Is there ANY more room in your stomach?

After Friday nights practice and bowling extraveganza. Will said we would go work out and then he was going to take us out to a great French meal.... By the way the Friday night bowling/hanging out after practice was awesome. The place we go to is just like a Dave N Buster's or something of that nature. Anyways we all go around have a beer from this thing Giraffe, which is called so because it's a long tube a little more then a yard high that is filled with liquids. It looks like something Willy Wonka created for Wonkaland. We sit around and talk and just have fun. I decide to go check out the place, I find some solid games to play. They have a punching machine that measures your power, a hammer that does the same, and of course it wouldn't be Europe without a huge soccer ball measuring your leg power.

It's fun we mess around on that for a while and bump chest's measuring who's the bigger man. Then some little small guy we didn't know challenge's me to a punching competition, in French. I had no clue what he was saying... I was sure he wanted to see who was a better puncher, but i didn't know if there was a wager on this, so I wanted to be clear. He went first with some kinda of hook/cross combination... he was the perfect height to hit the machine, me however being a little taller had to hit down on the thing...Would that be a problem for me.... of course not, I'M FROM TEXAS!!! :) I won... we then bowled as a team.

Just some of the guys hanging at the Speed Park.

Matty P and myself teamed up, normally I suck at bowling but I got 2 strikes a spare, one total miss hitting only 4 pins, and then 9.... it was such a good time bonding with me new team. There is just a great joy when you add a little competition. You can tell they were joshing each other about and making fun of the gutterballs, eventhough sometimes I'd look back at Matt and in a glance say DID YOU GET THAT?!? of course not... but it comes with the territory. Learning french is fun. I'm on that Rosetta Stone, and will makes fun of me for saying Le Poisson nage... Yea no crap the fish swims, Have you EVER seen a fish that doesn't swim? Me neither.

Back to bowling, it came down to our last bowl... Matty P just had to get a strike or spare and then hit 4 pins.... The pressure is on and everyone is surronding him yelling, screaming, and trying to knock him off his game. Just like a crazy football crowd as the opposing offense is trying to score in the redzone. It was great, he hit a strike... Money in the bank... RIGHT?



WRONG.... ahhh Matt with two bowls left missed by 2 pins... It was such a close game that we ended up in 4th. Out of a medal even... I thought of the olympic archer who lost focus and missed his gold medal to get nothing... BUT it was fun.... anyways back to THE MOST FOOD IN THE WORLD....

So Saturday after lifting Will, Loic, Matty P, and myself headed to Paris to eat at this steak house that was in a word... FILLING. Before we even got to the place, the Policier stopped us and made us pull onto a side street away from where we were headed. She was a nice lady and I think she really was just flirting with Loic who was driving at the time, that or me in the front seat just screams AMERICAN. (for the record i'm tired of that....and i have no clue why we stick out so much) After passing the check we presumed our course. By this time it's close to 12:30 and we haven't eaten anything all day because Will promised there is no way we'll finish our meal. Challenge, I'll accept. Have you ever seen me eat? I remember stuffing my face as a kid and being forced to watch myself eat in the Red Top in Angleton. Please, no problemo.

The Police at the check point.

We drive around and can't find a parking spot for a while. There is a daily market so parking is tough, blocked off by the large trucks carring produce, knock of watches, purses, etc. Finally I see one at the end that we snag and take. Will runs to the ATM and we walk through the market. The smell is like roses and mustard gas. A butcher is burning of the feathers of a pheasant for a lady. Let me just tell you this, it stinks. It makes you think about where your food comes from. (Justin IDK about that chicken farming...just stay away from the burning feathers part... :) )

Finally we get to the steak house and Will is getting a little restless. See I failed to mention that we just worked out and it was tough. For those of you who don't work out, you really need to feed the body afterwards to replenish. I don't think Will had worked out like that in a while either. We get to our table and I push back the wooden booth to make room for the 3 lineman and QB. Automatically Will asks for the Pain... Bread is so good in France, have I mentioned that? We munch on that a little bit and Will orders for all of us. It is a huge steak, let me say HUGE. Think Godzilla, the Grand Canyon, think Moby Dick, think GEORGIA TECH over GEORGIA....

Let me tell you though that the French when you say medium, medium is more rare then medium... I had a piece that was just a little bit chewy and rare, but other then that it's great. When they present the steak to you, it's just a steak on a plate... I'm thinking really.... I mean don't get me wrong it takes up the plate, but no veggies, no salad? huh.... and then here comes the waiter with a huge pot of potatoes...Trufade... oh my heavens... It's good....its the best, it's a huge pot with potatoes that have been cooked mixed with garlic and cheese and are a mix between mashed potatoes and pan fried potatoes, so crispy and creamy.... OH MY... awesome. Again you can have as many potatoes as you want. After I finished the steak and the potatoes, we got more potatoes... I didn't know how i scarfed this down.. It's a lot... I look at my stomach in shock that I'm still able to fit in the table. It was great.

