Day 16 UPDATE on Attila's son: "Yesterday was a good day. No changes, but each day he gets a little bit better." Please stop by and show them some love! xo Joanna
Do you know Unknown Mami? She's awesome and she created a fun Sunday theme inviting you to get out and take pictures of your city to share with the rest of us. Click here for details and her logo and click here to see Unknown Mami's City today.
For more than 20 years, Beloved and I have spent many Saturdays at the Pasadena Rose Bowl watching UCLA Football. Beloved is an alumni and a die-hard fan and so are a lot of our friends. But to be honest, I could care less about football, it's the people watching I enjoy the most.
Saturday we brought a picnic lunch and dined with friends on the grass in front of this lovely building-- along with about 45,000 other fans, which, by the way is nearly half the number of people the Rose Bowl actually holds!
The team mascot is called a Bruin-- as in bear, and some tailgaters take their pre-game decorations very seriously. This was brought (and blown up) by a fan, not UCLA!
One of my favorite parts of tailgating is watching the UCLA Band marching on their way into the stadium. You can hear these first....
And then a moment later you see this. It's pretty exciting no matter how many games we've been to.
Not be out done recently by the NFL in supporting Breast Cancer Awareness by wearing pink, the referees at Saturday's game wore these blue arm bands to promote Prostate Cancer Awareness. Ahem-- Guys, have YOU been checked lately? A simple blood test is waaaay easier than the "smashing" use girls get so, if you are of "a certain age" GO! Please.
Since Pasadena is next door to the Show Biz Capital of the World, it's only natural that UCLA would have their very own team juggler! Who needs majorettes when you can have this guy?!? 
Oh yeah, and there was some of this going on too. (Yawn.)
But as usual, by the end of the day, all that really mattered was this. It wasn't pretty, but UCLA beat the University of Washington. Phew!
Are you a football fan?
Welcome to The Fifty Factor - Joanna
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I'm not a football fan; to be honest, I'm not 'a fan' of any sport. Like you, I'm a cheerleader for my friends who love sports and enjoy what happens around us, while they yell. I'm kind of lucky because my guy can care less about sports, which is sooo cool.
ReplyDeleteBut I see how people get so excited about sports, and I mean this literally. As you already know the Yankees just won the world series, so NYC has been overran by fans, it is insane.
I wish I had taken some pics, but I was too lazy to leave the house in the morning and I doubt anyone would want picture of my TV ;)
I am a bit of a sports fan - although my sports are Aussie Rules Football (AFL), Cricket, Basketball. But if it is not my team playing there is no more fun than the people watching. I just cannot understand how some people can get so passionate that they actually get angry if there team is loosing.
ReplyDeleteI love the pics of the band! Very cool looking.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have American football over here... but my son plays soccer (which we call football)...
ReplyDeleteLove the photos!
Not a football fan but I do like Super Bowl (for the commercials) Love baseball and tennis and that is it for sports for me. Is cleaning a sport?
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures..I'm not a football fan but I like going for the same reasons you do! The excitement,food, people, band! Have a wonderful Sunday!
ReplyDeleteOhmigosh! What a fabulous post, Joanna! The Rose Bowl picture - and all the others - were simply amazing. What a lucky gal you are to live where you live, and go where you go, and do what you do, and see what you see!
ReplyDeleteThis bit made me giggle:
"Oh yeah, and there was some of this going on too. (Yawn.)"
You are hilarious.
But tell me, did you really take all those photos? They are superb, Joanna. Very professional. ESPN and Sports Illustrated have nothing on you, sistah.
Thanks for the stroll around town and high fives to UCLA for pulling off the win! Yay!
PS: The Gators beat Vandy too, are still undefeated, and will be meeting Alabama in the SEC National Championship. Woot!
Nice shots! What an exciting and joyful day. It is so festive. Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteSuper photos!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your about football..most of the time it's a big yawn!
I love Baseball and Basketball, the Red Sox and the Celtics!
I love the photos! My son is a great fan of American sport - baseball and football in particular. I just follow rugby really! (And New Zealand have just beaten Wales. :-))
ReplyDeleteFootball? Not so much. But the Rose Bowl is the site of a monthly humungo flea market, is it not???!!!
ReplyDeleteIf I'm right about that, I'd like to suggest you broaden your priorities! I would be in HEAVEN if I could go there even once!!!
