I give you the photo of the day. The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. Beautiful isn't it? :)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Photo of the Day
Ken and I went on an Architectural Boat Tour of downtown Chicago on our recent trip. While everyone else was busy photographing the beautiful Chicago skyline, I was busy on the other side of the ship.
I give you the photo of the day. The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. Beautiful isn't it? :)
I give you the photo of the day. The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse. Beautiful isn't it? :)
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Little Revis
Owen is deep in the middle of his flag football season. This season, he is playing corner back and receiver and is doing a really great job and having a ball. He's in his zone.
Usually during the games he's very composed and is focused on pumping up his teammates. He's got positive energy and has his head in the game.
By the end of this past weekend, he's had four pick off interceptions with two or three of them being for touchdowns.
Owen is very focused and driven. That's the good part. The bad part is that he's very focused and driven. And very hard on himself when he makes a mistake. But, unfortunately, like me, he's a hothead and sometimes unable to control his emotions. Especially when he gets mad or upset at something.
As was the case this weekend. He missed a flag and dove for it instead of tracking it properly. The other team got about a 50 yard run on his mistake which ultimately ended up in a touchdown for them.
Now remember I said that he is very focused. No one can be harder on him than he would be on himself. He knew he made a mistake. He was already beating himself up. And then his coach got onto him.
And unfortunately, like me, he's a hothead and is unable to control his emotions sometimes. Especially when he's mad or upset. He was already beating himself up over the mistake and as soon as his coach got onto him, the waterworks started.
He couldn't control them. And couldn't stop them. During the next three drives.
Very un-Owen like as far as football goes.
I happened to be on the players side of the field attempting to take pictures (attempting to I should say because I couldn't concentrate because of the drama going on on the field) and when he came off the field, I basically had to talk him off the ledge.
After a few minutes of fast talking (you know...let that play go, focus on the next play and don't worry about what happened in the past...you can't do anything about what happened...Russ was just in the moment....it's all good...blah, blah, blah), he was called back onto the field again.
He went in and seemed a little more focused. Not his usual self mind you but focused none the less.
Then the opposing quarterback threw a pass which he intercepted.
And ran it back for a pick6.
His BFF PJ also made a pick6 during the game and they were both really happy.
And then the opposing team coach complained about Owen's touchdown and said that he was celebrating.
So the referee called it back for celebrating.
As soon as Owen heard it was called back, the waterworks started again.
I've seen him celebrate and have bad behavior. And we've corrected it. This was completely and totally bogus because he wasn't celebrating. He didn't roll across the line. He didn't spike the ball in celebration. He didn't dance. He didn't jump into the crowd.
What he apparently did was jumped across the line even though I didn't see it nor did anyone else. Because it wasn't apparent enough from the sidelines.
Seriously? He's 8. This is flag football. Geez. Some adults need to get perspective.
Then another one of our players got a TD and did the same thing as Owen. But they didn't call it on her because she is a sweet girl. Pssffttt. Whatever.
Ridiculous. But I guess Owen learned the hard way to just run it in and I guarantee you that he won't make that mistake again. Better to learn it now then when it really counts. At least it didn't cost us the game. We still won.
Of course, since he was all out of sorts, they had a double header and he had another game to play. His focus was better (no more waterworks) and he got a pick off on the other team's extra point which he got down to the 50 yard line.
Ken's starting to call him Little Revis. Or calling Revis Little Owen. ;)
But I hope that he doesn't have another game line this past one. It was weird. I've never seen him so uncomposed during a football game. Other things yes. Never football. But I'm glad that I was there to help talk him down.
I mean I've been there during tennis matches. Where you just can't get your head together. Sometimes I have wished that I could walk off the court crying but yet I'm an adult and can't.
And this is what kids sports is all about. Teaching them how to handle and deal with the pressures of life that they face. Yes there's pressure. Yes sometimes you make mistakes. And yes sometimes people other than just your mom yell at you for them. And yes there are unfair things that happen to you.
But that's life and you just have to push on and make the best of it.
So go on little Revis. I can't wait to see you play again this weekend!
Usually during the games he's very composed and is focused on pumping up his teammates. He's got positive energy and has his head in the game.
By the end of this past weekend, he's had four pick off interceptions with two or three of them being for touchdowns.
