Tag Archives: Travels
You just always know that gut sensation when things are changing within your life and large adjustments are about to take place. That’s been today in a nut shell.
It’s been a rapid past four days; with games on Thursday and Saturday, both unique in their own being, a player in the hospital, and this whole job thing…I’m trying to catch my breath right now.
Thursday had a full fledged professional soccer team come up from Houston to play us, and they were a good side. What was awesome was watching the Shock step up and go toe-to-toe with that program. They also got to unleash their “All Blues” as I’ve come to call them. They’re a dark blue Puma jersey and man, I love them. The final score was 1:4 in favor of Houston, but trust me, the score does not explain the play on the field. It gave me an opportunity to talk to the owner of the program a bit as well, a little business chat, and per usual I can’t say much [actually on my own choosing], but it was very beneficial, encouraging, and started getting me excited for what the future holds.
Friday I wound up on a day trip with my fiance to St. Louis. I had made an earlier note that there was a wedding in St. Louis that I was going to attend. However a home game interfered, so I worked with my friend and he invited me and Darco down to St. Louis for the rehearsal dinner [amazing by the way]. It was a pleasant trip out and a long one back with us getting back in town around 2:00 AM Saturday morning. Do I regret it? Not even for a moment. Being able to see a man who really was my primary source to God while going through the divorce, so excited with his bride-to-be? There isn’t anything of value that compares to that experience. Best of luck to you Andrew and Melinda Seley 
Saturday was brought into existence by rain and storms. Our game with the USA Women’s National Deaf soccer team was pushed back two hours. However, the game did take place, tickets were sold, and an incredible match took place that I’ll never forget. It literally was the bare roots aspect of growing the game of soccer in its purest form. It was all about the national team, everything was, and it was awesome [and they played very well also].
A mass group photo of both the Kansas City Shock and the USA Women’s National Deaf team.
Our captain with the co-captains of the USA Women’s National Deaf team after the match. Our jersey will be going with them to Bulgaria next month for the Deaflympics!
Today was all about recovery from the road trips, late night food stops, and lack of sleep. I finally got to MoVal [gone last week] with Darco and we could talk about our engagement and of course the team [for a church in the middle of a corn field, you wouldn't believe how pumped these folks are about soccer]. Afterwards, sadly Darco had to go to work, but I wound up hanging out with Jim for Father’s Day, grilling some strips, eating too much food, and drinking way too much coffee. Through this afternoon I received a phone call from the league commissioner, asking if I’d take the responsibility for ‘inspecting’ incoming teams within the region [placing emphasis on a few key areas], the media director for our region contacted me and now she’s set to go [and is going to do an amazing job], and finally I received an email tonight that was a followup to a job application I put in. I now have a phone meeting to discuss my credentials sometime this week with this potential employer [that also happens to be in the same location as one of the areas I'm to look at for the league for future development]. So, now I’m up typing this crazy thing and at the same time starting research on different venues of information prior to the phone call later this week. Basically, I’m back to studying and I have no complaints about it. The amazing part of this is knowing that if that job were to take place, it would require relocation [no problem], Darco and I would be married, and she’d most likely be at the point of promotion within her job which would allow a transfer for her to be much easier.
Needless to say; sometimes you just get that gut feeling that it’s time for another shift in life.
-D-
Leave a comment | tags: #KCSHOCK, BBQ, Business, coffee, Darco, employment, faith, fiance, God, hope, Jim, job, Prayer, soccer, Travels | posted in #kcSHOCK, Daily Events, Faith, Reality, Travels
Several hundred miles later…
DD coffee…
Pepsi…
Iowa…
Coach is working, players are sleeping…and the road continues.
About 120 miles to go.
-D-
Leave a comment | tags: #KCSHOCK, humor, Iowa, soccer, Travels | posted in #KCSHOCK, Daily Events, Friends, Humor, Reality, Travels
5 hours later AND seeing the World’s Largest Truck Stop, we have arrived in the Quad Cities. Players are snacking, I’m roaming, and the game starts in 90 minutes.