That's like nothing we see here. Not at all. No way. amazing!
ReplyDeletewhat fun...i wont usually watch on TV...well because we dont have one...but going to pregame and the game live is an amazing experience. fun. fun.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a football fan at all but like you I enjoy people watching very much. Loved your photographs. Thanks for dropping by my place and taking the time to comment, so nice to meet you. :)
ReplyDeleteI ADORE College football- as we live in a college town.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like a fall afternoon - tailgating in the meadows with thousands of other fans.
It's heaven.
What a wonderful post! I am not a football fan even a tiny bit! I would be doing the same things you were. People watching : ) I might cheer once in a while too just because I love to yell : ) I loved your post. It was sensational!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely photos! I was visiting my FIL in the hospital yesterday, while the football was on, and I noticed that they don't show the half-time shows anymore! Just a bunch of talking heads, blah, blah blahing about more football. Have a little compassion for those being forced to watch and show us a band and a few cheerleaders!
ReplyDeleteThe Rose Bowl is quite a tradition. You don't have to be a football fan to enjoy going to an event like that. There's plenty of other stuff around it to enjoy. As you did.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so much a football fan as I am baseball, but I do watch if I'm interested in the teams, such as the Philadelphia Eagles.
Nice pictures.
Wow! Vodka Mom commented on your post. You can now die a happy woman. {But take your time, please!!!
ReplyDeleteClose game, there. I enjoyed your pre-game info. I am also not a football fan. I did suffer through two boys playing high school football and one of them continuing through college. The other ended up being a decathlete in college and that meant TWO days of events!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous day! I am so jealous!
ReplyDeletewhat a fun outing. I love going to games, but I'm with you on the football being the most boring part. I like sports for all the camaraderie - how it breaks down the barriers between people (I don't like when the fans who are really hateful though towards the opposition- but I've seen a few good confrontations which can keep it interesting when the playing on the field gets a little tedious :)
ReplyDeleteI have almost always lived where football is part of the "culture" of the community (I grew up in Oklahoma) and have gone to lots of pro and college games. I'm with you in enjoying watching the people and all the hoopla surrounding the game more than the actual game.
ReplyDeleteI am a football fan! And after visiting relatives in SoCal this summer, I am loving every single one of your "Sundays in My City" posts!
ReplyDeleteThere is always something going on in and out of stadiums. One is never at a loss of fun things to do on the weekends!
I'm also a UCLA fan and grew up sneering at the Trojans!
I loved everything about the Rose Bowl, except for the seating. I hope it's been improved since my last visit, but I do remember it being very squishy (crammed) and cold seats (metal/aluminum bleachers)!
Thanks for sharing and bringing back some great memories!
Hubby and I are very far removed from anything that gets people hyped up. It is very hard for hubby, just makes stress and that in turn affects his bipolar disorder. So We do everything we can to keep a calm quiet life. I gave up sports unless he and are playing tennis or riding bikes and not spectators. It is so worth it to have a sane and happy life with hubby that I don't miss sports or the noise. I can check out any scores online and watch news online too. But I can appreciate that other people really get into the tail gating and days spent at games meeting with friends and enjoying themselves. Your pictures are as always great.
ReplyDeleteNot at all a sports fan but your view of the game makes it entirely interesting to me. Love the brass instrument photos.. too cool.
ReplyDeleteI don't watch a lot of Pro Football (I live in Michigan, who wants to watch the Detroit Lions?!), but I do love college football. My husband works at University of Michigan hospital and we've always talked about going to a U of M game, but then I see the fans on television and I'm glad to be at home. They sandwich everyone in so tight that you're shoulder to shoulder with the people around you. I'm not a fan of being that close to strangers! I see a lot of high school football, too, because my son plays.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite sport is basketball. I love going to Piston's games or watching them on tv. I should warn you, though, I'm one of those people who yells at the television during the game!
looks like a blast! i miss football games. and there is no way to explain one here... your pictures do a good job though! happy week joanna!
ReplyDeletewhat awesome pictures!! Puts mine to shame!! Love the marching band!!!!stop by
ReplyDeleteU C L A...UCLA fight, fight, fight!
ReplyDeleteI'll always be a Blue and Gold fan ever since I was a kid and went to their camp. It was a great experience for me. Not only that, when I was a teen, they had some pretty cute basketball players! ;)
I haven't been to a football game in ages though. Boo loves USC so it's a bit tough when they play against each other.
