Posts filed under ‘Outdoor’
Been a long time….
Well, here we are… on the verge of the playoffs and I’ve finally gotten around to writing a post. So let’s take a look at the season to this point:
April
The PRs (minus several key players) started slow, dropping the first game of the season to Mean Machine… but we picked it up the following week with a big win over The U. We converted 4 of 4 fourth downs (including two 4th-and-the-50s). Even with a second-half injury to Brian, the PRs held together for the win. Game ball to Mere… outstanding defense (nice PBU on a would-be conversion, key interception on the first series of the second half and a big catch on fourth down late in the game). The PRs finish 1-1 on the month… at the same point the Red Sox were 11-15. Those were the days.
Other notes from April…
Here’s something for your registry, Mere: A $6,400 toilet.
Was feelin’ a little Minnesota, so I hopped a plane west to catch the 2011 Frozen Four in St. Paul… and also took in Opening Day at Target Field on the off day. Twins rallied to win it.
Pregame at Hubert’s at the Target Center. Check out the specialty drink list:
Star-Spangled Banner time.
Kyle Schmidt: Scooooooore!
Not to be outdone, Anaheim’s Bobby Ryan in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs:
And somebody special turned 1!
May
The PRs continued saw their momentum stall in May. At 1-1 and completely in control vs BALCO, the PRs coughed up the ball three times en route to a 26-26 tie that felt like a loss. Next up, the Craigslist All-Stars, who finished the season 0-6) gave the PRs all they could handle in a game that went down to the wire and required a goalline stand at the end. Yipes. At 2-1-1 the PRs met The U and, minus Mere and Steph and with Brian hobbled, just couldn’t keep up. The loss dropped the PRs to 2-2-1 with one game to play.
Other May notes…
Took a trip to Santa Barbara. Oprah lives in the area, so it’s gotta be nice, right? Quite.
The shore:
The pool:
The balcony:
Rancho San Marcos… par 3 on the back. Can’t remember the number. Hit my tee shot right, chipped up and missed the par putt. Grrr.
Sandpiper Golf Club… par 3 No. 11. Gorgeous hole down a steep hill. 7-iron into the breeze. Landed right, chipped up and again missed the par putt. Yoy.
Conan shaved his beard:
Maybe the coolest thing ever:
Shoe shopping?
Best Onion Rings Ever! Zackel’s in Claridge, PA.
Not the biggest lacrosse fan in the world, but this is sweet:
Mere shows us her JPOWW Pride:
And, um, something about the Bruins?
June
The PRs closed the season with a rematch with BALCO. Down 6 with 4-minutes left, the PRs went through their 3:45 drill… tying the game with 15 seconds left. After missing the extra point, it looked like the game with BALCO would end in yet another tie (talk about evenly matched teams), but BALCO had other plans. On a last-second heave-ho, a BACLCO receiver managed to get his hands free of triple coverage and pull the ball down for the game-winning score. Ugh. 2-3-1. For the record, we haven’t won more than two games in a season since the Fall of 2009. That changes this weekend. We’re going to win… and not settle for runner-up like Spring 2009.
Give it to us, Herbie:
Don’t forget to look nice for the team picture. Here are the previous two squads:
Fall 2010
Spring 2010
Im-MERE-culate Reception
Oct. 3, 2010. Remember that date. It could be an historic one for the Pocket Rockets. It ranks right up there with Dec. 23, 1972.
The similarities are uncanny. On that frigid December day at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, the Steelers gave up a late touchdown to the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Playoffs… setting the stage for one of the most storied and important plays in the history of the NFL. The Immaculate Reception.
Last Sunday, at McKinney Playground in Brighton, the Pocket Rockets took the ball at their own 20… trailing by 7 to Dizzy Llamas Orange with 5 seconds remaining in the game… and, realistically, their season, having started 0-2-1. After a quick slant to Brian for 6 yards, Vegas called a timeout and drew up the final play in the huddle. PMac would streak the left side. Brian and Uncle Ron would line up to the quarterback’s right and meet PMac in the endzone. Mere and Stepha were, really, just afterthoughts. Vegas took a 5-step drop and took three strides to his left, waited for the rush and lofted a wobbly bomb some 40-yards downfield. There was a collision… and a tip… and a ball falling toward the ground… and, finally, a waiting pair of hands to snatch The Rock for a TOUCHDOWN! Mere, somehow, found herself unchecked in the chaos and gathered the ball (this after dropping the one-point conversion just minutes earlier that would have given the PRs the lead).
