Last Chance

Admittedly, the driving force behind me writing this entry is that it's my last chance to do so before the start of a new month, and the idea of limiting myself to once a month just seemed wrong. But before we get started, an announcement must be made: brace yourself emotionally. . . . because the beard of justice is gone.

I'll give you a minute to recover from the shock.

While not having to shave every day was a pleasant change of pace, the fact is that I felt like more effort was needed to keep the beard well kept and clean. Constant trimming above the lip was starting to get on my nerves, and it also absorbed sweat and food like a muther fucker. While I felt like the beard demanded more respect from my fellow alpha males, I wasn't getting the feeling that it was impressing the ladies at all either, and thus the end of the great experiment.

It only seems right that the lumberjack bows out in step with the summer term of classes. Today was, for all intents and purposes, my last day toiling at Drexel until further notice and I'm quite happy about it. Sure I still have a few finals to take next week, but hey, that's next week. Live in the now! And the now says that the unimpressive-sounding "pre-junior" year is over. I would celebrate properly, but alas, I'm poor. No seriously, I have less than twenty dollars to my name. It seems that all my efforts last year to save money were not totally in vain, since I was able to pay tuition, rent and living expenses up until this point, but the well of happiness has finally run out and I am now forced to suffer until I get my first paycheck at my next job. They say that misery loves company, which in this case is my roommates here at the ol' Larchwood estate, but like a new issue of "Maxim" it can only redirect my attention from my pathetic life for so long. Needless to say, I can't way to get to work and start making some money.

Along with starting work (at Johnson Mathey in W. Deptford if I forgot to mention), our soccer season at Audubon will also be getting under way. As far as I can tell, we've used our preseason much more effectively than we did last year, and it feels like the kids are more game ready than I expected. Some key pieces from our success last year aren't there, including our leading goal scorer, but most of our best players are still on the roster and a few of the new kids to the team are actually looking very good. Last year, our team lost one game and tied twice, and while my brothers have been nothing but pessimistic about our chances, I'm starting to think we can match our previous success. Tickets for the games are available at Ticketmaster, so make sure you pick some up before they run out.

The start of soccer season also marks the start of something else: FOOTBALL! Like a dope who drinks the sand because he's so thirsty for water, I've been following every preseason game possible. The Eagles have looked really good so far: McNabb looks better than I've ever seen him, the team has run the ball pretty effectively, and the defense is looking like the hard-hitting, child-eating Eagles defenses of yore. On top of the hype, I was recently reminded of yet another life lesson that I've come away with over the years; always trust the Eagles front office. When everyone thought the Eagles were idiots for not taking big contracts for free agent receivers, the Eagles took everyone by surprise and got a great receiver in donate' stalwartly for next to nothing. For a backup LB and a forth round draft pick, the Eagles added a 4 year veteran receiver who had over 700 yds. and 7 touchdowns on a bad team and who runs a 4.2 forty yard dash. Fist pumps were aplenty when I was told the news.

Speaking of football, I'll close with something that almost no one will care about, except a select few. Two weeks ago, we had our fantasy football draft for our ten team league. We start 1 QB, 1 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, a D/ST and K, with RB usually getting the most points. I had the second pick in our draft, which also meant I didn't have my second pick till the end of the second round. In case you are one of the few people in this world cursed with caring about fantasy sports, here in my team, with the starters at the top. Note the trade bait and depth on my bench, in a ten person league no less. Enjoy.

Shaun Alexander
Eli Manning
Steve Smith
Rod Smith
Jeremy Shockey
Chicago D/ST
Jeff Wilkins

Steven Jackson
Ronnie Brown
Eagles D/ST
Daunte Culpepper
Joe Horn
Kellen Winslow Jr.
Correy Dillon
Chester Taylor
Rodey White

The Pick and Role

I must admit, even I thought I was a little pathetic after my last post. Not in a "awe, what a shame" way, but in a "Jesus Christ, what a whinny bitch" sort of way. But hell, what would I have to write about if I spared others my rants of personal injustices. Whatever, solve the problem, find an outlet and move on.

One thing that has always had the power to pick my spirits up is sports. Watching, playing, anticipating their arrival; it doesn't matter, I love the thrill of competition. Friends have occasionally pointed out my sometimes over-the-top, obsessive nature when it comes to winning, and with a smirk on my face I admit to it. I've always been a firm believer that a competitive spirit is a healthy, sometimes necessary thing, and sports have always been an obvious outlet for that quality which I possess.
Two months ago, the stars aligned and I was in a wonderful dream world where the NHL wasn't confusing and basketball was entertaining again, where soccer had moved from the sideshow to the main stage, and where everything was in that riveting state we call "the playoffs". Hardly a day went by where there wasn't some form of a moving ball seen in HDTV, and in a way I got spoiled. When winners were crowned and the confetti finally settled, I had nothing left to steal my focus away, which may have contributed to my state of frustration.....

Ok that's a stretch, and a thin one at that, but I can't write off the negative effect a sports-less world can have on me. Now I'm finally getting a little of it back. Much to my delight, our soccer season finally started last Thursday. Coaching a sport you love is like a drug, after one hit you're hooked, and I'm finally starting to get my fix. Most of the kids on our 1-loss team are returning this year, plus a few who are moving up from playing in just the rec league. There are 5 weeks between now and the first game of the season, and unlike last year, my dad and I are going to make sure we don't waste our pre-season practices like we did last year. Yesterday, I completed my F-licensing course (which included a lovely five hour practice at 8 in the morning on a Saturday) which means I won't have to dive behind a bush this year when a referee comes looking for coaching passes. Plus, I'm pretty sure I can pick up mad chicks by busting out the license, which is a useful little perk.

Eagles football finally got underway as well with the Hall of Fame game against the Raiders tonight. Never in my life have I ever drooled so much in anticipation of a fucking pre-season football game, but when you find yourself in the sports desert of the summer, you run to whatever oasis you can find. In case you missed it, the Eagles starters were in for about three drives. Here is a quick overview for your convenience:
1. Defense forces a three-and-out with consecutive negative yard tackles
2. McNabb goes 3-3, my boy Reggie makes a grab, and Westbrook is straight up nasty and scores a touchdown (could the run game be making a comeback Andy?)
3. The other 4 defensive linemen introduce Aaron Brooks to the dirt of Canton, Ohio
If I said this made me happy, that would be an understatement. Ok, to use my matra of the past against me, "it's only preseason you twatt", but watching the starters execute flawlessly against fellow NFL starters is encouraging given the situation.

**Speaking of football, our house is doing a fantasy league this year and I'm sadly excited about it. It's been a few years since I've done one, but considering my boredom the last few weeks and my passion for competition, I plan on having a lot of fun with it. How much time have I put into it you may ask? Two words: Excel spreadsheets. My need for a woman is becoming clearer by the minute**

There has been another surprising development that I'd now like to share with you: the NBA is going to be good again. The idea started to dawn on me a few months ago when the playoffs were in full swing and it became clear to me that the old ways of the NBA were coming to an end. That's right, write it down because I'm telling you now, the league is coming back into it's glory. Players like Iverson and McGrady, once lauded stars of a selfish-player style of play that alienated fans and managed only bronze medals are no longer the top of the food chain. Players like Lebron, Dwyane, Elton and Chris Paul are the future of the NBA. And judging by the enthusiasm they've shown for having the opportunity to restore USA basketball to its rightful place in the world, the future of basketball is looking damn good.
Compete to live/live to compete.