No, it's not New Year's yet. Nor is it even New Year's Eve. On the double eve of the arrival of 2010, though, I'm giving my resolutions for the new year (and new decade, though, technically one could argue the new decade doesn't begin until 2011). I've never been a big resolutions guy, though I've made some in the past, even if I haven't taken them all that seriously.
But this year I'm serious, because it deals with a serious subject -- my health. Ironically, it's a subject that I simply don't talk about. Ever. Never have.
"How is your health?" I'm asked.
"Fine. I'm doing good"
"Diabetes under control?"
"Uh huh."
"What are your blood sugars running?"
"Oh, about 14o or so."
Here's a secret. All lies.
Whoa, now, you're saying. This is supposed to be positive, uplifting, what you hope to get out of the new year. It's not a confessional.
But it is. My new year's resolution is twofold -- to begin taking my health, and my disease, a little more seriously, and also to open up about it.
Here's another confession: I hate diabetes. Despise it. Always have. But not for the normal reasons you would think of. Not because it's taken sugar away from me, or that it is supposed to take sugar away from me. Not because it makes me eat really nasty tasting desserts. Or that I have to take shots, or count carbs. No, that's not why I hate diabetes. I hate this disease because it makes me different.
But diabetes is the fastest-growing disease in the country. Everybody and their momma has diabetes these days, or at least it seems that way. True. But it's different. Type 2 diabetes is the growing disease, and it can be more easily controlled through diet and exercise. I have Type 1 diabetes, and my pancreas has essentially quit on its job of producing insulin so my body can break down sugar into useable energy. Quitter! I am on life support, and I depend on two types of man-made insulin to keep me alive every day. And yes, I resent it. Does that sound a little immature? You bet it does. But it's true, and since I'm being truthful, I said it. I resent you, diabetes!
Always have, enemy of mine. I can remember getting the news as an eighth-grader, and I cried. Not because I knew what the disease meant, even though I did because I grew up around it (my mom has had it since she was a teenager). I cried because I was now different. I was rushed to the hospital and stayed there a few days while I went through education about diabetes and learned how to give myself a shot, which I've done every day since.
In high school, I hated being different. Yeah, it was funny when I got to eat snacks in class while others didn't. But secretly, I hated being singled out amongst my classmates. Again, diabetes made me different, and I hated it.
For the most part, though, I was able to take care of myself pretty well in high school, and in college, I finally rebelled against the disease. I ended up in the hospital on three different occasions because I simply stopped taking care of myself. Since then, I've done a decent job of faking it. Elizabeth stays on me, reminding me to take my shot, asking me about my blood sugar levels, and I did a decent job for a little while of working to decrease my a1c, which essentially is the 4-month average of your blood sugar levels. Over the last year, though, I've been awful. Awful.
Now is the time to change that. I'm tired of feeling badly because I simply haven't been taken care of myself. I'm tired of constantly being thirsty, and running to and from the bathroom, because my blood sugar is far too high. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of allowing my resentment of my disease to control my life. I want to take control.
I don't feel that I'm in poor health. I'm 27 years old, in relatively good shape (although, I certainly could be in better shape), and hopefully have many years ahead of me. But I can do a lot better. So my resolution is to truly dedicate myself over the next year to fixing my all-around health. I want to lose weight. Right now, I'm about 185 pounds. I'd like to be down to 170, and although that sounds awfully light in my head, I know I would be in better health if I could drop about 15 pounds. I want to get in a regular exercise routine, take advantage of the weight machine at my house that I've let sit dormant for far too long, utilize Elizabeth's Wii Fit game to work on my balance and flexibility, and couple that with all of the running I'm doing while officiating to truly get in good shape.
And beyond that, I want to open myself up to my friends and family. I don't like prying, and I don't like my life pried into. But in a way, on this issue, I need it. I want you to ask me about my health, and then don't let me shrug off your inquiries. I need accountability. It is far too easy to sluff off when it comes to this issue, to allow my hatred and resentment to again take control, and I don't want that to happen. So ask about my health. Ask about my blood sugar. Ask about what I'm eating. And then make me answer.
It's time for me to take control. And I need your help. It's the only way to secure a fruitful 2010 -- and many, many more years to come.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
When my head is jumbled, this is what you get
I took a sick day today. That never happens. Ever. Except today. And tomorrow. And maybe the rest of the week is this cold doesn't leave me alone. Seriously, I don't stay home unless I'm basically on my death bed, but a cold has me staying home? No fever. Just an awful, awful cough, which has let to a deep penetrating headache, a couple of sneezes every hour and lots and lots of mucus-filled tissue. I spent the majority of the day in bed with Sandy beast, alternating between fits of sleep and fits of wet, sloppy attacks on my face. If I don't get to feeling better tomorrow, I'm going to have to go see a doctor and get some medicine. This generic Musinex just isn't cutting it.
One of Elizabeth's Christmas gifts was a game called Wii Fit, which is basically an exercise video in a game. It comes with a "balance board" that you stand on to work on strength exercises, yoga, balance and aerobics. It allows you to set targets to lose weight over a certain period of time and counts your calories, etc. It's pretty cool, designed to make working out fun. And it's a workout, let me tell you. Running, biking, yoga stretches that my body wasn't designed to do, ab crunches, and my least favorite game, the hula hoop. No, seriously, I suck at the hula hoop. It works, though. The first night, I worked out for 30 minutes and actually felt it. I've taken the past two nights off because I just don't feel well. Elizabeth is working out now, riding her bike, trying to drop some pounds and get into better shape.
Had a nice trip to North Louisiana this past weekend. Visited with my dad, stepmom and grandparents in West Monroe, before going over to Ruston for lunch with an old college buddy who was in town from Auburn. Also visited with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and had supper with them. Always fun to visit with friends and family, even if the reason we normally visit Ruston weren't in town, as they were in New Orleans at the Saints game.
Speaking of the Saints, I'm disgusted. The 13-0 start was amazing, but the team has lost its identity over the past two weeks, and it's at the absolute worst time. This is when teams are supposed to be playing their best football, entering the playoff drive. Instead, it seems as if the Saints peaked several weeks ago and are limping into the postseason. These days, you've got to be careful to say an ill will about the Saints, lest people will accuse you of jumping off the bandwagon. That's bull, though. I call it like I see it, and what I've seen from this team recentlyj is not good. If Payton and Brees don't rediscover this team's offensive identiy, there will be no Super Bowl in the future for this team. And the fans deserve better than that.
Three of my nephews are in town at their grandparents, and the rest of Elizabeth's family is scheduled to join them on Thursday for New Year's. It's an annual tradition in the Granger household to have Christmas on New Year's Eve, build a fire, roast some weiners and 'mallows, and pop some firecrackers. Generally, it's tons of fun. We might even have some friends coming down to join us this year. However, I only hope that I'm healthy by then and up for the fun. We've also got a Christmas gathering on Saturday in West Monroe. This sickness needs to leave me alone!
One of Elizabeth's Christmas gifts was a game called Wii Fit, which is basically an exercise video in a game. It comes with a "balance board" that you stand on to work on strength exercises, yoga, balance and aerobics. It allows you to set targets to lose weight over a certain period of time and counts your calories, etc. It's pretty cool, designed to make working out fun. And it's a workout, let me tell you. Running, biking, yoga stretches that my body wasn't designed to do, ab crunches, and my least favorite game, the hula hoop. No, seriously, I suck at the hula hoop. It works, though. The first night, I worked out for 30 minutes and actually felt it. I've taken the past two nights off because I just don't feel well. Elizabeth is working out now, riding her bike, trying to drop some pounds and get into better shape.
Had a nice trip to North Louisiana this past weekend. Visited with my dad, stepmom and grandparents in West Monroe, before going over to Ruston for lunch with an old college buddy who was in town from Auburn. Also visited with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law and had supper with them. Always fun to visit with friends and family, even if the reason we normally visit Ruston weren't in town, as they were in New Orleans at the Saints game.
Speaking of the Saints, I'm disgusted. The 13-0 start was amazing, but the team has lost its identity over the past two weeks, and it's at the absolute worst time. This is when teams are supposed to be playing their best football, entering the playoff drive. Instead, it seems as if the Saints peaked several weeks ago and are limping into the postseason. These days, you've got to be careful to say an ill will about the Saints, lest people will accuse you of jumping off the bandwagon. That's bull, though. I call it like I see it, and what I've seen from this team recentlyj is not good. If Payton and Brees don't rediscover this team's offensive identiy, there will be no Super Bowl in the future for this team. And the fans deserve better than that.
Three of my nephews are in town at their grandparents, and the rest of Elizabeth's family is scheduled to join them on Thursday for New Year's. It's an annual tradition in the Granger household to have Christmas on New Year's Eve, build a fire, roast some weiners and 'mallows, and pop some firecrackers. Generally, it's tons of fun. We might even have some friends coming down to join us this year. However, I only hope that I'm healthy by then and up for the fun. We've also got a Christmas gathering on Saturday in West Monroe. This sickness needs to leave me alone!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Have you ever regifted?
I'm working on a story today (Christmas Eve ... yes, I'm working ... ugh!) about regifting -- which is essentially the practice of recycling a gift you received but don't want by giving it to a friend, family member or co-worker. It's an interesting concept and made me wonder if anybody out there has ever regifted?
Not going to lie, there have been some gifts that I would have loved to give to someone else. And I have returned a couple that I simply didn't want. But I don't ever remember giving a gift I received to someone else. Have you?
The stats show it's a growing trend, and while there's been a stigma attached to the practice and people have kept it secret, it now apparently has become such a common practice that people are open and honest upfront that it's a regift. I just can't imagine telling a friend, "Hey, this is a gift I didn't want, and since I didn't care enough about you to actually go pick out something special for you, why don't you take this gift that I don't want?" Just seems shady to me.
What say you?
Not going to lie, there have been some gifts that I would have loved to give to someone else. And I have returned a couple that I simply didn't want. But I don't ever remember giving a gift I received to someone else. Have you?
The stats show it's a growing trend, and while there's been a stigma attached to the practice and people have kept it secret, it now apparently has become such a common practice that people are open and honest upfront that it's a regift. I just can't imagine telling a friend, "Hey, this is a gift I didn't want, and since I didn't care enough about you to actually go pick out something special for you, why don't you take this gift that I don't want?" Just seems shady to me.
What say you?
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
This was TOO much fun!
http://sharing.theflip.com/session/2d255af9fb72bc14aae54ca4b9b416fb/video/8248344
Kori kept saying, "Bret, are you OK? Are you all right?" Too cute!
And, of course, Connor was Mr. Big Man and had to beat up Uncle Bret!
Eventually, Gran took Kori away and Connor got after me for another 10-15 minutes. I was exhausted!!!
Kori kept saying, "Bret, are you OK? Are you all right?" Too cute!
And, of course, Connor was Mr. Big Man and had to beat up Uncle Bret!
Eventually, Gran took Kori away and Connor got after me for another 10-15 minutes. I was exhausted!!!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Simply too tired
Wrapping up the sixth and final day of my work week here at the good ole office, knowing I have to be back in here in about seven or eight hours (*sigh*), so forgive me if I don't really feel like going into too many details about this weekend.
Short story. It was a blast. Honestly, an absolute blast. I wrote a blog the other day about not having any stories to tell, but I have some stories from this weekend. Hopefully, I'll get (or make) a spare moment at some point this week to tell them.
Elizabeth and I went up to Shreveport-Bossier, as well as over to Ruston, first to visit my mom and my neice and nephew, and then over for the inaugural Friendsmas (of course, at the time of our arrival, we didn't know it was going to be "Friendsmas" but since it was so fun we've decided to make it an annual event).
Two of the funnest things in my life are a) weekend getaways and b) spending time with friends ... so when you combine the two, it's just the best of both worlds (and yes, I am singing the Hannah Montana theme song in my head ... and no, it's not lame that I know it!)
All right, I literally could write 5,000 words or more about this weekend, but I'll save them for another time. Goodnight, everyone, and merry Christmas!
Short story. It was a blast. Honestly, an absolute blast. I wrote a blog the other day about not having any stories to tell, but I have some stories from this weekend. Hopefully, I'll get (or make) a spare moment at some point this week to tell them.
Elizabeth and I went up to Shreveport-Bossier, as well as over to Ruston, first to visit my mom and my neice and nephew, and then over for the inaugural Friendsmas (of course, at the time of our arrival, we didn't know it was going to be "Friendsmas" but since it was so fun we've decided to make it an annual event).
Two of the funnest things in my life are a) weekend getaways and b) spending time with friends ... so when you combine the two, it's just the best of both worlds (and yes, I am singing the Hannah Montana theme song in my head ... and no, it's not lame that I know it!)
All right, I literally could write 5,000 words or more about this weekend, but I'll save them for another time. Goodnight, everyone, and merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Note to self
Dear Self,
Must check e-mail. No, seriously, it's ridiculous that you went SIX WEEKS without checking your e-mail. Insane that you allowed nearly TWO THOUSAND unread e-mails to stack up in your inbox. You HAVE to do better than that!
I know, I know. Most of it was junk mail -- notices from Twitter and Facebook that someone sent you a direct message or left a comment to your status. I know you check those sites religiously and don't need massive amounts of e-mail to let you know what's going on there.
I know, I know. The majority of the rest of the messages were junk mail that your filter didn't pick up on and automatically delete. I get that. Beside the point. Doesn't matter. You HAVE to do better than that!
There was some important stuff in that inbox. Like the Thanksgiving card that your stepmother sent you. And the reminder e-mail she sent to let you know that you still hadn't opened the card two weeks later. And the e-mail from your good buddy asking you to send him a reference letter. You got that e-mail nearly two weeks ago. Good thing he said he just needed it sometime before the new year.
I agree with you that it's sad that only about 20 or so of the nearly TWO THOUSAND e-mails in your inbox are still there now. Yes, it's sad. But that's what happens when it's one of those public e-mail accounts that you've had since you were in JUNIOR HIGH!
None of this changes the fact you should CHECK YOUR E-MAIL MORE OFTEN! After all, you're on the internet all the dang time. Just stop by your e-mail once or twice a week and clean it out!
Must check e-mail. No, seriously, it's ridiculous that you went SIX WEEKS without checking your e-mail. Insane that you allowed nearly TWO THOUSAND unread e-mails to stack up in your inbox. You HAVE to do better than that!
I know, I know. Most of it was junk mail -- notices from Twitter and Facebook that someone sent you a direct message or left a comment to your status. I know you check those sites religiously and don't need massive amounts of e-mail to let you know what's going on there.
I know, I know. The majority of the rest of the messages were junk mail that your filter didn't pick up on and automatically delete. I get that. Beside the point. Doesn't matter. You HAVE to do better than that!
There was some important stuff in that inbox. Like the Thanksgiving card that your stepmother sent you. And the reminder e-mail she sent to let you know that you still hadn't opened the card two weeks later. And the e-mail from your good buddy asking you to send him a reference letter. You got that e-mail nearly two weeks ago. Good thing he said he just needed it sometime before the new year.
I agree with you that it's sad that only about 20 or so of the nearly TWO THOUSAND e-mails in your inbox are still there now. Yes, it's sad. But that's what happens when it's one of those public e-mail accounts that you've had since you were in JUNIOR HIGH!
None of this changes the fact you should CHECK YOUR E-MAIL MORE OFTEN! After all, you're on the internet all the dang time. Just stop by your e-mail once or twice a week and clean it out!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Yearning for more or perfectly content?
I'm in the mood to write, but not just about anything. About something interesting. Which brings up quite a conundrum. There's not much interesting about my life.
I read my friends' blogs, or at least the few of my friends who actually keep up with their blogs on a semi-regular basis, and I'm always fascinating by how interesting their lives are. Honestly, I have some pretty interesting friends. They're outgoing, social, funny. Why are they friends with me?
Elizabeth and I live a pretty simple life, and honestly, we like it that way. We like to travel, and try to take a couple of "big" trips every year, as well as side jaunts to see our friends in north Louisiana or family members throughout the state. But other than that, we pretty much go to work, play with our dog, relax with each other, go to sleep and wake up to do it all over again. Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that. We are content with our lives. But it doesn't actually make for very interesting blog material.
Take today, for example. I was at work at 9 a.m. Worked on a couple of stories about local lawsuits, and trust me, there is nothing interesting about reading and digesting 50-plus pages of legal jardon about alleged fraud and racial discrimination. Check that ... there's obviously something interesting those topics to some people, just not for me. Reading legal jargon has to be the worst part of my job. Please keep me out of the courthouse!
I worked from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., working on the two lawsuit stories, as well as my weekly Sunday anchor "city notebook," which is basically a compilation of little tidbits that happen throughout the week that don't necessarily warrant their own individual stories. It's just a hodgepodge of different things. The only semi-interesting part of today was The Town Talk's Christmas luncheon. That was good food and some good time chatting with co-workers, who I see every day but don't always take the opportunity to slow down and have a conversation with.
