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Intro 1998 1999 2000 2001

Yes, yes, I know this is later than it should be, but things have been kinda busy around here...

The main activity that's keeping me busy is soccer. What with 1st grade, 5th grade, coaching clinic, jamboree and playing, it certainly keeps me off the streets. However, from this week I'll have one less commitment as Graham's team is being merged with another team. I started with 8 and ended with 5 as 1 moved away, 1 gave up, and 1 was switched to another team by their mom without telling me. (Now that really ticks me off!) Another team was in the same boat, so it made sense to join them together. A minimum of 6 is required, and really a few more for subs, etc. Although it was quite enjoyable, I'm not desperately sorry to lose it. Running 2 teams was just a bit much, and I've been asked to help out with Colin's normal Rec team while the coach and assistant coach are away.

The jamboree is a big soccer festival run by the Lake Oswego soccer club every year, where all the teams get to play their first game of the Fall season. They also have various stalls, one of which is uniform (strips) sales, which was where I was helping. I was there for 2 hours on the Friday night, straight from work, until it got too dark to do anything. I also served for almost 6 hours straight on the Saturday morning, starting at 0800. I went home to grab a bite to eat and a drink before Colin had his game. On returning to the jamboree I found people helping themselves to uniform, even though it was supposed to be closed. It appears that, due to a mis-communication, the team coaches had told everyone that uniform sales was open all day. Wrong! However, my good nature got the better of me as these people needed uniform for photos and games and I couldn't just turn them away.

Anyway, I managed to find someone from the club to look after it while we went to watch Colin play his game. They didn't play badly, but still lost 4-0. I had 2 of my team on one side (Colin and Timmy) and 3 on the other (Kyle, Jordan and Stephan), so I didn't know who to shout for. Colin and Timmy interacted well and looked dangerous at one point, but couldn't rely on the others to do their bit. That's the trouble with Rec, you get some kids who are not at all bad, and others who've never played before.

On the Saturday we had church first thing, then Graham was playing his game at 1200. He didn't do too badly, scoring a goal, but they lost as well. He takes it all very seriously and gets quite frustrated when they lose. I tried to get some pictures, but I missed his goal because I had to fill in a bit of a form for someone. Rats!

At 1500 my Rec+ team played their first game against a side from Portland. They won 1-0, although it should have been lots more, for all the pressure they had. They spent virtually the entire second half camped in the other half of the field, but just couldn't put it away. Their keeper also saved a penalty. A good start to the league.

Then in the evening I was playing. I'm playing for an over 35s co-ed (i.e. mixed sex) team. As there are 7 teams in our group we had a bye, so we played against a co-ed team from the 'open' section. They certainly were ahad of us on youth, but we pretty much held our own, losing 4-0, although we managed more shots on goal than they did, hit the crossbar 3 times and I missed an absolute sitter. Early in the first half, still no score, I pick the ball up about midway into their half, beat 3 men and get into the penalty area with just the keeper to beat. I'm thinking 'Don't just fire it at the keeper', but that's just what happens and he gets a knee in the way. Still, I was pleased that I made the opening, as I don't really see me as an attacker. I spent most of the game in defence, and made some good tackles and clearances. Roll on this Sunday, when we play a team from our own league.

Still on soccer, I went along to Colin's Rec practice on Tuesday, as I'd promised to look after the team on Saturday when Laura, the coach, is away. In chatting to her afterwards she said that she played in the co-ed over 35s league last year, but gave up as she thought it was too dangerous. Too many people who didn't know what they're doing. Hmmm... She plays in a different league on Fridays, and she asked if I'd be interested in playing as they sometimes have a shortage of players. I'm game for it...

Other than soccer, not much has been happening. Well, except for the kids being back to school. They seem to be getting on fine and happy to be back and doing something, although the novelty is starting to wear off already as the homework starts.

We arranged with the local telephone company, US West, to set us up with a second phone line. They've attached one to the building, but say that we've got to pay extra to connect it inside! They really are quite useless.

Cathy was off to a lunch at the Country Club this week with all the library volunteers and a few nobs, mayor, etc. She came home with a big vase and bunch of flowers which she won on the door prize.

The kids introduced themselves to some more neighbors by whacking a baseball into their garden. It was later retrieved, but a dog got to it first and gave it a good chewing.

Out in the big US world the big topic is the ongoing saga of a president that's gone to the dogs. I read some of the Starr report and it's pretty bad. It should have an 'X' certificate on the front of it. I'll try to finish it this week when I get a moment. (Hah!) Public opinion stills seems to be in support of Clinton, so he should make it despite the calls to resign.

On the Scotland front I see that Labour, sorry New Labour, are heading for another showing up in the courts, this time over the Tommy Graham affair. From what I read in the press it looks clear that the result was predecided. I can't see a judicial review siding with New Labour, especially when one of the rules he's supposed to have broken was only introduced several years after the alleged infraction.

Taking about politics and things. The uniform co-ordinator for LOSC is hoping to be made pressident this year, and if he does he has asked me to serve on the board with him. LOSC board member this year, president next year? I don't think so...

Well, that's enough for this week. I'll catch you all next week.