UH Athletics is Dying

Our beat writer, Stephen Tsai, is referring to these as the good old days. A very ominous warning for what might lie ahead for UH. We still have Division 1 football. We still have a place to play football. We still have the Hawaii Bowl. We are still part of the Mountain West. But for how long?

Stephen teased this article a couple days ago with a post on Facebook. He doubled down with an article in the Star Advertiser today called, "As Glum As It Looks Now, This Might Be As Good As It Gets For UH" link to article below.

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/10/10/sports/stephen-tsai-as-glum-as-it-looks-now-this-might-be-as-good-as-it-gets-for-uh/

Why should we care? UH doesn't. Not enough to hire a coach with enough experience to guide the program through the mess that Todd Graham left. The same program that trots out the same men's basketball coach that wins a game in the Big West Tournament, once every couple of years. If we're lucky.

Time to beat a dead horse. Football doesn't work here without tailgating. I don't care what mid level reggae act you get to perform at the Les an hour before the game. Ever walk through the parking lot of Aloha Stadium prior to kickoff? The smells and food was nothing short of amazing. For many, the tailgate was more important than the game itself. Food, family and football are synonymous here in Hawaii. Trying to put on a football game without tailgating is a non starter for many in this fanbase. Or what's left of it.

A "No Tailgating" sign greets you as you enter the parking garage at the athletic complex. There is absolutely no energy or enthusiasm as you enter the stadium prior to kickoff. None. It's like a morgue. Seriously. People aren't warmed up without tailgating. They're cold. Timmy's offense hasn't helped, but that's beside the point. He didn't get to pick his offensive coordinator, but that's another story.

The 9,000 or so fans left at TC Ching on gamedays are the diehards. But I feel like once UH is eliminated from bowl contention, there will be lots of offers from family and friends if you would like tickets to the UH game this weekend. The players deserve to play infront of a capacity and rowdy crowd. PPV should only be available once a bare minimum of seats (80% capacity) is sold. PPV keeps us as second class citizens in the MWC. The model needs to be studied and modified to drive more people to the event, by those in charge. Speaking of which...

Hiring an athletic director with practically no ties to the program doesn't help. Hawaii is unique, and unlike any other place in the country, or world for that matter. Has Craig eaten a spam musubi yet? I doubt it. I don't trust him yet. He needs to earn my trust. Which will take time. He needs to show me that he will make good decisions for the program, and not run off to the next job that's comparable on the mainland. He's got a tough job.

Good luck getting teams to sign on the dotted line for games to fill out pukas on the football schedule going forward. Having the visiting team get ready on a folding chair outside the baseball concourse is embarrassing. Losing Aloha Stadium has struck at the very legitimacy of our program. We went from one of the best teams attendance wise in the MWC, to the very bottom of the conference. If not all of D1.

Will the New Aloha Stadium get completed by 2028, if ever? I have serious doubts. Do we even need it considering where the football team is at right now? Probably not. The longer the can gets kicked down the road on a plan for this new building, the less likely it is that it gets built. Just my opinion.

We are in the midst of realignment in college football. Football, tv sets and money are causing a seismic shift in the college football and collegiant athletics landscape. UH looks and feels like an FCS program at this point in time. We offer little to justify continuing in the Mountain West if TC Ching is where our team continues to play. It's not a division 1 facility.

UH is important to the state. People support it. From the couches of their living rooms watching pay-per-view, to the people wearing their Sugar Bowl shirts at Don Quijote. Just not enough are showing up at TC Ching to justify a new stadium or continuing as a D1 program.

I'd tell you to come out and join my friends and myself in supporting this program. But I sit in a section where we can't use the stairs 5 feet in front of us, because it's reserved for 14 people at the top with purple wristbands. We have to cut across a whole section to get to our seats in the corner of the stadium. Humbug. It sucks.

My friend and his girlfriend won't be joining us this weekend, because the usher told him to sit down with a couple of minutes left in a tied game, the last time UH played at home. Long time UH supporters. That ain't D1. It's bush league. How you going to alienate and frustrate what little supporters you have left? A lifetime fan questioning if he will renew his tickets next season. Auwe.

I'm hoping for a couple of first downs on our first offensive drive against San Diego State. I'm also hoping the score isn't 3-20 by the time halftime rolls around against those Aztecs. Come, don't come. Whatever. I don't see how UH rights itself from this death spiral the football and athletics department finds itself in. If you think everything is hunky dory, then continue living in that reality. Call me a hater, a fake fan. I honestly don't care. I've been following this program for well over 40 years. This is what I see.

Stephen says these are the good old days of the athletics department. I disagree. I'm old enough to remember the raucous crowds of 44,000+ in the late 80s at Aloha Stadium. Our Sugar Bowl run in '07. Those magnificent games against BYU. Riley's scrappy b-ball teams that willed themselves to victory in the WAC Tournament in March. As long as UH favors control over hiring the best people for the job, this university is doomed. It aspires to be nothing more than mediocre. That's a death sentence in itself. JMO

You need more than a good volleyball program to pay the bills at the D1 level. Football and basketball buoy a healthy athletics department. I'll be here to watch whatever happens in the next 3-5 years. Even if the people this university picks won't be.

Is there a cure for what ails this program? Tailgating would be a huge step in the right direction. Transparency in hires and accountability would help to establish trust and a better connection with this beleaguered fan base. In the movie, "Field of Dreams", Ray heard the voice that said, "Build it and they will come". I'm not sure that even a new Aloha Stadium is enough to save UH from its own demise. I guess we will find out. I'll watch it all go down from Section 151, Big City Diner, or the SSC, because I don't do PPV.

Go Bows!

Be Warriors!

I Said What I Said

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I ain't a Matlin fan. Far from it. I'm a mark for the Run 'N Shoot. Best offense ever invented. EVER!

So on Wednesday after "Call the Coach" a few people were chatting and a remark was made about how Matlin had hired Shoemaker and that he wasn't Timmy's choice.

I was irate. Went home and banged on Twitter for confirmation. Got it. Boom! It fit the narrative. In his short flirtation with bringing June back after Todd Graham left, Matlin wanted JJ to serve as head coach for a year or two and pass the reigns off to a younger coach like Timmy Chang. With the caveat being that Matlin had full control over who was and wasn't going to be on June's staff.

June walked out of the meeting, Matlin never went back to him, and he moved on with his coaching search. Matlin had what he needed from June, an answer of "no". Only thing is June went to the media and explained his side of the discussion. Something he hadn't done the previous two times he had applied.

The Shoemaker hire never made sense to me. Timmy had never worked with him nor had he even met him. So to get to coach at your dream job, your Alma mater, and then hire some random dude that isn't versed in the Run 'N Shoot made absolutely no sense, at least not to me.

Those first six or so games were tough to watch on offense. The whole season period was tough to watch on offense. QB threw for 12 TDs, 10 INT's and roughly a 50% completion percentage. Hardly the pinball numbers we saw 20 years ago with Timmy, Rolo, and Colt in the heydey of the Run 'N Shoot under June Jones.

So if you brought in Timmy Chang to take the heat off of your terrible hire, after flat out ignoring the concerns of the student-athletes that lead up to a Senate hearing where you couldn't answer a damn question about your own department, that wasn't part of your prepared and scripted statement, that's a problem.

1% better everyday is the tag line. Are we 1% better then when Rolo left? How about the basketball team. They just lost to Texas A&M Commerce in front of a few thousand people the other night. Auwe. Transparent as mud. At least Jim Donovan did Q&As on a monthly basis.

After a season of watching the Bows struggle on offense, where things appeared to improve running RnS concepts. Hearing that Shoemaker wasn't Timmy's pick, made me snap.

Timmy faced so many challenges with all the players that left, coupled with the fact that he was making the quantum leap of position coach to head coach from Colorado State to Manoa. The least you can do is let him pick his own guy to run the offense, right?

I felt bad for Timmy. Going to "Call the Coach" you could hear the frustration in his voice and the want to get better. He says this is his dream job and that he wants to be here, forever. I believe him. I find him to be a straight shooter.

