World Cup Fever

OK, the World Cup is cool to have around and everything, and a good U.S. performance helps, but....

I don't like the pace

I don't like the no scoring

I don't like the ties

I don't like that the ball always goes out of bounds

I don't like the flopping, and its effect on basketball now

I don't like the jersey exchange, I don't want fraternizing with the enemy

I don't like the clapping towards the fans after the game

I don't like the screaming goalies

I don't like the referees having too much clout

I don't like the racist fans - bananas on the field, really?

I definitely don't like the horns

I don't like the whole yellow-red card thing

I don't like that they don't have instant replay on questioned calls

I don't like the celebrations

I don't like that they call it football

I don't like how a Columbian player was killed for giving up a goal

I don't like how France is in it and Ireland isn't

I don't like offsides

I don't like the coaches 400 yards from any player

I don't like extra time



That said...

I like the no commercials

I like when they actually do score

I like that games are on at somewhat normal times

I like Chris Fowler hosting the studio show

I've come to like Jurgen Klinsman (sp?)

I think I like how insane Maradona is

I like how poor-ass countries have good teams

I like the Italian names

I like how, for a month every four years, Americans try to be sophisticated and European and watch something we still call 'soccer'

I like good passing

I like Argentina's uniforms

I like the Brazilian female fans

I like overtime and shootouts

I like USA's chances to advance

And I do like this:

Don't Hate on the Dukies

They really do have alot of white guys...


So March Madness is over...it was an amazing tournament with buzzer beaters, overtimes, wild upsets and other nuggets of drama. The most telling story of the 2010 tourney has to be the Butler Bulldogs. This little school from Indy made it all the way to the final game and in their backyard, almost won it all. A halfcourt shot from their best player clanged just a little too hard off the backboard and rim...that shot goes in, and we defintely have a Hoosiers sequel. The reaction around the country was a collective groan, as not only did the cinderella team fall short, but the hated Duke Blue Devils won for the second time in ten years.

Why Duke is so hated is a mystery to some in sports media and radio chatter. Well, it's not really a mystery, but some people are afraid to say it: race and class. Yesterday, I was mentally calculating the number of championships between rivals Duke and the more multicultural North Carolina since 1993, and it turns out that UNC has more championships and final fours than the Blue Devils during that time. Until this year, Michigan Michigan State had as many championships and more Final Fours in the last ten years. Hell, even my home state Uconn Huskies have as many championships as Duke since '99.

But the common thread that Duke has all these years is that they're all white, middle-class guys who look like they could sing in the Blue Devil choir as much as hit daggering three pointers. The high academic standards and out-of-state student body suggests they're not an everyman's school as well, like the aforementioned UNC (which is, in fact, a very upscale school with very high standards). Oh, and their coach is a ratty looking guy who has a funny voice and name. OK, point taken on all them - I mean, after all, who wants a bunch of straight-laced looking white dudes and their preppy fans to beat you? This is why I hated Duke and the Celtics in days gone by. But let me argue a few points as to why you should be in the Duuukies cheering section for the 2010-11 season:

They play hoops the right way - since sometime in the 1990s, everyone who has stepped on a basketball court has tried to be like Mike. This has resulted in playground hoops taking over organized basketball. But Duke continues to move without the ball, pass, find the open man, play defense and hustle. You have to respect a team that knows how to, well, play like a team.

They're actually student-athletes (most of them)- it aint sexy, but you can imagine these guys actually going to class. Believe that? Plus, I can't imagine it's a walk in the park to hang in there as a student-athlete at Duke. Media types praise athletes at Stanford and Notre Dame for their academic prowess, but Duke players get spit on because they can pull out a big win and ace an exam on the same day.

They're more an everyman team than you think - sure, alot of players are top-notch all-Americans and highly recruited, but the players who really fit in at Duke are the little guys who do big things. You could go on forever naming role players who made a huge difference at Duke. This is the program that pretty much invented the art of taking a charge.

No off-the-court issues - when was the last time you heard of a Duke player, at least during his college years, getting arrested or suspended for team violations? For some reason, people don't like squeaky clean, but it's refreshing when you hear about players arrested for burglary and domestic assault.

Don't buy the favoritism thing - and if you do, the same applies for North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky and every other top program in the country. If you believe the conspiracy theory that Duke gets all the calls and breaks because they're good for ratings, you can't say those other teams aren't just as compelling. Plus, it's probably not true anyway. Game fixing happens in the pros.

