In the Books

The girls played their first game last night and it was a good one. Well it was high scoring and it was close so for tv it was a good game, of course there are always things to fix and improve but the win was the most important part. We had great fan support and that is a huge thing.

First game of the 2012 Olympic games is in the books. So is Maggie Steffens who lit it up with an Olympic record tying 7 goals in one game!! By far the most in an Olympic debut. Nice job Maggie! Courtney also had an incredible debut with 4 goals of her own. Great combo to lead the scoring.

After the game the parents, friends and families all stuck around to see their team USA women. The game was late so the park was emptying out. Looking around, we had a huge crowd of American supporters.

Love the support and joy the parents and players share when they get to see each other. I feel blessed to be included as a part of so many families on this team. Such a great group.

Thumbs up for the win. Loved it.

Photo 1: after the game. All those people are only a small part of the great support we have. Great for polo.
Photo 2: polo venue lit up at night after our game
Photo 3: view of the Olympic park. Cool colors and proximity.
Photo 4: view in the Olympic village of some of the many flags.

Up and Down

Had a good day today. Took the morning off of practice to go meet my good friend Tony and his wife Jenny at Kings Cross station. I picked up some tickets they ordered and helped them out by delivering them to the station as they passed through on their way to Scotland. It was incredible to see them. I love the two of them and it's such a welcome sight to see old friends when I'm away from home.

Took the free time I had to catch some of the Australia v Italy men's polo game and Hungary v Serbia. The girls team met and after I went to watch the men's USA v Montenegro game. We won by one in a close game that we led most of the way. From there I went to the swim venue to watch some swimming. Caught Missy Franklin winning her semifinal heat of the 100 back. Then watched Nathan Adrian, Michael Phelps, Cullen Jones and Ryan Lochte swim the 4x100. In Beijing this was THE relay of the meet with Lezak swimming the fastest relay split in history to beat the French in a come from behind anchor leg showdown with one time world record holder Bernard. Epic. Well this time around we lost the lead in the last 50m to France and the rolls were reversed. Tough loss for the team. They'll bounce back. Lots more swimming to come.

Thumbs up for the best competition and what it brings out in all of us.

Photo 1: swim stadium from the athlete stands
Photo 2: meeting Tony and Jenny at Kings Cross
Photo 3: Kings Cross terminal
Photo 4: the men's team taking on Montenegro in their first game (and win) of the London games.

Open

The games have officially opened and I have heard mixed reviews of what people thought of the opening ceremonies. I watched on TV like most everyone else did and maybe it's just because I'm here in London but I couldn't get enough of it. Was it the most exciting? No I guess not but who cares? It's the Olympics! I loved the athlete procession. I was completely caught up in the emotion of each country's flag bearer. There was so much pride and they all varied themselves in their own way, some excited and crazy, some stoic and steady. But all of them understanding the accomplishment, appreciating the honor and takin part in an act so pure and simple yet over saturated with significance for that individual, their sport/team, and the country they represent.

And the lighting of the Olympic flame was so cool. I was wondering what the metal horn/flower was that was carried in with each team. Then to see them all collectively arranged and lit before they were raised to create one flame was incredible.

Of course the sense of pride (and all the cheers from the people that had gathered to watch the opening) when the USA athletes walked in was a proud exciting moment. No other way to describe it.

Thumbs up for the emotions of the world as we gather for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Photo 1: Djokavic carrying the flag for SERBIA. He was stoked. Loved it. (My apologies got my polo power house former YUG countries mixed up, thanks to Tasha for the correction)
Photo 2: incredible shot of the rings and the stadium, fortunate to be able to watch the ceremonies with friends, Kami Craig's parents, Ashley, Colleen, and a ton of others all taking it in.
Photo 3: collection of sights near the friends and family house. London bridge, tower bridge. Pretty cool.
Photo 4: Team USA in their opening ceremonies gear waiting to march.
Photo 5: stopped at the borough market for a beer on the street on my way to the USA friends and families house where I watched the opening ceremonies.

Unique

Last couple days have been pretty regular. Just working to get into a rhythm and equally important, not mutually exclusive, beat jet lag and that mid day crash. Just after lunch I feel like I live in a 5 hr energy commercial. Without 5 hr energy.

Anyway things are starting to get into that familiar rhythm with sleep eat practice etc.

Thought I'd share some sights from the last couple days. Mostly venue or site or details from around competition venues. Enjoy.

Thumbs up for the calm before the storm.

Photo 1: beautiful evening at the Olympics
Photo 2: Stratford station tube stop.
Photo 3: custom London 2012 balls and polo venue again.
Photo 4: polo venue
Photo 5: panoramic of the swim center, olympic stadium and water polo arena.y

We have arrived

So we are here. Once we got in to Heathrow, we took a bus to the village. Traffic was bad so it took a couple hours. Team got settled into the village. After that we all went through processing and got a ton of amazing gear. The USOC staff an sponsors were incredible, so welcoming and excited. I know their job can get crazy but they made it a great experience for the team. I know it's not easy to wait on a team of 20 players and staff. Definitely a part of the process that everyone was looking forward to and it did not disappoint.

Next I took the tube to the University of East London where the USOC set up shop with high performance training centers and other athlete services. The room I got is interesting but it's a good setup. The buildings are all circular so the rooms are pie shaped wedges. I am in a suite with 4 other pie dwellers. The bathroom is a little space aged pod with a shower sink and toilet all contained in a white plastic pod. The view from the room wasn't something I noticed until the morning but it I look right over the water that the campus is built on. Really pretty.

