That is the number of miles I biked two weeks ago, Saturday to Saturday. It was RAGBRAI, or for the unenlightened, the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. It was my first one, and I don't think my last. It ended on 2 good days, days where I enjoyed the actual riding along with all the other stuff.
There were days when I did not enjoy the riding. It wasn't the muscle pain or soreness, that was acutally not too bad. It was the chafing. Friction, I tell you, it's a killer. I had to compromise the best angle for reducing friction because of the still) bruised tailbone. Yes, I bruised it while biking, about 7 weeks ago. Ironically, since then, on a bike seat is probably the most comfortable sitting position available. If you should ever, ever, ever find yourself in a situation where you may chafe and have to continue the same activity the following day, PREVENTION is the key! I think I used 4 different products to try to clear it up (Anti-Monkey Butt powder to start, A&D dipaer ointment to treat, Udderly Smooth udder cream to treat and prevent, and Chamois Butt'r to prevent). It improved so it wasn't agony, but was still pretty uncomfortable.
While an affectionate person, I am not usually given over to public declamations of love (or maybe I am), but I wouldn't have gotten through the whole thing if not for Jon. I was irritable, irrational, and self-pitying and he was patient, kind, and supportive. In the end, he's the reason I rode the whole way and he drafted for me a fair bit. However, looking at a bike tire isn't as entertaining as you might think and defintiely not as pretty as the Iowa scenery.
So, triathalons are a distinct possiblity for my future. I may nto be good at biking, but I am not as bad as I thought. More importantly, I actually enjoy biking, now. Except the sweating part. I hate sweating when I ride to work or school or around town. And my face gets red, and I look like a pin-headed lobster.
Ride a bike. Read a book. Recycle.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
My brother, the Game Master
My big brother has a huge impact on role playing and board games I've been exposed to. From about ages 7-10 (or so), he would make Dungeons and Dragons adventures for me and be the Dungeon Master (I know, you didn't all know what a dork I was, now I've outed myself). Todd is 6.5 years older than me. If you haven't played D&D, it's a role playing game where you play out adventures, either mass fabricated by the D&D company or created by an individual. I think it is pretty impressive that Todd was able to make adventures that worked for someone so young, but really, they were pretty much like any D&D adventures- treasure, dragons, monsters, fighting, meeting other characters. My first character was Jinx, the elf. I also had a halfling. For awhile, I also ran a written, serial RPG for some friends on the bus (I had over an hour long bus ride, each way, to school). We moved before my brother's junior or senior year and he became caught up in teen angst while I played with friends my age (we moved from a rural farm to a rural small town). Todd, I think, gamed throughout college, but post college was when he really started introducing our family to unique games- CheapAss Games, games by the Gamingest Country Ever, GErmany, and others. He's also been a DemoMonkey at gaming conventions and helped some of his friends test out trials for their games. Finally, he is creating his own. I don't know exactly how it works, but it fits in with others of a similar kind that are based on the spread of railroads across America. Each one is specific to a state. Todd, while having lived in Houston for about 15 years, is sticking to his roots. He is currently working on and taking preorders for 18IA: Building Iowa's Railroads.
Here is a link to preorder: http://18ia.blogspot.com/2008/06/preorder-18ia-today-pick-your-copies-up.html
I'll likely be ordering mine as soon as the next paycheck rolls in.
Here is a link to preorder: http://18ia.blogspot.com/2008/06/preorder-18ia-today-pick-your-copies-up.html
I'll likely be ordering mine as soon as the next paycheck rolls in.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
What's Love Got to Do With It?
Ultimate, we've been through a lot together. We've had our ups: starting the ISU women's team, placing 2nd at Nationals after being seeded 10th, making Nationals after being down 9-12 in the game to go and the other team dropping it in the endzone, going down under for Worlds, going to Nationals as a club women's team, getting chosen for the College Alumni All Star team, too many Poutlry Days too remember.....the list goes on and on. We've had our downs: losing about 17 games to go that first year of CLX at regionals, losing too many 1 point games at Worlds, debilitating IT band and lower back injuries, concussions (but only 1 serious one, and I forgave you), only playing 3 of 5 of my college regionals, only beating one club women's team at Nationals....but even those memories draw us closer- they made me work harder to be better, push me to overcome prior failures.
Not just the momentous occasions but all the regular good times we've had with people- it hasn't been just you and me, but all the people we've met together- played with, played against, partied with, cheered on. Wow. There have been weddings, a few births, plenty of people to teach and to learn from, people to set both negative and positive examples, people to rejoice at seeing at each tournament.
