End of the year...

This past year had its ups and downs but I definitely feel that I am better off this New Year's than last year at this same time... I am no longer in the relationship that sucked away my soul and took my life spirit out of my body. For some reason, I stayed with someone that didn't support me personaly and professionally; someone that was greedy and self-centered and wanted more from me...Nothing was ever, EVER good enough for her. But for some reason, I stuck around and tried to develop something...even when she tried to change me (and not necessarily for the best) She didn't support me and she even suggested that I should stop chasing my dreams and to just settle so that she could be happy. So I thought that I was happy but this was a facade as I was fooled into think that I was happy. But let's fast forward to the present as I'm very happy with my job, with my new friends (and my old friends too) and with the outlook on my future. I think that 2007 will still have its ups and downs but I'm excited about the possibilities and I have confidence in saying that next year at this time I'll be in a better place and very happy.

Wih the goal that I scored on the ice at Verizon Center a couple of weeks ago, I can cross something off of my life's to do list: I have scored on the professional fields of play for 5 major sports including catching a touchdown pass at Ravens Stadium, hit a home run at Fenway Park, a goal at RFK and a layup at a few NBA arenas. :) I have been very blessed and am very thankful for the people and groups that have made my dreams come true.

Hopefully I will be as lucky in love in 2007 as I have been in other endeavors in the past (Yes Frank, I love you too but I have eyes for another...)

Another week...

After a meeting that lasted a little more than an hour, I have a new respect for GMGM. Not only is he very knowledgeable about the sport of hockey, he is smart in how he deals with people. He understands that being a GM for a professional sports franchise isn't just about getting the best players (often the great parts do not result in a great team, just ask the Redskins), but is a just like any other business where interpersonal relationships are key. He understands that he may get the best of another team's GM today, but that can only lead to trouble down the road. He also understands that patience is a very positive trait to have especially in the "what have you done for me lately" world of sports.

Despite being the only person over the age of six that fell on the ice, I had a great time at our company holiday party. Thanks to Clark for letting me use his stick to attempt my first slap and wrist shots as well as my somewhat decent passing and receiving skills. Hopefully after lots of practice I will have a better showing at next year's party. And I don't care what anyone says, I could beat Ovie in a skating race!

Back on the personal front, Softball Girl and I went to a Caps game one night before the holidays and went to see the National Christmas Tree another night. The tree evening included a nice holiday dinner at Hard Rock with yummy Mac n' Cheese. She's out of town for the rest of the holidays and yes, I actually do miss her. She is amazing and there is just something about her that makes me very warm and fuzzy inside.

More updates coming soon as I promise this page will have postings more often...

It's finally update time

Sorry that it has been a while since my last posting but things have been crazy with things in the office (a four game winning streak!), the holidays (too much turkey!) and some crazy nights out on the town (I slept where?!)…

I started this blog with the idea that my focus would be on sports with a some random anecdotes thrown in…It obviously has turned out to be the other way around…

But let’s update matters of my heart first… The Caps winning a game happened before my next date with softball girl… The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, she was busy packing to go home so we didn’t go out before Thanksgiving but I did get a very nice little Thanksgiving greeting from her on that Thursday…

Despite Brash challenging the entire Thrashers lineup to fights, I left the game early and headed home to see some longtime friends. It was great catching up with people but I can’t believe that I paid $10 to get into a club in Western Maryland! I don’t pay that much in D.C.! There is nothing like the comfort of spending time with the “Home Team” enjoying the evening with laughs, stories and some bad dancing. After surviving a Thanksgiving meal with the family, “Home Team” reunited to start what I am sure will become a Thanksgiving tradition across this country: that’s right, we went to a strip club. Let me tell you, some of the saddest, loneliest people in the entire world can be found in a strip club on the night of a holiday, trying to forget their troubles in a glass of beer and finding happiness in the Champagne Room.

Friday night, it was back to work as the Caps lost another game but “Home Team” was in the arena. I made the mistake of sitting them in the players’ family section so Newbs and JK were busy gawking at their fellow fans. Plus their necks were strained from trying to take in every single Puck Bunny in sight!

The following Tuesday began a trend of going out for “just one drink” but staying out until very early the next morn… The “Caps Rat Pack” (Thanks to Harry for the moniker) headed to our usual watering hole to help me take my mind off of what happened earlier in the day. Softball girl pulled out the old “let’s be friends” line… WHAT?!? Let’s be friends?? I already have friends and I would consider her a friend but I was looking for more than that… Someone that I can share stories and laughter with, someone to throw snowballs at then sit by the fire with her in my arms…is that too much to ask?! So we moved from the drinking establishment to VC for the Wizards game… Most people go to the arena with the intention of entering the seating bowl and actually watching the game; not us! We walked around the concourse and up to the Dewar’s Club, just drinking, laughing and having a grand ol time. Things might have gotten just a little out of hand when JB had to hold up a wall and when gravity was (successfully) attempting to tip her drink over.

