Raising Canes

This is a picture of infamous Canespacer OcalaCane holding his new (and always beautiful) wife Jeryl. 

You know OcalaCane as the official Canespace photographer.  I know him as Steve Durand. 

You see Steve and I go way back, in fact all the way back to junior high school in Miami.  I met OcalaCane in the middle of my first fist fight, on my fifth day of school in the seventh grade at Richmond Heights Junior High. 

These times were not easy for anyone at the school, much less some skinny, long haired, blond kid who had just moved from another school located across town in the "Little Havana" section of Miami. 

It was obvious to me early on that my limited and broken Spanish wasn't gonna get me through this confrontation. 

At the time that OcalaCane intervened in my little altercation I was using my face to hit the fist of some black dude I met during PE class. 

When Steve decided I had had enough he and a few of his friends who I had never met stepped in to save what was left of me and my pride.  The fight ended soon enough and we walked away with me holding my lip and him holding me up.  Those are the moments of which friendships are made.

Steve and I attended Miami Killian Senior High School together and we share the Cougar Pride with former Cane Randall Hill and new UM recruit Lamar Miller.  After high school we went our own separate ways, me going to UM and him going off to find his way through life.  

We later grew further apart as he moved off to Ocala and I moved to Fort Lauderdale.  Then after many years, somehow he managed to find me again through the Canespace blog. 

Since reconnecting we have attended several UM games together, spent endless hours recounting our "glory days" back in the 305 and shared our common love for the Hurricanes.

Recently, I had the honor of being the best man at his wedding in Ocala.  Talk about full circle?  Yeah, this is a clear example of it really  happening.

At Steve's wedding I had the opportunity to meet not only his lovely bride for the third time but his three incredible step children. 

Now you have to understand that these children, along with Steve's lovely bride, grew up in the 352 and by default became Gator fans.  So Steve has had his work cut out for him in trying to convert them from the orange and blue to the orange and green; to becoming fans of "The U". 

His first assignment was to dress them all in Canespace gear and then take them to a classic Hurricane event: Canes vs Gators baseball in Gainesville.  The Canes managed to sweep the Gators and new Canes fans were born on the spot!

More importantly, these children are simply put nothing short of angels on earth.  Their ages and names are completely irrelvant.  It is their beauty, character and personalities that makes them who they are.

And now, when I see my good friend and old buddy Steve Durand "Raising Canes", it makes my heart full and my memories of our long time friendship all the more important. 

In truth, God knows that as we were growing up in Miami, with all of the risks and rewards that we found along the way, that it was highly possible that neither one of us might have made it this far. 

Much less could we have hoped to have accomplished so much in life. 

But take look a good look at him now. 

Steve Durand is all that and will have a family full of memories to share for a lifetime as he stays busy taking care of his lovely new wife.

And spending his time Raising Canes...

Comments

[Six]

Nice job Ocala, good looking family of Canes right there

[Old Skool]

Nick Montana passed up ND to commit to Washington.
Now we get to see who has the better QB genes the Mannings or the Montanas.
So far it's the Mannings in a rout.
As for hot moms... Edge Montana.

[Mephistopheles]

Given the relatively poor showing in the draft by these guys (I'm a little surprised that the nation's #1 closer went in the 5th round) hopefully these juniors will stay another year. All 4 are solid players, and all would likely improve dramatically (except for Bellamy) next season. With Chris Hernandez shaking the Soph jinx and Erickson coming back, our staff would look pretty strong with Bellamy back in line as the caboose. Never too early to start thinking about next season.

Anyone have any inside info as to the mindset of these players? Is there a chance any or all come back?

[welcane]

I married a California girl I met while in the US Navy. She moved with me to Florida and I managed to convert her into a Canes fan. Our boys both grew up
'Canes fans despite living amongst Turds and Noles here in North Florida. I was proud of my accomplishment until I read this article. Converting Turds into Canes. Now thats something to be proud of. Good luck with the married life and with raising Canes!!!

[CanesgirlNC]

Anonymous = CoCane

[DallasTX Cane]

Guess who's baaaaack???.....

[DallasTX Cane]

Hello again Fellow Legionnaires! I was lost, but now am found!

CONGRATS Ocala! She's beautiful.

