January 1, 2010
As I sit here today with a slight pounding in my head, my clothes from last night wreaking of the champagne that I apparently took a shower in and has left this horrible taste in my mouth, no matter how many times I have brushed my teeth, I can't help but think about what the year, and the decade ahead hold for me.
See the last ten years have been me living through my thirties. My Mother once told me that for her, the thirties sucked, but the forties were great. Well I have to tell you that if the last ten years were supposed to have "sucked" in the words of my Mom, I can't wait for my forties, because my thirties have been one hell of a ride.
My late twenties were probably one of the worst times of my life for me. Kym and I had packed up everything that we owned, left our families and friends behind in Ft Collins, and moved to California to run a restaurant. The restaurant burned to the ground (with help from some nice person the fire investigator told us), and I returned to Ft Collins with more debt than I could ever imagine. If that wasn't bad enough, less than two years later, my house burned down thanks to some morons who refinishing the roof using propane torches to remove the old tar, and had removed the vent pipes at the same time. Pretty much everything was lost. That is how my twenties ended. Thank God for all my family and friends who helped me through this time in my life.
When I turned thirty I promised myself that things were going to get better. Could they really get any worse.
So much has happened to me in the last ten years. Most good, some great, and a little bad.
I have experienced highs and lows, good times and down times, met new friends, lost friends and family and reconnected with old friends, added one more child to my family and finally had the great pleasure of getting to be an uncle a with the addition of Madisen to my brother Steve's family.
I was fired for the dumbest reason ever from a job that I thought was a great job and dedicated way too much time to, often sacrificing time with my family for it. That was the worst day, and best day all rolled into one. Thanks Jerk, for firing me like that after 13 years. After all was said and done, I landed on my feet, in a much better job with a company that really does know what it means to take care of their employees. The job at Hooters has prepared me for life with teenage daughters - God help me. It has also provided me with some great friendships that I know will last a long time.
My children have grown so much. It is hard for me to believe that my oldest is going to be a senior next year. They all have so much going on in their lives it is hard to keep up with. As hectic as it is, I wouldn't want it any other way.
Kym went back to school and will be finished in two weeks. Now time to get a job. Just kidding. I am so thankful that Kym was able to be a stay home Mom for my kids until they all were old enough to go to school. I always complain about my job, but I couldn't do that job every day for 16 years.
My brother Les left Ft Collins for the west coast, only to return to good ol' Fort Fun. It is so good to have him back.
And me personally - I have gained so many great friends, learned a greater appreciation for how short life really is, and the meaning of giving to others through volunteering and helping out those who need it. While I don't have everything - I realize that I have it a lot better than many people and truly appreciate what I do have.
All in all - life has been pretty damn good for the last ten years. I have no complaints, and very few, if any regrets.
With that said - farewell 2009 and my thirties, Hello 2010 and my forties. Bring it on, I am ready for you.
The question is: Are you ready for me?
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Never Forget
09-11-2009
A day that is the anniversary of one of the darkest days in United States history. A day to remember those who lost their lives that day. A day to pray for the families of those who were lost eight years ago today.
I remember where I was eight years ago today. I was at work at Washington's. I remember the eerie quiet that was downtown Ft Collins on that day. Streets that were normally busy with people were almost completely empty. I remember staring at the television in complete disbelief. I remember having to explain to the 12 year football team that I was coaching to "go home after school and be with your families, there are more important things than football today." I remember going home to be with my wife and own children, and try to explain to them why.
I remember I,as most people were, was an emotional wreck that day. I was in disbelief. I was angry beyond any point I had ever known. I was saddened. I cried, I yelled, I threw things, and even tried to laugh a little when possible. I also remember thinking "someone is going to pay for this"
I remember that day, and will never forget.
Now I have always had a great appreciation for our military, policemen and women, and firefighters. My dad was a military man, from a military family and it was not only expected, it was demanded to show respect for all people, but ESPECIALLY these people. Ma'am and Sir were common words in my family.
