Sue's World

Pats Are Undefeated So Far...

Okay, so they've only played one game, but the statement is still true.  I don't think I've ever watched as much football as I did last weekend, starting with the Thursday night game, most of 3 games Sunday, and then the Pats game Monday. 

Looking forward to watching them tomorrow on their home turf.  Thanks, guys, for resolving your lockout and bringing me some football joy this season.

It's Time For F-O-O-T-B-A-L-L!

Okay...strike over.  Preseason week 2.  I was excited to watch them trample the Jaguars last week despite the fact that a lot of the first stringers weren't in the game.  Instead of being bummed, I thought about Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer.  Preseason is like the reindeer games, where the coach assembles all of the young bucks and see what they're made off.  It was an exciting chance to see who's new and what they look like. 

Today is week 2 and finally Tom Brady gets to play.  I'll leave out details that some of you don't care about and don't understand.  Let's just say I'm happy that the Patriots had the ball 3 times in the first quarter and the quarter ended with a 21-0 score.  Three drives, three touchdowns.  This year's crop of young bucks look pretty great and their seasoned counterparts do too.  This could be an amazing year for them.  Let's see if they can make it through the regular season AND the playoffs without a disaster.

Going back to see the 2nd quarter now.  Go Pats!

P.S. I'm surprised I didn't really write about football last season at all.  Hmmm....

P.P.S. Pretty soon it will be church and then football on Sundays.  And soon enough there will be nice fires in the fireplace, sweaters, and crock pot dinners.  Okay...getting ahead of myself now....

 

Company Outing

Last Wednesday we went to a minor league baseball game in Lancaster.  It's been a few years since we last did it, but those games are always a lot of fun.  We've always gone on a weekend when the place is packed.  The game is the least important thing of the experience for me.  There's so much going on that I'm easily distracted.

This experience was very different.  We were the guests of the local paper.  Each year each sales rep gets to host 2 clients.  Wednesday we were the chosen ones.  All of hubby's employees and their families came.  We had a sky box and it was awesome.  The box was roomy and air-conditioned (great, considering it was in the high 90's when the game started at 7pm) with a door that lead out to a "balcony" with 10 seats.  Our hosts set out snacks:  popcorn, chips, peanuts in the shell, soda and water.  Then they brought in hot dogs and pizza.  We all had a really great time basking in our luxury box. 

A foul ball missed someone's head by a couple of feet, a cameraman got some of the crew on the big screen, and we enjoyed the beautiful evening as we watched day turn into night.

The nearly-last place home team lost in a big way.  There were maybe 500 people in attendance; I think I'm being very generous with that number but it might be deceiving.  The season was winding down.  But it was a most excellent evening and I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

Making Up For Lost Time

Better late than never.  I just started watching the Olympics.  On Sunday I watched the opening ceremonies that I'd recorded.  I've since watched some skiing, bobsledding, skating and a few other things.  This morning I watched last night's women's short program while I was eating breakfast.  Now I'm sorry that I missed the men's skating competition (and no, I didn't record it either). 

Watching makes me miss football more than before.  Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth at the Olympics?  Just wrong!

Yes, I'm Actually Reading A Book...Sort Of

I love football movies.  I heard that "The Blind Side" is a good movie and I know it's about football.  Before Christmas, I decided I wanted to read the book.  I got it delivered to my Kindle from Amazon and started.  I've about a third of the way through it and I just love it.  I've already heard that the movie is only about one part of the book, the personal story of football player Michael Oher.  Aside from that, I'm loving learning about the game of football.  The history, the strategy, and more!

I have watched 16 weeks of football this season.  I was out of the country for the first three weeks of the Season but watched weeks 1 and 3 since.  I still have not seen a game from week 2 though hubby reminds me I still have a Patriots game from that week awaiting viewing.  This season I have gotten into more of the strategy and how the game is played rather than just rooting for my team.

Reading the book literally took me from the stands onto the field.  I can see what some of the positions are supposed to do and how they do it.  I can see how strategy is so important and that in some ways football is like a chess match.  The coach knows how he wants his game played and plans out the moves.  And the approach changes based on who he's playing.

Yes, I will want to see the movie.  And yes, I know it's just the personal side of the story.  But still, I like feel-good movies with heart.

I'd never heard about Michael Oher before picking the book up.  Last week I learned he plays for the Baltimore Ravens.  The Pats played them earlier in the season but I don't recall his name.  But now that I know something about him, I will keep a lookout.  The Pats play the Ravens this Sunday in the first round of playoffs.  Should I be worried?  Nah...the Pats won the first time they played. 

Annie, Get Yer Gun!

Yesterday was gun-cleaning day.  After having taken it apart, cleaned it, and reassembled it, I feel better.  This is the 2nd time I've cleaned it and both times I was apprehensive.  I kept thinking "What if I did something wrong and it misfired?'.  Yesterday afternoon I realized that I'm pretty much just separating the stock from the barrel, etc.  It's not like I'm taking the inner workings apart.  Okay, I feel better.  We're going shooting this morning; a perfect day for it - not hot!

Fun Fact For the Day

I went through 425 rounds of ammo in two trips to two shooting ranges in the past 9 days.  Erika shot a lot this morning, but I put a good dent in the first box last outing.  Time to do some serious cleaning before the next time!

I Almost Forgot

This is what I served for dinner the night the Patriots were knocked out of playoff contention.  I know I'm not supposed to play with food, but....

A Bitter, Bitter End To A Season

I'm nearly at a loss for words.  The Pats won, have an 11-5 record and still aren't going to the playoffs.  The Ravens beat the Jags and the Dolphins beat the Jets.  That's nearly all I can say right now.  <sigh>

There's no consolation in the fact their record is better than one of the AFC teams that will move on and better than 3 NFC teams moving forward.  <sigh>  And the fact they got to 11-5 with Matt Cassel who hadn't started a game in years.  <sigh> 

<SIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!>

One Down, Two To Go

Okay.  The Patriots beat the Bills this morning.  One down.  Now I'm watching the Jets/Dolphins game and am rooting for the Jets for the first time ever.  I hope the Ravens lose their game just to seal a playoff spot in case the Dolphins beat the Jets.

Who knew a nice Sunday could be so stressful?