Kiel & Basketball

I am having a very hard time understanding Kiel's basketball coach. I just about want to kill him - luckily, the season is over so he has been granted a stay of execution. Poor Kiel. He sat on that bench for 2 years waiting for his chance. He grew (and grew and grew). He attended a camp in Peoria the entire summer for big men. Every night he would drive over there by himself and would be bored to tears since he had no competition. The coach told him repeatedly - hang in there, come to practice, go to the camps, lift, run, etc. and you will get your chance. When was that? How many teams would have a 7 foot guy sitting on the bench? Kiel would make a 'mistake' and the coach would scream at him and he would sit the rest of the game. Now, I don't have a problem with the screaming itself - but the fact that the coach was not consistently screaming at the whole team when mistakes were made was bothersome. I had so many people come up to me and ask if Kiel was injured or is the coach just an idiot? Well, I know Kiel was not injured - so I just let them make their own conclusion.

Anyway - Kiel was being recruited by division one schools. Not many D1 kids sit on the bench or only get 4 minutes of playing time! I think that the coach has ruined his chances for full scholarships. He will probably have to play at a junior college and then transfer IF he is given an opportunity. I completely blame his coach for this situation.

After Kiel turned in his uniform yesterday - the coach said, we'll work on getting you into a school now. WHAT??? With what magical statistics will you be using for that? The LAST person that I want help from is that coach. Kiel is a good kid and just told him sure - thanks.

Chris and I want to just have 5 minutes with that coach and tell him what we think about his abilities - but I won't do it. Regardless of his inadequacies, I was always told to respect the coach. But boy, is it hard. I think he made HUGE mistakes - and as long as he coaches at our school - more and more kids are going to suffer because of it.

Anyway, I am the banquet planner. I have such mixed emotions. I really am ONLY doing this for the Seniors - could care less about the coach or his 'team'. My son has played with a couple of these kids since 2nd grade and they deserve to be recognized regardless of the season. I have made replicas of their jerseys out of white foam board and black card stock and have found a zillion pictures to add to the back. I will hang them - so they look like the retired jerseys that many arenas hang. And cake - can't go wrong with cake.

I feel so badly for Kiel - he's a good kid and deserved so much more. I respect him so much for taking it night after night but hanging in there - staying as positive as possible and supporting his team.

Shrinking AJ

About a week or two ago, I had the funniest email from AJ that went something like - 'I have decided to no longer be the balding, short, fat guy that lives in his mom's basement. I have decided to become the balding, short, thin guy that lives in his mom's basement.' Quite a revelation. Poor thing has developed his mom's love of food and hatred of anything that could be construed as exercise. He is, however, doing very well. I can already tell a difference. He works out regularly by riding his bike, skips his work hazard of pizza and eats salads instead. His best friend is getting married in September - so I think this may have prompted him - regardless, I am very proud of him.

I have battled my weight as long as I can remember. I even remember my freshman year of college when I told my suite mate Donna that if I get over 145lbs to shoot me. Wow - if only!! I can't imagine ever being 145 - and that was heavy for me back then! I am the yo-yo queen of dieting - I lose it and then gain it right back. I am hoping that once my health gets back into line - that AJ will inspire me and I can give it a go once again...

Bathroom Etiquette

So - this post will be crude. My mother used that word about me a lot - so prepare yourself.

Seriously, public restrooms - there is a protocol. Last night, I walk into our high school's rest room. At least sixteen stalls - all empty. So - I sit down, doing my thing for a minute or two when the door opens and another lady comes in. Now, keep in mind - there are at least 15 empty stalls remaining. She sat down next to me?!??! WHAT!?!??! NO! That is not proper etiquette - at least one stall should be between each squatter when available. I should not see shoes next to me unless we are at an Illini game or a concert and the "crossing my legs - why did I have that extra beer" line is out the door...

I think even guys can relate - you never stand next to another man at a urinal when there are empty urinals available. Shoulder touching is just wrong. Am I right about this?

It's just an unwritten human rule...

Almost over!

I have only two more concession stands for this school year - whew... I had a Booster meeting and sort of lost my temper. I am sick and tired of listening to parents boo hoo and whine about how busy they are and how they just can't donate three freakin hours of their time - YET - they complain when there is no money in the budget for their child to get the swanky-do warm-ups provided by the school (for example). HELLO? Where do you think the money comes from?

I had surgery last Wednesday - supposed to have bed rest for five days. Saturday - bright and early - I am opening the stupid stand for an all day basketball tourney. I check the cashbox on Sunday - $400. What??? Did they give food away??? We didn't even come close to covering the stock! Monday - the nichols/turpin family is working the stand by ourselves - we cleared $500 in 4 hours. Tuesday - I'm working completely alone and grab whatever students I can snag as they leave practices - we clear $350 in 3 hours. Kiel even played on Tuesday and I didn't get to watch since no parents volunteered AGAIN!

So I was a bit bitter on Wednesday night for the meeting. Coaches want money - parents want money - but no one wants to put forth effort to make the money. Concessions tonight and Friday night. And after my temper tantrum, I do have some help both nights!

They are just forcing me to be a giant b*tch...

Anyway - Friday is the last one untill next school year!!! My back will be soooo happy!

Back again

Well, I survived - more importantly, my family survived! Just a little sore and tired but I will live to see another day... Back at work - my coworkers are awesome! They sent flowers - how many people do that anymore?!? My bedside table was so much nicer - and smelled so much better!!! They even did my work for me while I was gone - that was the best gift ever! And it made me feel so much better when one of my area's installs still crapped out - at least I knew it wasn't anything I did and maybe I might have been missed!!!

I was looking over my calendar for March. I am very frightened - next week was white (blank). Kiel's bball season ends this week (unless they make the playoffs); Riley's bball season ends this week; Mellisa's volleyball season ends this week. Wow - what will I do with my time?

So - I guess it's back to gardening then!!! Chris hates this season - I spend a small fortune on grandiose plans that usually don't work so well in our climate but I always have such high hopes. Poor guy - he loses his dining room to banana trees every fall/winter! One day, I will have a lush, tropical garden with lovely water features where I can waste my day pondering the world...