Rose Bowl/L.A.

If you ever get a chance to go to the Rose Bowl, or any bowl for that matter, go!  Please go!  I was fortunate enough to go this past new year and it was amazing.  First and foremost, we were there for the game.  It was a tough loss, but it was a great game.  The Rose Bowl Stadium is enormous, close to 100,000 (biggest stadium I've been in).  It was probably 3/4 Badger fans.  Very cool stadium in a valley in Pasadena.  The Badger tailgate was actually just a half mile away on a golf course.  Can you imagine golfing in the shadow of the 'grand daddy'? 

Although we were there for the game, we also got to see a few sights and was there for New Year's.  Thanks to my in-laws we stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Marina del Rey where we saw a few players from the Atlanta Hawks.  We saw the Badgers' marching band twice.  The first time was at the official pep rally next to the Santa Monica Pier.  Thousands of fans lined the parking lot, the pier itself, and the sidewalk to hear the band play, see the Wisconsin governor, the team, and ex-Badger legends (Ron Dayne).  We saw them the next night, new year's eve, down at L.A. Live.  Its the area down by the Staples Center which is somewhat similar to Times Square.  Open air, lots of restaurants and bars, and big jumbotrons.  We also spent some time by Venice Beach and saw the famous Muscle Beach, interesting street performers, and multiple medicinal marijuana centers.  I even got to spend some time w/my cousin Jason, who was kind enough to drive (you really do need a car down in L.A.)  A one way cab ride from Marina del Rey to the Staples Center was around $70.  The weather wasn't amazing, mid 50's, but better than back home.  Just getting away from the cold and being surrounded so many fans in a great city made the trip.  Next time, whether it be Iowa or Wisconsin, we better win!

                                                                Santa Monica Pier

                                                                       Venice Pier

Red Sweatpants/Comfy Clothes

I know you've all had that one piece of clothing that you wore forever, literally until the there were holes in it and the seams were coming apart.  I've had a few pieces like that and still own one or two, mainly a grey hawkeye hoodie w/the elastic coming apart by the wrist that I've had since college, probably 10 years or so.  My favorite of all time has almost legendary status.  My red sweatpants are famous among a lot of my friends.  I wore them religiously for probably 4-5 years.  They were maroon Adidas pants w/navy blue stripes on the side.  I wore them all around town in Iowa City, to class, around the frat house, to breakfast.  Who knows, I don't remember exactly, but at one point I probably wore them to a bar or a hawkeye game.   I walked around all the time the house w/just those one.  Ah, such good times.  Alas, it was a sad day when my mom threw them out, such was the love that I had for them. 

Sweats are just as good, if not better, than your favorite pair of jeans.  I probably spend as much time in my sweats as I do in work clothes during the week.  Kelly and I laugh about all the time about it because its like a race if we get home at the same time to see who can get their sweats on first.    Nowadays I have a few key items such as Nike sweatpants w/lots of pockets, hawkeye sweatpants, and a also a new Nike hoodie.  However, I still reminise and miss my red sweatpants.  RIP my red sweatpants.

Packers/Bears

Its only Tuesday, the big game isn't until 2pm on Sunday, and my thoughts have been consumed by the game since the Packers' win on Saturday.  How am I going to get through this week?!  Normally, a Pack/Bears game is pretty damn big thing.  Compounding the enormity of the situation is of course that its the NFC Championship game and that they haven't played each other in the playoffs since the '40's.  They've split the series this year so far w/each team winning on home soil.  For the team that loses, it will be monumentally worse.  Not just cause its your hated rival, but you also know that they're playing in the Super Bowl, too.  For Bears fans, I'm sure they're regretting not knocking us out of the playoffs in the last game of the season.  Prior to the game some people wanted this matchup, I did not.  I'd much rather played the Seahawks anyday.  A ... is unfathomable right now.

If we win, the peak is so much higher and if we .... the valley will be that much lower.  So, GO PACK GO!

MLK and Traditions

For the past few years, on MLK day, a group of friends of mine have had the tradition of going to the only Pizza Hut (mmmm....lunch buffet) that I know of in the city and seeing a movie.  It just so happens that Kelly and I usually have off on Mondays normally and some others have off obviously for the holiday.  2 or 3 years ago, we saw 'Cloverfield' which I liked, but a few friends absolutely hated.  Its become a running joke every year that we need to see it again. 

The tradition of it has been something I've looked forward to every year now.  Its unusual to go hang out w/your friends during the day, on a Monday, without alcohol (well, probably without alcohol).  In just 2 days we'll renew the tradition and see 'Green Hornet' and I for one cannot wait.  Sometimes the little things like a tradition for lunch and a movie every year can be very fun and something to look forward to!

What kind of fun traditions do you have?

Feasting

                                                              Enormous pot of sticky rice

                                                                 The rest of the feast

The holidays, as I'm sure is the same for most people, is all about eating.  I sure did my fair share this past xmas.  Its worked out nicely between Kelly and I for splitting time w/our families.  We always spend xmas eve w/her mom's side.  Christmas day is always at my house and then at night her dad's side gets together, although I didn't go this year. 

Above are two photos of the feast that occurs all day and night at my house.  The attendance this year was a little lighter than most, but still respectable.  There were probably around 20-25 people this year.  I'm not sure what the largest attendance ever was, but I'm guessing somewhere in the 50 range.  When I was younger it was a really big deal.  We'd all eat and take lots of pics in front of the same 'ol plastic tree and all the kids, there were a lot of us, would get our gifts and open them.  It was a lot of fun.  Recently, with the newest generation of kids, it feels like we're coming back to that excitement level again.  There's a lot more fuss around the kids and certainly many m gifts around the tree.  Its very nice to see. 

The food is awesome and varied.  The first pic shows a massive bowl of sticky rice.  The rest of the spread is consists of part asian and part normal xmas dishes.  We always have the same punch, OJ, sprite, and rainbow sherbet.  This year we also had ham, smoked salmon, curry fishballs, mini wrapped dogs, pinwheels, spaghetti, potato and fruit salad, shrimp cocktail, a variety of desserts and more.  Usually we eat then open gifts.  Then a few people leave, and some of them come back during which we'll nap and/or rent movies.  Later, we'll eat more and watch movies.  Its a beautiful, waist expanding, time.  Now I gotta get back in the gym.  Maybe next year I'll actually contribute a dish. :-)