No (known) recruiting issues - again, any problems with the NCAA? Not that we hear. Some conspiracy theorists may say this is an example of the powers that be protecting Duke, but you have to imagine someone would dig up something over almost 30 years of Coach K success.

Cameron Crazies - give me a better student body fan base in college sports. Nowhere. Every other college basketball (and many football) fans mimic...no, copy...no, rip off cheers and psych-out techniques from Duke fans. They sleep out all semester in tents to watch the UNC game - how many places you think they do that in the country? Plus, tiny little Cameron Indoor has stayed around all these years, even after more than 12 final fours and three championships.

Coach K - the guy that oversees all this success is more than just a soundbite who flauts his political clout across campus like most coaches. He actually comes across as a likeable guy that many people love to hate for no other reason than he looks, acts and sounds dorky. For all the hate you pile on Coach K, would you rather have him or his mentor, the insane Bob Knight?

They're not pro material - this comes back to the 'everyman' status, but most Duke stars don't exactly light it up in the pros. They're known as being the team where players still stay four years. Sure, frustrating to ACC rivals, but it's so refreshing in a day when college is just a one-year stopoff to the NBA. College basketball needs a team like Duke to reinforce that it's a wonderfully imperfect game played by talented, hustling guys who sometimes look like choir boys. Then they hit a three and strike a dagger in your team's heart.

Marching to Indy

I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't follow college hoops, especially at this time of year. I mean, what does March mean to them? Is it just a 'tweener' month between winter and spring? Are they upset that CBS has nothing but sports on for three weeks? Can they not understand why other people in the office are too busy to talk about seedings and picks than the bottom line?

Well, I follow the NCAAs, and it's brilliant. Even follow at the detriment of work. A few years ago, CBS took the groundbreaking (and smart) move of offering ALL tournament games online for free. March Madness on Demand is both a blessing (for us mortals) and curse (for 'the man')...they even have a button to click so you can bring up a fake spreadsheet while in actuality, watching overtime between Wake Forest and Texas.

Speaking of wake, I had to wake up at 5am for a call to America today, and decided to stay up. This means approximately nine hours of March Madness. Yes, that's a work day's full of Gus Johnson, Tim Brando, Jim Spinarkle (great name) and of course, the dough-y Greg Gumbel.

The games yesterday were memorable, including a buzzer beater from Murray State I stuck around at home to watch. OU beat Goergetown, Wake somehow pulled it out in OT and UW had what I'd like to call a 'feaux buzzer beater.' Here's hoping the next three weeks are just as exciting...and the Buckeyes follow my prediction and make the Final Four!

A few other thoughts of my 20+ years of watching the madness of March basketball:

Each venue, with its different announcers has its own unique flair. I wonder how they decide who goes where. OK, Tim and Jim...you work well together and like the Pacific northwest...off to Spokane! Jim Nantz, you're our golden boy...go wherever you please.

Why is the 'NCAA' in the logo off-center?

When living in cold weather, is there any better promo than for the Masters? It's like, yes, we're almost there!

Big upsets are great, but in alot of ways, you don't want to see the little guys go too-too far. OK, I may sound like Mr. Ohio State here, but perfect example is George Mason a few years ago. Great story, but you just KNEW they were going to lose their next game. Momentum was lost.

They really, really, really shouldn't expand in the interest of amighty dollar. It really is a perfect number of teams, perfect seedings, perfect amount of time. Don't let hoops become bloated, it's the one college sport that does it right.

What happened to 'One Shining Moment?' Jennifer Hudson singing now? It's become too cheesy and polished. I think that montage peaked in '91-'92.

The best is when a seemingly one-sided game becomes a classic in the final minutes. The worst is when that game ends without one team getting the potential tying or winning shot off.

Fave announcing duo: Bill Raftery and Verne Lundquist. Least fave: anyone with Gus Johnson or Kevin Harlan.

Best ever upset pick: Princeton over defending champs UCLA in 1995. Pete Carill, backdoor pass, Toby Bailey goes home unhappy. On that note, why wasn't Toby Bailey a bigger star? Had such a good start.

Favorite buzzer beater I saw live: maybe Murray State this year, or Scottie Reynolds and Villanova last year. Least: Laettner, '92...you know.

Here's a 'One Shining Moment' from the early 90s. OK, maybe this is a little cheesier than I thought, but still great ending to a fun few weeks.

