Well, shoot!

 So, I haven't blogged in a few days cause my laptop is on the edge of dying.  Therefore, I'm writing this on my music laptop that I use for games.

 I'm sure some folks are asking, how do you know that your laptop is on the edge of dying?  Well, when you can't keep it running for more than five minutes, it doesn't take much to figure it out.

 Over the last couple of days, I've done some heavy research and put together a solid HP computer.  The same size as my old laptop (17") and will be smoking fast.  The hard drive is a 1TB SATA, 16GB of RAM and I went a little big time as I got a backlit keyboard, with the numeric keypad (after having it for so long, and as many spreadsheets as I do, I won't have a keyboard without it).

 While waiting for the new laptop, which by the way had great discount of over $130, I won't be uploading any videos for the new channel. Which honestly, is a good thing.  I went down to the Gaslamp Quarter this past Saturday to do what was supposed to be going up tomorrow.  I was waking up and down Fifth Ave, not bothering anyone that was dining, from 8:30p until 11:00p and got TWO folks to actually answer the question (What is your most unique talent?).

 Going in, I thought that with drunk folks and a simple question, it could be an interesting episode.  Now, I'm not even sure that I will release the episode.  I might go back down and try and get more people.

 This weeks question is, "Mayo or Mustard? and Why?"  I am going to a bonfire with a group that I'm in on Facebook.  I'll be asking the question there to see if I can't get some answers.  I'll also be going to Balboa Park on Sunday and try and get some more folks there.

 In other things, I've begun golfing again.  I'm going in the same way that I did when I first began golfing,  Going to executive courses to sort of dial in my irons and wedges.  Then mixing in full courses to get the driver and woods out of the bag.  Back on the 19th I went to Pine Glenn at Sycuan.  For the first time, I got back to back pars!

 I was supposed to go tomorrow (Wednesday, March 3) but since there is a 70-90% chance of rain while we were going to be golfing the three-some has decided to rearrange and go on Monday the 8th at 11a.

 So, now while we wait for the new laptop, I'll practice my golf game and work a game or two.  Speaking of which, the reason (besides money) why I didn't golf last week, I worked eight games in six days.  It would've been 11 in 10 days but a soccer match and a basketball game were cancelled due to the opposition catching the virus.  I had a really good hang out session with a couple of co-workers after the game last Tuesday.  The highlight of that eight game stretch was being able to step in and do the senior day activities and starting lineups on Saturday for the Men's Basketball team. 

NASCAR, Soccer and some YouTube learning

Ah.... one of my favorite days on the Sports calendar was this past Sunday.  #DAYTONA500 Day.  It took awhile, like 8-9 hours, because of a FIVE hour rain delay.  Duh, it is February....  Michael McDowell was the first to cross the finish line for his first Daytona 500 victory.  Some good and bad news comes along with this win.

The bad is that he will not be able to use the car ever again.  I say ever again cause next year NASCAR goes to a new style of car.  One of the perks (depending on your point of view) is that the winning car of the 500 goes into the Daytona museum for an entire year.  He gets the car back on the Saturday prior to the next Daytona 500.

The good news is that he has already qualified for the "Chase for the Cup."  So he doesn't have anything to really worry about until September.  That is when the playoffs begin.  All the winners of the 26 races that lead up to the playoffs and then some wildcards based on points.  The top 16 in the season long points battle qualify for the playoffs.

Tuesday saw another soccer match on the schedule.  It was the season opener for the men's soccer team.  The match against California Baptist University (cbu (that is how they stylize their school initials)) out of Riverside was scheduled for March, but was moved up.  Prior to the match, I swung by Gaglione Brothers in the Sports Arena area.

For those that have never heard or (gasp) never had them before... they are DELICIOUS!!!!  They primarily specialized in Philadelphia Cheesesteaks.  I had the mushroom cheesesteak without onions.  I took the sandwich and stopped by a 7-Eleven that is between the restaurant and USD to get a beverage.

I got to the press box and enjoyed the sandwich prior to the match, but not prior to getting yelled at for eating in the press box.

