I wonder....
Who the very first person was who thought “I'm going to cut out a big “D” and a picket fence and spell defense at the next game.
Who decided “You know what? I've been sitting for a while , I'm going to get up and stretch after the top of the seventh inning” and how it caught on.
How “Boo” became a negative term to shout at opposing teams. Were the first people to shout “Boo” at their opponents trying to scare them?
Who made up chanting “let's go _____ clap, clap, clapclap clap” and had the guts to shout it out loud hoping somebody would join in. And would it have caught on as well if it were clap, clapidy clap clap instead?
Who the first fan was that just couldn't contain themselves after a huge win and decided to rush the field. Did they act alone, or did they talk a few friends into doing it too, just in case it didn't go so well?
Who was that man, I'd like to shake his hand 'cause he made me fall in love with sports.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Hall of Fame...
To earn a spot in Kristen's Hall of Fame is an honor that many athletes aspire to, yet few earn. This Hall of Fame is exclusive and reserved for only the Best of the best.
It is with great pleasure that I introduce the first inductee....
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is inducted as the Best Receiver in the NFL.
I have just one word to describe Larry Fitzgerald, Magical. He can catch anything thrown within a mile. And can run once he has the ball and doesn't go down easy. I LOVE the Cardinals, but I don't think they would have made it to the Super Bowl without him.
Background:
Larry played his college ball at a school that was not ASU. OK, for those of you who care about schools other than ASU, he played at the University of Pittsburgh. Larry was the 3rd pick of the first round of the 2004 NFL draft.
Stats:
In 2008 Larry had 96 receptions, 1431 yards, and 12 touchdowns.
Bragging Rights:
Larry Fitzgerald set the single post season record with 546 receiving yards, 30 receptions, and 7 touchdown receptions. In 2009, Larry won the ESPY for “Best NFL Player”.
First-team All-America 2003
Fred Biletnikoff Award '03
Paul Warfield Trophy '03
Walter Camp Award '03
3 time Pro Bowl selection '05, '07, and '08
First-team All-Pro selection '08
Pro Bowl MVP '08
NFC Championship 2008 NFL season
and of course Kristen's Hall of Fame 2009.
Congratulations Larry!
It is with great pleasure that I introduce the first inductee....
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is inducted as the Best Receiver in the NFL.
I have just one word to describe Larry Fitzgerald, Magical. He can catch anything thrown within a mile. And can run once he has the ball and doesn't go down easy. I LOVE the Cardinals, but I don't think they would have made it to the Super Bowl without him.
Background:
Larry played his college ball at a school that was not ASU. OK, for those of you who care about schools other than ASU, he played at the University of Pittsburgh. Larry was the 3rd pick of the first round of the 2004 NFL draft.
Stats:
In 2008 Larry had 96 receptions, 1431 yards, and 12 touchdowns.
Bragging Rights:
Larry Fitzgerald set the single post season record with 546 receiving yards, 30 receptions, and 7 touchdown receptions. In 2009, Larry won the ESPY for “Best NFL Player”.
First-team All-America 2003
Fred Biletnikoff Award '03
Paul Warfield Trophy '03
Walter Camp Award '03
3 time Pro Bowl selection '05, '07, and '08
First-team All-Pro selection '08
Pro Bowl MVP '08
NFC Championship 2008 NFL season
and of course Kristen's Hall of Fame 2009.
Congratulations Larry!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
New Girl Skate
So I've kinda joined the roller derby. I haven't really skated before, so I am not very good....Yet. Here are some notes I took while I was waiting.... Nervous-early of course. I've got my roller skates and my helmet (Do I need a helmet for this practice?). There are kids here for a birthday party and me, feeling awkward. Really hoping the other new girls show up soon. Copa Cabana starts playing, starting to freak out. Maybe I'll chicken out and join the birthday party- they've got cake.
It went well. There were a lot of veterans there and one even lent me a spare set of pads. We started by just skating around “free skate” then the second hour was practice where they taught us some basic skills like stopping. I'm still working on stopping (apparently slowing down and running into the wall isn't the proper technique). Some of the veterans would skate by and offer advice. These girls are the nicest bunch of strangers I have ever met. They introduce themselves and are really encouraging. I have never really been a part of a team sport, or a sport for that matter. I didn't make my mouth guard right and it was really uncomfortable. I'll have to work on that. It was a good work out, and I didn't fall!!! I'm looking forward to coming back. I want to keep up on practicing so I can get good fast. I don't like being behind.
