Fiesta Bowl 2007!!! What a game!!!

Oh my! Where do I begin??? This was the greatest sports event I have ever witnessed! My wife and I lyed in bed last night in awe; thoughts of the Fiesta Bowl dancing in our heads! "Do you believe what just happened?" we kept asking each other over and over again....

A small part of me is upset at Boise State for giving up their 28-10 lead and letting Oklahoma get back into the game. OU tied up the game 28-28 with a 2-point conversion with about 1:30 left in regulation! The OU fans were going wild!!!

Ok, so the game is not lost. Boise State has 2 time outs and can go down and maybe score a field goal, or if not they can win in OT, right??? Oh no, that's too easy and not spectacular enough, so Boise State's QB, Zabransky, on the first play throws an interception that was returned for a TD. Now, the OU fans were ecstatic!!! The BSU fans were in shock, upset, and disgusted all at the same time. I couldn't believe that we had lost the game. There was no way that BSU could score a TD in less than a minute in regulation!

BSU, with 2 time outs, goes down to around mid-field and gets into a 4th down situation with like 16 yards for a 1st with only about 20 seconds left in the game. I was still sick to my stomach about what had happened previously. It was over. Sure, Boise State would get some credibility for ALMOST beating a good team in the Big 12 in a bowl game, but they also couldn't hold onto a lead. I could see the headlines now.

Then! oh....and then! Zabransky throws down field to a receiver...enough for a 1st down and that was great...but wait! Why is the receiver stopping and not going out of bounds? Or at least trying to get more yardage? Just as soon as my question was asked, the receiver answered by pitching back a flea-flicker to the trailing receiver who ran it down the left sideline into the corner of the end zone!!!! Do you believe it???? With the extra point kick, BSU tied the game with 7 second left in the game!!! The pooch kick was successful and we're in OT baby!!! Now, the BSU fans were going wild!!! My hand still stings from all the high fives!

Boise State won the toss of the coin in OT and decided to give OU the ball first at the 25. Adrian Peterson, who BSU was able to contain the whole game decides to do what he does best and run it into the end zone on the first play! What a table turning, tide changing series of emotions!!! We Boise State fans were just plain worn out. The Oklahoma fans were again, annoying.

Now, it was BSU's turn to try and score a TD from the 25 yard line in hopes of keeping the OT alive. The great thing was that this was all happening at the end zone nearest to us, so we could see everything. Boise started running the ball and plugging ahead, and just barely getting a 1st down. Whew! Ok, then BSU was stopped on 3rd down when the running back got tackled with 2 yards remaining and the ball coming loose! No! The play was ruled down, but went for a review. I didn't see the replay, but everyone said that it looked as if it was a fumble...and the game would be over. Luckily, the referees looked at it carefully and ruled that the play stands as called....4th and 2 at about the 5 yard line! Ah! Please!!!

Now, the next play I will have to go back and see again because Zabransky (QB) shifted and the ball was actually hiked to the Wide Receiver, Peretta, who tossed the ball with incredible touch and accuracy into the Tight End in the End Zone for a TD!!!! Again, a change in tide of emotions! Boise State fans were now cheering their lungs out!

Without a hesitation, the offensive team stayed on the field, yes, I could see #5, Zabransky, out on the field with #41 Ian Johnson. They're going for it! Then Oklahoma called a time out. Ok, I thought now that Boise State was bluffing and would now kick an extra point and go for a 2nd round...but no! They were going for it!!! I was so nervous and was questioning the call.....why not get the 1 point and go for a 2nd round. Maybe BSU could stop OU next time?

The game rides on this one play, and Boise State's coach Chris Petersen had the juevos to put it all on the line! The ball was hiked to Zabransky and with all the action going to the right, he fakes the throw with his right hand, while hiding the football in his left hand behind his back.

