Another Swim Season Come and Gone

I think 94% of my weekend was dedicated to swimming. I love the sport but am very glad the season is over; I think we all need a bit of a break before it resumes again in the Fall.

Saturday was Champs - the big Championship meet. Both kids swam great. The Girl took 2nd overall in back, fifth in fly and six in IM. She scored her team a ton of points in the process. I thought the real story of the day though was the Boy. He really rose to the occasion and took 9th overall in back and 16th in IM, scoring ten points for the team in the process. That's a really amazing accomplishment in my opinion for a kid who one year ago could not swim at all. His IM was really an amazing race. He ended up winning his heat, despite being in 5th place half way through. His team was going nuts cheering him on as was his grandparents. It's one of those moments where as a parent you almost cry, you are so happy for him. I will post a video later so you can see what I mean.

Unfortunately, their team lost by 27 points to Sleepy Hollow, the team we beat just last week. The Champs meet in a sense isn't a fair playing field as Sleepy Hollow has 86 more swimmers than us. Without getting too far into how scoring works, etc, to beat them requires some very difficult math. It's essentially a game of numbers. Anyway, it was a disappointing outcome but very dramatic and fun nonetheless.

On Sunday we had our awards banquet. The Girl ended up winning the Coaches Award for her age group and I am obviously super happy for her. Goes without saying that she's an amazing little swimmer and she can add this to her arsenal of hardware with pride.

But this year I was really holding out hope for the Little Boy. I *really* wanted to see him win Most Improved and though he didn't really say much, I knew he wanted it too. When the coach announced most improved for his age group all the kids began chanting "Zevan, Zevan" and I started filming what I thought was going to be a special moment. Alas, another kid's name was announced. That's sports for you - it has its fair share of ups and downs.

That said, I have to say, sometimes my heart just breaks for the Little Dude. I know life isn't all about awards and trophies and he has an amazing perspective about things, which I will get to, but ... man. Still.

Just once.

The net of it is I feel like he often gets left behind and ignored. Maybe it's because he's a smaller, quiet-ish dude. Baseball being a case in point; in my opinion, he should have made the all-star team this year. Several less worthy kids made it - and everyone in town knows he can play the game well. But he didn't. Might just as much my fault for not getting involved in the political part of it, which is a rant for another day.

So I help out hope that he'd get some recognition in the pool instead. And not as a gift mind you - I thought he really deserved it. He worked his butt off all year and the results showed it. But alas, it wasn't to be. I was watching when they announced the award and I could see his face sink for a second but here's what I love so much about him - he picked his head up, smiled and was truly first one to pat the other kid on the back and congratulate him.

When we chatted later I told him a was disappointed for him, but that life was very karmic and his time would come. He told me not to worry about it, that the other kid was awesome and more deserving and while disappointed, he was very happy for him.  But his lips quivered a little as he said it; I could tell he was still disappointed and putting on a bit of a brave front.

But it was those words - and that genuine attitude - which makes him such an awesome, awesome kid.

And no trophy could possibly have made me prouder than the grace he showed under disappointment.


It reminded me of what sportsmanship is really all about. 

You're the man in my book, Little Dude.

Crazy Week

More radio silence from me this week than usual due to a ton of running around for work; we had a big event in LA on Wednesday night in downtown Hollywood. In all my years of going back and forth to LA I have never done a night out on the town in Hollywood. Let's just say that that place is straight up nuts and eerily reminiscent of Vegas on a Saturday night. Anyway, fun time had by our office.

Tomorrow is Champs, the last swim meet of the season. Hoping the kids do well. Regardless, it's been a great - amazing, even - season. Their win over Sleepy Hollow continues to get local media coverage - I will post a few links later. But alas, all good things come to an end.

Nothing New To Report

Not too much going on at the moment. Still reveling in the big Sea Serpent win I guess. Seems like our whole town is reveling in that win. Apparently Sleepy Hollow's win streak was one of the longest youth sports win streaks in the country. Or so they say. And don't ask me who the "they" is because I believe "they" are 12 years old. So take that for what it's worth.

Couple of things:

- did anyone see the movie Savages and if so, any thoughts? The book by Don Winslow is a favorite of mine and I'm reading its precursor, which came out last week. It is also very good.