In the last eight years I have developed a greater appreciation for these people though. I have had many friends who have gone into the military and been deployed to all corners of the earth proudly wearing the American flag on their uniform, to defend what The United States stands for, and people who cannot defend themselves. I know people who have been sent into the theatre of war, and luckily everyone I know has made it home. And I complain about having to work 11 straight days, or long hours. How foolish and selfish I feel.
I have also had the pleasure of getting to know friends who are Police Officers and Firefighters. They like our military men and women do the things that most of don't, or won't. They run into situations with guns and weapons when we run away. They are the ones that nobody likes when you get pulled over for speeding, but yet they are always there when someone is breaking into your house or business. They are the ones that run into burning buildings, as we call them and run out. They are the ones that get out of bed at 2:00am to come make sure some idiot who got in a bar fight is OK, usually only to get treated badly by said idiot.
The very least they deserve is my respect.
To all of my friends and family who have served in the military past and present, Thank you for serving and defending this great country and everything we stand for.
To all the Policemen and Women and Firefighters - Thank you for all that you do to keep us safe in our day to day lives.
To all the victims and their families who were lost on 09/11/01 - you are in my thoughts and prayers today, and every day.
Know that we will always remember, and never forget.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Am I getting old? Maybe.
As another summer break draws to a close, and the kids head back to school, I can't help feeling a little old this week.
When all the kids finally get back to school this week (why is one going back Monday, one Tuesday, and two on Wednesday - just go back already), I will have one child in High School, one in Junior High (I refuse to call it Middle School) and two in Grade School. Poor Bauder - Gas and Fire there all alone, with no older brother or sister to help out.
Thinking about the fact that next year at this time I will be planning Senior pictures, a graduation and party, and listening to Kym cry because her baby is growing up, was really enough to make me start to feel old. Then you throw in my oldest daughter is going off to Blevins this year, and I swear I felt 100 gray hairs pop out.
How can this be, where have the years gone. What happened to my little girl who didn't have to walk anywhere, because Bubba carried her everywhere. It seem like just yesterday we were living in California and she was crawling around in diapers, and now Junior High. When the hell did she learn to walk?
The words Junior High bring nothing but bad thoughts to my head. Thoughts like: dances, boyfriends, makeup, sleepovers (praying they are not sneaking out), and all the other fun stuff like "can I go hang out at the mall?"
These thoughts make me feel old because when I was her age, they were all the cool things (minus the makeup and boyfriends for me of course). Now that I am the parent, the thoughts that come to my mind are:
Dances - your Mom will chaperon
Boys - I own guns, and so do my brothers, who love their niece very much
Makeup - argument in progress
Sleepovers - I will come by and check in on you
Hanging out at the mall - Probably not - at least until you are 30
I wonder if this is the way my parents thought when I was her age, and I referred to them as old?
Take all of this, and throw in the fact that Friday will be my 16th anniversary (I can barely count to 16), and I had my 20 year High School reunion this summer, and I guess maybe, just maybe, it could be, that I may getting old.
I don't like the idea, and I refuse to give in to it. I will fight the good fight as long as I can on getting old, but may have to give in to the fact one day, that I am old.
As long as I can continue to live by the motto, "I will get old, but will not grow up", I think I will be OK. No matter what the gray hairs and aching body parts say.
When all the kids finally get back to school this week (why is one going back Monday, one Tuesday, and two on Wednesday - just go back already), I will have one child in High School, one in Junior High (I refuse to call it Middle School) and two in Grade School. Poor Bauder - Gas and Fire there all alone, with no older brother or sister to help out.
Thinking about the fact that next year at this time I will be planning Senior pictures, a graduation and party, and listening to Kym cry because her baby is growing up, was really enough to make me start to feel old. Then you throw in my oldest daughter is going off to Blevins this year, and I swear I felt 100 gray hairs pop out.
How can this be, where have the years gone. What happened to my little girl who didn't have to walk anywhere, because Bubba carried her everywhere. It seem like just yesterday we were living in California and she was crawling around in diapers, and now Junior High. When the hell did she learn to walk?
The words Junior High bring nothing but bad thoughts to my head. Thoughts like: dances, boyfriends, makeup, sleepovers (praying they are not sneaking out), and all the other fun stuff like "can I go hang out at the mall?"