After work, I went to my officiating meeting, where we discuss interesting stories that happen during games and get our assignments for the next week(s). Tonight, there were no interesting stories, unfortunately. I wish there were, so I could relate them in my blog and have something interesting to write about!
Oh, well. Maybe there will be some stories that develop this weekend, when Elizabeth and I will trek up to north Louisiana for the weekend. The plan is to head to my mother's on Friday night, spend Saturday morning and afternoon with her, my stepdad, my nephew Connor and my niece Kori, and then head on over to Ruston to watch the Saints game with my buddies A-Dawg and K-Rob on Saturday night. Then, on Sunday, we'll have Christmas lunch/party with the buddies and spouses. Hopefully, there will great stories to share from that!
I read my friends' blogs, or at least the few of my friends who actually keep up with their blogs on a semi-regular basis, and I'm always fascinating by how interesting their lives are. Honestly, I have some pretty interesting friends. They're outgoing, social, funny. Why are they friends with me?
Elizabeth and I live a pretty simple life, and honestly, we like it that way. We like to travel, and try to take a couple of "big" trips every year, as well as side jaunts to see our friends in north Louisiana or family members throughout the state. But other than that, we pretty much go to work, play with our dog, relax with each other, go to sleep and wake up to do it all over again. Now, don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that. We are content with our lives. But it doesn't actually make for very interesting blog material.
Take today, for example. I was at work at 9 a.m. Worked on a couple of stories about local lawsuits, and trust me, there is nothing interesting about reading and digesting 50-plus pages of legal jardon about alleged fraud and racial discrimination. Check that ... there's obviously something interesting those topics to some people, just not for me. Reading legal jargon has to be the worst part of my job. Please keep me out of the courthouse!
I worked from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., working on the two lawsuit stories, as well as my weekly Sunday anchor "city notebook," which is basically a compilation of little tidbits that happen throughout the week that don't necessarily warrant their own individual stories. It's just a hodgepodge of different things. The only semi-interesting part of today was The Town Talk's Christmas luncheon. That was good food and some good time chatting with co-workers, who I see every day but don't always take the opportunity to slow down and have a conversation with.
After work, I went to my officiating meeting, where we discuss interesting stories that happen during games and get our assignments for the next week(s). Tonight, there were no interesting stories, unfortunately. I wish there were, so I could relate them in my blog and have something interesting to write about!
Oh, well. Maybe there will be some stories that develop this weekend, when Elizabeth and I will trek up to north Louisiana for the weekend. The plan is to head to my mother's on Friday night, spend Saturday morning and afternoon with her, my stepdad, my nephew Connor and my niece Kori, and then head on over to Ruston to watch the Saints game with my buddies A-Dawg and K-Rob on Saturday night. Then, on Sunday, we'll have Christmas lunch/party with the buddies and spouses. Hopefully, there will great stories to share from that!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Merry, merry, merry Christmas!
We tried. We really did!
So, Elizabeth and I really aren't the best when it comes to waiting for just about anything. Patience is not a virtue that flows very freely in this household. And when it comes to Christmas, well it's just game over!
We've been together now for five Christmases now, and I honestly doubt that we've lasted all the way to Dec. 25 before exchanging gifts. Sometimes, it's earlier than others. Last year was October. Little did we know when we gave each other our presents (Elizabeth got a new stove, and I got a sweet puppy!) that I would be laid off before Christmas. Sometimes, things just work out.
Well, we tried this year. And I hate to use the word 'fail' because it has such a negative connotation, so I won't. I'll just say we didn't make it. After finally breaking down to get the pup's gifts, we exchanged last night. Of course, because we don't do surprises very well in this family, it's not like it was a surprise. Elizabeth wanted a Sony e-Reader, and well, what Elizabeth wants Elizabeth gets (Aside: call me stupid all you want, but I've learned not to go against my wife's wishes during the holidays. When Elizabeth tells you what she wants, it's NOT a suggestion.). And I finally joined the 21st century and got an iPod nano. What was neat is that, without discussing it with each other, we both got the gifts inscribed with each other's names. That was a neat little touch.
Well, I've whined for months about an iPod. Elizabeth has one, and well, I get jealous. She's pretty good about letting me use it if I have to go on a trip or something, and she was even nice enough to make a playlist for me on her iPod. But now I don't have to borrow. I have my own! I'm so excited. I love my iPod. I've been listening to it all day, and I stayed up last night making a list of all of the CDs I need to put into iTunes and add to my iPod. Seriously, I got a 16-gig nano, and I bet that I'm going to be out of space pretty soon. What can I say? I have a lot of music!
And from what I can tell, E-beth loves her gift, too. She's in the bed right now reading it. She's an avid reader. Heck, my man cave has been overtaken by bookshelves (for the record, though, some of those books are my own)! So, it's been a successful Christmas. Elizabeth also got me a new electric shaver and trimmer, which is something every guy can use, a new pair of dress shoes that I can wear to work, and she also bought me one my favorite movies ever -- Robin Hood: Men in Tights! I also got Elizabeth a pair of ruby red shoes that I personally picked out and think are gorgeous. She says I have the best taste when it comes to choosing her clothes and shoes, and well ... she's right! In addition, she got some candy and an iTunes gift card.
Oh, and of course, Sandy-girl got a candy cane toy that squeaks (the dog LOVES squeaking toys; she's learned that is she chews really, really fast it makes more squeaking sounds, and she LOVES it!) and also a HUGE bone. Seriously, the bone has to be two feet long. It's massive, and she's already chewed to the center of it! The old commercial about how many licks it takes to get to the center of Tootsie Pop -- well it takes Sandy less than 24 hours to get to the center of a 2-foot rawhide bone! And, she still has another gift that Santa's going to bring her when we go to Granny's on Christmas morning -- a big stocking that has all kinds of fun toys!
With another 10 days til Christmas, there may be more gifts to come. When it comes to the McCormick family, never count anything out. A whim's a whim, baby!
So, Elizabeth and I really aren't the best when it comes to waiting for just about anything. Patience is not a virtue that flows very freely in this household. And when it comes to Christmas, well it's just game over!
We've been together now for five Christmases now, and I honestly doubt that we've lasted all the way to Dec. 25 before exchanging gifts. Sometimes, it's earlier than others. Last year was October. Little did we know when we gave each other our presents (Elizabeth got a new stove, and I got a sweet puppy!) that I would be laid off before Christmas. Sometimes, things just work out.
Well, we tried this year. And I hate to use the word 'fail' because it has such a negative connotation, so I won't. I'll just say we didn't make it. After finally breaking down to get the pup's gifts, we exchanged last night. Of course, because we don't do surprises very well in this family, it's not like it was a surprise. Elizabeth wanted a Sony e-Reader, and well, what Elizabeth wants Elizabeth gets (Aside: call me stupid all you want, but I've learned not to go against my wife's wishes during the holidays. When Elizabeth tells you what she wants, it's NOT a suggestion.). And I finally joined the 21st century and got an iPod nano. What was neat is that, without discussing it with each other, we both got the gifts inscribed with each other's names. That was a neat little touch.
Well, I've whined for months about an iPod. Elizabeth has one, and well, I get jealous. She's pretty good about letting me use it if I have to go on a trip or something, and she was even nice enough to make a playlist for me on her iPod. But now I don't have to borrow. I have my own! I'm so excited. I love my iPod. I've been listening to it all day, and I stayed up last night making a list of all of the CDs I need to put into iTunes and add to my iPod. Seriously, I got a 16-gig nano, and I bet that I'm going to be out of space pretty soon. What can I say? I have a lot of music!
And from what I can tell, E-beth loves her gift, too. She's in the bed right now reading it. She's an avid reader. Heck, my man cave has been overtaken by bookshelves (for the record, though, some of those books are my own)! So, it's been a successful Christmas. Elizabeth also got me a new electric shaver and trimmer, which is something every guy can use, a new pair of dress shoes that I can wear to work, and she also bought me one my favorite movies ever -- Robin Hood: Men in Tights! I also got Elizabeth a pair of ruby red shoes that I personally picked out and think are gorgeous. She says I have the best taste when it comes to choosing her clothes and shoes, and well ... she's right! In addition, she got some candy and an iTunes gift card.
Oh, and of course, Sandy-girl got a candy cane toy that squeaks (the dog LOVES squeaking toys; she's learned that is she chews really, really fast it makes more squeaking sounds, and she LOVES it!) and also a HUGE bone. Seriously, the bone has to be two feet long. It's massive, and she's already chewed to the center of it! The old commercial about how many licks it takes to get to the center of Tootsie Pop -- well it takes Sandy less than 24 hours to get to the center of a 2-foot rawhide bone! And, she still has another gift that Santa's going to bring her when we go to Granny's on Christmas morning -- a big stocking that has all kinds of fun toys!
With another 10 days til Christmas, there may be more gifts to come. When it comes to the McCormick family, never count anything out. A whim's a whim, baby!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
A little Heisman talk
So a buddy of mine just called and asked me for my opinion on the Heisman Trophy, which will be handed out tonight in New York City (7 p.m., ESPN). I've had this discussion with a couple dozen different people over the past several weeks. Honestly, it's a fascinating discussion. Nearly 1,000 people vote to make this decision, and all of those people are just like me: they have their own distinct opinions. And each one has his own definition on what "most outstanding" means.
According to StiffArmTrophy.com, which has correctly predicted the Heisman winner each of hte past seven years, it's a three-horse race between Alabama RB Mark Ingram, Stanford RB Toby Gerhart and Nebraska DT Ndamukong (pronounced in-dam-uh-kun) Suh with the golden-boy QBs from Texas (Colt McCoy) and Florida (Tim Tebow) running a distant fourth and fifth.
It's funny that we're looking at such a close race with these three contenders in what has turned into one of the most wide open races in years (and perhaps the most exciting race ever) since we entered the season with all three of last year's finalists (McCoy, Tebow and last year's winner, Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford) back and expected to make repeat trips to NYC for the award show. But that's what makes college football so unpredictable. Bradford injured his throwing shoulder in the Sooners' opening game, tried to come back and was reinjured before opting for surgery. Tebow was not his same dominant self as he was when he won the Heisman as a sophomore and finished third last year. The Gators simply lost too many offensive weapons and Tebow struggled. McCoy, meanwhile, seemed to be firmly in control until a near meltdown and loss to Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship Game, which served as a coming out party for Suh's Heisman campaign.
Here's a breakdown of each candidate in order of projected finish:
1. Mark Ingram, So., RB, Alabama -- StiffArmTrophy.com projects Ingram to walk away with the trophy, which would make him the third sophomore in a row to win the award (after having no underclassmen receive it before Tebow did in 2007) and the first player in Alabama's storied history to receive the award (which is amazing). The 5-10, 215-pounder has one thing going for him: he's the best offensive player on the nation's #1 team, which too many voters exchange for "most outstanding." His stats are solid, if not jawdropping -- 1,429 yards rushing, 6.5 yards per carry, 12 touchdowns, another 3 receiving touchdowns. But there are a few knocks. He scored only half of his team's total rushing scores, and at times you could argue that freshman RB Trent Richardson was the best running back on the Crimson Tide's team. Ingram is a powerful runner who fits perfectly in what coach Nick Saban wants to do. He'll pick up some votes because of how good Alabama's team is, and also because the Tide have never had anyone win this award. However, I'm not sure he's the best running back in the country.
2. Toby Gerhart, Sr., RB, Stanford -- The 6-1, 235-pounder is a throwback to old-school football players with his powerful running style and will to deliver hits instead of taking them. He's also a throwback student-athlete who plays two sports (he's also an MLB prospect on Stanford's baseball team) at one of the country's most prestigious universities. He's a rarity in that he's a white running back who refused to take everyone's suggestion that he'd be better suited to play LB. Gerhart's stats jump off the page compared to Ingram's. He carried the ball nearly 100 times more than Ingram, who had the luxury of playing not only with Richardson but also senior Roy Upchurch. Alabama could use a RB by committee. Gerhart was Stanford's running game, as the Cardinal's second-leading rusher was QB Andrew Luck and third-leading rusher had 55 carries. Gerhart rushed for 1,736 yards, an average of 5.6 per carry, and more importantly scored 26 TDs -- 11 more than Ingram's rushing/receiving combined. Take Ingram off the Tide and they might not be in the national title game, but they'd still likely have gone 12-0 before playing Florida. Take Gerhart off Stanford, and the Cardinal are not going to a bowl game, much less winning 8 games. He does have a few knocks: he plays on the West Coast, so many voters didn't see him play often, if at all, and the Pac-10 doesn't have the reputation of the SEC in terms of strong defenses; also there will be those who don't vote for him because Stanford lost four games, though it didn't hurt Tebow when he won the award two years ago.
3. Ndamukong Suh, Sr., DT, Nebraska -- Let me start off with all of the reasons why Suh shouldn't win the award. He not only plays defense, but he plays on the defensive line. On top of that, he plays defensive tackle, which is about as unsexy of a position as there is on the football field. He didn't play on a great team in Nebraska, which has lost four games, although that isn't Suh's fault. The Huskers' defense is great; it's not his fault the offense is offensive. While Nebraska is a program full of history, the program has been down and isn't one of the sexy programs like the SEC or fellow Big 12 teams like Oklahoma or Texas. And a reason that might seem weird, but will have a profound affect, is that many people can't pronounce his name. Who's easier to vote for -- Mark, Toby, Colt, Tim ... or Ndamukong? Seriously, that should have no business resonating with voters, but it will. What hopefully will resonate more is Suh's production: a team-leading 82 tackles (seriously, how many DTs lead the team in tackling two years in a row?), 23 tackles for loss, 24 QB hurries, 12 sacks and 10 passes defensed. Let's pause for a second. Suh is 6-4, 300 pounds and is powerful enough to dominate the running game against double teams but also athletic enough to get to the quarterback and also deflect passes and block kicks (3). He also intercepted a pass and had two INTs last year. It's no wonder he's considered the #1 prospect heading into the NFL draft, which shouldn't have an affect on the voting. What should, though, is the way he utterly destroyed Colt McCoy and almost led Nebraska to an upset of Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game. Seriously, if the Huskers had an offense, they wouldn't have lost 13-12. Of the 313 ballots collected by StiffArmTrophy.com (about 1/3 of all ballots), Suh leads the way with 92 first-place votes. But 134 voters left him off their ballots, which include the top three players (with the votes receiving points of 5-3-1). The voters have come a long way this decade (see Adrian Peterson finished 2nd as a freshman, and Tebow-McCoy winning the award as sophomores), but I just don't think they are open-minded enough to give the award to an interior lineman. Unfortunately, the Heisman is still viewed as an offensive award that should go to the best QB or RB on the best team in the country.
4. Colt McCoy, Sr., QB, Texas -- I'll admit that I've been harsh on McCoy, who I've said prior that I didn't believe deserved a trip to NYC as a finalist. I might be willing to go back on that statement. First off all, I like McCoy. He's a likeable guy who's a winner. He had some huge holes to fill stepping in as a freshman after Vince Young departed, and all he's done is win. The 'Horns have won 10 games every year he's been on campus, and now he has Texas in the national title game, even if it came with some controversy. Last year, I would have been fine had McCoy won the Heisman. His 76.7% completion percentage is the best ever. He threw for 3,859 yards and 34 TDs compared to just 8 INTs. And there were those who felt Texas should have played for the national title last year. This year, though, he just hasn't been as sharp. His yards are down (3,512), his TDs are down (27), and although he's still completing 70% of his passes, his INTs are up (12). He also doesn't have a signature game. In the Big 12 title game, after Tebow had failed and Ingram had played well but not necessarily lights-out in the SEC title game, McCoy had one of his worst games. He threw three picks, zero touchdowns, didn't pass for 200 yards, was a non-factor in the running game, and was sacked 9 times, including 4.5 by Suh. That's not to mention his lack of understanding of the basic clock rules. Luckily for McCoy and the 'Horns, the officials (wrongly, in my eyes) put a second back on the clock and allowed Texas to kick a game-winning FG, escaping with a 13-12 win, and marching to the national title game. Once Bradford went down with his injury, and Tebow started slowly, I think most people assumed McCoy would waltz his way to the trophy. That's likely the only reason he's even in NYC, and why he's fallen down to fourth.