It is true: I-80 in Iowa mimics I-70 in Kansas…poser.
-D-
Leave a comment | tags: #KCSHOCK, humor, Iowa, soccer, Travels | posted in #KCSHOCK, Daily Events, Friends, Humor, Reality, Travels
Had a blast last night. My boys from 8 bit BBQ were back in action in another contest. At the same event I had some Kansas City Shock players signing autographs throughout the evening. Fresh meat for tacos were cooked, Boulevard was on tap, and last night was just straight up awesome.
However, I’m currently on route to my weekend project: traveling. This weekend the Kansas City Shock hits the road for two away games. One in the Davenport, Iowa area and another in Des Moines, Iowa. Incredibly with all my driving I have never been to either.
Affectionately this section is “Project Corn” for obvious reasons. If you’d like to “see” the games visit @KC_SHOCK_LIVE on Twitter starting at 3:00 PM CST.
Final thought:
Aside from SimCity, I had one video game that I frequently played. A humorous MMOP called Team Fortress 2. Trust me…comical. My character was called “Pyro”, a madman with a gas mask and a flame thrower. It just so happened to be that the guys at 8 bit BBQ had a spare gas mask laying around…
Enjoy.
-D-
Leave a comment | tags: #KCSHOCK, BBQ, Business, food, fun, humor, soccer, summer, Travels | posted in #KCSHOCK, Daily Events, Friends, Humor, Reality, Travels
A dear college colleague of mine is getting married on June 15th in St. Louis. This man, to his credit, not only was in my wedding, but was one of few to walk me through the entire divorce process. Realistically, he never gave up on me.
Well, I’m preparing for this wedding, and it’ll be a blur (Kansas City Shock plays that night in Kansas City), and just now it dawned on me:
I need a new suit. I havebt worn an actually suit since I clocked in at 275 pounds in February of 2011. It’s been a while. So…it looks like suit shopping for me (I’m thinking black this time).
Feel free to drop pointers on this new quest.
-D-
Leave a comment | tags: College, joy, Marriage, StL, suit, Travels, Wedding | posted in Daily Events, Faith, Friends, Reality, Travels
So…this wasn’t something that I had planned.
I’m currently sitting at BG Products Stadium in El Dorado, Kansas. Not too often do I get to start out a piece like this.
Try to imagine the setting:
I’m sitting in the middle seats of a beautiful, new stadium at Butler Community College [5,000 seat minimum easily], rocking my Kansas City Shock polo and watching a high school showcase game take place on the field. some of the top high school women’s soccer players were brought together to play each other in this match.
Really cool point: Coach Louque [Kansas City Shock head coach] is the celebrity coach of the game.
Really cool point [twice]: I was able to present the Kansas City Shock to the players before they took the field.
Really cool point [BONUS!]: Several college coaches came up to me during dinner and congratulated me on the two wins last weekend.
Guys, this is really happening. Since I’m off from Subway for the day, my day has consisted for business meetings in the morning and traveling down here this afternoon. All of these events spun around the same context:
The Kansas City Shock is growing.
Per usual there are several things that I can’t comment on, but man…in the past few days God has just been adding to the gears of this program. I mean, right now I actually feel like I work in a business. I’m sitting with my laptop open, texting an investor, seeing which college coaches are in the area, and watching the game going on at the same time. It’s just fascinating to be in this position. I’m not saying that I’ve done anything to deserve it, in fact there is much, much more to do. However, moments like this I’m being sure to get my praise on, count my blessings, enjoy the sun and the beautiful game.
-D-
Leave a comment | tags: #KCSHOCK, Business, faith, getyourpraiseon, God, happy, joy, Kansas, Praise, relaxed, soccer, Travels | posted in #kcSHOCK, Daily Events, Reality, Travels
Apartment is clean.
Dishes washed.
Candle lit.
Chai tea at the couch.
Rain falling outside.
I am relaxed.
