Stephanie and I were in Baltimore for the Northeast Qualifier, a far-off shot at qualifying for nationals. 70 courts in two locations, thousands of square feet of volleyball. My hope was just to do "OK." I guess in the end, that's what we did, but it could've been better. We went 6-3 for the weekend, but lost two the first day which put us in the butt brackets. The continuing problem with these kids are that they can't believe what they're capable of, and curl up and die as soon as they get into a little bit of trouble.
We got the chance to check out the Baltimore area Medieval Times. We've been to the Orlando show the last two Novembers. I have to say that this one was better in some ways. It's a new facility, for one, and attached to the Arundel Hills mall. Can't market yourself any better than that! The show was a lot more clean, the sword fights a little more convincing, and overall it was just a blast. Yes, I had my share of beer, which of course makes it that much more fun!
We also went to see "The Girl Next Door" (at the same mall, in the fabulous Muvico Egyptian 24). I was expecting a stupid teen sex movie, and it kind of was. However, it was actually fairly clever for a story that you've seen in a hundred other movies. The show is really stolen by another actor who plays a porn producer. His dialogue is absolutely hilarious. Seeing Elisha Cuthbert in skimpy clothes the entire movie certainly doesn't hurt. Makes you realize there's a cutie under that awful haircut she has on Fox's 24.
It was a nice little escape for the weekend. Makes going back to work far worse.
Medieval Times rocks and I'm already making mental plans for our Chicago visit to the castle there.