barefooton45th.com » sports

Soccer for a Cause

Lesley — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:04:47 +0000

As a kid, soccer wasn’t really my thing. (See previous post about my issues with competition.) I played on a very competitive AYSO team in third grade, called The Fireballs. The coach, Fred, said things to all the other little girls like, “tremendous job” but he rarely said, “tremendous job, Lesley.” That’s because I was usually picking dandelions in the out field, or wincing away from the ball as if it might hurt me. (“Tremendous job” is in quotation marks because I still remember Fred using that exact phrase. My dad teases me about it to this day.)

Anyhoo, back to the point of this post: soccer. While soccer wasn’t a highlight of my younger years, my brother was quite good at the sport. It always worked out that way. He was actually good at swimming, and volleyball, and basketball too. I think I got robbed of all the athletic genes in our family. My family traveled around for several years as we watched Scott play soccer at competitive tournaments across the state. Whenever a game got interesting, I’d lift my head up from a Babysitters Club book so that I could catch a moment or two. To this day, there are few team sports I enjoy watching, but soccer is one of them. I can thank my brother for that.

During the 2006 World Cup, Jonathan and I were traveling all in China. Many times, at the end of a busy day, we’d find ourselves alone. There were few English channels on TV and by the third month we were almost out of things to talk about. So, we began wandering the streets each night in search of games. In Hong Kong, we braved a rowdy Irish pub for a game. In Beijing, we enjoyed the beer gardens and big screens on almost every street. Other nights we fell asleep to the sounds of GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLL from the TV. What I loved most about watching the World Cup in China was how it brought together a diverse group of people around a common interest. I’ll admit, when I see this commercial (and trust me, I see it almost nightly because ESPN is mysteriously ALWAYS ON at my house) my heart starts racing a little bit faster. One time, I even got teary eyed.

Are you pumped? You are, aren’t you?

If you’re just a tiny bit interested in the World Cup, then I have an idea. Consider joining These Numbers Have Faces for a huge World Cup Bracket that benefits a good cause. It’s only $10 to enter and you’ll be supporting young adults in South Africa–the country hosting this year’s tournament. Jonathan and I already picked our teams. Are you in? Get more info here.

NCAA Eve

Lesley — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:47:00 +0000

Twas the night before the tournament, and all through Apartment A

One creature was preparing for a very special day.

His brackets were prepared with tenderness and care

With hopes that the crew wouldn’t play dirty, but fair.

The grown men all snuggled up, excitement in their hearts

Ready for a weekend with the dudes– basketball and farts.

His phone wouldn’t stop ringing, and he paced with great worry

The tournament website had too much traffic! Upload your choices, and HURRY!

He called and then emailed and called them again,

Now Nate, and then Rob, and then Kevin and Matt!

Followed by Sam and Jeremiah and Paul and then Brett!

I hadn’t seen him this thrilled since maybe our wedding day…

All because college basketball players were preparing to play.

“To Santa Barbara we will go,” he yelled with passion in his eyes!

“Don’t worry about school, or work, or even your wives!”

So, off he goes this weekend for never ending basketball and beer

I’ll stay with my blog and make fun of him from here.

34-13

Lesley — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 03:35:00 +0000

You think I’m going to attend my very first NFL game and not blog about it? Ha. No way Jose.

Let’s start with today and work our way backwards. Above is picture proof that I went to the Niners/Seahawks game and liked it. I’d just also like to take this chance to say that Anna and Shane came all the way up from Santa Barbara to watch their Niners lose to Seattle’s second string. (Hasselbeck was injured, so sad.)

But, enough with the trash talking, because who am I kidding? I’m a poser. Anna, on the other hand, is legit. The girl knows her stuff and taught me a thing or two during the third quarter. I now understand “touchbacks”, as well as everything I about the 49ers coaching staff. I found myself actually enjoying sports talk radio on the way home from the game. Yes, yes, I know. Close that dropped jaw. This could just be a phase I’m going through so let’s not get too excited. Yet. The day was made even better by having Jonathan’s dad join us at the last minute, and getting to tailgate with my friend Chelsea from work.

