Tom @ MindSay

I know, I know, you're all dying to hear about Portland. Well, sorry, just another day.

Who says us San Diego State guys can't come to L.A. and do good things? This is what happens when someone instills faith and confidence in someone, and sticks with them even in tough times when things look bad. In the first half, Craft's play looked reminscent of recent SDSU play: many miscues with 4 interceptions. After UCLA's prodigal son head coach Rick Neuheisel sat him down at halftime, and told Kevin "you are our guy..I threw 4 picks in my 1st game as UCLA QB...now settle down and play...", Kevin did just that, in the second half settling down in Norm Chow's offense, and looking like a Heisman Candidate, throwing with poise, focus, and accuracy, leading the UCLA offense on two scoring drives, and a last minute TD drive that was sheerly Tom Brady-esqe. So this die hard SDSU/USC Football fan, on this day, smiles and basks in this very special UCLA victory, as a fellow-former Aztec has made him proud. Especically, being that the fact that Kevin's Dad, Tom Craft, former SDSU football coach from 2001-2005, recruited me personally to try out for his football team in my senior year at SDSU, after seeing me working out at the Aztec Recreation Center, and admiring my stregnth and size. Even though I declined his offer to try out in spring camp for the Aztecs, I always followed him and his team, rooting with vigor and pride, even in tough times, through many defeats. Hopefully this is the beginning of an era that may be reminiscent of the great Los Angeles college football rivalries of the 1980's and 1960's, where UCLA and USC were both featured as major powers across the college football landscape. Of late, we all know the story with the recent and present dominance of Pete Carroll's USC Trojans, this decade playing in 6 BCS bowls, and winning 2 BCS National Championships. Rick Neuheisel's recent ad in the LA Times stating that "The Football Monopoly in Los Angeles is Officially Over", may just be the catalyst for change the UCLA football program needed. So rest assured all you Bruin Fans, this SDSU Guy WILL be rooting for Kevin Craft and his Bruin Offense this season....that is........... until December 6th. F I G H T O N anjalo russell

In our next installment of Things You Never Knew You Never Knew, I would like to teach you all a bit about Memorial Day. In honor of tomorrow being, well, Memorial Day.

 

I have to dedicate this one to my good friend Tom, who asked me to investigate this very thing.

 

So I learned that Memorial Day is a very old tradition, stretching back to May 5, 1868, after the end of the US Civil War. It was suggested and granted that a day be set aside to honor all of the fallen soldiers of that war. It wasn't until the end of World War I that the meaning was changed to honor soldiers from all American wars.

 

Orignially, the rememberance was called Decoration Day, as it was tradition to decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers. It was also originally observed on May 30, supposedly because on that day it was likely that flowers would be in bloom all over the country. It was not until 1971 that an act of Congress established it as an official national holiday, moved it to the last Monday in May, and renamed it Memorial Day; though many still refer to it as Decoration Day.

 

There are several traditions used to observe, including placing flowers on graves and flying flags at half-mast. It is in conjunction with this holiday that the song "Taps" has become known. The poppy flower has become "the flower of rememberance" as a result of the poem, "In Flanders Fields" and both are now well associated with Memorial Day.

 

After all of the reading I have done, it seems to me the most important thing to remember is that remembering is the most important thing we can do.  There are thousands of men and women who have died in service to our country and that is what we honor on this holiday.

I came home about 15 minutes ago, and for the first time since 6:45 this morning (it's now...9:17...), I was able to check my email.  A whole lot of junk, as to be expected, as well as the following email:

Dear Emily,

You have been nominated by your RA Jessica as an outstanding
floor member in her community.  As the Associate Vice President for Student
Affairs, I constantly look to support and thank those students who have a
commitment to others in their community.  You are one of those
students.  Jessica notes that, "Emily is consistently attending programs, is a resource for other residents and is very involved in GPI.  Unfortunately she is graduating this year so she cannot apply to be an RA, but I'd love to see her efforts and positive energy recognized."

Emily, this is top praise from one of our leaders in Residential Education.  I do hope that I have the opportunity to meet you personally over the semester.  My office is located in Kimmel, room 601 and I hope that you continue to be a strong positive presence in our residence halls.

Thanks for all you do!
Sincerely,

Tom Ellett

What a friggin' hilarious trip that is.  Me.  Top ANYTHING.  I love Jess.  I'll have to thank her for telling Tom when I see her on Sunday.  So funny.  I don't even do anything special or spectacular.  I wonder if Zach nominated Renee or Brenda.  Or, if Mike says, they all really love ME :). 

I guess it's only funny/worth mentioning if you lived here, ey?