It went well. There were a lot of veterans there and one even lent me a spare set of pads. We started by just skating around “free skate” then the second hour was practice where they taught us some basic skills like stopping. I'm still working on stopping (apparently slowing down and running into the wall isn't the proper technique). Some of the veterans would skate by and offer advice. These girls are the nicest bunch of strangers I have ever met. They introduce themselves and are really encouraging. I have never really been a part of a team sport, or a sport for that matter. I didn't make my mouth guard right and it was really uncomfortable. I'll have to work on that. It was a good work out, and I didn't fall!!! I'm looking forward to coming back. I want to keep up on practicing so I can get good fast. I don't like being behind.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Arizona Stae vs. Washington
Wow! I am still all jacked up from last night's game. How exciting! I was on edge from start to finish. Plus, I had the honor on taking my nephew to his first college football game. This game was amazing. It was also chock full of bad calls. Especially that absurd pass interference call against ASU. I'm not just being biased, which I usually am. Dennis Erickson got super heated with this call. I love the passion. I hope some of these refs don't get their Christmas bonuses after some of these calls.
This game was a roller coaster ride of emotions. There were some exciting new plays. The reverse to Kyle Williams who threw that incredible touchdown pass to T.J. Simpson. Wow. I think our team looked good. Washington had too many 3rd down conversions for my liking. Come on 3rd nationally ranked defense. I was jumping out of my seat when we caught that interception in the 2nd quarter, only to have it taken away by a face mask penalty. My blood was boiling. I went from such a high to anger and upset in a matter of seconds. Then BAM intercepted again by Arizona State. TAKE THAT!!!! I also loved when Washington kicked a field goal, but we had called time out, so they had to try again, and we called another timeout, then when they went for it, they missed. he-he-he
A note to ASU fans: It is never OK to Boo your own team. It doesn't do anyone any good and it certainly doesn't boost confidence. Granted there are some people who get riled up and want to prove you wrong when you say they can't (like myself sometimes), but No, do NOT Boo your own team. The LOVE you have for your team should be unconditional.
And the game ball goes to......
Chris McGaha. McGaha is magic in the making. That last minute catch was awesome! I'm glad he is back on his game this year. The game ball was going to go to Demitri Nance up until the end. Great job you two.
This game was a roller coaster ride of emotions. There were some exciting new plays. The reverse to Kyle Williams who threw that incredible touchdown pass to T.J. Simpson. Wow. I think our team looked good. Washington had too many 3rd down conversions for my liking. Come on 3rd nationally ranked defense. I was jumping out of my seat when we caught that interception in the 2nd quarter, only to have it taken away by a face mask penalty. My blood was boiling. I went from such a high to anger and upset in a matter of seconds. Then BAM intercepted again by Arizona State. TAKE THAT!!!! I also loved when Washington kicked a field goal, but we had called time out, so they had to try again, and we called another timeout, then when they went for it, they missed. he-he-he
A note to ASU fans: It is never OK to Boo your own team. It doesn't do anyone any good and it certainly doesn't boost confidence. Granted there are some people who get riled up and want to prove you wrong when you say they can't (like myself sometimes), but No, do NOT Boo your own team. The LOVE you have for your team should be unconditional.
And the game ball goes to......
Chris McGaha. McGaha is magic in the making. That last minute catch was awesome! I'm glad he is back on his game this year. The game ball was going to go to Demitri Nance up until the end. Great job you two.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
It's a LOVE/HATE relationship
Teams I LOVE:
Chicago Cubs
Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona Cardinals
Teams I HATE:
University of Arizona
UNLV
Georgia
St. Louis Cardinals
Chicago Cubs
Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona Cardinals
Teams I HATE:
University of Arizona
UNLV
Georgia
St. Louis Cardinals
Friday, October 16, 2009
Derby Practice
So I emailed AZ Roller Derby to learn more about their fitness membership which is for beginners and you get to skate and practice so that one day you might be good enough to join the derby. Apparently there was not enough interest to get the fitness membership going, but they invited me to come to a practice to check it out and I could ask questions. I went to a practice and it was awesome. It was so neat to see the girls (and a couple random guys) practice. They start out warming up and skating then they do drills and practice their speed skating. After that, they scrimmage and you get a sense of what goes on in a game. I don't really know the rules very well, so it was a bit confusing but it looked like a lot of fun. The girls were super nice too. I talked to a couple of them and they were very welcoming and answered all my questions.
Have I found my new calling?.....We'll have to see, but I totally want to go get some skates and pads, so I can go to the next new girl practice. If anything I'll get some good exercise. I'll keep you posted.
Have I found my new calling?.....We'll have to see, but I totally want to go get some skates and pads, so I can go to the next new girl practice. If anything I'll get some good exercise. I'll keep you posted.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Confession...