The rest of the weekend was also out-of-the-ordinary. We got in our 11.5 miles on Saturday morning in preparation for next weekend’s race. I just about died trying to keep up with Jonathan. Serves me right for taking a week off, and then getting sick. My underdog comeback is happening very slowly. (Picture below of Jonathan at Jamba Juice for our after run pick-me-up.)

Then, I mixed in a bit of culture by going to 40 Acres’ new exhibit, Images of the African American Worship Experience. 40 Acres is a client, and I’ve spent the last six weeks promoting their current show. It was fun to finally see the collection and attend a seminar called Politics and the Pulpit. Very interesting conversation about the role of politics in the African American church.

We whipped up some yummy sweet potato risotto and turkey for Nate, who rolled into town on Saturday night for the annual Seahawks game. After dinner we all went to see All Hallows Orchestra perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at a cathedral downtown. It was a gorgeous venue, and we all appreciated the experience although I must admit that my apple pie cobbler afterwards was probably the highlight of the night.

And there you have it. The weekend in recap from sports, to art, to music.

Princess Pain vs Ann’s Artifical Apes

Lesley — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 04:24:00 +0000

My mom and I are playing each other this week in Fantasy. So far, I’m second worst in my league. I blame this entirely on the fact that I didn’t get TJ Houshmanzadeh on my team. That, and I don’t know what the heck I’m doing and don’t really care to spend the time to find out. I’m trying, sorta, but this whole Fantasy thing is a lot of work!

Here’s what my mom just sent me to egg me on. Isn’t she the cutest?

The glory days begin

Lesley — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:45:00 +0000

It’s football season. Do you know where your husband/boyfriend/dad/roommate/brother/grandfather is?

If you don’t– I have a suggestion. Check the TV and the computer. You’ll find him without a problem.

And me? Well…you’ll find me there as well. Along with 15 other lovely women, I’m joining the Fantasy trend this week as the Rockford Peaches kick off our season tomorrow.

I’ve posted a picture of what my desk looked like last night, at around midnight, when I was finishing drafting my players. As you can see, cookies and iced chai really got me through the night, which ended up being quite stressful. You see, I developed a precise method for deciding how to choose my players. First, I looked at ESPN’s rankings. Then, I chose names I recognized, or names that I thought were cool. Like Jericho Cotchery. Who wouldn’t want a guy named Jericho!?! Right? It’s biblical! I also wanted to get as much diversity as possible since that’s the PC thing to do, and I wanted to make sure my players were as good looking as possible so I googled all of their pictures before ranking. If I’m going to be staring at them on TV for the next three months then I don’t want to be seeing dreadlocks or gold teeth. And that’s final!

Sadly, I only got some of my top picks. Matt Hasselbeck and Jericho Cotchery are two of my favorites. I’m pretty angry though because I lost TJ Houshmenzadeh to Lori. I really, really wanted TJ just to make Hach really angry that I got the only half Persian guy in the NFL. We’ll see if I can get him in a trade. Lor? Possible?

Things I’ve failed at in my lifetime

Lesley — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:15:00 +0000

My friend Anna is famous for her clutsy moves and embarrasing moments such as falling off a treadmill. I take extra joy in reading her stories because they give me hope that perhaps someone out there has worse luck than I do in the field of athletics.

Anna is really good at sharing her defeats. But today she had a fabulously fun victory– getting her first article published. In her honor, I thought it may be time for me to share some of my own worst moments. Keeps you human, you know?

Lesley’s Top 5 Lifetime Failures So Far:

1. Junior lifeguards: A summer spent in Laguna Beach running and swimming? I’d pay good money for that now. But at 13, I found junior lifeguards to be the most frightening experience I’d ever had. Besides soccer. And softball. And sailing lessons. I was always the slowest, I got yelled at the entire afternoon, and I practically popped a lung because I was so out of shape. I lasted three weeks and cried on the way to the beach everyday.

2. Tennis lessons: I broke my elbow on the first day. While doing sprints. Because I tripped. I never went back and don’t have anything more to say about it. I still hate tennis.

3. Soccer/Basketball: Somehow the Fireballs soccer team got stacked with all the best players in the AYSO league and picking dandelions just didn’t cut it for Coach Fred. He screamed at me like I didn’t have ears (which is funny, considering my ears stuck out like dumbo at the time). I lived for the juice boxes and fruit snacks at the end of each game. Most of the other girls went on to play All-Stars but I was satisfied with retirement by 10 years old.