You changed my life. You made me what I am today; I can hardly bear the thought of leaving you, even for a few years. But you've become an obsession. That was okay for most of college, but I've come to a point where brains (at least, my brains) aren't enough. I need more time, and, babe, unfortunately, you're all I have to give; it's only ever really been school and Ultimate, since school got serious. And let's face reality- together, you and I can't pay the bills. School can do that for me; it sounds mercenary, but it is just realistic- we can't live together in some idealistic fairy castle, with green grass, a light breeze, and lined fields. I can't live in a trailer my whole life, I just can't!
We can still be friends! No, really! We can meet casually each week for pick up or league, but after this summer, well, that has to change, too. This will be our last, bittersweet summer- hopefully I can take away memories (all of them) of a wonderful Poultry Days with people from throughout our time together, people that have been there with us since the beginning: Kevin, Saienga, Chad; people we made some of those good times with: the CLXers, both old and new; and maybe even some new teammates: Wimer & Jerrod Wolfe. Maybe we can share a summer league title, finally: it can be the Summer of Chocolate. And then, in the fall, well, we need to make a more severe split. We can come back together, as professionals, to coach in the spring, but then, well....it may REALLY be over, at least for a time.
I can't tell you how sorry I am that school and a career had to come between us. It isn't just the time you take to play, or even to train, but I love you so much that if I am playing you, I can't get you out of my head- I'll be focusing my microscope when suddenly my pulse jumps as I relive the D I missed at the last tournament, or the one I got, or even visualize the perfect, game winning D. I am thinking of training schedules and travel logistics when I need to be learning a skill to make my way in the world.
So, this is the pre-goodbye, the adjustment period for us to cherish and hopefully to look back upon with peace. I'll never stop loving you.-RJD
Not just the momentous occasions but all the regular good times we've had with people- it hasn't been just you and me, but all the people we've met together- played with, played against, partied with, cheered on. Wow. There have been weddings, a few births, plenty of people to teach and to learn from, people to set both negative and positive examples, people to rejoice at seeing at each tournament.
You changed my life. You made me what I am today; I can hardly bear the thought of leaving you, even for a few years. But you've become an obsession. That was okay for most of college, but I've come to a point where brains (at least, my brains) aren't enough. I need more time, and, babe, unfortunately, you're all I have to give; it's only ever really been school and Ultimate, since school got serious. And let's face reality- together, you and I can't pay the bills. School can do that for me; it sounds mercenary, but it is just realistic- we can't live together in some idealistic fairy castle, with green grass, a light breeze, and lined fields. I can't live in a trailer my whole life, I just can't!
We can still be friends! No, really! We can meet casually each week for pick up or league, but after this summer, well, that has to change, too. This will be our last, bittersweet summer- hopefully I can take away memories (all of them) of a wonderful Poultry Days with people from throughout our time together, people that have been there with us since the beginning: Kevin, Saienga, Chad; people we made some of those good times with: the CLXers, both old and new; and maybe even some new teammates: Wimer & Jerrod Wolfe. Maybe we can share a summer league title, finally: it can be the Summer of Chocolate. And then, in the fall, well, we need to make a more severe split. We can come back together, as professionals, to coach in the spring, but then, well....it may REALLY be over, at least for a time.
I can't tell you how sorry I am that school and a career had to come between us. It isn't just the time you take to play, or even to train, but I love you so much that if I am playing you, I can't get you out of my head- I'll be focusing my microscope when suddenly my pulse jumps as I relive the D I missed at the last tournament, or the one I got, or even visualize the perfect, game winning D. I am thinking of training schedules and travel logistics when I need to be learning a skill to make my way in the world.
So, this is the pre-goodbye, the adjustment period for us to cherish and hopefully to look back upon with peace. I'll never stop loving you.-RJD
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Back in the Saddle Again
So coaching has begun, and once again, Ultimate is *almost* foremost in my mind. I've got plenty of things to do & am able to buckle down at work, but often my 15 minute breaks wax long when I am looking up offensive strategy, reading Ultimate blogs, looking at Ultimate pics....you probably play Ultimate if you're reading this, so you understand completely.