Wednesday I was supposed to attend a happy hour with my championship winning softball team (yes, the same team that has a roster spot for Softball Girl) but I ditched to deal with some things with a potential sponsor of ours. (Greenie is happy because of this!)

Thursday was another hockey game followed by another trip to Clydes where I got the chance to meet the Southern Accent girl, Hot-is-she-pregnant girl and random girl. Out til way too late once again.

But Friday was one of THOSE nights where I was definitely “That Guy”. Happy Hour with people from work at the ESPNZone, lots of fun and games and yummy food. I was going to head home when someone found my Achilles heel: sushi and karaoke! So after meeting Karaoke Girl, defending the duct tape microphone from angry girl and eating WAY too much sushi, I woke up in my car in the parking garage. Argh! At least I was smart and safe that evening. So I left the parking garage, drove home, showered and turned around to drive back to work! ARGH! Another night out after our game then up at 8am for tailgating at the Maryland Potatoes game on Sunday. By the time I got home, it was sleepy time for me. So that was 4 games in six days with a 45 minute karaoke performance thrown in there.

This week was much more low-key and I was beginning to not really think about any ladies until I was asked out by Softball Girl for Thursday and I ran into Book Girl after the Caps game last night. The date was straight out of a movie: when we reached the top of the stairs at the metro stop, the snow flurries were gently falling to Earth. We picked up our pottery pieces in Cleveland park then went window shopping and to dinner in Pentagon City. No kiss, just friends, remember?

At my kindergarten graduation, every student had to stand up and read some cute line from a book, cartoon or movie. My quote was from Peanuts: “True love is being able to spot her from across the playground.” I will never forget that quote. It was very applicable last night as my heart skipped a beat when Book Girl walked past me at the crowded bar. Since I was sporting the “winning streak beard”, I don’t think she recognized me at first. Of course, she was in the back room surrounded by VIPs. But she still gave me the time of day and a hug (what a fantastic hug!). She was actually the last person that I kissed (a great kisser and someone that I feel a connection with whenever I’m around her). She does seem to yo-yo my heart and seems very upfront about things… Now only if she had a little more time for me…

Losing Stinks!!

What will happen first: A Caps win or my next date with Ms. Softball a.k.a. the unkissable girl?
A kiss or the Caps winning in the shootout?

Let the countdown begin...

It's midnight Sunday evening...

That means:
Less than 96 hours until Turkey Day!!
Less than 72 hours until the next Caps home game (v. ATL...hanging with the A-T-L, baby!)
Less than 15 hours until yummy lunch at Charlie Palmer's overlooking the Capital building...

And the most anticipated countdown in the history of the world:
Less than 48 hours until THE date that will define the relationship, guide the ship (hopefully in the right direction) and earn me back my "man card". I believe that Al Michaels and John Madden are scheduled to provide coverage of this truly historic event!

Sports news:
Soriano gets paid (Cha-ching!) and becomes a lovable loser with the Cubs...
Donovan has a boo-boo on his knee and will miss the rest of the season for the Eagles...
Maryland Potatoes lose again despite having J.C. as the starter!
The Seahawks lost but will finally have both Shaun and Matt back (and are still in first place!)
Caps lose again in OT in Beantown but are still averaging 1.1 points per game which will put them just outside of the playoffs this year. If they can perform a little better in the shootout and get a lucky bounce or two in OT, I think that they will be participating in some bonus hockey this year.

Both look good in a tuxedo but Happy Feet nudges out Casino Royale at the box office this weekend. I'm excited to see both of these movies as well as Borat over the next week.

Random thought: If Flower Girl keeps using me for different favors, is it okay for me to use her back for free stuff and tickets? If both parties use each other and know that they are doing it, does it make it okay?

Potatoes, Sunshine and Happiness

The Maryland Potatoes picked up a huge win this weekend with a wild play of a block of an attempted field goal by the Cowboys. I was surprised by the number of fans that were flocking from FedEx Field during the 4th quarter even though the outcome was far from decided. Mr. Snyder, when someone throws up in the middle of the walkway during the first quarter, I would like to see this mess cleaned up sometime during the game! Walking past stale vomit does NOT expand my football experience. Also, the prices are a little too high including $4 for a bag of peanuts the same size that they serve on an airline!

