494

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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

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.

Shewolf

Meet one of the newest members of the wolfpack. An all-male wolfpack would just be ridiculous.

p.s....The Contest

So Tai can't back out, I gotta make it public. It is me vs. Tai in a layout contest at regionals. Who will get the most Ds? The Nigerian Nightmare or the Savvy Vet? (no one actually calls me the Savvy Vet, but I also have zero cool nicknames). Positive points for layout catches or Ds, negative if we don't bid when the other thinks we could have had a shot.

By the way, Tai, if I would have thought of it, I would have kicked your ace at CHC.

Coupla a Things....

Here's some stuff you may not know about me:

*I like to go to the bathroom in the stall at work with the roll of toilet paper not in the dispenser. As in, the janitors saw that the roll would end soon, so replaced it, but left the remainder of the roll on top of the dispenser. If there are no "extra rolls", I go in the last stall.

*I do things in threes. When picking seat on a plane, I almost always choose a number divisible by 3 and usually seat C (a=1,b=2,c=3). I set clocks and alarms such that the sum of all numbers is divisible by three (example- 7:02, 6:36). Other things, too, like volume settings.

*I used to eat nearly everything with a spoon, including lettuce salads. I'd get annoyed with my mom if she didn't set a spoon out for me & huffily get up to get one.

*I love food, but will not eat the following: sweet pickles, cherry pie, ketchup, or liver. Of those, I'd be most likely to eat liver. It is good I am not picky about a lot of things b/c I will pick sweet ickle relish out of tuna or egg salad & wipe ketchup off of sandwiches.

Okay, we're done with that. I had a dream last night about missing a plane. I think I was in New york City. I think it stemmed from my conversation with Jon about how many plane trips I was taking & how many plane tickets I'd purchased this year. Trips this year: to Germany & back (Feb/march, school). Madrid to Paris (March, Fun). Boston(June,Ultimate). Denver (Aug, Fun). Sarasota (Oct, Ultimate). Savannah (Nov, School). Jacksonville (Dec, Fam). I also bought 5 tickets for other people, for various reasons.

Sectionals: We won a lot. Did some things on offense a LOT better, learned some things I think we WILL do better. Both Sheldahls played. My mom came to watch, which was nice of her; she also helped pick up trash afterward, 'cause, well, that's my mom. Scorned looks good in a lot of respects, but overall needs to throw, throw, throw. Read Mike Liu's blog.

Central Open has 3 bids. I hope this gives the VBBs ALL the hope they needed to make Natties. I know some of them have believed the whole season, but others needed this bid to fire them up to play their best. I haven't seen them play a team they can't beat. Defense, keep getting turns & convert. Offense, looks like your slipping into an unstoppable flow. I love you guys. Now let's go to the Big Dance together.

I minorly injured my right foot/ankle for the 3rd time in just over 2 weeks. I lightly sprained it at CHC, iced randomly afterward. I plowed into (through/over) Jake at pickup last Wed on a poach D attempt (he was also on D & going for the disc)& he managed to hit my foot in 4 spots- I don't even know how that is possible. PRetty sure I pulled a muscle during that. I may have bruised his ribs (for me, p=mv doesn't apply; an extra R factor must be added-I am like a small freight train). Last night, the stupidest: I am walking up to Jon's place, on a sidewalk, just normal walking & step on THE ONE ROCK on the sidewalk, roll my ankle, and fall down. No kidding, I hit the ground. It hurt. So, we're on full rehab this week. Tonight we'll see how it takes sprints. I bought some athletic tape for it this morning.

Lastly, I was stoked by Gibbs' blog today. She is awesome and has been a great workout buddy this summer & fall. Can hardly wait for tonight's workout (it's the 60-90s I skipped last week to go run into Jake at pick up). Regionals: 10 days and counting.

Grinnell...in brief

So I don't know if very many of the Woman Scorned players have blogs so I feel obligated to metnion it here (those dozen people that check my blog may have an interest). Given that I had to TRY to finish the trailer work & attend a baptism, I only saw the final against Truman State, but heard some other tidbits as well.