5. Tim Tebow, Sr., QB, Florida -- Let me perfectly clear: I'm a Tim Tebow fan. He represents everything that's right about college football. He plays with passion, plays with heart, plays with pride, gives credit to God, doesn't get in trouble off the field, produces wins and is a great leader. He's won a Heisman and two national titles, and although Florida's loss to Alabama in the SEC title game prevented him for winning a third title and supplanting his legacy as perhaps the best college football player of all-time, his legacy is still tremendous. All that said, he shouldn't be here. Let's not even argue that he was the fifth "most outstanding" player in the country this year. We'll get into that in a second. But he shouldn't have been invited to NYC, and the only reason he was is because he's a former winner and now a three-time finalist. The Downtown Athletic Club, which runs the Heisman Trust, doesn't always invite five finalists. Last year, it was just Bradford, McCoy and Tebow. They normally determine it based upon a percentage of votes. According to StiffArmTrophy.com, Tebow is only on 54 of the 313 ballots that have been made public. McCoy was on nearly 100 more. Simply put, there's a major difference between the totals for McCoy and for Tebow, meaning there should only have been four finalists this year, but the Downtown Athletic Club invited Tebow because he's Tebow. As a sophomore, when he won the award, Tebow compiled 4,181 yards of offense and scored 55 total TDs (32 passing, 23 rushing). Last year, those numbers dipped to 3,420 yards of offense and 42 TDs. While he led the team in rushing with 859 yards this year, he combined for just 3,217 total yards and 31 TDs. The kid has had a great career, but I'm just not sure his stats show that is a Heisman finalist this year.
How would I vote? I've gone back and forth on this. I think Ingram is going to win it. Too many voters are looking for the best player on the best team and defining that as the "most outstanding player." I love Gerhart. He's been the heart and soul of coach Jim Harbaugh's Stanford team. A few days ago, I wanted him to win it. I think I still want him to win it. But if I had a vote, I'd have to give it to Suh. There are many ways to define "outstanding," and one of the easiest ways is to give it to the most dominant. There was clearly no more dominant player this year than Ndamukong Suh. Many people are calling him the most dominant DT to ever play college football. I won't pretend to know if that is true or not, but I can say that with my own eyes he's been dominant week in and week out. I don't think the voters are ready to take this step, but Ndamukong Suh is the type of player who could transcend history and become the first defensive lineman to win the Heisman. After Suh, I would vote Gerhart and then Boise State QB Kellen Moore. Like all Heisman voters, I have my biases. As a Louisiana Tech grad, I see Boise State a lot, and I love Moore. The sophomore threw for 39 TDs and only 3 INTs to lead Boise State to its second straight undefeated regular season. Moore has lost only one game as a starter, and that was against TCU in last year's bowl game. I also gave a lot of consideration to Clemson senior RB C.J. Spiller, who is one of the most explosive players in the country. He had a Heisman moment in the ACC title game with 233 yards and 4 TDs, and although he's "only" rushed for 1,145 yards and 11 TDs, Spiller made a difference in the passing game (33-445-4), didn't fumble a single time all year and also was explosive on special teams (918 punt/kickoff return yards and 5 TDs). In the end, though, I would lean toward Moore over Spiller.
According to StiffArmTrophy.com, which has correctly predicted the Heisman winner each of hte past seven years, it's a three-horse race between Alabama RB Mark Ingram, Stanford RB Toby Gerhart and Nebraska DT Ndamukong (pronounced in-dam-uh-kun) Suh with the golden-boy QBs from Texas (Colt McCoy) and Florida (Tim Tebow) running a distant fourth and fifth.
It's funny that we're looking at such a close race with these three contenders in what has turned into one of the most wide open races in years (and perhaps the most exciting race ever) since we entered the season with all three of last year's finalists (McCoy, Tebow and last year's winner, Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford) back and expected to make repeat trips to NYC for the award show. But that's what makes college football so unpredictable. Bradford injured his throwing shoulder in the Sooners' opening game, tried to come back and was reinjured before opting for surgery. Tebow was not his same dominant self as he was when he won the Heisman as a sophomore and finished third last year. The Gators simply lost too many offensive weapons and Tebow struggled. McCoy, meanwhile, seemed to be firmly in control until a near meltdown and loss to Nebraska in the Big 12 Championship Game, which served as a coming out party for Suh's Heisman campaign.
Here's a breakdown of each candidate in order of projected finish:
1. Mark Ingram, So., RB, Alabama -- StiffArmTrophy.com projects Ingram to walk away with the trophy, which would make him the third sophomore in a row to win the award (after having no underclassmen receive it before Tebow did in 2007) and the first player in Alabama's storied history to receive the award (which is amazing). The 5-10, 215-pounder has one thing going for him: he's the best offensive player on the nation's #1 team, which too many voters exchange for "most outstanding." His stats are solid, if not jawdropping -- 1,429 yards rushing, 6.5 yards per carry, 12 touchdowns, another 3 receiving touchdowns. But there are a few knocks. He scored only half of his team's total rushing scores, and at times you could argue that freshman RB Trent Richardson was the best running back on the Crimson Tide's team. Ingram is a powerful runner who fits perfectly in what coach Nick Saban wants to do. He'll pick up some votes because of how good Alabama's team is, and also because the Tide have never had anyone win this award. However, I'm not sure he's the best running back in the country.
2. Toby Gerhart, Sr., RB, Stanford -- The 6-1, 235-pounder is a throwback to old-school football players with his powerful running style and will to deliver hits instead of taking them. He's also a throwback student-athlete who plays two sports (he's also an MLB prospect on Stanford's baseball team) at one of the country's most prestigious universities. He's a rarity in that he's a white running back who refused to take everyone's suggestion that he'd be better suited to play LB. Gerhart's stats jump off the page compared to Ingram's. He carried the ball nearly 100 times more than Ingram, who had the luxury of playing not only with Richardson but also senior Roy Upchurch. Alabama could use a RB by committee. Gerhart was Stanford's running game, as the Cardinal's second-leading rusher was QB Andrew Luck and third-leading rusher had 55 carries. Gerhart rushed for 1,736 yards, an average of 5.6 per carry, and more importantly scored 26 TDs -- 11 more than Ingram's rushing/receiving combined. Take Ingram off the Tide and they might not be in the national title game, but they'd still likely have gone 12-0 before playing Florida. Take Gerhart off Stanford, and the Cardinal are not going to a bowl game, much less winning 8 games. He does have a few knocks: he plays on the West Coast, so many voters didn't see him play often, if at all, and the Pac-10 doesn't have the reputation of the SEC in terms of strong defenses; also there will be those who don't vote for him because Stanford lost four games, though it didn't hurt Tebow when he won the award two years ago.
3. Ndamukong Suh, Sr., DT, Nebraska -- Let me start off with all of the reasons why Suh shouldn't win the award. He not only plays defense, but he plays on the defensive line. On top of that, he plays defensive tackle, which is about as unsexy of a position as there is on the football field. He didn't play on a great team in Nebraska, which has lost four games, although that isn't Suh's fault. The Huskers' defense is great; it's not his fault the offense is offensive. While Nebraska is a program full of history, the program has been down and isn't one of the sexy programs like the SEC or fellow Big 12 teams like Oklahoma or Texas. And a reason that might seem weird, but will have a profound affect, is that many people can't pronounce his name. Who's easier to vote for -- Mark, Toby, Colt, Tim ... or Ndamukong? Seriously, that should have no business resonating with voters, but it will. What hopefully will resonate more is Suh's production: a team-leading 82 tackles (seriously, how many DTs lead the team in tackling two years in a row?), 23 tackles for loss, 24 QB hurries, 12 sacks and 10 passes defensed. Let's pause for a second. Suh is 6-4, 300 pounds and is powerful enough to dominate the running game against double teams but also athletic enough to get to the quarterback and also deflect passes and block kicks (3). He also intercepted a pass and had two INTs last year. It's no wonder he's considered the #1 prospect heading into the NFL draft, which shouldn't have an affect on the voting. What should, though, is the way he utterly destroyed Colt McCoy and almost led Nebraska to an upset of Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game. Seriously, if the Huskers had an offense, they wouldn't have lost 13-12. Of the 313 ballots collected by StiffArmTrophy.com (about 1/3 of all ballots), Suh leads the way with 92 first-place votes. But 134 voters left him off their ballots, which include the top three players (with the votes receiving points of 5-3-1). The voters have come a long way this decade (see Adrian Peterson finished 2nd as a freshman, and Tebow-McCoy winning the award as sophomores), but I just don't think they are open-minded enough to give the award to an interior lineman. Unfortunately, the Heisman is still viewed as an offensive award that should go to the best QB or RB on the best team in the country.
4. Colt McCoy, Sr., QB, Texas -- I'll admit that I've been harsh on McCoy, who I've said prior that I didn't believe deserved a trip to NYC as a finalist. I might be willing to go back on that statement. First off all, I like McCoy. He's a likeable guy who's a winner. He had some huge holes to fill stepping in as a freshman after Vince Young departed, and all he's done is win. The 'Horns have won 10 games every year he's been on campus, and now he has Texas in the national title game, even if it came with some controversy. Last year, I would have been fine had McCoy won the Heisman. His 76.7% completion percentage is the best ever. He threw for 3,859 yards and 34 TDs compared to just 8 INTs. And there were those who felt Texas should have played for the national title last year. This year, though, he just hasn't been as sharp. His yards are down (3,512), his TDs are down (27), and although he's still completing 70% of his passes, his INTs are up (12). He also doesn't have a signature game. In the Big 12 title game, after Tebow had failed and Ingram had played well but not necessarily lights-out in the SEC title game, McCoy had one of his worst games. He threw three picks, zero touchdowns, didn't pass for 200 yards, was a non-factor in the running game, and was sacked 9 times, including 4.5 by Suh. That's not to mention his lack of understanding of the basic clock rules. Luckily for McCoy and the 'Horns, the officials (wrongly, in my eyes) put a second back on the clock and allowed Texas to kick a game-winning FG, escaping with a 13-12 win, and marching to the national title game. Once Bradford went down with his injury, and Tebow started slowly, I think most people assumed McCoy would waltz his way to the trophy. That's likely the only reason he's even in NYC, and why he's fallen down to fourth.
5. Tim Tebow, Sr., QB, Florida -- Let me perfectly clear: I'm a Tim Tebow fan. He represents everything that's right about college football. He plays with passion, plays with heart, plays with pride, gives credit to God, doesn't get in trouble off the field, produces wins and is a great leader. He's won a Heisman and two national titles, and although Florida's loss to Alabama in the SEC title game prevented him for winning a third title and supplanting his legacy as perhaps the best college football player of all-time, his legacy is still tremendous. All that said, he shouldn't be here. Let's not even argue that he was the fifth "most outstanding" player in the country this year. We'll get into that in a second. But he shouldn't have been invited to NYC, and the only reason he was is because he's a former winner and now a three-time finalist. The Downtown Athletic Club, which runs the Heisman Trust, doesn't always invite five finalists. Last year, it was just Bradford, McCoy and Tebow. They normally determine it based upon a percentage of votes. According to StiffArmTrophy.com, Tebow is only on 54 of the 313 ballots that have been made public. McCoy was on nearly 100 more. Simply put, there's a major difference between the totals for McCoy and for Tebow, meaning there should only have been four finalists this year, but the Downtown Athletic Club invited Tebow because he's Tebow. As a sophomore, when he won the award, Tebow compiled 4,181 yards of offense and scored 55 total TDs (32 passing, 23 rushing). Last year, those numbers dipped to 3,420 yards of offense and 42 TDs. While he led the team in rushing with 859 yards this year, he combined for just 3,217 total yards and 31 TDs. The kid has had a great career, but I'm just not sure his stats show that is a Heisman finalist this year.
How would I vote? I've gone back and forth on this. I think Ingram is going to win it. Too many voters are looking for the best player on the best team and defining that as the "most outstanding player." I love Gerhart. He's been the heart and soul of coach Jim Harbaugh's Stanford team. A few days ago, I wanted him to win it. I think I still want him to win it. But if I had a vote, I'd have to give it to Suh. There are many ways to define "outstanding," and one of the easiest ways is to give it to the most dominant. There was clearly no more dominant player this year than Ndamukong Suh. Many people are calling him the most dominant DT to ever play college football. I won't pretend to know if that is true or not, but I can say that with my own eyes he's been dominant week in and week out. I don't think the voters are ready to take this step, but Ndamukong Suh is the type of player who could transcend history and become the first defensive lineman to win the Heisman. After Suh, I would vote Gerhart and then Boise State QB Kellen Moore. Like all Heisman voters, I have my biases. As a Louisiana Tech grad, I see Boise State a lot, and I love Moore. The sophomore threw for 39 TDs and only 3 INTs to lead Boise State to its second straight undefeated regular season. Moore has lost only one game as a starter, and that was against TCU in last year's bowl game. I also gave a lot of consideration to Clemson senior RB C.J. Spiller, who is one of the most explosive players in the country. He had a Heisman moment in the ACC title game with 233 yards and 4 TDs, and although he's "only" rushed for 1,145 yards and 11 TDs, Spiller made a difference in the passing game (33-445-4), didn't fumble a single time all year and also was explosive on special teams (918 punt/kickoff return yards and 5 TDs). In the end, though, I would lean toward Moore over Spiller.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
To-do list
So, I took today off because I have an eye appointment and because my dog (who is basically like my child) needs to go to the vet. That's what sick days are for, right? Especially when you don't get sick.
My days "off" are always interesting, because I normally end up doing more work than if I actually were at work. Here's today's to-do list:
1. Take Sandy to the vet. She needs a couple of shots, her latest flea pill and to be checked for heartworms.
2. Get my hair trimmed. Not cut. There's a difference. I've decided to let my hair grow out, at least until I get tired of it or Elizabeth says enough is enough. But she's agreed to go along with this charade as long as I get it trimmed and evened up once a month or so.
3. Wash dishes. For most people, this isn't really a chore. Just pre-rinse and throw the dishes in the washer, right? Not at this house. There's no dishwasher, and really no room in the kitchen to add one. So dishes pile up pretty quickly. It's time to take care of them.
4. Wash clothes. Well, a couple of clothes. This one actually isn't one of my chores. But my officiating clothes need a quick once-over since I've got games tonight and Friday.
5. Be a wonderful husband and take my wife something to eat. She forgot her lunch and asked if I wouldn't mind bringing her something. Of course, I don't mind (please, hold your applause, no really please, stop).
6. Clean up around the house. This is one thing that neither Elizabeth and I really like to do. We've been back settled in since June, but the house still has packed boxes. How have we accumulated so much stuff in just a few years? I don't understand.
7. Get eyes examined. It's been over a year now since the latest checkup, and it's time for some new frames and lenses. This is going to be an expensive trip, but it's one that's got to get done.
8. Call hoops games. The appointment is at 4 p.m., and I've got 2 games tonight starting at 6. I'm thinking I shouldn't have too much of a problem getting to the games on time, but I sure hope I don't cut it close.
I've become convinced there really is never a "day off." There is always something to do around the house, or friends/family to go visit. It's very rare to just veg out, although that's fun too -- to just sit around with Elizabeth and Sandy and do nothing. Now THAT sounds like a plan!
My days "off" are always interesting, because I normally end up doing more work than if I actually were at work. Here's today's to-do list:
1. Take Sandy to the vet. She needs a couple of shots, her latest flea pill and to be checked for heartworms.
2. Get my hair trimmed. Not cut. There's a difference. I've decided to let my hair grow out, at least until I get tired of it or Elizabeth says enough is enough. But she's agreed to go along with this charade as long as I get it trimmed and evened up once a month or so.
3. Wash dishes. For most people, this isn't really a chore. Just pre-rinse and throw the dishes in the washer, right? Not at this house. There's no dishwasher, and really no room in the kitchen to add one. So dishes pile up pretty quickly. It's time to take care of them.
4. Wash clothes. Well, a couple of clothes. This one actually isn't one of my chores. But my officiating clothes need a quick once-over since I've got games tonight and Friday.
5. Be a wonderful husband and take my wife something to eat. She forgot her lunch and asked if I wouldn't mind bringing her something. Of course, I don't mind (please, hold your applause, no really please, stop).
6. Clean up around the house. This is one thing that neither Elizabeth and I really like to do. We've been back settled in since June, but the house still has packed boxes. How have we accumulated so much stuff in just a few years? I don't understand.
7. Get eyes examined. It's been over a year now since the latest checkup, and it's time for some new frames and lenses. This is going to be an expensive trip, but it's one that's got to get done.
8. Call hoops games. The appointment is at 4 p.m., and I've got 2 games tonight starting at 6. I'm thinking I shouldn't have too much of a problem getting to the games on time, but I sure hope I don't cut it close.
I've become convinced there really is never a "day off." There is always something to do around the house, or friends/family to go visit. It's very rare to just veg out, although that's fun too -- to just sit around with Elizabeth and Sandy and do nothing. Now THAT sounds like a plan!
