CBT Team Photo

Here's our excellent squad. I may enable a Picasa slide show later, but for now, you've probably seen the photos on facebook.

Season off to an excellent start

I can't believe we went so many months without playing together. Even though we've got a ways to go on the pitch to reach our goals, it's like we never missed a beat otherwise. Practices, happy hours, all that. Let's keep it going.

This post was an excuse to publish Cat's photos from the first game. This one is my favorite.

Which of these women is most likely to hit a screamer into the goal? Tough one.

What is the caption to this photo?

Let's hear some ideas.

And keep them above board.

What is the caption for this photo?

Supply your own caption for this photo. There's got to be some good ideas out there. Let's hear them.

Photos of happy hour

Great happy hour. We need to do that more often. There was a little something for everyone. Looking forward to the next outing at Cantina Marina. Later this week, we'll officially announce their sponsorship of our team. Very exciting stuff.

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Bring your dog to happy hour

Cantina Marina, the location of our Monday, Aug. 24th happy hour, is dog friendly. According to their website, you can bring your dog to happy hour on Mondays.

That sounds fun.

Imagine if Moxie and Ty could have a reunion. They got along so well together.

See you there!

Welcome, neighbor

On behalf of all Virginians, I would like to welcome Ally to the commonwealth. She has just made the rare move from Maryland to Virginia. And now we're neighbors. She lives right up the road. All the more time for us to talk strategy. Actually, I think we'll take a break from that. We've been spending a LOT of time organizing the team. We need to upgrade our calling and texting plans just to keep up.

Happy Fourth of July!

Last year, I blogged from Paris to wish everyone a happy fourth! This year, I'm in Washington.

Happy Fourth of July!

Summer is here.

What are you doing this fourth weekend?

Watch Confederations Cup final on Sunday at 2:30 pm on ESPN

The US had an amazing victory against top-ranked Spain earlier this week in the semifinals of the FIFA Confederations Cup. Many of the young guys who will be fighting for World Cup roster spots had inspired performances - Jozy Altidore, Jonathan Spector, Charlie Davies among them. We play Brazil in the final match of a tournament that matches up regional champions (Euro, Gold Cup, Copa America, etc).

Here's a photo of me watching the first-round US vs Italy matchup in the delivery room. My wife is awesome!

Before/after

Someone took some funny shots of Carolyn and I at a recent happy hour. There's the serious shot of two urban professionals. Then, there's the after shot - it looks like we've had a few drinks and have loosened up a bit.

Funny.

Fan appreciation

Check out these photos of our fans this season. We've got the greatest fans! Seriously, it's so great to have so many friends and family around. We are really fortunate.

Future Golero

Our most loyal fans

She came back for the first game

Ally's Clan

Happy hour this week!

Don't forget our happy hour tomorrow night at Union Jack's in the Ballston Mall!



Happy hour last week was a nice end to the week - and fun! We enjoyed drinks and some mezze at Cava, one of the many bars and restaurants in the area designed by Griz. He says they didn't intend it to have such a bar scene, which explains the narrow bar area. Sure, the bar space is small, but what great colors and seclusion from the street! Very cool atmosphere. Another fine job by our original Golero!




I love this photo of Adrian and Heather.

Here are a few others:

Old Beijing

Contrast modern Beijing with traditional Beijing. 

 

Here are some shots of the hutong, the wonderful narrow alleys of the old city.  There's a simple, commercial life in the hutong that is fast disappearing to make way for a faceless modern city.  That's a pretty western perspective, I think.

I rented a bike to see the old streets.  I was "lost" half the time, but it was pretty awesome just to pedal my way around the city, never knowing what was around the corner.  PLA soldiers doing a service project, dogs playing, people selling vegetables.  Eventually, I came into the Hou Hai Lake area, which is upscale these days, full of bars and great walking streets.

Modern Beijing

This is the first of several posts in which I'll share photos of my recent trip to Beijing.  I didn't have much time to see sights, but I always manage a way to sneak in some time.  I skipped some of the major sights this time in favor of those I haven't seen or done.

Here are some shots of the emerging modern city.

Photo 1: The CCTV towers in Chaoyang (state television).

Photo 2: The Bird's Nest stadium at the giant olympic grounds.  When I say giant, I am talking bigger than Central Park.  Why make it economical?  That question would not occur to a nationalist central planner.

Photo 3: The Place, a popular shopping zone in Chaoyang District, Northeast Beijing. 

The sky is quite blue in many of these pictures.  In three visits, I've never seen the air so clear.  It was luck, but also some testament to the major air quality policy changes pursued by the government.

Happy birthday

It's the Jackal's birthday.  She has a lot to celebrate now that she's an aunt (wow, that baby is cute).  

Everyone has at least one crazy aunt in their family.  Jackie fulfills that role quite nicely.

Happy Birthday!

CBT Team Photo

Here's the all-star squad.

We uploaded a few more photos to a Picasa slideshow that you should be able to view to the left.

Enjoy!

What a game

As reported earlier on this site, George and Carlos went to London last weekend to watch a Premiership fixture.  Turns out they saw one of the best games of the season.  Fulham surprised first place Man U with a 2-0 win at Craven Cottage.

Look at those photos.  It must have been awesome.  I heard that Dempsey was a factor in the game.  Ronaldo - not so sure.  The guy's got skills and a whole lot of ego.

And now, a news flash.  It's time to welcome George back to the team.  He's going to play in net to help us out - and to reprise old times!  Losing Alec for the season is a tough blow.  We really appreciate George stepping in and bringing his signature style back to our game.  Meanwhile, send Alec a note to make sure he's recovering well.  He will be missed out there.

  

Going to the EPL

George and Carlos are headed to the English Premier League.  No, they haven't been signed to contracts in the top flight.  They're going to watch Fulham take on the mighty Manchester United at Craven Cottage, an historic venue.  Fulham is sitting in a respectable 9th place in the table, thanks in part to a good season by USA International Clint Dempsey.

The occasion is George's bachelor party.  No, I'm not joking.  George is getting married, anything is possible.  We wish him well, but don't forget to have some fun over there first.  Take pictures (of the game) and enjoy the memories.  Incredibly, this isn't even their first opportunity to see a game.  They saw Arsenal versus Roma in a UEFA Champions League match earlier this year.  Carlos is a hooligan for Arsenal.

Look how close they are to the field

They're not the only ones on travel this week.  Cat is headed to the Grand Canyon.  Sweet.  I've seen some amazing things there and I highly recommend a serious visit to everyone.

Wow, and I'll be at home.

I need another night out like this one

I finally uploaded the photos of Jackie's goodbye party at Porter's.  It was a lot of fun.  Your captain drank to drown his sorrows (sorrows not shown in photo).  Some people - they will remain nameless - got a little silly and then later sick.  I got home at 2:45 a.m., not your typical Friday night for this civilized suburban home owner.

Here's a photo of the festivities.  Maybe I'll post more in the coming days.

Another happy hour before the season?

Moxie & Boom

Griz and family took off to Colorado for a long weekend of skiing.  Tough life.

Griz's dog, Boom, came for a visit. 

Here's some shots of the pair on Valentines Day.