me gusta futbol

Ah, The World Cup. It's like the Olympics with a singular sport :) It's every four years. And it's those every four years that remind me that I do, in fact, enjoy soccer (or rather, futbol). I grew up in the valley....I've been surrounded by it my whole life. A good number of my Saturdays were spent at the soccer fields at CSUS (before that area became the dorms and a pond) cheering on my friends. It was practically required to play at recess and any other P.E. break at Julien Elementary. And it was fun. Some days were more fun than others but I really did like it. And my most vivid memory of playing soccer was in 5th or 6th grade (so...maybe not that vivid, but still) was when a girl named Nessa got her arm broken during P.E. playing soccer. And how happy I was that it wasn't me. But still....it was impressive, and a well kicked ball.

What else makes me like this sport? I admire the crap outta those that play. Have you tried sprinting around for an hour and a half recently? Yeah...I definitely don't make it as long as I did once upon a time. And goalies are straight up badass crazy....in the best way possible. Love them! Much like I love and appreciate catchers. Catchers are just insane. "sure, I'll squat for a couple hours. Wanna throw a ball 90 mph at me too? Ok, sure. Oh, what's that? You want to come racing at me full speed and tackle me while I hold on to a baseball? Yup, bring it on. Cameras showing close up shots of my crotch while I flash some signs? Why not. Hit in the noggin and other various body parts with foul tips and what not? Yup. I'm game." But goalies are flying all over the place....wearing much less protection than a catcher. "You wanna kick a ball at me full speed while I try to read your mind and cover a 8' x 24' area with my best ninja/jedi-like abilities? Okie dokie"

Why else? I'm a girl. Girls like athletes. My top 3 athletes: 1> h2o polo players/swimmers (best overall body and tan) 2> soccer players (have you seen their legs?! glorious to gaze at) 3> baseball players (arms. forearms. catchers' legs. arms.)

But why do I neglect to remember my appreciation and enjoyment of soccer those 3 years between world cups? Call it my Olympic theory. Every 4 years I'm suddenly an expert in things like synchronized diving (the greatest Olympic event ever, in my opinion) and ice dancing (which is different than figure skating....but don't ask me why for another 4 years). Why? Because I need to be in the know....and I need to cheer on MY country. That's the difference. Only during the World Cup does the USA come together and care about soccer. Because we are competitive. Because we love our country. Because tying England felt pretty much like winning. And because you get miraculous moments like those brought to us by Landon Donovan. That is now my most vivid World Cup memory. My previous one? Sitting at a cafe in downtown Lakeland FL and watching the Zidane headbutt incident. But who cares about that now. I've got a genuine American Miracle Moment to care about. It's those things that bring people together....make people care about soccer....and feel good to be American. Because, even if we feel like we are a powerhouse in the world, we still secretly want to be the underdog because it's only when you're the underdog that you get moments like Landon Donovan scoring in stoppage time after being denied a legit goal (AGAIN!) from refs who for some reason hate America.

America may be out of the World Cup now....but I'm still caring about the World Cup. Maybe I'll attempt to hit up a San Jose Earthquakes game someday....but no matter what, in four years, I'll be straight up obsessed with soccer again. USA.

"al azar" (that's spanish!)