Put me in coach, I'm ready to play
When I first stepped on the court to try my hand at this whole officiating thing, I came up with a metaphor to describe what I was going through. Picture a freshman basketball player. He's never played organized ball -- not at the local Y, or in a church league, or even in junior high. He's just hooped in the 'hood, in his neighbors' driveways and at the local playground. Said freshman basketball player tries out for the team and makes it, but then his head is spinning as he tries to learn all of the offensive and defensive sets of organized basketball. That's about what I felt like as I tried to learn on the fly how to officiate. You're constantly thinking. Am I doing this right? Am I in the correct position? Is that my zone? Should I blow my whistle for that, or is that my partner's call? Too much thinking, not enough reacting and officiating.
So, I went through a few practices. Showed the coach I had a little skill. Can handle the rock a little. Make a slick little pass or two. Run the break. Knock down the open J. But that's all in practice. Does it translate to the game? Get a couple of games under my belt. A little tentative at first. After all, I'm new to this whole organized basketball thing. Much different from hoopin' in the hood. The more games I get under my belt, the smoother things go, and suddenly I'm called up to the JV team. One game there, where I play my best game yet, and all of a sudden coach says he's got a uniform for me on the varsity.
So, yeah, that little freshman hoops player is stepping up to the big leagues on Friday night. My first varsity action. I've got two things going for me -- it's B/C ball, which should be an easier pace than jumping straight into big school ball, and I'm calling with two veteran officials, one of which has been sort of a mentor to me from the very beginning of the year and who actually requested that I call this game with him.
I must admit, I'm very stoked about this. I was warned from the get-go not to expect any varsity action this year. For first-year officials, those games are hard to come by. Plus, there was an influx of new guys this year, so the body-starved association I'm with now has quite a few guys to choose from. Some of the "new" guys aren't new at all. A guy I called my first JV game with on Tuesday is a five-year veteran who missed the past two years because of his service in the military and a hip surgery. So he's technically new, but not a first-year guy, and certainly ahead of me on the pecking order. My goal was to work on my craft during junior high games, take as many JV games as I could get, and hopefully earn a shot at a varsity game late in the season. To have one this early is a blessing.
Now I'm also very nervous. Am I ready? I believe so. I've worked really hard on my mechanics, and I've gotten compliments from every official I've worked with or who has observed me. I hustle. I try my best. I know I miss some calls. I'm still learning about what type of official I want to be. Some call things very tight. Others let the kids play. And you have to be a little flexible depending on the level you're calling. Of course, I'm going to be a little more lenient on sixth-graders than I am on varsity players. That's only natural.
But this is my chance to prove to myself, and more importantly, two veteran officials who can pass their observations along to the man who makes the assignments that I'm ready and willing to be an official he can lean on the rest of the year. This is a great opportunity, and I'm ready to take advantage of it on Friday night. But first, of course, is my junior high assignment Thursday night. Just another opportunity to get better and improve. Time to go to work!
So, I went through a few practices. Showed the coach I had a little skill. Can handle the rock a little. Make a slick little pass or two. Run the break. Knock down the open J. But that's all in practice. Does it translate to the game? Get a couple of games under my belt. A little tentative at first. After all, I'm new to this whole organized basketball thing. Much different from hoopin' in the hood. The more games I get under my belt, the smoother things go, and suddenly I'm called up to the JV team. One game there, where I play my best game yet, and all of a sudden coach says he's got a uniform for me on the varsity.
So, yeah, that little freshman hoops player is stepping up to the big leagues on Friday night. My first varsity action. I've got two things going for me -- it's B/C ball, which should be an easier pace than jumping straight into big school ball, and I'm calling with two veteran officials, one of which has been sort of a mentor to me from the very beginning of the year and who actually requested that I call this game with him.
I must admit, I'm very stoked about this. I was warned from the get-go not to expect any varsity action this year. For first-year officials, those games are hard to come by. Plus, there was an influx of new guys this year, so the body-starved association I'm with now has quite a few guys to choose from. Some of the "new" guys aren't new at all. A guy I called my first JV game with on Tuesday is a five-year veteran who missed the past two years because of his service in the military and a hip surgery. So he's technically new, but not a first-year guy, and certainly ahead of me on the pecking order. My goal was to work on my craft during junior high games, take as many JV games as I could get, and hopefully earn a shot at a varsity game late in the season. To have one this early is a blessing.
Now I'm also very nervous. Am I ready? I believe so. I've worked really hard on my mechanics, and I've gotten compliments from every official I've worked with or who has observed me. I hustle. I try my best. I know I miss some calls. I'm still learning about what type of official I want to be. Some call things very tight. Others let the kids play. And you have to be a little flexible depending on the level you're calling. Of course, I'm going to be a little more lenient on sixth-graders than I am on varsity players. That's only natural.
But this is my chance to prove to myself, and more importantly, two veteran officials who can pass their observations along to the man who makes the assignments that I'm ready and willing to be an official he can lean on the rest of the year. This is a great opportunity, and I'm ready to take advantage of it on Friday night. But first, of course, is my junior high assignment Thursday night. Just another opportunity to get better and improve. Time to go to work!
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Making progress
I'm getting better! No, really, I swear!
Wait, what am I talking about? Let's back up a sec. For those of you who don't know -- and, really, if you're reading this blog, then there's no doubt you know -- I started officiating basketball games this year.
Why in the world would I want to do that? Well, for a few reasons. I love basketball. Well, I love sports. And while baseball was my first love, and football is the most popular sport in the country, I have a soft spot for basketball. Since my junior high days, it's been my favorite sport, passing baseball. I remember stories of my dad calling games when he was younger, and since I've always been hard on refs, I've always felt that I could do a good job. Plus, I'm not writing about sports anymore, so this allows me to stay involved.
So I signed up, bought myself an outfit, studied the rules, passed the test ... and bam, hit the court. For the most part, I've been doing junior high games. The pace is good for a first-year official trying to get his feet wet. And the money's not bad either, especially if you can get 3 or 4 games in a night.
So after a few scrimmages, I've gotten a couple dozen junior high games under my belt. But tonight, I took the next step, signing on to call a junior varsity game -- which was essentially two half-games (two quarters for girls and two quarters for boys). The pace was faster ... not overwhelming, but they certainly move a lot quicker than 6th- and 7th-graders.
I missed a few calls, no doubt. There was one where the ball was dribbled out of bounds, and I was out of position and didn't see it. So I didn't make the call. Coach wasn't happy, but hey, you miss it sometimes. And there were a few times the game got a little too physical and I probably should have blown the whistle. But for the most part, I feel like my mechanics are continuing to improve. I feel like I'm not thinking so much, that my head isn't swimming, that I'm getting the hang of this thing.
I've requested some more junior varsity games, as some of the older guys would rather not call the JV game and then two varsity games on top of that. The more games I can get, the better I'll be. Will I get a varsity game? I'm not sure. Many first-year officials don't. If I do, will I be ready? You better believe it. I'm really starting to believe that I might be pretty good at this gig in the long term. More importantly, though, is that I'm enjoying it, getting some exercise, making some money and making some friends. I can't wait to see how this story continues to unfold.
Wait, what am I talking about? Let's back up a sec. For those of you who don't know -- and, really, if you're reading this blog, then there's no doubt you know -- I started officiating basketball games this year.
Why in the world would I want to do that? Well, for a few reasons. I love basketball. Well, I love sports. And while baseball was my first love, and football is the most popular sport in the country, I have a soft spot for basketball. Since my junior high days, it's been my favorite sport, passing baseball. I remember stories of my dad calling games when he was younger, and since I've always been hard on refs, I've always felt that I could do a good job. Plus, I'm not writing about sports anymore, so this allows me to stay involved.
So I signed up, bought myself an outfit, studied the rules, passed the test ... and bam, hit the court. For the most part, I've been doing junior high games. The pace is good for a first-year official trying to get his feet wet. And the money's not bad either, especially if you can get 3 or 4 games in a night.
So after a few scrimmages, I've gotten a couple dozen junior high games under my belt. But tonight, I took the next step, signing on to call a junior varsity game -- which was essentially two half-games (two quarters for girls and two quarters for boys). The pace was faster ... not overwhelming, but they certainly move a lot quicker than 6th- and 7th-graders.
I missed a few calls, no doubt. There was one where the ball was dribbled out of bounds, and I was out of position and didn't see it. So I didn't make the call. Coach wasn't happy, but hey, you miss it sometimes. And there were a few times the game got a little too physical and I probably should have blown the whistle. But for the most part, I feel like my mechanics are continuing to improve. I feel like I'm not thinking so much, that my head isn't swimming, that I'm getting the hang of this thing.
I've requested some more junior varsity games, as some of the older guys would rather not call the JV game and then two varsity games on top of that. The more games I can get, the better I'll be. Will I get a varsity game? I'm not sure. Many first-year officials don't. If I do, will I be ready? You better believe it. I'm really starting to believe that I might be pretty good at this gig in the long term. More importantly, though, is that I'm enjoying it, getting some exercise, making some money and making some friends. I can't wait to see how this story continues to unfold.
Monday, December 07, 2009
show a little respect
There are many things in this world that demand my respect. And there are a myriad of reasons why I deliver or deny said respect. However, there's one thing that always gets that respect -- clever, funny writing.
I was just perusing a few old blog posts by one of my buddies. Believe it or not, there was some high-class stuff in there. Great stream of conciousness. Terrific one-liners. There's something to be said about the talent that is needed to write high-quality comedy. And I believe my buddy has a gift. At least, that's my snap judgment after reading a dozen or so blogs written 12-24 months ago.
I love comedy. Those who know me well know that. Others may not. I hold it pretty close to the vest, but I love to laugh. Laughter is not only contagious, but it is also therapeutic, I believe. So, if you can make me laugh, you've got my respect.
Why? Because I ain't funny. Sure, I try. I love to tell jokes. I make cracks all the time. What do I get in return? The obligatory smile and nod. You know what I'm talking about. The whole, "This guy is crazy, but let's not hurt his feelings" routine. Hey, it's true! There's no need to hide it. I'm not very funny. It's OK. I've accepted my lot in life. I can't sign. I'm not funny. I wasn't a great athlete. I'm not rocket scientist smart. It's OK. Bret, just keep telling yourself, it's OK.
But there are people out there who truly do have the gift of comedy. Stand-up comedians have built some great careers off telling jokes and making people laugh. Life is tough, man. And people want to escape it. That's why comedy is so important. It gets us an outlet, something to ease the tension and help us not think about how tough life can be. That's also what makes sports so special. We get to get away from all that troubles us and focus on something fun, exciting and not-so-important.
I know what you're thinking ... wasn't I talking about comedy? How did we get back around to sports? Because, in the case of this post, the two aren't mutually exclusive. My buddy was blogging about sports, or more specifically, his favorite professional sports team. For some reason along the way, he decided to hang up hat and ended the blog. I wish he hadn't. Or better yet, I wish he'd come out of his semi-retirement and return to the blogosphere once again.
I was just perusing a few old blog posts by one of my buddies. Believe it or not, there was some high-class stuff in there. Great stream of conciousness. Terrific one-liners. There's something to be said about the talent that is needed to write high-quality comedy. And I believe my buddy has a gift. At least, that's my snap judgment after reading a dozen or so blogs written 12-24 months ago.
I love comedy. Those who know me well know that. Others may not. I hold it pretty close to the vest, but I love to laugh. Laughter is not only contagious, but it is also therapeutic, I believe. So, if you can make me laugh, you've got my respect.
Why? Because I ain't funny. Sure, I try. I love to tell jokes. I make cracks all the time. What do I get in return? The obligatory smile and nod. You know what I'm talking about. The whole, "This guy is crazy, but let's not hurt his feelings" routine. Hey, it's true! There's no need to hide it. I'm not very funny. It's OK. I've accepted my lot in life. I can't sign. I'm not funny. I wasn't a great athlete. I'm not rocket scientist smart. It's OK. Bret, just keep telling yourself, it's OK.
But there are people out there who truly do have the gift of comedy. Stand-up comedians have built some great careers off telling jokes and making people laugh. Life is tough, man. And people want to escape it. That's why comedy is so important. It gets us an outlet, something to ease the tension and help us not think about how tough life can be. That's also what makes sports so special. We get to get away from all that troubles us and focus on something fun, exciting and not-so-important.
I know what you're thinking ... wasn't I talking about comedy? How did we get back around to sports? Because, in the case of this post, the two aren't mutually exclusive. My buddy was blogging about sports, or more specifically, his favorite professional sports team. For some reason along the way, he decided to hang up hat and ended the blog. I wish he hadn't. Or better yet, I wish he'd come out of his semi-retirement and return to the blogosphere once again.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Christmas tunes
I have a confession to make --
I am craving ... Christmas music?
My lovely wife LOVES Christmas music. Loves it. I, on the other hand, normally can do without it. But I'm a good sport. Once Thanksgiving passes, I understand that means it's time for the holiday tunes.
Yet, I don't recall hearing ANY in the past week. What is up with that?
In my car, I'm banging my head to two of my favorite new bands, Parachute and Owl City. And I'm loving them.
But I'm missing the Christmas carols, too. Elizabeth, it's time!
I am craving ... Christmas music?
My lovely wife LOVES Christmas music. Loves it. I, on the other hand, normally can do without it. But I'm a good sport. Once Thanksgiving passes, I understand that means it's time for the holiday tunes.
Yet, I don't recall hearing ANY in the past week. What is up with that?
In my car, I'm banging my head to two of my favorite new bands, Parachute and Owl City. And I'm loving them.
But I'm missing the Christmas carols, too. Elizabeth, it's time!
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thankful
It's almost 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. I must confess that I should be asleep. At 6:30, my eyes wouldn't stay open. I was stuffed. Turkey, dressing, corn casserole, green beans, lots and lots of rolls, and two helpings of peach crisp/cobbler (made with Splenda, of course). It was lights out.
Why then, nearly four hours later, am I wide awake? It just doesn't make sense! Watched a little college hoops, a little college football, after watching two NFL games earlier. It's a good day. Time for bed. After all, that 4 a.m. work shift of following around the crazies on Black Friday is going to come early! Yet, there's no blissful sleep here. Nope, just some blissful tunes as sung by Lady Antebellum.
So, I've decided to do a little soul writing. I love writing. I really do. If you check this blog often, it may not seem like it. But I write for a living. And I've discovered Twitter, which has become an all-consuming obsession of mine. Lots of writing ... in little spurts at a time. But it's not often that I do much soul writing. Have never been that great at journaling my thoughts and passions. And I've failed miserably at keeping this blog updated, mostly because I would prefer to keep my innermost thoughts inward.
However, I wanted to write tonight about what everyone writes about today -- the obligatory reasons why I'm thankful in my life.
It's no secret for people who know me that this past year hasn't exactly been easy. It's never easy losing a job, much less two of them. It's never easy living nearly seven hours away from the person you love the most on this earth for nearly six months. This year was perhaps the most difficult and trying one of my life. Yet, I have so many reasons to be thankful.
At this time last year, I had no clue what was right around the corner. It was only about two weeks later that I was laid off from my job at The Town Talk. It was a good thing that Elizabeth and I decided to have an early Christmas, or we wouldn't have had one. In fact, I spent Christmas seven hours away from my wife, miserable. I spent many miserable days and nights away from my wife and new puppy in New Braunfels, Texas -- miserable because we weren't together, yet hopeful for what our future would bring. I had a new job, and it looked like we were going to be starting a new chapter in our lives, in a new home, with a fresh start.
Unfortunately, things would only get worse before they got better. About six months after I moved to Texas, Elizabeth was finally able to join me, quitting her job at the paper that laid me off and embarking her way into Texas with a new job at the paper I was working at. Only that lasted just two weeks before we both lost our jobs, thanks to an insane publisher and my big mouth for having the gall to stand up for what was right instead of being a yes-man.
So, instead of being unemployed while my wife worked, we were both unemployed, at my own hand -- you want to talk about the worst feeling ever? How about talking your wife into quitting her job, and then being the reason she's fired at her new one? I think I reached a new low, a new brokenness, that fortunately helped bring us closer together than we've ever been. Adversity is a very funny thing. It can bring you closer together or push you farther apart. Elizabeth and I have seen our fair share of adversity, and thankfully we usually come out better off on the other end.
I say all of this just to lead up to the part of thankfulness. In June, I was about as long as I could get. I was never suicidal, but I certainly was depressed. I couldn't understand how I could have allowed myself to get into that position, and I hated myself for causing so much pain for my wife. All I've ever wanted was to be able to take care of her, and there I sat, unemployed for the second time in seven months with seemingly no options in sight.
It was a tough 2 months as I struggled to find out what the next step was. Did we stay in Alexandria? Did we look to move again? How do you know what's the right thing to do? Even when you think you're listening for God's voice, is it really His, or just what you want to hear?
