Football season is here!

 

I grew up in D.C. and I can remember many times I accompanied my daddy to a University of Maryland or Redskins game. I love football. If I could have been a sportscaster I would have been very happy.

But since I moved to Louisiana this is the first time I got a chance to attend a game in the Superdome. Yeah, it was preseason so all I got to do was  watch Brees and Graham on the sidelines but still when the announcer said, "Saints fans. It's thirrrrrd downnn," and when the roar began, it was exciting. Something you don't see or experience watching it on TV. Just being in the stands with other fans, listening to the jazz musicians making the rounds on an upper level. It's a great atmosphere.

I bought a little cheap wig and some gold and black spray paint but I didn't get it painted quite dark enough to look like the team colors. (I'll do better next time.) As will the real team. The third string lost but that won't be the norm. We have a strong team this year.  Looking forward to the season. Geaux Saints!

GO Saints!!

Saints 62
Colts er, 7

Nuff said.

Yeyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

Are you readddyyyyy for....

 

Gotcha! You thought I was going to say football, didn't ya? Well, okay, I am a hard core football fan and the season did start tonight with our previous SB champ Saints in Lambeau field against the defending Super Bowl champ Packers. So it was like a Super Bowl on the first night of football season. And our Saints represented themselves well - the first opener where each quarterback threw for 300 plus yards with no interceptions. A 76 point game!

But back to my opening. Are you ready for me to start blogging again? Ready or not, it's time. 

I am an optimistic person. I've actually been teased for being too perky.  I made up my mind in January that this was going to be a good year. No, a great year. I felt it. I planned on it. Everything went as planned through April when I gave my first online workshop on Scrivener to our GIAM group, then 2011 started to go south.

On April 26th we got the news that the river was expected to hit 65 ft. 

Everyone. Panicked. 

Not many people believed the levee could hold 65 feet. Now we know that if they hadn't opened the spillways it may have gone to 68. Even 65 might have topped the levee. Most people didn't believe they had any choice but to move everything to Mississippi. It's a mark of how widely this sentiment was felt that absolutely all of the storage units within a hundred miles were reserved on that day, the 26th.

So between living out of a travel trailer away from home to struggling to make ends meet due to the increase in expenses and decrease in income, my muse decided to take an Alaskan cruise. Thank God, all we experienced was a loss of income and extreme inconvenience. And finally last month, my muse returned tanned and refreshed. 

Last week I discovered she - my muse - is a water nymph. She communicates to me mostly when we are sitting by the bayou, in the shower or in the tub. And last weekend as TS Lee approached she geared up for a long session. But like me, she's not really into bad weather. When Lee came ashore and parked just southwest of us, dumping 14 inches in a little over 24 hours and causing an electrical blackout, Nymphy - she hasn't told me her name yet - took a long nap. (Do you get the feeling that she's very tempermental?)

Since the TS, the weather has gone from triple digits to low 80s. Just delightful. So tomorrow I'll spend the morning with her by the bayou letting her help me with my main characters' motivations. I'm revising my novella and a novel with the goal of publishing one of them by December. 

With the end of snow ball season closing in, Nymphy and I are working together to make the big push on Monday, my first full day off in months except for last weekend.

Where do you do your best work? Is your muse involved or is a 'muse' an ethereal non-entity for you?

Yes I am Ready

Come on, you know what I'm ready for...

The entire 'who dat' nation is ready to break the records. We want to prove all the statistics that say most teams who win the SuperBowl don't even make it to the playoffs. We need to BE that team.

Are you with me? Yeah. Saints. Football. Finally. 

(I'm not talking about the Redskins until they figure out what to do with Haynesworth. The Ravens, now, they're going to be tough. Lots of great teams this year. Should be an stellar season.)

Addendum: YESSS!

And today IS????? SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

We WONNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!! 31-17 WHO DAT!



If you don't know about the greatest game of the year, WHERE have you been? I know there are futbol fans, and basketball, track, Xtreme sports, and okay, Nascar, but this is one of my favorite games of the year. I always hate it when the season is over. So please bear with me one last time while I revel in the images of this season one last time.






