Understanding the Struggle

Somebody's Worst Day

Today, like yesterday and the day before it, is someone's worst day.
Today someone, somewhere has more tears and questions than Warren
Buffett has pennies. Today may not be the best day for some of us,
but if it's not the worst day ever for you, be thankful. Be very
thankful.

My Dad and I rode by the Hospital as we left breakfast early Friday
morning. We both noted the number of cars that practically had the
parking lot filled. My first thought was that today someone's son or
daughter, mother or father, brother or sister, aunt or uncle, niece or
nephew, friend or even their grandparent is clinging to their last
moments here on this ball of water and land. Sadly, all they can do
is deal with it.

I know I'm guilty of blowing up issues that I have so that they have a
feeling of being larger than they really are. Sometimes the smallest
thing can affect a day or two of my life. Sometimes an issue can
affect a much longer period. I guess that happens when you view your
life through a microscope. Through the scope everything is big.

"Your reaction to the struggles of life is a direct indication of your
level of vision," is printed on the July through December side of Bill
Wilson's Metro Ministries calendar they handed out at church today.
That was a wake-up call for me for sure. I have issues at this very
moment which to me seemed huge, but in the scope of things are very
small. I can tell you that my level of vision was way far below what
it should have been. Sometimes you have to take off the blinders and
look around just to be thankful. At least I do.

On the flip side, My Dad lost his job Monday after over 10 years of
service. The economic struggles are making an impact all over and
Monday those struggles said hello to my Mom and Dad. I got to church
a little late today and was seated off to the right and behind of my
parents and my brother. Although my Dad didn't have the best week
ever I saw him with his arm raised praising God. That's vision! That
too was a wake-up call for me. A lot of people would sit around and
ask themselves why me, what now? They most certainly wouldn't be
celebrating during praise and worship.

"Your level of vision will determine whether God will work through you
or work around you," paints the front side of the Metro Ministries
calendar.

Where is your level of vision right now? I know my vision needs some
adjusting. Life is sure to bring many struggles with all the
celebrations, but if those struggles don't make the day your worst
ever, be thankful. Perhaps if your vision is strong enough, even
during that worst day that will come, you'll still be thankful.

For me, I'm putting down the microscope for the rest of the day,
hopefully for much longer. There's a lot to be thankful for and
analyzing every issues makes that hard to do.

Peace!

Weekly Story: In a Funk

I'm in a funk. I made a decision today to actively get out of the rut I have worn for myself. I find that all I do lately is jump on the computer after a long day of work and waste time. That or watch TV or text message or send in tweets (www.twitter.com). I feel like a cigarette butt that's been pushed into the ground. Time to make a change.

The great thing is that I can make a change. Like the savings plan which I began a few weeks ago, I will set a few guidelines for success/change.

1. Less time on the computer. I'm not going to set an exact time amount, but I will knowingly attempt to spend less time on the net.
2. When I'm done with work, I'm going to put my phone down and leave it down.
3. I'm going to do some form of exercise three times a week.
4. More Church time.

Those are the guidelines. It begins now.

Peace!

Weekly Story: Learning

How many times have I posted about learning in this blog's existence? I'm not sure exactly, but at least a few. I suppose at times I learn in small bites, while others it's like a smorgasbord of knowledge heaped upon me that feels like I just traded seats with Joey Chestnut and now must eat 60 hot dogs to keep going.

The learning that I'm referring to isn't necessarily found in a book, although I need to do some of that too:-) I'm talking about life's hills and valleys.

The last few months I've been learning at a phenomenal pace. Hopefully I'll retain. Hopefully I've grown.

Time to slam another dog down...can you pass the mustard?

Weekly Story: Inspired to Save

I'm back in savings mode. I guess with the economy and where it is right now, it's a good time to get on one of my kicks. By nature I'm a spender. I work hard, money enters my account and then I find something cool to give the money to. Shirts, games, TV, gifts, dinners, and my last purchase a new car. I find many ways to spend the green. So yeah the car is a necessity, but the kind isn't.

