Change is coming

Been awhile...again...I know. So, some things have come up that are going to stir the pot around my life. About a month ago I found out that my place of work is closing it's doors on the 31st of December. Needless to say this news sucks. After having a steady job for almost 10 years the thought of job hunting and doing interviews again just makes me cringe. However, I'm also kind of looking forward to it. I think it's time for something new. I will miss my friends and co-workers but I'm sure I will get into something just as fun and find more firends. The funny part was that the next night, after hearing this news, I injured my leg at softball. Tore my calf muscle to be exact. Turned out to be a fun week. So, as of now, I am job hunting as well as recovering.

To kind of go along with my injury news, I have decided to give up playing softball. It's kind of hard for me to do so, but I think I've found an outlet. I've been playing baseball or softball since I was very little and every year since. It's difficult to let go after living and breathing the sport I grew up with but life goes on. I'm taking on coaching youth baseball next year to fill the void. I want to help my son learn to play better and help other kids have some fun and further their skills. I've asked one of my best friends, who has played ball with me since we were kids, to help me. I've also asked my dad, who was a huge reason why I played ball, to help as well. Between the three of us I know we can do some good and have an impact of some future players.

As far as school goes, I haven't written it off. Just trying to sort out everything else right now. I'm thinking of going back for photography or sports management. I haven't decided which. But, like I said, everything else first.

Laini is getting so big. She started daycare this month. She is doing great. We go to pick her up and ask her what she did for the day and her answer is, " I played with boys." I love it. Anthony started basketball practice this morning. He is really looking forward to it, so I hope he does well. Both kids have birthdays coming up. It's crazy how much they've grown. Laini will be 2 in November and Anthony will be 13 in December.

Well that's all for now. Hopefully it won't be so long between posts from here on out. No promises.

The Joys of Fall

It's almost fall again and this one will still be crazy. Anthony started school today. He's in 7th grade already. That just seems crazy to me. He's in band still. Jazz band is likely as well. He is also back playing soccer again. I also am keeping busy. Getting ready for fall softball once again. Double headers as always.

 I'm still up in the air about school as of now. Part of me wants to go back and another part of me is kind of scared to. I know I want to further my education and career but I'm just so uncertain. Work is the same for me. Been in retail so long that the years just seem to blur. Another couple of months and it will be 7 years at my current place of employment. Time flies.

Laini is doing well. She is growing like a weed. She is already as tall as my niece Lexi and she doesn't turn 2 until November. Insane I say! Connie is still working at the same place. Same days I envy her. I don't know how she handles/juggles everything. She would say that that's what mom's do. I love her for it. She is everything to me. Well, I'll write more later. For now, I'm off to sleep.

Career Paths

So, it's been awhile since I've been on here. But, some things have come up recently that have made me start thinking about my future again. I've come to realize that retail is not the career for me. It's been fun while it lasted but, I need a change. So, I've been thinking about options for school and classes. I want to first throw out that I have no idea when this will happen. I've been wanting to get back into photography for awhile now. But, in all honesty, I'm not sure that's going to be a path that will pay the bills and take care of my family. However, I have not ruled it out either. I also heard about a local college that offers degrees in Sports Management. That is something I'd like to check into. My whole life has revolved around sports. Both playing and coaching. I can't remember the school, but I'm going to be doing to investigating. I just need a new path. Retail has been great the last 6 or 7 years, but I can just feel it in my heart that it is not what I was meant to be doing. Now I know that some of you would like to see me further my interests in art. Well, what can I say to that? I still love art and comics very much. I just don't see that going very well seeing that as I right this I haven't done an art project in about 10 years or so. Sucks, but such as life. I've been spending time with family and enjoying time with my kids. That doesn't mean I won't do some art in my spare time, but not as a career. I have been doing a whole lot of sports over that time though. Whether it be playing/coaching softball or enjoying my son playing sports. I have been thinking about getting a coaches license the last couple of years but, maybe the Sports Management path is the way to go instead. I know I'm kind of rambling on here, so I talk more about this later. For now, feel free to chime in with any thoughts or opinions. Until next time.

-Jr.

End of the Decade

Well it's been 2 months since I last gave my 2 cents, so I figured I was due. My daughter is now here. She is now 6 weeks old and growing like a weed. Yes, Alaina Mae is doing well..Laini Bug to me. So, what else is new? Not a lot. I lost in fantasy football..again. I finally picked up a blu-ray player..yay me! Good stuff.

As far as the movies go, I haven't been to a show in awhile. I did see A Christmas Carol though. Pretty good. I liked it a lot. I still want to see a few as well. Avatar, Sherlock Holmes, The Princess and the Frog and a couple others. I still haven't seen The Hangover yet, I know..I know.

I'm looking forward to summer..I hate snow. 28 inches in the last 2 weeks. Stupid midwest weather. I'm already wanting sunshine and 7o degree weather...and baseball. Football is almost over and I don't get into basketball much other than the NCAA tournament in March.

By the way, If you are not reading Green Lantern by now, you need to be smacked...hard. Hands down the best comic book in the last few years. What Geoff Johns has done with this series is incredible. I'm also reading the fourth book in the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin. Excellent series. Although I'm kind of struggling with this one. I think it's really more procrastination than anything else.

