A Few Moments with Tim Redding, Pt. 1

Well, part one of the article will soon be posted at DCSportsFan.com. You can take a look at the link on the right in one of the sidebars! That part of the article is going to be up, then in the next couple of days, I will work on the other part. Then, sometime in the near future, I'll post the transcript IN FULL! The next ESPN Zone appearance is July 9th, which is one week from tomorrow. Not sure who is going to be there, but I do hope that I'll be able to make it and grab another interview.

I wonder if and when the Nats will trade Felipe Lopez. Might help, but then again, I'm not actually sure. Collin Balester has been called up! We'll see how he does tonight. Hope for a recap afterwards. 

Well, my swim team is 1-1, having lost one at the beginning of the season, but then defeating Pinewood Lake to give us our first win in over two years. But we did it. Something else that is really making me proud of the job us coaches have been doing -- just about 100% of the swimmers who show their faces to practice every day have been dropping time throughout the season. Something that tells people -- go to practice and you WILL get better. This weekend we get to face Hollin Hills, at their pool.

Also, one more thing. PLEASE feel free to email me, comment on my blog, etc. I really want suggestions on how I can improve this thing.

Another Swim Team Story that the Nationals Could Use

I can't stop raving about the swim team I help coach and how certain individuals continue to take the time to step up even when they don't have to. Time and time again, these people continue to impress me. At the oldest age group practice today, we had one swimmer show up. Just one. In the face of the bad weather, she took the time to drive to the pool and get in the water. Selflessly caring for her performance and the performance of the team. So when she showed up and fifteen minutes into the practice, I knew that this would be a sign of dedication. Pushing through knee pain and practicing breastroke and constantly coming into the wall out of breath. Showing that she wants to improve herself and that she wants to help the team. Something maybe Our Washington Nationals can take back to the ballyard. Someone step up and show that dedication. Work for yourself and work for your team.

Coming Out of Your Shell

Today, at swim practice, we had a great moment. Great moments like these and great performances like these help define who we are as humans. I am talking about the brilliant phenomenon that happened at practice with a 6 year old girl who had never swam backstroke before. Didn't know very much about how to float on her back AT ALL. However, I worked with her through practice, using a handy tip from the head coach, and she was swimming FULL STROKE backstroke by the end of practice. It is performances like these that feature young athletes COMING INTO THEIR OWN that really make us happy about ourselves.

This story could be used to inspire some backup Washington Nationals players that are getting their chances to shine. Eight players now on the DL. Nick Johnson. Ronnie Belliard. Ryan Zimmerman. Paul Lo Duca. Johnny Estrada. Austin Kearns. Chad Cordero. Ryan Wagner. Maybe their backups should hear about a young 6 year old who never knew how to float on her back but learned backstroke in about FORTY minutes. These young Nationals also need to learn how to float. Maybe they can also inspire others to do phenomenal feats.

The Rejection Comes So Quickly

If you've been talking to me in the past couple days, you'll know that I was trying to interview a Washington Nationals player, namely Austin Kearns. So I sent an email to the media relations lady and was hoping to get an email back tomorrow. However, to my surprise, before dinner I checked e-mail and received a swift reply! Very professional, Ms. Pagano. However, this was not the e-mail reply I had hoped for... it was a rejection letter, saying Austin was not available for an interview at this time. So I'll think about what I want to do next, and I hope I can scrape up an interview later on this year. Will keep everyone updated.

PS - Today is Memorial Day - please remember what our soldiers have done for us so well for so many years. Always remember the fallen, and pray for those who are fighting. Also never forget POW and MIA soldiers. We thank them so much for their contributions and sacrifices. Whether you support or oppose the war, EVERY American citizen should stand behind our troops.

Summer

Well I know it's tough to think about summer with cold and rainy weather and my room being very close to flooding, but since I am only A WEEK away from getting out of school, I figure now is as good a time as any to look ahead.

This summer, I'll be holding three jobs. Well, more specifically, two jobs and an internship. We'll start off with the first piece of employment news that I received. In the winter, I applied for a job coaching the swim team I have been on for so many years. I applied as the head coach, but since I did not have enough experience I was not selected to that position. However, a few days later I received some remarkable news through the magic of e-mail. I would be assistant coach for this team, and I was selected because of my new ideas to re-energize the team.

Then, on March 30th of this year, I went to the Washington Nationals home opener. Friend had to write an article but had a lot of work to do, so I did the article, and he helped. I was given the by-line, and a few days later I was accepted as an intern at DCSportsFan.com, specifically writing one article every week about Our Washington Nationals. If you would like to read some of the articles, click here.

Later this year, I realized I would need a second job because Virginia Hills would not be enough to sustain me for next year. Walked around Springfield Mall and looked at American Eagle and Aeropostale. Applied at both places, and was called back for an interview for both. After my interview with Aeropostale I was informed that I would be able to work there. But I held off because I preferred American Eagle. Today I called them and received excellent news - and therefore I will be working at American Eagle this summer. I'm very excited. Orientation next week and then I will start soon after I guess.

And that's what I'm going to be doing this summer.