2008 - A Year Of Fun

When I look back at the year that was 2008, it's going to be with a lot of smiles. I probably smile when I look back at every year of my life but this one in particular saw a lot. There were some huge events in my life but also, some of the best times ever with friends and family. And like many years, there were ups and downs, but man, were there a lot more ups!

Consider this, I started 2008 in New Orleans a little tipsy, fresh off of earning an All-American award. And not only that, but the 3 peeps I went with, earned All-American as well. It was the perfect start to what would be an amazing year.

The first real down of 2008 came in February when I idiotically volunteered myself to help my college TV station with a conference documentary. Unknown to me, that meant going to Columbus on Super Bowl Sunday and setting up, DURING THE GAME! There are few things that can stop me from sitting and watching a Super Bowl and that conference wasn't going to be one of them. So we hurried, got to an ending point, and watched the amazing ending at Champps. And I got to watch it with people who didn't care nearly as much as I did, and yet, it was still amazing.

College Basketball season made for a fun March. Whether it was OSU winning the NIT or the amazing March Madness that saw all number one seeds make the Final Four, it was a good time. Oh, and the two watch-nights I had at my apartment, complete with my friend Shane singing the Kansas fight song ad nauseum. Oh, good times...

And speaking of good times, despite the cold temps and frequent snow, the Pub on Mondays and Wednesdays was always there to keep us warm, inside and out with a frosty beverage. Sometimes, it would be two of us and other times, it would be a crowd. No matter what though, it was a blast.

And how about the Promise thing? It started in 2007 but really caught fire in 2008. Oh man, from being made fun in class to having the Prez call me Promise every time he saw me, that campaign gave me a nickname that so far, shows no sign of fading away.

Winter did bring about another round of Intramural shortcomings, as I was a part of 4 teams, and all lost in either the quarters or semis in their respective sport. With each loss, a part of me died. Moving on...

Spring began with me taking my first ever Spring Break Trip. It would be a cruise, complete with a casino, pizza buffet, and giant chess board. And yeah, I played on it, multiple times, and won every time. Right after the cruise, it was an immediate turnaround to head to Tucson, AZ for bball officiating. The reffing didn't go too well but trust me, that wasn't a high priority.

Spring Quarter kind of was a blur. Whether that was because of my lack of a real class (I don't think Intro To Computers and Piano II count) or my nightly trips to the establishments, all I remember is having fun every night.

There was the Wednesday Newswatch dream team, the return to lifting weights, and the final everything, from IM shifts to tours. But nothing compares to the day when I got a call saying they wanted me for a job. Yeah, a TV sports job!

Graduation came just days after the job call and let me tell ya, if you can get Peter King to do your graduation speech, make it happen. You'll enjoy it. Unlike other graduations, I shed no tears because for once, I manned up. Yes, it took 21 years. So what?

There wasn't much time for celebrating the graduation with friends though. 3 weeks later, I was on the move to Augusta, GA, starting my career. Career is still a scary word to me for some reason. Anyways, 2 weeks after that, I worked for 13 days straight, including one day of sleeping 13 hours straight accidentally and being late to work. Don't worry. They didn't fire me...and hope they never do.

Augusta in itself has been a change for sure. I say "pop" and get made fun of. I hear the word "ya'll" a lot more. The weather is amazing every month. The playoff system for high school sports is wacky. But more important than any of that, the people are great. I've made friends and don't get lost every week anymore.

It was great to be home for Thanksgiving, especially after missing OU Homecoming. Being able to get back to the state of Ohio and just breathe the Buckeye/Bobcat air was great. It was a perfect trip back home, seeing all the family and friends. And even some special guest appearances I didn't foresee.

Of course, Christmas wasn't the best ever. Mom had the emergency appendectomy and all, but it all worked out, as I was able to fly back home the next week and celebrate Christmas and New Year's with my family and friends in Columbus.

So where does this year compare to others? I don't know. Never been good at that. But considering I earned my diploma and got the first job in what I hope is a long and successful career as a sportscaster, I'd say it's pretty high up.

So I begin 2008 in the Big Easy and end it with friends in CBus. Tough to ask for anything more. Here's hoping 2009 brings even more memories and good times. Happy New Year everyone!

The Christmas Holiday Alone

First off, let me start this by saying Merry Christmas! I hope you and yours are having a fabulous holiday. Whether that is at home or away from the humble abode, I hope you are having a fantastic time. And I mean that truly.

So, it is officially Christmas. As I start this post at 12:30am, it's tough for me to actually go to sleep. Because unlike any other Christmas I've ever had, I'm not waking up with my family, eating a late breakfast, and opening up gifts. Now granted, we've had a few unorthodox Christmases, but none like this. Not one with me in Augusta, GA and my mom recovering from an appendectomy in Columbus, OH. No, for sure, this one takes the cake.

