Random Thoughts- March 29

Random thoughts while waiting for the pug to show a sign of life.  This could take a while.

-As of this writing, I have two teams left in my bracket.  They are my championship game participants.  Thanks for your concern.

-Wait a minute!  My pug just moved!  False alarm, she farted.  At least it's a sign of life.

-One week to Opening Day for Major League Baseball.  I didn't see a major shift anywhere in particular, while the best moves seem to come from the Washington Nationals.  Interesting that the Big Money Spenders of the past: Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers; have been quiet.  Wonder if their GM's have spent their way into a corner.

-Pug shifted positions.  Now on mom's lap.   Back to sleep.

-Juan Pablo Montoya wins the IndyCar opener in St. Petersburg.  The new aero package seems like it's fun to drive, but left pieces all over the track.  Race Driving requires give and take, but too many drivers were taking today.  Aggressive, yes.  Smart, no.  Let's see how they drive in New Orleans in a couple of weeks.

-Pug moved...no, wait.  That's my wife breathing.

-Give Notre Dame men's basketball great credit for a great season.  15-17 a year ago, to the ACC Tournament Champs and one desperation three from going to the Final Four in what should be the game of the year.  A very young basketball team bodes well for the future.  Time will tell.

-Woah!  An ear wiggled!

So...am I off base?

Random Thoughts-March 22

Some random thoughts while recognizing I am whiter than sour cream.

-Yes, I did fill out a bracket for NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.  At this moment, I only have half of my Final Four I picked is intact.  I know you all were greatly worried.

-Spent most of Saturday replacing faucets.  My hands are cut up and dried out.  All the faucets work, and I only had to make one extra trip to the hardware store.  Beat the old adage, "One trip to the hardware store breeds two more."

-The inevitable call came today, while I was in church.  "We need a coach for ________ softball team.  We would like to have you fill that role."  Finally go to say no, with a clear conscience.  My calendar is still full of ECA baseball/softball, umpiring, and being a theater dad.  I will still see more diamonds than Zales.

-Quite pleased with the turn of weather in Northern Indiana.  We actually look like spring.  Trees in our neighborhood are budding.  We were another week or so last year before the snow got out of the way.  It was a lot worse winter a year ago.

-Spring Training is winding down.  Quite impressed wtih the Giants and the Nationals, but my stock is down on the Tigers.  They have lost more pitching in the last three years than any other Major League team and Justin Verlander looks like he might be on the down side of an excellent career.  His resurgence will be key for the Tiger's chances.

-Meanwhile, The North Side of Chicago will extend their Wold Series drought to 70 years, and Championship drought to 107 years.  Easily.

-Now that I have said it, listen for Al Michaels..."Do you believe in miracles?"

-Watch out for Notre Dame Softball.  They swept Georgia Tech, a perennial ACC power, albeit in South Bend, to run a winning streak to six games.

-Three weeks to The Masters and no Tiger sighting.  Rory missed a cut recently.  Golf could be looking for another face, and may need it quickly.  Augusta National could be the victor over the field this time.

-One week to Indy Car opener in St. Petersburg.  Watch for Simon Pagenaud to strongly compete for a Championship, now that he is with Penske.  I lean toward a strong resurgence from Juan Pablo Montoya.

So...am I off base?

One Bite At A Time

Psychologists say that smell can be tied to the strongest of emotions.  A dead skunk, a newly mown ball field, or a special perfume can each evoke disgust, joy, or total love and admiration.  Sometimes it can evoke all three simultaneously.  Okay, maybe the skunk skips the last one.

Having spent most of the last 15 years of my life supporting a radiology department at a hospital, I am still amazed what the smells of sick and injured individuals can conjure in the mind and heart.  An emergency exposes people to all kinds of suffering, most famously in trauma situations.  An ambulance delivering a crash victim that will not survive has it's own smell, one never forgotten.  Life changes fast.

However, it is the daily smells that can haunt over and over again.  The acrid smell of a jacket, so ingrained with cigarette smoke the only way to remove it is to burn the jacket, preferably outside.  An individual who drinks heavily every day can actually seem to sweat the alcohol their hardened liver can never burn off.  The smell of grease from a poor diet, sometimes fast food, sometimes self imposed, can actually make a E.R. room seem almost uninhabitable.  All three together are a scream for help with no sound whatsoever.

Exposure to this has led to one of my pet theories: Some people commit suicide one bite at a time.

Smoke, drink, and poor food are as deadly a combination as 90 MPH or a loaded revolver in the hands of the wrong person.  It just takes longer.