The best part of the meal was when the steaks arrived and how eerily how quite it was while we ate. For 15 mins no words were spoken. We just enjoyed. This was a drastic change from Will who was about to eat his hand he was so hungry, trying to hurry the waiter up!!! We then walk out satisfied just being lineman, I don't think Matt's going to be able to eat with us that often or else he's gonna become the tight end. But were not finished yet. I had mentioned eating a crepe and funny thing, right next door there is a shop that has them... I'm loving dessert in France. It's so good. We go sit in and it is a classy little spot, a little more modern as far as tables, chairs, silverwear, waiters attire...but still old school in the ceilings and decor. I like it.

Will with his Crepe.

We grab some crepes and they are delicious. I have the chocolate with bananas and they top it with whipped cream. So good. The waiters make a comment about us coming from next door and still being able to eat. He says no one ever does that. I smile. I'm a lineman. Takes me back to having the waiter from Magianno's come out to the table after my first preseason camp eating with the boys. I'm smile deep inside. By then I am stuffed, I cant move and I'm starting to get tired.

I don't know why the French are not fat, I mean I am eating like crazy over hear and it's so good. I am worried I might be 300 in no time... EHhhh. But we head back to the apartment with enough time to watch my boys beat the hell out of Georgia. (I'm a little jealous now seeing the pic's of my teamates eating the hedges at the puppies palace....I always wanted that, congrats boys now I can live vicariously through you!) It is an amazing day. LIFE IS GREAT. c'est la vie.

Amy for you a picture of some Euros...

Again check out the pics here...

CLICK ME

New meaning to being Thankful

What are you gonna do when your literally 5,000 miles from home for the holidays?? I dont know, why not just be a tourist! Matt and I decided to check out Paris for thanksgiving. We had plans to check out a couple of the touristy spots and then hit up the Planet Hollywood for a Thanksgiving dinner, before meeting up with some friends that we made at an Irish Pub's opening night to watch some of the NFL games. We got to see Ray Willis, Tashard Choice, Calvin Johnson... but before I go there let me take you to why it was a new way to be thankful.

"You have to fail before you succeed." - The new American motto for Matt and I in Paris. Knowing this we jump onto the rail system and take the "SHORT" ride into Paris. Well it's supposed to be a short ride; however we get stuck on the train that apparently needs to stop mid way between every preset stop to check the tracks or something. We see some locals jump across the tracks to another train and wonder...is this the gamble we want to take? I'm not sure? We wait.

After arriving in Paris we are in the Latin Quarter and because our train took a little to long we miss the free tour that meets at the Fountain. Thankfully I kind of know where we are at and I say lets check out Notre Dame.... Talk about a new way to be thankful. It's breathtaking. I can not understand how this was built back in the day, needless to say how architecturally breathtaking it is. They are actually shooting a movie outside the opening gates, so that brought out a large crowd.

Once you step into the doors, you can feel how magical this place is. I marvel at the view. The stained glass is gorgeous the hall is long. You can see the main pulpit which is roped off and it is a ways down. The church is filled with people. Some praying, some sitting, most taking pictures and being tourists. It's weird because I get this feeling of coruption, like it's a close to being a store. People pray to the patron saints. Pay to lite candles. Give donations. Pay for the tours. Pretty much it seems that they are marveling at the building just like me. But there is no doubt about it how Holy this place is.

Sitting there I became overwhelmed with the prescence of something great. I pray. God you are awesome. Thank you for this experience. It really brought a new meaning to thanks giving to me. I am very thankful for many things. Family and friends and new relationships and football and Paris and France and Georgia Tech and Coach Gailey and Coach D and the Cougars and CCF and divine interventions to name a few. It was amazing. As we leave I am still overwhelmed.

We walk to the Louvre. As the cold brisk air hits us, we decide it might be a good idea to grab some coffee. Good thing there are a million cafe's in Paris. I don't think you could ever stop at every cafe in Paris through the course of a lifetime. It's great. It really hits the spot. I used to not like coffee so much. I guess I'm getting older. We head to the Louvre and play around for a little bit. The Louvre is great too, but we decide to wait to tour it with coach mas because he knows so much about it.

As the night presses on we look forward to our thanksgiving dinner at Planet Hollywood. We treck forward towards Champs D'elysees. We walk what feels to be 5 miles from Notre Dame to the Arch. The cold has taking it's toil and my toes are starting to freeze up a bit. I'm regretting not bringing a beanie as my ears are getting a little cold as well. Thankfully the longer hair that I've accumulated is helping somewhat. (I dont know if I should keep it long, or cut it...maybe I'll decide later) We finally get to 78 and Planet Hollywood is no where to be found. Hmmmm..... REALLY?!?

We look around, keep walking up and down to make sure we didn't miss it. I check inside a little indoor mall, and it's not that. Getting desperate and extremely hungry, we ask the bellhop at the marriot where it is... "It's closed" Great. What do we do now. The next option is hard rock cafe and it is 6km in the opposite direction passed where we walked from. I dont think so. "Let's take a cab" Great idea at the moment

We walk in the street waving at cabs trying to get one. Then here comes the professional bellboy from the Marriot. He runs in front of us, grabs a cab and directs it towards his paying customers. This happens once. We decide to jump ahead of him. Still no cabs come for us. Every single one is full. I'm not liking this. I'm starving. I'm cold. I want to stuff myself with dressing and turkey and watch football. What the crap? The bellboy has already sucessfully ushered 3 different parties into the cab. When did this happen? They all passed us up. Jerks.

