Her..a love story (movie by Spike Jonze) and more…

Posted on January 10, 2014 by susan

FINALLY, I got to the theater and I saw Her, a movie directed by Spike Jonze starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde,  and others.  It is a love story…to everyone!  Wonderful, thoughtful, thought provoking, so real movie that I cannot give it enough superlatives.  Only problem for me was the lady who came in late and decided to sit across the aisle from me with her huge popcorn and was without a doubt, the loudest popcorn eater I have ever encountered.  Oh well..you know how it is…not everyone can be so polite and great as the rest of us, uh?  Anyhow, interesting concept here,  Rooney Mara plays the ex-wife of  Phoenix, or his soon to be ex-wife, but the real story is Phoenix and his relationship with his OS, ie. Operating System, voiced by Scarlett Johansson.  Ultimately, the story is about his relationship with himself…and perhaps another character that he is close to and after both evolve properly, share their lives together.  Perhaps as friends, or as lovers, or as both..anyhow, I pegged it about halfway through the movie.  Really interesting work in this film, guess that is why it has won awards and is nominated for upcoming awards.  How can you ever doubt the brilliance of Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, and Spike Jonze.  Highly recommend this movie!  Go see it…it will make you think, laugh, cry, and perhaps look at yourself and your life??  Sometimes we want out movies to just entertain us, sometimes we want them to make us think, sometimes we want them to educate us, and sometimes we want them to do all of the above.  This one does that!

Now for a little sports news…#1 CBB team in the country, Arizona, survived in LA last evening, narrowly defeating UCLA, 79 – 75.  Scored was tied 68 – 68 with two minutes to play.  Great game and Arizona is now 16 – 0 on the year.  Let’s hear it for the Pac 12!

Tonight in NBA action (10:30 pm EST), the battle of LA…the Lakers vs. the Clippers from where else…the Staples Center.  Unfortunately, this battle is being fought with one team (the Lakers) severely hampered due to injuries…you know who all is missing…not the least of which is Kobe Bryant.  At least the ridiculous trade Pau Gasol for Andrew Bynum talk (just to release him) has ended as Bynum was traded to Chicago for Deng.  Anyhow, this battle is not what we would like it to be due to present circumstances.

Tomorrow, one NFC playoff and one AFC playoff.  Sunday..the same.  Peyton and the Broncos are on Sunday, hosting Phillip Rivers and the Chargers.  Should be a good one and that is the one I am looking forward to (no disrespect to the others!)

Over and out for now!

P.S. Monday, tennis fans get ready for the first Grand Slam of 2014, the Australian Open.  The top half of the draw is overloaded, Murray, Nadal and Federer.  Nole gets the easier draw.  Really a bit of a shame, would like to have seen the talent more “evenly dispersed”.  But, that’s what we got so looking forward to some great tennis and hoping Federer can make it a nice even #18!


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Her..a love story (movie by Spike Jonze) and more…

Posted on January 10, 2014 by admin

FINALLY, I got to the theater and I saw Her, a movie directed by Spike Jonze starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde,  and others.  It is a love story…to everyone!  Wonderful, thoughtful, thought provoking, so real movie that I cannot give it enough superlatives.  Only problem for me was the lady who came in late and decided to sit across the aisle from me with her huge popcorn and was without a doubt, the loudest popcorn eater I have ever encountered.  Oh well..you know how it is…not everyone can be so polite and great as the rest of us, uh?  Anyhow, interesting concept here,  Rooney Mara plays the ex-wife of  Phoenix, or his soon to be ex-wife, but the real story is Phoenix and his relationship with his OS, ie. Operating System, voiced by Scarlett Johansson.  Ultimately, the story is about his relationship with himself…and perhaps another character that he is close to and after both evolve properly, share their lives together.  Perhaps as friends, or as lovers, or as both..anyhow, I pegged it about halfway through the movie.  Really interesting work in this film, guess that is why it has won awards and is nominated for upcoming awards.  How can you ever doubt the brilliance of Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, and Spike Jonze.  Highly recommend this movie!  Go see it…it will make you think, laugh, cry, and perhaps look at yourself and your life??  Sometimes we want out movies to just entertain us, sometimes we want them to make us think, sometimes we want them to educate us, and sometimes we want them to do all of the above.  This one does that!