When Jon & I arrived, ISUC was playing IHUC and having a lot of trouble breaking their zone. The defense looked pretty good: I saw some bigs lays & mighty effort. There were a few miscues on D, mostly from new players, but I think the future of ISUC looks bright. To any ISUC guys that read this: you can own any zone. Handlers, have confidence and keep the disc swinging. Poppers, move AGAINST the cup, or get ahead of them. Deeps, don't STAND by your defense- take them deep, bring them in, move from side to side! Switches are the best time to get open; if you keep moving, sooner or later either you will be double-covered, allowing your teammate to get open, or you will find a hole created by another teammate. If you receive the disc from one side of the field, try to continue it (like receiving a swing & looking continue). While in a person-to-person D you need to move down the field with the stack, the easiest way to get open after one throw through or around the cup is to cut IN towards that person- counter to the defensive movement. Okay, I could talk forever about zone strategy, but it can be difficult to implement, especially for people used to getting open through athleticism. Besides, you've got a good coach in Jakerz.

On Saturday, Scorned had outscored their 4 opponents 52-6, with the most points scored by one team being 3 by Iowa. The first 2 games on Sunday weren't much different, from what I heard. I was looking forward to the final b/c TSU has one current player for Rackages (or 2, I don't know if Noelle just wasn't there) & they have a similar team attitude: scrappy, fun, partilicious. They also qualified for Nationals last year, which is amazing given that they are a 3rd year team. Stu Jack is no longer coaching them, which I think will be a bit of a blow. He is a great strategist & teacher on top of being a terrific handler himself. They have a coach, but he seems less purposeful than Stu. Anyway, the game starts off with lots of turns (it IS fall college), but it looks like both teams are using their full lines, playing a lot of rookies. TSUnami has 3 or 4 standouts, Duh & Mona handling, a cutter I don't know but who cuts hard and soccery. Scorned doesn't take what the defense gives, but battles to get open, and usually does. There are nice plays from both teams, but Scorned starts to pull away. The second half looks cleaner, especially from Scorned & they are using a handler dominator to get the disc moving, which works well for them. Jaz has a sick grab against the good Truman cutter, Sarah has a couple nice rescues. Meghan Solo is of course getting Ds, especially after a few adjustments against the soccery cutter. Jenny Dobson is an absolute machine, cutting, cutting, cutting. I think she got frustrated with throws, but they'll come, especially with her amazing work ethic. Overall, the group looks like a great bunch of ladies to work with. Mikey is getting the basics under their belts, and I'll officially take over this spring.

Last night was a bit of a silly practice at times, but we got a lot done in the end. I think MIke gets annoyed in a brotherly way at the girls' lack of focus. I am sometimes not helpful b/c I am trying not to laugh (unsuccessfully), but I think have a speical knack for being silly one moment, then totally focused the next. The girls get the first part, but not the second. Seems like we've got plenty to work on, but plenty to work with. I am excited to be coaching again & have already started drawing up ideas for practices, discussions, and drills for next spring.

CHC

Should-a, would-a, could-a. It was just one of those weekends. I hate losing. I had a long, pointlessly negative spiel after this that I wrote Tuesday and erased today; I gotta admit, I was in a bit of a bummer after the weekend, wondering if our offense would ever pull it together. I sent feedback e-mails & realized how easy it is to come up with something positive about EVERYONE'S play. Everyone. Yeah, we didn't have as many sick layouts as I expected. Yep, we still came out slow on Saturday. But I never wanted to pull anyone off the field at any time. That's a tough thing to say for a team that has roughly equal playing time for everyone. That's right, Rackages is that deep. What we need to know, believe, and make happen is that 7 of our best are playing all the time. Step up, girl, you are on the A-1 team!

How many times have I started this post? At least three; the above is from last week (with a few temporal changes), the following from today. I’m very glad I didn’t post on Monday or Tuesday afterward; my view of CHC then was very negative, I think inappropriately so. Since then, I’ve had people broaden my view of happenings & been able to be a little more optimistic.

Saturday
Game 1 vs. Mojo 9-13
Despite many e-mails about the importance of being ready to play hard, fired up, and smart, our offense looks scared, forced, and unflowing. Our defense is okay, but there are fewer big plays than expected, hardly any layout Ds, and a few too many breaks. Mojo looks good, solid. They have Kali? (the really nice blond that played w/Notre Dame) that made some really good defensive plays- I am pretty sure she did not play in Detroit. Personally, I had 2 layout Ds & turnovers typical of me- too many, a combination of overthrows & trying to throw to where I think the cutter SHOULD be. I got pretty frustrated with my offensive cutting, too.