I was an eater.  I ate when stressed.  I ate for comfort.  I ate because it was time to eat.  I ate because I was lonely.  I ate because I was bored.  I ate because everyone else was, even if I had just eaten.

When I broke it down, I ate because I wasn't happy with me.  I wasn't handsome enough.  I wasn't popular.  I couldn't get the grades or the job I wanted.  I couldn't seem to find love.  I had to start with myself.

Even after being married to a wonderful woman, I still felt the same.  I didn't deserve her.  Trying to hold jobs that were not fit for me or my personality because I could make money.  And I ate to comfort myself from it.

Until I reached 265 pounds, and had the look of a walking heart attack or, given family history, stroke.  When I finally overcame the other silent killer, stubborness, and went to the doctor.  My blood pressure was 180/110.  I have seen dozens come in looking like I did.  Many never went back out.  Seeing someone your age, at the same stage of life, and knowing their life changed because of little decisions made long ago based on a feeling.

I still see them in our radiology images daily.  People wonder why they eat whatever they want and then wonder why they are obese.  I have 12 drinks a day and people used to think I was cool until I crashed the car.  Started smoking at 16 and now I have lung cancer.  Small decisions lead to big consequences.

We are duped by the beer companies with gorgeous people drinking beer who are "ready for whatever".  We see the Marlboro man and want the appeal he has to women.  We see McDonald's selling their food for a hug or a high five.  We want that, and sometimes never realize that to get those things you have to give them away, first.

I am still slightly obese.  I lost 85 pounds, gained back 40 pounds.  Now I am working to take it off again.  Lost almost 10 since the first of the year.  Small decisions lead to consequences.

Why I have to vent like this?  I don't know.  I just hope it helps someone.  We are at March Madness time in the world of sports.  A wonderful celebration of basketball.  Funny how those players don't look like us.

So...am I off base?

A Week Off

Thank you, virus.  I needed the time away.

Yes, I worked solidly all week.  However, my mind was separated from my body.  My body has been sick for three weeks.

The antibiotic seems to work, but the drainage continues.  Can't wait to see how I sound with a microphone in front of my face tomorrow night.

It's a shame, because some great sports is happening now.  The NCAA is heading into tournament time.  The NHL is lining up for the playoffs.  The NBA, which I haven't watched since MJ started winning titles, is discussing extending an already too long season into July.  Question: Will aanyone care?

Maybe the best thing I saw this week was the Cinderella is coming back in a live action movie.

Then again, the surprise of Purdue Men's Basketball finishing fourth in the Big Ten was pretty good, too.

Back to bed.  Maybe something better is coming.

A New Start

It's been a couple of weeks, and I have taken full advantage of the time away.  I have been sick with a nasty cold.  I managed to share, so everyone in the house has it now.  At least I shared something.

Some things have taken shape over the last couple of weeks.  I might be doing more umpiring than I thought.   Might not be as much fun as coaching, but it will still put me on the field.  I have always enjoyed umpiring in the past, and it will keep me active.  A couple of games a week might not be a bad thing.  Could be useful for the checkbook, too.

I will spend a little more time watching games at higher levels, too.  The beauty of internet television is you can pretty find any game you want any time you want it.  Pay only a modicum for it, too.

I have been spending more time working out, when I'm not sick.  I am spending a fair amount of time on treadmills and lifting some weights.  The first month of the year saw my weight drop 7 pounds.  It will take continued effort and discipline at a dinner plate, but it can be done.

I have continued my public address duties at Elkhart Christian.  Regardless of my kids' experiences, I am committed to Christian Education.  I enjoy adding something to what the kids do, and I may continue in the spring.  Might depend on how heavy the schedule is for baseball and softball, might depend on how the weight loss is going.  Either way, I want to put something special into what the kids do.  I couldn't get the P.A. job with the South Bend Cubs, so this is the next best thing.

Even have volunteer work to do with Heather's theater performances.  She is Ruby in the Pioneer Troupe's performance of Ann of Green Gables.  She will be auditioning for Disney's Tarzan with Premier Arts.  Those commitments should keep my lips moving for the next few months.

So, what does this mean to this blog?

Subjects will be broader.  Opinions will flow freely.  Stuff outside sports might make it's way in more often.  Somehow, my job at a hospital might even show up here and there.

I look forward to broadening the horizons, learning some new stuff, and hearing what you might have to say about it all.  Hope to bring more Words of Life to everyone.

Let's strap in.  The ride should be fun.