5 - 1...

Wanted to put a quick post up about our games this past weekend. We won both games by double figures. I played well in both. For the weekend I averaged 25min 8pts 6asst 1.5reb & 1.5stls. We have 4 games this week on the road and a 14hr bus ride...

I had coverage all week because I crossed the border but unfortunately I lost the signal once we hit the road. When we get back I'll let you know when I cross and get service again...

I just found out my adventurous amigo Carp will be traveling to Vanuatu for Xmas and New Years. Although he will be missed at my sis's wedding I'm sure he'll be bringing in the new year with a bang. Im hoping to catch up with my buddy Kenny soon because it seems he's got a lot transpiring in life or will be shortly. A few of my buddies did the Tough Mudder this week according to their Facebook updates. Im anxious to hear how that went. The NFL season has begun and I already lost $100 (bummer face). I won my first match up in my fantasy league so that's a plus. That's half the amount of wins I won all of last year.

I hope all is well back home. Looking forward to seeing everyone in December. Until next time......... Love

Tampico & Ciudad Victoria Trip........ Part 2

First away game was a success. We won 88-80 against the Tampico Huracanes. Overall we played pretty well, a little unorganized at times but we made up for it with good defense and hustle. Individually I played hard and have to look to be more aggressive. Surprise surprise right? I am looking to pass when I break my defender down and get in the paint. I did that a couple times tonight fortunately it none of them resulted in a turnover just missed attempts. I also missed a free-throw tonight went 3-4, which I was hoping to go 100% for the season but I guess I'll have to settle for 95% lol. I was 1-6 from the field with 5pts, 4 assts, 4rebs & 2atls in 20min. I got to match up against one the best PG to ever play in Mexico and also part of the Pre-selection team for the MNT Omar Quintero.

Our crowd is great at home and our gym is really nice but we lack numbers. Tonight's game was packed, probably 3000+. They have a university here and supposedly they are well funded. It was a fun environment to play in just wish I would have contributed a little more. Effort was there though and we got the W. That's all you can ask for.

I woke up this morning to the sounds of soccer being played outside our hotel room at 8am. Went back to sleep till about 10am and tried to call Lele because I couldn't get her last night. Struck out again! I had an awesome breakfast this morning. Buffet style, 124pesos, all you can eat. I'll probably skip lunch because I ate so much. Plus we have a 3-4 hour drive to Ciudad Victoria.

After brunch I chilled by the pool with some teammates work on the tan. We met an interest old fellow, who I didn't get the name of but he was a German born, Polished raised, immigrant of Canada. He was there visiting his wife's family. I got a kick out of it when I shared a few polish phrases I learned while playing over there.

We hit the road a little after 2pm and arrived in Victoria at 6pm. We checked and headed to the gym for practice at 6:30pm. We ran through all our plays, got some shots up and was out of the gum by 8:40pm. I enjoyed a nice supreme pizza from Little Caesars.

I had a rough night of sleep last night. Never really felt I fell asleep to be honest. Room was cold then it was hot. I woke up every hour or so. I am a pretty dedicated abs workout guy and today at shoot-around coach wanted me to show him how I do my workouts. Pretty comical to say the least and we got a good laugh out if it. My pre game meal was 4 soft tacos, rice & beans. Wasn't the best I've ever had but I was pretty happy i was still full from the large pizza the night before.

Tonight's game we won and I only played 10min. I had 7pts, 1asst, 1reb & 1stl. Not much to say about my proformance. I played. 8 min in the second qtr and the last 2.5 min of the fourth. I'm struggling playing back up. I can't get warm and need to do a better job if getting loose some how. I'm not trying to make excuses, I just want to contribute. We'll move this funk/slump to 3 games now. Gotta get over this hump and start making things happen. Otherwise I can kiss Venezuela good bye...

I hope all is well back home. I don't know if I've mentioned in any of my old blogs but I'll be home for my sister's wedding on Dec. 27th. Looking forward to that special event and also being home for the holidays to see everyone. I love and miss you more than you know. Until next time...................... Love

September 11, 2001...

9/11

"a date that will live in infamy"

On September 11, 2001, I was a sophomore in high school, sitting in Mr. Moynahan's US history class, watching as the United Airlines crashed into the world trade centers, the Pentagon and crash landed in the Pennsylvania field. Shocked and disturbed I thought to myself, could this really be happening? This event changed the course of US history classes forever. Something I will never forget and something I will have to share with my children and the their children. This blog is in memory of all the lives lost as a result of 9/11 and a thank you to all the heroes who have fought a battle as a result of it. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you... Now Forever & Always

Tampico & Ciudad Victoria Trip... Part 1

Originally we we're supposed to leave after our first practice at 3pm. There was a minor error made in the scheduling though and we ended up leaving at 11pm. We drove through the night and arrived in Tampico a little after 9am.