The rest of Saturday
We clean up our offense, remember how to cut, stack, and throw. Our defense is doing better at shutting things down, especially underneath. On the deep side, I think we are getting taken too many times- possibly due to an overly individual defense as opposed to a communicative, interactive team defense. There are few big plays or exceptional players. Standouts: Sam; just doing what she does- getting open, making good defensive plays, few turnovers. Possibly me on defense. Oh, we had some good cup action, both 3-2-2 & 3-3-1. I was usually a part of the really successful ones, but can’t remember who else was in it. I think a key point we are picking up on/improving is the recovery of a break past the cup- the middle(s) of the cup & the wings are doing a good job of containment. New weak spot of 3-2-2: Sideline deep. The last game of the day against PPF we looked TIRED; it didn’t help to have all those sickies have to sit out. I felt a step behind most of this game.

Sunday:
Last pool play: cleaner, more fired up than our first game on Saturday. Roll to victory.

Semis: vs. Wicked
We beat Wicked in pool play, but they came out strong and really fired up. They played a lot of zone, which we tended to tear apart. Actually, it was more of a slow rip- handlers working it well, poppers coming up big, playing really calm. In the second half, this started to fall apart, usually when a popper would try to move it upfield- lots of turfs or rushed throws. We took half 8-6. I think we scored the next one then they had FIVE in a row. I think I should have called a time out earlier, but really, I didn’t know what to say- quit dropping & turfing? Our D needed to be making more plays. I think Gibbs had a big one & I had one layout D. They had a couple deeps that seemed to be able to take us most of the time. So anyway, the score is 9-11, and we are really struggling to close the gap. I think at 11-13 we finally score 2 in a row (and actually, I think it was 10-13, so 3 in a row, 2 on D). Cap is on, so we are pulling for Universe. Our defense and sidelines FINALLY look totally fired up. The first 2 or 3 throws the D is tight, tight, tight. My girl fakes a bunch, I am with her every step then bite too hard on an in-cut & she cuts down the line. The thrower makes a beautiful upwind flick down the line. I am trying to recover & get the mark on- it may have been the hardest I’ve ever worked to turn so slowly. They’re about 10 yards out of the endzone & I am trying not to give too much away on either side. She breaks BH around, with my hand meeting hers on the follow-through. I think another BH goes off for the win. On the upside: we thought we would win. On the downside: if we played like we WANTED to win the entire game, we would have. Stupid, stupid throwing errors & drops show a lack of mental focus. Unfired-up D on a team that we ARE faster than…..sheesh, we were faster than EVERY team. Self lesson: trust your sidelines to call the strike, don’t give up a break trying to prevent the score. In this game, I had drop, but fewer throwing turnovers. I had a couple that I think should have been caught, but for the most part, handled well against the zone. I am almost always smiling during Zone O & we have yet to face a zone this year we can’t break. I love to handler with Holarz on zone O. Jill & Lana did an especially good job popping.

Anyway, we play out the 3rd place game against Nemesis after about a 30 minute break- they had been misinformed that there would be no game. For having trouble rounding up their players, they came out strong & hard. They had some really sweet plays on offense to keep the disc alive at all costs. Unfortunately for them, the fury of our loss blossomed into hyper-aware tenacious defense & a cleaner, cooler-headed offense. We dominated, 13-3.

It was really disappointing not to play Mojo again. I am so looking forward to our game(s) at regionals; they really challenge our offense to think & they have a couple-three stellar defenders (the Kali/Cally girls & one Asian handler stick out) & a great team defense.

Weekend standouts: Christina with her amazing cheers. She has this cheering philosophy that you don’t re-use cheers. I like to reuse the ones I really like, such as “Huck it Hard”(Tenacious D remix) & “Because of you”. Sam- as stated previously, she is just awesome. I played zone O downwind b/c of my trust in her defense. Jill was awesome to have on Sunday; she is one of the Bait “thinkers”- she has a knack for seeing the field and how the TEAM can play better through minor changes.


