My New Year's Resolution is the same each year. My resolution is to talk less, and when I do talk, to be more interesting.
This is not to say I'm boring.
Ok maybe I am.
My point is that I am always most impressed with people who can talk about anything, which clearly I can't do, to anyone.
I also find that my smartness can also be a downside in conversations. I realize that just because I can talk about the nuances of sports, doesn't mean I should get into it when someone asks an innocent question like "so how is UCONN doing?"
I was proud of myself when someone asked that to me at the mall this week. She was actually an old boss of mine at RBS that I liked. She asked about UCONN sports. My reply was "Their doing great." I resisted the temptation to elaborate, because I realize she could care less. She's wasn't interested in an hour long conversation about the history of women's soccer. She just wanted a basic understanding.
I thought I did a better job towards working to my resolution from last year, this year. My only slip up may have occurred at the end of the year. Someone complained that I didn't respond to their text messages, so I made sure I did. Unless someone asked me a question or said something really great, I tried not to respond to the text message because I know that if left unchecked I'd never stop talking.
The gift of gab is a blessing and a curse. Seriously.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
This just makes me laugh
A NASCAR driver got in trouble for talking about breastfeeding being disgusting on twitter.
http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/7398609/kasey-kahne-apologizes-tweet-breastfeeding
I can't believe I am linking this to here. I can't believe this was a big deal either. I don't know that this is front page side bar news on ESPN...
I also don't know what would make a person want to tweet about such a subject, especially when you are famous. When you are a famous person your tweets should be really really generic. So generic that anyone but you is writing them. Generic tweets will avoid controversy.
http://espn.go.com/racing/nascar/cup/story/_/id/7398609/kasey-kahne-apologizes-tweet-breastfeeding
I can't believe I am linking this to here. I can't believe this was a big deal either. I don't know that this is front page side bar news on ESPN...
I also don't know what would make a person want to tweet about such a subject, especially when you are famous. When you are a famous person your tweets should be really really generic. So generic that anyone but you is writing them. Generic tweets will avoid controversy.
One of those moments
I distinctly remember a player seeing an L.A. Fitness gym in New Jersey and then said, oh look it's "LAH Fitness"
That made everyone's day.
That made everyone's day.
You are not a pool shark unless
You are not a pool shark unless you can do this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tfd0GqjWD-E
Imagine the bar bets you could win....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tfd0GqjWD-E
Imagine the bar bets you could win....
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
What they look like to me...
In my opinion...
The Men look like an Elite Eight Team. I think they are as hyped as the 2005-06 team. I think they have some work to do. I expected to see a Final Four team, but I don't see that yet. They are good, but not Elite yet. I think their ranking is well deserved, and will rightfully be put to the test vs BIG EAST teams soon. I would like to see the team dominate teams more. They are winning, but I don't feel like they are dominating the way they could yet.
The Women look like a Final Four Team and I'll say should get to the National Championship game. They are exceeding my expectations. I was very impressed with how the women played so far. They are better than what I expected them to be this year so far. They were clearly better than Texas A&M and Stanford. They have some work to do vs Baylor, but I was impressed they held the lead in the second half. Notre Dame will be an interesting match-up and another good measuring stick.
Both have some work to do though.
The Men look like an Elite Eight Team. I think they are as hyped as the 2005-06 team. I think they have some work to do. I expected to see a Final Four team, but I don't see that yet. They are good, but not Elite yet. I think their ranking is well deserved, and will rightfully be put to the test vs BIG EAST teams soon. I would like to see the team dominate teams more. They are winning, but I don't feel like they are dominating the way they could yet.
The Women look like a Final Four Team and I'll say should get to the National Championship game. They are exceeding my expectations. I was very impressed with how the women played so far. They are better than what I expected them to be this year so far. They were clearly better than Texas A&M and Stanford. They have some work to do vs Baylor, but I was impressed they held the lead in the second half. Notre Dame will be an interesting match-up and another good measuring stick.
Both have some work to do though.
What do you say?
Someone in my hometown of Stamford made the news on Christmas for a very unfortunate reason. In a section of town that I am probably the most unfamiliar with, (as it is the furthest from the woodsy North Stamford I am from) the part on the water called Shippan, a house fire claimed the lives of five people.
Two people survived, the mother and her male acquaintance.
The mother, Madonna Badger, is apparently an advertising executive in New York.
In the fire she lost pretty much her entire life, her parents and three kids died and her house was destroyed.
She didn't have a Merry Christmas, and may never have one because Christmas may have too painful of a meaning to her now.
What I wonder is what a friend or family member could say to her. There is nothing that could possibly make her feel better.
Can you think of something to make someone who lost their house, children and parents feel better?
Can you think of anything to do to make them feel better?
When you stop and think about it there is nothing.
She's probably going to need counseling and monitoring, for a long time.
I just really wouldn't know what to say. Saying, brighter days are ahead, or it's unfortunate don't do justice. You can't even say, I feel you pain, or I can't imagine what you are going through. Most people will NEVER be able to imagine what that person is going through.
And then put yourself in her position. How do you get over something like that happening? If that was you, and you lost that much, you could be on suicide watch. I would hope you would be smart enough to know you need counseling. You would hopefully go to church, although I can see how some might take the opposite approach if they have been faithful, because an event like that could only challenge one's faith in religion.
It will take a while to get over it too. You have to deal with all of the anniversary's of birthdays, all of the things that trigger memories of those you loved the most, the ones who surrounded them for their life.
On the flip side, if you are a special person, who can recover from things like this and be stronger and better for it, you will come off as insensitive. Maybe there are some people who are tough enough to get over this. However, if you move on so easily, people will see you as someone who doesn't care about the little things in life.
I have to say the story about someone losing their entire family and house on Christmas to a fire is the worst news story I can remember hearing in my hometown ever, and one of the worst stories I have heard in a long time.
Two people survived, the mother and her male acquaintance.
The mother, Madonna Badger, is apparently an advertising executive in New York.
In the fire she lost pretty much her entire life, her parents and three kids died and her house was destroyed.
She didn't have a Merry Christmas, and may never have one because Christmas may have too painful of a meaning to her now.
What I wonder is what a friend or family member could say to her. There is nothing that could possibly make her feel better.
Can you think of something to make someone who lost their house, children and parents feel better?
Can you think of anything to do to make them feel better?
When you stop and think about it there is nothing.
She's probably going to need counseling and monitoring, for a long time.
I just really wouldn't know what to say. Saying, brighter days are ahead, or it's unfortunate don't do justice. You can't even say, I feel you pain, or I can't imagine what you are going through. Most people will NEVER be able to imagine what that person is going through.
And then put yourself in her position. How do you get over something like that happening? If that was you, and you lost that much, you could be on suicide watch. I would hope you would be smart enough to know you need counseling. You would hopefully go to church, although I can see how some might take the opposite approach if they have been faithful, because an event like that could only challenge one's faith in religion.
It will take a while to get over it too. You have to deal with all of the anniversary's of birthdays, all of the things that trigger memories of those you loved the most, the ones who surrounded them for their life.
On the flip side, if you are a special person, who can recover from things like this and be stronger and better for it, you will come off as insensitive. Maybe there are some people who are tough enough to get over this. However, if you move on so easily, people will see you as someone who doesn't care about the little things in life.
I have to say the story about someone losing their entire family and house on Christmas to a fire is the worst news story I can remember hearing in my hometown ever, and one of the worst stories I have heard in a long time.
Jerry Jones
As a Dallas Cowboys fan, I love Jerry Jones and think he is a wonderful owner.
However, Jones committed a sin as far as I am concerned at his last game on Christmas Eve.
Jones is known as someone who puts his hand in too many different places. He loves his team and is very involved, almost too involved.
Owners own, and can set culture, help run the business operations of a team, and set what kind of team they want to have on the field based on who they hire, and promote etc.
Owners need to let go of player decisions after they hire others to take care of player decisions.
During the middle of the game Jones went down to the sideline to talk to head coach Jason Garrett about not playing injured players since the Cowboys needed players to be healthy for their next game.
Talk about showing up your head coach. On National TV you leave your suite and run down on to the field to talk to your head coach and tell him what to do. How on earth is that not conveying the idea that you don't have full confidence in your head coach, or not conveying that you the owner is the person who is in charge of all decisions, including ones involving the game itself?
What head coach, or what employee would want their boss (who is unfamiliar with the job you do) to come to them during the middle of a project to tell them what to do?
The mayor shouldn't be coming to a fire to tell the fireman how to put out the fire.
However, Jones committed a sin as far as I am concerned at his last game on Christmas Eve.
