2011 looking back
Well, we are nearing a new year and I thought it would be a good time to take a look back at the previous one. First off 2011 was a pretty good year for old Phats so I can't really complain. I thought i'd go month by month and hit the highlights using the blog for some help since I am getting older and the memory is going. By the way I should point out I hate New Year's Eve I plan on watching the Boilers play Illinois, and then crawling into bed and reading the rest of the night.
2011 Look Back
January- Started the year with an earthquake, that's pretty uncommon here in Indiana. I remember being sound asleep and all of a sudden it sounded like a truck hit our house. Thankfully no damage, although a picture did fall off our wall.
College gameday for basketball made their first visit to Mackey Arena for the Purdue vs Michigan State game man that was a day I will NEVER forget. Left our house around 5am, by the time the game ended around 11 I had no voice, I was burning up, but the Boilermakers won it was an amazing experience
February- Purdue beating #2 and would have been #1 had they beaten us Ohio State at Mackey Arena. I have been going to Purdue basketball games since I could walk, and I have never heard Mackey that loud, or seen it that amped it was a great game and when JJ dunked as time was expiring I seriously thought the roof might come off the arena.
Mother Nature dumped on us. Man last Feb we got an AWFUL snowstorm that just seem to spit snow and never stop and to add on top of that we had a hard time even getting to above freezing to melt any of it. Just south of us in Indiana they got all ice both were just awful storms. I remember about breaking my back shuffling that shit.
March- The 5th annual Phats Bracket Challenge was a success the 2011 champion was Travis we will see if he can defend his title this coming march madness. Purdue's amazing two Seniors ended their Purdue careers in disappointing fashion being upset by VCU in the 3rd round of the NCAA tournament. This was also the first March Madness where they did the new play in games of last four in etc
The WigWam closed its doors. I know this means nothing to any of you, but a historic high school gym in Anderson was closed due to money reasons. It was home to the Anderson Indians, and sat around 8000 people I have many great memories from that place it was sad to see it shut down.
April- I only blogged twice so April must have been uneventful I know my spring break sure was as I stayed here in Indiana and did absolutely NOTHING.
May- Best highlight and maybe the best thing that's ever happened to my, the high school tennis team I coach won the school's second ever sectional title, but we didn't stop there as we went on to win the school's first ever regional title before falling in the sweet 16 at the semi state level. It was an amazing season that saw us finish with a school record for wins 18-5, graduated an amazing senior class that never had a losing season. We took the sectional title with 3 4-1 wins and the regional was TENSE to say the least in the semi finals we beat a team that had beaten us in the season 3-2 as it came down to the 2 doubles pt and our girls pulled it out in 3 tough sets. We were suppose to play the next day but as we were getting close to loading the bus we were put under a tornado warning and yes it was ppd to the following day, again more tornadoes in the area and we finally played on a Friday against the 5x defending champ and calmly beat them 3-2 when our 2 doubs pt AGAIN claimed the 3rd pt in a three set thriller one of the greatest days of my life.
Osama Bin Laden was killed. Yes, I remember being pissed at the fact they broke in 1 hr before they had anything to report and I missed the big board room showdown of Nene vs Star Jones, BUT this was a historical event. God Bless those Seals that risked their lives(yes, I know that's their job) to pull off this insane mission.
June- I celebrated another birthday!! While age is just a number I did turn 34 years old even though I feel and act more like I am 2o. Unlike other people I like celebrating my birthday and I even begged for gifts, and comments from you all haha. It was actually a low key birthday this year I hung out with my family, and had a game night with my best friends of course that includes Miss Bekah, and I believe Miss Bekah and I teamed to kick booty in Like Minds! I dunno if she should be scared by that or not haha.
The best player I have ever coached, and may ever coach saw her high school career come to an end in the individual state singles tournament. She finished 4th but just getting here there was amazing she graduated with a 4 year record of 84-7 pretty good.
July- Finished another summer of teaching summer tennis through the park, actually enjoyed the kids this year but really enjoy every year when it ends!! It was a quiet July on my blog, so I don't have anything to else to write about here, enjoyed some pool time?? haha
August- The big family trip to Disney World highlighted my August. It's no secret it's my favorite vacation of all time, and we had a really good time. We did it in style took a limo to the airport, stayed long enough to not have to rush, stayed at our favorite hotel the Beach Club, and I met my favorite chracter and got a picture with him, of course I am talking about Donald Duck. The best part my nephews are old enough now where they rode EVERYTHING. I loved seeing them experience Tower of Terror, Rock N Roller Coaster, Yeti, Space Mountain for the first time and wanting to do them over and over. It was a fantastic way to cap my summer break.
Tragedy hit Indiana in August as well as a huge wind gust during a bad thunderstorm came through and the stage Sugarland was to perform on at the state fair completely collapsed killing a few, and left many hurt. While it was sad it was also inspiring to see the heroic efforts of people running to aid people who were pinned underneath the stage. It's a sight I will never forget.
September- A new Purdue football season kicked off and the Boilers got an opening weekend win in 100 degree weather. It was great to have college football back, but it was hard to sit out and enjoy it.
9-11 10 year anniversary. It's hard to believe that, that awful day turned 10 years old. I am hopeful I will NEVER have to see anything like that again in my life.
October- Almost lost my grandma. She had fallen in her assisted living complex and wasn't found for hours. Our whole family was called to the hospital to say our goodbyes, and long story short we were called 4 times to tell her goodbye, and well she is still alive and kicking. God Bless Granny!
Purdue got a homecoming win with yours truly on the field to see it. It was good to be back on the field and ya I still got it!!
November- Purdue takes back the Old Oaken Bucket and in doing so becomes Bowl Eligible for the first time since 2007. It was an odd game against the shitty Hoosiers but we pulled it out. Also Cara and I took Bekah to her first ever football game in this month she was a very good sport in not the best weather. Also rushed the field after a thrilling OT win vs Ohio State including a blocked PAT to send it to OT! Combining stories Robbie Hummel after 2 acl's tears finally returns to Mackey Arena and leads the Boilers in a dominating win over Northern Illinois
Celebrated another Thanksgiving which also meant another birthday for my kidney as it turned 22 the Wednesday before turkey day. I am blessed every year I make it through with my "borrowed" kidney :)
December- Purdue returns to post season play after accepting an invite to the Little Caesars Bowl in Detroit and beats Western Michigan 37-32 capping a winning season which hopefully spring boards us into next year.
Celebrated another great Christmas with my family at my sister's house. Enjoyed watching my nephews play the XBox Kinect I got them.
Kind of a long post, but it was a long year after doing it the highlight was definitely May my tennis team winning. How about you what were your highlights?? Big New Year's Eve plans??
Happy New Year
Phats