A day to remember ...

4.24.10
  A date I will cherish for the rest of Eternity.
Everything about this day was perfect.
 *The weather 
*my hair 
*my date 
*our guests 
*the luncheon
 *the ceremony 
*the food
*My jewelery
 *my outfit 
*the timing
 *the traffic 
*the weather (it was Extra perfect)


Colb and I drove to the temple together. Laughing. Smiling. Breathing. Holding hands.  
We arrived early. No one was more shocked than I was  ... besides Colby. As we walked in I reminded him that the next time he would eat lunch, he'd be a married man. He laughed and then smiled.
We signed our marriage license, cracked a few jokes, and took one more deep breath. 
We were put in two different rooms to get ready but were reminded where to meet when we were done. In the midst of excitement someone got confused and sent Colby upstairs with the missionaries that were preparing to be endowed. He was 'missing' for nearly 25 minutes. I'm not sure if I looked nervous or the sweet old lady who was assigned to help me thought I'd freak out but she told me she had just talked to some other workers and they were almost positive he hadnt left.
 I snapped my fingers and told her that I knew I shouldn't have given him have the car keys. 
She thought that was hilarious. She told every worker that walked by. 
  I was sent into a room to 'relax' and was surrounded by several other ladies who were apparently trying to distract me. I was treated like the very first bride that had ever been sealed in the Jordan River Temple. We shared a lot of laughs and I couldn't help but smile when one of them told me they were shocked at my age. My Mom had told them I was 24. The most common guess amongst my new friends was 18 at the most. I thanked them all for the sweet compliment. 
  They eventually found My groom and our tour of the Temple began. We spent the next five or so minutes looking for our sealing room. I was sure our little old lady friend was sharing her first day on the job with us but my Mom informed me she'd been there eight years. Nice.
  We eventually met our sealer. Brother Meyer. One of the sweetest men I've ever met. He was just as excited to be there as we were. He told us in all of his days as a sealer he has never had anyone walk away from the alter unwed and he asked us to not break his streak. After learning we were nearly ten minutes late for our own ceremony we shared a much needed laugh.
  We finally made it. Neither one of us could look around the room to see who had made it. We were so overcome with joy. We had finally made it. The number of people in the room only added to what we were FINALLY about to achieve. Kneeling at the altar we couldn't make eye contact. When we finally did, we both just cried. We were there and we had done it together. I remember very few words from the actual ceremony but I will never forget the feeling. Knowing that all our hard work had finally paid off and that we were finally sealing the deal was unlike anything I've ever felt before. 
  We hugged a million people. Ok not quite but close. Colby and I have the most amazing family. To know that most of them had made the drive and were there for us was incredible. I can still see all the smiles and so many of  the tears that were in that room. Each and everyone of them hugged us both and wished us well. I can't get over the feeling that was in that room. It was amazing. 
  We took lots of fun pictures, laughed with the kids and headed to the luncheon. Oh the luncheon. It turned out so perfect! The food, the service, the food, the company, the food. Oh my goodness. The Old Spaghetti Factory did not disappoint. Lets be honest though, we all knew it wouldn't. 
  On the Reception. 
 Just one more Perfect part of our day. I'm not going to lie. I was getting nervous there at the end of setting up. I was sure that it wasn't going to be finished. Colby and I ran off to get ready and when we came back it was done. Perfect Perfect Perfect. It was gorgeous. The food looked amazing, the decorations were adorable, and our family in their red and blue was so fun. 
  Before we had a chance to try the desserts the crowd started coming. The line seemed to never end. I can't believe how many people came to support us. We were ecstatic to see everyone. We received a million compliments on the food, my dress, the location, and the colors we chose. I still can't believe I went with such random colors but I'm so pleased with how it turned out. 
 Eight O Clock came soo fast. We took a few more pictures, changed out clothes, and headed out. The whole ride to Park City we talked about how amazing our day was. There wasn't a single thing we would have changed. The entire day was literally perfect and beyond what we could have ever asked for or imagined. 
   The best part of the day?? 
  We got in the car after the Temple and Colby leaned over and called me Mrs. Carter!

Japan: Hotels

In Japan, hotels can be divided into four basic categories.

First, there is the Ryokan which literally means "Traveler's Inn". If you want to experience traditional Japan, then a night in one these is perfect for just that. Most rooms are Japanese Style, where you sleep on a futon on the tatami mat floor. They are equipped with a large hot spring bath which guests can use freely!

Japan Ryokan 

A smaller version of a Ryokan is the Minshuku (meaning “Peoples Accommodations.”) These are family run guest houses with a warm, homely atmosphere. The rooms are smaller than a Ryokan, but many make up for this in the wonderful homemade food that they serve.

Japan Minshuku

There are also city hotels and business hotels. City hotels are generally very luxurious and there are many world-famous chain hotels and long established Japanese hotels which offer excellent foreign language services. These large-scale hotels are located around train stations and in resort areas.

City Hotel

Business hotels are reasonably cheaper and have been used by workers on business trips, however recently they have begun offering an outstanding and hospitable service aimed at tourists. You may also be familiar with “Capsule” hotels ; small cubby-like rooms available for business-men on the go. If claustrophobia is not an issue, then these accommodations may be just the fit!

Capsule hotel

Japan: extending your stay

If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for an extension at an immigration bureau inside Japan before the expiry date of your current residence permission.

The application process is relatively simple, provided that you still fulfill the conditions for the specific status of residence. It typically takes a couple of days or weeks for the application to be processed, and you are allowed to remain in Japan during that time even if your previous residence permission expires in the meantime.

However, extensions will not be granted if the purpose of the stay has already been completed or there are other problems connected with the status of residence.

Applications for extensions of periods of stay may ordinarily be submitted up to two months before the expiration date of the period of stay.

Japan: Staying Safe

When traveling to any foreign country it is imperative to practice all safety precautions and know how to react in the case of an emergency. What happens if you or one of your family members were injured? Would it be a nightmare getting proper care? E.g. What if you slipped on Fuji-san? These are all great questions!

Never go to Japan (or anywhere for that matter) without adequate health insurance. You will not get help without it. If you’re really concerned, particularly with things like climbing Fuji, it’s sometimes better to get a tour, for the peace of mind aspect of knowing you will have help on hand if needed. In case of an emergency, it's best to have a Japanese-speaking person call the emergency services in Japan. If that's not an option, call the Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL) at (03) 3403-7106 for emergency assistance in English.