Great article 86. Although, are U sure this isn't just a memory of one of Ur many trips over to the Herald or SS site?? "I was using my face to hit the fist of some black dude"????

[Sebastian]

Congrats Ocala

Me and my wife wish you nothing but happiness

DAU!!!

[solarcane]

Solar,
42nd ave is in Shallowside...
Posted by: Anonymous (Blast from the past) | June 10, 2009 at 01:06 P

anon
Yea 33313 vs 5519 or what ever it was back then, I used to call it Lauderhill that's how unhip I am.
"Shallowside" just doesn't do the mayhem just west of State road 7 justice does it?

I lived there when the white folks didn't want the black folks( pre African American days)to move in,

still lived there when the African Americans didn't want the Jamaicans to move in,

still lived there when the Jamaicans didn't want the Haitians to move in,

I missed out on if the Haitians were against the Asians moving in.

anon
Give me some pointers on what the geography is referred to in that area now, like I said I was dopey enough to call places Ft Lauderdale, Lauderhill,Sunrise, Tamarac, Lauderdale Lakes lol

thanks for settin me straight!
peace

[CanesgirlNC]

DTC!! Where have you been?????? I haven't purrrred in like forever ;-D

[solarcane]

DTX good to se ya

CGNC, yea I suspect Anon was Co or darC
When he set me straight about where I lived I was pretty sure it's co cane too
lol

peace

[CoCane]

CGNC & Solar,

BULLSHYT! IT AIN'T ME!!!

[CanesgirlNC]

Solar - LOL - I do believe it is Co...Co where you been?

[solarcane]

anon or co or darc ok bra,

anyway welcome back!

peace

[86Cane]

Converting Turds into Canes. Now thats something to be proud of. Good luck with the married life and with raising Canes!!!

Posted by: welcane | June 10, 2009 at 03:22 PM

Canespace...coverting people (and even former Gators) into Canes fans one person at a time.

We mnay have to change our mission statement?

[DallasTX Cane]

CGNC, been missing U and those purrrrs! Work's been a bytch and I needed a break after last season. I drop in a catch up every now and then, but haven't posted till now.

Good to see all the familiar names!

What Up Solar? Good to see U still keeping the peace and keeping 86 in line! LOL

[86Cane]

DTX...welcome back! Good to see U 'round The Space again. CGNC hasn't been the same since you walked away from the blog.

Yesterday she was even down right grouchy. LOL

[CoCane]

LMAO!

CGNC, Da flyest geechee in all da Carolinas. Game recognize game. Wuz up baby girl?

Solar, that was your clue. I knew you'd peep game. What they do?

Long time no blog...

[86Cane]

I think anonymous is DarCanegel?

[solarcane]

dtx,
I'm glad to see you back for sure.
you bring a lot of good stuff here.

I been looking for zak and ronmex to surface one day too.

peace

[solarcane]

Thats my man Co right there soup.. I'm positive
some guys have their own personal style.

like when your the 86Cane guy, you don't even have to display your nick for me to know i'm about to catch hell for something I had nothing to do with.

peace

[86Cane]

Although, are U sure this isn't just a memory of one of Ur many trips over to the Herald or SS site?? "I was using my face to hit the fist of some black dude"????

Posted by: DallasTX Cane | June 10, 2009 at 03:52 PM

Herald? SS? What's that??? LOL

My fightin' days were short lived. I soon turned to more productive behaviors such as drugs, sex and rock and roll. That's when I really hit my stride!

Funny thing is about three years later in 10th grade I walk into the bathroom at Killian HS and who's there? The left handed black dude that kicked my azz hanging with a few of his friends. He recognized me and I walked up to him. We laughed about it and then shook hands.

It was all good from there on in!

[DallasTX Cane]

CGNC grouchy?? No way! I won't ever believe that.

The closer we get to the season, the more old names will resurface.

I'm ready to purge the memories of the past few seasons and start over...optimism and enthusiasm renewed! Its CANETIME this fall...watch out world!

[86Cane]

Anyone have any inside info as to the mindset of these players? Is there a chance any or all come back?

Posted by: Mephistopheles | June 10, 2009 at 02:46 PM

Meph...I heard that Morris feels most of them if not ALL are coming back? Manny was supposed to have an interview with him recently or soon coming up.