These thoughts make me feel old because when I was her age, they were all the cool things (minus the makeup and boyfriends for me of course). Now that I am the parent, the thoughts that come to my mind are:
Dances - your Mom will chaperon
Boys - I own guns, and so do my brothers, who love their niece very much
Makeup - argument in progress
Sleepovers - I will come by and check in on you
Hanging out at the mall - Probably not - at least until you are 30
I wonder if this is the way my parents thought when I was her age, and I referred to them as old?
Take all of this, and throw in the fact that Friday will be my 16th anniversary (I can barely count to 16), and I had my 20 year High School reunion this summer, and I guess maybe, just maybe, it could be, that I may getting old.
I don't like the idea, and I refuse to give in to it. I will fight the good fight as long as I can on getting old, but may have to give in to the fact one day, that I am old.
As long as I can continue to live by the motto, "I will get old, but will not grow up", I think I will be OK. No matter what the gray hairs and aching body parts say.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Helping Others Out - Great People and Great Times
This summer I have had the opportunity and the pleasure of being involved with two events that help to raise money for individuals in our community that need a helping hand.
One event raises money for people who have no choice regarding the situation they are in, it's not their fault. The other raises money for people who have a choice and are working hard to improve their situation for themselves and their families.
The first one was the Realities for Children Poker Run on Memorial Day weekend. Realities raises money for abused and neglected children in Larimer County. They provide funding for these children, when no other funding is available. We (Hooters), have been involved with this fundraiser for three years now. It amazes me every year to see the number of bikers that come out to support this great cause. It is a pretty amazing sight to see the entire parking lot at Hooters, Thunder Mountain Harley, and Clear Channel absolutely packed to the brim with motorcycles. The only thing more amazing to witness, is all of those bikes leaving the area to start the poker run, and to end up in Old Town for one hell of an after party.
The second event that I just had the chance to be a part of this last weekend was the yearly fundraiser for the Kristi Visocky Foundation.
I have known the Visocky family for almost 20 years now. This Foundation was founded after their daughter was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 2003. The Foundation strives to keep the memory of Kristi, and what she believed in alive. The money raised at this two day event is given out to young women in the community in the form of $2000 scholarships to help provide financial support and encourage educational achievement. Many of these young women are single Moms who are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. The thing that I like about this Foundation and the scholarships that it awards, is that it does not always go to traditional students. This years winners includes women who are going to school to be teachers, nurses, and even one going who will be going to school to be a diesel mechanic. At the end of the party Friday night at The Hilton - The Kristi Visocky foundation was able to give out ten, $2000 scholarships for the upcoming year. I am proud to have been involved with this event from the beginning. If you want to attend what can only be billed as the party of the summer - check out Kristi's Big night out the Friday before the golf tournament. This year over 15 restaurants donated their time and food for a great evening of food, beer, music, and a silent auction that raised $18,000 in a single night.
To Craig at Realities for Children, and the entire Visocky Family - Congratulations on another two great fundraisers this year, and for caring about those in our community who are less fortunate. You guys are always so thankful for everything that everyone does for you to help put these events on.
I want to THANK YOU for allowing me, my family, and Hooters to be involved with these two great events. They are a great reminder of what people can/should do for others in our community. Count me(us) in for next year!!!!
I know that there are many worthy foundations and groups who are deserving of support. These are two of my favorites. I encourage everyone to pick the one you like and get involved with them. It really is a good feeling to know that you are helping others out who need it.
realitiesforchildren.com
kristisfund.com
One event raises money for people who have no choice regarding the situation they are in, it's not their fault. The other raises money for people who have a choice and are working hard to improve their situation for themselves and their families.
The first one was the Realities for Children Poker Run on Memorial Day weekend. Realities raises money for abused and neglected children in Larimer County. They provide funding for these children, when no other funding is available. We (Hooters), have been involved with this fundraiser for three years now. It amazes me every year to see the number of bikers that come out to support this great cause. It is a pretty amazing sight to see the entire parking lot at Hooters, Thunder Mountain Harley, and Clear Channel absolutely packed to the brim with motorcycles. The only thing more amazing to witness, is all of those bikes leaving the area to start the poker run, and to end up in Old Town for one hell of an after party.
