I love this:

http://www.dallasobserver.com/bestof/award.php?oid=oid:250228§ion=oid:18849&year=2006

My boys got a mention in the 2006 Observer Best Of list:

Best Sports Deal

FC Dallas
In case you've been living under a rock for the last decade: There is indeed professional soccer in the United States. Twice as many Americans watched this World Cup as did the previous edition four years ago, and while on the one hand, the national men's early exit from this year's competition says we have a ways to go, that it was even disappointing in the first place shows how far expectations have come. The fact that the United States is no longer the redheaded stepchild of soccer is largely because of the success of the domestic pro league, the MLS, and in a brand new stadium in Frisco, coach Colin Clarke and crew have quietly put together one of the best clubs in the league. So, here's your choice: You can drive all the way to Frisco and pay 10 bucks to see the future of world sport, or you can drive all the way to Irving and pay 10 times more to see Terrell Owens scream at his teammates.

That's genius writing right there. To quote Amy:
"It's funny because it's true!" *shrug*

Man... what is there to say about FC Dallas right now? Geez.

Things are good right now. Yea- things are REAL good. Morale feels really high... you name it? We've heard it all in the past 3-5 days:

"We're No. 1!"
"Best in the West!"
"In it to win it!"

^ That last one is my favorite. There is absolutely no reason why we can't go all the way this year. Last year was a learning experience, and it feels like 2005 is trying to repeat itself in its own little way. MLS Cup is at PHP again and Colorado is starin' us down for a second time, but this time we're in command. I believe there has only been one week this entire season that we have not been in first place. That's 31 weeks on top of the West. It says something... now I'm just hoping and praying we don't shoot ourselves in the foot.

Anyways... if you couldn't gather it from before? Saturday's game was great, great stuff. Honestly, that final whistle was probably one of the best moments I've experienced as a soccer fan. We won the conference on Saturday, and while it's really minimal compared to the big picture of what we're after? It still felt good to win a game that really meant something. Not to say our other games haven't, but we controlled two destinies on Saturday: ours and LA's, and instead of woosing out and losing (which we tend to do sometimes)? We took full advantage and made them regret ever coming to Texas.

I believe the phrase I kept yelling to Megan as I jumped up and down and tugged on her shirt was, "OMG I AM SOOO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!!!!" Meanwhile, of course, Megan is looking at me like I'm nuts but it was just a really good moment. I get into these things- you know that.

Some pics:

Me & baby Liam... tell me that is not the cutest kid EVER?

Scott, Zach, Patricia and the 108 kids causing trouble. Not only do I love the Keep Bobby in Hoops sign, but the "Oduro runs fast" one is classic. Nothing is funnier on a sign than stating the obvious.

And we can't forget these goofballs:

I've been reading a lot of Pink Is The New Blog lately... if you see more images with pink captions on 'em? You know why. But yea- there I am in the front row throwing a streamer.

OMG ITS DENNY! HES NOT DEAD!!!!
... try and tell me Jeff Cassar doesn't look like Denny from Grey's Anatomy. Try it. ;-D

Reason ..120948530234 why everybody loves Bobby Rhine:

Final whistle? The players unfurl a huge banner in the center of the field that says, "THANK YOU FC DALLAS FANS," which, by the way, I don't have a picture of but would LOVE. If somebody got it? PLEASE share! I just need it for my scrapbook!

Anyways, after they unfurl the banner? Drew, Clarence and a number of players go over to the West side of the stadium (the 108 kids and on). Bobby? Beelines it straight to 116. First thing out of his mouth is, "You guys sounded AWESOME tonight. You know we hear you!" The Inferno then launched into a round of, "We all wish for a team of Bobby Rhines..." or at least I think thats what the song was. I was too busy jumping up and down tugging on Mego's shirt yelling, "OMG I AM SOOO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!!!"