sitting at work...thinking "al azar" thoughts

• went to 2 gigantes games last weekend. came back with a new sweatshirt, a new BEAT LA tshirt (which has instantly become my favorite shirt EVER), free rally scarf and Willie Mays bobbleheads, fun memories and a 4-0 record on the season for games that I attend.
• looked through pictures on my facebook and started to mourn my long hair.
• read online that McDonalds used to put sugar on their fries to help kids crave them. I see this having the potential to be accurate. They do something to make you crave them.
• I've been getting 7 hours sleep a night and yet I continually wake up desiring more sleep. Could this be my childhood and college years catching up with me?
• I recently passed the 20 months left of my 20s mark. yup, that's less than 2 years. what a strange thought. an even stranger thought? how much can happen in that short amount of time.
• fresh strawberries are a good start, but I'm beyond ready for some peaches, plums, apricots, and pluots picked from the tree.
• I want to do a Star Wars marathon.
• It's the final week of the TV season. I find myself not caring as much and yet caring way more than ever....if that makes any sense. Suffice to say, LOST shall be consuming my entire weekend.
• It hasn't really sunk in that I get to hang out with my dearest friends from college memorial day weekend for a mini-reunion. Shall be good fun.
• On the other hand, my 10 year high school reunion is in July and I couldn't really care less about going.
• I've actually kept up fairly well with my 2010 year long commitments {read the bible in the year with my bible study group and take a picture a day for project 365 with a group of college friends} Only missed one day in project 365 and I'm only a week behind in the bible reading.
• went to my childhood church a couple of weeks ago. saddened and led to multiple cusswords. sigh.
• purchased 2 VHS copies of Billy Blanks Tae Bo but have yet to actually be productive with them. soon. real soon.
• speaking of VHS, I had to go to wal-mart to find some (5 pack for $8!) so that I can be my historically minded pop culture junkie self this weekend. I shall be adding the LOST finale shows to my VHS finale collection which includes: Full House, Home Improvement, Boy Meets World, Dawson's Creek, Friends, etc. Someday I'll get one of those fancy VHS to DVD converter thingies and transfer. But as much as I love my TV on DVD collection, there's just something special about watching the VHS....especially seeing the commercials that were on :)
• I moved in over a month ago and have yet to put away my laundry....that's not good...huh?
• Wes Anderson was created to make stop-motion animation films. Tis his purpose in this world. If you haven't already watched The Fantastic Mr. Fox, what the cuss are you waiting for?!
• I want to go to the beach, I want to go hike around the mountains, I want a tan. It would be ideal to combine all these wants.
• As a huge fan of Gladiator and of Robin Hood, I was most excited to see the Ridley Scott directed Robin Hood. Let me tell you, I've never been more disappointed watching a movie. Horrible and not Robin Hood. It's basically an origin story. No shenanigans and hardly any archery! Terrible. Only highlight? Kevin Durand (Keamy from LOST) as Little John.
• I want to actually become bilingual in Spanish. I should be more proactive in achieving that Super Random Life Goal.
• 45 minutes and 2 days left in my work week. 102 days left in my Americorps VISTA commitment. Not that I'm counting or anything...

...this is it...

Yup. It took a No-Hitter to bring me out of blogging hibernation. But sweet lord almighty, what a great night, great story, great everything. Jonathan Sanchez...he of endless potential...became a major part of history when he needed it most. Even I had suggested that Sanchez may be best suited for the bullpen. Proved wrong tonight. And then his dad had to come and smother him in a huge hug in the dugout afterwards....I'm a sucker for that. I mean...I lost it watching the perfect game in For Love of the Game. Anyways, it was a proud night for a Giants fan. Especially after Lincecum took a no-hitter into the 7th last night. And Cain going tomorrow night. All of this has led me to a major conclusion/decision/belief---

This is It.

This can and may and should be the season. It's got all the telltale signs. Look at the White Sox of 2005, the Tigers in 2006, the Phillies last year. I'm feeling it. Been feeling it since Spring Training. And that feeling has intensified as the season has progressed. The guys have stepped up. I know there's still the second half but I gotta say, I'm feeling good about this season. 

Yeah Giants. 

And the winner is...

Tim Lincecum. 2008 Cy Young Winner.

As he should be.