Another timeout to call the game’s final play… a 2-point conversion for the win. Diamond left. Brian solo right. If they went zone, we had an overload to the left. If they went man, Brian would have single coverage and the entire right side of the field to get open. Man defense. Brian outcut… bobble… catch… conversion. PRs WIN! I’m casting an early vote for the Im-MERE-culate Reception for ‘Offensive Play of the Year’ (to be awarded, as always, at the postseason team banquet).
The coda to the Immaculate Reception is that the Steelers lost to the Dolphins the next week in the AFC championship game… but it set the stage for 4 Super Bowls (now 6 if you’re counting). And don’t look now, but if the playoffs started today… guess who’d be the No. 4 seed?
| Mean Machine | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| The U | 3 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| Cougar’s Pride | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Pocket Rockets | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Dizzy Llamas Orange | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Hey That’s Not My Flag | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
This week the PRs tackle The U at 5 p.m. at Smith Field.
Some fun stuff…
Pens. Flyers. Tonight at the brand new Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, 7:08 p.m. Hockey is back, baby!
And Conan is almost back…
PR pep rally
In preparation for Sunday’s showdown with The U… and perhaps Mean Machine (we’re 0-for-life against them)… a few words of inspiration. (You’ll note one clip I’m particularly fond of.)
News and notes
America won. Whoopee. I guess.
Futurama returns (rebirths?) tonight! 10 p.m. on Comedy Central.
And 35 years ago this week… the greatest movie ever made its premier.
PRs are playoff bound, officially
It’s not often that a team posts a 2-4 record and qualifies for the playoffs, but if a team ever deserved that distinction it’s the 2010 Pocket Rockets. Two wins in two weeks propelled the once winless Pocket Rockets to the No. 3 seed in the D-1 Gold Playoff Bracket. No. 2 seed The U (4-2) awaits at 3 p.m. on June 27 at Belmont.
In the season finale, a showdown with The Renagades (sic) for the third and final playoff spot, the Pocket Rockets prevailed 38-32 thanks in large part to an outstanding defensive effort in the first half. For the second straight week, the PRs surrendered just 6 first-half points. First-half highlights included two red-zone interceptions… the first by Uncle Ron, who dashed nearly to the house. A quick TD later and the PRs went up 14-6. Minutes later as The Renagades (sic) tried to tie the game just before the half, D-man jumped in front of a gender-tossed ball and galloped to the endzone for a 20-6 halftime lead.
The PRs stretched the lead to 26-6 on the opening possession of the second half. The Renagades (sic), to their credit, wouldn’t give up and eventually cut the PR lead to 32-26 with about 4 minutes to go by effectively employing a running game (gasp!). On a critical PR possession and facing a 4th-down near midfield, Brian worked himself open in the middle and scampered into scoring territory. On third-and-goal, Mere made her patented zig-out move. Vegas threaded the needle in the corner and Mere tiptoed the line for the winning score. Game ball is shared by all for an outstanding effort.
One sad note… The Rock Jr. is officially missing and not likely to rejoin us. I must be at the ‘acceptance’ stage because I’m expecting my new baby to be delivered on Friday. I will take better care of this one. Promise.
News and notes
Here’s your World Cup update:
Apparently I’m not the only one who thinks these games are so boring spectators need something else to occupy their time. For my part, during USA-England, I read this article. I guess if I were at the game I’d be tooting an annoying horn… which is much less annoying than getting shot for watching the World Cup. Yipes. Even I don’t hate soccer that much.
Anyway, as you know, the game of the century ended in… say it with me… a tie! Oh, soccer.
Here are the highlights in case you fell asleep watching:
The Onion Sports Network also has some breaking soccer news.
World Cup starts today! (yawn)
There is only one Cup.
However, for the soccer players/fans among you, I scoured the Interwebs for something interesting about the World Cup, which begins play today. Of course, it has nothing to do with soccer.