Now to the thankful part -- we're better off right now that we were at this point last year. Elizabeth was able to land a great job at a credit union, and she's already been promoted. She's blown them away, and we've gotten over the initial disappointment that she wasn't able to get her job back at the paper. She has responsibility, is able to use her degree and has some great hours.
Meanwhile, I'm back where I was a year ago, even if in a different role. I'm back at the paper in Alexandria, working in city government, rather than in sports. But while sports is my passion, my current job definitely has its own positives. Much better hours. A regular schedule, rather than the "Vampire" one we lived for the previous two years. And I don't have nearly as much responsibility. Instead of being an editor at the bottom of the totem pole, I'm a writer whose responsibility is simply to do his job and not worry about the other stuff. I'm very thankful, not only to have a job after losing two other ones, but to have a job that I'm pretty good at and really enjoy, even if it has its frustrating moments.
I'm thankful that my wife and I are back together, and we have a great puppy that we love very much. That Christmas last year that we had early, well, I got a beagle mix puppy named Sandy who is now 15 months old and one of the sweetest things ever. And Elizabeth still gets to use the new stove that I bought her for Christmas, when we both thought she would lose that when we sold our house. I love my family. I'm thankful for my wife. I'm thankful that I get to come home to her, even if it's late at night because I'm off officiating a basketball game, or I have to cover a late city council meeting. I'm thankful that she's here when I get home and that she loves me.
I'm thankful for my parents, who I still do not see nearly enough or call enough on the phone. I'm thankful that they care about me, they care enough to overlook my obvious faults as a son and continue to love me unconditionally. I'm thankful for my in-laws, who are always there for me, whether it's to provide a meal, just to hang out and watch football or bull riding, to puppy-sit, or to help with one of the minor or major projects around the house. I'm thanking for my brother and my brothers-in-law and their families, my nephews and nieces, who may have more energy than I can sustain, but who also make me smile with wonder at how quickly life changes.
I'm thankful for my friends, who I get to see more often now that Elizabeth and I have normal work schedules and no longer are vampires. Whether it's a spontaneous trip up for pizza, or a planned weekend, I'm grateful that I have tremendous friends who love and care for me. I'm grateful that I can pick up a phone, place a call or send a text, and know that whether it's a joke or a serious question, they're there for me. I've never needed hundreds of friends to make me happy, but I've always held my few friends close to my heart. I hope you guys know that I'm always here, and I'm glad you're always there for me.
There's so much more that I'm thankful for that I cannot even begin to mention everything. But to sum things up, I'm thankful for today and hopeful for tomorrow. None of us know what it will bring, but after a year of struggles, I'm more hopeful today than I've ever been. I've seen things begin to turn around, and I truly believe there are only better things coming in the future.
Happy Thanksgiving Day! I have a lot to be thankful for!
Why then, nearly four hours later, am I wide awake? It just doesn't make sense! Watched a little college hoops, a little college football, after watching two NFL games earlier. It's a good day. Time for bed. After all, that 4 a.m. work shift of following around the crazies on Black Friday is going to come early! Yet, there's no blissful sleep here. Nope, just some blissful tunes as sung by Lady Antebellum.
So, I've decided to do a little soul writing. I love writing. I really do. If you check this blog often, it may not seem like it. But I write for a living. And I've discovered Twitter, which has become an all-consuming obsession of mine. Lots of writing ... in little spurts at a time. But it's not often that I do much soul writing. Have never been that great at journaling my thoughts and passions. And I've failed miserably at keeping this blog updated, mostly because I would prefer to keep my innermost thoughts inward.
However, I wanted to write tonight about what everyone writes about today -- the obligatory reasons why I'm thankful in my life.
It's no secret for people who know me that this past year hasn't exactly been easy. It's never easy losing a job, much less two of them. It's never easy living nearly seven hours away from the person you love the most on this earth for nearly six months. This year was perhaps the most difficult and trying one of my life. Yet, I have so many reasons to be thankful.
At this time last year, I had no clue what was right around the corner. It was only about two weeks later that I was laid off from my job at The Town Talk. It was a good thing that Elizabeth and I decided to have an early Christmas, or we wouldn't have had one. In fact, I spent Christmas seven hours away from my wife, miserable. I spent many miserable days and nights away from my wife and new puppy in New Braunfels, Texas -- miserable because we weren't together, yet hopeful for what our future would bring. I had a new job, and it looked like we were going to be starting a new chapter in our lives, in a new home, with a fresh start.
Unfortunately, things would only get worse before they got better. About six months after I moved to Texas, Elizabeth was finally able to join me, quitting her job at the paper that laid me off and embarking her way into Texas with a new job at the paper I was working at. Only that lasted just two weeks before we both lost our jobs, thanks to an insane publisher and my big mouth for having the gall to stand up for what was right instead of being a yes-man.
So, instead of being unemployed while my wife worked, we were both unemployed, at my own hand -- you want to talk about the worst feeling ever? How about talking your wife into quitting her job, and then being the reason she's fired at her new one? I think I reached a new low, a new brokenness, that fortunately helped bring us closer together than we've ever been. Adversity is a very funny thing. It can bring you closer together or push you farther apart. Elizabeth and I have seen our fair share of adversity, and thankfully we usually come out better off on the other end.
I say all of this just to lead up to the part of thankfulness. In June, I was about as long as I could get. I was never suicidal, but I certainly was depressed. I couldn't understand how I could have allowed myself to get into that position, and I hated myself for causing so much pain for my wife. All I've ever wanted was to be able to take care of her, and there I sat, unemployed for the second time in seven months with seemingly no options in sight.
It was a tough 2 months as I struggled to find out what the next step was. Did we stay in Alexandria? Did we look to move again? How do you know what's the right thing to do? Even when you think you're listening for God's voice, is it really His, or just what you want to hear?
Now to the thankful part -- we're better off right now that we were at this point last year. Elizabeth was able to land a great job at a credit union, and she's already been promoted. She's blown them away, and we've gotten over the initial disappointment that she wasn't able to get her job back at the paper. She has responsibility, is able to use her degree and has some great hours.
Meanwhile, I'm back where I was a year ago, even if in a different role. I'm back at the paper in Alexandria, working in city government, rather than in sports. But while sports is my passion, my current job definitely has its own positives. Much better hours. A regular schedule, rather than the "Vampire" one we lived for the previous two years. And I don't have nearly as much responsibility. Instead of being an editor at the bottom of the totem pole, I'm a writer whose responsibility is simply to do his job and not worry about the other stuff. I'm very thankful, not only to have a job after losing two other ones, but to have a job that I'm pretty good at and really enjoy, even if it has its frustrating moments.
I'm thankful that my wife and I are back together, and we have a great puppy that we love very much. That Christmas last year that we had early, well, I got a beagle mix puppy named Sandy who is now 15 months old and one of the sweetest things ever. And Elizabeth still gets to use the new stove that I bought her for Christmas, when we both thought she would lose that when we sold our house. I love my family. I'm thankful for my wife. I'm thankful that I get to come home to her, even if it's late at night because I'm off officiating a basketball game, or I have to cover a late city council meeting. I'm thankful that she's here when I get home and that she loves me.
I'm thankful for my parents, who I still do not see nearly enough or call enough on the phone. I'm thankful that they care about me, they care enough to overlook my obvious faults as a son and continue to love me unconditionally. I'm thankful for my in-laws, who are always there for me, whether it's to provide a meal, just to hang out and watch football or bull riding, to puppy-sit, or to help with one of the minor or major projects around the house. I'm thanking for my brother and my brothers-in-law and their families, my nephews and nieces, who may have more energy than I can sustain, but who also make me smile with wonder at how quickly life changes.
I'm thankful for my friends, who I get to see more often now that Elizabeth and I have normal work schedules and no longer are vampires. Whether it's a spontaneous trip up for pizza, or a planned weekend, I'm grateful that I have tremendous friends who love and care for me. I'm grateful that I can pick up a phone, place a call or send a text, and know that whether it's a joke or a serious question, they're there for me. I've never needed hundreds of friends to make me happy, but I've always held my few friends close to my heart. I hope you guys know that I'm always here, and I'm glad you're always there for me.
There's so much more that I'm thankful for that I cannot even begin to mention everything. But to sum things up, I'm thankful for today and hopeful for tomorrow. None of us know what it will bring, but after a year of struggles, I'm more hopeful today than I've ever been. I've seen things begin to turn around, and I truly believe there are only better things coming in the future.
Happy Thanksgiving Day! I have a lot to be thankful for!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
thinking a lot, but not out loud
So I've been thinking a lot lately. Not about anything in particular, except for football, which seems to dominate my weekends, much to my lovely wife's chagrin. Those of you reading know that I am currently writing for a living, and usually when I have a heavy writing load at work, I don't do much writing during my free time. Can't explain it. I enjoy writing, but it always feels like I'm bringing work home, which is a no-no.
But I've been thinking. Not aloud, just in my head. Elizabeth would love for me to think out loud -- well, out loud about anything but sports. I'm a pretty boring person to be around, especially if you're not big on sports. Which she's not, anymore. But she has been a trooper during Saints games. And she's actually pretty smart about it.
Anyway, enough rambling. One of the things I've been thinking about inside my head is poetry. I've been wanting to write. I enjoy it, though it's hit and miss. Sometimes, it's really easy and the words flow out. Other times, they just don't come. Here's hoping they come.
Crisp, cool, getting a little chilly
It's that time of year again
Summer's heat leaves and fall arrives
Makes me happy, giddy, silly
Autumn might be my favorite season
At least it is in October and November
Other times, it's spring or summer or winter
I can change my mind for no reason
Life is good, I must confess
Could complain, but I won't
Cuz nobody wants to hear it
Stay positive and don't digress
Seasons come and seasons go
Either sit back and watch
Or get actively involved
And go against the flow
Fall's here, make the most
Of each and every passing day
Do everything to the fullest
But do not brag or boast
Life is good, I must confess
Could complain, but I won't
Cuz nobody wants to hear it
Stay positive and don't digress
But I've been thinking. Not aloud, just in my head. Elizabeth would love for me to think out loud -- well, out loud about anything but sports. I'm a pretty boring person to be around, especially if you're not big on sports. Which she's not, anymore. But she has been a trooper during Saints games. And she's actually pretty smart about it.
Anyway, enough rambling. One of the things I've been thinking about inside my head is poetry. I've been wanting to write. I enjoy it, though it's hit and miss. Sometimes, it's really easy and the words flow out. Other times, they just don't come. Here's hoping they come.
Crisp, cool, getting a little chilly
It's that time of year again
Summer's heat leaves and fall arrives
Makes me happy, giddy, silly
Autumn might be my favorite season
At least it is in October and November
Other times, it's spring or summer or winter
I can change my mind for no reason
Life is good, I must confess
Could complain, but I won't
Cuz nobody wants to hear it
Stay positive and don't digress
Seasons come and seasons go
Either sit back and watch
Or get actively involved
And go against the flow
Fall's here, make the most
Of each and every passing day
Do everything to the fullest
But do not brag or boast
Life is good, I must confess
Could complain, but I won't
Cuz nobody wants to hear it
Stay positive and don't digress
Friday, August 28, 2009
Sad times
I haven't written in a while. That normally happens when I have a job where I write all the time. Which is now.
But I've got something to say, even if it's brief.
I went to the visitation tonight of a co-worker's daughter. She was 3 months old when she died suddenly on Tuesday. When I saw him tonight, it just about broke my heart. Seeing that beautiful little girl lying lifeless did break my heart.
We never know why things like this happen. I'm sure my co-worker and his wife are searching their hearts as to why this lovable little girl was only here for 3 months. I told him to cherish those 3 months. They are better than zero months.
Tonight once again reiterated that life is so precious. You can be perfectly fine one day and gone the next, like this little one who was taken from us far too soon. It once again reminded me that I take every day for granted far too much, that I don't talk to my friends and family nearly enough, and that I honestly and truly do not live life to the fullest. Will I change? Probably not. But it's nights like these that make me want to.
For those of you reading, thank you. I love you and think of you often, even when you don't hear from me for weeks and months at a time. I'm sorry. I will try harder. I say that all the time. I mean it tonight.
But I've got something to say, even if it's brief.
I went to the visitation tonight of a co-worker's daughter. She was 3 months old when she died suddenly on Tuesday. When I saw him tonight, it just about broke my heart. Seeing that beautiful little girl lying lifeless did break my heart.
We never know why things like this happen. I'm sure my co-worker and his wife are searching their hearts as to why this lovable little girl was only here for 3 months. I told him to cherish those 3 months. They are better than zero months.
Tonight once again reiterated that life is so precious. You can be perfectly fine one day and gone the next, like this little one who was taken from us far too soon. It once again reminded me that I take every day for granted far too much, that I don't talk to my friends and family nearly enough, and that I honestly and truly do not live life to the fullest. Will I change? Probably not. But it's nights like these that make me want to.
For those of you reading, thank you. I love you and think of you often, even when you don't hear from me for weeks and months at a time. I'm sorry. I will try harder. I say that all the time. I mean it tonight.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
To every thing there is a season
Confession time. I've never been even what I would describe as "mediocre" when it comes to reading scripture and memorizing verses. I remember battling myself during my high school days to maintain a structured "quiet time." I remember losing that battle over and over again. These days, I'll admit, I don't even try much anymore. I wouldn't even describe my scripture readings as "sporadic." More like non-existent.
However, I have been reminded of Ecclesiastes 3 lately. Elizabeth and I have been going through a season that could be described a number of ways -- trying, frustrating, neverending -- and none of them good. It has certainly been a time of weeping and mourning, not laughing and dancing.
That appears to be changing, though. Things are looking up. I can't say that the past 8 months have been easy or have gone the way I would have planned them. I never wanted to lose my job last December. I didn't want to be separated from my wife, seven hours apart, for nearly six months while I worked in Texas and she remained in Central Louisiana. I certainly didn't want to lose another job, just two weeks after getting Elizabeth a job in Texas, and at the same time be the reason she also lost her job. So we ended up back in Central Louisiana, where this journey started, except that we both were unemployed.
For the past six weeks, I have put out a number of feelers for jobs, while at the same time waiting on a job that I thought would be the perfect fit for me, and would allow me to come back home to north Louisiana. Needless to say, after waiting around and biding my time, then coming tantalizing close to getting said job, it was yanked away and I was starting all over again.
I can say that I have learned a thing or two during this trying period. The biggest lesson I've learned is that it's OK to keep my big mouth shut sometimes. That mouth isn't what originally caused this mess, as it had nothing to do with my original layoff, but it did cause a bit of controversy afterward -- it's the reason we lost our jobs in Texas, and presumably the reason I didn't get the Monroe job (although that was over something that was truly silly). I have opinions. I share those opinions. I don't care what you think of those opinions. Don't like 'em? That's fine with me. It doesn't bother me. Apparently, though, some people aren't like me. They do care if my opinion is different from theirs. So I'll keep that opinion to myself more often from now on.
After losing out on the latest potential job last week, something strange happened. My old employer, the one that laid me off last December and started this interesting journey, contacted me to see if I would be interested in returning to work -- although in a totally different capacity. I said, sure. I need a job. And there are some definite plusses to this new gig, although I will admit a tinge of regret about not being able to come home to north Louisiana, where the majority -- who am I kidding? -- all of my friends live (besides my lovely wife). But I am just ecstatic to have a job again.
It's interesting how your priorities change during a time of crisis. I used to have big dreams about going places in the journalism world. I wanted to conquer it. I wanted to be the best. I was headed to ESPN. Now, I'm just grateful to have another chance. I'm just thankful to be able to have another opportunity to provide for my family -- to try to give my wife a little stability once again.
Yes, it was a tough season. There was mourning. There was weeping. There was loss. Hopefully, though, we're entering a much better season. No more mourning, weeping and loss. Instead, that will be replaced with healing, laughing and love. After all, with what we've experienced over the past eight months, it has to get better. I have faith and hope that God has something great in store for us this season.
However, I have been reminded of Ecclesiastes 3 lately. Elizabeth and I have been going through a season that could be described a number of ways -- trying, frustrating, neverending -- and none of them good. It has certainly been a time of weeping and mourning, not laughing and dancing.
That appears to be changing, though. Things are looking up. I can't say that the past 8 months have been easy or have gone the way I would have planned them. I never wanted to lose my job last December. I didn't want to be separated from my wife, seven hours apart, for nearly six months while I worked in Texas and she remained in Central Louisiana. I certainly didn't want to lose another job, just two weeks after getting Elizabeth a job in Texas, and at the same time be the reason she also lost her job. So we ended up back in Central Louisiana, where this journey started, except that we both were unemployed.