Next thing I know I remember I have a rail line map in my pocket. As Matt and I talk a group of Americans approach us and say do you know where hard rock is. HAHAHAHA. YES. It's comforting hearing English and speaking to one another, especially on this day of thanks. I'm Thankful for Americans. After exchanging stories (they are a group from all over the US, Alaska to Texas to Florida.) we wish each other luck in getting there and head our seperate ways.

We run up a block jump on a bus and make our way over to Hard Rock. Finally when the end of the bus route comes up, we are nearly 4 blocks away. I can smell the pumpkin pie already. I'm beat. I'm tired. But I'm gonna get my Turkey Dinner, regardless of how good or expensive it is. (roughly 38 dollars for dry turkey like eating wood, broccoli spears from a bag, dressing that feels and tastes like flan, GREAT mashed potatoes.....maybe the rest was just that bad?!? Corn tortilla soup, and a great pumpkin pie.) We decide to forgoe the wait and order at a bar table. It is nice.

Matt says happy thanksgiving to 2 French people, who to me looked like they had no clue what thanksgiving was and were just enjoying some type of specialty. They just looked and smiled, like WHAT? Matt says they have to be American right.... we laugh. Next thing we know the group of Americans come strolling in and we congradulate each other. It is so rewarding. I couldn't be happier. We then go to the Irish Pub and watch some football and hang out until 2 am. Life is good. I'm in Paris. It's thanksgiving. My life is changing. I love it. I'm Thankful.

My Thanksgiving signature at the official record books for Notre Dame.

12th Century Castle....Yes Please!

Check the scene. It's freezing cold, the wind is blowing. The sheep are huddled up together just trying to stay warm, even through their excessive layers of wool the cold still bites. As a new gust comes through you hold tight to your clothes and try to keep warm. You walk through the winding path trying to climb to the top of the hill where the castle stands. As you make your way up, your a little more tired and a little more cold. You get to the castle door and try to get in. The door's are shut. It's solid, not budging. The gates built into the stone walls and the metal could be hacked away for years before you could get in. All of a sudden I can't tell if I'm in the 12th century or the 21st.

The Chateau Galliard is legit. We have this place to ourselves. There is no one even close to us. It's nuts! Your looking at these walls that have passed the test of time and are still standing. You can see how structurally sound it is and how well designed it was. It's daunting when looking up from the valley next to the river. We check out all the neat archery holes, places to drop burning oil and begin reliving history. I try to invision living inside this walls, because it's dam cold (thankfully for me I have a little Calvados in me, which I regreted at first, but I'll get to that in a minute) It's amazing thinking that these are the same walls people looked at when they depended on them for life, when they wanted to conquer them to gain a foothold in a French/English war, when they took them over as a gang fortress. It's nuts thinking about it.

We play around for a while, scalling the walls, pretending to be archers. Figuring out how they sucessfully conquered the castle. The sights are breathtaking. I could only capture it with my Iphone camera. Check out the pics here http://picasaweb.google.com/mrhodes61/ChateauGalliard#slideshow (It might be a little blurry at first, you can press pause and give it a second or just check the pictures at the other one below.)

http://picasaweb.google.com/mrhodes61/ChateauGalliard#



This is just a view from within the castle walls. It is really gorgeous and the way the sun hit was just perfect. You can see the entire countryside from the top of the hills. It would have been neat to go back in time and just see how the people had to live, with out all modern luxuries. No deodorant, toliet paper, running water, heat, fridgerators, etc. I can't imagine how tough it was on them. No wonder they didn't live as long as we do today. It just makes me think what future generations will say about us.








Chateau de La Roche - Guyon : the castle used for General Rommel in the first World War.

It was neat. Before the castle, we saw another castle that general Rommel used during the World War. There are pictures in there as well. It was built into the ancient walls below a stronghold from the old times. The history of this country is so cool. I wasn't a huge history buff, until it's thrown straight in your face. History is pretty cool.

At the beginning of the day we drove through the French countryside to coach's house in Normandy. I seriously thought I was driving through Texas to Grandma's house for a second. Then the rolling hills came. It is beautiful to see. Little villages pop up in the valleys of each hillside, next to little rivers and whatever resources available. Coach tells us a little bit about each village having it's own church, but that France is not a religious country, he says only the old people go to church. We then get to his house.

It is quaint and for me, I think the best way to experience France. The house's are built with solid rock. Coach's dad even inquires why American's build houses with wood, that just get torn up by the tornados! :) Smart old man. He is a roofer. Coach's mom is a cat rescuer. She takes street cats/ abandoned cats etc. and then rehabs them and gives them to good families. There was one that was particularly in love with me. Everywhere I went she followed. There was also another cat that was huge. We are talking barely walk huge. Life is obviously hard for them here.