So, it took a couple weeks of practice to get back into the swing of things. Practices have been okay so far, with very few standing out. I think the girls have been learning a few new things and solidifying some old skills. We've started split stack & last weekend was our first time running it. We didn't actually utilize all its benefits, but we did an okay job at it. There are some aspects of it that are very counterintuitive after having played vert for so long. (Look to the middle, look to the middle, look to the middle) I wish we could get outside; I think it would add to our intensity, especially during scrimmmages. We've had some pretty good sprints & stairs at the end of practice & people are working hard, but that fire to always win, even in drills isn't always there for everyone. For some, especially those not having played team sports, this can be hard to achieve, but visualize, visualize, visualize! Your match up is no longer your teammate, but your opponent. The harder you push her, the better she'll be come tournaments. The more you try your utmost to win, the more it will be ingrained in you that that is your only option. Team intensity grows and feeds off of itself. That D that you "would have gotten in a game" or the pick "you would have called at a tournament"? They are the same situation; practice for situations only works if you do what you are supposed to do in the "real" situation; that is, throwing against a lazy mark is not the same as the crazy mark. Not just scrimmages, but drills as well. Work to make it game like.
MG Recap:
No one got there early due to bad weather driving mishaps on Thursday night before even making it to Iowa City. So, everyone was coming off of an all night drive. Fields were not at Burbank, so people had to mill around, figure that out, then get back in the car and drive to the fields. Tesax B was first round. Due to poor planning on the guys part, probably b/c no captain was with them, I had to drive guys to their fields 15 minutes away (after all the hullaballoo at Burbank & starting to one set of fields then going to the other, only to have to go BACK to the first place we were headed- we pulled into Burbank at 7:58, just 3 minutes before my ETA of 8:01). So, I made it to the women's first game vs. Texas B when I think it was about 4-0. I think we won 13-0 or 13-1. Texas B couldn't put more than a couple throws together, but I was impressed by how encouraging they were to each other. Games got more exciting after this...
Sat. Game 2: Vanderbilt (who is from Nashville, TN)
This was our first challange. This team mostly ran through three gals, the one of which was really good & had a sweet layout D against 'Stine. They hucked on us a LOT. We had a few endzone drops. Their coach seems rather uptight and overserious. Ah, I can't remember too many details from this game...we played hard. Ended up losing 10-12. Gibbs will probably have more details. Oh, shite, I think this is the game that 'Stine had like a 5' high D bid...wish I had a pic.
Sat. Game 3: Wisc-Milwaukee
So, this was a combo team of UW-Mil & UW-Eu Claire, plus I think some other pick ups. They moved the disc quickly & the drive looked like it was starting to wear on us. I think we gave up part way through. They did a lot of give gos we weren't able to stop. We didn't have quite enough experience to match them; I am pretty sure they had some non-college gals. We lost pretty badly, not able to move the disc very well on their competent poaching and speedy defenders. 3-9 or something?
Sat. Game 4: UNT
We still looked really tired. Play was sloppy all around, and we traded points for awhile, but ended up pulling ahead to win 13-8 or so. There was no point in me saying much b/c the gals were pretty gassed, both physically and mentally.
Sun. Game 1: WUWU
WUWU beat a partial team at sectionals last fall. They ran the disc through about 3 gals, whom we were usually able to shut down. They did a good job of pushing the disc on a pull, but overall had very inconsistent throws. We came out a little slow (and a couple a little intoxicated), but soon got up to speed and were working things pretty well. Roll to a win.
Sun. Game 2: U of Indiana
They looked kind of bad ass & gave me some worries watchign their warm-ups. They had a very tall girl that was often a main cutter. She could also throw well, was crafty, and used her body to her advantage in positioning. This team had some very nicely put hucks, and most of their scores were off of long throws (lots of 2nd throw hucks). Meghan started playing like a beast in this game and continued it for the rest of the day. Victory is ours by a kind of close margin, I think. It hink this was the game where the first half we never had more than 2 turns a point (pretty good for first time outside & lots of first year players). Then we had some marathoners 2nd half. Sheesh. Lots of drops and forced throws, a point with only one handler.