Now I know my "wanting" of "nice" things isn't going to change. I'm not trying to change that. All I'm trying to do is tone it down so that I can once again build up my savings account. I was explaining this to a co-worker last week and they said, "Well, do you contribute to your 401k?" After my response, they said, "Well, that's 21% you're saving right there."

The reality is that it's 21% that's loosing money faster than I could spend it. It's retirement though. Long term planning, so I don't really care. The market will come back eventually and so will the 401k.

I'm not happy with just my 401k. I want some additional funds in a savings account that I can turn into a MMK account that may earn a little interest. The good news is, at this point (because I still have a job...and I'm thankful for that), all it takes is a little discipline. It takes two other things. Accountability and a GOAL!!!

The accountability will come with this post. The starting goal will be to slide (save) an additional $500 a month into a savings account.

Once I get back on top of my finances I'm sure I'll adjust the Goal (hopefully up). Last night I started using a free finance program you can find at Mint.com (thanks Gajda). I haven't used this program more than a day so if it sucks, don't yell at me:-) Anyway, after two months I should really be able to see my spending trends and that will help with this kick to save. I'll even give you an update on the program if you're afraid to try it.

So does this mean you won't see my blogging about a new phone, or some other gadget? No, of course not. I can't change who I am, nor do I want to. I just want to SAVE a little more.

Who's gonna save a little more with me? Who's saving with me? Who's saving with me? LOL, sorry Jerry Maguire just entered my head when I typed that first line:-)

Peace!

PS: Thanks Mr. V, you've inspired me to save:-)

Weekly Story: Push-ups for Points

Karol, Brock and Bob came over tonight to watch Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the Lakers and the Celtics.  Before the game began, Bob and Brock were going to take a player and do five push-ups for every point that player scored.  Soon we were all in, including Charissa.  I had Ray Allen, Bob had Kobe, Brock had Paul Pierce, Karol had Kendrick Perkins and switched to KG for the second half and Charissa had James Posey.

After a slow first quarter, we added a new category. Whoever's player scored the fewest number of points each quarter was required to eat a McDonald's cheeseburger:-)

In the end, Bob did 120 push-ups, Brock did 110, I did 95, Karol did 40 (I think), and Charissa owes us 15...she went to bed super early:-)

Right now my arms and chest are pretty tired, but at least my stomach feels good:-)  Karol had to eat a cheeseburger at the end of each quarter...so nasty...hahahah.  Four burgers...and yes, he had already had dinner...hahahaha!!

For the next game we're thinking Fried Chicken.  Something healthy you know:-)

Peace!

Balloon Guy has skills!!

Balloon Guy

Weekly Story: The benefit of age

Maybe I'm still feeling the emotion of a birthday passed, but
yesterday I was reminded why aging can be a greater than the fountain
of youth. The gentleman that helped me with the suits last night was
an older, black gentleman. I came to find out he was 62, though he
didn't look it. It seemed that every step, every word was stepped and
given with precision. Like a person that cleans their plate every
time at dinner, he was making the most of each moment. I guess when
you're 62 you've experienced a lot. The numbers alone say that this
man named Basil had experienced twice as much as me.

"Mmmmhmmm," rolled with a deep southern draw deep from within this man
as he answered my questions. Peppering a confident, I've been there
smile, between his words of wisdom he guided me through each designer
before we chose Hugo Boss. For much of his life he had been a tailor
and even removed his jacket to show how he had tailored his own
shirt. He had the kind of knowledge that only comes with age and
experience and he wore it well.

As people attempting to rise, we are so quick to speak louder and more
often then the next to show what we know. To prove we are worthy.
Basil spoke softly bringing you in to listen before stamping each
recommendation with an, "Mmmmhmmm." He didn't need to shout. He has
the wisdom for which the rest of us are searching.

I would send anyone looking to add to their wardrobe to Basil. He'd
be sure to take really nice care of you, "Mmmmhmmm."

