NYC NEW YEARS EVE 2008

Great Group for New Years Eve 2008 - Tina, Butcher, Kap, KP, Bud, Johney-Irons, Me & Big Zach
"New York Vinyl Shower Curtain"

                It was time for round two of our bout with the New York City New Years experience. Once again we weren't going to be those losers standing out in an "Alcohol Free" Times Square, we planned to attend another 'All you can drink' bar package. For the life of me I cannot remember what the hell this place was called but I will refer to it as 'The Warehouse' because it was a warehouse in Midtown and I said so. Apparently this place thought it could contain the Davidson Boys and the Danbury Pricks.....ha that's what thought. After a short ride on the Metro North and a solid Irish Pub Pre-Game we 'took our talents' to The Warehouse. 

Butcher, KP, Johney-Irons, Duane & Me
"New York-opoly"

                                                                                                                                                                                                   We already had an all-star cast of characters assembled for the night but the group doubled upon arrival as Butch ran into 10 of his frat-star buddies from U. Penn. This obviously increased the intensity of the night by 10 fold. We had one hell of a time but there were a couple Highlights that are worth noting.

Me, D-Wayne, Johney Irons
"New York-opoly"

Irish Pub w/ Davidson Boys

P-Mac, Kap, Butcher

Radio City, Big-Z, Me, D-Wayne

Shortly after the ball dropped,
  - KP's girlfriend got her drink spilled all over her by some idiot
  - They receive no apology & KP got in this losers face
  - The dude shoves KP and he slips on the spilled drink and goes down
  - Loser runs away and hides in the crowd of party goers
  - KP tells a group of us
  - We laugh at him for going down
  - Than we proceed to search the venue for this loser to punch his face

(While this is going on, D-Wayne is already hammered off Cosmo's or some fruity umbrella drink while the rest of us were drilling Jack n' Business')

  - I hear over loud speaker "Will Zach Long PLEASE come to the main loby!"
  - Whaaaaaattt - Why is there a loud speaker in the Warehouse
  - I get to the loby, Bouncer says "Take Control of Your Boy"
  - I look and there is D-Wayne sleeping on the front steps of the building
  - Bouncer says " He fell asleep talking to his GF on the phone, I took the phone and get your info!"
  - WHAAAAAAAAAAAT A LOSERRRRR!!!!
  - I wake him up, get him a drink and tell him to snap out of it
  - He stumbles down stairs and pukes on a sports car that was waiting to be valeted
  - Wowzaaaaa, It's time to GOOOOOOO!
  - Metro North back to Danbury

New Years Eve - Getting It In
"Implied Skyline Nyc Abstract Wall Art - 18"" x 37"""

NY GIANTS V NE PATRIOTS

Duane, Big Zach, Jonney Irons, Me, Bud & Alexandra

The Davidson Boys in Front of the IZOD Center

The Davidson boys made the trek to the Tr-State for the second time in as many years to catch a New York Giants game and celebrate the New Year. It would be hard to top the previous years' epic debauchery that was New Years Eve 2007 but we certainly tried. I will have dive into that in a later post...on to the GIANTS game!! To give you some background, the G-Men came into the game 10-5 and have recently wrapped up the wild card slot in the NFC. More importantly the New England Patriots came into the game with an historic record of 15-0. The Pats were trying to become the fourth team in NFL history to end the regular season undefeated. Since the boys were in town to get another taste of NY, I thought, what better event to attend than a big Giants game in the Meadowlands. The three Davidson pricks (Duane, Big Zach & Bud) and my amazing sister Alexandra bundled up, packed into the Jeep and made the 45 minute trip taking us over the G.W Bridge and into North Jersey. After meeting up with long time friend Jonney "Irons" Kaczka and his college football teammate at Bentley we proceeded to destroy an award winning tailgate spread and as many beverages as we could squeeze in the Cherokee. After partying with some season ticket holders (pics bottom right) and berating every Patriots fan that came in shouting distance we headed into The Giant Stadium.

Alexandra and Me

The Giants Game Crew with some 'Locals'

                                       


      

 



  



The game lived up to all expectations as the Giants and Patriots clashed for four quarters of great football. Some of the highlights included 2 touchdown catches by Plaxico Burress, a punt return for a TD by Domenik Hixon and an overall great performance by Eli Manning. Unfortunately, the Pats had some plays that were not only impressive but broke NFL records. Tom Brady broke Peyton Manning's record of 49 touchdown passes in a season and Randy Moss broke Jerry Rice's record of 22 TD receptions. The game went back and forth all night until NE finally sealed the deal for a 38-35 win. It was a tough lose to a great team, but the near victory gave the G-Men the confidence they would need going into the playoffs. Besides the 'instant classic' taking place on the field their were three memories that I will carry away from the Meadowlands. The first was how fricken cold it was in those upper level bleachers while trying to scrape ice off our seats, the second was Big Zach, Bud and I having to protect Duane "easy target southerner " Gregg from being beaten up by some loser Pats fans (who only started talking crap to Duane after the rest of us got up to make a beer run, and promptly stopped upon our return), and third was the overwhelming snowball fight that broke out after every bad call, Giant punt, Giant touchdown and when the final whistle blew. What a night with my sister and some of my best friends in the world, it was one of those games/nights I will never forget.