The second event that I just had the chance to be a part of this last weekend was the yearly fundraiser for the Kristi Visocky Foundation.
I have known the Visocky family for almost 20 years now. This Foundation was founded after their daughter was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 2003. The Foundation strives to keep the memory of Kristi, and what she believed in alive. The money raised at this two day event is given out to young women in the community in the form of $2000 scholarships to help provide financial support and encourage educational achievement. Many of these young women are single Moms who are trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. The thing that I like about this Foundation and the scholarships that it awards, is that it does not always go to traditional students. This years winners includes women who are going to school to be teachers, nurses, and even one going who will be going to school to be a diesel mechanic. At the end of the party Friday night at The Hilton - The Kristi Visocky foundation was able to give out ten, $2000 scholarships for the upcoming year. I am proud to have been involved with this event from the beginning. If you want to attend what can only be billed as the party of the summer - check out Kristi's Big night out the Friday before the golf tournament. This year over 15 restaurants donated their time and food for a great evening of food, beer, music, and a silent auction that raised $18,000 in a single night.
To Craig at Realities for Children, and the entire Visocky Family - Congratulations on another two great fundraisers this year, and for caring about those in our community who are less fortunate. You guys are always so thankful for everything that everyone does for you to help put these events on.
I want to THANK YOU for allowing me, my family, and Hooters to be involved with these two great events. They are a great reminder of what people can/should do for others in our community. Count me(us) in for next year!!!!
I know that there are many worthy foundations and groups who are deserving of support. These are two of my favorites. I encourage everyone to pick the one you like and get involved with them. It really is a good feeling to know that you are helping others out who need it.
realitiesforchildren.com
kristisfund.com
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Where Have The Last 20 Years Gone?
June 3, 1989
On one hand that date seems so long ago - hell it was a long time ago.
Then on the other hand it does not seem possible, that it has been 20 years since I graduated from good ol' PHS.
How can I be almost 40 years old? I remember when my parents turned 40. Now they are in their sixties, I am rapidly approaching the big four-zero, and my oldest son is about to be a Junior at PHS. Holy S*&T!!
As our twenty year reunion approaches, I have been spending time thinking about where the last 20 years have gone, and how much things have changed here in Fort Collins.
I was having drinks the other night with a friend, Pat Garcia. Pat is a Fort Collins guy - A PHS Guy. We spent part of the night talking about the good ol' days in Fort Collins, and places we hung out at in High School, that don't even exists any longer. It was a great time reliving the old days, the "we used go here" or "remember when" or " do you remember so and so". And honestly, the beers weren't so bad either.
Here is a list of some of the things from the old days that unfortunately, aren't around any longer for the kids at PHS to enjoy like we did.
WC Frank - remember all you can eat footlongs on Wednesdays? Pauls Pizza, Odyssey Fun Center, 3.2 Beer at Lunch, Valentino's Pizza, The Little Mall(Montgomery Wards), Fox Theatre, The Aggie(when it showed movies), Cruisin College on Friday and Saturday, Campus West Movie Theatre, Dave Cook Sporting Goods, The McDLT, Old Town Arcade, Fourth Of July at City Park, Hamburger Stand, Cables End, and last but in no way least - COLLEGE DAYS. I also grin every time I hear someone talk about Lake No. 4, and Watson Lake.
I am sure that there are more things that you remember, and things that Pat and I talked about but I don't remember. I am getting old, and the beers and shots were flowing at a good steady pace that night.
Not all is lost in the last 20 years. There are still some places and people that are part of my fondest memories from back in the day. The list is quite a bit shorter, but I still enjoy these places and seeing the friends in 2009.
Panhandler's Pizza - EVERY CHANCE I GET. French Field on Friday night in the fall, The Finest Record Store (do they still call it a record store?), and I am still great friends with Hector Avalos and Dave Harris. Hector is still the same grumpy ass he was 20 years ago, but I wouldn't want it any other way. Dave is.................Dave. Enough said! I can't imagine my life now, 20 years later, with out these two characters in it. I'll tell you all one thing -I would have a lot less stories to tell.