Slanted and Enchanted

I like when bands don't feel the need to grimace for the camera. Note, Malkmus in full whatever mode.



Pavement are one of those bands that, if leader Steve Malkmus had died somehow in 1997, they'd be revered as a legendary, groundbreaking 90s alt band that had so much potential in the years to come. Well, they sorta did die in 1999, seven years after their breakthrough album. And they did gain wide cult popularity over time. The first time I came across 1992's 'Slanted and Enchanted,' my friend Jeff was loaning it to my other friend Alex. Since I generally trust Jeff's taste in all things music, I uploaded it to my Nano, and learned to love the mix of heartfelt pop tunes mixed with slacker flippance.

Fast forward four years later, and Pavement is back on the road. Not with a new album, but just for the sake of, whatever. If you have a chance to se Steve Malkmus in person, he seems like a very 'whatever' sort of person. During their two-hour show at the Enmore Theatre in Newtown, Malkmus smirked, feaux shimmied and made faces to suggest that he really didn't care or has been a perma adolescent through the age of early-40-something. That said, the band charged through a series of their hits and fan faves.

Along with the music of course, what I enjoy about going to shows like this is to see the mix of Gen Xers, who may have seen Pavement in their early-mid-late 90s 'prime' and those of us who only heard about them in the last decade and now have taken the opportunity (and plunked down $73) to see an influential band live. The venue is also pretty interesting: tucked away on the south(?) end of Newtown, the Enmore is an old-style theatre, complete with a balcony and standing room only on the floor. They even have a little bar right at the door, probably where the popcorn used to be.

On this rainy night, the boys from Stockton, CA primed themselves for a North American tour, including what is now a cliche'd reunion stop at Coachella. Never have seen the band outside of promo photos from the 90s, one member who stood out was Mr. Bob Nastanovich, whose name is a mouthful, as is his voice. First of all, he reminded me of a mix between Will Farrell and Jason Segal's character in 'Freaks and Geeks.' I suppose you can describe his job in the band as 'percussionist,' but he was really there to play dual drums with Steve West, shake the tambourine and scream into the mic when it called for. Other than looking older, and in West's case, much hairier than the 90s pprmo poster outside the Enmore, the members looked and played like it was 1994. Still the same seeming tension, where it looks like Malkmus is ready to not give a crap or just walk off the stage entirely and leave the band standing there without a singer. But hey, that's the fun of rock n roll, right?

For anyone who may not be familiar with Pavement's work, here's a few clips for Cut Your Hair, a hit song from their '94 album, Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. When Malkmus sings "I don't care, don't care, I really don't care,' I believe him 100%. Somehow, Jay Leno invited them to a Tonight Show taping, and probably never invited them back.



A more coherent version of the song is the music video, which I'm sure had some good rotation on weekly episodes of 120 Minutes. An aside, but that show should really exist again, or at least make the rounds on MTV Classic.


Finally, check out the Spike Jonze clip of 'Shady Lane,' from the band's 1997 album, Wowee Zowee. Good track, plus anything from Spike is worth seeing.

Yo La Tengo - Part Dos (The Metro)

There are some qualities in a band that I look for: the songs and albums all sound unique and take from a variety of styles...each band member sings and plays a different instrument...the band opens up and jams a bit during live shows...also not afraid to throw in some covers...they interact jokingly with the crowd...and they all seem like genuinely good people. OK, those lst two are a bonus if you can get it.

You know what else is cool? When you share the same favorite baseball team as the band. I sported my Mets shirt for the Metro gig and even chatted up singer Ira Kaplan, who commended me for my choice in NY baseball teams.

For night two of YLT, the band tuned up, tuned in (sometimes out) and played for about two hours through a feedback-heavy show. I've rarely seen a band that can range among music styles but still manage to stay consist with their own unique sound. The setlist consisted of soft, whisper-like ballads to fuzzed out 10-minute jams that left the band twisting knobs, hitting wah wahs and making some godawfully great sounds on the organ.

A night before, the band joked about how their Spanish-inspired name relegated them to a spot in the Salsa section of the record store. At the Metro, I was convinced they could also fall under Blues, Punk, Indie, Hip Hop, Jazz, Motown and a yet-to-be-defined category. If I didn't know they were from Hoboken, I wouldn't have guessed it. Although you know a band's in a good state when they're still pushing boundaries 26 years in.