Sun. Game 3: Wisc-Mil, redux
So, we finished our previous game in plenty of time, but UW-M was capping their game against U of Iowa. I went over to get a start time, that's fine, they walk over and then rudeness. This girl on their team says, "Are you sure we play you? Because, you know, we've won all our games." "Uh, yeah, this is semifinals. We've won our games today. We just beat Indiana who (bracket-wise) was "supposed" to beat us." "Oh, well, I just wanted to make sure since we've already played you." Oh, man, that girl would have been TOAST if I had been playing! I would have matched up on her and freakin' scored over and over AND spiked the disc!!! I HATE disrespect! And this wasn't even one of their main players! Ah! I realize the score was in your favor yesterday, but, seriously, could you not think of a more diplomatic way to ask, if you were really unsure if you played us? I really, really, really wanted us to beat them, and they were down 4 ladies that had had to leave, one of them being the Flaming Moe player. So, we were pretty ready for this game, and stormed out to a 3-0 lead, moving the disc well. They had a taller girl that played very aggressively with a pretty nice FH, but if Gibbs was on her, she shut her down. We learned after the game she'd been playing for one year...UNBELIEVEABLE for her level of play. We played way better in the red zone than we had the day before. We missed a couple of long Ds I thought we should have had, but took half 7-6, with soft cap going on, game to 9. I think the last point of that half was Minner's suhweet layout save in eht endzone. We are receiving going down wind off the pull. I don't know how we turn it, but they score. I think we score one on a huck, but then they score, making it 8s with us receiving. We turn it quickly and they score for the win, 9-8, edging us out the the chance to play Wisconsisn in the finals. They lost to Wisocnsin 13-5 (from score reporter, which is not complete...teams, post your scores)
Overall, I was happy with the weekend. We lost 2 close games that I really thought we could have edged out. We were missing Tai, VJJ, Lauren, and Ying. We had MegHan Solo & 3 pick ups; I think overall the 4 "replacements" are at least as good as our 4 pick ups; Solo, of course, is a big factor, but Tai-baby plays with her heart on her sleeve and adds solidity and leadership as well. I am glad I went b/c I needed to see the O in action to know some of our focus areas (swinging and continue cuts). We've got other areas I'd like to work on as well, but practice attendance is becoming a minor problem. ONe or two people/practice is okay, but half the team, as last night, means I basically have to have the SAME practice as last night. We won't be outside for quite some time, and that also throws in a bit of a wrench, but I think we'd get more out of our indoor practice if people stepped it up in scrimmages, especially.
Players of the Tournament....
Offense: Melissa Gibbs, for keeping the disc alive so many times
Defense: oooo, this is tougher; Jasmine Draper gets it, with a Christine "Animal" Rosen and MegHan "Solo" Minner on her tail
We're supposed to have a new player tonight, as well as a 2nd week player & possibly one other newbie. I have high hopes for all 3 of these gals to become contributing members by series time.
So, it took a couple weeks of practice to get back into the swing of things. Practices have been okay so far, with very few standing out. I think the girls have been learning a few new things and solidifying some old skills. We've started split stack & last weekend was our first time running it. We didn't actually utilize all its benefits, but we did an okay job at it. There are some aspects of it that are very counterintuitive after having played vert for so long. (Look to the middle, look to the middle, look to the middle) I wish we could get outside; I think it would add to our intensity, especially during scrimmmages. We've had some pretty good sprints & stairs at the end of practice & people are working hard, but that fire to always win, even in drills isn't always there for everyone. For some, especially those not having played team sports, this can be hard to achieve, but visualize, visualize, visualize! Your match up is no longer your teammate, but your opponent. The harder you push her, the better she'll be come tournaments. The more you try your utmost to win, the more it will be ingrained in you that that is your only option. Team intensity grows and feeds off of itself. That D that you "would have gotten in a game" or the pick "you would have called at a tournament"? They are the same situation; practice for situations only works if you do what you are supposed to do in the "real" situation; that is, throwing against a lazy mark is not the same as the crazy mark. Not just scrimmages, but drills as well. Work to make it game like.
MG Recap:
No one got there early due to bad weather driving mishaps on Thursday night before even making it to Iowa City. So, everyone was coming off of an all night drive. Fields were not at Burbank, so people had to mill around, figure that out, then get back in the car and drive to the fields. Tesax B was first round. Due to poor planning on the guys part, probably b/c no captain was with them, I had to drive guys to their fields 15 minutes away (after all the hullaballoo at Burbank & starting to one set of fields then going to the other, only to have to go BACK to the first place we were headed- we pulled into Burbank at 7:58, just 3 minutes before my ETA of 8:01). So, I made it to the women's first game vs. Texas B when I think it was about 4-0. I think we won 13-0 or 13-1. Texas B couldn't put more than a couple throws together, but I was impressed by how encouraging they were to each other. Games got more exciting after this...
