This has been a trying year for yours truly. I remember writing at the end of 2003, that I couldn't wait for 2004 because 2003 had felt trying. Up until 2003, I can not think of a single year previous that I could truly describe as "trying"...I'm hoping this trend doesn't continue. However there has been some good things as well, and here's one of them...

One of the novel things about this year is that it has marked the first time I have ever actually met someone whom I have spoken to online. And believe it or not, now this weekend has passed, it has now happened twice. In the first case, I have been speaking to this person for over five years. In the second case, for over eight years. It's pretty incredible if you think about it.....so incredible in fact, that it deserves a post.

Exhibit A: Brandon

Brandon and I met while playing NHL '98 over the internet. I was in my college dorm room in Austin and a huge Dallas Stars fan, and he was in his bedroom in Seattle Washington and a huge Colorado Avalanche fan. It was playoff time and the Dallas Stars were set to play the Colorado Avalanche in a seven game winner taker all series with the winner going to the Stanley Cup Finals. There was some trash talking, and some fun, and eventually, a budding friendship. Before long, we had invited eachother into our respective fantasy sports leagues, and became online buddies with eachother's real-life friends.

Finally, this spring, good real-life buddy Paul and I decided to take a trip to Seattle and Vancouver together. An opportunity presented itself, I got ahold of Brandon, and the next thing I know, we were meeting up at a Seattle Mariners game. It was an incredibly cool experience, and as luck would have it, we really got on quite famously. I am pleased to say that he's as genuine and nice of a guy in person as I had ascertained in the five years speaking with him online and on the phone. Now he needs to get his butt down to Dallas, so I can reciprocate his hospitality and take him to a Rangersgame, or even better yet, a Stars game versus the Avalanche.

Without further adieu, I give you Mark and Brandon at Safeco Field, Seattle Mariners. vs. Chicago White Sox.....