They carried through a setlist of old and new, up to the recent 'Popular Songs.' If you haven't had a listen, I'd encourage at least a few tracks off this album for the iPod.

Towards the end of the main set, they went on a fury of about 2-3 songs at hardcore punk pace, highlighted by a jaw-dropping version of 'Little Honda.' Instead of a little guitar solo, they created about eight minutes of feedback that would make Jimi blush and experimented with the fantastic sounds when you slide an electric guitar's strings on an amp. Then, right back into the final fuzzed verse. The crowd, I think amazed (never can tell with the Aussie audience). Me gusta mucha.

Ira thanked the crowd while alluding to another gig in town: a little outfit known as Australia's own AC/DC was playng at the massive ANZ Stadium. Keep the fireworks and power chords at Homebush, I'll take my invetive rock and furious feedback, thank you. Their homage to Oz was a familiar sounding tune, but when given an alternative rock twist, almost seemed foreign. I've included the track below. Now imagine a louder and (obviously) cooler version of this easy listening hit from '78, complete with roadies providing background vocals:



As for the actual band, here's a clip (really just audio) of another song they featured at the Metro. From the fabulouly titled (and written) album, 'I Am Not Afraid of You snd I Will Beat Your Ass.' Hearing a portly, curly haired and spectacled guitarist sing this was pretty special.



Oh, I found another good one from the show. These are the mellow ones, feedback for live ears only. Sorry for having to stare at album covers.



Defintely a top show from the last few years. The Metro seems to have that touch every so often. Next up, a reunited Pavement at the Enmore.

Yo La Tengo - Part Uno (The Basement)

One of the critics' (and my) favorite bands from the last 25 years added Sydney dates to their Down Under tour. One of those stops was at the Basement, a club that reminded me of a mix between your local sports bar, a cabaret theatre and cool jazz joint. In fact, I halfway expected Mr. Burgundy to whip out his jazz flute at some point. But instead, the low-key trio from Hoboken took the stage for their 'Freewheelin Yo La Tengo' set.

Along with a cool Dylanesque name, the Freewheelin shows are more Unplugged/Storytellers than your average concert. The band engaged with the audience and gave some insights into their large catalog of songs. It would be a more mellow affair than their gig at the Metro the next night, but good to see the band chill it out and get chummy with the fans. There were some faves, a cooled-out 'Autumn Sweater' and 'Mr Tough,' along with a super funky track about Nuclear War, where 'if they push that button...you ass got to go.'

I can't recall all the questions from fans, but they ranged from song meanings to their strangest gigs and Spanish-influenced band name. Here are a few examples:

- 'The Story of Yo La Tengo' isn't a sad song, in fact it's pretty upbeat...about how they made it as a band by trying really hard. Or in Spanish, duro.

- 'Afraid of Sharks' is a 9/11-ish song, about how all people were scared of on Sept 10 was shark attacks...until something really scary happens to replace that irrational fear.

- A few bad concerts stick out: anything for gay-heavy crowds...without the big shebang, probably not the music they're into. Then a Tibetan freedom concert, where lead singer Ira Kaplan was forced to hang with the Tibetan monks and M Ward to avoid the big jam session at the end.

- The band name comes from baseball phrase, when someone is trying to catch a flyball and call off their teammate: I got it! What makes this even better, is the story is from the infamous 1962 Mets team and the band are Mets fans themselves.

- They knew they made it as a band when they weren't in the salsa section of record stores anymore. Nobody in the band knows Spanish, the name is just a silly coincidence. One of those things you do as a band when you really don't exect you're going to do big things. Then promoters get turned off by thinking you're a Mexican mariachi band instead of an Indie rock outfit.

- They seem to like Australian morning tv. Ira's first guess for the name of the morning show was 'G'day.' Why not, that would be a good name!

One constant with these Q&A Freewheelin sessions is that nobody ever asks about the new record. No worries, we would get our fare share of Popular Songs at the Metro on Thursday.

Decade of Change

I'm currently catching up on my Rolling Stone's from my U.S. trip back home, including the traditional 'year-end' issue with the best albums and songs of the year. This time around, RS has ranked their 50 best albums of the decade...a decade in which it seems more people are downloading albums than ever, half of music fans don't even know what an album is and the world of music continues to be a game of excruciatingly bad/amazingly good music in a side-by-side industry.

We started out in 2000 with boy bands and Brittany and have ended the decade with that weird Gaga broad. OK, we gave up on the pop landscape a long time ago, but not too far from the surface, there were some great stories in the 00s.