D.C. United: I love you but you can't just mail in the 2nd half of the regular season then expect to turn on the magical "superstar" switch for the playoffs. The team struggled in the regular season and those same struggles stalked the team during the short playoff run. Coach, why in the name of Thor's hammer would you take out Adu, your best playmaker today, to try and "create a spark" for the team? You don't need a spark when you already have fire (Adu). No wonder the kid wants to pack his bags and head to Europe.

The Caps finally won in Philly but they should have won the game on Friday against division leading Atlanta. Hopefully our boys will develop that killer instinct as the season goes on. Next game: Monday against the Ottawa Senators.

Monday's Musings...

Rutgers is 12th in the BCS? The BCS is based on formulas and a huge component is the human polls where supposed "experts" list their top 25 teams... Do you really think that there are only 11 teams in the nation better than the boys in Jersey? That LSU, Wisconsin or Oklahoma, all of which are ranked behind Rutgers, would lose in a bowl game? That the game would even be close?? It's great that Rutgers is undefeated but beating a 3-5 UConn team by only 11 at home is not the same as the rough league schedules that other teams face. I'd rather have my team lose by 3 to a team like THE Ohio State University or Michigan than to win against the cupcakes that Rutgers (who used to be their own cupcake) has played this year... Give me a call in December when Rutgers has two losses courtesy of real teams like Louisville and West Virginia... Rutgers wouldn't be within two touchdowns in a bowl game to ANY team in the top 25!

F. Adu... he's still Mr. Future of Soccer because after yesterday's game, we know that he's not the present of soccer... Standing around, not going for the ball, terrible decision making and please, Freddie, go to your right for once!! And if he's such a "huge star" and a game-changing player, why was pulled when DC needed a goal most? When the game was on the line, where was F.A.?? On the bench! You wouldn't have Jordan/Ovechkin/Ruth/Elway on the bench during these critical moments, would you?!

The Caps practice facility in Arlington gets a name this week which shows that we are one step closer to actually opening the place. Two rinks and tons o' fun!!

After much debate and inner reflection, I have decided on one female to direct all of my attention and give her my heart. However, even though she has stated an interest in me and we've spent many evenings together out on the town, I am yet to secure that magical first kiss. Here's the dilemma: neither one of us are into PDA and since we've only ever spent time in public, it makes it very difficult to "make a move". Add to that the fact that I live over an hour away from D.C. and time out of the public eye is very limited. Any suggestions as to how I go about landing that first kiss??

Thanks

Sorry to all (three) of my loyal readers... It's been a while since I've posted but between happy hours, work and oh yeah, knee surgery, I've been a little busy... If you see a gentleman hopping around 7th and F in downtown D.C., pay him no attention. He's on his way to or from work.

Despite the pain in my knee, I have decreased the pain in my heart... I've been trying to decide between three (un)lucky women: book girl, softball chick and flower woman. All are relatively new in my life, all pure of heart and beautiful. I've had amazing times in the simplest of settings with all three. But one has drawn my favor...one I see myself with, not in a short term capacity but potentially for more (which is a big step for me to even think).

On a different note, drunk drama is too much for me to handle anymore... Beers & Tears? Um, no thanks... I'll take my bars with friends, songs and fun...

How cool is this??

White Sox thank heaven for 7-Eleven

The defending champion Chicago White Sox aren’t involved in the playoffs this year, so they have all the time in the world to dream up bizarre sponsorship deals. This morning comes word that they’ve struck an agreement with 7-Eleven to change the first pitch of all evening games, for the next three seasons, to 7:11 p.m., moving some back from 7:05 and some up from 7:35. In exchange, 7-Eleven will cough up a cool half-million dollars, which is one-twenty-eighth of Jim Thome’s 2006 salary (although $160,000 more than Bobby Jenks made this year). The AP quotes one observer who says, “Whether they like it or not, all the media outlets will have to say, ‘The game time is 7:11.’ And you’re not talking about a change that inconveniences anyone.” And that’s why they call it a convenience store. AM/PM would probably have no luck if it tried to have every other game played in the morning.



This is a great idea (Wish that I would have thought of it!)...it's product placement that doesn't interfere with the actual game. Just the fact that this is a news story is worth the money that 7-11 is paying to the White Sox.

>FYI: There is no truth to the rumor that all Caps games will begin at 7:45 pm as a part of their new sponsorship deal with Colt 45!

Oh what a night!!

