In Dallas, I met Freddie Roach ~ Before the Margarito v Pacquiao fight

I am in Dallas for the Margarito v Pacquiao fight tonight.  After getting swooped at the airport by family, I mentioned to my cousin that the Gaylord Texan was hosting both the Margarito and the Pacquiao camps.  Therefore, for breakfast/lunch, my cousin and his family took me to the Gaylord.  

As soon as we entered the Gaylord, you could see all the Filipino fans taking pictures in front of the Manny Pacqiuao bus.  ****  Only when I left did I notice that there was a Margarito bus parked right next to it.  It's days like this that I wish I spoke or at least understood Tagalog.  I also wish I had some Pacquiao gear, but I think I can rectify that situation tonight.

While waiting for a table at the Riverwalk Cantina, I noticed Freddie Roach walking down the steps towards the restaurant.  Yep, that's my life...  Right place at the right time.

After signing a poster and a glove for a fan, Freddie stopped and I was able to get a picture with him.  

Freddie Roach and I

Later on, during lunch Alex Ariza (i.e. Manny Pacquiao's Strength and Conditioning Coach) came down to the restaurant.

To be honest, the Gaylord Texan seemed to be a place for all the Pacquiao fans to get together.  It was a quiet scene, and even though I saw one Mexican flag, you could tell there were more Pacman supporters "in the house".
It's going to be a good one tonight!

**** Right before the fight, my mom sent me a text. She told me that the flag I posted was a Philippine flag and not a Mexican one. I KNOW THAT. That was my point. But just to clarify, there were more Philippine flags... I only saw one Mexican flag.


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Kevin Love had 31 points and 31 rebounds ~ Timberwolves defeat the Knicks

Ugh.  The Knicks came to Minneapolis yesterday, and I debated on staying in town to catch up with an old friend...  I debated, and then I decided against it.  I told my friend that I'd see him next time.  ****  I had too many things on my mind to overly concern myself with tonight's New York Knicks v Minnessota Timberwolves game.  The picture is from the game I attended last season.

My friend texted me, "As Apollo Creed said to Rocky: Ain't gonna be a next time."  I laughed, because I know I'll see him again eventually so I'm not overly concerned.  PLUS, I guess I'm Rocky in that text exchange, so I'm good with it.

Well, needless to say I missed a great performance by Kevin Love.  Based on the score and the tweets it didn't look like there was a lot of defense being played.  However, Love's 31-point and 31-rebound night deserves a post. 

A few months ago I watched an episode of Entourage and I noticed that Kevin Love was doing a cameo.  Of course, he played himself.  I knocked the scene, and thought that the casting folks on the show must be hard up for talent.  I take it back, Kevin.  Tonight, you were a star.  Well deserved!

The Knicks had balanced scoring (i.e. starting five all had double digits) but it wasn't enough.  The Timberwolves defeated the Knicks with a score of 112-103.  Michael Beasley came up big again in this game, but he only had 35 points this time around. 

Wowsers...  I guess I should've stayed a couple of extra nights in Minneapolis, after all.  I need to get to a game...


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Dallas bound ~ Margarito v Pacquiao fight tomorrow!

I'm going to Dallas to see friends and family AND for the Antonio Margarito v Manny Pacquiao fight!!!  I cannot wait...  It's going to be a great time at the new Cowboys Stadium :-P

I'm watching the HBO 24/7 Pacquiao-Margarito episodes now, since they're being replayed in preparation for the fight tomorrow.  Speaking of preparation, it's time to charge my camera batteries... 

Lastly, yes, it's also time to channel my "Filipina" side...  Go Manny!!!

It's too bad Kelly Pavlik isn't fighting on the undercard.  It would've been good to see the Youngstown, Ohio native battle live.

This will be my first boxing event.  I might even have a Tecate, for the first time.  The possibilities are endless.  One thing's for sure, the pictures are going to be RIDICULOUS.  I can feel it...

For those of you wondering where you can watch the fight, I recommend (i.e. if you're in the Dallas area) that you ante up and hit Ticketmaster.  Great seats are still available.

Ok, lastly, what to wear?  Maybe I'll wear my SF Giants hat.  What?!?!  Too soon?!?!  Haha, OK.  Maybe I'll wear my new Texas Rangers hat.  Guess, we'll have to wait and see...

