First post in 3 years

It's not very often that I post on this site, but now I am.  A lot has gone on with me over the last few years, even moreso in the past several months.

Last week, I decided to steer clear from Facebook, due to some unfortunate circumstances that have occurred.  I don't want to go into details about it, other than the fact that two treasured friendships, one of 14 years and another of 2 1/2 years, came to an abrupt end,

I do take some responsibility over this.  I wanted to help a friend who was going thru some rough times, but my actions and me taking things to another level prematurely cost me big time.  That friendship ended last May because of a circumstance that I was indirectly brought into, because of revenge from another person who wanted to get back at me for stuff that happened over a decade ago.

Before that, almost three years ago, I came across a friend invite from someone I didn't know.  Her name is Laurie McVay.  She's a mutual friend of another friend I had on FB from England, and I'd figure she was real and not those fools who puts up fake FB accounts.  I took a chance in adding her, and it paid off.  We both hit it off real well, and we became very good friends.

I lost her friendship, and I really have no one to blame but myself.  I know that the things that I did were incorrect, excluding the horribleness from late last May... I was betrayed so bad by another person to the point where I didn't care and I actually wanted to end it all.

I've been depressed about this whole thing ever since.  I truly care about this girl, more than words can say, and I would do anything to earn her trust and her friendship back.  And from there I would allow it to go to another level.

For now I will go back into this site and post my stuff on here.  At least a few people will be able to see these posts.  It is Universal, but I do want to say these words, and I hope Laurie sees them:

I am very sorry for making you uncomfortable and for the "not giving it a second thought" actions that have resulted in you and me being strangers again.  I never wanted this to end, never.  Deep down inside, it hurts.  It really does.  And I want to make it up to you someday, and believe me when I say this: I want to make this up to you in the best way any man can do for a woman.  I care for you so much, and I will do ANYTHING to have you back in my life, as a friend, and most importantly, as a positive spirit.  Just give me that opportunity, and the time and patience to heal, and to improve my life.  And then perhaps we can talk again.

I do miss you, Laurie.  I miss your posts, your likes, your music, and most importantly, the positive qualities that you possess.  We will be friends again someday.  I know we will.

Thank you all.

RD

Battle of Sunrise Mountain edition - 10/01/10

Yes, that date is scary.

Happy Friday to all of you - this of course is the day the Sunrise Mountain area has been waiting for: the first-ever battle between Eldorado High School and the new kid on the block - Sunrise Mountain High School. The Sundevils vs. the Miners. I'm not sure who's looking forward to that one, as many of you people who grew up on the east side know, this whole area was Eldorado territory - and the area that is now zoned by Desert Pines was also a part of Eldog too.

So - with that said, I'm looking towards an easy victory for the Sundevils.

As far as the original schools go, here is where they will be at in week 6 - the second half of the regular season:

BASIC - at Liberty. That will be a big game for both the Wolves and the Patriots.

BONANZA - at home vs. Pahrump. Trojans and Bengals are both struggling - gonna pick Bonanza.

CHAPARRAL - at home vs. Las Vegas. Wildcats with an easy win.

CLARK - at home vs. Western. Chargers are on a roll - didn't they use to lose 45 games in a row?

ELDORADO - at Sunrise Mountain. This is a no brainer.

GORMAN - at Desert Oasis. That will be a cakewalk.

LAS VEGAS - at Chaparral. see above.

RANCHO - at Canyon Springs. Too close to call.

VALLEY - at home vs. Desert Pines. I'm picking the Vikings in this one.

WESTERN - at Clark. See above.

$$

Expecting showers and thunderstorms across the southwest this weekend, including Los Angeles and Las Vegas. After that there will be cooling trend across most areas, so fall will be arriving before long. For the natives in the 702, this is probably the warmest it's been for this time of year since 1980.

Hope you enjoy the games - welcome to October - get ready for Halloween - and Nevada Day as well. Talk to you a bit later. ;)

Robert Donahoo

Post-vacation edition

Well, it's all over. My 9-day off time has come to an end, and it's back to business tomorrow in Pasadena. My next off-time will occur on Thanksgiving week - which is 8 1/2 weeks away. Those weeks usually gets here pretty quick, so I'm looking forward to another 5-day off period. I am planning to head up north for Thanksgiving - my first trip up there for Turkey Day since 2003.