Climber on Mt.Fuji

Also, depending on when you travel; Japan’s summer heat and high humidity can lead to possible food poisoning, fatigue and heat stroke. In spring and fall, many people suffer from rhinitis and itchy eyes caused by pollen, especially to Japanese cedar pollen. A small medical kit can save you the problem of running around and looking for items that are a lot easier to find at home.

Hygiene standards are high in Japan, and medical facilities (although expensive) are widely available. So, the most important preventive measure is to make sure that you are healthy BEFORE you start traveling!

Japan: Cherry Blossom Festival

Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) has been a Japanese custom since the 7th century when the aristocrats enjoyed looking at beautiful sakura and wrote poems. Sakura is a symbol of Japan, and it's said that there are over four hundred varieties of cherry trees in Japan. The most popular kind of sakura which can be viewed everywhere in Japan is somei-yoshino (Yedoensis). Japanese cherry trees do not yield fruits like other cherry trees.

Cherry blossoms can be viewed from January to June in different regions in Japan, but most of cherry blossom festivals fall between March to May.

Gorgeous flowers are the main attraction of the festivals, but various traditional Japanese performing arts presented in many festivals can't be missed. Joining tea ceremonies held under cherry trees can be a memorable experience as well. As hanami (cherry blossom viewing party) is an important Japanese custom, people enjoy eating home-cooked meals or take-out food under cherry trees.

Ssssh......Draft Guide

Don't tell no one, but here are two draft guides (680 pages of profiles) that NFL scouts are using for this weekend's 2010 draft.



defense
http://sitekreator.com/brophyfootball13/main_page.html
offense
http://sitekreator.com/brophyfootball14/main_page.html

UPDATE

Sacrilege, I know, but I absolutely love the new format. I was skeptical at first, being a long-time weekend draft party afficianado, but this Thursday - Saturday event generates some serious league buzz and excitement as compared to the Saturday endless seiges inciting mid-afternoon blood sugar comas, reclineritis, or alcohol blackouts. My only question is how will this affect subsequent drafts with enough PRESS time (leading into Friday's headline) to belly ache or opine about the first round or speculate on the second round leading into the weekend's media coverage? Will it pressure front offices to be influenced on making rash decisions (cough...cough...endless Claussen hype...cough) or entertain ridiculous trade scenarios they wouldn't have had the time to make in years prior? Who knows, but this more inclusive process is a welcome addition to help promote fan participation.

Japan: Food-themed theme parks!

A theme park centered around a certain type of food...Count me in!

The concept of developing a theme park around a certain food or dish is growing more popular in Japan.  Unlike the theme parks that you may be used to, these food theme parks are located indoors and usually decorated according to a specific epoch or fantasy theme.

The key to a successful food-themed park is to have the most well-prepared and largest variety of that particular dish available.  To accomplish that the dishes are not prepared by just anybody, but by top chefs and restaurants.  Accordingly these theme parks are not cheap and you can expect to pay 1000-2000 yen per person ($10-$20) just to enter and be sure to brush up on your Japanese as English descriptions are not always available.

Check out some of the fantastic food theme parks:

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum- The Ramen Museum introduces the history of ramen and features about a dozen ramen stores with regional flavors from across Japan in a setting of Tokyo in the 1950s, the time when ramen gained popularity.

Ikebukuro Gyoza Stadium- Located inside the Namjatown in the Ikebukuro Sunshine City complex, the Ikebukuro Gyoza Stadium features various gyoza dishes by famous restaurants from across Japan. The theme is Tokyo of the 1950s.

Jiyugaoka Sweets Forest- Sweets Forest in the pleasant city district of Jiyugaoka specializes in various, mostly Western style sweets, such as cakes and ice cream. There are about half a dozen stands operated by famous patissiers.

And what I would imagine would be MY personal Favorite!

Ice Cream City- Also located inside the Namjatown in the Ikebukuro Sunshine City complex, the colorful Ice Cream City consists of about ten different ice cream stores, selling countless types of ice cream.

I pledge ...

It has recently come to my attention how many risks are involved in driving. I always knew there were risks but it wasn't until I was in a new car with a new phone that it really hit me hard.
The Jeep doesn't drive like the civic, It's bigger, eats more gas, and ultimately requires more attention.
My new phone isn't my old blackberry pearl. It's a touch screen and a lot more sensitive. There fore, requiring more attention.
I was driving to work last week when a tiny car behind me almost rear ended me. He was texting and obviously not paying attention. I wasn't worried about me or my sweet new jeep although I probably would have shed a tear or two later. I was worried about the driver in trouble. Had I not followed that prompting to get over in the next lane Someone could have been seriously injured.  I was in a lifted Jeep liberty and he was in a small car similar to a Geo Metro. It wasn't until I created and finished the rest of the scenario in my head that I decided to take a stand. My own stand.
 Would I be able to live with myself if something that could have easily been prevented and wasn't took the life of someone? Or would I want to live with myself? Probably not. I can't even imagine waking up everyday know that me being careless left someone without a loved one.
So as of last week. I no longer text and drive and I rarely talk on the phone in the car. I usually put my phone somewhere that is easily accessible in case someone tries to call but I don't check for messages, emails, or even missed calls while I'm driving.
I pledge to do my part to save a life. Even if that one life, is my own.

  

Japan: Documents needed for entry

A valid passport and an onward/return ticket are required for tourist/business "visa free" stays of up to 90 days. Passports must be valid for the intended period of stay in Japan. Americans cannot work on a 90-day "visa free" entry. As a general rule, "visa free" entry status may not be changed to another visa status without departing and then re-entering Japan with the appropriate visa, such as a spouse, work or study visa.

For more information about the Japanese visa waiver program for tourists, Japan's rules on work visas, special visas for taking depositions, and other visa issues, travelers should consult:

The Consular Section of the Embassy of Japan
2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 238-6800,

Or the nearest Japanese consulate: visit the Japanese Embassy’s website for location details. The U.S. Embassy and U.S. consulates in Japan cannot assist in obtaining visas for Japan so you must take care of this before you leave your home country.

All foreign nationals entering Japan are required to provide fingerprint scans and to be photographed at the port of entry. This requirement does not replace any existing visa or passport requirements. Foreign nationals exempt from this requirement include special permanent residents, persons under 16 years of age, holders of diplomatic or official visas, and persons invited by the head of a national administrative organization. U.S. travelers on official business must have a diplomatic or official visa specifying the nature of travel as "As Diplomat," "As Official," or "In Transit" to be exempt from biometric collection. All other visa holders, including those with diplomatic and official visas stating "As Temporary Visitor," are subject to this requirement.