We had one practice today in Tampico, in a convention center style building because the gym floor was placed in there like the warriors floor in the Reno memorial weekend aau tournament. All we did was get shots up, 3-man weave, ran through our plays full court and got some more shots up. I almost forgot to mention the air wasn't on so they had 3 big fans blowing on us while we practiced. It's extremely humid here too luckily no one cramped up after our long bus ride.

After practice I showered up and walked to the nearest OXXO (seven eleven in Mexico) and stocked up on some Powerade. For dinner I had shrimp ravioli because they were so good for lunch I had to get 'em again. I spent the rest of the night chillin playing on the Internet and skyping with Lele. Because of the weather conditions at the US Open they had reruns on and I watched Nadal play from a couple years ago. The man is unreal! My roommate bought the new Carter 4 so we were listening to that too. It was a pretty relaxing day before the game.

Game day:

Got up this morning to Skype Lele on her way to work like i usually do but for some reason we've been struggling with the call quality at this hotel. One of the pros of this hotel is we have Internet in the rooms but every where you get a signal the strongest is 3 bars. I've also been trying to get a hold of the lil sis! I miss her and want to chat. Same goes for my Australian friend.

An ex teammate of mine from SCU emailed me an article he found on ESPN that is very moving. Here is the link below: http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/6935757/remembering-flight-93

I am forever thankful to those who risk their lives for us everyday soldier, firemen, police officer, etc... Its been 10 years and I can still go back to Mr. Monayhan's history class, sophomore year of high school and remember sitting there watching the planes crash and wondering how this could be happening... Gone but never forgotten! "Let's roll!"

We had shoot around and pregame walk through at noon. Driving to and from the gym you can see the appeal of this city. Very exotic and tropical but at the same time 3rd world. There is also hints of American influence in chain restaurants and clothing stores. On our walk to the OXXO last night we must have gotten honked at by taxis 100 times and we only walked one block. It's becoming less surprising to me to see the level of living standards here. It's sad and unfortunate to see. Makes me grateful everyday of my life for the environment my family has provided for me. Thank you Momz and Pops.

For lunch I tried to branch out a little and got a shrimp fettuccini. I love sea food and shrimp is near the top of my favorites. Some of the guys went to IHOP, I would have gone had I not read the article in the paper about the shooting in or near Carson City, NV.

1-1.........

"Big gulps huh? Alright!" that's about all I have to say about this outing. I got in foul trouble early and couldn't get into it. I had 3 fouls in 9min in the first half on some bullsh*t calls. I ended with 4 fouls, 5pts 6assts 1reb & 1stl in 20min. I have to get used to coming off the bench with about 3min or less left in the first. Then play the whole second qtr. Same goes for the second half. Although coach put me in to start the second half this game. Overall just a poor outing and disappointed in myself. Unfortunately we don't have the day off tomorrow we practice tomorrow evening. We still haven't had a day off since I've been here and when you combine that with the time I spent with the national team I haven't had a day off in 1 month. My body is starting to ache but someone close to me once said "No pain, no gain!" and another that rings a bell is "somewhere someone is working harder than you and they will beat you." both quotes my dad used to tell me all the time when I was tired and feeling sorry for myself... On that note, we'll put this one behind us and work harder tomorrow then I did today. We have a road trip coming up this week. Game on the 8th and 10th. Wish us luck and I hope all is well back home. I love and miss you. Until next time......................... Love

Track our game...

If you want to track our game, the league website has live updates via fibalivestats. When you go to the site on the top left corner there is a list of games. Click on the Toros vs. ??? and you can track our game. We play at 5pm tonight, that's 3pm your time. I know the NFL hasn't started yet so tune in. On that note, I have my fantasy draft tonight and once again I didn't do my homework. I got my fingers crossed I can get Rodgers or Brady though....

www.lnbp.com.mx/ (League Website)

"Enjoy the Journey"

Love

Bud

States, Shoes & 1-0...

After practice most of the team and myself went across the border to get a nice meal, shop & chill. When I left the states I had 2 pairs of Kobe VIs. Unfortunately they both broke so I bought myself the hyperfuse lows and the air max 360 BB lows. I gave my old shoes to a junior (young kid) on the team. All he needs is a little super glue and they'll be as good as new. I normally try to eat well especially during season but these last few trips to Wal-Mart have been full of sweets. It's all good I've been working hard this pre-season. Man I love chips ahoy chewy though.

Sept. 2:

So we had our first game tonight against Xalapas (team with the highest budget in the league). Although I didn't get to start I played 25min had 10pts 3assts 2stls 1reb. It was great to finally start the season. The other team had a few guys I played with on the national team and a guy I played against in college. We ended up winning by 13 points and my roommate, who had 26pts, ended the game with a dunk to put an exclamation point on the win.

We have a game tomorrow against Vera Cruz. It will be another tough game. If we can play good defense like we did and make up for our lack of height with hustle as we did also, we should fair well in this game also...

I hope all is well back home. Until next time.............. Love