treat every opponent with equal respect

With apologies to Pete B, here is a brief recap of my first attempt to play basketball in California in December 2005. You should be warned that the recap may include any and all of the following: bragging about a game of H-O-R-S-E, bragging about moves pulled off against a 60 year-old man and his rather unathletic daughter, and general bragging about things that should never, ever be bragged about. You may stop reading now.

Games of H-O-R-S-E played against three surfer dudes: 1
Out of three surfer dudes, number who were good at basketball: 2
Games of H-O-R-S-E won against three surfer dudes: 1
Shots hit to stay alive in game of H-O-R-S-E when I had H-O-R-S: 2 -- the last of which was an off-the-dribble banked three pointer. And I had to bank it. That's a tough one.
Notable shots hit that resulted in letters for surfer dudes: at least 3 -- 1) hook shot off glass from 15, 2) banked free throw, and, 3) (to clinch) one-handed free throw while standing perpendicular to basket.
Notable shots hit that surfer dudes were able to match: 1 -- finger roll from free throw line
Games of 2 on 2 played against 60 year-old, overweight man and his 30 year-old daughter: 2
Games of 2 on 2 against 60 year-old, overweight man and his 30 year-old daughter won: 2
Successful spin moves perpetrated on 60 year-old, overweight man and his 30 year-old daughter: 1
Guys named Vic who live on 6th street and Second Avenue met and played with: 1
Number of times Vic made an Austin Powers Swedish Penis Pump joke as I pumped up my basketball: 2
Number of times I sincerely laughed at Vic's joke: 1
Games of 3 on 3 played involving 60 year-old, overweight man and his 30 year-old daughter: 2
Games of 3 on 3 involving 60 year-old, overweight man and his 30 year-old daughter won: 2
Overall record on day: 5-0 (H-O-R-S-E included, of course)
Shameless efforts to photograph overweight self shooting baskets alone for benefit of verbungle.com readers: many

I'll be back out there today, kids.

The Christmas tree in the picture yesterday was 110 feet tall! It's at the outdoor mall at Fashion Island. Looking up at it I would only have guessed maybe 65 feet, but the sign says 110 so I'm going to have to go with that. Deion wins either way and collects 15 points.

More lyrics from the namedatlyric round that would not end:

if I had
if I had more
more would be laid at your feet
if you give me
just a little smile
the dogs on my trail wouldn't drag me back to jail

Guess away!