I played in a particularly intense and hard fought indoor soccer game tonight. It took place in a poorly lit former seaplane hangar at Sand Point, and I had two goals and two assists in a 4-3 win. I wasn�t playing much defense however, because as I explained after the game �I quickly decided that I wasn�t going to be able to play the entire field, so I chose the offensive 2/3. We only had 7 guys (one sub) which in indoor soccer is essentially like playing shorthanded, and I never subbed out, which is virtually unheard of � unless you are short players. We had some great defenders, including a new guy who is awesome, and pretty much stayed in the defensive half, so I didn�t feel so bad. I had one of those games that is really validating � it�s good to be reminded you are good at something sometimes.

I redeemed just over $100 in gift certificates to Borders and Amazon.com today. I�m one of those people who always carries around a list of things �I�ll buy next time.� However, I always seem to forget that list when I walk in the store or visit the website. I�ve found that being spontaneous and impulse buying is always much more satisfying � unless you remember something on your �buy� list right after you leave the store, then you always seem to go through this bizarre phase of Doubt.

I originally was going to redeem my Amazon.com gift certificate on X-mas day, with an expressed intent to �be impulsive.� I sort of moved away from that as I was picking out items, hesitant mainly because I though it wise to wait and see if an apparent need for digital camera accessories popped up. Today, I went back to my account, and saw the shopping cart still full of the items I pick out a week ago, and went ahead and purchased them, leaving only and $18 balance I had to pick up. Here�s the rundown:

From Borders ($25 G.C. with 10% off any purchase coupon):
The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene
The Pocket Encyclopedia of Aggravation by Laura Lee

From Amazon.com ($75 G.C):
Last of the Mohicans DVD
Being John Malkovich DVD
magazine subscriptions to Outside and Scientific American