PAC-12 PICK'EM for Saturday, October 29, 2011

Hey there, lads and lassies. It's time to pick this week's PAC-12 winners. I'm still the reigning champ (okay, yes, it is still by default, but guess what, it still counts). Last week I picked 4 out of 6 correct, including SC's sweet victory over Notre Dame, and Arizona's win over UCLA.

Here are my picks for Saturday:

Oregon over the Washington State

ASU over Colorado

Cal over UCLA

OSU over Utah

USC over Stanford (that's right!)

Arizona over Washington

Okay, you know my choices. Care to differ? Anyone? This is your chance to match wits with the unbeaten Champ, try to beat me, if you dare. Remember, no material prize, just the smug satisfaction of knowing you're smarter than everyone else when it comes to knowing PAC-12 football. And another thing to keep in mind (another sad try at reverse psychology), if you don't compete, you're letting down Pete (yes, I made that up, but it's true). Also, if you complain, you're letting down Lane. More? That's what I thought. Just play (pretty please), and make this a real competition. Otherwise, I win. Again. And man, I'm starting to get tired of always winning. (Not really, just ask Charlie Sheen). Adios, fellow football fans. And whatever you do, don't forget to Fight On!

Care to make it even more interesting? Post your picks in the Comments section before game time on Saturday.

PAC-12 PICK'EM October 20 - 22, 2011

Hello, PAC-12 lovers, it's time for this week's predictions and time to match wits with the reigning PAC-12 PICK'EM Champ, yours truly. The weeks seem to start rolling by more quickly this time of year (only 66 days until Christmas--yikes!), and it's about now that football gets even more interesting because...

This is the time in the season for upsets. For the unpredictable. Bearing that in mind, and trying to put aside my many and conflicted loyalties for all the PAC-12 schools, not to mention straddling the line on decisions made by heart versus head, here are my predictions for this week:

Arizona over UCLA (I am still upset about Stoops being dropped mid-season--does that kind of disruption ever help? Granted, UCLA is one of those unpredictable teams, often surprising everyone as fans file out of the stadium only to pull out a win, but trumping that, the Wildcats desperately need a win and it's at home--Win one for the Stoopser)

Oregon over Colorado (Yeah, this would be an unbelievable upset if the Buffs win, but I don't believe it will happen, unless more injuries knock out Duck star players)

Utah over Cal (After last week's games, with the Utes clawing their way back to win, and the Golden Bears shooting themselves in the foot, even though their records are the same and it's at Cal, I see Utah having more fire right now to show it is PAC-12 worthy, needing a its first ever conference win as a PAC-12 school)

USC over Notre Dame (okay, the head-heart struggle is still waging, hoping that Woods and Lee can both play and not get injured again--all the Trojans need to say to the Fighting Irish is Fight On!)

Stanford over Washington (Sorry, Huskies, would love to see you pull it off, but with the Cardinal crowd smelling Heisman and BCS Champ, don't think it's gonna happen)

Washington State over Oregon State (Both looking for their second conference win, it's at Pullman, I think the Cougars have it over the Beavers)

Remember, there are no prizes for winning, just the smug satisfaction of knowing you know football better than your competitors. So join in the fun and post your predictions in the Comments. And if you don't, thank you in advance for allowing me to remain the reigning PAC-12 PICK'EM Champ (now that's what I call a win-win situation). Be brave, stay classy, PAC-12 fans, fellow Trojans, and football lovers, and don't forget to Fight On!

Still Winning!

What if you played a game where you could never lose? No, that's not the new log line for the latest Tom Cruise movie. It's a description of me playing PAC-12 PICK'EM. At least that's been my experience so far. Dang, I get tired of always being right (lie).

Okay, okay. I didn't pick all the winners. All but one. This week Utah pleasantly surprised me by beating Pitt. Go Utes! Go PAC-12! Did I underestimate them...maybe...or was it my conscious and cunning ploy to shame them into winning by picking Pitt? You decide, but I think we all know the answer. After all, I am a psychologist...and a PAC-12 loyalist. Muwhah, hah, hah. (And yes, Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, thanks for asking).

So at the risk of sounding like I'm tooting my own horn (again), this is the reigning PAC-12 PICK'EM Champion signing off and wishing you all better luck next time.

Be sure to check back soon for this week's PAC-12 PICK'EM post. And for the very brave among you, be the first to pit you wits against the Champ (me). Later. And remember, Fight On!