Jones is known as someone who puts his hand in too many different places. He loves his team and is very involved, almost too involved.
Owners own, and can set culture, help run the business operations of a team, and set what kind of team they want to have on the field based on who they hire, and promote etc.
Owners need to let go of player decisions after they hire others to take care of player decisions.
During the middle of the game Jones went down to the sideline to talk to head coach Jason Garrett about not playing injured players since the Cowboys needed players to be healthy for their next game.
Talk about showing up your head coach. On National TV you leave your suite and run down on to the field to talk to your head coach and tell him what to do. How on earth is that not conveying the idea that you don't have full confidence in your head coach, or not conveying that you the owner is the person who is in charge of all decisions, including ones involving the game itself?
What head coach, or what employee would want their boss (who is unfamiliar with the job you do) to come to them during the middle of a project to tell them what to do?
The mayor shouldn't be coming to a fire to tell the fireman how to put out the fire.
Monday, December 26, 2011
The worst filming location
Congratulations to Founder's Field and the University of Pittsburgh for offering the worst film platform in the conference. Thankfully Pitt has a new field, and I assume a much better place to film from.
Pitt's field in 2010 was so bad in terms of filming that I almost thought about asking the coaches if I could not film the game, and instead use the other teams copy.
I carried up just a tripod and camera and said the hell with the laptop and DVD copier because the ladder was too steep, tall and uh well crooked.
I looked at the ladder in complete, total, disbelief. Not only was it ridiculously tall, the tallest ladder I ever went up, but it was also crooked. A CROOKED ladder.
I can't believe I went up that crooked ladder. I must say though, I sure has hell only went up and down that ladder a few times. I stayed up during halftime, which I don't normally do, because the ladder was so steep. I had zero interest in going down for a drink, and was going to hold in any need for the bathroom. If I had to go, I would have peed off the back of the platform and into the woods.
What annoyed me even more about the platform was the fact that the back of the platform was so close to ground behind the field. It would make more sense, and be safer, if you were just to build a walkway behind the platform that would get rid of the need for a ladder.
As if the crooked tall ladder wasn't enough, the platform also had a nice family of bees and wasps that kept me company while filming.
Pitt's old field was awful.
The best view was a view I probably didn't get to see, and that was the view from the top of Harvard Stadium for our game against Harvard. I didn't film, our other manager did, but when I helped him set up I couldn't get over the wonderful view.
Wake Forest and South Florida had steep ladders to their filming platforms, but I liked South Florida's better because they had a system for getting all our gear up. You would tie a cord to the top rung of the ladder and then tie the other end of the cord to the gear and pull all the gear up. It looked daunting at first to get camera up, but it was actually pretty easy with help from the people at South Florida.
Wake Forest also had really nice and helpful people, but since no one told me about their pulley system at first I used one arm to carry something and than two legs and one arm to climb. It was probably more dangerous than it needed to be, but I got the job done. The next game their I got help, and their facilities person told me how much he also hated going up to the top of the press box.
I think West Virginia was steep as well, but it didn't seem as bad as the others to me.
Personally I liked Penn State's filming location the best. It was inside. Need I say more?
This year wasn't bad for weather, but in 2009 vs West Virginia in October it was FREEZING. I was so cold for that game. 2010 at West Virginia was also really cold, as were all of our November games that year.
Pitt's field in 2010 was so bad in terms of filming that I almost thought about asking the coaches if I could not film the game, and instead use the other teams copy.
I carried up just a tripod and camera and said the hell with the laptop and DVD copier because the ladder was too steep, tall and uh well crooked.
I looked at the ladder in complete, total, disbelief. Not only was it ridiculously tall, the tallest ladder I ever went up, but it was also crooked. A CROOKED ladder.
I can't believe I went up that crooked ladder. I must say though, I sure has hell only went up and down that ladder a few times. I stayed up during halftime, which I don't normally do, because the ladder was so steep. I had zero interest in going down for a drink, and was going to hold in any need for the bathroom. If I had to go, I would have peed off the back of the platform and into the woods.
What annoyed me even more about the platform was the fact that the back of the platform was so close to ground behind the field. It would make more sense, and be safer, if you were just to build a walkway behind the platform that would get rid of the need for a ladder.
As if the crooked tall ladder wasn't enough, the platform also had a nice family of bees and wasps that kept me company while filming.
Pitt's old field was awful.
The best view was a view I probably didn't get to see, and that was the view from the top of Harvard Stadium for our game against Harvard. I didn't film, our other manager did, but when I helped him set up I couldn't get over the wonderful view.
Wake Forest and South Florida had steep ladders to their filming platforms, but I liked South Florida's better because they had a system for getting all our gear up. You would tie a cord to the top rung of the ladder and then tie the other end of the cord to the gear and pull all the gear up. It looked daunting at first to get camera up, but it was actually pretty easy with help from the people at South Florida.
Wake Forest also had really nice and helpful people, but since no one told me about their pulley system at first I used one arm to carry something and than two legs and one arm to climb. It was probably more dangerous than it needed to be, but I got the job done. The next game their I got help, and their facilities person told me how much he also hated going up to the top of the press box.
I think West Virginia was steep as well, but it didn't seem as bad as the others to me.
Personally I liked Penn State's filming location the best. It was inside. Need I say more?
This year wasn't bad for weather, but in 2009 vs West Virginia in October it was FREEZING. I was so cold for that game. 2010 at West Virginia was also really cold, as were all of our November games that year.
The Best Hotel
I did talk about which trip of mine was my favorite, but I didn't talk about my favorite Hotel.
As an FYI, I never dealt with the hotel staff's at these places. This is all based on me as a guest.
My favorite Hotel is actually also the one that we stayed in for my favorite trip.
Quite simply the Embassy Suites was my favorite, despite the fact that their exercise room lacked a fully functional bike. It's amazing I said that because I usually deduct a lot for that.
Embassy Suites gave me a free Chocolate Chip Cookie, just like DoubleTree, except these cookies didn't have any nuts in them. (The Courtyard Marriott Laguardia will get great rankings for the exceptional Chocolate Chip Cookies too)
The Embassy Suites wins because I liked the set-up of the hotel. I liked that the center was open and overlooking the lobby. This allowed for a paper airplane to be sent down to a player who was meeting her friend. I liked the plants and waterfall/running water in the lobby.
I loved my room. It allowed me to comfortably host my Uncle for the day.
I had two televisions for one person. AWESOME. They were also flat screen..EVEN BETTER. The icing on the cake was that they had all the best stations first, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Classic and ESPNNEWS, plus the Golf Channel, MLB Network too I think. More sports channels than I could possibly dream of.
I love the two extra pillows that were left at my door without asking...wait a minute...some mischievous player called for those...It was either one of two freshman...
Speaking of laundry, I LOVED that I could do laundry after our win vs South Florida at the hotel. Not all hotels have laundry available. Immediately after the game I got laundry from the team, and then I put it in the washer and dryer. By the time it was all done (washer and dryer) and I was back in my room it was about 1 am. Atleast I was productive and worked on the pump up video for the Marquette game while waiting for laundry.
I had enough room to spread out laundry throughout the entire room to let it dry completely. Not everything was completely dry, but I wasn't about to wait another 40 minutes at 12:30 am, when we were going to be leaving by 8am the next day for our flight. All 22 players had jerseys and uniforms etc. hanging up on hangers, on door knobs, on chairs, on the couch, on the lights, etc. to help them dry out more.
I also loved my breakfast. Belgian Waffles, french toast sticks, SYRUP and orange juice. I was happy. Easily the best Breakfast of all Hotels I went too.
Embassy Suites USF was my favorite hotel. It also helped that the hotel was on campus and close to where we were playing. If the bus got lost, we could walk. That makes things really less stressful.
I'll actually rank the hotels later, once I remember all of their names.
I remember all their names...now...this isn't the ranking of them...but I did determine last place.
Atherton - Penn State
Crowne Plaza NJ BIG EAST
Needham Sheraton - 2009 NCAA's
Embassy Suites - USF - FL
Courtyard Marriott LaGuardia - St. John's
2010 NCAA's - I believe was a Crowne Plaza in Natick
Doubletree Skokie - DePaul
Doubletree New Jersey - Rutgers
Courtyard Mariott - Seton Hall
Doubletree South Bend/Notre Dame
Sundance Plaza - Wake Forest
DoubleTree - Syracuse
Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh
Waterfront Place - West Virginia
Last Place: Milwaukee Ramada - Marquette - video of players counting hair in their bed really cements this as my least favorite. The lack of quality exercise room also hurts. The bar reminded me of the movie Fargo and the lights for the elevator buttons didn't work.
