Posted by: ninophile | November 6, 2009

Sweet School Music?: Band

It’s been a while, but now that we have another middle schooler, Layla, we have another kid lugging around an instrument–at least for a while. Unlike our previous experiences with Madysen and Speed in Plano ISD, here they rotate each kid through the music electives (band, orchestra, choir, something else?) before they signup for a whole year in 6th grade. Up first for Layla, band. And like Madysen several years ago, Layla chose the clarinet.

Then a couple of weeks ago, I was lured up to the school for a “concert.” That was a little misleading. It was a very small group of flutes and clarinets showing the few things they learned during the 9 weeks.

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And two very short videos. Layla assures me that she’s not the one with the stray notes in either. Up first: Hot Cross Buns.

The timeless Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.

Her teacher says she’s a natural, which I assume means that she’s not totally incompetent and a a reasonably good to instruct. Next up, Layla, like Madysen again, will be playing the violin in orchestra. Rest your ears until then.

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Posted in Layla, Music, School

Posted by: ninophile | November 3, 2009

I Help Madysen Score: Soccer

Though we are talking about Madysen’s soccer here, I’m on a bit of run here. Going into these two games, Madysen had scored in both games I had been to where I didn’t videotape or photograph the game. She’s very welcome.

Unfortunately for her, I wasn’t able to make it to the next game against Solar 93. They won 1-0; Madysen did not score.

But I did make it to the next game, against Andromeda 93. And Madysen scored the opening goal, following up on a rebound off a freekick shot. They got two more goals and were less than a minute from a shutout when the referee called a weak penalty (after denying a penalty to Madysen just minutes before when she was absolutely crushed from behind). But the 3-1 win still works.

Three games left in the fall season. Currently tied for 4th place out of 8 teams. Much better than I expected, but they’ve yet to play 2 of the top 3 teams, so things could change quickly.

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Posted in Madysen, Soccer

Posted by: ninophile | November 2, 2009

More Tackles, Passes Defended, and a Big Block: Football

Let’s get caught up on Speed’s recent football games. Three weeks ago, they had an open date in the schedule that was filled very late with the one 9th grade team from Bishop Lynch. They were bigger than us and very animated. They definitely got an A for enthusiasm.

And they got an A for execution, scoring first and looking like they might run away with it. We got our own TD (the PAT was blocked) and then Speed recovered a surprise onside kick. But we couldn’t score on the short field or anytime thereafter and lost 20-6.

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Closing in to make the tackle

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On another play, in on the tackle

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I missed the onside kick, but I got him with the ball after the play; so close

After a bye week, they played Thursday against Rockwall at Rockwall. The game was relatively close throughout, but it never felt in jeopardy. Speed was in on several tackles, had two passes defended, and a great knockdown block to secure an interception return for a TD. A 20-6 win.

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Not sure laying on top of the pile on your back counts as a tackle

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Just after deflecting a pass attempt (note: Rockwall did not catch the deflection)

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Another pass defended (in the dark)

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I missed the block on the return, but it happens right after this

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Posted in Football, Speed

Posted by: ninophile | November 1, 2009

A Big Birthday Brings Joy to Some, Pain to Me: Birthdays

Almost a month ago I mentioned that I was way behind here; I’m much further behind now. I’m going to blame it on Madysen turning 16 and beginning to drive. It’s a wonder my heart still beats.

Anyway, here’s a short little recap on what went down related to her birthday. I’m hoping this will be cathartic for me.

  • poppins300.jpgDallas Summer Musicals’ Mary Poppins. This was a girls only event. Emma was less than impressed.
  • Since Mary Poppins was at Fair Park during the State Fair of Texas, they did the fried food bonanza that the Fair necessitates. So fried pecan pie, fried peaches and cream, pork rinds, fried Reese’s peanut butter cup, plus Emma and Layla shared a gigantic turkey leg while Madysen and Holly each had their first Fletcher’s Corny Dog.
  • Painting more of the pottery Emma and Layla made at camp this summer. Aside from the mugs, bowls, and vases is a pig dog that Emma made. Very interesting.
  • Excellent family dinner at Villa-O with Pacuigo’s gelato for dessert.
  • On her actual birthday, we grilled out teriyaki chicken, opened presents, and Sprinkles cupcakes before she and I headed out to her soccer game, which didn’t go particularly well.
  • She got her license. Her first drive was a quick trip to a friend’s house. When she returned, she was excited that she only ran over one curb. When I expressed disappointment, she retorted: “It wasn’t our curb!”
  • And in an attempt to draw this thing out at long as possible, she’ll be spending next weekend with friends out at my parents’ place in the middle of nowhere.