There WAS stuff that went down immediately after the game that burst (bursted... not a word... right?) my bubble bigtime (unintentional alliteration), but I'm gonna keep it off the internet. Y'all are sick of hearing/reading about it and I'm sick of thinking about it. I'm not sick of retelling the story because in true Gina fashion? I've got quite a lot to say, but I'm gonna spare you the two or three paragraphs.

What I will say is that the ideal woman, in my opinion, is the one who works hard and plays hard and yet still retains her class and beauty at the end of the day. I know it sounds random, but if you've heard the story? You know it's relevant. I'm gonna be the first one to admit that I'm making a BIG snap judgement, but girls can be just as catty as they can be charming. *shrug* At the end of the day, if you're reading this? You know I'm a smart, MATURE girl. Don't judge me off of this. I'm allowed to get worked up over petty things just like the rest of us girls are. ;-D

A big thank you goes out to Heather for chasing after me after I got back to the tailgate. I was upset over something stupid and didn't want to bug anybody- so when I walked away Heather chased after me still wanting to know what was up. So yes, a big thank you going out to Heather. Didn't mean to bother you with my teenage drama. Maybe its too much One Tree Hill lately... ;-D

So yea- to sum it up? I couldn't explain it, I couldn't help it, and now? I'm over it.

You know whats funny? I said I was gonna spare you the 2-3 paragraphs? I rambled about the entire thing without ACTUALLY mentioning what it was for four. I apologize for being so opinionated! Man, I really need to learn how to zip it sometimes! LOL... kidding, of course.

In real life... I got a 50 on my Stats quiz last week. Yea, that sucked. So last night I had it all in my head: I was gonna study hard, go to bed early, wake up early and then make a cheat-sheet that we get to have with us during the exam. I set my alarm for 6:30, went to bed at 11:30 and all was well.

Well, I wake up this morning and turn on my TV? The time says 7:56. My Stats class is at 8. After thinking about it for a second, I let out a quick, "oh shit!" Grabbed my backpack and purse, put a t-shirt on and hauled ass out the door. Made it in time for the quiz and finished it with time to spare, too, THAT was impressive.

But yea- this turning my alarm off and going back to sleep business has got to stop. I'm gonna get myself in some trouble if I don't start waking up when it goes off! Other than that, school is just dandy. Free agents meeting for Intramurals is a week from today, and I actually may be scheduled to work. Potentially problematic... but lets keep our fingers crossed that Gina meets some new people. Let's also keep our fingers crossed that Gina gets some minutes and doesn't get put on a team where they are all ex-club players. Hmm.

Anybody watch House of Carters last night? Drunk Aaron + Nick trying to be the voice of reason = COMEDY. Nick gets home and goes on this whole shpeel about the legal drinking age being 21. Come on now, Nick, cause you NEVER drank before the age of 21 right? *rolls eyes* Although it is kind of sad how Aaron romps around thinking he is Nick's age (26). He is 18. Hell, I was 18 a year ago and even now looking back on it I see how much I DIDN'T know. All in the matter of a year. Craziness... drama... but I heart is so. ;-D

I think it's time to go read Psychology or something. I've been playing the "rainy day" card all day... it only works for so long, right? I'll probably read a little, watch some more One Tree Hill (season 3 on DVD, baby!) and then go to hip-hop at 8:15. Life is tough, isn't it? ;-D

Comment cause I know you <33 me! Take care, kiddies.

So I'm sure... thanks to all 10 million of my bowling updates within the past month, that y'all are just DYING to know how last night went, right? What- no? You're not? Yea I figured, but you know what?

... oh well! You're gonna hear (or- read) about it anyways.

I will start by telling you not to EVER go to the Foley's at the Valley View Mall. EVER.

I met up with Amy at her mall at 3 when she was scheduled to get off work. Well, I was late getting there because I couldn't decide on what to wear. Amy and I were originally just looking for shoes, but I ended up finding a super cute polo that was on sale for $11.99 and seemed perfect to wear to go bowling.