Fave trend of the decade: the multiple day fesitval. It's now gotten out of control and too big, but there was a time in 2002 when Bonnaroo and Coachella were wee lads that attracted the hipster and hippie elite.

Best album release: has to be In Rainbows in 2007. Ballsy and defiant, a big middle finger to the 'record' industry. Damn good album, too.

Best new radio station: tie between Indie 103.1 in Orange County/LA and FM 94.9 in San Diego. Eff you, Clear Channel. RIP, Indie on the dial.

Rock-saving moment: when the Strokes played SNL in January 2002. Wait, there's cool rock and roll bands still around? And wait, here comes the White Stripes, Kings of Leon, Franz Ferdinand. Whew.

Music scene of the decade: Brooklyn is the obvious choice, but what's up with bands from Iowa saying they 'hail from Brooklyn?' The Pacific Northwest holds strong with more mellow sounds and Detroit's still rolling thanks to the Stripes and co.

Favorite concerts: My Morning Jacket in Sydney (2009), Lollapalooza in Chicago (2007), Phish in Vegas (2004), Vegoose (2005), Pearl Jam in San Diego (2006), Pearl Jam in Irvine (2003), Allman Brothers at Red Rocks (2003), Sasquatch at the Gorge (2007), The Who at MSG (2000), White Stripes at the Greek (2005), Widespread at the Wiltern (2003)

And here are my 10 fave albums of the decade, in no particular order:

I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass - Yo La Tengo (2006)
Amazingly diversive, arguably best of YLT's career. Then I found out they're Mets fans and the name is Spanish for a baseball player yelling 'I got it!' Sold.

Kid A - Radiohead (2000)
Chuck Klosterman states that Kid A is an unintentional soundtrack to 9/11. Dark and haunting, but well worth the risk the band took.

This is It - The Strokes (2001)
Brought back the New York punk attitude, complete with a nostalgia of a 60s garage band.

Elephant - White Stripes (2003)
I first heard this while travelling the country in a pickup truck and 25-foot trailer. Seven Nation Army kicked ass and the electric blues were back.

Guero - Beck (2004)
This was the creative, excitable Beck, with a Mexican twist. Plus, this reminds me of my friend Annie.

All That You Can't Leave Behind - U2 (2000)
U2 got back to doing what the world loved - and left the giant lemon behind. Another9/11-themed album complete with an ode to New York.

Vampire Weekend - (2008)
Really solid debut, and 'A Punk' has positive energy that we haven't heard in years. Yes, Graceland-type tracks for Gen Y.

Chutes Too Narrow - The Shins (2003)
One of the better acts to come from the last decade. Plus, Steiman gave it to me, so special meaning there.

Merriweather Post Pavilion - Animal Collective (2009)
Odd, spacy and electronic. It took awhile to get this, but I got it.

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco (2001)
The best of Wilco captured in a bottle, complete with the legendary eff you to the record company. Thanks for the memories, Warners.

Broken Boy Soldiers - The Raconteurs (2006)
Jack White recruits his friends. Nashville, Cincinnati and Detroit have defintely not sounded this good before.

The Gorillaz - (2001)
Blur who? Damon gets funky and re-writes the book. Is it rock, hip hop, funk? New category: Gorillaz

Evil Urges - My Morning Jacket (2008)
With the exception of the horrid title track, captures MMJ moving in new directions. Jam band no more, we're excited to see what road they travel.

Furr - Blitzen Trapper (2008)
Along with New Slang, Furr is the best mellow track of the decade. Rest of the album sounds like the love child of the Eagles and Neil Young.

I've stopped writing mini reviews at this point...

Visiter - The Dodos (2008)

Mass Romantic - The New Pornographers (2000)

Thunder, Lightning, Strike - The Go! Team (2006)

Franz Ferdinand - (2004)

13 Tales From Urban Bohemia - Dandy Warhols (2000)

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not - Artic Monkeys (2006)

Stupid record company wouldn't let me imbed, but here's RS's number one song of the decade. Wicked video, too. I'm sure you've heard this one a time or two...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd2B6SjMh_w

Super Sunday (Monday if in Australia)

America's biggest sporting event is in a few weeks and the finalists are booked in. The Colts have been the poor man's Patriots for the last decade, and after a few years of 'they can't win the big one,' they've managed to win the really big one in 2007, and even a few other big ones in the process. They're a product of their city, coaches and most importantly, quarterback Peyton Manning: nothing fancy, hard working, and humble. But they'll put the dagger in when they want to. Unfortunately, they wussed out on a potential undefeated season the first time around againt the Jets, but managed to stop the New Yorkers' magical run with another workmanlike session on Sunday. They may not be the hard-as-nail Steelers of last year, but this Colts team just brings it each week with the lunch pail in tow.