As an FYI, I never dealt with the hotel staff's at these places. This is all based on me as a guest.
My favorite Hotel is actually also the one that we stayed in for my favorite trip.
Quite simply the Embassy Suites was my favorite, despite the fact that their exercise room lacked a fully functional bike. It's amazing I said that because I usually deduct a lot for that.
Embassy Suites gave me a free Chocolate Chip Cookie, just like DoubleTree, except these cookies didn't have any nuts in them. (The Courtyard Marriott Laguardia will get great rankings for the exceptional Chocolate Chip Cookies too)
The Embassy Suites wins because I liked the set-up of the hotel. I liked that the center was open and overlooking the lobby. This allowed for a paper airplane to be sent down to a player who was meeting her friend. I liked the plants and waterfall/running water in the lobby.
I loved my room. It allowed me to comfortably host my Uncle for the day.
I had two televisions for one person. AWESOME. They were also flat screen..EVEN BETTER. The icing on the cake was that they had all the best stations first, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Classic and ESPNNEWS, plus the Golf Channel, MLB Network too I think. More sports channels than I could possibly dream of.
I love the two extra pillows that were left at my door without asking...wait a minute...some mischievous player called for those...It was either one of two freshman...
Speaking of laundry, I LOVED that I could do laundry after our win vs South Florida at the hotel. Not all hotels have laundry available. Immediately after the game I got laundry from the team, and then I put it in the washer and dryer. By the time it was all done (washer and dryer) and I was back in my room it was about 1 am. Atleast I was productive and worked on the pump up video for the Marquette game while waiting for laundry.
I had enough room to spread out laundry throughout the entire room to let it dry completely. Not everything was completely dry, but I wasn't about to wait another 40 minutes at 12:30 am, when we were going to be leaving by 8am the next day for our flight. All 22 players had jerseys and uniforms etc. hanging up on hangers, on door knobs, on chairs, on the couch, on the lights, etc. to help them dry out more.
I also loved my breakfast. Belgian Waffles, french toast sticks, SYRUP and orange juice. I was happy. Easily the best Breakfast of all Hotels I went too.
Embassy Suites USF was my favorite hotel. It also helped that the hotel was on campus and close to where we were playing. If the bus got lost, we could walk. That makes things really less stressful.
I'll actually rank the hotels later, once I remember all of their names.
I remember all their names...now...this isn't the ranking of them...but I did determine last place.
Atherton - Penn State
Crowne Plaza NJ BIG EAST
Needham Sheraton - 2009 NCAA's
Embassy Suites - USF - FL
Courtyard Marriott LaGuardia - St. John's
2010 NCAA's - I believe was a Crowne Plaza in Natick
Doubletree Skokie - DePaul
Doubletree New Jersey - Rutgers
Courtyard Mariott - Seton Hall
Doubletree South Bend/Notre Dame
Sundance Plaza - Wake Forest
DoubleTree - Syracuse
Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh
Waterfront Place - West Virginia
Last Place: Milwaukee Ramada - Marquette - video of players counting hair in their bed really cements this as my least favorite. The lack of quality exercise room also hurts. The bar reminded me of the movie Fargo and the lights for the elevator buttons didn't work.
Georgetown 2009
One of my favorite games while being involved with our team was the 2009 game at home against Georgetown. I don't remember too much about the game, other than that Linda scored a goal to give us the lead in a critical conference game for us.
We were winning and then, well then something really really really bad happened.
I'm not going to go through the details on this one because it could come close to home, but I must say I never felt worse for one of our players than after they let something shall we say, slip away.
We can talk about this since it's old news right?
All of a sudden it was a tie game, late in the game. We seemed to be dominating, or atleast doing better than Georgetown, if I remember correctly, but a mistake tied everything up.
Not long after though, Brittany Taylor just completely took over in a way that only she did. No other player that I watched took over like she did against Georgetown and BU in the NCAA's.
Taylor got a pass from Court just on the other side of the circle and she ran through the Hoyas. Taylor just kept going and going and you just knew she wasn't about to pass to anyone until she got near the penalty box. Taylor was unstoppable for 50 yards with the ball. She looked like a knife going through soft butter.
As Taylor neared the penalty box she passed it to Mel who was to the right of her who then chipped it over the keeper and into the far post for a beautiful goal, that would end up being the match winner.
Taylor's run and the way the team responded to the game getting tied up late makes the 2009 Georgetown game really stick out to me.
We were winning and then, well then something really really really bad happened.
I'm not going to go through the details on this one because it could come close to home, but I must say I never felt worse for one of our players than after they let something shall we say, slip away.
We can talk about this since it's old news right?
All of a sudden it was a tie game, late in the game. We seemed to be dominating, or atleast doing better than Georgetown, if I remember correctly, but a mistake tied everything up.
Not long after though, Brittany Taylor just completely took over in a way that only she did. No other player that I watched took over like she did against Georgetown and BU in the NCAA's.
Taylor got a pass from Court just on the other side of the circle and she ran through the Hoyas. Taylor just kept going and going and you just knew she wasn't about to pass to anyone until she got near the penalty box. Taylor was unstoppable for 50 yards with the ball. She looked like a knife going through soft butter.
As Taylor neared the penalty box she passed it to Mel who was to the right of her who then chipped it over the keeper and into the far post for a beautiful goal, that would end up being the match winner.
Taylor's run and the way the team responded to the game getting tied up late makes the 2009 Georgetown game really stick out to me.
Read a telegram
For the first time in my life I read a telegram.
It wasn't sent to me, obviously. The telegrams I saw were actually sent to my grandparents in the 1930's..I think 1933..for their wedding.
One was from Irish relatives who mentioned Irish luck to my grandparents for their wedding.
I also read a newspaper clipping about my grandparents wedding.
I am fascinated by history. I love history, and I view writing this, or making the soccer banquet video as a way of shaping history.
Since I never met my grandpa I try to connect to him as best as I can. Somehow he shaped who I am, and I am curious to know how.
I had never even seen a picture of my great grandpa until today. (not counting the picture of him as a firefighter in Stamford, where he is sitting on a horse drawn firetruck..he is very hard to see) Seeing that photo was probably the best part of Christmas to me.
It wasn't sent to me, obviously. The telegrams I saw were actually sent to my grandparents in the 1930's..I think 1933..for their wedding.
One was from Irish relatives who mentioned Irish luck to my grandparents for their wedding.
I also read a newspaper clipping about my grandparents wedding.
I am fascinated by history. I love history, and I view writing this, or making the soccer banquet video as a way of shaping history.
Since I never met my grandpa I try to connect to him as best as I can. Somehow he shaped who I am, and I am curious to know how.
I had never even seen a picture of my great grandpa until today. (not counting the picture of him as a firefighter in Stamford, where he is sitting on a horse drawn firetruck..he is very hard to see) Seeing that photo was probably the best part of Christmas to me.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
My neighbors
One thing I realized yesterday when I got back from a Christmas Eve event, was how lucky I am to live in the neighborhood I do.
I have so many great connections from the people that live next door, and not everyone else can benefit from that.
I am so lucky to live where I do. Gene Wilder is often seen at the Grocery Store. Bobby Valentine lives in my zip code. A reporter on a local news station lives across the street from me. My eye doctor also lives across the street. (Thankfully I have no vision problems) The person who got me my first GOOD summer job at RBS was a neighbor.
The area we live in was once owned by the famous sculptor Gutzon Borglum. If you aren't familiar with his work, now you are...
http://www.nps.gov/moru/index.htm
Mount Rushmore.
A person who lives in one of his properties now is Mort Walker, a famous cartoonist who created Beetle Bailey
I'm not trying to gloat. It's sad to me. I know that the chances are that I will never be able to be in a place with more connections than the one I live in now.
As I am thinking about my future, where I want to live and what I want to do, I realize that I have it really lucky and that it will be hard for me to give my kids (if I have any) a better life than I did.
I have always liked the idea of living out in the country on a good piece of land, far away from traffic. The downside of not living in the city is that you are exposed to less in the way of people, ideas and technology. As an example I spent so much time away from civilization that I didn't know what a Red Box (movie rentals) was until a couple of months ago.
Living where I do with the connections I have also helps me realize how hard it is for people to get out of poverty. People in poverty live by those in poverty. They don't have a doctor that's a neighbor that will check them up for free, or have someone who can get their foot in the door at a company.
I have so many great connections from the people that live next door, and not everyone else can benefit from that.
I am so lucky to live where I do. Gene Wilder is often seen at the Grocery Store. Bobby Valentine lives in my zip code. A reporter on a local news station lives across the street from me. My eye doctor also lives across the street. (Thankfully I have no vision problems) The person who got me my first GOOD summer job at RBS was a neighbor.
