Money, It's Gotta Be da' shoes!

Remember '91 (the year, not this silly blog)...Schwartzeneger strikes back with the riveting sequel, T2: Judgement Day (his actorial renaissance...his coming of age..."Hasta la vista baby!"), it smelled like teen spirit as the Seattle Grunge scene took over thanks to Nirvana,and his airness took off in Chicago winning his first of six titles...segue... remember the Air Jordan shoes? Better yet remember Spike Lee doing commercials with Jordan... "Yo Money, it's gotta be da' shoes right?" (go on click that link, it's a great commercial!)...

So we head to the airport for our one day "business trip" as we deemed it with the guys (I wanted to create a difficult environment and difficult conditions, in order to test our team down this final stretch...why?...because we need to see what we are made of as we prepare for this final push). An early rise, the 5:34 a.m. train waits for no man..and we had to be on it for our 7:25 a.m. flight to Atlanta. As we came through security, Cory baited me with an "I bet I can get through security before you can" (I can't resist, I latch onto that hook every time...plus I think I am a 5 year old at times...and always up for competition). So I slice in front of him and quickly race to get my shoes and belt off, throw the lap top in a bin, throw my carry-on up on the conveyer belt, empty my pockets upon which I realize my driver's license is loose so I wrap it in my boarding pass and launch in the bin so I can beat Cory (1-0 me). At this point, Malcolm LeBourne "Identity" realizes he didn't take his coat and other things off as he was in front of me, so he throws his things on top of my gear into my bin...I don't think anything of it.

We get through the scan and as I wait on the other side for my stuff, Cory comes through and waits next to me. Our things roll out of the x-ray machine, and Cory entices me yet again..."race to see who can get themselves together first?" GAME ON! Shoes first...bam...then belt...boom...laptop into the bag...bing...collect loose things...hmmm... I notice my boarding pass dangling over the edge of the bin, but where's my driver's license? I look through the bottom of the bin, nothing. I search my coat, nada. I look to Malcolm, he checks his coat...nope. At that point, the TSA attendee, Charlton, sees my panic search and offers his advice. "Check your shoe, it might have fallen in your shoe on the way through." I don't say anything, but I give him a look that my wonderful wife knows all too well...a look that says, ah I'm not an idiot dude. I think I would know if there was an ID in my shoe, I would feel it. I decide to entertain him. I take the shoes off and glance in them (Malcolm can attest to it)... I shoot another look as if to say, see buddy no idiot here...can you believe this guy, my shoes, does he not realize I was a soccer player and know precisely when something doesn't feel right in my shoe, come on dude, who's an idiot now...

It is important at this point in the story to offer up some inside info on myself. I could be the worst "looker" in the world. I am that guy that when my wife says can you get me such and such from the fridge and I say, sure babe (that's what I call her) and after a token look I say, not in there. She comes in, opens the fridge, looks for 2.2 seconds and responds, really Doug (that's what she calls me...really Doug) as she finds such and such with ease.

The panic begins to set in and a crowd begins to gather and take in my scramble. Coach Green aka "The Riddler" begins the questioning... "Hmm riddle me this Doug, did you put it in your wallet? Did you put it in your coat? Did you have it when you walked through the scanner? Did you...Did you...Did you...Did you...????" I love Bryan Green, but in this moment I can't help but think I would like to back over his face with a tank. Really man? I had the ID when I wrapped my boarding pass around it! I search my laptop bag...books...folders...papers... you name it! The beads of sweat begin to show on my forehead. I realize in this moment that I will not be able to get back on the plane this evening if I can't locate my license. Charlton offers his advice again, "Check your shoes, I've seen people find keys in their shoes..." Keys? Really Charlton!?! Come on buddy, I was once a finely tuned athlete that lived on the feel of his feet!!!!

Ok, I search the wallet again and find my social security card (that's smart to travel with Doug...Johnny Expert Traveler there...hey, who wants to steal my identity, um nobody dude your life is so non-glorious) and Dragon ID...hmm, perhaps they will let me check back in with that...of course they will, they'll understand and I am with a group after all. Bam...it hits me, I won't be able to rent a van down in Georgia...no one else can drive...DANG IT, now what? I am in heavy panic now...scramble scramble...I start to search everything now again! Suddenly, Cory steps up to the scene..."Doug, did you check"... "Cory, I'm 38 flipping years old, I think I know where I put the darn ID (Only I wish I said flip and darn...Cory puts his tail between his legs and scampers off to the corner...he got the hair dryer routine and unfortunately, ran into the red mist...1-1, Cory didn't deserve that). I search a little more and think, why not check the shoe one more time for a laugh...

Ta da..."Yo Money, it's gotta be da' shoes!" A great start to the day (ended up being a 2-1 loss to Cory, I'm convinced I will never live that loss down)!

Two games since we last chatted, a 1-1 draw along the I-95 Corridor with local rival Delaware and a 1-0 win down at the soon-to-be-departing-the-CAA Georgia State Panthers. We conceded first against the Blue Hens, so great to see us pull back level and take the game to them...however, with the possession we had and chances...hmmm, in my opinion we should have taken full points. Credit to our opponents they made themselves tough to break down as the game went on and we seemed to struggle with the final ball.

Onto Georgia for our one day business trip. It was awesome walking down Market at 5:15 in the morning and then returning to similar darkness at 10 pm with three points secure under tough conditions. Thought our guys showed resolve throughout the 90 minutes and truly managed the adjustments we made during the game. No greater resolve than by Tim Washam in the last moments...a penalty save! For those that are not schooled in the game of soccer, penalty kicks are from 12 yards out and the shooter is at the greatest advantage - that is as long as they don't have a Dragon standing in front of them guarding the net!

The emotional roller coaster over those last five minutes of play...the last minute penalty and ensuing red card to Tal... I think I lost 5 years of my life in Panthersville that day! Great to see Ray Williams make the trek down from North Georgia and share some time with our guys. Ray played on the 1947 and '48 teams here at Drexel...and he's on Facebook! Ray, you were an inspiration to the guys and we thank you for your service to our country (served in both WWII and the Korean War).

Big week folks...on the road...another one day business trip...in the mecca of business...in NY...at Hofstra...have not beaten them as a program since 2005...three very large points on the line... Looking forward to seeing our response!

See you soon,
Doug