Looks like I’m going to make it, but every time Madysen grabs the car key, I’m not so sure.

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Posted in Birthday, Dallas, Emma, Layla, Madysen

Posted by: ninophile | October 12, 2009

Catching Up on League Games and Out-of-Town Tourney: Soccer

And let’s get caught up on Madysen’s soccer games over the last couple weeks. Following their quality tie against Sting 93, they laid a huge egg on Madysen’s birthday. They were never competitive in the 6-1 loss, though Madysen did score the lone goal (it did take her three shots on a one v. one with the keeper, but she got in it eventually). Those Sprinkles cupcakes would have tasted better with a win–but they still tasted quite good. (No pictures or video as I was too superstitious since I hadn’t done it the previous game and they had played well/Madysen had scored.)

The next Saturday they played big sister FC Dallas 93, losing 3-0. Madysen had to miss the game for a PSAT review course.

WAGS Tournament.jpgAnd then this Columbus Day weekend, she and I were supposed to be in the D.C./Baltimore area for the WAGS Tournament. Aside from all the games, we were going to spend an afternoon in Philadelphia and a day and a half in my favorite place, Washington D.C. But I had to cancel because of an illness, so she had to go with the team with a couple of parents looking after her. A shame.

She’s on a flight back as we speak, but she sounded like she had a good time and was relatively happy with her play even though they struggled getting results. On Saturday, they lost to Crofton Athletic Council Wolves (rolls off the tongue, eh?), out of Maryland, 3-0. On Sunday, they came back from a 2-0 deficit to tie 2-2 against Stony Brook SC Revolution (New York). And on Monday, they lost to Tredyffring-Easttonw Youth SA Charge (another easy one, Pennsylvania) 1-0. She did manage to see a bit of D.C.–wish I could have been there.

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Posted in Madysen, Soccer, Travel

Posted by: ninophile | October 11, 2009

Cousin Bowl and Rivalry Week: Football

It’s been a little slow around here, mostly because I’ve been under the weather. But there have been some pretty big events happening at the house. We’ll get started with Speed’s last two football games.

Two Thursdays ago, Speed was playing Frisco Heritage. Speed had been looking forward to it because his Cousin Brendon plays for Heritage. Even Holly’s parents came down from Norman to watch the boys play.

But it didn’t look like it was going to happen. When I got there, it was pouring and the game was indefinitely delayed because of lightning. But the skies cleared and the game started almost two hours late.

As for the game itself, it was the most competitive game Speed has had to date. They won 7-2 with the defense scoring the only TD and giving up a safety on a muffed punt snap. Speed didn’t get to play as much as usual (and definitely not as much as he wanted), but he did have a couple of tackles. Brendon played very well on defense with several tackles.

A, um, nice touch was the over-exuberant screaming and very loud clanking of planks together by Holly’s sister and brother-in-law. I offered to upgrade them to cowbells.

This last Thursday was a game against HP rival JJ Pearce. I missed this one, but I think they won 27-6 and I collected a couple nice pictures of Speed tackles.

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Posted in Family, Football, Speed

Posted by: ninophile | September 30, 2009

A Thursday Full of Sports: Soccer and Football

Last Thursday night was a busy night at the house. In addition to Layla’s multiple dance classes, Speed was back on the football field after a couple of weeks off, playing against Newman Smith. They won 40-0. Speed says he had about 6 tackles, but Holly didn’t see him do anything. Sometimes I wonder if she really shows up and watches the games.

Meanwhile, I was off with Madysen in far, far, far, far, far north Dallas for just her second league game of the fall. Her first league game, against Sting 93, was over 3 weeks ago (and they lost handily 4-0). Oddly, this game was again against Sting 93–and it went much, much better.

Which puts me in an awkward situation since it went well while I was not videotaping the game. My superstitions make me seriously question further taping.

As for what actually happened. Madysen scored in the first 7-8 minutes on a nice play beating a couple of defenders and then dribbling around the keeper. Thereafter, Sting had the majority of chances the rest of the game, though it wasn’t too lopsided. And they got an equalizer late in the first half. Game ended 1-1, which is a pretty good result for us.

