PSA: Pretty Super Announcement

Today’s post is actually a P.S.A., but it’s not one of those boring Public Service Announcements if that’s what you’re thinking. I would never dream of boring my faithful readers, so calm down. Instead, today’s post is just a Pretty Super Announcement. So here’s the deal folks:

My friend and I (possible nicknames to be Starter for her and Closer for me) are creating a most epic kickball team. Now, I know you’re all probably thinking that haven’t I had enough of these kickball shenanigans? Your answer is no, not yet. Anyways, We are creating a kickball team of awesome proportions. However, this team is only currently in the making.

That’s where you, the reader comes in. We are still seeking more people to join. Would you like to be on our team? You could play with the one and only CAPSLove author which is a pretty nifty thing! Of course, we are only looking for those interested in improving their awesomeness and who like to meet other equally awesome people while kicking around a ball (and sometimes throwing and catching it too) and flipping cups while drinking plenty of beer.

Does that sound like your idea of a good time? Then perhaps you should join the team. Now, don’t be put off by our name, Bathroom Secrets, because really, when you think about it, this name could mean many different things. We like to keep things open for discussion. Are you concerned with your athletic abilities (or lack thereof)? That’s ok, because honestly, we don’t judge and you can’t be any worse than the person who’s signature kick is to kick it right to the pitcher (ahem, that would be me…). And we all know that come Thursday afternoon, you’re just like the rest of us, in your maybe-not-so-correct thinking that the weekend might as well come a day early and that you just want to forget that there’s still another meaningless day of the work week in between you and the weekend.

If that sounds like you (or someone who you would like to be) then I highly recommend you join Bathroom Secrets, the latest and greatest kickball team to take Washington, D.C.. For the sign-up info, go to this website. There, you can sign up for Bathroom Secrets, and all your wildest dreams will come true. (This is not an exaggeration.)

"Oh no! I missed DC Kickball registration!" "Idiot! Your summer is RUINED!"

R.I.P. Dear Friend

 

Sean

 

Kickball v6.0

Well, it’s that time of the year again. The days are long, the nights are young, and there’s love in the air. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Yes folks, that’s exactly what I was thinking. It is kickball season! (Duh.) Yes kiddies, kickball season has returned to your hearts and livers, so sharpen up those flipcup skills and learn how to catch a ball! The time is upon us.

Thing is, I was dead-sure that our season was slated to start next Thursday the 12th. Our pre-season party is this Saturday and I thought that would make sense. But apparently the Kickball Gods felt otherwise and instead, our first game is in two games. Whaa-What?! Yeah. Crazy, I know, but then again, that’s how us kickball kids roll: crazy and unpredictable. Guess that’s why the once named, “Pre-season Party” is now being called the “Season Opener Party.” (Lame.)

I’m not saying I can’t handle starting kickball season a week earlier, but I did have plans that night. I figure I can still do both. I’m a pro at this stuff anyways. This will be my sixth season playing kickball (or my third year). It is my eighth set of players I will be playing with and my fifth team. I guess you could say I’m quite the veteran with Kickball. I think I can handle this…

Back In The Saddle Again

Yesterday was the first day back at Sunday “Funday” Kickball and I had a better time than I thought I would. For some reason I was kind of dreading returning to the routine of kickball on Sundays. However, the day was the hottest DC has experienced this year, so running around in the heat and humidity wasn’t really something I was looking forward to.

Reflecting on yesterday’s activities led me to these thoughts/conclusions:

• I am a better kicker than I was led to believe.
• My new goal for playing on the fields (for both my Thursday and Sunday teams) is to make it to 3rd base. So far, I have gotten to 2nd base a few times and gotten out at 3rd three times. Not bad for the beginning of the season.
• I am not so great at fielding due to a kickball handicap: I have really small hands.
• It is much easier to meet new people while under the influence of beer.
• My confidence is greatly increased when I wear my mirrored sunglasses.
• While it is not suggested that if you can not chug all of your beer while playing flip cup, you manage to spill it all over yourself; it is however refreshing on a humid day.
• (For both my Thursday and Sunday teams) I need a buddy to walk back to the Metro with at all times.
• Forgetting to eat dinner, during an afternoon of alcohol consumption has always led me to make poor decisions.
• Two or three tater tots do not count as dinner.
• Falling on your butt on the field will hurt much more the next day than it will immediately after it happens.
• It really is not right that DC is experiencing gross humid weather normally found in July and August, in May.
• The Metro closes at midnight on Sundays. This is not to be forgotten.

