Do you believe in Second Chances?

Sports fans love a story. A hero story, an underdog story, and this years' headliner: a comeback story.

Michael Vick has been making headlines since 1999 as the starting quarterback for Virginia Tech . He was so fast, so versatile, and so stinkin talented. Towards the end of his 6 years with the Atlanta Falcons, the news headlines weren't focused on his Pro Bowl appearances, but rather his legal troubles. Wild parties, drug speculations, and what became the huge Dog Fighting Scandal were making headlines everywhere. In 2007, he was indighted and served almost 2 years in prison. The guy who had one of the most promising careers in the game had flushed it all away.

What's worse? He had touched a nerve with a majority of Americans who couldn't comprehend someone fostering such a cruel practice to innocent dogs. The Hokie faithful had a hard time swallowing this, as his mark on their beloved school was forever marred. My own husband was forced to put his authentic 2000 Sugar Bowl Vick jersey in the far back of the closet, thinking it could never be worn again.In summer of 2009, rumors of Vick returning to the NFL became a reality when the Eagles signed him to a 1 year contract. Seemingly everyone, including within households is split as to whether they are against or behind Vick returning to the game. Making it even harder is his incredible performance as the Eagles starter this season. That wasn't the game plan, but fate(?) has put him in that position. Today he suffered a rib injury, but my guess is that this new Vick shouldn't be counted out this season.

My inspiration for the post and the reason that I am a converted Vick supporter is because of the interview I saw today between Vick and his former Falcons coach Jim Mora. It debuted on the NFL Network this morning and it is a MUST see. What you see is only a snipet of the 10 minutes that aired, and 50 minute exchange which was candid, heart-warming, and inspirational. Honestly, I felt a little uncomfortable watching it because I felt it was such a personal exchange. I hope he can serve as a role model for people who commit themselves to turning their life around. Despite what this guy has admittedly done, I am rooting for him...are you?

Anyone need a laugh? Just ask Peyton Manning...

Peyton Manning is no joke. He is a living legend on the football field and unlike the 2010 Brett Favre, has come out swinging already this season. Although his game is no laughing matter, him on Saturday Night Live is.

Now I know this clip was from a couple years ago but I'm easily amused right now. I could easily fall asleep, but I'm doing any and everything to avoid a nap or else I'll be up all night. Enjoy!

Running on Empty

Hello world,

How much do I suck as a blogger? But I have an excuse(s)...

1) I tracked back in last Monday...busy from wakeup-5pm

2) I worked my part-time jobs Wednesday and Friday night. That's right people, 12 hour days.

3) We woke up before the sun Saturday morning, drove up and back to Blackburg for a Hokies win (yay) and got back around 1 am

4) Couldn't sleep in Sunday and had to miss NFL Sunday to work 2pm-1am at the Lady Gaga show at the RBC Center. More on that later but for now I'll just say there was a fake suicide, live masturbation, and Jesus himself appeared in the crowd.
5) Back to work this morning...

I had 2 Pepsi Maxes today and felt nothing...this girl needs some rest.

Back to Reality...

As my track out return approaches, I am taking a moment to weigh the positives and negatives of summer coming to an end. Let's start with the cons so we can end on a positive note, que?


Cons:
1) No more 2 hour breakfasts while bs'ing on the computer and catching up on Real Housewives episodes
2) White shoes, shorts, dresses, etc are in storage until April (if you don't follow this rule we have a problem)
3) The pool will be closing and my skin will return to a shade that proves I am of Irish/Welsh descent
4) Strawberries, blueberries, bananas and watermelon prices will skyrocket
5) Bye bye nightly cookouts
6) Can no longer play Will Smith's Summertime




Pros:
1) I get to see my kids, all 22 of em!
2) Jeans and slacks = less shaving!
3) The pool will be closing and I will therefore postpone getting skin cancer a few more years.
4) Pumpkin. Nuff said.
5) Tailgating and FOOTBALL!
6) Too soon for Christmas music?

What are your fave/least fave things about saying adios to Summatime?