How we got here. Four years ago, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. The city was in ruins, people were living in the SuperDome and nearly finished the job the hurricane couldn't. Could the city rebound? Could the team? There were thoughts of selling the team but someone had the thought that maybe the team could be rebuilt and be a symbol of what could happen for the city.

Coach Sean Peyton took the job and hired Drew Brees, a castaway from the Chargers, a quarterback with a recent shoulder surgery and doubts about his ability to perform. Well, Duh! I guess we put that to rest.

Every member of the Saints team has embraced the city and been embraced in return. They've given their hearts to their efforts and to special projects and the fans have responded like never before. One woman said, "It may sound crazy that a football could bring a city hope, but that's what this team has done."

Speaking of which, I didn't want to let the season pass before I mentioned my opinion of the NFL and their Who Dat policy. Poo-poo to the NFL. THey want to sue anyone who uses the 'Who Dat' slogan. "It is a logo, property of the NFL." Bull! That's like saying the Redskins Hoggetts or the Cheeseheads of Green Bay are property of the NFL. Years ago when the Saints were always losing, everyone made fun of the motto, 'Who Dat, Who Dat. Who that say gwoin' to beat them Saints!' And now that the team is a winner they want to capitalize. Okay, I'll make a suggestion. This motto belongs only to the New Orleans Saints and their fans. Limit use of the slogan to Louisiana companies with all proceeds going to Louisiana residents and the rebuilding of New Orleans. How's Dat?


If it comes down to ten or fifteen yards to make a touchdown we can always give it to Reggie Bush who can smell a pylon from 30 yards (that's the marker at the corner of the end zone). He's made some thrilling goal line razzle dazzles with only the ball passing over the pylon while his body sailed along the sideline.

All kinds of special moments surround this Super Bowl. Peyton Manning, the quarterback of the Colts grew up in New Orleans, his father our quarterback for years lives in New Orleans.

And two players on the teams have families in Haiti. Thankfully they were found safe. (which brings up another poo-poo for a RR evangelist who said the the reason the quake happened there was because they worship the devil. And yet all the images and tales from those pulled out of the wreckage have told of the uplifting prayers of the people outside their prison of rock and debris. They said the songs and prayers gave them the strength to survive.) That's some compassionate, non judgmental view you have there, preacher.

The Saints team has a lot on their shoulders and for a young team with a first time Superbowl visit it will be a monumental feat to come away with the win. And they CAN do it. But it comes down to who plays the best 60 minutes.

Whether they win the game today or not, they are truly winners, and I'm not ashamed to say I'm proud to be a part of the new Who Dat Nation.

We're Going to the Super Bowl

The Magic of Saints Football!!
I would give just about ANYTHING to be in the Superdome right NOW! Not in a recliner watching the game on my Samsung flat screen. Sometimes it's not about the picture, the sound, the ability to watch replays, the comfort or the long drive to New Orleans. It's the roar of the crowd, bumping up against fans, your own and opposing, the smell of beer, (walking two miles to the closest bathroom and trying to get back before the next good play). The crowd truly is the twelfth player in the game.

It's a responsibility true football fans take seriously. If not, my father wouldn't have hitched a ride in an ice storm to the game after totaling his car and spending the first half in the emergency room. Redskins football, braving the weather, hoggettes in the stands. The Redskins won that day by the way.

In the years since THE hurricanes the state, the team and its fans have struggled together - the team becoming a symbol of a phoenix rising from the flood waters of the MIssissippi. There is magic happening in the Superdome, whether we win or lose.
Minutes ago, the crowd surprisingly sang along with Kris Allen on the Star Spangled Banner. Oh, I wish I was there.

Here's to all the fans in the stands doing the job, standing for all of us here at home. Whoo hoo- do the Reggie Bush dance. We scored!



Oh, Reggie dance again...I predict a high scoring game.

If it's Sunday...

Well, normally that would be true but the Saints played last night and unfortunately, the winning streak is no longer alive.. We lost to the better team, well, last night at least. Whose name I will not mention because they are the number one foe of my hometown team, the Redskins. So sad but maybe they needed to lose to get their a$$e$ straightened out. Too many late starts.

