This page is really to serve as insight into some of the daily conversations/thoughts of a six year old boy:

January 2

One last bit about the Rose Bowl and then we can turn toward Tampa and hoops. But I can’t move on without mentioning it:

Penn State fans, you got the true Big Ten Pasadena experience this time in all its gory Technicolor detail. By that, I mean you were initiated into the conference brotherhood of heartbreak at the hands of USC.

It’s a birthright for anyone at Michigan or Ohio State, losing an excruciating game to the Trojans at the world’s most enchanting athletic venue. There is no more bittersweet experience in sports than attending a Rose Bowl, gazing agape at the vividness of the beauty all around you. The colors all seem richer even when it’s cloudy, the air like velvet even when it’s chilly.

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The Rose Bowl
David LaTorre

Then your team makes a valiant effort, you think victory is at hand and at the very end it’s snatched away by the Evil Empire in cardinal and gold. Ask anyone in Ann Arbor or Columbus. This is a rerun they’ve lived through over and over.

As a kid back in the 1960s and ’70s, I watched Woody Hayes take four different teams into the Rose Bowl to meet USC. Two of those ended in just such a painful manner. Then, when I was an OSU undergrad, yet another narrow defeat at the very end in the post-1979 game. Michigan folks can tick off the Pasadena losses to USC: 1969, 1976, 1978, 1989, 2003, 2005.

Northwestern (1995) fans of a certain age know the feeling, too. And though they never play at the Rose Bowl, Notre Dame folks know all about it.

Like some of the OSU and Michigan defeats, I don’t think Penn State’s post-2008 loss qualifies because it was never in doubt. Which is sort of a prerequisite for real agony and the unique pain yet to come.

Time to look back, not forward, at PSU year to cherish
Time to look back, not forward, at PSU year to cherish

And what’s that nadir moment? The sound of the Trojan band in their war-helmeted outfits piping up when their triumph is clear. And I don’t mean the little ditty they play the whole game after defensive stops like Florida State’s tomahawk chop tune. Or the Fight On song they strike up after touchdowns (both in the video below).
I mean their victory march. Just hearing it brings on dark memories from my childhood, recollections I keep in the back of the mind’s bottom drawer with moving days and dying pets. It’s the dirge from a recurring nightmare.

USC’s band only plays the song when they know they’ve won. It’s called Conquest and the reason it sounds like the soundtrack out of a 20th Century Fox epic from the ’40s is that’s exactly where it came from. It’s their version of Red Auerbach’s victory cigar and the I Believe chant begun by Navy midshipmen.

It’s worse, though. Because it drips with a special arrogance. And as much as you hate it, you know it’s a great piece of music.

The conductor uses as his baton a gilded gladius, the stubby sword of ancient Greek and Roman foot soldiers, stabbing it in the air with the marching cadence. In the back of your mind you know this is the band that played Tusk behind Fleetwood Mac. It’s the band that crossed over into the record industry and show business.

Rose Bowl for ages can only spawn bitter PSU memories
Rose Bowl for ages can only spawn bitter PSU memories

All the while the damn horse is prancing around. He’s not just a horse, of course. He has to be white. Like Dr. Evil’s cat.

But you know what the very worst part is? You take in the whole scene in despondence, the USC fans mimicking the trumpet flourishes with their “Oh-oo-oh-ooooo” and the incomparable Song Girls in their white sweaters calmly punching the air with a V for victory in all their confident perfection. And you allow yourself the fleeting thought:

If you’d been born into their tribe and their golden land, you’d love being one of them.

That’s the worst part! That’s the part that drives you nuts. Because you’ll have to think about this loss for nine months. You’re flying home the next day. Winter has only begun.

Meanwhile, they’ll be in California. And they’ll probably forget about it tomorrow when they leave work early for the beach.

God, I hate that song.

December 1, 2016

Said as we were going to bed.  Let’s do our prayers.  He then said most of the Lord’s Prayer…although some words were cutely a little off.  I’m pretty sure the Lord got a chuckle.

Mommy, Chickie didn’t move last night!  Proceeded byMommy giving “the glance” to daddy.

I’ve got my Christmas list ready!  You name the Lego, it’s on it

November 26, 2016

Z: I think I know why Chickie came today.  Tomorrow, USC plays and we all know you say some “bad words’ when they don’t play well. He came early to remind you to be good.  busted

Z: I just don’t understand how Santa comes through the chimney when it’s all sealed up.  Good point buddy

Z: daddy, the Amish are here, said at 7 in the morning.  You should get up and work like the Amish.  Preach!

November 15, 2016

Z: I want to take piano lessons.  Mommy: why?  Z: So I can be a rock star and have 10 homes.

Mommy: Good rock stars write their own music.  Z: How? All of the good music is already done.

Z:  When discussing the Amish…no IPAD , how do they live

 

 

October 28, 2016

Mommy, I can’t be Darcula.  He wants to suck your blood.

Are they bad guys?  Did the get away from the bad guys? Where are the bad guys?  Said as we watched a Kid’s movie.  Grandma has a new viewing partner, they can ask each other questions through out the movie.

Mommy, there are no real Samuri, but I really want one of those swords, said as watched Ozzy and Jack take on Japan.

September 23, 2016

Happy Birthday Poopy Heid, said to Uncle Michael.

September 16

Do you think they’ll have plenty of food in heaven, asked as we were having a serious talk about death.

Quickly followed by: I hope they know how much I love Rita’s.

Which led to: I hope you live a long  time.  Will you be there when I go to heaven?  And will we live in the same house in heaven?  The one that made mommy grin, will I be 5 again and you’ll be my parents?

 

August 21

Mommy, have you ever heard Teddy do his Batman voice?  Deep, low whispery voice I’ve  got you Joker.  Robin, to the bat cave. Mommy, I’m never leaving Teddy.

To his babysitter as he pets the dog, Bella is MY dog (Bella in terribly frightened eyes~save me, save me.

Awe, school starts in one week.  Summer went way too fast (wise beyond is years)

August 16

Get ahead of it  Get ahead of it!   Screamed as he rode his Boogie Board.

Holy Smokes!!   Screamed as found his perfect wave

 

August 11

The boy deep in thought in the backseat of the car.  Silent (for once).  Perhaps, contemplating world peace.

Mommy: what are you thinking about?

Z: what time is it?

Mommy: it’s 3pm.

Z:   Hmm, don’t we usually eat by now.  We really should eat right now.

I really should have known that look.  He brings new meaning to early bird special.

August 10

We ran into two of his friends shopping:

Mommy: what did you guys talk about.

Z: you know, guy things

Mommy: guy things?  Such as

Z: you know, Legos and Star Wars

Whew, for a moment I thought you were going to say girls…mommy, girls are yucky.