THE SHOW is SDSU’s most dedicated and loyal student section that garners attention from national news and is feared by Aztec rivals alike.

These days, the entire city of San Diego has Aztec Fever. As it should as one in seven San Diegans with a college degree attended SDSU.  We have a #6 ranked men’s basketball team and a bowl-winning football team. And more importantly, we are a rising hot bed of academic excellence in California.

Regardless of 401K contributions, stock investments or the like, my husband and I are convinced that in 2010 our best investment (if for nothing more than for pure psychological pleasure) was our 2010-2011 SDSU Men’s Basketball season tickets.

Every game we attend is a priceless experience.  In fact, I can say with full conviction that the game v. UNLV this past Wednesday night was hands-down the most rockin’ I’ve ever seen that arena.  (And I’ve been to Aerosmith, Prince and Marilyn Manson concerts, not to mention graduation, there).  The minute I left, I wanted to do it all over again.

Why?  Well, the team ROCKS. The fans are die-hard.  But really … THE SHOW!

We have THE BEST student section, THE SHOW,  in the nation.  It has been spawning for at least the last six-to-ten years, but this year, as SDSU men’s basketball team is set to reign in all its glory, THE SHOW has come into its own and then some.  They make the stadium, the game and the viewing experience complete.  Team aside, opponents hardly have a chance in the face of this raucous and amazingly executed fan base.

If you havnen’t seen THE SHOW, I encourage you to buck up and buy some tickets to any SDSU men’s bball game you can find. If they are sold out for the season, then check out their 10 commandments to get a feel for just how fun they are:

Long ago, on the top of Mt. Montezuma, the Aztec God of Basketball gave 10 commandments to His followers. He named his minions The Show, and He told them if they lived by these 10 rules, a legacy of epic fandom would be birthed. Interestingly enough, the God of Aztec Basketball is not as demanding as some other Aztec Gods you might have heard about. The best thing about The Show is its freedom to be unique, wild and original. These are more like guidelines.

Do you want to be in The Show?!? Just follow The Show’s 10 Commandments:

10.) Thou shalt love the Aztecs and sit in the student section. If you do this, you’re in The Show, whether or not you know it yet.

9.) Thou shalt wear two types of attire to games: red and black, or whatever the heck you want. “Show” clothing is designed to be as funny, ludicrous and intimidating as possible. Costumes, outfits, and any accessories you can dream up are definitely encouraged.

8.) Thou shalt stand in your seats whenever the game is being played.

7.) Thou shalt cheer as loud as you can. There are many cheers and chants in The Show so try to yell in unity.

6.) Thou shalt not use excessive profanity or throw things on the court. The Show has always been clever enough to overcome these obstacles.

5.) Thou shalt know your team and your opponent, to have greater love and hate for both. (And verbal ammunition.)

4.) Thou shalt show up early if you want to be close to the action.

3.) Thou shalt wave the giant heads during free throws. You can even ask for your favorite face, or make your own.

2.) Thou shalt take pride in the home court advantage. Our goal, in the end, is to do whatever we can as fans, to atmospherically and psychologically help the Aztecs get a victory at every home game. We encourage, inspire and energize the team, and you have an impact, and the players and coaches can feel it.

1.) Thou shalt love everyone in The Show. The Show is already well known as one of the craziest, loudest and most fun student sections in college basketball. That’s why the final rule is just do your part to make The Show world famous for having the most insane, rowdy and epic fans college basketball has ever seen.

The Show 10 Commandments Source: The Union-Tribune

This year we ate all of those and also a pineapple cake.  To some this is common practice, but to many others it is foreign.

Epicurious.com: Cakes and other baked goods are commonly served from Christmas to New Year's around the world, with a special emphasis placed on round or ring-shaped items.

Well … we didn’t make it up.  Epicurious.com did a great job explaining the reason behind it all. Check it out here.

Here’s to a happy and healthy 2011!  I’m thinking we’re in for a good one!!

Source: Dogatar.com

Via: Homeowners Insurance

I don’t know if this is a type-A trait or just something that I do, but when I see/do/eat something I like, I watch/do/eat it over and over again until I get my fill.

