What a Game

So after a long, ugly week at work, I decided to watch the USA Women's Soccer team take on Brazil in the quarter finals of the Women's World Cup.

What a match!

Up 1 - 0 after only 2 minutes into the game, Brazil tied the game late in regulation forcing extra time. So 90 minutes in the books and another 30 minutes guaranteed!

Brazil goes up on what I think was a bit of a lucky goal scored by one of the best players in the world at this time (Marta) and it looked like the end. The US was playing with only 10 players - a big disadvantage in soccer terms.

But the US kept pushing... and pushing... and pushing... then near the end of extra time with Brazil trying to do everything they can to stall for time, the US scores to tie it up on a brilliant header by Abby Wambach! NEVER SAY DIE!!!

From there, they move on to penalty kicks - one on one with the goaltender from 12 yards out. One of the most difficult shots for a keeper to stop - but also one of the most difficult to make. I speak from experience on this one from both sides of the ball.

Enter Hope Solo - the new sweetheart of US Women's soccer... beautiful save by a beautiful gal moving the US into the semi-finals against France!!


USA!! USA!!

Oh yeah - moral of the story - no matter how hard you think things are, keep pushing, plugging and trying - hard work WILL pay off and there are no shortcuts to a great outcome!!

Crazy Mondays!

Monday... great workout this morning at the gym and a hell of a day at work...

The workday started out just fine but then escalation city!! One user just yelling at one of my techs, me and 2 people from sales. Root cause = IGNORANCE. Not necessarily his fault but he needs to shut his mouth and listen for a few minutes.

We'll get through to him but it might take a couple of days. It will be interesting to see his response in the morning.

Might have to sacrifice the rubber chicken at work before the original plan if this shit keeps up!

Personal note - got an e-mail from a former soccer player of mine that I used to coach - glad to hear she's doing good in this crazy grown up world... I've known her for at least 10 years now - hard to believe.

Mish-mash of Things

Not much peace the past 2 days at work... lots to do but lots of interruptions... giving a class that is being somewhat well received. JW not engaged at all - par for the course with him... he's a tough nut.

Was a busy weekend - last soccer game of the girl's season - brilliant 2 - 1 win in the final seconds... well played all around.

Men's team could have used some of that magic but lots of injuries. Chris played with a busted rib from the previous week. Daughter had a 3 hour softball practice after her game on Saturday.

More $$ about to be spent - unplanned of course... rain last night and found a little water in the house by the fireplace... either a problem at the roof-line or with the chimney cap allowing water to wick in... called the roofer today to have them come out to look at it tomorrow... fingers crossed!

Soccer Weekend

Beautiful soccer weekend... sun, little wind and not too hot... the kids lost 2 -1 but it was their best effort this season... 1 more game for them and the season's over....

Men's team tied 2 - 2 after being down 0 - 2 at half... I had a hand in the 2nd goal which actually was a penalty kick taken by our leading scorer... I was able to keep the ball alive after the other team's keeper bobbled a shot and he got tripped up in the box...

I also had a chance to actually win the game but was 1/2 a step too slow... 5 years ago that goal would have been mine...

On the lighter side, I was traumatized - my daughter came home with a dress for her 6th grade continuation... OUCH! My reaction after she modeled it for me was that I wanted to go upstairs to my room and cry :-)

Thoughts for Thursday

Bummer - lost my original post due to a computer issue (wireless sucks sometimes)

Good day at work - calmer.. filled 2 open positions (and quickly) - boss likes that...

Talked to the person who resigned last night - burned out... good luck... glad he gave me 2 weeks

Avalanche lost big tonight to the Red Wing scum... only the Flyers left now to root for (other than anyone playing the Rangers and Red Wings)

Rough/physical indoor soccer game tonight... I'll feel it tomorrow morning for sure... ankle, ribs, legs all sore...

Snowed today - 80 degrees yesterday - 45 w/snow today... gotta love Colorado

Friday looms - gonna make it a good day and a good weekend... Happy Friday!!

The Thrill of Victory

Game 2 of my 12 year old's soccer season... the past 2 seasons have been painful - close games, winable games, but nothing to show for it for the kids. They play their hearts out but would always seem to come up just short...

Today - different. There was something about them in this game (and last week's also) that gave me and the other coach a good feeling. The "attitude" was there. They were loose, but ready to play (well most of them anyway).

After going down 0 - 1 they came back and scored two goals in the 2nd half to win the game 2 - 1. The score wasn't important, but it was the way they won it. Last second work, deep in the other team's defensive zone. One pass, two passes, shot - GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!

