A Happy 60th
Sarah and I traveled to Los Angeles this weekend to witness ND's upset of 22-point favorite UCLA. Did you really think we'd lose on my 60th? For those of you into the old man Ryan jokes, that's 60th Notre Dame Game attended... not 60th birthday! Needless to say, it was a successful trip, and it was great to be back in the City of Angels.
Our good friend from ACE, Gregory Ronald Gomez, picked us up at LAX on Friday night and hosted us in his plush Manhattan Beach-front apartment. Oh those Catholic School teachers really know how to roll. Saturday we rolled up to Pasadena, and I added the legendary Rose Bowl as my 15th college football venue. The day was typical sunny L.A., as the Irish faithful absolutely swarmed the festivities. This mob was the norm for ND road games, but it was especially impressive for an 0-5 team 2,000 miles away from campus! ND fans filled both endzones from top to bottom and made plenty of noise. Incredible!
As you know, the Irish pulled off the upset, but it wasn't pretty. We won the turnover battle 7-0, but our offense still managed to do just enough (and avoid mistakes) to pull out a 14-point victory. But a win is a win, and no team needed it more than this one. And no fan needed it more than this one! If you didn't get to see the game due to regional coverage, check out these highlights.
As we got word of USC's unfathomable loss to Stanford and the Irish took control, I couldn't help but look forward to seeing my friends and former students at St. Marianne. I took more than a little heat from these L.A. college football fans, and I knew they would not be surprised to see my blue and gold sweatshirt. Were you in hiding, Mr. Gandara?
Some photos from the game...
Checking The Rose Bowl off the list!
With my longtime friend, Tony.
Mmmm, carne asada on the grill... it's good to be back in L.A.!
The Goodyear Blimp over "The Grand-daddy of them all."
Opening kickoff.
Irish eyes are smiling... finally!
The monkey is off their backs!
Our good friend from ACE, Gregory Ronald Gomez, picked us up at LAX on Friday night and hosted us in his plush Manhattan Beach-front apartment. Oh those Catholic School teachers really know how to roll. Saturday we rolled up to Pasadena, and I added the legendary Rose Bowl as my 15th college football venue. The day was typical sunny L.A., as the Irish faithful absolutely swarmed the festivities. This mob was the norm for ND road games, but it was especially impressive for an 0-5 team 2,000 miles away from campus! ND fans filled both endzones from top to bottom and made plenty of noise. Incredible!
As you know, the Irish pulled off the upset, but it wasn't pretty. We won the turnover battle 7-0, but our offense still managed to do just enough (and avoid mistakes) to pull out a 14-point victory. But a win is a win, and no team needed it more than this one. And no fan needed it more than this one! If you didn't get to see the game due to regional coverage, check out these highlights.
As we got word of USC's unfathomable loss to Stanford and the Irish took control, I couldn't help but look forward to seeing my friends and former students at St. Marianne. I took more than a little heat from these L.A. college football fans, and I knew they would not be surprised to see my blue and gold sweatshirt. Were you in hiding, Mr. Gandara?
On Sunday we went to Mass at my old school and had a great brunch with our friends Robert Rubio, Robyn Kotani, and the Carrillo family. It was also nice of my L.A. "Mama" Leticia to stop by to see us. We hung out at the Carrillo homestead and listened to Luis pretend his Yankees had a chance to win a series against a team with a lesser payroll by $850 million. They took us up to the Universal City Walk on Sunday night and treated us to a great dinner at Bubba Gump's.
We didn't have school in Denver Monday, so we were able to stay one more night and visit my old school on Monday morning. It was so great to see my former colleagues, friends, and especially my students. My first class, the Flyers, are now in 7th Grade and the Falcons are in 6th. Mr. V let me come in and visit with the Falcons, and it was like I never left. It was so great to see their smiling faces, and I hope they continue to keep in touch with me! The entire St. Marianne family is in my thoughts and prayers daily.
With such a busy fall, we weren't sure if we could swing the trip to L.A. (especially with the woes of the Irish). But with the extra day off school and the fact that we'd be able to visit so many good friends, we decided it was an opportunity we couldn't pass up. And we are sure glad we made the trip! Special thanks to Greg Gomez, the Carrillo family, Robert/Robyn... and the Bruins for your hospitality!
This 60th game actually brings my overall record to 35-25, which happens to be the exact same record Bob Davie had in his 5 years as head coach! Ouch! (Many are probably thinking, "he really keeps track of this stuff?" but those who know me well are not surprised at all.) We'll see if I can improve on that record on my 61st, which happens to be this weekend vs. #4 ranked Boston College. Another upset? Who knows now that the stars have realigned: the Cubs whimpered out of the playoffs and ND got back in the win column; things are back to normal!
We didn't have school in Denver Monday, so we were able to stay one more night and visit my old school on Monday morning. It was so great to see my former colleagues, friends, and especially my students. My first class, the Flyers, are now in 7th Grade and the Falcons are in 6th. Mr. V let me come in and visit with the Falcons, and it was like I never left. It was so great to see their smiling faces, and I hope they continue to keep in touch with me! The entire St. Marianne family is in my thoughts and prayers daily.
With such a busy fall, we weren't sure if we could swing the trip to L.A. (especially with the woes of the Irish). But with the extra day off school and the fact that we'd be able to visit so many good friends, we decided it was an opportunity we couldn't pass up. And we are sure glad we made the trip! Special thanks to Greg Gomez, the Carrillo family, Robert/Robyn... and the Bruins for your hospitality!
This 60th game actually brings my overall record to 35-25, which happens to be the exact same record Bob Davie had in his 5 years as head coach! Ouch! (Many are probably thinking, "he really keeps track of this stuff?" but those who know me well are not surprised at all.) We'll see if I can improve on that record on my 61st, which happens to be this weekend vs. #4 ranked Boston College. Another upset? Who knows now that the stars have realigned: the Cubs whimpered out of the playoffs and ND got back in the win column; things are back to normal!
Some photos from the game...
Checking The Rose Bowl off the list!
With my longtime friend, Tony.
Mmmm, carne asada on the grill... it's good to be back in L.A.!
The Goodyear Blimp over "The Grand-daddy of them all."
Opening kickoff.
Irish eyes are smiling... finally!
The monkey is off their backs!
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