Joining and staying with the Cal Band. My freshman year, during the Fall Training Program at UC Davis, I was in so much pain at one point that I briefly considered quitting. The Cal Band marching style was much more rigorous than what I was used to from high school. I stuck it out and I am SO glad I did. Some of the happiest times of my life were with the Band and most of my closest friends to this day are Cal Bandsmen.
For a very long time, FTP was held off campus, and during my time, it was at UC Davis. FTP started before the dorms opened for the fall semester, and UC Davis started its semester weeks after we were gone, so I can only speculate that it was for that reason. We used to room in the UC Davis dorms during camp, and used their campus pool for a barbeque party at the end of camp. I know in the more recent past, FTP has been held at Cal State (Hayward) East Bay and UC Santa Cruz.
A girlfriend and I were on the verge of breaking up. I went for a long walk to think it over. I decided to give the relationship another chance. We've been happily married for 37 years.
I had two g/f's that I was on the early to mid trajectory to wed, when I came to believe that all in all it was a bad idea. I have been happily single for 43 years.
I was a good kid. Didn't really get into trouble or break rules much. But in my senior year of high school, some friends and I made the spontaneous decision to cut school and go to a big Giants-Dodgers game at Candlestick Park. That has since gone into rivalry lore as the Brian Johnson Game. Still the best game I ever saw.
Tight end Antonio Gates, cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe are the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and will be inducted Aug. 2 in Canton, Ohio.
It's the smallest class since 2005, also a four-member class. That's the year Dan Marino, Steve Young, Fritz Pollard and Benny Friedman were enshrined.
Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri, Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, all in their first year of eligibility, were not selected.
Went to that 2005 enshrinement as my husband is diehard Marino fan. Crowd was about 85% Marino jerseys. I bought a Niners visor just to give Steve Young a little support😆
After a remarkable first half led by LeBron James, the Lakers withstood a second-half rally from the Warriors to continue their winning ways on Thursday, earning a 120-112 victory.
LA led by as many as 26 in the first half but watched Steph Curry pull the Warriors back into the game in the fourth before eventually outlasting the visitors. With the win, the Lakers secure the season series over Golden State.
Thursday night featured a primetime matchup between two teams who dramatically shook up their rosters at the trade deadline. But those moves weren’t on display: Jimmy Butler, while in the house, didn’t suit up for his Golden State Warriors debut, nor did Luka Dončić for his Los Angeles Lakers debut.
The 10th-ranked California men's gymnastics team will be hitting the road this weekend, meeting conference-mate and 11th-ranked Air Force in Colorado Saturday at 1 p.m. PT. The Golden Bears last met the Falcons at the 2024 MPSF Championships, outscoring them 405.600-395.450.
The California lacrosse team's first season as a member of the ACC begins Saturday with a nonconference game at UC Davis.
With the departure of a large senior class, the Golden Bears welcomed 10 diversely talented freshmen to the roster this year. However, the heart of the team this year lies within the four returning seniors - Callan Fritsch, Kalena Johnson, Kennedy Mason and Belle Tiesi. Cal's seniors have seen the team endure substantial change, and their loyalty has shined through over the past four years by putting the program before themselves and growing into strong leaders for the team.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Down by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter, the No. 21 California women's basketball team mounted a furious rally to get to within single digits with just over a minute to go but was unable to complete the comeback. Olivia Cochran scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help Louisville turn back No. 21 California 70-63 on Thursday night.
Really excellent interview/spot-on thoughts from Lyons. Ending with this:
“I have been around a long time,” Lyons said, “and I can feel, I can taste, the link between athletics and alumni engagement. That doesn’t mean we just keep investing without bounds. But in 10 years, I would like there to be electricity.”
The fascinating thing is both sides spend most of their time preaching to the choir, not changing anybody's already made up mind. But the conservative media prompts activism, in that their followers actually respond by doing things, whereas the liberal media mostly seems to prompt more talking about it, but relatively little easily discernable actions.
Paradise - Hulu(?) - 14/19. A TV show with Sterling K Brown and James Marsden. I've only seen the first couple of episodes. He's the head secret service detail for an ex-president and he finds him dead in the first 5 min. At the end of the first episode you see they're living in a world like the Truman show. So far so good so I'm going to give it a chance.
watched the pilot for this yesterday and really enjoyed it. it is about some regular kids who live in a regular suburb in the Star Wars galaxy somewhere. they did a good job of showing suburban life not too different than ours .. until spaceships and hyperspace travel get involved!
I saw it described as "Star Wars Goonies"...I think that's accurate. Probably won't get a second season, tho. Reports were that it was the lowest rated Star Wars series ever...even behind The Acolyte and Andor.
i am ok w/ no 2nd season. in fact, random other 1 season series about all different parts of the Star Wars story arc are better. and then if you get an amazing one like Mandalorian, then you stick w/ it
I hadn't thought of it like that, and I definitely agree. One thing though, is that I wish there was a way to end a one-season series without a cliffhanger (like they did with The Acolyte). Closure would've been a good thing, even though I bet they believed that there would be a season 2 when they filmed.
