Author: thehebrewhammer

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First Win

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Finally, the Spuds are in the win column! Last night we traveled to Thousand Oaks to face the Beacon Hill Gryphons, which was scheduled to be played at 3. But when we showed up to the field at 2:45, the game would probably have to be pushed back a little bit to 3:15. The Hebrew Hammer got the nod from head honcho Hank Pankratz, which would be the correct managerial decision as I bolstered the Spuds to their first win, but it wasn’t just my doing. In the 6th inning, after a handful of errors and a walk, I was in a tough situation with bases loaded and 1 out, and that was until the best play of the game was made by my freshman Henry Zhou, the kid who does the scorebook, who hasn’t seen a lick of playing time! I threw one pitch, a ball to the 8-hole batter and that was when Coach Pankratz walked to the home plate umpire and started doing a bunch of pointing yelling and all of that stuff, that was when Henry noticed that the other team made an illegal substitution, forcing the batter to be out having me face the 9-hole batter with 2 outs in the innings. After striking him out on 3 pitches, it was onto the 7th inning, in which local hero Bennett Brown was up to bat. Jay then screamed from the dugout, “Get hit for me, Bennett!” In which he listened perfectly, as he got nailed in the back and immediately dropped to his hands and knees and went into the most voracious arch any of the team has ever seen. All in all, it was a beautiful first win, and the team will definitely carry this energy to next week.

PC: Google

Game cancelled

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I came to school excited, first game of the season, baseball finally here, it was time. But rain decided otherwise, many days hoping it would stop, the rain kept coming, running poles in the rain with coach Hank, and getting 4 new players to brighten our spirits. None of this mattered because the game got cancelled, and then it was a break; we were cutting cold turkey because there was nothing to do. It was a break next week, and we have no practice. Hank said we need to go watch “game film” in the seminar room. So I’m sooooo excited to do that with him. We might just play that stupid tennis ball off the wall game we did last time, which was immensely boring. It made my arm hurt. All in all, I’m very excited to play baseball this year and share the field with everyone. We move like a pack of brothers, like a pack of wolves out on that diamond, I’m telling everyone when we’re coming, cause we come HARD.

pc: Avery Colborn – On The Hill

Ojai Odaiko

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On Tuesday, the school was given the pleasure of going to Lower Campuses GAC to watch an hour’s worth of beautifully played drums by Gavino and the Ojai Odaiko.

I didn’t know what to think of it at first because I saw them once when I was younger, and they were all uncoordinated, and I wasn’t impressed. But yesterday the sound those recycled wine barrels made shook my heart and elevated me on the Lunar New Year. 

When Gavino would scream and repeatedly hit those drums with all his strength, I couldn’t help but smile and sit up in my seat. As good as Gavino was, my favorite was this tiny lady who played the gong. Man, do I love hearing that gong go gong. It just brightens my day up. It’s the best instrument ever created. 

All in all, my experience of being provided a listening to the great Ojai Odaiko changed my life forever, I fell in love, it was love at first listen for sure.

Also, when they were finished, I stood up to give them a standing ovation, but no one stood with me, so it was embarrassing, but I don’t care.

I love Ojai Odaiko!

pc: google

Bye Bye Rams

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Today, I bear bad news: the Los Angeles Rams have lost the NFC Championship to the Seattle Seahawks.

It was a heartbreaking loss as in the final seconds, the MVP frontrunner Rams quarterback Matt Stafford threw a beautiful ball to OPOY candidate Puka Nacua, and as he slid out of bounds to give the Rams one second left of play. But as his majestic, beautiful Gazelle-like body landed with the ball, the refs deemed Puka out of bounds, making the Rams lose the NFC championship. 

It was a very sad moment, and now Davante Adams, who had a beautiful first year in LA, is 0-6 in the NFC Championship.

I believe that Stafford has another year in him, and with our young defense and promising offense, we can make another push for the conference title and hopefully Super Bowl 61.

With the Rams facing devastating defeat in the playoffs again, I think there is no shot for the Patriots to overtake the Seahawks in Levi’s Stadium.

I guess there is only one way to find out, and that is to wait and see, poor Rams, but there is always next year!

pc: google

Spring Sports Soon

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With winter sports coming to an end, the spring sports are up ahead and I couldn’t be more ecstatic. Although the winter season seems to be the shortest of them all, it’s always a great action filled season and I enjoy every moment.

With Baseball on the way in spring I see no world where the Spuds aren’t making playoffs this year. Although losing some of our seniors was rough, the talent is still there and we got our guys ready to go this year. The first practice in on the 9th with the first game on the 19th, leaving us roughly 8 days of hard practice to get ready for our first game.

Last year was a great year, as I led the team to its only 2nd appearance in CIF round 2 in school history. We may have lost some seniors who were key pieces and 2 kids transferred away, but were not letting that get to us.

Every year the anticipation to play baseball in the spring gets more and more, and I think that’s because I keep falling in love with the sport. I also love winning, which I’m guaranteeing this year.

pc: Ojai Valley News

Thanksgiving With Renji

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This past week was Thanksgiving break, and I had the lucky opportunity to have my friend Renji, who’s from Tokyo, Japan.

It was such a beautiful week with him and here’s how we spent it:

Friday 11/21: We had a day of classes but no sports, so we got picked up and headed to my house. We didn’t do too much, just ate dinner, played with my dog, and got him situated in the house.

Saturday 11/22: Today was jam-packed! We took my dog, Coco, on a walk in the morning, played tons of Fortnite and Clash Royale as two teenage boys should do. We cleaned up my room to help him get around, walked downtown, and played more video games after dinner.