Sat. Game 2: Vanderbilt (who is from Nashville, TN)
This was our first challange. This team mostly ran through three gals, the one of which was really good & had a sweet layout D against 'Stine. They hucked on us a LOT. We had a few endzone drops. Their coach seems rather uptight and overserious. Ah, I can't remember too many details from this game...we played hard. Ended up losing 10-12. Gibbs will probably have more details. Oh, shite, I think this is the game that 'Stine had like a 5' high D bid...wish I had a pic.
Sat. Game 3: Wisc-Milwaukee
So, this was a combo team of UW-Mil & UW-Eu Claire, plus I think some other pick ups. They moved the disc quickly & the drive looked like it was starting to wear on us. I think we gave up part way through. They did a lot of give gos we weren't able to stop. We didn't have quite enough experience to match them; I am pretty sure they had some non-college gals. We lost pretty badly, not able to move the disc very well on their competent poaching and speedy defenders. 3-9 or something?
Sat. Game 4: UNT
We still looked really tired. Play was sloppy all around, and we traded points for awhile, but ended up pulling ahead to win 13-8 or so. There was no point in me saying much b/c the gals were pretty gassed, both physically and mentally.
Sun. Game 1: WUWU
WUWU beat a partial team at sectionals last fall. They ran the disc through about 3 gals, whom we were usually able to shut down. They did a good job of pushing the disc on a pull, but overall had very inconsistent throws. We came out a little slow (and a couple a little intoxicated), but soon got up to speed and were working things pretty well. Roll to a win.
Sun. Game 2: U of Indiana
They looked kind of bad ass & gave me some worries watchign their warm-ups. They had a very tall girl that was often a main cutter. She could also throw well, was crafty, and used her body to her advantage in positioning. This team had some very nicely put hucks, and most of their scores were off of long throws (lots of 2nd throw hucks). Meghan started playing like a beast in this game and continued it for the rest of the day. Victory is ours by a kind of close margin, I think. It hink this was the game where the first half we never had more than 2 turns a point (pretty good for first time outside & lots of first year players). Then we had some marathoners 2nd half. Sheesh. Lots of drops and forced throws, a point with only one handler.
Sun. Game 3: Wisc-Mil, redux
So, we finished our previous game in plenty of time, but UW-M was capping their game against U of Iowa. I went over to get a start time, that's fine, they walk over and then rudeness. This girl on their team says, "Are you sure we play you? Because, you know, we've won all our games." "Uh, yeah, this is semifinals. We've won our games today. We just beat Indiana who (bracket-wise) was "supposed" to beat us." "Oh, well, I just wanted to make sure since we've already played you." Oh, man, that girl would have been TOAST if I had been playing! I would have matched up on her and freakin' scored over and over AND spiked the disc!!! I HATE disrespect! And this wasn't even one of their main players! Ah! I realize the score was in your favor yesterday, but, seriously, could you not think of a more diplomatic way to ask, if you were really unsure if you played us? I really, really, really wanted us to beat them, and they were down 4 ladies that had had to leave, one of them being the Flaming Moe player. So, we were pretty ready for this game, and stormed out to a 3-0 lead, moving the disc well. They had a taller girl that played very aggressively with a pretty nice FH, but if Gibbs was on her, she shut her down. We learned after the game she'd been playing for one year...UNBELIEVEABLE for her level of play. We played way better in the red zone than we had the day before. We missed a couple of long Ds I thought we should have had, but took half 7-6, with soft cap going on, game to 9. I think the last point of that half was Minner's suhweet layout save in eht endzone. We are receiving going down wind off the pull. I don't know how we turn it, but they score. I think we score one on a huck, but then they score, making it 8s with us receiving. We turn it quickly and they score for the win, 9-8, edging us out the the chance to play Wisconsisn in the finals. They lost to Wisocnsin 13-5 (from score reporter, which is not complete...teams, post your scores)
Overall, I was happy with the weekend. We lost 2 close games that I really thought we could have edged out. We were missing Tai, VJJ, Lauren, and Ying. We had MegHan Solo & 3 pick ups; I think overall the 4 "replacements" are at least as good as our 4 pick ups; Solo, of course, is a big factor, but Tai-baby plays with her heart on her sleeve and adds solidity and leadership as well. I am glad I went b/c I needed to see the O in action to know some of our focus areas (swinging and continue cuts). We've got other areas I'd like to work on as well, but practice attendance is becoming a minor problem. ONe or two people/practice is okay, but half the team, as last night, means I basically have to have the SAME practice as last night. We won't be outside for quite some time, and that also throws in a bit of a wrench, but I think we'd get more out of our indoor practice if people stepped it up in scrimmages, especially.
