Relegation Blues

May 11th 2008. The day could be remembered  for so many things. For myself, it's the day of relegation for the Reading Royals. Sure they won the day with a four nill thrashing of Derby county,  but that meant nothing with word of Fulham beating Portsmouth. Why Reading and why the collapse? It was just a year ago that this little squad of no ones stepped onto the green fields of Premiership football and shocked the world. Now the future is uncertain and the Premiership a year away.

August 19th 2006. In there home blue and white stripe shirts, the Reading Royals stepped out of the tunnel and into a warm British sunlight. Each step walking on the pitch that was there own for some time but then so foreign in the world of Premiere league football. The test that day would be against Middlesbrough. The first Premiere match for Reading would start out like many seasoned fans would expect. Down 2-0 in a matter of minutes, Reading received a cruel lesson in top-flight football. Some would expect this team to fold and try again another day. My new eyes watched this new team and I expected a thrashing. I had never heard of the Reading Royals and here in the states we only know of four teams from England. I liked the Royals, sure they had Middlesex Blue Jay colors and I won't say that it's not a reason why I chose the Royals, but I saw something that August day that sealed this team in my heart. 

With a few minutes to go before the half time Dave Kitson scored a goal for the Royals that sent the stadium in a roar. Just a minute later Steve Sidwell scored to tie the game and the excitement built inside me. This red headed duo played with the courage of seasoned veterans in the face of a tough Middlesbrough team. In the second half at the 55th minute Leroy Lita scored the goal to put Reading in front and on there way to an 8th place finish in the Premiere league.

Now those days are long ago and Reading will be going down to the League championship. Unfortunately I won't be able to watch them on t.v. But the lyrics of a Scottish song help me through the realization and bring hope for future endeavors.

End of the Road-Sir Harry Lauder

Ev'ry road through life is a long, long road.

Filled with joys and sorrows too

As you journey on how your heart will yearn

For the things most dear to you

With wealth and love 'tis so

But onward we must go

(Chorus)

Keep right on to the end of the road

Keep right on to the end

Tho' the way be long, let your heart be strong

Keep right on round the bend

Tho' you're tired and wary still journey on,

Till you come to your happy abode

Where all you love, you've been dreaming of

Will be there, at the end of the road

With a big stout heart to a long steep hill

We may get there with a smile

With a good kind thought and a mile end view

We may cut short many a mile

So let courage every day

Be your guiding star alway

(Chorus)

Evan Surprise

I don't remember when I came across the delicious discovery, I think it may have been in high school. I was hungry for some dinner and there waiting for me was ground beef, mac & cheese and peas. A delectable pallet of food waiting for some reheating. This would obviously require a microwave and possibly three separate nukes. Economically I would put all three onto a plate in there separate corners and in two minutes eat another meal. Not today.

For some reason, maybe it was delirium from being famished, I decided to mix these three separate food groups together and on top of that, add more cheese. As this frankensteinian monster spun slowly in the microwave, the slices of cheese melting slowly, and the evaporation of water escaping the food, my stomach anticipated the unchartered territory that awaited.

With a few beeps sounding the completion and the slow removal of the hot plate, I looked down upon a mass of cheesiness. The mound of food resembling a Kilimanjaro of beef, cheese and peas there was one thing missing before I could climb this mountain. Salt.

A few dashes of salt and in my fork went. A release of hot steam came up into my face. My only defense a blow of the lips to cool the anticipated first bite. The small lump of food hanging on to the plate by a thin string of yellow cheese could not contain the desire of my stomach. I bit into the food and chewed immediately realizing only one thing.  

Eureka!! Within minutes nothing was left of what was once, cheese, meat and peas. A satisfied face and a full stomach was all that remained. That day I came to realize that a new dish was formed. One that would always be with me, for the rest of my days. Like any explorer coming discovering something new for the first time I named the dish after myself; Evan. I didn't want to just call the dish that, that could be the brunt of an endless amount of jokes. I rested upon Evan Surprise. Surprising that it was something that I made that tasted good. 

Now some years later I still make Evan Surprise. Though I am the only one that eats it when I make it. Aubrey doesn't care for it, maybe because it's too manly for her. The dogs like it though but they lick there butts so you can't trust their tastes. Anyway there is some satisfaction that it's all mine and that no one can take it away from me. Not even Hamburger Helper.