12/31/2008

The Kalida at St. Henry basketball game was exciting last night. The story of the day has been with my cell phone. The charger port is misconstrued, and the prongs are all mashed together. My phone was dead. That drives me crazy, because now that I have a cell phone I have a hard time getting by without it. Luckily my Dad is an electronics guru. He took the charger apart and found where the positive and negative ports go, and now he recharge my battery without the charger. A genius he is, at least by my thinking. So for the time being the problem is solved! I'll talk to you next year. I was told by a friend that never gets old saying on new year's eve, but I think it does. Later...

12/30/2008

Today is a volunteer day at the hospital, but I am excited for much more than donating my time to help people. Later this afternoon I am going to meet up with some friends and go to the Kalida basketball team play at St. Henry. Even though Kalida is a neighboring town, I am rooting for the latter. I have been a Redskin fan since speaking at St. Henry high school in February of this year. Hopefully I will speak to Kalida sports programs too and many other places, but the friendships I have made with faculty at St. Henry will have a lasting memory. It should be a very competitive game as the two schools have only one loss between them.

12/29/2008

Wow...I cannot help but recall how much fun was had Saturday night after the basketball game. the game had a lackluster outcome for Bulldog faithful, but that is to be expected against Pandora. The are pretty good this year. I met up with an long time friend, Chris, at the Legion afterwords, and he had his girlfriend Edalia (I have no idea how to spell her name.) They had some karaoke there, and it was so much fun. I even had a chance to dance with Edalia. I do not care who it is with I just love dancing. I was intrigued buy her presence. She serves our country in the Navy and she was very interesting.
Tonight I am going to a basketball game, tomorrow I am going to a basketball game. I am excited!

12/29/2008

I sort of met this Tammy person on the telephone yesterday, and I am a little at odds with the whole situation there.

12/28/2008

I went with my friend Tony to BW3 in Lima today, and he was home visiting from Michigan. His brother Dan, who still lives nearby met us there. The wings establishment is only about three weeks old. It was good to check it out.

12/27/2008

I also just spoke with Ben, a former Columbus Grove Jr. High teacher, when I was in high school. He is now a teacher, assistant principal, and assistant basketball coach at Liberty Benton high school. We have a good time speaking with each other. I've maintained a good friendship with him, because he is one of the coolest people I know. We are both sports enthusiasts so that it always something fun to talk about.

12/27/2008

This morning Gerry called my cell phone. He is a guy who used to be real close with my Dad, because he too worked at Phillips in Ottawa. Since they closed shop he has been divorced and lives inn Lima. Gerry is a volunteer friend at the hospital with me. Currently he is in South Carolina with some lady he met. He's been down there all of December, and he is going down there permanently by the end of January.

12/26/2008

Christmas was a success. Now is the time to start thinking high school basketball. The Columbus Grove Boys basketball team has a game tomorrow evening against Pandora. That is a neighboring town rivalry that used to be dominated by the Bulldogs in virtually all sporting contests. Notice that I said used to be, because Pandora has kind of taken control of the Grove Bulldogs these past years. Their basketball team is probably the best varsity squad in the county if not all of Northwest Ohio. Grove is outmatched on paper, but that is why they do not play the games on paper. Anything is possible on any given night. That gives me reason to love competition especially basketball!

12/24/2008

Christmas Eve, wow December is just flying bye. This month just zips along, and it seems like just about last week the month commenced. I guess when you are having fun time races past. To clarify this a little the time have been busy. There has always been something to keep me busy lately. Although some down, quiet, and alone time is occasionally appreciated to think about things, I totally enjoy having a packed schedule. I always like to be doing something, and nearly everybody attributes that to Grandma and I constantly going places when I was like four years old or so. Mother went back to full time employment when I was about that old. Spending time doing things with Grandma Schroeder continued to her passing a couple of years ago. To talk about the occasional down times that could be nice I have this to say: it has already been done for a significant portion of my life. The ten years post my accident consisted of plenty lengthy time to think about stuff. Although closing the book on improvement or recovery will never be done (since there are always improvements possible), I have recovered enough to spend time enjoying life. Hopefully it is feasible to start speaking. And I know that it is feasible, but making it happen is the task at hand.

12/23/2008

Today: Hospital, volunteer: girls basketball game: BW3 with a friend! Gotta run...

12/22/2008

My web page is now updated with a link to download the mp3 file of my new intro and updated speaking info.