The match was rather easy, with one exception.  Live stats was having a hard time staying current.  It would not update the time when I inputted different fouls or corner kicks.  Heck, it didn't even update on a few of the goals that were scored.  USD ended up losing 4-1.

Today, I went to the chiropractor, like I do every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.  It was a pretty normal adjustment... except for the neck.  He really went deep on that part of my body.  After I got my adjustment, it was time for lunch.  Mom and I went to Firehouse Subs.

On the way home the Matriarch of the family had me stop at my LEAST favorite store in the World. Bed, Bath and Beyond.  I hate that store, most of this hatred stems from my early days as a security guard.  A post that was assigned to me was the very store that we went to, the Mission Valley Center location.  It is a story for another time.

Once we got home, I watched the ending to one of my favorite movies "Rounders."

At the conclusion of the movie, I loaded up the USD softball game that was being played.  Not good news for the Toreros.  They began the season 0-2.  They will be back in action when I'm on stats on Saturday in a doubleheader against Grand Canyon University.

I finished the night by watching some YouTube videos on how to get better at editing.  I've picked up a few tidbits so hopefully, the videos for San Diego Street Talk will be getting better.  Speaking of San Diego Street Talk (now available on YouTube here) I will be out shooting our next episode tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 18) on the Embarcaderro between the Star of India and the Midway between 12:30p and 3 or 4p.  I will also be in the Gaslamp Quarter on Saturday night after the USD Soccer match to record for episode 3.

For those that are wondering, I have already set out a shooting schedule (hopefully things get opened up this Summer) through September (which will get us to about the episode 25-30 range).

Until next time my friends, Adios.

Yikes.... that was tough, but we are one day closer to the DAYTONA 500

 Greetings,

So I worked my first USD Soccer match today.  My initial reaction is OY! or YIKES! if this was a regular season, it could be long.... But this is a short season, so it might not be that bad.

From my not very educated knowledge of collegiate soccer is they need more speed!  The Toreros are lacking in that aspect of the sport.

Now, as for my purpose at the match.  I was learning how to do the stats.  I had never stated soccer before.  Yes, of all the sports that I've done stats for, I've never (prior to today) done soccer.  In retrospect, it is very appropriate that today is Lunar New Year.  So I started a new journey at the beginning of a new year!

I picked up the program very quickly as it is not that hard to figure out.  Once I got home from the match, I texted a good friend that is an SID at a local university and asked him why hadn't told me how easy stating soccer was?  His response was "Hahaha. Easiest of all." Yeah, it is.  In just a month on March 20th, I'll be doing the hardest of all the stat programs, Football.

On the journey home, I stopped at the grocery store to pick up a few things for the weekend.  I got a couple of salads, some strawberries and blueberries, some sunflower seeds (cause what's a salad without them?) and both fried and grilled chicken for the weekend.

Once I got everything ironed out after dinner, I recalculated and formatted my hockey power ranking sheets.  With all of the COVID rescheduled games, I needed to reformat the spreadsheets.

Now, I am getting ready to go to bed.  When I wake up in the morning, it will be time to go work a pair of NAIA Basketball games as the San Diego Christian College Hawks host William Jessop University.  The Warriors will invade the Kroc Center tomorrow (later today) with a 10:30a women's game, followed by a men's game.

If you are looking for me on Sunday, it won't be hard to find me.  Look in the living room, it is not Valentine's Day as many think.  It is DAYTONA 500 Day!  Along with Singles Awareness Day.

On Tuesday, it is looking like I'll do my first men's soccer game.

Off to bed to get ready for the final two games of the week.  It's been almost like "normal" times this week.  Six games across six days and a trip up to Burbank for good measure.

Volleyball replay and Networking

Well, I didn't really like today's assignment.

I don't often say that, but it was true.  Not a fun day at the office.

The Toreros hosted the Portland Pilots in a West Coast Conference volleyball match.  I was assigned to be the replay official for the match (today as well).

Got to the arena around an hour early.  Went and made sure that the equipment was working correctly.  At the time it did....I'll explain later.