DC Recap

Phew, so I'm back. Unless you have been under a rock or haven't watched TV this week, you know my beloved Hokies lost to Boise State Monday night. Sadly, this was the main reason we traveled to DC so pretty huge bummer. Luckily, we had many other fun things on the agenda to ease the pain and the experience of being at Fed Ex field was almost worth it in itself.

I'm not going to give you a full recap of the trip because A- I am tired since I'm back to work and B- You probably don't give two s**ts and just want to see pictures. Well, enjoy!

Super sweet memorial if you haven't gotten a chance to see it yet.
Too bad it wasn't around years ago so great heroes like my great grandfather could have seen the beauty in person.



Subway riding and walking all over the Nation's Capital. Funny thing is that I grew up here and had seen almost of of this stuff multiple times. Moving away makes me realize how lucky I was to have so many pieces of history right at my disposal. Plus, planning field trips would be a zillion times easier if i lived up there!

Visiting George and Martha's Crib- aka Mount Vernon
The Nats suck, but their stadium is super sick and my man Abe pulled out the win in the Presidents Race.

Am I obsessed with Picasa collages much?

Busy bee...

I am tracked out which means no work for 3 weeks. This means I should be on point with blogging and keep you beyond updated on my happenings and opinions.

Well, believe it or not I am super busy. Subbed all day Thursday and Friday. Think I'm insane? You are probably right, but it's $88 after taxes and I only work at my school so I have the upper hand on these little people. I also work over at the high school selling tickets for JV and Varsity football games once a week. So that's the 3rd of my 4 jobs but for $12 and hour, why wouldn't I? Friday night we had some friends over and I drank way too much wine. Which means today I felt awwwwwful and was pretty useless until after lunch.

Now comes the fun part...Labor Day weekend plans. I have the greatest in-laws on the planet and they are taking hubby and I on a 4 day trip to D.C. to see our beloved Hokies season opener against Boise State. VTech will be sporting the new black jerseys that Nike created for only 10 teams; fairly rowdy, right? Also on the agenda, a Nats game, sightseeing around the DC area, and I get to visit my BFF Kim who I introduced you to a few months back.

I'll be sure to give you a recap when we return. Keep the laboring to a minimum and have a fabulous weekend!

Fantasy football- not just for the boys anymore

For years I have wanted to be involved in the insanity that is NFL fantasy football. Matt has been managing teams and commisioning leagues since his teenage years and it was tortorous listening to him talk about his players, trophies, blah blah blah when I was just thinking to myself "it's not friggin real!" At some point, if you can't beat em, join em, right? I wanted to get in on the fun so 2 seasons ago, I asked Matt if I could join his league. Big mistake. Not only did he laugh hysterically, but he said there was no way in hell he'd be "that guy" who let his woman into the league. I am confident that his overt display of sexism was really fear that I would be victorious my first (and consequently only) year in, and that was a risk he wasn't willing to take. Or, he may have thought my wealth of football knowledge was on par with this guy...

In an effort to rectify this injustice, 2 seasons ago I began my own all female league, the "Pigskin Princesses"and last year the "Football Fems"". Sure, there were a few team mangers who were exactly like the dude featured above and some people (not going to mention any names since they have since tried to save face) didn't touch their rosters for the entire 2nd half of the season. But this 3rd season- now called "Not Your Grandma's League", things are getting pretty serious. We've gone from 8 to 10 teams, and have recruited some new, excited and knowledgeable members who will provide surefire competition all season.

I know some of my readers are bored to tears over this post, and believe me, I feel ya. I spend hours studying, predicting, watching, and strategizing how to make my team the most successful, but why should you care? Me gushing over how many yards my running back rushed for and the fact that my QB is up against Lions defense this week means nothing to you. Kinda like your kid's potty training updates or the fact they like or don't like applesauce...

Too harsh? Must be the competition kicking in. Tomorrow night for my draft I'm hitting the bar on $2.50 Pint night and raising a glass to football, fun, and not giving a fuzz what the boys think.