Motivation: Feeling a step too slow for Saturday's game 4.
Motivation: Throwing a step too far to...everyone.
Motivation: Knowing we COULD have been in the finals....

I told myself I wouldn't....

...but, I have so many Ultimate thoughts, I've just gotta post. I watched the ECC finals between Riot and Fury. Riot played harder D (I saw 0 Fury layout bids), but were either trying a straight up that wasn't working or were overplaying the force side. I saw ONE IO forehand break, the rest were backhands, many of them big. I added marking to my visualization scheme; there is no excuse for a lazy mark. The first few points were LAZY D from both teams. Too much allowance of cutting to the force side- that is YOUR side, defense!

Layout practice on the mat last night with Huckett, Gibbs, and Natalie. I ended on a sweet high "D"- that is the one I am practicing & visualizing, that layout up for the OI throw to your girl one step ahead, the one that is just of reach if you don't leave your feet. That one that makes me idolize Christina & Dave.

Hucks: both teams had them, both teams threw them well. Deep defense: need to create a TEAM defense that won't allow hucks for scores; we've got the speed & ups. Both teams rarely throw poor passes, but both defenses allowed open cuts on the force side. 30 hours to go....I've got butterflies already.

Bring It

I shouldn't be posting as I have more microscope slides to look at and more pathology to read, but I just couldn't help saying to the Nemesis & Mojo fans/players: this weekend, baby, first thing. Rackages will be there, looking hot, playing hot, BEING hot. Will you? I hope so, because I am wasting away for some good Ultimate! Rackages, feel free to comment on how you feel about this challenge as well.

Fun-NEE!

A must read. I almost commented about my history.
http://dopacetic.blogspot.com/2007/08/its-not-your-girl-its-just-your-turn.html

How to be inspiring when one is uninspired

Today has been not so good for me. Not horrible, and I need to keep that in mind, it could be much worse, but just tough. It should motivate me to work harder & study more, but it just makes me want to quit & to eat. And eat. And eat. I could, you know.

My Ultimate scene is drying up- no place to play during the week w/o sacrificing coaching. My poor performance in school and frustration there is spilling over into the other areas of my life, as it is likely to do for the next year, at least. I still want to workout, although the morning runs haven't been as often as I intended. I still have good workouts on the days I do them. It is what to do with those Tuesdays and Thursdays....I can't wait until Lana gets back; I have some ideas.....but time becomes a problem- if I go straight to Scorned practice from work/school & spend 2 horus coaching, it is approaching dark by then- what is a girl to do? I NEED CHC, and need it badly; I need to play. The visualization step is happening b/c I am thinking about Ultimate so often. Now I am almost wishing I would have held a practice this weekend, but then when would my trailer become liveable?

When I feel this way, I want to be around people that just naturally cheer me up. On the other hand, I don't like to be a downer & don't want to risk bringing people down. The solution, of course, is to find some Ultimate (in the longer term), study until sprint time (now term), then spend MORE time throwing and practicing layouts. All right, I think I've begun to talk myself through this.

Sweet Sixteen & The Vicar are hitched!

Most of you that read this were there (although there must be some "others" or who would think Racks weren't a shoe-in for Regie Champs?), but this last weekend was Kevin and Lana's wedding.

It really started for many of us on Thursday night, with attendance to a bachelor or bachelorette party. From hearsay of the Bachelor Party, our party was a lot raunchier/dirtier/had a thousand more sexual inuendos. However, it didn't last as late & JC got more intoxicated than I did (I think we each represented our couple well, consuming the most liquor at each of our respective parties). Since what happens at the Bachelorette party stays at the Bachelorette party, I can only release a few details: 1. I was the ring toss champ- I threw a pink ring around Peter the Blow-Up Boy's manhood. 2. Natalie did a good job of hostessing, along with her assistants. If you are hosting a bachelorette party, you should ask her for some games. 3. I am a pervert. Or maybe I am just comfortable with sex, my sexuality, and nakedness. 4. Lana is a superstar for having both her mother and mother-in-law at the party and still sharing stories, etc.

