With an action-packed calendar for August, I unplugged for a few days to travel to beautiful Coeur d'Alene, Idaho this weekend for a wedding. Of course, "unplugged" is a relative term when sports consumes most of your waking hours. I still had updates coming through my mobile phone and stole some quick glances at television screens when it appeared my wife wasn't looking.

The trade deadline was rapidly approaching and NFL teams were reporting to camp. I was justified, wasn't I? Fortunately, my wife has come to grips with this passion (read: obsession) of mine, so I didn't have to crane my neck too badly.

I learned a couple things this weekend and got a reminder of exactly how big this world we're playing in is.

First, quail legs served buffalo-style with champagne is one of most unique and tasty appetizers you'll ever eat. My compliments to the chef at Brix in Coeur d'Alene.

Second, always scrawl down the reservation phone number for the airline on which you're traveling. Leaving yourself open to being bounced around from desk to desk isn't good for anybody. Lesson learned.

Finally, it wasn't so much a new lesson as a reminder of the size of the fantasy sports world. Conversations about Bobby Abreu, Alfonso Soriano, the baseball trading deadline and scheduling fantasy football drafts consumed the reception.

Perhaps the most amusing story of the weekend came from the groom. He mentioned that he kept himself from getting consumed by emotion during the exchange of vows by thinking about his beloved Chicago White Sox.

I wondered aloud whether the recent funk by the White Sox would have brought on more emotion.

Ahh, good times.

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Temperatures are hitting triple digits across the country as NFL teams begin training camp sessions. My car is tuned up and ready to roll through my annual training camp tour. I'm starting local with the Giants today, where temperatures in Albany were a balmy 95 degrees at noon.

Perhaps I should increase my travel budget to include the cases of water I'll be consuming?

Let's get it on!