I'll check on that for U.

[86Cane]

Six... Ocala, his lovely bride and I will be in Tampa this Sunday at the Rays game at 1 PM. Where U at?

[DallasTX Cane]

True story 86, I also got in a fight once with a left-handed black guy - end of 8th grade. We were close buds and captains of the school hoops team before falling out. anyway, didn't see the guy for 6 years then ran into him & same deal...we were good. sometimes guys just gotta let loose and smack each other upside the head.

[shwarma]

Per Canesport Hall has committed

[DallasTX Cane]

gotta run Canespacers - there's a little daddy's girl out there needing a lift to soccer practice and its up to me to deliver...LOL

[CoCane]

86', I'M IN DA BUILDIN' BIATCH! Everybody else is on point. TIGHTEN YO AZZ UP!!!

Solar, I never left. Just observing with my all seeing eye.

CGNC, I've been enjoyin' the off-season on "cloud 9"(cough, cough).

It's June. It's time to get my bloggin' skillz ready. It feels like summer practice. 2 a days. I want to be in full form, headcrackin' biatchez when the season starts.

If 86' ain't suspending me. I've been missing team meetings & voluntary(involuntary) workouts by the shytload. LOL!
What's been up with yall???

[CoCane]

DTX,

Holla at ya boy...

[Calvin]

This goes out to the newest Cane, who just gave his word and not for all the other lyrics, but it just fits!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwtr21odozM

[CoCane]

86',

I'm soooo disappointed. I'm 1 of a kind... :-(

[86Cane]

If 86' ain't suspending me. I've been missing team meetings & voluntary(involuntary) workouts by the shytload. LOL!

Posted by: Anonymous (Blast from the past) | June 10, 2009 at 05:27 PM

With all the Organized Team Activities (OTAs) U missed I am sure that U understand that there has to be some consequences. Shoot U missed the ENTIRE Spring!

Let me check with BOSS man Shannon and get back to you.

U may get the "Robert Marve" deal or something a little less if I put in a good word for U? Back in 10...

[CoCane]

I'll get back at yall good people later. So yall can fill me in on what's been going on around here lately.

CHI-PUN. GET AT ME!!!

COKE JUST LEFT BUILDIN'!!!

[86Cane]

86', I'm soooo disappointed. I'm 1 of a kind... :-(

Posted by: Anonymous (Blast from the past) | June 10, 2009 at 05:45 PM

Co, don't take it all personally, U and DarC have similar styles that's all.

Aqua mentioned DarC the other day during the Legends Of The Fall voting so I thought that might have draan him out of the shadows and back onto the blog.

Speaking of LOF, who U got for 2009?

[86Cane]

Hurricane MLB draft info:

http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/061009aab.html

[Montreal-Cane]

Congrats OcalaCane all the best!!!

Hagerty and perhaps Jackson should return in 2010...Bellamy sould have been drafted earlier...I am sure Jackson won't return but he needs to improve a lot at the plate...to go at the next level...

[Montreal-Cane]

Naples Lely running back Darion Hall committed to Miami today?

I don't know much about the kid...Anyone does and why we offerd him... Among the RB he is a 3 stars and ranked 76...

[j.w.]

Never heard of him before (not surprising as I usually don't know much about the recruits) but here's something from the Naples News about him (he plays for Lely H.S. out of Clearwater?) :
Junior running back Darion Hall, who amassed nearly 1,800 yards in 2008, sat most of the first half for disciplinary reasons. Pricer said Hall missed a couple workouts in the winter and knew before the spring started that he wouldn’t play much in the first half against Countryside.

In the second half, Hall gained 99 yards on 13 carries. He had four runs for 50 yards to get Lely deep into Cougar territory on the Trojans’ final drive.

“We have to fix those mental mistakes,” Hall said, referring to eight penalties and three fumbles. “We can get there. All it takes is hard work.”

Hall was looking for a better performance to jump-start his senior season. After scoring 23 touchdowns in the fall, the 6-foot-1, 207-pound junior drew the attention of dozens of big name colleges.

Hall has scholarship offers from at least 10 schools from Bowl Championship Series conferences. He said Thursday his top four are Clemson, Florida State, Miami and Michigan.

