tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71781997625952362302024-03-13T07:51:25.347-04:00Dug a HoleOur story as a family of expats in BeijingPaul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.comBlogger530125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-1274458594619835052014-07-04T05:33:00.001-04:002014-10-01T21:31:29.285-04:00Freedom!<div>
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Alright, so it is 3am and I am wide awake, so here goes the recap of the last few days of our return to the states.<br />
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We got an omen at a going away dinner with friends.</div>
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Dinner with the Reed's was great as usual, but just to be clear the tab was for 1776rmb not 1776usd, but a sign nonetheless that we're coming home:)</div>
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We said goodbye to Li Xiu Lan, friends and mommy:(</div>
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We packed up the dogs - as come-ups go, they are living right. From hutong dogs to world travelers.</div>
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Meemaw and Pop-pop met us at the airport in my new rig:)</div>
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I checked in with the new job at Rock Ridge and got the hard-hat tour of the fields and athletics facilities.</div>
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We saw Alec and Jesse and Aunt Kathy at Reston Town Center.</div>
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On the drive up to Meemaw and Pop-Pops we had to reacquaint Bennett with the American corn field, hay bales, cattle farms, Gettysburg and the American Civil War, and of course, the road-side ice cream stand. </div>
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Fireworks tonight, a baseball-watching weekend in New England tomorrow, and praying momma gets home to join us soon. </div>
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God Bless America! What a special time to be home.</div>
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Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-29302582106692972132014-06-25T05:00:00.000-04:002014-06-25T05:01:08.000-04:00Li Xiu Lan<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PDZAvtZCfM/U6qP1dnlLGI/AAAAAAAApxk/IvA4ZY93Q10/s1600/photo%2B1-768000.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PDZAvtZCfM/U6qP1dnlLGI/AAAAAAAApxk/IvA4ZY93Q10/s320/photo%2B1-768000.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6028789199835311202" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_xaExMVecXM/U6qP2kihzKI/AAAAAAAApxw/R_e918NPpZo/s1600/photo%2B2-771957.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_xaExMVecXM/U6qP2kihzKI/AAAAAAAApxw/R_e918NPpZo/s320/photo%2B2-771957.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6028789218873035938" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vCsJ0hAEEfo/U6qP4OvxLoI/AAAAAAAApx8/jXui1bDMt2o/s1600/photo%2B3-777377.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vCsJ0hAEEfo/U6qP4OvxLoI/AAAAAAAApx8/jXui1bDMt2o/s320/photo%2B3-777377.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6028789247382728322" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6K0p0q8GcsE/U6qP4xHNrwI/AAAAAAAApyI/lBtnsDUtdkI/s1600/photo%2B4-782174.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6K0p0q8GcsE/U6qP4xHNrwI/AAAAAAAApyI/lBtnsDUtdkI/s320/photo%2B4-782174.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6028789256607870722" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCk_jII0phg/U6qP5mkqHEI/AAAAAAAApyU/wGMKBegDds8/s1600/photo%2B5-785593.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCk_jII0phg/U6qP5mkqHEI/AAAAAAAApyU/wGMKBegDds8/s320/photo%2B5-785593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6028789270958447682" /></a></p>The single hardest part about moving on from China is leaving this woman behind.Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-56833192330827092642014-06-25T04:58:00.001-04:002014-06-25T04:58:51.778-04:00Train Home from Xi'An<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5hS0Y5hzD4/U6qPTVqDpWI/AAAAAAAApwo/qxdkUs8VTDI/s1600/photo%2B1-731778.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D5hS0Y5hzD4/U6qPTVqDpWI/AAAAAAAApwo/qxdkUs8VTDI/s320/photo%2B1-731778.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6028788613582660962" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DIUfR2P8kPs/U6qPT-ijxAI/AAAAAAAApw0/vn8lXvQpUqE/s1600/photo%2B2-735365.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DIUfR2P8kPs/U6qPT-ijxAI/AAAAAAAApw0/vn8lXvQpUqE/s320/photo%2B2-735365.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6028788624557065218" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VsJPEhqFIc4/U6qPUiAtveI/AAAAAAAApxA/muGriqsBNNc/s1600/photo%2B3-737519.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VsJPEhqFIc4/U6qPUiAtveI/AAAAAAAApxA/muGriqsBNNc/s320/photo%2B3-737519.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6028788634078789090" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2LXIcJnT5zA/U6qPVZBAO-I/AAAAAAAApxM/exEhvhSv6l8/s1600/photo%2B4-740504.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2LXIcJnT5zA/U6qPVZBAO-I/AAAAAAAApxM/exEhvhSv6l8/s320/photo%2B4-740504.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6028788648843951074" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrbQh3rWL9E/U6qPV1l7VoI/AAAAAAAApxY/sCk1zvnqQNE/s1600/photo%2B5-742953.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OrbQh3rWL9E/U6qPV1l7VoI/AAAAAAAApxY/sCk1zvnqQNE/s320/photo%2B5-742953.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6028788656515012226" /></a></p>I thought the warriors were cool, the Presidential Suite cooler, but I was utterly amazed by the views out of the windows of G666 as it whooshed us from Xian to Beijing in just over 5 hours. It seemed that every 30 minutes or so a nest if cranes erected a new city - no cars, not many people around, but piles of buildings being stacked up.