First set, everything is going ok... then late in the set (22-13 San Diego), Portland thought the call of in was wrong.  The assistant coach went crazy thinking that it was out.  He damn near ran on to the court and said "You'll see in just a second that you were wrong!"  I really wanted to find an angle that proved the referee correct.  On the angle that I saw and showed to the down referee, it looked to me like the ball was out.  The down referee looked and said nothing to me (I have to fill in some paperwork on the screen when there is a review).  I wait to see what he signals and he signals that the ball was out (Gee, thanks for letting me know what was going on).

Second set, we had two reviews, one for each team.

For San Diego, they thought the ball was in.  The problem was that upon looking at the video, only one of the two angles that we were supposed to have at our disposal was working.  The one angle was skipping over the two to three frames that we needed for confirmation, so the call "stood" because it was inconclusive.

Portland had another review late in the set (I'm noticing a trend....).  It was another in/out call.  On the opposite side of the benches (and the table).  Looking at the video again it looked in to me.   However, the original call was out and that is what the referee confirmed.

In the fourth set (as it turned out the final set) San Diego on the bare eye looked like they just missed a pancake (slipping your hand under the ball and having it bonce off the hand).  That call was confirmed that it did hit the floor and not the hand.

The final set scores were: San Diego 3-1 (25-15, 28-30 (nothing like over points), 25-14, 25-14).

On Tuesday, I was invited by my friend Callan to join him as we went up to Burbank to meet up with Sean Pebbles.  If you don't know the name, you might know the position that he holds.  Public Address Announcer for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Sean is in SoCal doing something with Warner Bros.  He said that he could tell us, but then he'd have to kill us.  We kinda like living, so we just let it lie.  Really cool guy.  After we had dinner at BJ's Restaurant in Burbank.  After dinner, we went back to his hotel and talked for a bit.  He offered us drinks but I just took a water as I was driving (do your own thing, but if you drink and drive.... don't expect me to be at your funeral).  Hope to hook up with Sean again when his plans are to come back out to San Diego in August.

Basketball and videos

 Well, talk about a day!

First on the docket was running the Instant Replay for the USD Toreros Women's Basketball game against Pepperdine at the Jenny Craig Pavilion.  Game time was two in the afternoon.  I got to the arena at 11:30.

Most people are reading this and wondering, why so early?  Well there is two reasons for being there two and a half hours early.  One, I haven't done this position in about a year.  Two, I did a little example video on how everything works.  That will be compiled with the other mini videos that I'm making for all the positions at the table and will compile them all into one video and then post it.

The game went very smoothly.  When USD wins by 25 points that helps.  Also, when the referees only come over one time for a clarification and no real reviews, it is a good game!

I also found out that I'll be working the scoreboard on Monday for Women's Volleyball (I promise to keep all comments to myself!).  The comment in parenthesis is an inside joke that a couple of people know about.  Also, the good ladies in the SID office must really trust me with stats, as they have asked me to come learn/do the stats for Women's soccer this coming Friday.  Of course in 2021, I won't be counting goals until there actually is a game.  In this time, a game on the schedule is just a suggestion.

After the game, I walked around the main portion of USD and asked folks the opening question on San Diego Street Talk.  Which is "what would be the worst movie sequel ever made, and why?"  I interviewed 12 folks.  The final video is coming in around the six and a half minute mark.

Alright, I'm going to head to bed now so that I can get up and enjoy Super Bowl LV.  My pick? The over (more than 56.5 combined points)!

Another game.... and another positive test....

 The USD Toreros were scheduled the byu Cougars.

Scheduled being the important term there.

I got an email around 11a this morning saying that the game was cancelled and the bosses would be in touch with a makeup date.  The way that the email was written I thought that it was a byu player that was the guilty party.  As I would later find out, no it was a USD player that was the guilty party.  STAY IN YOUR ROOMS TOREROS!!!!!!!

Today was the day where I was to get my truck back.  I took it in on Friday to get it fixed.  The front wheel bearings and brakes needed to get fixed.  So, I called yesterday and talked to my High School classmate who happens to own the place.  He said that the truck was ready.  I go in at like 11:30 and find out that nope, it wasn't ready.  No biggie, they were just waiting for the rotors.

So, while they were finishing up the truck, I went into work with Mom.