After the meal, I realized why the cat's were so big!! It's awesome. First we have snacks, little flavored cheese's, different bite size sausages, cashews, and some fruit mix. She brings us a bottle of wine to drink before dinner. The appetizer is scallops and mushrooms in a delicious cream sauce. The sauce is so good I sop up all of it with the traditional baggette. I ask for more sauce and kill it too. We have a white wine with that. Then she brings out the whole potatoes with a different kind of mushroom and they are delicious and fresh out of the oven/stove (I couldn't tell) I have to breath in air as a potatoe sits in my mouth to keep from burning myself. I guess I was over anxious. She then brings out the beef and it is some of the best quality beef I've had. There is no fat to be found at all. A little different from the states. Coach says it's because of the way the cows are raised in France. The jus on top is the best! We then have a traditional assortment of cheeses.

There are 4 different kinds. I like 3. The goats cheese, the cheese with pepper, and another strong cheese. But the one that starts with a "C" is WAY TO STRONG. I say no thanks. For dessert we have a chocolate mousse. It is good. I don't want to take to much of the cheese of dessert because I feel I am getting a little stuffed up and don't want any more congestion. This sit's perfect with coach because he loves dessert. He sucks down the chocolate faster then a college kid drinking from a funnel. It's also easy to see where he gets it from. As soon as we say we are finished, Pops (coachs dad) grabs the bowl and basically licks the bowl dry. As we were talking about my cough and congestion, it is said that i need to try Calvados. *let me tell you now what calvados is. Think strong everclear with made from an Apple, so it tastes like Apple Cider, but burns like gas* I start drinking in and lets just say I now have hair on my chest. I literally start sweating after 10 mins. This stuff is intense. Coach's mom sets some on fire in a pot and it's literally a 3-4 foot high flame that burns for what seems like forever. I then remember that's in my stomach. WOW. It feels good when we walk outside into the freezing cold though.

I'm warm and take off my jacket, just to cool down a bit. At first I thought this was stupid, but while we were on the cliff where Chateau Galliard sits, I am glad it's in me. I stay warm. I love French meals. They were so good!!!

The Weekend

This weekend was pretty cool. We went to karting yesterday at this one place. It's similar to Andretti's speed way. It has putt-putt, bowling, a racetrack, food, etc. It was fun. Coach knows a guy that works there so pretty much we can go as much as we want for free. It was sick, the cars are pretty fast. The first go around I had a car that could handle a little more weight in the back... meaning i wasn't sliding all over the track. I actually finished second next to Matt. The next time we went around wasn't so hot... I finished 5th. The car I had was horrible at gripping the track. I looked like a cartoon character slipping on a bananna peal. It sucked. Ha, but it was pretty good when we first started, I was chasing Matt and I gunned it down the hill into the straight away before the turn and just rammed him into the wall. It was solid. He'd later return the favor.

Saturday we went to the Cergy Jokers hockey match. It was freezing, my dumb self thought that just a fleece would be good.... boy was I wrong. The team was pretty good, they scored 7 goals, 5 alone in the first period. It was weird because apparently your not allowed to fight in their league, I thought that was more than half the fun of a hockey match. Also, there was not glass around the entire rink, only the back ends...this resulted in A) having to pay attention to the game at all times possible B) becoming colder by the second C) some sick checks into the wall. It was fun though.

Before the hockey match we walked around the commerce centre, which basically is the mall in Cergy. I know this is not even close to highend, and still the fashion is incredible. Everyone looks like they want to be in a magazine, and like the Paperazzi is fixing to jump out any minute and start taking pictures of them. It's nuts. You thought American teens cared too much about their apperance, think again.

Friday night we went out to a "pub" in Pontoise. Which is more like a mini-club. It was pretty cool. Small scale, but good music and atmosphere. They bring out bottles filled in icebuckets with lit fireworks going off as they're delivered to different tables. It is so hard to speak French for me. Right now I can pretty much say. How are you. My name is Matt. What's your name? What's new? Where r u from? You are beautiful. Please say that again. Good morning, Good Evening, and Good night. Later..... all good phrases, but not enough to really get past small talk. I need some work on this. Meaning I need to learn some more vocab.

Today we learned the Train system around Cergy/Pontoise... Let me just tell you this little gym. After we got back from our "MUSCULATION" practice (HAHAHA) we waited for the bus. As soon as the next one came up, Matt and I got up to get on it. The bus slows down just enough to make us think we'll have to move a couple steps to get into the front door, then I guess noticing that we were Americans, He takes off and we have to wait an extra 20 min's or so for the next bus... ARE YOU SERIOUS?!? I guess the guy doesn't like us, or was just thinking "got you suckers" either way I guess we stick out as Americans. I thought it was funny though. However, we did get to meet Adrian a guy getting his masters in business, who happened to speak English, eventhough he was French. He spent last year studying in the UK and felt the urge to practice his English again. It was more of us listening.

I need FRENCH LANGUAGE HELP!!!

My roomate, William, got back from his work trip to the Sahara Desert. He brought us back some cool stuff. This is a Dgelabr, basically traditional desert attire. I also got a nice army shirt. Matt got a sweet whistle/pipe to play. He also brought back some really good olive oil and some different candies, much like the applets from up in Washington outside of Seattle. It was good seeing him back though. He made carbonera, out of creme fresch and fresh bacon... it was incredible, but really strong.

