On the Sunday of Thanksgiving, I had the pleasure of seeing Rosie Thomas in concert yet again. She came to World Cafe Live in Philadelphia to kick off her tour for her Christmas CD. I gave the evening and her CD a perfect 10. Rosie has such a unique voice and always puts on a great show. I think even people who have never heard of her will always enjoy a show she puts on. Here are some pictures of the evening. In the very last picture, you will see myself, my friend Kim, Rosie Thomas' brother Brian, and my friends Mary and Suze. Last year when I saw Rosie in concert she came out after the concert and talked to people for a few and we got a picture with her. Well this year the concert was recorded by NPR and she was being interviewed backstage so we couldn't get another picture....therefore I settled for a picture with her brother. I figured that was close enough :)
Also you will notice in the first few pictures that Rosie is dressed rather...well...she is festive but she is also playing the part of her alter ego Sheila Shaputo. She basically plays this late 20s early 30s single woman who just can't seem to get her act together. It is hysterical and makes for a very funny comedy bit.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
West Catholic Football
Well I have been delaying reporting on this all week because I was trying to find footage online with some recap of the game or the visit to our school that all the news stations made but I haven't been able to find it....so this is an article fro the Daily News here in Philadelphia about the game. As you can see, we didn't win. It was actually pretty heart wrenching and many would say we had multiple chances to win throughout the game and we just couldn't capitilze. There are some links to other articles at the bottom so feel free to read. We are immensely proud of the football players here. Tough way to end the season but what an experience the last 4 or so months. There are also some pictures of the game on the Inquirer Website. You can see them here:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/gallery/20081214_PIAA_Class_AA__Wilmington_35__West_Catholic_34.html
PIAA Class AA: Wilmington 35, West Catholic 34
By Rick O'Brien
Inquirer Staff Writer
HERSHEY, Pa. – In one of the most exciting PIAA state football championship games in memory, underdog Wilmington upset West Catholic, 35-34, in double overtime in the Class AA final yesterday at HersheyPark Stadium.
After a 2-yard touchdown run by Raymond Maples in the second OT answered a Wilmington score, Burrs coach Brian Fluck elected to go for two points and the victory. On a left-side conversion run, quarterback Curtis Drake was tripped up and hit the turf 1 yard shy of the end zone.
"We have athletes out there," Fluck said, explaining his decision to go for the victory. "We thought we could go in from the 3-yard line. We fell just that much short."
Wilmington, a District 10 school located in New Wilmington, about 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, won its first state championship. In 1988, the Greyhounds advanced to the final before losing to Bethlehem Catholic, 26-11.
"It wasn't something that I wanted too bad, that's not it at all," Terry Verrelli, Wilmington's 30-year coach, said. "I don't coach just to win a state championship, but it's just a tremendous reward for me that these kids could come through like that and win that game. I'm just amazed."
At least two other times, West Catholic, so dominant all season, was a play away from clinching the crown and bringing the championship trophy home to 45th and Chestnut Streets.
In the first overtime, after Maples scored on a 5-yard run and the Burrs went ahead by 28-21, the Greyhounds (15-1) faced a fourth-and-goal situation from the 16.
Somehow, QB Shane Wagner, zigzagging from left to right, found his way to the end zone. He escaped at least four would-be tacklers on the incredible scramble.
"I rolled out left, there was nobody open, so I decided to run," Wagner said. "It felt like the play was happening in slow motion. When I was at about the 5, I just held up a bit and waited for their last defender to commit."
Another heartbreaking moment for the Catholic League and city champions came with just a little over a minute left in regulation. After driving 78 yards on 11 plays, they were faced with a fourth-and-goal from the 1.
Fluck rolled the dice and opted to go for the TD instead of sending Tim Carroll onto the field for a try at a game-winning field goal of 18 yards. That decision backfired. Drake, on a keeper over left tackle, was stopped short of the goal line.
"You don't know what's going to happen there," Fluck said. "You're at the 1-yard line. Put it in [Drake's] hands and see if he gets it done."
Electrifying all season on offense, West Catholic (14-2) came in averaging nearly 50 points per game. Yesterday, after taking a 14-0 lead midway through the second quarter, it looked as if the Burrs were going to bring home District 12's first state football championship.
But Wilmington fought back with a pair of third-quarter scores to forge a tie. The second, a 1-yard plunge by fullback Derrick Burns, followed an interception and 25-yard return that set the Greyhounds up just 12 yards shy of paydirt.