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<br>I have taken the train in China a few times to and from Shanghai, but this was my first time on this stretch, and the urbanization that seemed to pop right out of the farmland was awesome to look at.
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<br>Amazed!Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-15126411186999138752014-06-11T02:40:00.001-04:002014-06-11T06:44:57.505-04:00All Last Everything<div class="p1">
The daily run of lasts continues.</div>
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A last day at the ball park; a few "one last dinner with..."; a last village session with the guys; a last day driving in China:)</div>
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Today we finish up school - our last day at ISB. There is a large collection of people I'll say my last "till next time" to today, as most here are wheels-up just hours after school gets out. As Devon put it this morning, <i> "This goodbye is harder. When we left Virginia, I knew I was coming back. When we say goodbye today, it might really be goodbye." </i> </div>
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"Hang in there bud, I feel the same way."</div>
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We owe a huge debt of gratitude to ISB. The whole family is better off because of the times at ISB, and I know we will never forget. When we moved to a place so far away from home - as much in culture as it is in distance - this school community served as a safe haven for the kids, for me. It became home, and we will always be Dragons, no doubt. Thank You!<br />
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And today's one last bus ride - an ISB tradition - another great example of why this place is awesome!<br />
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So school's out, but we'll be here a few more weeks, ticking some more "last time in China" boxes:</div>
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One last trip to the Wall.</div>
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One last shopping trip to the market - any last requests?</div>
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One last party at 1201RG.<br />
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But today - a tough and tearful day of lasts - I commit to making this the last "this is the last" post of our China life, and we will turn our attentions to what's coming next - the new journey ahead!<br />
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Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-81051763735696293212014-06-07T06:28:00.001-04:002014-06-07T11:22:06.806-04:00SBJ Baseball is a Wrap!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-40206596430793442292014-06-05T09:06:00.000-04:002014-06-05T09:10:01.789-04:00The Goodbye Dragon<div class="mobile-photo">
An ISB tradition, Bennett got his "Goodbye Dragon" today and he brought it home decorated and signed by all of his 2ML friends! He is the most nervous about going home - he is pretty sure THIS IS home.</div>
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Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-57659062204099663352014-06-05T09:03:00.000-04:002014-06-05T09:08:15.684-04:00Impact Project<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benne Strokes One!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCP55GpTNFQ/U5BrU8tNEdI/AAAAAAAApWw/nin2XlXeBTs/s1600/photo%2B3-787127.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCP55GpTNFQ/U5BrU8tNEdI/AAAAAAAApWw/nin2XlXeBTs/s320/photo%2B3-787127.JPG" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6021430709431636434" /></a></td></tr>
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Devon and his buds created, planned and executed a project designed to impact the community. They chose to teach baseball to 2nd graders.