Today was my final day of work for the month with Subway, so I planned my stores carefully [there were only two left, and that's because they were closed yesterday for the holiday]. One had been a troubling store in past months, definitely a ‘project’ store in several ways. However, much had happened in recent weeks and when I stepped in today…it looked like a Subway. It looked normal, clean, friendly…I mean my jaw was on the ground. I was so, so pleased with what I had found. It just really started the mood of tranquility for the rest of the month.
After work Darco and I headed up north to visit her grandmothers grave site; a place that we had visited this time last year when we were still getting to know one another [and her family]. At the same time there was a Tornado Warning to the west and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning to the north, and in my world; that’s relaxing. A nap at the apartment ensued and when I awoke; it was time to clean. Darco started with the kitchen and worked her way to the first bathroom, I took on the bedroom, second bathroom, and office. By then she was out since she has to open her store at 4:30 AM tomorrow. Now, I’m just chilling in the living room, enjoying the rain, smelling the candle [it's one of those crackling candles] and catching up on some Kansas City Shock stuff.
I found out about an hour ago that the main commentator for Sporting Kansas City, Cal Williams, actually gave the Kansas City Shock a shout out for their 3-0 win over the Des Moines Menace on Sunday [Sporting was playing the men's side of that program tonight]. Overall the sensation is still surreal. Obviously there is a lot of work that still needs to be done [this weekend was most definitely a dry run of the sorts], but for as stressful as it is, man what a ride this is! Glory to God in the highest; most definitely, it never gets old giving Him the praise for this insane adventure.
Finally paperwork has been submitted for the month; the rain is getting heavier, the glass of tea is still full [turns out Darco gets her Starbucks discount at Teavana stores], and for the first time in a very long time…I’m out of stress. I know what needs to be done, but I’m not stressed but very relaxed. So I’m going to clean up FilingThePapers [it's cluttered, again], get some new spreadsheets ready to go for work[s], but first I’ll show you some fun photos over the past couple days:
![Alright, if I had a photo already that I'm clinging to dearly it's this one. The one with her hands up? That's Aliesha Cassie, our player from Scotland. She scored on Sunday [as a defender] against Des Moines. The store of her journey with the Kansas City Shock is unreal. She's the first person to ever contact me about playing for the Kansas City Shock. How long ago? Try June of last year. That's before we had coaches, players, home field, budget, staff, tryouts, etc...I told her she'd have to try out like everyone else. She did. She tried out in December, I hadn't spoken to any coaches much about our conversations [she has an amazing story of dedication and strength]. She made it onto our roster on the first tryout, then became the face of the organization with a small photo shoot with Weber Creative, and is now our captain. I mean...this is one of those players that I look at and am just amazed at the story of progression from the moment I received an email from her last year to this day. Mind blowing. And yes...she's an incredible player as well.](http://filingthepapers.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/cassie-goal.jpg?w=490&h=339)
Alright, if I had a photo already that I’m clinging to dearly it’s this one. The one with her hands up? That’s Aliesha Cassie, our player from Scotland. She scored on Sunday [as a defender] against Des Moines. The store of her journey with the Kansas City Shock is unreal. She’s the first person to ever contact me about playing for the Kansas City Shock. How long ago? Try June of last year. That’s before we had coaches, players, home field, budget, staff, tryouts, etc…I told her she’d have to try out like everyone else. She did. She tried out in December, I hadn’t spoken to any coaches much about our conversations [she has an amazing story of dedication and strength]. She made it onto our roster on the first tryout, then became the face of the organization with a small photo shoot with Weber Creative, and is now our captain. I mean…this is one of those players that I look at and am just amazed at the story of progression from the moment I received an email from her last year to this day. Mind blowing. And yes…she’s an incredible player as well.
