Caps preseason

I went to a Caps preseason game to get in the mood for the season. There are lots of new players to get to know. I hooked up the tickets in an online group deal and scored lower level at a good price. I was on the side where the Caps shoot twice. I like getting the different perspectives around the rink rather then sitting in the same seat every game as I did early on with season tickets. I sat on the club level mostly last year so getting down to eye level was nice. During the second and third periods I switched sides for a different view on and off the ice. It wasn’t full but there was a good amount of people there for a preseason game. Thomas Vokoun started in goal. They played the Sabres. It was a close game but the Caps pulled it off after a shoot out.

riding free

I wish I was a kid again...

Take Away The Worry

Caps R2 G1

Having made it to the second round of the play-offs the Caps are up against the Tampa Bay Lightening. I wonder what their mascot looks like? Our mascot turned in to a cardinal from an eagle in the end of the season. Not sure how that jives. Looks like he added to the new look with a mohawk in round two.

credit: clydeorama

My weekly Friday meeting with the client didn't happen so after helping out the boss for a bit out was out of there at 5:00. Teri and I got good seats on the club level at exactly center ice. We were a couple rows behind the TV cameras. I always find it interesting to watch how they work. For some reason tickets were available for this game. I think prices dropped leading up to it. Of course we got tix after game six of round one so they were probably at their highest price. We ended up getting a decent deal for a round two play-off seat at club level on a weekend.

This game they gave us thunder sticks. They are 2.5 foot long but thin balloons you blow up and bang together. Thunder sticks versus the Lightening? The first minute of the game was the same as its been during the play-offs and the Caps were on their heals. After that though they picked it up. Teri had her Avon walk the next day so no drinking for her. Unfortunately even though the Caps seemed to have control most of the game the Lightening got some luck and scored. After that we couldn't come back. Hopefully the Caps pull it back in game two before heading to Tampa Bay.

Caps R1 G5, Mad Fox, Soulive

Game five seemed a long way away when Teri and I bought tickets but the week went by quick and Saturday was upon us. I was looking forward to this day all week but unfortunately I was still sick even though I've been going to work most of the week. I thought on Thursday and Friday I was starting to go in the wrong direction and felt worse than Tuesday and Wednesday. Thankfully things didn't seem too bad waking up on Saturday. It was an early 3:00 game which allowed us to hit the Soulive concert afterwards.

We got club level seats as usual. The lines on the lower level are way too long for the bathroom and food/drink. The other issue with the lower level is they serve the good beers in smaller cups than the club level for some odd reason. Preferential treatment? It was a red out as usual in the stadium. Unfortunately they gave us "cheer cards" this game unlike the red towels I got in game one. The cheer card was a half sized poster with the Caps logo and not the take home item most fans would enjoy. Not many people actually held them up during the game. It was a cheap game for me holding off from the $8 beers. The Caps put together a good game. They scored in the first period which is not usual lately. Green went down with a shot to the head but returned to the bench later. Any win in the play-offs is fun.

After the game Teri and I hit Mad Fox for dinner on our way to the State Theater. It was a 25 minute wait so we sat outside in their recent outdoor set up. It was a bit chilly but not too bad. I had some stuffed trout and Teri had a pizza. We sampled some beers of course and headed off to the show down the street.

They were supposed to have the same popular local gospel-influenced soul singer that opened last time but instead there was a DJ. The guy looked like Eric the guitarist of Soulive. Finally Soulive's suited groupie announced the band and they took the stage. I think they opened with the same song they did last time. They seemed to be enjoying their job and wanting to play well. They picked it up throughout the show. The drummer seemed to have some issue with his hand. The suited groupie brought out a towel that appeared to have ice in it and tied off with a guitar cord. It didn't seem to affect his play though. At some point he went off stage for a couple minutes while the other two diddled around. They brought out some of their Beatles songs during the second half of their show. Those seemed to be more layered and high energy then their own songs. It was a jamin' medley. I ended up having a beer or two at the end of the night since I felt so well.

Teri's game pics

Round 1 Game 1

The Caps clinched the Eastern Conference Championship despite some rough patches during the season and it's finally time for the play-offs. The first two games are in DC being that the Caps have home ice advantage. Teri was busy with a softball and soccer game of her own. I decided I couldn't pass up the play-off fever and surprisingly was able to find great seats for (relatively) cheap. Teri and I sat in row F near center ice a couple weeks ago and ticket I got for game one of round one was right behind that in row H.