We got back to her house and I went into her bathroom to change? The sensor was still on the shirt. Mildly problematic.

We ran to the Kohl's about 2 seconds away from Amy's house to see if they could take off the sensor? Well, aside from running into John Baker and a friend of his? We also found out that they couldn't take off the sensor.

When we got to Valley View? I was waiting in line to talk to an employee who was with a customer while Amy went to find somebody else who might be able to help us. Amy came back to find me and told me that the woman she was talking to wanted to "talk." Umm...

The first thing she said when I walked up was, "You didn't even put it in a sac?" and then she proceeded to interrogate us. She essentially accused us of stealing in every single indirect way she could find. With every detail we gave came another question.

"Well why is the sac in your car?"
"Cause we bought something else, too!"
"And where is your car?"
"At her house. We have somewhere to be- SOON- and we rode together."

I finally looked at her and said, "Is the receipt not enough proof?" I almost looked at her at one point and asked if she was seriously accusing us of stealing. It was right on the tip of my tongue... trust me.

Alright, you know the more I type this out the more I can see how it can look a little suspicious, but my God. I had my receipt... and that woman just judged us right off the bat. It pissed me off but good. Amy, too. We were not very happy campers.

As we were walking out I said, "F*ck it" and told Amy that we should probably just leave for the bowling alley in order to get there on time. Amy, however, refused to give up and we sped down the road to the Macy's at the Galleria.

Thank you, Chai at the Macy's @ the Galleria, for believing us and taking the sensor off of my damn shirt! He, too, seemed a little skeptical, but once we both agreed that the numbers on the receipt didn't match the numbers on the tag? He sternly reminded us that he wasn't supposed to take the sensor off and proceeded to do it anyways. Mission accomplished.

So yea, when I called Travis and told him we were "sorting something out?" Really, we were running around North Dallas trying to get the damn sensor taken off of my shirt.

I know, I know! There are far more important things in this world than de-sensoring a SHIRT, but it was either I got that shirt de-sensored or wore an Elmo shirt to go bowl. A big thank you goes out to Amy for being willing to drive to three different places, too.

Anywho, once that big saga was sorted out? We set out for the bowling alley. The best moment of the drive there came when we were at the light at Belt Line and the road before the alley.

Amy: "Dude... the guy in the car behind us is kinda cute."
*three seconds later*
Amy: "Wait a second! That's Kenny Cooper! OMG!"

We pulled into the parking lot only to be followed in by Kenny, Drew and Pitch. Bobby was parking as Amy turned her car off. Drew said hey to me as he walked in, and then Amy and I proceeded to give Kenny shit for driving slow.

Our team:

Steve Morrow (assistant coach), Daniel, Amy, Dax and myself. Dax is REALLY competitive... just FYI. We all got off to a really great start and for a while we were all talking about the team title and how we might have a decent shot.

Yea... then I stepped up to bowl.

In the practice rounds? I was awesome... then they reset the game on us. I was all off. If it wasn't me not positioning my body the right way? It was me losing my grip on the ball or doing something with my wrist right at the last minute. I hit gutterball after gutterball after gutterball. You know? The first few times? It's funny. Consistently? It's really embarrassing.

Now, Drew and his sponsors were on the lane next to us so we were in the same little seating area the entire time. Since Drew is still hurt, however, he couldn't bowl. Well- he couldn't bowl ALL the time.

Midway through the first round I reach down to get my ball, right? Well... I go to pick it up when I look up and hear:
"Alright, Gina, it's me and you."

Drew is standing there with a bowling ball in his hand ready to go.

"Me and you? Alright. Tell me when."
"You know I'm gonna beat you, right?"
"Yea, probably!"

Yea- he beat me. But he had bumpers! *shrug* meh... not even bumpers could've helped me last night.

Later on during the second round, Dax got a gutterball that got itself stuck in our lane. Dax had already told me that he was gonna need me to get it out for him,  but a few minutes later I'm sitting there watching the others bowl and Drew grabs my attention.