So where have the last 20 years gone? Well, they haven't "gone" anywhere. They have been an adventure, an adventure with no regrets, an adventure that is my life, an adventure that I have loved every minute of.
I am really looking foreword to our Class Reunion. Getting on Facebook, while addictive like crack, has been good. It has put me in touch with friends that I haven't seen since June 3, 1989. Friends that I can't wait to see next month.
Safe travels to all of you as you come home for the reunion. I can't wait to see everyone, and see what we can add to the list of places lost in the last 20 years.
Jeff
PS - The biggest thing missing from 20 years ago - being single and no children. Just Kidding guys - I love you all and can't imagine my life any other way.
On one hand that date seems so long ago - hell it was a long time ago.
Then on the other hand it does not seem possible, that it has been 20 years since I graduated from good ol' PHS.
How can I be almost 40 years old? I remember when my parents turned 40. Now they are in their sixties, I am rapidly approaching the big four-zero, and my oldest son is about to be a Junior at PHS. Holy S*&T!!
As our twenty year reunion approaches, I have been spending time thinking about where the last 20 years have gone, and how much things have changed here in Fort Collins.
I was having drinks the other night with a friend, Pat Garcia. Pat is a Fort Collins guy - A PHS Guy. We spent part of the night talking about the good ol' days in Fort Collins, and places we hung out at in High School, that don't even exists any longer. It was a great time reliving the old days, the "we used go here" or "remember when" or " do you remember so and so". And honestly, the beers weren't so bad either.
Here is a list of some of the things from the old days that unfortunately, aren't around any longer for the kids at PHS to enjoy like we did.
WC Frank - remember all you can eat footlongs on Wednesdays? Pauls Pizza, Odyssey Fun Center, 3.2 Beer at Lunch, Valentino's Pizza, The Little Mall(Montgomery Wards), Fox Theatre, The Aggie(when it showed movies), Cruisin College on Friday and Saturday, Campus West Movie Theatre, Dave Cook Sporting Goods, The McDLT, Old Town Arcade, Fourth Of July at City Park, Hamburger Stand, Cables End, and last but in no way least - COLLEGE DAYS. I also grin every time I hear someone talk about Lake No. 4, and Watson Lake.
I am sure that there are more things that you remember, and things that Pat and I talked about but I don't remember. I am getting old, and the beers and shots were flowing at a good steady pace that night.
Not all is lost in the last 20 years. There are still some places and people that are part of my fondest memories from back in the day. The list is quite a bit shorter, but I still enjoy these places and seeing the friends in 2009.
Panhandler's Pizza - EVERY CHANCE I GET. French Field on Friday night in the fall, The Finest Record Store (do they still call it a record store?), and I am still great friends with Hector Avalos and Dave Harris. Hector is still the same grumpy ass he was 20 years ago, but I wouldn't want it any other way. Dave is.................Dave. Enough said! I can't imagine my life now, 20 years later, with out these two characters in it. I'll tell you all one thing -I would have a lot less stories to tell.
So where have the last 20 years gone? Well, they haven't "gone" anywhere. They have been an adventure, an adventure with no regrets, an adventure that is my life, an adventure that I have loved every minute of.
I am really looking foreword to our Class Reunion. Getting on Facebook, while addictive like crack, has been good. It has put me in touch with friends that I haven't seen since June 3, 1989. Friends that I can't wait to see next month.
Safe travels to all of you as you come home for the reunion. I can't wait to see everyone, and see what we can add to the list of places lost in the last 20 years.
Jeff
PS - The biggest thing missing from 20 years ago - being single and no children. Just Kidding guys - I love you all and can't imagine my life any other way.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
A Lucky Man On Mother's Day
Mother's Day 2009.
For me a day the spend with my wife and kids, letting Kym enjoy her day. A day when I get the pleasure of talking to my Mom on the phone from Oregon.
For some of my friends, who have unfortunately lost their Moms, today is not a happy day at all. Some are spending their first Mother's Day without Mom, and some have been through this day a few times now. I know either way, it is not an easy day, and I get the feeling that they honestly just can't wait for it to be over.
