The Nino File

Posted by: ninophile | February 9, 2010

Varsity Preseason/Non-Conference: High School Soccer

So we already looked at some of the earliest games/scrimmages that got Madysen’s junior (/gulp) year started, which–at least on paper–looked good.

And things continued on that trend. At a tournament near Austin in mid-January, they won 3-1 over Belton and 6-0 over Austin Anderson. When they tied Westwood 0-0, however, that put them into the 3rd place game (Westwood having won the tiebreaker), which they won 1-0 over Lake Travis. Not bad considering. I was most upset because I couldn’t make it, which meant that I missed meals at Louis Mueller’s Barbeque and Gumbo’s–and the soccer games. Yeah, too bad I missed the soccer games. As it turned out, she got hurt in the first game and didn’t play again–she got better.

She looks fine here

Not so good here

Being carried off in the rain is bad, I think

Following the Round Rock tournament, we started a couple week slate of non-district games. First came Frisco High School and a 6-0 win. Then 5-A Hebron and a wake-up call. They were fast and played faster–and beat us 3-1. The following week had a 3-2 win over 5-A Southlake Carroll and a 2-0 win over 5-A Allen.

This week–the final week before district games start on Tuesday–was a 1-1 tie against Denton Guyer and a 1-0 win against McKinney Boyd that was changed to a super JV contest (JV plus non-Varsity starters from both squads) because of a Boyd scheduling conflict.

Back on her feet against Denton Guyer

Attack!

Going into district games, ESPN has this team ranked #29 in the country. I’m hopeful that’s correct, but I have no idea what that’s based on.

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Posted in Madysen, Soccer

Posted by: ninophile | February 7, 2010

Basketball Jones’n: Emma

So in December I told you that Emma was playing basketball this winter. For whatever reason, those couple of December games did not count. In January, the games counted–as much as 3d grade basketball games count for anything.

It started with a 23-2 win over the UP Lady Bouncers. UP’s 2 points came awfully late, which made for an uncomfortable game.

Next was a 13-12 loss to the Armstrong Golden Eagles. At least half the total points were deep prayers. Regardless, we led until the last minute of the game. At that point, the opposing team decided to play four corners–some might argue against the spirit of 3d grade basketball. Our coach was telling the girls to go for a steal. Emma was the closest player but had no idea what a steal was or why one might attempt such. I was fortunate enough to keep score with the always around Y guy. Interesting conversation.

The last three games were pretty uneventful: a 12-6 win over the Bradfield All Stars (down goes the intra-school rival); a 16-2 win over the Providence Patriots, and a 14-8 win over the UP Nets.

So a 4-1 record and second place in the league. I was most impressed by how much better the team played as the season went along. It was something akin to real basketball. Emma did not score, but she did have a couple of shots and she did very well on defense.

Next is a post-season tournament.

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Posted in Basketball, Emma

Posted by: ninophile | February 5, 2010

Biography Day Shocker: School

Somehow, Speed got out of this in elementary school, but all of the girls have done biography day. And all of them were Abraham Lincoln–no idea why. First, Madysen. Second, Layla. And today, Emma.

That's a terrible Honest Abe

So she wasn’t Lincoln. Instead, she chose Amelia Earhart. She was cute and great, so I’ve got no complaints.

Earhart along with Pocahontas, Lady Di, and a couple military guys

Best picture ever? Probably

Video time–be prepared, she’s a fast talker:

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Posted in Emma, History, School

Posted by: ninophile | January 29, 2010

Summer Fun in Houston: Archives

Back into my archives. This time, the summer of 1998, when Speed and Madysen spent some time with my parents and siblings down in Houston. Apparently, body painting was a big deal at the time.

Admiring his handiwork

Is there supposed to be an apple on her head?

Apparently, Ezra likes body paint too

And this was during my parents camper period. So they took everyone–including some kids who shows up on the edge of several photos–to some Yogi the Bear campground for miniature golf, horseback and train riding, deer feeding, and altogether awkward photos. Good times.

Madysen is afraid of Yogi?

All I can say is "Holy Crap!"

Putt-putt is always fun

Bet that horse's name was Patches

Horses being led? What a crock!

