Loyal readers,
Welcome to blog post number 2: Training camp edition (it
also has a lot of photos, let me know if you like it). We just got back from a
10 day camp that took us to Antwerp, Belgium and Moscow, Russia. We played two
games at each spot. It was a long trip, tested us in a lot of ways, and I’m
sure will improve us tremendously.
Highlights: 1.) The games – it was my first experience
playing games away from home as a pro, and playing in front of European fans
was really cool. The drums, chanting, smoke, basically all the stuff you see in
soccer matches, but inside. Picture from the first game in Belgium:
2.) Waffles. Our second game we played against the Belgian
team Charleroi in their arena, and the unmistakable scent of Belgian waffles
dominated the arena. It was, by far, the best smelling arena I’ve ever played
in. It was awesome in every way.
3.) Our last night in Belgium we went out to eat in downtown
Antwerp. It was probably because I was the rookie and this stuff was new to me,
but I was taking pictures of everything while the vets acted like they had been
there before (they probably had). Here are some pictures from Antwerp and our
fruitless search for the nonexistent Hard Rock Café:
4.) Russia. Unfortunately we were only in Russia for two and
a half days, and had two games, so no sight seeing. Thankfully, the hotel in
Russia did have an American sports channel. I was able to watch the Reds and
the Pirates. How neat is that? Also found this mustache in the lobby of the
CSKA Moscow arena and it was too awesome not to show you guys:
This next section is devoted to Ali Mackay’s genius on
snapchat. I guess he has a few hours every week where he gets really bored, and
comes up with these works of art. Again, I share with you because they are too
good to keep to myself and I’m a man of the people, remember?
Basically it was a pretty awesome
week. My birthday was thrown in there as well. Never thought I’d be spending my
birthday in Belgium. Maccabi went above and beyond by getting me a cake
(Maccabi tradition also says that as soon as I open said cake, everyone gets to
slap me on the back of the head/neck), so that was fun. It was awesome to get
all the calls, texts, facebook posts, etc… wishing me well, so whoever did
that, thank you. Whoever didn’t….nah I’m just kidding. That’s all I got for
now, and now your reward (you guys probably just scrolled to the bottom anyway), the
best links!
(note: if you don’t love John
Krasinski from the office as much as I do, which honestly isn’t possible, you
probably won’t love that one as much as I do. Still good though)
(Probably the only thing I
disagree with Dr. Cox on, Hugh Jackman is a beast)
thought this next one was pretty
awesome as well. Thanks to Ben Allison for sharing. If you want some
motivation:
(Sly’s speech gives me goosebumps
every time)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6CT3fIYoduw
gotta have a dog video
That’s it for now.
Up next: Last week of preseason
training, then the real games start!
Thanks for reading,
Jake
Thanks for the updates. Keep them coming. Ali has too much time on his hands for a Davidson basketball player. Lol
ReplyDeleteGlad I read this one all the way to the bottom. God save the Queen.
ReplyDelete