18 hours and counting

Janne our team treasurer-- he is also in the music business

The Fish Net Shirt is making a comeback in Finland

Some Finnish Folk Dancers

A German accordion-- Retails for around 8700 euros

Its Italian counterpart... for only 9600 euros

Seinajoki Music Festival

Grocery store parking lot in Seinajoki

It is now only 18 hours until I pick Estalita and the kids up in Helsinki. They are flying over on Icelandic Air with a short stop in Iceland before catching their flight to Finland. Hopefully, the volcano will stay quiet and not cause any problems. I am SOOOO excited to have them all here again for the summer.

We had a short evening practice and only 14 guys showed up tonight. That was a bit disappointing, but I expected to have lower attendance because we are nearing our break. In fact, our mid summer break starts after our practice on Wednesday and we don't play another game until the 3rd of July. We will resume workouts on Monday June 28th. In truth, we are very banged up right now and in need of this bye week.

I was disappointed to read that QB Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans got himself into some trouble by assaulting a man at a strip club near Dallas, Texas. It never ceases to amaze me how so many athletes, who are obviously blessed with extraordinary physical skills, can have such little sense and maturity when it comes to making good decisions. I guess people who have never really had to work for a living (see also Big Ben, Larry Johnson, PacMan Jones) just don't appreciate the reality of a short working life. In fact, their sense of entitlement just blinds them from the fact that there really is any kind of problem with their behavior. I am curious as to what it would be like to live in that kind of fantasy world.
I read an article on Vince Young just last week in ESPN the Magazine. I am beginning to think that he too is living in this fantasy world. In that world, pro athletes must believe that a few autographs for kids, a tax write-off check to a local charity, and a United Way commercial, is all you really need to do to be considered a do-gooder. The key is to create a perception that you are a good guy through the use of your agent, publicist, and the media. Agents like Drew Rosenhaus and Scott Boras are really smart and they have figured this out. Perception is stronger than reality. The key is to make your guy look clean, smart, and sensible, even if he is a total knucklehead and a cancer on your team. (see also Terrell Owens)
Anyway, back to Vince. In the article, he cleared the air about his rumored suicide attempt from a few years ago and also talked about how much he has matured and grown up recently. I found myself rooting for him and hoping he would stay on track and use his platform as a pro athlete to make a positive difference. I must say that I am no longer a fan of Vince Young the man or the athlete. The article I read showed a picture of Vince's pregnant girlfriend and pointed out that they are expecting their first child together. Not cool Vince. You are an expectant father who is hanging out in strip clubs and assaulting people. You say that you idolized Steve McNair and the way he carried himself and all the things he taught you. Well, Air McNair also had a secret side to him. He abandoned his family and secretly took up residence with his young mistress. Things went downhill from there and he ultimately lost his life. Wake up Vince before you throw your career down the drain again. Learn from the mistakes that your idol made while you still have the chance.

Lights out.