The Chargers won!
Today San Diego celebrates. The Chargers made the playoffs. Yet a Kansas scrub team almost did them in. Their field goal missed by a foot and would have ended their season. An early vacation though might have acquainted them with the sights and sounds of San Diego.
Balboa Park has a world famous Zoo and not far down Park Blvd is a famous rose garden. I discovered it when I first moved to downtown San Diego and resided at the Y.M.C.A. in 2011. That first year my favorite place was the Rose Garden, a block south of the zoo.
I took a bag lunch with me and after two buses exited on Park Blvd. The Cabrillo Bridge took me to the hill with a view of the valley below. I found a log and removed my tuna sandwich first. Alone and so relaxed, it felt good to remove myself from the hustle and bustle of city life in back of me. Over a bridge took me to the famous Rose and Cactus garden. They could have taken in the Zoo, picked Roses from the garden, or simply gone to Seaport Village to ride the ponies at the merry-go-round.
It proves again that teams hungry to win most always get the "W". The Chiefs did not even start their first team. It reminded oof the third game on the Trojan schedule in 1936. Davy Davis quarterbacked the Trojans and humiliated Illinois with his brisk running and true passing. The Trojans won going away and the Illinois coach compared Davis to another great by the name of Red Grange.
Now up for San Diego are the Denver Broncos Those rich enough to fly to the game can reach Lindbergh Field by taking the 992 bus. For a few bits, it will bus you right to your stop. All Trolley's, an trains take you to within a block of the Kettner and Broadway.
I had just finished savoring a quarter pound of chocolate at the Old Town candy store. The Old Town Candy Store sells a half pound worth for eight dollars. I sat on a bench digesting the scenery. It was hot and beautiful. The Chinese tourists, as usual, admired everything without opening up their purse strings My but are they stingy with money.
Earlier I had eaten a grapefruit on the grounds of the 1830's Machado adobe home. An old great fruit tree beckoned me to pick one or two. The home was in back of the old school house. The fruit was a bit tart for my stomach. It needed some chocolate to sooth its nerves. I needed something sweet to remove some acidity.
After I divested myself of five dollars worth of brown candy, I heard delightful music up ahead.
I made my way to the Patio Restaurant across from the ice cream shop. Another busload of Chinese tourists had climbed aboard. Not-a-one had purchased anything. The American shoppers made up for it. Parking was ten dollars a spot
Augustine and his magical guitar made it an end to a perfect 75 degree San Diego day. Two couples danced while he played his Latin love songs. I imagined I was dancing with the girl until I got scouted her looks. She appeared a bit too heavy for one so slim and slick. I walked down San Diego Street towards the Green Line Trolley station.
A crowd of celebrating Chargers had just gotten off. Some lined up in my favorite Italian Restaurant, La Bella Pizza. It has received awards for its delicious cuisine. I have eaten there and can join on why it is so popular. .
My day began early on Sunday. I dressed and did my toilet before heading to the Sunday Mass at the Catholic Immaculate Conception Church. It is in Old Town on Twigs Street not far from the original Father Serra church.
I detrained at Old Town and headed south to my church. Reverend Ecker sat on the stage in front of one of the largest congregations I had ever seen. Over two hundred parishioners sat glued to this famous preacher. The first Mass had begun at eight o'clock and I arrived at eight thirty.
Why Reverend Ecker's sermons need no sauce or spice. His words seem to come directly from God. This morning he spoke from the Book of Mathew.
I will paraphrase for those of you who slept in. Joseph sneaked Jesus out of Bethlehem to avoid capture by the Roman King Herod. They fled to Egypt. Later, God spoke to Joseph asking him to return him to Israel.
The Reverend then spoke about a father who looked for perfection. After days of wandering, he found it at home with his family.
Tonight is the Holiday Bowl. I will probably spend it at Old Town eating a rainbow ice cream and listening to the sounds of Augustine and his guitar. Football no longer appeals to me, since I look for perfection every day.
My game is the game of life. God created it and I enjoy the fruits of his labor. No no cell phones, lab tops for me. Just give me music and the perfect picture God made for us.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Saturday, December 28, 2013
1940 Rose Bowl
After cruising San Diego for almost three years, I discovered what made "Ambrose Schindler" a living football legend. I became Schindler, walking his walk in the Golden Hills of San Diego. What was it about San Diego that could produce athletes like Schindler and his baseball buddy, Ted Williams?
