Today my friend tom (www.tomkatsu.net) and I went to the Qwest Field pro shop and stood in line for about two and a half hours…waiting to meet Kasey Keller.  The first 100 people were stamped and let in, and we had to continue waiting outside. (We were the 112 & 113th people).  The people behind us, Julie and Ray, were awesome!  They had special scarves that said “In Keller We Trust” and there was a little goalie glove on one end and “18″ on the other. It was pretty awesome!  Their friend, Joe, also took pictures!

Keller was all business, and we were told, “no posing.” Keller was busy signing and had no time for pictures, because he was trying to fit in as many autographs as possible.  I was a little sad that I didn’t get a picture with Keller…but maybe next time. 

Pictures will be coming soon. It’s getting dusky in my living room, so I don’t want to take and post horrible pictures. I have two Sounders FC jerseys- a Keller 18 one and a blank blue one. I had him sign them both   I can’t wait until next Thursday when I get to wear it!  Which jersey should I buy next year? Freddie Ljungberg? James Riley? Le Toux?

Anyway, I can’t wait to renew our seaons tickets…I can’t believe the season is almost over!

So I have a new favorite on the team. I think that watching international football (my boyfriend is a huge fan, so English premier league & World Cup is on our TV…everyday.) has kind of exposed me a little bit to “real” soccer. Or football, depending on what you want to call it. American Soccer is different than watching international soccer.  I think that, and my BF pointed it out, that in international soccer, there’s a lot of crossing (I am not a soccer player, so excuse me for not knowing the technical terms) up, so that when someone like Fredy Montero kicks the ball, there’s someone who has crossed up the center to kick it in. Also, in international football/soccer, it seems like they are better and quicker at passing, and it doesn’t seem like they pass it back – they actually pass it up field. That’s one thing that is always bugging me at games – I want them to pass it up! I guess it’s some kind of tactic to keep it from the other team, or to waste time. But, guys, pass it up so we can score!

Anyway, the whole point of the post – I heart Kasey Keller. I think that since I HAVE started to watch some of the more experienced teams, I’ve started to realize how lucky we are to have such an amazing goalie.  When I played soccer (I was 12, so it doesn’t really count) I hated being put into the goalie position. It was boring. I wanted to be in on the action. And really – at 12 – who has goalies that are any good? Who has strikers that make having a good goalie a requirement? So I’ve never really appreciated the need for having someone who can get the angles and will put himself out there to save it.

Another thing that I’ve learned about Keller – he puts the team first. It was recently explained to me about “designated players” and how the rest of the team only gets to split about $3million for everyone else’s salary, but the DP has no cap. I think that is ridiculous. Now, Ljunberg seems to be pretty amazing, and I’m not saying that he hasn’t earned his money. All I’m saying is that we have an awesome player that really did take one for the team (since he also has the experience and skill to earn a large salary!). (If I remember correctly, Keller was on premier leagues as well.) So, all I REALLY wanted to do here was recognize Kasey Keller and tell everyone that I think he’s awesome. So, Keller, you’re awesome, and here’s to you!!

PS – anyone know where I can get a Keller t-shirt?

That is the question.

For the longest time, I thought I would get my name, written in Chinese, with a little Cri-kee (the cricket in Mulan) underneath, with ink dripping off his feet. Anyone who has seen the cartoon would get the reference, I think. But, I got older, and my assuredness wanted.  Would I get Cri-kee in color? Color fades, doesn’t it? Where would I put the tattoo? I didn’t want a “tramp stamp” and I wanted a tattoo that would be easily hidden – to only show it when I wanted it to be shown. I didn’t want “accidental” flashings of it, especially when I was at work. All of these doubts put the tattoo on hold.

Fast forward a few years – to now. I thought about getting a tattoo on my hip – one of a bewitching princess-y like girl, smirking. But since there’s no significance to this girl, no reason to get it permanently tat’d on my body. Plus, the idea was pretty detailed, which probably means LOTS OF PAIN. I don’t like pain… Then, my newest brainstorm – to get a “Paper Princess Peach” type of tattoo, but where? On my hip? Between my shoulder blades?  Do I want a Princess Peach on my body forever? I’m not sure about that. Chris said I could get  Princess Peach elements on me, in a whirlwind of cherry blossoms. (Crown, parasol, etc) This idea intrigues me, but I also don’t think I’ll do it. What if I hate it? Then I’m stuck with it forever?

Thoughts? Ideas?