Deer, Speed. Speed, Deer

Pretty sure Speed was the only one willing to stick his hand near the mouth

Group photos in a barn = total awesomeness

And even better with Pop and a giant Yogi

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Posted in Family, Madysen, Speed, Vacations

Posted by: ninophile | January 24, 2010

Madysen and Preschool: Archives

May 1998 turned out to be the end of preschool for Madysen, as we ended up starting her in kindergarten that fall after moving to Cleveland. Here’s Madysen and her teacher, Mrs. Sigler, as the school year was ending and we knew she wouldn’t be back.

A great teacher

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Posted in Madysen, School

Posted by: ninophile | January 12, 2010

Buckle Up, High School Season is Bringing the Cold: High School Soccer

It’s been seriously cold in Dallas for the last couple weeks, which means high school soccer season has arrived. Looking forward to getting frozen every Tuesday and Friday night for the next couple months.

It all started on January 2 with the match against alumni. I was recovering from our Florida excursion, but an alumni mom shared some photos (despite the fact that the alumni was put down 2-1).

Introductions

Pull up a stool and sit

The football sideline creates confusion

Current and past

Madysen and Snowie look like the only ones picture ready

Following that test was a scrimmage against Frisco Wakeland (the team that knocked HP out of the playoffs last year). We won 3-1, I think. No one shared any pictures with me.

Last weekend was the HPHS Girls Soccer Classic Tournament (a name with little or no significance–but it doesn’t require us to travel). Scheduled as a 3-day tournament, UIL rules actually prohibited play on Thursday and Friday. I’ll confirm that it was shockingly cold for Texas. In the condensed Saturday schedule, we vanquished Wichita Falls Rider 1-0 and Waco Midway 2-0. Pretty sure we called ourselves tournament champs.

The team is off to Round Rock on Thursday for another tournament and then the season will start in earnest for the next 8 weeks. Hopefully, it will be a success.

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Posted in Madysen, Soccer

Posted by: ninophile | January 8, 2010

Three Ladies and a Man: Soccer and Family in Florida

It’s been a week since returning home from our south Florida trip for soccer and family and not much else. Soccer first. Madysen was playing in the top division of the Orange Classic Tournament. It was a showcase tournament, so 4 games and no playoffs.

They played okay but failed to get a win with three ties and one loss. In order of play, a 0-0 tie against HC United Red, a 2-1 loss to Vardar, a 1-1 tie against Tredyffrin-Easttown Youth SA Charge (whom they lost to back at WAGS), and a 1-1 tie against Chicago Fire Juniors Red. Madysen scored the goal against Vardar on a PK after she was taken down in the box. So, the tournament was just okay.

As for the other stuff, the girls enjoyed it all, but it absolutely wore me out. The first night we stayed on Fort Lauderdale beach at the Lago Mar resort. Maybe the girls were still tired from their crazy drive from Erick on Christmas Eve or the early flight to Florida, but they didn’t seem that interested in the beach or the ocean at first.

But after a great dinner at Kelly’s Landing, Layla and Emma ran up and down the beach in the moonlight and ventured out into the water. I had to yank them off the beach.

Not us on the beach

For the next three nights, we stayed inland at the team hotel. Neither Madysen nor Emma and Layla could figure out how to work a simple ice machine.

Push down on the handle? Pretty sophisticated engineering

We also spent a lot of time seeing various family members–grandparents, aunts and uncles, and several cousins. The little girls hadn’t seen most of them in several years, which must explain why Emma was so quiet when we saw them. But back in the car, she would hardly shut up. For old times’ sake, we walked by the Riptide (which made Madysen shudder of memories of this past summer’s trip) and had some way-too-big sundaes from Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor.

Represents size of actual sundaes

After the tournament was over, we headed down to Miami Beach for one last night. We stayed on Mid Beach, but we drove by South Beach and through the Art Deco District. The girls thought it was somewhat interesting. We spent an afternoon on the beach. It was a bit chilly, but Layla and Emma really got into the water this time.

The first tentative steps into the Atlantic

Waves approaching

Waves attack!

So, all in all, a good trip, though very exhausting for me. Despite seeing the beach, seeing family, and eating great foods, my most significant memory is of Budget car rental. I got suckered into renting from them by a low price, and it was a big, big mistake. Over two hours standing in line to get keys to a car that I had already paid for, then a paperwork snafu that didn’t even have my registration, and then a terrible, ugly car. Of course, upon returning the vehicle, the whole episode was replayed in reverse when they tried to charge me an additional $1000 for the rental. Stay classy, Budget.