If Timmy needed to get bowl eligible in his first two years to get a contract extension, the very least you could do is let him pick his OC, right?  That's not what I heard. Which was confirmed by a few reputable sources. But I ain't about to burn those people because I said something on Twitter.

I've grown up watching UH football. People made fun of me because I liked them. I didn't care. Been a fan for over 40 years. So to be called a "fake fan" is laughable to me. Our group shows up and shows out. We've been doing it since we were kids. I find them to be some of the most wonderful, dedicated, and supportive people I have ever come across.

We were all doing this well before social media existed. So to be mentioned as, "Super Fans" is an honor. And when Timmy Chang says he wants your help, we listen. The very least our outgoing AD can do, is let him pick his offensive coordinator, right?

Watching my friends argue with random people, sock puppets, and burner accounts made me sad. Our fanbase is too small, especially at this time and place of our programs history.

I wanted confirmation and context as to why we struggled so much on offense this year and why that guy is the OC. The narrative fits with what has happened in the way I have seen it unfold.

I just want Timmy Chang to succeed. I cheered him on at Aloha Stadium 20 years ago, and continue to support him as our head coach today. The very least we can do is let him pick his OC, right? Especially when the guy who picked his predecessor screwed the pooch with the hire that put our program in this predicament.

1% better my okole.

You kind of find out who your friends are in times like this. I'm thankful for them.

You can be mad at me. I get it. It's totally fine. I don't care how much access you have to the program. I don't care if you're a bigger fan than me. I don't care if you believe me or not. I'm good. I'm not making random stuff up and posting it for sh!ts and giggles. I have better things to do.

I said what I said.

Go Bows!

YOLi: Day 1

I started the program today!  Yay!

I liked the shake I ate for breakfast and dinner.  I don't care for the berry drink and taking all those pills.  ;p

Wasn't hungry until right before lunch.  But I didn't eat today till a little before 1pm.

I do notice that I use the bathroom more than when I didn't use the program.  Even waking up a couple times to pee at night.

Took my measurements and picture.

Feel good.  Not as sluggish in the AM, or after lunch.

Good start!  I'm encouraged!

YOLI: Day 0

     Tomorrow is the day.  I promise.  I have put this thing off for way too long already.  My transformation kit has been in a box, on the floor, in the kitchen, for a month and a half now.  There are no more weddings, breaks, trips, or restaurant grand openings to hide behind.  Besides, I have to get this thing over before Thanksgiving hits, right?

     I went to a YOLI party this Sunday after running some errands in town with my wife.  Her friend Luu and fiance (Ruby) were in town.  I had a lot of anxiety about starting the program prior to going to the party.  I have never in my life been on a diet.  I have never restricted myself from eating anything.  Well, maybe a little bit.  I'll talk about that later.  Like in another entry.  I'm skinny.  Sometimes I eat good.  Sometimes I eat bad.  Hopefully the good outweighs the bad.  I especially like rice.  White, sticky, delicious, beautiful, rice.  My favorite food on the planet.  And you want me to give that up for 28 days?  Please.

     When I go to the mainland for anything more than a few days, I start to act funny.  My body craves white rice.  Physically.  Emotionally.  Desperately.  I need it.  I need it in my system.  Every day.  The thought of going 28 days without this beautiful substance in me is terrifying.  Like Freddy, Jason, and the Ring kind of scary.  Luu gave some helpful options and suggestions.  It put me at ease.

     Hearing other peoples testimonies and stories at the party are nothing short of awe inspiring.  I lost 22 pounds in a week.  I have more energy.  My relationships with members of my family is better.  This has helped me focus more at work.  It helped with my physical ailments.  I make good money doing this.  Who doesn't want that?  I'm intrigued.  Can this work for me?  That is what I need to find out.

     The new promotional videos are improved over the ones I watched a couple months ago.  I trust what these people are saying.  I can see what it has done for them.  Personally, physically, financially, and even spiritually.  So, I'm ready!  Wish me luck.

Long Term Goal:  Get ripped, and have more energy!
Short Term Goal:  Start manyana!  (tomorrow)

University of Hawaii Season Predictio

I think they will be better.  But make no mistake, I HATE that Chow is still here!  In fact, UH has done very little this calendar year that I have agreed with.  It's been a circus of bumbles, stumbles, and missteps.  To be quite frank, I'm totally disgusted and down on the entire program right now.  

I see 2 guaranteed wins, 4 guaranteed losses, and 8 toss up games.  Is the Hawaii Bowl a possibility?  Yes, but I aint going that far.  Here's how I see the season playing out.

Opponent                   Result               Record        Predicted Score

vs. Colorado                 Loss                  (0-1)                     20-30

@ The Ohio State         Loss                  (0-2)                     10-70

UC Davis                      Win                   (1-2)                     27-13

@ Wisconsin                 Loss                  (1-3)                     13-56

@ Boise State               Loss                  (1-4)                     14-49

vs. SDSU                      Loss                  (1-5)                     28-24

@ UNM                       Loss                  (1-6)                      20-24

@ Nev                          Loss                  (1-7)                     17-27

vs. AFA                        Win                   (2-7)                     23-20

@ UNLV                      Loss                  (2-8)                      27-24

vs. Fresno St                 Win                   (3-8)                      27-23

vs. SJSU                       Win                   (4-8)                      31-17

vs. LA Monroe             Win                    (5-8)                      37-20

Lots of close and tightly contested game.  Just a brutal schedule.  Depth and talent on the offensive and defensive lines are a concern.  I think they will be better offensively.  I saw that at UH practice.  Vast improvement from the Spring to Fall Camp.  I also believe that UH will let Chow return to finish out his contract in 2016.  They are that dumb and cheap.

Looking forward to kicking the season off Thursday Night versus Colorado.

Go Bows!

I guess.

UH Fall Practice (8-21-15)

UH Fall Practice (8-21-15)

Hot

Humid

Sweltering

Did I mention that it was hot?  And all I was doing was sitting in a chair under a tree.  It was brutal.  At least the team got shave ice after practice.  Well, most of the team.  One dude got kicked out of practice.  Bonehead play.  You can't do that stuff.  

There are signs all over.  No pictures.  No video.  I took this picture a few minutes before the start of practice, so it doesn't count, right?

There was a guy that was late to practice.  He did his best Spiderman impersonation on the fence for the majority of practice.  Don't be late kids.  Comic Con is coming up.  But I felt bad for the guy.

I have been told that secrecy is the thing.  So I'm doing my best to be vague.  About everything.  I'm sure that all the information out there from practice is why we are losing, and not an incompetent head co...Nevermind.

The practice opened up with the 2 minute drill.  Bailey stressed Tempo, tempo, TEMPO!  Throughout the practice.  He wanted, "Energy and Enthusiasm!"  

Wittek has all but locked up the job.  Looked like they were trying to get some playing time to the young guys to figure out who was going to be on the road roster.  Dylan Coolie looks to be very involved on offense and special teams.  I was surprised by RB Melvin Davis.  Nice size and is pretty shifty.

Team looks a lot better than the last practice I attended in the Spring.  More disciplined as well.  Best practice that I have been to in the Chow Era.  Lots of teaching, explaining, and defining concepts.  I was happy to see that.  

70's and 80's music seem to have replaced the rap and hip hop music that I had heard during my last couple of visits to watch the team practice.  There were about 40-50 onlookers.  I sat by a couple of people that like to read and post on the Scout Warrior message board.  They would like to remain anonymous.  Ah, the beauty of the internet.

I'm optimistic.  Leaning towards 5 wins for this upcoming season.  Schedule is just brutal.  With no bye weeks.  Ugh.

Looking forward to kicking this thing off against Colorado week after next!

Go Bows!

David Matlin & Don Bailey at the Downtown Athletic Club

This was my first time attending an event at the Downtown Athletic Club at the Hukilau located at the Executive Center.  It featured the new Athletic Director for the University of Hawaii, David Matlin, and Offensive Coordinator for the Rainbow Warrior football team, Don Bailey.  Hosted by ESPN's 1420AM, the event kicked off smoothly at 12:00pm.  There were about 80-90 people in attendance.  $20 got you a buffet style lunch of rice, chicken, steak strips, salad, and some type of coconut dessert.