For the past six weeks, I have put out a number of feelers for jobs, while at the same time waiting on a job that I thought would be the perfect fit for me, and would allow me to come back home to north Louisiana. Needless to say, after waiting around and biding my time, then coming tantalizing close to getting said job, it was yanked away and I was starting all over again.
I can say that I have learned a thing or two during this trying period. The biggest lesson I've learned is that it's OK to keep my big mouth shut sometimes. That mouth isn't what originally caused this mess, as it had nothing to do with my original layoff, but it did cause a bit of controversy afterward -- it's the reason we lost our jobs in Texas, and presumably the reason I didn't get the Monroe job (although that was over something that was truly silly). I have opinions. I share those opinions. I don't care what you think of those opinions. Don't like 'em? That's fine with me. It doesn't bother me. Apparently, though, some people aren't like me. They do care if my opinion is different from theirs. So I'll keep that opinion to myself more often from now on.
After losing out on the latest potential job last week, something strange happened. My old employer, the one that laid me off last December and started this interesting journey, contacted me to see if I would be interested in returning to work -- although in a totally different capacity. I said, sure. I need a job. And there are some definite plusses to this new gig, although I will admit a tinge of regret about not being able to come home to north Louisiana, where the majority -- who am I kidding? -- all of my friends live (besides my lovely wife). But I am just ecstatic to have a job again.
It's interesting how your priorities change during a time of crisis. I used to have big dreams about going places in the journalism world. I wanted to conquer it. I wanted to be the best. I was headed to ESPN. Now, I'm just grateful to have another chance. I'm just thankful to be able to have another opportunity to provide for my family -- to try to give my wife a little stability once again.
Yes, it was a tough season. There was mourning. There was weeping. There was loss. Hopefully, though, we're entering a much better season. No more mourning, weeping and loss. Instead, that will be replaced with healing, laughing and love. After all, with what we've experienced over the past eight months, it has to get better. I have faith and hope that God has something great in store for us this season.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Confessions
So I've been requested to make a few confessions, even though I don't have seven blogs that I read to share with you. I copied this from a friend, and my confessions are similar to hers. Here goes:
1) I must be one of the few people who actually enjoys the smell of Fritos. And the taste is even better!
2) Fritos are good. Funyons are better. In fact, Funyons are the best!
3) I've always had horrible hair. It's straight as a board with about a bajillion cowlicks. Bad, bad stuff!
4) I've had a few bad habits over the years. When you're a kid, those habits can be cute. Well, I would suck the middle and ring fingers on my right hand and carry my "piddow" around with me everywhere. It was so bad that my mom had to lie to me and say my "piddow" was torn up in the washing machine, so she could hide it from me! I also continued to suck my fingers into junior high before stopping because of braces.
5) I like to say I'm not scared of anything. But that's not the truth. Snakes, roaches, spooky noises late at night, and horror movies are a few things that FREAK ... ME ... OUT!
6) I love food. Seriously. I plan my days around meals. I plan trips around meals. Unfortunately, at 27, all that eating is really starting to catch up with me.
7) I've had a few celebrity crushes over the years. Natalie Portman back when I first started college, not so much these days. Lauren Conrad when Laguna Beach and the Hills first came out, not so much these days. I'm not sure I have a celebrity crush at the moment. Maybe Allison Mack, who plays Chloe on Smallville. Yeah, we'll go with her.
8) If I don't start watching a TV show from the get-go, I can't get into it usually. And I feel like I've missed some good shows over the years. Lost, The Office, 30 Rock are a few that come to mind.
9) I think Tom Cruise is insane. If I met him, he might be the nicest person in the world, and I'd probably walk away thinking, "That's a really nice, insane man."
10) I tried to be a pretty good kid in high school. No drugs, no alcohol, no sex. Besides a few -- OK, more than a few -- speeding tickets, I didn't get in any trouble (although I had community service TWICE because of my penchant for putting the pedal to the metal). I did rebel one time in high school, though, as I smoked my first cigarette in the passenger seat of Kyle Roberts' car. It was disgusting. Wasn't for me. But I thought I was cool in that moment. Little did I know that that moment of rebellion would actually help plant a seed that would eventually lead to one of the best friendships I've ever had. Krob and I have had an interesting journey since 1999!
1) I must be one of the few people who actually enjoys the smell of Fritos. And the taste is even better!
2) Fritos are good. Funyons are better. In fact, Funyons are the best!
3) I've always had horrible hair. It's straight as a board with about a bajillion cowlicks. Bad, bad stuff!
4) I've had a few bad habits over the years. When you're a kid, those habits can be cute. Well, I would suck the middle and ring fingers on my right hand and carry my "piddow" around with me everywhere. It was so bad that my mom had to lie to me and say my "piddow" was torn up in the washing machine, so she could hide it from me! I also continued to suck my fingers into junior high before stopping because of braces.
5) I like to say I'm not scared of anything. But that's not the truth. Snakes, roaches, spooky noises late at night, and horror movies are a few things that FREAK ... ME ... OUT!
6) I love food. Seriously. I plan my days around meals. I plan trips around meals. Unfortunately, at 27, all that eating is really starting to catch up with me.
7) I've had a few celebrity crushes over the years. Natalie Portman back when I first started college, not so much these days. Lauren Conrad when Laguna Beach and the Hills first came out, not so much these days. I'm not sure I have a celebrity crush at the moment. Maybe Allison Mack, who plays Chloe on Smallville. Yeah, we'll go with her.
8) If I don't start watching a TV show from the get-go, I can't get into it usually. And I feel like I've missed some good shows over the years. Lost, The Office, 30 Rock are a few that come to mind.
9) I think Tom Cruise is insane. If I met him, he might be the nicest person in the world, and I'd probably walk away thinking, "That's a really nice, insane man."
10) I tried to be a pretty good kid in high school. No drugs, no alcohol, no sex. Besides a few -- OK, more than a few -- speeding tickets, I didn't get in any trouble (although I had community service TWICE because of my penchant for putting the pedal to the metal). I did rebel one time in high school, though, as I smoked my first cigarette in the passenger seat of Kyle Roberts' car. It was disgusting. Wasn't for me. But I thought I was cool in that moment. Little did I know that that moment of rebellion would actually help plant a seed that would eventually lead to one of the best friendships I've ever had. Krob and I have had an interesting journey since 1999!
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
It's just not the same
I had one of the most wonderful experiences of my life this past week. The old saying is it's the little things that matter and bring the most joy. Well, that was the case this past week during "Bring Your Wife to Work Week."
Living seven hours away from my wife, and only getting to see her on a two-day weekend trip (whether it's her coming to Texas or me going back to Louisiana) has been tough. Which is why last week was so great.
Elizabeth was forced to take a week of furlough, which is essentially unpaid vacation, so she planned to come out to New Braunfels from Wednesday through Sunday. She had one job-related situation set up, but other than that had a pretty clear calendar. So we played a game. The bring-your-wife-to-work game. It was so much fun!
My boss was out on vacation, and we lost an employee early in the week. So, pretty much, things were crazy around the office. I had to put in a few more hours than a normal week, which didn't really leave a lot of time for Elizabeth and I to do a whole lot. So we hung out at the office. It was great for me to look over at the next desk and see her on the laptop or reading. Just having her next to me was awesome.
We made time to do some fun things. We ate well. Went to San Antonio and had lunch with an old friend. Went to the mall. Ate some more (if you come visit, there's a booth at Montana Mike's with your name on it!). And hung out. It was great. Simple, but fun.
It was made even greater when Elizabeth got a call from a prospective employer to see if she could interview on Tuesday, so we got to extend the trip a couple of days and have more Bring Your Wife to Work days! But today, coming back to this office without having her in the next desk was just sad. I got spoiled. It just wasn't the same without her.
We're hopeful that something will come through with a job for her and also selling the house. We are ready to settle into our new lives here in New Bruanfels. And have more Bring Your Wife to Work days!!!
Living seven hours away from my wife, and only getting to see her on a two-day weekend trip (whether it's her coming to Texas or me going back to Louisiana) has been tough. Which is why last week was so great.
Elizabeth was forced to take a week of furlough, which is essentially unpaid vacation, so she planned to come out to New Braunfels from Wednesday through Sunday. She had one job-related situation set up, but other than that had a pretty clear calendar. So we played a game. The bring-your-wife-to-work game. It was so much fun!
My boss was out on vacation, and we lost an employee early in the week. So, pretty much, things were crazy around the office. I had to put in a few more hours than a normal week, which didn't really leave a lot of time for Elizabeth and I to do a whole lot. So we hung out at the office. It was great for me to look over at the next desk and see her on the laptop or reading. Just having her next to me was awesome.
We made time to do some fun things. We ate well. Went to San Antonio and had lunch with an old friend. Went to the mall. Ate some more (if you come visit, there's a booth at Montana Mike's with your name on it!). And hung out. It was great. Simple, but fun.
It was made even greater when Elizabeth got a call from a prospective employer to see if she could interview on Tuesday, so we got to extend the trip a couple of days and have more Bring Your Wife to Work days! But today, coming back to this office without having her in the next desk was just sad. I got spoiled. It just wasn't the same without her.
We're hopeful that something will come through with a job for her and also selling the house. We are ready to settle into our new lives here in New Bruanfels. And have more Bring Your Wife to Work days!!!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Man, what a day
I love football. College football is amazing, and I'm glued to the TV every Saturday. I follow the NFL pretty closely, both for fantasy and entertainment reasons. And come playoff time, I'm riveted. But nothing in my mind compares to college basketball. The Super Bowl is nice, but give me March Madness (and the first weekend in April) every single year.
Today was Selection Sunday, which is the unofficial beginning of the greatest three weeks of the year -- the NCAA basketball tournament. I'm not going to lie. I was a little disappointed with the pairings. There are a lot of games that just don't excite me, particularly in the 4-13, 5-12 and 6-11 matchups where you normally find some big-time upsets in the first round. Of course, this tournament appears to be devoid of your traditional Cinderella teams. That happens when non-major conferences get only four of the 34 available at-large bids. I just don't get it. Part of what makes this tournament so exciting is rooting for the underdog. But there aren't that many true underdogs because so few were let into the tournament. Honestly, who besides Arizona grads would rather see the Wildcats over St. Mary's or Creighton? Anyway, enough of my complaining. I'm sure the tournament will still be riveting, and while I'm disappointing today, when the first round begins on Thursday, I'll be completely compelled to watch.
I was put in charge of running the office pool this season, and since we run a small operation here in New Braunfels, there are only eight of us participating. But that won't make it any less exciting and competitive. Plus, I'm still in The Town Talk's league. Of course, not that these office pools mean anything, because I inevitably end up near the bottom of the pack, behind people who have no business out-picking me in an NCAA tournament pool.
Now that you've been forewarned about my lack of picking prowess, I urge you not to copy the following picks. They're not made with much enthusiasm, as I'm just not that good at this stuff.
Midwest Region
No. 1 Louisville over No. 16 Morehead State (which will beat Alabama State in the play-in game)
No. 9 Siena over No. 8 Ohio State
No. 5 Utah over No. 12 Arizona (which has no business being in this tournament!)
No. 4 Wake Forest over No. 13 Cleveland State
No. 6 West Virginia over No. 11 Dayton (in a near upset)
No. 3 Kansas over No. 14 North Dakota State (which is no Bucknell)
No. 10 USC over No. 7 Boston College (Tyrese Rice meet Marcus Simmons)
No. 2 Michigan State over No. 15 Robert Morris
West Region
No. 1 Connecticut over No. 16 Chattanooga
No. 9 Texas A&M over No. 8 BYU
No. 5 Purdue over No. 12 Northern Iowa (in a squeaker)
No. 4 Washington over No. 13 Mississippi State
No. 11 Utah State over No. 6 Marquette (which misses Dominic James)
No. 3 Missouri over No. 14 Cornell
No. 10 Maryland over No. 7 California
No. 2 Memphis over No. 15 Cal State Northridge
East Region
No. 1 Pittsburgh over No. 16 East Tennessee State
No. 8 Oklahoma State over No. 9 Tennessee
No. 5 Florida State over No. 12 Wisconsin (another team that doesn't belong here)
No. 4 Xavier over No. 13 Portland State
No. 6 UCLA over No. 11 VCU (I went back and forth on this one ... basically a coin flip)
No. 3 Villanova over No. 14 American (how can you not root for a university named American? it's un-American!)
No. 7 Texas over No. 10 Minnesota
No. 2 Duke over No. 15 Binghamton
South Region
No. 1 North Carolina over No. 16 Radford
No. 9 Butler over No. 8 LSU (making the SEC 0-for-3)
No. 12 Western Kentucky over No. 5 Illinois (everyone's upset special)
No. 4 Gonzaga over No. 13 Akron
No. 6 Arizona State over No. 11 Temple
No. 3 Syracuse over No. 14 Stephen F. Austin (much closer than most think)
No. 10 Michigan over No. 7 Clemson
No. 2 Oklahoma over No. 15 Morgan State
Today was Selection Sunday, which is the unofficial beginning of the greatest three weeks of the year -- the NCAA basketball tournament. I'm not going to lie. I was a little disappointed with the pairings. There are a lot of games that just don't excite me, particularly in the 4-13, 5-12 and 6-11 matchups where you normally find some big-time upsets in the first round. Of course, this tournament appears to be devoid of your traditional Cinderella teams. That happens when non-major conferences get only four of the 34 available at-large bids. I just don't get it. Part of what makes this tournament so exciting is rooting for the underdog. But there aren't that many true underdogs because so few were let into the tournament. Honestly, who besides Arizona grads would rather see the Wildcats over St. Mary's or Creighton? Anyway, enough of my complaining. I'm sure the tournament will still be riveting, and while I'm disappointing today, when the first round begins on Thursday, I'll be completely compelled to watch.
I was put in charge of running the office pool this season, and since we run a small operation here in New Braunfels, there are only eight of us participating. But that won't make it any less exciting and competitive. Plus, I'm still in The Town Talk's league. Of course, not that these office pools mean anything, because I inevitably end up near the bottom of the pack, behind people who have no business out-picking me in an NCAA tournament pool.
Now that you've been forewarned about my lack of picking prowess, I urge you not to copy the following picks. They're not made with much enthusiasm, as I'm just not that good at this stuff.
First Round
Midwest Region
No. 1 Louisville over No. 16 Morehead State (which will beat Alabama State in the play-in game)
No. 9 Siena over No. 8 Ohio State
No. 5 Utah over No. 12 Arizona (which has no business being in this tournament!)
No. 4 Wake Forest over No. 13 Cleveland State
No. 6 West Virginia over No. 11 Dayton (in a near upset)
No. 3 Kansas over No. 14 North Dakota State (which is no Bucknell)
No. 10 USC over No. 7 Boston College (Tyrese Rice meet Marcus Simmons)
No. 2 Michigan State over No. 15 Robert Morris
West Region
No. 1 Connecticut over No. 16 Chattanooga
No. 9 Texas A&M over No. 8 BYU
No. 5 Purdue over No. 12 Northern Iowa (in a squeaker)
No. 4 Washington over No. 13 Mississippi State
No. 11 Utah State over No. 6 Marquette (which misses Dominic James)
No. 3 Missouri over No. 14 Cornell
No. 10 Maryland over No. 7 California
No. 2 Memphis over No. 15 Cal State Northridge
East Region
No. 1 Pittsburgh over No. 16 East Tennessee State
No. 8 Oklahoma State over No. 9 Tennessee
No. 5 Florida State over No. 12 Wisconsin (another team that doesn't belong here)
No. 4 Xavier over No. 13 Portland State
No. 6 UCLA over No. 11 VCU (I went back and forth on this one ... basically a coin flip)
No. 3 Villanova over No. 14 American (how can you not root for a university named American? it's un-American!)