Passport with Japan landing permission sticker (left), visa (right)

Japan: FOOD!

Japanese cuisine offers a great variety of dishes and regional specialties. Some of the most popular Japanese dishes are listed below.

Sushi
Sushi can be defined as a dish which contains sushi rice, cooked rice that is prepared with sushi vinegar. There are various kinds of sushi dishes.

Tempura
Tempura is seafood, vegetables, mushrooms and other pieces of food coated with tempura batter and deep fried. Tempura was introduced to Japan by the Portuguese in the 16th century, but has become one of Japan's most famous dishes internationally.

Domburi
A bowl of cooked rice with some other food put on top of the rice. Some of the most popular toppings are tempura (tendon), egg and chicken (oyakodon), tonkatsu (katsudon) and beef (gyudon).

Sashimi
Sashimi is raw seafood. A large number of fish can be enjoyed raw if they are fresh and prepared correctly. Most types of sashimi are enjoyed with soy sauce and Japanese horseradish (wasabi).

Ramen
Ramen is Chinese style noodles prepared in a soup with various toppings. Ramen is one of the many popular dishes that were originally introduced from China but have become completely Japanized over time

Finally the drink, sake is the most popular drinks in Japan. It is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from rice, which sometimes is also called rice wine, but in truth, it is not a wine, nor is it exactly a beer, nor a spirit. Sake is a rather unique type of fermented alcohol.

Here is an interesting clip on how to eat sushi properly:


Japanese:
How To Eat Sushi

Japan: Yen

As you may already know, Yen is the currency unit in Japan. There are four kinds of bills (10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 2,000 yen 1,000 yen) and six kinds of coins (500 yen, 100 yen, 50 yen, 10 yen, 5 yen, 1 yen) used. Japanese currency is designed to aid easy use by people with vision impairments. All of the bills and coins are different sizes! For example, the bills descend in size from 10,000 Yen to 1,000 Yen. Each bill also has raised bumps in the bottom, left corner (if looking at the bill from the front).

 Japanese Yen

Major credit cards are accepted in the larger hotels and stores, but most Japanese operate with cash. Cash and travelers checks can be exchanged in banks, post offices and currency exchange bureau.

Banks are usually open Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm. Travelers checks offer the best exchange rate and are best taken in US dollars. ATMs do not accept all credit and debit cards; only the international ATMs in post offices, airports and some major stores. Quick currency conversions can help to prepare for your trip.

FYI-Check with the Tourism bureau office or a travel agent to purchase an advance JR rail pass before your departure (it cannot be purchased in Japan). The JR rail pass will allow you to travel on all JR lines while you are in Japan. Web search for JR rail pass for more information, it will save you more than $100!

BEGINNINGS (1)

I want to start my treatment of the Run-N-Shoot by discussing the offense's diachronic (read: historical) development. (Please pardon some of my jargon. Much of my academic research focuses on historical writing as a type of literary event, thus I loath how "history" as a term is conventionally used) Here, in Part I of this section, I will talk a bit about Tiger Ellison's version of the offense. My purpose in doing so is not to provide an in depth account of his offense, but rather to demonstrate why it is really no longer relevant to the Run-N-Shoot as it is currently employed at the major college level.

Without question, Tiger Ellison's Run-n-Shoot was an innovative and dynamic offensive system, especially for its time (although, in some ways, especially in terms of innovation, I would say that what Dutch Meyer did was perhaps even more so). Tiger's version of the offense is predicated upon a four hot environment. And yes, much like what Mouse would later do, Tiger's offense utilized option routes that he packaged into series that would in time provide a very rough template of sorts for Mouse's system. Tiger also used motion, but not really as a means of decoding coverage, but rather because so much of what he created derived from the Wing-T. In many ways, if we were today to compare Tiger's Shoot to one of Tubby Raymond's later Wing-T teams we would find the resemblances striking. The reason for this is that Tiger still wanted to run the football, just not into an 8 man front. He also wanted take full advantage of the misdirection potential that his double-wing formation afforded him, something that Mouse would use only as a way of controlling the edge and preventing a hard end from crashing his protection from the backside.

Tiger's version of the Run-N-Shoot is still an effective offense at certain levels. In this regard, his offense really is like the Wing-T, an offense that is still very effective at the high school and small college level, but whose trap and cross buck run game is no longer feasible at the higher levels due not only to increased speed, but schematic evolution as well.

Clearly, some Run-N-Shoot purists will not be happy with these comments; especially my equating Tiger's offense to the Wing T. But I wish to stress that these comments are not intended to be dismissive; rather, they are simply predicated upon a close analysis of the deep grammar of Tiger's system.

Tomorrow night I will discuss how Mouse modified Tiger's basic structures and how in so doing he laid the foundation for the modern Run-N-Shoot offense.

Japan: Top Adventures

Mountains, volcanoes, rivers, lakes and ocean – these may not be the first things that pop to mind when you think of Japan. In fact, you are probably more inclined to think of Japan’s metropolises. You will be surprised to know that more of Japan is covered by mountains than cities and this means there is no shortage of outdoor activities to enjoy.

Skiing - You will find the best resorts in the Hokkaido, Nagano, Niigata and Tohoku regions and runs to suit all levels.

Trekking/ Hiking – Every year in July and August, thousands of Japanese and international visitors alike make the climb to the top of Mt. Fuji, Japan’s tallest and most revered mountain.
If it is a religious pilgrimage you are interested in, there are 88 Buddhist temples that form part of a 40 day hike around Shikoku Island. Or travel to the spiritual Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, a set of World Heritage listed trails around Wakayama prefecture. The tranquil ambience will carry you away to another world.

Mountain Biking/ Cycling - Mt Fuji is not just for climbing. At the base of the mountain you will find a myriad of trails for walking and biking. Hop on your bike and explore the local landscape of waterfalls and streams.

Heading over to Nagano, you will find mountain biking trails to suit most levels around Hakuba. Mountain biking has grown in popularity here recently and there are new trail building projects, races and annual events to keep you entertained.

Kayaking/ Rafting – Up north in Niseko (Hokkaido), take to the rafts as the snow melts and floods the rivers in spring. For something a little less challenging, raft or kayak the rivers in summer when the water is much calmer.

For world-class rafting, head to the Tone River in the Minakami region of Gunma prefecture. From April to June the river provides consistent grade four rapids for over twelve kilometres.

Kayak on Lake Aoki or navigate the rivers in Hakuba (Nagano). Alternatively, you may like to challenge yourself to the grade two rapids of nearby Hime River.