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They advertised the clinic, taught the fundamentals, ran a practice, and exhibited their project and it's impact.Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-30487819056833430232014-06-05T08:36:00.000-04:002014-06-05T08:52:46.749-04:00Silver Bullet<div class="mobile-photo">
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I had to part with the Silver Bullet last week, ironically the first car I ever drove in China - thanks John for tossing me the keys a few years back, when after a few months of no driving, I think you could tell that I needed to get out there and tackle the Beijing roadways.<br />
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Two owners later, I bought her for myself and drove it around this year. <br />
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Joanne's car will hopefully sell this weekend - we have a buyer, but the paperwork is tricky(TiC) - ticking one more item off the list.Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-10298737194127900182014-06-05T08:32:00.001-04:002014-06-05T08:55:10.244-04:00Last Go Round at the Bird's Nest Cup<div class="mobile-photo">
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Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-74080407786210555672014-05-20T10:14:00.000-04:002014-05-20T10:14:03.566-04:00Just Be You by Devon<iframe width="480" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bYaDW_5m-kA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-56580677108757632602014-05-18T04:38:00.000-04:002014-05-18T04:43:54.403-04:00Good Game!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8NgM-Zh9YVM/U3hyy-bxvwI/AAAAAAAAoXY/PUbv8wIAL7s/s1600/photo%2B1-734404.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8NgM-Zh9YVM/U3hyy-bxvwI/AAAAAAAAoXY/PUbv8wIAL7s/s320/photo%2B1-734404.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6014683522431827714" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_N-XXNTYCQ/U3hy0FGehSI/AAAAAAAAoXk/5BZXYzURAv4/s1600/photo%2B2-740224.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_N-XXNTYCQ/U3hy0FGehSI/AAAAAAAAoXk/5BZXYzURAv4/s320/photo%2B2-740224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6014683541401404706" /></a></p>Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-82720252392226634492014-05-11T21:44:00.003-04:002014-05-12T04:19:08.427-04:00- or your little broGot this from Devon's art teacher today.<br />
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A "compliment" on Devon's Celebrate And Share The Arts(C.A.S.T.A.) presentation.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbN26GYz6Sg/U3Am4D0kEmI/AAAAAAAAoD0/duvw445lx_Y/s1600/casta+cute.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbN26GYz6Sg/U3Am4D0kEmI/AAAAAAAAoD0/duvw445lx_Y/s320/casta+cute.jpg" /></a>Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-63457421224998166552014-05-11T21:21:00.000-04:002014-05-12T04:22:04.469-04:00Happy Mother's Day Joanne -The Process!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Mother's Day to Joanne!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Original</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canvas</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sore Fingers after Cutting the Stencil</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Reveal</td></tr>
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Thanks to my man Steve Northcott, Parker's Art teacher, for the paint, canvas and instruction on stenciling! </div>
Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-7750278234922930342014-04-29T08:17:00.000-04:002014-04-29T09:05:46.040-04:00Looking For Sprouts<p class="mobile-photo">Thinking of you Meemaw, Bennett and I planted a few Sichuan pepper plants to watch over. He is taking good care of them and looking for sprouts every morning. </p><p class="mobile-photo">The whole family is off to Shanghai on Thursday for baseball.</p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3kwxtZ4mXY/U1-Y4IoEoyI/AAAAAAAAoAs/G_-T7N6DBuA/s1600/photo%2B1-782672.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3kwxtZ4mXY/U1-Y4IoEoyI/AAAAAAAAoAs/G_-T7N6DBuA/s320/photo%2B1-782672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6007688518091186978"></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SkQWHm6QgEM/U1-Y4il5kWI/AAAAAAAAoA0/wrM1QgzohKw/s1600/photo%2B2-786419.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SkQWHm6QgEM/U1-Y4il5kWI/AAAAAAAAoA0/wrM1QgzohKw/s320/photo%2B2-786419.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6007688525061394786"></a></p>Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-67807289516397659012014-04-25T05:45:00.001-04:002014-04-25T05:45:35.088-04:00Hunter<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1fc-Ligd8g/U1ouwRkU4bI/AAAAAAAAn6g/7Hy-9J-Ryus/s1600/photo-735089.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1fc-Ligd8g/U1ouwRkU4bI/AAAAAAAAn6g/7Hy-9J-Ryus/s320/photo-735089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6006164459936342450" /></a></p>Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-30212656995488879742014-04-13T02:17:00.001-04:002014-04-13T11:49:47.646-04:00Conditioning Practice“Hey, put your hat on right, look like a ball player."<br>