No. 7 Texas over No. 10 Minnesota
No. 2 Duke over No. 15 Binghamton
South Region
No. 1 North Carolina over No. 16 Radford
No. 9 Butler over No. 8 LSU (making the SEC 0-for-3)
No. 12 Western Kentucky over No. 5 Illinois (everyone's upset special)
No. 4 Gonzaga over No. 13 Akron
No. 6 Arizona State over No. 11 Temple
No. 3 Syracuse over No. 14 Stephen F. Austin (much closer than most think)
No. 10 Michigan over No. 7 Clemson
No. 2 Oklahoma over No. 15 Morgan State
Second Round
Midwest Region
No. 1 Louisville over No. 9 Siena
No. 4 Wake Forest over No. 5 Utah
No. 6 West Virginia over No. 3 Kansas (sorry defending champs, not enough experience)
No. 2 Michigan State over No. 10 USC (nice knowing you, Demar Derozan)
West Region
No. 1 Connecticut over No. 9 Texas A&M
No. 5 Purdue over No. 4 Washington
No. 3 Missouri over No. 11 Utah State (too much athleticism)
No. 2 Memphis over No. 10 Maryland
East Region
No. 1 Pittsburgh over No. 8 Oklahoma State
No. 5 Florida State over No. 4 Xavier
No. 3 Villanova over No. 6 UCLA (no fourth straight Final Four for the Bruins)
No. 2 Duke over No. 7 Texas
South Region
No. 1 North Carolina over No. 9 Butler (which didn't do it this time)
No. 4 Gonzaga over No. 12 Western Kentucky (in overtime)
No. 6 Arizona State over No. 3 Syracuse (which runs out of gas after the Big East tourney)
No. 2 Oklahoma over No. 10 Michigan
Sweet Sixteen
Midwest Region
No. 4 Wake Forest over No. 1 Louisville (which is the first No. 1 seed gone)
No. 2 Michigan State over No. 6 West Virginia
West Region
No. 1 Connecticut over No. 5 Purdue
No. 3 Missouri over No. 2 Memphis (in the best game of the entire tournament)
East Region
No. 1 Pittsburgh over No. 5 Florida State
No. 2 Duke over No. 3 Villanova
Elite Eight
Midwest Region
No. 4 Wake Forest over No. 2 Michigan State
West Region
No. 3 Missouri over No. 1 Connecticut (which is vulnerable because of injuries)
East Region
No. 1 Pittsburgh over No. 2 Duke (Dejuan Blair dominates the Dukies)
South Region
No. 2 Oklahoma over No. 1 North Carolina (Blake Griffin goes off against Tyler Hansbrough)
Final Four
No. 4 Wake Forest over No. 3 Missouri
No. 2 Oklahoma over No. 1 Pittsburgh
No. 2 Oklahoma over No. 4 Wake Forest
Blake Griffin puts the Sooners on his shoulders and carries them to the national title before leaving to become the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
My 100th post, and hopefully a memorable one
I’ve been sitting here, getting lost in a new artist, and contemplating the fact that I’ve been away from my family for 10 weeks now. Ten weeks of my wife’s and my pup’s lives that I’ll never get back. I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea — I’m not complaining about my situation. Plenty of people have it worse than I do. But I’ve come to appreciate the little things, like being able to sit and talk with my wife, or being able to watch my puppy go from a tiny little thing to a bonafide mini-beast.
Honestly, it’s March 1, 2009. I started work here on Dec. 16, 2008. Because I’ve been working so hard, it really hasn’t seemed that long. It’s seemed like a blur. But the days I have off, the time that I have to myself, my mind always drifts back to Alexandria and I get depressingly sad and alone that I am not with my family.
So, tonight, I felt compelled to write — not a love song to my wife, but just an honest take on my current situation. I have no idea what’s going to flow out of my heart and mind, but I do know it will be true and it will be real. It might even be shocking. I hope you enjoy.
Where’s it all gone — the days, the hours, the minutes?
It’s all a blur, happening so fast and passing me by
A week here, a month there, gone just like a flash
Like a lightning bolt that lights up the night sky
The sun rises, the sun sets and on and on it goes
Just as when it was all set in motion years ago
Oh, how I long for those days of innocence and youth
When it all seemed to pass by and drag on so slow
Sometimes, I think I forgot what it’s like to feel
What it’s like to hurt, to miss, to desire, to cry
The emotions of yesteryear that I’d lost along the way
Well up within my soul and are no longer dry
I look around at all the many beautiful sights
Surrounding me here in this newfound place
But all this splendor simply pales in comparison
To home sweet home and her beautiful face
Seventy-seven days, they come they go
Can’t get ‘em back, even though I try
Seventy-seven days, forever in the past
Blow them away and say goodbye
Plenty’s been written about peace and about joy
Find them in all seasons, through everything
Another cliché, it’s easier said than done
But again, I know, it’s all in God’s timing
I’m so far from perfect, that much I can admit
Struggles arise and sometimes the sins win
That’s the wonderful thing about grace, though
We’re allowed to move on, start over and grin
It’s not easy; in fact, it’s tougher every day
No joke, the ache grows within me more and more
I miss you, I want you, I need you, gotta have you
The great thing is that’s what He has in store
Life will eventually get back to normal
And return to the way it once was in the past
We’ll be together again, a family once again
It will be sweeter, and we’ll enjoy as it lasts
Seventy-seven days, when will they end?
I surely don’t want seventy-seven more
Seventy-seven days, not in my control
I will endure, with my knees on the floor
Honestly, it’s March 1, 2009. I started work here on Dec. 16, 2008. Because I’ve been working so hard, it really hasn’t seemed that long. It’s seemed like a blur. But the days I have off, the time that I have to myself, my mind always drifts back to Alexandria and I get depressingly sad and alone that I am not with my family.
So, tonight, I felt compelled to write — not a love song to my wife, but just an honest take on my current situation. I have no idea what’s going to flow out of my heart and mind, but I do know it will be true and it will be real. It might even be shocking. I hope you enjoy.
Where’s it all gone — the days, the hours, the minutes?
It’s all a blur, happening so fast and passing me by
A week here, a month there, gone just like a flash
Like a lightning bolt that lights up the night sky
The sun rises, the sun sets and on and on it goes
Just as when it was all set in motion years ago
Oh, how I long for those days of innocence and youth
When it all seemed to pass by and drag on so slow
Sometimes, I think I forgot what it’s like to feel
What it’s like to hurt, to miss, to desire, to cry
The emotions of yesteryear that I’d lost along the way
Well up within my soul and are no longer dry
I look around at all the many beautiful sights
Surrounding me here in this newfound place
But all this splendor simply pales in comparison
To home sweet home and her beautiful face
Seventy-seven days, they come they go
Can’t get ‘em back, even though I try
Seventy-seven days, forever in the past
Blow them away and say goodbye
Plenty’s been written about peace and about joy
Find them in all seasons, through everything
Another cliché, it’s easier said than done
But again, I know, it’s all in God’s timing
I’m so far from perfect, that much I can admit
Struggles arise and sometimes the sins win
That’s the wonderful thing about grace, though
We’re allowed to move on, start over and grin
It’s not easy; in fact, it’s tougher every day
No joke, the ache grows within me more and more
I miss you, I want you, I need you, gotta have you
The great thing is that’s what He has in store
Life will eventually get back to normal
And return to the way it once was in the past
We’ll be together again, a family once again
It will be sweeter, and we’ll enjoy as it lasts
Seventy-seven days, when will they end?
I surely don’t want seventy-seven more
Seventy-seven days, not in my control
I will endure, with my knees on the floor
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Sending my love
I know it may sound cliche
But baby I've got to say
I can't help but love the way
You light up my life every day
I know it may sound trite
Try as I may and I might
Can't get you out of my sight
Your eyes are like sparkling lights
These rhymes are pouring out
Like water out of a spout
They're true without a doubt
You're all I can think about
Just wish you were next to me
Out in the park under a tree
Beautiful sky as far as we can see
That's as happy as I could be
I miss you more each hour
Won't let that get me sour
You're prettier than any flower
We'll survive with God's power
In the words of the Sandy-pup
I love you and can't shut up
It runneth over my cup
Baby you know that's what's up
It's time for this poem to end
Not before your wishes I'll tend
Together again around the bend
Until then, my love I send
But baby I've got to say
I can't help but love the way
You light up my life every day
I know it may sound trite
Try as I may and I might
Can't get you out of my sight
Your eyes are like sparkling lights
These rhymes are pouring out
Like water out of a spout
They're true without a doubt
You're all I can think about
Just wish you were next to me
Out in the park under a tree
Beautiful sky as far as we can see
That's as happy as I could be
I miss you more each hour
Won't let that get me sour
You're prettier than any flower
We'll survive with God's power
In the words of the Sandy-pup
I love you and can't shut up
It runneth over my cup
Baby you know that's what's up
It's time for this poem to end
Not before your wishes I'll tend
Together again around the bend
Until then, my love I send
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tears of joy at last!
It's caused my wife great consternation over the past several years that I have developed somewhat of a writer's block when it comes to poetry. In junior high and high school and into my early years of college, I would write poetry. Some of it was pretty good, some of it wasn't, but I was able to put my thoughts and feelings onto paper in the form of verse.
However, about the time I started studying journalism, and by proxy doing more prose writing, the poetry seemed to stop. Now, as Elizabeth and I started dating, eventually became engaged and then got married, this didn't sit too well with her because, well frankly, she wanted some poems written about her.
I've written a few things, but nothing I was really proud of. Tonight, however, that changed. I've been sitting in my room for the past few hours, listening to music. As I was listening to a good friend of mine, Grant Terry, I was inspired to try to write a few verses. And it just flowed out.
So here's my love poem to my wife:
Love Poem
Sitting here alone so far away
From you, the world, everything
I have words in my head, my heart
Just wish I had the voice to sing
A love song just for you
From my lips to your ears
So soft, gentle and sweet
To bring your heart to tears
Baby, I know it’s all so frustrating
The separation, the tough times we face
Just please know that I love you
And wish your fears I could erase
All I’ve ever wanted was to please you
To give you all your hopes and dreams
Know it’s all going to work out in the end
No matter how tough right now it seems
This is my love poem to you, baby
If I were blessed with the gift of song
I’d wrap it in the form of a lullaby
I can’t, but the meaning is just as strong
There may be more than a few hours
Between where you and I now sleep
But please, if I can only ask
Don’t let these times make you weep
Because in the end, we both know
The tough times can only bring
The two of us closer together
It’s just temporary, nothing but a thing
Nothing can change the way I feel
And girl I hope you know that I do
Feel more strongly than I ever have
My love for you is pure and true
Oh, how I wish that you were here
Lying next to me, together at last
I know that day will come soon
Wish I could make it happen oh so fast
This is my love poem to you, baby
If I were blessed with the gift of song
I’d wrap it in the form of a lullaby
I can’t, but the meaning is just as strong
This is my love poem to you, baby
If I were blessed with the gift of song
I’d wrap it in the form of a lullaby
I can’t, but the meaning is just as strong
However, about the time I started studying journalism, and by proxy doing more prose writing, the poetry seemed to stop. Now, as Elizabeth and I started dating, eventually became engaged and then got married, this didn't sit too well with her because, well frankly, she wanted some poems written about her.
I've written a few things, but nothing I was really proud of. Tonight, however, that changed. I've been sitting in my room for the past few hours, listening to music. As I was listening to a good friend of mine, Grant Terry, I was inspired to try to write a few verses. And it just flowed out.
So here's my love poem to my wife:
Love Poem
Sitting here alone so far away
From you, the world, everything
I have words in my head, my heart
Just wish I had the voice to sing
A love song just for you
From my lips to your ears
So soft, gentle and sweet
To bring your heart to tears
Baby, I know it’s all so frustrating
The separation, the tough times we face
Just please know that I love you
And wish your fears I could erase
All I’ve ever wanted was to please you
To give you all your hopes and dreams
Know it’s all going to work out in the end
No matter how tough right now it seems
This is my love poem to you, baby
If I were blessed with the gift of song
I’d wrap it in the form of a lullaby
I can’t, but the meaning is just as strong
There may be more than a few hours
Between where you and I now sleep
But please, if I can only ask
Don’t let these times make you weep
Because in the end, we both know
The tough times can only bring
The two of us closer together
It’s just temporary, nothing but a thing
Nothing can change the way I feel
And girl I hope you know that I do
Feel more strongly than I ever have
My love for you is pure and true
Oh, how I wish that you were here
Lying next to me, together at last
I know that day will come soon
Wish I could make it happen oh so fast
This is my love poem to you, baby
If I were blessed with the gift of song
I’d wrap it in the form of a lullaby
I can’t, but the meaning is just as strong
This is my love poem to you, baby
If I were blessed with the gift of song
I’d wrap it in the form of a lullaby
I can’t, but the meaning is just as strong
All Around Me
I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding onto what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing
Those are just part of the lyrics from one of the greatest songs out there right now, at least in my opinion, All Around Me by Flyleaf. I just wish they applied to me.
Many of you know my spiritual journey. Grew up in church. Knew God. Baptized as a child. Saved while in high school. Rebaptized. Continued to go to church. Spent many a night praising the Lord while in college. Servant in the youth group at my previous church when things fell apart.
I got caught up in something pretty bad, trusted people who ended up straying from the path and got burned. It hurt me badly. Really badly. And my walk hasn't been the same.
One of the things I was so looking forward to moving to New Braunfels was getting back in church. I've found a good church that Elizabeth and I have visited a couple of times when she's in town. There's a group of young married people that I'm hoping we'll get hooked with once we get settled here. It's been nice to be back in church worshipping the Lord.
But I'll be honest. It's very hard to find joy in our current situation. I know all of the right things to say. I know the church answers. It's not my timing. It's the Lord's. This time apart will bring us closer in the end. There's a reason for this to happen. God works everything for the good. He won't put more on us than we can handle. Sometimes it feels like those things are just lip service. Sometimes it's hard to actually believe them.
I'll admit, this weekend was tough. Elizabeth had an opportunity we were very hopeful about. But the money's not right. We just can't make it work. Who knows, it still may work out, but it's tough. And once again, we feel like we're starting over, trying from scratch to find a job, while waiting on someone, anyone, to want to buy our house. Each passing day that we're apart, that our family is separated, gets harder and harder.
It's during these times that I should draw closer to God. It's during these times that the Scripture should speak to me and give me strength and hope for a brighter day tomorrow. I'm not going to lie, though, it's been awhile since I've felt Him all around me, since I've felt "fully alive" to quote another Flyleaf song.
It felt great to be in worship Sunday night, singing praise to the Lord. Having Elizabeth by my side in the House of the Lord was amazing. Things felt right. Unfortunately, it didn't last. It was fleeting. She had to go home, with both of us searching and wondering when this separation is going to end.
Those of you who have been praying for us, I sincerely thank you and ask that you continue the good work. Sometimes, it's very trying to keep the faith. But it hasn't wavered. I know everything will work out in its own time. It doesn't mean it's not hard. At times, it's very hard. I'm so glad I have wonderful friends and family to help me during this time. I can't tell you how much you mean to me. Thank you.
Thickening the air I'm breathing
Holding onto what I'm feeling
Savoring this heart that's healing
Those are just part of the lyrics from one of the greatest songs out there right now, at least in my opinion, All Around Me by Flyleaf. I just wish they applied to me.
Many of you know my spiritual journey. Grew up in church. Knew God. Baptized as a child. Saved while in high school. Rebaptized. Continued to go to church. Spent many a night praising the Lord while in college. Servant in the youth group at my previous church when things fell apart.
I got caught up in something pretty bad, trusted people who ended up straying from the path and got burned. It hurt me badly. Really badly. And my walk hasn't been the same.
One of the things I was so looking forward to moving to New Braunfels was getting back in church. I've found a good church that Elizabeth and I have visited a couple of times when she's in town. There's a group of young married people that I'm hoping we'll get hooked with once we get settled here. It's been nice to be back in church worshipping the Lord.
But I'll be honest. It's very hard to find joy in our current situation. I know all of the right things to say. I know the church answers. It's not my timing. It's the Lord's. This time apart will bring us closer in the end. There's a reason for this to happen. God works everything for the good. He won't put more on us than we can handle. Sometimes it feels like those things are just lip service. Sometimes it's hard to actually believe them.
I'll admit, this weekend was tough. Elizabeth had an opportunity we were very hopeful about. But the money's not right. We just can't make it work. Who knows, it still may work out, but it's tough. And once again, we feel like we're starting over, trying from scratch to find a job, while waiting on someone, anyone, to want to buy our house. Each passing day that we're apart, that our family is separated, gets harder and harder.
It's during these times that I should draw closer to God. It's during these times that the Scripture should speak to me and give me strength and hope for a brighter day tomorrow. I'm not going to lie, though, it's been awhile since I've felt Him all around me, since I've felt "fully alive" to quote another Flyleaf song.
It felt great to be in worship Sunday night, singing praise to the Lord. Having Elizabeth by my side in the House of the Lord was amazing. Things felt right. Unfortunately, it didn't last. It was fleeting. She had to go home, with both of us searching and wondering when this separation is going to end.
Those of you who have been praying for us, I sincerely thank you and ask that you continue the good work. Sometimes, it's very trying to keep the faith. But it hasn't wavered. I know everything will work out in its own time. It doesn't mean it's not hard. At times, it's very hard. I'm so glad I have wonderful friends and family to help me during this time. I can't tell you how much you mean to me. Thank you.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
A new blog (such a creative title)
At the risk of sounding cryptic, which I don't want to be, please keep us in your prayers this weekend. There's a good opportunity that we're hopeful about, but I don't want to count any chickens before they hatch. More info will come at a later time.
So while most of my friends are thinking about a party coming up next week, I'm thinking about a party coming up in a couple of weeks.
