Another Year Passes

Happy New Year Sports fans.  Its the end of 2012.  And if you are a Heat, SF Giants, NY Giants, Kentucky, Alabama, Man City, and any other team that came out on top, it's been a good year for you.  For all the rest of you that weren't so lucky, here's to "Next Year," always the best year for a sports fan. 

As for me, it's been a pretty damn good year.  First, the SF Giants, my NL baseball team, took the crown.  Second, the Redskins, my boyfriends team and my adopted team for 7 years now, finally got a QB who can throw something other than an INT and got to the playoffs.  Thirdly, the US women made up for their loss in the World Cup by winning a hard fought (and some insane games, especially the Canadian Overtime Classic) gold medal.  Fourthly, my undergrad basketball team, Harvard, got to March Madness to the first time in forever, helping me to experience the best postseason in all of sports as a lot of college kids get to in America by picking my team to win it all.

Lastly, and most importantly to me, my favorite team in the whole world, Notre Dame returned to national relevance.  Every sports fan has one team that means more to them than any other.  And ND is that for me.  So to have 2012 end by watching them go undefeated was a gift I never could have imagined.  And the best part?  I get to start 2013 by watching them take down Alabama and be declared national champions. 

So here's to ending the year right and starting the new year off on the right note.  Cheers everyone! Let's raise a glass of champagne to 2013.  It's going to be a good year.  I can feel it!

Lucky Charms

Have you seen that bud light commercial (Bud Light Metal 2 Shelf Portable Bar Table W/ Carrying Case (Google Affiliate Ad))?  You know, the one where the random Niners fan goes into a house of people he doesn't know as the Niners won the super bowl when he lived there, so as he said, "he didn't know what else to do."  I laughed...then I realized, I am exactly like that fan.  Which is why those commercials are so amazing, as any true fan has had at least a few moments where they did something outlandish in order to try to sway the game your teams way.
Example?  Tonight I debated what beer to get, as needless to say can't watch a Redskins game without a beer in hand.  My choice?  Brooklyn Brewery.  Why? Because the Giants fans would be rooting for us to win as if Cowboys won, they wouldn't have a chance to make the playoffs and Brooklyn is in NY.  I know it doesn't make sense.

I wish I could say that's all I've done.  But for as long as I can remember, superstition and sports have always been intertwined.  Some quick examples:

1) I always put on my gear in the same order for every soccer game I've ever played since I was in Jr High.  Left shinguard, left sock, right shinguard, right sock, left cleat, right cleat.  OCD much?

2) One ND season, my bf and I became convinced that wine and fresca had to be drank during all ND games.

3) Santana Moss (aka the real Moss) always plays better when I am wearing his jersey.  He can feel my support.  Whenever I have forgotten, its my fault he doesn't catch a TD.

4) When the Redskins went on that good run in 08, my BF and I had to drink a bucket (aka 10) Coors in the 2nd half for every game.

5) When I watch a Redskins game, not only do I have to have a beer I also have to have the beer in hand.  No setting the beer on the table for me.  What does that lead to? Much more drinking, as sipping at whats in hand is a nervous habit of mine.  Hangovers day after are well worth the win though.

Believe me, I could think of sooooooooo many more.  So the question I have for you, what's your lucky charm for making your team win?

Football In Yankee Stadium?

You Aren't Going Crazy.  That's a football pole in Yankee Stadium

There is something really weird about seeing one of the more famous and important stadiums in its sport used for a different purpose.  At least, that's what I felt when I went to the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium the last two years.

Holidays to me means college bowl games.  Doesn't matter whose playing, I'm watching.  Actually, usually the random teams are the most fun to watch.  Who can forget that Boise St vs Oklahoma game? Statue of Liberty really? That never works! But that's the magic of college bowl season.  In college bowl games, anything can happen and often does.

So of course when I moved to the city, I was pumped to find that Yankee stadium was going to play hose to a college bowl game.  I'd always wanted to go to one, but as the only one near me was the Rose Bowl, which you know is just a bit hard to get tickets to, I hadn't ever found a way to go.  So when presented with the opportunity, I jumped at it!