It looks like a wonderful sports venue! Everywhere I go is cold and rainy! LOL!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like so much fun. I'm not into sports but I enjoy going to sporting events for all the reasons you stated, and the food!
ReplyDeleteI'm a football fan - but real football, not that American nonsense!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMy Dear Joanna,
ReplyDeleteI am saying something tongue in cheek now as a Brit.
I just cannot understand the rules of American Football. Are there any?
Both teams to me seem to resemble different swarms of multi-cloured locusts in their respective colours and padded battle attire. They seem to be intent on beating the living daylights out of each other whether they have the ball or not and irrespective of what the ref is doing. I think you call it beating the crap out of each other LOL
Of course I as a Brit am used to a very structured game of Rugby Football where the players wear only a shirt, shorts socks and boots, be the version of the game Union or League and I understand all the rules of that perfectly. I do understand that the object of American Football is to win a touch down by any means possible, including driving an amphibious tank over the opposition on ocassions but the rest of the game plan causes me total confusion.
Have you got an idiots guide to American Foorball rules anywhere?
I think you modified our game somewhat like you did with our game of rounders, making it bigger and better into Baseball, which I think is a truly great game.
Have I spoken a heresy? Hope not.
Perhaps you could do a post on it one day - just for little old me!!
Only kidding about all this of course!! Thought it might make you smile. LOL Eddie
I love tailgating and people watching more than the game. At least you don't freeze your butt off like I would here in the Northeast.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite pic is the blown up bear. I'm always intrigued by people who are that excited by their team.
Yes, I am a football fan, but I live in Wisconsin, so my teams are the Badgers and the Packers :)
ReplyDeleteI do love a good marching band, too! You may have seen my son's high school marching band in the 2007 Rose Parade. I wasn't able to go (it's EXPENSIVE!), but he had the time of his life :)
Congrats on the win!
I am no football fan, but this sure looks like lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they have their own juggler! There's so much more to see than just football!
ReplyDeleteThe game not so much, but the tailgating, food and the fun atmosphere is a blast!
ReplyDeleteHave a super winning day!!!
This is the second sundays-in-my-city post I'm readin today., I can't recall much of football memories personally but the love for it people have has always been a treat to watch.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great Sunday and a great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. I love what you're doing with your blog. I am trying to answer any of the same questions for myself. I am a new follower and will definitely be back!
:-)
Great pics and it looks like a great time. Any kind of tailgate party is always fun if you're with friends!
ReplyDeleteNot a football fan here. My whole family used to really get into the NFL stuff and the DH did with the Dolphins when we lived in Miami. Frankly, I like to watch the people too...far more interesting!
Nope :)
ReplyDelete♪♫ ✿ *•.｡.☆•*¨*•.¸¸❤¸¸.•*¨*•☆.｡.•*✿ ♫♪
Not a football fan. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a sports fan in general, but I enjoy going to a game for the experience.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking me along to this one.
Those are the photos I wish I got this year...my son's first year of football. He was even bumped up to Varsity for homecoming, but it rained horribly...my dd didn't get to march in the band because they cancelled the parade...oh well. There's only a few places left I have to see before I leave this earth and one of them is California. In the meantime I'll look forward to your pics & stories.
ReplyDeleteNo, but I have to say, if you live in Steeler nation where it is a religion not a sporting event, you somehow get infected with the passion, emotions, and excitement the sport engenders.
ReplyDeleteIn Western PA, unlike the rest of the world where there are four seasons in a year, there are only two. In Western PA, the two seasons are Waiting For Football Season, and Steelers Football!
We love football! Great post
ReplyDeleteJoanna, my Queen...
ReplyDeleteSwing by Casa Hice when you have a minute and pick up the award I left for you...
Thanks everyone for commenting.
ReplyDeleteFootball is not really my thing, but Beloved is totally into it and I enjoy being with him so football it is. The people watching is usually pretty interesting, as is the banter around town with our cross-town rivals, USC. I can't count the number of times I've heard the words "it's a rebuilding year" and "We'll get you in basketball".
Thanks again for stopping by. Please keep those cards and letters coming! xo Joanna
Another stirring post! How interesting to read your story and also people's comments.
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing up this whole issue of sports and big teams and the excitement of the game.
regard
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