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The
Swammi's Diary From The Madden Games
'Twas
The Night Before Nationals
After
fooling around with "The Kid" until about 6:00 AM, I finally
crashed out, only to have to wake up at 8:30 AM to get dressed for
a meeting I had with the hotel staff to go over some last minute details.
The hotel was going to charge us for the use of the "Lobby Lounge"
(more on that later), an additional $416.00 because we did not have
at least 10 guys staying at the hotel. They were incorrect. We booked
nearly 15 rooms. But after we got that clear, Danielle and I got things
wrapped up, and I decided to go back to bed. I walked into the room
about 9:40, climbed back into bed to resume my sleep. I started thinking
about all of things I still needed to do. I needed to make copies,
complete the expense report, and continue to chase after Geocities
about the site. I couldn't sleep so I got up. Damm! I'm tired! Oh
well, got to work, got to work......
So finally
I got up, showered, got fresh rolling in my PFL shirt, and got ready
to head out. Just at that time I noticed there was a message on my
phone, so I checked it and it was D. Rob saying they were here checking
in the hotel. So I went down stairs and they were still at the front
desk. We slapped hands, with the obligatory....waaaazzzzzuuuuupppppp!!!!
Ace was with him too, along with his beautiful wife, and baby boy.
They had made it a family outing. So we arranged to meet for lunch
because we were all starving. So the five of us went over to Uno's
had lunch, talked Madden, BFL, and PFL for almost two hours. In the
meantime, Mrs. D. Rob was keeping the baby entertained. I told them
about Pasadena Soldier, who was in D. Rob's group. The talk really
sparked Ace's curiosity. So after lunch we headed back to my room
and picked up a few things because Ace wanted to come over to the
business center with me to hook up his 4 on 4 tournament sheets. Once
we got to the room, Pasadena Soldier was awake and working on his
profile. I knew that was not a good sign because Ace was going to
want to get it on. He (Ace) stood their staring at the television
like he was in a trance. I began to read his mind..... (I sure would
like toup a can on this young whipper snapper). Or at least
that what I thought he was thinking. As soon as I noticed that, I
told him I was going to the center to get my business done. Ace stated
he wanted to play Pasadena and he would hang around the room. Then
he and Pasadena Soldier started explaining to me what they wanted
me to do to hook up their stat sheets and 4 on 4 sheets. I said "Hold
the hell up, I ain't going there to do your $#&*, I got my own
%$^& to do." So they asked me to stay while they played one
quarter. As usual, The Swammi gives in. Now I'm thinking, I'm against
the clock. I wanted to have this done by 5:00 PM. I wanted to be set
up in the Lobby Lounge by 6:00 to start the meeting on time at 7:00.
It was almost 2:00. But I waited.
Ace and
Pasadena begin to get it on. Pasadena jumped out to an early 20-6
lead by the quarters end. We left for the business center, but I had
a feeling these two would be going at it again soon.
You
Call This A Business Center?
This was the cheesiest Fake Kinko's I had ever
been to. Business center? It was across the street from the hotel.
But they failed to even get an Internet connection. I had to plug
into the phone jack with my MAC at their place just to get online.
They were no help at all to me, but at least Ace and Pasadena were
able to take care of their business. I was really getting flustered
now. Not able to print the brackets or expense report, no web site....
it started to seem like it wasn't going to be a good weekend. Boy
was I off base.
Arrival
Of The Ballers
I got my packets together, thanks to the help of DaBilster who stuffed
the name badge cards in their holders. Meanwhile, just as I suspected,
Ace and Soldier were eager to get it on. This time, with different
teams. Ace was able to win that matchup, but both players knew it
didn't mean anything. But Ace learned that this
young gun was more than just mouth. Pretty soon D. Rob and X invade
the room, and Trigger Fat along with DaBilster are there as well,
along with Winky White and D. C. So just before its time for me to
go down stairs. Ace decides its a good time to get a 4 on 4 game going.
"Swammi, you want to roll?" asked Ace. "Naw man, I
need to go get set up," I replied. Aw hell come on man, we'll
just play a quarter. I thought to myself, we will just play
a quarter reminds me of that old line we used to tell women
about what we wouldn't do in their mouths...... (careful Swammi) So
as usual, I break down. All right what the hell. So its me, X, Ron
Wilborn and Pasadena going against Ace, D Rob, D.C. and Wink Dawg.
