Matty O'Shea (see all posts from)

Ha, check you out!  You're now one of those "who's that guy" in a photo :)

Geez....Even though I do not get star struck anymore, when I was like in my early 20's we were at this strip club and James Toney was there. I went up to him and get his autograph and the pen slipped and fell right on his jacket with the pen tip exposed. Thank god it was too dark for him to notice if his jacket was marked. lol.

Funniest was at the BetUS VIP Super Bowl Party here in Detroit. There were tons of  old NFL guys there and in the pisser we were talking to Jim McMahon and he was trying to act all cool. So I look at him, smile and go, yeah, you were that QB on TECMO BOWL in the 80's right? :)

Oh, yeah my all time fav was when my group of guys from my old site won the Las Vegas Hilton NFL Super Contest. My friend the Factsman invited me down to the Bahamas for their Super Bowl Party and go on stage with him to handicap and give out picks and props.

So we are at this table with NFL Hall of Famers and this one old white guy from the 50's kept staring at my wife's tits the WHOLE TIME. It was classic.

The best part was we go on stage and break down the game. I used RJ's props and go like 4-1 and also nail the game and total. Factsman on the other hand goes like 0-10 on everything. So at the start of the 4th he comes and grabs his wife and goes we are watching the rest of the game from our suite. I ask him, Joe, why you leaving early? He tells me that unless I feel like fighting off a mob, I better let him slip out. LOL. Turns out he was walking around and some drunk redneck was fuming about his picks.Turns out he thought Joe was some connected insider and bet across the board on everything. So he starts bitching to Joe, and Factsman in his goombah voice tells him "to *** off you fucking redneck". Well he did not notice the guy had a gaggle of drunk hillbilly friends and they take chase. Joe is ducking and diving and sneaks out the back. Man, that was a great trip. LOL.

I'm sure there are plenty of people that have Sean Avery blowjob stories.  I'm not one of them, for the record.

That Bodog party was crazy. Midget Ninjas and unlimited top shelf booze.

Was at the Mirage a couple years after it opened and was sitting in the book with some buddies watching college football. It was middle of the afternoon and I had an aisle seat. I looked over a few feet away and there was Reggie Jackson standing there looking up at the board. I nudged the guy next to me and said look there, it's Jackson. About a minute later two young men walked up and very politely said, congrats Reggie on making the Hall, these poor guys didnt even bother him for an autograph. Jackson turns and sneers at them, can't you see I'm busy and looks at both of them like they both have big ol bats in their caves. The guys looked pretty let down and just walked away.  I looked over at Jackson and said really classy move asshole. He just ignored it but I know damn well he heard me. What a creep!

Just a few weeks back, I got a chance to meet Darrin Sharper and he signed my jersey. He was a class act and he actually shook my hand. He was very down to earth and a stand up pro........Very cool............

I'll throw this one in for the good side of the ledger. I grew up in a small town called Moberly, Mo. Moberly has won 4 national titles in Jr College basketball and the Greyhounds have produced some great coaches and players. Cotton Fitzsimmons was coaching there when I was a little kid and he used to let us use the gym after practice and give us tips, very, very cool guy. Charlie Spoonhour coached there, have drank beer with Charlie and he is a hoot. Dana Altman coached there and he was a neat guy, went to Mizzou games with Dana. Some of the better players included Mitch Richmond who was first rate, (but cannot swim or play softball) and Gerald Wilkins. Dominique came one weekend to visit his little brother and was horsing around in the gym doing dunks and it was just unreal. All my experiences with those dudes were A+

Took my kid to Stockton to see the 9er's a while back and met Kevin Barlow. (before he was a total bust)  Anyway he was great, rapped with us for a few signed my kids hat and then left and came back with a golf cart and passed out ice water.  Little did my kid know he sucked, but he still talks about how cool he was.

The first week I worked for the Pats I was walking behind Tom Brady in the Pats locker room and he turned suddenly and bumped into me. He patted me on the shoulder and said, "Sorry buddy, my bad." That's one I will be telling the grand kids about.