Friday night there were SUPPOSED to be many people coming into town. The troopers XXX, StuJack, and Ellen actually made it. We spent the bar part of the evening at Welch Ave Station (Yum, late night Pizza Pit!) This was a pretty tame night, although a long one; I kept asking Jon if we could stay a little longer. He got me to quit talking offensive strategy with Stu at 4:30 am. We were up and at the CLX reunion scrimmage by 10 am, as promised. Slowly, CLXers, party-goers, and a few current ISUCers trickled into town and made it to the fields. There was a little bit of good Ultimate, some silly Ultimate, and a lot of fun. Drew remains the Hammer King; be it throwing or receiving hammers, I choose him. After that most of us headed to Thai Kitchen (sweet, sweet curry) and I ate a lot. I realized it was getting late and NONE of the group presents were wrapped....Gibbs came and helped me wrap the 107 (or so) presents. At 2:35, I asked her if she wanted to leave, and continued to try and pretify the gifts until 3:15...I realized even I was pushing it to leave for the wedding at 3:45. I made it by 3:48, albeit with unpainted toenails.

The Wedding: There are many, many pics available on many people's Picasas. Lana was beautiful, I couldn't get anyone to bet against me about Kevin crying (although he did keep it to a minimum), and used 2.5 tissues to Gibbs' 3 tissues. Natalie has a positively angelic voice. Two of the greatest people I know are joined forever!!! I rejoice for them!

Post wedding: PARTY TIME!!!! Of course I can't write it ALL! Highlights: dinner (Hickory Park, lots of gravy for me!), cake (yes, I like frosting, okay), DANCING, crotch-tagging everyone, getting picked last for Bride Side vs. Groom Side Boatrace, WINNING the Boatrace (and I anchored strongly), DANCING, getting crotch-tagged by everyone, Kevin & Lana running the Gauntlet to their car, nailing Kevin in the chest with a disc, afterparty at Welch, the waitress crotch-tagging Kalli, skinny-dipping (that's hearsay on my part...I was "tired"), reliving it the next morning (especially the hazy parts from Welch on).

I almost died of hunger before we finally made it to The Cafe the next day (it was afternoon!), where I had a good Bloody Mary, a Veggie Skillet, and cheesecake (plus nibbles of many other dishes). Finally, I had to say goodbye to everyone; the only upside is how soon I will see most of them!

I laughed and laughed and laughed with everyone; CLX included some of the funniest people I know,a nd it was great to have so many of us there, as well as the "new" VBB & Rackage additions. I had such a blast, and Kevin & Lana seemed nothing but happy (duh) & did a great job of mingling with everyone. Mark Meyer was buying shots and boatracing (JC won...twice) and just generally being a good time. I am SO glad I will see so many of these people in 2 weeks at CHC!

I did something different...

I did plyos with Gibbs last night, and they were SEEMINGLY the same Frosty's plyos I have been doing all summer. But my rear end protested in a new way- it screamed at me that I was tearing it apart, threatening to cramp or pull, I couldn't tell which. I also felt woozy (not enough sleep? not enough to eat? I don't know). I finished plyos, but regretably, made Gibbs do the sprints at the end on her own. Good job, Gibbs! I hope I made the right decision; I hate not finishing workouts, but a pulled glute or passing out would not be a good situation. My cheeks are extra-sore today and not so much my quads, which are normally the complainers after plyos.

Women's practice tonight, hurray! Rackages found another skirt, so there are skirts for people to try on. I am not a clothes horse, but I do get excited about everyone trying out this new skirt. So far it has gotten top marks from all who've tried it.
More people voted for non-Rackage Regional winners....interesting. Makes me more excited for this weekend.

Sprints in Colorado

This last weekend I flew to CO not to play Ultimate, but to visit a friend from undergrad. There was some great catching up, reminiscing, and some AMAZING overeating of delicious treats. Also, since I had to fly out Friday afternoon, I had to do last weeks sprints on Saturday, at something like 4800 feet with about 2% humidity. You'd think that would be good, but I decided I would rather sweat than lose all the epithelium lining my throat from the dryness. I did the split 500s by myself; the only way I got through the last 200 was chanting "Sarasota" in time to the pounding of my feet on the track. There was a man in probably his 70s at the track that was long jumping. I talked to him a bit, and he was training. I thought that was pretty cool.