...and then it hits you

Yesterday after the gym, Matt and I wanted to hit up Paris downtown. We kinda wanted to get a feel for the scene and what's it's like. So Coach Mas drove us through Paris and showed us around. On the drive there it is crazy, living in Atlanta I figured I had a good understanding of downtown traffic, and the headaches that come with it. ...and then it hits you. I'm in a whole new country, and my knowledge of life on this earth only extends through parts of the US. It is nuts, there are no lanes on some of the roads, and its survival of the fittest. It's not the big that eat the little, but the quick that eat the slow. You've got to be quick and heavy footed to make it in Paris. The scooters and motorcycles just breeze by you weaving in between the cars. We joke about opening a door to knock one of them off while we have to wait in traffic. Oh and lets talk about driving in the round-abouts, especially the one around the Arch de Triomphe... There are no lights, no signal for who can go, you just try and squeeze in anywhere possible and turn on the street you want to go on.... and then it hits you.


We turn onto Avenue des Champs-Elysees and I am suddenly on the most famous street in the world. I'm going to have to take a picture when I get some more time, but it is breathtaking. It is a long street with huge sidewalks, amazing topend stores and it's lit up for christmas. There are trees lining the whole way down and the way the lights are set up it really looks like snow fall. You can tell its high end... think of a store, they've got it. Gucci, Louis Vouton, Prada, you can have whatever you like.... at the right price. Coach then says he'll show us around before dinner...and then it hits you.







I'm seeing a tour of Paris from a native Frenchman who is a History major. I learn more in this one car ride, then I probably did throughout highschool and life so far for that matter (in regards to French History). We see everything, and learn the entire history about it, understanding the Louvre and where things where at within it. What they used certain rooms for, where the king actually slept. The Grande and Petit Palaces, why they were built. I mean there was just so much. Notre Dame, the Pantheon (burial place of great Frenchmen...like the author of Les Miserables, and the 3 Muskateers), there is a nice university in the latin quarter and great commercial schools. And the Eiffel tower, did I mention how freaking huge that thing is. It is so wide at the base, theres 3 levels that you can walk on and it is lit up as well. We also see the military muesum, senate, this one building which is illuminated with flying doves on it, I can't remember what it was for but I think it was for the government. Awesome.... and then it hits you.

So many people have lived in these buildings, on this streets, in this city. That history and the stories about certain individuals are not some type of movie with celebrity figures, but real people like you and me living their lives. I decide then to make my own histroy, a life worthy of remembering. I think about the French army housed in the hospital that Louis XIV made for his troops during the war (it's an amazing building, huge) I think about how they created all this without modern technology. It's stunning. I think about people going to mass at Notre Dame from 12th century to today. I think I am going to try and go one sunday....and then it hits you.


Just part of the Petit Palais. It's about 3 times this big, this is just the middle.

This is not a city or town that I am just visiting. This is my new residence, my new home for the time being. I will know and learn this city. I am already falling for it. It is easy to see why the French are romantic. Just walk around the streets. It's breathtaking, something that just feels good being here, having the privelage to see through these eyes, the same sites that so many before me have fallen in love with. Ah. ... and then it hits you.


I'm HUNGRY! We go to eat at Hippopatumus. I cant wait to tell you later about the desert, the Crepes are amazing. They are so good that you have to know about them now. I didn't even order them, I just ate one of Matt's and they are that dam good. They have different types of sauce you can pour in them and some ice cream too!! WOW. I tried to order in France, coach was even helping me, but I froze when the lady came up and reverted back to english. I need to push myself to get better, to embrace the culture and learn the language. I had Tuna Tartar for an appetizer, not to mention the bread that is endless. I get a steak with Forte Formage, a strong cream sauce to dip in, accompanied by frites. The fries are endless, this is neat because I can eat as much as I want and she keeps bringing more fries. This is definitely not customary in America. But I am no longer in America am I?!? I have creme brulee for desert ...and then it hits you.


Deserts as well as meals are a big deal in France. We spend a couple hours sitting, exchanging stories. Learning about one another. It's not a rush to eat and pay and get out of there. It's good times had by all, laughter, and friendships being made. I keep falling for the way things are done and handled over here. ...and then it hits you.


We do such a bad job in America, appreciating other parts of the world. Taking time to value the things that matter the most; flesh and blood. Also in learning other languages. The French start learning another language at 6 and then a third language by 10. I wish I would've had the same privelage, it would've paid off now. WHY DID I TAKE THE EASY ROUTE AND TAKE LATIN? This would really help now, the language boundaries are tough to get around, thank God for non verbal communication. Also, the French are knowledgeable about what's going on in the world. We talk American politics, economy, environmental issues... and then it hits you.


That's why the lights are off in the apartment building everytime I leave the room. They care about the environment and are doing a damn good job to help thwart that. No plastic or paper bags at the grocery. No wasteful energy spending. They are concerned with modernization and industrialization of China. They care. Damn I'm glad I came here. Well I have to go dry my clothes now, the laundry is finished and I have to hang them up on a make shift clothes line. (Energy conservation!) Practice 2 tonight!

Dwart Near Ziggy Goush

So last night, Matt P. the Quarterback from Yale and me had our first practice. We start out taking two laps around the field, and then do a agility type drill which is similar to running across the field up 10, shuffle across, up 20 etc...., then we jump into more high knees sprints. So before practice your good and lathered up. (ala Coach D) I get to work with the lineman, and we start going over the inside zone. There are only 5 Olineman at practice because a couple are injured and a couple are away doing work for their jobs.



