to be a kid again

I’m not sure the weather can be any better than what it was today. I definitely didn’t spend enough time outside though. I was at the park today for a birthday party, and there was a country music contest going on. Several different performers vying for a chance at advancing through to the national competition. Several of the musicians were really good. One of them really stuck out to me, which was a lady named Carrie Ray. Not sure how you spell her name, but she was really good. So look for her in the future and remember you heard it here first.

I saw something I never thought I would see today while riding in the back of my brother’s jeep. There was a guy getting on his Harley in parking lot. The weird part is that attached to the back of his Harley was a coffin. It almost appeared as though he was using the coffin as a place to store his groceries for the ride home. I just don’t see any reason as to why somebody would be dragging around a coffin? The worst part was that i didn’t have my camera on me. It would of made for a great picture. I really wish i knew the story behind the motorcycle coffin.

I need to start playing more golf i think. I need to get some competitive juices flowing while enjoying the outdoors at the same time. Something about being back in Indiana has really made me miss being on a golf course, both working and playing. I definitely don’t have any interest in working on a course again until i retire, but walking 9 holes of golf can be a really relaxing way to spend a morning or afternoon. I learned how to play golf playing on the public course here in Columbus during the summers around 7th grade to 9th grade. My buddies and I would get up early and have one of our parents drop us off at the course, and we would end up walking about 27 holes a day. Those were some of the best times of my life. Our summers consisted of either playing golf, playing basketball, playing backyard baseball, swimming, and watching movies. I mowed a few lawns each week for my spending money, but even that was fun. I can’t imagine there will be a time in my life that will ever match what the summers of my early teenage years were. I didn’t have a care in the world, no worries, and very little responsibility. I definitely need to find time to play some golf this week.

Back Home Again, In Indiana

Memorial Day weekend has been one that i’ve been looking forward to since i moved back to Indiana. Living out west, the weather is always nice, so certain benchmark holidays don’t seem to be the same. Having dealt with my first Indiana winter and spring in almost 4 years, the 3 day weekend couldn’t have come any sooner. I missed being in Indiana during the Indianapolis 500 (even though this year i didn’t watch any of it because it’s blacked out here), cooking out with friends, and being able to spend time at somebody else’s lake house.  Of course the weekend flew by, but it was a good weekend and one that really made me be glad to be living here this weekend.

Today my sister brought the nephews down to Columbus to hang out for a bit. It was good seeing them. They are different every time I see them. We went to Texas Roadhouse, and i ordered a salad. I didn’t really enjoy it very much. Something about warm chicken that ends up making the lettuce warm just doesn’t taste good to me. But, it was still a good time regardless, and my brother bought my dinner since i took care of his dogs all weekend.

Speaking of taking care of dogs. I absolutely love dogs. I just can’t imagine having one of my own right now, for the sole purpose that they are so much responsibility. I couldn’t just take off for a weekend as i do right now without going through all sorts of trouble finding somebody to watch them. I’ll probably want one if i ever have a family, but right now i’m happy to enjoy other people’s dogs. I cringe when other people give you the excuse that they can’t stay, or that they have to leave early because they have dogs needing their attention at home. I’m just glad i haven’t been suckered into the dog trap yet.

My back pain has officially subsided and i feel back to normal. I’m happy for that. Hopefully it’s a long while before i experience that sort of thing again. I probably should get in the habit of stretching again.

It’s nice to have gotten some sun this weekend. Now i don’t feel like casper anymore. Luckily the Indiana sun isn’t as strong as the Arizona sun, or i would be toast right now.

Lebron vs. Dwight

Feels good to be home after 3 days in a hotel. 

Caught some of the American Idol finale tonight. I thought it was pretty cool seeing Queen and Rod Stewart perform. Maggie is one of my favorite all-time songs. Rod looked like he about fell down a few times, so not sure if he’d tipped a few back before performing or what. Still a good performance. Very surprised by the outcome of the show, but not that it really matters. 

My back is still messed up. I was able to go for a run today, hoping that it would loosen it up a bit. I think it helped a little, but 5 minutes ago i still got up and walked into the kitchen like an old man. So maybe not. 

How much of a freak is Lebron James? Seriously.  Have you ever really stopped to think about how unbelievable he is. Not just his basketball skills, but mainly his athleticism. I can’t think of anybody who is possibly a better athlete than him, in the history of sport. He’s 6-9, about 270 lbs, and he moves like he’s 5-10.  There are a lot of 6-9 guys out there who are athletic and move well, but not like him.  I think they should create a show featuring Dwight Howard and Lebron James, and have them do all sorts of crazy things. Lets find out what kinds of incredible things they can do when they are pushed to the limit.  Or how about letting them both play in the NFL, Lebron at receiver and Howard at TE. Who could defend them? And i’m guessing neither of them are even on steroids.