I Love You, Tomorrow

OMG. Kickball resumes tomorrow with the start to a promising Spring Season of 2010. I am pretty excited! Get ready for future posts about drunken debauchery, flirtatious friendships, and poor perception.

I am continuing to play on two teams as well. The division I have had a longer stay with starts tomorrow, Thursday. I’m pretty stoked to play on that team, especially because it is full of new people and even a new hockey-themed name, that surprisingly, wasn’t even my doing. Nice!

March Is Drinking Month

In a recent effort to lose weight and gain self-control, I thought it would be a wise idea to ban drinking alcoholic beverages during the month of March (or at least for three weeks) as I described in this earlier post. Little did I know however, that apparently this year March has become the month of drinking specials. Of course there is St. Patrick’s Day about half-way through the month, but I thought other than that, I’d be clear of any popular reason to be tempted to drink. Boy, did I chose the wrong month not to drink. Let’s dissect the month ahead…

All of the days that I could be drinking are in blue. This does not include days when there are Caps games, in which case I could watch the game at a bar with a few drinks in tow.

We start off with this Saturday, March 6. According to the Express paper, This Saturday is the Leprechaun Lap, “the day-long bar crawl when a dozen Dupont Circle and Midtown watering holes offer cut-beer price ($2 Coors Light! $3 Blue Moon!) and $5 Jameson Irish whiskey drinks.” The bar-crawl lasts all day and there are numerous drink specials. More information can be found here.

The next date is March 11. On this special day is a party the day after The Sign of the Whale’s grand re-opening party. I could mention all of their events that week, but the 11th is special, because DCKickballers get in for free for a Power Hour from 8-9PM.

On March 13, is the popular Shamrock Fest. This is a crazy day at the RFK stadium parking lot filled with concerts and drinking and general insanity. While I have never been before, many of my friends have gone, and it always looks like fun.

That night, a few of my friends are also having an international party of drinking games associated with certain countries and their signature alcoholic beverages.

March 17 is known to most everyone as St. Patrick’s Day, and while many people are not Christian, apparently that doesn’t matter on what has become a holiday to drink yourself silly. St. Patrick’s Day has been commercialized to the point of what seems like a National holiday like Mardi Gras.

The day after, on March 18 is my birthday!!!!!

And on March 19 I am celebrating my birthday with a night-long party!

To continue this weekend, on March 20 a friend of mine is hosting a movie double feature complete with lots of drinking.

Also of importance on that day is the DCKickball Flip Cup Tournament. All past flip cup tournaments have proven to be either extremely memorable or …not. But either way, it is a sure-fire day of tons o’ fun and drinking.

After a week I’ll be going to Mexico with my family for a vacation. When I told my mom of my idea not to drink during March, she pointed out that I would “have to drink when we go to Mexico.” Wow, Mom. Way to be a good parent!

For those of you not going on a random Spring Break trip, on March 27 is a Charity Bar Game Triathlon hosted by the United Skeeball Association.

As you can see, I clearly chose the wrong month not to drink. Last night in fact, I went to a charity event at Neiman Marcus in which there were free specialty cocktails. I did resist the urge for even just a sip. While I was very proud of myself for resisting the drink, they did sound especially delicious, and who knows when the next time will be when I can try such a concoction. ….And it was free! I know, seriously, what was I thinking. In all honesty, I really would like to keep to this non-drinking regime for the month like my plan, but I just wish I was not aware of all these temptations! Hopefully my strong will will keep me going in the right direction!

Sunday vs. Thursday Kickball

S. 39  9/25/09

So I’ve already played two games of Sunday kickball and I’ve got almost 4 complete seasons of Thursday kickball under my belt and let me tell you, there are a lot of differences I can gather from playing kickball in the different divisions.

Sure the game is the same both on the fields and at the bar. The intentions seem to all be the same too. The camaraderie and friendships are there too.