12/22/2008

This morning I lost a game of cards very badly to my dad, but it does not really matter what the score was. Like any game or sports contest the margin of victory is insignificant, and the only thing that is relevant is who won. Of course it is nicer, for bragging rights and/ or talking smack, to win by a lot, but it does not affect your winning percentage any different. Tonight I am having some family and friends over here to watch the Chicago and Green Bay Monday Night Football contest. It is the most storied matchup in the history of the National Football League (NFL.) This struggle can keep the playoff hopes alive for the Bears, but the scenario is dependent on Minnesota losing to the Giants and the Bears winning out. I am not a huge bears fan, in fact I would like to see the Vikings win the division, but everyone coming over tonight are huge Bears fans. Ironically I would like to see Matt Forte rip it up as a running back for Chicago. It is the last game in my fantasy football season, and I need 22.8 points from Mason Crosby and Matt Forte, combine, to win the points title. I made some poorer choices that helped contribute to my end of season demise, but hey that goes with the reason I love competition. Anything can happen!

12/21/2008

These next couple of weeks will be ht o miss each day for entries in this blog. It is the holiday season. Today the Cincinnati Bengals play their upstate rival in Cleveland. This Bengals vs. Browns has no more meaning other than bragging rights for die hard fans, as both teams have a slim number of victories. Cleveland won the first match up this year, and s being a Bengals fan, I hope they can even the series. My that game will be frigid cold as it is like ten degrees and windy here. I would not want to watch this game at the stadium, because the teams will likely play a boring struggle. GO BENGALS!!!

12/0/2008

Schroeder Christmas tonight.. gotta run...

12/19/2008

The boys basketball game scheduled for tonight and my presentation scheduled for this afternoon, at Patrick Henry, were both postponed due to the ice storm hat infected Northwest Ohio while we were sleeping last night. Even though I love speaking and watching basketball, the cancellation of those two events were only a small piece of events that occurred due to the storm. The power was off at our house for approximately 8 hours today. In fact some of my friends and relatives are still without power. Everything is powered up here now though, and my sisters family is here now. I do not see my sister, brother-in-law, and three nephews like every day. So I feel rather privileged to be graced by their prescience today. Tomorrow is the Schroeder Christmas party. That should be a real trip, or rather a riot of complexity. I look forward to seeing everybody!

12/18/2008

The girls game at Paulding was canceled for tonight, and that is rather disappointing to me. True that I love watching basketball, but there is another reason why I am rather disappointed with the cancellation and really the forecast in general. Supposedly we are supposed to experience some winter weather tonight that could lead to treacherous travel conditions. Even though I feel discomfort for all the people out there braving it and taking the chance of making it to their destinations despite the hazardous roadways, there is yet a more substantial reason for concern. If a school day for Patrick Henry does not exist tomorrow (Friday) then my intriguing speaking opportunity shall be rescheduled to a later date yet to be determined. I spoke with Gregg (their principal) today and he assured me that we would in fact reschedule this if there is no school. If it is a one or two hour delay we will still proceed with the presentation, since it is scheduled for the afternoon. I am glad that I have an assurance of still speaking if it needs to be at a later date, but I would much rather perform tomorrow. We will see. Forecasts are typically inflated compared to what really happens, and they are no more than educated guesses (hypothesises) by meteorologists. Keep your fingers crossed.

12/17/2008

I hope that the conditions are more favorable on Friday than they are today. It is rue that I meet in Ottawa with Jeff today, but that meeting will in all likelihood till occur even though the educational facilities are closed throughout the county. Schools will delay and cancel in the slightest bit of unseasonable weather. Today I will receive my elaborate introduction to be used for m speech. Friday it becomes active as part of my presentation. That is pending, of course, on whether or not school is in session on that day. I think it is supposed to be a bit warmer on Friday, which would lend itself to melting ice on roadways, and school will be in session!

12/16/2008

I put in about 8 hours at the hospital today. It was a good time, but I am tired. I have a lunch meeting tomorrow with Jim. I am really excited about my presentation this Friday. I am hoping the weather permits having school.

12/15/2008

We had a white elephant gift exchange at my Uncle Karl's place last night. It was a last minute notification and we were just supposed to bring something from our house. Even though there were no elegant nor elaborate gifts it was still great fun. Getting together or doing anything with the Schroeder family is always a blast, because there is always joking and laughter occurring. This Saturday is our Christmas party at the Vaughnsville community center. Yearly that includes our funny and zany talent/variety show. Most people who are not in our relation would think it is sort of weird and/or stupid, but that is because our family loves to laugh and poke fun at each other.