Now for a little sports news…#1 CBB team in the country, Arizona, survived in LA last evening, narrowly defeating UCLA, 79 – 75.  Scored was tied 68 – 68 with two minutes to play.  Great game and Arizona is now 16 – 0 on the year.  Let’s hear it for the Pac 12!

Tonight in NBA action (10:30 pm EST), the battle of LA…the Lakers vs. the Clippers from where else…the Staples Center.  Unfortunately, this battle is being fought with one team (the Lakers) severely hampered due to injuries…you know who all is missing…not the least of which is Kobe Bryant.  At least the ridiculous trade Pau Gasol for Andrew Bynum talk (just to release him) has ended as Bynum was traded to Chicago for Deng.  Anyhow, this battle is not what we would like it to be due to present circumstances.

Tomorrow, one NFC playoff and one AFC playoff.  Sunday..the same.  Peyton and the Broncos are on Sunday, hosting Phillip Rivers and the Chargers.  Should be a good one and that is the one I am looking forward to (no disrespect to the others!)

Over and out for now!

P.S. Monday, tennis fans get ready for the first Grand Slam of 2014, the Australian Open.  The top half of the draw is overloaded, Murray, Nadal and Federer.  Nole gets the easier draw.  Really a bit of a shame, would like to have seen the talent more “evenly dispersed”.  But, that’s what we got so looking forward to some great tennis and hoping Federer can make it a nice even #18!


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Surviving “Paradise” on Wednesday and more

Posted on January 8, 2014 by susan

Well, it is officially 2014 but some traditions must remain the same.  It is Wednesday and that means Surviving “Paradise” the book day at this website and blog!  So, please check out my book, Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver.  It is available at Amazon.com for $8.99 in paperback, $4.99 in kindle edition and $4.99 at Barnes and Noble nook.  Follow a Southern woman who relocates to a new town in southwest Florida, full of great hope and excitement, only to be met by a ridiculous set of people and circumstances.  A recent acquaintanceSurviving Paradise just read it and said “what a nightmare of an experience”!  Well, it is a nightmare of a neighborhood experience, but it is funny and entertaining as well.  Check it out, I know you will like it!

In CFB news…no surprise..Johnny “Football” Manziel has decided to forgo his junior season at Texas A & M and declare for the NFL draft.  Will miss the show!

The final USA Today Coaches Polls is out and is as follows: 1 FSU, 2 Michigan State, 3 Auburn, 4 South Carolina, 5 Clemson (kind of sweet, the two SC schools back to back), 6 Missouri, 7 Oklahoma, 8 Alabama, 9 Oregon, 10 Ohio State, 11 Central Florida, 12 Stanford, 13 Baylor, 14 UCLA, 15 Louisville (is Bobby Petrino the next head coach, again???), 16 LSU, 17 OK State, 18 Texas A & M, 19 Arizona State, 20 USC, 21 Wisconsin, 22 Duke, 23 Notre Dame, 24 Washington and 25 Northern Illinois.

Hard to believe the 2013 season has come to a close.

This weekend, NFC and AFC playoffs!  AFC: Colts vs. Panthers and Chargers at Broncos (GO Peyton!)  NFC: Saints vs. Seattle, and Panthers vs. Patriots.  Picks?  Colts, Broncos, Seahawks, and Patriots.  Well, that was off the cuff so we shall see!

Tonight, People’s Choice Awards air on CBS at 9:00 pm EST.  Enjoy!

Until later…


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Surviving “Paradise” on Wednesday and more

Posted on January 8, 2014 by admin

Well, it is officially 2014 but some traditions must remain the same.  It is Wednesday and that means Surviving “Paradise” the book day at this website and blog!  So, please check out my book, Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver.  It is available at Amazon.com for $8.99 in paperback, $4.99 in kindle edition and $4.99 at Barnes and Noble nook.  Follow a Southern woman who relocates to a new town in southwest Florida, full of great hope and excitement, only to be met by a ridiculous set of people and circumstances.  A recent acquaintanceSurviving Paradise just read it and said “what a nightmare of an experience”!  Well, it is a nightmare of a neighborhood experience, but it is funny and entertaining as well.  Check it out, I know you will like it!