(The weekly story is just something that I've experienced within my
week. The goal is for it to be weekly, but more than likely, they
will come when I have time to post. Peace!)

Happy Birthday to Me

It's after 1 a.m. where I am and most people "my age" are resting
their heads against soft pillows. Not me though, not this year. See
something hit me and made me want to start this year doing. When it
hit midnight this year I was working out and now I'm posting another
post that someone's eyes might skim over. The importance isn't always
what you're doing, more so that you are doing. In past years I'm sure
my head would also be resting. Not today. Not this year.

The goal is to start a trend within. There is a lot to accomplish in
this life of mine. It starts here. It begins now. Who has time to
care about soft pillows?

Be something spectacular today. It is why you were made.

Peace!

Post a Dream

Maybe it's the whole birthday coming up, but I thought I'd share a dream of mine with you. In return you must post a dream of yours in the comment section.

So a dream of mine is to play basketball with Michael Jordan. Oh and it's gonna happen:-)

Let me know one of yours. Peace!

Please Pray

Link: Steven Curtis Chapman.com: Official Source for all things Steven.

Cool Indoor Grill

So I was walking through Millenia (it's a mall) the other day and stopped in Williams-Sonoma to do a walk thru. Sounds a bit odd I'm sure, but I've always enjoyed the cooking aspect of life and the appliances that make that aspect more enjoyable.

Well the All-Clad Indoor Grill is a new appliance from All-Clad and it rocks! The grill’s dial controls let you regulate the temperature settings from 250°F to 480°F. Each side is controlled separately, so you can simultaneously grill foods that require different heat levels.

Pretty cool, right? You can only get this one at Williams-Sonoma, just so you know. Price tag $299.

Peace!

The Best Coffee Maker for Me

So while in Maui they had one of these Tassimo coffee makers in every room and I probably had more coffee during those 10 days then any time in my life. The reason, it was so easy to make. It takes these little discs that make a cup of coffee each. So you wake up, put in a disc and hit a button. In less than a minute you have a perfect cup of coffee ready for you. The best part...there is NO CLEAN UP. You just throw the disc out, and go on with your day.

So I find out the machine is only about $130 (depending on where you buy it) and there are tons of different discs (Starbucks, Seattle's Best, Maxwell House, etc.). It also makes tea and hot chocolate.

So I know this isn't the most expensive machine and maybe the others make coffee a bit better, who knows. All I know is that this is perfect for me. No hassle and it tastes great to me.

If you're in the market for a new machine, consider it. You'll be really happy.

Link: Tassimo Home.

Funny Story

So I went to lunch at Mimi's Cafe yesterday with my brother. As we
sat down, the waitress came to our table and began to talk. She had
to be from England or something, based upon her accent. She said,
"Hi, I'm Nellie," and I lost it...haha. I had just watched my
brother's dog, whose name is Nellie over the weekend and for some
reason when she said that I just started laughing and felt bad for
doing so. I looked up and saw it was spelled the same and that didn't
help. My brother was grinning too.

She said, "What, are you laughing at my accent?" I said no, it's your
name and before I could explain she said that yeah she gets, "Hey
where's your band aid" a lot (like the rapper Nelly). That made us
both laugh. Anyway, we explained about my bro's dog and then
proceeded to eat.

A funny story...at least to me. Maybe you had to be there:-)

Mowing days OVER!!!

Thanks to Karol, my mowing days are over!!! The guy came by to day, gave me the quote and I accepted. My mowing days are over barring lackluster performance.

Peace!! More time to chill ahead..hahaha.

LifeStraw

I just stumbled upon the LifeStraw and loved the idea.  Here are some 
facts taken from the site.

"Half of the world's poor suffer from waterborne disease, and nearly 
6,000 people - mainly children - die each day by consuming unsafe 
drinking water.

LifeStraw® water purifiers have been developed as a practical way of 
preventing disease and saving lives, as well as achieving the 
Millennium Development Goal of reducing by one-half the proportion of 
people without sustainable access to safe water by the year 2015.