The area we live in was once owned by the famous sculptor Gutzon Borglum. If you aren't familiar with his work, now you are...
http://www.nps.gov/moru/index.htm
Mount Rushmore.
A person who lives in one of his properties now is Mort Walker, a famous cartoonist who created Beetle Bailey
I'm not trying to gloat. It's sad to me. I know that the chances are that I will never be able to be in a place with more connections than the one I live in now.
As I am thinking about my future, where I want to live and what I want to do, I realize that I have it really lucky and that it will be hard for me to give my kids (if I have any) a better life than I did.
I have always liked the idea of living out in the country on a good piece of land, far away from traffic. The downside of not living in the city is that you are exposed to less in the way of people, ideas and technology. As an example I spent so much time away from civilization that I didn't know what a Red Box (movie rentals) was until a couple of months ago.
Living where I do with the connections I have also helps me realize how hard it is for people to get out of poverty. People in poverty live by those in poverty. They don't have a doctor that's a neighbor that will check them up for free, or have someone who can get their foot in the door at a company.
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to everyone.
That's what I celebrate. Happy Holidays to those who don't celebrate Christmas.
First of all, here is me mouthing off...or in this case typing off.
I heard that at some public elementary schools that people aren't allowed to celebrate Christmas, or have gifts on their desks, or decorations up because it offends someone.
THIS REALLY PISSES ME OFF. You shouldn't force someone to celebrate if they don't want too. However, you CANNOT allow a few people who are offended by Christmas to ruin it for 70% of those who celebrate it. How selfish of people to think that the majority of people should stop doing something because it offends them. YOU don't have to celebrate it, but just because you don't celebrate it doesn't mean that the rest of the world can't either.
Lots of things bother me, or annoy me, but as an adult I can deal with it, and ignore it, or work to make it better. I don't go around complaining about every little thing that people do that offends me. Unfortunately there are people who are selfish enough out there to complain about every little thing that could possibly offend them.
Anyway, this really doesn't fit the mood of Christmas.
So to lighten things up a little again. Hopefully Santa left everyone good gifts. My mom had a great idea for gift giving, but as a rule I won't talk about it. I'm not the type of person that would tell someone how much money they have in their pocket, even if it's not much at all. She was creative, as usual though.
I think she became a lot more creative after I found Christmas gifts in my closet when I was two or three. At some point well before Christmas I saw all of these wrapped gifts in my room, in my closet. I found a box and chair and was able to reach up to the shelf to take a peak at the gifts, until my mom stopped me. She told me they were just gifts for other people and boxes of Christmas Ornaments and I totally believed her.
That's what I celebrate. Happy Holidays to those who don't celebrate Christmas.
First of all, here is me mouthing off...or in this case typing off.
I heard that at some public elementary schools that people aren't allowed to celebrate Christmas, or have gifts on their desks, or decorations up because it offends someone.
THIS REALLY PISSES ME OFF. You shouldn't force someone to celebrate if they don't want too. However, you CANNOT allow a few people who are offended by Christmas to ruin it for 70% of those who celebrate it. How selfish of people to think that the majority of people should stop doing something because it offends them. YOU don't have to celebrate it, but just because you don't celebrate it doesn't mean that the rest of the world can't either.
Lots of things bother me, or annoy me, but as an adult I can deal with it, and ignore it, or work to make it better. I don't go around complaining about every little thing that people do that offends me. Unfortunately there are people who are selfish enough out there to complain about every little thing that could possibly offend them.
Anyway, this really doesn't fit the mood of Christmas.
So to lighten things up a little again. Hopefully Santa left everyone good gifts. My mom had a great idea for gift giving, but as a rule I won't talk about it. I'm not the type of person that would tell someone how much money they have in their pocket, even if it's not much at all. She was creative, as usual though.
I think she became a lot more creative after I found Christmas gifts in my closet when I was two or three. At some point well before Christmas I saw all of these wrapped gifts in my room, in my closet. I found a box and chair and was able to reach up to the shelf to take a peak at the gifts, until my mom stopped me. She told me they were just gifts for other people and boxes of Christmas Ornaments and I totally believed her.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Ally Mancino
Ally Mancino was such a big part of my time with UCONN. I forgot that I could actually write about her now since she transferred.
Ally's passion for soccer and intensity for the game were what made her one of my favorite athletes. I even interviewed her for a class project in sports psychology for being in the zone, because to me she was always in the zone. I really really missed Ally after she left.
One of the reasons I liked working with James and the goalkeepers at practice was because of Ally. Ally made everything in practice game like. Everything was do or die for her. I loved it and liked being with the goalkeepers to watch and listen to her scream and be intense. She was intense in all sports too. I saw her play pick up basketball and she got so mad after she missed a jumper. She took shots after the game so she could improve.
Ally was loud and always rooting for the team. I picked up on this right away as a manager. She was the second player I ever interviewed for our facebook page because of this. She was so serious during our interview and actually ran back with a ball bag after practice so that she wouldn't be late.
Ally would always say "Come on, Let's Go!!!" It was so infectious that I had it stuck in my head during swim class. I am a horrible swimmer, but the only time I beat someone in my class is when I visualized Ally screaming "Come On, Let's Go!!" to me while I did the backstroke.
I heard a story about Ally screaming at the players during warm-ups to ask if anyone else wanted a piece of her when they were taking shots on goal.
Ally had some moves that would be easy for a character on SNL to impersonate. I remember her little dancing that she would do before games during warm ups. I MEAN LITTLE. You had to be on the field to notice it. She might kill me for writing that. She would also bend down and hold her pose after catching a rolling ball in warm ups. After holding it for a second and a half she would slowly roll it back. Ally had swag.
Ally almost did kill me during the St. John's game. Ally HATED being on camera and I knew this. From time to time I felt like the Crocodile hunter when I had the video camera with me around her, or pointed anywhere near. I knew I had to be careful around her.
One time during the St. John's game I filmed her and she snapped big time. She yelled at me to stop filming and I sure as heck listened. I got concerned the coaches would hear this and put an end to all sideline filming. Thankfully they didn't. I'm not sure if I intentionally filmed her that time she snapped or not, but the lord knows I got as much footage of Ally as I could when she wasn't looking. I never did so because I was trying to be mean, I did so because I thought she was an important part of the team and I wanted clips of her intensity.
I thought she was important so I also decided to put her on a marketing flier. A small marketing flier. I asked Dulski about doing this via text message because I wanted her opinion. I also asked Leigh-Ann. Leigh-Ann gave the answer that made the most sense. "No way, that's crazy, she will kill you." Dulski than said that she was with Ally at study hall and would ask her. Dulski said "She turned red, but was ok with it. DO IT!"
I showed Ally at practice the next day and let's just say that I should have listened to Leigh-Ann. She was half mad about it and probably said she wanted to kill me. In the end Ally survived.
I have to say that by the end of the year I actually asked permission from her to film. She was actually really good about it when I asked. I also asked Mel to not film Ally when she had the camera on the road because I didn't want to upset Ally.
Ally would always get into the zone before games and would go off by herself to mentally prepare for games. She would get into her happy place I guess. I always respected Ally during this part of the day and never ever bothered her. I was impressed that games meant so much to her that she would prepare so much for them. I also remember being scared s^&less before our Notre Dame game in 2010 when I had to re-do our food order right before a game. I had to ask Ally during this time what kind of sandwich she wanted and I was so nervous and uncomfortable to ask. She was good about it and thanked me for asking.
On the field Ally was loud, energetic and vocal and as an outsider (someone not on the team) I always felt that she was a big part of warm-ups. It didn't feel right to me if she wasn't yelling "come on UCONN," "Let's GO Girls!"
The biggest play I remember Ally making came in the NCAA TOURNAMENT against Boston University. Ally played one phenomenal game and made an amazing save in the second half that allowed us to win the game. She came out off her line against a BU player and jumped up and knocked the ball away. It was a great scoring opportunity for BU, but Ally denied them. The two things I remember most about the NCAA Tournament in 2009 was Taylor's goal and Ally's save.
I asked Ally about this save for our highlight video because I thought it was such an important moment. When I told Ally it was in the video before we ate at our banquet she threatened to stab me with a fork. THANK GOD THEY WERE PLASTIC. After the video was over Ally came over and said I did a good job on the video and that meant a lot to me.
Ally is also one of the reasons the video came out so good. She came into the office one day and said that "You better make a good highlight video!" I was inspired. I had so much respect for her and her intensity that I made sure I would not let her down. Ally deserves some credit for the videos I make coming out good.