Listen to the song below. You'll never be able to just say his name again. You'll sing it. And your life will be just a little bit better.

http://media.knbr.com/knbr/lincecum.mp3

Our future really is looking up. And I think the time has come to pass this torch on. I believe he is worthy. Snow held it to the highest of standards and I don't doubt that Lincecum will take it to a whole new meaning. My friends:

Lincecum=Good.

random ramblings and observations

• I am a deranged individual at times, I know this. I can't help laughing and rewatching when someone gets hit by a vehicle on TV or in a movie. And then last week, it almost happened in real life. I was driving home from work and this old man was jaywalking across the road and he didn't see me coming. Luckily, I saw him and slowed to a stop. As I stopped, he finally noticed me and started old man running to get past me - and into the next lane of traffic with another oncoming car. Luckily, the oncoming car was able to stop in time but literally I was seconds away from seeing an old man get hit by a car. And that's when it hit me that it is actually a great fear of mine to see it happen in real life. Maybe that's why I like watching it so much, in hopes I'll never have to witness the real thing. But I really can watch Brad Pitt get hit in Meet Joe Black over and over and over again.
• It is Halloween on Friday. I don't really care about Halloween. What I do care about is the fact that it means that November is this week which means we're really really close to 2009. And that scares me a bit.
• What also scares me a bit is something my friend Jo and I realized yesterday. Next Presidential election, I'll be 30. That scares the crap out of me (along with who knows what is going to happen between then and now)
• I've been over the election for a good long time now. And I haven't begun to peruse the handbook yet. All I know is this: NO on 2. and I'm thinking that the whole high speed railway plan doesn't sound that thought out or absolutely necessary.
• My friend recently posted this on her blog:

5. I've never seen any of the Back to the Future movies, Harry Potter movies, Lord of the Rings movies, Narnia movies, Star Trek movies (or shows), Indiana Jones movies, Matrix movies, Jurassic Park movies or Pirates of the Caribbean movies, nor do I have any inclining of a bit of desire to see them. My friend J might disassociate herself from me for that, but it is true.

I am the friend J that might disassociate and I'm here to say I shall not. I myself have never seen the Harry Potter films (or read the books), I could care less about the Pirates movies, have only seen the Star Trek movie with humpback whales in it (though am actually really excited about the new one. Call it the J.J. factor), hadn't seen the Indy movies until high school, read the Narnia books until right before the first movie came out, never read the Lord of the Rings books (but did find myself a willing participant in the awesomeness that was Trilogy Tuesday), and I only own the Matrix on VHS. But the one that hurts is Back to the Future. That's my true all time favorite/comfort trilogy. I love me some Star Wars...but sometimes you just need a little McFly (p.s. we're almost 6 years away from 2015...where's my hover board?!)

• I'm ashamed of myself as a baseball fan. It completely slipped my mind that the game was on last night. Granted, it was called on account of rain but still. I should have been watching.
• I watched an all day West Wing marathon yesterday. How I miss that show...it was season 3, a real good one. And it got me thinking about a post I did on xanga many moons ago about movie presidents. I still think Bill Pullman in ID4 is the coolest, with a Russian ass-kicking Harrison Ford in a close second, and Kevin Kline in Dave a ultra close third. But TV wise, it's tough to chose between President Bartlett and President Palmer. I still am campaigning for Tom Hanks to play a movie President. Someday my dream will come true.

and then....