LifeStraw® Personal and LifeStraw® Family are complimentary point-of-
use water filters - truly unique offerings from Vestergaard Frandsen 
that will help people obtain safe drinking water at home and outside - 
paving the way for swiftly and effectively accomplishing the VF and 
MDGs."

The end of my mowing days?

Thanks to Gajda, my mowing days could be coming to an end. Stay tuned!

Not Hungry/Third Day

I'm not all that hungry and it's 9:07pm...make that 9:08pm. I wasn't
hungry last night either. I ate a couple of cheeseburgers (Ronald's
kind) and a few fries at 5pm yesterday and then didn't eat anything
besides a handful of nuts and some milk. So unlike me.

I'm stressed about silly things. Silly things being just about
everything that can't be controlled, which is just about everything.
A deep breath and a trip to some fast food establishment is in my near
future.

On a brighter note, I heard some of Third Day's new music. The CD is
set to be released on July 29th. I need some more Third Day, that is
for sure.

Peace!

The Last Minutes of 2007

We're now in the final handful of minutes remaining in 2007. Consumed feverishly at times and wasted ignorantly at others, the time of 2007 has gone quickly. It's come and gone brilliantly.

Stuffed in the impression tubes are shows tallying the year's events. Every channel is either looping repeats or holding hostage guys and girls who though they love their TV jobs, must wish they were anywhere but work at this time. The whole thing disgusts me, yet I find myself making a list or two of things I've done. Ugh.

I'm more about now. More about making the most of now and exceeding those goals of which I set earlier. It's who I've become, rather who I am.

2008 will be fantastic, but I'm going to first eat up the final minutes of 2007 like a fine plate at The London.

Enjoy.

Traveling in 2007

2007 was a year full of travel for me and Charissa. I know I went more places in 2007 than any other year in my life and enjoyed every minute of it.

Here is the list:

1. Nashville, Tennessee (Feb)
2. Cleveland, Ohio (April)
3. Orlando, Florida (May) I know I live around Orlando, but this was a paid trip from work to stay at Disney, so it kinda counts.
4. Palm Beach, Florida (June)
5. New York, New York (Aug)

Now that's FAST!

With all the talk typing I've done on cars and the countless articles I've read on 0-60 speeds, I found this picture quite amusing:-)

Weekend Plans

1. Rest a few hours.
2. Work more on project S.
3. Watch the Dolphins...if they're on TV. I just checked, they're not on.
3. Mow the grass. I'm almost done with this for life. Ok, that's kinda extreme, but when you're exhausted, thinking of mowing doesn't have me smiling.
4. Watch a movie. Most likely Shooter.
5. Play some tennis.
6. Clean.

That's most likely my weekend. Snapshot. Cool, huh;-)

Heavy Eyes

I'm beyond tired. I've got some cool things going on behind the scenes (more on this at a later time) and this newfound excitement has cut into my shuteye and ramped up my brain usage. It's coming up on two weeks that my mind has been racing, but it's been fun at the same time. I will say that I probably haven't looked more forward to sleeping till 8am since I was a kid. That will happen tomorrow morning:-)

Paper or Plastic? Maybe Neither!

I'm stumbling again (stumbleupon.com) which means I'm not doing much in the way of mental stimulation, but every now and then I do stumble upon something that makes me think.

Paper Nor Plastic is a company that you buy reusable bags from that are made of neither paper or plastic. The reasoning is the impact that both paper and plastic bags have on the environment (think bigger than just grocery time).

I won't be plunking down any coin on this, but if you do let me know how it works out.

Link: Paper Nor Plastic - Reusable Grocery Bags.

Engaged!

I am officially engaged!

30's the new 20

Yesterday I turned 30 and it had to be one of the best birthdays I've ever experienced. Age has never really been anything that affected me for good or for bad. Age is something that we use as a measure for our length of existence on the round marble. It has never equated to success, love, or well being...as those can happen anytime. Hopefully as we age, wisdom is gained and insight into some of life's traps is tucked away for later use. Hopefully:-)

Back to me being 30. I woke up and felt just like I did at 29;-) Some things were different though. For starters, Charissa had gotten up and decorated the living room with things to remind me exactly how old I am now (in case I could somehow forget...haha). She had also cooked me breakfast and had a gift for me to open with a card. So sweet indeed. The gift was some Air Jordans...awesome!