I always joke around that I love my Mom very much, but I love her more in Oregon. I just finished the phone call with my Mom. After thinking about all my friends who did not get to talk to their Moms today, I really wish my Mom were here in good ol' Colorado for me to put my arms around and tell how much I love her.
Luckily for me, she will be here in two weeks for me to get the chance to do so.
To all the people that I know that are having a tough day today, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mom - I can't wait to see you.
Kym - thanks for being a great Mom to our children, and the best wife in the world to me. I love you.
I hope that all of you have a great day today.
For me a day the spend with my wife and kids, letting Kym enjoy her day. A day when I get the pleasure of talking to my Mom on the phone from Oregon.
For some of my friends, who have unfortunately lost their Moms, today is not a happy day at all. Some are spending their first Mother's Day without Mom, and some have been through this day a few times now. I know either way, it is not an easy day, and I get the feeling that they honestly just can't wait for it to be over.
I always joke around that I love my Mom very much, but I love her more in Oregon. I just finished the phone call with my Mom. After thinking about all my friends who did not get to talk to their Moms today, I really wish my Mom were here in good ol' Colorado for me to put my arms around and tell how much I love her.
Luckily for me, she will be here in two weeks for me to get the chance to do so.
To all the people that I know that are having a tough day today, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mom - I can't wait to see you.
Kym - thanks for being a great Mom to our children, and the best wife in the world to me. I love you.
I hope that all of you have a great day today.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Vegas 2009 Recap - Part 1
Spring time in Colorado only means one thing to most soft tip dart players. Vegas Baby, Vegas. We start counting down the days shortly after New Years. You can ask any dart player who is headed to Vegas, and they can tell you roughly how many days are left until departure day. This years Vegas Invasion was one for the ages, a classic.
Things did start off a little rough for a lot of our darters from Northern Colorado this year, as we had a HUGE spring storm move through the area on Thursday. After rented vans, stops at Jiffy Lube, cancelled flights and Cab rides from Mesquite, everyone finally arrived in Vegas safely. I was the lucky one. Due to work, I was not able to leave until Monday morning. My flight left and arrived on time, and I even managed to sleep for about an hour on the plane.
Upon my arrival at The Riv, our normal pre game tailgate party commenced in the room. Let me tell you, there is nothing like Bud Light and Standards ( a well poured DOUBLE Jack and Coke) at 8am on a Monday morning to kick off the weeks activities. For those who don't know, NDA Internationals is a long week. Mornings start very early (8am start times) and becasue of the fact it is Vegas, the nights end up being really late ( 3am-ish or later) Monday we were playing Team Cricket.
My team- Amy, Sylvia, Alex and I, went into this tourney with a lot of confidence. In fact, I have never been as relaxed and prepared as I felt we were this year coming into a tournament, especially Internationals. I don't know what the hell happened to us, but the wheels completely fell off the bus of Team DILLIGAF. We spent most of the day playing from behind, trying to back close numbers, and missing numbers that normally come easy to us. Needless to say, things didn't work out so well, and we did not advance to the second day of the round robin. To say the least I was extremely disappointed in our performance. I really felt that Cricket was our best chance as a team to get into the final 16, and cash a check. Better luck to us next year.
We finished off the night with our poolside BMW Players party, we drank A LOT, and ended up with a ton of beer in our room for the rest of the week.
Tuesday and Wednesday were now days off since we didn't advance. Tuesday we didn't do much of anything. My friend Bino and I took off walking down The Strip. We stopped and had Lunch at Stripburger - it isn't quite as good as In-n-Out Burger, but definitely helped get rid of the hangover from drowning our sorrows on Monday night. We ended up at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, so we did what any normal person would do - Drank some Marg's. Cabbed it back to The Riv to watch friends and wives play in the Mixed Doubles Combo Event. No one really did that well in this event either.
The good thing about Tuesday night was we got spend a great time hanging out with our good friends from Canada. We have the most fun with these guys every year, and let's just say they know how to drink. I also got the pleasure of watching Ray "The Razor" Carver throw darts Tuesday night. He is an incredible dart thrower, and it was a pleasure to get to watch him.