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A flat-brimmed, LA Dodgers, 5950 perched atop his head, like one of those little paper birthday caps with the snappy rubber neck string. “Dude, pull it down on your head,” I said, grabbing the brim of my own hat with my thumb and pointer to demonstrate.<br>
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“I - I know coach, I know what you mean, but-"<br>
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"But what? You’ve watched a game before, right? Ballplayers don’t rock it like that." <br>
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"Coach, ehm, I know, I-I did watch some baseball games when I was in California, but, it’s just that-"<br>
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"Are you injured? Does your head hurt? It looks a lil small? Here let me -" I reach toward his head with the intent of showing him the way.<br>
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“No, no, no, it's not that coach," ducking away from my hand, hiding an embarrassed smile. </div><div><br></div>
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“Bro, what is going on? No one wears their hat like that.”<br>
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He lifts the hat and strokes his palm over his jet black head of hair.<br>
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“Oh - my - goodness, you have a date tonight. Who is it?”<br>
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“No-o,” he giggles, shaking his head.<br>
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“Concert? It is already seven o’clock, you're gonna be late?" I mean, I’d understand if he had to go to a strings concert, or a Monkey King production, or Probability Night, or one of the many other events that often pull Asia Pacific Athletic Conference athletes from practice. My mom probably wouldn’t want me messing up my hair before the concert either.<br>
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“Nah coach,” he smiles.<br>
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"Dude, spit it out then, what’s up?"<br>
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"Coach, it’s just that, well, it's conditioner, ya know.”<br>
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My eyes go wide - the <i>are you for serious</i> face - and I survey the rest of the team which has now gathered in a mid-practice huddle surrounding us near shortstop.<br>
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"Coach, I spend a lot of time conditioning my hair, and I, I just don’t want to mess it up." Again reaching up with his palm to smooth his bangs to his forehead.<br>
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“Wait, wuh?” My tone of disbelief - <i>you’ve got to be kidding me, did you really just say that</i> - which I am sure my students, players, and of course my own boys at home, know quite well. I heard it, I know what he said, I just can’t fathom it. I look like sarcasm. I know they taught me not to do that on the first day of teacher school, but that lesson didn’t take so well, and "conditioner" is cause for sarcasm.<br>
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The rest of the 6th and 7th grade eyes in the huddle look back at me. A giggle or two and a couple of smiles emerge at the expense of our exchange, or probably at my foolish face of disbelief. Most of them though don’t seem nearly as surprised as I am by the hat, the hair, the conditioner, or even the discussion itself. <br>
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I drop my eyes toward the ground for a second, tapping the barrel of my fungo bat on the turf. Biting my lip to keep from breaking into laughter of my own, I shout, “pack it up! See ya tomorrow." <br>
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No doubt, they’re all wondering, without the guts to say it, “do you think my hair looks okay?” </div>
Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com2Shunyi Shunyi40.067409 116.534185tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-34553809400123835042014-03-23T00:16:00.000-04:002014-03-23T00:26:53.905-04:00God Bless America!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='400' height='326' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxaGt3k8_nKgG_YdQpz1Dg--IW-AW_RpsRX6HrfvZaLh3PhA7lvPS_0BTyuxKuLosFfkrQXFQ26J451hOhhQQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-10014334225009898932014-03-23T00:03:00.000-04:002014-03-23T01:53:06.321-04:00Meeting Mrs. Obama<div class="mobile-photo">
What an incredible experience. Take note of the wristbands that Devon rocks on his right wrist. In one of many highlights of the day, as Devon reached up to shake Michelle Obama's hand, she took note of his collection of arm bands asking, "what is all this?"</div>
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Devon took one off his arm - an orange band sporting Chinese characters in a message about the 2008 Beijing Olympics - handed it to her, and she proceeded to thank him and put it directly on her wrist. As she continued down the receiving line of handshakers, every time she extended her left hand to clasp another guest, Devon's, now Michelle's, bracelet got some airtime.<br />
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"Dad, do you think my wristband will get on tv?"</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Here the boys emerge from the children-only backstage photo shoot with the First Lady.</span></td></tr>