One thing I missed most about Ally was the hard time we would give one another at practice. I brought up the time I scored on her a few times to piss her off. She'd tell me I suck, or that I was lucky. I loved these conversations. We could give each other a hard time yet never take it personally. It's just something we did to pass time and mess with each other. We would also give each other a hard time about the NFL. She was a Giants fan and I am a Cowboys fan. We gave each other crap when one team wasn't doing well against the other.
I wish Ally well, and typing this makes me realize how much I miss her. The last I heard she said she was doing well and enjoying her new school and I am happy to hear that.
Ally's passion for soccer and intensity for the game were what made her one of my favorite athletes. I even interviewed her for a class project in sports psychology for being in the zone, because to me she was always in the zone. I really really missed Ally after she left.
One of the reasons I liked working with James and the goalkeepers at practice was because of Ally. Ally made everything in practice game like. Everything was do or die for her. I loved it and liked being with the goalkeepers to watch and listen to her scream and be intense. She was intense in all sports too. I saw her play pick up basketball and she got so mad after she missed a jumper. She took shots after the game so she could improve.
Ally was loud and always rooting for the team. I picked up on this right away as a manager. She was the second player I ever interviewed for our facebook page because of this. She was so serious during our interview and actually ran back with a ball bag after practice so that she wouldn't be late.
Ally would always say "Come on, Let's Go!!!" It was so infectious that I had it stuck in my head during swim class. I am a horrible swimmer, but the only time I beat someone in my class is when I visualized Ally screaming "Come On, Let's Go!!" to me while I did the backstroke.
I heard a story about Ally screaming at the players during warm-ups to ask if anyone else wanted a piece of her when they were taking shots on goal.
Ally had some moves that would be easy for a character on SNL to impersonate. I remember her little dancing that she would do before games during warm ups. I MEAN LITTLE. You had to be on the field to notice it. She might kill me for writing that. She would also bend down and hold her pose after catching a rolling ball in warm ups. After holding it for a second and a half she would slowly roll it back. Ally had swag.
Ally almost did kill me during the St. John's game. Ally HATED being on camera and I knew this. From time to time I felt like the Crocodile hunter when I had the video camera with me around her, or pointed anywhere near. I knew I had to be careful around her.
One time during the St. John's game I filmed her and she snapped big time. She yelled at me to stop filming and I sure as heck listened. I got concerned the coaches would hear this and put an end to all sideline filming. Thankfully they didn't. I'm not sure if I intentionally filmed her that time she snapped or not, but the lord knows I got as much footage of Ally as I could when she wasn't looking. I never did so because I was trying to be mean, I did so because I thought she was an important part of the team and I wanted clips of her intensity.
I thought she was important so I also decided to put her on a marketing flier. A small marketing flier. I asked Dulski about doing this via text message because I wanted her opinion. I also asked Leigh-Ann. Leigh-Ann gave the answer that made the most sense. "No way, that's crazy, she will kill you." Dulski than said that she was with Ally at study hall and would ask her. Dulski said "She turned red, but was ok with it. DO IT!"
I showed Ally at practice the next day and let's just say that I should have listened to Leigh-Ann. She was half mad about it and probably said she wanted to kill me. In the end Ally survived.
I have to say that by the end of the year I actually asked permission from her to film. She was actually really good about it when I asked. I also asked Mel to not film Ally when she had the camera on the road because I didn't want to upset Ally.
Ally would always get into the zone before games and would go off by herself to mentally prepare for games. She would get into her happy place I guess. I always respected Ally during this part of the day and never ever bothered her. I was impressed that games meant so much to her that she would prepare so much for them. I also remember being scared s^&less before our Notre Dame game in 2010 when I had to re-do our food order right before a game. I had to ask Ally during this time what kind of sandwich she wanted and I was so nervous and uncomfortable to ask. She was good about it and thanked me for asking.
On the field Ally was loud, energetic and vocal and as an outsider (someone not on the team) I always felt that she was a big part of warm-ups. It didn't feel right to me if she wasn't yelling "come on UCONN," "Let's GO Girls!"
The biggest play I remember Ally making came in the NCAA TOURNAMENT against Boston University. Ally played one phenomenal game and made an amazing save in the second half that allowed us to win the game. She came out off her line against a BU player and jumped up and knocked the ball away. It was a great scoring opportunity for BU, but Ally denied them. The two things I remember most about the NCAA Tournament in 2009 was Taylor's goal and Ally's save.
I asked Ally about this save for our highlight video because I thought it was such an important moment. When I told Ally it was in the video before we ate at our banquet she threatened to stab me with a fork. THANK GOD THEY WERE PLASTIC. After the video was over Ally came over and said I did a good job on the video and that meant a lot to me.
Ally is also one of the reasons the video came out so good. She came into the office one day and said that "You better make a good highlight video!" I was inspired. I had so much respect for her and her intensity that I made sure I would not let her down. Ally deserves some credit for the videos I make coming out good.
One thing I missed most about Ally was the hard time we would give one another at practice. I brought up the time I scored on her a few times to piss her off. She'd tell me I suck, or that I was lucky. I loved these conversations. We could give each other a hard time yet never take it personally. It's just something we did to pass time and mess with each other. We would also give each other a hard time about the NFL. She was a Giants fan and I am a Cowboys fan. We gave each other crap when one team wasn't doing well against the other.
I wish Ally well, and typing this makes me realize how much I miss her. The last I heard she said she was doing well and enjoying her new school and I am happy to hear that.
Shannon Algoe
I have one really cool memory of Shannon Algoe. I ran the beep test with her in the Blue Gym. Why on earth did I do that?
I still have no idea. Actually I am lying, I probably wanted to get a good workout in. I don't know for sure how we started to run the beep test together though. My guess is that she came into the office to fill out something for our facebook page and ended up talking about doing the beep test. She may have jokingly asked if I wanted to join her. I am sure I would have said "absolutely." That might have been how it happened
The beep test is when you run back and forth a certain distance and have to beat the beeps. As the test goes on the beeps get closer and closer to each other, making them harder to get.
I remember running them with Shannon after I found out that she had transferred to Buffalo. I was happy for her and I remember the goal of her running was to get ready for Buffalo's spring season. Either way I wanted Shannon to succeed.
I check in with Buffalo's statistics and I am very happy to see that Shannon has been playing a lot, has scored some goals as a defender and is making an impact for her team.
Another memory I have of Shannon is when she came into the office to fill out "what gift we would give a teammate for the Holidays." I didn't put my name on the list, but she said I had to be included. I think she gave me a pedometer.
I also recently found out she was named to the Academic All District first team by COSIDA this year. It's an award given for top Scholar-Athletes.
I still have no idea. Actually I am lying, I probably wanted to get a good workout in. I don't know for sure how we started to run the beep test together though. My guess is that she came into the office to fill out something for our facebook page and ended up talking about doing the beep test. She may have jokingly asked if I wanted to join her. I am sure I would have said "absolutely." That might have been how it happened
The beep test is when you run back and forth a certain distance and have to beat the beeps. As the test goes on the beeps get closer and closer to each other, making them harder to get.
I remember running them with Shannon after I found out that she had transferred to Buffalo. I was happy for her and I remember the goal of her running was to get ready for Buffalo's spring season. Either way I wanted Shannon to succeed.
I check in with Buffalo's statistics and I am very happy to see that Shannon has been playing a lot, has scored some goals as a defender and is making an impact for her team.
Another memory I have of Shannon is when she came into the office to fill out "what gift we would give a teammate for the Holidays." I didn't put my name on the list, but she said I had to be included. I think she gave me a pedometer.
I also recently found out she was named to the Academic All District first team by COSIDA this year. It's an award given for top Scholar-Athletes.
Two players at once
I'm going to write about two players in this one post. I hope they don't take offense to the fact that I can't write as much about them as I can about others, but I said I would write about every player, and I will not leave either of them out.
Both of these players were ones I knew from when I was a team manager in 2009.
The first would be Kelsey Komrij. I remember she was injured and on the bike a lot and since I love biking I was really really jealous that she got to ride the stationary bike at practice. I remember her being a 49ers fan since she was from California. I think she liked the Giants too. I think I knew Kelsey best for coming to our games as a fan after she left the team to focus on her studies as a nurse. I was glad she took the time to come and root for us even after she stopped playing.
Kate Wargo has a special place in my heart because she is the only fellow Dallas Cowboys fan to have been with our program while I was there. Kate was very quiet but was definitely someone I was rooting for. I remember trying to capture film of her during our spring season because I wanted to reward her for being a Cowboys fan.
I see both of these players around campus and always say hello when I see them. I wish them well and would always help them because they were a part of the program.