A new citizen of San Diego, I have sampled the same streets he did while he grew up as a kid in San Diego. Then, it was the finest city in the United States, without dirty air and the parking lots that make up its freeways today.
My seven year odyssey about Schindler will never be over. A sample of the book, "Schindler, A Trojan Legend" is uncovered. The Rose Bowl game of 1940 is now exhibited for the first time. Here he describes the Trojan last game of the 39 season against the Bruins. It is the game that would take U.S.C. to the Rose Bowl.
"Our coach spoke to us before the 1939 game against the Bruins. All we needed was a tie for a trip to our second straight Rose Bowl. A loss meant we would travel to Hawaii to the 'mean-nothing bowl.'
"Coach Jones spoke to us before the big game in the Coliseum dressing room. He ordered our end, Bob Winslow to 'shadow and knock Jackie down on every play.' I heard from a Trojan alumnus that Robinson had been bailed out of jail on the evening before the game." (Even though Robinson had several run-ins with the law, I could not corroborate the jail story.)
In several interviews with Schindler during 2006-2008, he spoke about the game against the Bruins. Schindler probably had a photographic memory while at U.S.C. and had received an award as having the best knowledge of the game. He still remembered past events.
"Howard Jones devised a scheme to immobilize Jackie Robinson. He used terms like 'split', 'gap', and 'turns.' Jones feared Robinson, unlike me. He wished to immobilize the four sport letter man. Kenny Washington I feared more than Jackie."
"Legs" Jones told 'We will match our skills against Robinson. You will see the hole but Jackie won't.' We ran through tunnel 48 and had our pregame drill. We then went to the bench."
Only a day earlier, I had left the Good Samaritan Hospital along with two other mates from San Diego. All of us had caught the flu." (A picture of the coach, Granny Landsdell and Schindler was displayed in the Los Angeles Times. Braven Dyer had the Trojan beat for the Times.)
"During the game, Winslow did knock Robinson down on every play, whether he had the ball or not. On one play Winslow knocked Robinson down so hard, he jumped up and muttered,'What in hell's name are you doing. Don't you know I don't have the ball!'
"The Bruins were on our three yard line, first down and goal to go. At the end of the game, we stood on the sidelines. We held each others crotches. We hollered, jumped and screamed, 'Hold that line!'"
"On another play, Jeff Sohn and Hoffman knocked Jackie back on two plays. On fourth down, the Bruins elected to go for it. Kenny went back to pass and threw it into the direction of a wide open Jackie Robinson in the end zone."
"My heart sunk. At the last second, out of nowhere, Don Robinson shot over and flicked the ball out of Jackie's hands. We took over on our three yard line."
"Doyle Nave entered the game and instead of running out the clock, chose to pass. Jones yanked him for me, old reliable. I ran out the clock."
"So we tied them and had a shot at our second straight Rose Bowl. A couple of years after the game, Ned Mathews, the Bruin quarterback told me the players 'voted five to five in the huddle to go for it. My vote decided to push it in.'"
Some scrap metal to go with the game. Two of the games quarterbacks had been graduates of Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles: Doyle Nave and Ned Mathews. Nave went on to become a successful editor for MGM. He received an Oscar for editing the Mary Poppins picture.
With the game now over, Schindler had the chance to return to San Diego's Golden Hills and Mom's chicken soup. No doubt his Mom Nellie made up the right mix. Next up, the Rose Bowl and the Volunteers of Tennessee. (Rose Bowl Game Player of the Game, Schindler.)
To my knowledge, he is still alive at 96 and living in Torrance. All of his lineman and backfield have gone onto the playing field in the sky
"
A new citizen of San Diego, I have sampled the same streets he did while he grew up as a kid in San Diego. Then, it was the finest city in the United States, without dirty air and the parking lots that make up its freeways today.
My seven year odyssey about Schindler will never be over. A sample of the book, "Schindler, A Trojan Legend" is uncovered. The Rose Bowl game of 1940 is now exhibited for the first time. Here he describes the Trojan last game of the 39 season against the Bruins. It is the game that would take U.S.C. to the Rose Bowl.
"Our coach spoke to us before the 1939 game against the Bruins. All we needed was a tie for a trip to our second straight Rose Bowl. A loss meant we would travel to Hawaii to the 'mean-nothing bowl.'
"Coach Jones spoke to us before the big game in the Coliseum dressing room. He ordered our end, Bob Winslow to 'shadow and knock Jackie down on every play.' I heard from a Trojan alumnus that Robinson had been bailed out of jail on the evening before the game." (Even though Robinson had several run-ins with the law, I could not corroborate the jail story.)