This vacation time was not really worth writing about - I was looking forward to joining you people up north for the homecoming festivities. Vehicle issues prevented me from doing that; and the varsity team went down in defeat at the hands of Desert Pines.

I did see by the pictures that a handful of the legends of the Sunrise Mountain area were at PT's Pub for the after-game festivities. Good to see - and another get-together is planned this weekend for Jimmy's birthday.

The Cavalier is all set and ready for takeoff for that festivity - so nothing will stop me from going there I hope.

$$

I am now promoting myself more these days, and hopefully this will be the right vehicle for bigger and better things for me. It is apparent that I am not going anywhere where I'm at now, and that is usually the indication that it's time to move on. I am eying two areas of interest where I will go next, and that is in Southern California and in Las Vegas. I have also considered Kingman AZ as a possible place to live and work - and if the price is right, I may make the move to Kingman. A bit strange going from the second largest city in the United States to a smaller town, but these days - my playing days are pretty much over.

Plus, with the bridge opening up soon - the drive between Kingman and Las Vegas will be cut significantly. Crossing Hoover Dam these days has been a challenge due to the construction.

We'll see. I may end up back in Las Vegas - initially in Henderson, and as time progresses, I'll relocate to the far western portion of the valley; where it's about 10 degrees cooler than the valley floor and it rains more on that side than it does elsewhere.

Anyway, that will be my main focus. Pat Geary returned to the valley almost two years ago - and I will be the next one to return. Stay tuned...

$$

Today is the 20-year anniversary of the heartbreak of 1990. I won't go into details about it - but let's just say that an individual from Duchesne, UT whom I will leave nameless, who I had strong feelings for back in 1989 did me wrong - and I discovered this person was preggo with the guy she dissed me for. This is probably where my life changed. Now everybody knows the hotties I've been associated with during the old Sunrise Mountain days - and this one was a knockout too. As they say, she was a devil in disguise...

Blah - ancient history. I'm better off now than I was in 1990.

$$

I will in all probability take a breather from the online world for a while and join Cheryl Cross in the real world - however, I will be with you Thursday to run all the football lowdown your way - as the first true Battle of Sunrise Mountain looms Friday night at the new stadium.

The Miners and The Sundevils. This should be nooooo problem at all. I'm not sure if there will be a prize possession up for grabs - had there been one, I probably could've donated my International Scout to the team who wins the game and owns the Scout for a year - or maybe my British shirt I wore from 1983-89. Oh well... :-\

OK folks - have a safe week, and reach for the stars. Talk to you Thursday. :)

Robert Donahoo

prelude to tomorrow's big day, homecoming memories and more

A somewhat busy day on tap for me today as I begin preparations for my return home. If all goes well, I will be departing early in the morning, and hope to arrive in Las Vegas before noon. I'll tell you, these five-hour long treks will wear you out, even moreso after you've traveled the same road over and over and over. I estimated that I've taken the I-15 between Las Vegas and Southern California at least 50 times since my initial trip over 22 years ago.

A lot has changed - in 1988, the Maximum Speed was 65 MPH in the open areas, 55 MPH elsewhere, as the law that Tricky Dick put into effect back in 1974 was not fully repealed. As you might expect, I was prepared.

Today, the I-15 is mostly three-lanes each direction, except between Barstow and the Nevada State Line, where it is two lanes with a truck lane on an as-needed basis. The Maximum Speed is 70 MPH now, except 65 coming out of the Cajon Pass heading south.

$$

Well, as Jim Perry used to say on television, we're going down to the wire with the final two days of homecoming week. I'm not sure what the theme for today is - back in our days there, we had some interesting themed days, including one in which the girls were dressed up as guys - too funny. Anybody that was there who remembers those wacky days, please let me know. And of course, per tradition, on Fridays it was Maroon & Gold day. That's the granddaddy of them all as everyone starts the countdown to the big show at Sundevil Stadium, preceded of course by a pep rally inside the Sportatorium.