That was the end of my travel day (I'm a day behind since I just finished my first full day here so I'll catch you all up tomorrow).

Thumbs up, processing, housing and having arrived.

Photo 1: Team Picture. Outfitted. Swag.
Photo 2: Team processing. What an experience.
Photo 3: cool pic of Tony at the USOC High Performance Center
Photo 4: the view from outside my room at the Univ of East London
Photo 5: inspiring words. We're here.

On and on

We're at the airport, last post from California. Usually checking in sucks but when the team runs into Jack Johnson and his family, that makes it an event. He was cool enough to take a picture with the team.

The girls have a tradition dating back exactly one year today to a birthday tunnel for the birthday person. Today is Adam's birthday so the girls put him through the tunnel. Jack Johnson decided to take it on as well.

Great way to start our trip to London.

Thumbs up for London and for celebrity tunnel runs.

Photo 1: treats courtesy of Courtney
Photo 2: the team with Jack Johnson
Photo 3: happy birthday Adam
Photo 4: Jack Johnson, birthday tunnel. NBD

Catching up.

We leave for London today and I just wanted to catch up on our Vegas trip before I left.

We did a 24 hr trip to Vegas to hang out with Team Vegas (huge thank yous to Sandy Nitta, Mark and Mary St John, they made this an incredible trip, they definitely know how to throw a party).

First, casino buffet for dinner, then Mark set up a private craps table for the team to hang out and of course win some money. Relaxed evening after a day of travel and trying to stay cool in the 110+ degree heat.

In the morning we had breakfast with Team Vegas and representatives from the city and state government were there to present proclamations on behalf of the team. What an honor to be able to experience this with the 2012 Olympic Team. After that, we drove over to the Bellagio to meet performers from the Cirque du Soleil "O" Show. They did a short 5 min performance for the private audience of Team USA and Team Vegas, capped off by the performers rising out of the pool on stage in water polo suits and caps. Then they did a quick meet and greet with the team who then put their suits and caps on for a pick up game on stage. They pulled all the stops turning on the bubble jets and rain on stage. Cool show.

After that we drove over to UNLV to watch the USA Men's basketball team practice. Coach K came over with his wife to meet the team and talk to them. After watching their shoot around and scrimmage against the USA Select training team, the girls met most of the players as they came over one or two at a time. LeBron was the first one to venture over and the girls made an impression by giving him a speedo as a gift which he quickly hid in his shorts. After some pictures he went back and quietly showed KD, Westbrook, Melo who were all loving it and immediately came over for a speedo of their own. Awesome. Got to hang out for a while longer while the team got pictures with the players that shared their cap/jersey number and even caught up with some alum of their schools.

Dinner after and then back to California. Amazing Trip. So cool to see it all. Another big thank you to Team Vegas, Sandy Nitta, Mary St John, and Mark St John for all the gaming advice and incredible gear. You guys made this an amazing trip.

Thumbs up Sin City!!

Photo 1: The team with Sandy and Team Vegas

Photo 2: Water Polo with Cirque

Photo 3: The view of the spectacle

Photo 4: Melo KD and Harden with the team and their new summer casual wear.

Photo 5: Betsey, Dan and me with Michael Rappaport, Beats Rhythm Life

Photo 6: Tyrone Corbin and Daron Williams (I know he plays in Brooklyn, but he's still a Jazz man)

Record setting

Eventful day today. After breakfast we went to the pool for a stretcher and the girls did media interviews.

Short break after lunch to relax a little before heading back to the pool for the first game in the four game series with Hungary.

The fans filed in and it was packed. Record setting croup for a women's polo game in the US. 3,042 people I think was the count. The crowd after the first USA goal was deafening. So cool to be a part of. We won 17-8 in a great shooting game and pretty strong defensive performance.

Meet and greet after the game then a BBQ hosted by parents of the Stanford club. Good food and excited fans.

Thumbs up for a great trip to Palo Alto. Lunging to London.

Photo 1: media day
Photo 2: pre-game intros and just a little taste of the sell out crowd
Photo 3: ice sculpture at the BBQ. We were well taken care of.

Lunging 2 London

Took a quick flight up to the Bay Area (my new home) to get set for our first game in our four game series with Hungary. First game is hosted at Avery Aquatic Center, by far one of the nicest polo venues in the world. I hear there will be over 2,500 in attendance. Can't wait to see that place packed.

Stanford club kids met the team at the airport with signs and pictures which was cool to see. The club provided a party bus for us to travel in. Not what we're used to but really cool and way better than vans.

Quick practice at the pool and a meet and greet for the girls to sign autographs.

For dinner, Adam's brother hosted the team for a BBQ and pre showing of Disney Pixar's Brave in the Krikorian 3D home theater. Pretty cool.

Next up, game vs Hungary. Should be a good one.

Thumbs up for the Bay Area.

Photo 1: Stanford club kids meeting the team at the airport
Photo 2: the team playing at Avery
Photo 3: Betsey breaking down a little Thizz for the Bay
Photo 4: the team at the meet and greet
Photo 5: Anni getting centered at the Krikorian's in one of my favorites, the Nelson Coconut Chair
Photo 6: one of the best meals I've had in a long time and definitely the best I've had on a water polo trip.