It's a weekday game, but we are going to keep the mojo going. If there is anything better than these two together, I haven't seen it.

Also, for those of you looking for Halloween costumes for your kids, my sister-in-law sent this to me.

It's now or never. GO BRUINS!

While I bear WSU no ill will, and hope for a well called game today with no injuries for either team, I would love for this little guy and me to get some bragging rights tomorrow around town. Even though there are much more Washington fans in the area, WSU still makes their presence known and it would be nice to wear the four letters with a little more pride tomorrow.

GO BRUINS!

Sometimes taking these pictures remind me of one of my favorite lines from The Simpsons. Homer is trying to swear less and Marge suggests a swear jar. She says it worked for her dad, "He swore a blue streak when he got out of the Navy. It almost cost him his job as a baby photographer."

My thoughts for today is that if you want to be the best, you must be able to play the best. Always respect your opponent, but never fear them. They play the game for a reason. Let's go out there with nothing to lose.

GO BRUINS!

I know frustration doesn't begin to describe the feelings here (though reading Fox71's post on lyrics and Mexi and Tasser trying to meet up for backgammon gave me a much needed distraction). I actually had thought about not uploading pictures for a while, but my folks taught me you always finish what you start, and there will always be a part of me that thinks that my actions affect the game, so here is the latest edition.

Reading the posts by Fox and Mexi reminded me again of the special extended family I belong to. I hope one day we will all have greater reasons to celebrate.

GO BRUINS!

Well, this little guy always seems to find something to smile over. Hopefully by this afternoon he will still have this smile on his face.

During last year's Texas game, we were in Chicago and took Jonathan to the Lincoln Park Zoo. If we could have afforded it, I would have bought tickets and gone to Chicago this weekend, but as it is, we are hoping for a break in the rain so that we can take this guy to the zoo today.

For those of you you going today, cheer for all of us who are in exile.

GO BRUINS!

Ok, so I'm going to take part of the blame for last week's lost. Not only was I not able to watch, but I forgot to drink my Saturday morning coffee out of my UCLA mug. So this morning, the coffee is brewing and I have no plans for the evening.

The downside of being in exile is not being able to attend these games. I miss the feeling of being a part of something bigger, and as Jonathan gets older, I want him to get the feeling that he is a part of the UCLA family. My heart swells with pride when says "UCLA" on his own or asks to see "Coach", his word for "Inch and Miles."

So lets hope our guys give Jonathan an early birthday gift with a win tonight.

GO BRUINS!

Well, it's a new season and it's a new chapter for the BB family. Jonathan is adjusting to his new life in the Northwest. His offseason training went well. Coach Wooden's book "Inch and Miles" is one of his favorites and he says "Coach" when he wants it for bedtime. After a long training session, he finally recognizes Bruins and this morning when I pointed out UCLA, he responded "Bruins."

Anyway, we are getting the mojo started early since I will probably be working a temp job tomorrow and will not be able to watch the game. I wish I could say for sure this is the season we turn it around, but predictions usually come back to bite me in the behind.

But no matter what, UCLA spirit will go on for another generation in the BB household.

Five years ago next week, I stumbled across BN before the Gonzaga game to find a picture of Austin Powers and the lead sentence, "We're going to keep the mojo going here." I thought it was funny and figured you guys were cool, and decided to join. Five years later, I've brought my own mojo to the party.

Let's hope our team plays to its highest potential today.

GO BRUINS!

Happy 16th anniversary to Tyus Edney. I will never forget that day. This is why Tyus is one of my all-time favorite Bruins and why I smile every time I see him on the sidelines.

It's time to get the mojo started, so here is Jonathan partaking in his pregame basketball ritual. Since Thursday night games come on after his bedtime, he would wear his blue and yellow pajamas (thank you Old Navy) and read Coach's book "Inch and Miles." Jonathan seems to like learning about the Pyramid of Success, let's hope our guys take those lessons to heart tonight.

GO BRUINS!

