iPhone, Scouting, Podcasts, My Pickup game...It's My Life

Hopefully I will buy a new phone this weekend. I am sort of getting tired of my Blackberry and more than likely getting an iPhone. My good friend says that I probably should get an Android phone but the only problem is that AT&T aren't as kind with their data plans on Androids as they are on their iPhones.

So I think I am close to joining the "Team iPhone" (corny team that I will never mention unless it's in a joking manner). I am going to have to buy something to protect my phone because i have butter fingers and I am very clumsy. Also I will have to get use to the touch screen and all which I think I can do.

I'm going to probably get the iPhone 4s because me and my supervisor were looking up the differences between the 4 and the 4s and we saw that it wasn't anything that important. I am not trying to say just because the new phone isn't called the iPhone 5 that I am unattracted to the 4s. It is more due to the fact that the 4s doesn't have enough features that would warrant me getting it. I'm pretty simple with the use of my phone. Obviously texting, GPS, possibly hotel lookups, and listening to music is probably what I would use the phone for. Games aren't as important. Maybe the odd picture of two that I would like to take would help. But I think the iPhone 4 would do the job just fine for me. Plus it is cheaper.


My scouting adventures stay in the triangle area. I'm going to Chapel Hill on Friday to watch two top 5 teams, Maryland and UNC. Then on Saturday, I will stay in Raleigh and see NC State take on Wake Forest. I'm not going to discuss anybody I'm scouting because I don't want to name drop or anything. Plus nobody cares about these adventures especially since I won't get out of the Triangle this weekend.


Went to my itunes when I got out of my workout and I noticed that I had six new podcasts ready to be listened to. It made me wonder how I got into all these podcasts. A year ago I don't think I had any on my list, now I have about six podcasts that I'm following.

They all reflect what I want to hear and talk about myself. Sports, Footie, and News with a funny twist. It also helped me get a more African American (or Canadian or Canadian-American to the All Balls Don't Bounce crew) view of sports and news. I always listened to ESPN and their bias views and I only realized when I started to listening to the Morning Jones that I knew that there was another side.

Then I begun listening to The Black Guy Who Tips, All Balls Don't Bounce, and the list goes on. Now I don't take their word as gospel but it is intelligent (also rachet) talk that I like listening to. Plus it is always good to see black people coming together and making podcasts. Ha!


I don't think I've played in an 11v11 game since that Alabama trip. And quite frankly I am not even mad about that. I like playing in more close spaces now because it is helping me getting better with decision-making and making my touch cleaner. I played on Tuesday night and I felt good on the ball, also making decent passes that I normally don't do.

I guess it is right, the older you get the slower the game becomes. I see the game a lot better now. Well it is only pick-up right? I shouldn't be getting ahead of myself but I do actually feel like my ball skills are getting better even though the gut seems to get larger.

Right now, I am eating my dinner listening to Where's My 40 Acres while Sportscenter is on the tv. I still can't believe the Raiders gave up a couple of first round picks (well one first round pick and a possible first round pick) on Carson Palmer.

I digress. I'm about to head out. I'm enjoying this alone time I'm having right now. Most times I feel the need to have some social interaction but tonight I actually went against my first thought and stayed at the crib. People are overrated anyways...

Have a good weekend. And awkwardly roll up to somebody like I would do...

About that time to hang that other cleat up.

We were out training and we were talking about one of our friends who was trying out for a team in Wilmington. He is definitely good enough to make the team and start in a lot of the games. However when they offered him a contract, they only gave him $500/month and no housing. I was just thinking to myself: Gee, I make much more than that in two weeks time in my job. They can't even give the guy housing??

That is when I knew that chasing this dream is over for me. I like to have fun when I play football not worry about having to feed myself and competition over starting spots. I mean that isn't even close to minimum wage for a real job.

I just feel like if someone plays in that type of league making almost next to nothing for the next seven years or so. Once the career is over, it is back to square one and trying to figure out what to do with the rest of one's life. It is something I would not want to think about at 34 or 35, I rather have things sort of figured out by then, yeah?

I know what you are thinking. But Dre what if I am able to play well enough to get to the MLS?
I understand that logic. However how many people in the modern MLS makes that leap from Second and Third Division clubs in the US? I don't know the statistics but I don't think that many are successful in their pursuit for that. Especially when MLS is trying to become an legitimate league by bringing in foreign players and developing Academies for those MLS clubs. The chances become practically impossible for those lower level players.

I don't knock those guys for pursuing the dream. Keep on, I am still a wee bit jealous of them. However I know the reality that even if I do make a team (USL Pro or NASL), I would probably be a reserve player. Would not hate that but it would stop me from my pursuits after my last professional kick.


