Well folks, it's finally official. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be living in Denver this summer and after graduating from the MAC program in May 2009. It feels good getting this fairly big decision behind me. It's also nice not changing my mind everyday. I think I was going to a different place everyday one week earlier in August. First it was Nashville, then Dallas, then Tampa, then Houston, and then Denver. So basically, my 5th decision ended up being my ultimate decision. Interestingly enough, my idol growing up was Jeff Bagwell, who wore # 5 (I even had the wide, crouching stance like him). It must be meant to be....
When I say "according to plan", I mean at the end of the day, it's all up to whether a firm offers me a position. I'm not going to stress too much about it, because whatever happens, happens. But in Denver, having all the outdoors you could possibly want is something real cool to think about. Skiing, whitewater rafting, and hiking galore. Plus, I'll have the three major sports in the Broncos, Nuggets, and Rockies. After all that, I don't see what else you could possibly want in a city. But wait, there is one other thing, something you might never think about: the time zone. Denver's a part of the Mountain Time Zone, which means Monday Night Football starts at 6:30, Jay Leno comes on before 11, and all major sporting events are more than likely done before midnight. Wow- that's big. In the East, you have to stay up way past midnight a lot of times to watch these things, which is why I firmly believe that people on the east coast stay up much later than the rest of the country. I'll fund the survey if you don't believe me.
Football is finally less than a week away, and finally I'll soon have a reason to get out of bed in the mornings. (Not really, I just like using that line because it's from Seinfeld). Anyways, I'm excited, I know you're excited, and Dwight here above is pretty excited too!
This weekend started with a bang as I attempted to cook and prepare my first ever meal on Friday night. I've done the sandwich and microwave thing for far too long, so I decided to learn how to cook a few things before I left home. I made a family specialty- cajun dirty rice with a side of black-eyed peas (the king of the pea group). Thankfully the meal turned out as good as I could've hoped for and me and my roommate were stuffed. He may have eaten even more than me, so it must have been good. I really never thought cooking would be so easy...or fun for that matter. Very enjoyable experience.
Saturday was just your average day with a workout in the AM, and a lot of The Office in the PM, which has become my 3rd favorite show of all-time already, behind Seinfeld at 1, and The Amazing Race at 2. I've even made the theme song to the show my new ringtone. Check out the show some time if you've never seen it. Dwight K. Schrute is the man.
And just tonight, I conducted the annual fantasy football draft. I play with a group of four families on NFL.com, which is by far the best free fantasy football site out there. It blows Yahoo and ESPN out of the water. Below is a recap of my picks followed by some of my free expert analysis. I picked 11th out of 12, so here's the way the cookie crumbled:
1st Round: Reggie Bush - Maybe a little biased, but who else in the league besides LT can score anytime they touch the ball?
2nd: Rudi Johnson - I think he's had three-straight 1,300 yd seasons. Can't beat that.
3rd: Antonio Gates - Maybe a little early, but I'm tired of having a Ernie Conwell-esque TE on my team. Shouldn't have to worry too much when I can trot this stud out on the field.
4th: Larry Fitzgerald - New coach, new "winning" attitude for the Cardinals, a year under Leinart's belt, and hopefully a productive year. He owes me from last year after missing 6 games for me.
5th: Patriots D - Add Adalius Thomas to this D, and wow. They'll do wonders.
6th: Deion Branch - I've heard nothing but great things out of Seahawks camp this year. He's had a year to develop chemistry with Hasselbeck, and Darrell Jackson is now gone. Huge year for Branch.
7th: Ben Roethlisberger - Word on the street is that new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians loves to air it out. Expect a big year.
8th: Steelers D - Nothing else great was on the board, so I felt like I should snag another top D for insurance and trade bait.
9th: Mark Clayton - 3rd-year wideout charm.
10: Warrick Dunn - Would you want Joey Harrington throwing the ball around? No, and neither does new head coach Bobby Petrino. Dunn will come back healthy and produce solid back-up numbers for a fantasy team.
11th: Anthony Gonzalez - I think any wideout in the Colts' offense is a good option. When everyone is covering Marvin and Reggie, Gonzalez could be Peyton's new favorite weapon.
12th: Drew Bennett - Same as above. Bruce and Holt covered? Bulger will look here.
13th: Jake Delhomme - I'll probably drop him soon.
14th: Stephen Gostkowski - Kickers don't deserve comments. Or links for that matter.
Today was the annual first day of class, a routine I've been going through since I was 5. Since next year is technically grad school, I'll consider this to be my last true first day of class and thankfully, it was a pretty good one and I didn't have to do the lame introduce yourself stuff. If you haven't been to Ram's Head Rec Center since last spring, I suggest you make a stop by. They've finally installed TV's on the wall by the cardio machines, which makes running on a treadmill fairly tolerable. I got to enjoy The Hills on one of the TVs, and sadly enough, I had already seen the episode on the day before. I'll admit I watch it from time to time for some odd reason, but what amazes me is that there are actually people out there who live life like these people do.
At night, I worked at the UNC-Davidson scrimmage doing my Gametracker duties. I've got two years left hopefully with the gig and two years left to enjoy the best job I'll probably ever have unless I replace Mr. Loomis someday. The other treat of the day was the ICEE I had from Bottom of Lenior. It was only $2.40 including tax for a large, which is one of the best bargains on campus. Speaking of ICEE, I think I'd have to consider it in my top five of the best treats. One is a Dairy Queen chocolate malt, two is Junior Mints, three is Edy's Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream, four is Mountain Dew Code Red, and five would have to be ICEE. Treat yourself to all of these today, because if you're reading this, you've earned it.
Like the New Orleans Saints' emotional rise from the dead last year, I am back ladies and gents. And by back, I'm back for good. I'm not sure what my problem was over the last month, but I can assure you that I've conquered whatever it was. Ultimately, maybe the break was meant to be. Maybe it was a test to my readers to gauge their interest in the blog. Nonetheless, I received the most encouraging news tonight when an avid closet reader, formerly known as 'Listerine', told me how much he was missing the blog and how he saved one of those coveted spots below the URL bar for my blog. Very touching and very motivating.
Since you've last heard from me, several things have gone on. Summer school is done which means no more liberal arts or sciences for me, and I've moved to Chapel Ridge for my redshirt-junior year, which leads me to another thing. I got accepted into the MAC Program, so I'll be around here for two more years until I'm off in the real world. So in essence I'm a redshirt-junior. I've also been to Holden Beach through a very gracious friend, and I've bought 2 tickets to the Week 3 Saints-Titans Monday Night matchup that will open the season in the Superdome. Just being there two straight seasons for the first home game is beyond words.
Outside of all that, I've done pretty much the same as all of you by watching ESPN's constant coverage of the NBA ref, the Michael Vick case, and Bonds. These all cast a dark shadow over sports, but in the end, things will be the same and fans will still fill the seats. Football is football, and nothing is ever going to change that. Read and listen to Michael Irvin's Hall of Fame speech, and you'll know what I mean. But in the mean time, get ready for lots more blog action to come.
