30 April, 2008
They call me Trinity
Trinity United Church - you know, the most famous church in America rite now - has a giantic massive church (different shape, but St. Rita size- that big)on 95th and about 400 West. During my years of taking the bus to the 95th Street El terminal, I'd always pass the building -and its dumpy little predecessor -on my ride. In the mid 1980's, they always had a sign up that simply said "Free South Africa". For years, they had that sign up.When South Africa was actually 'free'd', I always liked that the sign was kept up. Not still - but for many years after 1990 and 1994. I took it that the church leaders understood that race was not the ultimate question in South Africa - it was, as we all know, class. Black or white leaders, I thought Trinity was saying, doesn't matter the colour -just green matters.
I like Rev. Wright a lot. The media plays such a rotten obstification (SP) role in our world. I dug most of what he said, and enjoyed that he had his time to say it. What a delivery, too. I was totally yukking it up listening to him. I should go for a mass there one of thee days when he's praising Jesus.
Also - liked that Rev. Wright name dropped Father Phleger of St. Sabina. I like him a lot as well and actually took in a mass @ Sabina's (Catholic Church) a few years back when Cornell West was pulpiting one Sunday. Must take GF to the mass, but the 3h time frame mite scare her away.
Wait, wait, what does Spliffy say??
29 April, 2008
Into the Round of Sixteen
I figgered we'd advance past the first round. Today we beat a neighbourhood school 2-0 -and it could have been 5-0 or 6-0. This team was from a lower division, so I knew we'd played better competition during the season. I wanted my girls to go hard after the other team, and generally they did. But not all.
First, the star -C MF -scored twice. The LF played really well as well. Chiva the goalie touched the ball once. Sweeper and Stopper were great, as always. And the defenders were great. Good game for the team. I was happy. except for.....
.......... two girls - starters - are giving me pause to doubt. Real doubt. R MF is just way too timid. She needs to get vicious. It's funny - to start the season, L MF was just as timid as this girl. But L MF is deeply coachable, and has become a real force on the team. She's far beyond where she as before. I'm fearing that if I was a real coach, I would bench R MF and put Green full time there. Instead, I'm subtly reducing R MF's minutes because I haven't the guts. Then there is R F. L F was the girl who asked again and again to be a forward, and she's great in the role. But R F is taking such a long time improving............ but I have no one else for the spot. I wish the season was longer to be able to coach these girls.
So, the round of sixteen game is against a tough ass school - always good @ soccer. I know the coach, and he's one of the best. Thursday @ 5.30, our season continues or we go home. Can't wait till Thursday.
J-V game was not the only game in town this day. Word filtered through that just like in May 1999, a game in Catalonia came up beautiful for Manchester United. They will play in the Champions League Final 21 May. And, like in 1999, I think I will somehow skip out of school a little early for this one. Wow. Can't wait. And during our game, we got the good news that the Varsity also won their first playoff game (3-0). J-V will have a short practice to-morrow and then I will go to varsity game. Agiain - can't wait.
Please note that I actually have written a few things in the last few days !!
Sometimes/
the whatever parts /
and I/
have something to say
..... until you read below/
and realise/
that it's nothing much interesting
to say.....
Job hunting
So incompetent am I. I have to make the time to turn out these resumes and fill out these forms and write essaies and all that, and I was sick oof that 10 years ago. But this week is a big deadline week, so I have to do a lot of work to-nite via job hunting. Got some leads from Saturdays job fair, and more online.
The sticking point is the essaies. Easy 200 word poofts they should be, but they end up being The Battle of ghe Denmark Strait to me. Seriously - if a kid came up to me with what I'd already noted for the various 200 word essairs, I'd get the kid to finish it - and finish it well - w/in an hour. But I sit on these pieces of shit for decades before gallingly forcing myself into work. So, I have to finally proof read one answer and still write out the notes to another, but it's gota get done.
Gf is working late to-nite, so I will finally force myself to finish it. One simple essay now. And the look over the shoulder to push me on. And when I get this app finished, I can wait a day and send in another one 'piggybacking' on this application - the subarban schools have a online application system that alows you to download your finished app. from one school to another. They just have to be done.
I'm such a loser.
Playoffs !!
Today's our first game of the playoffs. Varsity is playing somewhere over East, and J-V has a Douglass Park match up. W/out having seen the other team play, the fact that they played in a lower division and finished 6th makes me confident we can win and advance today. Next game would be Thursday against a quality squad (by rep).
It's very tough on J-V. One loss and we are out. I see us advancing to play Thursday, but am worried about that matchup. It would be difficult to lose now, but I think that there are better teams out there. Hopefully we can take it to Saturday.
We practiced yesterday in the cold and rain. I didn't suit up - learned from Rommel - but got muddy none the less. We worked on penalties, as they will decide any game tied after OT. Kids looked good.
27 April, 2008
weekend in opera
Finally it arrived. Gf and I went to Milwaukee to see Lucia take her star turn in the opera Romeo and Juliet. Fuckin' fantastic. I write this from the perspective of someone who just watched their second opera in life, but I was totally impressed.But first.
We were runing late. It was a battle nite the nite before for me - just how stupid can one be- but I was ok. Gf = not in travel mood. But we expressed our way north and made the city to the north in good time - just a few m. late. So, up to the upper deck we went for the first part. We regained our normal seats later, but we had the New Comisky Park (1991- 2003?) upper deck seats to begin with.
We had made lots of plans to spend a nite in Milwaukee and catch the opera, but a resheduled soccer game for Friday and the Fire game Saturday meant that the only time we could catch our friend singing was Sunday afternoon. Lucky us. 'Cause of sicknes, even her husband coud not see her this wkd. Life is busy. But Gf had hotel in her head 'cause we'd plannd this for several months, and was a bit sullen on this account going up there. The show brightened her, but up till then..................
A note on the opera. It's not exactely the R & J of Shakey. Same basic plot - star crossed lovers, the feuding families, etc. But the ending was a bit off - the couple had a few minutes to be to-gether as Romeo died - in Shakey Juliet wakes up to a dead Romeo. But the show was great. The orchastra and the actors were good to listen to and watch.
And then there was Romeo. I've lots of frenz who have been on stages big and small, musical and acting, etc... but it's always fun to watch them. So here was Lucia, in costume as Romeo looking much like the Jack of Hearts. I've actually heard her let loose on stage before - remember '91 or '92 when she open miked a few times with Rocky and Blacky backing? It was a neat juxtaposition of rock and opera. But here it was full opera. With costumes, props, and 30 other performers. And thousands of people in the seats. So fun to watch her in this context. And in a sword fite!!
We were soon to see her in another context. Mommy. We visited Rocky @ the hotel after the show. Rocky was trying to placate the baby, doing ok, Gramma placating, doing ok, Uncle Hilts and Aunt Gf, placating..........................then Mom walks in, drops her coat right on the floor, rushes to baby, and ..................quiet.
Mom's gotta have it.
weekend in battle
Seydiltz after Jutland. Turrets blown, magazines flooded, must navigate backwards to insure bow does not give way.
Drydock and ready for another day.
weekend in meetings
A.M. Saturday, when all the kool kats are asleep, there was I- in the midst of thousands, sometimes in the midst of one........ had three things to do this morn, one of which - sleep late -was not allowed........ Car'd my way to 35th and near Halsted for the soccer playoffs meeting..... lots of city coaches, some that I'd coached against the day before and the week before, some I'd coached with the year before of 13 years before..... came late, as benefiting my slothstyle of mornings, but made it to the meat of the meeting - determining playoff seedings and who plays where......... hung out w/ Rommel, the leader of the soccer program @@ the last school I was @ ..... helps to have someone nearby who can answer questions and advise...... as I was writing maybe two months ago, this guy is really an idol to me...... was able to watch him upclose when I was @ that school, and I was very impressed with the whole program..... probably would mean an end to my current life as I know it, but I would like to start that sort of program here.... despite this being a school with loads of soccer potential, it is still missing something.... I think I know - and I'd like to implement some of those things here - but it seems so much work ......... but I always thought that being a 'media specialist' and a 'soccer coach' would be an ideal combo for me and make me happy....... but I gotta get hired first........ so there was another meeting this day : job fair...... was @ UIC ...parked Strasser outside of Neils Church and walked to the building...... wasn't planning to go on any interviews - just wanted to see who needed librarians...... turns out a walloping good school needs a librarian (AND I worked with one of them - and she thinks I'm good)....... spectre of moving back to north side returns...... interested..... shoulda moved into the Division Street place w/ Curtis awhile back when he needed....... Dan Ryan home, waiting for Fire game and possible battle....................
weekend in soccer
Well, several games over the 'weekend'.