Play-off games are different than regular season games. Of course the game is sold out and every seat is filled. Everyone was rockin' the red. The energy is high with both the fans and players. Lots of antics by the fans (depending on your home team). This year the Caps fans behind the visiting bench brought rain ponchos. This is because the NYR's coach dumped water on a Caps fan during the play-offs two years ago.

Everyone got a red towel to wave around so the place was pretty much solid red. Instead of blue man, who I saw earlier this year at a game, there was red man. He was taughting the Rangers player in the penalty box at one point. It was an entertaining game all around. Well except for high scoring which the NHL seems to have these days on occasion. It was high tempo. The Caps laid out a few Rangers during the game with Ovechkin giving out one of the best hits right in front of me. After the Rangers had control for the first two minutes the Caps seemed to control the rest of the period. It wasn't until the third period when the wrong team finally scored. From that point everyone was begging for a goal as the time counted down to the end of the period and a game one loss. With six minutes to go Ovi slammed one in under the goalie that had to be reviewed. Regulation ended so we took a 15 minute break before another 20 minute sudden death period. That fourth period went almost the full period before Semin snapped one in the back of the net with 1:30 left.

Pictures and video

final Caps home game

Teri and I were busy working late when I got a tweet from my guy TicketManJosh about last minute club level Caps tickets at a great price. Not only were they good seats at a great deal, it was the last home game of the season. An offer I couldn't pass up. I quickly replied and was able to secure the tickets. A few others emailed him while we were talking. I asked why they were available being the last home game and he said he was saving them for himself and ended up not being able to go.

We missed the first period but sat down with food and drink before the crowd rushed out for the first intermission. Caps were already up by one goal and scored another as we were sitting down. Sean Collins scored his first goal (second game) of the season during the second period to make it 3-0. Hendricks made it 4-0 in the 3rd period and we were hoping for a shut out for Varly. Unfortunately the Panthers got one in about mid way through the third. They must have been desperate for points at the end of the season being third worst in the league and pulled their goalie with 2:30 left in the game. It worked and they scored making it 4-2. But to no avail, Backstom and Ovechkin pulled some tricky maneuvers at the end and scored a slick goal 12 seconds before the home season ended.

A good end to the season. I didn't miss the lower level lines. Who knows how accessible play-off tickets will be.

Caps row F

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Being only a few home hockey games left this season Teri and I decided to get tickets this week before everyone else realized this and prices doubled. I found lower level tickets for about face value on the website of a guy I've been buying from for awhile. I was surprised to see such good seats for the price so I snatched them up.

It was a good game. We were 6th row around the blue line of the visiting side. I haven't been that close in a long time. We have been getting club level seats all season and now I remember why. The lines were insane for both substance and waste on the lower level. It was great to see the faces of the players though. You get a much better sense of the speed and effort at that distance.

Ovechkin and Arnott came back after a few games off. Wideman got nailed right in front of us and ended up being injured. It ended as a tied game at 2 after both regulation and over time. Unfortunately the 'Canes won in the shoot out.

my second basketball game

I went to my second Wizards game and my second professional basketball game last night. My first game was with a coworker from Convista who was dating a Wizards cheerleader. We got 400 level tickets but with only 200 people in the stadium we were able to walk down to the 15th row of the lower level. This game was a bit different. My company got nice seats to a few games with the intent of giving them to business partners and the like. Apparently there was no one to give them away to as Woody, Robie, and myself sat at about 15th row or so. They were playing the Phoenix Suns. John McCain was there routing his home state. They did a quick interview with him between quarters. We also saw Wolf Blitzer and Juan William (the guy fired from NPR). I think the Wizards lost.

DC United w/ coworkers

A group of coworkers went to go see DC United and we had a good time. There isn't 100,00 people but they tailgate and chant like the best of them.

pics and videos

Phish @ Merriweather I

Before the show Teri, Ashley, and I watched the World Cup at Union Jack's across the street from the venue. The place was packed and it was standing room only. We ran to the hotel for the second half and overtime. Bummer about losing in the Round of 16 against Ghana. Off to the lot.

We thought we were smart and going to go in the back entrance to avoid the huge line of cars getting in the main entrance but we were denied and forced to go to the main entrance. We couldn't just turn left into the venue but rather had to join at the end of the long line after making a U turn. And then once we got up to the lot after waiting in line for awhile we got denied again. The lot was full and we were the first car told to move on to the mall. So back to where we just came from near the back entrance to park across the street. We had a cooler of beer and other lot essentials. We threw down one beer and started walking to the lot.

