I'm back!

In my first post back into the blogging world it might be appropriate to reference one of the distractions and a large reason for my absence. In a fine exhibition of what it means to be a Hokie, last Thursday night my boys in maroon and orange traveled back into town to remind some pretty boys in Charlottesville who's boss. Not that I think anyone had forgotten about what happened in November, but I think it was about time to get a good show in the JPJ Arena- it has been a while since we last played basketball there.

In all seriousness though, I hope BOTH teams do really well. I was excited to see the new coach, Tony Bennett, had led the team to a fine mid-season record of 12-4ish, and Tech was sitting pretty high at something around there too. I can't wait to see what the rest of the ACC season has in store! Tech looks as good as ever playing our (which happens to be my) style of basketball- good defense, and hard work. It isn't pretty, and it ain't easy, but it is tough to play against! I think Seth is pulling the guys together behind Malcolm Delaney and we have a good shot at getting to the tournament- once we take care of those darned Tar Heels this Thursday. Speaking of the Tar Heels, go CAVS! Beat UNC (or at least take out a couple guys and help the Hokies out)! UVA takes them on tonight in Chapel Hill! Go Hoos!

The big day

Tonight, I get to see a battle of epic proportions. For two months now I've been awaiting this day and it is FINALLY upon us! I've only been to two live MLS soccer matches, but tonight marks my indoctrination into European football. In just over an hour, I'm leaving for Baltimore to watch Chelsea topple the Italian greats, A.C. Milan. Last time I went to D.C. to watch Chelsea play D.C. United in what was an action-packed game. I even got to say, "what's up?" to Christian Gomez (we aren't really best buds, ie. he isn't actually telling me how awesome I am in this picture...). Chelsea even warmed-up right in front of us, which blew my mind. Am I really this close to John McFriggin Terry? Is that Didier Drogba?!? WHAT? Who? Frank Lampard?!
Our seats aren't as great this time, but it is going to be a FULL stadium and it is going to be bouncin'. I can't wait, I just hope the DC traffic doesn't get in my way, LOOK OUT!

Me. Competitive? NAH!

For as long as I can remember I've been described as a 'competitive' person. Sometimes, I enjoy being described with that adjective, but over the last couple of years it's grown to really bother me when someone uses that word in reference to me- especially when they don't even know me or I'm not behaving in such a manner.

Last weekend I took time to explain to my sister (-in-law, shout out to the one and only, Jac Attack) that there is a difference between being competitive and enjoying competition. Some people are just plain competitive. This type of person loves to assert authority over others while not necessarily enjoying the activity involved. It probably stems from some type of insecurity or chip-on-the-shoulder. I have to admit, every once in a while, like once in a blue moon, I will let this guy in me outside to play. However, it is usually when someone is talking trash out the side of their head and their BS is starting to fowl up my breathing air. I love bringing people back down to Earth (or at least trying to). OK, so shoot me.

Others simply participate in an event and while the outcome doesn't matter to them, they can relish in the sweaty play-by-play action. Not knowing who is going to triumph over the other ignites the spirit and encourages hard play and determination. No one really cares about winning the match- it isn't the final resting point that they care about, it is the journey. I love a hard fought battle on the soccer field that puts me to sleep at night.

I don't think Jaclyn, her mom, or her great uncle really bought it necessarily. I mean, maybe there would've been a better time to have a discussion (perhaps outside of an intense ping-pong match....) but still!!



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Now playing: Eliso Bolkvadze - Piano Sonata in C-Sharp Minor "Moonlight", Op. 27/2: III. Presto
via FoxyTunes

Maybe it isn't an old man's game

Last Friday was another first for me. Our department organized the 9th Annual CMB golf tournament and covered the greens fees for all graduate students and post-d0cs. Now usually I'd express more interest in politics or topology than golf, but with the minimal cost (only had to pay for a golf cart) and an excuse to have an extended weekend, I just couldn't pass it up!

Since signing our team up, the Smith Lab members (Julie, Greg, and I) planned to try our hands at the driving range several times before the tournament. Unfortunately, with the hurricane rain over the last two weeks, it never happened- leaving 3 out of 4 members of our team to play the tournament without any golf experience. I think we must've played fairly well, given country club employees harassed us only THREE times to notify us that we were an entire hole behind the team ahead of us and we were clogging up their course. Apparently the team format and playing the best hit ball doesn't help the speed of play if no one on the team actually knows how to play. It certainly didn't help that I sweat more than I did during the 10 miler back in April. Now that I think about it too, it probably wasn't smart to look like we knew what we were doing (and not) nor to start taking pictures of each other teeing off of the first hole, right in front of the clubhouse. I think we raised red flags on ourselves early.

All in all, it was a well-spent 6 hours for my first 18 holes ever. I don't think I found the sweet spot, nor did I hit a hole-in-one, but it is definitely my new hobby. Oh, and Play It Again Sports made my day yesterday. If you need sports equipment but don't want to pay full price for them, they can't be beat!


**Pic courtesy of Julie McClure, team captain and winner of most fashionably dressed (according to herself)



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Now playing: The All-American Rejects - Gives You Hell
via FoxyTunes

The Greatest Game in the World.

Do you smell that? (Actually, it has nothing to do with picture, but OUCH) It's in the air again, the pollen is collecting in throats and the sweat is accumulating on upper lips . This is soccer weather. After months of playing indoor or just settling for a run, I can finally play real soccer again!

I was supposed to play soccer golf with my buddy this afternoon, but he has the audacity to call me two hours before it's time to tee-off and claims some little lady came in for surgery in the Ob-Gyn department where he's rotating... so I guess I have to take the back-burner to his career and some chic's yoo hoo. How's that supposed to make me feel? What is a guy left to do after having his soccer hopes dashed so quickly? I decided I could settle for some pick-up, I guess.

I thought I'd be settling, but instead I was reminded why soccer is the greatest game in the world. No other sport is more widely appreciated. It truly is the one reason I even question my patriotism- maybe I'm part Brazilian. At a pick-up game.

My experiences with pick-up games are limited to basketball, soccer, ultimate, and a little bit of football. Nothing is quite like soccer though. Only on a soccer field have I ever found Nigerians, Brits, Jamaicans, and Americans all uniting to enjoy the beauty of one game. And by beauty, I mean sheer brilliance. Most sports end-up with bickering about cheap fouls, but this afternoon it was very different-I heard lots of "Niiiiiice ball" and "Grrrreat shot." I've witnessed several fights playing basketball- all of course unwarranted, but on such a perfect evening it only seemed appropriate to christen the season with such a fantastic display of the sport. Gosh it feels good to be back.

Then again, I may just be shocked to have found a group of guys that could actually play soccer at UVA. I was under the impression that UVA guys sipped on Zima whilest playing Bocce ball in their plaid shorts and Polo sweaters on the Lawn. Well, maybe they'd occassionally take a break from tossing their balls around to complain about the caviar.

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Now playing: The Wedding - Say Your Prayers
via FoxyTunes

Almost a Year

SO I knew we had been together almost an entire year when Jordan and I were talking just now, and she asked about the Lakers- Nuggets game we were watching. "Who is winning the series? Oh yea, wait, this is Game One." WHAT? Jordan, did I hear that right? Before I came around she probably thought a nugget was something you flushed down the toilet. Now she is talking about NBA games and Eastern vs. Western conference series.

I am so proud of Jordan learning the NBA play-off system and putting up with me watching series that involve SEVEN games, and she just might be able to tell you who's survived into the conference finals. Next up, the MLS!! She WILL be a D.C. United fan :)