I was also in the Colts locker room after they beat the Pats to go to the Super Bowl. Dan Klecko - who I knew from his time in NE - came up and gave me a hug and then poured that fake champagne over my head. Obviously, as the years go on I will replacing the name "Dan Klecko" with "Peyton Manning" in that story for obvious reasons but it was still pretty cool to be a part of that celebration.

took my step-son  to go play laser-tag and while waiting these guys kept coming out saying damn  that little kid keeps getting us .As the night ended we walked out the door and this guy came running out to tell us to wait a sec. .He ran to his truck and came over with a picture and signed it  .Turned out it was Seth McClung. He asked whats your name    then told him im gonna remember you as AKA Terminator . It wass good for the kid

MET CHRIS MULLIN WHILE HE WAS STILL PLAYING W/THE WARRIORS AT AN IRISH "RIVERDANCE" CONCERT IN S.F. NICEST & I MEAN NICEST GUY YOU COULD EVER MEET.HIS WIFE IS IRISH & HE WAS ABOUT TO TAKE A TRIP TO IRELAND SO WE TALKED A BIT ABOUT THAT & BASKETBALL & GENERAL B.S. HE STOOD THERE & TALKED TO ME & A FEW FRIENDS FOR OVER HALF AN HOUR. HE INVITED US OVER TO HIS HOUSE IN WALNUT CREEK, WE NEVER WENT, BUT A TRULY NICE GENUINE GUY. WISH HIM NOTHING BUT GOOD.  

I have a few stories - but must defend Reggie Jackson.  Spent an entire day with him and didn't have a single complaint.

never met one, lol.......just never was into the autograph thing , friend of mine met Chris Evert.......first class bitch according to him......said Jimmy Connors was nice guy.......no wonder she cant stay married

I am a golf professional from the foxboro area in Ma. The New Englan Pats were having a tournament at my course i believe 2000, and Tom Brady was playing. I was working behind counter and Tom needed to bu some Golf balls and rent golf clubs. He gave his credit card and it was declined!!! Who new Bledsoe was going to go down and he was going to take over and lead them to three superbowls. He was a stand up guy.  

Alright - Here's a good one.  I was out with some co-workers in Newport Beach on Good Friday - as the stock market was closed.

We were watching all the NCAA Tournament games at a table that was across the bar.

I noticed Chuck Finley (Former Angels Pitcher) was watching one particular game and asked him who he was rooting for - He said UConn -6.5

No mentioning of Tawny Kitaen - but I have yet another Chuck Finley story (Told to me from a friend years ago)

In the 1990's - Finley was notorious for partying at the Casa Maria (Mexican restaurant) down the street from Angel Stadium.

One night one of my friends was at the restaurant and Finley was at the bar partying after picking up a victory that day.  Allegedly:  A girl asked why Tawny Kitaen was dating him and he responded by pulling out his **** and placing it on the bar.

I was 13 or 14 years old and I got to meet Pops of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Willie Stargell was the nicest guy shook my hand and autographed a Baseball for me. He was the spokesperson for a Pittsburgh Hamburger chain and my family knew the owner of the company.  It was a really a big deal for a kid. Not only did he sign the ball he took into the locker room and got other players to sign it for me.

I saw a gigantic person in the lobby at my office wearing a nike drifit shirt.  After a few seconds my eyes bulged out i realized it was Adrian Peterson as he walked by me as a joke he realized i knew who he was and as he walked by me went 2 inches from my face and bulged his eyes out as if I were a celebrity.  As he walked by i said you all day your the man he gave me a pound and flashed a peace sign.

A few years back when TO was still playing for the eagles...He came out here in Hawaii for the pro bowl and ate at Nicks Fishmarket restaurant at a hotel I was managing at.  A couple of kids with his jersey on walked up to get a picture with and an autograph from him and he completely blew them off....What a prick...These kids had the saddest faces as they walked away...I looked at TO and shook my head....He came out and asked me for a "HOT" night club out here in Hawaii and I sent his ass to a gay club....TO is a great player, but he's an ASSHOLE.

MANY MANY MANY Bests.....here's two, Chatted up some baseball with Tony Gwynn in the SDSU dugout, asked for an autograph....busted out his authentic home jersey from back in the day and he was blown away I had it tucked in my bag.  He said, "I hope you got a silver sharpie".  I sure did, a brand new one at that.  Tony Gwynn, inscribed "HOF '07".  Chatted up a storm with Matt Holliday last year when they came to hawaii for a Nike Tour.  Nice Guy.  Worst Experience, A Rod blowing right by me as I stand in front him asking for an autograph.  I told him to at least give me a look, LOL, not even that.  

