My Hubby...the sportswriter

Not only is my main man a professional scrapbboker, he is now a professional sportswriter. Randy loves soccer and is a proud supporter of RSL. We have season tickets and he has a press pass with field access to take puctures during the game. He is a bit obsessive about his RSL blog. The team approached him to write for goal.com. He will be publishing 2-3 articles a week about the team and player spotlights.

Here's his first published article...

http://www.goal.com/en-US/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=794736

Davis: Morales Leading the Charge in Salt Lake
Goal.com USA's Randy Davis profiles Real Salt Lake's playmaker, who was one of many snubs for last Thursday night's MLS All-Star Game.
By Randy Davis

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- He came to the team as one of “the three Argentines.” But in the nearly 12 months since joining Real Salt Lake, Javier Morales has clearly distinguished himself from his fellow countrymen.

That’s not to say that Fabian Espindola and Matias Mantilla aren’t quality players, but Morales has already demonstrated that he is one of the top playmakers in Major League Soccer. In fact, the attacking midfielder was the main name bandied about when All-Star snubs were discussed the past few weeks.

All of that is lost on this unassuming player from the Buenos Aires area. When asked how he felt to be mentioned in the same breath as fellow countrymen and creative playmaking midfielders -- Marcello Gallardo and Guillermo Barros Schelotto – Morales shrugged this off.

“I believe that those players are at a different level just because obviously they have had experience with the National Team and just their whole history as soccer players,” he said through translator (and teammate) Tino Nunez. “But I am thankful for the recognition and to be mentioned with them, but I just work hard.”

Morales’ path to Real Salt Lake has included some good experience with some noteworthy teams, as he has played for Lanus, Newell’s Old Boys, Arsenal de Sarandi and Instituto de Cordoba in the Primera Division in Argentina over a period of nine seasons where he notched just four goals in 121 appearances. Yet in 2006 he was spotted by a representative of UD Vecindario of Spain’s Second Division.

“They saw me playing in one of the games in Argentina and liked me,” said Morales. That’s how they picked me up.”

Although he only played 25 games in Spain, he performed well, scoring five goals in his midfield role. However, last summer an agent put him in contact with Real Salt Lake, who were shopping for a creative player. Fortunately for Jason Kreis’ side, he was exactly what they were looking for.

Morales made an immediate impact with RSL, assisting on a Mantilla goal off his corner kick just 40 seconds into his debut. That 3-1 victory over Kansas City was one of a few highlights for the club last season. Another Morales highlight came from a free kick from 25 feet out against the Galaxy that found the upper right corner of the net. His season ended abruptly, though, as he had a serious shoulder injury that required surgery to repair a torn labrum in the offseason.

It’s no coincidence that Real Salt Lake has found itself atop the Western Division at the same time that Morales’ play has started to earn him some national recognition. He is the motor behind the team, and when he is able to play with the ball at his feet the team tends to create chances offensively. He has three goals this season to go along with his seven assists (tied for 2nd in the league).

While RSL’s defense has been stellar (Real has given up just 19 goals, second only to Chicago), the team has also put up a league-high 247 shots, partly due to the chances Morales is creating the strikers. However, the team also has the second lowest finishing percentage in the league.

Real Salt Lake started the season with two basic tenants as explained by head coach Jason Kreis:

1. “The team is the star.” In other words, no individual player is above any other player.

2. “We are not setting a goal of making the playoffs.” Kreis didn’t want to put that pressure on his younger players early in the season.

However, now that the team is at the top of the West, that’s all changed.

“It’s good,” said Morales, who has three goals to go with his team-leading seven assists (tied for second in MLS). “Every time we’re playing better. It’s better soccer. We’re putting in the work and maintaining the first place spot, but our goal is to make the playoffs.”

For that to happen, the star of Javier Morales will have to continue to shine.

Randy Davis will be contributing to Goal.com on a regular basis.

WOOHOO! Congrats Baby!

Linda Loo

MyNiceSpace.com

I wanted to wish one of my bestest friends a very happy birthday! Linda, I love you girl. I miss you so much. I love our road trips and yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. We must have a girls weekend soon!

I hope the boys are treating you right for your B-day.

Randy Pausch

RIP Randy Pausch




I know the video is long, but if you've never seen it before, take the time. I heard of Randy after he became an internet sensation. He later appeared on Oprah a few times. He is truly amazing.

Love on the Inside

WOOHOO! Sugarland's new album is out today! I already made the trek to Target to grab my copy. I haven't had time to listen to all of it yet, but i'm sure it will be wonderful.

John Mayer

Last night Randy and I went to see John Mayer at Usana. I had never seen him before, but bought tickets because Randy really likes him. It was suppose to be Randy and my dad, but since dad HAD to paint the bathroom instead of going to see JM for his birthday, I went.

It looked like no one was going to end up going. It was a replay of the Dierks Bentley catastrophe. The boys were being little (ok, BIG) turds! They had done nothing but fight and break rules all day. Randy tried to get some friends from work to go, but when Usana was mentioned, it became a very unwanted ticket.