We do a lot of work on the zone during individuals, really emphasizing technique. Then we walk through it with the defense... then more zone work, and some pass drills. Technique for passing off a switch. Then we have a blitz pick up period, more zone work, and then 11 on 11. Its a long 2 hour practice with no water and no replacements. But it is so fun. It is football for the love of the game and I am still shocked by it.


Went to the weightroom/gym today, which reminds me that I need to cancel my LA Fitness membership. It is so hard to try and convert Kilo's to pounds on the fly... It took a while picking up weights and placing them back down to finally understand what was a good number. Low and behold the radio is blasting Jason Mraz, followed by more American artist's.... I'm gonna be ok. If anyone knows me, they know that I love to sing all the dam time, so It's good that the French also listen to American music. There's no water in the gym, which sucks... me n Matty P have to drink from the lockeroom faucet. I think the French guys changing looked at us like we had two heads, but it's all good.

We also went for a walk... near one of the old castles of Pontoise. I will try to keep pictures posted here ... PICTURES!!! (These are updates from everything) Anyways tonight we go to Paris, so I'll be able to tell you a little more about downtown. I'm pumped.

JOUR DEUX

I CANT BELIEVE IT'S ONLY BEEN TWO DAYS.... C'est la vie!

Life is going great. I arrived yesterday in the afternoon around the 15th hour (3pm) Coach Mas greeted me and we went to see the apartment. It is a nice three bedroom place with a kitchen, living room, bathroom etc. My roomate Willeim was at the apartment, he's awesome... think of a happy Italian man and you've got him... he lives in France and works in Paris and he's a down to earth type of guy. Oh... I have to tell you this crap, so as soon as I get off the plane from London to Paris, there is some jerk wearing a Georgia bulldog sweatshirt. Are you kidding me? I can't even get out of the country without seeing that crap...

Anyways I get settled in and take a quick nap because we have practice at night at 8:30. I go and it's great. The guys really just love the game of football, it is something so pure that you can't question it. It is amazing, you can not question there commitment or hearts. The guys are definitely not NFL quality, but have this unmeasured love that makes me realize why I love this game so much. After practice I go to McDonalds with Arnould and let me tell you theres no more dollar menu, food in France aint cheap. We get food for 3 and it's well over 45 Euros (roughly 1.3 dollars to euros) damn i miss the dollar menu.

We get back to the apartment and it's just like any other lineman group in north america... fast food, good jokes tv and fun, I LOVE IT. I'm going to fit in great with these guys. They all try so hard to accomodate me and speak English to me as much as they can. I am envious that I can not return the favor. I wish America did a better job teaching/ requiring foreign languages to be learned: God knows I NEED it now...

Second day after catching up from my jet lag I wake up and get to see the part of the city I am in. I live in Pointoise; play in St. Ouen L'Amoune, which is next to Cergy? (sp) Me and coach X eat at an all you can eat Japanesse restaurant. It is good but the pastry that I got following the meal from the bakery down the street was in a word DIVINE... seriously the French got that right; soft center, crisp outside, chocolate and almonds!!! amazing...

We go shopping at the local, art and it is an experiencee, chese and yogurt are king. My coach ask's me if I've ever tried Nutella... I laugh and don't tell him why. I get pasta and meat and cheese, and cordon bleu, and chorizo, and enough to feed me for the week. We head back to the apartment and I have the afternoon to myself, for some strange reason with no outside influence at all... I decided to talk a walk and learn my new stomping grounds. After a few strolls exploring down bending narrow streets, I finally get it. I'm in France and life is BEAUTIFUL!!! The French have it. Their language is SO beautiful, if passion was a language it would be FRENCH. Their is no segregation, people just love each other.





I did figure out why the french smoke, it's because it is so darn cold, they have to to stay alive. I am next door to a highschool, and the kids have some style, if your not wearing calf/knee high leather shoes, your probably not a girl in France... they all have them. And let's just say the French are in touch with their bodies... enough said.

I went to practice again for the junior team, and it was good getting to coach them. Afterwords me and will grabbed a bite to eat at a local pub near the apartment. I had my first Adell Scott (thank you Virginia Abell) It was great, I also tried a french bear which was good, but way to strong at 14% a beer. I love this place; I am happy, this is right. Thank you God for this opportunity to open my eyes to a whole new world. The catepillar has grown wings and is ready to fly...

12 hours in a truck.

So I loaded all my stuff up Thursday morning so I could hit the road early Friday morning. I crammed as much stuff as possible into the back bed of my truck and the actual cabin of the seat. It was so packed I couldn't even see the passenger side rear view mirror, a crucial aspect in switching lanes... Also went to Firestone and got some new tires because the old ones had the copper showing and I guess your not supposed to ride on them like that... cost a pretty penny but atleast it made me smile when passing all the cars pulled over on the side of the road with flats.

