USA soccer, almost ready to man up

USA soccer, or Brazil's whipping boys if you prefer. They somehow manage to manhandle Spain 3-0. They get a chance at redemption against the "unbeatable" team. They have a 2-0 lead going into the second half. If you know anything about USA soccer, then I'm sure you can assume the result from there. That's right, of course, Brazil 3, USA 2. What a shocker. Well, all I can say about that is that it does seem as if the US team is gaining steam in the world. Playing better, SOMETIMES, against the better competition. Like the ladies cigarette from the 80's, they've come a long way baby. Let's just hope this isn't a flash or a glimmer, let's hope that this time it's for real. If soccer is ever going to take off in this country, the team has got to be good, it's got to have a superstar, and it's got to win. Without all 3 of those things, the fans will remain from every corner of the earth besides America.

Matty's Golf game (Hate or Appreciate?)

In the hilarious words of Fire Marshall Bill "Let me tell ya shomthin'". Actually it's hard not to have both emotions while dissecting his game. Ever since jump street when we were playing $5 Nassau's on the short course at the Marina, when we knew nothing about the game, we were evenly matched. At some point after he moved down south I began to play a lot more often, and starting improving, while his game languished in L.A. He started to play again, and quickly regained form, and improved his own game. A few years back he came up north for an 18 hole friendly, and ended up Tiger Woodsing us by numerous strokes at Sky West in Hayward. That obviously didn't sit too well with me.
I'm not an in your face kind of competitor, but boy do I hate losing. Anyway, time came again for him to come up for another challenge. This time it was just a stroll around an executive 9 at Mission Hills in Hayward. I have a myriad of excuses as to why I didn't play well that day, but none of it mattered because even playing better might not have been enough to beat him that day.
I am making a vow right now, to get my game into shape relatively soon, so that Matt can be given the challenge and the ass whooping that he so richly deserves. Hell, at this point, I'd be happy to make it competitive.
Alas, the answer to the original question is.......Apprecihate. I love Matt's game, his smooth, fluid swing, and his repetitive putting stroke. I hate that he is beating me with relative ease these days. So I'm firmly in the camp of Apprecihating his game right now.

A lull in my sporting year

The NBA Finals just came to an unthrilling end. The NHL was over in the first round yet again, thanks Sharkies. MLB is plodding right along at it's snails pace, and I've already begun thinking when the first fantasy football publication is coming out. I've plotted what spot I'm picking in the draft that doesn't happen for for over 3 months still. I'm so desperate for football that I'll even read about the niners when there is a story in the paper. Am I sick? Who cares, I love all sports, but football reigns supreme. So, it's at this time of the year, every year, that there is a 3 month lull in my sporting year. I've come to terms with this fact, and have taking up other hobbies for 3 months out of the year. Lets say that it's helping me become more well rounded. The countdown is on, tick, tick, tick until the first day of training camp, then pre-season, then the actual thing. Ah yes, anticipation, I can't wait for football to start again.

High School Reunion

Last Saturday night I went to my 2o year high school reunion party. I must say I didn't expect too much considering I know what these people were like in school. I was pleasantly surprised from those that actually attended. I ended up having a much better time than I thought I would. I saw a lot of familiar faces, some I remembered right away, others not so quickly. I caught up on old times with several old friends, had some drinks, and then heard the line of the night. "If you want to talk to Paul Sheridan, you'll have to do it on the dance floor, because that's where I'll be". Classic Sheridan moment. I know, you had to be there right? Anyway, it was a good time had by all, and a reminder that things aren't always what you think.

A taste of times past, present, & future

Recently my fiance and I were forced to move from our condo because the owners were forced into foreclosure. Our bubble was burst, and we thought that we wouldn't be able to find something that we liked nearly as much. Much to our surprise, we found what we were looking for on the very first day we looked.
Growing up in the suburbs in the east bay area of California, I became accustomed to living the slower life than that of the "city folk". Once I moved out on my own, I started gravitating more towards nature. First in the foothills of Garin regional park, then with a front row seat with a view of Mt. Diablo in Concord. Now, we've found a slice of heaven right here in the bay area. It's a sleepy little part of town, with no sidewalks, trees everywhere, and lots of nice friendly people. Going from washer & dryers, dishwashers, and all the mod-cons that people of this day are used to. Now we are on a septic system (watch what you flush), with no dishwasher, no washer dryer, and guess what? We couldn't be happier. I think that this is the first of many forays into our future, and the future has determined that we are going to become one with nature.
Up next on the list of things to do at the new cottage; compost pile, rain water collection barrel, and what the hell, maybe we'll just import Ed Bagley Jr. to come live with us. Would I mind riding my stationary bicycle for 20 minutes to eat some toast? Probably not, but you have to start somewhere right? Right! This is the first day of the rest of our lives, and it's getting off on the right foot.