On Thursday, w Varsity tied and we lost to a team we should have beaten 1-0. It was a lucky goal, and we just didn't play up to our potential. Then again, we really didn't come close to scoring, so.....
On Friday we did the double - both varsity and J-V won. We had a crazy long trip up to the north and west of Chicago, and played on a nice field. It was a real nice day.... unitl the weather started to come in. Varsity had clobbered them. It was 5-0, and it coulda been a lot more than that. Ditto J-V. We scored twice in the first half, and that was cut short by the weather. The second half was only 3m until the thunder started, and the ref's called the game. We won 2-0, and finished the regular season 4-2-1 (we need more games next year).
On Thursday, w Varsity tied and we lost to a team we should have beaten 1-0. It was a lucky goal, and we just didn't play up to our potential. Then again, we really didn't come close to scoring, so.....
On Friday we did the double - both varsity and J-V won. We had a crazy long trip up to the north and west of Chicago, and played on a nice field. It was a real nice day.... unitl the weather started to come in. Varsity had clobbered them. It was 5-0, and it coulda been a lot more than that. Ditto J-V. We scored twice in the first half, and that was cut short by the weather. The second half was only 3m until the thunder started, and the ref's called the game. We won 2-0, and finished the regular season 4-2-1 (we need more games next year).
Good thing about this game is the people who scored. The girl I preached agression to - L MF - scored her second goal of the year, and d MF got her first. D MF's goal was special. She is not just short - she is very very short. She has some skills. And the fact that she's so close to the ground makes it difficult for other teams to get to the ball. But the ball was bouncing about, she was rite there, put the boot into it, and ran back celebrating.
And Saturday Nite. Went to Fire game. sat @ midfield - my Section 8 credentials grow colder every day. 2-1.
And Saturday Nite. Went to Fire game. sat @ midfield - my Section 8 credentials grow colder every day. 2-1.
25 April, 2008
Transactions: J&B Activates Stix and Lazers from the DL
Written by Lazers
edited by Hilts
J&B represented by: Chemical Man, Stix, Peppys, Hilts, Gf and Lazers
The competition: Bar, Arrogance, Kirby Cats, McNasty, Ireland, and Morning Wood
Trivia being played under the “2 questions max” rule (although J&B once was limited to only 1 question correct in a row).
First Half: TV/White Sox/”People” Most Intriguing People from 2000
In 1996 and 1997, ER was the #1 TV show- what comedy finished #2 both of those years?
Only Sox player ever to register single-season slugging percentage above .700?
Sox player who hit 44 homers in 2006?
Led Sox with 16 wins in 2001?
Led Sox with 2.90 ERA in 2003?
Sox player with club record 28 game hitting streak in 2004?
Sox player who had 135 RBI in 2002?
Led Sox with 154 strikeouts in 2005 (pitcher)?
Sox player led American League with 186 hits in 1995?
Last time Sox were no-hit was by whom (1991)?
Scores at the half: J&B 1150 Kirby Cats 760 Arrogance 700 McNasty 430 Bar 370 Wood 330 Ireland 310. J&B is clicking on all cylinders.
Second Half: Entertainment/USA Today Sports today/Southside Catholic Parishes
Hitting .321, he has done most of the catching for the Reds in 2008?
1989 TV show “Living Dolls” was about 4 teenage models living in New York and featured two actresses who would go onto bigger fame in their field- initials H.B. and L.R.?
This Royals’ player was recently held out of the lineup due to having 22 strikeouts in only 79 at bats?
Additional trivia question learned while researching the answers: “Living Dolls” is a spin-off of what others 80s era sitcom? Clue for J&Bers in attendance last night- one of the stars of that sitcom was the focus of another trivia question asked in the game last night.
Scores into Final: J&B 2250 McNasty 1200 Arrogance 1150 Kirby Cats 990 Wood 990 Bar 820 Ireland 630
Choice of Final Category: 90s Music/White Sox History/70s Music
2 of 3 wins wager. All 3 wins 3000 bonus points.
J&B selects 70s Music and wagers the classic (151).
70s Music:
· Sang “Didn’t I Blow Your Mind This Time”?
· Sang “Disco Lady”?
· The BeeGees discovered her, wrote for her, and sang harmony for her?
90s Music:
Lead singer of the Wallflowers is the son of what famous musician?
Member of Metallica used his own blood and semen as abstract art for the cover of the 1994 album “Load”?
Born Eithne Ni Bhraonain, her 90s albums included “Shepherd Moons”, “The Memory of Trees”, and “Paint the Sky with Stars”?
White Sox:
Scored the winning run in Game 4 of the 2005 World Series?
Yankee pitched a no-hitter against the Sox in 1990, despite losing the game 4-0?
Sox manager in 2000 season?
Gentlemen?
edited by Hilts
J&B represented by: Chemical Man, Stix, Peppys, Hilts, Gf and Lazers
The competition: Bar, Arrogance, Kirby Cats, McNasty, Ireland, and Morning Wood
Trivia being played under the “2 questions max” rule (although J&B once was limited to only 1 question correct in a row).
First Half: TV/White Sox/”People” Most Intriguing People from 2000
In 1996 and 1997, ER was the #1 TV show- what comedy finished #2 both of those years?
Only Sox player ever to register single-season slugging percentage above .700?
Sox player who hit 44 homers in 2006?
Led Sox with 16 wins in 2001?
Led Sox with 2.90 ERA in 2003?
Sox player with club record 28 game hitting streak in 2004?
Sox player who had 135 RBI in 2002?
Led Sox with 154 strikeouts in 2005 (pitcher)?
Sox player led American League with 186 hits in 1995?
Last time Sox were no-hit was by whom (1991)?
Scores at the half: J&B 1150 Kirby Cats 760 Arrogance 700 McNasty 430 Bar 370 Wood 330 Ireland 310. J&B is clicking on all cylinders.
Second Half: Entertainment/USA Today Sports today/Southside Catholic Parishes
Hitting .321, he has done most of the catching for the Reds in 2008?
1989 TV show “Living Dolls” was about 4 teenage models living in New York and featured two actresses who would go onto bigger fame in their field- initials H.B. and L.R.?
This Royals’ player was recently held out of the lineup due to having 22 strikeouts in only 79 at bats?
Additional trivia question learned while researching the answers: “Living Dolls” is a spin-off of what others 80s era sitcom? Clue for J&Bers in attendance last night- one of the stars of that sitcom was the focus of another trivia question asked in the game last night.
Scores into Final: J&B 2250 McNasty 1200 Arrogance 1150 Kirby Cats 990 Wood 990 Bar 820 Ireland 630
Choice of Final Category: 90s Music/White Sox History/70s Music
2 of 3 wins wager. All 3 wins 3000 bonus points.
J&B selects 70s Music and wagers the classic (151).
70s Music:
· Sang “Didn’t I Blow Your Mind This Time”?
· Sang “Disco Lady”?
· The BeeGees discovered her, wrote for her, and sang harmony for her?
90s Music:
Lead singer of the Wallflowers is the son of what famous musician?
Member of Metallica used his own blood and semen as abstract art for the cover of the 1994 album “Load”?
Born Eithne Ni Bhraonain, her 90s albums included “Shepherd Moons”, “The Memory of Trees”, and “Paint the Sky with Stars”?