Food highlights: grilling- cook it on a flame, I will like it. The Melting Pot- never been? It is a fondue place. They give you a PLATTER of meat to cook in a pot of bubbling stuff and then have an array of 10-15 sauces to dip it in. I LIVE for sauce!!! I thought I was going to le Blanc myself afterwards, no kidding. For dessert, a pot fo chocolate with STUFF (Bailey's & pecans for my table) in it and an array of dippers: strawberries, bananas, cheesecake, bronie, pound cake, rice crispie treats; unbelievable. It is about $50/person, tho'. Oh, and then I got GELATO! It was good, almost as good as Perth- I could have eaten disgusting amounts of it, but just ate my own and 2/3 of J's (she never finishes her food...we make a great friends).

Practice weekend on the 4-5: FUN. The play was mediocre at times, although my team came back from an 0-5 deficit (which was mostly my fault) to win 9-7 or 8-6 (game to 7, win by 2). Besides the Brendas/Debbie/Sarahh combo and the late night religion (I wish I had a recording of that conversation....it would have some hilarious quotes), highlights: eating MASSIVE amounts of delicious pizza, Solarz' near expulsion story (Cooler will be the near-arrest story, Yay!), still being hungover at 1 pm, calling Matt and Kara, Thai kitchen and its array of currys. Sweet, delicious curry. It is my current favorite food.

I'd like to know who thinks we won't win Regionals....I am glad they think that because proving people wrong is one of my favorite activities. But still, be serious: look at results so far, look at our players, know that we will only improve with each tournament. Competition brings out the best in us, so I'm glad that somebody thinks we'll have some. (I do, too; I just think we will prevail.)

Workouts this week should be good; they include a women's practice. I am looking forward to Cooler. School starts in ONE WEEK! I have assignments already, and I am really looking forward to all the new women that will come out to Ultimate. This could be THE year for Iowa State; gurad against burnout and inner turmoil, vets. Feed off of the young'uns enthusiasm, love your teammates to the best of your ability. I think having Rackages around will be a GREAT opportunity for those younger gals to see what they could be; I want to be that player, I want to be that team that inspires. And all it takes is love. Love of plastic. Sweet, now I am pumped for plyos tonight!

Motown Throwdown

We started with a 10 hour or so drive, 7 of us in Lana’s ‘Stro. The excitement of the ride was being pulled over about 1:30 am less than 10 miles from the campsite. Lana’s van window only rolled down about 3-4 inches, so she had to apologize and offer to step out of the car. He declines and directs his questions to the gap as Lana tilts her face up to listen and respond. It was the general- do you know why I stopped you (Lana didn’t know how fast she was going, nor the speed limit) where you coming from, where you going, why…. He takes her license, registration, etc. (oh, it also may have not been the current insurance….) & is back in record time. I’m not even sure he went all the way back to the car. He comes back, says, “You’re almost there. Just try to keep it between the lines.” It was one of the standing jokes of the weekend. Since Lana had driven the entire way, it was also possible her crazy eye was in effect and that was a factor in his pity on her. We set up 2 tents; the entire time I am trying not to yell at people to hurry up- they weren’t really moving THAT slow, but I wanted to go to bed. To credit myself, I never did raise my voice. Gibbs and I blow up the air mattress and settle in. Ten minutes later we are both giggling hysterically for a reason unapparent to both of us. Ten minutes after that we are asleep. The 2nd Ames car rolls in about 5:30 am, so Kalli joins us on the air mattress. Gibbs and I wake up to Lana asking the question, “What time did you want to leave?”, which I think caused us both the same panic: I fumble frantically for my watch and see that it is about 10 minutes before I want to BE at the fields. We were supposed to all go over zone together…ah well, it would turn out we would have plenty of teams to try it on, anyway.

Because we were planning on being there so early, we arrive about 10 minutes before the captain’s meeting starts. I start to set up “my” zone, then the horn blows. I leave for the meeting, Shel goes over “her” zone. She relieves me at the captain’s meeting and we quickly walk through “my” zone. (Reminder: my zone is a 3-2-2 force one way trap, hers is 3-3-1 force middle). I get the pleasure of surprising everyone with jerseys. Or rather, Matt does b/c he picked them up for us. I was VERY pleased.