"Gina! You see that gutterball Dax got that got stuck? Are you gonna help him get it out?"

It was just funny to hear Drew voluntarily speaking to me... nevermind using my name! I know how stupid I sound, but it's just funny to me cause to him I'm just the girl in the Inferno with the sign. Or at least I think I am. I don't know, but do you get what I'm trying to say?

I had to be really juvenile and ask Amy if she'd ask Drew for a picture with me, and even then we posed for the picture and my camera wasn't on. It took a few seconds... I'm sure the entire time he was standing there thinking, "This is a PLOY for me to have my arm around her! Shoot meeee!"

(BTW, Dana? When I was telling you about this last night? I didn't mean to kinda spit in your face... don't think I didn't catch that. *hangs head* sorry!)

Anyways, once that was all over we hung around and socialized with some of the other players as well as the rest of the Inferno contingent there. There was one funny moment when Dana snagged Drew to sign something for Ms. Charlie. Drew goes and Janice- who is standing a few feet away- waves me over. I go over only for her to say, "I just wanted to see you brush past Drew." LOL.

Some more pics:

"Drew! SMILE!"

Amy & Dax... gotta represent for the #13!

"Kenny! You're TOO TALL!"

Me & Kenny... he had to bend down so much in order for this pic to work!

"It's the Bobby Rhine fanclub! OMG Bobby Rhine! He's so great!"
- Ronnie O' making fun of us while in line to get shoes. Goofball.

That pic is Bobby after bowling a strike...

Speaking of Bobby, there was a really cool moment towards the end of the whole thing when I went up to bowl. It was one of our last turns and so I stepped up? It was me, Drew and Bobby all about to go at the same time. It's not everyday you get to go bowling and hang out with players, you know? It was definitely really cool.

And Bobby came into my Starbucks again today. We talked about the tournament and stuff... fun times. I did ask him last night when he was gonna come see me at work again. Wasn't quite gonna hold him to it, but uh- yea he came in again today. Fun times, Bobby breaks up the morning rush for me... makes it less painful? He's done it well- both- times he has come in. LOL.

As the tournament was winding down I was standing near our lane waiting for Amy when Bevan waved me over. We sat and talked for a few seconds when I showed her the Drew picture. First thing out of her mouth was, "You guys would make a cute couple!" :D

She also told me how Drew came over to Bobby's lane to talk to Mike Dello-Russo and Bevan was joking around with Drew telling him to "text her later." Bobby told her that she'd have to fight me for him. Hahaha... looks like Bobby is getting the gist of things, now. ;D

Anyways, the rest of my pics are at:
http://ginas2006fcdpics.shutterfly.com

It was definitely a great night. I can't wait to see the pics Dana, Travis and Warren got. You know I'll share when they post, too.

Anywho, theres a lot more going on right now but I don't quite have the energy to keep going. Move-in day is TUESDAY up at the UC... so we shall see how that goes. I'll have to keep y'all posted.

Alright, peeps, you know the drill. Comment if you <33 me! Laters.

It has been one weird, weird weekend. Yea.

Or okay... not weird, but long and crazy.

Yea... this pic is something I NEVER want to see ever again.

So we're all standing in 116 enjoying the game... fresh off of celebrating a killer goal from Bobby and I look down for a second. Well, I hear a bunch of us in the Inferno go, "Oh no..." and when I look up? I see one of our players down. I didn't know who it was at first... so I turned to Kim.

"Who is that?"
"Drew."

I kind of had one of those not-thinking moments. For those of you who know me rather well... you know that I can tend to have a lot of those on a regular basis.

... yea. I know I let out a scream. I can't remember if it was a regular scream or a good, long, "NOOO!" but it was a scream. I told you... I didn't think, remember?

*sigh*
Of course, the minute I let out said scream? The rest of the Inferno didn't hesitate to start making fun of me.