I knew they were going to need me as the office needed to get a new all-in-one printer.  Mom, her boss and I all went to Staples to get a good deal that they were having.  While at Staples, they also got Turbo Tax, a folder to hold the 2021 tax info and extra ink for the new printer.

We get back to the office and I begin doing my thing.  First I get the old rather large all-in-one out of the way.  It was being replaced as my mom's boss gets a lot of faxs and the old machine (which they got back in 2016) was not receiving faxes anymore.  So a new all-in-one it is.

I get the old one unhooked the telephone line from the old one, I unboxed the new one and got it out of the bag.  I place it in the spot and it takes about half of the space the old one did.  I hooked the telephone line into the new machine.

I then sat down and started doing the setup on my mom's work laptop while she was working on some paperwork on the other side of the office.  Once I got everything taken care of on her laptop, I began on her bosses laptop.  It was during this setup that they both went to the bank to do some (brace yourself) banking.

After I got all of that done, it was time for my mom and I to leave.  On the way home, mom and I stopped for lunch at Arby's.  We took our lunch over to the plane spotting parking lot at Lindbergh Field.  My family loves to go down to the airport and watch planes take off and land.

As mom and I left the airport, I called to check on my truck.  I was told that the mechanic was just about to torque the lug nuts down and take it for a test drive to make sure everything was good.

It takes about 15 minutes to get from the airport to the mechanic.  When we arrived, I noticed that my truck was still in one of the bays.  As I was paying (this is where the "Ouch" tag comes from) he was just then taking the truck for its test drive.  Maybe two minutes later he was back.

I got into my truck and started driving home.  Admittedly, I took a long cut to get home.  About a quarter of the way home I thought I had heard a noise from the left front wheel.  Keeping in mind, I had the front wheels worked on.  So, I went into a really quiet neighborhood to see if I could hear it there.  I didn't so I chalked it up to hearing it from someone else.

Once I got home, it was about 4p.  I sat down and started working on some computer work.  Really, just watching some YouTube videos on how to fix my valve cover gasket (another item that needs to be fixed, if I were to do it at the mechanic it would cost over $400 for labor).  For some reason, I fell asleep for a nap for about 30-45 minutes.  By the time I woke up, it was time for my Colorado Avalanche to hit the ice.  Actually the game had already started when I woke up.

So, I started typing this blog out while listening to the Birthday Boy Conor McGahey (tonight it was "Natural Disaster vs adjective).  The other birthday boy Marc Moser (the TV voice of the Avalanche) was not able to be viewed on NHL.tv this evening for some reason.  I eventually had dinner during the second intermission (rice with leftover meatloaf balls).  The game finished and as I was about to go back to watching YouTube videos on how to grow my channel, my main laptop decided that it wasn't going to play well with others.

So, I got my mini laptop out (the one that I usually work on at games) to finish this blog.  Well, since I haven't used the mini laptop for about a year, it was time for updates.  That took about an hour to get through.

So here it is midnight and I'm finally finishing this blog.  When it was looking like I was going to finish it around 9:30'ish.  Oh well.  Good night.

YouTube.com/c/ChrisDavisCDinSV

Twitter.com/CDinSV

The top team in NCAA Men's Basketball and the plan that wasn't to be...

Well as the Scottish proverb says "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry."

This happened twice on Thursday.

I started out Thursday by playing a little NASCAR Heat 3.  Finished a couple of races and then it was time for me to leave the house for the day.

First stop was the chiropractor.  Been going to him since May of last year when I tweaked my back.  Things were aligned and so it was a quick visit.  Then I made my way over to Jenny Craig Pavilion to work the men's basketball game against Gonzaga.

Tip for the game was 6:00, but I got to my parking space for the night before 4:00.  So, instead of going in very very early, I sat in the car.  I'm glad I did as my sister (who is going after her bachelor's degree at UNLV) called me for some computer help.  We talked about her classes for a little bit and then got to her problem.  No biggie, just needed some help uploading a file to share with one of her classmates.  Got that all knocked out and then she had to go to get ready for her next class.

I went in around 4:45'ish, just as Gonzaga was arriving to the arena.

