Rookie Blog: Marissa Coleman

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August 19th

Marissa takes her adventures to L.A...

I thought noise cancelling headphones were supposed to cancel out all sounds? Ha, well, they did until I met the guy on the plane to LA sitting in seat 16 D. This guy could talk. He was sitting in the row behind B-Mo and I and he seriously talked for the first 3 � hours of the flight non-stop. We both had headphones on and could still hear him. I would fall asleep for a little bit, wake up, and he was still chatting away with the guy sitting next to him. I did learn that the guy was a fire fighter, loves motorcycles and old cars, likes to work on cars, and likes to travel. I may need to invest in some new noise cancelling headphones.

See, I hate flying. Hate it! It has gotten worse as I have gotten older too, so of course I wasn�t too thrilled about this long west coast trip we are taking. If we could have driven, biked, or teleported to the west coast I would have been much more excited. When I was younger, my mom used to drug me to sleep so I wouldn�t be so nervous or annoy her the entire flight. (It was only Nyquil ladies and gentlemen, no need to panic. My mom is a wonderful parent). My mom is a flight attendant so you would think after all the traveling I�ve done with her I would like flying. No way Jose, flying is not for me. Or heights, in general. No rollercoasters, sky diving or tall buildings. (I don�t even like driving over really high bridges).

We practiced at the Lakers facilities when we got in; they are really nice. Some of my teammates had high hopes that Kobe would be walking around or working out somewhere. Me, I am �team LeBron� all the way. Chasity and I are the two huge King James fans on the team, so if we saw him, we probably wouldn�t have even said �hi�. (haha, okay, maybe �hi�). In one of the offices over-looking the court were the Lakers 9 championship trophies. 9! That is impressive. I know if I walked into practice everyday and saw those trophies, it would be motivation enough to try and get a tenth.

Okay, it is time for shootaround at the Staples Center. Maybe afterwards I will walk around LA and hope to see some movie stars. Maybe Julia Roberts! She is my absolute favorite. I was thinking maybe I should go to Rodeo drive and reenact the scene from Pretty Woman when she goes shopping for the first time. For all you of you Pretty Woman fans, I will leave you with this quote. �You remember me? You wouldn�t wait on me yesterday. You work off of commission right? Big mistake! Huge!� (I�m a bit obsessed)

Until Next Time

Go Mystics
Marissa

August 3rd

The Adventures of Boston Continue

So the adventures continue.....

I have come to the realization that you guys would rather hear about Boston and her antics then about me and my basketball stuff. I guess that's what the Mystics website is for, right? So, I figured enough of me rambling on about Boston, how about me actually showing you how crazy she really is? I video taped her breaking out of her cage and playing with her new (it is really mine) favorite toy.

I put her in her cage the other night, and decided to video tape her trying to get out. I locked the latch, and then put her extra collar around to make sure she couldn't escape. Well here is the video of Boston The Escape Dog. Make sure you time how fast she breaks out.

I was giving this stuffed dog as a graduation gift from my aunt. If you press the paw, the ears flap, the tail jiggles and it sings "Schools Out For Summer". Well, Boston got a hold of it one day and she now goes nuts anytime I press the paw. I didn't want her to destroy it, so I put it on the kitchen counter. HA, and I thought that would stop her from getting it. She is the dog that escaped numerous times from the $69.99 PetsMart cage..

July 21st

The Adventures of Boston�Part 2

Well, since the last time I wrote about Boston, she still hasn�t enrolled in doggie training or camp yet. I am still trying to find the perfect one that will change her into a �new� doggie. But, I think I may need more than just a dog trainer, I may need the master himself, Cesar Millan, the dog whisperer. Not only does Boston likes to sprint away when her Mommy is on crutches but I have now learned she is an escape artist. So, yeah, I definitely need Cesar. In any other circumstances I wouldn�t ask such a favor but in this case I desperately need your help. (Again, the pet-ri-fied lady and �nice� old man, appreciate your help too). Ladies and Gentlemen, we need to get Cesar to help Boston become the dog I know she can be. So here is what I am thinking, I need everyone to write to, Twitter, MySpace, Facebook (Message, Poke, Wall; either works) Mr. Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer. Just express to him how much I need his help. Share my story with him and I am sure we can make this happen! Here is his website: www.cesarmillaninc.com.