I went through the workday, got a cake, card and giftcard (which I really appreciate) and my day was done. I knew Charissa was coming to pick me up, but I really didn't know why. After all, I do have a car, but I was up for whatever.

As I walked outside, around the corner, there was a stretch limo (full of cherry coke...very cool) waiting to take us to dinner! The dinner was Ruth Chris Steakhouse...my favorite steak out:-) We got there after a nice ride in the limo and to my surprise my parents were there! I would soon find out that my bro, ang and Brock would be coming too. They were late as usual, but I might have passed out if they were on time:-)

We sat down and had a great dinner. My food actually ended up being free as they brought out the wrong thing, so I ended up eating chicken and steak for free! +$60 in food for free...that was a great way to kick off 30:-)

As for gifts, my parents gave me some money (too much), Brock bought me some Panera (giftcard) and my bro and Angela had gotten Charissa and me a clothes steamer the night before.

After a limo ride back I was on my way home from the coolest Birthday ever!

Random thoughts this week

1. The De La Hoya/Mayweather fight really wasn't that good. $54.99 out the door. For that money, you really want to see two guys fight, but I guess that's why they don't calling it fighting. Oh well, I'm sure I'll be spending to watch the next "big fight" too.

2. Charissa thinks she's tired of eating filet mignon. We are so very blessed! When you're tired of eating what many consider the King of steaks, you're doing all right...at least in my book. Her statement (half joking of course) really has brought on a lot of reflection for me. Any moment or thing, no matter how nice or special, if not treated so, becomes routine and thus we tire from the mundane. I move forward attempting to be even more thankful.

3. How many people truly want to be your friend? A friend being an individual whom wants nothing in return from you other than friendship. How many?

4. Can someone of the opposite sex ever want to be a just a friend? Not an acquaintance mind you, a friend.

Chairmans Club

We (Charissa and I) just got back from Chairmans Club. Chairmans is the bank's way to recognize its top performers for the previous year. This year I was one of those top 470 company wide (over 30,000 employees)!

The trip was a local one for us. A thirty minute ride had us at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club. So from Thursday through today we found ourselves enjoying the sun and relaxing.

On Friday we did the Richard Petty Driving Experience. All I can say is wow! 600 HP, speeds of 150 MPH!! It was awesome! The funniest part was my skin tight driving suit and my large helmet:-)

On Saturday we checked out Disney's Animal Kingdom. We did the Safari and saw tons of animals, which is pretty amazing seeing that we're in Orlando. We also did Expedition Everest, Animal Kingdom's newest ride. It was a ton of fun:-)

Saturday night closed with a recognition dinner (imagine MTV's Sweet 16 party with an adult theme). Super nice!!

It was a great weekend.

Finally going to Auto

So this week I made an effort to finally move most of my bills to auto pay, or actually just being able to pay them on the internet. Control has kept me from doing this earlier, but stamp cost changes and licking envelopes has pushed me forth.

Next month I will most likely move to fully automatic payments. One step at a time:-)

The Lambo

This is the exact car I was driving in Cleveland on Monday:-) So nice!!

Quite a Week

This past week has been one to remember...no doubt about that. On Saturday, we (Me, Charissa, my Mom) trucked over to Cypress Gardens for the Mercy Me/Audio Adrenaline concert. We got there pretty early, about five hours before the concert, so the girls could ride some rides:-) I don't usually ride many things you find at amusement parks due to my fear of heights. The highlight of the day has to be my Mom and Charissa riding the ride that goes straight up forever and then drops you in the blink of an eye. Not for me, but they loved it. I did ride some rides in the end, the smaller, slower ones:-)

We then sat in our reserved seats, which rocked, and took in Aaron Shust, Audio A, and Mercy Me. All in all it was a very fun day and night.