In CFB news…no surprise..Johnny “Football” Manziel has decided to forgo his junior season at Texas A & M and declare for the NFL draft.  Will miss the show!

The final USA Today Coaches Polls is out and is as follows: 1 FSU, 2 Michigan State, 3 Auburn, 4 South Carolina, 5 Clemson (kind of sweet, the two SC schools back to back), 6 Missouri, 7 Oklahoma, 8 Alabama, 9 Oregon, 10 Ohio State, 11 Central Florida, 12 Stanford, 13 Baylor, 14 UCLA, 15 Louisville (is Bobby Petrino the next head coach, again???), 16 LSU, 17 OK State, 18 Texas A & M, 19 Arizona State, 20 USC, 21 Wisconsin, 22 Duke, 23 Notre Dame, 24 Washington and 25 Northern Illinois.

Hard to believe the 2013 season has come to a close.

This weekend, NFC and AFC playoffs!  AFC: Colts vs. Panthers and Chargers at Broncos (GO Peyton!)  NFC: Saints vs. Seattle, and Panthers vs. Patriots.  Picks?  Colts, Broncos, Seahawks, and Patriots.  Well, that was off the cuff so we shall see!

Tonight, People’s Choice Awards air on CBS at 9:00 pm EST.  Enjoy!

Until later…


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FSU tops Auburn in final BCS Championship Game, 34 – 31

Posted on January 7, 2014 by admin

FSU came from behind to top Auburn in the final BCS Championship game, 34 – 31.  It marks the end of an era and it was a thing of beauty.  Really exciting ballgame to close out the much maligned BCS format for deciding the college football champion.  Auburn really outplayed the Noles in the first half, leading at one point 21-3.  FSU scored an important TD just before the half, making it 21- 10 and then received the ball to start the second half.  They would eventually pull ahead in the second half, 27-24 for their first lead since the opening drive (3-0).  Then Auburn answered thanks to a beautiful run by Tre Mason, who elected to do the Heisman pose after scoring, Auburn up 31 – 27 with just over two minutes to go and FSU needing a TD to win.  Well, folks you gotta hand it the Noles, Winston, and Jimbo Fisher and staff.  They drove down the field with precision, Winston completing 6 of 7 passes and scored to take the lead with about 13 second left.  There was no miracle finish for the Tigers in this one, as FSU unseated the SEC (winner of the past seven BCS titles) 34 – 31.  FSU answered the critics who said they had played a soft schedule.  Auburn played one heck of a game.  Really a shame there had to be a loser and a winner, but that is why they play the game!  Congrats to FSU!  Congrats to Auburn on a great performance as well! FSU QB Winston finished with 337 yard passing and 2TDS.  Tre Mason rushed for 195 yards for Auburn.

In looking back over the bowl games, all the BCS Bowls were entertaining.  The Rose Bowl was all about defense, a hard fought “upset” of Stanford by Michigan State.  The Orange Bowl was exciting, a shoot out between Clemson and Ohio State with Tajh Boyd and the Tigers winning.  The Fiesta Bowl featured a virtuoso performance by UCF, taking out Baylor by ten points in a high scoring game.  And the Sugar Bowl saw Oklahoma shock last year’s BCS Champion Alabama, 45 – 31.  Let’s not leave out the Cotton Bowl, Mizz defeating Oklahoma State, 41-31.  Besides last night’s title game, which was exciting because of the very nature of the game itself, I thought the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Years Eve was one of the best bowl games I have seen in quite some time.  The Dukies holding their own with Texas A & M, and then the show that can only be called, the greatest show in CFB, the Johnny Manziel show (who was in attendance last night and apparently bonded with Tim Tebow?).