ASKING SCOTT WILLIAMS TO SIGN AN AUTOGRAPH FOR ME @ THE MIRAGE (HE REFUSED) & LATER  SAW HIM SHOOTING DICE THERE & TOLD HIM HE MIGHT AS WELL TAKE HIS $$$$$$$$$$$ CAUSE HE WAS GONNA 7 OUT CAUSE I PUT A CURSE ON HIM & LO & BEHOLD HE 7nd OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH YEAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANOTHER ONE WAS WHEN OJ PLAYED @ CLE & RAN HIS ASS OFF THAT DAY & HE WALKED RIGHT BY EVERYONE W/NO ACKNOLEDGEMENT IN THE DEAD OF WINTER ! I HOPE  THE ARIAN BROTHERS CORNHOLE THAT SOB EVERYDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Met Rodman at the Crazy Horse in Vegas one time back in the late 90's...watched him drop a $13,000 bar tab in about 2 hours.  I talked breifly with him, and he was a nice guy believe it or not, although he was hammered.

Met Pete Rose in O'Hare Airport and was a super nice guy.  He was sitting at a bar, we had a beer.  

Met Micheal Irvin in Vegas once, he was a prick. Very full of himself.

Good thread Matty.

My worst experience was trying to interview one of my childhood heros, Mickey Mantle. He turned out to be a real dick.

Which one is O'Shea in those pictures?

My wife asked me to post this:

Around 10-12 years ago, my wife and I were hanging out at Cheli's Chili after a Blackhawks game (she loved going there because Gary Suter would always flirt with her), and we'd got to chatting with Jud Buechler.  Jud was a bench player for the Bulls back in the mid 90s for those who haven't heard of him.  My wife was quite intoxicated and asked Jud "which Bulls player has the biggest cock?".  Without hesitation, he said "Scottie Pippen"

That's the story she asked me to post.

I'm ashamed

Worst experience I ever had was meeting Cecil Fielder, I ran into him at a grocery store.  I asked "Are you Cecil Fielder?" He turned to me and said No...I'm just wearing a Cecil Fielder shirt and I stole him World Series ring...what do you think?  I told him sorry, I didn't think athletes wore their apparel with their own name on them?  I started walking away and he said "What, you don't even want an autograph?"  I told him no, I didn't want to ruin my shopping list and walked away...a total ass!

My best experience was meeting Cal Ripken, one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.  Also ran into Derrick Brooks, wasn't watching where I was going in a resturant and bumped into him, he turned and starting acting like he was going to fight me...scared the hell out of me for a second until I realized who it was...he was just messing with me since I had a Gators shirt on and he went to FSU.  We talked for about 5 minutes about the season and he was as nice as could be.  I ran into him again about a year later, he remembered who I was and talked to me more...a real class act!

I'll throw one more in. Carl Edwards is a native of Columbia and still resides here. One of my softball teammates, Tommy has known Carl since they were in kindergarten and they have remained close. After Jack Roush gave Carl his big shot and Carl hit it big he got his own monster luxury RV and asked Tommy to drive it around the country from race to race. Tommy and Carl will still stop by the ballpark on nights they are in town and play. Carl is as nice and sincere a guy as you will ever meet. I have heard stories that could take all day to type about all the other drivers and who is good fellows and who are creeps. But trust me on this one, Carl Edwards rose up from pretty humble beginnings and had a dream and made it happen and has never forgotten who he is and where he came from. He went through a dry spell a couple years ago and Tommy has said he was not going to shave until he won. Tommy ended up walking around with a giant beard looking like a Ozark hillbilly. The TV guys were even talking about it, finally Carl broke the winless streak and Tommy got to shave. Anyway, thought I'd pass that along. Carl is one of the best persons out there, just does not care for Harvick.

I met Kobe Bryant at the beach in Laguna Beach, CA when i was living down there.  He was with his daughter and hanging around the basketball courts.  He didn't want to sign anything for anybody or anything, he just kept telling people he was with his daughter and it wasn't a good time for that.... But it was crazy playing ball with Kobe looking on.