David Matlin was introduced.  It struck me how small he was in stature.  Its a daunting job that he's got.  He shot right into a prepared statement talking about the value of Division 1 Athletics for the State of Hawaii.  It had the feel of an introductory press conference.  Personally, I would have preferred he talk about his first three months on the job, and bang the can on the upcoming sports year.  Volleyball and football season is right around the corner.  It has been shocking to me how little in the way that UH has promoted and pushed for season ticket sales for these two programs.  Especially considering that football carries the entire athletic department.

Matlin hit his points about the value of athletics here.  He talked about justification for having UH Athletics to create leaders for the future both here in Hawaii and abroad.  Stewardship, the importance of utilizing  every dollar given to the greatest potential for the athletic department and school.  Sees athletics and the department as an investment, and wants to gain trust back.  Transparency, admitting when mistakes are done and correcting them so they won't happen again.  His last point in this opening salvo was continuous improvement.  He said it his goal to improve on one thing each day.  By picking one thing each day and working on that, he can better himself and the department.  He called it the 1% solution.  He said he challenged the 350 students and 450 employees in the department to improve on just one thing a day.  By improving something everyday, the school and you could be so much better.

He went on to discuss the guiding principles of his administration.  I think he covered this in his introductory press conference.  They include: integrity, winning, innovation, brand image, engagement, faculty involvement, ownership and engagement, outreach, community involvement, and having a positive mindset.  Said the last point was very key for him.  Having a positive mindset when tacking huge problems, which UH has, is key to improvement.

Kurt Ozaki was then introduced.  He on behalf of the, "We Get Em" campaign presented a $30,000 check to Matlin.  Audience was then asked if they had any questions.  Only one person asked about a Family Zone at Aloha Stadium for the upcoming season.  John McNamarra jumped in and told what sections of Aloha Stadium was designated as family friendly and what to do if people were being too rowdy in that section, by texting or notifying an usher.

Don Bailey was then introduced.  He is living in Ewa Beach and doesn't seem to mind the commute to Manoa everyday.  He gets there early in the morning before the sun rises and gets home after the sun sets.  So I'm assuming he misses the horrible traffic.  He talked about his encounters with people here, and how much UH football means to Hawaii and the fans of the program.  He said that he would rather play good teams then cupcakes.  He'll get his wish with road games at The Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Boise State this season.  He assured the crowd that we will see a different product this coming season.  Spring Ball (Practice) went well and they improved offensively as camp progressed.  He added that he didn't want to talk about the changes, he can't wait to show people what they were going to do.

A member of the audience brought up a question about starting QB for the Rainbow Warriors, Max Wittek.  Bailey said that he was a talented individual and talked about his journey from high school, to USC, to sitting out a year, in order to have a year of eligibility here at Hawaii.  The discussion then turned to the offense.  He didn't want to talk about scheme.  He did say that they will go fast (uptempo) to manipulate the defense.  They will make the defense react and they will be aggressive in style.  Their aim will be to stretch the defense.

Talked about the different position groups starting with RB.  Mentioned DSJ and the need for him to stay healthy.  Talked about the two JC transfers of Davis and Harris, as well as projected starter, Steven Lakalaka.  Bobby asked if the O-line had enough (depth) to make it through the season.  He didn't seem that concerned about it and was quite confident in their ability to protect the QB and make holes for the RB's.

Bailey went on to add that he incorporated his system into the offensive system already in place.  Easier for 1 person (him) to learn a new system, then 40 guys learning a new one.  Said he liked to use the TE at Idaho State and would like to use them here at Hawaii.  Went on to discuss the array of WR's on the roster and what they bring to the offense.

A question was brought up about the offense and percentages.  Bailey said that last year they passed 55% of the time, and ran 45% of the time.  But that was predicated on the look of the defense and personnel on the field.  The question was asked about how much of the offense would be in his hands.  He simply said that HE is in control and will call all of the offensive plays.

Bobby concluded by saying there were 37 days till the kickoff between UH and Colorado at Aloha Stadium on Thursday Night.

I enjoyed the meeting.  Bailey more than Matlin, based on material.  Nice seeing friends such as Dave, Lance, and Alan at the event.  If you have never gone to the Hukilau, I suggest you go!  I think their Kobe Burger is THE BEST burger on the island!  I took a few pictures, but they were all jacked up due to the strange lighting and shadows in the restaurant.

GO BOWS!

NFL Predictions!

     I watch a lot of football!  Which is precisely why most of these picks will be horribly wrong!  Behold, my NFL predictions for the 2014 season!

AFC East

New England Patriots (12-4)

Miami Dolphins (8-8)

New York Jets (7-9)

Buffalo Bills (3-13)

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens (10-6)

Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7)

Cleveland Browns (2-14)

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

Tennessee Titans (8-8)

Houston Texans (7-9)

Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)

AFC West

Denver Broncos (12-4)

Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)

San Diego Chargers (8-8)

Oakland Raiders (5-11)

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

Washington Redskins (9-7)

Dallas Cowboys (7-9)

New York Giants (5-11)

NFC North

Green Bay Packers (11-5)

Chicago Bears (9-7)

Detroit Lions (8-8)

Minnesota Vikings (4-12)

NFC South

New Orleans Saints (12-4)

Atlanta Falcons (9-7)

Carolina Panthers (7-9)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10)

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks (12-4)

San Francisco 49ers (9-7)

Arizona Cardinals (8-8)

St Louis Rams (5-11)

Playoffs!

AFC Wild Card Round

Indianapolis Colts over Cincinnati Bengals (WC)

Baltimore Ravens over Pittsburgh Steelers (WC)

AFC Divisional Round

Denver Broncos over Baltimore Ravens

New England Patriots over Indianapolis Colts

AFC Championship Game

Denver Broncos over New England Patriots

NFC Wild Card Round

San Francisco 49ers (WC) over Philadelphia Eagles 

Green Bay Packers over Chicago Bears (WC)

NFC Divisional Round

Seattle Seahawks over San Francisco 49ers

New Orleans Saints over Green Bay Packers

NFC Championship Game

Seattle Seahawks over New Orleans Saints

NFL Offensive Player of the Year: Peyton Manning

NFL Defensive Player of the Year: JJ Watt

NFL MVP: Drew Brees

NFL Coach of the Year: Sean Payton

NFL Comeback Player of the Year: Rob Gronkowski

NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: Brandin Cooks

NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jadeveon Clowney

Super Bowl XLIX

Seattle Seahawks: 27

Denver Broncos: 23

Warning!  Sean Eyman is nothing but a Dude that watches football!  He knows absolutely nothing about anything!  He has a total bias towards the Seattle Seahawks!  Wagering on football is illegal in Hawaii!  

UH Fall Practice (8-9-14)

     I went to UH Fall Practice on Saturday Morning.  I was one of about thirty onlookers during the humid, yet crisply run 2 hour workout at the TC Ching Athletic Complex.  Practice started at 10:15am.  At 10:10am all of the players were out on the field.  If you are on time, you are late according to Coach Chow.

     Music blared from the speakers.  Soundtrack consisted of mainly hip-hop and rap.  Artists such as DJ Khaled, Lil' Wayne, Drake, Eminem, Snoop and Akon.  Special Teams was there prior to the start of things and were routinely booming 40 yard field goals through the top of the uprights.  Special Teams could very well be the strongest unit and backbone of this team once again this season.  Is that a good thing?  I don't know.  But its true.

     Offense sells tickets and defense wins championships is the old adage, right?  Which is why our program is at the brink of slipping into the abyss of college football.  Let's start with the quarterbacks.  This is Sophomore Ikaika Woolsey's job to lose.  He can get the ball out fast to his pass catchers and has the legs to scramble down field better than any of the other players in the mix for the starting job.  He took the first snap on most drills and led the 2 minute/red zone offense at the end of practice.

     Taylor Graham looks to have recovered from surgery to his shoulder.  But his slow and deliberate wind up might not be beneficial to the offense.  As defensive linemen will look to swat the ball away in the pocket and defensive backs are looking to jump a WR's route down field.  A quarter second can be the difference between a sack or a touchdown.  I'm still not convinced that he can get through his progression fast enough and get the ball out quick enough to be, "Da Guy".