So, here is the story of �Boston: The Escape Artist��

Me, being the good mother I am, decided I should get Boston a bigger cage for when I am gone at practice. (I�m sure you guys understand why I cannot leave her alone, roaming my apartment unsupervised). I made a trip to PetSmart; a few �Boston no�s�, �get over here�s� and $69.99 later, Boston was the proud new owner of a bigger cage. (Complete with extra leg room and two entries!) Okay, let�s skip ahead to the exciting part�.

Approximately 10:15 A.M: It was time to head for practice so I put Boston in her brand new luxury cage, gave her a kiss bye, let her know Mommy loves her (Insert �Awww�s here) locked the door and was off to Verizon Center.

Approximately 3:30 P.M: So, I finally get home from practice and always am excited to see Boston. She always gets so excited when I get home, and jumps up and down for a few minutes when I let her out of her cage. I put my key in the door, and all of a sudden I hear scratching at the door. (Pause) I had to stop for a second and process what the scratching at my door was, because it couldn�t possibly be Boston, no. Not after I looked her in the new luxurious $69.99 cage. I open the door, and there she is, Boston, jumping up and down, licking me all over, because she is so excited I am home. Usually I am just as excited to see her, but, today, I was stuck trying to figure out how she could have possibly gotten out. My only logical conclusion: I didn�t lock the cage because there is no way a puppy could open the latch on his or her own.

Following day, approximately 10:17 A.M (give or take a few seconds): Repeat same scenario from the previous day around 10:15 A.M

Approximately 3:30ish P.M. (practice ran a little long this day, not too sure the exact time): I walk to my front door thinking there is no possible way Boston could have got out today, I checked and double checked to make sure she was locked in. I put the key in the door and what do I hear�.scratching and jumping at the door! I open the door, and there is Boston, happy to see her Mommy, this time with toilet paper all over herself and my apartment. She managed to get out of her cage again; this time decided it would be fun to play with the brand new roll of toilet paper in the bathroom. (It seriously was all over my apartment.) (Pause) How did she possibly get out this time? I checked and double-checked; there is no way I didn�t lock her in. My only logical conclusion: I should have checked, double checked and triple checked. We are dealing with Boston here.

Day 3 of the $69.99 cage: Approximately 10:16 A.M: Repeat same scenario from previous two days, just add a triple checked in the end.

Approximately 10:30 A.M.: I left one of my phones at my apartment (yes, one, I have two. Long story. Stop judging people) so I call Kristen Mann and ask her if she could get it for me. Just so happens I left my door unlocked because my mom was coming by during practice. Kristen calls me back about 5 minutes later (about 15 minutes after I left) and let's me know not only did Boston break out of her cage, but she hopped on the window seal and managed to get stuck in the blinds. (Not so smart after all now are we, Boston).

So, when I get home from practice that day the only logical conclusion I could come up with is that Boston is a smart dog and has managed to use some form of trickery to break lose. I am determined to see how she gets out, so when I get home and settled I put her back in her cage and just sat on the couch quietly and waited. 28. 3 seconds (I had a stop watched and timed it) later Boston was free and jumped into my lap. Boston, being the smart puppy she is, just simply took her paw and swiped at the cage latch until it came lose, then pushed the door open. It took me a solid 10 minutes to put the cage together and her 28. 3 seconds to break lose. Does anyone else see a problem with that?

Dear PetSmart,

I want my $69. 99 back.

Thanks,
Marissa

July 7th

Marissa Coleman is baaaaccckkk!!

I know many of you are wondering what the progress is with Boston and her training. First, I would like to thank all of you who wrote back with different training techniques and dog trainers. I talked to the petrified lady and nice old man the other day. I let them know about the progress I am making with Boston, they too, would like to thank all of you. I have called a few dog trainers, and I may be sending her to doggie camp very soon!

The biggest news of this blog has got to be that�wait for it�wait for it�I am fi-na-ly back on the court! After three long weeks, a combined 345623 hours of treatment (Yes, I calculated, my numbers may be a little off though) six missed games, and a new best friend (Navin, our trainer), I get to play against Minnesota tonight. I started doing some stuff in practice last week and gradually started doing more until I could compete in the entire practice. I was all smiles my first day back on the court. Just to be somewhere else than the training room, staring at the same four walls, with the same posters showing me "How The Body Works" or "The Proper Posture", was worthy of smiles in itself. I am pretty sure after all the time I have spent in the training room over these past three weeks, I could be a certified trainer. I know how all the machines work and what kind of rehab is necessary for just about every injury now. (Mainly thanks to the "How The Body Works" poster).