Gotta disagree about McMahon.... in 1996 my stock car racing series was having a fund raiser for Cystic Fibrosis, I called McMahon's house (he lives near my shop) and he said he'd donate a pair of Athletic shoes.  (BTW, Boomer Esiason snubbed us, and he has a kid that actually has C.F.)Two hours later he shows up at my shop with the shoes, autographed, and wishes me good luck with our fundraiser.  Gets back in his car and leaves, no chest pumping.  Just very nice.

Met Jack Youngblood in a lounge in Mobile, Al. following his induction in the SB HOF, shared conversation and a dip of his copenhagen----VERY NICE GUY------AND A HELL OF A DE.

Biggest dick was Randy Johnson back in the early 90's...........good lord, dude was just an ASS to the kids asking for autographs & pictures.....

When I was 12 or 13 my parents took me to a restaurant where Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith were having their weekly radio show. Got to meet both of them and It was a day I'll never forget. I remember thinking how short Emmitt was and how big Irvin's super bowl ring was.

Hey Stew, were you also wondering what that white stuff was in Michael Irvin's mustache?

I love Irvin. I think he worked harder than anybody on those SuperBowl teams and was a GREAT teammate. He liked to go and have his fun off the field (coke and hookers...can you blame the guy?) but he was the first one at practice everyday and the last one to leave. And you knew he would be there for you every Sunday. Not to mention he had one of the best Hall of Fame speeches EVER

I met Kevin Brown in an In N Out burger in Sherman Oaks, California.  He was wearing a t-shirt and jean shorts, looking completely absurd.  This was when he was with the Dodgers, dealing with one of his 900 injuries.

I can only imagine the Double-Double, Animal Style was being used to loosen his elbow?

In any case, I remember asking him if he was going to play again that year and he told me, without hesitation, that he was going to come back.  Needless to say, he did not.

Still love In N Out more than life itself, for what it's worth.

I got to say hello to Nolan Ryan last Wednesday at the Rangers Game, but total chance,  he was walking through an area to his box seats...I just said hello and I was a huge fan and he talked for about 2 minutes with me...awesome guy!  Did not have my cell phone for a damn pick and was not going to ask him for an autograph.....but he too the time to ask me where I was from and ect...did not tell him what I did....but a pleasant fella to me.

One time when I was real young, like 10 years old, my dad took my sister and I to the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in Latrobe, PA.  Kevin Greene was walking toward the locker room to take a piss and had a gang of security guards around him, and he was acting like a douche and ignoring everyone.  My sister didn't know any better and ran up to him through the security guards legs and almost got trampled by Greene.  He jumped when she started poking at his legs asking for an autograph.  Needless to say the moment was hilarious.

I saw Cardinal Third Baseman Ken Boyer Naked when I was 4 years old. I still have nightmares.

Wow Greg...all my parents let me watch was Sesame Street when I was young.  

DOING A FUND RAISING EVENT FOR CHARITY (IN CLE BERNIE KOSAR DONATED A GAME USED JERSEY AFTER GETTING DEMOLISHED BY THE JETS 1989 ) & BRIAN BRENNAN SHOWS UP & ASKS TO BE "PAID" (400) FOR COMING !!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT A F&^%$#@ LOW LIFE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BEST:  

SHAQ:  Remembers my Daughter's Name EVERY YEAR we see him (4 out of last 7 years we've seen him at the Garden)

He is so genuine and personable - his love for kids is real - always the first one out for first shoot-around, and makes a point to get to the KIDS - where ever they are....The guy seems to have a HUGE HEART... I just think the dude is fun loving, NEVER afraid to try something despite the risk (Shazam?  Several RAP Albums?) BUT, He's great for the NBA - and Cleveland will find out the dude commands a HUGE draw for fans.  Mainly just admirable that he always remembers my Daughter's name - always asks her how her game is coming, and invariably cannot keep his mitts off the little ones - grabs a kid and break-dances with him\her, holds em' up to dunk a few, ect....tremendous guy.

WAYMAN TISDALE:  

Already went on too much about Tis', Gracious, soft spoken, supremely talented Musician who will be missed.