We do a warm up and game one starts. The first three points or so had about 4-8 TOs/team. No kidding. The ground was really dewy, and lots of discs were dropped, or passes attempted that slipped. This is an excuse, it is just retarded. I dropped one during this game due to dew- I think I grabbed at it 3 times and in the end layed out to try to get it. I also had a weird layout D bid attempt- I landed with my lower back on my offense’s shoe, which knocked the wind out of me. I think it was either my only layout D bid or one of 2 for the weekend. All the pool play games on Saturday kind of run together. We tried both zones and made the adjustment on the FM that worked really well (crotch and hatchet alternating positions). The 3-2-2 was less successful, although I did force a few turns on the sideline trap, and touched a few more that still got caught. I am not ready to abandon that zone, yet, and we learned a lot from running it.

We mostly used Gibbs’ cheers from practice weekend, and they were all well-received. One team captain said she thought we were the most spirited competitive team she had seen in years. That means a lot to me, and I think it means more than just cheering. I know what this captain meant when she said most teams don’t seem to respect some of the less competitive teams; I’ve been on those less competitive teams, and it pissed me off. I sucked really badly at Ultimate for quite awhile, but I didn’t love it less then than I do now. And even when my team was blown out, I played my ass off. I can only believe their players are giving their best, and that is why they deserve respect. Okay, back to the recap.

Pounce, the 2 seed in our pool & 4 seed overall, was out last game of the day, and we didn’t know how much of a game it was going to be. Our play had really cleaned up over the course of the day, and our flow looked great. Our offense seemed unstoppable unless we chose to turn it over. Our defense seemed oppressive. I think the offense could have been cleaner & the defense firier, but both were looking good. Pounce scored almost exclusively on hucks, and if a few more had fallen better, it could have been a closer game. As it was, we played some pretty good deep D, with a few burns, so maybe more and better hucks would still have gotten D’d. I wish I would have noticed if they were more on FM or one way force. Chili’s was good, but a ridiculous amount of food, even for me. Most of us were pooped after dinner so showered and went to bed. I wish I could have stayed awake for more of Gibbs reading, but I think I was out before the end of the first paragraph. Some gals came from the hotel to hang with us, but most of us were in bed. Since we’d won our pool, we had a first round bye, allowing us plenty of rest before our 10:30 game. We came out much cleaner than the day before, and the first 2 games went much the same as Saturday.

We knew MOJO would give us a game in the final. We flipped for color and WON, which caused me to squeal like a little girl pig & one of their players clearly thought I was cracked (it was the one that got the Callahan); however it was a big victory: I called SAME, which I rarely do, but I just felt it. I then called ODD and won the actual flip as well. I love it when I feel psychic. We’re on D to start, they score. We answer and begin to trade points. To me, it looked like our D was more than they were used to. For us, their D became more than we were used to. They started triangling the front of the stack, which baffled our players. Our D overcomes and we pull out to a 7-4 lead. We take half 8-6. The second half they used triangle more and our cutters forgot that against good teams sometimes it takes more than 2 cuts to get open. Cuts were not set up well and too often there were 3 people standing in the stack. Mojo was a faster team than all the others, but we still had them beat. We go down 8-9, and our offense is really starting to piss me off. I hate turnovers. I hate them. Sometimes you can’t tell b/c I have a lot, but I tell you, my ideas are good. I hate bad ideas. So, we are letting ourselves get stagnant on O and cap goes on during the 11-11 point. Mojo ends up scoring, so it is 11-12, game to 14. I decided I was tired of this shit so I went in and scored. I don’t know what happened exactly on the 11-12 point, but I get the disc a lot and throw a backhand to Meghan Solo. It was not a pretty backhand, but neither was it horrible. I couldn’t have done it with out K Dubbs, that is for sure. On the second point, I had a throw to her up line at stall 9. I then cut up line for her, get it back and throw a forehand to a sweet cut from Noelle. I didn’t do anything anybody else couldn’t do, but scoring those 2 points quickly and efficiently got the fire into us. Joggles gets a D typical of her, closing the last 3 steps to get the run-by D, and we score fairly easily. We get a very large trophy that is difficult to fit in any of the cars and is shiny, but has a lot of plastic in it. I guess I’d prefer something else- jerseys, T-shirts, money, free entry next year, a trophy you can drink out of, a trophy shaped like a disc or having some sort of disc on it. I don’t go to tourneys for the prizes, but since they spent money on it….actually, I would have REALLY like another free keg of beer on Saturday. The only beer I got on Sunday was when the toddlers were pouring (No kidding, like a 3 and 4 year old were LOVING it). The one wanted to fill more cups, but didn’t have drinkers; I couldn’t let him down.