In turn, I had one boot hung up and now I am officially hanging up the other one. I want to play with my people and have fun doing the thing I love. It isn't about getting paid for doing something you love because actually it becomes more of a burden than one realizes (I can explain that to you if you don't understand). I just want to step onto the park, breath the nice Spring air, kick around, and love doing what I love to do without people critique my every kick...

Call Me an Elitist

I will admit this. I am a soccer snob. I do not like playing with people who aren't as good as I am. This is the only thing I am uppity about. Don't mistake it, I don't mind playing with players who are competent in the game. However when people wear khaki shorts or blue jeans, we can't play soccer together. It is just not going to happen.

I came up with this realization when we were playing pick-up yesterday. We were enjoying our game and these guys wanted to come up and play. We made some excuse about wanting to play in a shorter space and having two more guys come on will mess that up. In my mind, I just didn't want them to come on because it would make the game bad.

When we usually play with other players who we don't know, they often do dumb shit like chipping the ball in the air for no reason. Or do some stupid move that has them get the ball taken away from them and we end up losing the game.

The reason why I feel this way is because whenever I play I would like to get better or have a productive session of footy. I don't want to lose any of my soccer IQ playing against someone who trips over there own feet often and just doesn't get it. I'd rather just go to the side and juggle the ball for a little bit. It would be much more productive to my day.

Maybe I am a little crabby about playing against bad players because I do often drive between 15 to 20 miles to play. I want to get the most out of each session that I can. And I don't want to waste gas on being out there with players that could not start on their rec teams (now that is just a bit mean).

As my game gets worse over time (hopefully not soon), then I'll be able to get use to playing against the normal people. I'll come out of my high pedestal and join the common man in this beautiful game that I love...

Continuing to Try and Figure Myself Out

It is ridiculous how I feel whenever I have a day off. Yesterday, I had my day off to deal with a couple of matters that had to be tended to. After I was done, I caught myself being incredibly bored and sort of wishing that I was at work.

I know what you are thinking. This job isn't well-paid nor am I being a full-time worker but still even though I act cranky due to working 9 to 6 sometimes. I actually do not mind it at the end of the day in which the day is almost over. Then all I have to do now is either chores or watch tv (often I watch tv).

I think that is why I cannot wait to hold down a full-time job. Now I don't have any kids (that I know of), no girlfriend, and really no priorities except for bills that I will need to pay. I think it is something that I am actually looking forward to. Work during the week and possibly "play" during the weekends, it is an intriguing prospect.

Don't get it twisted that soccer isn't in the rear-view yet, however I am beginning to take a more realistic view about things on that front. If I can't find somewhere that I know people in high-places at this point in time, the whole soccer thing isn't going to happen more than likely. I actually rather play on this CASL Elite team that I am on. A bunch of guys like myself who if dedicated themselves could still play but are realistic about their chances and like to have fun off the pitch.

So what am I saying? Am I giving up my dream? Am I ready to wear a suit? No and No but I can see a bit clearly on what I need to do to become independent for myself and not have to rely on people. I need to rely more on myself than others or I would put myself in trouble as I have done in the past...

Boo to Winter

Well, say goodbye to the long days (that ended a while back) and the ability to go for a run with shorts on, or playing night soccer without thinking whether it is a good idea or not.

Winter is slowly approaching North Carolina and I am always not prepared for it at all. Especially when the weather changes from cold to hot regularly. I can walk outside one day with shorts but the next day I would immediately go back inside.

Plus, I would like to go outside for a run rather than go to a gym and have to deal with treadmills (which I hate running on). You say I should brave the elements and toughen up. I say shut up and you go run outside, then get sick, then complain that you are sick while I laugh in your face.

Mostly the reason why I am not prepared is that I don't really have the necessary winter gear to run outside. I don't have enough jackets, long sleeve shirts, gloves or beanies. So if my first choice of winter gear hasn't been washed then I either decide not to go do any physical activities or put on that dirty gear which isn't too much of a good look in my opinion.

Also I can't do the normal things that I usually do. I like going walking around downtown Raleigh during the day or just sit somewhere at a park and just stare into space for a little while. It isn't plausible to do those things when the highs are 40 degrees. I don't feel like shivering around at a park unnecessarily.

So I am going to slowly get use to this cold weather and staying indoors with the heater on and try to find new shows to watch or read a book. I think I need to read a book because I feel like I am getting dumber by the second...