Owen is very focused and driven. That's the good part. The bad part is that he's very focused and driven. And very hard on himself when he makes a mistake. But, unfortunately, like me, he's a hothead and sometimes unable to control his emotions. Especially when he gets mad or upset at something.
As was the case this weekend. He missed a flag and dove for it instead of tracking it properly. The other team got about a 50 yard run on his mistake which ultimately ended up in a touchdown for them.
Now remember I said that he is very focused. No one can be harder on him than he would be on himself. He knew he made a mistake. He was already beating himself up. And then his coach got onto him.
And unfortunately, like me, he's a hothead and is unable to control his emotions sometimes. Especially when he's mad or upset. He was already beating himself up over the mistake and as soon as his coach got onto him, the waterworks started.
He couldn't control them. And couldn't stop them. During the next three drives.
Very un-Owen like as far as football goes.
I happened to be on the players side of the field attempting to take pictures (attempting to I should say because I couldn't concentrate because of the drama going on on the field) and when he came off the field, I basically had to talk him off the ledge.
After a few minutes of fast talking (you know...let that play go, focus on the next play and don't worry about what happened in the past...you can't do anything about what happened...Russ was just in the moment....it's all good...blah, blah, blah), he was called back onto the field again.
He went in and seemed a little more focused. Not his usual self mind you but focused none the less.
Then the opposing quarterback threw a pass which he intercepted.
And ran it back for a pick6.
His BFF PJ also made a pick6 during the game and they were both really happy.
And then the opposing team coach complained about Owen's touchdown and said that he was celebrating.
So the referee called it back for celebrating.
As soon as Owen heard it was called back, the waterworks started again.
I've seen him celebrate and have bad behavior. And we've corrected it. This was completely and totally bogus because he wasn't celebrating. He didn't roll across the line. He didn't spike the ball in celebration. He didn't dance. He didn't jump into the crowd.
What he apparently did was jumped across the line even though I didn't see it nor did anyone else. Because it wasn't apparent enough from the sidelines.
Seriously? He's 8. This is flag football. Geez. Some adults need to get perspective.
Then another one of our players got a TD and did the same thing as Owen. But they didn't call it on her because she is a sweet girl. Pssffttt. Whatever.
Ridiculous. But I guess Owen learned the hard way to just run it in and I guarantee you that he won't make that mistake again. Better to learn it now then when it really counts. At least it didn't cost us the game. We still won.
Of course, since he was all out of sorts, they had a double header and he had another game to play. His focus was better (no more waterworks) and he got a pick off on the other team's extra point which he got down to the 50 yard line.
Ken's starting to call him Little Revis. Or calling Revis Little Owen. ;)
But I hope that he doesn't have another game line this past one. It was weird. I've never seen him so uncomposed during a football game. Other things yes. Never football. But I'm glad that I was there to help talk him down.
I mean I've been there during tennis matches. Where you just can't get your head together. Sometimes I have wished that I could walk off the court crying but yet I'm an adult and can't.
And this is what kids sports is all about. Teaching them how to handle and deal with the pressures of life that they face. Yes there's pressure. Yes sometimes you make mistakes. And yes sometimes people other than just your mom yell at you for them. And yes there are unfair things that happen to you.
But that's life and you just have to push on and make the best of it.
So go on little Revis. I can't wait to see you play again this weekend!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Checking It Off The Ol' List
I've always wanted to go to Wrigley Field and see the Cubbies play. (Ken, of course, has already been). So a few weeks ago when we were in Chicago, we made it happen.
So yeah. We've checked Wrigley off of the to-do list. It was awesome. I can imagine players playing there decades ago. The stadium is filled with tradition. Not all of the bells and whistles of say the Washington Nationals....but we don't need all of that.
Wrigley Field was a perfect way to spend a day!
Pretty recognizable team logo, no?
I :heart: this sign. It makes me smile. :)
We thought about getting bleacher seats but ended up with these. Not bad. Not bad at all!
Just the view...
If you go to a baseball game, you must get a picture of at least one player batting.
Old Style Beer. It's all the rage. Anywhere besides Wrigley Field, you'd pay $2.25 for a 6 pack. Yeah. It's their equivalent of PBR.
The scoreboard....kicking it old skool...
One of the really cool things about Wrigley is that it hasn't been taken over by corporations yet. This McDonald's signs was one of the few advertisements that I noticed. :up:
Gotta have a picture of this.