Worst-to-First climb begins
It had to happen sooner or later… whether the result of skill, will or luck… the Pocket Rockets scored their first win of the season by beating previously undefeated, The U, 34-28. The win sets up a season-finale showdown with the 1-4 The Renagades (sic) at 6 p.m. Sunday at Belmont for the third and final D-I playoff spot.
The PRs opened the game with a quick scoring drive and got the ball right back when Brian snagged a slightly overthrown ball for yet another interception. Seems like he gets one every game. We cashed in moments later and held a 14-0 lead. The U scored near the end of the half to cut the deficit to 14-6 by halftime. Both teams traded scores in the second half. With about 3:00 to go, The U tied the game with a TD and 2-point conversion. Time for the PRs to take control. Marching methodically down the field the PRs converted two fourth-downs (one on a nice grab by Dman and another on a Stepha toss to Brian who scored the go-ahead touchdown on the play) and drained most of the clock. Trailing by 6, The U advanced the ball just past midfield to set up the desperation heave into the endzone (broken up by Brian and yours truly). We had many heroes in this game, but the game ball (remember those?) goes to Brian for his great two-way play.
Playoff Note: The playoffs (semis and finals) are scheduled for June 27.
Other news and notes
The Chicago Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup since 1961 last night. Well deserved.
2010 Stanley Cup Champs
Seen: Vegas. I just can’t go anywhere anymore. The U’s ‘Camacho’ (his name is Danny) saw me at the BU dentist last week. Then on Friday night the black fellow on The U spotted me at Conan. How long before I end up on Page Six? Anyway, here’s some Coco:
What you missed during the bye week
Hmmm… or is it bi-week? Uncle (soon to be Daddy) Ron nods approvingly.
Well, first let me introduce you to my niece, Jillian.
Jillian demonstrates her lefty sky-hook (sans ball) in Uncle Jonny's arms.
And here’s one minus her objectionable uncle.
Pretty girl.
News and Notes
NBC’s Ann Curry botched her Commencement Address at Wheaton College on May 22 (this actually happened the day before our last game, but it didn’t hit the papers until the following Monday). Basically she got the Wheaton in Mass. confused with the Wheaton in Ill. Taken from her apology…
I now know I should have named National Medal of Science winner Dr. Mary Ellen Avery, former New Jersey Governor and former EPA Director Christie Todd Whitman, literary agent Esther Newberg, Oscar-nominated actress Catherine Keener and Ken Babby, the youngest senior officer in the history of the Washington Post, among others. Thank goodness I got Leslie Stahl right.
What? No mention of Jos in that list? Methinks Miss V. needs to contribute more to the Alumni Association.
On the subject of alma maters, Jackie went to Miami (the one in Ohio, not the one in Florida). Which is the better party school? One might be tempted to say Florida… but be sure to read this first before you render judgment.
Brian (Michigan grad) had to be a little miffed over the Detroit Tigers’ Armando Galarraga’s near perfect game… and I’m sure feminists everywhere are a little miffed over this:
Slug away, Erin (She went to Williams).
Question: What woman gives this guy her number? Yoy.
OK, I gotta go. It’s Coco time.
Spring 2010 News and Notes
Welcome to another season (No. 15?) of Pocket Rockets football… Let’s begin with an updated roster.
Two big losses for us this season — Fredo (retirement) and Mike (injury). We hope to see them at a game this season, or at D-man’s this summer, or at The Drop on Wednesday nights.
So with two new openings, I introduce:
- Brian…. former quarterback for our nemesis, The Peeps, Bri is fast, has a strong arm and is something of a ladies’ man… so think of him as the anti-Vegas.
- Larry Junior… a BSSC football rookie (baskeball is his game), LJ will bring some height to the lineup. Soft hands and good hops will make him a nice target for two-point conversions, which we never seem to convert very well.
And the rest… (ladies first):
- Steph… she might not win the Lady Byng, but she played better QB than I did in the preseason scrimmage. Perhaps power yoga is the answer?
- Mere… we’re sharing Mere this season with the Boston Militia… She had two tackles in her debut on April 10. No tackling in BSSC, so we’ll settle for touchdowns.
- Jackie… JB has won PR Postseason Awards two years in a row. This year I think she’s going for best girl-on-girl, or best club hookup story.
- Jos… possibly our best offensive player, when she actually shows up. She paid first, though, so she earns the start on Sunday.
- Dman… The only question we have for him: When does the pool open?
