Getting published

So I got tired of just doing this editing thing and decided to write. Got published 3 times on Friday:

Jamboree Preview: Actually got my first page 1 centerpiece with this story -- even though there was a mistake! I left out one of the schools (Buckeye) participating in the Pineville jamboree. Oh well, Buckeye lost 36-0 to the Rebels.

Bolton Season Preview and Pineville Season Preview -- Both of these I actually worked on for a while, and they ran in our High School Tab, which coincidentally was published on Friday with my other story.

Who do I want to be?

And I ask myself
Who do I wanna be?
Do I wanna throw away the key?
And invent a whole new me
And I tell myself
No One, No One
Don't wanna be
No One
But me

It's interesting -- and I've talked about this before some -- how my move from Ruston has given me a chance to become a new person. But you know what? I haven't changed a bit. Yeah, I'm growing up. I'm maturing. But I'm still the same. I could be any person I want to be. Why? Only my wife and her family knew who I was here in Cenla. But I'm still the same.

I'm still a husband, son, brother, writer, reader, bad singer, goofy dancer, dude with bad hair, sports fanatic, teacher, student, leader, follower, frustrater, soother, bad basketball player with a broke jumper, role model, hard worker, lazy bum and countless other things. As I think about the opportunity that was in front of me, just like those lyrics above, I don't want to be anyone but me.

With all due respect to my Ruston boys (I love y'all!), I've never felt more admired, appreciated and respected since I left Ruston. My supervisors at work think I'm talented and have a great future ahead of me. In Ruston, I always felt stifled at work. I've finally found a church home -- one where I'm an active part in a growing ministry. In Ruston, I never found a place to call home. Instead, I was a church-hopper. There's pretty much not a major church in Ruston that I didn't attend at one time.

What I am missing is a group of great friends. Kyle, Binni, Alan, Brent ... the list could go on and on ... you guys can't be replaced. All of y'all remain in my thoughts every day. What I have with you guys is special. But I am starting to find a place. Jeremy, one of the youth ministers at church (and the husband of Elizabeth's best friend, Michelle), has become my boy. We play ball together. We're the same age. He's brought me into his ministry and allowed me to take on a vital role. He's great. There are a couple of college kids who I've befriended, although we haven't done anything outside of church. And then there are the high school kids from the youth group -- particularly the group I play ball with. I have friends. I love them. They're great. What I don't have is that unique bond I have with my boys from Ruston. Maybe it can develop. Maybe it's not meant to ever be replaced. But I love Cenla. It was the right move at the right time. Who knows if it will become my permanent home? Right now, I have no clue. But it could be -- at least for a long time. I like knowing that. It's something I never had in Ruston once I graduated from Tech.

Trip update

I won't bore everyone with all the details (since I don't have them all) or try to make you jealous, but I am very much looking forward to my two trips next month. Elizabeth and I will hook up with Alan, Misty, Charlie and Binni when we travel to College Station to see Tech vs. Texas A&M. The following weekend is my big trip with Jason (Elizabeth's oldest brother) to New York City. I can hardly contain myself when I think about these two trips.

High School Football

Pineville High got the season started off right with a big-time win over Buckeye in jamboree action. With Zac Aldecoa and my boy Lance "Scooter" Laborde toting the rock, it could be a big year for the Rebs. Another district title could be in the works, and perhaps a run past the second round of the playoffs.

Haven't heard anything yet about my Bearcats, who opened tonight with West Monroe in jamboree action. The game was delayed by weather. If the 'Cats can develop a big-time threat on offense at receiver to complement Ben Alsup at QB, and hopefully that's my boy O.J. "The Juice" Simmons, and replace a lot of talent on defense, Ruston might have a pretty good season. Beat West Monroe? Hasn't happened since 1990, so I'll hold out judgment on that one for right now.