Scuba Diving/ Snorkeling – The Izu Islands are a string of seven islands floating in the Pacific Ocean south of Tokyo. They form part of the Fuji volcanic belt. Their moderate climate makes them the perfect destination of marine sports, including scuba diving.



Surfing – Surfing may be the last thing you would think to do in Japan. You will find plenty of waves without having to travel too far. Kujukuri-hama beach is in Tokyo’s neighboring, Chiba prefecture and is a rare 66 kilometers coastline. The lack of reefs makes for some consistent and powerful beach breaks. Kamakura in Kanagawa is another beach also close to Tokyo and is quite popular due to its accessibility.

Dear Libby ..

-Don't forget to buy the dog some treats tomorrow, we're running out of crackers.
- Never file your taxes late. Maybe you won't be up so late next April 14th crying over spilled milk and a typo that could have easily been prevented if you had given yourself more time.
-Remind Colby that you Love him with all that you have.
-Wear Jeans to work tomorrow. You deserve it.
-Feel Free to finish off a yellow vitamin water before noon tomorrow. It's going to be one of those days.
-Thank Marjean for being an inredible photographer and an amazing woman and for making my day.
-Make sure your Mom knows that she's appreciated and the best Mom anyone could ask for.
-Eat something healthy for lunch. That wedding dress might not fit next Saturday if you don't.
-Get married in 9 days.
-Enjoy the heated seats in your jeep. That breeze will be gone before you know it.
-Don't text and drive.
-Do your laundry before you run out of clean underwear.
-Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to.
-Continue enjoying life. Heavenly Father blessed you with it and it's not to be wasted.

Love: Libby

Japan: Major Airports

If you're heading to Japan you now have almost 100 airports to choose from. Lucky number 98 opened March 12, 2010 in Ibaraki. Unfortunately the passenger limit on the plane was cut in half.

Getting to Japan by air is not difficult thanks to the fact that there are flights to the country’s international airports from most major cities on the planet. The majority of flights arrive in Tokyo; some also fly into one of the other international airports. These are Nagoya, Niigata and Osaka on the island of Honshu, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Kumamoto and Nagasaki on Kyushu, Naha on Okinawa and Sapporo on Hokkaido.

The main airlines serving Japan are numerous. Japan Airlines (JAL) operates the most flights in and out of the country. It has direct connections between Tokyo or Osaka to Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Vancouver in North America as well as numerous destinations in the UK, Australia and New Zealand!

- Japanese Airlines plane

• Narita or The New Tokyo International Airport is located about forty miles north of the city center but several buses and shuttles leave from all terminals and take about an hour to reach the city. You can buy tickets for all services inside each of the terminals.

• Kansai International is about thirty miles south of Osaka and again there are regular bus services into the city centre and they take about thirty minutes to get there.

• Fukuoka International is twenty minutes away from the city of the same name and Nagoya International lies six miles north of the city.

Narita Airport.

There are numerous sites that offer flight information for every airport in Japan. Make sure to be pro-active and buy your tickets well in advance.

*Always Remember ..

 I've had a lot of those moments lately that I never want to forget. Those that make you laugh even days, months, and years after they've happened. I've started writing a lot of em down but I thought I'd share a few with you so you could have a laugh as well.
  Today I text Colby to tell him I had cleaned Tomahawk's bowl and informed him that he was a happy camper
   His response: " Oh good, I knew he liked camping."

I laughed so hard. I'm still laughing. Such a random comment.

Remember 'Crow' the dream catcher fanatic?  He corners Colby every single Sunday at church and lectures him about teasing me. He reminds him to treat me with respect and that he's a lucky guy. The look on his face when he catches Colb teasing me is priceless. Hularious.

Last night I started a new session at the Indoor Center in Ogden. Back with old friends. SO excited. I was more than embarrassed when they asked for my name so they could print me a new card. I couldn't remember the last time I had filled out a player sheet. I was sure it was years ago. So there I went, spatting off every name it could have been under. My last 'guess' was the winner. The guy made me feel so stupid when he said
   "why don't we put it under something you can remember?"
  Like I'm five and my Mom should be filling out the form and signing the line above 'Guardian'
I'm laughing now but I bet my face was bright red. I don't jump at the chance to share my life story with random strangers but I know he would have responded differently had he known the gist.
          Shove it Pal, if it were up to me, I wouldn't have that many options. It's not like I enjoy changing my last name. But, while I'm at it. I'm going for round three. Take that!

Colb and I went to the famous Burger Bar tonight. I was so excited. Mr C was also excited but he wasn't super hungry. I tried to convince him to order the baby ben. It's smaller but still comes with lots of fries. He refused. He didn't want to look like a wimp.
  So I ordered one in my best little kid voice.

Went to the Range today. We had 6 extra minutes in our day and instead of breathing Colb wanted to try out his new driver. I buttered Colby up with a early wedding present the day before we bought the jeep. A new driver and some smokin sweet golf shoes. He's in Heaven
  He pulls out his driver, reaches to pull the head cover off and with a look of shame on his face, he puts the cover back on. He walks over to where I'm standing and whispers in my ear.
  "Babe, I forgot to take the wrapper off."
  "So .. take it off.."
"Some things are cool to have brand new, golf clubs, not one of those things. It's supposed to be used."
So I used my best 'hurry and hide the wrapper' skills and Ta-DA! No one noticed. Thank goodness Colby survived. Phew!

I love those moments when you think .. I never want to forget this. Ever.

 How Hilarious is this picture?

I had one of those 'special' moments when I found it!

  

Japan: How to get around

Getting around Japan is fortunately pretty easy, there are 127 million people living on this small island nation and to avoid them all buying cars to get around, Japan’s government has put in one of the best public transport systems in the world.

The Shinkansen bullet train for example is faster to get from one city to another than a plane, it is also cheaper and many of them leave every 15 minutes and on time.

Japan Rail Pass – The Japan Rail pass is a popular purchase for many visitors planning to travel in Japan and can save quite a few dollars but the pass has a few limitations which may make the pass not suitable for some.

Buses – Catching a city bus in Japan can be confusing for any non Japanese speaking person, as the bus system is mainly used by locals all of the signs will be written in Japanese. In contrast the subway system does use a mixture of both Japanese and English, hence the reason the subway is favored by tourists.

Taxis – In all centers of Japan especially around major railways there is no shortage of taxis when you need one. The taxi is usually a Toyota Crown Comfort or sometimes even a Nissan Cedric.

Local Trains and Subway – One of the best ways for any tourist to get around Japanese cities is by train. The local trains are fast, efficient and always on time. The main problem any non Japanese speaking tourist may find in using the train system is a lack of info written in English at some stations, so its best to be to know where you are going before you travel.

