All These Things That I've Done

I just sat down to write this, knowing that it has been a long time since I last posted. I'm going to stop promising that I'll post more often, becuause the truth is I probably won't. I'm going to be a lot busier in the next couple months than I have been, so I know more frequent posts are not in the near future. The point I'm trying to make is that life is busy, and I don't know how much I'll be able to post coming up, but that's ok. My life seems to be coming together, and it's a good feeling.

I've been thinking the past couple days about how lucky I am. I have a wonderful family that has supported me in anything I've ever done, whether they agreed with it or not. They've always been there, and have provided me with the material things I've needed (or wanted) to the best of their abilities. I have really great friends who are always there, and we always look out for each other, while having a blast together at the same time. Most importantly though, I have the best finace anyone could ever ask for. She puts up with me when I'm in a bad mood, and sometimes I'm sure that can be a chore in itself. She's beautiful, caring, and she's the woman of my dreams. I'm very lucky to have her, and she's spun my life around 180 degrees, which is exactly what I needed.

The reason I've been thinking about this is because of the things I've had the opportunity to do in my life. I might not have the best job, I might not have the best things, but I've had the opportunity to do A LOT of things. Now that we just went to the Final Four, I've got to watch both a College Basketball and College Football National Championship. I've been to like 30 states. I've played baseball everywhere from Ohio to Tennessee to Oklahoma. I've played poker at some of the biggest and best casinos in the world. Now, I'm no high roller by any means, but I've had the opportunity to do a lot of things in my life, and for that, I'm very thankful.

Well, Vegas was fun…I don't feel like talking too much about it right now, so that'll be that. I might post some pictures on here randomly just for fun.

The Final Four was cool too…it just sucks we lost the National Championship game…especially to Florida. Oh well, nothing we can do. Here are a few pics…

That's all for now…who knows when I'll be back.

"Have you ever wondered what marks our timing? If one life can really make an impact on the world? Or if the choices we make matter? I believe they do. And I believe that one man can change many lives... for better, or worse."

Lifetime Piling Up

Whew…doesn't seem like there is any time to slow down these days. When I was younger, I always wondered why adults always said they were so busy. I didn't understand how they had all these things to do. Now I do. Everything is so hectic, and there is just so much to get done. There just isn't enough hours in the day.

We've been back from Vegas for about a week and a half, and yet I still haven't had time to post a trip report. An abbreviated version might come in this blog futher down, but I haven't decided yet. I'd like to do a nice full one, so we'll see.

My mom got out of the hospital while we were in Vegas, but then had to go back in 3 days later. She had fluid on her lungs, which was causing her a lot of pain, so they had to put a chest tube in to drain the fluid. The problem is that she has been on blood thinner (and will be for awhile) to stop clots from forming, so they had to stop her blood thinner and wait for her blood level to get back to normal so she wouldn't bleed to death when they put the tube in. So she's been in the hospital for a week and a half. The good news is that she had the tube taken out yesterday, and as soon as they can get her blood thinner level back up, she should be able to go home for good…at least let's pray it's for good. She's been through more in the last year and a half than any human should have to endure during their entire life. She deserves to catch a break here soon.

Other than that, we're trying to find a house still. It's starting to get a little frustrating, but hopefully we can find something we like soon. I'm also trying to get some bills paid off before we get a house. I've been pretty irrresponsible with money this past year, and I'm paying for it now…literally. I've been trying to work some overtime to get the extra cash to pay off some of these debts, but with my mom in the hospital it's hard to find the time. I try to go see her everyday because I know it can get lonely in the hospital, but it shortens my evenings. I shouldn't be complaining though, she's the one that has to be in there.

I did finally pay off Kylie's ring!!! I'm pretty proud of myself actually. I came up with $5,000 in a little less than 5 months. That's pretty impressive…at least to me. I had 0% interest until December, but I didn't want that big debt hanging over my head, plus it wouldn't look good when we apply for a loan for a house. That's all for now…I've decided to do a full trip report here soon. Give me a week. I'll talk to ya later.

"There are moments in our lives when we find ourselves at a crossroads. The choices we make in those moments can define the rest of our days. And, of course when faced with the unknown, most of us prefer to turn around and go back. But, once in a while, people push onto something better. Something found just beyond the pain of going it alone. And just beyond the bravery and courage it takes to let someone in. Or to give someone a second chance. Something beyond the quiet persistence of a dream. Because, it's only when you’re tested that you truly discover who you are. And, it's only when you're tested that you discover who you can be. The person you want to be does exist; somewhere on the other side of hard work and faith and belief. And, beyond the heartache and fear of what lies ahead."

This Weight Is A Gift

Man, have I been lazy lately…I'm still stuck in the holiday mode, so I need to kick it in to gear. Starting next week, I'll be working overtime again, so I can start saving for the wedding…wow, never thought I'd be saying that…but that's how it goes. Life seems to work in funny ways, and when you are least expecting something, like finding the person of your dreams, poof…they show up in your life. Maybe everything does work out in the end.

I've been really stressed lately though. It seems like with this wedding, honeymoon, and trying to save money for a house, times are going to be a little tough for the next year and a half. Not to mention that I still have to pay off Kylie's ring before January 1st of next year. Throw all that together with about a 1,000 other things that have to get done or need my attention, and it makes me really stressed. I've tried to tell myself that everything will work itself out, which I'm sure it will, but it's hard to not stress about it. I think that times like these are thrust upon people to help them figure out how much they can handle. I know I'll figure out a way to get through this and I'll come up with the $$ for everything, and in the long run it'll help me because I'll know that I can do anything I need to do. So this burden isn't actually a burden at all, just a challenge that will allow me to take another step in becoming the person I want to be.

My Buckeyes also got WAXED in the National Championship game. They were favored to win, and to be honest I didn't think Florida had a chance…but they came out and dominated the Bucks…the OSU Marching Band did a new version of script Ohio at halftime, when the Buckeyes were down by 20. Check it out.

Also, we've decided on a date and location for the wedding. We're getting married on June 27, 2008 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Mark your calendars, it should be an awesome time!!

On the poker front, I've decided to get back to what makes me money…tournaments and sit n go's. I will mostly play sit n go's, but I want to improve my multi-table tournament game as well. When I was making half-way decent money, I was playing sit n go's…I was up to $20 buy ins, and I hope to be back there in a couple months. I don't think I can play no limit cash games until I learn to control my tilting…I need to get better at that. This is all I've got for now, so I'll catch ya later.

"There comes a time when every life goes off course. In this desperate moment, you must choose your direction. Will you fight to stay on path? Will others tell you who you are? Or will you label yourself? Will you be haunted by your choice? Or will you embrace your new path? Each morning you choose to move forward or simply give up."