Saint Valentine Day Shopper

Well for some of you it was Saint Valentines day, for some you were excited. For me just another day except the fact I was home. I told some people at Eastern (some that don't know me very well) That I had a girl friend back home just so I wouldn't get 1,000 questions on why I was taking the trek. But for me I had a 3 day weekend and I wasn't gonna spend it here. I made plans to go to Marquette but my father could make or break the trip, he let me use the car so he made it. But since I am a great facestalker I found out Trev was coming home. So I contacted him and we made plans to go up to Wisconsin for the Friday-Saturday morning 

I plan on trying to keep this short and sweet but the trip was amazing. I really did nothing but hang out with a couple of my best friends which was heaven for me. The next day I woke up and I did what I did every morning snuggle with a blanket and not want to start moving. Normally on significant holidays and such I wake up and turn on the T.V to see if a special is on, but for me it was just Feb. 14th like it has always been. Just plain old Feb 14th 3 days after my Dads birthday and 3 days after USA beat mexico in soccer. 

When I came home from a fun filled night with my most recent friends (still not sure if they consider me a friends but we shall see) I was in a great mood because A. I got some new clothes without trying to kill somebody, although I couldn't have done it without the two lovely girls B. I went to Sonic YES! The fast food chain sukka! And C. I just had a good time doing nothing. But I was driving home from Orland and I wasn't in the mood for anything so I turned on the radio and WGN was one because I caught the Hawks pre game on it and all of a sudden my eyes opened up.

It was the Nick Degillio Anti- St. Valentines Day Spectacular. Now Nick is a man and by man I mean friends that I will "have a drink with him and let him throw up in my car" type of man (he always says that) and he had it right. Why should you be forced to be in a romantic mood because someone wants you too? Won't that make it kinda fake. If I am with somebody and I have a bad day at school or work why should it be different that I am not romantic on Feb 14th? Shouldn't you be loving and that junk every day? Truthfully I hate holidays like this. I don't remember their dates. It will bite me in the ass later on but it just seems fake. This might be a little vulgar but why should somebody say "I love you.....yatty yatty yatta" just to get inside their pants? Now, there are some great geuine people out there who may mean it and all that but as an 18 year old I have no idea what love is yet. All I know is that i don't have all the answers. 

Thought of the Day: I don't have all the answers...If I did I would run for God

USA all the way in eating?

Well its not the season for competitive eating but MTV2 is showing "True Life I am a Competitive Eater" Honestly, I can't wait for the 4th of July to hopefully watch the showdown. Last year Joey Chestnut beat Kobayashi and beat his record in 2007. I always hated Kobayashi mainly because he had monopoly on the sport that lasted 2001-2006. Which included breaking 3 records during that era of dominance. It was really out of jealously why I hated him mainly like the reason I dislike many professional athletes. That is beside the point. 

This true life followed Tim the "Eater X"  when he was a young lad bursting on the scene in 2005. He only had 22 1/2 hotdogs which placed him in 9th out of 16 eaters. He was quite displeased with himself but later they show him signing autographs and him being named the Rookie of the Year. Will he be the American that finally gets the Americans back on the map? Well not so fast Joey Chestnut is the savior for the Americans. He has won 2007 smashing the record by punishing 66 hotdogs to Kobayashi 63 a great sporting spectacle for everybody. In 2008 Chestnut took home the coveted Mustard Belt. Another great sporting event that ended in overtime. Overtime? Like most people I had no idea there was overtime in competitive eating. But there is it was tied at 59 dogs at the end of the 10 minute regulation. The dreaded hotdog penalty shootout. Whoever finishes the 5 dogs is the winner. Two of the most impressive eaters face off. Chestnut downed the 5 dogs and was named champion and king of the world. Not so much the world part but a cult hero. He brought the stars and stripes back on the eating map. 

Two years before a great slap in the face when Americans were chanting Kobayashi's name. It was all out of good fun but still for me its like Americans cheering for the Russians during the 1980 olympics. But after hearing "USA!?"Coney Island the past two years a tear of joy wrung down somebody's face somewhere. Given the current status as Americans being one of the worst fit nations we really have no place winning this. The Japanese take this as a sport. Anybody can eat sure. But do you expect lazy Americans to get out and train? Who knows but it is all good fun. So on your 4th of July Bar-b-Que's turn on some ESPN-ESPN2 and watch the dual between the eaters of Coney Island.