I never thought I would be so excited to just lace up my sneaks, and get on the court. I need a favor from all of the Mystics fans: thank Navin for performing his magic and getting me back on the court so soon. I'm sure he was just working over time to get me back because he was sick of my complaining and asking him if I could just take some meds and play!

I would like to take a moment to give a special shout out to Alana Beard (per her request). Without her I wouldn't have been able to keep my spirits up the past three weeks and be so comfortable on the court when I started practicing. She really is such a great leader and more than anything...person. (There AB, are you happy?)

Since we couldn't make it to the Staples Center today because of our game, we have decided to do our own tribute to the King Of Pop. The Mystics have decided we are going to do our version of "Thriller". Alana and I, seeing as how we are the best dancers on the team, will lead the tribute. So, make sure you guys are on the look out for it.

Hope you guys make it to the Verizon Center this Saturday when Candace Parker and the Sparks come to town (mysticstix.com/amazingmondays.html)

Well, I can't stop smiling right now. I am so pumped and excited to play tonight. I'm baaaaaaaaacccck. Yes!!!

Back to your regularly scheduled program

June 23rd

"Young and crippled"

Well, since the last time I blogged I messed up my ankle and will be out for a few weeks. : ( So, everyone please send some positive thoughts my way, I don't know how much longer I can take not playing. I am running out of things to do the 7 hours (no exaggeration people, literally, 7 hours) I spend doing treatment and rehab in the training room. (Even though I do love spending time with our trainer, Navin), It's hard trying to make time pass, while my teammates are on the court practicing (insert mellow-dramatic music here). I'm running out of movies to watch and things to search on Google, so any suggestions, will be greatly appreciated!

There is one positive (if you can call anything about an injury positive) thing about being on crutches and being limited in what I can do: I get waited on hand and foot. ; ) Meals cooked for, laundry done, apartment cleaned... It's been pretty great. Credit to my won-der-ful teammates for all their help. (Big thanks to CLang, THump, KMann and my homegirl Nat) I should probably get a little bell or something to use whenever I need help; I can't have a hurt ankle AND no voice. : ) Then again, that probably would be a bad idea. Between Lang and Tash, I'm sure my bell would be broken within minutes. Those two already call me worthless because they claim (key word: claim) that I bring nothing to our "friendship". They claim (there's that word again) that they are the ones who are always cooking for the three of us. My take on the situation: why cook, when they always offer. Once I'm back on both feet, I'm going to make a gourmet meal for them so they will get off my case!

So, when I used to hear "Boston" I automatically would think back to 2006 when we won the National Championship (sorry Mo and Linds). Now, when I hear "Boston" I think of my 6 month old Jack Russell. She is pretty energetic and crazy, and a terror with all of my teammates' dogs. While we are discussing Boston, I might as well tell you what she put me through on Friday...

Here is the scene: Me on crutches, with two dog leashes (KG, Tasha's dog, and of course Boston)...

The team was on the road playing Atlanta and no one was around to take the dogs out. I figured I could crutch to the front steps, sit down, let the dogs do their business and come right back inside. Easy enough right?...HA! KG is a good dog, listens well and never gives me any trouble. Boston, yea, not so much. I am crutching up the steps to bring them inside, I think the wind might have blown, and there goes Boston. She breaks out of her collar and B-Lines to the street.

Now, I'm thinking "how in the heck am I going to catch her?"

Then, a nice lady is walking up and Boston, being the overly-friendly dog she is, chases after her.

My thoughts, "YES, she can help me get Boston in the house." HA, not so much. This lady is petrified; I mean pet-ri-fied, of Boston. The lady had groceries in her hand, dropped them, and a cookie fell out. Boston proceeds to take the lady's cookie, sprints off under a tree and starts eating it. GREAT! I slowly crutch in her direction, and she takes off (with cookie in mouth) because she is scared I am going to take it from her.

My thoughts at this point, "Let this crazy dog run away".

Shortly after those thoughts crossed my mind, a nice older man comes walking up, Boston, again, being the overly-friendly dog she is, sprints towards him. At this point, I'm thinking this guy is my last hope before I just let her run away (I am only kidding, I love her too much). She runs over to this man (I was not prepared for this) he HITS her with his newspaper and tells her to "get, get. get away!" A little shocked, and appalled, I crutch towards her very slowly, this time she doesn't move, I scoop her up, put both crutches in one hand and hop back to my apartment. I sit Boston on my lap, give her a lecture about how she can not do those things, and as soon as I put her down she runs off and starts wrestling with KG. I sure scared her! (Needless to say, if anyone, ANYONE, knows of or is a dog trainer, please let me know. Myself, my teammates, the pet-ri-fied lady and the older man would all greatly appreciate it!)

