back in the saddle

It’s been nigh on a month now since I’ve written anything here, which is mainly a testament to how much of my time has been dominated by work. Fortunately, an exceedingly busy week has given way to a low-key, relaxing weekend.

A Sunday night game began the week, followed by a Thanksgiving night game down in Kansas City. Fortunately, a friend down in K.C. rescued me from having to spend the holiday in a hotel, inviting me to feast with her family. Said friend, Heather, was one of my hang-out buddies in Berlin this spring, so it was good to see her again. We had a veritable smorgasbord of deliciousness at our fingertips – turkey, duck, boar and roast deer plus all the typical side dishes. I was glad that, unable to be at my home, I could at least be in a home.

We played in the large and magnificent Arrowhead Stadium, one of the most impressive facilities I’ve seen. Being an old stadium, Arrowhead lacks many bells and whistles that newer fields sport, but its sheer enormity and super-loud fans endeared me to it. Not to mention a press box situated in the middle of the field, rather than the corner, a feature lacking in newer, luxury-suite-centric stadiums.

We returned to Colorado immediately following the game, pulling into our facilities about 1:45 a.m. By the time I finished my work and began to head home, the clock showed 5:00 a.m. Needless to say, I followed up that late night with a day full of sleep and enjoying some college football on TV.

With the full day off on Saturday, I decided to take the opportunity to explore some unknown mountain roads. Lacking any particular direction and devoid of any time commitments, I set off armed with my Rand McNally, a full tank and my trusty digital camera. What ensued was a five-hour, 200-mile odyssey through the central Colorado mountains and high country, resulting in this photo album. Given the lack of extensive road trips for me recently, this extended loop was a most welcome alternative.

I passed Saturday evening watching the USC-Notre Dame game, talking with friends on the phone and listening to some Willie Nelson.

Work will pick up with a vengeance on Monday, as we prepare for yet anther Sunday night game – our fourth Sunday night game and sixth prime time game of the season, both figures marking the highest in the league. Being on prime time is certainly an honor for the team because it means there is national interest in us, but the PR preparation for such games is significantly increased.

I have a hard time believing I’m over two-thirds through my lease out here. I can’t wait to get back to Grand Rapids for awhile. I’m still not sure what’s next, but hopefully the as yet unknown future events of my vagabond existence involve being back in that ever-lovely, overly-Dutch region for a healthy chunk of time.