What to do?

You're freezing at work. You've just cooked a Marie Calendar's pot pie for 5 min 39 seconds in the ole zapper. You're enjoying this warm meal, especially the golden brown, flaky crust. 60% through, you chomp down on a carrot slice that is still quite cold in the center. What to do? The microwave is up stairs. You've been up and down the stairs at least 10 times today because your space heater keeps tripping the breaker. Power through it buddy, power through.

HTF - Available for Purchase

I debated back and forth whether it was worth it at this stage of the game. I finally just bit the bullet and put it out there. You can purchase downloads of the songs online at cdbaby.com just in time for the holiday season.

Herod the Fink

Jason and I now have tangible, professionally printed CD's in our hands. It has been so much fun to pull this project together. Our only regret is that we didn't start sooner. I was hoping to build a website, but haven't had time yet. I have built a myspace page where you can listen to some of the songs online. There's a video of Jason laying downthe drum track to "I'm Trying" which is pretty fun to watch. Check it out here. If you are interested in obtaining a CD, let me know via email and we can work something out.

We are already talking about next year's Christmas album. We agree that it would be fun to have a general theme running through all the songs. At this point we are very open to suggestions, so if you have some holiday inspiration or themes share them in the comments. Yes, James, we do want to make "Para Bilar on Christmas" a reality, we just ran out of time this year.

Car Questions?

For those of you who have known me for a while, you know that my Dad is a mechanical genius, car wizard, and owns Transmission Exchange. I've been working on a website for his company and I had an idea to tie in an interactive blog. The idea is that you leave a specific car related question as a comment on the blog, and he will quickly post an answer for you. We will post the questions and answers, and over time the blog could become a nice little reference especially for people who are afraid to call an talk to a mechanic over the phone. It could end up being something like the radio program "Car Talk," but on the interweb and without as many zingers. It will be a low pressure way for people to get excellent advice and answers from one of the truly stand up guys in the business.

If you are interested in helping get this idea off the ground, visit the blog here and ask a question or two.

Some of Abby's Latest Words

Abby has been saying a few words for a while, but lately her vocabulary and speech are developing very quickly. Here are a few words and phrases we have heard quite clearly from her.

What is this? (has ss his)
Thank You (shan oou)
Amen (men men)
Milk (me-ill)
Duck
Socks (ssokss)
Shoe

There's a few more that I can't think of right now. The point is, she is growing up so quickly it's kind of frightening.

Worth Checking Out

I came across this blog today and I had to share it. I've only ready two entries so far, but they were both fantastic. Apparently they dig up old letters from interesting people and situations. They post scanned originals along side the transcription. The first I read was from a 20 year old David Bowie responding to his first fan letter from America (a 14 year old girl from New Mexico). Read it here. The second is a letter from Kurt Vonnegut to his family after he was freed as a prisoner of war in WWII. If you've read his novel Slaughterhouse Five, you will be amazed at how much personal experience was poured into the book. Read the letter here.

Why Do I Care So Much?

photo by RSL BOZ


"Why do I care so much?" My buddy Scott asked this question a couple of weeks ago when a group of us were gathered together to watch the MLS Easter Conference Championship match between Real Salt Lake (RSL) and the Chicago Fire. The match went 120 minutes with no score, but it was anything from boring as both teams created multiple chances only to be denied by stellar goalkeeping from both sides. Overtime had just wrapped up, and we were headed for a penalty kick shootout to determine the winner. Scott's question was so perfect for the moment. Our nerves were shot, and now the game would be decided in a cruel pressure cooker that is a shootout. Why do we care? We don't know the players. We are adults with adult responsibilities and families. We shouldn't care this much about a game, right?

I don't know the answer but I think that it has to do something with this: There is something pure and intangible in sports. There is something truly inspiring about watching individuals accomplish together something that would be impossible alone. While we don't know the players personally, we as fans have come to know in great detail their individual strengths and weaknesses on the field. We have come to know something of their character by the way they conduct themselves and by the way they cope with set backs and adversity. There are a plethora of sports cliches, but there really is something special about seeing a player sacrifice his ego for the good of the team.

As we watched Ned Grabavoy convert the decisive penalty in Chigago to send RSL to the MLS Cup Final in Seattle, I couldn't help but think about the strength of his mentality. He had lost his starting position a couple months ago due to two successive sub par performances and had seen little playing time since. I've been there as a youth player, and I'm sure even at the professional level it is not easy to deal with. Yet when he was called on by his coach to step on the field and make the difference, he did it.

We made plans and took the long drive up to Seattle for the final. The atmosphere was electric, and the game was incredible. Once again RSL's depth and mental fortitude would be tested as All Star play-maker Javi Morales went down with an injury 15 minutes into the match and All Star midfielder Will Johnson had to be subbed off at half after being sick all night with the flu. Clint Mathis and Ned Grabavoy stepped in and made the difference in the match. They provided a calming influence on the pitch that had been lacking. They controlled possession, made timely tackles, and combined with the forwards to create several dangerous chances. They raised the level of play of the entire midfield from slightly below average before they entered the match to absolutely stellar upon their arrival.

Regulation ended in a 1-1 draw and overtime carried the same score to the end. We once again faced the daunting penalty shootout. Los Angeles was lucky to be there as RSL had pressed hard for the winner dominating play throughout the second half and overtime. I was doubtful because in my experience the team who is holding on for dear life trying to salvage the tie and force a shootout (in this case Los Angeles) usually ends up winning.

So why do I care so much? Because every player on the team has a story like Ned's. Because caring makes life exciting. Because of the moment of utter exhilaration that comes when Robbie Russell slots home the winning penalty to give your team the championship. Because it's fun to hug your friends and high five perfect strangers.