Now, trust me, I'm fine. I'm not homesick. When I picture Christmas, I don't picture Columbus, OH. Honestly, all I picture is my family. My sister complaining about something. My dad moving slow in everything he does. My mom making eggs with cheese, which I despise. And then by 1pm when we all have opened our presents, all the smiles on their faces when we all have opened our presents.

Every year, my mom talks about how we should cut back on our Christmas. Go to a 2-gift limit or something rather. And every year, I tell her "no way" because it's the one holiday where money is no object. My family is not one to celebrate birthdays with extravagance. I mean, who really wants to get older? Instead, we tend to focus on Christmas, because it's when we're all together.

But in 2008, we won't be. In fact, we're not even close. But being away from them has really allowed me to think about how much they mean to me. How much I've grown as a man and how much they influenced that maturation process. How great of friends I have who asked me about my mom, or sent a card, or gave me a gift despite the distance. And that's what it's all about.

You know, I used to think the best Christmas I ever had was the one where we actually opened gifts on Christmas Eve because I surprised my dad with Pacers-Pistons tickets for their Christmas Day game and Colts-Chargers tickets for the day after. I mean, he couldn't believe it. And of course, I bought my mom and sister spa gift certificates. Come on now, I had to do that right?

But as weird as it may sound, this may be the best Christmas yet. First off, because my mom is feeling better after surgery. Nothing is better than that. But also, I feel like I am closer to my family than ever before, despite being 10 hrs away.

So don't worry about me friends. I'm just fine. Kevin in "Home Alone"...now, you should've worried about him. But me, I'll be just fine. There's nothing a brew and The Lion King can't help. MERRY CHRISTMAS, and as always, HAKUNA MATATA.

How I Roll - Christmas Style

So I had been racking my brain about how to top my 4 ft tree. Then it hit me like a roided Barry Bonds homer. The OU foam finger that I never returned to friend after precollege. And yes, I am still lacking ornaments but I like my little tree without ornaments.

As far as how the lonely Christmas is going so far, it's not been bad. I've caught up on a few movies and cooked a few times. Oh, and my shopping is complete, finally!

So now, it's time to go to work. I am actually kind of excited to go to work to take my mind off the fact that I am spending the holiday without the family. But the good news is my mom's appendix is out, surgery went well, and I will see them next week.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas Eve Eve. Time for another movie and beverage.

Oh and last thing, I did this from my phone. It's called mobile blogging. If it works well, there will be many posts from me during the slow times here in GA.

Christmas Time Is Here...

First off, I apologize. I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted on this blog. I've had many ideas and many things happen but for some reason, the holiday season got the best of me. And that meant blowing off the blog, which I try not to do. Especially since the things I do instead aren't more productive or even entertaining.

But anyways, in the words of "A Charlie Brown Christmas", Christmas Time is here. And most years for me, that means joy is in the air and I am emptying my wallet for gifts. But funny what a difference a year can make.

Last year, I was home in Columbus with my family. Living under my parents' roof during break. Still getting that quarterly check from OU and making good money on the side as a bball ref. But now, I am in Augusta, GA, living by myself, in an apartment I pay rent for, and there's no money on the side. In fact, the money I make is probably less once you add in expenses and such.

And as for Christmas, well, that's gonna be a bit of a disappointment this year. Without the usual spending cash, the gifts are gonna be a lot cheaper. And even worse, thanks to a badly timed appendix problem with my mom, I'll be without the family. Now, my mom should be just fine (which is all that matters) but it still kinda stinks.

I've always liked to think of myself as a family man first. And while there have been times where I have not acted like it, I am positive that I am. And when it comes to a holiday like Christmas, it really means a lot to be around the ones I love. So being alone for Christmas won't be a lot of fun at all. But if there is a silver lining to all this, it's that not being with my family during this holiday season has really made me appreciate them that much more.

So how am I spending my Christmas so far? Well, I am working on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Fun, I know. But to pass the lonely time, I have plenty of movies lined up that I've been meaning to watch. From "I Am Legend" to "Snakes On A Plane", I should be entertained. I blast Christmas music in the car and at the crib until I can't stand it anymore. Plus, I have a few more shopping days now, which is a blessing and curse at the same time. Oh, and I have some beverages in case I want to sleep a little easier for Santa and two boxes of Cheez-It, sure to be gone by Christmas Day.

So no worries folks, I'll be just fine. If my mom comes out of this surgery fine, then this will be up there as one of the best Christmases ever. Yeah, the gifts won't be as big. And yes, I'll be by myself when I wake up on Christmas morning. But I understand how lucky I am still.

I have a wonderful family. I have amazing friends. I have my health. And hey, I have a job (important these days). So hey, Hakuna Matata. Merry Christmas everyone.