They proceed toa can on us until we made some half-time adjustments.
We put X at receiver, and Pasadena at QB. I took over the defensive
calls, and Ron moved to safety. We were trailing by 3 touchdowns at
the time, and came back to not only win, but shut out the other team
in the second half. I could see then that this weekend was going to
be a memorable one.
The
Lobby Lounge
When I first looked at it, the Lobby Lounge didn't seem to be the
right enviroment condusive for intense competition, and no to mention
setting up national headquarters, and communications central. After
all last year, we had our own room, buried deep at the back of the
hotel, where no one could hear us no matter how loud we were. But
this was not like that. It was a lounge area, that used to be a sports
bar. They took out the TVs and just made it a lounge. It didn't seem
spacious for 46 anticipated ballers, but it turned out to be just
fine. There were plenty of comfortable chairs and sofas to recline
and relax in, so I liked that. But the biggest concern was that it
was adjoined to the LOBBY OF THE HOTEL. So as people entered through
the revolving doors, immediately to the right there we were balling.
However, hotel management told me they would petition it off from
the lobby with a screen or curtain. I was expecting something heavy
that would allow for seclusion. Then this guy came around 7:30 PM
once the meeting had started with one of those little screens that
ladies used to use in the old days to go stand behind and change clothes,
when they didn't have a dressing room. We had started the meeting
by then and all of the ballers just kind looked at me as if to say,
that's like putting a Band-Aid on a hearattack. It ain't gonna work.
I made it perfectly clear this was not the PSX Championship of Golf,
where it will be quiet with golf claps only reaching a moderately
loud level. No, no, this is nationals. You are subject to have an
outburst at anytime with a complement of high fives to go with it.
However, the hotel management assured me they could handle the noise
level and not to worry. Well that was almost true.
The
Ballers Meeting
One of the highlights of the weekend was the ballers meeting. It was
like a family/class reunion in a sense. And for others it was a chance
to put some of these famous names with a face. As guys came in their
registration packets were ready for them, complete with their schedules
and rule book, and most importantly, the name badge. With a name badge,
no one had to ask or guess a name. It was right there. The room started
to fill around 6:30. You could sense it was going to be something
special. "Oh, you're T Philly White," or "what's up
man, I'm Mad Guru," "Dayumm, Mad Guru wasssuuuppp, Tabasco
Cat." All of a sudden, the rivalries, the heated exchanges, the
post of the forum.....it was all gone. There was no hating in the
room. People just glad to see each other.
As the
meeting started I could see the ballers were ready. The old heads
that played in the tourney last year new what to expect. For the new
ballers, I think they were surprised at how professional the tourney
was being organized. We had everything laid out to the last penny,
and scheduled to the last minute. The meeting set the tone for what
the weekend was going to be about. Business, competition and camaraderie!
The thing
that impresses me about the ballers is their willingness to cooperate,
work together, and listen. Everyone saves their egos exclusively for
their games. For me, it is an incredible feeling to work with these
guys knowing that they trust in what I am doing, and they don't hesitate
to show their appreciation.
The
Midnight Special -- The 4 On 4 Tourney
4 teams (16 ballers) entered the 4 on 4 competition. Ace Hill had
gone over the rules in the meeting, and set up the games, and they
were under way. Meanwhile, I had began to set up my communications
center and was preparing to go on the net live. Since I hadn't been
able to get Geocities to help me (was I surprised by that.......NO!)
I moved the site over to Xoom.com temporarily. I set up shop, and
started broadcasting at about 11:00 PM EST. I interviewed several
guest, including the 4 on 4 champions, The New Orleans Ballers. Soon
afterwards I thought I would be going to bed early and resting for
tomorrow. Yea, right! I saw Ace, X, and D Rob on the way out and they
asked me to join them for breakfast. How could I turn down the second
greatest PSX league on the net? (AIF) After all, Ace bought me lunch,
at least I could buy him some pancakes or something. We were out needless
to say past 3:00 AM. So much for an early night.
GAMEDAY
SATURDAY (TOMMOROW)
© 2000, PFL Enterprises, LP PFL
and the PFL shield design are registered trademarks of the Playstation
Football League. The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered
trademarks of the teams indicated.
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