White Sox:
Scored the winning run in Game 4 of the 2005 World Series?
Yankee pitched a no-hitter against the Sox in 1990, despite losing the game 4-0?
Sox manager in 2000 season?
Gentlemen?
Part II
J&B guesses Stylistics, Johnnie Taylor, and Samantha Sang. The confidence level is high.
First Half answers:
Seinfeld
Frank Thomas
Jermaine Dye
Mark Buerhle
Esteban Loiza
Carlos Lee
Magglio Ordonez
Jose Contreras
Lance Johnson
Bret Saberhagen
Second Half answers:
Paul Bako
Halle Berry and Leah Remini
Jose Guillen
Who’s the Boss?
Final Question:
Ireland- 630- 70s Music- guesses Blondie (no), Donna Summer (no), Pat Benetar (no)- none correct- wagered it all- thanks for playing and have a safe trip back to Ireland.
Bar- 820- 90s Music- guesses Bob Dylan (correct), Lars Ulrich (correct), Enya (correct)- all three correct- wagered it all plus bonus- up to 4640. Benkowski: “Applause for the Bar is not as enthusiastic as in the pre-whining era.”
Kirby Cats- 990- White Sox- guess Joe Crede (no), Andy Pettitte (no), Ron Schueler (no) - wagered 800- down to 190.
Morning Wood- 990- 90s Music- guesses Bob Dylan (correct), Lars Ulrich (correct), Enya (correct)- all three correct- wagered 989 plus bonus- up to 4979 and the lead.
Arrogance- 1150- 70s Music- guesses Frank Zappa (no), Rick James (no), Olivia Newton-John (no)- none correct- wagered it all- thanks for playing and try to be humble next time.
McNasty- 1200- White Sox- guesses Pablo Ozuna (no), Bret Saberhagen (no), Jerry Manuel (correct) - only one correct- wagered it all- thanks for playing.
J&B- 2250- 70s Music- guesses Stylistics (no), Johnnie Taylor (correct), Samantha Sang (correct)- two correct- wagered 151- up to 2401.
Benkowski of course read the J&B answers in reverse order to maximize the drama. That should have been a clue. Morning Wood emerges victorious.
Missing answers: Willie Harris, Andy Hawkins, and the Delfonics.
Next trivia night: Thursday, May 8th (Celebration of Harry Truman Day). I expect to be “in”.
24 April, 2008
AN afternoon Cobb
The Man U game was on and I wasn't working. Lets go to Lanigans and drink four of my drinks and get sleepy all the rest of the day.
I'll make that mistake again.
But the other stated aim of spring break is bearing fruit- I can now drink four drinks and NOT GET SICK. Building tolerance can be both great and terrible.
Man U. shoulda won. Ronaldo is not just talented, he's incredible to watch -what a talent.
But he missed a penalty. Woulda been 1-0, and a road goal @ that.
Death follows
Keep thinking about the widow from the funeral I went to on Tuesday. It is now Thursday. Monday and Tuesday were filled with the wake and the funeral. Wednesday a day to recover and think about the last few days. And now - Thursday. The bodies in the ground. The kids are back @ school. The son and daughters of the dead man are now back @ work. Life goes on.
But the widow....... so much of her life went last week. When my Dad died, @ least there was two of us living in the house and also my Aunt Marion as well.
But the widow....... so much of her life went last week. When my Dad died, @ least there was two of us living in the house and also my Aunt Marion as well.
23 April, 2008
the practice team
So, it was only in the last week that I rreally became a coach. Yes, I'm good @ somethings - many things - when it comes to coaching kids - but there remains many things I have not. Rommel, Pito, and Dez - all who were coaches above me @ the last school - were towering figures to me; I'm not a great coach.
But it was only last week - when I realised that we had to work on several areas that are very imnportant for the team - when I realised that I'd have to do a lot more barking at them and hold them more accountable. I hate making it hard on the girls, but this is the reality:
I told them that we have to get better. I told them that they are a part of a team and that we all had to work to-gether. I told them I was mad at myself for being so tardy in bringing in needed harshness in practice. I told them that I expected a lot from them.
And, we had our best two practices all season. We worked on several things. One was throw ins - trying to nudge the ball forward with our heads or other parts of our bodies so we can get the ball out from the sideline scrum and push the ball forward rapidly (pressure the other team). Another was moving the ball to the wings to create more space in front of the goal. We worked on offense -v-defense, w/ barks from me "TO THE OUTSIDE !!!! OUTSIDE!!! "* @ both offense and defense. And we worked on who is going to take corner kicks.
Another great thing is the boys who hang around the team. ll teams have their hangers on. In boys season, many of the girls hang out. The boys who pal about w/ my players are all really good kids. They love to talk talk talk about soccer - a lot, and exhaustively - but they are great kids. I use them for the team from time to time - I have had them scrimmage a little with the girls and ref certain games. They always help. But in Tuesdays practice I realised just how solid they were. We had been practicing throw ins and they had noticed. When I called in three boys to help end practice with a scrimmage, each time their was a throw in, they made sure that what the girls practiced they did in the scrimmage so that the girls would have a visible demonstartion of that skills utility. I was very happy with these young men and @ the state of the world. America is so bad if we can create citizens like this??
But the team. In every way this is my team now, and I like that. The girls respond. And I ...........lead................
.........................................................................
*=y'd be suprised how often I yell @ my kids.
Strasser
Emissions Test - passed
Insurance for another year - paid
Plate Sticker - paid
New Alternator - working
Hilts - captain
Insurance for another year - paid
Plate Sticker - paid
New Alternator - working
Hilts - captain
22 April, 2008
DeathNotice in real life
There was a death in the family. My sisters father in law. 81, he went downhill rapidly in the last few months. He was a good dude - no longer will I hear that voice. My Mom told me that he was going to die sometime over the weekend, but it was Sunday Nite that Neice.4 came over crying over the loss of her grandfather - it was then we found out he died. It was hard to see the girl so broken up. Really, I kinda felt I failed that I could do nothing to ease her pain.
Went to the wake on Monday Nite after practice. Solem affair. Read in the Sun Times that he had won the Bronze Star in WW2. I knew that he'd been in the Bulge, but not that he'd been medalied- again, ouldn't I have known before he died so that I could have asked him how he got it?? Chance lost.
It was nice to kick back w/ seven out of eight of the kids who came to the wake and GF. Some cafe, cookies...... always struck me about these affairs - here we are jabbling and laughing and smiling, and there is the body waiting to be goned. In University we had some course or other and it tacked on about the funeral interface for the family - between having the (dead) person in their life just a little bit longer and finally letting it go.
Hardest time was the time to go - the widow went up to the coffin and said some goodbyes and some concerns of the day out loud, and I though the same - sad as it was, she was just telling her husband good night and sleep tite in that strange coffin and that she'd see him to-morrow and they'd settle out what they had to then.
Funeral was Tuesday. Six out of eight kids there. Way south. AGain, my thought were with the widow. So sad to see the partner go.
Went to the wake on Monday Nite after practice. Solem affair. Read in the Sun Times that he had won the Bronze Star in WW2. I knew that he'd been in the Bulge, but not that he'd been medalied- again, ouldn't I have known before he died so that I could have asked him how he got it?? Chance lost.
It was nice to kick back w/ seven out of eight of the kids who came to the wake and GF. Some cafe, cookies...... always struck me about these affairs - here we are jabbling and laughing and smiling, and there is the body waiting to be goned. In University we had some course or other and it tacked on about the funeral interface for the family - between having the (dead) person in their life just a little bit longer and finally letting it go.
Hardest time was the time to go - the widow went up to the coffin and said some goodbyes and some concerns of the day out loud, and I though the same - sad as it was, she was just telling her husband good night and sleep tite in that strange coffin and that she'd see him to-morrow and they'd settle out what they had to then.
Funeral was Tuesday. Six out of eight kids there. Way south. AGain, my thought were with the widow. So sad to see the partner go.