So aside from the most obvious difference that I am playing on Sunday afternoons (the end of the weekend) versus Thursday nights (so close to the weekend you can taste it), there are some pretty surprising differences, too.

I’ll begin with the more obvious. Unlike having to worry about the limited daylight hours in the dwindling fall evenings, Sunday afternoons are filled with beautiful, warm sunlight. It’s actually been hot as the sun shines down on us on the bar’s outdoor patio, so much that I’ve felt like I was getting sunburned. Thursday evenings, many players can be seen sporting sweatshirts and sweatpants.

Probably related to this issue of light is the number of innings we play in the game. On Thursdays we play 5 innings, although due to the limited light we have decreased it to a mere 4 innings. On Sundays, we play a whopping 6 innings! Crazy.

Also different is the number of teams that play per division. The Capital division spans  playing on two days: Wednesday and Thursday, with about 8 teams on each day. In the Constitution/Sunday division, there is only one day to play on, and so half as many teams. This also creates a much more intimate group of players and I have the feeling that by the end of the Constitution season, I’ll get to everyone much more closely.

Another observation I’ve made about the differences in these two kickball divisions is that (maybe because this division is older but) the Capital division is much more involved in the social aspect of the league than the Constitution division. For example, the Capital board members create and write two weekly email newsletters. The first one is known as “Everybody Scores!” and sets up each game of the week. It lets players know of the predicted weather, the match-ups, and which team is predicted to win. The second e-newsletter is called “That Was The Week That Was” (or TWTWTW). This newsletter is a recap of the week’s events: games both on the fields and at the bar. It lets everyone know the final scores, the kickball highlights, and any shenanigans that occurred at the bar. There is also something called, The Crystal Pitcher award which is given to the team who has the most spirit at the bar. This is given out at the end of the season.

Another interesting thing to note is because of the difference in game times/days, it creates a much different social atmosphere. It seems like on Sundays afternoons, there is more of a mood towards friendship. To contrast, Thursday nights call for flirting and a much higher chance of going home with another player. Probably because of Casual Fridays and many students not having classes on Fridays, many players see Thursday night as an optimal time for furthering a crush or creating a one night stand. Another contributor to this is that Thursday night players get much more rowdy and drunk and so the inhibitions are let loose. Sunday afternoons are leisurely and friendlier. Nobody seems to get the urge to get crazy drunk before the work week starts again and if the temptation to go home with a player was present, it would probably be more like a date and less like a hookup.

This last statement however, does make for a good thing for those in kickball who seek a significant other. While Thursday players seem to get physical before getting to know the other on a more personality basis, Sunday players seem to get the advantage of discovering each other on a more friendly basis and less physical. True, each way has its advantages and disadvantages. But for someone looking to find a “real” relationship, I’d recommend a day-time division.

All in all, I’m very satisfied with each division. It’s kind of a breath of fresh air the way each division is so handled differently. It’s a nice switch-up.

The Real World Spotting #2

C. 22  9/18/09

Last night included the usual weekly kickball matchup. But then in addition, a few friends and I ran into a few cast members on MTV’s The Real World. That was fun, especially since I had just read something about how the filming for the show is being wrapped up soon. Anyways, here were the recaps of the night, as best I can remember…

On the drive to the bar and while hunting around for a nearby parking spot, we drove past a few ladies walking in front of a few video cameras. I flipped out, and not noticing that our car’s windows were down, shrieked that they were from The Real World. Naturally, I excited the others in the car, though I don’t think the cast and crew noticed. (They probably get that ALL the time.) Anyways, we found a parking space,  and while walking to McFadden’s (which I also explained to my companions was where one of the cast members worked), my friend, Scrappy and I spotted The Real World ladies we had just seen, working out at a gym. (Can’t remember the name of the place though.) Scrappy and I stopped and tried to wave to the cast members. They smiled back, and one of the girls even waved back. (We made contact! Ha. Yes!) Scrappy was also trying to offer her bottle of (spiked) Gatorade to them, though I’m pretty sure they had no idea what my friend was saying, since you can’t hear from behind the windows. Still cool, nonetheless.