The plan was for me to go in and do a video for my YouTube channel on how I run the scoreboard as that was the position that I was working.  But by the time I got in, I didn't think the sound would be good as the music was already playing.  So, when I work the game on Saturday, I'll take my lapel microphones and hook them up and knock it out that way.  Look for that video and the one I'm going to do at the game tonight (Friday, Jan. 29) next week on the above mentioned YT channel.

As for the game....

The Toreros came out of the gate HOT!  But all streaks come to an end.  Just 2:30 into the game, USD was up five points.  The Blue and White held the lead throughout the game for a total of 7:28.  The top team went on a 15 point scoring run in the first half over a course of 5:46 seconds.  At the break they were up 40-29.  The second half was more of the same as the Bulldogs would win 90-62.  For those "Guys in the Desert" the Zags did not cover by just two points. 

Once the game was over, I checked my phone to see what messages I missed (unlike others that I know, I don't look at my phone during the game).  It was at this point that I found out an acquaintance of mine had passed away on Tuesday.  He couldn't have been more than 30 years old #RIPSeth

I don't really like to end things on a downer like that, so I'll leave you with this joke.  Where do cows go on Friday nights?  They go to the moo-vies!

Be safe everyone and remember to love each other!

Let's relaunch this Huh?

 So what's gong on Blogger?  Been awhile hasn't it?

Let's say we relaunch this blog huh?  Maybe even combine it with a YouTube channel and really have some fun.

So Tuesday, I did a Day in the Life video of running the scoreboard for a USD women's basketball game (oh yeah, since I last blogged, I've been picked up to help on the Toreros game day management crew).

Started the day by running some numbers to see who had a good chance of winning the NHL games (kinda got into some sports wagering on a website that you don't use real money).  Turned out that there were a few games that really had some advantages, so I placed some wagers.

Around 11, I left the house and went to USD.  Stopped off at 7-Eleven to get a Pepsi and a Kit Kat (since I didn't have anything before leaving the house).  Got to USD about 11:45, needed to start the pregame clock at Noon.

Had to park in the lower parking garage and walked up.  Didn't have my mask on as there was no one within six feet of me so I was all clear.  Once I walked in, I put on my mask and got my temp taken.  Walked onto "The Slim Gym" Jenny Craig Pavilion's floor.  With the Covid-19 setup, you have the Shot Clock, Game Clock/Scoreboard, Official book and the Instant Replay system on the table right at courtside.  On the riser that is located roughly where the expandable "lower" bowl would be is Stats, Photographer, Announcer and music.  On the other side of the court is the play-by-play spot.  Everyone that is working the spots I just mentioned is "Tier 2".  Coaches, players and the Sports Information Directors are all in "Tier 1".  Tier 1 can go pretty much anywhere they want.  Tier 2 can only go to Tiers 2 & 3.  "Tier 3" is the camera operators and anyone up in the control room.

So, I get inside and see the head of marketing for USD, the one and only Robbie Hill.  Robbie is really cool and has a bunch of passion for USD since he went there (and his Dad is the head baseball coach).  Side note on Robbie, he is a professional trumpet player and does a great National Anthem.

Went over to the scores table and double checked some of the settings (minor things that the shot clock guy likes to have checked like making sure that the shot clock doesn't show tenths of a second).  I started the pregame 60 minute clock about 45 seconds late, but since the game was starting at 1p and wasn't on National TV, it didn't really matter.

About five minutes into the pregame, I found out that the guy that was scheduled to work the scorebook was going to be running late as he was getting his first Covid shot.  I was asked, and was going to do it anyway, to get the scratches from both teams and get the names into the book.  Simple enough, got it taken care of in about 10 minutes, but was interrupted by the referee coming over to the table and having the pregame talk with everyone at the table.  We go over the simple things and ask some questions on things that are odd and don't happen very often.

About 15 minutes before tip, the scorebook got to the table and I let him know that the book was all filled out and starters were about to be inputted by the coaches.  The coaches (usually the second assistant coach) have until 10 minutes before the game to get their starters in the book and initial that everyone in the book is correct.  This way, should it happen that a team puts a player into the game that wasn't listed in the book, the referees can say "Hey, you initialed" before assigning a technical foul.  In addition to that, for some reason the play-by-play guy hadn't shown up yet.  So, the PA Announcer was flipped over to the p-b-p seat and the SID filled in on PA Announcing.  If I was in a different seat (shot clock) I probably could've done it, but not when I was on the big clock.