We decided to leave the little buggers at home. If they killed each other, then there would be less of them to care for. I'm unsure of who the first opener was, some tall, redheaded guy with an ugly green bandanna. Next was Colbie Caillat. She was good, but there was lots of standing and dancing. If she had a pole she could have made some extra cash.

John was up next. I was surprised to see that he simply walked out on stage, no huge intro, no pyro, just him in his white t-shirt and cargo pants plugging in his guitar and starting to sing. I don't know his music much but I always thought of him as extremely serious. After last night, I picture him on his tour bus in his underwear eating pizza and playing video games. He is a real goofball! He is uber talented. He played lots of songs that everyone there knew. I had only heard a few, but due to his hilarious sense of humor and his unparallelled dance moves, I had a great time. I've never seen anyone moonwalk while playing the guitar. He didn't play "You're body is a wonderland", but Randy says he rarely plays it live.

The boys managed to get along and follow the rules. We managed to get out of the parking lot in record time, and with no visible injuries. I would definitely go see John again.

PS. He had the BEST concert shirt ever! It says
MY TICKETS ARE BETTER THAN YOURS
They didn't have any at the show, I will not rest until I find one!

Emo Kid

Carter has been asking for a long time to either dye his hair or get a mohawk. I honestly don't care either way, it's just hair. I brought home some fushia hair dye and helped him fix his do last night. It's a mix between purple, red and pink. He loves it and i'm sure I have started a bad trend. How cares, it's summer and time to relax and have fun.

Heres a pic from today

Hopefully his grandparents don't freak out (hint, hint). Randy is already a little bit frustrated with us both.

Twilight

DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SCREEN...I have actually read a book. I know...it's a shocker! Angelise and Holly were going on and on about these books by Stephanie Meyer. They were so excited about the movie coming out in December. We talked and they said I HAD to read the books first, or I couldn't go. They must sense my desperate need to escape on girls night.


I took the book "Twilight" with me on vacation to Cancun. It made a very nice chair saver while there. I never opened it. I honestly don't have any idea why/how I finally tarted it. It may have been the questioning by the brunette mafia at work that finally made me start.

I will tell you this is the first book I have read in 10 years that wasn't required reading. I don't like to read. I'm slow and it's boring. I did enjoy the book and I have already picked up the next one in the series.


Heres the plot summary per wiki....

Isabella "Bella" Swan, chooses to move from sunny Phoenix, Arizona to rainy Forks, Washington to live with her father, Charlie, so that her mother, Renée, can travel with her new husband, Phil Dwyer, who is a minor league baseball player. Even though Bella never had many friends in Phoenix, she attracts much attention at her new school in Forks and is quickly befriended by several students. Much to her dismay, several boys in the school compete for shy Bella's attention.
When Bella sits next to Edward Cullen in biology class on her first day of school, Edward seems utterly repulsed, even attempting to change his schedule to avoid her. After tricking a family friend, Jacob Black of the Quileute (pronounced Quil-yoot) tribe, into telling her the local tribal legends (flirting with him to do so), Bella concludes that Edward and his family are vampires. Although she was inexplicably attracted to him when she thought Edward drank human blood, she is much relieved to learn that the Cullens choose to abstain from drinking human blood, and drink animal blood instead. Over time, Edward and Bella fall in love. Their foremost problem is Bella's "alluring scent", making Edward struggle to resist his desire to kill her. However, despite this and Bella's strange knack for constantly landing herself in dangerous situations, they manage to stay together safely for a time.
The seemingly perfect state of their relationship is thrown into chaos when another vampire coven sweeps into Forks and James, a tracker, sets his sights on Bella. Under the assumption that James has kidnapped her mother, Bella is lured to her former dance studio, where James attempts to kill her. Edward, along with the rest of the Cullen family, rescues Bella before James can kill her.

WE'RE NUMBER 1!

Tonight was great! We beat Columbus 2-0 and now we are in first place in the West. It's the first time Real has had sole ownership of 1st place in our 4 year history. It may not last for long, but it sure feels good right now. Not even crappy MLS officials could screw it up tonight.

If you want all the soccer related details, you can visit Randy's blog

http://keepinitrealsl.blogspot.com/

I forgot to mention that next year we get to host the MLS all star game. Becks will be within my reach. Theres no way he can turn down soccer mom spice!

Skinny, wet T-shirt!

He's done it again. Just when I think it's over, he makes me miss him so much. Shirt is one of my fav parts of the show. I could use a new viewpoint (sorry Chris Hicky) but this is why I love KU in concert. He's not afraid to go out into the crowd and have a great time. He started the guitar giveaways this tour and as you can see from the cute little blonds face, she loves it. Some may think that the hands rubbing on him are a bad thing, I happen to LOVE IT! Once you've touched the scruff, you need more! LOL.

Jerry, C-Rod and the boys (minus McHuge, who I can't stand) all look mighty fine as well.