On Sunday morning Charissa and I flew up to Cleveland, Ohio to check out a car for a client of mine. Such a cool trip and for such an awesome car. The car being a Lamborghini Murcielago! We ate steaks, lobster, stayed on the 19th floor overlooking Cleveland Browns Stadium and Lake Eerie and had a wonderful time. I also drove the car with a $309,000 price tag! All I can say is imagine a rocket on wheels that you can control. Endless power!! A great experience.

Back Monday night, we were at work on Tuesday. I've since bought a medicine ball (12 lbs) and a jump rope. Boxers make jumping rope seem like breathing...but it's more like holding your breath. Kinda tough at least in the beginning. My feet are also sore...hahahah.

Tonight or tomorrow we head up to Jacksonville for what I believe is the last wedding of the year...at least that I know about. We plan on coming back Saturday night and then falling back into our usual weekly pattern.

Quite a week thus far indeed:-)

How to lose a guy in 10 days

I'm on the bed typing because I'm lost. I'm lost in my thinking, or rather justification of how someone can watch a movie over and over, and over and over, and over...and over again. We have over 500 channels and yet this movie, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, is making a permanent home on our new Sony TV. Maybe the movie is dating the TV...that's about the best I can come up with as far as explanations are concerned. LOST!

How can anyone enjoy a less than good movie time after time? Ladies...please help me understand this.

Perhaps its familiarity. I can understand familiarity. I think that's what draws me back to basketball. It's definitely not the lack of breath or aching muscles;-)

Could it be Matty whateverhisnameis? Dude doesn't wear deodorant. See for every smellavision moment (Food TV) there's Matty.

Could the movie really be the key to losing a guy in 10 days? Hope not;-) If so, it won't work with me:-D

Excellent script coupled with superb acting? Uhhhh, no.

I've got it! It's puts people to sleep! Naaa, she's still awake....

Maybe TBS just shows the best commercials. I think...wait...what...the room is empty! Maybe the movie is a time warp! Either way, I'm going in and changing the channel:-) HAHAHA, so long Matty Mcsmellsalot!

Maya Mesmerizes

I've just gotten home from one of the most fulfilling events of my life. I've just gotten home from hearing Maya Angelou speak at Rollins College. I don't think I've ever sat so still in my life. I was mesmerized and simply blown away. Having been a HUGE fan of her work for years now, this was such a blessing that Charissa was able to give me. Right now my eyes and fingers are tired, but my spirit is flying. Words alone, at least my words at this point, can't do the night justice. Simply put, this night, hearing her speak, makes a very small list of my favorite things. Mesmerizing.

Thankfulness

Thankfulness is something that is ever eluding for most. How often do we really say we're thankful for anything and better yet how often do we truly act like we're thankful. A few posts ago (Hotel Snob? Me) I wrote of being thankful and now I have even more for which to be so thankful.

Saturday my super bro gave the family a scare as he passed out and collapsed on the basketball court. To make a long story short, I rushed him, bloodied and hardly responsive, to the emergency room. Six hours later he was out and feeling much better. Thankful I am indeed.

Today Charissa got a call from her Mom and Dad with news that her father DIDN'T HAVE CANCER (95% sure)!!!! Thankful indeed.

Six months already?!

Has it really been six months already since the last time I waxed my car? I couldn't believe it, but it has been almost that long. With a new coat of wax on the Benz its looking good again:-)

Learn

The other day I was thinking a lot about where I am in life and where I want to go. I thought about the journey. The great times and the times that made eating lemons seem like a sweet thing to do. Has my impact been felt? Can I do more, will I do more, what exactly is it that I want to do? All questions we probably ask ourselves every now and then...I've just been asking a little more regularly.

My personality isn't one that gives me the ability to be content. It's overwhelming to think I may never be satisfied. I set goals with the determination to shatter them. I set them higher and remained determined. As the pieces fall and a new goal is set, the time for reflection of the accomplishment isn't one that I really feel I should take or that I even have. That would in turn disrupt the path to the next achievement and that can't happen.