This kinda has a bummer ending, I'll warn you in advance.
There is something that I think would be so neat to try and a great experience., but I am afraid to write about it because I don't want to disappoint myself and others if I say I'll do it, but then back out. I can't seem to really commit to trying some things, I don't know why or what I'm afraid of.
Anyway, here it goes... When I watch football (and I feel this way about baseball too) I can't imagine what it would feel like to take to the field as a part of a team and play and compete. I called Tim after the last home game (ASU football) and was like “I want to put on all the pads and go out there and run into people and have them come after me and play” and he was like “What about the Prowlers?” -AHA moment- I seemed to have forgotten. I was at an Arizona Cardinals game (had to put the AZ in there just in case somebody might dare to think it was St. Louis Cardinals -blegh) and I heard the announcer mumble something about women's football. -”What, can this be?”- So, of course, I went home and looked into it. Sure enough there is a professional women's football league. I don't know how much I honestly really considered it, but it sounded awesome. My sister , who had played football with her sorority in college, (shout out) and I kinda talked about it, but we never tried out. Tim's comment brought it all back. Why not try it? Even the tryouts (I keep wanting to say auditions) would be exciting, not to mention a story I could tell for a long time. I don't seem to be able to say for sure I'll try out. We'll see... Baby steps. Maybe I'll actually go for a jog or practice catching or throwing or kicking.
Now the bummer part. There were going to be auditions this winter for the 2010 season. I went online today (I wrote this blog last weekend) to check the dates, and the home page says that the Prowlers will not be participating in the 2010 season, but plan to be back in 2011. My heart sank. I was kind of excited. I did email the folks at the roller derby to learn more about a fitness membership though.
There is something that I think would be so neat to try and a great experience., but I am afraid to write about it because I don't want to disappoint myself and others if I say I'll do it, but then back out. I can't seem to really commit to trying some things, I don't know why or what I'm afraid of.
Anyway, here it goes... When I watch football (and I feel this way about baseball too) I can't imagine what it would feel like to take to the field as a part of a team and play and compete. I called Tim after the last home game (ASU football) and was like “I want to put on all the pads and go out there and run into people and have them come after me and play” and he was like “What about the Prowlers?” -AHA moment- I seemed to have forgotten. I was at an Arizona Cardinals game (had to put the AZ in there just in case somebody might dare to think it was St. Louis Cardinals -blegh) and I heard the announcer mumble something about women's football. -”What, can this be?”- So, of course, I went home and looked into it. Sure enough there is a professional women's football league. I don't know how much I honestly really considered it, but it sounded awesome. My sister , who had played football with her sorority in college, (shout out) and I kinda talked about it, but we never tried out. Tim's comment brought it all back. Why not try it? Even the tryouts (I keep wanting to say auditions) would be exciting, not to mention a story I could tell for a long time. I don't seem to be able to say for sure I'll try out. We'll see... Baby steps. Maybe I'll actually go for a jog or practice catching or throwing or kicking.
Now the bummer part. There were going to be auditions this winter for the 2010 season. I went online today (I wrote this blog last weekend) to check the dates, and the home page says that the Prowlers will not be participating in the 2010 season, but plan to be back in 2011. My heart sank. I was kind of excited. I did email the folks at the roller derby to learn more about a fitness membership though.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Hellen Wheels
So, a bit about me... I get inspired by just about anything. If I see something that looks exciting, I want to try it. So, I recently saw the movie "Whip It". I loved it. And, not surprising to who know me well, I walked out of the theater ready to quit school and join the Roller Derby. I went immediately to my computer to do some research. (Much like how I spent hours looking up what kind of martial arts training Matt Damon did, and where to find it in my area, after seeing “The Borne Ultimatum”. Much to my delight, they DO have roller derby in Phoenix! How could I not have known about this?! I'm dying to see a (game/match?).
Another thing about me... I often lack follow through. I get all worked up and really excited about an idea, but I usually don't ever do anything anything or stick with it. But, hey, so far I've followed through on creating this blog. I feel like writing things down for all to see holds me a bit more accountable. My current schedule doesn't permit me to train for the Derby right now (and, most likely, I'll have jumped on another band wagon before my schedule frees up) but if I go down to the rink and rent a pair of skates even once, it would be a big step towards follow through.