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Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-68689709066365809152014-03-19T04:23:00.001-04:002014-03-19T04:23:18.665-04:00Thanks Mrs. Northcott - Parker's Role Model - for Sharing<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DLb_21vwsvs/UylTj89fRhI/AAAAAAAAnJY/8bK8MbZvLNw/s1600/Parksacting1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DLb_21vwsvs/UylTj89fRhI/AAAAAAAAnJY/8bK8MbZvLNw/s320/Parksacting1.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parks in Action</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yi_WKuJk5qw/UylTj3CZhSI/AAAAAAAAnJU/q17Ud9etGhE/s1600/Parksacting2.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yi_WKuJk5qw/UylTj3CZhSI/AAAAAAAAnJU/q17Ud9etGhE/s320/Parksacting2.jpeg" /></a>Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-74250161688109955792014-03-18T09:54:00.000-04:002014-03-18T10:00:05.350-04:00Temple of Heaven<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8n6gzW6AEc/UyhRZkuA-vI/AAAAAAAAnD0/J1nn9sAj0vY/s1600/photo%2B1-705351.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8n6gzW6AEc/UyhRZkuA-vI/AAAAAAAAnD0/J1nn9sAj0vY/s320/photo%2B1-705351.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5992128804011703026" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mbRuTFQcWG8/UyhRan0OB3I/AAAAAAAAnEA/Dryc6FzQESo/s1600/photo%2B2-710499.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mbRuTFQcWG8/UyhRan0OB3I/AAAAAAAAnEA/Dryc6FzQESo/s320/photo%2B2-710499.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5992128822022899570" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnIV8tyueNU/UyhRbgZf8DI/AAAAAAAAnEM/sikoXmQfD0w/s1600/photo%2B3-714158.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gnIV8tyueNU/UyhRbgZf8DI/AAAAAAAAnEM/sikoXmQfD0w/s320/photo%2B3-714158.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5992128837211648050" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WKoWJPofbNE/UyhRcaIb1EI/AAAAAAAAnEU/VYoJg50ADU0/s1600/photo%2B4-717406.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WKoWJPofbNE/UyhRcaIb1EI/AAAAAAAAnEU/VYoJg50ADU0/s320/photo%2B4-717406.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5992128852709332034" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgxfFwF4CiM/UyhRddeG5-I/AAAAAAAAnEk/5ggSRswnmPU/s1600/photo%2B5-720131.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgxfFwF4CiM/UyhRddeG5-I/AAAAAAAAnEk/5ggSRswnmPU/s320/photo%2B5-720131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5992128870785411042" /></a></p>Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-61076997493764622482014-03-17T20:14:00.001-04:002014-03-17T20:14:46.359-04:00The Video after the QR code in Bennett's Photo<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In_BpbqxS2M&sns=em">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=In_BpbqxS2M&sns=em</a>
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<br>Sent from the iPhone of
<br>Paul R. KochPaul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-73179805147221839762014-03-17T03:38:00.000-04:002014-03-17T03:39:10.034-04:00More From the 2nd Grade Circus<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AbCqOhRiPzk/Uyamn0gbSqI/AAAAAAAAm9s/J0aPL8ag_Y8/s1600/photo-750034.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AbCqOhRiPzk/Uyamn0gbSqI/AAAAAAAAm9s/J0aPL8ag_Y8/s320/photo-750034.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5991659557302782626" /></a></p>
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<br>Sent from the iPhone of
<br>Paul R. KochPaul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-51726543514407484732014-03-15T06:50:00.001-04:002014-03-15T06:54:46.572-04:00Dribbling Dragons is A Wrap<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-waA3OvAP9EE/UyQweT0OGVI/AAAAAAAAmsY/QPNEiuw3t7k/s1600/photo%2B1-731720.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-waA3OvAP9EE/UyQweT0OGVI/AAAAAAAAmsY/QPNEiuw3t7k/s320/photo%2B1-731720.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5990966701583112530"></a></p>
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<br><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ef07KWX4y8o/UyQwfWH-WwI/AAAAAAAAmsk/76OTi_XoL6A/s1600/photo%2B2-736563.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ef07KWX4y8o/UyQwfWH-WwI/AAAAAAAAmsk/76OTi_XoL6A/s320/photo%2B2-736563.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5990966719382706946"></a></p>
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<br><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sII-qq3ZK5g/UyQwgsqwKSI/AAAAAAAAmsw/xnAd10S7AU4/s1600/photo%2B3-741269.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sII-qq3ZK5g/UyQwgsqwKSI/AAAAAAAAmsw/xnAd10S7AU4/s320/photo%2B3-741269.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5990966742614026530"></a></p>