4. Art history class: Before I was smart enough to ask upperclassmen for advice on which classes to take, I signed up for Lisa DeBoer’s Art History class. It was directly before lunch each day in a dark room. We watched slides. She lectured. And then she brutally murdered me on every test. It’s taking some courage to admit this next fact publicly: I didn’t pass her class. Horror of horrors! I was okay with being nonathletic. But dumb? I couldn’t handle it. I retook her class my senior year on Europe Semester and actually enjoyed it the second time around. And I got an A. Booyah.

5. Math: I needed a tutor to get me through every math class in high school. I got mostly Cs. I never took a math class at Westmont and never plan to take math every again in my life. I barely know how to do fractions and have trouble calculating the tip at a restaurant. Don’t judge me.

It’s that time of year

Lesley — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:27:00 +0000

A conversation between Jonathan and Lesley at CapitolDawg last night:

Jonathan: You know what time of year it is?
Lesley: Um, yeah actually I do.
Jonathan: (Long sigh) It’s almost time to apply for jobs again.
Lesley: That’s not what I was thinking of…. (narrow my eyes)
Jonathan: What?
Lesley: I know about your Fantasy Football team. You can’t hide these things from me.
Jonathan: HOW DID YOU ALREADY FIND OUT?!?!
Lesley: I’m all knowing and powerful.
Jonathan: Brad! Bradddddddddd….
Lesley: He told me about your e-mail today. Don’t think you can hide.
Jonathan: I was going to break the news gently.
Lesley: And it’s a $40 buy-in! $40!!
Jonathan: I came in near the top last year. Consider it an investment.
Lesley: (Grumble)

Conclusion: I will create my own Fantasy Football team this year to rival my husband’s league. All interested females may apply. Buy-in at $10. Prizes to include makeup/candles/or other stereotypically female things that will encourage me to occasionally read a sports page and find interest in my husband’s life. Please comment if you are interested in this time wasting bonding activity.

Girls Don’t Cry in Baseball!

Lesley — Sat, 31 May 2008 23:38:00 +0000

Anyone recognize my favorite quote for “A League of their Own?” I loved that movie. I also love this story Jonathan told me about today. Never did I think I’d post a video taken from ESPN.com. Well, there’s a first for everything.

If you want to watch a moving story on character and sportsmanship, click on the video. And let me know if you teared up. I did!

$2 Hot Dog Night

Lesley — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 03:43:00 +0000

Have you ever gone to a major league baseball game and missed the first seven innings? I have. Fortunately, I had kettle corn, Kristi and Camille to keep me company.

A big group of us went to the A’s/Mariners game on Wednesday night. We got there a little late and headed up to our $2 seats. (My husband, the bargain hunter that he is, got them for all of us months ago). Turns out, it was also $2 hot dog night. I won’t mention any names but one happy couple in our group left their sandwiches at home so they could partake in this fabulous American baseball tradition. As soon as we sat down in the nosebleed section, a few of us girls went down to the concessions area to make the big hotdog purchase. I was actually quite happy to help in this endeavor since I don’t usually watch the game anyway. However, when we got down to the concessions, the lines were like nothing I’ve seen. So we waited. And waited. And waited. And then the hot dogs ran out. And then we moved to another line. And waited. And then they ran out again. And again. And then all of a sudden it was the 7th inning. So we watched the last 30 minutes of the game and went home.

The moral of the story: $2 hot dog night stinks.

Go Mariners.

The world is watching

Lesley — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 05:53:00 +0000

Emily gave a heads up today on her blog about the Olympic torch arrival this week in San Francisco. Read about the international protests happening and share your thoughts. Personally, I’m thrilled people are protesting. I don’t think China should have been awarded the right to host the Summer 2008 games. This honor should not be given to a country with such gross human rights abuses. I love the Olympics and will probably watch them this summer with a little bit of sadness that I can’t be there. And then, I’ll think of our brothers & sisters there who are being forced out of their homes and shipped to faraway provinces in China, to make room for the thousands of tourists who will soon visit. Or, the millions of Chinese who can’t worship God without fear of persecution and who don’t even know about the torch protests because their media isn’t covering the story. Yes, I feel good about the protests. Emily, shake a fist for me, will ya?