This weekend I was awarded most valuable player for Alameda Athletic, a soccer team I play for in the East Bay.

At half time, the score was tied 1-1. We scored a second goal off a free kick about midway through the second half. Our opponents then put us under pressure and we finally cracked in the last minute of regular time, conceding a goal. This sent us into overtime, consisted of two 10-minute periods with the golden goal rule in effect, meaning the team to score first won.

About two minutes into the first period, my teammate sent a high cross into the penalty area that I had no business jumping up for, being not very tall. I jumped up anyway and collided with the defender, whose clearance went to the foot of another teammate.

The ball hit off his foot and back to me. So there I stood, at the penalty spot with the ball, but with my back turned to the goal. I saw my teammate continue his run, and deftly knocked the ball just out of reach from the defender, and then with my second touch laid the ball into the path of my teammate, who scooped it up, shot, and scored.

Game over.

I was pretty wired when I arrived, and immediately did a shot of whiskey with Chris and then had a beer. For some strange reason, Chris suggested we follow that with Ouzo.

I met Chris during my freshmen year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute before I transferred to the University of Pittsburgh. That makes him one of my oldest friends, quite an accomplishment for me, because I tend to move around and lose touch with people.

He has a well-stocked liquor cabinet, which I appreciate.

We played tennis, which I haven?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t done for years, and went out to eat in Ballston. My goodness have they been building in Ballston. I almost didn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t recognize the place. Then we went out to some bar and got $10 martinis. Got to love DC area prices.

Today we went for a 16-mile bike ride. I really want a mountain bike.

Reconnecting with Former Teammates

I got to play pickup soccer with Paul in Geneva, which was cool and fun because we haven?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t played together since I left northern Virginia in 2003. He played on the team I managed in the Northern Virginia Soccer League, and took over management after I left. Our last season together, we won the premier division of the NVSL.

Yesterday I played with my former over-30 team, which I joined when I was 26 and left when I was 29, when I moved up to Pittsburgh. So this was the first time I played with them and was also legitimately over 30. I scored one goal and had a couple assists, and we won. So that was good.

It was also great to be so welcomed by a group of people and have them want to hang out with me and buy me beers. This is truly the way to win me over.

Speaking of Alcohol

Pennsylvania has retarded alcohol laws. I may have to write some letters, or start a campaign.

I love that in Virginia I can buy beer and wine in a grocery store. It makes much more sense to partner alcohol with food rather than make you feel like there?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s something wrong with you because you have to go to a special store to get some wine.

Further, six packs are more prominent than cases. I don?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t know what kind of logic Pennsylvania legislators used to make it easier and cheaper for you to buy a case of beer than it is to buy a six pack. Apparently, they want people to drink more.

Because beer and wine are cheaper down here, I stocked up.

Geneva, New York, nestled alongside Seneca Lake, which is one of the finger lakes.

I’m going to visit my friends Paul and Shannon for a couple days. Then on Friday I’m heading down to DC to visit my friends Chris and Joanne and others, and even play a soccer game with my former over-30 team.

I will also try to hook up with Matt Curry and buy one of his paintings (with imaginary money).

No Tent, Not a Problem

My plan requires no tent. So forget I even mentioned the tent dilemma.

New Client

I met with a new client this morning to discuss some work building templates for a front-end system. They want the templates by Friday. I agreed to do the work because I’m foolish poor ambitious.

It’s not that exciting, but it’s money. And I made sure to say I can’t do any work after this week, because I do not have the time to get invested with another client. Well, unless it’s a really, really cool and awesome client.

Do you see the conflict here?

At first, I thought my travels and the job were not going to play nicely (and perhaps that will turn out to be true). But I reasoned that I had the rest of today, and tomorrow morning. I also have all day Thursday while my friends are at work/school. And I can probably squeeze in some hours on Friday morning.

Should make for a relaxing week.