Players of the Tournament....
Offense: Melissa Gibbs, for keeping the disc alive so many times
Defense: oooo, this is tougher; Jasmine Draper gets it, with a Christine "Animal" Rosen and MegHan "Solo" Minner on her tail
We're supposed to have a new player tonight, as well as a 2nd week player & possibly one other newbie. I have high hopes for all 3 of these gals to become contributing members by series time.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Still Here
Gone and probably forgotten by most everybody, but actually I'm NOT gone. After nationals, my focus had to switch to school and work in such a riveting way that it gave me time to recover from my "breakup" with Small Rackages. I can't, I won't stop loving her, and maybe one day I'll be able to return, but my priorities seem to have shifted themselves, or been shifted by outside forces. We'll still be friends, and I want her to do well, but it hurts to think of not being with her.
This semester (will there ever be a time in my life that isn't divided into semesters?) I'll have plenty to post about Woman Scorned, whom I will gladly be coaching again "full time". If I allow myself to daydream about it, I get caught up in planning practices, offenses, discussions, and lectures. I won't have quite the same amount of time as 2 years ago, but I think it will be enough; and I think this year, there is more internal energy from the team, so I won't have to expend as much of mine to get the results I want.
I cannot talk much about Nationals. It is too painful, too private. If I had another year, I could discuss it, because when goals are NOT achieved, that can be the most motivation one can ask. But if there is no chance at redemption, there is no hope. To let people down is one thing; to not be able to make it up to them is another. That's as much as I can say right now.
Everything else I want to talk about I'll have to break into other posts, but you can look forward to such topics as:
Ultimate Offensive Strategies
The Ups & Downs of Coaching Scorned
Scorned Results
Recipe Results (I got "The Joy of Cooking" for Christmas, as well as an Indian recipe book)
Shennanigans
This semester (will there ever be a time in my life that isn't divided into semesters?) I'll have plenty to post about Woman Scorned, whom I will gladly be coaching again "full time". If I allow myself to daydream about it, I get caught up in planning practices, offenses, discussions, and lectures. I won't have quite the same amount of time as 2 years ago, but I think it will be enough; and I think this year, there is more internal energy from the team, so I won't have to expend as much of mine to get the results I want.
I cannot talk much about Nationals. It is too painful, too private. If I had another year, I could discuss it, because when goals are NOT achieved, that can be the most motivation one can ask. But if there is no chance at redemption, there is no hope. To let people down is one thing; to not be able to make it up to them is another. That's as much as I can say right now.
Everything else I want to talk about I'll have to break into other posts, but you can look forward to such topics as:
Ultimate Offensive Strategies
The Ups & Downs of Coaching Scorned
Scorned Results
Recipe Results (I got "The Joy of Cooking" for Christmas, as well as an Indian recipe book)
Shennanigans
Monday, October 22, 2007
This is why, this is why, this is why we're hot
How I love thee….
…let me count the ways:
1. The way you make me laugh on the sidelines & between sprints
2. The way you motivate me with your inspiring plays & fired up e-mails
3. The way my workout partners are always pushing me
4. The way you stay positive
5. The way you wear that sexy pink skirt
6. The way those 50/50 discs I throw are now 80/20 (or even 90/10!)
7. The way you motivate me to become my best
8. The way you drink too much & get silly
9. The way you play each opponent with respect
10. THE WAY YOU WIN!!!!
11. The way Tai struts, flirts, and lays out!
12. The way Lana crazy-eyes, smiles, hucks, and is ALWAYS OPEN!
13. The way Jill is grounded, insightful, AND speedy!
14. The way Holarz breaks the mark, tries to act tough, and gives me couch burns!
15. The way Tobie continually pushes harder, does what she didn’t think she couldn’t do, and gives it ALL on the field!
16. The way Shel comes back from injuries, eats up discs, shuts down anybody’s Go-To Girl!
17. The way Amy is cute in any mood, flies by girls on her tiny legs, and runs down my swill!
18. The way XXX always has pomegranate lip balm for me, writes the best cheers, inspired me with her chest high layouts, and has a beautiful smile!
19. The way Noelle looks so nonchalant, goes to every disc, and attempts Greatests!
20. The way Gibbs pushes me in sprints, owns the skies, and throws me practice layouts!
21. The way Swartie is always cutting, has a big rack, and is coming up with lewd team cheers (and occasionally unlewd ones)!