Shinkansen Bullet Train – Japan is known for the world's most efficient and convenient rail service, the Shinkansen or Bullet Train is the jewel in Japan's rail crown, this tightly scheduled, safe, punctual and super fast service is an amazing service and the best way to travel long distance throughout Japan.

For sorting through transport schedules and fares, Hitachi's Hyperdia is an invaluable companion, with versions available for Windows and PalmOS, and is also usable online. Jorudan and NTT Townpage both provide useful English-language web versions. The paper version of this is the Daijikokuhyō, a phonebook-sized tome available for browsing in every train station and most hotels, but it's a little challenging to use as the content is entirely in microscopic Japanese. A lighter version that just includes limited express, sleeper and bullet trains (shinkansen) is available from the Japan National Tourist Organization's (http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/) overseas offices.

In Japanese cities, a place's address is useful for mail, but it's nearly useless for actually getting there. Most places are described in terms of the walking distance from the nearest train station, and relative to local landmarks.

Japan: Etiquette

Correct manners among the Japanese are very important. Whether you are traveling for leisure, business or adventure, spare yourself the embarrassment by getting to know a little more about Japanese Society.

1. Know how and when to bow: A slight dip of the neck and shoulders is plenty for a casual hello to friends!

2. Observe dining etiquette: Eat sushi with your fingers and sashimi with chopsticks. For soup, use your chopsticks to pick out the solid food and then drink the remaining liquid from the bowl. Feel free to slurp noodle soup loudly, this shows you are thoroughly enjoying the food. Tipping is not only unnecessary, but insulting! How about that?
Quick Tip- Use condiments such as wasabi and soy sauce sparingly. Using too much suggests that the chef didn’t season the food properly. (overdoing the wasabi never seems like a good idea to me anyway!)

3. Show respect for business cards: Offer business cards with both hands, information facing the recipient, and take theirs with either your right hand or both. Spend at least 15 seconds reading their card or you’ll appear disrespectful.

4. Follow business meeting etiquette: If you’re at a business meeting, always wait to be seated by your host; where you sit is predetermined by your status. If you’re served tea or coffee, accept it as is, which may or may not be with milk and sugar. Take a few sips even if you don’t want it.

Don’t stress out; like many other foreign countries, the people will understand if you forget or slip on etiquette. Do your best to remember what you can and if all else fails just observe what others are doing and try and blend in!

Stressed?..

I imagine that I look like this about 6 days a week lately. With the exception of Sundays because I can't go out buying things therefore wedding plans get paused. Thank goodness.

It was just yesterday that I discovered my fancy smancy phone doesn't receive all the messages it's sent. Isn't that grand? Like my friends need another reason to hate me. Nice.

I can't help but scream when I think about how close the wedding is. Especially compared to all the things we have left to do.
  Colby's work almost shipped him to Canada for 4 days. He declined when he thought about how stressed I'd be without him. Sweetest guy ever. I wouldn't blame him for fleeing the country though, I would to.
On a much more exciting note ... Yesterday was Sunny and bright and that brings hope of a successful outdoor reception.
  I'll bet you twenty dollars if I called Colby right now and offered to elope he'd be at my front door faster than I could put my dress on. I might just go for it.

Heading into spring (and other notes)

I, like you, am anxiously awaiting hemlock's dissertation on Run & Shoot (and you may not find a more qualified authority), and to kill time, I will share the recent developments of our spring program. Trust me, once Hemlock gets going, I'll do my best to STFU.

This post may be interesting to those without 6th period football and/or spring football (or program development, in general).

We have been using 6th period (final period of the day) for the last 5 months for lifting. The past month or so (since the weather has been gorgeous) we have been taking the kids out to run through skelly sessions twice a week. This certainly helps and gives a jump start on what spring football will actually be in the coming weeks.

We have one bonafide offensive player (our Y) returning from last season, who was our leading yardage gainer. We have our starting quarterback, and one developing split receiver, and a bevy of young sophomore skill and lineman talent. This largely would not be the case, had interim HC (now official HC) not pressed for a full-time freshman squad. Had he not been so adamant about the freshmen, we wouldn’t have much to be optimistic about this year. I preface that, because as we move forward making plans for spring ball, we are faced with a dilemma of what to do with this talent on offense. How does it define what we do? Do we change from what we attempted last year after losing a once-in-a-lifetime “do-everything” stud (Jacoby Moseley) and a DI skill position player (Jarrett Fobbs)? Losing two game-changing talents may significantly affect the direction we move towards, especially when both were the sole contributors to our run game.

Of note, current freshman, Joshua Hunt (tallest player in picture), looks to be the next rising star out of our program and may give us the luxury of supplanting our current Y, to allow Desmon to be featured as a more flexible threat. There are also two distinctive running backs up and coming, that will be relied upon to shoulder the burden of explosive plays out of the backfield.

Conventional wisdom says, "you should stick to what you do", right? Well, I agree, but we really didn’t have anything as a foundation to begin with, so where do you go? I could go in a thousand directions with a personal tangent, one that I have already shared when this came up last year, however, for the sake of sanity, I’ll just shut up and get in where I can fit in.

If you have a quarterback who is a thrower and not much of a runner, can you get away with a veer/option run game (* I would argue yes, especially with zone running) ? The argument is if you do not, then you must go to some type of 2-back, power/lead attack to get an extra body/threat at the point of attack. How does this hamstring you when you are deficient in the run game. The OC is exploring pistol/rifle looks to base the lead/power/counter/triple run game out of. If you are not that great of a running team to begin with, when you introduce 2-backs (from the gun or under center) you in turn, invite more defenders into the box, making a hard job even harder. So, have you really gained anything with that?

What complicates this even further, is that there are dispositions that exclude certain answers from being acknowledged. There is personal bias against TFS (even though we are basing much of what we do off of the package we initially introduced) as well as zone running (in favor of traditional base blocking). I don't see any absolute 'right' or 'wrong' answers in this and am enjoying the development of the program and players. I likely won't be involved in the offense much to begin with.

Maybe its a 'nice problem to have' (actually having talent), but one that I'm sure other staffs go through, as well.

TREME
Completely unrelated, but be sure to check out David Simon's new series, Treme, on HBO - a certifiable winner.

http://backoftown.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/thatll-work/

BRAZIL

Even more unrelated, but something I found interesting, especially considering some of the recent Kabuki politics in America (not that I have one iota of thought regarding the matter, nor a desire to pursue one) - this is an interesting story and perspective.

http://www.fdasbo.org.br/

Entirely unrelated to this event, but I have been exploring expating to South America in another decade or two, so if there are football opportunities let me know....

