A Favorite Movie - Rudy

In Canada, AMC is playing the movie Rudy this weekend. I have probably seen the movie a few, and I emphasize the few, dozen times. I will still sit through the entire movie as it is one of my favorites.

What I like/love about the movie:

1. I LOVE the music. Listen to the music when Rudy opens the admission letter on the bench, when the football team is practicing and when he is carried off the field. The movie would not be the same without the music.



2. "Who's the wild man now"... D-Bob (John Favreau)
   


3. Dan Devine telling the coach to send Rudy in by moving his hands... I find myself copying the movement.



4. Sean Astin before "Lord of the Rings" and 24... a GREAT Rudy



5. The scene when he opens the letter with his acceptance to Notre Dame. I hope my kids will get the chance to have that feeling.



6. The accomplishment of your dreams


7. Fortune ( Charles Dutton) to Rudy "Oh you are so full of crap. Your five foot nothin', a hundred and nothin' and you hung in with the best college football team in the land for two years, and you were also going to walk out of here with a degree from the University of Norte Dame in this life time you don't have to prove nothing to nobody except yourself and after what you gone through if you haven't done that by now, it aint gonna never happen, now go on back. ."


8. Steele: I want Rudy to dress in my place Coach. He deserves it. Dan Devine: [laughs] Don't be ridiculous, Georgia Tech is one of the top offense teams in the country. [Steele continues to stand and stare at the Devine] Dan Devine: You are an All-American and our Captain, act like it! Steele: I believe I am. [lays his jersey down on Devine's desk and walks out]

I hate to admit it, but the movie makes me cry...

Saturday, Brantford, Cold and Rainy

We went to Brantford this morning for three games. Brantford is a little over an hour drive. Once again A-Mac was at first base. However, where was she batting? A-Mac dialed in at the third spot in the order. CONGRATS TO HER!!! After her hitting last tournament, third was the only spot she should hit. It amazes me that less than two months ago A-Mac was being benched during the first games of her provincial tournament. She hit well the last two games in provincials, and has carried that hitting into the beginning of this season. Today, she "stroked" another few line drives to the grass. Her timing is on right now, and she is making contact with the sweet spot of the bat. She needs to remember to start hands toward the pitcher, stay tall, keep her left shoulder in and try to keep her left leg straight. Oh yeah, and HAVE FUN!!!

My Friday Night

I couldn't think of a beter way to spend my Friday night than at MacDaddy's hockey practice. He has a black sweater and red sox. Defence wears black.

Entering a Rough Patch of Ice

It appears that the Erindale Spitfires are entering a rough patch of ice by starting their season with 1 win and 2 losses. Even though he loves to win, I suspect the camaraderie and ice-time is far overshadowing the on ice record. He plays a lot of hockey and improves every time he laces his skates. (Actually, MacMom has been lacing up the skates the most) MacDaddy is #13

Maybe She Knew Something

About 3 months ago Lil Lefty asked me if she could play hockey this year. She had played two years ago and had an "ok" season. A-Mac and Lil Lefty both played the same year, once and only once. A-Mac had scored two goals that year and Lil Lefty hadn't scored a goal. Lil Lefty had her first game last night. She played center, took the face-offs and controlled the ice. I helped on the bench, opening and closing the doors and getting the kids out and in at the shift changes. Let me rephrase that, I learned the first two periods and then helped in the third after the more highly skilled coach had to leave. Unfortunately, I was unable to take pictures of the game... I experienced the game from ice level.

In her first shift, Lil Lefty scored a goal, her team's first. I thought I saw #9 roughing it up in front of the net and pushing in the trash... but that couldn't be my sweet daughter. In her next shift she did not score a goal and the assistant coach, and her softball coach, asked her jokingly, "why she didn't score again"... the next time on the ice Lil Lefty snapped a shot toward the goal that was deflected into the goal and Lil Lefty earned an assist. She followed up with a break away goal, outskating her opponents, for her second goal of the night.

She was good... first game, two goals and an assist. In the car ride home she told me she had been playing a lot of ball hockey in front of our old house... her skating skills still need to improve, but she showed a lot of desire to score... maybe she knew something when she asked to play 3 months ago...

Picture Day?

Today is Picture Day at the kid's school. Why do we still have picture day? I could understand that when I was a kid picture day may have been the one time during the year when you had a portrait opportunity. With the proliferation of digital cameras everyday is picture day. I have learned from MacMom that the "best" pictures are the natural ones that aren't posed. I suspect during my childhood I appeared in 100-200 pictures. I further believe that my kids are in 2000+ pictures each, already, sitting on our hard drive, and backed up to an external drive. No more need for picture day.

Sometimes You Have to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

Both A-Mac and Lil Lefty started their hockey seasons this past weekend. Both girls have played one season of hockey and skated for only one season. Hockey is a great opportunity for conditioning , developing eye-hand coordination, balance, core training and strength training. They finish their practice or games, soaked in sweat. It can't be bad. Neither have started with confidence in their hockey or skating skills.

A-Mac is #9 in black below. She had her first game Saturday night at 9:00pm and her first practice Sunday at 1:45pm.

A-Mac is playing on a team where she doesn't know anyone. She had several good plays in her first game. She needs to try hard and make mistakes. When in Canada do as the Canadiens... (note the spelling)

Lil 'Lefty, which will now be confusing because she plays hockey right handed, is in the blue "sweater", a Canadian term and dark blue helmet. She is fortunate to be on a team with a friend from softball and her Dad, who is also the softball coach,helps out during practices. Lil' Lefty volunteered to play center during their practice. Her first game is tonight. Lil' Lefty is #9 in blue below.

Slap shot, it's a GO!

Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Hockey and even a dip in the pool...

The weather held out (rain was predicted) and we were able to celebrate Andrew's 9th Birthday Party, finally! MacDaddy celebrated with 20 boys from baseball, hockey, school and neighborhood friends. The boys played 5 on 5 street hockey with no goalie. Shifts were two minutes. The boys worked up an appetite and had hamburgers and hotdogs and then hit the pool.

Over the river and through the woods...

MacDaddy led me on a 45 minute bike ride Saturday that he usually goes on with the boy next door. We took the trail by our house into the woods to Erindale Park, toured Mississauga's UT Campus, cut back over to Mississauga RD, and back home. Needless to say, we never got to grandma's house.

Indoor Blazer Practice

Video from iPhone whilst driving to Blazer practice. ("Look at the squirrel")

Indoor batting training.

Dog AND Boy on window seat

MacDaddy First Home Game

MacDaddy played in his first Home league game as an Erindale Spitfire. The parking lot was full and there was much more active than a few weeks ago. Hockey season has started. We see neighbors and friends at the games. It costs $4 per person to get in, including MacDaddy and you can eat a full meal at the concession stand. It is the Canadian version, toned down, of Friday Night Lights, the Texas High School football phenomenon.

The team wore thier home, white jerseys. I overheard in the locker room the boys saying whites were bad luck because they have yet to win a game in whites. Apparently, the boys didn't want to upset the pattern. They lost decisively to Lorne Park.

MacDaddy is #13.

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Dog on Bench

Walk by Creek

A-mac and I took Coco for a walk by the creek. We had hoped to see jumping salmon. We saw a half dozen fishermen, two frogs and no fish. It was good exercise.

First League Game = First Win

MacDaddy's team, the Erindale Spitfires Minor Atom A, won their first league game 2-1. It was a very exciting game and showed some definite inprovement over their first three tournament games. I continue to enjoy the whole hockey experience. Hockey is a great team work game. To be successful everyone has to do their part. MacDaddy is #13.