22. The way Matey is always running, running, running, laying out on D or O, and never gives up on a disc!
23. The way Sam is quietly a stud, is too young to be so good, and double-hand grabs EVERYTHING that comes her way!
24. The way BK is open like a 7/11 (24/7, baby!), plays with no concern for her tiny body, looks like a little doll while playing like a monster!
25. The way KDubbs sends it deep, gets the disc when we need her, and generally plays like a badass!
26. The way Natalie hucks it deep (yes, I DO like it!), breaks the mark, pushes me in sprint workouts!
27. The way Duh lays it out on D at the last second, moves the disc so smoothly, looks so much like Gibbs!
28. The way Conrad fills any role, lays out like the textbook says (they are pretty!), and leads the mental game!
29. The way Kalli catches the uncatchable, rips it downfield, and looks like a supermodel!
30. The way MegHan Solo outreads every opponent, catches those discs that are already gone, and is a monster in the air or underneath!
31. The way Joggles got her nickname, can't get enough run-through Ds, and makes a mockery of any mark!
I've been waiting to unveil this post for awhile. See you all in Sarasota!-RJD
…let me count the ways:
1. The way you make me laugh on the sidelines & between sprints
2. The way you motivate me with your inspiring plays & fired up e-mails
3. The way my workout partners are always pushing me
4. The way you stay positive
5. The way you wear that sexy pink skirt
6. The way those 50/50 discs I throw are now 80/20 (or even 90/10!)
7. The way you motivate me to become my best
8. The way you drink too much & get silly
9. The way you play each opponent with respect
10. THE WAY YOU WIN!!!!
11. The way Tai struts, flirts, and lays out!
12. The way Lana crazy-eyes, smiles, hucks, and is ALWAYS OPEN!
13. The way Jill is grounded, insightful, AND speedy!
14. The way Holarz breaks the mark, tries to act tough, and gives me couch burns!
15. The way Tobie continually pushes harder, does what she didn’t think she couldn’t do, and gives it ALL on the field!
16. The way Shel comes back from injuries, eats up discs, shuts down anybody’s Go-To Girl!
17. The way Amy is cute in any mood, flies by girls on her tiny legs, and runs down my swill!
18. The way XXX always has pomegranate lip balm for me, writes the best cheers, inspired me with her chest high layouts, and has a beautiful smile!
19. The way Noelle looks so nonchalant, goes to every disc, and attempts Greatests!
20. The way Gibbs pushes me in sprints, owns the skies, and throws me practice layouts!
21. The way Swartie is always cutting, has a big rack, and is coming up with lewd team cheers (and occasionally unlewd ones)!
22. The way Matey is always running, running, running, laying out on D or O, and never gives up on a disc!
23. The way Sam is quietly a stud, is too young to be so good, and double-hand grabs EVERYTHING that comes her way!
24. The way BK is open like a 7/11 (24/7, baby!), plays with no concern for her tiny body, looks like a little doll while playing like a monster!
25. The way KDubbs sends it deep, gets the disc when we need her, and generally plays like a badass!
26. The way Natalie hucks it deep (yes, I DO like it!), breaks the mark, pushes me in sprint workouts!
27. The way Duh lays it out on D at the last second, moves the disc so smoothly, looks so much like Gibbs!
28. The way Conrad fills any role, lays out like the textbook says (they are pretty!), and leads the mental game!
29. The way Kalli catches the uncatchable, rips it downfield, and looks like a supermodel!
30. The way MegHan Solo outreads every opponent, catches those discs that are already gone, and is a monster in the air or underneath!
31. The way Joggles got her nickname, can't get enough run-through Ds, and makes a mockery of any mark!
I've been waiting to unveil this post for awhile. See you all in Sarasota!-RJD
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
10 seed isn't so bad....
I don't really have time to post as I have an experiment starting tomorrow with the lambies, but....
Small Rackages is going to Nationals. No exclamation point not due to lack of excitement, but because I expected it. RSD preliminary seedings put us at 8 at the highest (and not by name, just "Central #1), usually around 10. Looks like (again) the central has to go earn some respect. I think we're up to it. Here is a little bit of the sting in the lower seed:
While Boston was the only time we got to play Layuma or Lady Godiva we ROLLED them, mostly with our athleticism; our speed just couldn't be matched by these older teams (I mean that respectfully). Ozone barely scraped a win over Layuma, and lost to them the day before (but, hey, it could be a lot different team). Our big loss to Brute Squad came in the 2nd round of pool play at Boston- that would be the game I (the captain) got there for the last 3 or 4 points due to flight mishaps. Many of the girls had met each other hours before (that's literal-I didn't meet some of them until after the Brute Squad game). The next day, we lost 11-15; pretty respectable. I've no doubt the Brute deserves to be ahead of us, but are they 5-7 spots higher? We then lost the 3/4 game to Backhoe on universe point. Backhoe, granted, was missing a few key players to injury, but our #1 handler & my co-captain had to take off for flights (someday you will learn, little Sheldahl). Just sayin'. But then, I am really just there because I LOVE to play Ultimate and this will be 4 days of matching up against some of the best players in the country- THAT is what I love, that is why I play.