I finished it yesterday. Thought they did a good job. The kids were good in it and Jude Law plays a good villain. I remember the first thing I saw him in was The Talented Mr Ripley with Matt Damon back in the mid 90s.
Tell the DBD a past choice that you really are glad you made
Joining and staying with the Cal Band. My freshman year, during the Fall Training Program at UC Davis, I was in so much pain at one point that I briefly considered quitting. The Cal Band marching style was much more rigorous than what I was used to from high school. I stuck it out and I am SO glad I did. Some of the happiest times of my life were with the Band and most of my closest friends to this day are Cal Bandsmen.
Why was the training program at Davis?
For a very long time, FTP was held off campus, and during my time, it was at UC Davis. FTP started before the dorms opened for the fall semester, and UC Davis started its semester weeks after we were gone, so I can only speculate that it was for that reason. We used to room in the UC Davis dorms during camp, and used their campus pool for a barbeque party at the end of camp. I know in the more recent past, FTP has been held at Cal State (Hayward) East Bay and UC Santa Cruz.
Oh makes sense since it's before dorms open.
Clicking the Subscribe button on Write for California. Lots of laughs to be had!
A girlfriend and I were on the verge of breaking up. I went for a long walk to think it over. I decided to give the relationship another chance. We've been happily married for 37 years.
I had two g/f's that I was on the early to mid trajectory to wed, when I came to believe that all in all it was a bad idea. I have been happily single for 43 years.
I was a good kid. Didn't really get into trouble or break rules much. But in my senior year of high school, some friends and I made the spontaneous decision to cut school and go to a big Giants-Dodgers game at Candlestick Park. That has since gone into rivalry lore as the Brian Johnson Game. Still the best game I ever saw.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VakQOnsQkg
Definitely going to Cal- my dad wanted me to go to UCSB because it was nicer (Berkeley was "dirty" lol).
PRO
TE Antonio Gates in smallest Hall of Fame class since 2005
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43727435/te-antonio-gates-smallest-hall-fame-class-2005
Tight end Antonio Gates, cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe are the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and will be inducted Aug. 2 in Canton, Ohio.
It's the smallest class since 2005, also a four-member class. That's the year Dan Marino, Steve Young, Fritz Pollard and Benny Friedman were enshrined.
Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri, Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, all in their first year of eligibility, were not selected.
Went to that 2005 enshrinement as my husband is diehard Marino fan. Crowd was about 85% Marino jerseys. I bought a Niners visor just to give Steve Young a little support😆
Dodgers pitchers and catchers report on Tues. I assume the Cubs pitchers and catchers also report right around Tues.
This will be a crowded event for the Dodgers, probably 50+ in the Dave Roberts model. Regarding the Cubs, do they HAVE pitchers?
Good thing they had that many pitchers. Still won the World Series!
Lakers survive second half rally, continue winning ways against Warriors
https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2025/2/6/24360656/lakers-vs-warriors-final-score-recap-stats-box-score-lebron-james-austin-reaves-gabe-vincent
After a remarkable first half led by LeBron James, the Lakers withstood a second-half rally from the Warriors to continue their winning ways on Thursday, earning a 120-112 victory.
LA led by as many as 26 in the first half but watched Steph Curry pull the Warriors back into the game in the fourth before eventually outlasting the visitors. With the win, the Lakers secure the season series over Golden State.
Warriors rally falls short as LeBron James, Lakers win duel with Steph Curry
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2025/2/6/24360666/warriors-lakers-scores-recap-lebron-james-steph-curry-jimmy-butler-luka-doncic
Thursday night featured a primetime matchup between two teams who dramatically shook up their rosters at the trade deadline. But those moves weren’t on display: Jimmy Butler, while in the house, didn’t suit up for his Golden State Warriors debut, nor did Luka Dončić for his Los Angeles Lakers debut.
They desperately need JK and Butler on the floor
CAL
[MGYM] Bears Meet Air Force On Saturday
https://calbears.com/news/2025/2/6/mens-gymnastics-no-10-bears-meet-no-11-air-force-saturday.aspx
The 10th-ranked California men's gymnastics team will be hitting the road this weekend, meeting conference-mate and 11th-ranked Air Force in Colorado Saturday at 1 p.m. PT. The Golden Bears last met the Falcons at the 2024 MPSF Championships, outscoring them 405.600-395.450.
[LAX] Cal Begins 2025 Season At UC Davis
https://calbears.com/news/2025/2/6/lacrosse-cal-begins-2025-season-in-davis.aspx
The California lacrosse team's first season as a member of the ACC begins Saturday with a nonconference game at UC Davis.
