nags of a similar ilk

Following our previous years' trend (2006, 2007 - hey we're getting better on the timing!), the Mischief End of Year Extravaganza was last night. I was originally going to drive up, but decided that heading up with Doyle would most likely a better decision, parking and stress wise. I was wise, as Mark's car was towed from his parking spot by a bitter neighbor.

Last year, I won the "Most Statistically Significant" award. I'm thrilled to say I won the "Soul" award this year, to go with the "Heart" and "Legs" award (that others won, not me). This team, I swear, makes my laugh, cry and just plain smile. It's an amazing group of people. I think I'll be sad to retire this year.

Andy had bought a big red ball a few days ago. He was playing with it at the fields. He was playing with it at the villas and on the beach. It was used as a foot rest by some teammates. It became the object of much mirth and entertainment as it was snagged by some teammates, often from under the feet of other teammates.

One morning, say, Saturday's morning, Andy took the ball to the fields and, rather than take it INTO the port-a-potty he was about to use, he set it down outside the port-a-potty before going inside to do his business.

When he came out, it was gone.

Sunday, when he and a group of teammates were at the fields to watch finals, Andy noticed a group of three women bouncing the ball around amongst them. He quickly ran up, grabbed the ball and called out, "Thank you, ball thieves!"

Surprised, the three tried to explain how the ball was just sitting there, it was abandoned, no they really weren't ball thieves.

Uh huh. Riiiiiiiiiight.

After the tragic disappearance and the joyful reappearance of the big red ball, Andy couldn't bear to be without it. Packing it in his luggage, however, might be difficult.

Andy managed to find a way.

How many engineers does it take to get gas in a rental car on the way to Tampa Bay airport without getting lost?

From today's experience, more than 4.

Paul, Warren and a few others were driving back from the store when they saw a group of McCain supporters waving signs on the side of the road. One of them was young (think twenties instead of the expected sixties of most Republicans), which surprised Paul. So, he leaned out to ask the guy what was up.

He had to shout, however, since they were on a busy road.

Paul shouted out of the car: You're so young! Why are you voting for McCain?
The young supporter shouts back: What? We can't hear you!
Paul: You're so young! Why are you voting for McCain?
Supporter: What? Can't hear you!
Paul: But I can hear you!
Supporter: What?
Paul: Is this some one way sound barrier?
Supporter: Yes!

Last night, with the tournament over for the team, I decided, okay, fine, I'd head out to the beach. I've spent most of the tournament on the fields or in the villa, not really wanting to go out to the beach when it was cold. Funny that, Florida, cold.

Bah, and went.

So I wandered out to the beach, less wandering, more skipping.

I REALLY should have clued in when I met not 5, but 10 ultimate players walking away from the beach.

Nope. I didn't.

I went through the archway under the condos next to the villas and stopped.

This is NOT what I saw:

Instead, I saw hundreds of people crowding the beach. There were at least five teams hanging out, drinking, playing double disc court, running around, and playing whatever throwing, hitting or shouting game drunk people can make up.

There were so many people I couldn't find any teammates for a good two minutes, having to scan each team carefully.

Funny how all athletic, half naked men all look the same on a Florida beach.

I eventually found my team, and was happy for a moment.

Until in nearly the same moment I realized that everyone around me was drunk, and it was raining.

Yep, about right, I thought, and went back to the villa.

I had some stats to finish up.