Really looking forward to all the movies coming out in 2010. I'm sure I'll be back to report on them at a later time. Well, I'm out for now. Enjoy New Years Eve and Happy New Year.

My life right now.

This has been one of the craziest years of my life. That's not really a bad thing. I am expecting our baby any day now. I can't wait. This is just the tip of the iceberg though, trust me. I won't go into everything here, but like I said it's been crazy.

So, it's been awhile. June, I think. I've been busy. Prepping for a baby is a lot of fun. I haven't really seen a whole lot of movies lately. Unfortunately. On the plus side, I've been reading more. I finally, after 5 years of harassment, started reading George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series. Honestly, probably the best series of books I have read in a long time. Why I didn't read these sooner I couldn't tell you. I won't give anything away here. Just pick them up and read them. You won't be disappointed. Look for the HBO adaptation, A Game of Thrones, to start airing sometime next year. Should be awesome as well.

In other news, I have been playing a lot of NCAA Football 2010 lately. Forgot how addictive that game is. Good stuff. For those of you who haven't played Batman: Arkham Asylum yet, shame on you. This game is the best game of the year! In my opinion of course. By far the best Batman game ever made.

I've also started playing Magic: The Gathering. The card game, not the Xbox game. It really is pretty fun. Easy to pick up on. However, spending money on the cards can quickly become very bad. Still, really fun to do. Quick games usually and you can play with several players.

Anybody else watching Castle? Nathan Fillion is awesome! One of the best shows on TV. So is the book they are advertising. The book by the way, is selling like crazy thanks to the marketing on the show. I know at my store we are sold out and all of our warehouses are temporarily out of stock. That's crazy talk. I'm also starting to watch the HBO show Rome. So far so good.

Well I think that's enough for one night. Later.

Big Robots and Championship Tigers!

For all you haters out there, Transformers 2 was freaking awesome! I don't know why everyone is expecting so much from a Michael Bay film. Lots of action, fights, big booms..that's booms not boobs, and excitement. If you liked the first one, you'll like this one. Seriously, these shows are based of toys for crying out loud. They are fun and entertaining. Tons of robots in this one. The Twins (Skids & Mudflap) are pretty funny, Wheelie..not so much, Soundwave was cool although not used a whole lot. I was kind of disappointed that they didn't use some of the other new characters very much, but no ones perfect. Overall, I'd say 3.5 out of 5, but seriously close to a 4. These are the types of movies we don't get any more. The big action, not much plot, summer movies. I miss those. There are way too many tearjerker dramas out there. Anyway, go check it out. Fun movie for all ages, with the exception of some language.

Moving on....the LSU Tigers are the 2009 NCAA Baseball Champions!!! I'm loving every minute of it. LSU has always been my favorite school. Mostly for baseball, but now for pretty much any sport. This was my dream college. This is where I wanted to go play ball at after high school. So, believe me when I say I shed tears for my team when they won. Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a huge baseball fan. I'm so loving this win. For all you band wagon Longhorn fans, serves you right for trash talking all series long! For, you true 'Horns fans, better luck next year. I'm pretty sure Texas will be there. Geaux Tigers!!

That's all I got. Later all.

Back..

Sorry I've been away for awhile. But, here I am again...and moving on.

First things first, I am on vacation! Thank the Lord. I really needed some time away from work. Planning on hanging out with the family and spending some time relaxing.

Second, the College World Series is underway here in Omaha. My LSU TIgers are on a roll and I'm loving every minute of it. I love baseball. Under appreciated college sport that it is. Speaking of the CWS, several people I know, who have lived here all their lives, are complaining about the CWS and the traffic...again. Seriously people, move on already. Some of these people hate baseball apparently, which is fine, but don't put down the sport because you don't like the traffic. Baseball is this country's pastime, like it or not. Soccer/Futbol is not, just so we're clear...you know who you are.

Looking forward to summer movies. Transformers 2 is coming up next week. Saw Star Trek a few weeks back. Best flick I've seen all year. Also, Harry Potter, Public Enemies, and G.I. Joe are all coming out soon. Although, I'm not sold on the latter. This coming from a huge G.I. Joe fan.

I am now currently caught up on all things Family Guy. I picked up Volume 7 this week on DVD. Best show on TV right now, hands down. Also picked up the new Ghost Busters game for Xbox 360. I have yet to play it. I'll let you know how it is.

Finally, I have come to a point in my life where I feel like I'm not going anywhere. I miss my artwork and I'm beginning to hate retail with a passion. I want to go back to school, but now is not the time. I have a baby on the way, a new car to pay for, and my house to fix. I'm not complaining about the last things. They are part of my life and I'm super excited for my new baby. I really need to sit down and reevaluate my life. I've gained probably somewhere around 10 pounds, I don't exercise, I miss artwork, and I'm beginning to miss playing baseball. I don't know. Maybe it's just a phase. I feel like I'm not who I should be. (wow, that totally reminded me of Anakin Skywalker....sad).

Okay, no more whining...tonight. Good night/good morning all.