Me, Duane and Bud

               Though the Giants lost it gave them the confidence they needed to win three straight road playoff games (@ Tampa, @ Dallas and @Green Bay) and take down the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl. Unbelievable! Check out some highlights below...

Me, Big Zach, Bud, and Duane

DAVIDSON FOOTBALL 2007

Starting Free Safety - Senior #2 - Zach Long

            It had finally arrived, after fourteen consecutive football seasons, my career had come down to the last eleven games. The time had past too quickly and all I wanted to do was leave the game I love with no regrets and a feeling of accomplishment. My three previous seasons for the Davidson Wildcats were a never ending roller-coaster that went from a torn ACL, to receiving All-American honors, and finally back to the sideline with nerve damage in my left shoulder. Obviously not the way I envisioned my college football career playing out but I knew one thing....I was going to give everything I had to make my Senior football season the most memorable one yet.

Tackle for Loss v. Morehead St

WILDATS BEAT DRAKE!!!

              The 2007 Davidson Football season had its high and low points like most season do, but there was something different about my last year of college ball. It was the first time as a member of the Cats that our team had the confidence and swagger to go out and beat any team in the country. Our Offense led by QB Ryan Alexander (broke school passing record for passing), WR's Beaux Jones (son of NFL star Bert Jones with almost as good hands as mine) and Ryan Hubbard (broke school receiving record, not to mention a 40+ inch vertical) were as good as they get and more than most defenses could handle on any given day. The O-Line gave up less then 3 sacks all season...yes all season, RG Zach Jacob and LT George Zoeckler were monsters in the middle and deserve as much credit as anyone for the successful season.
                The Defense was not made up of physical specimens by any means but they were some of the most football smart, hard-working and HARD hitting SOBs you could get on one field. Born leaders like CB Pat FitzGerald (a Pittsburgh prick that could do it all- cover, hit, return punts....anything), OLB Bud Crawford (a Marist High School product who worked harder in the weight room and had more passion for the game then anyone I've seen) and DB Jeff Scott (PLAY MAKER......enough said) made our defense a force to be reckoned with.

CATS v. VALPO

7TH CAREER INT   

DON'T COME OVER THE MIDDLE

                                      


                                       THE 2007 DAVIDSON FOOTBALL HIGHLIGHTS

                                       
                  The Highlight of the season came on week 8 when the Drake Bulldogs ventured into Richardson Stadium to battle the Cats. I'm sure they were confident coming into the game since the previous two years they had beaten us 58-17 and 35-15. Drake came into the game with the NCAA's active leading rusher, Scott Phaydavong, and all the confidence in the world. The Cat's Defense responded to the challenge by allowing 37 yards rushing from the NCAA leader and putting a choke hold on the Drake-O. Bud Crawford recorded a beastly 3 sacks, Matt Mikrut had the game ending interception, I added an INT (which made 6 for my career) and a decapitation of the Drake tight end when he caught a pass over the middle. It was, all in all, a remarkable effort and the best our D had played as a unit in my four years. We won the game 24-21.

Left Pic:  (J Scott, Me, Coach Clendanial, Mikrut, Fitz) Top Right Pic: (Dad, Me, Uncle Joel & Jason) Bottom Right Pic: (Captains - Cats @ Wingate)

2007 DAVIDSON WILDCATS -- SENIORS

           I never thought the day would come, but after 15 football season, my career finally came to an end. It was a sad day for my self and my family who had loved watching me play year in and year out. My final game was against Valparaiso at Richardson Stadium on November 10th 2007. Before every play I reminded myself it was my last game to ensure I left it all on the field. We came out victorious as we trounced Valpo, 44-6 in a great last game for myself and the rest of the Seniors. I was able to do my two favorite things about college football during my last game...I picked off a QB with a diving INT over the middle (pic above) for my 7th career interception and added another decapitation to my list when late in the game a WR tried to run a slant into my zone. The paper the next day said something to this effect,"the stadium shook as Zach Long delivered a bone crushing hit to a Valpo Wide Receiver." It was a great way to go....

THE 5 ROOMMATES - MCGREEVY, BIG ZACH, BUD, DUANE (IN SLACKS) & ME 

            I was never the biggest, fastest, strongest and I'm sure there were players that were better prepared. But I believe what separated me from  next guy was my passion for the game, my hunger for winning and my loyalty to my teammates. Your heart can take you a long way if your fully invested....I know my heart took me farther than most thought a 5'9, White Running Back from Connecticut could go.