MEMORABLE:  CLIFF ROBINSON, JEROME KERSEY, TRACY MURRAY:

Spent a Very Memorable night once with  Uncle Cliffy (Cliff - later went by Clifford, Robinson), Jerome Kersey and Tracy Murray.  Freaking Murry was a tool - wore nothing but a pair of ridiculous Dolphin shorts, and a leather 'vest' - nothing under it....  but Cliffy and Kersey were Bird-Dogging at Champions in Portland when we were invited to meet up with them and two former Ore Dux Players, one of which is a friend of my family (The "Portland" Stoudamire's - Damon, Antoine, et al - Murray was a  joke - dude is somewhat brutal to look at too - his outfit was just the most ignoramusly slapped together idea of all time). Kersey and Cliffy were the funniest, yet down-to-earth, accommodating cats' you could ever expect to meet - esp Cliffy - dude is a crack-up....kept calling everyone, "Q'  9instead of 'G' - which was the monarcre of choice in 1989)  Dudes were FREE FLOWING with cash - ordered round after round for EVERYONE - and had drivers lined up, ect....hit 8 SPOTS that night - and drew crowds of , aaahh - women (packs of CARS started following us around), Dudes had h&%#'s all over em, as always.  Great Night - Tonie's Lil Sis ended up marrying Jerome Kersey - still happily together, too.

INDESCRIBABLE - UNREAL:  JERRY SLOAN

Jerry Sloan - Guy is so ingrained with obscenity-laced vernacular, that he's all but ignored by NBA Officials.  He patrols the sideline so far out of the box - that one is left to assume he is TOTALLY ignored; walks up and down the BASELINE - past midway point of Scorers table - ect.  Jerry Sloan is a BIG FAN of one particular phrase.....which he uses as a NOUN, VERB, ADJECTIVE - and probably even PRONOUN!  Term rhymes with 'Sock-clucker' (think about Bull Durham - and you got it).  Salty as they come.

MOSES MALONE:

This dates me - but I will NEVER Forget my very early experience with NBA - outside the Old Memorial Coliseum after the Sixers came to Portland for thier only visit of 1983 Title Season, hoping to see my Idol (at the time - Billy Ray Bates), and possibly Doc.  Standing close to Philly Team Bus - and another BIG automobile was parked - engine running....Philly Players begin to emerge and duck into bus, including the Doctor - all except for one Moses Malone.  Philly bus departs - only vehicle left is an early 70's Lincoln - Moses emerges - an extremely 'Colorful', 4' Hair, very lower-middle-end, dressed to the Nines' lady of the evening: Complete with cherry tootsie-pop in mouth, pick-in-her-fro', Six Foot PLUS Sista Jumps out, HOLDS THE DRIVERS-SIDE-DOOR OPEN, for Mr Malone - who after SIGNING my Program, and muttering a few entirely indistinguishable words, FLOORS his ride, with his friend - into the night.....simply astounding guy.  I have more respect for that dude from that point forward than I ever and now after he complied some of the most awe inspiring stats of any player in NBA History  - than I ever did!  They proceeded to win the NBA Title - IN, "Fo-Fo-Fo"

WORST:  MAILMAN & STOCKTON

These guys were absolute abrasive a-holes at a Press Event before the 1996 All Star Game I was at - coulda been a single event - but track record is parallel.

GF - UNIT assessment is dead on - College Roommate worked for M's for 4 years and the dude was apparently altogether prickly, and a powder-keg....dozens of blowups never reported - Seattle Media was simply petrified of him (As they were with The Venerable Don James - all the shenanigans in the U-Dub Dawg House on in the late 80's were rampant - Billy Joe 'Gun Rack' Hobert's exploits was clearly a drop in Mont Lake) .

So many of these - GREAT STUFF in here....this is a GREAT Blog Entry, Matty!  I love reading this stuff!

For what it's worth, I must comment on a few of these points you all have touched on:

STEW:  I love Irvin. I think he worked harder than anybody on those Super Bowl teams and was a GREAT teammate. He liked to go and have his fun off the field (coke and hookers...can you blame the guy?) but he was the first one at practice everyday and the last one to leave. And you knew he would be there for you every Sunday. Not to mention he had one of the best Hall of Fame speeches EVER

This isn't what this entry is primarily about - but it strikes me YOU make and EXCELLENT POINT here, STEW:

Too often 'we' - I'm as guilty as anyone - judge a persons' effort and work ethic based on non-relevant, off-the-field\court issues and occurrences; such as:

A.I.