![Remember that time I posted a review about "Blanc Burgers and Bottles" [search--> O: Blanc]? The conversation with the owner, Ernesto, never stopped from there. He's a huge soccer fan, and loves grassroots development [much like his business]. Well, we had lunch a few weeks back to discuss business. He came up with a unique idea; have the team over to his place every Monday night after home games to regroup, relax, and enjoy ourselves. I was taken back! This guy owns one of the more successful restaurants in Kansas City and is inviting our program out to eat? Just amazed me. Last night was our first time there. Obviously amazing service, but the menu was catered just for us as well. I try to keep my pride in check [seriously, I try], but something about that moment just really brought about this joy in me of recognizing that the Kansas City Shock is a real, living deal.](http://filingthepapers.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/blanc-menu.jpg?w=490&h=277)
Remember that time I posted a review about “Blanc Burgers and Bottles“? The conversation with the owner, Ernesto, never stopped from there. He’s a huge soccer fan, and loves grassroots development [much like his business]. Well, we had lunch a few weeks back to discuss business. He came up with a unique idea; have the team over to his place every Monday night after home games to regroup, relax, and enjoy ourselves. I was taken back! This guy owns one of the more successful restaurants in Kansas City and is inviting our program out to eat? Just amazed me. Last night was our first time there. Obviously amazing service, but the menu was catered just for us as well. I try to keep my pride in check [seriously, I try], but something about that moment just really brought about this joy in me of recognizing that the Kansas City Shock is a real, living deal.
And finally, for those of you who are curious about statistics and all of that. Here’s the skinny:
After Two Games:
Kansas City Shock:
Goals Scored: 5
Goals Scored On: 0
Current Record: 2-0
League Standing: 1st [out of 80+]
God is good guys, trust me. God is good.
-D-
Leave a comment | tags: #KCSHOCK, Blanc, Business, Darco, food, Girlfriend, humor, Peace, Photography, Relaxation, Scotland, soccer, subway, tea, Teavana, Travels, work | posted in #kcSHOCK, Daily Events, Dating, Dreams, Faith, Friends, Humor, Reality, Travels
I randomly awoke up 3:50 AM and checked my phone (it was on silent while I slept).
Four missed calls from Australia.
One of our players heading into Kansas City was briefly held up in Adelaide, but got through it (with an incredible mother along the way assisting).
Wound up in Sydney. Next flight had engine issues, flight was cancelled, and now she’s stuck in Sydney and will be coming in a day later.
I’ve never witnessed in all travels this many problems. Personal thought? Prayer. Something is working against this program, and it is dark.
-D-
Leave a comment | tags: #KCSHOCK, Australia, faith, flying, Prayer, Travels | posted in Uncategorized
I want to make sports alliances very, very clear:
- My obvious #1 team loyalty is with the Kansas City Shock [I'd be a fool not to be, especially after this past week of events]
- Sporting Kansas City
- Boston Breakers
It’s very evident that I am a soccer fan. For several reasons; all of which I’m not explaining tonight. This week though, I’ve been able to be a ‘fan boy’ in several ways. Whether it be standing in the grass watching the Kansas City Shock start their season practices [it was chillingly cool], or what went on today; it was nice to step out of the suit, away from the sandwich, and just be a fan.
Today I had the pleasure of witnessing one of the coolest things I’ve seen come together to date. As all are aware just over a month ago I went to Boston, Massachusetts to watching the Boston Breakers of the National Women’s Soccer League, and their home opener. Quite the experience and came to know several amazing people in the process. Through this event, while talking to the staff of the Breakers, there came the potential idea of the Breakers training at a facility when they came into Kansas City to play. I left them my card, and went home. A few days later I received a call wondering if our home field would be available for training. “Ummm…a NWSL team training on our home field? E.P.I.C.” were my initial thoughts, verbally it was merely “Yes”. However, due to the unforeseen circumstances of the terrorist activities in Boston, that specific game was delayed and they didn’t come into Kansas City.
That brings us to last week. My phone rang again, and the process began anew. We kept it quiet, and just allowed itself to work out up to this afternoon. At 5:15 PM CST I watched a massive tour bus pull up into the lot at our home field. Out of it came 16 NWSL players of the Boston Breakers and the coaching staff. I tried to remain professional, but I make no promises. For the next ninety minutes I, along with some colleagues of our program, just watched this team loosen up, play some balls, and actually have some fun.