"In the second half, we came out and we got it done," Verrelli said. "We moved the ball, used the clock, scored. I don't know what else to say."
West Catholic regained the lead on the first play of the fourth quarter, a 5-yard burst by Rob Hollomon. But Wilmington answered with a 12-play, 82-yard scoring drive to make it a 21-21 contest.
Wilmington 0 0 14 7 7 7 - 35
West Catholic 7 7 0 7 7 6 - 34
WC: Maples 28 run (Carroll kick)
WC: Drake 29 run (Carroll kick)
W: Wagner 11 run (Wilson kick)
W: Burns 1 run (Wilson kick)
WC: Hollomon 5 run (Carroll kick)
W: DeMedal 1 run (Wilson kick)
WC: Maples 5 run (Carroll kick)
W: Wagner 16 run (Wilson kick)
W: Burns 1 run (Wilson kick)
WC: Maples 2 run (run failed)
Some other articles:
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20081215_High_Schools_-_West_Catholic_s_season_ends_with_disappointing_double-overtime_loss_to_Wilmington.html
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/high_school/36121314.html
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/gallery/20081214_PIAA_Class_AA__Wilmington_35__West_Catholic_34.html
PIAA Class AA: Wilmington 35, West Catholic 34
By Rick O'Brien
Inquirer Staff Writer
HERSHEY, Pa. – In one of the most exciting PIAA state football championship games in memory, underdog Wilmington upset West Catholic, 35-34, in double overtime in the Class AA final yesterday at HersheyPark Stadium.
After a 2-yard touchdown run by Raymond Maples in the second OT answered a Wilmington score, Burrs coach Brian Fluck elected to go for two points and the victory. On a left-side conversion run, quarterback Curtis Drake was tripped up and hit the turf 1 yard shy of the end zone.
"We have athletes out there," Fluck said, explaining his decision to go for the victory. "We thought we could go in from the 3-yard line. We fell just that much short."
Wilmington, a District 10 school located in New Wilmington, about 60 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, won its first state championship. In 1988, the Greyhounds advanced to the final before losing to Bethlehem Catholic, 26-11.
"It wasn't something that I wanted too bad, that's not it at all," Terry Verrelli, Wilmington's 30-year coach, said. "I don't coach just to win a state championship, but it's just a tremendous reward for me that these kids could come through like that and win that game. I'm just amazed."
At least two other times, West Catholic, so dominant all season, was a play away from clinching the crown and bringing the championship trophy home to 45th and Chestnut Streets.
In the first overtime, after Maples scored on a 5-yard run and the Burrs went ahead by 28-21, the Greyhounds (15-1) faced a fourth-and-goal situation from the 16.
Somehow, QB Shane Wagner, zigzagging from left to right, found his way to the end zone. He escaped at least four would-be tacklers on the incredible scramble.
"I rolled out left, there was nobody open, so I decided to run," Wagner said. "It felt like the play was happening in slow motion. When I was at about the 5, I just held up a bit and waited for their last defender to commit."
Another heartbreaking moment for the Catholic League and city champions came with just a little over a minute left in regulation. After driving 78 yards on 11 plays, they were faced with a fourth-and-goal from the 1.
Fluck rolled the dice and opted to go for the TD instead of sending Tim Carroll onto the field for a try at a game-winning field goal of 18 yards. That decision backfired. Drake, on a keeper over left tackle, was stopped short of the goal line.
"You don't know what's going to happen there," Fluck said. "You're at the 1-yard line. Put it in [Drake's] hands and see if he gets it done."
Electrifying all season on offense, West Catholic (14-2) came in averaging nearly 50 points per game. Yesterday, after taking a 14-0 lead midway through the second quarter, it looked as if the Burrs were going to bring home District 12's first state football championship.
But Wilmington fought back with a pair of third-quarter scores to forge a tie. The second, a 1-yard plunge by fullback Derrick Burns, followed an interception and 25-yard return that set the Greyhounds up just 12 yards shy of paydirt.
"In the second half, we came out and we got it done," Verrelli said. "We moved the ball, used the clock, scored. I don't know what else to say."
West Catholic regained the lead on the first play of the fourth quarter, a 5-yard burst by Rob Hollomon. But Wilmington answered with a 12-play, 82-yard scoring drive to make it a 21-21 contest.
