Almost Holiday Time.

David R.

November 15, 2010 - 10:25 AM

Thanksgiving is upon us once again, but this year, my holiday plans are a little different.

Every year of my life thus far I have had Thanksgiving with my family at home in Colorado. Every year it is always the exact same group of people, in the exact same geographic location. My grandpa owns a little cabin in the foothills of Colorado, and every year my mom, dad, brother, aunt, two uncles, grandpa, grandma and young cousins are gathered around the dinner table to eat the best feast of the entire year.

This year however, I will spend my first Thanksgiving away from home. Due to my job over at the athletic department, I have to be down here that weekend for a women's basketball tournament and the football game vs. the Arizona Wildcats. It is kind of unfortunate that I won't be able to continue the Thanksgiving tradition at home, but I'm sure I'll be kept busy with all of the athletic events. I also unfortunately have to miss out on the annual Turkey Bowl football game. I'm usually hauling in touchdown passes left and right, but I've been receiving my fair share of football action on our intramural team that is the number two seed in the playoffs and will receive a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

We were perfect in the short regular season going undefeated at five wins and zero losses. As one of the safeties on our team I have three interceptions on the season, as well as multiple pass break-ups. On the offensive side I serve as more of a decoy, but I got into the mix with four catches and one touchdown. The second round of the playoffs is right around the corner, and we have a matchup on Sunday night at 7:30. The weather is becoming increasingly colder at this time of the year, and last night I heard someone mumble that it is supposed to start snowing this weekend. I really hope that's not the case, but regardless, I will have my upper body layered up to keep myself warm from the razor sharp nighttime air of the Pacific Northwest.

After one of the busiest two week periods of the term, I finally have kind of a break. Last week threw a midterm, two papers and a presentation at me, but given the short upcoming week for the holiday, I don't have many more assignments to dive into before finals begin. This weekend has been rather light for athletic work as well. There was one men's basketball game yesterday, and that was the only event of the weekend. I guess it gives me a break before the crazy Thanksgiving weekend that involves a football game, a women's basketball tournament and a men's basketball game against the Duke Blue Devils at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore.

Speaking of basketball, yesterday the Duck men lost their first game of the season to San Jose State in a nail-biter. With 2.8 seconds left the San Jose State shooting guard drove to the hole and made a roll in, with a foul, to break the 72-72 tie. Oregon was unable to score in the remaining 2.8 seconds, and the streak is done. The Ducks have put up a good fight thus far this season, but I hope they are ready to go when it becomes Pac 10 time.