I. Was. Fascinated.
Even when I heard our Director of Media call out to Sydney Leroux, “Hey Sydney!” and pointed at her jacket that she nearly forgot, just to remind her to pick it up on her way out; I couldn’t get over the experience. After the week that this week has been, this ninety minute period was perfect. So, so perfect. I was a fan boy. I fit the description. I controlled myself, but inside I was just dying of being around all of these people…many in my world I consider famous.
Sitting back and thinking, it’s incredible to see a connection form between two programs, a group of people, and simple ideas over a set period of time. I love it! I love it because even while I was just amazed at the world around me, it felt so natural, so right. Though I know zero of soccer skills/coaching/statistics/etc…I was so comfortable. It’s similar to other projects that I’ve been involved in this week [and there are a lot of them]. Everything just clicked, everything made sense. I was comfortable and I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.
You honestly thought I wouldn’t get a picture of the team?
-D-
P.S. As a brief statement. For any of them who may ever read this. I’ve met and been around several teams in my life, but never [aside from my biased own] have I met a team on multiple occasions that have been the class act that the entire Boston Breakers are. They could have ignored me, the psycho-child, from the very beginning. A major, major thanks to the organization for being a role model, and for the team for being so darn impressive in person.
Leave a comment | tags: #KCSHOCK, Boston, excitement, faith, fun, God, hope, Praise, relax, soccer, Stress, Travels | posted in #kcSHOCK, Daily Events, Faith, Friends, Humor, Reality, Travels
When working in the garden with MC this afternoon that was the best way I could describe Monday…
“Meh”
If I worked in a cubicle…it’d be that day…you know…the one that brings back clips of “Office Space”. I’m not saying it was awful for a day, but it was definitely…meh…
One of our players traveling internationally was held up at Customs in Atlanta tonight; resulting in a phone call from Customs to me this evening [I can now relate to parents and phone calls from the Principal's office]; all’s good except that she missed her flight because of it and is delayed in Atlanta for the next nine hours [send her well wishes on Twitter] and won’t be in until tomorrow morning.
Business issues and staff discussions filled my day, random emails came and went. It just felt like that Monday.
Tomorrow begins anew [in about two minutes]. It’s amazing though what passive stress can do to an individual.
-D-
Leave a comment | tags: #KCSHOCK, Business, cubicle, flying, humor, international, Movies, soccer, Stress, Travels, work | posted in #kcSHOCK, Daily Events, Humor, Travels
![Alright, if I had a photo already that I'm clinging to dearly it's this one. The one with her hands up? That's Aliesha Cassie, our player from Scotland. She scored on Sunday [as a defender] against Des Moines. The store of her journey with the Kansas City Shock is unreal. She's the first person to ever contact me about playing for the Kansas City Shock. How long ago? Try June of last year. That's before we had coaches, players, home field, budget, staff, tryouts, etc...I told her she'd have to try out like everyone else. She did. She tried out in December, I hadn't spoken to any coaches much about our conversations [she has an amazing story of dedication and strength]. She made it onto our roster on the first tryout, then became the face of the organization with a small photo shoot with Weber Creative, and is now our captain. I mean...this is one of those players that I look at and am just amazed at the story of progression from the moment I received an email from her last year to this day. Mind blowing. And yes...she's an incredible player as well.](http://filingthepapers.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/cassie-goal.jpg)
![Remember that time I posted a review about "Blanc Burgers and Bottles" [search--> O: Blanc]? The conversation with the owner, Ernesto, never stopped from there. He's a huge soccer fan, and loves grassroots development [much like his business]. Well, we had lunch a few weeks back to discuss business. He came up with a unique idea; have the team over to his place every Monday night after home games to regroup, relax, and enjoy ourselves. I was taken back! This guy owns one of the more successful restaurants in Kansas City and is inviting our program out to eat? Just amazed me. Last night was our first time there. Obviously amazing service, but the menu was catered just for us as well. I try to keep my pride in check [seriously, I try], but something about that moment just really brought about this joy in me of recognizing that the Kansas City Shock is a real, living deal.](http://filingthepapers.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/blanc-menu.jpg)