Just like real Yankee baseball (aka any baseball played in November, World Series time), you have to bundle up before going.  Beanies (preferably Holiday themed please), scarves, and winter coats are all necessary in order to truly enjoy this outdoor experience. 

When you first pull up, you feel just like you are going to a Yankee game...well, except for the fact that you are surrounded by Syracuse fans (as Syracuse always seems to be playing in this bowl game).  But the same bars that you go to pregame a Yankee game are still the ones you go to for "tailgating" the bowl game. 

Walking in though, that's when it starts to get weird.  Where is Jeter? Arod? Swisher?  Anyone?  No pinstripes anywhere to be seen.  And the Cathedral that is Yankee Stadium is now home to...football posts?  It just doesn't feel quite right.





Still, was it fun?  Yes.  Both times I went, I had a great time.  It's a very different crowd than that which usually go the stadium, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.  Actually, it was kind of fun as you didn't see as many corporate types as you usually do.  In fact, the special bar that we were able to go to was actually fun!  Instead of old men in business suits hitting on the young girls who were bar tenders, you were surrounded by people rocking there school colors and more concentrated on the game then looking cool.  I would recommend sitting a little higher up as we sat down on the third baseline and couldn't really make out what was going on at all. 

So if you are looking for something different to do, I would for sure recommend taking the D train up to Yankee Stadium and seeing the place in a whole new light.  It will be weird, but once you get over the fact about where the game is, you'll be able to settle in and actually enjoy the football.

Holidays and Sports, A Great Combination

Every family has a Christmas tradition and our family tradition is going to the Lakers Christmas Day Game and then spending the rest of the day around the TV watching the later games.  And judging by the ratings, we aren't the only family to spend the Holidays in this manner.  And I for one, am completely ok with that. 






There's no other game like the Christmas Day game.  Instead of the dressed to the nines crowd you usually get, you're surrounded by young kids and families in as crazy a holiday getup that they could find.  Lakers Santa Hats, Ugly Christmas Sweaters and elf costumes are the norm for this festive crowd.  You can just feel the different energy that infects the crowd, as they are not only there to watch their favorite team, they are there to spend time with their loved ones.  

Another great thing about the Christmas Day game is that you are always guaranteed to have a marquee match-up.  Throughout the years I've seen the Celtics, the Lebron-Cavs, The Lebron-Heat and the Knicks.  It didn't really matter if the games were close or not (though yes, it is much better when the game is close as it was this year).  What mattered is you got to see some once-in-a-generation talents do things that seemed physically impossible.  There's something about a national spotlight that seems to really bring the best out in the true stars.  They know the world is watching and they respond.  And when you are at the game, it is just that much more exciting and that much more entertaining.  You haven't seen Lebron dunk until you've seen it in person, trust me. 

So next time you are looking for that special gift for the Holidays, if you happen to be in a city where an NBA game is going on, go ahead and buy tickets.  Not only will the gift be a hit, but you'll get to spend quality time.  Most importantly, you'll be spending time outside of the house and therefore not in front of the TV like usual. As an addition, get a Santa Hat in your team colors so that you'll fit in with the crowd.  And, if you are really ambitious, I can guarantee that dressing up in a Santa Suit will get you on the Big Screen.  

Merry Christmas Everyone.  Hope you all had a great day. 

The Only thing that changes year-to-year are the outfits we choose to wear

Getting My Butt Kicked and Loving It

It takes a certain personality to like being yelled at and I finally realized that I respond to tough love.  I've now had a personal trainer for 3 months and instead of getting bored with it, I find myself still looking forward to my sessions with my trainer at Crunch gym. 

Twice every week I find myself visiting my local gym to get my butt kicked by my trainer for an hour.  I can still remember the firs time he introduced me to the TRX.  You know, those weird yellow suspension ropes that hang from the ceiling at your gym.  He put my feet in the ropes and told me to plank.  Knowing that this was going to be interesting, I raised myself up on my arms...only to literally fall flat on my face.  I had a black eye and everything and I'm pretty sure I scarred my trainer for life as he didn't put me back in the TRX for month.  Just a couple days ago though, we approached the TRX and did a full planking series on the TRX!  Three sets later, I couldn't believe how far I'd come in a few months.  And I know that I couldn't have gotten there without my trainers support.

