Oct 02 2008
Honda-Drivin’ Soccer Dad*
(click to enlarge)
“Daddy, will I get fruit foot again?”
“You mean Fruit by the Foot? I don’t know, maybe.”
Despite his query regarding the post-game snack, Benjamin’s interest in attacking the ball has gone up in direct proportion to the number of games he has played. Well, I suppose not even going out on the field would rate a zero, but it’s close enough to one for my purposes.
My only gripe about his third game is that I missed the entire second half.
(click any pic to enlarge)
Typically, each time I’m on after-hours support it lasts about 10 days. Then the other two guys in the rotation take their turns and back it comes to me. For this game, as fortune would have it, I got a call with about one minute left in the second quarter.
I told Benjamin’s grammy what was up and headed off to the car. I set up my laptop and magically connected to the customer’s site with a series of 21st-century pulleys and levers made by Verizon and Cisco. Huddled over my screen with the windows down, I’m sure I looked like quite the nerd to the drivers parked on either side of me.
On the way back to the field I saw Ben’s coach walking the other way with his gym bag and his wife. “Hey, I had a support call. How was the game?”
“It went great,” coach said and continued toward the parking lot.
As I approached Benjamin carefully peeled and ripped off a length of Fruit by the Foot and pulled it in with his lips and teeth as he chewed. He swallowed and rinsed it down with a gulp of Capri Sun.
There’s something not quite right about a sweaty athlete sucking refreshment from a tiny straw protruding from a silver pouch. It’s more of a wide-mouth container or plastic squirt bottle event, isn’t it? Something where the drink is as likely to run down the player’s face as it is to go down his gullet.
Instead, there the boys were, pursing their lips to draw out the sweet nectar. Ah well. Nothing wrong with that. Anything else would be playing to stereotype.
Coach is getting more serious at practice. Tuesday he went over a couple different formations for the boys to use, and Benjamin was listening more than not.
Then I got another support call and missed the last half of practice.
At least that time I got to sit in a large, shady gazebo, with decorative fountains splashing into ponds on either side and a light breeze blowing.
Saturday’s game should offer more fun for everyone. I might even shoot some video this time.
* The post title is an homage to the Everclear song titled, “Volvo-Drivin’ Soccer Mom.” (video not work safe)
I had to miss this game b/c I was walking in the 5K for Ovarian Cancer. We had a team of 13 walking for our friend who is a survivor - it was an amazing experience that I will always treasure being a part of. I don’t think Benjamin even noticed that I wasn’t at the game, especially with Grammy on the sidelines!
No mention even of the new banner, or the updated Wordpress layout? Good look.
Those are some pretty sweet action shots you got there. I bet it’s gonna be a few years before Ben’s soccer games take on a more organised look, instead of the herd of boys chasing after the ball that it appears to be now. Ben’s getting some pretty fancy-looking heel action in on that first picture there. Nice.
Go Wolfpack!!!
While it sucks to be pulled away from the game, it’s wonderful that those pulleys and such allow you to stay there physically. Many on-call parents would have had to leave completely. A silver lining for ya.
I love all the looks of determination on such small faces and I’m happy to hear that Ben is getting more and more excited about playing. Not that there would have been anythign wrong with him hating it exactly…but I guess I just like stories about happy kids better. ;)
Shan - I thought of writing your excuse in there somewhere, but it just didn’t fit and I figured it might inspire you to comment.
Simon - I had a post all set to announce the new digs, but it languished. I chose the theme about a week ago and had the banner ready shortly after the Balloon Festival weekend.
Funny that you mentioned the heel kick. Ben wasn’t actually executing it in that pic, but one of the boys had used it in all three games. The coach informed the boys at practice Tuesday that they need to concentrate on kicking the ball forward, to their teammates or the goal.
Moksha - Definitely a silver lining. Without that technology and Grammy, I would have had to pull Benjamin from the game and go home.
Good call on the determined faces. They all are getting more into it as the season progresses. And, as a result, happier. But you said all that. I guess I just like to type.
Oh, I love Everclear….
:)
I love the first shot of Ben….he is going to town!
Great pics as always Mark, and Ben really does look like he’s enjoying it!
I do love the new banner too… gorgeous shot!
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend… mine’s going to be VERY busy!