Obama Comes Out to the Chaparral

I know no one is going to believe me, but, this weekend I got to play basketball with Obama!! And, believe it or not he was on MY team. A name is a name, and I‘ve heard about the left handed three pointer that he can shoot. But, I must be honest, I was skeptical about his skills at first. I mean forgive me for it ‘cause I’ve never seen him play before. I’d only seen the still photographs in the papers and on the internet’s Huffington Post and the like. He took a few laps before the game around the field and then took a few shots before the game got started. When the game got going he drove the middle and threw up a hook shot and connected. Later, he drove the middle again and attacked the basket for another basket soon thereafter. I soon came to realize, I can’t loose with Obama on my team.

Yes, he won me over with his heads up play, grit and ability to drive the middle. I think we played three games together and we won them all. I was really disappointed when he grabbed his gear and checked his Blackberry. He said he had an appointment with the dentist. Well of course I thought to myself, “…self, this guy is being modest. He’s really leaving to meet with some head of state like Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown; some local Senator like Feinstein or Boxer, or maybe a meeting with Pelosi on some important matter related to re-structuring healthcare in America. Did he really expect me to believe the bit about seeing the dentist? His teeth were perfect!”

Well, Mike Fox took Obama’s spot after he left for the “dentist”. Personally I think if Mike’s also planning to take his spot in 2012, he needs to start campaigning and fund raising now. Perhaps, he should consider a run for the Senate first in 2012 and then think about the Presidency in 2016. I mean he’s got the problem of name recognition and then there’s learning all the names of all the other leaders in the world like Gordon Brown, Kevin Rudd, Stephen Harper, Michaëlle Jean, Hamid Karzai or Hugo Chavez to mention a few. Then he’ll after to learn how to pronounce Dmitry Medvedev of Russia, and Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan.

Mike Fox celebrates after learning that he has been chosen to replace Obama.

So, all of you that didn’t come out to the Chaparral, you missed out on a real treat. I hope Obama returns next week, but, he didn’t say. I’m sure mum’s the word on his schedule; we don’t want someone with nefarious intentions to know where he will be at any given time. But if he does return next week, I’m gonna get his autograph and a much better picture with him. Everybody should come out next week in the hopes that he does show up again.

Alright, all jokes aside, it was a great day for outdoor basketball - partly cloudy and not too cold; maybe 65 degrees, although the corner bank showed 41 degrees at around 7:50am when I got there. The turnout was good; it peaked at about 22 persons. DeAndre and his clan, DJ and Larry were there with the verve and enthusiasm of youth. Mike Fox and Joey trucked through the games with the timing and precision usually found in the delivery business. The other Mike was there too operating with Virgil, Ike, Larry, Rich, Bruce, Jaime and Kent Campbell with anesthesia to relieve the pain from the beatings they were giving out on the courts. Steve was there moving like there was no tomorrow, faking right going left and faking left and going right. I checked him and I’m still a little bit dizzy.

Victor actually showed up early with Zach, but lost all the points he gained for showing up early, ‘cause he left early too. Victor leaving early is alright, but he took Zach with him, which was the offense – he got 12 demerits for that. Next week, he starts all games with 2 points given to the other team. This ruling is pending approval by the Commish who was not present to finalize the ruling.

Now we have to get Eric to get Nick out of bed for next week; and, bribe Roy into coming out by saying Mike or Virgil will bring some classic Reggae music to the courts next week. Then he and we will all be ready for the Bob Marley Festival in Long Beach sometime this February. One love….


I hope everyone has a great week!!!!!

DeAndre, Steve, Victor and DJ.

DeAndre, Larry, Steve, Victor and DJ.

Rich, Zach and Mike take a breather in between games.

Zach shoots as Obama grabs an errant rebound.

The Miracle Milers Take on Catalina Island

The article below is a departure from the norm here at the Weekend Basketball Blog in that it is focused on running distance. However, at times I hear about these feats that folks claiming to be regular human beings achieve and it causes me to pause and take notice. I hope you are of the same mind and that you enjoy this article written by my fellow architect and work mate, ben Gaetos. He is a pretty incredible person himself. He runs mega-mile races like I would take a walk to the office bottled water dispenser. Being that I used to take some moderate runs in my younger days, I have great appreciation for what he does on a routine basis. And, as if he was'nt enough of a phenom, he seems to have found the "Bill Taylors" of the mega-mile running world. I am amazed and encouraged by Bill and these guys as my years increase. Once again, I hope that you are inspired by and enjoy this article.

Avalon 50 Mile Benefit Run
Catalina Island, CA
January 16, 2010

The late Dr. George Sheehan wrote in his book that “Each of us is born with a 70 year warranty but only a few read the instructions.” At the 29th edition of Avalon 50 Mile Benefit Run, ageless veterans provided hands on lessons in longetivity.

