Soccer Time

Well I just spent two days down in Dallas. My under 19 girls team had to play two games and win one of two to qualify for the final round of qualifying this next weekend. You see 18 teams are trying for 9 openings. We have now gotten down to 12 teams going for 9 spots. We won and we are one of the 12 looking to not be embarrasseed by being one of three teams to get kicked to the curb. Confusing, well trying figuring that out and coach 15 girls that are 16,17 and 18 years of age in this heat. To be serious its not a fun thing with temps on the field registering 113 (we played one game on turf. I surveyed and am convinced that I lose weight simply because I sweat twelve pounds off everytime I'm outside and am too nausious to eat for 6 hours after.
I have 6 days until two a days start here at the University. Scary!! My team will be competitive but young and not real deep. Two bad injuries could crush me. We will have 1 senior. about four Jrs., then 7 sophs, and 12 fresh!!!! Insert tears. Like I said before I will keep a diary and have proof of my ulcer/heart attack symptoms. I do look forward to preseason though. Its like Christmas all the girls I've recruited I get to see how they play against my returners. Fun times!1 Sometimes its a really cool gift (second season of Deadwood) or sometimes its a fake smile gift (socks/tie).
Goodnight I'm watching VH1 classic as I type this please tell me I really didn't think these outfits were cool. Dang it I already know the answer!

Todays Quiz
Three best videos (music) ever seen
1. November Rain (GnR)
2. Thriller (Michael Jackson)
3. Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi)
Answers?

Later

TV Land

Summer television is good night awful! So you think you can dance or America's got talent (which apparently is number one on television) is killing brain cells. I have really lost hope in mankind this summer. Even Treasure Hunters - my summer favorite - isn't Amazing Race. Ohh they try to produce it but there is huge holes in the drama. First of all why do all the teams just follow each other around. Every week the team that arrives last is really the team that doesn't follow the smarter team to the clues. Amazing Race separates the field with challenges and obscene travel schedules.
I am looking forward to the Fall and Studio insert number (I forget the title). Its from the creators of West Wing and has a great cast. Hopefully it will provide the writing and drama that West Wing provided. I'm a lot like Josh - I really only have time for a certain number of shows in the Fall - so the first few weeks of Premieres are very stressful trying to find a good show to add to the rotation. Current rotation: Monday Night Football, Amazing Race, Survivor, Apprentice, and Lost. I hope to add a few to my regular rotation but my rule is once I have missed the first season I wait to start watching it until I get caught up on DVD. Example: I'm am always a season behind on 24.

Alright lets get negative I need comments on the three worst shows you have ever watched!!

Here are mine
1. Joey
2. Murder, she wrote
3. Any Real World season, after the first in New York

Later

Hammer time

Vacation is over. We arrived back in Texas at 11:30pm last night. We drove all day which is something we will not do again. The boys are just to high maintanence for us to try to get 1,000 miles in one day at a reasonable time. We had a great time and I was worried about being able to actually relax during my time away from Texas. I really had a great time with both sets of parents and I truly appreciate their time and money they gave to us.
I haven't given you an update on my NASCAR experience. It was awesome boys and girls. I can not even begin to tell you how much fun I had. Those dang cars are loud! If you're looking for cutoff shirts and beer bellies you have the crowd at a NASCAR race. Of course my first official race I go to and Jeff, the cry baby, Gordan wins. Its O.K. though - thats how much I loved it - I will survive seeing the girly man win and still enjoy my afternoon.
Going back to the first paragraph - I'm now ready for my four months of high pressure soccer. I have relaxed and am ready to mix it up with parents, other teams, officials and myself. I've decided since this may be my most challenging season - to make a diary of the entire season. If we are successful then I'll sell it - if not then I'll say to my kids - "this is why Daddy got fired today!

Just kidding - I hope

Later

Ohio time

My wife has updated everyone on our trip so far. I wanted to back Kirk up on the impact that I received at the Casting Crowns concert. It was so much more than a concert. It truly was a time of praise and worship. The songs were awesome of course, the real fun was hearing their purpose and vision for what the groups ministry really was. I really relate to people that know themselves and do not take themselves to seriously. They told stories about the teens in their youth group and showed the meaning behind their songs. I love that - I really like hearing the behind the scenes stuff. The story behind I'll praise you in this storm was mind blowing. I won't tell it all but basically the song is a testiment to a mom whos daughter was dying and she was in contact with the group and would send them letters about her child's health. Her testimony was how she was still praising God even though her daughter was dying. I thought the song dealt with us as Christians waiting for God to deliver us into Heaven. I was a tad off - first time ever. If you hear the song now it has even more meaning and impact knowing the Faith this Mother showed. I really enjoyed and was touched by the concert.
I'm going to switch gears a little now - what in the world are the Cincinnati Reds doing. They need about four new relief pitchers!! They have blown four games now when they had leads and the starter left the game - very frustrating!! They just traded for one relief pitcher and that should help, I only hope its not to late!!
We leave today to go to my parents but have had a great week at my inlaws. I appreciate all the stuff Grammy and Grampy do for my boys and the Love they show our whole family! Its been a while since I have been able to get away from Texas (not counting London and Hawaii) and truly be relaxed. I usually am calling back to the club I work for or the school and deal with problems. I look forward to next week at my parents and by the end of that week I should have my battery recharged to go forward to next season with MSU. I know I have one of the easiest jobs in the world but the months of Aug. - Nov. really drain me and the success of my season truly dictates how the rest of the months go. Point is - its nice to be able to relax here and be ready for the season. Going to Chicagoland tomorrow and CANNOT wait for the race. My Fahter in law got my ready by taking me to the dirt tracks here in Lima to watch the races last night. They were brillant! I'll talk more on that later - sorry Alyssa I know you can't wait to hear more on that and my NASCAR adventure tomorrow!!

Later