In several interviews with Schindler during 2006-2008, he spoke about the game against the Bruins. Schindler probably had a photographic memory while at U.S.C. and had received an award as having the best knowledge of the game. He still remembered past events.
"Howard Jones devised a scheme to immobilize Jackie Robinson. He used terms like 'split', 'gap', and 'turns.' Jones feared Robinson, unlike me. He wished to immobilize the four sport letter man. Kenny Washington I feared more than Jackie."
"Legs" Jones told 'We will match our skills against Robinson. You will see the hole but Jackie won't.' We ran through tunnel 48 and had our pregame drill. We then went to the bench."
Only a day earlier, I had left the Good Samaritan Hospital along with two other mates from San Diego. All of us had caught the flu." (A picture of the coach, Granny Landsdell and Schindler was displayed in the Los Angeles Times. Braven Dyer had the Trojan beat for the Times.)
"During the game, Winslow did knock Robinson down on every play, whether he had the ball or not. On one play Winslow knocked Robinson down so hard, he jumped up and muttered,'What in hell's name are you doing. Don't you know I don't have the ball!'
"The Bruins were on our three yard line, first down and goal to go. At the end of the game, we stood on the sidelines. We held each others crotches. We hollered, jumped and screamed, 'Hold that line!'"
"On another play, Jeff Sohn and Hoffman knocked Jackie back on two plays. On fourth down, the Bruins elected to go for it. Kenny went back to pass and threw it into the direction of a wide open Jackie Robinson in the end zone."
"My heart sunk. At the last second, out of nowhere, Don Robinson shot over and flicked the ball out of Jackie's hands. We took over on our three yard line."
"Doyle Nave entered the game and instead of running out the clock, chose to pass. Jones yanked him for me, old reliable. I ran out the clock."
"So we tied them and had a shot at our second straight Rose Bowl. A couple of years after the game, Ned Mathews, the Bruin quarterback told me the players 'voted five to five in the huddle to go for it. My vote decided to push it in.'"
Some scrap metal to go with the game. Two of the games quarterbacks had been graduates of Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles: Doyle Nave and Ned Mathews. Nave went on to become a successful editor for MGM. He received an Oscar for editing the Mary Poppins picture.
With the game now over, Schindler had the chance to return to San Diego's Golden Hills and Mom's chicken soup. No doubt his Mom Nellie made up the right mix. Next up, the Rose Bowl and the Volunteers of Tennessee. (Rose Bowl Game Player of the Game, Schindler.)
To my knowledge, he is still alive at 96 and living in Torrance. All of his lineman and backfield have gone onto the playing field in the sky
"
Encinitas Table Five
Meet Gregorio, He resembles a Santa Claus, though without the beard. A perpetual smile covers his large rotund face. Why you almost might wish to sit on his lap. He looks like any Jewish Russian, but with high cheek bone.
Today at Table 5 at the little Oak's Cafe, Lady Barbara, the diminutive royal lady whose roots go far back to the Salem witch hunting days. The small thin damsel sits demurely laughing and speaks about a dream that she had. The significance of that dream I will speak about later. I began to call her Lady Barbara ever since I discovered she was linked to the sixth wife of Henry the Eight, Catherine Parr.
Back to Gregorio now, his band once played for Joseph Stalin, or uncle Joe as we called him. He like the others at this table are in their mid-eighties. In the Ukraine, he also sang and played the clarinet. Today he swayed into the senior cafe singing out loud. Love was in the air and reached a soaring pitch when he took a gander at Lady Barbara .
As mentioned before, Lady Barbara is a descendant of Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry the Eighth. The diminutive one always smiles no matter how much her back hurts. His Santa Claus smile told me he had to sit next to Barbara. . His large cheeks came from hours of blowing horns. Lady Barbara spoke about a dinner date with him. I changed seats with him.
"We went to downtown San Diego. I couldn't speak a word of Russian, but was smart enough to laugh every time Gregorio did. I danced by myself to music played by a guitar player. I never have had so much fun and the food was out of this world."
"God bless America. Land of the free..." The Mad Russian belted out the song several times. His voice took all of us by surprise. But that is what too much Vodka and love will do for your. (It had been their third date.)
Tomas began to shake and laugh. He had just returned from the hospital, but was himself again. Nothing breeds laughter than more laughter. Abe the printer sat down followed by Horst Cahn, last living survivor of an Auschwitz rubber. camp Tomas had immigrated to the United States from Italy. Abe worked his life as a printer.The last to take a seat was Horst Cahn, no relation to Genghis.