The race started at 5 am. The ocean was calm and the weather was picture perfect. There were about 180 runners in the race. A few runners availed themselves of an early start to meet the 12 hour cutoff. They must know the trail directions. Aid stations wouldn’t be there early.

Hwa-ja Andrade storms ahead through the 50 mile trek.

78 year old, Hal Winton with his pacemaker didn’t need any hi–tech navigation device. He knew the course by heart having completed all but the inaugural race. He started at 12 midnight when everyone was deep in their sleep. 70 year old, Bill Dickey also started quietly at 12 midnight. Bill is one of the handful runners who had completed the original Badwater course at 147 miles in the 80’s. 70 year old, Fred Pollard started at 3am so he can catch the 6pm boat ride to Long Beach. To put icing on the cake, Fred signed up for a 50k race the following day. Ultramarathon Iron Lady, 69 year old Hwa-ja Andrade didn’t need the early start. Her legs have lots of horsepower for the upcoming hills. She finished in 11:39:20. Then there’s the very competitive 70 year old lean machine, Kent Holder who taught me lots of tips when I ran this race as a newbie in 2004. Kent and I passed each other several times until I finally moved ahead with 6 miles left. As honorary runners, Hal and Kent alternate bib numbers 1 and 2. Both men missed the inaugural race in 1982.

Hal Winton (left) and Ken Holder (right) melt away the miles.

Catalina Island is protected by the Catalina Island Conservancy. More than 88% of the island is unspoiled, undeveloped wilderness. Occasionally, a herd of buffaloes may be seen in the pasture or red fox hiding in their holes. The eco-friendly island prides itself a 360 degree view of the Pacific Ocean and on a clear day snow capped San Bernardino Mountains. This year, it was mostly overcast. Luckily, the projected storm was due to arrive the day after. Along the way, sightseeing tours went by waving and cheering the runners. Runners did their own on foot with exceptional support from volunteers at aid stations. Eagles’ Nest Aid Station at Mile 38 offered a fantastic array of goodies including buffalo burger, broiled fish, baked goods, Blue Grass music, etc. Their food got me to another gear to battle the remaining miles.

Avalon 50 does not have the steep altitudes and technical difficulties as other races. However, the long uphill and downhill climbs will wear you down. The dirt trail felt like running on paved road. This race is a quad buster. Traditionally, this race attracts newbie 50 milers like I did in 2004. I met a few of them this year and offered my own advice like Kent Holder did.

This race being my first on my 2010 list, gave me an excellent morale booster. The ankle injury that bothered me for several months held up well particularly the last 3miles of pounding downhill. I finished in 10:32:25.

There are lessons to be learned at ultramarathons. One costly mistake can cost a dreaded DNF (Did Not Finish). Luckily, these septuagenarians are more than willing to share some of their secrets. Maybe next time, they’ll reveal the secret to the Fountain of Youth.

The Winner of the race (right) with Ben Gaetos

New Years and the Day After

New Years weekend has proved to be one of the best weekends of last year, and perhaps of the new year as well. The air was clear the weather was neither too cold or too hot. And, the turnout was pretty decent too. We even had are friend from years past, Steve Clements, drop in for a few games.

New Years Day - Eric and his son Nick, Eric Tate in the background; Steve takes a break. (above).
New Years Day - Danny falls out after drinking to much Starbucks coffee. Paul inserts and electronic homing device into the game ball.
The New Years Day Group poses for a picture.

Mike, Shane and Mike Fox all take a break in-between games.
Finally the group picture with Robert Lee.

The group with Bill (the Commish).

Scott throws up a three-pointer.


Here are a few pictures of the morning sky before I left to go out to the Bball courts on Saturday, January 2nd. This is, of course, the morning moon (below). I soon as I opened my front door I saw it hanging in the sky.
The following picture was taken before the morning moon picture. The dawn filled with colors.

Joey puts a move on Jason. Ike looks on enthusiastically.

Larry (with the ball) plans his next move - slam-dunk or three-pointer - decisions, decisions. Larry's daughter was in the Rose Bowl Parade with her High School band.

DeAndre explains to Victor that he would have more success with his jump shot if he passed the ball to someone else with his right hand, and not his elbow. Zach couldn't help but agree.

The trio above, (Tony, Kent and Virgil), all left about a half-hour after they got to the court. I think that was around 7:30 am. This from Saturday morning. The Commish is figuring out a fee to match the penalty of leaving before adequate participation in the morning festivities. Steve Clements re-apperaed after a long absence. Welcome back Steve!!

I took this picture to catch those majestic mountains way off in the distance. I don't think the picture quite captures the intenet. But the snow capped mountains are just beautiful.