The Toreros had a really good start as they led at one point 16-4.  They ended up finishing the quarter up 22-13.  They also closed out the game with a good fourth quarter with 19 points.  In the bookend quarters they scored 41 points....the problem was they only scored 15 in the second and third quarters combined.  They ended up losing to St. Mary's College 63-56.  SMC coming into the game was 4-10!

After the game, my friend Callan (originally scheduled to do PA, ended up on p-b-p) and I went down the hill to Round Table for some pizza and a beer (after that game, we needed one!).  We caught up with each other as we hadn't hung out (gee thanks Covid) since early December.  I took him back to his house and went down to PB.

On the way down to PB I got a sudden need to go to the bathroom.  I ended up going in a porta potty at the foot of Fiesta Island.  Then made my way over to PB to get gas.  After that I came home.  On the way home my beloved Colorado Avalanche were playing San Chokse in Denver.  I turned into the game on XM and listened to the Great Conor McGahey.  Once there was a commercial break after I pulled into the driveway, I came inside and watched the rest of the game on NHL.TV.  Avs would win 7-3!

After the game, I started editing the video and posted it overnight as I slept.

So I'll come back tonight after the Toreros and the #1 Gonzaga Bulldogs are on the court tonight.  It isn't on National TV (shocking!) so if you watch on WCC Network (Look on Facebook) you'll see me at center court again running the big clock and scoreboard again.  Tip is at 6p.

Why?

Why is it that people love to tell you what you would like to watch on TV without really knowing what you already watch.

In the last two weeks, I've been told that I should watch two different shows by people who in reality bearly know me.

Two weeks ago, I was told that just because I was wearing a certain type of shirt that I should watch "Two and a half men" wither in re-runs or new. What that person doesn't know is that I have watched the show in the past, and I didn't really like it, therefor that is why I don't watch "Two and a half men".

And then just moments ago from my Computers teacher tells me that I should watch CSI just because he is really into the show. I have one thing to say "WHO CARES"


Till Sunday during the WCC Basketball tournament @ USD or whenever I feel like throwing another bog up, later.

Greetings from a very bored person

So welcome to bog 1.008, with a week between bog's you would think alot is going on in the life of Chris, well, you would be wrong.

Monday - School & take care of Elizabeth's dogs.
Tuesday - School, Elizabeth's dogs, and square dancing.
Wednesday - School, Elizabeth's dogs, and watching the CSU-Bakersfield Roadrunners defeat the USD Torreros.
Thursday - School, Elizabeth's dogs, and hand and foot
Friday - School, hosting dinner with friends, and work
Saturday - Patriots football and Clear Channel "holiday" party

As far as stats class is concerned, not going well. I believe that even though I really don't have time to re-take the class, I think that I might have to re-take it.

When the regular spring semester begins on the 28th, I will be taking English, Physical Anthropology, Principals of Information Systems, MicroEconomics, & the crash course is Public Speaking. A very full course load!

News of the weird: Thanks to the AP.
WEST HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - An obstetrician saved his wife and six children from a fire that ravaged their home, delivered a baby while the house was still smoldering and then got cited with building violations. Dr. Herman Weiss said Friday "was just my day."The 37-year-old awoke around 3 a.m. to the screech of a smoke detector and the sight of flames inching up an outside wall of his Long Island home. He got his family to safety, then was paged and went to a hospital to deliver an infant around 6 a.m.The fire brought scrutiny from building inspectors, who cited the Weisses with a discrepancy in plumbing plans and living in the house without a certificate of occupancy. Weiss said the family had hired a lawyer to get one.The family has been ordered to tear down the damaged house. Weiss said he hopes to rebuild in the same place.

Well, lets look at this from a very impartial view. If they have been living there, then why not overlook the fact that they don’t have the permit and let them live there. Sheez, city governments and they wounder why they have a bad reputation.

Unti we get together again for bog 1.009, see ya latter.

PS If you are wondering how the resolutions are going, they are are still in effect.