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The season is officially a third of the way over, and we have noticed a lot of changes this season from the last. Some of these changes are for the better, some for the worse and some for the more dramatic, our favorite being the latter of course. We obviously won’t cover all aspects of change in this post, and we encourage our vets to comment on what they see as the change from last year’s epic season to this year’s rather hum-drum season.
1. TEAMS: Goodbye American Apparel, Hello Penelope
We have to say, American Apparel had to be the cutest team last season. They had Lukus, Vanessa, both Matts, and Castellano. Even Rob, who was obnoxious and self involved, was a looker. We couldn't help but giggle to ourselves watching Wind parade around the gym every week with that pink dodgeball. Not content being just pretty faces, they were fun, excitable and even their uniform flair boosted how cute they were. Off the court everyone wanted to be their friends and on this blog everyone seemed to want to be in their beds. But we seemed to have lost that sponsor and the Angels/Princesses (which was it by the way?) have been split-up more than Vinny and James. Then stepped in Penelope. Perhaps the cutest place on Earth to have brunch has somehow been blessed with the cutest players as well. The common dominator being Lukus (yes, yes, we are totally in the LFC: Lukus Fan Club, who isn’t?), but he has now been joined by cuties Dom, Giuggugiolioguoili (that's how you spell it right?) , Dykey Mikey and completely dreamy newbies Nick and Tamika. Even their team name, Inglorious Brunchers, is cuter than if kittens and puppies could mate under a rainbow. They may not be the best players, but we’d catch or throw for anyone on that team.
2. CAPTAINS: Goodbye Mikey, Hello Monica
A whole diatribe could be written about how thrilled we are to see Eastern Bloc disbanded, but that would just encourage them to do that annoying cheer more at the after parties, so we’ll just focus on the fact that their annoying behavior stemmed from their loudmouthed captain, Mikey. All hatred aside, we are slightly jealous at how well Mikey was able make a team that tight, but we won’t miss having to hear him and his disciples on the court every week or watch their displays of public affections at the after parties. The good news is Mikey has been demoted to merely a player this year (obviously with much chagrin) and thusly cannot rally a new class of annoying teammates. The even better news is that now that Monica isn’t Mikey’s second banana, he has risen back to power and is the captain of Gaydar.net (make sure you check out their awesome shirts). We felt that Monica got a little soft playing with Eastern Bloc last season because of all the team love, but now, if the Facebook pictures are any indication, the fully agro, double throwing, Carrie Underwood loving heartbreaker is back and ready to rock the Tony D center. We’re also glad to see him rocking the after parties too. Steve, we love when you’re like this… Keep it up. Now if you were only single again…
3. LESBIANS: Goodbye Niki, Hello Stacey
Now we always love the ladies, and you never forget your first love. The first lady we fell in love with was none other than Niki. A woman who can pull off pigtails and still take out most of the best guys in the league with her mad throws and amazing catches is hard not to love. What we’ve noticed lately though is Niki has been getting quiet with age. We remember our first after party many moons ago where the flip cup table was dominated by Niki and she was unstoppable on the dancefloor. Now at the after parties she opts for a quiet moment with board members or sharing a drink with the other ladies in the corner. Well, thankfully our super fun lesbian spot has been filled by Stacey. This relatively new member has stepped it up this season. She’s made every after party a little more intense, stepped up her skills on the court, could out-wrestle Hulk Hogan and sings a fierce karaoke. Just as it was with Niki before, it’s hard to find a person in the league that doesn’t adore this lady. Maybe Niki has settled down because she’s found her soul mate Jacob, but that just gives Stacey more traction to keep up the great job she’s done in representing the ladies this season.
4. HOTTEST NEWBIE: Goodbye Trevor, Hello Andreau
Mezz may have won the hottest newbie last season, but people, he has a boyfriend and he’s 100% faithful (read: boring). So we are moving the title over to Trevor, who caused quite a few waves last season and some even this season. We’ll miss Trevor’s vacant glances around the flip cup table (“Is he checking me out or still trying to figure out how this game works?”) but we’ll happily welcome the come hither bedroom eyes of Andreau. Andreau has already been busy this season and seduced a few boys with his oddly huge arms, mischievous smile, and seamlessly unending supply of tight, slogan-laden shirts. The worst part of it all is that Andreau also is incredibly NICE. We remember meeting him at an after party and *he* started the conversation with *us*. We were so flattered, that is until we realized he was that nice to everyone, sssiiiigghhhh. So gone are the days of forced conversations with Trevor (he's REALLY pretty, but too quiet and shy for his own good) and now are the days of endless flirting with Andreau and the endless fantasizing of him playing dodgeball shirtless.
5. FLIPCUP: Goodbye Truth or Dare, Hello ???
We remember last season where you didn’t come to the flip-cup table unless you were ready strip on a pole or suck on a toe. From the moment the first person uttered the words, “Now that you lost you have to do a truth or dare,” we were in love with the idea. It landed us some prime makeouts, hilarious memories and more fodder for this site than we knew what to do with. However, some little natches complained that the truth or dare aspect of the game deterred them from participating. So the board, in their infinite wisdom, has been trying to keep the nasty factor out of the game. Policing a drinking game? Really? What next? Salad bars instead of pizza at the parties to curb adult obesity? Flip-cup is fun and all, but it was even more fun when spiced up. We’ll play along with the board and say that maybe truth or dare flip cup isn’t the best way to go, but let’s think of something to make it more fun than just the same way every college kid plays. If you ask us, “Strip-Cup” has a nice ring to it…
6. THE BOARD: Goodbye Old Vanessa, Hello New Vanessa
After what we saw as a lukewarm attempt at being Commissioner last season, we have to say Vanessa has stepped it up this season. We weren’t sure she was even the right person for the job last season because she was following some incredible people before her. Paul the *old* Commissioner could command a presence like nobody’s business and ran the league with an iron fist and a devil's laugh. Vanessa came in a little weak, but this season she’s hitting her stride. We don’t know what happened down in Brazil, but she’s stronger, more decisive and shaping the league in a more fun, welcoming way. She’s even thwarted some of our best attempts at turning this league into a big gossipy mess (like with number 5). She’s also given a lot of respect to the sport we play. The refs are better, the rules are tighter and most of us have a pair of shorty shorts that would make Norman blush all because of her. Keep up the good work V.