And, as Jon said, there isn't that much difference in the pools for the 8/9/10 seeds. The women's division looks quite a bit stronger, with less parity overall this year (I think). We'll see how it all shakes down. Although, Jon also said "It is because the central teams never do well." My quick (and slightly heated) response: "Except my teams. My teams do well."
Oh, and Jon has the sweetest money throw I won't name here in case of those spies that are worried about the VBBs. He played awesome on Sunday, and was just one among many that were the reason The Van Buren Boys played the best games ever on Sunday. It was so sweet to finally see what they could really do. I will gloat a little by saying: I knew you could do it. Wolfpack leader M.E. has just crazy play after crazy play. Barrett ruled the skies. Stu Jack & Wimer handled like pros; I particularly like whatever it was that Wimer shoved towards Dave's chest in the Madcow game- I dont' even think there is a name for that pass. I was then wont to state, "That guy can complete ANYTHING!"
Money plays in the Rackages final that stand out: Gibbs fingertip D at 13-12 to save the tie score; Kalli's fingertip grab about 22 feet in the air which caused me to hyperventilate; Lana's 75 yard huck to Tai (upwind); Matey's awesome cheer. My team rocks, and we'll be rockin' it in Sarasota in a couple weeks.
Small Rackages is going to Nationals. No exclamation point not due to lack of excitement, but because I expected it. RSD preliminary seedings put us at 8 at the highest (and not by name, just "Central #1), usually around 10. Looks like (again) the central has to go earn some respect. I think we're up to it. Here is a little bit of the sting in the lower seed:
While Boston was the only time we got to play Layuma or Lady Godiva we ROLLED them, mostly with our athleticism; our speed just couldn't be matched by these older teams (I mean that respectfully). Ozone barely scraped a win over Layuma, and lost to them the day before (but, hey, it could be a lot different team). Our big loss to Brute Squad came in the 2nd round of pool play at Boston- that would be the game I (the captain) got there for the last 3 or 4 points due to flight mishaps. Many of the girls had met each other hours before (that's literal-I didn't meet some of them until after the Brute Squad game). The next day, we lost 11-15; pretty respectable. I've no doubt the Brute deserves to be ahead of us, but are they 5-7 spots higher? We then lost the 3/4 game to Backhoe on universe point. Backhoe, granted, was missing a few key players to injury, but our #1 handler & my co-captain had to take off for flights (someday you will learn, little Sheldahl). Just sayin'. But then, I am really just there because I LOVE to play Ultimate and this will be 4 days of matching up against some of the best players in the country- THAT is what I love, that is why I play.
And, as Jon said, there isn't that much difference in the pools for the 8/9/10 seeds. The women's division looks quite a bit stronger, with less parity overall this year (I think). We'll see how it all shakes down. Although, Jon also said "It is because the central teams never do well." My quick (and slightly heated) response: "Except my teams. My teams do well."
Oh, and Jon has the sweetest money throw I won't name here in case of those spies that are worried about the VBBs. He played awesome on Sunday, and was just one among many that were the reason The Van Buren Boys played the best games ever on Sunday. It was so sweet to finally see what they could really do. I will gloat a little by saying: I knew you could do it. Wolfpack leader M.E. has just crazy play after crazy play. Barrett ruled the skies. Stu Jack & Wimer handled like pros; I particularly like whatever it was that Wimer shoved towards Dave's chest in the Madcow game- I dont' even think there is a name for that pass. I was then wont to state, "That guy can complete ANYTHING!"
Money plays in the Rackages final that stand out: Gibbs fingertip D at 13-12 to save the tie score; Kalli's fingertip grab about 22 feet in the air which caused me to hyperventilate; Lana's 75 yard huck to Tai (upwind); Matey's awesome cheer. My team rocks, and we'll be rockin' it in Sarasota in a couple weeks.
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