View From The Couch

This is what a typical Saturday looks like in our household: Andrea grabs a book while I watch whatever sporting event is on and Jade snuggles up with Andrea and pretends to watch the game along with Daddy.

I love the view from my couch!

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Am I Taking Coaching Too Far?

As you can see from my post yesterday, we did a lot of soccer outside. It was great to be back in a coaching role again. I was so excited about it that I totally forgot about CP's Council Meeting (sorry Pastor Gary!). Anyways, while I was outside, I grabbed some footage of my little soccer star grinding out the dribbling drills. I had to look like a total nerd with my mega camcorder in hand, chasing Jade all over. Anyways, it was well worth it as you can see below!

In case you wanted to hear more of the song:

Soccer and Spaghetti

I rushed home today so Jadyn and I could play outside. Today I was going to teach Jade the basics of soccer. I'll post some video later. After soccer practice, my beautiful wife made a pasta dinner for us all and we ate it outside on our new patio furniture. A nice end to a day tht already had me having lunch with the President of our parent company, Brown & Brown. I love warm weather!!!

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Why Wouldn't I Be Watching Basketball Right Now?

That's why....Jade wants to watch herself in the mirror....

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Weekend Away Day 2

Unless you live in a hole, I don't need to provide details on the crazy happenings in basketball yesterday. Purdue's loss in overtime, IU's loss on a last second desperation shot by Minnesota, or the crazy weather that blasted a hole in the Georgia Dome....which is causing havoc for the SEC and their ability to get their tourney in before Selection Sunday. WHAT A DAY!!!

I love college sports. Watching the games in the Fieldhouse was great because you get to see the various school colors clumped together throughout the venue. Fans driving from all over to dedicate four days of their life to college basketball. It is truly an amazing event.

Andrea and I are enjoying lunch at the Cheesecake Factory before we continue on our day without a child around. We just finished buying me some shoes and dress shirts...yes, I know, Metrosexual, but I love my clothes.

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OSU vs. MSU

Crowd is more into this one than boring Mich vs. Wisc....

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The Big Ten

My wife and I are spending the weekend in Indy at the Big Ten tournament. I'm trying to enjoy the game without worrying about spectator injury as I'm insuring the event.

Oh, funny story....one of the Michigan players was called for traveling and my wife goes, "Oh, did he fumble?" HAHA

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I Love Fights!!!

These guys danced around a bit before they went at it.

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Cotton Eye Joe?

The 2nd goal of the evening, along with the 2nd fight and first "tossing" of the evening took place right after the great hit song - Cotton Eye Joe was played over the loud speaker.....coincidence? I think not!

(you forgot about that song didn't you....).

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A Small World

The above photo is of Thane Campbell and his dad. Thane was my keeper on Huntington United....small world huh?

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A Night With The Fam

Tonight I'm at the komets game with my parents and little bro. We were late because Dad wanted seconds....that little man can eat!!!

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My Daughter The Negotiator

Andrea went out to eat with a friend last night, so I was in charge of putting Jade to bed. Here is exactly how Jadyn tried to negotiate her way out of it.

Me - Time for bed Babe
Jade - I wanna watch Mickey
Me - Sorry babe, we need to go to bed
Jade - I wanna watch Little Einsteins
Me - Jade, I said we need to go to bed
Jade - Wanna watch FOOTBALL, Dad?

Aren't kids hilarious?!?

Kevin Hart - An Example For All

I'm addicted to ESPN's Pardon The Interruption. The whole concept is perfect for me - all the sports news of the day delivered in a conversational form with witty banter, in less than 30 minutes. It is GREAT! This week, one of the stories was of this Kevin Hart kid, who, in front of local media, family and friends, chose Cal over Oregon as his college choice for football. Then, as the story developed, and both schools released statements that they had never heard of the kid, he claimed that he as duped by a "middle man" who was his liaison with these schools. Further investigation led the kid to admit he made the whole thing up. "I wanted to play D-I ball more than anything. When I realized that wasn't going to happen, I made up what I wanted to be reality."

If this is the first time you've heard of this story, take a few seconds to watch the video below.

How sad.  I really feel for this kid, and I have to admit I fit into the sector of society that probably pushed him to do this.  We (and by we, I really mean me and all those crazy sports fans out there), put so much hype on National Signing Day and Verbal Commitments, that we push kids and parents to this type of craziness.  It truly is sad.

Following with this theme, the Indiana Hoosiers went to Champaign Illinois to play the Illili in a game that was bigger than the normal Big10 rivalry.  Indiana's freshman star, Eric Gordon, had verbally committed to Illinois last year, only to renege and sign with the Hoosiers.  The crowed booed every time he touched the ball and cheered whenever he screwed up. I found it interesting that they were more focused on booing the opponent than they were cheering on their own team.  Near the end of the double-overtime game, fans threw beads and ice into the courtside section of Indiana fans that included Gordon's parents.  

I have blogged earlier of the passion that sports brings to its fans.  These two examples are the negative aspects of that passion.  I hope, for my kids sake, that I do a better job of teaching how to be passionate in a good way.

Coaching To A Perfect 18-1

What a game last night!  I was talking to my friend, Michael, during half time and he was commenting on how boring the game was.  I disagreed as I was happy to see Brady get hit as many times as he did...and man did the game heat up at the end!  While I could elaborate on several aspects of the game, I'm going to comment on one in particular - the terrible display of leadership by Coach Bill Belicheck at the end of the game.

With the possession switching to the Giants on the Pats' failed 4th down conversion, and only 1 second left in the game, Belicheck ran out to shake Tom Caughlin's hand and then walked off the field.  He didn't congratulate any of the players or other coaches, he just walked.  I'm not a big fan of Belicheck because of who he coaches, but I will admit he is a great coach and produces results.  However, last night's display eliminated any and all respect I had for the guy.  Sure, the game was over and the Patriot hopes for a perfect season were crushed, but you don't walk off an quit.  

To me, that display was the perfect ending to a not-so-perfect season for the Patriots. 

Sports - Passion and Religion?

I am one of those guys that could sit on the couch all day and watch sports. I've got a great wife that understands my passion, and for the most part, allows me to be extremely lazy some days to practice that passion.

Today, I had the opportunity to go to the Purdue basketball game with some friends of the family. There is not too much more exciting than experiencing the passion of thousands of others, just like me, first hand.....the sound....the lights, the smell of really expensive crappy food....you can't beat it.

I've got a poster in my office at work that sums it up. Its a shot from the top of the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning - high above Forbes Field during Game 7 of the 1960 World Series between the Yanks and the Pirates. At the bottom of the image, the text reads: "Baseball? It's just a game. As simple as a ball and a bat, yet as complex as the American spirit it symbolizes. It's a sport, a business and sometimes even a religion." -- Ernie Harwell

[Posted with my Treo smartphone using hblogger 2.0 ]