*Crap-ola..

I thought I had a wedding planned. I've done this before, nothing new. Cake.
   Then today Colby's Mom says
        "Libby do you know which city you're supposed to get a marriage license in? Is it the county you live in or the county you're getting married in?"
 CRAP.
   " Colby we have to get a marriage license. "
         " And we need to get you a ring."
Mom found me a flower lady. She sounds adorable.
       Forgot I had to order flowers. Sherry told me I had time and she'd call me later.
  CRAP.
I got my dress taken in. I'm not sure if it fits. I need to try it on.
  Bridals on Wednesday. Mom found me a veil TWO DAYS AGO. Love it.
     I can't decide what I really want to do with my hair.
Invitations should have gone out a week ago. I bought labels and made our list in Excel. I was excited to show off my labeling skills from the BSA. Then I took too long and the Mom's started handwriting them. Oh.
CRAP.
  Lesha's friend is making the cake. No clue what it looks like or tastes like. Couldn't care less. I trust Lesha. And her Friend. Have fun Ladies. Enjoy. Can't wait to see the creation.
 
Bought New running shoes for myself. They are HEAVEN. I never want to take them off.
         I found 8 minutes to run around the block. Twice.

Max of #80 people at the Luncheon. Sounds like a lot. It's not. We couldn't invite any friends to the Temple. :(

Wedding video.
  CRAP.

I keep forgetting to eat breakfast.
 Can't remember to take my pill.

I get to wear Jeans at Smith's for the next 6 weeks. I never want these six weeks to end.

Need to go to JoAnn's and buy some frames, and a mat.
    Pick some pictures for people to 'sign'.
CRAP.

We've moved about 1/4 of our belongings into the apt. I bet Tomahawk is dead.
    I'm sad that I've neglected him.
Along with about a million other things.

  Hopefully My friends don't hate me.
I'm sure they understand. I sometimes forget to breathe.

I almost made it out the door last week without a bra.
  Double CRAP.

Whenever I ask Colb for his opinion on anything wedding related, he asks me what time the ceremony is. Then he reminds me that he'll be there. That means he doesn't care.

I'm getting married in two weeks. I'm scared. Like Really scared. I've done this before, and it didn't really  turn out like I planned. Why on earth would I put myself through this again?
  For a million reasons. #1: Colby loves  me like no one ever has. He makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Plus, he's hot. I love him.
  I'm still scared. Marriage is scary. I'm a nervous wreck and can barely gather any thoughts let alone the important ones.
  I'm so not ready for any of this.
                            CRAP.

Forthcoming Run-N-Shoot Series

Much to my chagrin I've been mostly silent since joining this blog. This is about to change. Starting sometime next week I will begin a series that I suspect will run for about six months or so on the Run-N-Shoot offense. The Run-N-Shoot has been around for a long time, but it's still one of the least understood offenses in football today. There is a certain mystery that to this day enshrouds the offense. The one thing that is certain is that it remains a source of anxiety within the football community. Defensive coordinators from time to time will dismiss the offense publicly, but if you speak to them privately they will tell you that the Run-N-Shoot unnerves them to the same extent that the triple option does. By the same token, the Run-N-Shoot is also a source of anxiety for those coaches who wish to practice it, that is, those who are enamored by the offense, but still cannot find the will to commit to it all the way.

I've been around the Run-N-Shoot in one form or another for about 20 years. I learned the offense from its founding architects and I now believe the time is right to share what I know.

As suggested above, this series will be extensive. I will treat the following topics in detail:

1. Origins and Evolution
2. Problems and Responses
3. The Culture of the Run-N-Shoot
4. Structural Mechanics
5. Teaching Route Coversions Today
6. Protection
7. Route Concepts
a. Streak
b. Read
c. Switch
d. Divide
e. Rails
f. Banjo
g. Go
h. Slide
i. Choice
j. Hook
k.Side
l. Levels
m. Quicks and Adaptations

8. Screens
9. Run Game

Each topic will be treated globally as a concept; individual plays will be discussed only within the context of specific examples.

10. Conclusions: Dealing with Challenges and Problems.

Japan- Staying Connected

Below are a few alternatives for you to stay connected with family and friends while you are traveling Japan.

Internet – “Manga cafes" are dotted along the streets of almost every city in Japan. For a very reasonable price (about 100 Yen – US$1.09 per 15 minutes), you receive a private cubicle with a PC with internet access at blistering Japanese internet speeds. The chairs are incredibly comfortable (making them an excellent place to sleep for the cash-deprived), and you can even order snacks and drinks from the staff.

Phone – You can buy prepaid international phone cards from just about any convenience store. Or if you decided to use a pay phone, you will find them available in most stations. Here are the instructions on how to make an International Telephone Call.

Post – The Japanese postal service is excellent! Domestic and international mail service is very quick and reliable. There are post offices in every major city and minor town. Another thing to remember is that the post office is one of the few places in Japan that is guaranteed to have ATMs that take international cards.

Japan: History

Traditional Japanese legend sustains that Japan was founded in 600 BC by the Emperor Jimmu, a direct descendant of the sun goddess and ancestor of the present ruling imperial family. It is believed that Japan was born from the love between two gods: Izanagi and Izanami. This is one of the reasons the Japanese population deems the emperor is a living god, and the characters which make up Japan's name mean sun-origin. So that is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun."

The first Japanese settlers go back to the Jomon Period more than 8 000 years ago. But the first real Japanese state wasn’t created until the 8th century, whose first capital was Nara. This city was built following the model of Chinese cities.

 Temple in Nara 

During the first years of existence of the Japanese state the emperor lived in Nara. However, at that time there were many fights and wars between divisions and at one point the emperor was forced to move to Kyoto. Today, Kyoto is one of the most beautiful cities in Japan and absolutely a must see!

 Kyoto

About AD 405 the Japanese court officially adopted the Chinese writing system. During the sixth century Buddhism was introduced. These two events revolutionized Japanese culture and manifested the beginning of a long period of Chinese cultural influence!