I'm thankful beyond belief for where I am in life. The credit goes to the creator. No doubt about it. I just feel I should always be doing something or something more. Now I'm not talking about doing the lawn or washing my car...those are things that need to be done, but this isn't my issue. I'm talking about life or perhaps what is important to me in life. This is about where I will be when I'm 40. What more can I learn before that time?

LEARN is my word for 2007. I've been thinking about learning new things a lot for a few days now and thanks to Mark Lee's Blog, I'm making learn my word. I want to learn something new, something more. I want to be better today than I was a day ago. I want to set goals not only in business but in life in general. The things I want to learn may carry no significant weight in the World, but this is about the journey.

How good/great could I be at Tennis if I really dedicated myself? How much better would my song writing abilities be if I could actually play an instrument? What would I learn if I started up my own T-Shirt company? There are so many little and big things that carry my thoughts throughout each day and this year I want to embark on knowing these things, not just thinking about them. I want to succeed or fail, but do one or the other. Doing nothing is not learning...it's nothing.

Life keeps running, if you're lucky. You don't come with an expiration date at birth and we should give thanks to God for that. If we did however, how much more would we learn? The thought of "I'll do it tomorrow" is one that should be locked up and tossed in the deep end.

Off to learning something I go....

Moving on

Yesterday Rob and Vangie led worship at Church in the Son for the last time before their move to North Carolina. So much to say on this, just not ready to say it...or type it. Perhaps at a later time....

The journey continues...

30's the new 20

I'm getting older. I don't really see it in my face, body, or the way I act outside of work, but trust me I'm getting older. I feel it when I play sports. Yesterday while playing football in my parents front yard I pulled another muscle (only slightly), which makes for the third time in the last three athletic events I have taken part.

I don't stretch. Ever! I know that is one of the main causes of what is happening to me, but stretching just isn't fun. There is a point in your life when stretching becomes SO important and I'm at that crossroads. I went so long with being able to do two five second leg stretches and then go full speed with no worry of getting hurt. I have to realize that is no longer and begin to respect my aging body:-)

The game ended in a 21-21 tie due to darkening skies. Despite my ailing leg I grabbed one touchdown pass and ran one as well. I'm 29 and still can compete with the young bucks. Hopefully with Thursday Hoops kicking back up I'll get back in shape and used to stretching. It is now a must.

As Jay-Z says on his new album, "30's the new 20, brother, I'm so hot still!" That will officially become my anthem as of May 25, 2007.

Peace out...much love...holla back at cha aging but still hot boy!:-)

A Full Weekend

This weekend was a full one for me. At least by my standards, that is. On Saturday, Charissa and I went to one of her friend's weddings. I have my own thoughts on weddings, but we'll get back to that later. The event lasted quite some time, but I made it out with only minor injuries to my ears. There was a guy next to me that wouldn't stop talking...the WHOLE NIGHT!

Following that I came home and got some major rest and woke up the next morning to go back to where my walk with Christ began. The whole family hit up Church in the Son on Sunday afternoon and as usual it was awesome!! Pastor Clattenburg has a special gift.

We then went to eat to celebrate my Dad's Birthday (Nov. 7). That was cool to get everyone together and talk about different topics/stuff. My parents had just gotten back from North Carolina so it was nice to catch up on their trip as well. That is also why we were just having a birthday dinner:-)

I then came home, cleaned out my car and began watching some hoops.

Today will be a busy one too. Work for just a few hours, then standing in line for the All American Rejects concert. I know of few of their songs, but Charissa knew of them before they hit it big so it's kind of cool for her.

Peace out....

What is success?

Please take two minutes and comment to me how you define success. Two minutes, a few sentences is all I ask...and yet, if you feel compelled please type till your fingers fall off. Career, family, or something else. What makes you feel successful? How do you define it? Let me know.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my Mom's Birthday. Happy Birthday Mom...again!