The drive itself wasn't too bad. Too being the operative word. Somewhere along the road from Montgomery to Mobile I happened to lose a little luggage. See when I packed the bags I figured it was so tight nothing would be able to jar that thing loose. Apparently 4 hours of 80mph winds would do the truck. NOT knowing what bag it was that I actually lost I kept moving deciding that time was my most important issue and I could spare whatever it was. (too bad I thought it was just some old clothes I couldn't fit into anymore.) Turns out I lost all of my polo's and all of my athletic shorts and underwear. HA! Looking back I still don't know if I would have turned around and got it knowing what it was. A: Because I didn't exactly know where it flew off B: I didn't know if I could even get to it if I found it again C: It might be a little difficult to play dodge-car on a highway?

So the drive took me 12 hours and that can be quite some time with nothing to do... The songs coming from the inside of my truck are priceless. I was forced to listen to all of my old CD's because somehow my truck's antenna got broken, went missing, was stolen, during my final year at GT. Let's just say KC & JoJo was my favorite, followed by some random mixtapes and the weirdest CD of all time Christina Aguilera... I'm not ashamed.... well maybe just a little.... Also the freestyles I came up with rolling down the road have made me seriously consider starting a new career in battle rap.... I only stopped 3 times to get gas and food. One of which included a trip to McDonalds... were I was asked 5 times if I was moving... Really, you think.... No I'm not moving, the Ford dealership just happens to be giving away a free apartments worth of furniture with the purchase of a new truck.... Here's your sign.

Finally after the countless billboards for the casinos in Mississippi, 30+ mile bridge in Louisianna, the absolute largest bass pro shop I ever saw, I arrived in Texas.... FINALLY RHODES HAS RETURNED.... Let me just tell you how Great Texas is, just in case you haven't heard from me or any other Texan you might have encountered in your life on this earth. It's freaking awesome. People drove like normal people, with curtesy and didn't go 50 in the fast lane. The first sign for gas was 1.75$ I had to take a picture because I didn't believe it. Master P and No Limit were still bangin' on the radio. There were more trucks then cars. More cowboy hats then I've seen in a long time. This one dude pulling his horses had the longest and thickest handle bar mustache I've ever seen in my life. It was GREAT! I love it. God Bless Texas

I got to hang out with mom and eat some solid Quesadilla's she made. It makes me fatter just thinking about them. We ran a lot of errands, another stop at Firestone for my sister's tires, A new jacket for me because the only ones I had (including the lettermans jacket) were in another missing bag, ate again at Berryhill Baja Grill http://www.berryhillbajagrill.com/ Basically if this came to Atlanta we would no longer have a need for Moe's, Willie's, Chipotle, or any other chain like it, because this crap is amazing. All you can eat chips, the best fajita meat, great burgers, Mexican beers, and everything is covered in cheese.

I got to eat at Joe's with dad and it was good. He loved the sign " CRABS a gift that keeps on giving" I'm glad I got to see him because I was getting a little freaked out about packing bags and jumping on a plane... but that's only 5 hours away now. Anyways I guess dad didn't realize that I'm headed back for Christmas and what not, so that was a good surprise for him!

But there is one thing I learned from being around my sister. That guys are dicks. I can not tell you how bad guys objectify her. We walk into sun & ski sports to get my jacket and this little asshole perks right up "can I help you"... until he realizes that I'm there. Yea sit back down buck-0. And at the firestone getting tires on her Mercury, this dude comes walking by as my mom, my sister and myself get out of the car and walk inside. My mom and sis were walking a little in front of me, but he obviously saw us get out of the car and walk up. This creeper with no shame at all walks in between them and me and I watch him turn around and eye her up and down. He felt a little embarrased after I gave him my deepest evil Darth Vader sounding voice saying Excuse me... Needless to say I realized how bad she really does get objectified. Anyways. I'm off to hang with the fam and head to the airport. Next time I check in I'll be in France!

From the mountain into the wilderness

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AWE: the rapt attention and deep emotion caused by the sight of something extraordinary
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Awe is the state that I am in. I don't know where to begin, how to start, what to say. My physical limitations and lack of vocabulary (probably due to my history as an offensive lineman and too many headaches!) are keeping me from expressing what just happened. I am not masterful enough to articulate how I feel, what I saw. But from this weekend comes several mottos:


"Remember Remember the 8th of November"
"I can sleep when I'm dead"
"People are worth it"
"Chase God"

So this weekend we went down to Panama City Beach aka PCB for a CCF retreat. Never having been on this retreat, I didn't know what to expect. It started with your typical ride in van BANG BANG LADY, which included doing the splits Jean Claude Van Damme style in the van between all rows of seats, a small stop at Smith's Station, Nutty cones with tax at 9 cents on the dollar (it used to be 8 but city of Dotham wanted extra cent...said the crazy convient store clerk) and seeing Jay Leno's personal classic car collection displayed along the beach (not really, but it could've been.) Who knew less than 24 hours later, I'd get to see God.


I can not begin to describe the community within CCF. I have seen nothing else like it and can only fail when describing how amazing it is. People coming together, building solid friendships, being there for each other, 500 students at a thursday night bible study sticking around and getting to know each other.... and not just on a surface level.... people care about one another, go to great lengths to meet each others needs, and I say this to preface how amazing it was seeing my idea of CCF community dwarfed in comparison to Saturday night. I saw something genuine, something precious. I saw love. I'm in AWE.