The Real Use Of The iPad....

to jump on the stimulus money chase for fully integrated EMRs and CPOE compliance.

http://www.epocrates.com/company/news/020410.html

http://geekdoctor.blogspot.com/2010/04/ipad-goes-live-at-bidmc.html

http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/04/ipad-er-hands-physician-review.html

http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2010/02/10-ways-apple-ipad-doctors-improve-patient-care.html

http://blogs.ubc.ca/dean/2010/04/apples-ipad-arrives-for-doctors/

http://labs.eweek.com/review/review-ipad-has-some-quirks-but-mostly-meets-high-expectations/

Being a third of the cost of the standard Windows Tablet and worlds more intuitive (without many of the quirks of its OS), Steve Jobs' main consumer of these devices will likely come from Health System Networks across the country.

Blog (Defense)

If you like blowing shit up, setting fire to cats, and breaking whatever comes your way.....

Be sure to check out the always informative defensive-centric blogs:

http://blitzology.blogspot.com/

http://runcodhit.blogspot.com/

Japan: Language Barriers

So you are ready to travel to Japan, but are asking yourself “Do I really need to learn Japanese? Fortunately, the answer is no. BUT because the majority of Japan doesn’t speak much English it is important to learn a few key phrases and know how to translate common Japanese characters.

First and foremost, learn directions in Japanese AND how to ask for them. The language has a formula and is kind of backwards in form compared to English. Luckily, the bigger road signs in cities tend to be bilingual, as are signs in train stations, most train station maps, and the buses in Kyoto city (meant mostly for tourists.)

For example:
If you want to ask, where is Shibuya? : Shibuya wa doko desuka.
**Doko means where, Desu means is and the ka turns it into a question.

I do not understand Japanese: Nihongo o wakaranai

In english please: Eigo ni kudasai

Do you understand English: Eigo wa wakarimasuka

There is an abundance of free online material that can aide in your Japanese schooling Also, make sure to purchase a pocket guide so that you have a something to fall back on. This may all seem difficult at first but being in Japan with NO Japanese would be far more difficult.

Everyone is very helpful if you ask them politely. The only turn off is if you appear angry or frustrated, Japanese people do not like to deal with this and it is disgraceful to show ones frustration. Most visitors to Japan report that it is fairly easy to get by with little to no knowledge of the Japanese language, so do your homework and you will feel more than prepared!

How to Speak Japanese

Spring Handout

I am nearing completion on this spring football's video handout/playbook.
Once I get this completed, then all I have to do is show up and sip margaritas at practice for three weeks.

I hope this ends up even better than previous handouts .

[Powerpoint animation captures courtesy of Camtasia ]

The only thing left is to add the important narration and some Easter eggs for the players (incentivizing watching the material). We will likely have no returning players to the secondary, so getting this new (sophomore-heavy) group ready (and avoid many of the unnecessary mistakes) right away will be a welcome challenge.


Introduction of alignment, assignment, keys, and leverage. Then followed up by pattern matching examples of common concepts we will face. The DVD will also feature the C1 and C3 video clips of NCAA teams, as well. I intentionally included clips of when a DB was 'wrong', followed up with a clip of correctly playing a route, so they could see what kind of common mistakes to avoid.


UPDATE:
Here is the 10 minute overview with narration. Yahoo couldn't take the entire clip, so I had to break it into thirds. The audio was forced and I tried cramming a lot into short amount of time, but this is something the players can review again and again (ala a crash course in 'whats important').

Japan: The Origin and "how to" of SUSHI!

We are BIG fans of food around here so every time we explore a new country, the cuisine is one of our favorite topics.  (if not THE favorite topic.)  Exploring Japan this month, naturally we thought of sushi.

The origin of sushi dates back many decades when fermented rice was wrapped around raw fish as a technique of preservation. It was called nare-sushi. Eventually the Japanese acquired a taste for the raw fish/rice cuisine and calling it seisei-sushi, this technique of preservation eventually became a cuisine.

During the Edo Era between the 1600’s and the 1860’s haya-sushi became what is popular today; raw or partially raw fish wrapped in rice and seaweed accompanied by vegetables and vinegar. Many modern sushi restaurants serve these “sushi rolls” today.

In the 19th century, when Japan was still calling its era the Edo Era, a new form of sushi was developed named nigiri-sushi. This is the most common type of sushi in restaurants as it is a mound of rice topped with a piece of fish.

How to make a sushi roll:

*It is important to remember that consuming raw or undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, shellfish and eggs may increase the risk of food borne related illness. Fresh fish should be frozen at under -4 degrees Fahrenheit for a significant time in order to kill all the parasites.

1. Place nori (seaweed) on a bamboo mat with the shiny side down.
2. Spread pre-cooked rice thinly on the nori, thinly enough to see nori underneath.
    a. Leave half an inch space on nori (furthest end from you) to dab warm water on; this will help hold the roll together.
3. Place all ingredients (fish, vegetables, etc) in the middle of the roll.
4. Start to roll the sushi away from you with the bamboo mat until it comes together.
    a. It is recommended to push the rolled up sushi bundle with medium pressure to tighten the roll and combine ingredients.
5. Cut the log in the middle and each half into sections.
6. Enjoy!

For more detailed information on how to properly cook the rice and on how to make sushi, visit the following website http://www.mahalo.com/how-to-make-sushi.

*Busy Bee ...

This last weekend was a Crazy one. I feel like time is flying and the chances of us catching up are slim to none. So we'll just enjoy the moments that we can and try to write down the ones we can't so that when we get a free moment ... we will! Here goes.
   I sold my car - to my mom. I loved the civic. I really did. Zero problems, incredible gas mileage, and totally cute. It was my dream car. However it wasn't my dream to hold on to memories that were holding me back. I officially have nothing physical that I must look at or use everyday. I'm moving on. - it's a process.
I headed to the bank and took out a loan for a new car. Colb and I have been car shopping for some time now. I wanted a mazda and then i wanted another Honda and then I wanted an audi and then a murano and then nothing and then I wanted a jeep liberty, and then a mazda again. I could go on the on. Last week I stopped at Colb's house and he had been on ksl.com 'just looking' He had printed a few ads he knew I'd be interested in. He found a jeep liberty that was a screamin deal. We called the seller and decided to head to lehi to check it out. I fell in love. We handed them some cash and told them we'd be back. Four days later we were driving our new car home. I couldn't be more ecstatic. I'm in heaven. I can't wait for our first snow fall next winter. I've always had a hard time with the snow and feeling safe. Now I have a reason to enjoy the snow.

Adorable. 

While we were in Lehi we made a pit stop and Colb's good friend James' house. I got to meet his sweet wife and their cute little family. We couldn't stay long but the 20 minutes was a lot of fun. While we were there they told us that non-family members needed to sign their wills and asked us to do the honors. hilarious. I still think this is so funny.  I guess we're friends for life now right?
We watched lots of conference, Atteneded the last session,  spent way too much money and enjoyed our easter weekend. Lots more blogging and updates headed your way!
  