If you're listening Saints, put a fleur de lis on your little pinkies to remind you that you are going for the first down EVERY Play and the length of a digit will get you there! Every play. Every down. Every opportunity to get in the end zone. Start each game like you're already losing because that's when you are the best. We'll do better next week.


Here's a little something for your viewing pleasure. If you've read or seen Twilight or New Moon, you'll get it. If not, well, where have you been living lately anyway?



So was this from the Breaking Dawn casting?

Think Outside the Box

I know this a cheap ploy to be able to mention my favorite football team, our New Orleans Saints. Unfortunately, today they are playing my home team, the Washington Redskins. I grew up right where the Redkins' new stadium is in Landover, Maryland and normally, I end up forgetting who I'm rooting for but it's not difficult this year. The Saints are 11-0 and we want to go undefeated if possible or at the very least win the division and go to the SUPER BOWL.

Often as writers we try to come up with something that is so far out of the box that it stands out - an original twist that spins the story on its ear.

Well, the Saints' Meacham did exactly that in the second quarter. Just before half time the Saints had to make a loonnnng pass to have any chance of evening up the score. Brees dropped back under severe pressure and threw the long ball, only to be intercepted. BUT as the Redskins returned the ball, Meacham ran up to the player, took the ball from him and ran it in for a touchdown.

THAT's what I'm talking about! Go for the unexpected. I'll remember that play this week as I write forward on RCP.

Do you have any inspirational examples of outta the box thinking?

UPDATE: Talk about a nail biter. I couldn't bear to watch. It seemed unlikely that they could pull it out with a minute and thirty-seven left but they pulled it out decisively in OT. Now 12-0. And I'm glad it was the Redskins that gave them their first serious competition.

Long Day

It was a twenty-hour ten hour day. You've had them right? Mentally tough. But now I'm settling in for the biggest game of the year, so far, the New Orleans Saints vs the New England Patriots. I hope it's a slam dunk or it will be a long night as well.

Go Saints!

It's also the end of Nano. Congratulations Nano writers and winners! Until next year!

GOooo Saints!

I forgot to blog yesterday about our Saints, now 10-0. They won decisively 38-7. The only teams to ever get to this point have all wound up in the SuperBowl!!!

I only saw the second half of the game. My friend, Cadence, was taking pictures for me to use on the web or for writerly stuff. Here's an example. She's a real pro.



That one was for fun...might be why I have a krick in my neck today!

It's all good.

I had a wonderful brief vacation early in the week to hurricane country - southern Mississippi. But a friend called from Florida saying we should check the weather. Ida, the wonder storm, was headed our direction and was coming on land earlier than expected. (Even in our brick cabin in the state park, it was a difficult night, 30-40 mph winds and hard rain.) We'd planned to drive south to the coast and do our part toward the recovery - lunch, shopping at the outlet mall. So instead, we went shopping and dining locally in Hattiesburg about an hour north of the coast. It was lovely.

I didn't plan to write but since the time change I haven't been able to sleep past 4am so I got up and trudged forward on RCP a couple thousand words. My total has been at 21,131 since Tuesday. Came back enthused but feeling like I need to look over what I've written so far before I get too scattered.

I also didn't anticipate being called into work the last three days which was a financial blessing and a Nano loss. All in all, a special week. I'll start on Nano again Monday.

Today is Football Sunday! Saints vs Rams! (In case you're interested Denzel Washington's son plays for the Rams.) Go Saints!

Saints Sunday!! Are you ready?

I wasn't sure I was when it was 24-3 Miami! late in the first half but then the Saints proved why they are undefeated so far.

WOoooooHooo! as I write this there's only 2 minutes left and the score is 46-34 SAINTS.

They are the real deal! Gooo Saints!

Are you Readyyy?

Yes, it’s football Sunday. The Saints are undefeated at 4 and oh, and they face the undefeated New York Giants who are 5 and oh but I’m not nervous. Even though the Saints had a bye week, Eli is coming ‘home’ to New Orleans, and three out of five commentators picked the Giants – I AM PREDICTING Saints 48-Giants 31. People have been underestimating the Saints all year.

