MLQ

My #MLQChampionship Journey, Day 5

You don’t force traditions. They just happen. They’re organic. A year and a half ago, I came home from Irvine after reffing nine games and all I wanted to do was see this face and eat a 4×4. I was hungry and it was convenient. It was the first time James picked me up from a quidditch journey. It’s become a regular thing since then.

I forgot how we got into the habit of going to In-and-Out whenever I get back from my quidditch travels, only that it kept happening. It’s a tradition now. I spent the whole day knowing that I would end it with my favorite person and a final #MLQChampionship post as cheesy as the well-done fries I ordered.

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My #MLQChampionship Journey, Day 3

This picture is why I’m here.

I’ve written before about what a pessimist I am before my team plays. I thought that we’d be lucky to pull off a win against a great 3rd place team in the New Orleans Curse since we’d only brought 14 players.

I was wrong.

I took this during the gap between our sweep of the Curse and our matchup against the Night Riders. Okay, I thought, at least we made it as far as last year. At least we’re having fun.

Instead of trying to get a perfect photo, I captured what my team is really like. Ridiculous, but in the best way. As much as I wish they’d take me more seriously sometimes (like when I need them to fill out forms), I loved this moment. I thought that hanging the hallway, goofing off and sitting at 2-0, would be the highlight of my day.

Later on, the day got even better. This team went on to do more ridiculous things like start game two just wanting to have fun, only to lead the Boston Night Riders for 15 minutes or so with only 14 people.

That’s why I’m here. This team.

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My #MLQChampionship Journey, Day 2

“I HAVE A BATTLE STATION!”

Some people claim beds when they get into a hotel room first. When I walked into the hotel with Miles this afternoon and saw a huge desk with outlets to charge all my electronics and their batteries, that was what I called dibs on. So I crowed those words and took over the desk. Gotta keep my spreadsheets in front of me and up to date!

Why? Well, I have terrible short-term memory. I could tell you what gas cost in December of 2003 ($1.74, btw) before I went to Portugal because I wrote it in my diary. On the other hand, I almost never know where I left my keys.

I can never remember who is coming when or where they’re sleeping, but I always know where to find that information when I’m asked.

And I get asked. A lot. Seriously. Oh so much. But it’s what I signed up for.

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My #MLQChampionship Journey, Day 1

There are three reasons why I travel for quidditch:

  1. To go to the quidditch tournaments themselves, obviously.
  2. To see more of the country.
  3. To see my friends across the country.

I had a plan today when I landed in Austin at noon. I was going to drop my stuff off at Caroline’s, play tourist, get some good shots of the city, and then have plenty to choose from for today’s post.

Instead, I ended up napping the day away and then using the afternoon as whine & wine (except I got a beer because this is me we’re talking about) time with Caroline, my former Skrewts teammate who I never see anymore. I didn’t even take this picture with the intention to post it. I just liked the beer and wanted to remember it for later if I wanted to find it again. It’s not even Texan; it’s from Colorado.

I had to choose between #2 and #3, but it was no contest. Austin isn’t going anywhere. My friends, on the other hand, are going places. Keeping up with them is far more important.

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My #MLQChampionship Journey, Day 0

I have bittersweet feelings about packing this jersey. I’m not a player. I’m a not a coach. I’m a manager. That means something to me. Jerseys are for people who work on the pitch. I may get shit done off the pitch… but I know I wouldn’t make the 30-player roster for this team. I’m okay with this. Managing plays to my strengths better.

I’m supposed to be packing my gold polo.

I didn’t blog about my experiences with the Argonauts this summer because I wanted the story to be about what happens on the pitch, not what I do off of it. But fate (in the guise of an exploding bottle of sunscreen somewhere between SJ and LA) took away my manager’s uniform, so I guess is as good a reason as any to start blogging about another quidditch journey.

Time for bed. I’m catching a flight to #OutlawCountry in eight and a half hours.

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How to Use Quidditch to Start Your Career Without Sounding Like a Complete Nerd

Earlier this week, Major League Quidditch published an article I wrote when I was trying to convince people to join the Argonauts staff this summer. I’m not going to repeat anything I wrote there. I just want to expand on it because not everyone wants or can apply for an MLQ position.

If you’re reading this, you probably have some quidditch volunteer experience. You’ve probably wondered if it’s worth all the time, effort, and risk to your sanity. Will quidditch actually help you get a real job?

Yes. Maybe. Depends. But it’s not impossible.

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