I don't know if I'll ever BE ABLE to forget standing around the pool and hearing Rick say for those of you who don't think there's anything to this, look at the balcony...and behold Josh K. You'll have to ask him for his story, because it's awesome. Then hearing his conversation with Robert Braden hours later not to mention 4am in England...I'm a christian now... i'm in AWE.


I can't stop thinking about it, I cant get it out of my head. I love these people. I love these friends that I've made. I love this place. I love the simplicity of an almighty creator and his divine timing. I LOVE IT. This is what I want. This is who I am. This defines me. God defines me. If he ever doesn't I give you full permission to punch me in the face with no warning.



..........................WOW.............................




.I got to play signs again. - Greatest game ever, go Starfish and Hotdog....
.Slacklining....ridiculous, Hooper your awesome
.Let's not forget the fire that nearly burned down the building less then a block away.
.7 Baptisms + 4 life stories + 2 Chileans + 1 band = SWEET!
.Pulling Collin out neck deep in sand
.FOOTBALL on the beach!
.Tabletops
.Cleaning up some spilt spaghetti with Tatum and Heather
.Sleeping 5 hours out of idk 90...
.Reading the Blue Cards in Pandora's Box of "DIRT"
.Something quick and easy.... you know the rest.
.Great talk with Sweeny
.An actual Vortex from the whirlpool created in the pool, and then cannon balling into the middle of it and getting swept away!
.Great songs in a van
. ...so much more





This post is also to tell those of you who don't know, that I will be going to France to play football for the Cougars. http://www.lescougars.fr/ I'm excited, I'm nervous and actually only today am I little torn. Because it's hard to leave these friendships I have started to make this semester. These friendships that I know will last. Just like the ones from BB04, I look back to that year and all the great memories, the bonds from serving this ministry and I realize that those friendships last. Because there is something stronger about this place, I cant place what it is, but people just care. I value the time I've spent with you guys this semester. I'd sit at my desk at work and couldn't wait to come hang out with you guys. I love you guys. D-Wood, Jared, Chris Godwin, Lunchbox, Harrison, Nate, Josh K, Cory B, Josh W, Chris Alford, Jake, Tim, AO, Michael Elsbree, Goat, Chuck, Spencer, Woody, DT, Jack Watson, the Laura's, Sarah's (or no H), Steph, Carolyn, Katrina, Annie, all of 20 spot, theres just too many to name... ALEX DAVIS i love the hell out of you man.





If I've taken anything from this place or this life, it's that people are worth it. I pray that I can only make more life long, strike that, eternity long friendships like these. I'm chasing after God. So say a prayer for me. That I find him in the wilderness that some call Paris. That I CHANGE. That I hear where he's calling. That I have the chance to see what he's doing in other places, like Salamanca, Brimingham, and Tubingen. That I find my place to serve. Pray that for me...

Changes

Last night I thought the election didn't matter. I mean really how much of a difference is it going to make. Is my day to day life actually going to change one bit because of whose elected president. I mean it's crazy to see people putting so much into this. He's just a figurehead. It's not like your eternity rests on this decision. Then my perspective was broadened by my friend in Germany, who is not an American, who stayed up until 5am his time to find out the results. How crazy that he cares this much...that the world cares this much...

This morning all I could think about was the song "Changes." Here's a copy of of the second verse:



" I see no changes all I see is racist faces
misplaced hate makes disgrace to races
We under I wonder what it takes to make this
one better place, let's erase the wasted
Take the evil out the people they'll be acting right
'cause both black and white is smokin' crack tonight
and only time we chill is when we kill each other
it takes skill to be real, time to heal each other
And although it seems heaven sent
We ain't ready, to see a black President, uhh
It ain't a secret don't conceal the fact
the penitentiary's packed, and it's filled with blacks
But some things will never change
try to show another way but you stayin' in the dope game
Now tell me what's a mother to do
bein' real don't appeal to the brother in you
You gotta operate the easy way"I made a G today"
But you made it in a sleazy way
sellin' crack to the kid. " I gotta get paid,
"Well hey, well that's the way it is"

It was like my life was the movie and this was the song in the background. Then entered the montage of thoughts/images that swept across my mind. How amazing is it that we can go from men bound by chains, to a man with a dream, to now a hope for change. Tupac was wrong. We are ready, AMERICA is ready. And what an awesome thing this is.

Regardless of my personal opinions on who the better candidate was, what issues are important to me. Mr. Obama you are soon to be our president. Good luck my friend because your success, your presidency is vital to uniting our country. You are the face of hope, and I pray that you will bring action to help restore this country, just as you have brought action by inspiring the people of the United States to campaign for you. Actions speak louder than words.... so let's get to work.

You have inspired us, now show us what your made of. Show us the change because we are all hoping, depending, trusting that your words were not merely for show. That they have meaning, that they demand to be carried out and fulfilled. That your words are more than words. The US waits, the world waits, we wait for you. Please get this right. You have the power to do so much to prohibit prejudice, to resist racism, to interdict ignorance, and to unite us . Teach us to truly put aside frivioulus things like race, color, gender, etc. Give us trust that we are all created equal. America can change, if you'll lead us. But America will also change if you fail...