Study Time

I woke up this morning in Auburn, Indiana. It’s a small town in the NE corner of Indiana and is famous for it’s large car auctions. Unfortunately that’s all it’s famous for, so my three days spent here probably won’t be too exciting. I’m sitting in my hotel room, about to take on the task of memorizing pricing and packages for my new job. It will be nice when it’s all second nature.

I’ve never claimed to be the sharpest tool in the shed, and that was proven 2 days ago when I was lifting weights. I wasn’t smart enough to realize that you shouldn’t lift weights when your lower back is already pretty stiff. But, I did and while doing a light set of curls, I dropped to the floor after experiencing my first full fledged back spasm (or whatever you want to call messing up your back). Talk about an annoying injury. For the past 2 days i’ve been walking around like a 90 year old man, trying to stand up straight. When my shirt is off, you can actually see how my body is out of whack. Everything is leaning over to my left hip, and my stomach is slightly twisted. It’s just the weirdest thing ever. Hopefully it improves quickly, so i can get back to normal. I should probably start stretching a little more often. I guess i’m officially getting old.

So i was able to try out my new Nikon D60 camera for the first time in Chicago. I love it! I had a perfect day for taking pictures, and the camera really did the rest. With all of my weekly traveling i’ll be doing with the new job, i’m glad to have a new hobbie that can be done anywhere i’m at. One thing i’ve noticed since i’ve gotten into photography is that i now look at everything in a different light than i did before. I look at each building, field, house or whatever else to see if i can see something interesting or beautiful to photograph. I think it really makes the world a more interesting place when you have that approach. Of course at the same time, it sucks seeing something awesome when your not in a position to take a picture of it. That is such a downer!

 

Wrigley

movies

Two more days left at my current job. Is it humanly possible to put out the same quality of work that one puts out before turning in your notice that you are quitting? I have been trying my darndest not too, but it doesn’t seem  possible not to coast as much as i can get away with. Not that i am not getting the job done, but maybe just not to the best of my ability. Maybe that’s just me though, and i’m just a slacker.

So lately i’ve seen some really good movies, some of the better movies i’ve ever seen. Slumdog Millionaire was definitely up there as far as best movies ever in my opinion. Tonight i watched ‘Seven Pounds’, starring Will Smith. I honestly had no idea what it was about, but it was excellent. It’s a pretty dreary movie, not a real uplifter by any means, but I thought it was fantastic. Last night I watched the movie ‘Taken’. For an action movie, i thought it was pretty good. Not sure how the guy managed to avoid so many bullets flying his way from close range, but i liked it. Just don’t watch the newest Indiana Jones. 

My list of worst movies i recall seeing in no particular order….These are much easier to pick out than the best movies.

-Indiana Jones-Crystal Skull

-Almost Heroes

-Dumb and Dumberer (the 2nd movie)

-Any Given Sunday

That’s all i can think of at the moment.

Asi Del Precipicio

Life is feeling a little better of late. New job, nicer weather, and just an overall better outlook. I feel the weight of uncertainty has lifted off my shoulders, and i don’t have to worry about “what’s next”…..at least not for a while anyway.

I’m getting a sore throat for some reason, hope it’s not the beginnings of the swine flu.

I learned how to mount photos on mount board today. It’s pretty cool. Now i need to buy some frames to finish them off.

I stopped by one of my childhood friends house today to talk to his parents whom i haven’t seen in a long time. It was good to catch up. It was weird being there and having an adult conversation, because all my time spent there was when i was really young. I also ran into one of my other former best friends parents the other day and got to talk to them. It’s really good seeing people again whose house i spent countless hours at, eating all of their food and drinking all of their drinks….not too mention using their basketball goals more hours than i can count. It’s great thinking back to those times when I had little to no responsibilities other than going to school and having fun. I never would of imagined that i wouldn’t be in contact with either of those guys at this point in my life. We spent every available second together growing up, and now i might not even recognize them if i saw them on the street. Is that normal?

My new job will require a lot of driving….a lot of driving. Which means, my leased SUV isn’t exactly the best thing to have. I still owe a lot of money on it, but i am going to need to figure out a way to find a better suited car for the job. Hopefully i can figure out a way to get out of my lease without getting killed too much.

I haven’t had anybody place an order for my new book yet, so probably not going to become a best seller!

There is no better example of how having bad employees can hurt business more than the local Subway down the street. The people who work there are nice for the most part, but they struggle. It just feels like a struggle every time you try to place an order. So every time i think about going there, i have to think twice if i really want to deal with having to pull teeth just trying to place an order, or go somewhere else. I’m just not sure who they have doing the hiring there, but i’d look into it if i were the owner. Just saying…..

Going to the cubs game next week with F’dog. It will be the first day after leaving my current job. What better way to celebrate change than at Wrigley Field. I keep saying i need a vacation, but maybe i should just plan on staying up there for a few days. That would make sense. I should start looking for a hotel downtown right this moment.

Excited to watch a foreign film tonight starring my girlfriend Penelope Cruz.