Once at the lot we met up with Matt and some of Teri's friends. Just like the previous show shakedown was pretty lame. There wasn't much to eat and almost no beer. The cops were hassling vendors. We eventually met up with Scott and Brent. Tickets were plentiful and the best offer I got for mine was $10 but Brent sold it for a day high of $12.

Inside the venue I found the usual Starr Hill offerings and got a Northern Lights IPA. Met Scott and Brent on the lawn. Teri was having a good time and got me down to her 30th row seat. I got Matt, Scott, and Brent down and they hung up in the back of the pavilion. It was a rockin' show. There was a light traffic jam but not too bad.

setlist:

Set 1: Crowd Control, Kill Devil Falls, AC/DC Bag, Sugar Shack, Tube, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, Stash, Backwards Down the Number Line, NICU > 46 Days, Suzy Greenberg

Set 2: Rock and Roll > Free, Fast Enough for You, Sparkle > Tweezer, The Horse > Silent in the Morning > Wolfman's Brother > Slave to the Traffic Light > Tweezer Reprise

Encore: Show of Life, Good Times Bad Times

Notes: Prior to the start of the first set, Mike teased Do You Feel Like We Do. This show featured the Phish debut of In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Neutral Milk Hotel). Suzy contained a Leigh Fordham reference from Fish. Tweezer featured a Watcher of the Skies tease from Mike. Wolfman's contained a vocal jam.

Pics

Ovie puck

Teri and I went to watch game 4 of the first round of the playoffs at the official Caps viewing party. I've never been to the Union Jacks, didn't even know it was there, but the place is big. We figured it will fill up fast and got there as quickly as we could after work. And the place was empty. For a little bit at least. I was surprised how long it took but by game time every seat was taken and there was little room to stand near the bars. It was a sea of red. Teri and I were one of the few people not wearing red.

The audio absolutely sucked but we had seats, a view, and the crowd was pumped. They gave away raffle tickets and had prizes. The Washington Freedom were there but I didn't see them unfortunately. They gave away tickets to round two. Had we only known at the time how worthless they would be. I got lucky and won a puck signed by the Great 8 himself. Maybe some day I will display it next to the chipped game puck I got years ago.

watching the Caps in style

Teri persuaded her friend Jodi to score some Caps tickets from her company who has season tickets. Teri and I met Jodi and Diane at the rink. We had no idea what type of tickets she had but assumed they were good. After a very long lunch at the green Turtle we headed up to our seats.

The tickets said "Player's Club #6". I wasn't even sure what floor that was on. We took the elevator from the Green Turtle entrance and the elevator man wasn't sure either but we got off at the right place. It turned out to be a secret level between the club and upper levels that served as an entrance to all the suits. We didn't have a suite per se but headed to the Player's Club. This turned out to be basically a lounge. We were directed to one of the suites that flanked the lounge area. It turned out we had the suite with about 15 other folks.

We had our on TV, server, and a nice bathroom. The four of us sat on bar seats overlooking the two rows of stadium seats for our suite. The server brought us drinks all through the game. On our speaker system we could either listen to the PA system or the radio broadcast. I happened to be sitting next to the switch. It was nice to get the play-by-play from the radio during the game. We even were served all through the 3rd period after they cut off the rest of the stadium.

The Caps ended up pulling through after a tough scrap and continued their winning streak. I've been saying I wanted to hang in a suite all year after a few club level tickets. I didn't think it would actually happen.

Caps practice

This morning Teri and I played hooky and went to the Capitals practice that is at 10:30 on non-game days. The rather new practice rink happens to be not far from my neighborhood and practice is open to the public. I had never been and the slow work week after Christmas seemed like a good time to go. Unfortunately it turned out the team was on their way to the west coast for a couple road games. But to Teri's great fortune Varlamov happened to be there by himself practicing with his coach and two Caps lackies. We just hung out for a bit, Teri snapped some shots, and we took off to work. The other rink was packed during the public skate time.

pics and videos from Teri's album

Friday Night Caps

It was a short four day week with Veteran’s Day. Monday was sunny and 70 but the rest of the week was wet including my day off on Wednesday. Around 4:30 on Friday it was time to forget about work and start the weekend. Teri and I took off and grabbed some food before going to see the Caps. I scored two club level seats near center ice for $70 each. I responded to a Craigslist ad for tickets and it turned out being a service called dreamtix.com. They did the same thing this other guy does that I’ve gotten tickets from and that is having the tickets reprinted at willcall and left in my name after paying paypal. Unfortunately when Teri and I got there no tickets were to be found. I had a phone number and the guy on the line was quick to help me out. Dreamtix.com servers were down a few times that day apparently. There were down the first time I called to get tickets. My emergency contact had a guy on the scene and after being conferenced together we met. He handed me tickets and kept on walking. The guy on the phone told me to enjoy the upgrade. They were lower level seats.

