Why We Do This
A stewardess passed me this message on a flight last week.
You’re not alone.
Season 2 Announced on Oprah!
If you’re coming from Oprah, welcome!
* Join The Buried Life Facebook page (375,000 ppl and counting!) for the inside track.
* Check out the NEW #95: Play Ball With Obama t-shirts!
* Cya on the road this summer.. Season 2 is going large (get Season 1 on iTunes)
The Complete, Unofficial Guide to Playing Basketball With the President (#95 is off the list)
This was never supposed to happen. We added it to to the list because it was the most impossible thing we could think of.
Last time we left off on this mission we had not gotten to the Big Man but left it ‘To Be Continued’… because we weren’t ready to give up. Well, we stayed in touch with Reggie Love and he told us next time we’re in DC, he’d gladly show us the White House courts.
2 weeks ago we returned to DC to speak to a youth group and Reggie came through on his offer of a tour. “Be there at 1:00 pm” the email said.
It’s noon. We have an hour. Even if we had more time, I’m sure we’d be late.
We’re dressed like schmucks. We rent suits for $90 and race to the White House. Dave spills soy sauce all over himself and has to spend 15 minutes in the bathroom cleaning up.
The guard laughs at us when we arrive at the West Wing Appointment Gate out of breath. “No way, guys! Sorry. Not today” We explained that we were supposed to be there this time and he eventually calls us forward. “Passports, IDs, SSNs, put everything on the table.” We do.
We exit the security bunker and walk out on the White House lawn. 500 feet in front of us is the West Wing. Now we laugh. We take our seats in the lobby next to the Congressmen, a New York Times reporter and diplomats. Duncan asks for a box of Presidential M&Ms.
Soon Reggie arrives. We are awestruck. He walks us through his office (the Oval Office) and onto the lawn again as we stroll through the gardens. “I gotta show you guys the courts’, he says.
We enter the White House courts. They’re pristine, we can’t believe we’re here. “Let’s see if you guys can play” Reggie says as he grabs the one Obama signature Spalding basketball.
I get a call from my friend Jeff. He is a political buff and knows the White House inside out. I tell him where we are. “You’re kidding me!? You’re joking!? This is.. this is.. a joke?”
“No” I begin to explain, “This is no joke. This is the real deal. We’re getting a tour of the grounds.”
“Are you playing… Him?”
“No man, we’re just shooting around with Reggie and…” But before I could finish..
“Oh my God. Holy s*#@…”
“Looks like we’ve got some company boys” Reggie says.
“Oh my God, it’s the President.”
From the opposite side of the court President Obama strides casually towards us. He’s smiling, “How’s it going guys?”
Total silence.
“I heard about your project and thought the least I could do was come down and shoot a few hoops with you guys. I’m in them middle of this little health care thing but I have time for a few shots. I heard you guys help some folks, I think that’s a wonderful thing.”
The next fifteen minutes are ours to savor. We asked the President what he wanted to do before he died and he laughed, ‘I’ve always wanted to be an announcer on Sports Center.’
#95: Play Ball With Obama is off the list.
The official picture with The President exists. To celebrate we made T-shirts!! You can get one of them here.
The Buried Life Goes on Oprah Today!
We’ve been to Folsom Prison, the Playboy Mansion, the Nevada desert, now.. Oprah.
If you saw the New York Post this weekend then you’ve heard Mrs. Winfrey “digs” The Buried Life. We’re extremely honored and are looking forward to the show. We’ve got a lot to talk about… and a few surprises we’ve been keeping under lock and key.
Dave, Duncan, Ben and I are Proud To Announce: The 2010 Summer Tour (ft. You)
Season One baby!! How’d you like it?
We can’t thank you guys enough for all your support on Facebook, Twitter and for showing up in the millions to watch the show. In fact, we feel like the only way to say thanks is to warm up Penelope, sparkle up our dancing shoes and head out on back on the road this summer.
But we’re going to need some help: a tour name, places to go, things to do, people to help, sandwiches to try and places to meet YOU and YOUR friends on the road. Maybe even do a speaking engagement or 2 along the way. We can do this one together..
Check back right here (and on Facebook + Twitter) for updates on the 2010 tour. And we’ll cya back on TV soon enough ;)
(how sick was Naughty by Nature!?)
