Notes from the Quarterback

A few random thoughts on this Friday night as we head to Bologna for a big game tomorrow against the Doves:

Leading the IFL in… RECYCLING?

In Italy, we go through plastic bottles and other recyclables at an alarming rate.  Perhaps its because we gulp, not sip, or because the serving sizes here just aren’t as big as back home.  Either way, the three Malibu residents go through Fanta like a fat kid goes through cake.  Through week 10 of the IFL season, we are currently leading the league in recycling with a 21.4 bottles per week average.  With two weeks to go before the end of the regular season, it is safe to say that Malibu will be crowned the Recycling Leaders of the IFL.

Bologna – A History of Nicknames

Our team has its fair share of nicknames for players, including Foca “The Seal,” Fortunato “Call me Lucky,” “Sheriffo” (The Sheriff), and “Cupino” (The Spoon)... which is very apt heading into tomorrow’s game against Bologna.

Bologna has many nicknames: La Dotta (The Learned), after the university; La Turrita (The Turreted), after its many towers; and La Grassa (The Fat), after a cuisine widely considered Italy’s finest.  It is after all the namesake of every American kid’s favorite mystery lunchmeat!

When will Mangano be the latest Pasta in Italy's Arsenal?

Besides Bolognese sauce (or Ragu, a meat-sauce), special dishes include mortadella (a kind of Italian coldcut – ask Giuseppe’s dad Senatore Nino for more info!), tortellini; and tagliatelle.  Tagliatelle is a thicker type of noodle that has become one of my favorites here, and was reputedly invented centuries ago for the wedding feast of Lucrezia Borgia and the Duke of Ferrara.  The long, golden strands of pasta were said to have been inspired by the bride’s flowing locks.  Which begs the question, when does Claudio get his own pasta?

Hangover: A foreign concept

It is ironic being in Italy that my last two posts both involved (to a slight degree), alcohol.  In our time here in Italy, we have found that alcohol plays a much smaller role in society than it does back home, and rarely will you ever see anyone publicly unbriaco (drunk).  In fact, while many English words have Italian translations - there is no Italian word for HANGOVER.  This is simply a foreign concept as this truly never happens here (or at least while drinking Italian wine).  Knowing the English and the behavior of their soccer fans, I understand why the origins of the word comes from England...

(In a related tangent - there is no Native American word for "stutter" either... and have you ever heard one do it?  Interesting...)  

Cow Bells in Bologna?

At this very moment, my parents have just landed in London to begin their 3 week tour of Europe.  This is only their second time to the continent, and will be seeing most of Italy and catching the final two Elephant games of the regular season.

This just found in the Johnson archives: My first sports team - EVER!  Yep, I'm the sweet point guard with the Red, White, and Blue Wristbands and Bowl-Cut, standing in front of our coach - my Dad (Blue Sweatshirt)!  My brother (far right) led our SkyHawks to the championship, scoring all the points in a 10-8 victory!

My parents have been my #1 fans since I was a child, going as far as holding mock basketball games in our kitchen, complete with full game-uniforms and pre-game introductions. Over the years, they have cheered me on as a Cougar (Junior High), Ram (High School), Wildcat (University of Arizona), Bill (NFL), Eskimo (CFL), and now Elephant (IFL).  During my time as a starter in college, they flew or drove to games every weekend, and it really became a bonding time for our family.

Johnson’s (and our whole Westering/PLU Clan) are notoriously boisterous fans – and it should be noted that during that stretch, referees have missed 4,586,231 holding calls (according to my mom) on the opposition and 2,477 pass interference calls.  She has also been known to bring cow bells to games… the question comes – will there be a cow bell in Bologna?!

~ J. Twice