After getting some beers we walked in about 10 minutes in to the game. Our seats turned out to be about the 8th row almost exactly on center ice. After a scoreless first period the Wild got the first goal in the second. The Caps had to come back from behind as opposed to trying to maintain a lead as usual. They pulled through without Ovie; Green and Pothier scored. Laich scored on an empty net at the end.

Caps pull through

I hit my first game of the year on Saturday and the Caps almost gave away another win. I got tickets through some scalper guy who has multiple tickets to games for multiple sports. I found him on Craigslist while looking for Widespread/Allman Brothers tickets. I got two club level seats for Teri and I at $75 each which is a great deal. I dig the club level with its plush carpet and shorter beer and bathroom lines.

The Caps started the season off well in preseason and their first couple games. Then they lost four times usually giving up an early lead. On Thursday they kicked some butt against the Sharks. And they started off Saturday’s game well being up 2-0 after the first period. It was usually territory though and their defense was yet to be trusted. The Predators came back with two goals of their own. The five minute overtime failed to produce a winner so they went to the shootout. Ovie, who had the first two goals, got one past the goalie and the Caps walked away with a win. It was drama but they came through.

C&O Park (Great Falls)

Shree and I hit the Billy Goat trail on Sunday. I think this is the third time I’ve done the trail. I always forget how long and difficult the terrain is which is an issue when I drag along less than agile folks. Shree is not the tallest gal for climbing over rocks, is a little hesitant, and not exactly a rock scrambler. We made it through slowly but without much difficultly. It was a rather hot and humid day. Lots of people were out. And as usually we saw lots of unprepared people on the trail. People with little kids, babies, sandals, no water, and unfit for the distance and difficulty of the trail. We heard that two people had to be evacuated. We saw one of them with a broken ankle. A rescue helicopter circled overhead for about an hour. People unknowingly suspected they were searching the water for a body. A vulture also circled right over our heads which didn’t seem to be a good sign.

We saw lots of more capable and prepared enthusiasts as well. Lots of rock climbers were on the Virginia side. Rafters and kayakers were paddling down the river. I even saw what appeared to be a paddle surfers. Along the trail fine female athletes with lots of skin showing cruised on past us. We also saw some people cliff jumping. I heard it at first and only saw an extremely large splash that I knew wasn’t some small drop. Minutes later after much peer pressure a woman jumped off of the ledge. It looks to be nearly 50 feet. A guy jumped in after her. I was jealous of all these adrenaline seekers. The wildlife observed included a few deer, the usual sunning turtles, and a freaking tall bird. No lizards or snakes this time.

Pics and video

2nd ever MLB game

I attended my 2nd ever MLB game yesterday. It was my first time in the new Nationals Stadium. My first MLB game was the same team a year or two ago at RFK Stadium. And I think my only other professional game was the Toledo Mud Hens many many years ago. I’m not much of a baseball fan. I think my boss Robie got these tickets from his wife who got them from work. Robin met me on her bike after an ultimate frisbee clinic. I came via metro since I’m not quite healed yet. They had a free bike valet which was nice. Not too many bikes there this rainy weeknight.

The radar showed all kinds of storms in the area and I thought for sure rain would hit around the start time. We got to our seats right after they started and were impressed with the stadium. There were lots of seats, you could sit very high and far away if you were not so fortunate. No one checked our tickets as we walked up to our seats in the lower section although there was an older gentleman checking the first 10 rows right in front of us. Our tickets ended up being quite good; 12 rows away from 3rd base. The place wasn’t half full. And there were many up on the 3rd tier. You could see signs from your seats that told you which section you could find Ben’s Chili Bowl or Five Guys Burgers & Fries.