So, another year of CFB comes to a close.  We have a new national champion , FSU from the ACC (let’s hear it for the ACC!) and the final AP Poll came out today:

1 FSU, 2 Auburn, 3 Michigan State, 4 South Carolina, 5 Missouri, 6 Oklahoma, 7 Alabama, 8 Clemson, 9 Oregon, 10 UCF, 11 Stanford, 12 Ohio State, 13 Baylor, 14 LSU, 15 Louisville (losing head coach Charlie Strong who is headed to Texas), 16 UCLA, 17 Oklahoma State, 18 Texas A & M, 19 USC, 20 Notre Dame, 21 Arizona State, 22 Wisconsin, 23 Duke, 24 Vanderbilt and 25 Washington.

Next year we a get a four team playoff format, so will be interesting to see how that all turns out. Have to expect there will be controversy…there always is!

 


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FSU tops Auburn in final BCS Championship Game, 34 – 31

Posted on January 7, 2014 by susan

FSU came from behind to top Auburn in the final BCS Championship game, 34 – 31.  It marks the end of an era and it was a thing of beauty.  Really exciting ballgame to close out the much maligned BCS format for deciding the college football champion.  Auburn really outplayed the Noles in the first half, leading at one point 21-3.  FSU scored an important TD just before the half, making it 21- 10 and then received the ball to start the second half.  They would eventually pull ahead in the second half, 27-24 for their first lead since the opening drive (3-0).  Then Auburn answered thanks to a beautiful run by Tre Mason, who elected to do the Heisman pose after scoring, Auburn up 31 – 27 with just over two minutes to go and FSU needing a TD to win.  Well, folks you gotta hand it the Noles, Winston, and Jimbo Fisher and staff.  They drove down the field with precision, Winston completing 6 of 7 passes and scored to take the lead with about 13 second left.  There was no miracle finish for the Tigers in this one, as FSU unseated the SEC (winner of the past seven BCS titles) 34 – 31.  FSU answered the critics who said they had played a soft schedule.  Auburn played one heck of a game.  Really a shame there had to be a loser and a winner, but that is why they play the game!  Congrats to FSU!  Congrats to Auburn on a great performance as well! FSU QB Winston finished with 337 yard passing and 2TDS.  Tre Mason rushed for 195 yards for Auburn.

In looking back over the bowl games, all the BCS Bowls were entertaining.  The Rose Bowl was all about defense, a hard fought “upset” of Stanford by Michigan State.  The Orange Bowl was exciting, a shoot out between Clemson and Ohio State with Tajh Boyd and the Tigers winning.  The Fiesta Bowl featured a virtuoso performance by UCF, taking out Baylor by ten points in a high scoring game.  And the Sugar Bowl saw Oklahoma shock last year’s BCS Champion Alabama, 45 – 31.  Let’s not leave out the Cotton Bowl, Mizz defeating Oklahoma State, 41-31.  Besides last night’s title game, which was exciting because of the very nature of the game itself, I thought the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Years Eve was one of the best bowl games I have seen in quite some time.  The Dukies holding their own with Texas A & M, and then the show that can only be called, the greatest show in CFB, the Johnny Manziel show (who was in attendance last night and apparently bonded with Tim Tebow?).

So, another year of CFB comes to a close.  We have a new national champion , FSU from the ACC (let’s hear it for the ACC!) and the final AP Poll came out today:

1 FSU, 2 Auburn, 3 Michigan State, 4 South Carolina, 5 Missouri, 6 Oklahoma, 7 Alabama, 8 Clemson, 9 Oregon, 10 UCF, 11 Stanford, 12 Ohio State, 13 Baylor, 14 LSU, 15 Louisville (losing head coach Charlie Strong who is headed to Texas), 16 UCLA, 17 Oklahoma State, 18 Texas A & M, 19 USC, 20 Notre Dame, 21 Arizona State, 22 Wisconsin, 23 Duke, 24 Vanderbilt and 25 Washington.

Next year we a get a four team playoff format, so will be interesting to see how that all turns out. Have to expect there will be controversy…there always is!

 


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At Last…the BCS title game is here!

Posted on January 6, 2014 by susan

At long last…the BCS title game is here.  Tonight in beautiful and warm Pasadena, CA (going to be -16 tonight in the ATL with the wind chill factor), we will enjoy our final BCS title game.  Next year, we of course, will get a four team playoff.  So, who ya got?  FSU or Auburn?  Number one or number two?  The favorite (FSU by 13 points) or the underdog, Auburn?