- Listening to some good music, including the new Pumpkins, which I wrote about previously, along with new Purity Ring and Metric. All three are on heavy rotation. I'm very curious to hear the new Frank Ocean, which is getting a lot of buzz.

- Starting to swim in earnest myself. I signed up for a 5k open water swim in Chicago in September I'll get it done but I'm not quite yet in top swimming shape. That will be by longest swim ever. Starting to ramp up my running too; have been taking it *really* easy this year in hopes that my hip gets better. It isn't getting better but it isn't getting worse and I'm hoping to see another specialist soon for a consultation.


That's it for now.

Sea Serpents!

Well, the Sea Serpents did it; they beat the Sleepy Hollow Sea Lions, who had not previously lost a dual meet in 19 years.

That's right, 19 years.

Not one of our Kids were born when they last lost.

This meet was insanity and high drama all day; every parent and kid was watching on the absolute seat of their pants. I've never witnessed a youth sporting event quite like this. It. Was. Awesome.

The team really, really rose to the occasion and both kids swam pretty well, too. The Little Girl had two 2nd place finishes and had three best times, which is always the goal. The Little Boy had a kick ass backstroke, taking nearly two seconds off his previous best.

All in all, a great day. The team partied for an hour after their victory, the coaches sprayed bubbly apple cider, all the kids and parents were in the pool - good times and a swim meet that a LOT of people will never forget.

The Swim Meet to End all Swim Meets

Tomorrow is the biggest swim meet of the season: the Scott Valley Sea Serpents versus Sleepy Hollow Sea Lions.

Last year, Sleepy Hollow beat us by five points (which is as close as you can get in a swim meet) by winning the absolute last relay race of the day. It was absolutely electrifying and one of the best sports events I've ever witnessed. Sleepy Hollow is a legendary squad and have not lost a duel meet since 1999, which is absolutely incredible. We are the up and comer and some people think that this very well might be our year (I'm trying hard not to jinx us here).

Marin Magazine wrote a great story about this rivalry and Marin swimming in general that you can read here. Even if you aren't from the area or have no interest whatsoever in swimming, take ten minutes and read this article. It's written by one of my favorite sports writers, Austin Murphy, who writes for Sports Illustrated. Among other subjects, he usually covers the Tour de France (more on that in a separate post).

Anyway, my two swimmers are ready fro the big day; it's all they've been talking about for the past two weeks. Can't wait to see how it nets out. Either way, we should see some great swimming.

 Go Sea Serpents!

Minor League Baseball

We have a minor league (technically, they are an Independent League team) team here in Marin County, CA, the San Rafael Pacifics. We went to a game last night and it was a huge stoke; $10 admission, excellent food (amazing tri tip sandwich) and a great selection of beers.

Additionally, they really involve the kids; they got to play musical chairs between innings (the Little Boy won a $25 gift certificate to local BBQ joint) and after the game the players line up to speak with the kids and give autographs. I have to say, even though the crowd was just about 300 people, I think I will take that any day over a major league game. A tremendous value, pretty decent baseball and great family fun. If you ever get a chance to go to a minor league game, it is highly recommended.

Boy's Weekend and a 10th Birthday

Sorry so quiet; was away on our annual boy's weekend in Northern Michigan. Aside form my lost bag (which Delta sent from SF to Atlanta to Baltimore to Detroit to Flint back to Detroit to Bay City) and a stomach bug on Saturday, it was all good. The usual; hanging out, swimming, boating, lots of eating and drinking and re-telling the same old stories for the 67th time. The big, breaking news is that a 2012 Monopoly Champion has been declared - yours truly. I won't get into a recitation of the entire game (though I have done so several times in my head - as well as providing a full debriefing to the Little Boy) but let's just say thaty I rolled last, only was able to secure one property - and still won. Maybe my finest hour.

I got back Sunday in a fog and had to head to LA yesterday for an afternoon meeting. That was rough. I was able to get back on an earlier flight though and join the Little Girl for her 10th birthday dinner. I cannot - cannot - believe my baby is ten years old.

I always wanted a little girl and I sure got all I bargained for with this one.Like all kids she sure does have her moments, but she is a great kid in every respect and I love her (and the Little Boy of course) more than anything in the world. Happy birthday, Little Girl. I hope you get to celebrate 90 more.