I remember playing KDubs in co-ed and would hate when she would yell for the disc. Now that I am on her team, I love it. She isn’t the fastest on the team, she isn’t the best thrower, but she is consistent and knows how to get open when she is needed; when she is calling for the disc, it means she is open. Lana gets point of the weekend for a peel off D, followed by a toe-the line leaning layout for the throw from Natalie, then the 40-50 yd forehand for the score. SHE was never stagnant against Mojo. Her kind of cutting will almost ALWAYS be effective. I like to think I helped shape her because of my poaching. I hate guarding her now that she knows how to keep me out of poaching lanes, but that means she keeps out of the poaching lanes when I play with her, too. BK gets offensive play of the weekend for her layout grab from Solarz. Katie M. gets defensive play of the weekend for her layout D. I thought we hucked WAY better this tournament than in Boston. We also got more 50/50 discs. I think we are a team of receivers, and it showed. Dikeman tipped one in the air then followed it for the layout grab to keep it alive. Kara and Kalli played a ton better than in Boston, which I knew they could. They played much closer to their potential. Kalli played particularly good as a hucking cutter and as deep defense. Gibbs was a superstar pretty much all weekend, although I could tell she was frustrated the second half with Mojo’s D. We went over triangle defense and how to beat it, so hopefully that will help. We had so many “near Ds”- we just need to be ready to layout on D, I think. We had great midfield hucks from a number of players, which is just what I want. I love that our cutters will throw it long! Kara showed that she has a pretty, pretty backhand. Tobes threw our first ever score off of Sexy Sadie. Solarz wasn’t quite her deadly accurate self, but her D was some of the best I’ve seen her play. I think Noelle showed everyone she is a cool cucumber and never gives up on a disc; she fit in well. Jill is FAST; she and Kara were about tied for near Ds. Minner had some really nice runs and reads long, coming up with some that the defense totally misread; she doesn’t read off of her offense/defense, just plays the disc. I had fewer turnovers than in Boston, but still yelled too many times, “Turn and run, turn and RUN!” If you hear that, it means I overthrew you. I think almost all of my throwing turnovers were overthrows. Although, my teammates are awesome and often came up with them anyway (Lana, Joggles, Meghan, etc.) I am working on keeping my IO forehand down and assuring myself of a low backhand break.

The game against Mojo was closer than I would have liked it. I was glad to find out we wouldn’t give up if behind in a game. Our offense still needs to be a little cleaner, and I think it can be. However, I don’t think Mojo played their best game ever. They were good and had a couple of really great defensive plays, some pretty throws, but there were a few miscues that I don’t think we can expect them to have. In short, they will give us a game regionals, and we will be ready.

I am thinking Hayride will be our biggest competitor at Cooler in less than 2 weeks. I am planning on partying it up on Saturday night after not playing on Saturday. I am on biopsy, so have to cut tissues in at 10 am that morning. None of the other teams on the list that we’ve played scored more than 3 on us at Motown. The ones we haven’t played I think will be of similar caliber, with the exception of Hayride. I think they are also a contender for us at regionals. I’ve played with some of those ladies before. Julie Fitzgerald is in my Top Five Nicest Players. Off the top of my head, I think Stephanie Huber from Barely Legal & Kevin Tow also are in that category. Pat from MN/Sub Zero may be, too, but I don’t know if I’ve played against him enough to really say for sure.

Cheering. We have enough girls we need to be working on 2 cheers simultaneously. That way, if one sounds promising and gets stuck, hopefully the other one can bail us out. I like cheers. A lot. This is a long, long post & I still need to look at slides for tomorrow. See you on the field (by the way, everyone that took my poll is an Ultimate player).