Renewal

Tonight I returned to the field.

Two goals and an assist later, our team walked away with a 5-2 victory.

I played a slow game, but I suppose it was effective. There were, of course, several occasions when I lost my temper.

Two goals should have been 4...

Culture

On Friday night I attended the finest concert of my life. A friend of mine invited me to the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra, and it was wonderful. Most of you would probably not have pegged me to be a great fan of classical music, and you'd be right; It is not a passion of mine. However, the music, coupled with the conduction of the orchestra and the musicians created an amazing visual and audial experience.

It was quite amazing to watch Maestro Slatkin conduct the symphony. The level of coordination and complexity would boggle the mind of even the greatest football coach. The individuality of each musician was also quite intriguing. Beyond the obvious differences between the instruments each musician wielded, there were other, more subtle intricacies. Some of the protagonists where extremely animated in their seats, bobbing and gyrating along with the music. Others sat almost motionless aside from whatever actions were absolutely necessary to manipulate their instruments. The precision, detail, and teamwork required to produce the beautiful melodies was astounding, and the fact that it came from a large group of diverse individuals made it even more impressive.

I have decided that I will make a concerted (pun intended) effort to attend the symphony on a more regular basis.

Who wants to join me?

Quote of the Week

"When you're part of a team, you stand up for your teammates. Your loyalty is to them. You protect them through good and bad, because they'd do the same for you." - Yogi Berra

Goatee

I'm sporting a goatee these days, much to the consternation of my 8 year old niece. Basically, I'm on vacation and don't feel like shaving my chin. Therefore, I'm not going to. I'll have no choice but to remove the hair when I return to work, but such is life. In the meantime, I get to be lazy. The sacrifice is I don't get kisses from my niece...

Quote of the Week

"No more important duty can be urged upon those who are entering the great theater of life than simple loyalty to their best convictions." - Edwin Hubbel Chapin

I Can't Win

I walked away from the game of soccer because after playing I usually felt disgusted with myself and frustrated.

Tonight, despite only watching the game, I still walked away disgusted with myself and frustrated.

After watching the squad suffer a rather ugly 10-1 loss, I couldn't help but notice the fact that the team was better off with me on the field than without me. I realize, of course, that I have just made an enormously arrogant statement, but I'm trying to be real here, so bare with me.

Despite the current state of disrepair my soccer skills are in, the simple fact is that I remain comfortable with the ball at my feet, and perhaps the one thing that I have not lost as I have aged is my vision upon the field. My lack of speed or stamina not withstanding, I am undoubtedly still an asset to the group of players I left behind.

The realization that the team is clearly worse off without me nearly made me sick to my stomach. The reason: I hung my teammates out to dry by abandoning them. I know, I know, that sounds really melodramatic, but it's true.

Now I am faced with a difficult choice:

Do I continue to wrestle with my explosive temper and frustrations in a return to the field?

Or do I turn my back on my teammates and walk away.

Two roads diverged in the wood...

VACAY!!!!!

Vacation is here! So far I have plans to travel to Belize, Asheville, and Seattle. Further plans TBD...

41!

Why am I excited about a number, you might ask...

Because that was my score over nine holes today at the Forest Park Golf Course. The best nine holes I've ever played in my life.

Next week I'll probably shot a 54...

Quote of the Week

"I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you."
- Dr. Seuss

Alas

"El futbol no se juega con los pies. Se juega con el corazon." - Bora Milutinovic

If you can't translate this, too bad.

That quote is exactly the reason I have retired from the game of soccer. Those of you who know me know that I am a passionate person. In a lot of ways, about a lot of different things, I'm all or nothing. Futbol is one of those things that is driven within me by passion. Unfortunately, I am desperately unable to disconnect that passion and simply enjoy playing the game. My intense desire to compete at my highest level leaves me frustrated and angry these days.

If I were to measure the player I am today against the player I was 5 - 7 years ago you would find that the younger me was a far superior futbolista. I was quick, agile, talented. Today, I find myself becoming slower, heavier, and less fluid.

In my heart I am still the athlete of 5 years ago. On the field, however, I am a former athlete.

I will miss the game.

I love the game.

Ends

And just like that, it's over.

It's October, and I am not running my hands over freshly printed playoff tickets. There will be no fall electricity this year. No throngs of red-clad faithful filling the downtown streets as the weather cools. For the first time in three years there will be no magic in the air in St. Louis as the leaves change.

Pitchers and catchers report in late February. It can't come soon enough.

Despite the difficulties, the frustrations, and the futility, we will be there, red-clad and rejuvinated when the season begins anew in April.

Here, in St. Louis, we pledge allegiance to the St. Louis Cardinals,
and to the republic for which they stand:
Cardinal Nation, united, undaunted, and always faithful.

We were with you all the way in 2007, and we'll be with you all the way in 2008.

Go Cardinals!