So much to write about!

I didn't get a chance to really write anything yesterday other than the little blurb about meeting George, so I have two days to write about.

Yesterday was, well... amazing! I finally got to see the baseball stadium. There are three fields: one Main Field that holds 10,000 people, Field 2 that holds 3,000 people and Field 1 that is the practice field. During the games, Jake will be manning the Main Field while I'll be manning Field 2. So we had a pretty long meeting and then took a little bit of a tour of the stadium. It was pretty uneventful. Oh wait, just kidding!

After the meeting was a circus! President Bush was stopping by to see the USA Baseball team right before he left to go home. Yes, we saw him right before he jumped on Air Force One. It was ridiculous. People were crazy and it was a mess. It was amazing though.

It was terribly difficult to get a picture with him, but President Bush is an amazing guy. He is very, very personable. It honestly surprised me. He is very laid back and so much of a people person that it is unreal. How you see him while giving speeches is totally unlike how he is while he's meeting people and having a conversation. He was great. The secret service was trying to get him to do all of these different things and what not and he was just shoving them off (not literally, metaphorically) saying that he was there to talk to the team and hang out with them--and he did.

We finally got our picture as we kind of snuck up there. The picture is of Jake, my boss, his wife, Page, and me with George. We shook hands and introduced myself. He said, "Nice to meet you, Brad." We took some pictures and shook my hand as we walked away and said, "Nice meeting you, Brad!" WORD! HOLLLLLLLLA! HOLLLLLLA!

Anyway, after that USA was playing an exhibition with China. In the third inning, after Bush left. Yes, Matt and for other admirers, Barbara was in attendance. His other daughter, was not though. She was in Beijing, just not at the baseball stadium. Yes, she's amazingly hot in person. She does not look even close to 25. Anyhow, after he left there was a seriously scary moment at the game when a photographer got slammed in the forehead with one of the hardest hit foul balls I've ever seen. At first I thought the ball hit her camera because it sounded like plastic had cracked but it was her forehead. She was fine though and walking around soon after.

So, after that I came back and we had an IBAF Reception at the fancy Westin Hotel. This reception made me feel like I was in a movie. It was one of those parties that you see that is in a courtyard and it's got all kinds of fancy people, fountains and they are all drinking champagne. That was the party I was at. At that moment, my idea of working in the sports world had been turned upside-down. I never expected this. Literally, I felt like I was in a movie. So, I drank some champagne and talked with the others in attendance of the reception. It was fancy!

After that Michael Zarrilli, a photographer for the IBAF, and I tried to find a McDonalds (No, I have not eaten at a McDonalds yet) but had no luck. So, we went back to the hotel and I passed out. It was a great day!

So... for today! First off, Happy Birthday, Chris! (My roommate). I feel bad because this is the second year in a row that we have lived together and I have not been there for his birthday either time. Sorry bro!

Today began with a longer, similar meeting at the baseball stadium since the Baseball Tournament starts tomorrow!!!!! FINALLY! We are all freaking ready for this to begin! So, after the meeting we just did some work and I came back to the hotel. I walked around the city a little bit more and it was awesome. The people here are amazing! They are extremely friendly and try so hard to make it easy on us to get around and get what we need. They are extremely hospitable and all-in-all have just been phenomenal. They are way more friendly than most people you'll meet in a big city in the states. But anyway, I just walked around and soaked in my last free day (other than the two rest days) that I could.

I then went to the USA v. Angola men's basketball game. It was awesome! Let me tell you, they LOVE Kobe here. It is insane. I wish I could have taken a picture of every Chinese person I saw that had a Kobe jersey or had something spray painted, painted or sewn on. It's crazy.

We dominated! Of course! We're going to win the Gold in basketball. Period. We have to. It was awesome getting to watch them as it was my first Olympic event. The atmosphere is amazing and again hearing the national anthem nearly brought me to tears. There is just something about hearing the Star Spangled Banner in a different country. It's phenomenal. I got some great pictures of the game but I will only upload one.

Anyway, I'm beat! I've been doing a lot of work on a new media guide and I finally finished before writing this EXTREMELY LONG POST! Anyhow, I love you all! I miss you like crazy! You definitely understand how much you miss everyone when you're a world away from everyone. However, this experience is AMAZING and I'm loving every minute of it!

I hope everyone is doing well and I love the comments and emails. Keep them up!

Baseball starts tomorrow! It's going to be great!! My articles will be on www.ibaf.org and www.beijing2008.com I don't think my name will be on there but they will be the recaps of the baseball games (2 of them, Jake does the other 2).

Alright, I'm really ending it here, time for bed! Also, I have found that I'm not taking enough pictures. I've only taken pictures of Opening Ceremonies and the basketball game. I have none of the city. I'll work on it!