Um…this is hopefully going to be exciting, most likely high scoring, and most importantly, not let us down after the long wait and all the hype.  On paper, you have FSU all the way.  They have looked like the most complete team in the country and have the Heisman Trophy winner at QB, Jameis Winston.  They also have not really been tested.  Boston College, with their big offensive and defensive lines, and the superb running of another Heisman finalist, Andre Williams, gave them the most trouble all year.  Non the less, FSU did pull it out by a fairly decisive margin.  They have dominated everyone they have played, albeit playing a reasonable weak schedule.

Now, we move to the underdog, the team from the SEC (doesn’t the SEC always win the BCS title?), Auburn.  They have played a harder schedule for sure.  They took a pounding in their one loss to LSU.  In games vs. UGA and in state rival Alabama (defending National Champion), they won in MIRACLE fashion.  They are better offensively, defensively, and on special teams than many have given them credit for.  Still, they have also been very lucky, but you gotta be good to be lucky.  Many are calling them the “team of destiny”.  I will not argue with that and have been inclined to pick them from the start.  Still, I would like to see a team NOT from the SEC win the last BCS title game.  Also, my oldest daughter is an Auburn grad, my youngest daughter is a FSU grad.  So, what I am to do with that?

I would have really liked to see a team from the Pac 12 make into the title game, either Stanford or Oregon.  Did not happen.  Moreover, Stanford got beaten by a very good Michigan State team in the Rose Bowl game, that other game played in Pasadena on New Years Day.  Oregon won their game, looked good doing so, and continues to have the best uniforms in college football.

OK, so back to tonight’s grand finale…..I am going to pick…Auburn in an upset!  Stay tuned…kickoff is at 8:30 pm EST on ESPN.  Gosh, watching the pregame talk and seeing the weather, it is making me wish I was there!!


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Hewitt defeats Federer to win Brisbane title

Posted on January 5, 2014 by admin

Lleyton Hewitt defeated Roger Federer in three sets, 6 – 1, 4 – 6, 6 – 3 to win the Brisbane International title.  The Aussie crowd was thrilled, as was Hewitt who won his first title since 2010.  He and Federer are both 32 years old, dads, and have been competing for seventeen years together on tour.  They are also practice partners.  Very disappointing loss for Fed..especially a 1-6 first set!  It airs on Tennis Channel today at 4:00 pm EST so I have not yet seen the match.  Wondering now if I want to?  Way too many unforced errors for Roger, who has looked really good with the new, larger Wilson racquet he is using.  Great win for Lleyton!  Trophy presentation had to be special for him as well, receiving the award from another Aussie legend, Rod Laver.  So now it is onto Melbourne in another week for the first Grand Slam of 2014, the Australian Open.  Federer will have Stefan Edberg on board along with Severin Luthi and hopefully will have a good result!  Gee, I am happy for Hewitt but I certainly expected a different result!

Two big come from behind wins yesterday in the NFC wild card playoffs.  Indy and Andrew Luck came from 28 points down to win 45 -44 over Kansas City.  Later, New Orleans came from behind to take out Philadelphia (in Philly) 26 – 24.  Today, San Diego is at Cincinnati and later, San Francisco will play Green Bay on the frozen tundra. Get cold just thinking about it!!

New episode of Betrayal airs tonight at 10:00 pm EST on ABC.  My new favorite guilty pleasure!

Later…

San Diego advances 27 – 10 over Cincinnati.

Oh my, I did watch the Federer – Hewitt match!  It was painful, especially the first set.  Roger had 22 unforced errors in the first set alone, sprayed balls, gee, even the commentators were asking what was up with this performance by Fed??  Second set, Roger righted the ship and managed a break and took it.  Still, question remains, was there a physical issue? (Hopefully not the back again!)   You almost never see Fed play like he played in the first set unless there is an unknown factor?  Third set, Fed had opportunities and did not make them.  So…hopefully he is OK physically and does well in Melbourne.  Again, nice win for Hewitt.  (Hewitt is a dad of three, Roger a dad of twin girls with number three on the way in 2014)  Ah…..

