Tour of Missouri comes to the Ozarks

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tourofmo1.jpgThe Tour of Missouri cycling race across Missouri is making its way from Kansas City to St. Louis with several stages in between. They raced in Kansas City in Stage 1 today and then they will race from Clinton to Springfield in Stage 2 on Wednesday. They will then have Stage 3 Time Trials in Branson on Thursday. I am hoping to see a little bit of the race tomorrow in Springfield.

This isn’t a little race, but is quite a bit deal. Actually, this year?s Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Spain and U.S. Professional Champion and third-place Tour de Francealbertocontador.jpg finisher Levi Leipheimer of Santa Rosa, Calif. are amongst the field of competitors. I have never seen a cycling race up close, but would like to add it to my list of sports events I have attended. From what I can tell and have read, these guys are some of the best athletes in the world. You can check out the Tour website and see how many miles in each stage and it is amazing. 600 miles in 6 days–bad enough in a car, let alone on a bike. Talk about some serious saddle sore behinds!

Are you Ready for some football??

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stones.jpgWell, the official kickoff of the NFL season was last night and the Colts smoked the Saints. Sure looks like all of the hype about the Saints “not being that bad” this year might not be all that it is cracked up to be. They did however keep up with the Colts the first half with a 10-10 tie at halftime.

Our fantasy draft was this past Sunday. I got to pick the 19th round guy–all by myself. I made it late to the “live” draft and the computer picked for me.

Here is the “probable” starting roster for the 07-08 Rolling Stones.

  • Matt Hasselback-QB
  • Anquan Boldin–WR Ari
  • Marvin, already got me 14 points last night, Harrison-WR Ind
  • Lee Evans–WR Buf
  • Steven Jackson–RB Stl
  • Ronnie Brown–RB Mia
  • Kellen”I am a soldier,” not even close to as good as your dad, Winslow-TE Cle
  • Plus the kickers, defense (Oakland & Miami) and defensive position players to round out the 19 spots.

We’ll see how it goes, I made it to the final game last year and lost by a very short margin in the final game. Dan has an awesome trophy to go in his office at Ball Supply–the golden football made by Gary “too much free time” Daily with “Chumpions” on the placard. Wish I would have taken a picture of it! Can’t wait to get my hands on that beauty!!

Unexpected ESPN2 Surprise

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As most of you know, I was a “band nerd” growing up in Junior High all the way through college at MSU. Some of my favorite memories growing up were around the marching band field or specifically, Drum Corps International. I had several friends who went on to be in some of the top corps or Division I corps. One friends was in the Madison Scouts, another started in the Phantom Regiment and then later on in the Blue Devils, and another was in the Cavaliers. I really wished I could have been in the Drum Corps, but it is only “bugles” and don’t have trombones or woodwinds. My friend Mac and I went to KC two years in a row to the World Championships in Arrowhead Stadium “back in the day.” Every so often, they come here to Springfield during the summer. It is really a lot of fun to check out their hard work and talents on display.

It was a tradition with several of my friends that we would get together on Labor Day and watch the DCI World Championships on PBS. I haven’t seen it for several years, but was looking for it this Labor Day and didn’t see anything on PBS. The reason, it has “grown up” and become an official “sport” and was on tonight on ESPN2. There is a part of me that really misses that whole scene of being a part of a musical group that you are depending on every person to succeed. I can still remember walking on the practice field at SMSU when I was a freshman and the band played a B flat concert scale and I began weeping because of the huge wall of sound. There is something about having over 300 people playing together that is really special.

I know, I know . . . let it go man! You’re 34 years old! But I love watching those kids work so hard over the entire summer to play music and entertain people all across the country. If you haven’t been to one of these competitions, they are quite the pageant. One of my favorite times is when the Corps is getting ready to play and face backfield and “warm up.” I love everything about it . . . the drum cadence, the drum major leading the band, the drum line, the big “company front” at the end!! I know . . . I am a total band nerd! Once a band nerd, always a band nerd.