21 April, 2008
a goal from the midfield
Well well well well well well well well: both teams won today. Finally. Varsity fell behind by two, but scored three to finally get their first win. The other team had a real influential tall sweeper - I remember her from '06. I expected varsity to win handily, but the game was a near run thing. We knew the other team lost big to a team we played well against and one of the coaches - my friend - from the last game told me we should handle them. Barely.
So it was with the J-V. I really though we would do well. We ended up barely winning. But - I'm sure we have qualified for the playoffs - 3-1-1 record is the best ever for a J-V team I've coached. It was a fun game.
This game was rescheduled from one of the storm drained ones from some weeks before. Added to the schedule on a Friday, it was nice to be able to not have to worry about getting home so late. We couldn't get the field our game was originally set for -the same Marquette Park patch (alas now astroturfed over) on 71st Street that I played St. Rita football on in the 1970's. Instead it was set @ the site of the school we were playing - also in the Old Neighbourhood. I'd coached here before - in '06. As then, it is a tiny blatch of dirt and ratty rat grass. Bouncy ball, and dangerous to slide. But lined well and with nice nets - always enjoy the finer points of the game.
My kids were kinda haughty with the neighbourhood -my old 'hood. Lots and lots of locals attended the match - all crowded in the closed in pitch place. We put our bags bunchd up in a tumble top jumbled to-gether so none of the locals could steal them. Non did. We also got some students who were from the area - it was nice to see very obnoxiously loud B. and MM in that context.
And we - as in J-V - played non discript. We outplayed the other team, but the only result was a goalmouth scrum puttered in by L MF. Enough for the win, but I expected more, and cursed myself for not coaching them better before. I know, common refrain. Again, we must make more of the utter outer edges of the pitch - better to draw their defenders from the goal. And more work on corner kicks. And more work on the throw ins. No one on this level are ace @ it, so if we could harness throw ins as a weapon, we could maybe snatch an advantage in a game. Maybe advance in a close playoff match. Maybe.
L MF - she who I always would preach aggression to - was today's goal scorer. Such a soft spoken girl, it was great to see her be mobbed onfield by her teammates after the goal. Such a funny-embarrassed-proud look on her face. But I've noticed that she has taken to heart my preaching - for example, she gets to throw ins and tries to get them in quick. Good kid.
And I decided to go with Chivas instead of Green as the goalie. Chivas was last years goalie, but early in the season she coldn't be on the team. However - circumstances have changed - and she's back. But in that interval, Green had established herself as top goalie for the J-V. I played both girls for a few games -carefully playing Green in the first half, Chivas second- and two game Chivas was called up to varsity to play in the place of an injured player - meaning I only had/played Green. However, I have to make a decision - and I like Chivas in goal and Green in the field. I obliquely stated as much in one of the team talk huddles. I hope Green will be ok with it- she went from starting in goal to a player without a set position. But she wants to play the field and she will be a part of the offense.
So it was with the J-V. I really though we would do well. We ended up barely winning. But - I'm sure we have qualified for the playoffs - 3-1-1 record is the best ever for a J-V team I've coached. It was a fun game.
This game was rescheduled from one of the storm drained ones from some weeks before. Added to the schedule on a Friday, it was nice to be able to not have to worry about getting home so late. We couldn't get the field our game was originally set for -the same Marquette Park patch (alas now astroturfed over) on 71st Street that I played St. Rita football on in the 1970's. Instead it was set @ the site of the school we were playing - also in the Old Neighbourhood. I'd coached here before - in '06. As then, it is a tiny blatch of dirt and ratty rat grass. Bouncy ball, and dangerous to slide. But lined well and with nice nets - always enjoy the finer points of the game.
My kids were kinda haughty with the neighbourhood -my old 'hood. Lots and lots of locals attended the match - all crowded in the closed in pitch place. We put our bags bunchd up in a tumble top jumbled to-gether so none of the locals could steal them. Non did. We also got some students who were from the area - it was nice to see very obnoxiously loud B. and MM in that context.
And we - as in J-V - played non discript. We outplayed the other team, but the only result was a goalmouth scrum puttered in by L MF. Enough for the win, but I expected more, and cursed myself for not coaching them better before. I know, common refrain. Again, we must make more of the utter outer edges of the pitch - better to draw their defenders from the goal. And more work on corner kicks. And more work on the throw ins. No one on this level are ace @ it, so if we could harness throw ins as a weapon, we could maybe snatch an advantage in a game. Maybe advance in a close playoff match. Maybe.
L MF - she who I always would preach aggression to - was today's goal scorer. Such a soft spoken girl, it was great to see her be mobbed onfield by her teammates after the goal. Such a funny-embarrassed-proud look on her face. But I've noticed that she has taken to heart my preaching - for example, she gets to throw ins and tries to get them in quick. Good kid.
And I decided to go with Chivas instead of Green as the goalie. Chivas was last years goalie, but early in the season she coldn't be on the team. However - circumstances have changed - and she's back. But in that interval, Green had established herself as top goalie for the J-V. I played both girls for a few games -carefully playing Green in the first half, Chivas second- and two game Chivas was called up to varsity to play in the place of an injured player - meaning I only had/played Green. However, I have to make a decision - and I like Chivas in goal and Green in the field. I obliquely stated as much in one of the team talk huddles. I hope Green will be ok with it- she went from starting in goal to a player without a set position. But she wants to play the field and she will be a part of the offense.
And, finally, the self coronation of Stopper. Stopper is the kinda girl who is brash and loud and vocal and very self confident. It all serves her well on this team. The position she plays - sweeper - calls for a player to take the initiative and directly confront and disrupt the other teams offense. The position basically calls for a brash, loud vocal etc etc etc kinda player - and she's it. She's always taking change, pushing her way into and through situations, and harassing the other team. By her play she leads - and also vocally. Both before games and @ halftime I let the girls voice their opinions in the huddle, and because of her persistence, I opened up the floor always to her first: "O.K., I'm done. Stopper, what do you have to say??".
Almost from the beginning, I made C MF the captain. Several months now. But Stopper - such a positive teammate and a leader - by both example and vocally- kept wanting to go to the pregame call for captains by the refs with C MF. I had been sending C MF and another , but Stopper kept insisting non verbally. So, this game I made sure I gave my imprimatur to this behaviour by sending them both. It would be wrong otherwise.
So, we escaped with a win. Playoffs beckon. But so much work, and I am but a humble labourer in the vineyard.
So, we escaped with a win. Playoffs beckon. But so much work, and I am but a humble labourer in the vineyard.
18 April, 2008
many handshakes and explanations of my present situation / A tie is a loss
Played my old school this Thursday. The varsity had tied and J-V beat this team over Spring Break when we had a 'friendly' game. But not this day. It was to be a loss and a tie. And for J-V, I blame myself. When we last played, we fairly dominated the game. We had two varsity players on the field @ most times, but we were the better team. I was certain that we had gotten so much better since then -of course we were going to win and win big. But we didn't, and I knew the reason - the coaches on the other side (my buddies) had done a better job. Thus over the time that elapsed between the two games the other school had improved more than my team. I have to become a much better practice coach.
And it was nice to see all the old crowd. Many handshakes and explanations of my present situation to many people, both adults and kids. So many; I so often miss being a part of that context. But time marches on, and I love my team here now. But it nice to see the coaches yelling and slouching on the sidelines.... them yelling @ the refs.... them talking to the kids..... Where they are now, I once was, and I'm such the helpless romantic (sometimes)....... it was fun to be back...
But the game. We should have won. We dominated. But the other team scored for the first fucking time this year - on a free kick -and thus matched our lone goal. We tied, where we should have won. I blame it on me. We need to practice gettin getting the ball to the outside, I now realise. But there was a 'good thing'.