Mama Said Knock You Out ~ LL Cool J



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Quick poll: Margarito's size v Pacquiao's speed? Who do you have?

I've got the Antonio Margarito v Manny Pacquiao fight on the brain.  The fight is tomorrow, Saturday, November 13 at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium.  ****I'm also 2 seconds away from a plane ticket, but that's neither here nor there for this blog post.   I have a question after watching a couple of the HBO 24/7 Pacquiao-Margarito episodes (i.e. actually, it might have been the same one twice ~ but who really cares).

Vegas had Pacquiao as a 6-1 favorite, but I think the line moved to 5-1.

Question: Who do you have winning the fight?  Antonio Margarito or Manny Pacquiao? 


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My 2 cents: Jenn Sterger meets with the NFL, a slippery slope

Wait a second. Jenn Sterger "gets" to meet with the NFL because she allegedly received inappropriate texts from Brett Favre?  Seriously...  Is this really the path, example, and precedent that the NFL wants to take for their player personal conduct policy?  Does the NFL really have that much time on its hands? 

I'm not one for policing NFL players or trying to monitor any professional athlete's behavior (i.e. if its not criminal) for that matter.  I have bigger fish to fry.  As far as I'm concerned whether or not Favre sent the text messages or left the voicemails is none of my concern.  It's the National Football League, not the National Fidelity League.

Personally, I don't want anyone looking through my phone records, and no one will ever see the texts or hear the voicemails I receive.  Further, from what I understand, if Sterger didn't provide any additional information, the NFL was ready to shelve the case.  Come on...  Am I the only one wondering why all of a sudden, she took a meeting?

Regardless, the last thing anyone needs is a bunch of women parading into the NFL offices with their mobile phones in hand "trying to get" or "waiting for" a meeting.  What's next?  I can see it now..  Before the playoffs or some big game, is some star athlete's former object of attention or affection going to produce cards, texts, and/or voicemails because she was jilted and wants to sabotage him and ultimately a team or fans' dreams?  Sure it sounds absurd, but who knows what can happen if we go down this slippery slope.

When will people learn that it's not smart to take a dirty picture and sext?  Now we're actually singing about it...  Here's "Dirty Picture" by Taio Cruz featuring Ke$ha.  Enjoy.




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Heat are getting worked by the Celtics, and no one in Miami cares

The past 2 weeks, as soon as I land, the first person I've seen on TV is my ex... Thank you, ESPN (i.e. sarcasm)...  I'm loving the fact that the it's the 3rd quarter and the Boston Celtics are beating the Miami Heat.  There are so many empty seats in the American Airlines Arena.  Told you all the bandwagon jumpers would jump off, just as quickly as they jumped on.

The only time Heat fans will support the team is in the finals.  I know.  I was there for Game 5, in 2006, when they were up against the Dallas Mavericks.  Miami won that game (i.e. with a score of 101-100) and eventually went on to win the NBA Championship after winning Game 6.  That season Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade were both members of the Miami Heat, and Riley was still coaching.

Here are a few pictures I took at the game. 

I'm a huge Pat Riley fan

With Dirk Nowitzki at the line,

the crowd chants DA-VID HASSEL-HOFF

Dwyane Wade with a dunk. 

Game over

Based on LeBron's strong performance, I wonder if he is going to use his "I can't do it all by myself," speech (ala Cleveland) in the post-game press conference when the Heat lose...

Anyone remember these quotes from Jeff Van Gundy? 

"They will break the single-season win record [of 72],” Jeff Van Gundy said. And I think they have a legit shot at the Lakers’ 33-game [winning] streak [in 1971-72], as well. And only the Lakers have even a remote shot at beating them in a playoff series. They will never lose two games in a row this year."

Hey, Jeff Van Gundy, guess what?!?!  The Heat just lost two games in a row!!!  How about them apples?!?!  So much for your prediction, but hey ~ at least you had the nerve to take a shot! :-P


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Dallas... Again?!?! Seriously?!?! Mayyyyyyyyybe :-P

Ummm, ok...  Stay tuned.  I've never been one to be a planner...  Actually, that's not entirely true.  I like to plan, but I also recognize that I can't completely book my calendar, since I like to leave room for stuff I want to do "on the fly"...  Soooo, with the Margarito v Paquiao fight this weekend, it looks like I just may be headed back to Dallas this weekend after all.  In a world full of limitless choices, I just need to figure out what I want to do...




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