Both of these players were ones I knew from when I was a team manager in 2009.
The first would be Kelsey Komrij. I remember she was injured and on the bike a lot and since I love biking I was really really jealous that she got to ride the stationary bike at practice. I remember her being a 49ers fan since she was from California. I think she liked the Giants too. I think I knew Kelsey best for coming to our games as a fan after she left the team to focus on her studies as a nurse. I was glad she took the time to come and root for us even after she stopped playing.
Kate Wargo has a special place in my heart because she is the only fellow Dallas Cowboys fan to have been with our program while I was there. Kate was very quiet but was definitely someone I was rooting for. I remember trying to capture film of her during our spring season because I wanted to reward her for being a Cowboys fan.
I see both of these players around campus and always say hello when I see them. I wish them well and would always help them because they were a part of the program.
J.D.
Memories of Jessica Diakun...not another J.D...I am continuing to write about all the players I remember and interacted with while part of UCONN Soccer.
I didn't know J.D. for all that long. I know that's her nickname, and I'm not even sure if I ever called her that when I was there since I really was a very insignificant and small part of her time at UCONN.
I think the funniest thing I remember about her is the interview I did with her for our facebook page. She was really good during her interview, but she also spoke SO QUICKLY. As I was transcribing what she said I had to replay it about five or six times on my recorder to get one sentence right.
Two other moments I remember that were unrelated to me being with the team was the time she hobbled around Gampel Pavilion on crutches to get free marketing gear and the time she was on a UCTV show.
As far as on the field memories of her I just remember her as a solid and reliable player. I knew so little about soccer then, as compared to the little I know now, that I couldn't say much more than that. I remember editing her goal against Providence on film. I was happy she scored and mad she got railroaded in the process. I also remember her flicking the ball over a defender and getting it back to herself in a game.
My favorite memory of her was at our team banquet and its for a selfish reason. I really didn't think I meant all that much to the senior class that year because I never traveled with the team and only helped out for the last half of their practices. However, I knew I was doing something right when Jess came up to me after the banquet to thank me. I really didn't expect to hear that coming from someone who had been with the program for so long and known me for such a short time.
I didn't know J.D. for all that long. I know that's her nickname, and I'm not even sure if I ever called her that when I was there since I really was a very insignificant and small part of her time at UCONN.
I think the funniest thing I remember about her is the interview I did with her for our facebook page. She was really good during her interview, but she also spoke SO QUICKLY. As I was transcribing what she said I had to replay it about five or six times on my recorder to get one sentence right.
Two other moments I remember that were unrelated to me being with the team was the time she hobbled around Gampel Pavilion on crutches to get free marketing gear and the time she was on a UCTV show.
As far as on the field memories of her I just remember her as a solid and reliable player. I knew so little about soccer then, as compared to the little I know now, that I couldn't say much more than that. I remember editing her goal against Providence on film. I was happy she scored and mad she got railroaded in the process. I also remember her flicking the ball over a defender and getting it back to herself in a game.
My favorite memory of her was at our team banquet and its for a selfish reason. I really didn't think I meant all that much to the senior class that year because I never traveled with the team and only helped out for the last half of their practices. However, I knew I was doing something right when Jess came up to me after the banquet to thank me. I really didn't expect to hear that coming from someone who had been with the program for so long and known me for such a short time.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Nela
The first player I will write about is Nela. Angelika Johansson aka Nela brought her talents from Sweden to the United States and Franklin Pierce University, the Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues and finally UCONN.
Nela is one of the players I was closest too while at UCONN and I think there are two big reasons for that. We had actually met before she had gotten to UCONN. I met her as an intern with Franklin Pierce. I had no idea how close I would be with her when I first met her.
The first time I saw Nela was when she came back to Franklin Pierce. I had written several press releases on her and her success with Hudson Valley. She was the 2009 W-League MVP and I updated Franklin Pierce and their media contacts with press releases on her progress.
The first press release I ever wrote was on Nela. I also wrote a piece that was put on New Hampshire's WMUR website. (WMUR is famous for the primary debates they host) Since I had stuff put in those papers I had copies of my work on Nela framed and they are up in my house. I am glad I can say I actually met the player and even got lessons from her.
For most of that summer in the W-League Nela actually outscored all of UCONN's W-League and WPSL players. Nela walked in to the office I took over when my boss moved on to another job. She was with Cindy the trainer. I introduced myself to Nela and told her how I was following her. I could tell right away that she was really nice.
I also ran into Nela at her compliance meeting with her team at Franklin Pierce. I wished her good luck for the 2009 season and told her that I would say hello to her old Hudson Valley teammate Brittany Taylor. I figured this would be the last interaction I had with Nela, the person I wrote my first press release on.
I was wrong. Nela ended up transferring and of all places ended up at UCONN. This is when we got close. Nela and I were both graduate students, and like her I was familiar with Franklin Pierce. These unique common ties really fostered the friendship I developed with Nela. We both knew what it was like to be graduate students and what it was like at Franklin Pierce.
Nela and I were usually the first people to eat breakfast during preseason so the two of us would often sit and eat together at South. Usually I give the players distance and don't sit with them, but I think it was just natural for us to sit together and eat.
Nela's first goal against Central Connecticut was very special to me. I was so happy to see her validate her career at the Division I level. Division II athletes don't garner as much respect as they should. I remember going to a WPSL game and telling the parents there that Nela was joining the team because Franklin Pierce had told me she was. I told them that Nela was an All-American who lead Division II, the entire country, in goals scored in 2008. I believe she had 29 goals. Anyway one of the parents said something to the effect of "well it's only Division II that she did that in, who knows what she can do at Division I." I'm glad Nela got the respect she deserved for her work at Division II, because of the success she found at Division I.
Nela was never the most technical player, and she freely admits that. She also works to improve her technical skill daily. However, despite this shortcoming, I think she may have been one of the most effective players to ever play since I have watched the team. Before Nela became a starter I was hoping she would become one. I remember telling someone that I thought Nela should start. They said I was crazy, and then Nela proved me right by leading the team in goals scored. Nela was always in the right place at the right time and had a knack for scoring goals off of every body part.
I remember her scoring one off of her thigh against DePaul only to have had it called back due to an offsides. (I don't believe it was an offsides..I think it was a bad call). Her second goal at Syracuse last year on a header was amazing. Shoey placed a perfect cross that Nela headed out of the goalkeepers grasp and into the goal. It was a beautiful goal and was one of the few times I saw coach raise his hands in exuberance over a goal. Nela's goal vs Syracuse was one of my favorites from my time at UCONN. I also liked Nela's goal against Seton Hall with a pass from Shoey too. Nela made a great run and Shoey delivered a great rolling pass that Nela put into the back of the net. Nela was a post away from having a hat trick against Seton Hall that day.
Nela was also just another half a foot away from beating Virginia in overtime at Penn State. Nela and the UVA keeper collided around the 18 yard box I guess. Nela got enough of the ball to send it towards goal. It slowly rolled towards the net until a UVA player cleared it away at the last second. Nela was very close to beating Virginia.
The most phenomenal save I saw all season in 2010 was by West Virginia's Kerri Butler against Nela at West Virginia in the regular season. Nela headed the ball towards the goal line and the Mountaineer keeper made one amazing diving save to rob Nela. It is the best save I have seen an opposing keeper make against a UCONN player. I also felt that Kerri Butler was robbed of goalkeeper of the year for 2010.
Nela scored the most goals in conference play by any UCONN player since Kristen Graczyk in 2003. When Nela was in the game I always felt that we were going to score. I really always felt that. Always. Nela is a goal scorer.
I am extremely annoyed at the BIG EAST Conference and the coaches who voted that they did not select Nela to a BIG EAST team, or even name her to the BIG EAST honor roll or BIG EAST Player of the Week. As the third leading goal scorer in conference play she deserved recognition. Nela doesn't care about those awards, but I do. I don't know that people will ever appreciate just how good Nela was at scoring goals, which is quite frankly the name of the game.
Nela had 75% of her shots on frame. Extremely impressed by that.
What I liked best about Nela is her willingness to play soccer with me and teach me a few things. Today, for the final time, the two of us played soccer inside in the Blue Gym. She has helped my pathetic skills grow to less pathetic. Today we worked on heading the ball. She has certainly helped improve my first touch drastically. She also improved my ability to take a ball off of my thigh and then one touch it. Nela taught me so much about soccer and only her and I may ever know how much we progressed.
I also made sure Nela experienced some of the great things about college in the US. She went to watch the Men's Basketball National Championship game in Gampel. I also made sure she got the chance to experience a men's and women's basketball game at UCONN. She was a big Women's fan at Franklin Pierce.