And that good thing is?? That I realise. I have grown. It kills me that I have been tardy with this team - I should have been drilling these concepts into this team in practice all season so far . This present team, being the apple of my eye right now ((love this team big time they've really captured my mind )); it makes me feel stupid and dumb not to have been addressing these issues from the beginning of the season. But they will get it in practice Monday, as will my team next year and all years after. I'm allowing myself to grow on the job, so to speak.
So, what we need to do is move the ball more to the outside of the field - it'll open up space all over the field. Still, it sucks that this magnificant team is getting these ideas and practices so late in the season. Such good kids.
So, what we need to do is move the ball more to the outside of the field - it'll open up space all over the field. Still, it sucks that this magnificant team is getting these ideas and practices so late in the season. Such good kids.
16 April, 2008
coaches meeting
It was me who had to rep. the school in the annual state playoff seeding meeting. There are 19 teams in our "region", and this meeting was to seed those teams. Some teams = very impressive. Lots of games played and quality teams played. Our team =namby pampy. We had two rain outs and no scheduled non conference games, so we came to the table with three results = a tie and two losses. No much to go on.
However, our region is also laughably weak. Lots of 1899 Cleveland Spiders type teams - we were ranked low, but not @ the bottom. But low. And that ws partially my fault. Part of the process is to talk about yr team for 3m and say why they deserve a high seeding - I failed @ that.
But it was totally interesting to be a apart of the process. The NCAA deliberations for basketball? Now I know.
It was good to see some old frenz. Well, one. Free pizza.
However, our region is also laughably weak. Lots of 1899 Cleveland Spiders type teams - we were ranked low, but not @ the bottom. But low. And that ws partially my fault. Part of the process is to talk about yr team for 3m and say why they deserve a high seeding - I failed @ that.
But it was totally interesting to be a apart of the process. The NCAA deliberations for basketball? Now I know.
It was good to see some old frenz. Well, one. Free pizza.
pamba
So, it turns out that I actually the greatest coach of all time. J-V won 5-0. Lo. scored three goals -the first hat trick -and she had another called back that was spectacular. And it was a goal. But the refs took pity on the other squad. Still - was a goal. Nice game, squealing kids after the final whistle and all that. Coach happy.
And I'm a shitty coach. Lotta times when you are figgering out where to put who - believe me, the team was a tabla rosa when we started -it's all up in the air. But, play a few games, and by now, most kids have a set position. The defenders know their position, the midfield is set, as are - generally - the forwards. There are emergencies and such where a players gotta play somewhere else, But the team by now has some expectations, a a knowledge of what is expected of them, and the experience of all pulling to-gether. From here, we can start building a team's capabilities- the base is now set. We really didn't need a super effort this game. We played a proud school who's girls soccer team is on a downturn. Our varsity lost this game - even though we outplayed them the whole game. The J-V was clearly superior - hence the 5-0 result.
But that shitty coach intro to the last para -what's that??
A., who I had playing sweeper (last defender rite in front of the goal), had professor a great need to play forward. Right - every kid, when the season starts, wants to play forward- well, except for the kid who loves goalie- and a coach has to carefully explain how important the kid is for the team in the position that is NOT forward. A., however, kept asking for forward - and made a terrible mistake in an earlier game (Inexperience) - so I played her on top this game. She got two goals. Stupid coach for having her in defence this whole time? Nah - just a learning curve. I have to know my players even better.
I also had the grand pleasure of riding the bus for this game. In the old days, I'd be on the bus w/ the kids every game. The boys buses were riot houses - all sorts of 16 yo boys devising different ways of hitting and punching each other -for fun - the whole ride. The center piece would be the "pamba sessions". Part teenage aggression, part team initiation, part comedic spectacle - they are some of the things that I will remember the most about my coaching career.
And I'm a shitty coach. Lotta times when you are figgering out where to put who - believe me, the team was a tabla rosa when we started -it's all up in the air. But, play a few games, and by now, most kids have a set position. The defenders know their position, the midfield is set, as are - generally - the forwards. There are emergencies and such where a players gotta play somewhere else, But the team by now has some expectations, a a knowledge of what is expected of them, and the experience of all pulling to-gether. From here, we can start building a team's capabilities- the base is now set. We really didn't need a super effort this game. We played a proud school who's girls soccer team is on a downturn. Our varsity lost this game - even though we outplayed them the whole game. The J-V was clearly superior - hence the 5-0 result.
But that shitty coach intro to the last para -what's that??
A., who I had playing sweeper (last defender rite in front of the goal), had professor a great need to play forward. Right - every kid, when the season starts, wants to play forward- well, except for the kid who loves goalie- and a coach has to carefully explain how important the kid is for the team in the position that is NOT forward. A., however, kept asking for forward - and made a terrible mistake in an earlier game (Inexperience) - so I played her on top this game. She got two goals. Stupid coach for having her in defence this whole time? Nah - just a learning curve. I have to know my players even better.
I also had the grand pleasure of riding the bus for this game. In the old days, I'd be on the bus w/ the kids every game. The boys buses were riot houses - all sorts of 16 yo boys devising different ways of hitting and punching each other -for fun - the whole ride. The center piece would be the "pamba sessions". Part teenage aggression, part team initiation, part comedic spectacle - they are some of the things that I will remember the most about my coaching career.
The inition phase was the funniest. Everyone on the team would have to be initiated - the great supertalented seniors had to go through the process when they were freshmen. The last school I coached @ the sessions were as follows : Varsity in back, and one by one the freshman/ new players were called to the back of the bus. There followed a complete hush as the team leader asked the player a few questions, including a trick question. (think the part in The Holy Grail where in order to cross the bridge the knights had to answer three questions - the last an 'impossible' trick question). And I mean a hush - from a screaming wilde raucous to a total plush hush. From where we always sit - in the front - we'd look back @ this scence - darkened bus, varsity crowded around the sacrificial lamb, and an inaudible conversation between the captain and the lamb.
Can't hear...........
hushed words...........
then..........
the captain,
---with a raised "HUH??" when inevitably the kid answers wrong
---pandemonioum, with yelling and shouting breaking out in the back
---the varsity all crowding around the lamb to 'pamba' his head for the 4-5 seconds
---someone yells "THAT"S ENOUGH !!"
---then 40 men and boys, even the lamb, all cascadingly laughing like crazy (but no trouble we're in)
I always understood that these pamba sessions were crazy - some of you are reacting that way rite now, do not deny - but it was part of the culture, and it has always made me laugh. The worst was when someone would "ride" the lamb- basically the kid was lifted by his arms and legs, and a thin kids would jump on him for a few seconds. Always kinda crazy.
But
Not girls teams. Never. Not once. Ever.
14 April, 2008
At - One - Ment
Strange to rely on Gf for wheels again. She came over and collected me Sunday afternoon and we whisked our way to see "Atonement" @ University of Chicago film place. This time we knew where to go and were able to sit in front middle. $5.Good flick. Kierra is sexy, and she plays a sexy character. She's my type, and I have enjoyed watching her.............. uh, watching her act.......... since the beginning. Loved the 'watching from the window @ the people @ the fountain pool' scene - both of them. Very Sexy that lass. Very. Lots of good stuff. Good flick.
Then after that Gf had the good idea to see if Hyde Park had a Borders. Of course it did.
Then: did it have Death Note #9? It did.
We got two chairs in another crowded bookstore and sat there and read. It was a quick haul through #9, but now I can go on to #10 and #11, and then try and find #12. Light, so to speak, @ the end of the tunnel.
And then it was mass @ 5pm.
Sorry for the diariness of this blog as of late, but I'm swimming..........
The Keegans Lobby and V.H.'s Foreign Policy
Strasser dry docked for a few days, I am engaged in walking/busing again to work. Strange. On Saturday afternoon Gf and I went out to the nonresponsivebyphone garage the Strasser was dumped @ to confirm that the place existed and to extract junk from the trunk - fear of theft of soccer balls and sweaty soccer gear.I can't remember much what happened on Saturday - except @ nite we went to Borders and Keegans. Borders was a chase on the Deathnote course. I finally gave up waiting for Deathnote #9 to get back to my school's ibrary, so I decided to just go to Borders and read it in the stacks. It'd take about an hour - no pouring over it, but I really want to finish the series. So, we went, and lo and behold - they didn't have #9 in stock. New plan just to chill. Collected two books on Germany in WW2 and Isreal Lobby and joined Gf for a hot chocalate in a crowded bookstore. She enjoyed it, and I was abble to finish a chapter in the book.
Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy is a book I started to read 6m ago. I read the first 100p 6m ago and then put the book down. Then, as often happens, I looked @ it last weekend and read the next hundred pages in a few days. Great book !! I need to finish it now that I am reinterested in it - the last few chapters are well organized and are on things I am familier with. Compulsive book now.
This was a more than ordinary trip to Keegans -as we both silently thought, until we vocalized it to-gether; this was the first time back to keegans after we's had a somewhat public fight there 2m ago. I'll find the link from that day, but it won't say this: I'd stupidly mentioned an old girlfriend, and she got real mad @ me (she doesn't like that). She wanted to leave, but I felt that the mere mention of something old was cause for leaving. She insisted I leave, but I was just as mad, so I walked home in the cold that nite.
And here we finally were back. Had two drinks - no, I had three. Didn't feel it the next day.
We left early and did some shopping! Milk was only $1.50 a gallon and had to be purchased by Midnite, so we Jeweled it. And then home.
12 April, 2008
My fathers Inheritence
It was my junior year in University that I finally fell in w/ girls. I discovered the 'secret' that hopefully all college students outside of my neices and Nephews discover" that girls like us just as much as we like them.And, on a personal note, thoses days I discovered that LOTS of girls liked me and I liked lots of them. It was a wonderful time.
My cousin MAC lives in Montana. He boy is a big dude on the local pol. sence, so when President Obama and Vice President Clinton made a visit in front of the primary in June, she was there.
Here are some snaps. One is of the future president. The other is of my cousin and her friend .full . .full was one of the girls I liked 20 years ago when I was young. Red hair. The feeling back then made me -looking back 8-10 y later -to use the term "My Fathers Inheritance". It was a pseudo Jesus-feeling ataement that is probably not in the gospels - but I invent. I 'invented' it to describe my feeling of 'status' among women @ the time.
So - to say it - While I was in the midst of My fathers Inheritance (meaning = women all over and I kew I had the Power, finally)I fell for the girl who was rite before the red head on the "Go after" list. So I never bothered. I've gotten to know her over the years, and obv. nothing would have gotten done way back. I say she was next on the list, but fully realise I prob. was on no list of hers.
But that feeling of the Inheritance. So strong back then.
Still - pretty girl. Good person as well. I was just/only/ 21.
sableheimer
Oi what a disaster.
Went up to near O'Hare to watch Nephew.2's volleyball game. Went straight up 1st Ave all the way - the same route we take when we visit her brother. The game was close, but N.2 's team won handily. They had beaten a regional powerhouse in the past week and are close to being ranked in the top 10 in local papers, so there is a buzz about the team. My sister and bro in law were there as well.
Thanks to Gf. We were supposed to watch Atonement @ Univ Chicago this nite, but when I discovered that I would be able to catch the game, she ruefully allowed me to catch his game. He has less than 10 games in his hs career left, so she understands that I have to catch the kids now before they are gone forever. No more football games for Nephew.1, or soccer games for Neice.1. And now, a dwindling amount for Nephew.2 and Neice.3.
As gf had to work the next day, we decided to catch a drink @ the James Joyce. We did. Two. Very nicely poured. Beautiful.
And when we tried to start the Strasser, it was all dark. Dead car. No, it wasn't me leaving on the lites this time (last week!) - it was...... what?? So, we had to endure the towing oddessey and cabbing it back to her crib - we got back very late. So Strasser is in drydock out in Riverside, and who knows when it will be running again? For all the tickets and tyres and tickets and batteries and etc that I've put in - some more !!
Strasser is expensive now = April is time for new sticker -$70 (?), insurance continuation ($400?), emissions test, and now prob. major repairs.
And me w/out a car. Two years ago, big whip. Now ? Shit - how do I survive? Will I be catching that express bus on Monday ?? Maybe. Will Gf and I get to see the play we wanted this weekend, or Atonement on Sunday? We'll see.
People @ the Joyce were great. They all lended in to help us. Good place. Tenders were kool, difference people helped us - humans are great, n'est pas? I, however, was helpless - as usual, Gf's got the gab and she was the one to garner the support. Bless her.
10 April, 2008
No game for old Man
My project of a forward dropped off of the team. Not the tops of skills, not the top of knowledge of the game - but boy did she like to run. For me, I was schooled heavily @ the last school I coached @ - so I really wanted to develop her into the 'runner'. Yes, maybe a diminution of her skills, but I have a real need to fill that position. Now, I'll have to look elsewhere.
Game was cancelled again today - the rain and threat of lightning will do that. Funny, again - I was so sure I was superman after our win last week - but was exposed as littleman after our loss. There are two schools that have real good girls soccer rep on our schedule this year - and the rest do not. I could see us entering the playoffs w/ two losses - but we'd have to face a Premiership (we are in the second level of the city teams, the First Division) in the first round robin play.
We have time to get better.
Wednesday I also caught my nieces game out in the suburbs. Nice having a car, eh?? No taking 2h bus rides w/ three exchanges or having to wait on my sisters for a ride and having to deal w/ them. They played a team that they killed 7-0. My nieces coaches were nice -it coulda been 17-0. And the funny thing is? My nieces team is a sophomore team, but I bet that sophomore team would kill my schools varsity squad (Not to mention what they would do to my J-V team). Such a vast difference between the level of a city girls team and a Catholic or Suburban team (mainly). Boys are a lot closer - but it will be awhile before a city team wins a state crown.
For now, I will be satisfied with nice passing, a defense that takes care of bizz, and some goals next game. Tuesday.
09 April, 2008
The worst coach in the world
So, I was able to keep my midfielder, but it mattered little as we lost 3-0. Did we look bad? Well, not bad, but very over matched. It's a new world again.
I will freely admit that when we won out first game, I immediately started to think big. Well, big in this context would be "City Champions Girls Soccer Junior Varsity". Notice please, it was a very egotistical thinking - it was all for the glory of me and all my right moves and excellent player handling's. Typical me.
Then we run into a team that has a great girls reputation (one of their players who I coached against 3 years ago is now trying out for the Mexican national team - very good team always). Varsity lost 3-0, so it was a bad start to the day. Then it was a total rain on us - I had nice rain clothes on, but the poor girls were in their shorts. Dismal day.
The ball was in our end the entire game. Once in awhile we'd have a semi break, but we didn't threaten all game. No offense, as the other team just kept the ball away from us the entire game. And our defense. They were very untidy in back, and the untidyness lead to all three of the other teams goals (we also lost 3-0). The girls need a lot more structure in the back - and that is where SUPERCOACH was SUCKYCOACH. They also need....well, a lot. Standing on the sideline, five minutes into the game, and just realising that "Shit, this other team is good" is a deflating feeling. We have to get better.
But to-morrow is another day, so even though we lost, we have to get ready for the next game. Always keep reaching. We get three new players, but I fear next game will be the end for my start midfielder. Then where will we be??
I will freely admit that when we won out first game, I immediately started to think big. Well, big in this context would be "City Champions Girls Soccer Junior Varsity". Notice please, it was a very egotistical thinking - it was all for the glory of me and all my right moves and excellent player handling's. Typical me.
Then we run into a team that has a great girls reputation (one of their players who I coached against 3 years ago is now trying out for the Mexican national team - very good team always). Varsity lost 3-0, so it was a bad start to the day. Then it was a total rain on us - I had nice rain clothes on, but the poor girls were in their shorts. Dismal day.
