Mohican has passed. Columbus takes 1st place in the East. Rafting WV = 2 weeks!

Camped at River Run Campgrounds from Thursday to Sunday at Mohican. Was the best camping trip I've ever been on and definately the highlight of my summer so far! Friday we went on a long canoe trip where we tipped and sunk each other's canoes, and pushed each other around as we made our way down the river. Saturday night saw us take on mini golf and some go-karting, a Cody appearance was rumored.. so beer pong preparations were made. However, the reigning Pong Champ and his lady friend never made it out. So instead the night was spent drinking Landsharks around the campfire. Stars out everynight.

Crew defeat TFC on a Jason Garey goal in the 92nd minute
Another awesome happening this wknd was potentially the most exciting finish to a Crew game in over two years. Jason Garey headed home the GWG in the 92nd minute off of a beautiful cross from Hejduk. Spot on. Garey scored his 4th of the year just a minute before stoppage time ran out. What a thrilling way to 1) defeat the TFC scum, 2) take 1st Place in the East around the same time we did last year, and 3) break the MLS record for the All-Time Home Unbeaten-Streak. (Highlights below)
6:25 - Steven Lenhart's great effort sneaks the ball in to make it 2 all.

7:59 - run of play that leads to Garey's 92nd minute GWG

At the moment I'm watching DC United vs CD Angel Firpo in the early stages of the CONCACAF Champions League. 1-1 at half.

Lehnart's the man, Crew sail to a 3-1 win over Salt Lake

I have been saying since like Week 4 that we need to start Steven Lenhart. I liked his play last year, always a force on the pitch. The guy is a riot. I had the chance to talk with him a few weeks back after a match and non stop laughter ensued. The fact that both Lenhart and Jason Garey stared together up top? Looks like we might be on to something. And only a few days after Archer basically rants that Garey is worthless. Maybe his next genius piece should detail how we have no chance of a playoff run or second MLS Cup appearance :)

I, for one, am ecstatic that they did so well. I can't stress enough how much I like Lenhart in the lineup and appears him and Garey could be a dynamic duo of sorts for the future. No one wants to see Ale get the bench, but this is what we need. I haven't read the Beckham Experiment, but I've seen the Lenhart-Garey Experiment first hand, and I'd like to see it continue against TFC.

Kings Island: Diamondback gets 3 stars from me!

So after a long day at Kings Island and their waterpark, I am finally home. Seeing as I had never been back here since I started riding coasters a few years ago, it was great to finally be able to enjoy the place rather than just ride the Scooby-Doo kid coaster a million times in a day.

Their new coaster, the Diamondback (pictured), is structurally nothing different than we’ve seen before. And for diehard Cedar Point goers like myself, it’s height, speed, and other characteristics fall between the Magnum and Millennium Force.

The Fun Part
When you sit down (unless your a tall rider) your feet can’t touch the bottom of the ride. And the “lap bar” is this orange head-like chunk of protection that presses against your lap/stomach (unless your my size, in which case it doesn’t fully press against me..). Oh, and NO seatbelt. So that bar is it. Rode it front seat my first ride. And as we rounded the top of the first hill, I threw my hands up and went to plant my feet down to reassure myself. But wait… you sit higher up, so I CAN’T touch the bottom. Now hesitant to put my hands up, my hot riding partner helps me out a little bit. I was still a bit hesitant throughout the ride. But the 2nd ride was all hands in the air and a seemingly faster ride! I give it 3 out of 5 stars. Definitely something I would return to KI and ride again..unless the Beast or Firehawk weren’t there :)

The next 4 weekends are BUSY.. read on!

This Friday = Kings Island/Boomerang Bay w/ the girl. I'm hoping to spend most of the day at the waterpark, but get in to ride the new Diamondback and the scary looking Firehawk.
This Saturday = Crew vs Real Salt Lake. Then Cody, the girl, and I are probably heading over to Mandi and Kyle's or Sloopy's. Preferably Sloopy's then M&K's.

7.23-7.26 (Thurs-Sun) = Camping @ Mohican St Park w/ the girl. Cannot wait for this! Only 2nd time I've been to Mohican, and the first time ever camping there. This girl brings so much excitement and new adventurouscrazyfun type stuff =) She does it all for me. I'll have to miss Toronto FC vs the Crew though, but who wants to watch a lousy team from the "true north" anyway?

8.01-8.02 = A weekend off to prepare the next one. Maybe go to Columbus just for a night out?