When I looked at my watch - 3 seconds left. The referee let the other team touch the ball at the kickoff and blew the game down.

The girls had done it. It took a lot of work on their side, but now they see that it is all worth it and I'm sure they'll still be talking about it on Monday at practice.

This should be the start of a good, upward spiral for a bunch of talented kids who just needed that taste of victory.

The Psychology of Pain

There's a parallel between physical pain and emotional pain.

My physical pain is less than that of others with serious issues (auto accident injuries, cancer patients, etc) - mine for the most part is even self-inflicted in some cases. Not because I go out and hurt myself on purpose, but because of the sports activities I take on weekly...

Last night for example - softball game at 9:00 and indoor soccer game at 11:15 (yes - PM!)...

Nursing a bum shoulder, worsening knees and stiff and contorted fingers from multiple injuries over the past 30+ years of playing various sports, I've been asked why I continue to put my body through this.

Simple answer is that I still enjoy it... when you're playing, there is no pain and you're having fun. You play to win - that's what I was taught at an early age. You don't have to be the best athlete on the field, but you have to give 100% and execute. If you do the little things right, you can win.

Last night's soccer game was a struggle for me because my fitness level isn't where it needs to be. We played a better team; faster, stronger, fitter; and we got beat (badly). Every shift I played, I tried to stay just 30 seconds longer, always moving, always trying to contribute. Wound up assisting on a goal so I guess it was OK. That's where you cross the mental/physical line. You start arguing with your body to push more - "get there faster you bastard!" "Block that shot dumb-ass".

Paying for it this morning though. Stiff knees, shoulder sore, limping badly. But it's only temporary. No pain killers, not even aspirin. Work through it. It hurts, but it's not debilitating. It hurts, but I can function. It hurts and it helps me focus on other things.

It's been said that pain is weakness leaving the body. If you have some pain, there's an injury somewhere and that part of your body is weak - work to strengthen it.

The same can be said of the mind - pain, hurt - dig down and figure out what and why. You may have to remove something (or someone) from your life to fix it, to get stronger. In the end, you'll be happier.

Take care of the pain - listen to it, but don't let it run (or ruin) your life. Surround yourself with people who love you and can help (physically and mentally).

People who suffer alone, suffer greatly. People who suffer together share the burden and can help lessen the pain for each other.

Too Much Going On...

Hard to concentrate... too many irons in the fire... The bastards are coming at me from every direction! Like the opening scene in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (Johnny Depp did a great job with that film).

Tomorrow I fix the flat tire on my bike and pedal somewhere... don't know where, but I'll just go.

Need to decompress more...

Job search, bills, phone calls, job search, e-mails, job search, writing, job search, (can you see where this is going?)

Anyway, tomorrow I will take off, relax, take a ride and get refreshed before playing softball and soccer tomorrow night. If nothing else, I'm trying to stay active.

The Things We Do for Fun...

Everyone has vices... I don't care who you are - everyone has them... booze, drugs, women, fast cars, motorcycles, all of the above... We all have them because it's what helps to define us as individuals and they help us get pleasure out of life...

One of my vices is sport... almost any kind, but in particular soccer.

Growing up on the east coast, I was introduced to soccer late in life (age 13 as a freshman in high school). This is because there were no youth leagues in my town until I was much older (almost 18).

I picked up the game because I wasn't fond of the HS baseball coach and I was big on hockey.. I figured soccer was nothing more than hockey on a bigger field using a ball and you couldn't use your hands... pretty simple (or so I thought)...

I took to the game fairly well although I'm no David Beckham. On Thursday nights I play in an over 30 mens indoor league that can get pretty rough... last week we had one of our team members go down with a torn ACL...

Me, personally, I've broken multiple fingers and dislocated my thumb (tearing the ligaments) along with separating my left shoulder 3 times and busting a couple toes here and there. That's just soccer...

Playing baseball, football, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, softball and others both competetively and recreationally since I was 5 years old, I've had plenty of time to accumulate quite a thick medical folder.

My 12 year old daughter is still amazed when she sees the men play soccer or her old man play shortstop for the softball team ... she can't quite seem to grasp why dad still thinks these things are fun as he limps around the house on Friday and other days of the week...

I would love to play into my 60s - especially since I've seen a 70+ year old soccer player playing in the advanced outdoor league I play in on Sundays...

Whatever the vice - continue as long as you can if it brings you pleasure and doesn't hurt anyone around you...

Keep kicking!