     I liked what I saw out of Freshman Beau Reilly.  He could very well be the QB of the future for the Bows.  Maybe even starting this year if the season goes off the tracks and we find ourselves at 0-7 or 0-8.

     The offense at times looked like what June Jones ran at Hawaii.  Running 4 WR's and motioning a RB/FB out to the flat.  Working to get the ball out quickly from the QB's hands.  Chow still prefers to pound the rock (ball) using power option, toss sweeps and trap plays when it matters most.  Joey Iosefa has NFL talent and will be the workhorse.  I just hope Chow doesn't pound him into the ground with 35+ touches a game.

     The starting WR's have talent.  They lack depth.  I have a feeling the freshmen will play.  Any more injuries at this position would be a detrimental catastrophe to this decimated unit.  Was really impressed with Marcus Kemp and Don Yeh Patterson.  Didn't see that much from the TE's.  Seemed to be mostly used as blockers.  What little balls went their way were either poorly thrown or outright dropped.  Would be surprised if this position is an important part of the offense this season.

     Defense dominated the 2 minute and red zone offense at the end of the practice.  Team worked on alignment and assignment during practice.  I didn't pay much attention to their drills.  Choosing to focus more on the QB's and WR's.

     I came away impressed and not as pessimistic as my 1 win game total for next season.  Team has potential to win 4+ games if a QB steps up and injuries aren't an issue going forward.  Those are big ifs though.  Is it enough to get Chow to year 4?  Not sure.  But it was by far the best practice I have seen in the Chow Era.

Go Bows!

Seattle Seahawks 2014 Record Prediction

     Last year I nailed it.  Picked the Seahawks over the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII in July.  Check my Twitter feed.  Just go back about 5,000 tweets.  Its there.  I promise.

     This season I am predicting the Seahawks to go 12-4.  Here's how they are going to do it.

Opponent             Score               Result               Record                   Note
Green Bay            24-13               Win                  1-0
@ Chargers          21-10               Win                  2-0        
Broncos               30-24                Win                  3-0
Bye
@ Redskins          17-23               Loss                 3-1
Cowboys              38-10               Win                  4-1
@ Rams               27-17               Win                  5-1
@ Panthers          17-14                Win                  6-1
Raiders                 31-13               Win                   7-1
Giants                   28-14               Win                   8-1
@ Chiefs              20-21               Loss                  8-2
Cardinals              33-20               Win                   9-2
@ 49ers               21-24               Loss                  9-3
@ Eagles              13-17               Loss                  9-4
49ers                    24-17               Win                  10-4
@ Cardinals         28-14                Win                  11-4
Rams                    42-13               Win                  12-4

     12-4 should be good enough to win the NFC West and clinch a bye in the playoffs.  Assuming that Marshawn Lynch reports and doesn't retire and Russell Wilson stays healthy.

GO HAWKS!

Rainbow Warrior 2014 Season Prediction...It Ain't Pretty

     If you are reading this blog you probably know how I feel about Norm Chow.  I hate him.  When he was hired, he wasn't my first choice to be the next head coach at UH to follow Greg McMackin.  He wasn't my second choice either.  Nor my thir...nevermind.

     I hated his offense on BYU back in the 80's and 90's.  I thought it was arrogant.  Slow.  Plodding.  Horrible.  The thought of it attempting to be installed at UH didn't sit well with me.  In order for the system to work properly, you need top of the line recruits.  The kind that UH simply doesn't get.  But this was what our fearless leaders (MRC and Rockne) came up with.

     Following Chow's introductory press conference, I was fully on board.  Chow Time.  I got the shirts, I bought into what he was saying, this might take some time, but it was going to work.  Right?  Wrong.  Horribly, horribly, WRONG!

     After two horrendous, and that might be putting it lightly, years at UH, Chow has gone 4-20 including a 1-11 season last year.  Football season ticket sales are in the toilet, the UH Athletic Department is a mess, and most UH fans are frustrated beyond belief.  And did I mention that we don't have a  QB returning in 2014?  At least one with very much game experience.  We are switching to a more wide-open WR heavy offense.  The one like June used to run.  Should have kept Rolo.  Whoops.  Losing Kirkwood is a huge blow.

     I had to think long and hard about giving up my season tickets for football.  My family has occupied the same seats at Aloha Stadium since 1980.  I grew up watching the Rainbow Warriors.  Chow has killed this team and fan base.  Tearing this team down so far that it has no idea how to stand back up.  This team has no idea how to win.  Its coach is stubborn.  Beyond belief.

     How the team plays against Washington could be telling for how the rest of the season goes.  Get the doors blown off against the Dogs and Aloha Stadium will more than likely be a ghost town for the rest of the season.  Give Washington a game and give the players, fan base and alumni something they haven't had in a long time.  Hope.  I don't think many are expecting UH to beat UW.  But it would be nice for the game to be in question in the 2nd half.  I hate leaving Aloha Stadium at the end of the 3rd quarter.  A damn near weekly tradition for my father and I in the Chow Era.

     I believe that this will be Norm Chow's last season in Manoa.  Why?  Because he is a horrible head football coach and doesn't have the staff, players, system or skill set to be, "Da Guy" to turn it around.  I renewed my season tickets.  With the hopes that Ciao Time is near.  Here's my prediction on a game by game basis.

Opponent                     Score             Result                         Record            
Washington                  13-31              Loss                           0-1
Oregon State                10-24              Loss                           0-2
Northern Iowa              24-21              Win                            1-2
@ Colorado                  27-13              Loss                          1-3
@ Rice                         28-10              Loss                           1-4
Wyoming                      23-16               Win                           2-4
@ San Diego State        13-33              Loss                           2-5                
Nevada                         20-21              Loss                           2-6
Utah State                     17-27              Loss                           2-7
@ Colorado State         35-13              Loss                           2-8
@ San Jose State          27-14              Loss                           2-9
UNLV                          23-14              Win                            3-9
@ Fresno State             40-17              Loss                           3-10
.
     I predict that Norm Chow will be fired after the conclusion of the season.  Ben Jay will face a lot of pressure to fire Chow after the 7th loss of the season.  I think he humors Chow and lets him coach out the rest of the season.  He has too much respect for him.  I would love to be wrong and spend Christmas cheering on the Bows in the Hawaii Bowl.  I just don't see that happening though.  You can change the offense, but at the end of the day, Norm Chow is still coaching this team.  He will pound that ball into the middle of the pile when the chips are down.  Or until Joey Iosefa breaks.  He can't help it.  Old dog, same tendencies.  Jordan Wynn's offense my okole.  At least until the end of the season.

     I think Chow needs at least 5 wins to get to year four.  I just don't see those wins on the schedule.  This is the least excited I have ever been to kick off a new college football season.  Thanks Chow.  But for what its worth, Go Bows!            

Sports Bucket List

My Sports Bucket List

-Watch the University of Hawaii Men and Women's basketball teams play in the Big West Tournament in California (current venue is the Honda Center)

-For UH Football to win a big game on the mainland

-Watch UH take on Wyoming in Laramie (Wyoming)

-Watch UH become a member of the PAC-14/16

-Watch the Seattle Mariners play in the World Series

-Watch the Seahawks win the SuperBowl in person

-See a Seahawks vs. 49ers game in person (preferably at the CLink)

-Take a picture with Weehawk the Seahawk Mascot

-Take a picture with the Seahawks Lombardi Trophy

-Watch an NBA game in an NBA Arena (preferably the Seattle Supersonics)

-Watch an NHL Hockey Game

-See a game at Wrigley Field (Cubs)

-See a game at Fenway Park (Yanks vs. Sox?)

-Tour Yankee Stadium (Monument Park)

-Watch a game at Lambeau Field

-See a game at South Bend (Indiana) UH ever plays at Notre Dame, I'm there!

-Watch a game at the Big House (Michigan)

-Watch a Seattle Sounders game at the CLink

-Watch a Manchester United Game

-Attend a USA Soccer match in an international venue

And the Oscar Goes to...