Check it out

Chestica Simpson

So, Jesse (it's sounded so much more country) Simpson has released a clip of her new "country" video. I thought now would be a good time to mention that just because you have rodeo queen hair, a sparkly belt and cowboy boots on doesn't make you country. I don't mind the song, but she looks so uncomfortable. Maybe she hasn't sang in a barn for a while?????

Girls Night

I met up with the gals (Angelise and Julie) for some girl time last night. I love hanging with those 2. We gossip about doc's and work. No one is safe from the conversation.

We ate at Iggy's. Then headed to the movies. I must say that Jordan Landing is the new Valley Fair Mall. OMG, the hair was amazing! Julie asked the ticket window for a senior citizen discount since we were the oldest ones there. I haven't seen a place so infested with teenagers in a long time...probably since I was one!

We saw Hancock. It was a good movie. It was kinda strange and Angelise and I both commented that we thought it was weird. Who the heck cares! I was away from those whiny children that call me mom. I could have watched paint dry and been happy.

My new Fav show

Why do I love hospital drama? It's not like I don't get enough of doctor's and patients everyday?!?!?!? I guess it's easier to like the ones on TV. After all, I don't have to work with them.
I do love this show. I have always loved to watch TV shows or documentaries about hospitals and patients. Ever since I was little, I would watch any kind of surgery on TV. Randy thinks I'm crazy. He also thinks it should be illegal to show blood and guts on TV. He's a light weight!

No hospital drama will ever replace ER in my heart. I'm totaly bummed that this is the last season. I get alot of weird looks when people find out that I named my son after Dr. Carter on ER. I couldn't help it. He was so cute, young and innocent. Sounds like a perfect baby to me. Of course now he's 13 and trying my last bit of patience on a daily basis.

You can check out Hopkins here...

http://hopkins.abcnews.com/

It all ends tonight

Will it be Jason or Jesse. Peter Brady vs. Spicoli. I'm anxiously awaiting the most dramatic rose ceremony yet. ROFL.

My money's on Jason. He seems nice and established. Jesse seems like to much of a party boy. Would you really ever marry a professional snowboarder? More commentary to follow after the dramatic conclusion...tonight.

The botox baby has arrived

I'm choosing to remember Keith as the hot mess that he once was, not the umbrella holding, water fetching man he has become.

Nicole Kidman and her husband, Keith Urban (I love that her name is always before his), have welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Sunday Rose Kidman Urban (are you shittin me?) , born Monday morning in Nashville, PEOPLE has confirmed. "Husband Keith was by Nicole's side, and mother and baby are very well," said spokesman Paul Freundlich, who added that the couple were "delighted" to make the announcement. He also said the baby girl weighed 6 lbs., 7.5 oz. The pregnancy was first announced in January. Kidman has two other children with her former husband Tom Cruise: Isabella, 15, and Connor, 13 (that she never sees) .

In the days leading up to the birth, the couple – who celebrated their second wedding anniversaryon June 25 – didn't stray from their normal routine in and around Nashville, where they reside in a gated community (because Nikki is scared of regular people.) . From early morning stops at a local Starbucks for warm drinks to a little sweat at the gym later in the day (Kidman was a regular at spin and yoga classes during her pregnancy), the couple remained low-key. "She's never been happier and healthier," says a close family friend. "She is absolutely radiant (somethings just write themselves) and enjoying nesting and homemaking with Keith at their new home in Nashville." (that just happens to be next to land that she bought with Tom) But getting ready for their baby was a priority (Hiring a nanny takes time people!) . Urban admitted he was learning a new vocabulary for fatherhood and doing Lamaze lessons. "He doesn't know the name [of the classes], but he has been very good at it!" (Interesting, I didn't know you needed classes for scheduled c-section) The new parents also bought a couple of books to help them along: Pocket Dad: Everyday Wisdom and Your Pregnancy, Week By Week (don't forget, "How to pawn your baby off on a nanny and make crappy movies at the same time.) . "The unknown excites me a lot," Urban told reporters in May. "What kind of feelings will fatherhood bring? I'm sure I can't even imagine, but I am really looking forward to finding out."

I hope Keith's happy. Who cares about Botoxia. But mostly I hope that Sunday can get over the fact that her name is Sunday and can be as messed up as all the other A-listers kids. Let's pray that Sunday looks like her dad, since no one really knows what Nikki looks like anymore.

Also, thanks Keith for totally messing up Raining on Sunday. There's no way to sing a song about "staying under the covers all afternoon" when it has your new daughters name in the title. If you even try I will report you to the pedophile watch list. And, "Raining on Monday, or Saturday or Tuesday" will not be acceptable.

Can anyone else hear the "Addams Family" theme song in there head? Must just be me.

Waitin on a Woman

Here is another reason I love Brad Paisley. His new video is so sweet and features Andy Griffith. Although I've never been the kind to be late to anything, I hope Randy would wait as long as needed for me to show.

Check out the video on youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvKgnkIN8C8