Though of the Day: What would you eater name be?

Dos a Cero, 2-1, and 9-5

Well its another  "rivalry week" on ESPN-ESPN2. What was special about this one? Well for all you football fans USA played mexico in the final round of the World cup Qualifying. Now, some may have no clue what this means. I'll try stress TRY to explain it. Well there is one group and 10 game I believe you play each team twice in a home and home series USA and mexico are by far the favorites to qualify. The top three teams who finish with the most points, 3 for a win 1 for a tie and 0 for a loss, move one to the World Cup in South Africa 2010. So like most USA mexico WCQ (World Cup Qualifiers) tensions were high and mexico had yet another head coach. The USA had a usual line up with: Howard in the net, Frankie Hedjuk, Gooch, Carlos Bocanegra, Heath Pearce, making up the back line. Demarcus Beasley, Sacha Kljestan, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey making up the Mid. Landon Donavon as an attacking mid and Big Brian Ching up top.

The game started out strong. Mullen and I were quite worried because mexico got behind our backline and should have scored but as Pat Foley would say it "GREAT SAVE!" By Timmy Howard. USA had chances too but Oswaldo "dirty" Sanchez was too much for the USA. It seemed the game was up in the air and was going to be scoreless going into half. Until a Beasley corner that went past the goal a brilliant move by Donavon to put it back in the danger area to Gooch to head it only to be blocked by a diving Sanchez but only to fall to Michael Bradley to blast it into the old onion bag. Now I was screaming my head off and was quite calm but that big grin fell across my face. I yelped out a few "WOO HOO HOO's!" And got back to business. 

The second half Marquez, the mexico captain took a cheap shot at Timmy Howard and deliberately tried to hurt him. No argument there that punk was sent off. Mexico for being a man down played great d but the USA didn't do too much until the 2nd minute of stoppage time. A good pass by Jozy Altidore (subbed in for Ching) that sent Mikey busting up the middle to take a brilliant shot that dipped right under sanchez into the back of the net. A clutch goal yes.  A few altercations after the game happened but minor. Frankie Hedjuk a mans man in my opinion. This guy is 34 missed 2 world cups to knee injuries busts his ass in every game and although he plays for the Crew he is one of my favorite players to watch. Well anyway he was jacked up because 1. He is on the National team. 2. Looked like he was playing hurt but that wouldn't stop him. 3. It was a USA mexico WCQ game and 4. He was the home town hero playing in Crew Stadium. But the surfer boy Hedjuk was running around screaming "Fuck Yeah" hahaha not a great choice of words but I'll allow it. A player on the mexico side slapped him on he face. Really a slap? Hedjuk said it was a "love tap"and said it was no problem because players held the mexican player back and Hedjuk went about his celebrating.

Well the 2-1 part of the title is the score of Ireland-Georgia game. I must give Georgia credit they were beating Ireland 1-0 in the second half when I turned it on. Also, these poor guys couldn't play at home for their WCQ games due to the conflict between Russia and Georgia. But Robbie Keane got a 73rd minute goal and a 78th minute penalty to win it. 

Another Wednesday and it was going great Ireland won USA won and Indoor soccer. Our team is kind of a "rag tag" team kind of thrown together at the last minute. My thigh has been feeling quite tight lately and I probably pulled something in weeks past but I was in little pain that I could play it off. During warmups I knew it was gonna be different I couldn't shoot with out it hurting. Of course its on my right leg (shooting leg) So mid way through the game I felt pain and walked off. Came back on for a power play passed it to Travis and I knew something was wrong. Travis netted the ball but I knew this was bad. I limped off but still wanted to play but I could barley kick it. Our goalie you is quite talented tall skinny just the perfect dimensions to play in the net. He told me I could play net so we wouldn't be down 2 subs the whole game (mullen was out due to Duke-UNC game) So I played goal the second half. 

I thought I did quite well I would get into a Peter Schemichel crouch with my hands ready at the side knees bent ready for anything. I felt like I was back on the volleyball court ready to keep the ball up. But I think i was doing great blocking shots and diving. It did play a part on my leg but it wasn't bad. I let is a couple of goals 2 of em were redirected by our defenders (no fault on them just happens in indoor) and one was a handball in the area so its an automatic goal. One was a great goal on their part it hit my head but still a good goal. 