Not sure how that will go tomorrow, as I unfortunately will not partake in the festivities inside the old barn - but, I will be there for the big show and hopefully join my old comrades on the track for the halftime festivities which will also include the selection of the king and queen for 2011.

I sort of wish my experience with the 84-85 homecoming was different - first off, my partner in crime bailed before the start of the year, so I was riding solo. Second, the hotties whom I was looking to take Shawn's place were already spoken for - so there goes my selection for homecoming king. And third, the team got beat by bleeping Las Vegas High School on a field goal towards the end of the game - a great homecoming that turned into a unfortunate defeat, and knocking us out of the post-season. Britta and Jason evidently was chosen as the queen and king for 1985 - I had my vote for Britta; not sure who I voted for in the king category.

I also helped coordinate some of the festivities for the day - why I didn't realize the potential that I had back then to be a promoter - that is beyond me. At the age of 17 - my life was going different directions. At 43 - it's a little different.

I'm not sure if we ever won a homecoming game in my four years I was there. We certainly didn't in 1981 - and that was a rare daytime game between Eldorado and Rancho. Not sure about 1982 though - 1983 i think we played against the Wildcats and we beat them.

That year - 1983 - was a great year. It was also my first year going to the games as I was not well known to be there in '81 or '82. I do remember Michele Pope one time inviting me to join them for one of their games back in '82 - and that was the day when a big thunderstorm rolled in, and I had to get outta there and get home, which I did in time. Days later, I came down with a serious illness that sidelined me for a week.

$$

Here's the lineups for the "original ten". For those who don't know, the original ten are the ten schools that were around in the 1980s.

BASIC - vs Silverado

BONANZA - vs Western

CHAPARRAL - at Rancho

CLARK - at Sierra Vista

ELDORADO - vs Desert Pines

GORMAN - at De La Salle (Concord, CA) - Saturday

LAS VEGAS - vs Valley

RANCHO - vs Chaparral

VALLEY - at Las Vegas

WESTERN - at Bonanza

Eldorado is currently ranked #32 in the MaxPreps rankings for Nevada.

Hammonton's Blue Devils, who are 2-0, will be at home against Oakcrest. In El Paso, Andress (2-1) plays host to Burges, who are 1-2. Parkland will be at Canutillo, and Irvin (1-3) plays Chapin tonight.

I will not be able to provide all the coverage of the games tomorrow as I will be at Eldorado covering their game against Desert Pines. For the first time, I will be reporting the game on FB live as it happens, so you want to be tuned to that.

$$

That's all for now. Have a safe Thursday, everyone.

Rob returns - Sept 22, 2010

Hello everyone - as most of you know, I have been posting blogs on Facebook - and evidently I will be migrating those postings over here once I figure out how to do that.

I am taking a breather from work (much needed too) for a week, and I am halfway through it. Back home in Las Vegas, Eldorado High School will be saluting the Class of 1985 - which to me is the most famous of all classes to grace this great school. There have been many others, including the Charter Classes of 1974-78, but overall - of the 37 graduating classes, I think we are number one. This group had a handful of creative minds, spirited, caring and sensational individuals - each and every one of them whom I've known since day one.

It is going to be a great night Friday night - it will be my first appearance there since 1996...right about the time a young man by the name of Steven Jackson, began his legendary tenure here. Of course you know where he is now.

Looks like I will be heading out to Las Vegas on a regular basis between now and the next six months. Would love to do that at least once every two months between now and the time things warm up over there. I am not a fan of the summer heat there, and these days the nights have been very warm because of the island effect. At this point in time I am making changes for the better. There's an old saying - when it starts getting old, its time to move on to something else.

$$

I am thinking of starting up my own company - titled Robert Donahoo Productions. The emphasis of Robert Donahoo Productions at this point in time is photography, road travel, passing on my experiences to the youth of today, and so on. I go a lot of directions here, folks - I don't stay one one subject.

My first project with Robert Donahoo Productions has been a success, and that was coordinating the class reunion for the Eldorado Class of 1985. I was mostly the voice to pass the word out to everyone, while Jimmy, Sean, Pat, Gina and Suey took care of the rest. The event occurred on May 22, 2010 - and believe me, I've had many people commend me for bringing this group together. Keep in mind that there was no 20-year reunion, and if there was no 25-year event, that would occur over my dead body. I was not going to let that happen. Part two will take place over the weekend, and hopefully there will be a part three before the 86 group takes over.

