A Brief History of the Oregon Ducks and the Rose Bowl.

Okay, I’m going to come clean. There is no way I could have written a long history of the University of Oregon’s involvement in the Tournament of Roses, without conjuring up a major piece of fiction. So, I will stick to the facts and keep it short.

Oregon has been to the Rose Bowl (other than to kick UCLA’s butt during the regular season) four times: 1917, 1920, 1958 and 1995. Then there is the moral equivalent of the Rose Bowl, the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, which capped a great season of being screwed by the BCS. But that is another rant: I mean historical conversation.

So, in 1995, Oregon was beaten by Penn State 38-20. I remember being thankful that it wasn’t an embarrassing loss. I’m old school Oregon… and an embarrassing loss is going down 62-0 to the JV Cheerstaff from Central Oregon Community College. (Not trying to criticize the COCC Cheerstaff.)

In 1958, Oregon lost to Ohio State (boo…hiss) 10-7. History will not repeat itself.

In 1920, the perennial football power, Harvard, beat Oregon 7-6. Most Oregonians are still bitter. Harvard graduates have troubles finding a job in Portland to this very day.

Ahh, but 1917 was the glory year. The Ducks beat back the nasty Quakers from Penn, 14-0. Few people could afford to get to Pasadena, but everyone in Eugene was glued to their television to watch the game. When the broadcast was done, everyone ran out into the streets and partied til the wee hours of the morning. Or, at least, that is what I have been told.

No, I wasn’t there.

No Words Needed

Traffic Update

For those of you attempting to get to Autzen Stadium for the 113th Civil War, apparently it is pretty much a nightmare all the way from Wilsonville to Eugene. If you're just leaving Corvallis now, don't bother. You aren't going to make it. Best just to sit tight and watch the game on ESPN.

GO DUCKS

GAME OF THE CENTURY

(Actually, as every true Oregonian knows, it is the game of this century, last century and the century before!)

The Civil War for the Roses!

The Entire Thanksgiving Gang

The Winter Rush to Bed – or – Golly-Gee-Willikers, the Floor Looks Awfully Comfy!

It has begun.

It has been cold out the last few nights. Hence, the winter ritual has begun. I trundle off to the bathroom, and after finishing my duties, I step into the hallway and announce to the gathered family in the living room that I am retiring and bid them all a bonne nuit.

Ralph jumps up and trots after me. Well, sorta after me. Until we hit the turn to the bedroom, when he knocks me down and jumps up onto the bed. Trixie, sensing the kill, follows him to the bed (“accidentally” knocking me over on her way) and jumps up, claiming her territory.

As I crawl on my hands and knees to the bed, Max jumps up on my back and then onto the already over-crowded bed.

I stand and judge the status. Ralph is covering 62.75% of the bed. Trixie is covering 46.8% of the bed. And despite his diminutive stature (comparatively speaking), Max is covering 18.34% of the bed. My chances of a good night’s sleep are looking dim.

But it is amazing the small spaces you can squeeze into, when you are tired and desperate and have totally lost control of your household!

Bonne nuit, tout le monde!

World AIDS Day