It seems that..

I wait longer and longer to blog nowadays. And since I will be leaving my computer behind for a few days, I figured we should talk some about my birthday this year, which was two weeks ago.

Rachael, her mom, and sis came to Columbus to do some shopping. So getting to spend the day with them was fun. We made a few stops around the city, and ate dinner in German Village. Before leaving, Rachael surprised me with something I had really wanted from the Tropical Trends store at Polaris. Way too sweet to me! Later that night, the Crew played in D.C. and the Mummerts and I went out to Hooligans to watch the match. Afterwards we made our way to Ruby's for a few more drinks, and then went on a long, unsuccessful bar hop that included Hendoc's, Out-r-Inn, and Nyoh's.

The next morning, I headed back to German Village to meet Jeremy and Ashley for lunch at the Thurman Cafe. The two-hour wait was definitely worth it to eat at one of GV's most well-known restaurants. While eating at Thurmans, my phone lit up with the familiar little green Android guy, but a rather unfamiliar name: Holly Teague. This being the second time my ex has ever called me since breaking up in April 2008. She said she wasn't sure I would answer, and I was slightly surprised by the tone and surprise in her voice. We went on to do some catching up. It was nice. It's possible that the phone call was prompted by me not responding to Christmas or New Years texts from her. Who knows. It was still a pleasant surprise though.

The next weekend (3/26) was a wild night full of soccer, live music, and drinks. It started out at Crew Stadium, where we tied New York 0-0. Then watched the US match at Hooligans before heading over to Flannagan's to watch Brother Believe Me. It was great to see so many friends in one night, and the party continued back at our apartment until about 6am. The next morning was a long one. After driving everyone back to their cars or apartments, I met up with Cody, Eugene, and Brittney at TGI Fridays at Polaris, then went home and somehow managed to stay awake all day.

All in all, a very successful bday week. Full of old friends, new friends, surprises, and a day with someone who continues to surprise me.

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day 2011 was a grand evening. I believe it was a very meaningful night for many reasons.

For one, it was the first time that we have really gone out, and gone all out, since I've moved down. It was a no-holds barred night of going places we had intended to and doing what we had intended to. And in my opinion, helped to further seal the patch on what has been a few stressful weeks between certain individuals. The only negative was that I stayed up much later than I should have on an empty stomach and hardly any sleep the night before, and went to bed without throwing my phone on the charger. Therefore missing a substantial portion of the work day, and worrying my co-workers. While the good times of that night will no doubt happen many more times, this missing work thing will not. When I awoke in the late AM, I was very surprised at how late I had overslept even without an alarm. Normally I still wake up around 8:30-9 even on the weekends. But there we're many other surprises as well that I seemed to have missed out on after going to bed. Surprises that no one else could explain to me either.

The Fallout

These surprises we're all quite the mystery to everyone. Such as, how exactly someone managed to get a black eye, how someone's shirt managed to get all dirty on the front with shoe prints on the back, how gravel/stones got neatly lined up next to our balcony door (not the front door. Plus, we're a second floor unit..), how glasses we're broken and wallets lost, and how someone managed to get lost and left behind throughout the night. Some of these will probably be left unanswered for the remainder of eternity (yeah, I know).

I think I might be alright with that.

Wow. What a Tuesday night

Keep in mind, this is last Tuesday. The night started off with a 4-1 loss for the Crew in addition to our 8-2 loss in indoor.

Once at Hooligans, the drinks started coming. Soon we had the idea to head over to the Continent and meet up with other friends. This turned out to be a huge mistake. Shortly after arriving, it was clear that all of our friends were decisively intoxicated. It wasn't long before words fueled other words, and bar staff became pissed with someone. Now, at this bar, apparently minor disagreements are cause to be grabbed by the neck and shoulder and pulled towards the door. This didn't sit well with others in our group, who decided that even the bar GM wouldn't be able to get away with this.

Soon there was shoving, punching, people on the floor. It was a great sight if you're into seeing all hell break loose. Columbus Police were called. Minor scrape to my face and behind the ear, no biggie. But a friend of mine did get a pretty nice gash opened towards the back of his head, so I followed him to Mt. Carmel West to see that he made it there okay.

Wow have I missed Crew season.. and this was just CONCACAF, MLS doesn't start until March 19! It's going to be a fun year.