"George, I want to tell you something I first learned to bake pastries in Essen Germany. And here in Cardiff, people came from as far away to sample my cheesecakes. They were not too fluffy or too hard, but just right. One Christmas, I sold five hundred of them. People came from all over San Diego. Even Santa Claus dropped in for a bite."
"God Bless America..." Gregorio, can't you wait for Horst to finish?"
At that point, I filled their wine glasses with more apple juice. Gregorio spilled his over my pants. I asked Horst if he had had his a Bar Mitzva in Essen, Germany .
'Yes, when I was thirteen and just before the Germans took us away to Buna and Auschwitz. I saw the same rabbi later in New York on Park Avenue. I went up to him but he made me mad."
"Horst, if you wish money, the answer is 'no.'." I felt disgusted and told him my bakery was doing well. I was living in Rochester and felt upset my playmate and his daughter in Essen had passed away.
At that point the Mayor of Encinitas dropped in. She would raffle off four $25 Spouts coupons. I excused myself and soon after drove back to the Old Town commuter parking lot.
I may have not won the raffle, but my door prize was and will always be Table 5. Yet an update on the Mad Russian. He left this earth through the fiftieth gate a few days ago in May of 2014. The joy from his voice will be lost forevermore...Yet somehow I think the mad Jewish Russian is still singing "God Bless America" in heaven.
Today at Table 5 at the little Oak's Cafe, Lady Barbara, the diminutive royal lady whose roots go far back to the Salem witch hunting days. The small thin damsel sits demurely laughing and speaks about a dream that she had. The significance of that dream I will speak about later. I began to call her Lady Barbara ever since I discovered she was linked to the sixth wife of Henry the Eight, Catherine Parr.
Back to Gregorio now, his band once played for Joseph Stalin, or uncle Joe as we called him. He like the others at this table are in their mid-eighties. In the Ukraine, he also sang and played the clarinet. Today he swayed into the senior cafe singing out loud. Love was in the air and reached a soaring pitch when he took a gander at Lady Barbara .
As mentioned before, Lady Barbara is a descendant of Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry the Eighth. The diminutive one always smiles no matter how much her back hurts. His Santa Claus smile told me he had to sit next to Barbara. . His large cheeks came from hours of blowing horns. Lady Barbara spoke about a dinner date with him. I changed seats with him.
"We went to downtown San Diego. I couldn't speak a word of Russian, but was smart enough to laugh every time Gregorio did. I danced by myself to music played by a guitar player. I never have had so much fun and the food was out of this world."
"God bless America. Land of the free..." The Mad Russian belted out the song several times. His voice took all of us by surprise. But that is what too much Vodka and love will do for your. (It had been their third date.)
Tomas began to shake and laugh. He had just returned from the hospital, but was himself again. Nothing breeds laughter than more laughter. Abe the printer sat down followed by Horst Cahn, last living survivor of an Auschwitz rubber. camp Tomas had immigrated to the United States from Italy. Abe worked his life as a printer.The last to take a seat was Horst Cahn, no relation to Genghis.
"George, I want to tell you something I first learned to bake pastries in Essen Germany. And here in Cardiff, people came from as far away to sample my cheesecakes. They were not too fluffy or too hard, but just right. One Christmas, I sold five hundred of them. People came from all over San Diego. Even Santa Claus dropped in for a bite."
"God Bless America..." Gregorio, can't you wait for Horst to finish?"
At that point, I filled their wine glasses with more apple juice. Gregorio spilled his over my pants. I asked Horst if he had had his a Bar Mitzva in Essen, Germany .
'Yes, when I was thirteen and just before the Germans took us away to Buna and Auschwitz. I saw the same rabbi later in New York on Park Avenue. I went up to him but he made me mad."
"Horst, if you wish money, the answer is 'no.'." I felt disgusted and told him my bakery was doing well. I was living in Rochester and felt upset my playmate and his daughter in Essen had passed away.
At that point the Mayor of Encinitas dropped in. She would raffle off four $25 Spouts coupons. I excused myself and soon after drove back to the Old Town commuter parking lot.
I may have not won the raffle, but my door prize was and will always be Table 5. Yet an update on the Mad Russian. He left this earth through the fiftieth gate a few days ago in May of 2014. The joy from his voice will be lost forevermore...Yet somehow I think the mad Jewish Russian is still singing "God Bless America" in heaven.
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