It was a game for the ages as a team that no one gave a shot managed to pull what could only be called the upset victory of the century against a rival team who had all the momentum going in.

I'm speaking, of course, of Team Editorial's recent victory over Team Marketing in one of TOKYOPOP's semi-regular staff football games. What game did you think I was talking about?

One of the unfortunate realities of working in a publishing office is that you don't get a lot of exercise on the job. We editors (and designers, layout artists, marketers...you get the point) are a sedentary lot. We also talk a lot of trash. So it's hardly surprising that the combined result of both traits is a series of flag football games that take place occasionally down the street at the La Brea Tarpits. (You think grass stains are bad? Try tar stains.) Every few weeks or so, at lunchtime, the eager participants gather and square off. Usually, teams are divided into departments, though there's always some overlap. It doesn't matter. The end result is always the same: one section of the office returns with their collective tail between their legs while the other gets bragging rights until the next game.

We have editor Alexis Kirsch--yes, he of Manga Dog fame--and events coordinator Joe Soriano to thank for this semi-weekly display of aggression. It was their constant ribbing of each other that eventually led to one of them challenging the other to put their money where their mouth is. After that, it didn't take long for the rest of us to rally behind one or the other.

Of course, the main reason we play is for fun, fresh air and exercise. When you've been sitting at a desk staring at a computer all week, it feels good to get outside and run around for a bit. Plus, it's undeniably cool to be able to return to the office and work the rest of the day covered in grass stains and mud. I've deliberately scheduled meetings after a game just to see what sort of reaction we get.

Are we any good? Well, that's not for me to say. (You can check out some pics from a recent game in my photo gallery.) But we're getting better with each game and after our victory two weeks ago, I'm predicting Team Editorial is going to be a contender this year. We're one to keep an eye on, I tell ya. Team Marketing and Team Production...you're goin' down!