- Hue… I’m expecting big things on defense from our token Asian.
- Uncle Ron… outrunning incredulous defensive backs since 2003… soon to be Daddy Ron.
- Vegas… my shoulder hurts, my elbow hurts and I’ve put most of my pre-Vegas-weight back on. You know what that means… this is the year!
4/18/10… Special Day for Pocket Rockets
Mere turned 30 on 4/18… Happy Birthday and welcome to the club! Among the PR celebratory happenings…. scrimmage in the rain at Smith Field (Brian pussied out of that, so he’ll start on the bench)… a few games of knockout…. keg and eggs at Mere/Jeff’s place… and Sunday night at Lucky’s. That was an oddly fun night for a few reasons. First, Brian was there… uninvited, but it was good to see him anyway.
Second, I was walking out of the bar to take a very important call, and a blonde stopped me and asked if I played BSSC football.
“Yes.”
“Which team?”
“Pocket Rockets.”
“Oooooh…. POCKET ROCKETS!!! We fight with you guys.”
Then it hit me… it was the ‘Blonde Bitch’…. the one who fought with Danny, was called a “disgrace” by Mere and got into a dustup with Steph (well, in BB’s defense, who doesn’t?) that ended our fall season opener getting called by the ref. How random!
Anyway, her name is Melanie and we chatted a bit. She confirmed Danny’s story that they played softball together shortly after the first incident and they got along well. After my meeting with her, I’m hopeful that we’ve reached rapprochement. I would have talked to her a bit more (funny how much better women look when they aren’t bitchy) but I HAD TO leave the bar. When I got outside I got the message from my brother-in-law. “What’s up Uncle Jon?” My neice, Jillian (named three days later) was born 6 weeks early… 5-pounds, 10 ounces. That’s her with daddy below. I’m going home to visit over Memorial Day weekend, so I won’t miss any football. Quite a day.
The newest honorary Pocket Rocket, Jillian.
PR Dinner Recap
The Third Annual Pocket Rockets Football Banquet and Awards Ceremony (TAPRFBAC for short) was a remarkable success. We had a showing of 12 strong… plus the debut of Dman and Elly’s expanded roster (so tiny). We started, naturally, with drinks… some margaritas, beers and pitchers of sangria. Then came the table-made guacamole. Then the interminable wait for food. In the meantime we learned, among other things, that… Uncle Ron wants to study vibration so he can design his own line of vibrator, Hue and Danielle had a great time on their cruise to Belize, Fredo gets more mysterious with each passing day and Cameron and Olivia don’t make a peep after 7:30 (at least tonight).
Then came the yummy food, which ranged from ‘pretty good’ to ‘pretty small’. Sorry about making y’all wait until everyone was served. I know, my rice was cold, too. But thanks for waiting, anyway.
For dessert, how could one go wrong with a Fried Cheesecake Burrito?
When the bill came, you could tell the vets from the newbs. The TAPRFBAC is not a cheap date. Neither will the FAPRFBAC so visit an ATM first.
For those who weren’t there, a recap of the winners:
Best Blonde on Blonde: Steph v. Purple Bitch
Most Improved Pocket Rocket: Dman (Wii controller candy dispenser)
Defensive Play of the Year: Jackie
Offensive Play/Deadbeat of the Year: Jos (Tom Brady earrings)
Most Valuable Partier: Dman (Red Sox keychain/bottle opener)
Steph and Jackie will have to collect their prizes… er, but I left the bag o’goodies behind at the restaurant. Maybe I’ll run over there tomorrow before the Y hoops showdown Wednesday night. Some of us will be there to support Dman in his first appearance in the Y hoops championship… and then after-party at the Drop.
After dinner, the ‘original’ PRs (we’re hardcore) went to Bukowski’s for tasty beverages and girly chat about wedding drama, guest lists, diamonds, ceremonies and all of that baloney. Another round, please.
Vote for the 2009 PR Postseason Awards
I know that most, if not all of you, will not vote in Tuesday’s primary (we’re electing a senator, people). So at least cast your vote in the 2009 Pocket Rocket Awards. These awards only cover the fall season, because that is the ‘real’ season. Vote once. Winners will be announced at the dinner/award ceremony on Monday, Dec. 14 at Ole Grill in Cambridge (7 p.m.).