   Two and a half more weeks and I'll be a Mrs.

Japan: What to Pack

With its eclectic blend of modernity and antiquity, Japan holds wonder after wonder. Here's a guide of what to pack for Japan without developing traveler’s stoop.

Bags – The general consensus among travelers is that backpacks are best - they're often hardier and are much easier when you get to steps or uneven pavements.

Documents – Your passport and visa should be top of your to-pack list. On your to-do list, add: Photocopy passport, and put copies in main bag and hand luggage. Leave another copy with a parent or someone reliable - if you do lose your passport, it'll make things much easier.

Clothes – Most places in Japan get cold in the winter, when the temperatures can fall well into the minuses, so warm clothes are needed if you're going then. Take something waterproof if you're going to be there during the June wet season.

Shoes – Pack footwear that's comfortable and suitable for whatever time of year you're going. If you're buying shoes especially for your trip, wear them a few times before you leave to minimize the risk of blisters.

Camera – Pack a good quality camera and lots of film or memory cards and you can click away at the cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji!

Toiletries – You can probably buy your brand of toiletries, and hundreds more, in Tokyo and other cities. If that seems like a waste of time, pack the essentials. Buying travel-size bottles might seem like a good idea but unless you buy a few, and throw them away as you use them, it's worth packing normal-sized ones. Conditioner can be used as shaving gel, facial wash as shower gel, moisturizer as cleanser etc. If you're traveling with someone, you might want to share toiletries.

First aid kit – Having a basic first aid kit can save you trips to the chemist - consider packing diarrhea treatments, band-aids (including blister plasters), scissors, painkillers, bandages, tweezers and antiseptic wipes.

Guide books - It's entirely up to you how much you use a guide book. Some people follow their recommendations religiously while others prefer to discover the best restaurants and sights for themselves.

Pen and paper – Writing materials will probably become more useful than you think - for annotating your guide book, jotting down bus times or directions, writing postcards or a game of Pictionary when words or sign language fail!

Adapter – If you want to plug in chargers or any other electrical items, you'll need an adapter as the voltage is different from the USA.

*List -er-oo

I love making lists. Mostly I love crossing things off my list. I was reading a blog today. One that I love. A lot. She mentioned this List and I knew I had to check it out. It made my day. I bet it makes yours too. It's worth the whole read. I promise.

*Revenge?? ...

Yesterday I woke up, brushed my teeth, and washed my face. As I put putting on my favorite face lotion, I felt a little bump. Left side, jaw line. Half way between my ear and my chin. I knew immediately what it was. I prayed for a huge zit anyway. I left it alone and continued praying for acne. My prayers were answered. Heavenly Father said no. The pain in my ear started today. My shingles have returned.
  I used to think the rash came with an ear infection but I now know that the shingles come and it brings nerve pain. The pain takes up my whole outer ear. About every 42 seconds all the nerves in my left ear freak out. I like to think of it like this: You have a cup full of ice cubes. You only want one but no matter, You'll get more than one. It's as though the biggest ice cube says "hold, brothers, hold" and then when you least expect it, they all come at once. And you're surprised every time.
 Just like that. All the nerves in my ear stay calm together and when I least expect it, they hold a mini seizure party. I grab on to whatever is close by (tonight it was colb's hand) and I squeeze. Hard. Until the pain is gone. 42 seconds later the routine is repeated. It hurts. Really bad. The worst part? The shingles rash isn't even bad yet. We're just getting started. I don't doubt that I can handle it. I do this about 5 times a year. Champion shingle-r or not. I hate them. Clearly, they hate me as well.

Remember this picture? This was last August. 

This is outbreak #2 since I took this one.

Someone's else' turn maybe? 

 

*Riley..

Best friend had a baby boy. I hear he is sweeter than sweet. Every time I get 30 seconds to go meet him I'm sick. Sore throat, cough, chest congestion, ear infection, nausea, or a cold. Mr Riley is holding out for me. I can feel it. I promise it'll be this week. If i'm not better, I'm coming with gloves and a mask. I can't wait to meet the little guy. I know he's adorable.

Distilled Offense

a great article out of Monroe (near Ruston) explaining how simple Louisiana Tech's Air Raid has become.....

by Ethan Conley

Talk to a few players and you’ll get the impression that Louisiana Tech’s old playbook was the college football equivalent of War and Peace. The new playbook? It’s more like a pamphlet.

That’s if you could even call it a playbook. The players don’t necessarily refer to what they’re running as plays, but “concepts.” Change a few details and a single concept grows into an offensive attack that looks overwhelming to opposing defenses, but could be executed by the Bulldogs with their eyes closed. Eventually, anyway.“Last year we had a lot on our plate with that offense,” quarterback Steven Ensminger said. “We had to learn a lot, we had to know a lot. This year it’s real simple. Everybody works together, everybody knows their assignment, and it’s working real well.”

Tech’s new philosophy is simple: If an offense practices a play 1,000 times that play is going to be very difficult for a defense to stop, even if it knows exactly what is coming. Execution beats variety. And if variety is needed, a little window dressing — different formations, sending a man in motion — can turn a single play into multiple plays.“You want it to look complicated, but to really be simple,” Dykes said. “What offense is all about is that it doesn’t really matter what kind of offense you run. It’s all about execution and having something to hang your hat on.”

Dykes left Texas Tech to be Arizona’s offensive coordinator in 2007, and stuck to the basic principles from the offenses at Kentucky and Texas Tech. He kept it simple. His offense at Arizona was built on just 23 basic plays: five run plays, seven intermediate passes, five quick passes, three play-action passes, and three screen passes.Now that philosophy is at Louisiana Tech.“It’s way less (plays),” running back Roosevelt Falls said. “It’s only a few. It’s only the details that you’ve got to remember in the plays. Little things change about the plays. It’s the same plays, but little things change about them — the formation, where you’re running your route from, who they’re tagging.”Another key concept in the offense is speed — and not just when the ball is in play. The Bulldogs rarely huddle, and instead make their calls at the line of scrimmage. They minimize the time between snaps and keep the defense on its heels. It’s essentially a two-minute offense for all 60 minutes.And it’s only going to get faster.

Dykes said he’d like to run 85 offensive plays each game. How fast is that? Only two teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision averaged more than 80 per game last season: Houston at 82, and Texas A&M at 81. Dykes’ offense at Arizona averaged 70 plays per game, and Franklin’s offense at Middle Tennessee State averaged 73.