I love movies.  So in turn, I love the Oscars.

Haven't seen all the movies nominated, but I'm gonna give you who I think is gonna win.

Best Picture: 12 Years A Slave
Actor: Mathew McCounaghey (Dallas Buyers Club)
Actress: Cate Blanchette (Blue Jasmine)
Supporting Actor: Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)
Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years A Slave)
Animated Film: Frozen
Cinematography: Gravity
Director: Alphonso Cuaron (Gravity)

Don't really care about the rest of the categories!  Enjoy the show!

Conspiracy Theory

I'm sure you've seen or heard about the video.
Roger Goodell had it in for the San Francisco 49ers.
Right.
If you believe that then I have a bridge to sell you.  In Iran.
Believe me, there is no way Roger Goodell was happy to hand over the Lombardi Trophy to Pete Carroll on Sunday Night.  Seattle is probably one of the last (maybe Cleveland, Buffalo or Jacksonville behind them) franchises that he wants to see raise Mr. Lombardi's trophy.  The Seahawks are a regional, small market team that has a relatively small but growing and vocal...very vocal, fan base.  Isolated by geography and tucked away in the Pacific Northwest with that crazy stadium that is louder than thunder and a jet fighter combined.

So why is Goodell "giving" this franchise the 49ers title?
Simple.  He wants to make Starbucks or Seattle's Best the new, official drink of the NFL.
Your quirky, tattoo ridden, bicep kissing douchebag of a QB (Kaepernick) shouldn't have turned the ball over 3 times in the 4th quarter.
Get over it.

So now that Goodell has screwed the 9ers out of their quest for 6, he turns his attention to the Broncos.  He probably put this Super Bowl in New York (okay, Jersey fist pump, represent) 4 years ago, just so he could tilt the board in the Seattle's favor, right?  Cause he wants to put the Lombardi Trophy in the Pacific Northwest, and not the Bay.

Get real people.  Goodell was dying to hand that trophy over to Peyton Manning, cementing his status as arguably the best QB in NFL history.  But Sunday kind of took care of that debate.  Some, myself included, are taking him off the Mount Rushmore of QBs altogether.  Montana, Elway, Marino, Brady & Favre.  That's it, that's the list.  Peyton, the GOAT?  Nah.  Not even close.  He's terrific.  One of the best ever.  In the regular season.  He's below average when it counts, in the playoffs.  Insert Jim Mora soundclip here <____>  Losing record in the playoffs, losing record in the Super Bowl.  And he got straight up owned on Sunday.  GOATs don;t get owned, they crush it on the big stage.  Peyton doesn't do that.

The NFL is a multi-billion dollar corporation.  Would Goodell risk the shield by "fixing" results for a puny, small market team like the Seahawks?  Get the heck out of here if you said, "YES!"  Your dumber than I thought.

If he was gonna "give" a championship to a team, I think it would be to one of his big market or historical franchises listed below.
-San Francisco 49ers
-New York Giants
-Dallas Cowboys
-Chicago Bears
-Pittsburgh Steelers
-Heck, even the Oakland Raiders
You could then list about 20 more teams before reaching the Seahawks on the commishes wish list of landing spots for the Lombardi Trophy.  Goodell would be perfectly fine if the teams listed above rotated winning the Lombardi on a 5 year basis.

The Cowboys are my argument against fixing games and outcomes.  There is no reason under gods green earth that the Cowboys shouldn't contend for the trophy every year.  Especially with that monstrosity of a stadium and all the extra revenue that it generates.  Well, maybe one.  Jerry Jones.  God bless the man.  Hope he lives and continues to ruin the Cowboys forever.  If Goodell was going to tilt the board in one of the teams favor, it would be a team like the Cowboys.  Not the Seahawks.  And that's not happening.

Goodell did not "fix" the Super Bowl.  If he was gonna screw anybody, he would have done it to the Seahawks and give it to one of his golden franchises.  Like what happened in Super Bowl XL.  But that's another story.

But if you do believe that Goodell paved the way for the Seahawks to win Super Bowl XLVIII, that's fine.  Had nothing to do with the defense, the Legion of Boom, game preparation, Russell Wilson, Percy Harvin or all the 12s that snatched up tickets in the NYC from panicking New Yorkers selling low on a penny stock gone bad.  Goodell wanted the Seahawks as his champion and made it so.  This is the NFL.  Not the WWE.  If that was true and it got out, the NFL would be next to worthless.  It simply does not make sense.

Crying over spilled milk is so beneath the 49ers and their great fans.  There were some bad calls in that NFC Title Game.  I hope they change the rule on reviewing plays.  Cause they obviously got that fumble down on the goal line wrong.  But that had nothing to do with Roger Goodell wanting the trophy in Seattle.  It happened because Seattle played at home that day and was the better team.  That week and in Jersey 2 weeks later.

So why not work on improving your team.  Make a home field advantage like the hawks?  You got that new stadium that will debut.  I can't imagine a better place to play on the opening night of the 2014 season than a brand spanking new stadium on Thursday Night.  But Roger prefers Seattle over Frisco, right?  Nothing I will say to that.  If you believe it, fine.  Believe the NFL is fixing games.

If you are still convinced, I'm gonna let you go now.  You probably need to go look for aliens, plan your trip to Area 52, watch the entire series of the X-Files on DVD  for the 12th time, hunt for Bigfoot, or look at who killed JFK one last time.  It was a lone gunman, right?  Goodell probably also pulled the plug on the power during last years Super Bowl to GIVE the Ravens that Super Bowl.  Think you guys are right.  Goodell is out to screw the 9ers.

Instead of complaining, give credit where credit is due.  You lost in the big game last year.  You lost the chance to play in the big game this year.  The nouveau riche new kids on the block Seahawks with their 1st Super Bowl Championship, have been the bully in the NFC West since they moved in.  All those titles San Fran won were done in the 80s and 90s.  Before we were in the division.

Here's some advice.  Go polish those trophies you won a billion years ago and figure out how to win at the CLink.  Cause bitching about something that didn't happen is just plain stupid.

I'm done.
Go Hawks!

Conference Championship Sunday

AFC Championship Game:
Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots

I'm going to be honest with you.  I don't really care who wins this game.  I would prefer the Denver Broncos win over the Patriots for selfish reasons.  I would want to set up the clash of two old AFC West rivals in the Super Bowl.  In Jersey, in February on the biggest stage of them all.  I have rooted for the Patriots in almost every Super Bowl they have played in.  The Bears in 84' being the exception.  I have traded for Tom Brady in my keeper league 4 separate times.  Lead me to the title in 07' behind that incredible year in the aftermath of Spygate.

I think this is going to be a high scoring affair.  I'll take the Broncos 39-33.  Basically because of home field and the elevation.

Glad this game comes first.  It's the appetizer.  The shrimp cocktail to the main event.  I don't think I'm alone in my opinion.  I also think that regardless of who wins this game, the AFC representative (Broncos or Patriots) lose to whoever the NFC representative is (Seahawks or 49ers).  Which leads us to the main event.

NFC Championship Game:
Seattle Seahawks vs. the San Francisco 49ers

Game is a toss up.  Either team could win.  I don't care how crappy San Francisco has been in their last two visits to Seattle.  San Francisco is on a roll.  I expect a close game.  Probably going to go down to whoever has the ball last.

It had to be this way.  This is the best rivalry going in the NFL.  Keep your Steelers vs. Ravens or your Peyton Manning et. al. vs. the Patriots.  The Seahawks vs. 9ers is it.  These two teams are mirror images of each other.  Defensive teams that can pound the rock and have mobile QBs that can beat you in or out of the pocket.  Perhaps we should break this down by position.