In Green Bay, the Packers fall to the boys from San Francisco, 23 – 20.  Phil Dawson kicks a 33 yard field goal with time expiring to win the game!  WOW!  -12 degrees with the wind chill!  Gotta hand it to the fans in Green Bay….they are tough!   Anyhow…49ers will travel to Carolina to take on Cam Newton and the Panthers next weekend.  Green Bay eliminated.


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Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl…both great!!

Posted on January 4, 2014 by admin

Friday night we were treated to two great bowl games…both on at the same time unfortunately..the Orange Bowl and the Cotton Bowl.  (Most exciting bowl game so fa,r still has been the Johnny Manziel show in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Years Eve!)  First, in the Orange Bowl from comfortable Miami, Clemson did both themselves and the ACC proud, prevailing in a shootout, 40 – 35.  It was a huge night for Tajh Boyd (his final game as a fifth year senior QB) as he amassed over 500 yards of offense in passing and rushing.  He scored six TD’s, 5 passing and one rushing.  Tremendous night for Sammy Watkins, over 200 yards receiving.  What a show they put on!  But, on the other side of the ball, Ohio State QB Braxton Miller and RB Carlos Hyde put on a show themselves.  Miller was knocked down and harassed for most of the night but kept getting back up, later saying he had a shoulder injury and a cracked rib.  Turnovers and penalties, failed two point conversions, reviews of TD’s all played a role, but when all was said and done, Clemson was the first team from the state of South Carolina to win a BCS bowl.  Moreover, they redeemed themselves after the awful showing they had in the Orange Bowl a couple of years ago, losing to West Virginia something like 70 – 0.   Nice win for Dabo and the Clemson program, as well as for the ACC which could certainly use a good showing after New Year’s Day!  Now, we await the BCS Championship game on Monday,  ACC vs. SEC to see just how well the ACC looks after bowl season is over!  Psst…I made my pick earlier…Auburn (team of destiny?) but I will let you know on Monday if I am still leaning towards the Tigers!

Meanwhile, in Dallas, it was SEC vs. Big 12.  This game was exciting and swung back and forth as well.  James Franklin(QB Mizz)  had great moments and then bad ones and was pulled for Mattie Mauk on occasion.  They both contributed to Missouri defeating Oklahoma State, 41 – 31.  Oklahoma State QB Clint Chelf had a brilliant performance but it was not enough to hold off the SEC runner up team from Missouri.  So, SEC over Big 12 in the Cotton Bowl, ACC over Big 10 in the Orange.

On Sunday in Brisbane, Australia, two thirty two year old “Dads” will play for the title (lead up to the Australian Open).  That would be Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt.  Two old friends (have been spotted practicing together this week) and rivals will square off on tennis channel Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm EST (delayed broadcast due to time difference).  Both advanced in three set matches today.  Federer’s serving kept him in the match after losing the second set in a tie break!  Roger prevailed over Frenchman J. Chardy, 6 – 3, 6 – 7, 6 – 3.  He served up 21 aces (the final ace being the match point) so it appears the new larger magic wand is working out well for the Swiss maestro.  It will be the first meeting between these two in a final, ironically after both being on tour for seventeen years.  Roger is also playing in the doubles at this event and doing very well.  (He and partner N. Mahut have made it into the semifinals).  The singles final airs on tennis channel tomorrow at 4:00 pm EST (again, time delay) so…GO FED!

Apologies to NFL fans…when Roger plays it is all about Federer for me.  NFC wildcard playoff game #1 result: Colts 45 – Kansas City Chiefs 44 in a shoot out!  Quite a game and kudos to Andrew Luck.  Still, as a Peyton Manning fan, all I can say is if the Colts and the Broncos should meet,  GO BRONCOS and GO PEYTON!

Just starting now…New Orleans at Philly.

Tomorrow…AFC Wildcard playoff  games.  First, San Diego at Cincinnati.  (I am picking the Chargers, they are hot!)  Next…San Francisco at Green Bay.  Gee, this one is tough with Aaron Rodgers back and it being at Green Bay.  What do you guys think?