As a matter of fact, I feel that it isn't about the 85 class - I think the adjacent classes that we with us during that time from 1982-88 is considered one big group, just like the charter classes of 74-78. I consider a few from the 86 class, specifically Brenda Mills, as an honorary '85er.

I am sure that between now and 2015 we will gather again. I am planning an event in January to commemorate the 30th anniversary of my Las Vegas debut.

$$

Very disappointed with the Dodgers - what a mess that organization is, both on the field and off the field. I hope come next year that things will be better for them. The Padres are doing whatever they can to turn on the afterburners and push themselves to the post-season. The Angels, they will have to wait till next year unfortunately.

Looking forward to the Kings hockey season - I think they have a good chance to make it to the Stanley Cup.

$$

I just read the other day that CalTrans is proposing a freeway that will link Victorville with the Antelope Valley. I think this may work, but to be honest, there should be a link between Barstow and Bakersfield as well. It will take several years for that to happen, hopefully when it's done, it will improve traffic flow between SoCal and Las Vegas - along with the new high-speed rail.

The bridge that will cross the Colorado River will be opening up in November - hopefully that will improve things in terms of traveling between Las Vegas and Kingman - and perhaps start a growth in Kingman.

$$

A special shout out to certain people, most notably Lydia Cornell, Lori Weckhorst and Sandy Hollowinski. You three are very special and dear friends - and are survivors too, with a positive outlook in life mixed with a good sense of humor. I think everyone in this world should have that.

More from me tomorrow - I will be preparing for my return to Las Vegas - 2nd time out there this year. When was the last time I said that???

Enjoy your Wednesday, everyone.

Nov 18 2009 edition

Sorry for the lack of updates here on blogspot, as I do most of those on Facebook. I make it a point to at least copy and paste these blogs from FB over here, as I'd had this going for close to 5 years now.

Not much going on out here in Southern California, however things will start to get busy for me during the next three weeks. This weekend, I will be going up to Palmdale for an event there - next week I will be in Las Vegas for the Thanksgiving holidays, and the weekend after that I will have dental work done on my damaged teeth. Finally after some 15 years, I may be able to bring back what was missing. I've could've done it sooner, but was too lazy to do it back then; not to mention the lack of health insurance.

I've said this before in my FB updates, and I don't mind saying it again: Jim Harbaugh is the most classless coach in college football. His Stanford team had the game won, and after the Stanford defense intercepted a USC pass, he felt that it was time to stick it to the Trojans, rather than just staying on the ground and running the clock out. When the dust was settled, it turned out to be USC's worst defeat at the Coliseum in more than 4 decades - certainly the worst loss I've ever seen by this storied and legendary university.

Let me assure you, Stanford will get theirs... remember the word KARMA.

Anyway, just a little to talk about here; and there will be a bit more to say in the upcoming days. Till then - reach for the stars. :)

Sept 20 2009 edition

Fall is one of those seasons that most people, especially those on the east coast, look forward too - especially in New England; whereas all of the leaves begin changing color (yellow, orange, brown) mixed with existing green in the weeks ahead, as the cooler weather approaches. The best place to see that is around New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Out here in Southern California, there is no such thing as fall in September or October, and the latter part of the week will see a continuation of summer as Santa Ana conditions will exist. I think around late-October/early-November is when things start to cool down quite a bit here. The rain season officially begins in L.A. on November 1st and runs through April 30th.
Another good week of College 'ball - all of my teams except for USC won. The Washington Huskies came from behind a 10-0 deficit to tie the game at 10 going into halftime. Then it was all field goals from there - Erik Folk kicked a pair of FGs one of 46 and the game winner of 22 yards with 3 seconds left in the game to give Washington their first win against USC since 2001. He also kicked a 28-yarder to tie the game in the 2nd Quarter.

Everybody else - UTEP, UNLV, UCLA and Notre Dame all won - so this week I go 4-1. The Running Rebels played their hearts out and deserves to win against Hawaii. UCLA and UTEP had easy wins in their games against Kansas State and NMSU respectively. Notre Dame won their game by 3 against Michigan State.