#3 No Jokes Strictly Business

April 2, 2010 11:54pm

The season has since started and we have had mixed results so far. We've gone 1-1-1 in this early season and we are standing basically in the middle of the table. We haven't hit our stride yet and even in our W we were playing better when the other team had all their players on the field (they had two sent off) but a win is a win. Some people might think that maybe it's better to start off slow than start off fast and tail off. I don't know how true that is. Yeah you can say that if you're starting off slow and still winning games but if you are starting slow and losing or tying games then you can put yourself into a hole that you can't get out of. We play a top team in Forest Hill-Milford tomorrow, it is a key game for our goal of a top 8 finish of the first part of the season.

Those who might not know, the league is currently set up with 17 teams and the top 8 teams will be automatically put in the Premier League next season while the nine bottom teams have to battle it out for the final two spots.

The Forest Hill game is a crucial one, we need to start beating those teams that are in front of us. That is the key for this season, we should beat those teams behind us but beating a couple of teams that are in the top group will be key in our push for a top 8 spot. Then we have the reigining champions Melville on Monday. So it will be a pretty busy weekend and hopefully we'll be able to get six points out of these games.

Currently playing at the left back position. Normally I wouldn't be too happy about it but right about now I just decided to go with it and have some fun with it. I have been feeling as fit as I've been in a long time so I think I can go 90 minutes running back and forth. (err Maybe?) I played the position in last Saturday's game and it felt pretty good for the most part. And actually set up the second goal, that is one good thing about playing in the outside position, you can put yourself in positions to score or set-up goals.

I know what you are thinking? (probably not thinking this though) 'Andre, are you left-footed?' The answer is well, I am predominantly right-footed but I can play a left-footed ball as well as my right so playing the left back position isn't a bad thing for me. You do not really need your left foot unless you want to play a cross which I practiced more and more on that during Thursday's training and I feel like I got that on point. So even though I am not perfect with the left, I feel as if I can without thinking play a good pass with the left.


Nothing to note from me personally. I would like to keep my anger moments to myself and not divulge too much information unless someone can learn from them. I've been walking the beaches almost every day when I do not have anything else to do. It is really nice and relaxing to do. Sometimes I just sit there and stare at the water, not even thinking about a thing just staring. I am sure those who pass by are like what is this guy doing. It is better than sleeping all day which I actually did today because I spent yesterday pretty sleepless.

That is pretty much it from me. Yeah it is mostly soccer going on, that is why I had a big spill about it. If I have anything else to mention that has the least bit importance of the life of Andre Sherard, do not worry I will mention it...

Imparting Knowledge

Playing this game for a long while and playing in the same position for about eight or nine years, you know the type of plays to make in a game. As a center back, I need to know when to step in, when to drop off or when to cover my ground. Also my criteria as a center back is trying to do the less running as possible while defending. When I say that I am trying to say, how can I put myself in the perfect position so I don't have to rush myself and over-do things.

Now I am playing on a team where I am actually one of the older guys on the team even at 24. And most of the players who are deputizing in my position is in the range of 21 to about 19. I'm sure they know about the game and they have some knowledge but they have some of the deficiencies that I had when I was in that age. Even though they are looking to play in my spot, I feel somewhat obligated to let guys know how to make certain plays without breaking a sweat or being in the right position that the ball sticks to you. I don't feel like it's an obligation, I feel like helping out people because I wish I had the same sort of help when I was around their ages. I mean don't get me wrong, the coaches did their jobs very well and I learned a lot from them. However there's not a better feeling when a player fills you in on some of their knowledge.

I know what you're thinking, why tell those who might take your spot how to (in fact) take your spot. Well, I feel the goodness in my heart to do so. I enjoy the competition and knowing that there is someone behind me that could potentially take my spot. Plus even if they know how to do the things I know how to do. I believe that I know how to do play my position very well so it'll take some magical work rate and doing your job to perfection to take my spot.

They know that and they know that whenever they need to ask a question. I'm not afraid to share a wee bit of wisdom to the young kids and hopefully they'll think to do the same with others....

Journal Entry 2: Two Weeks On..

March 2, 2010 10:36pm

It's been two weeks since I've been back in Auckland. There has been some adjusting for me to do. Getting into preseason fitness and all. I haven't done a preseason since 08. Yeah that long. Last year I came in somewhat midway through the season so I had to get into fitness without a preseason. It took me a couple of weeks to get up to speed. It's been the same with this year but we have a lot of running to deal with. I'm feeling that I'm getting in pace with the rest. Everybody has been doing preseason four weeks before I got there so of course they are going to be off and running. But slowly but surely I'll be back on my pace myself.