It's fun to go out, meet people, mingle, smile and have a grand ol' time...

But sometimes it's nice to have some quality alone time... like I had tonight.

Sitting out on the deck, underneath the stars, smoking a Cuban and listening to some great music. Very calming and relaxing... Relaxing is something that I haven't tried in a looooooooong time so it was great to do that this evening. Alone time to think, unwind and stare at the stars! They twinkle so far away yet I still try to reach for them.

So what's the first thing I do now that I'm relaxed?? I write my blog, of course! Thanks to DCSC and Buggie for getting me hooked on this!

Down with FedEx

Forget for a minute that FedEx has partnered with the Evil Empire (a.k.a. the Washington Redskins)...
It cost me $50 to send a package to Las Vegas in two days even though a $150 flight would get ME there in a couple of hours... Then, when THEY got the zip code wrong, they charged me another $10!! The zip code was still in town, actually just off of the Strip a bit but apparently it was too much work to look at the hotel's address and think, "Hey, maybe the zip code is incorrect but I still have enough information to deliver this package containing sunshine!" Also, instead of arriving at its destination today, it won't be delievered until TOMORROW...A DAY LATE!! As my mom would say, "That's life in the big city."

There's an ouch-ie on my pee pee!!

(The title is from an infamous quote made tonight! Another line taken out of context! What a crowd!)

Just got back from celebrating a friend's birthday... It was great to see so many smiling faces and so many nekkid cows (Loooong story!). Time again to reflect on the past year and to plan for the upcoming year. Even though it's not my birthday, I'm facing a time of reflection. The past year was good but the upcoming year has so much potential to be a truly great, GREAT year. It's one of those times that can define a lifetime. So much uncertainty but I thrive on the unknown; I can develop the uncertainty into my own fate.

Random thoughts:
Congrats to my sister on not only snagging the top grade in her class but also getting the new job she wanted. Movin' on up in the world!!

I haven't been to Vegas in a little over a year...that's too long of a time! It's time to go back, soon!

...Michael Jackson - good music, scary guy!

Kill the Golfers? Oh, the gophers! That makes more sense!

This just in...

Those of you who have seen the photo of Alex Ovechkin practicing his golf swing will probably be surprised to hear this, but Ovechkin just hit a hole in one during the Caps Care Classic at the Springfield Golf and Country Club in Springfield, Va.

Ovechkin took a shot on the par-3, 160-yard fourth hole that landed short of the green and rolled in.

In fairness, Ovechkin had been practicing at that hole for some time, meeting each group as it came through. But a hole in one is a hole in one …

Seriously, he has a TERRIBLE golf swing... But without a goal in the preseason, it's nice to see him "putting the biscuit in the basket"! Hopefully this trend will continue this weekend at Verizon Center!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=voEiQco4KX0

Fantasy life?

Despite being toward the bottom in points in my fantasy football league, my team, The Thunder Thighs, are going to be 3-1 on the year! I still think 14 teams is too big of a league; it restricts free agency and every trade is a lopsided one. But fantasy football got me to thinking...
What if we fantasy other things? Like you could win cash or prizes based on your team's performance in random measuring points, like:

- Coworkers' consumption of alcohol (big bonuses for shots)
- Friends failed relationships (points for who breaks up with whom)
- Your commute to work (you'd drive faster if you knew it affected your fantasy team)
- The amount of work actually completed in the office (versus spending time surfing the net or writing in a blog!)

I'd actually spend the time ranking my coworkers and friends based on how many fantasy points they were worth to me! What would happen if their fantasy based value was more important than their credit score or other measuring stick already established in our society??

Clutch goals, Happy returns and.... Polka Music??

Seriously, you meet someone and hit it off...they are having a good time, you are having a good time, everyone is laughing and full of sunshine... Great evening of free tickets, good food and great company. So how would you end the evening?? With a coworker shoving his hand down some girl's shirt and bra!! Not the typical end of the evening! The evening started with a nice happy hour and drinking with the Caps' enforcer. Some fun stories and a bar later, "the incident" happened. Hopefully, all parties have resolved the issue and we can move in a positive direction. Plus, I have more free tickets.

Glad to have "Little Newb" back in the U.S. after a very successful tour of Iraq. Regardless of your view of whether we should be there or not, we need to support our troops. I'm very proud of everything "Little" did and I'm glad that he was welcomed back with open arms (and a great picnic).

Nothing against polka music or flute instrumentals, but they don't belong at a hockey game. No wonder the players looked so uninterested in the game!! Nothing gets you fired up like some polka before a face-off. Attendance was surprisingly strong especially considering there were home games for the Ravens, Redskins and the Nationals. Less than a week until the regular season home opener!!

