I AM A SLACKER!!

Alright, alright...I know I'm a slacker. I have not updated my blog in like a year. I will try and be better about it from here on out. Dea and I just got back from a Thanksgiving trip out to Florida. We spent it with everyone on my dad's side of the family-- minus my brother who was stuck working. It was great seeing everyone, but it would have been better if he could have been there also. I will post some photos once our camera battery recharges so I can get them off of there. I really enjoyed catching up with everyone again. It has been at least two years since I have seen almost all of my cousins, maybe even longer. I hope we can get together again before that many years pass again.

The D-Backs Game

Well, we went up to game 1 of the NLDS between the Diamondbacks and the Cubs. It was a good game made even better because the good guys won 3-1. Brandon Webb pitched a great game and got himself out of a few binds throughout the game. Dea and I wen and took my mother-in-law and our nephew Blake. It was a really good time but I am not sure if I am up to taking a 2.5 year old to another game. Dea went up the next night to game 2 (which the Cubs lost again) with a group of her lady friends. They had a great time together. She is a Cubs fan and so it was nice being able to torment her. She has tickets to Game 2 of the NLCS against the Rockies this Friday (the 12th). I can't go because I will be officiating in Benson. But, if the series goes to six games then I will be going. We already have our tickets to game 6 and we will be sitting 30 rows up from the field. We will be right behind the Rockies bullpen. I am a D-Backs fan and am even more so during the playoffs. I will fill in more as the series continues.

D-Backs in Playoffs

The D-Backs made the playoffs and we (Dea, Dawna, maybe Blake, and I) are all going up to the NLDS Game 1 on Wednesday night. We just bought our tickets and the best available are in the upper deck. Who Cares! We will be in Chase Field for game 1 and nothing else matters. They will be playing the Cubs and Dea is quite excited about this. I am just glad the D-Backs got in and are still playing. If either the D-Backs or the Cubs make it to the World Series then we will be going. Even if it means we have to go to Chicago for a week and take in the games. I will take some pics and update them after the game on Wednesday night.

Pathetic Cats

As much as it pains me to say so, the Wildcats stink! The defense is so underperforming considering they returned all but one starter. I think Mark Stoops (the D coordinator) is pathetic. He has no control and makes stupid decisions both on the field and on the sideline. Mike Stoops seems to have no control over his sideline and his coaches. I have been a big critic of the quarterback and the offense. But, they seem to be the brite spot on a pretty terrible team. I will be surprised if they win a total of 4 games this year. It hurts me to say so since I loved my playing days there, but the truth is what it is.

Football Officiating

What can I say... I absolutely love officiating football. I can't believe that it took me this long to agree to it. It makes those who think they know football to look at it from a different perspective. All the fine details of the game become glaring when you learn what to look for. I don't even watch a game now (college or pro) without looking at the number of players, formations, and penalties during each play. My buddy Andrew asked me if I would be one of those annoying people to watch a game with now that I see it through a different set of eyes? I told him probably. I can't watch it now and not see it through those eyes. I still have a ton to learn, but I love the process of the learning and fine tuning my mechanics on the field.
I have already talked to a guy who works the Pac-10 as a review official and I will hopefully get to work the UofA spring scrimmages and the fall scrimmages. He said that is where the Pac-10 recruits from and this is where I can get observed. I would love to work college games and then work my way up to the NFL. I couldn't make it there as a player, but I still might be able to make it there as an official.
I would encourage anyone who loves the game of football to get involved in officiating. I am working on a few of my buddies to join me next year and begin working games.

NFL Game With a Buddy

I went to my first NFL game... and it was awesome. My buddy Jason scored some tickets by using his Fry's VIP card. We were 7 rows up from the floor in the endzone. The new stadium the Cards play in is AWESOME! The only problem was that we were so close to the floor that the crossbar of the uprights was right in our line of sight. But, who cares. It was a great view. We were so close that we could hear the calls being made in the huddles of both teams when they were down on the goalline. The Cards won after they forced and recovered a fumble late in the game. It was great, but it was even better being there with Jason.

The Zebra

I am starting football officiating in a couple of weeks. I have worked a couple scrimmages in the last week. I will also be working six different scrimmages over the next week and a half. I absolutely love it so far and I can't wait until the games actually start for real. Scrimmages are ok, but the games will be exciting. I got involved in it because my father-in-law has been an official for over thirty years. He asked me a couple of times to join him and I decided to try it this year and see what I think. So far, so good. I will keep you all updated as this season goes on.

Back to Reality

Well... back to reality tomorrow. School starts for both Dea and I tomorrow. I am excited for the new year and am ready to be back with students. Dea on the other hand is not totally excited. I think being back in a high school will allow her to regain her joy for the kids. I am so happy that we moved schools. I don't think I could handle still being at Apollo. This is definitely for the best for me. Wish me luck because it is back to reality (at least until Labor Day weekend). You can look at my school website from my listings in the right-hand column of the blog. It is called Safford Middle School.

The Bourne Ultimatum

My buddy Jason and I went and saw "The Bourne Ultimatum" last night. WOW!! What an amazing end to this phenominal trilogy. I can't wait to see it again. If you want to go sit and experience an intense story that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, then you have got to check this one out. It will be worth the money spent on it. I will definately buy this one once it is available.

Our Newest Family Members

Well, we have two new identical family members. Dea's sister Andy had twin girls on July 22nd. They are the most amazing little chickens I have seen recently. They are named Celyn and Avery and they're the most precious little girls. What an awesome experience to get to hold them and feed them. They are small enough that I can hold them stacked in one arm. I can't wait to see them continue to grow. Blake, Andy's 2.5 year old son, doesn't really know what he is in for. We will see how that all turns out for him. I can't wait until the first time we show up at their house and he has lots of barrettes sticking out of his hair and make-up all over his face. Poor boy.