Wednesday was another day with no plans except the arrival of my wife. We watched a little bit of The International Challenge. Congrats to the Men's Team USA for taking first place. The Women's Team USA lost the title for the first time in five years, but still had a strong showing in second place. My wife arrived late Wednesday afternoon, and it was all over after that. By the end of the night, we were all in our room playing Three Man with the boys from North of The Border. The beers were flowing all day long. I got mixed up in a game of Beer Darts by the pool. Thank God Kym showed up when she did, or I could have been passed out by 6pm.
Thursday morning we started the Team 501 section of the Tournament. We threw a lot better and came out of the day the third seed, only 3 games back. We actually beat the team that got the one seed in heads up play. Everyone played pretty solid throughout the day, and i was feeling good going into the second say round robin.
That is enough for now. Coming up in Part 2 - The players party, our friends from Canada, day two round robin, Britney Spears and hangin with Uncle Mikey and Rachel from Montana.
Things did start off a little rough for a lot of our darters from Northern Colorado this year, as we had a HUGE spring storm move through the area on Thursday. After rented vans, stops at Jiffy Lube, cancelled flights and Cab rides from Mesquite, everyone finally arrived in Vegas safely. I was the lucky one. Due to work, I was not able to leave until Monday morning. My flight left and arrived on time, and I even managed to sleep for about an hour on the plane.
Upon my arrival at The Riv, our normal pre game tailgate party commenced in the room. Let me tell you, there is nothing like Bud Light and Standards ( a well poured DOUBLE Jack and Coke) at 8am on a Monday morning to kick off the weeks activities. For those who don't know, NDA Internationals is a long week. Mornings start very early (8am start times) and becasue of the fact it is Vegas, the nights end up being really late ( 3am-ish or later) Monday we were playing Team Cricket.
My team- Amy, Sylvia, Alex and I, went into this tourney with a lot of confidence. In fact, I have never been as relaxed and prepared as I felt we were this year coming into a tournament, especially Internationals. I don't know what the hell happened to us, but the wheels completely fell off the bus of Team DILLIGAF. We spent most of the day playing from behind, trying to back close numbers, and missing numbers that normally come easy to us. Needless to say, things didn't work out so well, and we did not advance to the second day of the round robin. To say the least I was extremely disappointed in our performance. I really felt that Cricket was our best chance as a team to get into the final 16, and cash a check. Better luck to us next year.
We finished off the night with our poolside BMW Players party, we drank A LOT, and ended up with a ton of beer in our room for the rest of the week.
Tuesday and Wednesday were now days off since we didn't advance. Tuesday we didn't do much of anything. My friend Bino and I took off walking down The Strip. We stopped and had Lunch at Stripburger - it isn't quite as good as In-n-Out Burger, but definitely helped get rid of the hangover from drowning our sorrows on Monday night. We ended up at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, so we did what any normal person would do - Drank some Marg's. Cabbed it back to The Riv to watch friends and wives play in the Mixed Doubles Combo Event. No one really did that well in this event either.
The good thing about Tuesday night was we got spend a great time hanging out with our good friends from Canada. We have the most fun with these guys every year, and let's just say they know how to drink. I also got the pleasure of watching Ray "The Razor" Carver throw darts Tuesday night. He is an incredible dart thrower, and it was a pleasure to get to watch him.
Wednesday was another day with no plans except the arrival of my wife. We watched a little bit of The International Challenge. Congrats to the Men's Team USA for taking first place. The Women's Team USA lost the title for the first time in five years, but still had a strong showing in second place. My wife arrived late Wednesday afternoon, and it was all over after that. By the end of the night, we were all in our room playing Three Man with the boys from North of The Border. The beers were flowing all day long. I got mixed up in a game of Beer Darts by the pool. Thank God Kym showed up when she did, or I could have been passed out by 6pm.
Thursday morning we started the Team 501 section of the Tournament. We threw a lot better and came out of the day the third seed, only 3 games back. We actually beat the team that got the one seed in heads up play. Everyone played pretty solid throughout the day, and i was feeling good going into the second say round robin.
That is enough for now. Coming up in Part 2 - The players party, our friends from Canada, day two round robin, Britney Spears and hangin with Uncle Mikey and Rachel from Montana.
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