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Posted in Football, Madysen, Soccer, Speed

Posted by: ninophile | September 26, 2009

You Lose Some, You Win More: OU Football

The last three weekends were OU football centered. They didn’t all go as well as hoped, but that’s the way things go, eh?

Labor Day weekend had Speed and I out at the new Cowboys Stadium for OU-BYU. Losing the game and your Heisman Trophy quarterback was not the plan, obviously, but that’s the beauty of college football–every game is huge.

As for the new Stadium, it is impressive, but somewhat unsatisfying. The big screens are amazing, but they are made necessary because so many of the seats are so far away.

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The next weekend went much better, with an easy win over Idaho State 64-0. Bradford’s replacement, Landry Jones, played pretty well in his first ever start. Layla went with me–her first ever game (she gave Speed her ticket to the huge Texas Tech game last year)–and had an absolute blast. This, despite the fact that it poured down the entire game. Layla was relatively dry under her poncho, but I wore water resistant, as opposed to waterproof, gear, which made a huge difference.

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(image via SoonerSports.com)

Last weekend was Emma’s turn for her first game (she showed no interest in going last year). They played Tulsa and, surprising to me, won easily 45-0. Emma enjoyed herself–and it was a beautiful day–though she was primarily concerned with what Layla had done at the previous game: What did Layla eat? Did we stay longer than you did with Layla? What shake did Layla get at the Pauls Valley Braum’s?

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(image via SoonerSports.com)

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Posted in Football, Layla, OU, Speed

Posted by: ninophile | September 18, 2009

Labor Day Soccer Once Again: Semifinalist

Good LD Logo.jpg

A couple weekends ago was Labor Day, which has come to mean a soccer tournament for Madysen. I managed to pay enough attention to get some of the games on tape. This year, U17 Gold division in the Plano Labor Day Invitational.

Opening game of the tournament on Saturday morning had FC Dallas Red 93 pitted against Dallas Texas Red West 93. FCD won 1-0. They had plenty of chances, but only got the one in.

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I didn’t make it to the afternoon game on Saturday against Sting Blue 93. They lost 1-0, which I can’t explain and neither, so far at least, has Madysen.

The final bracket game was against Texas Spirit 93. The winner would advance to the semifinals, so there was so tension as the game started. Then the Spirit coach got thrown out just a few minutes in, and it was not necessary. But I’m largely done worrying about referees. There is no telling what they are going to do. FCD won 2-0 to move on.

(YouTube)

So the semifinal was Labor Day morning against a Louisiana team, Mandeville Lakers U17. The first half ended 0-0, though both teams had plenty of easy chances they missed (the ref missed one clear and one pretty clear penalty in the box, but whatever).

The second half was all Lakers, winning 4-1. I missed the first goal, which is probably for the best since it was an own goal. And I missed the third goal, after which point I turned off the camera and sought shade. Madysen assisted on the FCD goal before Lakers put one more in. Disappointing ending.

(YouTube)

But if you don’t care about any of that, here is just a few clips of some of Madysen’s best plays. Note: None of them are goals.

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Posted in Madysen, Soccer

Posted by: ninophile | September 13, 2009

Cricket, Irish in Brooklyn, and Coal: Books

200908231606.jpgI’m a bit worn out commenting on the various books I read, so we’re going to try a more succinct overview for a while and see how that works. If you don’t like it, write a note in your journal.

Joseph O’Neill, Netherland: Dutch husband and cricket lover/amateur finds himself emotionally lost in New York City following 9/11. His wife goes back to London with their son, while the husband wanders aimlessly. Some resolution occurs. Well written, pretty good read.

200908300934.jpgColm Toibin, Brooklyn: The younger of two sisters living in an Irish village gets an opportunity to work and live in 1950s Brooklyn. She experiences Brooklyn and New York City, which is quite a culture shock for her. But when her sister passes, she has to return home to her mother and is forced to choose between her home and Brooklyn. Sounds like a boring book, but I’m not doing it justice. Very good book.

200909131844.jpgBarbara Freese, Coal: A Human History: An advocacy piece looking mostly at the rise of coal use in England and the US, with a short, curt look at China’s emerging utilization of coal. Freese is against coal and seems to suggest that we would have been better off had we never discovered it. Boring and conclusory.

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Posted in Books

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