Real and One Republic

Last Saturday AJ and I went to a Real Salt Lake soccer game mainly so we could see One Republic perform after the game. I gave up the big BYU vs. U of U football game for this (which turned out for the best since I would have just been frustrated watching us hand the game over to the other team). This is my second adventure watching a live soccer match and it seemed to move more quickly. I attribute it to understanding the game more. Actually, I think I just decided to go with the flow of the game and not focus so much on the calls. Good news- Real won!

After the game we found seats closer to the stage and settled in for a long concert of five songs. Yeah, five songs. It was like getting a sample scoop of ice cream at Baskin Robbins and walking out without ordering. They canceled their earlier appearance this summer so I have been anticipating this concert for awhile and just wished I had more to enjoy. But I can’t complain because I do love their song “Secrets.” I find myself watching the film Sorcerers Apprentice anytime I see it on TV just to hear their music.

Luckily next month The Airborne Toxic Event is coming back into town with Panic at the Disco and Neon Trees. Can’t wait!

March Madness!

March Madness is right! What a year for Cinderella stories. If you would have told me Duke was not going to be in the final four, I would have laughed at you.

First, I was so proud of BYU making it to the Sweet Sixteen. Even though they did not go on, I had fun watching them this season. I will miss watching Jimmer and Emery, but I’m glad that Hartsock will be back next year. I had a friend ask what would be my dream matchup with BYU and I said, to play against Butler and Duke and this year there was that possibility to see that happen but we lost to the stupid Gators.

Second, I have been a Duke fan for about 20 years, always cheering for them during the NCAA Championships. To have them lose the same day as BYU made for a very sad day at my house. Between the stress of the games and to be consoled afterwards I almost went through an entire bag of Cheetos.

Luckily Butler is still in otherwise I would have stopped caring what was going on in the tournament.

Ice Ice Baby

I’ve been in the mood for hockey for awhile so when I saw that the Stockton, CA Thunder was taking on the Utah Grizzles that sealed the deal. So this past weekend, AJ, AMM, JR and I went. I’ve been to two other hockey games but it has been years so I still don’t get all the rules. But one thing I knew for sure, it was going to be a good game when a fight broke out in the first 2 seconds of the game and about half the team on both sides end up in the penalty box. Just an FYI, the refs do not break up the fight until the players fall down on the ice and no one wants to look a wimp and fall down first so they can go on for awhile.

Our seats ended up being right behind the Stockton Thunders team and all that separated us was a piece of plexiglass. You missed part of the game with the coaches walking back and forth but it was very entertaining to see the players up close. We got to see the skates being sharpened, a hanging tooth pulled out, the same sweating/snot filled towel passed around from player to player (that grossed me out more than the blood), and we are still trying to figure out why there was double bubble gum evenly spaced out along the back ledge. One thing to note, the equipment manger did an excellent job, and yeah, he wasn’t too bad to look as well. Then again, he actually had all of his teeth unlike the players.

In the end Stockton won and I was glad because I felt they were my home team after watching them so intently.

Roller Derby

Last night AJ, AMM and I went to our very first roller derby. What I knew about the sport was from the film Whip It and one episode of Psych. Maybe because it was flat track and not a rink, but there was less fighting and no hitting the wall (since there was no wall) and a slower pace around the rink than the film makes you believe. In my mind I was hoping for the excitement of hockey. Plus, Sisters of No Mercy (thanks to Ashes to Ashes) pummeled the opposing team Bomber Babes so there was not that tension who is going to win. The uniforms of hot pants on women who should not be wearing hot pants also not a plus. Go girl power, but it is not my kind of sport, though I keep trying to think of a good name to go by if I did skate.

Wimbledon

I love watching Wimbledon and today’s match of John Isner (USA) vs. Nicolas Mahut (FRA) is just a great example of why I do. It took three days to decide who won this qualifying round, just take a look at these statics:

Vital statistics:
Match duration: 11 hours, five minutes
Fifth set duration: Eight hours, 11 minutes
Total number of games: 183
Fifth set number of games: 138
Total number of points: 980
Isner aces: 112
Mahut aces: 103
Combined aces: 215
Isner winners: 246
Mahut winners: 244

I’m sorry Andy Roddick, you are no longer the only guy I am going to cheer for this year (besides the Bryan brothers for doubles) John just won my heart. Being 6’9 is not the only reason; he was humble at his victory. There is just more great things to come at this year at Wimbledon I can just feel it!

Real Salt Lake

Tonight I went to my first professional soccer game to see the Real Salt Lake. It was fun and I really enjoyed it. I didn’t get all the rules, especially the fouls or yellow cards as they say but it was fast moving and kept my attention. I went with AMM, AJ and AJ’s brother (who was kind enough to explain some of the rules when I was confused). We won 3 to 1 against Houston. One thing that was interesting was that the time on the clock adds and is not a countdown. My favorite player, sorry do not remember name or number, was the one wearing the pink shoes. It says a lot about his soccer ability that he is man enough to wear pink. The only complaint I had was that the drums played the entire game with the same beat and I actually missed the corny music that bands play during college football games. All in all, I can’t wait to go to another game!

Duke

You might well think that I would be talking about Mr. John Wayne himself being me, but I’m talking about the great men’s basketball team the Blue Devils out of North Carolina from Duke University. I have been a fan of Duke and have cheered for them each season during March Madness since Christian Laettner played for them. Remember him? He was the only college player in the 1992 Dream Team for the Olympics. Now that was a team and I could go on and on about the Dream Team but that is for another day. I am still a true BYU fan, but I have faced the facts that BYU will probably never make it to the final four (but then again look at Butler) and I have to cheer for someone. So last night I was very happy that Duke won over West Virginia. I think it was partially due to the sacrifice of my friend AJ that was willing to watch the game with me even though sports are not her thing (now that is a meaning of a true friend, to do things just because they know it will make you happy).

Tomorrow night I am sad that I have to work and miss the big game though in my heart I will be happy no matter who wins, because I am all about the Cinderella story especially since it is Butler.

Beginning of March Madness

What a perfect day of not having to go into work today. BYU men’s basketball won over the Gators in second overtime no less! Can I just say I love the way Jimmer plays basketball? Lloyd was on fire today as well. In fact the team as a whole has done an awesome job this entire season and today proved it. They can go deep on the bench and still play strong. Go cougars and good luck!