Terminal A, Then B And C

The bulk of my day was spent at Reagan National Airport picking up students for the conference. It was a fairly easy day considering that we have twice the number of students than in first session and two more programs are here, as well. After getting done with my time in terminal A, which no one seems to fly into, I strolled over to terminal B/C to hang out with the other TL's. I ended up going upstairs for coffee and on my way, I came across a Boarders.

Dixieland Footie is a huge supporter of bookshops in airports by the way. Their simple presence can make even the most mundane layover enjoyable if you know which book to pick. I tend to listen to the artsy looking kids, they usually can offer a suggestion that will keep you going for a while. I decided to peruse the magazines and I was so excited to find a copy of 4-4-2. I absolutely endorse this magazine, even though it's about eight dollars an issue. It is full of so much insightful information about the game that it is not even funny. I also got an Euro 08 preview guide, it came with the magazine. It is interesting to see what the writers thought would happen at the tournament compared to what actually did. It just proves that the game is always changing and is rarely predicted correctly.

I Didn't Forget That I had A Blog

I just got busy teaching. First session ended a few days ago and second session begins tomorrow. Since I have been here at Catholic University. I have had a chance to watch a couple of the Euro 08 matches. Sadly, I had to miss the final today because of work but I did get a chance to watch a rather top notch DC United walk all over Becks and Landycakes at Fado. I also made my way out to a very sketchy part of DC where RFK stadium is to buy myself United jersey. I do not really support the MLS because it refuses to eat its Wheaties and become a real league, but I figured I might as well have a team in it, so I picked DC.

The matches that I got to see were rather stunning. What really surprised the hell out of me were the Netherlands. This is a team that I had never really put much stock in but by God when the time came, they got down to business. The goals were simply top class and the form was spot on. It is a shame that they had to go out when they did. I also got to see Germany play Turkey and I must say, watching the game next to a Germany fan made the world of difference. Our office coordinator is from Germany and he was absolutely awesome to have around. However, he was not all that happy this afternoon after Germany lost.

As for the United game, I got to the pub at about 12:30 today and had boxty and beer for breakfast. I have no clue what was going on with the Galaxy or United for that matter but it was truly amazing to see United walk all over Landycakes and Becks. The touches were spot on as were the shots. This will probably be my last post for a while, a new group of students get here tomorrow, so happy 4th of July (albeit a bit early) and happy footy all.

Can Scolari Make The Blues Better?

Chelsea has announced the successor to Avram Grant and the chosen one is, (insert cheesy drum roll here) Luiz Felipe Scolari. The current coach of the Portuguese national team, who by the way are doing rather well at Euro 08, excels at coaching at the league and national level and will certainly bring his own flair to the Bridge.

Good luck Luiz and good luck Blues.

Staff Training Continues. ... Oh Yeah, There's This Footy Tournament Going On Too.

So, staff training has been going really well so far. It isn't anything that I haven't already read or heard before. Don't do anything dumb and make sure the kids don't do anything dumb. And make sure that you count, count, count. I don't mind the repetition but the walks back and forth between lunch and the places we are having our sessions is a bit much. I will say one thing, I will definitely get a workout this summer.


Even though it seems like I have blinked maybe twice since I have been here, the past three days have seen the start of Euro 08 and let me tell you, I am pissed that I am missing these matches. I just saw the match highlights for The Netherlands v. Italy and watched the Italians walk around like puppies without masters. I don't know the record but I doubt that any Italian team in the last ten years has never been beaten that bad in a competition. Truly amazing. There is still hope for the Italians yet if they play strong in their remaining fixtures. They might have a chance to face France in the final this year but that's still weeks away so we will have to see.

Token Euro 08 Post.

I have to agree with The Offside Rules that there is nothing to really be excited for when it comes down to this years European Championship. I will personally be rushing back her each night after staff training to catch the highlights of the days matches. I have decided to pull for Portugal (and it isn't because of the flashy video that I have at the top of the blog... or the one that The Offside Rules has either).

Lead America Staff Training Day 1

The beautiful Georgetown University! Pretty sweet eh? Well I am currently in one of their dorms getting ready to start my Lead America staff training experience. The flight into DC was uneventful really except for the fact that my head was really hurting when I was sitting in the terminal in Nashville. I will not have a McDonalds chicken biscuit ever again. I got here and stood around for about twenty minutes with all the other kids waiting on the shuttle to get us here. Got here, unloaded the buses, stood in line for fifteen minutes to get photoed, and bombarded with so much stuff it isn't even funny. I have polo shirts, a huge binder, my garment bag, and my laptop case passing back and forth between my arms as I am trying to sign forms and get my picture taken.

I finally got all of that squared away and got to my room and let me tell you, the dorms are ten times better than UT. They are completely carpeted, and the shelf and desk space is amazing. But the big surprise is the view. My curtains were up and I look out the window and there is the Georgetown lacrosse and footy field right below. It is indeed a beautiful sight and kinda reminds me of the way Leyton Orient have their field set up with the apartments in the corner of the pitch. I just wish that one of the teams were in season so that I could have a watch.

All in all, staff training seems like it's going to be ok. Are schedules are jam packed for the rest of the next five days and then I make a short trip over to Catholic University to start the first of three sessions as a Lead America Team Leader.

So, I Leave For DC Today

I will be hoping on a plane in about ten hours to head to our nations capital to teach for Lead America. I will be teaching an intelligence and national security program which is pretty much my bread and butter these days. I am looking forward to the experience because I would love to teach at some point in the future and if I can teach high school kids, I think I will do fine with angsty college kids.

I also look forward to NOT being able to watch any of Euro 2008. I suppose I will catch the highlights at 11:30 every night and hopefully the sites we are at will have internet because I will exercise the hell out of soccernet and bbc. So, how will live without footy for a month and a half? I am still trying to figure that one out. I am taking my hacky sack with me in hopes that I can at least get in a few minutes a day with it. I will be having footy withdrawls when I get home at the end of July that's for sure.

So, I Need To Play More

I found that out the hard way on Monday. I went down to the field that kick around at and ran into three guys playing. They were taking turns in net and they let me kick around with them. Well, I always bring three balls with me and that allowed us all to have something to rocket at the net. And rocket these kids did. They had incredible shot speed on them. It was nothing too fancy, no dipping, curving, or diving balls, but they were able to put some mustard on their shots.

After I was there for about half an hour when I got stupid and decided that I would try my hand in net. The first shot rang off the post hard. The next shots went really well. I got hands to them and either caught them or poked it away. But then they started going for all this top corner stuff and I was winded and simply couldn't get to the shots. I ended up on my backside and shoulders more than I would have liked to but I kept my form when I did save. It just shows what not playing consistently for a year will do to your game.