QB: Wilson vs. Kaepernick
Advantage: San Francisco
I don't know what is wrong with Russell Wilson.  He is clearly not as sharp or playing as well as he was 5 weeks ago.  Is he having marital problems?  Is he not getting enough sleep?  All I know is that he has not been hitting the throws that he was earlier in the season.  He's doing enough to win.  Barely.  Kaep has been godawful in Seattle.  I expect him to be better.  He knows what to expect.  These two teams know each other inside and out.  There will be very little surprises.
RB: Frank Gore vs. Marshawn Lynch
Advantage: Seattle
Beast Mode has been incredible vs. San Fran in Seattle.  I expect this trend to continue.
Wide Receivers: Crabtree, Boldin, Davis et al. vs. Tate, Baldwin, Miller et. al.
Advantage: 9ers
Percy Harvin's absence will be a huge blow to the Seahawks.  His presence on the field changes the way defenses scheme for the hawks.  You have to account for Harvin when he is on the field.  I understand that he wasn't there for the last two games that the Seahawks played when the 9ers were in Seattle.  It's a game of inches.  And Harvin's presence is worth about a half a foot, at least.
Defense:
Advantage: Seahawks
Legion of Boom & the 12th Man are the difference.
Special Teams:
Advantage: Push
Coaching: Pete Carroll vs. Jim Harbaugh
Advantage: Push
Intangibles: San Fran's momentum vs. the 12th Man
Advantage: Seahawks
I understand that many of the talking heads and analysts are picking the 49ers to win this game and the Super Bowl.  There's only one problem with that.  Seattle's 12th Man.  It is so freaking loud in that stadium.  I went to a game a couple of years ago.  Sat in the endzone.  Way up.  My head hurt for 3 hours after the game!  The noise affects you physically.  You can't think.  I can only imagine what it's like on the field trying to communicate with your teammates with 70,000 people screaming at the top of their lungs for the better part of 3 hours.  Seattle is damn near impossible to beat at home.  But if Seahawks turn in the same kind of game that they did against the Saints, they will lose.

My mom is from San Francisco.  Most of my family roots for the 9ers.  I barely talked to her this week.  It has literally divided my family.  I chose when I was five.  And I don't regret any of it.

The Verdict:
Taking all things into consideration, I expect a battle in Seattle.  I think it is going to be a knockdown, drag out, backyard brawl, from beginning to end.  It may come down to whoever has the ball last.  I think this is the premier game in the NFL this season.  The Super Bowl will pale in consideration compared to this match up.  I fully expect whoever advances from this game to win the Super Bowl.  Defense and the running game being the difference.

The crowd will make its presence felt.  That in my eyes is the difference.  I think the Seahawks pull the game out in the 4th quarter, 20-17.  In a game for the ages.  Would not surprise me in the least if the 9ers found a way to win this game.  They are that good.  I respect them.  If they found a way to win at Green Bay, at Carolina, and at Seattle, what should stop them from winning in Jersey?

At the beginning of the season my preseason Super Bowl pick was Seattle over Denver.  I see no reason to back off that pick at this point.  Home field is the difference in both games.  I wanted the Seahawks to face the 9ers in the NFC Championship Game because I feel that they were the best team outside of Seattle.  That's why I want Denver in the Super Bowl.  Because I think they are the best team in the AFC.  I don't want the team we have the best shot at beating, I simply want the best team period.  The Seahawks have to overcome so much to get respect.  And I want them to beat the best to get that trophy.  Teams with championship pedigree.  All the teams left have that.

I believe that Russell Wilson will get it together.  I believe the 12th Man will make the most noise in any game, in any stadium, in any time, in all of history, tomorrow.  It is going to be off the charts.  Bury the needle at 140.0.  I believe the Seahawks will advance to Super Bowl XLVIII and win it.  Or I will be very sad.  Very, very sad.

Enjoy the games!
Go Hawks!

2013

2013, The Year That Was...AWESOME!

     I had a great year.  No wait, I had a freaking fantastic year!  So much happened.  Don't get me wrong, there were some down moments and some really tough times.  But the good times outweighed the bad, immensely.  Might as well start at the beginning.

     The Seahawks beat the Skinz on the road to start off in January of 2013.  Hawks first playoff road win since 1983.  They rolled into Atlanta and I thought they could win that game.  They almost did.  I remember watching the game at my parents house.  When Marshawn Lynch plunged into the endzone with about 30 seconds to play I told my dad that we scored way too fast.  When I was in Vegas with Dawn's family last October, I had won a parlay partly due to the Falcons driving the length of the field in under a minute to kick a game winning field goal in the waning seconds of a game.  They did it again against the Seahawks.  Ugh.  Heartbroken, I thought that it was a good season to build on, and I would at least get to see the Hawks at the Pro Bowl 2 weeks later.

     It was hard for me to be at work knowing the Seahawks Pro Bowl players were practicing a couple towns over at the end of January.  I needed to save my vacation time for our Japan trip later in May.  One of my supervisors told me he couldn't believe I showed up for work everyday that week with Russell Wilson and crew in town.  I got my revenge though.

     Dawn and I went to Pro Bowl Eat the Street.  I said I would buy anything that the vendor designated for the Seahawks was selling.  That turned out to be Kettle Korn.  Blue and Green popcorn was an easy purchase.  The next morning I got up at 3am to head to Aloha Stadium for Pro Bowl Ohana Day.  See the same people at the front of the line every year.  Representing different teams, but all sharing their love for the NFL.  I will truly miss this event if Goodell moves it to the mainland to package the Pro Bowl with the Super Bowl in the same city.  Jerk.

     Met some cool people and was able to get the coveted front row seating at Ohana Day.  Scored some autographs for a friend in Ohio and autographs from Leon Washington and Russell Okung from the Seahawks for myself.  The photographer from the Seattle Seahawks took a picture of me and my Seahawk friends and posted it on Seahawks.com.  One of the coolest experiences I've had in my 30+ years of being a Hawks fan!  I debated for months about buying the picture, and my Secret Santa came through for me!  Will need to work on getting that framed sometime in the future.  Maybe after the wedding is over.

    At the end of practice the Pro Bowl officials literally had to drag Russell Wilson off the field that day.  I told my neighbor, that's why we're going to win a Super Bowl one day.  The kid has the work ethic that is unmatched.  "The Separation is in the Preparation."-RW  That goes for obtaining autographs as well.  My goal is to somehow, someway obtain Russell Wilson's autograph.  Didn't happen at the 2013 Pro Bowl.  Hoping not at the 2014 Pro Bowl.  No, no, no.  Just love that guy!  You give me my pick of any QB in the league and I pick him over everybody.  Over Peyton Manning, over Tom Brady, over Andrew Luck.  Anybody.  And twice on Sunday, Monday or Thursday.  I've waited my whole life for this guy to take my team to the promised land.  It's gonna happen!  SEA...

     We skipped the Pro Bowl Block Party and went to the rescheduled Robin Thicke concert at the NBC on Saturday night.  It was Dawn's birthday present.  We enjoyed the show.  Thicke must have combed his hair 20 times during the concert!  

     The Pro Bowl the next day was great!  I parked far away instead of paying the $40 they wanted at the school we usually park at next to Aloha Stadium.  It was like $7 the year before.  Seriously people?  We sat with Dawn's coworkers which was really great!  Awesome seats and company.  Tried to meet my Seahawk friend Michael D at halftime.  We ran into Train and Brian McKnight during intermission.  Michael never showed because Russell Wilson signed his 12th Man Flag before heading into the locker room.  Go Hawks!  I love the Pro Bowl!

     Next couple of months was spent just preparing for our trip to Okinawa and Japan.  Getting a passport was stressful.  I left it to the last minute of course.  I still haven't uploaded my trip picks yet.  lol  It was a great trip.  Okinawa is very different from Japan.  Much more laid back.  Reminded me of Hawaii.  Island living.  Didn't realize how messed up Okinawa got during World War 2.  Really liked the food in Okinawa.  The pork and soba was amazing.  Ate our fair share of Foremost Blue Seal Ice Cream.  I loved buying stuff out of vending machines both in Okinawa and Japan!  Those things are everywhere!  Shuri Castle was the highlite of our stay in Okinawa, and my favorite place we visited in either Okinawa or Japan!

