Back Again Like Before...

I am semi-healed from my hip malady. And with some advice from Nacho, who is an avid runner, perhaps I won't get into the same predicament with my hip. He showed me a few stretching routines to use. I am terrible at stretching before games, but I do get up in the morning on occasion and go through a stretching routine that I have had since High School.

In keeping with the theme of the title, "back again like before…" I must point out the return of Kevin, Brandon's friend from way back. Once upon a time he was pretty regular. I imagine he, like many of us has been occupied by a multitude of life’s distractions form the one true purpose, playing basketball at Chaparral on weekends of course. All kidding aside, Kevin looks the same as he did about eight to ten years ago when I last saw him out here at the Chaparral. Perhaps, unfortunately for those who played against him, he doesn't appear to have lost a beat. He is playing the same "high octane" basketball that I remember from him.

DeAndre brought his other cousin, Eric, to the WBA games at Chaparral this Saturday. That was okay. But they played on the same team. I played against them. The evidence that resulted is multiple, yes, I have multiple tracks of footprints up and down my back, as they ran all over me. Hopefully, Eric return again and become a regular.

I think we had a record on Saturday, three Eric's appearing in one morning. Of course there was Eric Tate; Eric, Nic's father, and; DeAndre's cousin Eric. For an old guy like me that makes life easier. If everyone’s got the same name, then it increases the probability of me getting their name right. So, for me find some other hoopsters named Eric and invite them to the WB.

It looks as if I will be out of town for the Thanksgiving weekend, but, plans are in the works for the days everyone will meet for basketball. I will have a side column that includes the days on which the WB will be active. At the end of the games Saturday, some decisions were made. I am going to contact Bill "the Commish" to get the official meeting days. There was a discussion as to whether the Thursday (Turkey Day AKA Thanksgiving Day) would be a meeting day versus the following Friday. Of course, Saturday is always an activity day.

I'm ending the picture gallery with two pictures outside of the WBA realm. The first is a shot of the new high-rise for the I'm ending the picture gallery with two pictures outside of the WBA realm. The first is a shot of the new high-rise for the Rits Carlton and the second is from the campus of UCLA. Some of you may be able to make out Royce Hall in the distance. I was up there with the family after my hoop session on Saturday.

I don't quite follow what's going on with Trojan Football. They lost to Stanford at home on Saturday. I wanted them to have a good record so that the loss to the University of Washington would have meaning. but, they are having one of those rare bad seasons in the Pete Carroll era. However, the loss to Oregan was probably legit, 'cause they seem to be marching on and looking real sharp. A new day in the Pac 10.

Everybody, have a good week, and don't forget to buy the turkey!!

Brandon and his buddy Kevin fight for position.

Brandon's son and DeAndre's cousin Eric.

The Ritz Carlton high-rise in the distance.

UCLA looking torward Royce Hall.