It felt good to play goalie I was by their bench and the frat boys kept trying to get into my head saying I was fake limping and I kept getting lucky. My favorite was "look at the dork bending his knees" What that means I have no clue but I know I played a good game and plan on playing it some more in the future because last night I would wake up in terrible pain due to the legski. But sorry for those who don't like football and indoor soccer. But for some reason I am drawn to it. Why idk maybe its the team effort, the passion that fans and players have, or just something I grew up with. But I kept telling people that USA mexico was the biggest game of my life. Now, I am not on the team but I am on the team? I support the Nats (national team) no matter what. If that means wearing all red on wednesday head to toe (which I did) then I will wear all red. Alright this is too long so I will leave you.

Thought of the Day: What would you do if somebody tried to hurt you in a sport?

Voodoo = Treasonous cowards

Ah that glorious time is back USA v mexico. This game as I have been telling the world is he most important game of my life. First game of the world cup qualifiers kicks off Wednesday, Feb 11 6 O'clock CT on ESPN2. The mexican squad is looking quite god to my eyes mainly because of suspensions and injuries. Walk it the park? Not a long shot. This rivalry is by far my favorite to watch in any sporting event. Both sides hate and I mean hate each other immensely. It basically turns into the love child of one dirty hockey team playing the "underdog" hockey team who fights back.  The game is always chippy and ends up with fans on either side being disappointed. 

Now, I had the chance to go home on wednesday night due to us having friday off and my thursday class being cancelled but I would have missed this game which I have been waiting for since the end of the Gold Cup (we beat mexico 2-1 in the final) Some questions arise who will start for the Nats? The only solid answer I Landon Donavon, CARLOS BOCANEGRA (chant), Gooch, and Timmy Howard. Bob Bradley uses a pool of players and it seems to be working well minus the fact that Jozy Altidore and Freddy Adu have been suffering in Europe which may limit their national team contributions. But I would love to see Jozy get the nod I know the young man is ready to play (18 yes 18 years old, What did you d when you were 18?) He scored his first ever goal against Mexico is a 2-2 tie (friendly) The big guy shows a ton of promise but Brian Ching is the same type of player, slower, not as quick and exciting to watch but great experience. So either way its a win-win mainly because our defense is good minus some set pieces and our mid is exciting with Bradley, Sacha, Demarcus, Adu, name more? Ok! Landon Donavon, Maurece Edu, Johnny Thorrington, Clint Dempsey. Ok enough of that.

But I had myself a little think and went on facebook/USA sights to see the roster (not out yet) and I found some bunk aboot, yes I said aboot, Mexico and blockbuster teaming up to make voodoo dools that resemble USA football (soccer) players. My first reaction was "Really?" but then I read on saying how  the back of the jersey reads "Gringos" Now, I really don't mind being called a gringo its no skin off my back but it is a racial slur so it crosses the line. However, the reason that I am pissed is because blockbuster gave me, my sport, and my country the big "Fuck you" I told myself I would never put another dollar into blockbuster as long as I live and let em know how I felt through an Email to the store. Come on a voodoo doll? Thats borderline crazy/pathetic. They are desperate the mexican fans are desperate they see their national team which is very strong with good players under achieving and seeing the only thing they had over the US slip into our favor, we own them in football. 

Another exciting thing about the match is that ussoccer.com is promoting the wear red campaign. They have cards you can print out that look pretty cool, and I anticipate a red third jersey. Sam's Army has always wore red even when the US stopped it as the national team jersey color but they want crew stadium to be filled with red. Just like when the Fire play there.....kil. I urge all of ye, my flock who reads, to watch the game. If you hate soccer give this game a chance you should become a fan, its gonna be cold, snowing/raining, players will be highly physical, the supporters are gonna be singing loud and proud and it may change your belief in this crazy thing called "soccer"

Thought of the Day: Where will you be watching the game, what red shirt will you wear, and what are your predictions? Who is your biggest rival (beside USA meixco)

Mine is possibly brether rice, or st. rita (killed em both)

Punky Chips Ahoy! Oi Oi Oi!