Nela is a phenomenal person and an extremely hard worker. I believe she said her parents own a family business in Sweden so that they are constantly working. Nela is extremely nice and was open to playing soccer and spending time with anyone and everyone. She didn't care if someone was an athlete or not. Nela was also even more remarkably a 4.0 Graduate Student Athlete in Mathematics. She even was a teaching assistant with a class this past semester.
All in all I will deeply miss Nela. She is a wonderful person who I plan to stay in touch with. I know that if I travel to Sweden that I will see her and she told me I will be taken care of should I go. I really hope to be able to watch her play as a professional there. She will become one, but it would mean a lot to me to see her play.
So my first player profile of a former player is done. It's fitting that it's about Nela.
Nela is one of the players I was closest too while at UCONN and I think there are two big reasons for that. We had actually met before she had gotten to UCONN. I met her as an intern with Franklin Pierce. I had no idea how close I would be with her when I first met her.
The first time I saw Nela was when she came back to Franklin Pierce. I had written several press releases on her and her success with Hudson Valley. She was the 2009 W-League MVP and I updated Franklin Pierce and their media contacts with press releases on her progress.
The first press release I ever wrote was on Nela. I also wrote a piece that was put on New Hampshire's WMUR website. (WMUR is famous for the primary debates they host) Since I had stuff put in those papers I had copies of my work on Nela framed and they are up in my house. I am glad I can say I actually met the player and even got lessons from her.
For most of that summer in the W-League Nela actually outscored all of UCONN's W-League and WPSL players. Nela walked in to the office I took over when my boss moved on to another job. She was with Cindy the trainer. I introduced myself to Nela and told her how I was following her. I could tell right away that she was really nice.
I also ran into Nela at her compliance meeting with her team at Franklin Pierce. I wished her good luck for the 2009 season and told her that I would say hello to her old Hudson Valley teammate Brittany Taylor. I figured this would be the last interaction I had with Nela, the person I wrote my first press release on.
I was wrong. Nela ended up transferring and of all places ended up at UCONN. This is when we got close. Nela and I were both graduate students, and like her I was familiar with Franklin Pierce. These unique common ties really fostered the friendship I developed with Nela. We both knew what it was like to be graduate students and what it was like at Franklin Pierce.
Nela and I were usually the first people to eat breakfast during preseason so the two of us would often sit and eat together at South. Usually I give the players distance and don't sit with them, but I think it was just natural for us to sit together and eat.
Nela's first goal against Central Connecticut was very special to me. I was so happy to see her validate her career at the Division I level. Division II athletes don't garner as much respect as they should. I remember going to a WPSL game and telling the parents there that Nela was joining the team because Franklin Pierce had told me she was. I told them that Nela was an All-American who lead Division II, the entire country, in goals scored in 2008. I believe she had 29 goals. Anyway one of the parents said something to the effect of "well it's only Division II that she did that in, who knows what she can do at Division I." I'm glad Nela got the respect she deserved for her work at Division II, because of the success she found at Division I.
Nela was never the most technical player, and she freely admits that. She also works to improve her technical skill daily. However, despite this shortcoming, I think she may have been one of the most effective players to ever play since I have watched the team. Before Nela became a starter I was hoping she would become one. I remember telling someone that I thought Nela should start. They said I was crazy, and then Nela proved me right by leading the team in goals scored. Nela was always in the right place at the right time and had a knack for scoring goals off of every body part.
I remember her scoring one off of her thigh against DePaul only to have had it called back due to an offsides. (I don't believe it was an offsides..I think it was a bad call). Her second goal at Syracuse last year on a header was amazing. Shoey placed a perfect cross that Nela headed out of the goalkeepers grasp and into the goal. It was a beautiful goal and was one of the few times I saw coach raise his hands in exuberance over a goal. Nela's goal vs Syracuse was one of my favorites from my time at UCONN. I also liked Nela's goal against Seton Hall with a pass from Shoey too. Nela made a great run and Shoey delivered a great rolling pass that Nela put into the back of the net. Nela was a post away from having a hat trick against Seton Hall that day.
Nela was also just another half a foot away from beating Virginia in overtime at Penn State. Nela and the UVA keeper collided around the 18 yard box I guess. Nela got enough of the ball to send it towards goal. It slowly rolled towards the net until a UVA player cleared it away at the last second. Nela was very close to beating Virginia.
The most phenomenal save I saw all season in 2010 was by West Virginia's Kerri Butler against Nela at West Virginia in the regular season. Nela headed the ball towards the goal line and the Mountaineer keeper made one amazing diving save to rob Nela. It is the best save I have seen an opposing keeper make against a UCONN player. I also felt that Kerri Butler was robbed of goalkeeper of the year for 2010.
Nela scored the most goals in conference play by any UCONN player since Kristen Graczyk in 2003. When Nela was in the game I always felt that we were going to score. I really always felt that. Always. Nela is a goal scorer.
I am extremely annoyed at the BIG EAST Conference and the coaches who voted that they did not select Nela to a BIG EAST team, or even name her to the BIG EAST honor roll or BIG EAST Player of the Week. As the third leading goal scorer in conference play she deserved recognition. Nela doesn't care about those awards, but I do. I don't know that people will ever appreciate just how good Nela was at scoring goals, which is quite frankly the name of the game.
Nela had 75% of her shots on frame. Extremely impressed by that.
What I liked best about Nela is her willingness to play soccer with me and teach me a few things. Today, for the final time, the two of us played soccer inside in the Blue Gym. She has helped my pathetic skills grow to less pathetic. Today we worked on heading the ball. She has certainly helped improve my first touch drastically. She also improved my ability to take a ball off of my thigh and then one touch it. Nela taught me so much about soccer and only her and I may ever know how much we progressed.
I also made sure Nela experienced some of the great things about college in the US. She went to watch the Men's Basketball National Championship game in Gampel. I also made sure she got the chance to experience a men's and women's basketball game at UCONN. She was a big Women's fan at Franklin Pierce.
Nela is a phenomenal person and an extremely hard worker. I believe she said her parents own a family business in Sweden so that they are constantly working. Nela is extremely nice and was open to playing soccer and spending time with anyone and everyone. She didn't care if someone was an athlete or not. Nela was also even more remarkably a 4.0 Graduate Student Athlete in Mathematics. She even was a teaching assistant with a class this past semester.
All in all I will deeply miss Nela. She is a wonderful person who I plan to stay in touch with. I know that if I travel to Sweden that I will see her and she told me I will be taken care of should I go. I really hope to be able to watch her play as a professional there. She will become one, but it would mean a lot to me to see her play.
So my first player profile of a former player is done. It's fitting that it's about Nela.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Thinking back to 9/11
I never spoke about my memories of September 11th. I think it's important that I do, so I don't forget. Since this is my site, I'll write about what I want.
I had a bad feeling on 9/11 in the morning. I remember before the attacks that day being outside for gym class. What I remember most is seeing all of these planes overhead. It was before the attack had happened, but something seemed odd to me about the amount of planes in the sky. For some strange reason I noticed all of the planes that morning.
Stamford, where I grew up, and still consider to be and always be my hometown since it's where I was born and raised, is only about forty-five minutes from New York City. Trains go in to the city often too, although I don't normally take the trains.
Anyway, I was sitting in Math class and we were talking about probability when our Principal at Turn of River Middle School Rodney Bass came on to the loud speakers and said. "Two small planes have just hit the World Trade Center." At the time I don't think that we were told it was a terrorist attack because I vividly remember Eric Demaio saying "Well what are the chances of two planes hitting the World Trade Center."
I also remember our Social Studies teacher at the time saying something infamous. He stated that this attack wouldn't really change anything for our country. He was wrong, although a great teacher. I remember sitting in his class and hearing military jets roaring over our head. That was scary, because unless it's a rare event for a National Holiday we never see or hear military jets overhead.
As the day went on things got more surreal. While we were exchanging classes we heard about the Pentagon being hit. During lunch which ever students were still left (because many classmates went home early that day) began thinking about what place might be attacked next. Then we heard about the plane that went down in Pennsylvania.
After school I had an orthodontist appointment. I didn't want to go. I ran half a mile home from the bus and wanted to see the news. My dad was home early and had it on. I tried to argue with my mom about getting out of the orthodontist appointment, but I lost that battle.
In the end my Uncle lost six of his parishioners in Wilton. He said several funerals. One of our former neighbors whose son I had been friends with passed away, as did another one of his relatives. My sister's friends father also passed away. It was impossible to be from Stamford and not know someone who knew someone who was effected by that day.