     Japan was the polar opposite of Okinawa.  So much people.  So crowded.  Food was great.  And inexpensive.  Going to Skytree was an adventure.  So was riding the Subway.  No way Dawn and I could have gone there alone.  Tyler and Christina were great tour guides.  Tsukiji Fish Market on our last day was magnificent!  Some of the best seafood I have ever had in my entire life.  It was the trip of a lifetime.  Doubt we'll ever go back.  Dawn has no desire.  Going on that trip has ruined me for eating sushi, miso soup, chicken katsu and Japanese food in general here in Hawaii.  Damn.

     Got back to Hawaii for the last 3 days of public school.  lol  Summertime means movies.  I saw a lot.  Both at the theater and via Redbox.  My Top 10 Movies this year were:

1) Gravity-Never seen anything else like it in my entire life.  SPECTACULAR!  Saw it in 3D which was so AWESOME!

2) Pacific Rim-Like watching Robotech come to life.  Nerd Alert!

3) Hobbit-The Desolation of Smaug-I hated the first movie.  Thought this one fell more in line with the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.  Really good!  Pacing was much better than the 1st one.  

4) Captain Phillips-Very intense!  Was gripping my hand rest in the theater!

5) American Hustle-Jennifer Lawrence is one of the best actresses around.  Terrific performance!

6) The Fast and the Furious 6-Fun Summer Movie.  Take your brain out and enjoy!

7) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire-Much better than the first one.

8) World War Z-Great up until he gets off the plane.  Then the movie falls on its face.

9) Enough Said-Really cute movie about grown ups dating and falling in love as they send their kids from previous relationships off into the world.

10) The Wolverine-I expect hate mail for ranking this movie.  I enjoyed it!  I understand that its flawed.  I don't care.  Its my list dammit!

Best movie I saw via RedBox was, "Searching For Sugarman".  I also really enjoyed, "Chasing Mavericks" and "Into the Arctic".  Check those out if you get the chance.

     Music.  Okay year in music.  Let's hand out some awards!  

Artist of the Year: Bruno Mars

Pop Artist of the Year: Bruno Mars

R&B Artist of the Year: Robin Thicke

Rock Artist of the Year: Imagine Dragons

Rap Artist of the Year: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

Breakthrough Artist: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Worst Artist: Miley Cyrus (EW!)

My Top 10 Singles of the Year:

1) Wake Me Up-Avicii

2) Ho Hey-Lumineers

3) Hold On, We're Going Home-Drake featuring Majid Jordan

4) Clarity-Zedd

5) Can't Hold Us-Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Featuring Ray Dalton

6) Demons-Imagine Dragons

7) Make Me Say-Kimmie featuring Imua Garza

8) Radioactive-Imagine Dragons

9) The Monster-Eminem featuring Rihanna

10) Berzerk-Eminem

     I would be perfectly fine if I never heard "Royals" by Lorde, "Roar" by Katy Perry or any Michael Bolten song from his Honda series ever again.  Dawn's coworker let me use his ticket to the Microsoft Concert featuring Macklemore and Ryan Lewis and Neon Trees at the start of summer.  We did not have to sleep at Ala Moana to get the tickets.  It was a great concert and I instantly became a fan of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.  Love the music.  Love the message.  Love the album.  Dawn's cousin Gavin tried to get us to listen to him earlier, but we didn't.  Better late than never, right?

     
     We also went to the Gin Blossoms concert in November.  I stood in front of the speaker and went deaf.  I got hearing back in the one ear halfway through the next day.  Truly old man status.  Gin Blossoms are one of Dawn's favorite rock groups.  Good show, but I don't want to stand in front of the speaker for the Stone Temple Pilots concert that we will be going to this coming March at the same venue (the Republik).  Chester from Linkin Park is fronting STP now.  That should be a good show.

     I proposed to Dawn in June.  She said, "Yes!"  Funny story.  In my preparations for the proposal, I ate at Teddy's Bigger Burger while I was doing errands in the afternoon prior to her getting home.  I let the cashier talk me into ordering an Inferno Burger.  I was sweating like a pig because the burger was so hot and it was the dead of summer in Hawaii.  Wearing nice clothes out on the North Shore after eating that lunch, coupled with the nerves was nearly the death of me.  It worked out though.  I never seem to make things easy on myself.  Glad she said, "Yes!"

     Her ring is pretty and not yellow like it looks in the picture.  It sparkles.  Its not huge and obnoxious.  Not like any of her friends wedding rings either.  Its old school and unique, just like her.  So it fits.  And it appraised at much more than the sticker price.  She picked it out.  Nice job Hon.  Dawn is super smart.  One of the many reasons I love her.

     The next day I went to the KKEA Sports Fest at the Blaisdell.  Lance snuck me in the side door of the Alaska Airlines Fly Away contest.  He qualified me a day after the contest officially closed.  I was third in line to pick an envelope.  There were a 100 envelopes and only one envelope had the golden ticket.  The people in back of me said there was no way that the envelope was on the table.  About 25 envelopes were laid out on the table at that point.  The person behind me said that guaranteed that one of the last 10 people to choose would win.  KKEA would want to drag this thing out as long as possible.  That made sense to me.  But I was starving.  I had only eaten a few tater tots that was left over from Teddy's the day before in the morning.  It was 12:30pm and I was STARVING and needed to eat.  I decided to pick out an envelope on the table, stair at it, hope no one picked it, lose, get out of there, and get on with my life.

     Chris Hart would ask you a few questions (where are you from, how old are you, have you flown Alaska Airlines before, etc.) and then have you select an envelope.  Then he would ask you if you were sure?  First guy picked, didn't change his mind and didn't pick the winning envelope.  The lady in front of me took forever.  She kept changing her mind and switching envelopes.  But she did not touch the envelope I had picked out mentally on the table.  She lost and I was up.  I told Chris that I was from Mililani and that I had just gotten engaged the night before.  I picked the envelope and passed on swapping it.  He opened it and it was the golden ticket!  I WON!  2 tickets to wherever Alaska Airlines flies!  I immediately turned around and apologized.  Huge groan from the crowd.  My bad!

     I just booked the Honeymoon last week.  My dad suggested that we fly to Seattle then spend some time up in Vancouver.  We both have family up in Seattle.  We are going to a concert and a Mariners game while we are gonna be in Seattle.  We've been there twice before together and have had a great time!  It's very exciting!  We love Seattle and Vancouver looks beautiful!  We will have some time to visit with family while in the Emerald City and then some time to ourselves while we are in Vancouver.

     Speaking of winning, I won a lot of stuff this year.  I won the trip, a Tempur-Pedic mattress cover from the Wedding Cafe, an autographed Earl Bruce Ohio State 8x10 also from KKEA at the UH Season Ticket Holder Event, tickets to the 2014 Pro Bowl via McDonald's Hawaii, 4 Tickets to the HHSAA Championship Game (Mililani vs. Punahou) from Cover 2 and KHON and UH vs.San Diego State game tickets from the HSFCU.  I've never won anything in my life.  And then I win all this stuff.  Bizarre.  But I am not complaining.  Not in the least.

     UH football....damn that was rough.  I have been going to games since I was like 4 years old.  This was the first time that I had actually considered giving up my season tickets.  Not a fan of Chow.  Hate his offense.  Hate his play calling.  Hate losing.  He's good at the last one.  I was ready to give them up, but then Dawn said she would buy them for my Christmas and birthday gift.  It was a frustrating season to say the least.  I think Ben Jay should have fired him at the end of the season.  I know money is tight, but he could have found it if he looked.  He just didn't want to.  These Chinese guys are looking out for one another!  Seriously! 

     I'm 90% sure that this coming season will be Chow's last.  His bullying tactics, running players off, boring offense, and stubbornness are straight up killing UH Athletics.  Not just the football attendance.  I seriously doubt he can get anybody good to come over to be his defensive and offensive coordinator.  He was a terrible hire and is a terrible coach.  I fully expect next year to be his last.  I can deal with that.  But still, Go Bows!

     One of the coolest experiences I had this year was being interviewed by Lance T for Honolulu Magazine's UH's Armchair QB Review!  He picked a handful of people, (fans, ex-players and other people surrounding the program) to get their opinion on the upcoming season.  I really enjoyed it and he pulled a few quotes from me and included it in the article.  Funny because the cover say's, "Will We (UH) Ever Win Again?"  lol That unfortunately is a very serious question.