About the 7th inning, we headed over to Murphy's Bleachers across the street (along with half the stadium).
We could have barhopped but there really was no need. This bar had everything. Good beer. Great atmosphere and lots of TV's. It was rated one of the top sports bars in Chicago. :)
Check out their old skool register. lol
We were fortunate enough to see a day game. Even though I wasn't there during the battle to have night games, I can imagine what a fight it was to get it approved. Traditions, ya know!
Ha. Someone has a sense of humor. :up:
Yeah. I saw a few drunks buying them.
Even if you're not a Cubs fan, you should know who this is. If you don't, I'm not going to tell you. Go use your googling skilz. You have all of the clues you need.
So yeah. We've checked Wrigley off of the to-do list. It was awesome. I can imagine players playing there decades ago. The stadium is filled with tradition. Not all of the bells and whistles of say the Washington Nationals....but we don't need all of that.
Wrigley Field was a perfect way to spend a day!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Child of the 80's
I found (or more than likely...refound if you know me!) a box of things from middle and high school. I had a few of the school's newspapers in the box. Flipping through and reading it was a fun and not so fun trip down memory lane.
No doubt that funniest part of reading the old newspapers was the fashion column. If you grew up in the 1980's, you'll totally and fur sure get a kick out of the columns.
Nothing cooler than oversized sweaters and off the shoulder shirts, eh?
Or yeah. Canvas buddies. They rocked. Totally. Usually with little white turn down socks.
And who didn't have the brightest, most obnoxious fluorescent clothes that they could find?
These were both circa 1984. The height of the Madonna and Michael Jackson fashion craze.
I could post the rest of the newspaper articles but it may be slightly embarrassing to some of the people who were in the gossip section. You know...who was crushing on whom and all that good drama, teenage-angst stuff. Maybe I'll hold that stuff for blackmail.
And yeah, Susan. I'm probably talking to you!
No doubt that funniest part of reading the old newspapers was the fashion column. If you grew up in the 1980's, you'll totally and fur sure get a kick out of the columns.
Nothing cooler than oversized sweaters and off the shoulder shirts, eh?
Or yeah. Canvas buddies. They rocked. Totally. Usually with little white turn down socks.
And who didn't have the brightest, most obnoxious fluorescent clothes that they could find?
These were both circa 1984. The height of the Madonna and Michael Jackson fashion craze.
I could post the rest of the newspaper articles but it may be slightly embarrassing to some of the people who were in the gossip section. You know...who was crushing on whom and all that good drama, teenage-angst stuff. Maybe I'll hold that stuff for blackmail.
And yeah, Susan. I'm probably talking to you!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Kicking It Old Skool - The Telstar
My parents cleaned out their attic last year. One of the things that they found was an old video game system...the Telstar by Coleco.
The advertising on the box promises "for video sports games on any TV". This game system did it all...tennis, hockey and handball!
Check out the graphics on this baby!
It was so advanced that it needed a complex controller...
Whoever was last playing it obviously spent a lot of time playing it because it was set to pro level. On handball. lol
I love the fake wood paneling stickers on the system. It matched the wood paneling decorating scheme of the day. lol
I wonder if this was my dads. And I wonder how much time he wasted time playing this game. I'm betting a good bit. And I'm betting that my mom would get mad at him for playing it when he should have been cleaning out the pool. Or doing the yard.
Or anything other than spending his time trying to get to the "pro" level.
So these pictures will document a small piece of my childhood and then this game system is going into the trash. If you want it for whatever reason, let me know now.
Otherwise, this piece of video gaming history is gone in 3, 2, 1.
The advertising on the box promises "for video sports games on any TV". This game system did it all...tennis, hockey and handball!
Check out the graphics on this baby!
It was so advanced that it needed a complex controller...
Whoever was last playing it obviously spent a lot of time playing it because it was set to pro level. On handball. lol
I love the fake wood paneling stickers on the system. It matched the wood paneling decorating scheme of the day. lol
I wonder if this was my dads. And I wonder how much time he wasted time playing this game. I'm betting a good bit. And I'm betting that my mom would get mad at him for playing it when he should have been cleaning out the pool. Or doing the yard.
Or anything other than spending his time trying to get to the "pro" level.
So these pictures will document a small piece of my childhood and then this game system is going into the trash. If you want it for whatever reason, let me know now.
Otherwise, this piece of video gaming history is gone in 3, 2, 1.
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