Around the 4th or 5th inning I saw everyone on the opposite side of the stadium stand up and head for cover. The rain was coming. I was worried about Robin getting her bike on the metro among the thousands of people so we wanted to beat the crowd. Robin ran off to get her bike and the rain ended up tapering off without doing much. Both of us had enough baseball for one season so we headed for the metro anyway one block away. On both sides of the short block is a fence lining the road that has advertisements for the new stores coming in the rubble behind the fence. At the metro the station manger wouldn’t let Robin take her bike through. No bikes allowed on game days. This is a reasonable rule similar to the restriction during rush hour. Except we were the only ones in the station. No one else left the game. The station manager looked at me like I was an idiot and said “I can’t change the rules for you.” So accommodating of her. So Robin rode back to Arlington and met me in Clarendon for some dinner.

I found out later the game was delayed at some point and eventually play resumed until after 1am.

Caps playoff round 1 game 2

Matt and I hit game 2 of the first round of the Caps playoffs. I got tickets the day before after I heard that game 1 didn't sell out. It took a few tries but I did end up getting decent tickets. We sat in the club level which is nice although we were in the corner. The momentum seemed to flow from the Caps to the Rangers during the game. We saw some good plays and had a gay ol’ time. Bummer it was at 1pm on an absolutely beautiful Saturday; when I originally got the tickets I assumed it was an evening game. The Caps can’t get out of the first round of the playoffs if their lives depended on it.  The score was 0-1 and that puts that Caps at 0-2 in a seven game series.

Caps

Having just realized that the hockey season is about over I noticed that the Caps only have three more regular season games left and decided I needed to get on that sooner than later. Being the third to last game and being that the Caps are relatively good this year Wednesday’s game was all sold out. I’ve found StubHub to be a good resource for last minute tickets and found a few for the game. There were about 5 sets of seats in the upper level and one pair in the lower level. Having had season tickets in the second row near center ice I’m a bit spoiled and was all about scoring that one pair in the lower level. They were only $86 each as well which is damn near face value. So I got on the horn and recruited a partner without much trouble. Then back to StubHub to get the tickets. Except they were gone. Sold while I was on the phone. 

They were the only lower level seats on StubHub and I didn’t want to go to my last game of the season sitting with the peons in the nose bleed seats (FWIW the real fans are in the upper level). I decided to take the risk and try the scalpers at the front door before the game. I was a bit worried with a sold out game that prices would not be low. I denied a pair of upper level tix right at the metro exit and found what I was looking for with the regular professional scalpers. I was given a few choices although not center ice. I forgot to familiarize myself with the seating chart beforehand and had to take a pair at random. $60 each was a good deal. They were on a corner at the Caps end. 

It was a great game. It was a brand new team when I saw them in the beginning of the season and it’s a different team now. Ovechkin scored of course; goal #54. It was a come-from-behind win. There were a few fights and some great hockey. The Caps were down going in to the third period. I had a few outrageously priced beers and had a good time.

throwin' paint

A couple people from work organized a paintball outing.  It was back in the hills of Virginia near Leesburg at AG Paintball Games. A good time was had by all. And most will feel it tomorrow. I'm a bit sore and have a few bruises from jumping over logs and boulders in the woods while dodging paintballs flying 290 feet per second.

There were 20 in the group; seven of us from the office and the rest friends.  A few professionals showed up with their own gear.  We battled on 3 different playing fields which were all very unique and fun.  The first one was in thick woods with a few places of artificial cover such as piled logs or wooden pallets scattered around.  On one side of the playing field were small wooden structures.  We switched up a few times on each field.  The next one was also quite wooded on a decent grade with a bunker in the middle.  At the start of each game teams would go running for control of the bunker.  And the last one was very large with a decent stream and a slight clearing running down it length-wise. Teams would start on opposite sides of the stream.  Some crossings were deeper than others.  There were some fun battles and interesting terrain on that last field.

I was taken out early in the first games probably for being a little too aggressive.  I got caught in a cross fire in the middle of the field on the first game.  The rental gun wasn't the most accurate or powerful.  A few times my goggles fogged up and I was worthless.  It's not fun sitting in a battle, trying to take cover behind a tree, and not see the enemy who is rapidly closing in.  I learned to control my breathing and to move around when the fogging started (which is not easy when people are shooting at you). I'd probably get my own decent goggles before I'd invest in a gun.  

My team consisted of most of the "professional" friends who came yet somehow we managed to lose the first couple games.  By the end we came around and showed our deadly force. I have quite a few half inch red dots on my body that will be black and blue tomorrow.  Check out the last picture to see how my last game ended...

paintball pics