Ian Johnson acted as though he had thrown the ball and was pass protecting...but then grabbed the ball from Zabransky and ran the ball to the left corner of the end zone for A SUCCESSFUL 2-POINT CONVERSION!!!!! THE GAME IS OVER!!!!! BOISE STATE WINS!!!! I'M HUGGING SOME SWEATY GUYS THAT I DON'T EVEN KNOW BUT I DON'T CARE BECAUSE....I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!!! OH MY!!!! EVERY ONE'S FACES ARE PALE AND IN DISBELIEF!!! THIS IS THE BEST SPORTING EVENT I HAVE EVER WITNESSED!!!!

End of scene, after the game we walked a half a mile to the car and were talking the whole way about how we can't believe what just happened. We continued the conversation in the car and my wife and I were still talking about it in bed when we couldn't sleep. I'm at work now and I'm still in shock and need psychological help I think! :) ha ha! Well, I'm out! Peace!

Obadiah Parker rocks the house!

Some of you may have seen a video on youtube or heard on the radio of a guy named Mat Weddle. He is a local guy here in Phoenix, AZ that is very talented. By the way here is a link to his youtube video where he sings an accoustic version of the song "Hey ya" by Outkast....it's terrific! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXlSrfkNxPw

So, when I found out that Mat Weddle lives in phoenix, I went to his band's website www.obadiahparker.com and found out he was playing at a small venue only like 3 miles from my house, so I said "I'm there dude!" and went last friday.

I thought for sure that the other two band members of Obadiah Parker would just be "ok" but I was terribly wrong. The base player was amazing, was all over the neck of that bass. The girl on the keyboards was also very, very talented and broke out the trumpet of all things on some of the songs.

These guys were so good live that no one could help but shake their heads or even dance to the groove they were laying down. I was so impressed that I bought a CD from Mat's parents....yes, you heard right, his parents were there selling the CDs and supporting their son. It was heartwarming to see them there at 10pm on a Friday night supporting their son like that. They had smiles on their faces a mile wide and you could tell they were proud.

Actually, I was a little disappointed in the CD because Obadiah Parker was soooooo goooood live! It is rare when a band is better live than on their CD. Don't get me wrong, the CD was good, but it was a little rehearsed or something...it lacked the feeling I think. The CD only has 5 songs on it (which I knew before buying it) and they are trying to get another CD released before Christmas.

My first business trip

Well, I had my first business trip for work. A group of us went to Austin, TX to visit a potential customer. My boss and I went monday night and flew back to Phoenix on Tuesday. It was a quick trip and the visit went well. We stayed at the Marriott Springhill Suites and they were very nice with a decent breakfast as well. Monday night we ate at a restaraunt that I think was called "Texas Land and Cattle" which had very good fried jalapenos and the filet was quite tasty as well.

Started my new job!

I just started my new job at a small company in Tempe on Monday. Everything is going great, going through the learning curve again. I like learning so that's not a problem. The people here are polite and friendly, and I hope to get to know them better and maybe make some new freinds.

The commute is going to take some getting used to....I was spoiled at my last job which was only 5 minutes from my home. I could go home for lunch and didn't have to fight any traffic to speak of. Now, I have a 30 to 35 minute commute minimum and it is a huge pileup mess of cars which drives me crazy! It's just the first week....I'll get used to it I'm sure.

Brother Vinny

My brother Anthony who has taken on the name of "Vinny" came to visit this last weekend and we had a blast! We golfed every day he was here....and YES, I beat him EVERY TIME! Yeah! I did have the home course advantage because I have played each of these courses a few times before. When I visited Vinny up in his neck of the woods, he beat me at his home course, so now we're even!

The first day Vinny was here we played Longbow with my father-in-law, Jimmy. It was so windy that we were miserable, but at just shy of $25 for 18 holes, a cart, and practice balls, we weren't complaining too much.

Next was The Raven, which we played in beautiful weather, but dry conditions because they were preparing for overseeding. It was very difficult to stop the ball on the green and actually, also in the fairway...the balls would tend to roll more and drain into the plethera (yes, I said plethera) of bunkers.

Finally we played Club West, which has the best views of any of the three courses in my opinion. There are two par 3's with elevated tee boxes and gorgeous vistas. The funny thing about Sunday was that we arrived just barely in time to pay and get on the first tee box and we had the best round of the weekend! :)