The Student Film that Became 'Gumby' - The Atlantic

The Student Film that Became 'Gumby' - The Atlantic

Gumby's a Trojan!

PAC-12 PICK'EM For October 15, 2011

Saturday's Predictions:
Pitt over Utah
Washington over Colorado
BYU over OSU (holds grudge against Beavers for UofA Stoops firing)
Stanford over WSU
Oregon over ASU (win won for James)

Okay football lovers. Post your predictions in the Comments section. Winner gets smug satisfaction of feeling smarter than everyone else (however fleeting). Good luck. Fight On!

Cool New USC YouTube: Global USC

I really love the ending. Naturally, it brought tears to my eyes. I know it's basically a promo tape, but I've always been a sucker for school spirit (obviously, look at this blog). I was super rah-rah in high school and college, a song girl. Don't know if school spirit gets to me because of the sense of common identity, the emotional venting, or feeling of family. It's not just the sports, though (but I do love sports). I think it has more to do with the joint striving to be the best you can. To excel. And to celebrate that with like-minded souls with whom you share similar experiences. And even when the shared experience comes to an end, you can relive it by maintaining ties, staying connected through school spirit.
But I hate the Us versus Them aspect of school spirit. The opposite of being kind and inclusive. Yet that is the essence of competition, isn't it? Quite the paradox.

That being said, in other news...sweet 30 - 9 win over Cal tonight, Trojans. And (risking irony) Fight On!

Gak! It's PAC-12 PICK'EM Time Again-10/13-15/2011

Right, I know. Not like I have a lot of fan pressure to post this. But interest is building. Gradually. Baby steps. Meanwhile, I'm still the reigning champion, so there's a huge upside for me if no one competes (#attempt at reverse psychology).

Tonight's Game Predictions:
USC over Cal

Saturday's Predictions:
Pitt over Utah
Washington over Colorado
BYU over OSU (holds grudge against Beavers for UofA Stoops firing)
Stanford over WSU
Oregon over ASU (win won for James)

Okay football lovers. Post your predictions in the Comments section. Winner gets smug satisfaction of feeling smarter than everyone else (however fleeting). Good luck. Fight On!

Spirit of Troy Named One of 10 Best College Marching Bands

 The Spirit of Troy named one of 10 Best College Marching Bands of All Time! Cue 1:00 to 1:05, the drum roll intro to The Tribute to Troy. Anyone who's been to a SC game knows the band will keep repeating this dirge as they troop into the Coliseum. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. So effing moving, screams loyalty, perseverance, determination, all those good things. Love it. Fight On!

http://www.zencollegelife.com/the-10-best-college-marching-bands-of-all-time/

Top 10 on 10/10/11

Okay, my first attempt selecting the Top 10 Tweets from the 100+ Twitter accounts I follow. I feel like I cheated by selecting three from a  professional comic, but I have stuff to do. No ranking. Just 10 tweets that made me laugh. Thank you, funny tweeps.

ConanOBrien Conan O'Brien

Just reached 4 million Twitter followers. IS THIS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU, DAD?!??

ConanOBrien Conan O'Brien

I want to apologize to all the people of Tampa for my last tweet. I’m sure Tampa is a fine place to live, if you’re a mosquito.

 

ConanOBrien Conan O'Brien

Just found the first honest psychic hotline that told me I would soon regret giving them my credit card number.

 

trydzinski Tamar Rydzinski

Putting "writing is the easy part" in your query letter=not a good idea #pubtip

Bookgirl96 Kathleen Schmidt

Lady in her 70s at Best Buy w her huz just said to me: "They (men)don't listen unless you yell at them."

jennawrites jenna mccarthy

WHAT? MY KIDS DON'T HAVE SCHOOL ON MONDAY??????????????

 

JulieALindsey Julie Anne Lindsey

3yo calls guinea pig "gimmee pig" #Boredtweeting #randomthought

 

JulieALindsey Julie Anne Lindsey

I need to edit. Gave 8 & 3 yos some markers and paper for quiet coloring. They attached the markers end to end & are sword fighting - loudly

 

jessetyler Jesse Tyler Ferguson

“@ericstonestreet: my kansas state wildcats vs. the mizzou tigers tomorrow. let's block & tackle boys. block and tackle." Yeah What HE said!

 

shitmydadsays Justin

"You can't come...Because it's not a vacation if my family is with me. I could vacation in my fucking house if you people left it."