Sorry, nothing too juicy or exciting today; the Seahawks lack of an offense is bringing me down! :(

We're Back!! (And so is The Curse!)

There are times when sports are just another form of entertainment...we watch millionaires square off against other millionaires while making tons of cash for their billionaire owners. We cheer, we boo, we drink and enjoy the experience. But there are rare times when sports transcend entertainment, when they become more than "just sports". Whether it be a political or social movement through sports (Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games or the 1980 "Miracle on Ice"); the inspirational (Autistic high school student Jason McElwain scoring 20 points in his only game appearance); or the emotional (Bo Kimble shooting left-handed free throws in memory of his fallen teammate, Hank Gathers), sports can be more. Sports helped as a distraction after 9/11 as G.W. Bush's fastball for a strike during the 2001 World Series might have been his best move ever.
Last night, the New Orleans Saints and the NFL helped to showcase the strength and resolve of the American spirit to the world. Yes, it was only a football game. But it was just that... a game. Things aren't back to normal in La. and they won't be for many years but last night was an opportunity for New Orleans to say, "We are here." Sports parallel life and in this case, very closely. As the Saints were a team without a home, so too were many thousands in the area. The Saints sought refuge in other areas and were welcomed with open arms. So too were the survivors of the hurricanes as donations from around the world poured in and several families (including some in our area) opened up their homes and hearts to these people.
These are moments that might not make lots of money or bring home championship trophies; instead, these are moments that create memories, life lessons as to what people can do when they see a barrier and push themselves right through. These "goosebump" producing moments are few and far between, but when they happen, I am proud to love sports!

...On a completely different note, I'm worried about this Madden Curse. Now that the Seahawks' running back, Shaun Alexander, will be out with a broken foot, I'm worried that other Electronic Arts video game cover athletes might be in danger. Elliot Sadler appeared on the cover of the NASCAR game and weeks after the deal was announced, he dropped in the point standings and changed teams. With less than two weeks until the start of hockey season, I'm worried about the NHL 07 cover boy, our very own Alex Ovechkin. He missed Sunday's game in Hershey with a "minor" injury which shouldn't keep him out for any more games. My suggestion: when he's not on the ice, Ovechkin should be wrapped in several layers of bubble wrap. That way he will stay healthy and fit in between games.

...The Tigers are in the playoffs?!?! The same Tigers that have lost over 90 games the past 5 straight years, haven't been over .500 since '93 and lost 119 games in 2003? These Tigers are tied with the Yankees for the best record in the AL and fighting for home field advantage! And they are doing all of this with the 14th highest payroll (40% of the Yankee payroll!)

Happiness is out there...somewhere...right?

As any other great tale that you've heard in the past, this story involves a boy and a girl. The boy (tall, dark and well, two out of three isn't bad) and the girl (very smart, fun, beautiful with a great sense of humor) met a couple of weeks ago. The boy wasn't sure at first since he just enjoys meeting new people and loving life. But the girl flashed a smile and flicked her hair (just like in the shampoo ads) and the boy's heart skipped a beat. She's amazing, but not US Weekly or People Magazine amazing....NO, she's better than that...she's the reason that poetry was invented and why men climb mountains. He feels like the king of the castle when he walks by her side and the world melts away when he looks deeply into her eyes. The boy isn't looking for a declaration of love at this point, rather, he'd like a signal so that he knows that she is interested in him.

My ideal relationship, as in the person that I'd marry, would be the ultimate in "Friends with Benefits". It would be a person that I'd be best friends with, someone that I have a great time with, can make me smile, can challenge me and can say so much without making a peep... someone that makes me want to be a better person, someone that I can travel the world with or read the Sunday paper with... oh and that I would want to give lots of hugs and kisses

On that note, think how easy dogs have it... They walk up to each other, sniff each others' butts and if they like what they smell, they go at it. Maybe that would break down any semblance of order in our society, but it would make waiting for the Metro that much more interesting!

First Blog Post

I used to read 'Highlights' magazine all the time when I was little but it wasn't available on news stands and I never knew how to subscribe to it (Remember, I was a little kid). The only place you could ever get your grubby little fingers on an issue was at the doctor's office. I would look everywhere but behold, that was the only place to find it.

On another note, RNR is exactly the same as Coyote Ugly but they cleaned some of the seats. Still awkward but fun. I'll try more places then report back in.

Current happiness level: 99% (Just uncertain about some things, that's all)