Angels on the Field

Last night our HS Football team (Center Grove) played for the state championship.

I have never really been much a fan of HS football, but Kelsey's boyfriend Devon was a senior offensive lineman, so I attended the games this season with her and for him. Pretty much all season the games were boring due to the fact Center Grove dominated most of their opponents, barring one our rivals to the north Carmel.

(Devon & Kelsey after a regular season game)

This saga started last year when we took an overtime game away from Carmel for an amazing, exciting win. Fast forward to this year, Sept. 3rd with 6,000 fans in attendance, unheard of for a H.S. game, Carmel came back in the last 45 seconds to win the game against us, it was the only lost the CG football team had for the season, setting the stage for last night's state championship against Carmel.

(Kelsey & Alex in the Suite)

We headed down to Lucas Oil Stadium (the Colts) for the game, Devon's dad had gotten us his company's suite, we came early to watch the other division games but come game-time we headed over to the regular seats, managing to secure 45 yard line lower seats for the game we were all ready. The stadium was 3/4 full of Center Grove kids, parents and community members having sold 6,600 pre-game tickets, we pride ourselves that we may not be a city, but we are a strong community.

The game started and Carmel pulled ahead, going into the 1/2 we scored but were still down, it wasn't looking good - it wasn't the CG team we had watched all season, there were mistakes and as with the Sept. 3rd game it didn't look like we could close down the Carmel quarterback. The Carmel fans were taunting us with their 'championship' signs and going into the 4th quarter it really didn't look good, I must admit I was praying for a miracle, I wanted this group of boys, especially the seniors and Devon to have this win.

And that's when those angels appeared, with 6 minutes left, our student's shouting 'We Believe' and the boys never giving up, though many of the fans had, they managed to overcome a 19 point deficit in the remaining 6 minutes of the game to win the State Championship and put Carmel in their place, we were overwhelmed. They are truly Champions.

(Picture of Devon that appeared on the front page of the Indy Star Sports Section)

It was a lot of firsts, first HS state championship to be played at Lucas Oil, largest crowd to attend a HS state game and the first football championship for Center Grove....I was so excited for the seniors, for Devon and for the community!

I called mom to tell her the news not knowing she had been watching the scores online, she had last checked with 8 minutes remaining and had conceded we had lost the game. She thought I was joking when I told her we had won, it took some convincing to get her to realize it. As they say, it ain't over until the fat lady sings....


We all went back to the HS to celebrate the win, at 12 midnight the school gymnasium was packed with kids & parents, the emotions were overwhelming. Here is Kelsey, Alex and Devon with his state medal around his neck and a wonderful close to his football career!

November

This month has pretty much been about the same as October, quiet, reflective and enjoying the peace. I enjoyed dinner with a mysterious antique buyer at the beginning of the month and we are both looking forward to the next time we will be able to converse again. Friday's have been taken over by the High School football team when Kelsey comes home to see Devon play. They are ranked in the top 50 for HS teams on ESPN, just look for Center Grove. Games are usually followed by all the football parents going to a local restaurant to relish victories (until the wee hours), Devon's parents invite me along, I have enjoyed myself and getting to know more of the other parents.

I am getting out a bit more during the week reconnecting with friends, but still laying low, kinda feel like I am re-charging for something, just not sure what yet. Or it just maybe work has left me worn from trying to get so much done before the 'code freeze' which is when we lock down to any changes going into the holiday sales.

The girls have been busy with their activities both doing well in their respective schools. Kelsey's roommate had a breakdown and returned to her home, leaving Kelsey relaxed as not to have to deal with her anymore, she is enjoying school more and stressing less. Alex and I took in the Twilight movie this past weekend after both of us read the book, were hooked - well she is, I have always loved vampire stories and we are looking forward to the next movie. A friend of mine at work just introduced me to a series of Anne Rice trilogy I didn't know existed called Sleeping Beauty which came with a warning that I will probably feel the need to smoke after every chapter if you get my drift.

This maybe difficult now since I gave up smoking on November 20th *the great smoke-out day*, 7 days and counting. I have faltered a few times, its not so much the physical need to smoke, it is more mental but I still feel one or two in this time frame is doing better than my almost 2 pack a day, and to just think of all the money I have saved so far - yeah!

We are looking forward a great Thanksgiving and on Saturday the football team will be playing for the State Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium complete with pre-game tailgating, we are all looking forward to a victorious win and lots of celebrating afterwards!

Wishing you all a wonderful happy Thanksgiving and stress free holiday and hope this all finds you well! As I say on myspace - I am around!

October

Was a quiet month for us, Kelsey is pretty much settled into Purdue getting into the swing of classes and coming home most weekends when there are home football games to see her boyfriend Devon play, they are having a great season. She is struggling with her roommate but making the best of the situation. Alex and I have gotten into a comfortable routine with school, work and soccer.

Much to the chagrin of my friends who have been wondering where in the world I am, I have been a homebody of late, venturing out only on occasion. It's not that I don't want to be around in all honesty, I have become bored with the whole routine of going out for awhile, so why bother. I have taken in a few poker games but for the most part, been home taking care of the house, reading, running Alex around and enjoying the quiet.

My photographer buddies got me out at the end of the month when they came in for the annual FFA convention. We took in a few nights of drinks. One of the first evenings we landed in the Slippery Noodle, a favorite Jazz/Blues bar of mine that always has someone good playing. This was a Tuesday evening, quiet for downtown but they had a jazz duet playing. The manager encouraged us to come around and sit down to enjoy the second session, after getting our drinks and of course, our shot(s) of bourbon we always enjoy together we obliged. As always, my eyes wandered around to take in the group who were joining us in the bar this evening and sitting directly across from us was Peyton Manning...wow! He was out as well enjoying a couple with some friends, after his lackluster showing in Green Bay I am surprised he was taking a bunch. They stayed through the set and no one bothered them, I came to find out later this is a favorite haunt of the team, many times they come over after the game to review film and drink in a private room downstairs.

Later in the week, the group reconvened again at the Noodle, this time we were in for a special treat...a private tour of the building which is the oldest bar in the state dating back to the 1850's. During our tour we saw some of the old tunnels, now sealed but used for the underground railroad and later moving and storing munitions under the city. Saw bullets Dillinger left in the back brick wall (once the stable area) from some fun target practice and a run through the upstairs which was originally a brothel. All in all a fascinating building to tour and find out about. Above all I was spellbound by the stories of the resident ghosts which are known to haunt the bar, disappointed they didn't visit but have been seen by many of the employees who work there. There is George whose domain is the downstairs basement, a black coal-tender who appears now and then causing no harm but seems to scare the shit out of some of the employees by just standing behind them. Big Boss, who feels he still runs the place and gets a little angry with the current general manager but alas cannot do much about it and word from the local paranormals who have visited, many teenagers and other spirits who have come to rest in the building due to their buildings being torn down, they are known to tease the staff and reek havoc.....just fascinating, but again I was disappointed they didn't choose to visit us.

If you have the opportunity to visit Indianapolis, make sure you stop into the Noodle, have a drink and enjoy the oldest bar in the state!