The Nuts season is over. Though the Nut season is just beginning with harvest. Weird. Even weirder, the fact that I now only have one job. I really don't know what I am going to do with all my time in the evenings. It's always bittersweet for the season to end when you are working. As a fan, I never want it to end. But as an employee, one can only handle so many long extra-inning games, only so many stands packed with teeny bopper cheerleaders and their families running around and yelling "Everywhere we go...people wanna know...", only so many games with horrendous umpiring calls (and also getting teased for a friendship with an ump with an accent), only so many games where it's 100 degrees and I'm stuck wearing a polyester jersey, khaki shorts, with socks and shoes on my feet. But at the same time, I can't imagine spending my summer any other way now. What would my life be like if I didn't get paid to hang out at a ballpark? It's great. And I really do love all the fan interaction. Great stories. Here's one:
The littlest Orr kid was hanging out on the concourse by the Applegate Johnston Guest Service Counter, being his rambuncous-self. He proceeded to steal a pile of baseball cards that were sitting on the counter. Teacher Jen came out and asked him to give them back since they were not his cards. He pouted while he returned them. Then Terry the Beast who was in charge of the Applegate Johnston Guest Service Counter and owner of the baseball cards (courtesty of the Nestle Drumstick Summer Baseball Tour) said he could have them. Teacher Jen again returned to say the Orr kid could have the cards if he promised to no longer beat up/be mean to Nancy THE Promo Girl. The littlest Orr kid agreed and took his treasure of baseball cards back to his seat. I followed shortly to hang out and catch the end of the game with Nancy. As we are standing there watching the end of the game, the littlest Orr kid suddenly appeared, put the pile of baseball cards in front of me and said "I'd rather hit Nancy."
Absolutely classic. There were plenty of gems throughout the season. Many a good play made on the field. Many a bad play made on the field (the Nuts had a knack for getting thrown out at home plate. If memory serves, it happened like 4 times in a row. and again in the playoffs. Though they also couldn't turn a double play in the playoffs but I digress). Many a good time chilling in the press box (and yelling at a production crew member to pull up his pants, no one wants to see his chones). Many a Play Ball kid getting coached by me and J.W. Many a time I wished for another brawl like the extreme one we had with the Ports--during dollar beer inning. Many a microphone drop (actually only 8 on the year...pretty good considering girl pants don't have pockets like boy pants). Many a good time showing up late but making amends with bags of jenny smith cookies (new favorite quote regarding my cookies: "I don't think it's possible to love anything as much as we love your cookies"- the Beast). Many a Nut joke. Many a free snow cone.
And then...one playoff game at JTF, one game up at Stockton as a fan and then my season was done. I didn't get to go the series finale as I was directing the fun at my real job. But that was it. Suddenly, the season was over. And is over. Who knows if they'll ask me back next year and if I would say yes if they did (right now, yes) but it was a blast. Now back to civilian life as a baseball fan (I WILL see Lincecum pitch before this season is over. I WILL!) and Director of Fun. It's a hard life but someone's got to do it.

GO Nuts! *game 1 @ john thurman field*

Last night was the first official home game for the Nuts. And it was a doozy! In fitting with my luck over the years, it was a 3+ hour game. I swear I have the worst luck, always long and/or extra inning games. But last night's game was worth every minute!

Modesto was down 4-1 for pretty much the whole game. It was a long game and it was a chilly spring night. Most of fans stayed into it for most of the game, though by the time we got to the amazing ending less than half the sellout crowd was still around. Those that stuck around got a super show. Let's just say that yours truly suggested to an intern that he turn his hat into a rally cap and BAM! victory for the nuts. In the midst of the rally was one of the farthest hit homeruns I've ever seen at John Thurman Field. Then the first position player to play for the Modesto Nuts who was also from Modesto got an RBI to tie it up (when I started to pray-to myself, since one never mentions it out loud- that we wouldn't go into extras) when was then followed by San Jose intentionally walking the next batter to load the bases and then came the hit to left that sent EVERYONE leaping in the air and high fiving strangers. And the Nuts celebrated in the middle of the field as if they had just won the World Series.

And that is the beauty of this wonderful game of baseball. It's not over until you get those 9 innings. And ANYTHING can happen.

baseball season 08 - week 1

well, apparently the tigers are not so much the real deal thus far. but that is in fact part of the beauty of baseball.

plus, the giants actually have more wins..though it's technically one more win. but another win none the less.

and i am still bummed that i don't get to use my tickets to opening night

opening day 08-play ball!

it's the first day of the season (not counting the japan games. or apparently last night's first sunday night baseball game-which i'll talk about as well) and i've decided to do a "live-blog" of sorts. i've already watched the tigers opening day game and it's now the top of the 3rd in the Giants-Dodgers game. but i've got some thoughts, and i'm sure to have more.

nats-braves sunday night baseball game:

• i love jon miller. joe morgan i can live without.
• the president race is a hoot.
• g.w. can't pitch worth beans, has had issues as president, but is stellar as a baseball commentator. seriously. i could listen to him 162 games a year.
• that's how a game should end. you can't script it better.

tigers-royals game:

• verlander is the real deal. do not be confused.
• the lineup is as scary as predicted.
• may be scary, but ya can't leave as many men on base and just expect magic to happen.
• who is the bullpen? honestly?
• clete thomas was a lakeland tiger while i was there. kinda cool to see him get a hit in his first major league at-bat.
• i love that it went to extras. would have rather seen verlander keep up the 1-hitter but a battle is good too.

giants-dodgers game:

• first thing i thought this morning: beat la.
• knbr is on in my car. j.t. snow is broadcasting now. does it get better?
• for the 2nd year in a row i didn't have to work on opening day. so i'm dressed in my giants gear, i had hot dogs for lunch, and i'm flipping between games. life is good.
• fox sports net bay area became comcast sports net at some point in the off season. it sucks. i swear their graphics are from 1996. i feel like i am watching broadcast network tv from the midwest, not a HD channel.
• it's the 50th anniversary of west coast baseball and both the giants and dodgers are celebrating. as they should. i'm really glad the move west happened, though i would enjoy seeing us win a world series while we're here. and i love this rivalry.
• i miss going to games at dodger stadium. only $7 tickets. getting trash-talked by a 7 year old and a grandpa within 20 minutes of each other. it really is good times.
• i'm calling the giants to finish 3rd or better in the west. call me an extreme optimist. i'm hoping and praying for a return of some gamers a la will the thrill, matt williams, and robby thompson. humm baby, gotta love the kids, right? let's see the next generation boys!
• duane kuiper made a lame barry bonds joke to open the broadcast. ugh.
• i honestly don't understand why you would start barry zito opening day. his record opening day is horrible. sure, we're paying him the big bucks, but can you honestly tell me that matt cain has not earned the right to be the opening day starter?
• kruk and kuip were just talking dodger dogs and how many they thought they could eat. reminded me of one of my super random life goals which is to eat a yard of dodger dog.
• i really can't stand the girl corresponents that broadcasts have now. they really ask such stupid questions and i just don't think there's any point in them being there. and i say this as a female who is trying to break into the baseball industry.
• vin scully can never die.
• jeff kent can. i hate that guy.
• already down 4-0 only top 4. it truly shall be a long season.
• the new giants ad campaign isn't bad. i like the "what would a gamer do?" thing. and matt cain, funny kid.
• brian bocock has been with san jose so i got to see him. and kid just made a sweet play over at short. the future starts now, let's get some runs now.
• they just talked about the awesomeness that is going to be opening night. i have tickets. i have to work. jenny=bummed.
• 7th inning streeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeetch
• pickled bocock! will we ever score a run? i think its time for the rally cap.
• and there's your ball game.

it's here

The sun is shining, the trees are blossoming, and my radio is turned to KNBR. That can only mean one thing: spring training is here. Which in turn means that baseball is back, baby!

I've been feeling it lately- scoping out mlb.com everyday, going through the Giants schedule to see what games I need to go to and what amazing promos they are doing for the 50th anniversary of moving west, and clicking over to AM radio to see if there's any baseball talk yet. And yesterday on my way home from work, there it was. Jon Miller's voice on KNBR. There's just something so right and good about it. You hear it, and instantly, feel like you're home. Ironically, I feel the same way about Vin Scully's voice. Now, don't be confused, I am a die-hard, life-long Giants fan but it's Vin Scully. His voice IS baseball-why else do you think he was one of the commentators in the movie For Love of the Game? It was an American League game between the Yankees and the Tigers, there was no way that the Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster would have been working the game. Honestly. But it's Hollywood and his voice IS baseball. But I digress.

All that to say, hello spring training. I greet baseball's return with open arms.