Go Saints!

Halftime Update: 34 - 17, Saints. And Brees has thrown for 4 TDs in the first half! We're bad. We're bad.

Third Quarter Update: Uh-oh. 41-17. I may have underestimated, hee, hee.

How to Tweet

Okay, besides being rainy and having no internet, you know what I was doing yesterday. You got it! Go Saints! They are 4-0. Maybe people will finally take us seriously.

But I'm no slacker. I can point you to a great blog by Leah Braemel on How to use Twitter. If you're one of those, like me, who doesn't have the chance to use Twitter enough to learn to use it to its full potential, NEVER FEAR, Leah is here with detailed instructions and screenshots to boot. Catch part one from Sunday.

Give us more, Leah!

R U ready for some footballllll!!!!

What. Can. I. Say? It's the first NFL Sunday and what a lucky girl am I. My two favorite teams play back to back. First Saints vs. Lions then Redskins/Giants. On top of that, I have to try to catch Federer and Nadal in their SemiFinal matches between games. (Don't ask me how I'd bet on the Redskins game. I don't have as good a feeling about it as I do the first one.)

Halftime report -

Watching the Saints and Lions play. Reggie just fumbled a return and the announcer says, "The Saints can feel good if they can hold the Lions to a field goal with that field position." Huh. "What about blocking the field goal. Or why not get the ball back and run it in for a touchdown?" About that time they intercept Stafford and run it back toward our goal line.

Not ESP, just a combination of wishful thinking and our fantastic new DEFENSE. And our receivers are varied, many, and talented. Moore in particular has picked the ball out of the air time and time again. And it's great to see Shockey healthy and making touchdowns. TWO in the first half.

Go Saints! I wanted 55-10 but I'll take 45-27. Woohoo, go Drew.

Okay, we're going to have to have a talk this week about fumbles...

And what a shot by Federer to beat Djocovic. You just gotta love sports on a day like this.

Addendum: Unfortunately, that hard match took a toll on Roger and he lost to a very likable Argentinian, Martin del Potro. Hated that but the best man won. Then a great double header last night on Monday Night Football. I was rooting for the underdog, BIT underdog Bills but never again. They blew a nearly sure thing over the PATRIOTS!! Sheesh. I wanted to stay up to watch LSU's Jamarcus Russell quarterback the Raiders to victory but I was sportsed out. I guess he needed my support because I went to bed and they lost.

On another note, some Europeans have expressed an interest in the next NFL team to become available. They want to move it to London. Interesting. Then they would really have to call soccer - soccer.

Are you Ready for Some Football!!!!?

(Truly horrible but it's the right team and then there's the hoggetts...)

Yessssss! I can't believe I've already missed a couple. I've been waiting all YEAR! So far, my teams aren't doing so well. The Skins and Cards lost last night but maybe the Saints will come alive again and win tonight. Go Saints!

Oh and my opinion for what it's worth. Let Vick play. He did the time for his crime. He's either sincere and has changed his attitude or not. I personally couldn't stomach his treatment of the fans and his egotistical attitude in Atlanta but everybody deserves a second chance. Now, aren't you glad you asked.

Redskins vs Saints

Well! I didn't know WHO to root for yesterday. I finally just decided to root for the good plays and boo on the bad ones.

In case you missed it, thee Redskins won. Yeah!!!

All riiiight! Football!

One of my favorite days of the year, the first day of the new football season and our Saints have just scored a touchdown. My heart was in my throat when Brees stepped back anc threw to the end zone when all they needed was three yards.

And my other team - the Redskins - lost Thursday night. Next Sunday will be good and bad, both teams on the same field but I'll have to root for both.

Go Saints! Go away Ike!

ADDENDUM:: I'm sitting in front of the bad TV watching the Colts on Sunday night football because CFM insisted on watching a movie. Heard of football widows? I'm a football widower. During hunting season I'll have to watch football by myself! Sheesh. We women from the Washington, D.C. area take our football seriously...