Yesterday at 3:15pm I left the office to drive to soccer practice. Or so I thought.

I actually left the office to discover that the last time I left my car while talking on my cell phone, I locked the keys in the ignition. I thought about getting a ride from a friend, but no one was in their office. I then called my wife to have her come get me, but we have lost the other set of cruiser keys in the mayhem of the last 2 months. So my key had to be retrieved either way.

I didn’t have time to call AAA and wait for them- even though I pay for this service. So I was stuck. Then I looked up and saw that in our church parking lot was a tow truck. I called the guy and asked if he was around. He said yes and he’d be there in 5 minutes.

Then he arrived. He told me it was $35. It took him 3 minutes.

I searched everywhere for the extra key last night, but I can’t find it. Then today I went to get a new key so if I get locked out again, I can use another key to get in. However the dumb key has some kinda computer chip in it and has to be programed so it will work. So I went to the chrysler dealer across the street from our church and $60 later I had a key. $60!!!!

Suck. Easy come. Easy go…. and in my case- it evidently goes out easier than it comes in.

Monday night my family went to Seaworld. We have season passes so we ate some dinner before and then cruised down. We saw the Cirque de Sole water show, Pets Rule, the night Dolphin show, the Shamu show, and the Riptide dance show. A very full and beautiful night for just 3 hours.

But having watched the Olympics all week, it became clear that some of the craziness you see performed on the world stage is performed just down the street virtually every summer night around here. I’m amazed at the crazy acrobatics of both the people and the things that you can teach a 5000 lb whale to do. Crazy I tell you. It’s crazy.

My wife gets the soccer mom of the year award. I know… the season has hardly begun but I swear Betty Crocker and even June Cleaver would be jealous.

I’ve come home from 3 practices so far and every time I come home, put away the soccer gear, wash my hands, and sit down at the dinner table to like a meal. It’s crazy. She takes Jake to soccer and then comes home and puts on her cape. I swear, I’m building a white picket fence and planting a garden next week.

You go super soccer mom.

I went to a friends to drop off my kids for a sleep over. They were watching the olympics on the HD channel on their big ol flat screen when I walked in. I was floored at how bright and sweet it looked. My TV has never looked so sucky.

I’ve been watching these olympics rather addictively, but I’m telling you…. the HD flat screen look is the way to see it. Maybe I’ll watch them that way in the winter of 2010. Maybe.

Well I officially started my fall ritual of coaching both of my older boys soccer teams.  TJ is in under 12 (the Scorepions) and Tyler is in under 10 (the Storm).  Every Tuesday and Thursday between now and November 2 you’ll find me teaching soccer to 24 boys from 4:15pm to 7:15pm.  It also sucks up virtually every Saturday between now and Thanksgiving too.