My groin has been hampering me for a bit. It is kind of a bugger and all. I'm trying to manage it by icing, stretching it, and taking days off when I need to. I wanted to use my days to get some needed running in but the groin has put a stop to it at this moment. This groin is being a pain in the a** for me.

Other than that I've just been chillin in the meantime. Getting caught up with my cartoons. They show a lot of Tom and Jerry and Scooby Doo around here. Those toons were my joints back in the day. They need to get back showing Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck around here also. I don't get what Cartoon Network is doing. Let me get this straight, the channel is called Cartoon Network where they are suppose to show 100% cartoons right? Okay so why are they showing the movie Spider-Man on the channel. I'm not talking about the cartoon version, I'm talking about the one with Tobey MaGuire on it. It doesn't make sense, you are a cartoon network. Your name should say it all. Maybe it is my bias towards Cartoons talking here but whatever, they can show Spider-Man on fox or something.

That's it from me. The season starts on March 20. It shall be a good and interesting one. I'm going to enjoy it. I don't have anything else since my last rant was about cartoons. I think I'm slowly going insane here. But I'll be updating soon...

The new season has arrived!!!

The new season has started (well the Premiership and the Serie A has started) and of course this is the most exciting time of the year for me. Unfortunately living in New Zealand, I have to either stay up or wake up at early hours to watch matches. I made an attempt to watch the West Ham and Tottenham match at 12:00am NZT on Monday and about 30 minutes into the game, I passed out. Not because the game was over more because I was just tired and couldn't watch it. I wanted to watch Juventus' first game against Chievo and I couldn't muster the strength to wake up at 6:45am.

Also during this time, I usually make predictions of what's going to happen in this season. Well I'm deciding not to do that. Because I usually get them wrong and look foolish when I review previously posting and seeing the ridiculous predictions that never came to true. So I'll wait until about a couple of months into this 09/10 season to make my bold predictions.

I haven't been able to watch much of the opening round of the Serie A but it's about the third game of the Premiership and a couple of teams look very good. Tottenham have been looking pretty good in beating Liverpool, Stoke, and West Ham. I'm guessing I made that prediction a year too early. The money-machine of Manchester City is rolling too with Emanuel Adebayor leading the attack and also Arsenal with their free-flowing scoring are close to the top. The next couple of games are going to be a true test to see who are going to be challengers for the Premier League when Manchester City, Arsenal, and Manchester United all play each other within the next couple of games.

I'm waiting for the La Liga to start and seeing how my team (Valencia) fare in this new season. Hopefully we can get into the top four this season and challenge for a Champions League spot. I'm sure that it will help eliminate some of the debt that is currently on the team's head. Also with the likes of David Villa and David Silva back for this season, I'm liking the team's chances. I think next week's clash against Sevilla will be a good test to see whether we deserve to be challengers or not.

I'm wishing that I will be able to catch all the big games that I can possibly see. I enjoy watching my football and rather be watching this than the stop-and-go of American football or ass-grabbing of Rugby. The creativity and flair keeps me interested in the beautiful game.

I have a decision to make..

This has to be the biggest decision that I'm going to have to make. I have until Sunday (Monday in NZ) to make it. I have to think long and hard about this decision. It's been since nine years since I had to test my loyalty to a club but now they are beginning to let top players go and bringing in players with average resumes. My good friend has gave me an olive branch to become a supporter of his club.

His club has made some intriguing signings that has made the side one of the top teams in their league. Meanwhile we bought a guy name Bruno, (no not the gay character from the self-titled movie), Angel Dealbert, and Jeremy Mathieu. The only thing I know about these guys are that two of them are defenders and the other is a midfielder. Other than that they can be as good as I am on the soccer field and in the standards of the La Liga, you do not want anyone as good as I am.

I have a couple of days to make this decision and I'm trying to make this as secretive as possible. I don't want to show my hand to anyone. Obviously FIFA 2010 and seeing how good each team will be on that will influence my decision. As of now I sit here and I think.

I'm sure there are more important decisions that I need to be making with my life other than this one aye???

Stop Stressing

Going through the progression of trying to study for exams/ trying to stay in shape for soccer/ trying to NOT feel like crap anymore. I just figured out not to be stressed out about many of these things. Just go on and do it. With the studying, I know how to study for these exams and the fact of the matter is that I have a certain idea of what is going to be on the exams. So you should take that out of the equation. Secondly if you are upsetting yourself due to the fact that you are studying a lot and knowing everyone, they hate studying. Study in groups. Find people to study with, now if you don't have any friends in those classes or aren't willing to study with you. Find friends to go to the library with you. It will at least make you feel better that you aren't alone in the studying that you need to do.

