Blackberry and Bluetooth Nation

Last week I got on the parking garage elevator like I always do and I couldn't help but notice five of the other six passengers all had their eyes glued to their Blackberries. Trust me, I'm a big fan of no awkward conversation on elevators but the scene struck me as humorous. So with a grin on my face, I stepped into the elevator to the harmonious clicking chatter of thumbs on Blackberry buttons.

As someone who is not the beneficiary of a company issued Blackberry I never really noticed how popular and widely-used the device is until that moment on the elevatory. All I have to say is: those damn things are everywhere. I mean EVERY WHERE! Now that I noticed I see people on those things waiting in line, walking down the street, driving cars (yikes), sitting at bars (yikes), etc. C'mon people! Is that email or text message really THAT important?! It can't wait 15 minutes until you get to your desk from the car or lunch? Apparently not. I can see how the technology is useful for some professionals, but it's quickly becoming a fad. I really can't see why my school-teacher friends really need a Blackberry, but realize this is the guy that was the last to own an iPod or accept text-messaging as a suitable form of communication. Perhaps someday when I'm a department director instead of a lowly ticket sales peon on the very bottom of the sports franchise pyramid I'll possess a Blackberry, but until then I'll remain happily in the Stone Age.

I had another experience in the parking garage elevator, but this one involved a Bluetooth. You know, one of those hands-free cell phone talking devices you stick in your ear. When I stepped into the elevator dead silence filled the air. After a few quiet moments, the woman erupts in chatter scaring me half to death. The woman had long hair and I didn't notice the device in her ear. Again, the more I paid attention the more I see those things everywhere! Not that I'm a descendant of Abcrombie or Fitch, but Bluetooths are definitely the fashion blunders of 2008. Some people actually keep those things lodged into their eardrums while at ball games and bars as if it's a cool thing to do. That's one fashion statement they can have. But if it's endorsed by David Beckkham, maybe I should consider it.

Are you kidding me?!

Last week was a blur.

Tuesday night the Dynamo renewed their rivalry with Mexico's Pachuca after a 2-1 win that kicked off at 9pm. I can usually handle one game a week and not feel like I'm working overtime, but we had to host the Columbus Crew again on Saturday. Fortunately, the kickoff time was a normal 7:30.

I looked forward to the Crew game because it reunited with me former Kickin' Hoosiers Jed Zayner and Danny O'Rourke. Although I didn't get to talk with them much, they were glad to see me working for the league.

After the game, I made plans to meet up with some work buddies to grab a few beers at bar in Midtown that's a convert house. Literally. I get there first, I buy a beer and just stand their waiting for my friends minding my own business.

Out of no where, a young woman my age grabs my arm and asks me to sit down at a table with her friends. Being polite, I said of course. They immediately introduce me to their friend Alesha before going outside for a smoke. I begin asking her questions to dig myself out of the incredibly awkward situation. Stuff like this never happens to me. I wasn't wearing anything special: jeans, red polo, faded Chicago Bears hat, unshaven, no cologne- nothing special. I really didn't even feel like talking to any woman that night. I just wanted to chill with my boys. But here I was sitting across from this attractive, young working professional woman.

I look over my shoulder to see my friends standing right there. I had idea how long they had been there or what they may have seen or heard. Oh well. I invited them to sit down and before long both parties were mixed as part of a very random series of events. The group moved outside.

With all seat taken, Alesha decided to sit on my lap. Behind her back, my friend Neil shrugged his shoulders and made a suggestive facial expression. I couldn't help but grin. Afterall I was in shock. This girl sitting on my lap didn't seem drunk, but deep down I felt she had to be. She asked me to get a drink with her. I needed one too so I thought what the heck. Once inside, she pulled into the shadows and kissed me. Being polite, I kissed her back but I still suspected something. I waited for someone to jump out with a video camera and say: "GOT YA!" But it never happened.

The night died down. She gave me her number and told me to call her tomorrow. I called her out and asked if she would even remember me tomorrow. She promised she would.

Sunday afternoon rolled by. I still hadn't called, but I decided it was worth it. She was pretty cute. Sure enough, the call went straight to voicemail. Reality had sunk in, but I left a message anyway. A few hours went by and my phone rang. Alesha had remembered and told me she wanted to get together. Of course I couldn't say no to that.

So when random sh*t happens, sometimes it's just best to roll with it.

2 to win on 4

Beer. Horses. Wagering. Live music.

Can it get any better?

If so, someone please tell me.

The Sam Houston Race Park has a summer concert series that is paired with live horse racing. I had been meaning to check out the horse race park anyway, but when I found that my new favorite band Southern rockers Cross Canadian Ragweed was coming to play a show I bought my tickets right away.

So Friday night my friends Tina, John and I met up at the race park for a summer's night of entertainment. Walking up to the horse paddock where the horses are saddled and the jockeys then saddle up brought back some childhood memories of Keenland and historic Churchhill Downs where I first learned the insanity of horse race wagering. I remember my mom's strategies which included live earnings and silks colors. Mom always insisted on betting on horses whose jockey wore purple silks. Real scientific.

My friends were horse race park rookies and needed to be educated. After I quickly refreshed my memory on how to wager by skimming through the program, I share with them my limited knowledge on how to pick a winning horse. The races were short, however, only lasting between 300 and 550 yards. These Texas-bred quarter horses were sprinters. This was a major disappointment. What makes horse racing addicting is the exhilaration of watching your horse battle it out down the straight-aways and around the corners to pull ahead down the final stretch to Win, Place or Show glory. It's the anticipation. The races I witnessed were over just as quickly as they started. It was better than nothing.

The concert stage is on the in-field where more of the partying takes place. Sound familiar? You get there by walking through a tunnel that goes under the track. Along its walls are banners advertising upcoming shows. Dierks Bently and Billy Ray Cyrus stuck out the most as I passed by. Once in the in-field I saw some of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life. True blue Texas cowgirls. Cut off jean shorts, cowboy boots, long hair blowing in the gentle summer evening air. I though I had died and gone to cowboy heaven. By this time I had a few beers in me and I had drowned my frustrations and sorrows from the previous work week. It was a Friday night and in the words of Alan Jackson I "was ready for a good time."

In my opinion, Cross Canadian Ragweed is the Lynyrd Skynyrd of my generation. Their sound is the perfect mix of outlaw country and rock. The band utilizes the electric guitar but doesn't over do it. Perfection. CCR rocked out their best jams, or at least the ones that I know. I have to admit I haven't been listening to them very long. My friends and I sat out on the lawn so the music wasn't as loud as I would have preferred but I guess you can't have it all even on a great night of fun. Maybe its my age, a hectic work week or the lack of a truly "fratty" lifestyle, but as the show came to a close I was exhausted.

When I got home at 1am I looked forward to sleeping in.

I woke up at 8am.