The ball was in our end the entire game. Once in awhile we'd have a semi break, but we didn't threaten all game. No offense, as the other team just kept the ball away from us the entire game. And our defense. They were very untidy in back, and the untidyness lead to all three of the other teams goals (we also lost 3-0). The girls need a lot more structure in the back - and that is where SUPERCOACH was SUCKYCOACH. They also need....well, a lot. Standing on the sideline, five minutes into the game, and just realising that "Shit, this other team is good" is a deflating feeling. We have to get better.
But to-morrow is another day, so even though we lost, we have to get ready for the next game. Always keep reaching. We get three new players, but I fear next game will be the end for my start midfielder. Then where will we be??
Birds are everywhere
Tersely, this communication rattled off of our receivers:
the hummingbirds are almost here:
http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html
Prefaced by this:
Speaking of birds, I found this site with day to day satellite tracking of an Osprey headed back to Scotland:
http://www.roydennis.org/Female%20osprey%20migration%202007.htm
oh, it was all started by this:
I'm psyched. Saw this bird on my walk to work. A Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Apparently this is really rare in Illinois, and even more rare to see it's red crown, which I saw (this is not my photo--as I reached for it, he flew away).
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Ruby-crowned_Kinglet.html
it would be processed, processed, and homes
08 April, 2008
No midfield for old man
Our second game is today, all the way up on the North Side, and my team is missing it's star = L. is to be on the varsity this game. It means the whole team will have to be reconfigured - well, the "O" will have ot be. She is the one player on the team to possess a real good sense of the game, and she fights like hell - basically irreplaceable. But, the games will go on. So, I have to figure out someother offensive option for us. Boy, that'll be hard. But...........
Hmm.......... These things are inevitable. The varsity had only so many kids on it, and a few dropped off. They need reinforcements. It hurts our team, but that's the way it goes.
I can remember three years ago when one of the boys was brought up to varsity after half the year on J-V. He still hung out with the J-V players before/after games, and the J-V boys really pulled for him during varsity games. Lets see if this dynamic plays itself out this year.
07 April, 2008
On Being Hernandez
Funny thing about being a head coach - one has to do things you really do not want to. Well, this head coach has to do one thing I really hate = heckle the ref's. In my years of coaching soccer, the head coaches have had a stream of critism aimed @ the ref's. It wasn't offside, that was off, thrie players are too playing too dirty, etc etc etc.... It's something EVERY coach has done, so of course I follow. One must work to get the calls, the theory goes.
In the past I just let the head coach do it. The players are also not supoposed to yell @ the ref - that is the head coach's job. So, I have a season of objectionably having to yell @ the ref. Great.
On Monday I caught myself doing it again and again. Funny world I find myself in.
05 April, 2008
Country
Finally - saw "No Country for Old Men". We reused the 'DOC Films @ the University of Chicago Option'. Like a real university campus, they show films -and good films -every day of the week during school time. They show a film once a week, escept for reshowing the fri and sat features again on Sunday afternoon. It's only $5 a movie, or $26 for a 2 1/2 m pass. We are thinking of getting a pass - movies are cheap enough, but it's so convinient and there are so many good films. Next week we are thinking of going to another flick, but awaiting on work schedules. Good many films ahead.
So, we got to campus and lost ourselceves trying ot find the exact building -although, of course, we'd been there before. We had to sit in the very front, necks craned, on seats that were not cineplex quality - but no matter. Great flick -deserves all the love it's gotten.
Went to - closed - Lannigans after that. We went in for a quick drink, but Tedwardian was there, so we ended up walking out of the shuttered place quickened along by the staff so thay could go home. It was a crowded nite there. I have snaps, but not yet.
04 April, 2008
Creepily Guant
Mr. Jagger’s lined face, with its deflated balloon lips, suggests a double exposure of Dorian Gray and his infamous portrait, at once defiantly youthful and creepily gaunt. The simian Mr. Richards, whose upper arm flesh has shriveled, resembles an old madam chewing over her secrets.
Three games
Kinda Cold. Kinda tired. Very satisfied. After six weeks of preparing my JV girls, our season opened finally yesterday (field unplayable for our scheduled opener Tuesday). Yes, we won, and we looked pretty good -but not great.
Hardest thing is trying to figger out where the team will benefit best by putting which kid where- and then selling the concept of TEAM to them. usually it works pretty well - and I now know that I've won them over. Not just cause we won - but because they understood that they are now a team, and that they all must play their part ensemble. I love it. The stuff of life, for me.
So, the hardest part is usually picking a goalie. This squad had their goalie already picked out (she volunteered) - until last years goalie rejoined the team (Somehow she got out of her babysitting duties for the rest of the year - yes, these are the things coaches have to deal with). So, I started the volunteer (Green) for the first half, and then put in last years goalie (Chivas)in the second half. The future is to put Chivas in goal full time - she's good - and deploy Green in the field (Midfield - slow, but good ball handling and leadership skills)- she's also good. It's a nice problem to have - two good goalies. The key is to gracefully switch players - I was thinking of putting Chivas starting next game and then Green second half, and then game #3 just to use Chivas full time - we'll see.
Then the defense. The middle is as strong as hell. M. is the stopper - played in fron of the defense and "Stops" anyhting before it starts. Shes a strong girl with a strong presence who is not afraid. She wanted to pay mid or forward (They all do) but shined in a scrimmage against the varsity. I realised what I had and did the selling job on her - and then both she and her teammates saw her value in this position - and now she loves the spot. Good work on the coaches part. Behind her is another girl who is tough and big (A.)-although not as confident. She's my sweeper - the player who sweeps up all the messes that threaten the goal. She missed the game because of a field trip, so I had to go to someone who also played well in the position - Diamond. Diamond is a smallish girl who doesn't mark man to man well - but she has a knack for - uh - sweeping up mistakes in front of our goal. When the regular sweeper comes back - well, the decision is easy, but I'll have to shield Diamond from disappointment of not being the regular sweeper. However, I have a lot of options in the back.
The wing defenders. Works in progress. On the flanks of the sweeper are two defensive positions where I have put three girls in a rotation. I am taking a gamble here. All three girls are among the ones who have the most work to do so that lut team will be as solid as possible. I toy with the idea to put someother girls back there to make the defense as strong as possible - but our team is a work in progress. I have an eye to the future in developing these girls over their career in high school. One - E. - is among the leaders of the school. The other two were goofy girls who initially were hard to corral. However, as I wrote before - I feel I have won them over. Both S. and D. -as well as E. - have so much work to do to mark better and understand the positions better. Too often inexperienced defenders will not know how to harry and harass an opponent and where exactly to play. Defenders have to balance being ON the opposing forwards and AWAT enough from the opposing forwards so that thye will not be beat in one move. My mantra is "Don't try to steal the ball, just do not let them beat you" - often an attempt to steal is clumsy and produces the enemy forward racing by the girl and onto the goal. Again - a lot of work in both areas for all three defenders in the rotation. And we will be getting another defender for the next game - she'll be worked in as well.
The midfield - and the team - is built around L. Strong, skilled, willful, spirited, relentless - L. is the centerpiece. She will be taken up to varsity before long - and our team will suffer deeply - but she is great on defense and skilled as hell on "O". She scored both of our goals yesterday. She wants to play offense, but in my system it's always the midfield that carries the attack. My guess is that she understands now. In the offense I've partnered her w/ D.a - skilled, fast, but w/out the full knowledge of a soccer player. She is terrible @ positioning herself so far - but she will learn. I'm thinking of putting her @ forward, but more on that later.
The other midfieldersare projects in progress. There is one girl - M. - who has some skills and speed, but God is she non agressive. My mantra to her is "Agression!". She could be areal force, but she hasn't the confidence to confront the other players. She is a special project of mine. The goalie Green will also be in the mix. She's a team leader who has some skills - she will be a good addition to the midfield both for D and O. There is another girl in the mix as well.