The hoodie may not have been as lucky as I would have liked it to be, but I decided to go with it today in order to tell a story.

My first solid memory of me as a UCLA fan is from 1982. I was four at the time and it was the day of u$c game. My mom and I were on our way home from my cousin's flag football game. I knew it was game time, so I remember trying to take off my hoodie because underneath I was wearing my UCLA jersey (if you look closely, it's the same one I'm wearing in my profile pic). When my mom asked me what I was doing, I told her it was game time and they needed to know I was rooting for them.

What I take away from this story is first, even at four, I knew about mojo, and second, even before I started kindergarten, I knew I was going to UCLA. I could never picture myself anywhere else. My life would have been incomplete without the title UCLA alumna. Whenever life gets me down, I remind myself that I did achieve my lifelong dream and no one will ever take it away from me.

I have to close with the last paragraph from andrewsm78's post yesterday, "Win or lose, we are the Mighty Bruins. We are pioneers and barrier breakers, not cheaters and double murderers. Wear your blue. Shout your lungs out. Cheer for this team and all other UCLA teams like they’re undefeated because, no matter what the scoreboard says, no one can beat this university."

We've got double mojo to work today, and I think this little guy is up for it, don't you?

I wasn't able to get here yesterday, but in the spirit of the weekend, to paraphrase Joe Dimagio, I thank the good Lord everyday for making me a UCLA Bruin. It's not always easy, but when times get tough, I remind myself how lucky I am to say that I am a UCLA alumna. And when I see Jonathan in his UCLA clothes, I am reminded of my two greatest blessings and accomplishments.

So on that note, let's get it done today.

GO BRUINS!

It seems that the hoodie has been bringing us good mojo, so I decided to stick with that for this week. As you can see, Jonathan is chomping at the bit to get this show on the road.

GO BRUINS!

It's OT, but I decided to post this because first, it's a good win for MJD and Marcedes, second, Gus Johnson goes nuts again, and third, it was a great finish.

As promised from last week, here is the picture of Jonathan in his UCLA hoodie.

I have two stories to share. The first is about one of the first times I put this on Jonathan. Mr. BB looked at him and said, "You look like a UCLA student about to go take a midterm," and Jonathan started clapping (ok, so he doesn't know what midterms are, but I figure he was just happy to think of himself as a UCLA student)

The second took place last week when Mr. BB checked in to get the score of the Oregon-u$c game. When Jonathan got one look at the Trogans, he stuck his tounge out and gave a raspberry. I swear on all things holy, that is what happened.

I made a special trip to get some kitchen mojo going this morning. I just have to believe that it will work.

GO BRUINS!

I was planning on posting a picture of Jonathan with his UCLA hoodie today, but since some firewall won't let me upload to Photobucket, I'm reposting the picture I used for the Houston game.

I would like to take this time to thank everyone here for the effort you put into this blog, as I have no idea what I would do without it. Even though I post less than I have in the past, you are never far from my thoughts. This week, I received a much needed shot in the arm from Tyler and those of you who gave so generously, and traded communications with Class of 66 and gbruin on trying to get Mr. BB an internship in Houston or Denver. It doesn't matter that we have never met in person, all that matters is those four letters. I hope one day to return the favor to any of you.

And thanks to all of you who say how much you enjoy Jonathan's pictures. It really does warm my heart to hear that. Fox one time commented if Jonathan knew how many uncles and aunts he has on BN, and that's what I want him to take away from all of this, that BN is like his extended family.

Ok, we have a job to do, so LET'S GO! LET'S GO!

It's been a rough couple of weeks for me, and it has had nothing to do with football, but this little guy is my reason for not giving up, and I'm hoping he will inspire our guys tonight. To be the best, you must play the best.

So going back to our mojo of two weeks ago, here is another picture of Jonathan on the Janss steps.

I don't know what is going to happen tomorrow, but once again, I like being the underdog and having all the pressure on Cal.

GO BRUINS!