With the departure of a large senior class, the Golden Bears welcomed 10 diversely talented freshmen to the roster this year. However, the heart of the team this year lies within the four returning seniors - Callan Fritsch, Kalena Johnson, Kennedy Mason and Belle Tiesi. Cal's seniors have seen the team endure substantial change, and their loyalty has shined through over the past four years by putting the program before themselves and growing into strong leaders for the team.
[WBB] No. 21 Cal Falls Short At Louisville
https://calbears.com/news/2025/2/6/womens-basketball-no-21-cal-falls-short-at-louisville.aspx
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) Down by as many as 16 points in the fourth quarter, the No. 21 California women's basketball team mounted a furious rally to get to within single digits with just over a minute to go but was unable to complete the comeback. Olivia Cochran scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help Louisville turn back No. 21 California 70-63 on Thursday night.
Go Bears!!!
Cal's Chancellor would appear to agree.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/02/06/cal-chancellor-rich-lyons-talks-athletic-department-finances-the-super-league-the-football-program-and-more/
Really excellent interview/spot-on thoughts from Lyons. Ending with this:
“I have been around a long time,” Lyons said, “and I can feel, I can taste, the link between athletics and alumni engagement. That doesn’t mean we just keep investing without bounds. But in 10 years, I would like there to be electricity.”
this is the same vibe i got when i got to meet him a few months ago in a small setting
POLITICS
We're less than three weeks in and we are now feeling the expansion of Project 2025's enactment. Three weeks feels like three decades
https://media1.tenor.com/m/IPgrMIFhTpwAAAAC/green-mile-im-tired-boss.gif
It occurred to me that if a Democrat administration had tried something like the dodgey DOGE incursion, "conservative" media would be outraged.
in general, it seems that "conservative" media is good at stirring up outrage that works for conservatives to take action.
liberal media tries outrage and little action ensues.
Part of the problem with liberal media is that it spends as much or more time criticizing Democrats.
I mean, this isn't a "problem" in an absolute ethical sense, but in terms of pure political efficacy there is an imbalance.
Well, there is plenty of easy material.
The fascinating thing is both sides spend most of their time preaching to the choir, not changing anybody's already made up mind. But the conservative media prompts activism, in that their followers actually respond by doing things, whereas the liberal media mostly seems to prompt more talking about it, but relatively little easily discernable actions.
Liberal media doesn't do outrage like Fox News does outrage though.
Absolutely. They'd be pissed they didn't do it first.
DBD AV CLUB
We're a week away from the newest seasons of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (how we need him now) and White Lotus. Color me excited.
Oh I can't wait. I might have a couple of episodes of LWTJO that I still have to watch.
Paradise - Hulu(?) - 14/19. A TV show with Sterling K Brown and James Marsden. I've only seen the first couple of episodes. He's the head secret service detail for an ex-president and he finds him dead in the first 5 min. At the end of the first episode you see they're living in a world like the Truman show. So far so good so I'm going to give it a chance.
Skeleton Crew - Disney/Star Wars - S1E1
watched the pilot for this yesterday and really enjoyed it. it is about some regular kids who live in a regular suburb in the Star Wars galaxy somewhere. they did a good job of showing suburban life not too different than ours .. until spaceships and hyperspace travel get involved!
Unfortunately I don't think a lot of people watched it but it was definitely the best Star Wars content in a while.
I saw it described as "Star Wars Goonies"...I think that's accurate. Probably won't get a second season, tho. Reports were that it was the lowest rated Star Wars series ever...even behind The Acolyte and Andor.
i am ok w/ no 2nd season. in fact, random other 1 season series about all different parts of the Star Wars story arc are better. and then if you get an amazing one like Mandalorian, then you stick w/ it
I hadn't thought of it like that, and I definitely agree. One thing though, is that I wish there was a way to end a one-season series without a cliffhanger (like they did with The Acolyte). Closure would've been a good thing, even though I bet they believed that there would be a season 2 when they filmed.
They kinda did end season 1 without a cliffhanger. The storyline was completed. Season 2 I guess would've been how they go forward.
I finished it yesterday. Thought they did a good job. The kids were good in it and Jude Law plays a good villain. I remember the first thing I saw him in was The Talented Mr Ripley with Matt Damon back in the mid 90s.
16/19. Unfortunately I think there won't be a season 2
ELSEWHERE IN COLLEGE
It’s time once again for Oski Disciple’s Question of the Day.
Isn’t a record that will never be broken one made of titanium steel?
sounds good to me. what is the record that is on Voyager made out of?
https://media1.tenor.com/m/gH_fVSxmpM0AAAAd/austin-powers-i-love-gold.gif
Certainly not conventional vinyl, though it is remarkably durable.