The whole 'Practice' Press Conf. is the No. 1 attachment Ivy - when in reality, NO ONE plays harder with more HEART and INTENSITY than that little guy...and he is LITTLE.  He has more courage - pound for pound - than anyone I HAVE EVER seen on a Basketball Court.....maybe Tajuan Porter at Oregon - not kidding - at 5' 6", he is a jack-rabbit on overdrive, filled w/ jumping beans - these Cats' are FEARLESS!

I'm gonna say it - cause it HAS to be said:  

SHEED.

Quoting Dean Smith:  'Rasheed Wallace was the MOST COACHABLE PLAYER I ENCOUNTERED IN ALL MY YEARS AT CAROLINA"

Yes he is a World Class A-Hole.

Yes he gets far too many Techs, to the point it hurts the team

But the guy is deadly on the low Block,

Arguably THE MOST Consistent, Productive "4 \ 5" in the NBA over the past Decade plus.

Almost forgot - Gary Payton's DAD - during GP's years in Corvallis was a GEM!  He would come down to the Hotel Lobby where we worked in College, to 'hit the Buffet - and CORRECT our Choice of Entrees, AND EVEN THE NAMES OF THE VARIOUS ITEMS:

"That's Not Apple Crisp - IT'S APPLE CRUMB!"

He'd come in and SPEND HOURS in the Lobby - PLAYING CARDS with us, among other 'games'.  (Freaking Killer Bones Player)  

I gre up with John LeClair and friend of the family.  Played a lot of golf with him and his dad.  while John plyted for the Montreal Canadiens, he held a celebrity golf tournament for 10 yars.  Got to meet and play with a lot of NHL players.  Mark Recchi and Bobby Orr are nothing but class act guys.  The tournament raised money for kids camps and children with cancer.  I was walking down the stairs to the locker room and could hear Eric Lindros complaining that he hates attending these charity events and needs to have his agent get him out of these events.  He didn't think I heard him as this was a private club and I am a member..So I said good thing I didn't pay a grand to be in your foursome then ya bastard.  Peoiple pay $4grand a foursome to play with these over paid pricks.  NBA players are the worst to put in a social setting however. Played with Gary Stevens that day from the Bruins.  He had just been caught cheating on his wife (who just recently had a baby) in a hotel and busted for coke.  He was very nice and actually cool about it and joked with us all day.  Those hockey guys are so fukin competitive even off the ice and drink like fish !!   Alos got to meet Eddie House of the Celtics as we stayed at the same hotel a lot in his first year with the Celtics and he is a very stand up guy. Second time I was walking throught the hotel lobby, he approached me and asked if I would have a drink with him.  Very shy, but class act.  

Stevebeav, totally agree with your comments on Shaq.  I think because he came from such a poor background with strong family values, it's made him a much more grounded person.  He does so much for communities that goes unnoticed.  The media should focus more on what he does for charities and kids instead of some stupid rap song he does about Kobe in the club.

About 15 yrs ago, I would go to the Houston Rockets games and try to catch the visiting teams so that I could get their jerseys or shoes with autographs.  I would go to the Hotel right in front of the Summit because thats where the visiting team always stayed.  One time in the hotel lobby I saw David Robinson playing the piano.  My two brothers and I were with my mother b/c we were still too young to drive.  We actually interrupted him while he was playing the piano(after waiting for 20 mins) and he was too kind. After we said we were sorry for interrupting his piano session, he replied that it was his pleasure to sign his autograph for us.  He noticed that we were huge fans and he signed our pictures and basketballs we brought. He asked us why we were such big fans at a young age.  I didn't have the heart to tell him I sold the stuff at baseball card conventions :(.  We used to be the youngest dealers at baseball card conventions.  LOL.  

Warren Moon took me trick or treating b/c I was friends with his son.  He's pretty down to earth also.  I'll always remember when he had Michael Jackson come over for his son's bday party to put on a little show.  I try to convince myself that it wasn't an impersonator.  haha.

David Robinson acted like that because he's a Naval Academy grad.  All of us Annapolis grads have a certain swagger about us, haha.

you went to annapolis; that explains a lot