"You're goin' home in the back of Giiiina's car..."

"Gina is hoping it's a groin injury."- Nice one, Dustin. You jerk.

Anyways, he gets up and walks off and all is well, whatever, right? After he comes back in? They're about to take a corner kick and I see Drew at the back post just kind of doubled over. Alex Yi is warming up behind the barrier only a few feet away and I can see Drew yelling something to Alex. Simo comes over... puts his hand on Drew's back and Josh (the trainer) runs out and helps Drew walk off the field. Drew subbed out and after that I was just kinda bummed.

^ Drew walking off.

Don't be fooled... I wasn't bummed just cause of Drew. Okay- well I was BUMMED because he had to sub out, but in general I just felt like crap.

It was SO hot. And I know that I should be used to it by now seeing as we go through this every summer? But for some reason, the heat really kicked my ass. I actually ate before the game (which I don't usually do)... so that combined with all the moving around and cheering and chanting and stuff that we do? Kind of upset my stomach a little.

Also... I left my cash in my car (stupid of me). I wanted to get some water or something during the game, but instead I just stuck it out. It wasn't until the Club America/Everton game when I asked Kim if they were allowing re-entry and she just let me borrow three bucks. I downed an orange soda faster than you could imagine. Luckily, by then the sun was down but my goodness I was just wiped.

At halftime I ventured over to 108 to give Heidi some t-shirts Buzz had handed me at the start of the match. That in and of itself is a trek. Navigating through all of those rows and past all of the Club America fans was quite a job... let me tell ya. Anyways, once I found her we started talking a little.

"You know we ALL heard you scream when Drew got hurt, right?"

There's a decent Inferno contingent in the 108... apparently the minute he went down everybody just kinda looked at each other and was like, "Gina must be freaking out." *shrug* Meh.

Second half I just decided to sit with Amy & Mego and Co. at the top of 116. I just didn't feel like going down and being crazy with everybody. It was cool... we scored three goals and won the game 4-1. Seven points on the Western Conference and we're now within SIX points of the Supporters Shield! Suck it, DC!

So during the Club America/Everton game I went up to get a drink, right? Well, I get my drink and I turn around and Clarence is headed my way. He waved, said hey and I just walked on. After this, I was just kind of hanging at the top of 116.

I turned around for a second and Clarence was walking back the other way. I decided to catch him one more time. Honestly, I was really hoping I'd run into Drew on my way around the concourse and what-not, but I knew there was a very slim chance of that happening. I figured if I wasn't gonna hear what happened from Drew himself? I'd get it from a teammate, instead. So I flag him down.

"Hey- I forgot to ask you a question. What happened to Drew?"
"Oh he just rolled his ankle... he'll be fine."

One other thing I noticed is that Clarence has really nice blue eyes, but thats so beside the point its not even funny. Shut up! I'm a girl... I notice these things!

I headed back to the tailgate during the start of the 2nd half of the America/Everton game and took the route around the stadium club. Ran into Clarence, Abe and Pitch and then Kenny Cooper and his girlfriend on the way out, but still no Drew.

When Heidi and Greg were walking back to the tailgate, Heidi said that Drew was walking out behind them. 

She also added that he had a girl with him. Hmm...

So yea. That was the extent of my crazy-ass Saturday. Oh, and apparently Bobby felt like a zombie when he came into my Starbucks on Friday. I got that scoop from Zach. Apparently, I woke him up when I saw him and was just like, "Bobby!" Supposedly, Bobby told Bevan that I was being my "usual, perky self." Honestly, I don't think I was all that "perky," and Bobby didn't look all that tired, but whatever. It was cool to just be standing there and then see him walk in. I was just kind of like, "He looks familiar... wait a second... that's Bobby!" It was cool. Definitely made my work day a little shorter.