Alright so I am blog challenged still SO WHAT!? Well my last blog was kinda long about my excursion into Champaign Urbana. But Guess shwhat? I deleted it. Also, I am too lazy to re write it so I am gonna babble about what has been running through my mind for the past couple of days. That competitive edge I thought I lost. Just so happens we joined a indoor soccer league team name you ask, "A Few Good Men" I think its hilarious. But anyway the first game was a tough loss we had 5 good men 2 of which have some soccer experience, Mullen and myself. Mullen scored, Travis scored, I netted a goal. But we were no match for the feckin Delts. The frat just kept pouring subs onto us and we had no shot. the score was 5-3 but the last 4 minutes we couldn't move. I nearly threw up.

Walking back to the dorm just reminded me of all those volleyball practices that I know and miss so much. I remember a couple of times throwing up after em just from going balls out the entire times. SIDE NOTE! For some reason while doing sports I tend to relieve my stomach, ie Cross Country. But if there is one thing I miss most about Marist its probably that 08 volleyball team. I played on Attack during the club season with Keith and Dave and we become really close. Keith and I could just read each other so well mainly because he covered 90% of the court I just backed him up. But nothing beat high school season for me nothing. 

The 2 a days were my favorite. Why? I have no clue I loved to practice before then go again after it was great. I had Modern World issues mod A and would sleep through it but I didn't mind I knew the stuff anyway. But let me just tell ya aboot (Yes, I said "aboot") Game day. For me there wasn't a single most important day of the year except game day. I considered and was called an intense player. My game day rituals were nuts. I would go to the pre game meeting we usually had against formidable opponents, go home sleep for an hour/fill up on gator ade, and here is the weird part either take a shower at my house or school (usually school) then when it was about time to warm up I would brush my teeth, I had to I would feel like we would lose if we didn't then we would warm up and harass people running through the halls, when it was time to go out I would just sit and stare at myself in the mirror. One of those stares where nothing mattered around you and you thought of nothing. I would do this for a couple of minutes and then I would be so motivated it freaked me out. 

Honestly I can write a book about Marist mens volleyball just because it means that much to me. I would put 1,000% of effort into everything and was heart broken when it ended that I didn't want it to end. But I still have the memories, and even better shot at getting my old teammates a state champion medal. For a couple of months all the babys (juniors who are now seniors) have been talking to me because we were all a close knit group. And some have been worried about this year which is natural, some were worried about not being team captain, the regular stuff I went through. Well, I was a captain and I was very proud of it but it really doesn't mean anything. Anybody on a team can lead. and I know everybody on the upcoming team is a leader. Even little Garret Dempsey, Sophmore. I wasn't by far athletically talented or the biggest or the best but I tried the most I tried to, in practice get the "second" team or as we called ourselves "team two scrubs" to push the ones team. So that they would be better. I remember Pat Feltman looking dead because he never could be switched out he was our only middle. But if any of the Volleyball team is reading, at this point nobody probably is, kil, Listen up good boy, because you always have the ability to be a leader. You have 50-75 points a game to be a leader no matter who your playing. When I was playing I would think I 8ft tall because I would try to make so much noise and act like a hard ass all the time. Really, I am a big coward who hates confrontation. But thats the beauty of it, don't let the other team affect the game you should. You should want the ball every time on serve receive or you should want to get set even if you put the ball in the net or in the block 10 times in a row.  It's easy to feel sorry for yourself but turn it around and feel sorry for the other team because your gonna bounce the next one.

Ok I went on a huge rant there and I apologize but what I was going to say was I enjoy helping the guys out so much. I am maybe more excited for them this year than I was the last. I love having Mike Flavin text/call/Instant Message me saying woo hoo hoo, I would scream that during games. Honestly I can't wait to come home and watch them play and get involved with that program again. But I do realize that it is their time not mine anymore and I am kinda excited to sit in the stands like a retired player and watch them and yell at the ref when they don't make a call. I also like to be there for emotional support for when the guys are confused about what to do. Maybe thats why I want to be a high school teacher/coach so much. I enjoy learning about history and put the same about of passion in it as I did for volleyball. It's kinda of weird this first year at college. I don't know what I want to do but yet again I do. Obviously it going to be a bitch finding a job and I tell myself now I would never teach at Providence or Brother Rice but who knows what the future has.

If anybody is left I applaud you on surviving. I got thrown too far off course. I thought I was in India but really I ended up in North America, bad history joke.

Thought of The Day: What the hell does the title mean?