Another thing about me... I often lack follow through. I get all worked up and really excited about an idea, but I usually don't ever do anything anything or stick with it. But, hey, so far I've followed through on creating this blog. I feel like writing things down for all to see holds me a bit more accountable. My current schedule doesn't permit me to train for the Derby right now (and, most likely, I'll have jumped on another band wagon before my schedule frees up) but if I go down to the rink and rent a pair of skates even once, it would be a big step towards follow through.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Falling in Love again - Arizona State Sun Devils
I had decided to move back to Arizona. This meant transferring schools. I wanted to go to ASU. Everyone in my family has taken classes at ASU. Plus it is the only cool school to go to in Arizona. (Normally I'd say “sorry everyone else”, but I'm not sorry, its true). Before I moved I was stocked up with ASU t-shirts and sweatshirts. I was excited to be attending a real school with a real college atmosphere. By now I was definitely a baseball fan, but that was about as far as I got. Tim loves college football, so I thought it would be fun to get season tickets to Sun Devil football. Things didn't go quite as planned and the season was ready to start and Tim hasn't moved to Phoenix yet. Now I have season tickets to football which I know nothing about and Tim can't even come. So I call up my dad to see if he is interested. He agrees to go with me and I go to my first college football game.
As we get closer, I see a lot of gold shirts on Mill Avenue. “This is what I love about sports”, I say, “All these people coming together to support one cause”. This is cool to see even if you don''t like sports. There are little kids wearing jerseys and older people who probably went to ASU 50 years ago. I start to get excited because I love the camaraderie. I have experienced this before in Wrigleyville, but on a whole other level. My tickets are in the student section so we wait in a long line with a bunch of drunk college kids to get in. September in Phoenix is very hot, for those of you who may be unaware. We get in and manage to find some seats. The band comes out and starts playing, performs their Explosion Block and gets ready for the team to take the field. The student section chants “ASU! ASU!” with their fingers in pitchfork formation and then Thunderstruck comes on and the students pump their pitchforks to the beat. I fell in love again, and it hasn't even been kickoff yet. The atmosphere and excitement and the rituals win me over and I am hooked, a fan for life. The game was awesome and I decide I now like college football. As a gift, I received Football Made Simple: A spectator's guide. (I am well supported on my journey).
As we get closer, I see a lot of gold shirts on Mill Avenue. “This is what I love about sports”, I say, “All these people coming together to support one cause”. This is cool to see even if you don''t like sports. There are little kids wearing jerseys and older people who probably went to ASU 50 years ago. I start to get excited because I love the camaraderie. I have experienced this before in Wrigleyville, but on a whole other level. My tickets are in the student section so we wait in a long line with a bunch of drunk college kids to get in. September in Phoenix is very hot, for those of you who may be unaware. We get in and manage to find some seats. The band comes out and starts playing, performs their Explosion Block and gets ready for the team to take the field. The student section chants “ASU! ASU!” with their fingers in pitchfork formation and then Thunderstruck comes on and the students pump their pitchforks to the beat. I fell in love again, and it hasn't even been kickoff yet. The atmosphere and excitement and the rituals win me over and I am hooked, a fan for life. The game was awesome and I decide I now like college football. As a gift, I received Football Made Simple: A spectator's guide. (I am well supported on my journey).
Background
I was the girl that said, “Oh I don't like sports”. I didn't grow up watching sports, didn't play sports in school, never really gave it two thoughts. Then I fell in love. I fell in love with a die hard sports fan, who came from a sports background whose siblings all played sports. Tim will watch any sport, it doesn't matter which, he'll watch it, but he certainly has his favorites. Tim is a hard core, tried and true, foul-weather Chicago Cubs fan. The Cubs can bring him so much joy, but with that comes heartache. I wanted to see what this was all about. It took a few years, but I decided to learn about baseball so I could give it a go. As a gift, I received Baseball Field Guide: An in-depth illustrated guide to the complete rules of baseball. As I started to watch Cubs games and learn more about the rules, I got really into, I fell in love again, this time with the Chicago Cubs.
My journey doesn't stop here. As I often tell Tim, he created a monster. I hope you join me on my journey as I share my love of sports and my teams. I hope to branch out and learn about more sports, I'm pretty limited now. I also want to learn the sports I love in more depth, know all the rules and be able to talk eloquently about them and argue well.
My journey doesn't stop here. As I often tell Tim, he created a monster. I hope you join me on my journey as I share my love of sports and my teams. I hope to branch out and learn about more sports, I'm pretty limited now. I also want to learn the sports I love in more depth, know all the rules and be able to talk eloquently about them and argue well.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Welcome
Welcome to my blog. This is my very first blog and I am really excited about it. I have a lot of thoughts and opinions, some founded, some unfounded, and I am pretty passionate about them. I wanted to create a place to share my thoughts with others and hope that people can relate. If you are not a sports fan, I don't think you'll be totally bored, because this is my story too. If you are a sports fan, bare with me, I'm new and still learning and may say something ridiculous. Either way, I hope you enjoy.
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