Wilmington 0 0 14 7 7 7 - 35
West Catholic 7 7 0 7 7 6 - 34
WC: Maples 28 run (Carroll kick)
WC: Drake 29 run (Carroll kick)
W: Wagner 11 run (Wilson kick)
W: Burns 1 run (Wilson kick)
WC: Hollomon 5 run (Carroll kick)
W: DeMedal 1 run (Wilson kick)
WC: Maples 5 run (Carroll kick)
W: Wagner 16 run (Wilson kick)
W: Burns 1 run (Wilson kick)
WC: Maples 2 run (run failed)
Some other articles:
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20081215_High_Schools_-_West_Catholic_s_season_ends_with_disappointing_double-overtime_loss_to_Wilmington.html
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/high_school/36121314.html
Friday, December 12, 2008
Qoute of the Day
Ultimately, we have just one moral duty: to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and to reflect it towards others. And the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will also be in our troubled world.
- Etty Hillesum,
died in Auschwitz in 1943 at the age of 29. From An Interrupted Life, a compilation of her diaries and letters.
- Etty Hillesum,
died in Auschwitz in 1943 at the age of 29. From An Interrupted Life, a compilation of her diaries and letters.
West Catholic Football Team
Somehow I have failed to mention that West Catholic is the Pennslyvania AA High School Football State Championship game on Saturday. It is a really big deal obviously and yet I have completely forgetten to post about it.
Today we had our pep rally at school and there were four news stations at school recording the assembly and interviewing the students. I am going to try and find the footage online tonight after the news and send some links so you can see my school and the students I work with at West Catholic. The game is on Saturday at 1pm and of course we are hoping for a win.
This game is especially important because this year is the first year West Catholic or any of the Catholic schools in Philadelphia for that matter can compete for a State Title in any sport. Before this year, there was a seperate Public League and Catholic League. The Public League teams have always been able to compete for the state championship but the Catholic League teams would just compete for City Titles and then be done....no state competition. I thought it was strange when I moved here but at the time the Catholic League and West Catholic were in the process of becoming part of the PIAA (high school sports association) so we could compete on a state level.
This is our first year as a part of the PIAA and as a result the first year we can compete for a state title...and wouldn't you know it we find ourselves in the state championship game. It is almost unreal and the students here are very excited.
Once I find the link to the news stories I will send them your way and maybe you will see me in the background of some of the shots...you never know.
Today we had our pep rally at school and there were four news stations at school recording the assembly and interviewing the students. I am going to try and find the footage online tonight after the news and send some links so you can see my school and the students I work with at West Catholic. The game is on Saturday at 1pm and of course we are hoping for a win.
This game is especially important because this year is the first year West Catholic or any of the Catholic schools in Philadelphia for that matter can compete for a State Title in any sport. Before this year, there was a seperate Public League and Catholic League. The Public League teams have always been able to compete for the state championship but the Catholic League teams would just compete for City Titles and then be done....no state competition. I thought it was strange when I moved here but at the time the Catholic League and West Catholic were in the process of becoming part of the PIAA (high school sports association) so we could compete on a state level.
This is our first year as a part of the PIAA and as a result the first year we can compete for a state title...and wouldn't you know it we find ourselves in the state championship game. It is almost unreal and the students here are very excited.
Once I find the link to the news stories I will send them your way and maybe you will see me in the background of some of the shots...you never know.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Thanksgiving Blessings
Well I finally had time to type up my story from this past Thankgiving. It is both funny and rediculous. You will be left asking yourself "Did that really happen?" Becuse I know I was.
I am not going to post it here for a couple reasons. First, it is incredibly long. Second, it isn't something I want to post in such a public internet space.
If you would like to know what happened, I will happily send you an email with the story attached. I warn you it is long but worth the read.
Just send me your request to my email address:
mari.anzicek@gmail.com
I will send you the story as soon as I am able.
I am not going to post it here for a couple reasons. First, it is incredibly long. Second, it isn't something I want to post in such a public internet space.
If you would like to know what happened, I will happily send you an email with the story attached. I warn you it is long but worth the read.
Just send me your request to my email address:
mari.anzicek@gmail.com
I will send you the story as soon as I am able.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Cool
I stole this blog post from my friend Curto.....so ifyou read her blog this is a repeat...if you don't take a look
Here is something you don't see everyday...forget the design shows with a budget of $500.... Try $10 and a Sharpie
See Room Here
Here is something you don't see everyday...forget the design shows with a budget of $500.... Try $10 and a Sharpie
See Room Here
Monday, December 8, 2008
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