Wet Wednesday

For Dr. Lee's Sport Marketing Class, we were assigned a project called a Sport Experience Audit. We were to divide into groups and chose a sporting event to prepare a questionnaire and to distribute it at the venue. My group members and myself chose to survey Cyclones fans at US Bank, and worked weeks on perfecting the questions. After some minor mishaps, we finally got the approval required from Dr. Lee and the Cyclones staff. Last night was the big night, where we were to find all of our data and get the results from the fans. Going into it, I had a feeling it was going to turn out badly. I was not entirely correct with this theory, but things did not definitely go smoothly. Being a Wednesday night, we weren't sure how the crowds would be, even though it was Wet Wednesday, meaning $1 beer night. With only 3 of us to find people willing enough, it was nearly impossible to obtain the 100 required for the project. After getting denied time after time, I gave up asking people and put the others in charge of recruiting. We came close to meeting our goal of 100 questionnaires completed, which is much more than we could have asked for.
Robby's dad got us one of his friend's suites, which was right behind the goal, and a decent view of the arena. He brought some friends, we reviewed the surveys, made friends with our suite neighbors, and enjoyed the game. The Cyclones dominated the Reading Royals with a 5-0 shutout. All in all, it was a good experience, but definitely a challenging one.

Spring Training

Saturday, February 14th, pitchers and catchers reported for the final time to Sarasota, Florida for the Cincinnati Reds Spring Training. Tomorrow, February 17th, position players must report to start their preseason physicals and warm-ups. Things are going to be run differently this season, as Dusty Baker has a season with the Reds under his belt, and has a better idea of his priorities for the team. On the 40 man roster, there are 4 catchers fighting for the starting position, with some veterans and one youngster. Craig Tatum is a rookie out of Mississippi up against Hanigan, Castillo, and Hernandez for the spot. In the past, we have had decent defensive catchers, but are horrible when behind the plate of an opposing pitcher. LaRue, Ross, Valentin, and Bako are a few names that may ring a bell that didn't last in the organization over the past few years. The Reds continually say they are a young team and always look to the next year. Then, next year comes around, and the same thing is said. The pattern continues with under .500 seasons, and nothing is done to improve the organization. Hopefully, this year, the tides will turn, and the Reds can finish higher than last place in their division.

Health and Food

After writing my paper for my Health Issues class about my personal health and health history, I have come to the realization that I am no where close to as healthy as I want to be. My family has a long history of medical problems, and soon enough, I am going to be another one of them if I don't change my ways. I have always had problems controlling my eating habits, and obesity is the cause of countless issues out there. After eight people in my family being diagnosed with diabetes, I can see that I am a prime target for this disease. If I don't change my ways and become more physically fit, time will only tell when I will be #9. In addition to this, stress plays a key role in determining my health. Although there are not many things I don't worry about, I have realized that where I am now is nothing compared to what it could and will be in the future. I need to soak up all that I can now and not worry about the little things in life, for they will work themselves out.
This weekend, I was determined to take advantage of the warm weather and get healthier one step at a time, so I began by experiencing tennis for the first time in addition to my walk around the neighbor hood. Although I didn't eat as healthily as I would have liked, it tasted good going down, but I know how much harder I have to work to get the fat off. I work out in at my gym twice a week already, but I still have to stay active all the other days of the week to fight off my food obsession.

Happy Birthday

February 10, 1939, my aunt Liz was born the middle child of 5. Things weren't always easy for them, and I can't even imagine how different things were from today. Life without cell phones, computers, and tv's are unfathomable and I don't know if I could have survived, as pathetic as that sounds. I think Liz is the one to blame for my slight obsession and where my love for the Reds all began. Far before I was born, Liz was devoted to the Redlegs. She was played an active role in Rosie Reds and was a season ticket holder for decades. We spent countless nights at Riverfront together and I will never forget the man who sat next in the seats next to her with his 90s earphones and nightly scorecard. If we weren't at the game, we were listening to Marty and Joe or watching it on tv. Liz taught me so much more than just about the Reds, but overcoming obstacles and defeating the impossible. She stuck with something no matter how hard the times were- after the death of her mom, being diagnosed with diabetes, or taking care of my grandpa when he needed her most. After suffering a severe diagnosis of dimentia and later Alzheimer's, she did her best in living the life she had known, and stuck around much longer than anyone thought she would. Last July, she lost this battle but not the game. She is no longer with us, but her view of the ballpark will just be a little higher up in the stands from now on.

