Vegas 2.0

I was advised by my blogging mentor that my last post about Vegas was too short, and my rookie status to the blogosphere has geared me to write a longer yet more interesting version of the Vegas post from yesterday.

VEGASSSSSSSS!!

Today, around 4:40 p.m. the Matis Family will depart from the greatness we call the Southside of Indianapolis to the greatness we call Las Vegas.  As quoted from Michael Matis's Facebook status "Flamingo, Dealertainers, and hardways - I love vegas".  Attending family members include: Dog, Cathy, Willie, Aunt Janie, Plain Grandma, Joe Willie, Connie, Michael, Katie, Liam, and the birthday kid himself Andrew Matis.  Along with two of his buddies: Sam Weisenbach and Joe Esselborn,  we will hit the town about 5ish and the first stop, as planned by Jane Dog herself, Margaritaville so that we can "get our grub on, but not pig out" (thanks Ice Cube).

The thing about Vegas is that gambling is really fun, people watching is really fun, and all the buzz going on is really fun.  However, being able to go with 13 of your closest family and friends makes it all the more better.  And I so truly believe, that if we had less responsible people back here at home, then we would have a few more attendees to the party.  I am SO ready for the blackjack tables at Imperial Palace with Aretha (or so once called "urethra") Franklin, Toby Keith, and Janet Jackson.  I am SO ready for singing Motown at the Craps table.  I am SO ready for Cathy to force us to go to the "real" Ceasar's Palace to watch the show of the gods (but making sure to get a yard long drink before it starts).  I am SO ready to be loud and have people look around to figure out who is making all the ruckus.

Vegas is a great time, but the thing that makes it a great time is being with the people that you love the most.  A family tradition has started, 21st birthday in Vegas, and I do not see an end in the near future.  Everyone is already figuring out how old they will be when Micky will go to Vegas, and we are also determining that we will NOT be TOO old for when Sammy & Luke turn 21.  I hope that Vegas has stocked up on their payout of fun because the house NEVER wins when the Matis's come to town!!

[Photos soon to come!]

VEGASSSSSSSS!!

Tuesday evening about 4 p.m. the plane for Vegas will be lifting off, and we will be on our way to celebrate Andy's 21st birthday.  On a trip full of Matis's only two things can be for sure, Hangover and Vegas Vacation quotes will be thrown about like actual conversation and winning will occur!!

I can not wait because there are not many better things that a vacation with the family, except for a family vacation to VEGAS!  With Mama Matis there with camera in hand, I'm sure next week's post will be filled with pictures.

Greatest Family IV: Fantasy Football

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!?!?

The preseason started last night, and that means that Sammy and Michael were watching closely.  Why?  Because the Matis Family Fantasy Football league has its draft August 21st at 9 AM.  (Could've been earlier in the day, but that is Vegas week and everyone will need a little sleep).  To get a glimpse at the league click here to be taken to the Yahoo page. 

I had a chance at a little Q and A with the fantasy guru himself, Sammy Matis, and this is what he had to say:

Q: Do you have any announcements that you would like to send off to league members?

A: No.

Q: Can I get one sleeper that you are thinking may show up big for you and are looking to draft?

A: No.

And there you have it.  A man with many secrets. 

This year's fantasy football league will look much like the Rebel Alumni Basketball league, meaning about 80% of the teams have a shot at the title, and Michael, Joey, and myself know what it takes to win.  This increase in competition is stemmed from Luke Matis's managing abilities skyrocketing ever since he has taken the time to learn after one of the biggest mistakes in fantasy history: "I take B.U., Brian Urlacher", as the number one pick in '07.  Even, Gridiron Grandma has a shot at the title. 

News from around the league:

Perennial bickerers "Cheather" will have a lot of competition at most number of arguments now because of the addition of Grey Cup enthusiast, Liam Smith (if that is his real last name).  The one stipulation that got Liam into the league, other than having Katie Matis as a girlfriend, is that he agreed to pay the Canadian exchange rate as an entry fee, sorry Toronto.

A LEAGUE PREVIEW:

This year will be chalk full of surprises as can be seen already by team name changes:

• "Greenwood Rattlers" managed by yours truly Willie
• the "flyswatters" coached by the ever volatile Luke Matis
• "Farve Dollar Footlong" & "Header", managed by Chad and Heather respectively
• a creative name change by Aunt Colleen by going with "COLLEEN T"
• Katie Matis's predictable, yet always respected, "Jeff Saturday Matis"
• "All eyes on Mic", the commish, Michael Matis, who changes to a pun on the Tupac hit "All eyes on Me" (clever)
• Micky's, "Hardy's Herd", is the closest to a B-Town reference we have in the almost-Hoosier exclusive league (minus Chad, we all make mistakes)
• the guru goes with "The Anti-Cake Eaters", an excellent name change considering he REALLY does only eat the icing
• and last but not least, the always sturdy "Gridiron Grandma"

Still to come, "Dog's House", "I love Brown things", the "Montreal Alouttes", and "LJ's Dream Team".. these team names are tentative due to lack of sign up by Dog, Andy, Liam, and Leah & Joey.


This will be a fun year without having the Average Joe's take away all of Dog's money, and is always great competition seen by the Matis Family.  A few parting thoughts:

1. Any suggestions on ways to improve the Greatest Family Fantasy league, they will kindly be considered.
2. Any questions in the direction of league settings, gameplay, matchups, draft status, or how to ward off armed robberies please contact Michael Matis.
3. We are family, a family that sticks together, and a family that yells together!

Love you all and GO HORSE!

Team Introduction

Hello all!  I'm brand new to this blogging deal, and I didn't really know where to start.  I got to thinking about how to write, who to write to, and what to write about.  I kept thinking to myself..

"I could write about the Colts, that would be fun, OR I could write about Frank Thomas and how he was the greatest baseball player to ever live, OR I could try to change people's opinions.."

Well, my idea that I ended on as being the most useful was to create a blog that could keep the people that I cared about most, family, in touch no matter what happens throughout this crazy thing called life.  I created the blog TEAM MATIS.

WELCOME!

We will always be linked, starting with the Matriarch and Grandpa Joe, but this will always be a way to communicate online from anywhere.  I want to learn more and make this blog grow, as our family grows by making it more interactive for us.  I think I may have a pretty good blog "mentor" in Leah.  I love how she keeps us up to date on LJ & Big Play Ray . 

Stay tuned for stories, updates, humor, and interaction.  We are getting older, wiser, and a larger group, and the "empire" lol will need a larger platform to stay on top.