On the other side is what may be America's Team for the next few weeks. From the city of decadence that has been hunbled in recent years, the Saints shed the 'Aints' moniker and paper bag-draped history to become a legit force in the league this year. Of course to get this far, they relied on a little luck, six Viking turnovers and another Brett Favre end-of-season disaster to lock in their spot, but hey, every team has good luck.

A few predictions in the leadup to February 8 in Miami:

- At every opportunity, I will watch 'Super Bowl highlights' on ESPN. My faves are from '67 through the 70s.

- Saints fans won't really know what to do with all this positive attention, so predictably, they will drown their happiness in all the fruit cocktails that South Beach has to offer

- Colts fans will have their milk and cookies...on the direction of Peyton
Media day will consist of way too many goofy reporters asking Saints players to do the 'Who dey' chant, then asking puzzled players what it means

- Jim Caldwell will offer insightful comments and crack jokes throughout the week about how Tom Moore looks like a grumpy old grandpa. No, Caldwell won't say anything interesting.

- Back in his college town with the cockiness of a two-time Super Bowler, Jeremy Shockey will be this year's off-the-field distraction

- Reggie Bush will have a turnover

- Pierre Garcon will score a TD and in celebration, whip out the Haitian flag

- Upon victory, Drew Brees will have that mole thing removed from his face, a la coaches shaving their heads after a championship

- Upon Colts' victory, Archie Manning and the fam will have to pack up and leave New Orleans

- Saints will invite New Orleans residents to the Superdome to all watch on a big screen - making it the first gathering of its kind since the hurricane aftermath and another sign of recovery for the city

- The halftime show with the Who will be entertaining, but leaving half of dimwitted Americans to go, 'who?'

- The hyped-up ads will be lame for the most part - with the exception of Bud Light. It's trying too hard syndrome at its finest.

- Tim Tebow's anti-abortion ad will go over like the Hindenburg, as it should

- Although most of America will be going for the Saints, a supposed underdog who are playing for a battered city - the Colts will win in another workmanlike performace. Peyton will be MVP and the world will be right.

- Immediately following the game, Jim Caldwell will get asked about giving up the chance to go undefeated - justifiably!

We can then enjoy an offseason of Mel Kiper, probably some criminal activity/scandal and months of speculation about Brett Favre. Can't wait!

To show how far the game has come, here's a video from I. The pregame show with jet pack man is not shown...

Rosy and Riveting

I'm sitting here watching the NFL playoffs, but in many ways, my head is back in Pasadena, where over the Christmas and New Years break, I saw my Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Oregon Ducks in a doozy of a start to the new year. This was my first American sporting event since July of 2007, when the San Diego Padres took on someone I don't remember at Petco Park. Pasadena and the Rose Bowl on Janaury 1 is unlike any other setting for college or pro sports: with the sun shining and San Gabriel Mountains in the distance, more than 90,000 fans gathered for the 'Grandaddy of them all.' From places like Columbus, Ohio and Eugene, Oregon, this was football paradise.

You know you're at a big sporting event when a) the coin toss is a mini event and b) U.S. fighter jets make their appearance in the skies. There's the fight songs, fan cheers (O-H-I-O) and team colors littering the stadium. From our perspective, it seemed like we were in a neutral area, between the Scarlet and Gray and Green and Yellow. With this setting, then a bunch of college kids get out to perform in front of the entire country.

Through the haze of Bud Lights and dizzying grandness of the Rose Bowl, I recall the Buckeyes getting out to an early lead, followed by the Ducks coming right back. The rest of the game was a back-and-forth fest, with the Bucks' Terrelle Pryor getting the best of the UO defense and a clincher TD pass to Posey in the 4th quarter. In a fitting continuiation of a great American holiday, the Buckeyes held on for a 26-17 win to snap a three-game bowl losing streak and set the table nicely for another run in 2010.

Most importantly, I was able to drink in the college football experience again and see my Buckeyes up close and personal. Midwesterners in the Calfornia sun never looked so good.