If this isn't a reason to smile, I dont know what is

My dad was named the 2011 recipient of the Werner Fricker award. His contributions to soccer in America will outlast his career and he will always be remembered as an ambassador of the sport.

I could not be more proud!

Happy New Years!

I typically do not make new years resolutions. I think they are a silly idea for people to feel better about themselves and NOBODY ever sticks to them. Here are a handful of resolutions that I have made that I did not stick to:

* In 2009 my resolution was to not make stink-faces at people's food (even if it was fish and smelled AWFUL). -- Let's be honest, fish stinks. End of story.

* There were a handful of new years resolutions about eating healthier/getting back into shape.-- Those were a joke...

* To be nicer to my mom. -- Needless to say, high schoolers are rarely nice to their parents...

So instead of resolving to be a better person or lead a different lifestyle, in 2011 I resolve to not make unrealistic goals and instead, focus on how lucky I am to have the family and friends that I have.

Happy New Years from Vail, CO where the temperature is currently -5!

Smile!!

2010 - My Year in Photos

In no particular order, these are just a few pictures that sum up all of the fun I had in 2010. From weddings in AZ and the Cape to World Cup madness and HUGE changes. It has been a long year, but as we come to the end, I'd say it's been a pretty damn good year. I hope 2011 will be even better, and I have good reason to believe it will. I have a lot to smile about, I hope you do too.

The Onion's take on the 2010 MLS Cup

As a soccer fan and Rapids employee, I should not laugh at this. But it made me laugh out loud at my desk... So I'm sharing it anyways.

2010 - Looking Back Again

This video is definitely an important memory from 2010. Mostly just because it really captures my view on life, politics, love and dogs.

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON from Dean Fleischer-Camp on Vimeo.

New Years Resolution - GET HEALTHY

Hahaha! For anyone who knows me, getting healthier is easier said than done. I. Love. Candy.

But there is hope. According to this 29 Healthiest Foods on the Planet article I actually really like a handful of the healthiest foods. So that is good. Phew, thank God for avocado, skim milk, artichokes and quinoa!

Check it out. Maybe it will help you get healthy!

2010 - Looking Back

I believe in moving forward, instead of dwelling on the past. But I am also a super sucker for nostalgia. So here is the first of a handful of memories from 2010 that I would like to keep in my nostalgia vault:

World Cup.

I wasn’t able to go to South Africa this summer to join the world in celebrating the beautiful game. But it was almost as magical to be here, in Denver, where soccer has not caught the relevance train quite yet.

During World Cup 2010 you’d never know that Denver is not a soccer city. I saw passion and intensity in the faces of strangers who only shared one thing in common with me. Our love for soccer. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed and shocked by the sheer number of supporters that came out to the outdoor viewing parties that the Rapids hosted, as well as just to the random dive bars that were packed at 8am every morning.

Kudos, Denver. You gained a couple of classy points, that you were lacking in my book.