Volleyball Withdrawl

It has officially been a week without any volleyball activity (unless you consider Friday night league at Western Sports Mall, which is a poor excuse for any physical activity, and volleyball is a word used lightly). We had our last GWAC game a week ago from Sunday, and I have been in withdrawl to say the least. Even though there were times I swore I was going to walk out of that gym and quit the whole coaching thing even though it has barely just begun, I really do miss the girls and the atmosphere.
St. Al's is not your typical school, for it is barely holding on, with 10-20 people per grade, some grades and classes combined, sacraments recieved such as Reconciliation and Confirmation only take place every other year, and much less room for success because of the small size. The outstanding students have to stoop down to the level of their classmates because the resources are not available for advancement, in both academics and athletics. Although there may be some disadvantages of small school life, there are many things I wish I would have been able to grow up with that I didn't at St. Dominic. The community atmosphere is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. In Sayler Park, everyone knows everyone else, and you can always come to them when you need a favor or help, they have your back. The people I met during this experience are some of the most selfless, compassionate individuals that would do anything for another person. Their priorities are about other people, whereas most other places, people only concern themselves about their own personal interests.
I had enough trouble dealing with withdrawl during Christmas and New Year's, I don't know how well the next 8 months will turn out. I will definitely keep in touch with Anne and her family through e-mail or an occasional lunch, or I may go insane.

White Death

I've had enough of this snow. It only messes up plans, causes stress, and more chaos than it's worth. Even though I enjoy the snow day off of school, I would much rather have a normal, routine, mundane day compared to that of multiple near death experiences. People are horrible drivers to begin with, and the snow can only multiply this. That is one of my biggest pet peeves..when someone drives on your tail, especially when the road conditions are not ideal. I know I'm a terrible driver, and anyone that has driven with me can verify this point. I had never been too worried about the roads until last November when I slid off a wet bridge and into a person's yard, just feet away from a tree and killing myself and my best friend.
Last Wednesday, my sister's car had to be taken to get fixed on Glenway. The roads in Delhi were so horrible I had to pull over three times on the same road to get out of people's way, and the fourth time I pulled over my mom came and picked me up. I was shaking so bad and knew I wouldn't even be able to make it to pick up my sister, much less get home.
Bottom line: The snow needs to go!


At least someone enjoyed the snow (after a little getting used to) with her aunts!

Steelers vs. Cardinals

So the Superbowl this year was one of the few that I have actually sat down and watched more than 3/4 of in all of my years. Previously, I have always been more interested in the food and the people I'm with rather than what is actually going on in the game. This year, the commercials were pretty much a bust, minus the Doritos one created by the brothers from Batesville, and there were way too many about upcoming movies and television shows on NBC. With my deep dislike for the Steelers, I actually cared about the outcome more than in the past. Surprisingly, I was on my feet, giving high fives and booing the refs for their poor calls when the game finally got exciting in the second half. Although the team I was rooting for didn't bring home the victory, and I will continue to listen to Professor Bell ramble on about how well the Steelers played and how Arizona was horrible for about the next three months, all in all, it was a good Superbowl to enjoy with people I love.

Spring

With all of the snow we have had this past week, it's time to think Spring. Only two weeks until Spring Training, which can't come soon enough. Once spring is here, it flies by, and summer is not far behind, and I can't wait. I have been checking out some Spring Break destinations, which I am desperately in need of getting out of this city like you wouldn't believe. One place I would like to spend a few days in would be somewhere on the West Coast, or Vegas. If I don't go there, I am most definitely going down to Sarasota, Florida to catch some Reds games before the season starts. I have always wanted to go, and I figure if I don't go now, I probably won't go to Arizona when they move to their new Spring Training home in Goodyear. We'll see what happens, but anywhere warm and sunny would work for me!

Final feat

This weekend marked the last time I would coach for about ten more months when it starts all over again, but with after losing 6 very important girls to high school. It's crazy how close I got to the older girls- I feel like I am a friend and sister to them in so many ways. At first, I was completely unsure about how it would all work out, but we came together and grew dramatically in just two and a half months.
We went into our final match Saturday night knowing we had to pull out all three games in order to keep our first place status, not knowing what the second place team had done earlier that day. We were only in the lead by one game, and could easily fall into second place if the right moves weren't made. The game was late in the evening, the exact opposite of when they had been previously the entire season, not to mention no practice during the week because of the endless amount of snow, so I was extremely nervous about what the night was going to bring. My sister and assistant coach, Heather, was breaking out in rashes down her neck throughout the first game because her nerves had gotten the best of her! We brought our game faces in front of a large crowd at Victory to cheer the 8th graders on in their last pursuit, and took the win and the trophy.