    Dawn and I broke our streak.  As long as we have been together, whatever UH Women's Volleyball game we went to, they would lose.  We would go to one or two matches a year over the last 5 years and they would always come up short or have a bad game.  Funny because they only lose one or two games a year max at home.  Only the matches we showed up to!  Till this year.  We talked about going to a junk match to really test the theory.  If we went to North Sacramento State Tech and the Wahine lost, then we argued that we should never be allowed to go to another volleyball game again.  But they played #1 Texas in the first match of the year!  We went and they won!  With us at the match!  The streak was finally broken!  Hooray!  Glad Shoji is coming back next season.  I will continue to buy tickets to the last home match of the season until he retires.  I want to be there for his last home match.

     We also went to a few Men's Basketball Games.  They look good this year.  Should win 20+ games.  Could make a run at a GOOD tournament this March.  Gib still has a ways to go as a basketball coach!  I went to the Illinois and Long Beach State games last season and the Montana and Boise State (Diamond Head Classic) games this season.  We always dreamed of sitting in the lower bowl 10 years ago.  Do it all the time now thanks to Dawn's company!  

     My high school alma mater, Mililani High School made it to the State Division 1 Championship Game!  I was so happy!  We had never made it that far.  We would always get creamed by Kahuku in the OIA Playoffs.  Not this year.  We beat Kahuku!  Smashed em!  They played good.  I really wanted to go to that title game.  Even won tickets.  But I had made a prior commitment.  I gave the tickets to a coworker.  I did buy a Mililani Trojans: OIA Champions shirt for myself and a few of my friends.  I will wear it proudly!  Go Trojans!

     Back to the Seahawks.  We are the number 1 seed in the NFC with home field throughout the playoffs.  Very optimistic.  Seattle is very hard to beat at home.  I do not want to see any Seahawks at this years Pro Bowl because I want them in Jersey getting ready for the Super Bowl the following week.  Fingers crossed.  Love our quarterback Russell Wilson.  Such a nice guy.  And a hard worker.  Never been prouder to be a 12!  We have the best fans in all the NFL!  ...HAWKS

     I also won my keeper $ league fantasy football championship this year!  I went "all in" and made some good trades in the off season setting up this championship run.  Keepers are Megatron, JC, Jimmy Graham and somebody from the group of Kansas City Def/ST, Nick Foles, Keenan Allen or Ryan Mathews.  I change my mind on the 4th keeper every day.  

     Got lucky in the championship game.  Just been that kind of year for me.  Looking forward to getting that package with the trophy.  Got a spot picked out for it next to the TV.  #CooCooFB  I do play in 7 fantasy football leagues.  Only one championship.  That's okay.  It was the one that count$.  And I beat Dawn 2 out of 3 times this season, including the playoffs.  Still have a losing record against her (5-7).  GRRRR!!!!  No unicorn shirt this year Honey!  Maybe next season!  But like I said, Dawn in super smart!  She can beat me at my own game that I've been playing for over a decade!  That's impressive!

     My health problems.  I had a kidney stone in February.  Dawn took me to the Emergency Room on President's Day.  My dad has had kidney stones so it is hereditary.  Stayed at the ER till 2am.  Then again in November I had the same feeling.  Like someone was stabbing me in my stomach with a knife.  Dawn took me to the Emergency Room again.  This time it was different.  I didn't pass the stone.  They told me I couldn't go to work and that I needed to see the doctor.  Just gave me a crap load of pain killers and other meds to alleviate the pain.  Missed work that whole week.  Every doctor I went to during that time said this is not good and referred me to another specialist.  Then, as I'm sitting at home wondering what's going on, the phone rings and its a specialist telling me not to eat anything because I was having surgery later on that day.

     I had surgery the day before Thanksgiving.  Thankfully, I didn't have to overnight it and wake up on Thanksgiving in the hospital.  I had a moderately sized kidney stone blocking the pathway to my bladder.  My left kidney is small and can't pull the load.  Urine was backing up and infecting my right (good) kidney.  I ended up having 5 stones total in both kidneys.  The doctor removed the big one causing all the problems and was able to collect a sample from it.  They are analyzing it on the mainland and I should know the results soon.  That way I can modify my diet and know what foods I need to stay away from.  I will probably have to go on some sort of medication or supplements to prevent those stones from forming.

     I have tried to improve my diet since the hospital visit.  I gave up soda, which I would drink just about everyday.  The doctor said that stuff is poison to me.  I did drink one on Christmas Eve.  And I will have another if the Seahawks win the Super Bowl or my birthday.  Whichever comes first.  lol  Eating more salads and trying to stay away from processed foods.  Like Spam.  I absolutely love Spam Musubi.  I ate one before Christmas, and like the soda, I can't have another till after my birthday.  Its okay though.

     Dawn was incredible throughout the entire ordeal.  I was so scared.  Thought there was a chance that I might die.  Had I not had the surgery that day I was looking at kidney failure a couple days later.  Dawn was calm and optimistic throughout.  That really helped.  She held my hand and was there for me.  No question I have the person that is right for me and is gonna stick by me no matter what.  I told her I'm damaged goods and asked her if she wanted to hit the door?  She declined the offer.  She's incredible and I consider myself very lucky to have her in my life.

     The wedding planning is coming along.  We took a little break for Christmas and the New Year's Holiday.  We will be hitting it full steam starting Thursday.  Most of the big things are squared away.  Just have the minor details to finish up.  Dawn's mom did a beautiful job painting our invitation picture and other items for the wedding.  She is so talented.  I'm looking forward and am honored to become apart of their family.  They are fantastic and have always been so good to me.  Bringing me on family trips and making sure we have everything we could possibly need.

     We also lost our cat, Falken in November.  He had a bad heart.  He was my favorite out of Dawn's 3 pets.  The house is different now.  I miss him.  He was my buddy and often kept me company when Dawn wasn't home.  It was tough losing him.  I regret not saying goodbye to him the day that he passed.  I was late for work.  Only day I didn't tell him bye.  Shucks.

     I hit a pole doing an illegal U turn with my car in March .  Drove around with a big @ss dent on my car for most of the year.  This random dude comes up to me in the parking lot of McDonald's in September and asks if he can fix my car?  I had my car looked at and it was going to be about 2 grand to fix all the bangs, dings and scratches.  The guy fixed it all for $300!  In 20 minutes!  Is it perfect?  No, but it looks a helluva lot better than it did before!  How nuts is that?  I was going to wait till after the wedding to get it fixed.  But that situation worked out great!

     Don't see my friends as much as I would like.  But we try.  We have very different schedules and its hard to get together.  The Sharky's are making their triumphant return after a ten year hiatus.  Very proud of my friends!  We're all grownz up!  I have the right people in my life.

     I worked more than ever this past year.  My supervisor is giving me lots of hours because he knows we need money for the wedding.  Working with 3 great kids and families.  Morning client, afternoon client, and preferred sub for a weekend client.  They keep me busy.  Even given up a lot of football watching so I can work.  Priorities.  Even portions of televised Seahawks games.  Forgive me 12's.  I tape it and watch it later on that day or the next day.

     Doing the best that I can.  I had a wonderful year.  There are so many things I'm thankful for.  I'm blessed.  Even the bad things had a silver lining.  2013 was action packed from beginning to end.  One of the best years in my life.  I'm glad that you chose to be apart of it on Facebook and Twitter.  I'm up over a 1,000 friends and followers on both platforms.  I score free stuff from Klout for having a high user influence score.  I've gotten to know and interact with people I never would have met or gotten to know had it not been for those social media outlets.  Not sure if 2014 can top 2013, but gosh darnit, I've gotta try!  Accomplished a ton of my goals in 2013!  Very proud of myself.  

     My goals in 2014 include beefing up my Instagram account, getting all my music onto my new iPod,  buying a Seahawks Super Bowl Champions shirt and hat (fingers crossed), having a dope wedding and honeymoon, make more money than last year and provide good service to my clients and agency.  As well as be a good husband, friend, son, son-in-law and person in general!   Wishing you the best in 2014!  ALOHA!