The scallops and spinach salad at Romano’s Macaroni Grill is my new addiction and I plan to eat it as much as possible.

The salad is seared sea scallops with fresh spinach wilted and tossed with aged prosciutto, roasted garlic, fresh lemon and extra virgin olive oil.  It weighs in at a modest 330 calories, 4 grams of fat and 16 grams of carbs.

It is pure deliciousness.  One fair warning … this salad is garlic-laden so if you plan on going on a date or job interview, do not eat this salad until after.  You WILL smell like garlic. 

Buon Appetito.

All that said, there is never a doubt in my mind before, during or after the donation that it is the right thing to do.  I saw firsthand the importance of blood donation when my stepfather went through a grueling treatment for leukemia a year ago.  His blood transfusions were vital to his recovery.

If you’re on the fence about donating, here are some reasons (some selfish and some selfless) to do it:

1. Whether you know it or not, you likely know someone who is alive today because of a blood transfusion they received.
2. It is free to donate.
3. There are a number of reasons that someone may need a blood transfusion, such as surgery (hip replacement), cancer treatment (chemo), burn victim, or a bad car accident.
4. People of all ages can accept blood transfusions, including babies and children.
5. You get to eat as many treats as you want after you are done donating.
6. If you are a blood-type match with a loved one, your donation can be designated for a specific person in need.
7. Most of the time there are major deficits in blood banks.
8. You’ve got plenty of blood to spare.  The average adult has 10-12 pints of blood in his or her body.  Your body replenishes the blood deficit within 24 hours.
9. It doesn’t hurt.
10. Geography doesn’t matter.  There are blood banks and mobile donation centers every where.  If you can’t find one, most hospitals take donations directly on site.
11. At any time you may need blood to help you survive.  You better bet at the time you need blood you’ll be grateful to those people who donated to you.
12. While donating, you’re surrounded by nurses and health care professionals. If you faint or something goes wrong, you’re in good hands.
13. You get a free health screening.  After donating you get information on your cholesterol, blood pressure, pulse and more.
14. Some organizations, like the San Diego Blood Bank, offer incentive points for each donation made that can be redeemed for cool prizes like jackets, beach chairs and gift certificates.
15. The people at the blood banks are so kind, cheerful and very grateful that you came.  From the time I arrive until the time I leave, I am told “thank you for donating” at least 10 times.

If you are in San Diego County, here are a few places you can go to donate:

• San Diego Blood Bank
• American Red Cross – San Diego/Imperial Counties
• Camp Pendleton Blood Donation Center

If you’re on the fence, I’d be happy to answer questions for you or even schedule my next appointment with you so we can donate together.

Give blood.  Give life.

Hopefully the sun will be shining, giving us even more reason to celebrate 7-Eleven day with the cool and refreshing beverage.

Thanks, 7-Eleven and happy birthday to you!

Check out this video and article from the LA Times blog.

__________________________________________________

Dog owner Sergei Gorbunov of Vladivostok, Russia, doesn’t seem to share our qualms, however. The professional diver has equipped his dachshund, Boniface, with a wetsuit and helmet designed to allow him to breathe underwater, and he’s trying to convince the little guy that diving is really a great idea.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2010/07/russian-diver-attempts-to-teach-his-dachshund-to-scuba-dive.html.

Full story: The First Thing Young Women Do in the Morning: Check Facebook [STUDY].

Source: Mashable

This article from the North County Times, offers an excellent refresher on proper earthquake safety protocol.

__________________________________________________________

Drop, cover and hold on. Do not run outside. And forget about standing in a doorway.

The region’s been jiggling a lot recently —- including a 4.0 magnitude temblor on the Imperial County line Thursday morning, just one of hundreds of aftershocks from the large Easter quake centered near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Confused and potentially risky reactions to the recent quakes, especially the bigger ones, reveal that plenty of people still need to brush up on earthquake safety, said emergency services personnel and quake experts recently.

Full story here.

Naturally I said “yes” to having the pictures taken, not even thinking that while they take them for free, I’d still have to pay for them if I wanted copies of the images.

Guess what?  I paid for them!  How could I not?  They turned out so cute.