Forwards are in flux. I employ a 'runner' in one of the spots - someone who chases and chases and chases to put pressure on the opponents defense. Mi. fits this roile well. She tends too run and run and run - but was always put in defense by her other coaches. She doesn't mark well or fully understand tactics so far - so I knew the team could maximize her potential by harnassing all that running. She tired herself out several times - but that's what I want. ZZ has been used as a forward as well. She very short, but has some nice skills on the ball. I now know that she is ill fitted to the rrole I want her to play, so I am changing her to midfield to better make use of her ball handling and minimize her lack of breakaway speed. Porsche is another forward. She was taked up by varsity for this game - but then put back down when varsity discovered they had enough players (players miss games left and right, and oftEn JV will lose some players in times of need). She has skill and is speedy - I really fully didn't appreciate her until the varsity coach told me last week she was thinking of promoting her to varsity. Now I know. Finally, there is the old midfielder D.a. I'm thinking of pairing Mi. and D.a. up front with some sub spelling them.
So -the game. We won 2-0, and played well. L. was the star, but it wasn't just her. The goal was great, t'ever goalie was in. The defense presents a problem, because they have the farthest to go, but I have faith. And I'm gonna have to run them silly. I have been very lax in exercising the girls - it's a long game on a giangitac field - and I have to get better. They run today @ practice - but also we will have small scrimmages. Let's let the good feelings from yesterday linger.
Let's let the good feelings from yesterday linger. It's always funny to watch a team celebrate. Boys teamswon't go wild. neither do varsity girls. But J V girls, who are just learning to play and just learning that they are on a team - go nuts. It was great to hear the happiness from them. On each goal they were screaming like it was Xmas, and then with the whistle I had to quiet them down and get inline to 'shake hands' so that the other team would not feel bad.
They'll get better.
Varsity got a tie and looked good. They also will get better.
These two games were the first of three soccer games I watched this day.
This was the last game I witnessed. (Lynx fritz fer now)
Hardest thing is trying to figger out where the team will benefit best by putting which kid where- and then selling the concept of TEAM to them. usually it works pretty well - and I now know that I've won them over. Not just cause we won - but because they understood that they are now a team, and that they all must play their part ensemble. I love it. The stuff of life, for me.
So, the hardest part is usually picking a goalie. This squad had their goalie already picked out (she volunteered) - until last years goalie rejoined the team (Somehow she got out of her babysitting duties for the rest of the year - yes, these are the things coaches have to deal with). So, I started the volunteer (Green) for the first half, and then put in last years goalie (Chivas)in the second half. The future is to put Chivas in goal full time - she's good - and deploy Green in the field (Midfield - slow, but good ball handling and leadership skills)- she's also good. It's a nice problem to have - two good goalies. The key is to gracefully switch players - I was thinking of putting Chivas starting next game and then Green second half, and then game #3 just to use Chivas full time - we'll see.
Then the defense. The middle is as strong as hell. M. is the stopper - played in fron of the defense and "Stops" anyhting before it starts. Shes a strong girl with a strong presence who is not afraid. She wanted to pay mid or forward (They all do) but shined in a scrimmage against the varsity. I realised what I had and did the selling job on her - and then both she and her teammates saw her value in this position - and now she loves the spot. Good work on the coaches part. Behind her is another girl who is tough and big (A.)-although not as confident. She's my sweeper - the player who sweeps up all the messes that threaten the goal. She missed the game because of a field trip, so I had to go to someone who also played well in the position - Diamond. Diamond is a smallish girl who doesn't mark man to man well - but she has a knack for - uh - sweeping up mistakes in front of our goal. When the regular sweeper comes back - well, the decision is easy, but I'll have to shield Diamond from disappointment of not being the regular sweeper. However, I have a lot of options in the back.
The wing defenders. Works in progress. On the flanks of the sweeper are two defensive positions where I have put three girls in a rotation. I am taking a gamble here. All three girls are among the ones who have the most work to do so that lut team will be as solid as possible. I toy with the idea to put someother girls back there to make the defense as strong as possible - but our team is a work in progress. I have an eye to the future in developing these girls over their career in high school. One - E. - is among the leaders of the school. The other two were goofy girls who initially were hard to corral. However, as I wrote before - I feel I have won them over. Both S. and D. -as well as E. - have so much work to do to mark better and understand the positions better. Too often inexperienced defenders will not know how to harry and harass an opponent and where exactly to play. Defenders have to balance being ON the opposing forwards and AWAT enough from the opposing forwards so that thye will not be beat in one move. My mantra is "Don't try to steal the ball, just do not let them beat you" - often an attempt to steal is clumsy and produces the enemy forward racing by the girl and onto the goal. Again - a lot of work in both areas for all three defenders in the rotation. And we will be getting another defender for the next game - she'll be worked in as well.
The midfield - and the team - is built around L. Strong, skilled, willful, spirited, relentless - L. is the centerpiece. She will be taken up to varsity before long - and our team will suffer deeply - but she is great on defense and skilled as hell on "O". She scored both of our goals yesterday. She wants to play offense, but in my system it's always the midfield that carries the attack. My guess is that she understands now. In the offense I've partnered her w/ D.a - skilled, fast, but w/out the full knowledge of a soccer player. She is terrible @ positioning herself so far - but she will learn. I'm thinking of putting her @ forward, but more on that later.
The other midfieldersare projects in progress. There is one girl - M. - who has some skills and speed, but God is she non agressive. My mantra to her is "Agression!". She could be areal force, but she hasn't the confidence to confront the other players. She is a special project of mine. The goalie Green will also be in the mix. She's a team leader who has some skills - she will be a good addition to the midfield both for D and O. There is another girl in the mix as well.
Forwards are in flux. I employ a 'runner' in one of the spots - someone who chases and chases and chases to put pressure on the opponents defense. Mi. fits this roile well. She tends too run and run and run - but was always put in defense by her other coaches. She doesn't mark well or fully understand tactics so far - so I knew the team could maximize her potential by harnassing all that running. She tired herself out several times - but that's what I want. ZZ has been used as a forward as well. She very short, but has some nice skills on the ball. I now know that she is ill fitted to the rrole I want her to play, so I am changing her to midfield to better make use of her ball handling and minimize her lack of breakaway speed. Porsche is another forward. She was taked up by varsity for this game - but then put back down when varsity discovered they had enough players (players miss games left and right, and oftEn JV will lose some players in times of need). She has skill and is speedy - I really fully didn't appreciate her until the varsity coach told me last week she was thinking of promoting her to varsity. Now I know. Finally, there is the old midfielder D.a. I'm thinking of pairing Mi. and D.a. up front with some sub spelling them.
So -the game. We won 2-0, and played well. L. was the star, but it wasn't just her. The goal was great, t'ever goalie was in. The defense presents a problem, because they have the farthest to go, but I have faith. And I'm gonna have to run them silly. I have been very lax in exercising the girls - it's a long game on a giangitac field - and I have to get better. They run today @ practice - but also we will have small scrimmages. Let's let the good feelings from yesterday linger.
Let's let the good feelings from yesterday linger. It's always funny to watch a team celebrate. Boys teamswon't go wild. neither do varsity girls. But J V girls, who are just learning to play and just learning that they are on a team - go nuts. It was great to hear the happiness from them. On each goal they were screaming like it was Xmas, and then with the whistle I had to quiet them down and get inline to 'shake hands' so that the other team would not feel bad.
They'll get better.
Varsity got a tie and looked good. They also will get better.
These two games were the first of three soccer games I watched this day.
This was the last game I witnessed. (Lynx fritz fer now)
MOM !!
Mom had a birthday 2 April. We had an old style family celebration w/ all of the non university kids over for----get this-- Chinese food. Usually it's pizza. After practice I lost my keys in the park we were @, and then found them much later. I got home w/ the party in full swing. Gf came a bit later. I'd wanted to film it, but was too unminded. It's always fun to have the kids over, and of course Mom loves it.
Someone baked the good cake - yellow w/ choc frosting - and it was great.
Happy B-day, Mom - but, of course, she's one of the many who do not read this blog. Her choice.
02 April, 2008
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