Columbus til I die! - 614 Magazine, March 1, 2011

March 1, 2011 City Life
Check out this issue of 614 Magazine.

Many articles on the life of a Crew supporter, as well as looking into the whole supporters culture here in Columbus.

Not to mention that I'm included in the cover page photo..even more of a reason to check it out. Do it!

First mobile post from my HTC, crazy Feb weather

Just installed the free Blogger app and I'm seeing what all fun I can have with it. In other words, this is just a test! Check out recent posts. What's up with this thunderstorm occurring three or so days after it snowed wild? I love thunderstorms!

Weekend at home, playing Travel Consultant

The weekend spent back home in Bluffton was a pretty great one. Refreshing to be around people that I care about so much. I've said it on here in posts in the past and I'll say it again: I'm so lucky to have so many people who support and care for me. The past few months there have been many nights where I've made mental lists of all the things I'm lucky to have and people I'm lucky to know. It was great to see them all again, but there's a new face that I am very fortunate to have ran into and I'm anxious to see it again!

When sending out preliminary invites to my friend's show in Columbus on March 26th, one friend replied that they couldn't make it as they would be out of town and mentioned they were going to Tennessee. After which, I was asked about getting discounted hotel rooms through my employee program. So for the last hour I have been researching hotels in Nashville and Memphis, which is also beneficial seeing as I plan on visiting Nashville this summer. Even if the info that I sent them is not used, my efforts won't be wasted.. I now have some ideas for my trip!

HTC Desire - phone's finally here!

The new phone is here! I've yet to have it connected to the network, but so far everything seems to be better than I expected. I've had the Curve since April 09 and figured it was time to do some moving up in the mobile world.

Plenty of good reviews. It sounds like there's not much this phone can't do. 2011 looks to be a very busy year. I think this phone will be aiding me well throughout it!

Sweet 7-page review over at Tech Radar. Takes you through all the screens, messaging, call, contacts, and even some camera shots.

Or.. there's this lengthy video. Be jealous.

Going back to Bluff to update life a little

I've been without my laptop for almost two full months now. So finding it at my parents house in working condition is amazing. Big thanks to my mom for finding a place to fix it up for cheap! It's working awesome.. just needs a new battery still I'd say.

New phone sitting next to me. The htc Desire. Have to say, it's pretty sweet. It's going to be a busy year, and I feel like I'll be able to get a lot done with this phone.

Hoping to meet up with an old friend this weekend. Seems like we could both use a good talk and have some catching up to do. It feels good to be back here!

It's baaaack! Crew VS RSL, CONCACAF Champions League

The 2011 competitive matches have started for the Crew! This past Tuesday was a great time. Seeing everyone together again, the bar being packed out, the new Crew looking good on the pitch.

A 0-0 result is quite decent in my opinion. Definitely looking forward to the 2nd match in Salt Lake on Tuesday.

Afterwards was no exception.. we celebrated like we had won 4-0. I think I got home around.. 4:30 in the morning? Yeah. With work at 9:30.

Can't wait for the MLS season to start!

8-0, UEFA, and this weekend

Monday night league did not go so well. 8-0 beat down, and we played a man up for virtually the entire match. Psyched to play for HSH AC again tomorrow night at Soccer First in Dublin. Come support!

Some pretty exciting UEFA Champions League matches today. People who never try to enjoy real football are seriously missing out.

I can't wait for the weekend to get here. It's shaping up to be a pretty good one! Let's hope Friday goes as planned.

HSH AC - Indoor league at Soccer First, Crew vs RSL

Wow, so HSH AC got off to a 0-2 start in our inaugural session. I missed the second match with my concussion, so I felt pretty helpless about that.

But since returning, I've netted 5 goals in 2 games, and collectively we put big numbers up on both teams during the past two games. This has since moved the Hooligans into 3rd place in our division! Currently with 6 points, we're looking to add to that W column this Tuesday.

On a related HSH note, the CONCACAF visit from Real Salt Lake is just around the corner. Nine days. Will the Crew's "core" hold up? Definitely will be interesting to see what line up we roll out. McCuller's continues to go on and on about how reaching the Club Cup is one of the top goals for the Crew. Hah, let's see if Warzycha reflects those statements with a line up that can win.

2010 Columbus Crew Home Schedule