Michael and his dad were kind enough to pass on their extra ticket to the UCLA-USC game to me yesterday, and what a game it was. The day started when I met them at Michael’s apartment at 11:45, and I arrived back home just before 7:00, so it was a bit of a long day, but wow, what a game. I don’t follow either team, but I was happy to cheer for the underdog, especially since those I attended with were dyed in the wool Bruins fans. No one wanted to express the hope that UCLA might actually win as the game progressed, but things were going well with the Bruins making the first score, and never allowing the Trojans to do much down the field. By the end of the game, USC finally started getting their act together, marching down the field as a sense of inevitability began to set in.The Bruins were up by 4, and it was pretty clear USC was going to eat up the clock and score a touchdown with a minute left in the game. Then, right before our eyes (10 rows up at the 45 yard-line), Eric McNeal tipped Booty’s pass and caught it, pretty much sealing the victory. The whole spectacle, from the 90,000+ in attendance to the dueling bands to the raucous fans, was a crazy experience, unlike any I’ve ever had. I was happy to share in the disbelieving joy of the UCLA fans I attended with, and almost as happy not to have to wait to leave the parking lot like we did last time – we got dropped off and picked up outside the general traffic mess thanks to Michael’s family, which sped things up a lot.

The night before, Aimee and I tried out R23, down somewhere near Little Tokyo, across from Megatoy in the heretofore unknown Toy District. It was delicious and stylish and more than a little expensive, but it was fun, great sushi and nice atmosphere. We hit Bar 107 a few blocks away and took advantage of their photobooth before heading home. Typical decoration and atmosphere consisting of taxidermy, velvet paintings, and Pixies on the jukebox, a fun place that we’d like to return sometime.