On to the NFL...Houston's old team plays host to Houston's new team - that be the Texans at the Titans (Oilers). As far as the former L.A. teams go, the Raiders travel to Kansas City; Rams play whomever Washington's mascot is today (right now its the Redskins, but it may not be after next week); and the Chargers are at the Murph against the Ravens. Sunday Night Football is the Giants and Cowboys at Tom Landry Stadium (my name for the Cowboys' new facility - Jerry!) and the Colts travel to Miami. This season, Dolphin Stadium is called LandShark Stadium. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm not a fan of naming rights to these stadiums. Dolphin Stadium or Joe Robbie Stadium is acceptable - LandShark Stadium is not.

$$

Just checking out Eldorado's website on line, and see that this school, like others around the CCSD has new policies regarding what you can wear and what you can't. In other words, I can wear Khaki, Navy, White, Maroon, Gold or Black to Eldorado, but not anything else. So if I was in school and wore my British shirt I'm famous for, then they wouldn't allow me to wear it, right? Please...

Be thankful we didn't have to deal with that crap during the golden years of Eldorado. Gina and Brenda will agree with me on this one - back then we could've done whatever we wanted to do, just as long as it was not illegal, and wear anything we want too, just as long as its acceptable of course...coming to school with stuff to wear on the beach is...well just a bit too much.

$$

A reminder to the Class of 1985: the Silver-Anniversary reunion is going to be in the developing stages real soon. I kicked off this celebration myself on Aug 25, 2009 - on the anniversary of our first official day as seniors at Eldorado - and the celebration lasts through December 2010. Now since I'm in Los Angeles, I can't contribute to anything on a full-time basis, other than communicate via e-mail or on facebook. Pat, Suey and Gina has conducted several get-togethers, including that big one at Agave last August - with another one planned on September 25th at the Aliante Station. Therefore, I would like to have Jim Batemon once again help us get this 25-year reunion going, since he and a few others, most notably Mike Shewman and Leslie Ball, worked very hard to get the 20-year Reunion going in 2005, but unfortunately that reunion never took place.

With the successful "mini-reunions" we've had so far this year - making up for lost time of course - I have a very good feeling that it's going to happen. Planning is very important for any reunion, or any event for that matter. I'm hoping to be out in Vegas in a month's time - for sure in November. With Pat, Gina, Suey, Jimmy, and anybody else who wants to get on board, we're going to make it happen.

$$

Not much in the flashback department - already talked about Shawn's coda to Eldorado, which occurred 25 years ago tomorrow - so no need to discuss it again. I think the school picture day was right about this time in '83 - and if you look at the '84 Yearbooks, you can see that I had my British shirt. Back in those days, I have to believe there was a new British invasion going on - Def Leppard (bless their hearts; those guys DESERVE to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame) was hugely popular back in those days; and they had a concert at this time (I'm thinking at the Thomas & Mack Center, but it may have been at the Aladdin Theater), and all the guys and gals were wearing shirts with the Union Jack Flag. Oh yea, I got my DL at this time 26 years ago - Sept 23. Pat also got his DL for the first time that same day too. It was International Scout time after that. Lydia M called the Scout "The Beast" back in those days - Lori Rock (wherever you are) thought I had a "kick-ass" car...hehe. I loved her spirit - I hope she's doing great wherever she is... I mean, I hope she's doing "GR-8".

Hard to believe that some of these people thought I was driving the same Scout when I took the '79 Scout to school in my senior year. The first one was the '72 Scout, and that was the one we took to Europe in the mid-70s. Hopefully that Scout's still around; I remember somebody fixed it, got new wheels and new shocks to make it look like a true off-road vehicle, and that was back in 1996 or 97.

$$

I'm limping a little - my left ankle is either inflammated or sprained. I don't know how or why, but it should be OK in a few days.

Week 3 of the L.A. County Fair ends today. Good thing, while I can take a little time off to heal this foot and not put a lot of stress on it. Will have to hold the annual Newport Beach visit off until next week.

Enjoy the games, and have a safe week wherever you may be.