NOCAL SPRING BREAK

TINA AND I WITH LAKE ALMANOR IN THE BACKGROUND
Snowmobiling: The Sledder's Complete Handbook

TINA AND I ON THE CABLE CARS
Frommer's® San Francisco 2011

BERINGER WINERY IN NAPA VALLEY
Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator

LOMBARD STREET, SAN FRANSISCO
Lonely Planet San Francisco (City Travel Guide)

BLUE AND RED

MOUNT LASSEN
Lake/Paradise Island

ME - DOMINATING
Snow Goer

       




         After two back-to-back fraternity Spring Breaks south of the border (documented in entirety in previous All-American Yank posts) it was time to forge a new path. This path would take Tina and I to Northern California to experience all NoCal had to offer from San Francisco, to Napa Valley, to Lake Tahoe and finally to the mountains a hundred miles north where I had spent the last eighteen of twenty summers. We made it into San Francisco a couple days before my Dad so I took Tina to all the tourist spots to give her a taste of the great city. And like usual...TASTE we did!! The highlights included the Boudin 'San Fransisco Sourdough' Bakery, The Franciscan Crab Restaurant, as well as, numerous other hidden gems throughout the city. When we weren't eating, the two days were spent hitting the "Top 10 Things To Do In San Fransisco" by experiencing China Town (I could eat there everyday..Tina on the other hand..ehhhh), Ghirardelli Square (holy chocolate!), Lombard Street (best memory was almost getting stuck on the curviest street in the world in a monster Dodge Diesel), The Fisherman's Warf & Pier 39 (a must experience if your in the city for the first time), as well as taking in the sites of Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge and the hundreds of sea lions sunbathing on the docks. Don't you worry I was sure to take Tina on a cable car ride throughout the city and pose for romantic pictures as we hung off the side of the car like the movies....pic above.

A SONOMA WINE CELLAR
The Wine Bible

     After taking in ALL of San Fran, we headed north to the beautiful Lake Tahoe! We had a great time site-seeing and exploring but I wish we had more time to partake in some water sports and/or snow skiing  (though I prefer boarding). Lake Tahoe is one of the few places thats offers the best of both worlds and Tina and I hope to go back to experience it all one day soon. The half day trip concluded with a visit to Squaw Valley and The Olympic Village (the home of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games) The small village sits the summit of the Squaw Valley Ski Resort and fit as many nice restaurants, shops and drinking establishments into the town as possible. We had an amazing dinner at Grahams at Squaw Valley to conclude or short trip. The atmosphere felt as though it was Olympic weekend everyday and the fun just never stops.
     

TINA WITH A  .22 RIFLE
3-9X40 Black Scope/Ruby Lens/Ring

LAKE TAHOE IN BACKGROUND

INFINEON RACEWAY
KidKraft Racecar Toddler Bed

          The next stop on the journey took us about 100 miles north of Lake Tahoe to a fairly well hidden place where I had gone every summer since I could remember. The location is Lake Almanor, California, it sits at approximatively 4500 ft with Mount Lassen (an extinct volcano at apox 10000 ft) looking down on it. Most of my July's were spent water skiiing, fishing, golfing and exploring the entire area! What I did not do growing up was send a whole lot of time there in the winter do to the fact they get basically snowed in for four months of the year (only place I've ever seen, legit, 10 ft of snow). As your can see this was not going to be a typical Spring Break...over the next 4 days my Dad gave Tina and I a crash course in what he does for fun throughout most of the fall, winter, and spring months..that activity is Snowmobiling. I'm also not talking snowmobiling  in the backyard or in an big open field....I'm talking taking narrow trails up to the top of mountains and creating our own path as we navigate through a dense forest. My Dad is legendary for taking people out of their comfort zone to see how they react, well believe you me, Tina 's comfort zone was somewhere inside a cabin, with a fire and a cup of hot chocolate..meanwhile she was carving her sled along cliff faces. She preformed spectacular (even as we all ate hot dogs by campfire for a quick break in sledding), however, I'm not sure if snowmobiling is at the top of her "What should we do this weekend?" list. What an unbelievable 4 days...even though we were all sore for the next 8. Our time at the lake had come to an end but not before we scheduled a pheasant hunt on a family friends property about 30 minutes away...which REALLY took Tina out of her comfort zone! It was a great hunt even though I think Tina was missing on purpose, also to note my Dad's dogs performed fantastic.

A NAPA WINERY
Decorative Winery Birdhouse

GHIRARDELLI SQUARE
Save Me, San Francisco

TINA AND I
Wine by Design

             We headed headed down the mountain a day early to so we could explore Napa and Sonoma Valley and get a little taste of the legendary wine country. We made stops in as many wineries as we could, took lots of pictures and tried to remember as many great wines as we could. The winery that stood out the most was the Beringer Vineyards (pic above) for its perfect landscaping and unique architecture. As we made our way through Sonoma Valley we had to make one last pit stop at my Dad's old stopping grounds...Sears Point Raceway (now known as Infineon Raceway) where he was president in the late 80's. It had sure changed a lot since I was a little kid on Dad's shoulders before he told the drivers to "START YOUR ENGINES!!!"
     We finished our trip like we started it, in San Fransisco eating another great meal. We were sad to see the trip come to an end...what an amazing week! It was a trip my Dad, Tina and I will surely never forget..Northern California has so much too offer and we hope to experience more sometime in the near future...NoCal, BOOM! That just happen....

THE SNOWMOBILING EXPERTS - TINA AND I
Snow-Mobiling & Dog-Sledding, Togwotee Pass, WY

FATHER AND SON ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN
A Guide to the Best Snowmobiling Vacations