The big 2-7. Let's P-A-R-T-Y! I'll be the first to admit that I've never been all that big on the whole birthday. Give me a little bit of money (thanks Mom and Dad!) and say happy birthday. Yay, now let's move on. However, my wife is a big birthday celebrator, so I've started to come around to this whole celebration.
And strangely enough, while most people put less emphasis on their birthday as they get older, it appears I'm backward and am placing more on it each calendar year. So on March 8, I'll be turning 27. There's nothing monumental about it. It's not 18. It's not 21. It's not 25. Not that those days were very monumental to me any way.
But just like this New Year was a unique one for me, so is this birthday. It's the first one on the newest chapter of my life, the first one I've ever spent outside of Louisiana (you know, besides that actual "birth" birthday) and one where I can really sit back and reflect on everything that has happened since I turned 26.
It's been a strange couple of months, honestly. A tough, trying time for obvious reasons. So I'm ready to party. I'm going to enjoy this birthday. And it looks like it has the makings of a really good party, with family and friends from all over converging on Pineville for a combo birthday bash/annual Granger crawfish boil
I can't tell you how excited I am about this. There are faces I haven't seen in awhile that I'm ready to see again, and honestly, I'm not sure how many more times I'll get everybody together like this. Sure, there will be holidays. But not everybody will be together. That's why I'm so excited for this one.
If you can make it, I want you there. Friends, family, everybody. Let's have a big party for the big 2-7!!!
So while most of my friends are thinking about a party coming up next week, I'm thinking about a party coming up in a couple of weeks.
The big 2-7. Let's P-A-R-T-Y! I'll be the first to admit that I've never been all that big on the whole birthday. Give me a little bit of money (thanks Mom and Dad!) and say happy birthday. Yay, now let's move on. However, my wife is a big birthday celebrator, so I've started to come around to this whole celebration.
And strangely enough, while most people put less emphasis on their birthday as they get older, it appears I'm backward and am placing more on it each calendar year. So on March 8, I'll be turning 27. There's nothing monumental about it. It's not 18. It's not 21. It's not 25. Not that those days were very monumental to me any way.
But just like this New Year was a unique one for me, so is this birthday. It's the first one on the newest chapter of my life, the first one I've ever spent outside of Louisiana (you know, besides that actual "birth" birthday) and one where I can really sit back and reflect on everything that has happened since I turned 26.
It's been a strange couple of months, honestly. A tough, trying time for obvious reasons. So I'm ready to party. I'm going to enjoy this birthday. And it looks like it has the makings of a really good party, with family and friends from all over converging on Pineville for a combo birthday bash/annual Granger crawfish boil
I can't tell you how excited I am about this. There are faces I haven't seen in awhile that I'm ready to see again, and honestly, I'm not sure how many more times I'll get everybody together like this. Sure, there will be holidays. But not everybody will be together. That's why I'm so excited for this one.
If you can make it, I want you there. Friends, family, everybody. Let's have a big party for the big 2-7!!!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A movie review
Preface: I am not a movie critic. I do not watch movies the way critics watch them. I'm very simple. A movie should have one goal -- to entertain. That is what I hope to get from movies.
I stepped foot in a movie theater for the first time in a while tonight. Just to set the scene: the last time I actually went to the theater was to see The Dark Knight, which was amazing, by the way. When I was in high school and college, you could just about find me at the theater once a week. I loved going to movies. I still enjoy movies. It's just with working all the time, it's hard to find the time to go to the theater. Then, there's the costs involved with purchasing two tickets and then the inevitable popcorn and coke that I must have, much to Elizabeth's chagrin. I just feel it's so much easier to wait and watch once it comes out on DVD.
But tonight I wanted to go to the movie. I haven't done much since moving to New Braunfels, first of all because I was working six days a week, and then recently I've been with Elizabeth on my days off. This weekend I didn't go back to Alexandria, and Elizabeth didn't come out here, which meant I actually had a Monday off with nothing to do. So I killed some time by going to a mall to do some browsing (it's not "shopping" if you don't buy), and then went to watch a movie.
Honestly, I didn't even have a clue what was out there. Like I said before, it's been awhile. While I was in line, I called Elizabeth and asked her about Taken. All she had to say was, "It's the movie with Sean Penn ..." OK, so another choice. My caveat with Elizabeth was I wouldn't go see a movie that I thought she and I would enjoy watching together. So out goes Underworld: Rise of the Lichens, because we saw the first two Underworld flicks together. Also, since I think we'd enjoy He's Just Not That Into You, I wasn't going to see that one. I narrowed my list down to Paul Blart: Mall Cop, a light-hearted comedy that I thought would probably make me laugh a bit but ultimately would leave me unfulfilled in the entertainment department, and The Wrestler, the critically-acclaimed masterpiece that I felt might not be entertaining enough for me because, well frankly, I usually don't agree with the critics.
But I chose The Wrestler, simply because I wanted to see Mickey Rourke's performance that I'd heard so much about. I'm not disappointed, but it certainly wasn't the greatest movie I've ever seen.
First of all, I thought Rourke did a fantastic job as Robin Ramzinski, aka Randy "The Ram" Robinson, an old washed-up wrestling star from the '80s who can't seem to give up his past glories. As an old wrestling fan, I can appreciate the subtle behind-the-scenes wrestling aspects of the movie.
Take The Ram's real name. Robin Ramzinski. There are plenty of wrestlers whose ring names are so far away from their unglamourous real names, or in the case of Randy in this movie, are a play off an aspect of their real names (The Ram = Ramzinski, Robin = Robinson). In the technical aspects of the wrestling industry, this movie was spot on. I rather enjoyed it.
And the storytelling was great. It followed the ups and downs of a real man who lost everything in the pursuit of hanging on to the past. The Ram falls in love with a stripper, played by Marisa Tomei, as the two of the them fight with giving up their current plights (wrestling and stripping) and being together. Without giving away the ending, I will say I was very disappointed with how the movie ended on several platforms. However, it didn't take away from how I rated the movie. I mean, it didn't ruin it. I would still recommend seeing it.
I guess my only real complaint about the movie -- aside from the stripping scenes (if nudity bothers you, do not go see this movie) -- is just how slowly it went. The Wrestler is a two-hour movie that feels like a three-hour movie. But it's still entertaining. And in a way that slow, deliberate pace fits with the theme of the movie. Since The Ram is a beatdown old wrestler who doesn't move as well as in his prime, the wrestling scenes are a little slower, the action isn't quite there, and quite frankly, his life really just isn't that exciting, and the slow pace of the movie bears that out.
Again, I'm no movie critic. Because the critics loved this movie. While I didn't love it, it was better than average. On a scale of five stars, I give it a 3.5.
I stepped foot in a movie theater for the first time in a while tonight. Just to set the scene: the last time I actually went to the theater was to see The Dark Knight, which was amazing, by the way. When I was in high school and college, you could just about find me at the theater once a week. I loved going to movies. I still enjoy movies. It's just with working all the time, it's hard to find the time to go to the theater. Then, there's the costs involved with purchasing two tickets and then the inevitable popcorn and coke that I must have, much to Elizabeth's chagrin. I just feel it's so much easier to wait and watch once it comes out on DVD.
But tonight I wanted to go to the movie. I haven't done much since moving to New Braunfels, first of all because I was working six days a week, and then recently I've been with Elizabeth on my days off. This weekend I didn't go back to Alexandria, and Elizabeth didn't come out here, which meant I actually had a Monday off with nothing to do. So I killed some time by going to a mall to do some browsing (it's not "shopping" if you don't buy), and then went to watch a movie.
Honestly, I didn't even have a clue what was out there. Like I said before, it's been awhile. While I was in line, I called Elizabeth and asked her about Taken. All she had to say was, "It's the movie with Sean Penn ..." OK, so another choice. My caveat with Elizabeth was I wouldn't go see a movie that I thought she and I would enjoy watching together. So out goes Underworld: Rise of the Lichens, because we saw the first two Underworld flicks together. Also, since I think we'd enjoy He's Just Not That Into You, I wasn't going to see that one. I narrowed my list down to Paul Blart: Mall Cop, a light-hearted comedy that I thought would probably make me laugh a bit but ultimately would leave me unfulfilled in the entertainment department, and The Wrestler, the critically-acclaimed masterpiece that I felt might not be entertaining enough for me because, well frankly, I usually don't agree with the critics.
But I chose The Wrestler, simply because I wanted to see Mickey Rourke's performance that I'd heard so much about. I'm not disappointed, but it certainly wasn't the greatest movie I've ever seen.
First of all, I thought Rourke did a fantastic job as Robin Ramzinski, aka Randy "The Ram" Robinson, an old washed-up wrestling star from the '80s who can't seem to give up his past glories. As an old wrestling fan, I can appreciate the subtle behind-the-scenes wrestling aspects of the movie.
Take The Ram's real name. Robin Ramzinski. There are plenty of wrestlers whose ring names are so far away from their unglamourous real names, or in the case of Randy in this movie, are a play off an aspect of their real names (The Ram = Ramzinski, Robin = Robinson). In the technical aspects of the wrestling industry, this movie was spot on. I rather enjoyed it.
And the storytelling was great. It followed the ups and downs of a real man who lost everything in the pursuit of hanging on to the past. The Ram falls in love with a stripper, played by Marisa Tomei, as the two of the them fight with giving up their current plights (wrestling and stripping) and being together. Without giving away the ending, I will say I was very disappointed with how the movie ended on several platforms. However, it didn't take away from how I rated the movie. I mean, it didn't ruin it. I would still recommend seeing it.
I guess my only real complaint about the movie -- aside from the stripping scenes (if nudity bothers you, do not go see this movie) -- is just how slowly it went. The Wrestler is a two-hour movie that feels like a three-hour movie. But it's still entertaining. And in a way that slow, deliberate pace fits with the theme of the movie. Since The Ram is a beatdown old wrestler who doesn't move as well as in his prime, the wrestling scenes are a little slower, the action isn't quite there, and quite frankly, his life really just isn't that exciting, and the slow pace of the movie bears that out.
Again, I'm no movie critic. Because the critics loved this movie. While I didn't love it, it was better than average. On a scale of five stars, I give it a 3.5.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
It's a small world after all
So apparently I do know somebody in New Braunfels after all.
Strange.
This really is an amazing story.
So I recently added an old buddy from middle school on Facebook. I remember him being a great guy. But unfortunately, we went our separate ways. I went moved to Ruston in seventh grade. I believe — my memory has never been good — that he moved shortly before I did (to Arkansas, maybe? that's where he ended up).
Anyway, so I get on to check his Facebook page, because I wanted to send him a message. And I'm scanning through his page and see on his wall a message from another friend from middle school (I lived in Bossier City at the time).
The message read, "We're in New Braunfels, TX"
Well, crap. That's just crazy. But not the craziest.
Let's backtrack a few hours. Earlier tonight I covered a basketball game for the first time since before I was laid off at The Town Talk. The New Braunfels High School girls team had a guard who had this wild, curly fire red hair. You know, the type of hair that really stands out and that you remember. So I thought to myself, "That girl reminds me of Ginger Lowdermilk."
OK, so you guys don't know who Ginger is. (Preface: This was a looong time ago, Elizabeth. I love you!) Ginger was this girl from middle school that I had a major, major crush on. She had wild, crazy red hair and she played tennis. She ended up being one of the better players in the state. That's about all I remember about her, really. Well, besides the fact that her older sister tried to hook us up for a school dance one time. That failed. I was so shy and scared at the time, and I really just didn't succeed at the whole dating thing. Anyway, had a crush on Ginger. Still remember her to do this day.
Jump back to present time. I get on the friend in New Braunfels' Facebook page, and it says, "Married to Ginger Lowdermilk Angel." How frickin' crazy is that? Is that not crazy? I literally haven't thought about Ginger in a couple of years. Jason either. Not since I was following his little brother's baseball career a few years back. And of all the nights I'm reminded of her, I find out she lives here. And she's married to Jason Angel, another old friend. That's just crazy. To me, at least.
Ahh, fun times. I sent Jason a friend request and message. Hopefully, I'll get to hook up with them some time soon!
Strange.
This really is an amazing story.
So I recently added an old buddy from middle school on Facebook. I remember him being a great guy. But unfortunately, we went our separate ways. I went moved to Ruston in seventh grade. I believe — my memory has never been good — that he moved shortly before I did (to Arkansas, maybe? that's where he ended up).
Anyway, so I get on to check his Facebook page, because I wanted to send him a message. And I'm scanning through his page and see on his wall a message from another friend from middle school (I lived in Bossier City at the time).
The message read, "We're in New Braunfels, TX"
Well, crap. That's just crazy. But not the craziest.
Let's backtrack a few hours. Earlier tonight I covered a basketball game for the first time since before I was laid off at The Town Talk. The New Braunfels High School girls team had a guard who had this wild, curly fire red hair. You know, the type of hair that really stands out and that you remember. So I thought to myself, "That girl reminds me of Ginger Lowdermilk."
OK, so you guys don't know who Ginger is. (Preface: This was a looong time ago, Elizabeth. I love you!) Ginger was this girl from middle school that I had a major, major crush on. She had wild, crazy red hair and she played tennis. She ended up being one of the better players in the state. That's about all I remember about her, really. Well, besides the fact that her older sister tried to hook us up for a school dance one time. That failed. I was so shy and scared at the time, and I really just didn't succeed at the whole dating thing. Anyway, had a crush on Ginger. Still remember her to do this day.
Jump back to present time. I get on the friend in New Braunfels' Facebook page, and it says, "Married to Ginger Lowdermilk Angel." How frickin' crazy is that? Is that not crazy? I literally haven't thought about Ginger in a couple of years. Jason either. Not since I was following his little brother's baseball career a few years back. And of all the nights I'm reminded of her, I find out she lives here. And she's married to Jason Angel, another old friend. That's just crazy. To me, at least.
Ahh, fun times. I sent Jason a friend request and message. Hopefully, I'll get to hook up with them some time soon!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
I'm so sick of the BCS ...
that I wrote a column about it.
Who would win a playoff? Probably Florida. Or USC. Or Oklahoma. Or Utah. Heck, if you look at the NFL playoffs (the three top seeds have lost so far today, and Pittsburgh is tied with San Diego as I type), you just never know what will happen. It's time for March Madness, football style.
I have six days remaining in this apartment. What am I going to do? Good question. I'm exploring my options.
I tried to wash dishes a couple of days ago, and the dang dishwasher doesn't work. Pretty ironic, considering we don't have a dishwasher at our house and I've been doing it by hand for the past nearly three years. I'm cursed!
Things are crazy at work. We're minus two editors (sports and features), so Sean and I have been pulling double and triple duty. I'm very much ready to have a full staff!
I'm hoping to make a trip home next weekend. I miss my wife, and my pup, who I'm sure I won't recognize because I'm told she's getting so big!
Prayer request: We think someone's interested in our house. Please pray they'll make the right decision -- by buying ours!
If you're interested in what I'm doing, check out the Herald-Zeitung's Web site. Every day, we post a PDF of the front page layout, which is one of my main responsibilities.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
blah
Well, it's been quite awhile since I've written a blog. Just haven't been in the mood. Have had things to say, just lacked the motivation to actually write them down. Still do, actually.
Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm in New Braunfels now and have been for about the past two weeks. Things are going well with work, but they'll be much better once Elizabeth gets a job out here and we sell our house in Alexandria. Then we can get settled in New Braunfels and move on with our life.
For those of you who don't know, I was laid off at The Town Talk because of Gannett cutbacks and now work at the Herald-Zeitung in New Braunfels as the news editor, which basically means I edit copy and lay out pages. No sports, but it's not bad.
I'm living in a one-bedroom apartment for the next couple of weeks and then ... I don't know. Hopefully, we'll get the house sold and Elizabeth and I can rent a house in New Braunfels. If not, well we'll just cross that bridge when we get there.
That's about all I have for now. I'll be posting some pics later from Christmas and New Braunfels on Facebook and/or Myspace.
Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm in New Braunfels now and have been for about the past two weeks. Things are going well with work, but they'll be much better once Elizabeth gets a job out here and we sell our house in Alexandria. Then we can get settled in New Braunfels and move on with our life.
For those of you who don't know, I was laid off at The Town Talk because of Gannett cutbacks and now work at the Herald-Zeitung in New Braunfels as the news editor, which basically means I edit copy and lay out pages. No sports, but it's not bad.
I'm living in a one-bedroom apartment for the next couple of weeks and then ... I don't know. Hopefully, we'll get the house sold and Elizabeth and I can rent a house in New Braunfels. If not, well we'll just cross that bridge when we get there.
That's about all I have for now. I'll be posting some pics later from Christmas and New Braunfels on Facebook and/or Myspace.
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