8.07-8.09 (Fri - Sun) = Whitewater Rafting in West Virginia w/ the girl and her fam!! This is awesome! (http://www.aceraft.com) I've wanted to go back here to the New River for the last 7 years since I last went. Last time we did the easier Upper portion. But since we like it rough, hahaha, this time we are attempting the more challenging Lower New River. So three days in the mountains of WV. I think this will be the highlight of my summer. Mos def.

AL, things looking up, Crew vs RSL

So the American League continues their dominance in the All-Star Game.

So things are beginning to look better now. She admitted she knew she was not really appreciating me, or showing me that she cared.. nor was she wanting to try to. You really have to have some balls to say that w/out someone even bringing it up. The last 3-4 days have been great.. just like the first two months. Today was five months. And it feels good to know she is feeling closer to me again and that things could be back to normal =) After how the last few weeks have been, the last few days couldn't have been any better. She's rather incredible.
Lucky to be where I've been

So this Saturday = Crew vs Real Salt Lake. We will tie the all-time League record for home un-beaten streak if we pull win or tie. So all of these polls that are showing BMO Field (Toronto) and Qwest Field (Seattle) to be the most difficult atmospheres for visiting clubs in MLS, let's TFC and Sounders FC build a streak like that. With that being said, RSL is a dangerous team, and we might not have Schelotto. With Robbie Findlay and Movsisyan, I'm worried we could be topped. (They defeated us 4-1 their own Rio Tinto Stadium in early April)

Eddie Gaven's nap time continues

So the sheets/sign idea really went down the drain when we were denied the Nordecke. Supposedly the others told the ushers to take the papers/signs down to 141,142,and 101. Once Chris got us into 141, there was no trace of any of our work. So about the usher transporting the goods to the front rows: this either never happened, or the supporters just threw them away. Whatever, no one can ever bitch to me saying we haven't tried to do our part. You can just let people continue to beat on their drums and have NO visual communication between groups to help deter it. I was beyond pissed.

Match review: Glad to see Lenhart and Moreno producing up front. Ekpo had some decent runs adding up to a decent game, but when he will become reliable is anybody's guess. Eddie Gaven needs to wake the ffff up. He has what, one goal this year so far? And a shit one at that. You can see his lazy effort in the highlights as he gives up quickly when chasing a ball he gave up. Horrible passes. You can actually see him hunching over and doing a weak jog in almost every clip he is featured. We needed him and Ekpo to have a great games in order to win this one. A fire needs lit up under him, I am convinced. I say bench him when Robbie's back. What the hell, why not bench him now and start Burns. If Eric Brunner (who is a badass) can do what he's done in his rookie year under that pressure, there is NO EXCUSE why Eddie Gaven cannot have atleast ONE good game. Just ONE. Same for Ekpo. Warzycha needs to find a solution to all of this and fast. And stop playing keep-a-way when we had a chance or two to make runs up the flanks. That is if any of our outside mids would GET TO THE TOUCH LINE immediately after changes in possession. What the hell do they talk about when they review tapes, what does Bobby point out? I think a CSN benefit should be sitting in when the team watches the tapes once or twice a year. If I don't stop now I'll go on forever.

The 4thhhh. 1st Placeeee.

Counting Crows - Hanginaround
Corey Smith - Drinkin Again

So first and foremost: We beat DC United and we in an uncontested ownership of 1st place in the East. The last 18 home games have led up to this point. All the winning, drawing, chanting, singing, and the lessons learned, have led up to this match with DC. This is it. Saw the game guide today, and our line-up looks like it has all year: a shaky one. Can we count on Ekpo or Gaven to have a solid game? Who knows, but they/we cannot afford it if they don't. Now looking on towards the United formation, um, they look pretty solid to be honest. Just looking at the form is a little intimidating. So as I said, this is it. We can make the statement that we are back, and that we aren't ready to surrender points in this place. Lenhart starting over Ale again? I like it! Could we see the big guy's first goal tomorrow night? No better time than on ESPN2 at 7:00pm EDT, right? Printing off the two chants that NEED to get started tomorrow at the moment. I should have about 20-30 to bring to the game which is like 1/100th of what we need, but hey can't say were not doing our part. GO CREW!

Cookout at the apartment around noon which will hopefully be down next to the pool. Then Rubys before the game, around 3:30 or 4. I haven't been there nearly enough as I should have been for as involved as I want to be in the Nordecke. For not missing a home game in over a year, and to have virtually know one recognize us is, to say the least, pretty sad. So Rubys before and maybe on down to the tailgate to join in on the kickball if were feeling really crazy!