Now that you've read a few SportDork postings, you're undoubtedly wondering, "Where is the SportDork when he's putting together all this magic?  What does SportDork Headquarters look like?  Where does he get the inspiration?"  Well, putting together "SD Central" wasn't easy.  While our apartment came "furnished" with a variety of amenities, such as the palatial European "two-seater" sofa pictured below that I lay comfortably on for at least 7 - 10 minutes each morning before I cramp up, a satisfactory SportDork workstation was not part of the "fully-furnished" package. (Yes, I am in my boxers.  That is why the blinds are closed.  I was told by Mrs. SportDork that "the neighbors don't want to see that."  If by "that," she means an attractive, muscular, almost chiseled, prematurely graying man in his mid-30's with a collection of very stylish boxers in sizes 40-42, I don't see what the problem is.)  Do you like the Cilantro plant over my right shoulder?  That's all me.  I'm a stickler for home grown herbs.

The SportDork, moments before cramping.
 
Anyway, one thing that we've discovered since we moved here is that when you don't have a car, and the exchange rate is less than stellar, you get creative. 
So given these proximity and price limitations, what do you do when you have to obtain the cornerstone - the foundation, if you will - for an initiative as ambitious and with a global footprint as large as SportDork.com?  I'll tell you what you do.  You walk a half mile down the street to the local second-hand store, convince the owner to let you borrow her two-wheeled dolly for an hour, slap down 35 pounds (or about $70) for one of their finest pieces of "vintage" furniture, and roll it down main street and back to its new home.  Mrs. SportDork was there to capture the adventure.


I'm off to the races.  At this point, I'm moving so quickly that Shannon can't even keep up with me.  It must be because of my enormous calves.



I encounter my first obstacle.  Notice the focus.  Just made it.  Let me tell you - if that pole had been an inch closer to the building, we're talking about a merchandise return, because if you've seen the way they drive over here, you know there is no way I'm even considering setting one foot on that street.

Out on the open road.  Only another quarter mile to the apartment.  I'm still smiling because my forearms haven't started trembling yet, and on this stretch of road there is at least a good foot or two of grass between the road and the sidewalk, significantly reducing the odds of my falling victim to vehicular homicide. 
Just in case it wasn't clear that I am an American, I was sure to wear my "Florida" t-shirt.  Go Gators.


The SportDork workstation in its final resting spot.  I surprisingly got clearance from Mrs. SportDork to set up shop in our living room - but only after I agreed to let her strip it and re-stain it an "appropriate" color (picture is pre-makeover).  She must have been feeling generous, because in another surprising "win", I was allowed to leave the price sticker on (upper left side of the desk).  Gives it more of a "gangsta" feel - like one of those ball caps (who am I, my dad?) that the rappers wear with the tag still on.  Actually, do they still do that?  I'm not really up on the latest trends.  Whatever.  If I want to leave the sticker on, it's my prerogative (you know you liked that one).  

 
SportDork Central, in all its glory.  It may look a little haphazard at first glance, but there's a strategy.  I'm convinced that the more crap I pile on it, the less likely Mrs. SportDork will be motivated to strip and stain it.
As you can see, there is no chair shown in the picture above.  That's not because I stand or kneel on the floor while I type.  I just borrow a chair from the kitchen table.  But the fact is, I don't have an official chair - and I need one.  Does anyone else smell a sponsorship opportunity??? If you'd like to get in on the ground floor and be the first SD sponsor, let me know.  You provide the chair, I provide the exposure.  Don't like seeing Billy D's mug every time you pull up SportDork.com??  How about we put yours up there as the official sponsor!!  Send me a comment if you're interested. 

So there it is - SportDork Headquarters.  Where all the magic happens - a window into my soul.  This must be what it feels like to be on MTV Cribs. 

Peace Out???