic mountain, mouse adventure (finishing second), halloween party, the dvd line, and assorted other stuff. then some school, and of course the weekly bowling.
the car has died, and been reborn anew with new parts, and that cost plenty. i'm at a point now though where i'm just wearing down, and thats being problematic. i think i've entered the point where i'm beginning to feel like i'm less of a part of the group i am in (this time the line) than i try to think i am, and that i'm somewhat out of place. never know what to make of such things but these things tend to have truth in em. probably doesn't help that i'm in an upswing of stress at home, as i'm working so much that i'm home very little, and what tme i'm home for, i'm getting lectured at for assorted things.
i also need to get a review for the last book i read, valhalla rising, written up. and just really, theres a lot i either need or want to do. i think i'm beginning to again wish that i was at a point where i didn't have the element of school that is it taking up free time... sometimes i'd rather have the grind of a job but then know there's offtime at some point than have school, plus work, plus school work.
anyway, this should, in theory, make it back into routine of what i do. heh, said like people read it still.
the car has died, and been reborn anew with new parts, and that cost plenty. i'm at a point now though where i'm just wearing down, and thats being problematic. i think i've entered the point where i'm beginning to feel like i'm less of a part of the group i am in (this time the line) than i try to think i am, and that i'm somewhat out of place. never know what to make of such things but these things tend to have truth in em. probably doesn't help that i'm in an upswing of stress at home, as i'm working so much that i'm home very little, and what tme i'm home for, i'm getting lectured at for assorted things.
i also need to get a review for the last book i read, valhalla rising, written up. and just really, theres a lot i either need or want to do. i think i'm beginning to again wish that i was at a point where i didn't have the element of school that is it taking up free time... sometimes i'd rather have the grind of a job but then know there's offtime at some point than have school, plus work, plus school work.
anyway, this should, in theory, make it back into routine of what i do. heh, said like people read it still.