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<br>Another awesome basketball season wraps up just in time for baseball season to kick off! Thanks for the great coaching!Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-62581142637004657452014-03-15T06:38:00.001-04:002014-03-15T06:38:53.343-04:00Faulty Equipment<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SA3x3gu9FcA?list=UUnKaKExIpfAfRlDlePtUXiA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7178199762595236230.post-87864688899141657932014-03-12T21:39:00.000-04:002014-03-12T21:45:19.536-04:00A repost of The First Time in honor of JoJo's Birthday<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The First Time</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-f9f920d1-b91c-a4d0-3f3c-7c10b983b18b" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> "If you get the chance, go," I said softly as Chris took his lead from third. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Creep, creep, p-shew. He took off. </span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A variety of shouts interrupt the moment. "Step off," yells the third baseman among others, but in my memory his voice is slow and long like a video tape in slow motion. Ev-ry-thing-is-slooooww. Then my focus is right back on the play. I feel a swell in emotion and possibly the noise, but I'm too locked in to hear it; hands raising slowly in a symbol of victory over my head. Chris takes his last two steps with dusty wisps kicking up behind each cleat, then starts his slide toward the inside of the plate, hooking, hand outstretched, slapping the plate. The catcher comes down, ball in hand, hand in glove, slamming his mitt down on Chris' shoulder blade, but already the umpire reaching his hands out, mask in hand, yells, "Safe, safe!"</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Jeaa," I fist-pump! Looking to the crowd, elevating a cheer.</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stealing home may be the single most intense play in sports, and on that day I felt like I had been a part of something pretty neat as a coach - you know, a first time. In fourteen years of coaching there aren't many days when something happens that you haven't seen or done once before, but straight stealing of home, on that night, was one of them. </span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We won that game, I can only guess that teams who steal home successfully don't lose too often, it is sort of a confidence play, and I think teams with confidence tend to win. </span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the game, my buddy Luke called me, "Hey bro, how 'bout we go to DeEtte's for a party tonight."</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Bro, I'm good, just gonna chill I think, I'm kind of tired, got some stuff to do around the house."</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"C'mon man, six girls, two guys, good odds!"</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Well, I guess if you put it that way."</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We arrived, knocked, and the door swung open. "Sorry boys, I was just putting on some make up, be ready soon, c'mon in," said a sultry-voiced, blue-eyed blonde I had never seen before.</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Apparently, with six girls in the house, mirrors are a hot commodity and the ones in the bathrooms, the hallways, the foyers, and in this case, by the front door were all booked up with DeEtte's female house guests preparing for the night out. </span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am none too proud of the next moment in time. Quite possibly what transpired is the single most pathetic, yet influential, phrase ever uttered from my lips. The cheesiest of pickup lines. </span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Hey girl, my name is Paul, and you don't need any makeup," I said, giving that caricature hey baby winky-eyed look that in some distorted way I thought looked cool. </span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ev-ry-thing-slowed-dooooowwwnn.</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She reddened, giggling at the absurdity of such a statement. I think Luke snort laughed, pressing his hand on my back to move me past her and into the room. I wanted to shrink up, hide; I shouldn't have come - my confidence, shattered. I felt flushed, yet tried my best to play it cool and act as if I was calculating every action and phrase. I'm such a loser!</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My first chance with a babe in months and I mushmouth the cheesiest of all pickup lines.</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stand in the center of the room as DeEtte emerges from the stairwell, "hey boys, you meet Joanne, yet."</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Uh, yeah, thanks," Luke says.</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I still look for a shadow to slink into, but turn and acknowledge her. "Yea, thanks."</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I turn back, Joanne is is standing in front of me, blue eyes looking into mine, a broad white smile spreading across her lips. "Hey, can I get you a beer?" </span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Yeah, that would be great, and uh, hey, sorry about that-" flipping my thumb towards the door where we had our first encounter moments ago.</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She holds a hand up to stop me, "It's fine baby, I thought it was cute." She walks off toward the kitchen, I guess to get the beer.</span></div>
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 4.5pt; margin-right: 4.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Jeaa," I fist-pump!</span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
Paul Kochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01953224405297307911noreply@blogger.com0