  I don't know about you, but whenever I go the gym myself I find myself doing the same exact thing.  90% cardio, 10% strengthening...and let me tell you, my weight lifting was always very half-assed.  Now though, I have no choice but to spend time on strength training as my PT doesn't give me a choice.  Everything from bupees, to pull ups, to push ups (I can actually do one now!) has made it so that not only have I become leaner, I've become a lot stronger as well.  

Now personal trainers aren't for everyone.  You have to enjoy someone kicking your butt and not allowing you to stop when you don't think you can go another step.  Personally, having someone challenge me to go a little bit further makes it so I find myself doing thing I really didn't think I could.  So if you are looking for another way to lose those pounds, think about getting a trainer.  You'll see results quickly and you'll gain someone in your corner who is going to help you push yourself in ways you didn't think possible.  

Worth the money and worth the time.  I love my trainer and can't see myself giving him up anytime soon.

Please Bring Back Hockey

A plea for the NHL to get back together so my sister can fulfill her dream of becoming a LA Kings Ice Girl.  Check out her audition tape!

A Decision Must Be Made

And quickly to!  Only 35 days to go till ND vs Alabama (what is destined to be the highest rated college football game like ever) is played out in Miami.  And I find myself asking the same question that every other ND fan must be asking themselves.  Where do I watch this game?

If I had watched every game in the same location, I would for sure stay with tradition and watch the championship game there.  But I've actually watched ND games at various locations this season.  ND vs. Stanford at Blondies, vs. Oklahoma at HIMYM bar, and vs. USC at the parentals house in the Cape.  As ND pulled through in each of them, that means I have the freedom to choose where I watch this game.  With choice though comes nerves, as I know have to carefully calculate the pluses and minuses of each location. 

1) My Apartment
Positives: Most of the games have been watched at this site.  It's a controlled environment where my screams of joy/frustration won't disturb other people. 

Negatives: No one to experience the game with.  Ups/downs will be alone.  No celebration if ND pulls it off.  Could run out of beer at key part of game, leading to the question: Miss a portion of the game or go without a drink? The dilemma every sports fan hates.

2) A Bar
Positives: Surrounded by other people invested in game.  Environment/anticipation will be felt. 

Negatives: Haters frustrate me.  Prone to throwing things when upset, which can lead to high bill upon breaking glass. 

3) Miami
Positives: You're in Miami.  Once in a lifetime trip.  Can't match environment.

Negatives: Expensive.  Not see game as well. 

What am I going to do?  We shall have to wait and see...

The End of Productivity

I don't know about you, but I really have one day of the week to do chores.  You know, those annoying things like laundry, dishes, dry cleaning, vacuuming.  And that one day was Sunday.  Was is the key word.  As now that Time Warner has NFL Redzone as part of my package, I can't seem to drag myself away from the TV.

I sit down at 1 fulling planning to get up and be productive after I just see whose starting...and 4 hours later I'm still there cheering on the Packers, Hernadez (fantasy points please!) and cheering for more Sanchez interceptions (Tebow time much?).  I mean, as a certified ADHD kid, do you know how perfect this style of football watching is for me?  I never have time to get bored!

Have you ever heard of an octobox?  Ya, I hadn't either.  But all of a sudden the NFL Redzone announcer calmly announces that in all 8 early morning games, there are interesting things going on so they must put all of them on the screen.  Hence, the octobox.  You'll be tempted to watch all of them, but take it from me, that's impossible.  Instead, concentrate on a corner, as two games is for sure possible to follow.

Luckily for me, I've only realized I got Redzone for two weeks now.  And there are only 4 more weeks to go...so that means my chores will be put off for only one more month.  That's not to bad right?  Just imagine next year...four months of dirty laundry piling up during the NFL Season.Then again...in my theme of looking at the positive side of things during this holiday season...I guess that means I need to some shopping in order to survive my laundry-less state of being next fall.  Will be tough, but I'll suck it up and do it ;)