To All Fukuma Pigskin Pickers…

 

Greetings!  

 

We are one-third of the way through the season and it is time for self reflection.  

 

Week 6 is behind us and yours truly once again finds himself on the wrong side of almost every close game played!  Can you relate?  

 

If not, you may be wondering how you did…thinking that you may have a chance to sing with Johnny Cash this week.  Well, I do not want to disappoint you, but unless your name is Lexi Reed, you will be going “down…down…down, in a burning ring of fire!”…and the answer is you were beaten!    

 

Yes…this week, and for the first time this season, we had a player demonstrate prognostication skills far greater than all others…and aside from Cam Newton being unable to rally his team to victory over the Redskins…she would have posted the first perfect week ever recorded!  

 

Lexi Reed finds herself on top this week, posting 14 wins against just one loss, and is singing with Johnny Cash!  Lex, belt it out loud and proud!  

 

Not bad for someone who was a bit pre-occupied, having just run the Bronco Invitational 6K in Santa Clara, CA.  She did so in a personal best of 20:44 for this distance – placing 13th out of almost 200 runners – as well as posting the 11th fastest time in Oregon State Women’s Cross Country history!  And, as Lex was quick to point out…the team won the meet!  Way to go Lexi and the entire Beavers team!

 

8 players tied for second this week, another first, all with 11 wins, so aside from Mats, me, Chris, Dr. Ken and Peggy, everyone posted double digit win weeks.  Well done!

 

The self reflection I mentioned earlier…is directed at the bottom 5.  We best check in with our favorite sports psychologist, because we are getting lapped and quick changes are needed! 

 

For the record, the Heartbreak Hotel welcomes Peggy this week, with 8 wins, but I know she is feeling better already given the Broncos found both their offense and defense last night, rocking a lowly Cardinals team who embarrassed themselves and they should expect big changes at all levels of the organization today.  

 

It is one thing to lose, but as they said last night…that effort was not just losing.  It was losing without effort, at home and in front of a national TV audience.  Not exactly what you are looking for…

 

BTW, as a longtime Larry Fitzgerald fan, I picked the Cardinals.  Thanks for nothing guys…

 

As for the aggregate totals…through week 6 we have a new leader in the clubhouse.  Yes, the quiet assassin, the stealth stalker, the closet football fanatic…Karen Fukuma has moved into solo first, with 61 wins.  She is followed closely by Mr. 155, Tom Finan, with 60 wins and IT Guy, Angelo Romero, with 59 wins.  We are beginning to see some spread in the rankings as we always do about this time and if you have a plan to make your move…NOW is the time!  

 

Speaking of changes, we have two other nieces – one on each coast – in the midst of their own changes.  

 

Miss Nicole went east and is fresh off a visit from Mom and Dad.  She is busy turning today’s children into tomorrow’s leaders!  We think of you often Nic…and remember, on those days when things do not seem to be going well…you are loved and your family always has your back!  Connect with just one child and your efforts are worth it!   

 

Miss Angi went west and has just moved into her new digs at Oregon Tech.  The newest class of Owls (7 in all) join 7 returning members of the team that posted 20 wins last season.  The Lady Owls are projected to finish third in the Cascade Conference this season and the first game of the season – October 26 – is fast approaching!  So far so good for Angi, with the exception of the 7 am spin class, which she reports “is kicking her butt!”  Keep after it Angi…we know that spin class has nothing on you!

 

Good luck Angi and all the Lady Owls!  

 

As for the rest of us…a three sign off musings for a quiet Friday.  

 

Is Logan Paul really almost two years old?  

 

There is no drug on earth that can produce the reaction your body has when you see a child’s smile greet you first thing in the morning.  True unconditional love.  What a blessing he is and it has been an amazing ride watching him grow and develop, seemingly learning something new every day!  

 

Cancer sucks.  

 

And because it does, it is always fun to report good news, especially when it has affected someone you know.  I am happy to report that after 3 years of quarterly evaluations…my cancer remains in remission and I have been cleared for annual evaluations going forward.  Statistically, the 3 year clear mark is a big milestone for the type and severity of cancer I had.  Given this marks my 3 year anniversary, there is less than a 1% chance of the cancer coming back.  Good news all around and thanks to one and all for your thoughts and prayers as I went through the recovery process.  

 

Friendship matters.  

 

Two weeks ago I received a call from one of my best friends.  As sometimes happens, our friendship had taken a different turn after he married.  Truth be told, we were never opposed to an evening out…which often rolled into the next day, and when we were out, let’s just say…no, on second thought, let’s not.  Simply put, it would not be a stretch to acknowledge his wife was not a fan of mine, nor our circle of friends.  We were respectful of that, and as such did not spend the time together we had previously…but during this call I was reminded how much a good friend means and brings to our lives.  At times we think we are doing the right thing by not being who we are.  This call reminded me that is rarely the case or proper course.  

 

Be true to who you are, always, and to your convictions in all you do.  In matters of principle stand like a rock, and as Dr. Ken is want to say…follow the Golden Rule in all you do.  If you do so, the rest will take care of itself.  Thanks for the reminder Buck…and welcome back!

 

That’s all for now…Until next week, good luck and good picking!  

 

Commish