I want to be ready for soccer just in case some team comes up to me. I use to stress about the fact that I felt out of shape for some reason or the other. But I think that I am just fine. My game is alright and especially for a center back or possibly an outside back, my skill set as gotten better with playing in indoor (in tight spaces) and just working on the game whenever I can. Whatever all I can ask for is to play the best that I can play and see what happens. Life continues to show you the right way to go so you should take what it plans on giving you.

I have been feeling like crap most recently and it isn't anything social. It is that my stomach continues to ache even though I've almost done everything possible to make sure that it stops aching. I've taken pepto, eaten food, because I thought maybe if I ate I would feel better, taken all kinds of pain relievers and taken some junk called magnesium citrate, it helps "clean you out" if you really want me to elaborate then you are going to have to ask me privately (or just take into account that my stomach is hurting). And even after that I am feeling it a little bit. I had to stop working today because my stomach continued to hurt all during the day. So I went to my place took a long nap and then decided to study a little bit.

I'm trying not to kill myself over all these things and even trying to talk to other people about what's going on just to make me feel at ease. It's kind of hard just keeping everything inside so having people to talk about things that potentially stresses us out will make us less stressful. So if you are feeling shitty and stressed out about things, find the nearest friend and talk to them because you may never know, they have the same things going on with them.

First exam starts on Saturday at four. If I can get some more studying tonight and go a lil more hardcore tomorrow then I would be straight. I am going to be screwed if the first two exams aren't on the final (they said it was cumulative) because that is exactly what I am studying on and Chapter 18 also. So here's to the start of exams! Cheers! Now, here's to me staying in on a Friday night and studying. That's Dedication. Go UNC soccer! (mens and womens)

Chocolate News! You mean mess....UNC vs UVA

I don't know what to make of this new show that is about to come on. David Alan Grier has decided to make a new show called Chocolate News. And to be honest the commercials that I have seen look ridiculously bad and just like he is trying wayy to hard to have a TV hit. I can only make out some of what the show is going to be all about but I can't see it being a success and more like it could possibly embarass the black people in general. I hope I am wrong about it being like that and hopefully it will be a good shoew but I don't know.

Let's transition to my favorite college soccer teams. Just saw the women's team knock out Duke 3-0 tonight in a cool fall night in Durham and now it's the men's turn tomorrow against UVA at good ole Fetzer. I feel confident that we have a team that can do the business, but they need a signature victory especially in the ACC and especially against UVA. I think that this will define their season because even though they are 8-1-1, but this will be another stern test for them. This is exactly what makes me miss playing soccer right now. I like to go out on a fall night and kick the ball around because the game is fun to me, I like to smile and dance and have fun before the games because there is nothing better than going out there and playing the game that you love. I hope they take the same approach to the game as i did, but sometimes I believe that people thinking laughing as something to deal with losing your focus and I just don't think so. I don't want to get into this because the wrong person might read this and then i'll have some explaining so i'll do it later. Other than that Go Heels!

I understand. but why?

Okay, I am a huge soccer fan. I can watch games all day and night. Also I learn from them but the Olympic tournament started this morning and yes I actually stayed up all night (by accident actually) and watched the 5am game with the United States and Japan. For those who don't know about it. It is an u-23 tournament but you can add up to three overage players. For example, Brazil could bring Ronaldinho to the tournament if his club allows it (I don't know why he's on the decline but that's another issue). Anyways I like this team we have, some of the guys I know and have played against in the past and I like our chances we have guys who don't have any fear. But....

When I started watching this game there was one overage player that I don't think belongs on this team or at least on this particular starting lineup and his name is Brian McBride. Now I understand that he has done A LOT in his career and by all means he's a good player but what forward tandem would you be scared of? McBride and Adu or Jozy Altidore and Adu? I'd take the latter you should have seen them in qualifying they were dangerous together and even Charlie Davies is much more dangerous than McBride.

I understand that well you brought him as an overage player for him to play and not sit on the bench. It would kinda be a waste of an overage player. But he is just a one dimensional player in my opinion. He can win headers and flick balls on but honestly anybody with the will and the competitiveness could do that. We need guys beating people on one v ones and able to get shots off and threaten the defense with their speed. I just feel like our game is going to be bogged down to trying to chip to mcbride and then Adu or Rogers or Holden tries to run on and do things. I feel like this one of the most talented teams we have and these guys can keep the ball on the ground and play with the other teams in the world. That long ball crap just doesn't work (you can ask England about that). But who knows maybe he will work out, but all I know is if or as I would say it when we make it to the quarterfinal rounds then I would like to see the young guys do the business like I know they can.