Originally, Hall had said he hoped to pick a college before the season starts. After receiving several more offers recently — including ones from the Seminoles, Wake Forest and South Carolina — Hall said he isn’t going to rush his college choice and won’t have it made before the fall.

Both teams found the end zone in the first nine minutes of the game, and

[j.w.]

and here's ESPN evaluation of him:
Evaluation

Hall is a very well-rounded running back prospect and projects to be a productive 3-down back at the next level. Has good size and the his taller, stronger frame is far from done physically developing; should grow into a 215-pound load-back at the next level while retaining his great feet through the hole. Flashes very good jump-cut and stop-start skill for a 200-pounder. Quick to the hole and is a decisive cutter who is very difficult to get a clean shot on. Runs with his eyes and sees the small creases open quickly. Does a great job picking and darting through the in-line traffic and bouncing outside to the perimeter. Has a strong, sturdy frame, particularly through his upper-body; consistently breaks through initial contact. Difficult to arm-tackle for smaller defensive backs when he breaks free into the second level. Runs with good shoulder lean for a taller back and stays square, even when cutting laterally, to help power through initial contact. We did not see great in-line power or explosiveness we were expecting though and he really lacks the downhill burst out of cuts to put him into an elite running back category. Tends to build speed and does not always show great suddenness or an explosive extra gear needed to create initial separation. Displays better long speed in the second level; has a very smooth stride. Overall, we still feel like Hall is the complete package when projecting as a college back. Can run, catch the football out of the backfield and has the size to block in pass pro. We feel like he has the coveted ability to carry the load and wear down a defense and also frustrate them with his footwork and ability to make you miss. Has promising upside with his frame and is a guy we think will see his stock soar on the recruiting trail heading into his senior year.

[CaneSniper]

Congrats to Darion Hall and Ocala's wife - our two newest Canes.

[86Cane]

"Flashes very good jump-cut and stop-start skill for a 200-pounder. Quick to the hole and is a decisive cutter who is very difficult to get a clean shot on. Runs with his eyes and sees the small creases open quickly. Does a great job picking and darting through the in-line traffic and bouncing outside to the perimeter."

=

Clinton Portis

[j.w.]

good analogy, 86.

[solarcane]

"Runs with his eyes and sees the small creases open quickly."

Much more efficient then the two star guys that run with their eyes shut...

these guys are slowly running out of buzz hype.

I'm looking forward to a real description like.

"Kid could give a shyt less what we think, he's gonna play at a D1 college somewhere and it might as well be yours."

peace

[86Cane]

jw...I'm all over it!

BTW...CoCane, I couldn't reach The BOSS but I did get through to a "Senior Football Official" at UM who laid it out for U to be reinstated like this:

1. Run 20 110s next three days with Solar.
2. Extra film study x 2 with CGNC.
3. Extra time in Study Hall to raise that GPA with Esteban
4. Written apology to all bloggers for your absence, with special note to Chi-Pun.

[321canes]

Was up family.I loved the new commit! Pay attention to these central, north, west fla recruits, all i hear how hard these kids work from their coaches, oh by the way, rumor has it that #26ray ray gain 10 pounds. Here come Meast jr. baby

[solarcane]

an example

bg1906 per Rivals:

Above average attention span, can decipher Scouts overstating and exaggerations with the best of them.
Shows commitment and focus on any day of the year that the initials LOI appear online.

A recent CROH inductee, proving his status as top 100 popular blogger.

Bg could very well explode on the next level as an XBOX website icon.

Downside: spends most of his waking hours playing XBox, thinking about playing Xbox, or talking other people into losing their own lives by playing XBox with him.

peace

[KillerBeez41]

**AWESOME**

Thats what I have to say about the canes getting running back Darian Hall. From looking at his highlight film, kid has impeccable vision, sudden cuts, crazy balance, and great speed. He is an excellent pick up. Shout out to who ever posted that video, I watched that thing until the end and usually im done with a highlight after about a minute or two. Diamond in the the rough for sure, dont know about the competition he going up against, but dude making em look silly. Maybe he gets into the Under Armor game or Army All American game. See what he looks like against some of the so called best.

[true cane]

Hall is a monster

[true cane]

http://www.tomahawknation.com/2009/5/28/891382/naples-fl-lely-hs-rb-darion-hall