Hope they put a smile on your face, too. Taking suggestions for Novembers 10 on the 10th. Please post your faves in the Comments section.

Trojan in Tinseltown's Top Ten Twitters on the Tenth

I only have five so far and trying to have a top ten on the tenth of every month--that's tomorrow. Help! Twitter or Comment your faves. Thanks. 

jennawrites jenna mccarthy

WHAT? MY KIDS DON'T HAVE SCHOOL ON MONDAY??????????????

 

JulieALindsey Julie Anne Lindsey

3yo calls guinea pig "gimmee pig" #Boredtweeting #randomthought

 

JulieALindsey Julie Anne Lindsey

I need to edit. Gave 8 & 3 yos some markers and paper for quiet coloring. They attached the markers end to end & are sword fighting - loudly

 

jessetyler Jesse Tyler Ferguson

“@ericstonestreet: my kansas state wildcats vs. the mizzou tigers tomorrow. let's block & tackle boys. block and tackle." Yeah What HE said!

 

shitmydadsays Justin

"You can't come...Because it's not a vacation if my family is with me. I could vacation in my fucking house if you people left it."

Book trailer: If It Was Easy They'd Call the Whole Damn Thing a Honeymoo...

LOVE THIS! There's a similar refrigerator moment in Chapter One of Fright On! Just when you think it's only your husband that's refrigerator-challenged, haha. The constant channel surfing drives me nuts, too. And don't even get me started on snoring.

PAC-12 PICK'EM Oct 6 - 8 2011

Hello fellow Trojans, football fans, and fiction lovers -- it's that time again. Time to pick the winners for this week's PAC-12 football. I'm a little nervous (being the defending champion and all), but at least the Trojans get a bye this week.

Okay, down to business. My picks:

Tonight's game at Eugene: Oregon over Cal (the Duck fans are a boisterous and dare I say daffy bunch, in other words it's a tough house to win in, not to mention the Duck's are ranked 9th nationally)

Saturday's games:

Arizona over Oregon State (it's at Corvallis, but the Wildcats' tough recent schedule (Stanford, Oregon, USC) accounts partly for their losses, the Beavers, except for Wisconsin [Go Badgers], not so much; plus UCLA beat OSU, 'nuf said:)

ASU over Utah (It's at Utah, but ASU beat SC and SC beat Utah, so...)

Stanford over Colorado (unless their "Luck" changes, Stanford will continue its roll)

WSU over UCLA (In recent years I've seen UCLA, against all odds, come from behind to get two touchdowns in the last two minutes to win big, but I just think the Cougars offense will rack up too many points for the Bruins to match them)

So those are my picks.

Remember there are no prizes--simply the smug satisfaction of knowing you're "smarter" at sports than the average guy or gal, boy or girl, dude or dudette.

Now it's your turn. Don't be shy. Leave your predictions in the Comments section (hears fans furiously typing), see if you can be the next champ. If you think it's easy, prove it.

Good luck to all. Stay hungry. Stay foolish. But whatever you do, don't forget to Fight On!

I'm A Trojan Trailer

High Five!

I picked'em!!!!! All five games!!!!! That's right, I'm a regular football phenom. Go, Me! True, it's my "contest" on my blog. And, okay, so no one else "competed." But whose fault is that, football fans? To be fair, I was too busy licking my wounds from last week's game to praise last week's winner, (not me, it's someone who will remain anonymous, because I...um...don't know who they are...or more accurately, who he or she was). Yes, anon nailed it last week and I didn't. Belated CONGRATS! But this week I even surprised myself with my football acumen (and when was the last time you saw those last two words in the same sentence? Definitely a weekend of firsts).

Good thing I don't give out prizes (remember the prize for winning is the smug satisfaction of knowing you're smarter than everyone else who played and didn't win and PICK ALL FIVE CORRECT) because if I did, today I'd be dealing with awkward conflict of interest issues instead of pure joy.

Anyhoo, I'm bracing myself for the upcoming week's entries. Once word gets out about PAC-12 PICK'EM...well, who knows, the sky's the limit. In fact, I'm worried that once more people find out about this gem of a cheap thrill it won't be as much fun, like Facebook after they let anyone join. So before PAC-12 PICK'EM goes the way of Facebook, football lovers, be a winner, make sure to check in later in the week, and pick the winners! Fight On!