Sweet, sweet ride

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Posted in Emma, Family, Layla, Me, Rant, Soccer, Vacations

Posted by: ninophile | December 26, 2009

Only a Virtual Merry Christmas Coming Your Way: Letters

Many of you have been lucky enough to be on the super special annual Christmas letter (1 part picture, 1 part information, 7 parts funny) that has been a staple since 2001. Or you could have just read them here.

Well, I’m here to tell you that the 2009 iteration isn’t coming. We have had quite a bit going on around here, and I just haven’t felt up to the whole production. Didn’t want you all to think that you’d been cut from the list. Maybe you have, but it’s immaterial this year.

Don’t know whether this is a temporary hiatus, whether we’ll start mailing it in like so many of you do with a cookie cutter photo card (I’m looking at many of you, but especially Number Three and Kirkland), or whether we’ll come back stronger than ever next year. I’m betting on none of the above.

Heck, the last two days were almost been more than I can handle as Holly and the kids spent 22 hours making the >5 hour trip back from Erick because of the snowstorm that hit north Texas. They pulled in at 8 a.m. Christmas morning. Never thought I’d see the day that my kids would wander right be the presents on Christmas morning to go take a nap. It. Happened.

Poor neglected tree

As I post this–at 4 a.m.–Madysen, Emma, Layla, and I are on our way to board a flight for Ft. Lauderdale, FL for a soccer tournament for the rest of this year. We’ll see grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins from my family. Hopefully I’ll abide.

Merry Christmas to you all.

The closest thing you'll get to a Christmas picture of the kids

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Posted in Administration, Holidays, Letters

Posted by: ninophile | December 24, 2009

Many Shoeboxes Can Make a Village: School

The last Layla-centric post for (hopefully) some time.

As a group social science, she and some other girls built a house of sort, which, when combined with the rest of the class, formed a village of sorts. I’m not really sure what the point was since I didn’t see any order to the village, and it all seemed residential in nature. But whatever.

Party Place House indeed

The house in question

Complete with bubbles and Tiger Woods magazine

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Posted in Layla, School

Posted by: ninophile | December 24, 2009

A Girl’s Education, the Air as Home, and RnR: Movies

With a screenplay by one of my favorite authors, Nick Hornby, I was a shoe-in to see An Education starring Carey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard. Yes, it’s a love story of sorts–judge me if you must–but a beautifully shot and well-told story. Mulligan is a young girl (16 going on 17, which might cause some sphincter-tightening here in the states) who believes she has to choose between an educated life in early 60s England that is boring, constricting, and dull and an uneducated life that comes full of adventure and culture, the latter coming courtesy of an older man. When she makes her choice, it goes horribly wrong. I loved it.

I used to make fun of George Clooney as always playing Dr. Doug from ER. But over the last several years, I haven’t formally changed my opinion, but I don’t say much either way. Any guy who is in nearly every Coen Brothers movie–even if always as an egocentric, overly talkative baffoon–can’t be terrible. All that to say, Clooney’s latest, Up in the Air, is great. Clooney is a road warrior, traveling nearly every day as a firing specialist. When his company considers engaging the technology age to fire people remotely, Clooney is faced with the prospect of having to find a real home complete with–perish the thought–relationships with actual people.

I’m starting to think that Gerard Butler is in every other film these days. Where did that guy come from? He’s in the latest Guy Ritchie film, RocknRolla, which is a complicated plot with several intersecting story lines. I’m too tired to try to untangle them here, but suffice it to say that this is standard Ritchie fare. But unlike previous Ritchie films, there isn’t a ton of action (and almost all of it backloaded), which makes the story go a little slower than I was expecting. Still decent.

And as an administrative announcement (anyone still reading?), this will serve as my last movie/book recap post. I can’t really remember why I started putting them up here, but it’s a lot of work when you read 50+ books and movies every year, and for no particular purpose as far as I can tell. I will, I’m sure, note movies and books that I see/read on twitter, so if you are dying to know what I think, you’ll have to 1) find out what twitter is, 2) get an account, and 3) actually keep up with it. Not counting on that happening for many of you.

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Posted in Administration, Movies

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