So anyways, it's now 4 PM. I've gotta walk the dogs and run to the grocery store. Both being things I don't want to do, but I've put 'em off long enough. I guess it's time to go. So yea... read & comment. You know you want to. Catch you kids later!

PS- DJ? I'll try a practice stream later! ;-D

Finally, it's amazing! I don't have to be at work until 3:45 PM tomorrow. That's right, guys, PM and NOT AM. Therefore, I get to stay up nice and late and can do whatever I want. Alas, I'm blogging and bringing you kids an update.

In my last entry I was... pretty upset... yea but I'm okay now. I'll update you on that front in a minute.

I thought I had more to rant about, but it turns out I'm tired and I don't. Sorry I've been in such a rotten mood lately... maybe you can see why now? Or at least, a little bit? *sigh* Sleeptime. For once, I don't have to wake up at 4. 

Night!

PS- something I forgot to mention? The AC in my car? All better! Feel free to ride with me now. =D

DISCLAIMER: Not only is this an ALL FCD entry? It's 110% DREW related. Don't bullshit me. You were warned.

First off, I'd like for everybody to meet my new phone:

You bet your ass I got a pink RAZR, and you know what? I love it! I know a lot of people tend to have a ton of problems with their RAZRs, but I haven't had any with mine yet. Granted... I've only had this thing for about 48 hours, but still. 

Second off, let me just show you the single post on TIDN that made my day:

In necessary background information? Simo & Drew did yesterday's postgame autograph session up at the new team pro-shop. I refrained from going for obvious reasons. Those postgame autograph sessions just scream, "KIDS! KIDS! KIDS!" I didn't want to go because I knew they'd be all over the place, and seeing as Drew knows my face it'd be quite unecessary for me to go seeing as my sign was already autographed and the kids always come first. So alas, we went back to the tailgate. 

Imagine the HUGE smile that hit my face when I got home from work this morning to see this post from Heidi:

"Went to the postgame autograph session with Simo and Drew.  Asked Drew if Gina had been by to say hi.  He replied no and said he was surprised and a bit dissapointed. Hmmmm.................."

Surprised? A bit disappointed?? The real question here is was he serious or was it a, "Haha she's not here that's so funny" type thing? See, now I'm gonna have to make Heidi re-tell the story at the tailgate on Saturday. But still! I wonder if he can still connect my face to my name. Good God that'd be amazing. I'm like- the only person I know who can hear a name once and connect it to a face forever. *sigh* but yea... that made my day. =D

More later...

Yup yup... yours truly got to pimp it in the Press Box at last night's FCD game. Wanna know how it was? It was F*CKING SWEET! Yea... it was AWESOME. I was terrified at first, but once I got up there and got acclamated it was all good. I was the only girl... that... was odd. You know how guys feel towards females who cover sports! If you make even the slightest mistake all of a sudden you're the dumb ditz on the sideline who gets paid to look pretty. I'm REALLY overanalyzing this... hmm...

( the game from the press box, and getting quotes after... )

The best picture ever...

EDIT: I most definitely f*cked with the lighting on that pic cause it was really dark. If its screwed up for you let me know and I'll show you the regular one. A HUGE thank you going out to The Posse (Amy, Hanna, Amanda, Kearby & Mego) for FOREVER immortalizing that moment!

Don't forget the laptop crashed- so I have no way of uploading pics right now. Uggh- tech support told me to wait a few days before trying to install anything new. Those f*ckers. I spent THREE more hours today with them trying to set everything back up, and then about an hour ago it blue-screened on me again. Sooo... I call back? If I call them again I hit my tenth call. I was sitting there and the guy goes, "Wow- I'm reading back on your record now. One, two, three, four..." So hopefully I can get my pics up soon. Amanda has hers up if you want to look. Hanna took one of me kissing the Brimstone Cup... hope thats a cute one.

Alrighty- I think I'm done. School 2mrw followed by Co-Ed at 8:45. Here's to our second win and me not falling on my head! WOOT! Sleep well, kids.