Well, those have been the adventures of the young and the crippled. Again, send positive thoughts this way.

Special shout out to Alana Beard. I asked her to score 30 points for me against Chicago and she scored 31. She always has been an overachiever.

We have big games this week; make sure to cheer us on. Until next time...Back to your regularly scheduled program.

Marissa

June 9th

Two And Ohhhhhh

It feels good to start the season off with back-to-back wins. Apparently, this is the first time in franchise history we have started out 2-0. I hope everyone gets used to this because the Mystics are going to accomplish a lot of �firsts� this year.

I was nervous for my first trip to Connecticut. Not because I don�t like flying or had first game jitters, but because I was scared the vets were going to make me do something crazy, or have some form of rookie hazing in store for me. To my surprise they had nothing; I didn�t even have to carry their bags. I think I lucked out and got on a team with the nicest vets in the league. (Bonus points Marissa) Either, they are too lazy to prank me, or they are plotting something really big. Let�s hope they are too lazy.

We got a huge win against the Sun on Saturday. I was so excited for my first regular season game. I was able to get my nerves out quickly; I hit my first shot, so it was smooth sailing from there. Our home opener was awesome. We had a runway entrance before the game, and some people got to show off their model walk and dance moves. Me, I am what I like to call, rhythmically challenged. I just don�t seem to hear the same beat as everyone else, so I did not have any dance moves for the runway or even a model strut. To prevent being embarrassed in front of thousands of people, I just simply walked down the runway and hoped for the best. I didn�t fall, so it was a success in my eyes.

We got another big win against Atlanta on Sunday; my least favorite vet Alana, had a great game. I guess, she is a pretty good player. AB used to be one of my favorite players back when she was at Duke. I only say �used� because of her continual failed attempts to prank and trick me.

We have a big game at Detroit on Wednesday. I�m excited to play the defending Champs! Hopefully, we will leave the Motor City 3-0!!!!

GO Mystics
Marissa

May 26th

"When did I get four fouls?"

That is what I thought to myself as I looked up at the jumbotron during our first exhibition game against the Liberty. I looked up pondering for a few seconds...wondering how I got four fouls. I replayed the game in my head, thought about each play..and..then, it happened. I realized that I am no longer #25. It was Mo with the four fouls, not me, #4. This whole changing from #25 to #4 is going to take some getting use to. For those of you who don�t know, I had to change my number because Mo Currie wears #25. I decided to go with #4 for my younger brother, he has always been one of my biggest supporters and it is his football jersey number.

Not only do I have to get use to #4, but playing with all these �Dookies� as well. Even though they �claim� we are not their rivals, every current or past Terp knows we are. (I mean, I know if a team beat me in a thrilling�come from behind�over-time victory�in a National Championship game, I would claim them as my rival)

I guess it hasn�t been so bad playing along side of a few Devils (no pun intended), they actually are not that bad�.Or at least I thought so, until Ms. Alana Beard tried to play a little prank on me. Alana has been great since I got here; always pulling me to the side and helping me make the transition from a college player to WNBA player. Little did I know, it was all a little too good to be true. We were in the locker room getting ready to leave for New York when AB asked me if I knew how to get to the bus. Of course, I respond with �no�. She proceeds to tell me I need to go to the arena floor, make a left, another right, and take the elevator to the 1st floor and the bus will be right outside. So, I sat there thinking to myself, �the 1st floor? That is where the concession stands and everything are.�

See, at the GREAT University of Maryland not only do we get a great education and win Championships, but we also learn street smarts. Ladies and Gentlemen, I knew she was trying to pull a fast one on me. I followed Mo to the bus (which we did not get to by going to the arena floor, making a left and another right, and taking the elevator to the first floor) and there sat AB, with the most innocent smirk on her face. �Did you get my aim?�, she asked me. �No, why?� �Well, I felt guilty about giving you the wrong directions.�

Leave it to a Dookie to not be able to carry out a prank and leave it to a Terp to be too smart to fall for it.

My first week and a half as a Rookie have been pretty good, other than AB�s failed attempt to send me to the first floor, I have been treated pretty well. I haven�t had to carry any bags, or bring any donuts in before practice�.yet, I probably just jinxed it. Things here in Washington are going to be pretty exciting this season. So if you are in the area make sure you get your tickets and come out to support us.

So I expect to be seeing everyone on June 7th!

MC #4 (or the real two-five)