I remember going with my father to my first Mets game after the attack and looked to the right off of the Whitestone Bridge and saw for the first time in my life that those two towers were gone. I remember getting to Shea Stadium and saw the place covered with fliers of missing people. It was extremely sad, because I knew that everyone who was missing was dead.
I had a bad feeling on 9/11 in the morning. I remember before the attacks that day being outside for gym class. What I remember most is seeing all of these planes overhead. It was before the attack had happened, but something seemed odd to me about the amount of planes in the sky. For some strange reason I noticed all of the planes that morning.
Stamford, where I grew up, and still consider to be and always be my hometown since it's where I was born and raised, is only about forty-five minutes from New York City. Trains go in to the city often too, although I don't normally take the trains.
Anyway, I was sitting in Math class and we were talking about probability when our Principal at Turn of River Middle School Rodney Bass came on to the loud speakers and said. "Two small planes have just hit the World Trade Center." At the time I don't think that we were told it was a terrorist attack because I vividly remember Eric Demaio saying "Well what are the chances of two planes hitting the World Trade Center."
I also remember our Social Studies teacher at the time saying something infamous. He stated that this attack wouldn't really change anything for our country. He was wrong, although a great teacher. I remember sitting in his class and hearing military jets roaring over our head. That was scary, because unless it's a rare event for a National Holiday we never see or hear military jets overhead.
As the day went on things got more surreal. While we were exchanging classes we heard about the Pentagon being hit. During lunch which ever students were still left (because many classmates went home early that day) began thinking about what place might be attacked next. Then we heard about the plane that went down in Pennsylvania.
After school I had an orthodontist appointment. I didn't want to go. I ran half a mile home from the bus and wanted to see the news. My dad was home early and had it on. I tried to argue with my mom about getting out of the orthodontist appointment, but I lost that battle.
In the end my Uncle lost six of his parishioners in Wilton. He said several funerals. One of our former neighbors whose son I had been friends with passed away, as did another one of his relatives. My sister's friends father also passed away. It was impossible to be from Stamford and not know someone who knew someone who was effected by that day.
I remember going with my father to my first Mets game after the attack and looked to the right off of the Whitestone Bridge and saw for the first time in my life that those two towers were gone. I remember getting to Shea Stadium and saw the place covered with fliers of missing people. It was extremely sad, because I knew that everyone who was missing was dead.
Those Three Little Letters
Those three little letters that affect most women's sports teams and many women's athletes are ACL. Anterior Cruciate Ligament.
Injuries to this ligament happen to teams pretty much every year. It's affected our program ever since I can remember following the team. Every year a good player is out.
I usually know the injury when I see it, or should I say, hear the player, or see their face, or see the reactions of their teammates.
Last year a player tore her ACL at Boston University. She had torn it the year before. From the press box during the game I saw the player go down on the turf and not get up right away. I saw her require assistance to get off the field and then saw a lot of teammates go over and hug her a little while later. I picked up on it pretty quickly and realized that there was a great chance she tore her ACL.
The second I saw happened right in front of me. Thankfully I was filming and didn't exactly see what happened or how it happened. Unfortunately I heard the players reaction. I knew right away from her scream that she had more than likely torn her ACL. I saw teammates go up to her while she was on the bench. Although nothing had been confirmed I was fairly sure she was done for a long time.
The last one that happened was the most frustrating to me. I was far away from what had happened, and since we already had an ACL injury this year, I couldn't believe we would have another one. Especially not to the player it happened too. I thought this player would be fine. Sort of like she was unsinkable, like the Titanic. When she first went down, I thought she would pop right up. I wasn't too concerned at first, but as every second went by my nervousness went up. Then I saw our trainer go out. They spent a long time, or atleast seemingly a really long time tending to her. As I saw the player walk off the field with assistance I noticed her face and body language. Her face looked white. She seemed numb, had no energy and looked beat up. She looked like she had been pulled out of the wreckage of a building that had collapsed but without the blood. On the tenth anniversary of September 11th, she looked exactly like the people on TV that I had seen evacuated out of the World Trade Center ten years earlier. Dazed, confused, battered. I will never forget her face because her face said it all. I knew she tore her ACL. I had no doubts about it. I prayed I was wrong, but was pretty sure I wasn't.
I heard that player ran today and that's music to my years. I was so tempted to say something to this player to try to cheer her up. However, I knew there was nothing I could say. I said nothing, even as we sat not that far from each other on the bench. I have to give credit to our trainer for keeping a conversation with her going, because I would have been unable too. I remember pretty vividly sitting on the bench staring up at the sky and wondering why god had done this to this player.
I have to reiterate that nothing makes me happier than to hear that she ran again. It makes me so happy. It just sucks I won't be able to see her dominate next year.
I remember thinking the same thing when Mel Thomas tore her ACL for women's basketball, and when Caroline Doty did for the second time.
I also was reporting on the game when Kalana Greene tore her ACL vs South Carolina. She was my first introduction to ACL injuries. I remember Greene yelping in pain and cursing and than seeing Geno and the trainer come out to see her. When she got up I could tell she was in serious pain.
Injuries to this ligament happen to teams pretty much every year. It's affected our program ever since I can remember following the team. Every year a good player is out.
I usually know the injury when I see it, or should I say, hear the player, or see their face, or see the reactions of their teammates.
Last year a player tore her ACL at Boston University. She had torn it the year before. From the press box during the game I saw the player go down on the turf and not get up right away. I saw her require assistance to get off the field and then saw a lot of teammates go over and hug her a little while later. I picked up on it pretty quickly and realized that there was a great chance she tore her ACL.
The second I saw happened right in front of me. Thankfully I was filming and didn't exactly see what happened or how it happened. Unfortunately I heard the players reaction. I knew right away from her scream that she had more than likely torn her ACL. I saw teammates go up to her while she was on the bench. Although nothing had been confirmed I was fairly sure she was done for a long time.
The last one that happened was the most frustrating to me. I was far away from what had happened, and since we already had an ACL injury this year, I couldn't believe we would have another one. Especially not to the player it happened too. I thought this player would be fine. Sort of like she was unsinkable, like the Titanic. When she first went down, I thought she would pop right up. I wasn't too concerned at first, but as every second went by my nervousness went up. Then I saw our trainer go out. They spent a long time, or atleast seemingly a really long time tending to her. As I saw the player walk off the field with assistance I noticed her face and body language. Her face looked white. She seemed numb, had no energy and looked beat up. She looked like she had been pulled out of the wreckage of a building that had collapsed but without the blood. On the tenth anniversary of September 11th, she looked exactly like the people on TV that I had seen evacuated out of the World Trade Center ten years earlier. Dazed, confused, battered. I will never forget her face because her face said it all. I knew she tore her ACL. I had no doubts about it. I prayed I was wrong, but was pretty sure I wasn't.
I heard that player ran today and that's music to my years. I was so tempted to say something to this player to try to cheer her up. However, I knew there was nothing I could say. I said nothing, even as we sat not that far from each other on the bench. I have to give credit to our trainer for keeping a conversation with her going, because I would have been unable too. I remember pretty vividly sitting on the bench staring up at the sky and wondering why god had done this to this player.
I have to reiterate that nothing makes me happier than to hear that she ran again. It makes me so happy. It just sucks I won't be able to see her dominate next year.
I remember thinking the same thing when Mel Thomas tore her ACL for women's basketball, and when Caroline Doty did for the second time.
I also was reporting on the game when Kalana Greene tore her ACL vs South Carolina. She was my first introduction to ACL injuries. I remember Greene yelping in pain and cursing and than seeing Geno and the trainer come out to see her. When she got up I could tell she was in serious pain.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
I'm alive
I'm still alive...
Nela is planning to play professionally back home. Don't know more than that yet. She graduates in the fall.
I think she was under appreciated based on not getting much love in conference and region awards last year. She had the most goals in conference by a Husky since 2003. I believe she was also tied for third in the conference in goals scored. Usually players with that many goals in conference play win conference awards, or weekly awards. The fact that she didn't is pathetic.
Conference awards are often earned, but a lot of it is also B.S. Best example would be when a conference selected two goal keepers and five defenders among their three all-conference teams.
Nela is planning to play professionally back home. Don't know more than that yet. She graduates in the fall.
I think she was under appreciated based on not getting much love in conference and region awards last year. She had the most goals in conference by a Husky since 2003. I believe she was also tied for third in the conference in goals scored. Usually players with that many goals in conference play win conference awards, or weekly awards. The fact that she didn't is pathetic.
Conference awards are often earned, but a lot of it is also B.S. Best example would be when a conference selected two goal keepers and five defenders among their three all-conference teams.
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