Sunday 11/23: Easily the chillest day of break, stayed home all day waiting for my older brother to return home for the week from college, and that was it!

Monday 11/24: We’re finally joined at the gym by my brother, and that was nice. Renji benchpressed for the first time, and it was amazing! He was sore till Friday, but at least he had fun.

Tuesday 11/25: Renji and I went to Soule Park Golf Course with my friend Wyatt and hit balls at the range, which was a burst of pure joy! Watching Renji slice every ball for 45 minutes made my day! After, we went back to my house and played in the pool.

Wednesday 11/26: Wyatt came over, and I, Renji, Brody, who is my older brother, and Wyatt all drove down to Oxnard and went to Dick’s Sporting Goods, then Target in Ventura. Renji caused a scene in Target, and we had to leave immediately.

Thursday 11/27: Thanksgiving Day! We went to see my dad’s family in Seal Beach, and I told Renji to speak Japanese to all my family, but the lights were too bright for the kid, and he couldn’t.

Friday 11/28: Thanksgiving day 2, we had my mom’s side of the family’s dinner at our house, and it was very chill, we all ate more turkey and mashed potatoes, and all had food comas.

Saturday 11/29: Brody was gone! But Jay was here? Yes, Jay came late Friday night and spent the night. We all went to dinner at Ojai Pizza, then watched a movie that was insanely good, and I loved it and am obsessed. Sentimental Value, my good friend Ian joined us, and it was amazing.

Sunday 11/30: The worst day of them all, school was tomorrow, and Renji and Jay had to go back to upper, but it was a great week, and I’d do it again.

pc google

Jay and Me

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I love the rain. I love chilling at my house. I love my best friend Jay. Combine the three? Perfection.

This rainy weekend, which left me stuck inside alongside my best friend, was amazing. We ate like kings, played numerous Fortnite matches, and watched hours of Family Guy. On Saturday night, we went out to dinner together at Soule Park Golf Course, and Jay was granted permission to drive my mother’s Audi to the golf course. It was an immaculate vibe combined with Drizzy’s vocals and the rain at night, a time was had.

The next morning had that delicious after-rain smell in the streets as we walked ourselves to Bonnie Lu’s for some breakfast. I tried something new for the first time at Bonnie Lu’s, and it paid off as the taste factor was through the roof in my mouth. Perfection on Ojai Ave is Bonnie Lu’s.

After that, we pretty much did the same thing for the rest of the day, played some fort, watched Family Guy, played a bunch of Clash too, and lay in bed. While that might seem boring to most, I enjoyed it because Jay was with me the whole time.

pc: google

Food Share Frenzy

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This Wednesday the boys flag football and girls volleyball team all went to Food Share together in Oxnard to distribute food to those in need. While some students may dread it, I tend to find peace in it. I sort of like talking to and meeting new people, I don’t want to be friends with everyone, I just want to be nice to everyone. And the experiences I’ve got in Food Share have really opened my eyes.

A simple “Have a nice day!” Does so much for some of those strangers in their cars, it really cheers me up. It also does make me realized how spoiled I am and how grateful I should be.

Seeing those tiny kids helping their parents just makes me want to spend more time with mine. I think I’m a great kid but you know that feeling, you just feel like you have done so many wrong things and just want to be nice.

That’s how I want people to see me, as a nice kid.

All in all I do enjoy Food Share, it brings experience and joy like no other.

pc: Ojai Valley News

Sharing Snacks

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Woke up this Wednesday and I had an orthodontist appointment, I knew today we had no sports, so why not treat myself and prepare a lunch with some snacks for myself. So I grabbed my retainer case and headed to pack my lunch. I first grabbed two bars because I know my friend Jay will want one, so I grabbed one for him. I opened to fridge for a wild surprise of a premade sandwich that I instantly put into my Trader Joe’s lunchbox. (Shoutout Ms. Ruby u da goat fr) I also grabbed my Burt’s Bees chapstick for my chapped lips. (Shoutout Ms. Ruby u da goat for getting me da chapstick 2 fr) Then, finally, I got a big ziplock bag and jammed it full of red grapes, cold, crunchy, tasty red grapes. Delicious.

I then finally got to school, and when my friends Nola, Savannah, Bennett, and Leia saw my lunchbox, they grew brimful with curiosity about the contents encapsulated in my lunch pail. I opened and their jaws dropped at the sight of a bag overflowing with red grapes, cold, crunchy, tasty red grapes. Delicious. So I shared some of them, and I shared my Chapstick with Nola.

My shorts are untied, and my shirt kind of has a collar but also doesn’t, it’s weird. I’m also wearing white socks and some fuzzy slides. I’m sitting next to Bennett, too. Eat some grapes if you read this.

Hammer out.

PC: Google

SpudFest Catch-play

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Lunch had just finished, and Jay and I were prepared to walk down to the field early and play catch. That’s when we were stopped by Rumi, Stirling, and Chloe, and the trio were all wearing safety vests, and they were the first aid team for SpudFest. Obviously, they weren’t that good because a kid still broke his elbow, but that’s beside the point.

Jay and I jogged down to the field, hit a little quick stretch, and started throwing the baseball around. We quickly went to 40 and then 60 yards, just letting the big dog EAT. And then tragedy struck. Team comp games started. Dang!

After the gruesome 30 minutes of Team Comp, we picked up the gloves again, and our arms were still hot, then we were launching the ball 70 and then 80 yards. Clearly, every girl was impressed by my ability to throw the ball nearly 100 yards. Right?! I knew they were even if they didn’t show it, the ladies loved watching us.

PC: Ojai Valley School Instagram