Back to tennis: Serena Williams wins Brisbane Tournament in the final over Victoria Azarenka, 6-4, 7-5.  This is THE rivalry in women’s tennis!


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Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl…both great!!

Posted on January 4, 2014 by susan

Friday night we were treated to two great bowl games…both on at the same time unfortunately..the Orange Bowl and the Cotton Bowl.  (Most exciting bowl game so fa,r still has been the Johnny Manziel show in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on New Years Eve!)  First, in the Orange Bowl from comfortable Miami, Clemson did both themselves and the ACC proud, prevailing in a shootout, 40 – 35.  It was a huge night for Tajh Boyd (his final game as a fifth year senior QB) as he amassed over 500 yards of offense in passing and rushing.  He scored six TD’s, 5 passing and one rushing.  Tremendous night for Sammy Watkins, over 200 yards receiving.  What a show they put on!  But, on the other side of the ball, Ohio State QB Braxton Miller and RB Carlos Hyde put on a show themselves.  Miller was knocked down and harassed for most of the night but kept getting back up, later saying he had a shoulder injury and a cracked rib.  Turnovers and penalties, failed two point conversions, reviews of TD’s all played a role, but when all was said and done, Clemson was the first team from the state of South Carolina to win a BCS bowl.  Moreover, they redeemed themselves after the awful showing they had in the Orange Bowl a couple of years ago, losing to West Virginia something like 70 – 0.   Nice win for Dabo and the Clemson program, as well as for the ACC which could certainly use a good showing after New Year’s Day!  Now, we await the BCS Championship game on Monday,  ACC vs. SEC to see just how well the ACC looks after bowl season is over!  Psst…I made my pick earlier…Auburn (team of destiny?) but I will let you know on Monday if I am still leaning towards the Tigers!

Meanwhile, in Dallas, it was SEC vs. Big 12.  This game was exciting and swung back and forth as well.  James Franklin(QB Mizz)  had great moments and then bad ones and was pulled for Mattie Mauk on occasion.  They both contributed to Missouri defeating Oklahoma State, 41 – 31.  Oklahoma State QB Clint Chelf had a brilliant performance but it was not enough to hold off the SEC runner up team from Missouri.  So, SEC over Big 12 in the Cotton Bowl, ACC over Big 10 in the Orange.

On Sunday in Brisbane, Australia, two thirty two year old “Dads” will play for the title (lead up to the Australian Open).  That would be Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt.  Two old friends (have been spotted practicing together this week) and rivals will square off on tennis channel Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm EST (delayed broadcast due to time difference).  Both advanced in three set matches today.  Federer’s serving kept him in the match after losing the second set in a tie break!  Roger prevailed over Frenchman J. Chardy, 6 – 3, 6 – 7, 6 – 3.  He served up 21 aces (the final ace being the match point) so it appears the new larger magic wand is working out well for the Swiss maestro.  It will be the first meeting between these two in a final, ironically after both being on tour for seventeen years.  Roger is also playing in the doubles at this event and doing very well.  (He and partner N. Mahut have made it into the semifinals).  The singles final airs on tennis channel tomorrow at 4:00 pm EST (again, time delay) so…GO FED!

Apologies to NFL fans…when Roger plays it is all about Federer for me.  NFC wildcard playoff game #1 result: Colts 45 – Kansas City Chiefs 44 in a shoot out!  Quite a game and kudos to Andrew Luck.  Still, as a Peyton Manning fan, all I can say is if the Colts and the Broncos should meet,  GO BRONCOS and GO PEYTON!

Just starting now…New Orleans at Philly.

Tomorrow…AFC Wildcard playoff  games.  First, San Diego at Cincinnati.  (I am picking the Chargers, they are hot!)  Next…San Francisco at Green Bay.  Gee, this one is tough with Aaron Rodgers back and it being at Green Bay.  What do you guys think?

Back to tennis: Serena Williams wins Brisbane Tournament in the final over Victoria Azarenka, 6-4, 7-5.  This is THE rivalry in women’s tennis!


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