12/14/2008

We are going to a family gathering tonight at my Uncle Karl's house. Every so often we have family gatherings on Sundays. They are just regular Sundays, and we get together at graduations and holidays. Gathering on any haphazard Sunday sort of keeps alive the tradition started by my Grandma Schroeder. Everyone used to congregate at her house on Sunday evenings. That was so much fun, and that is the reason we are such a tight knit family.

12/14/2008

Even though Columbus Grove lost to Ottoville tonight in basketball, the night still had several Positive happenings occur. I'm tired so I'll just mention the biggest in brief: I met a very interesting friend who already knew some about me.

12/13/2008

I am up and at em early this morning. My friend CJ gave me a lead in Van Wert County for speaking next year. I'll work on that next week. It would be for the D.A.R.E. program. When I was in school we just had a Deputy come in and do a rather boring program. I guess times have changed.

12/12/2008

Today was a somewhat busy day, but tomorrow is going to be crazy busy. I go in to pick up someones volunteer hours starting at 5:30 A.M., and then I go to Findlay high school to speak to their grls basketball team. From there I go to the Columbus Grove boys basketball team's first game. Speaking of the Grove boys.... I gave them a little inspirational talk today. We'll see if they can catapult off of my words today!

12/11/2008

There is a girls game tonight which is home. It should be rather interesting. Dad cut my hair this morning, as I was due for a trim. I feel better since the haircut, and really that is all psychological. I am very tired today. A quality nights rest is becoming quite rare these days. Take last night as an example. I did not get enough sleep. Although I hit the sack early, I laid there awake most of the early morning. I think about everything too intently. That is usually the case, but there was not that much on my mind last night, and I guess I was just worried about not getting enough sleep. Oh well... a nap after lunch will work, I guess.

12/10/2008

Today my friend Jeff stopped over to get the theme music to mix with his voice at the studio, and the resulting introduction to my presentation is what the output will be. Originally he was going to stop back at my house later this afternoon, but we will be meeting probably for dinner on Friday instead. We will make the exchange at that point. The studio guy is going to make a finished product out of what was done today. I was really excited about getting the introduction done today, but waiting two more days will not kill me. Beside Jeff said they were going to edit his voice by adjusting the volume an adding echo to it at certain points. I am so happy with this getting done. I am also speaking to the Columbus Grove boys' and Findlay girls' basketball teams on Friday and Saturday afternoons, respectively. The thing is these groups will be smaller than I'm used to, but it does not mater whether you are talking to large groups, small groups, or individuals making a difference is rewarding. Now I will not be using the new introduction at these, but its inaugural use will be at Patrick Henry high school on December 19.

12/9/2008

I have a Christmas party at work today, which should be a blast. I am working on an intro for m speaking with Jeff. I am really excited about this! I also am getting excited about the opportunities that are presenting themselves. I confirmed a date for speaking to the Findlay girls basketball team last night, and I made further contacts for Toledo Central Catholic high school. I had a great conversation with their basketball coaches. They were impressed and I too with the possibility to impact lives at the high school. I had a longer conversation with the junior varsity coach and assistant. The assistant was awed with me and expressed that it took him many more years to know about and understand life as much as I do. I am particularly excited to maybe speak there, because that would be a big step towards speaking across the nation. It starts with around Ohio, and Toledo is a noteworthy city. The feedback and contacts I would get there would be greatly beneficial toward reaching my goal. Goals are essential when trying to tackle anything. Start with small and manageable objectives, and take things step by step to get to where you want to be. I like the motto one step at a time, because all too often things become a mess when more than one thing is attempted at the same time or you stretch for extremities.

12/8/2008

I finalized arrangements with Gregg at Patrick Henry today. Then I went and picked up my recommendation letter from Pandora Gilboa high school. I also put those on my website. Tomorrow Mr. Johnson will contact the Educational Service Centers from the surrounding counties with recommendation letters for me as a speaker. Tonight I am going to a basketball game at Findlay High School. I am sure I will make a few contacts.

12/7/2008

It was an unusual Sunday for me, and watching football this afternoon was not different. Monday is a holy day of obligation for the Catholic church, and I went to a holy day mass tonight. Church was packed full of people, which was awesome. Another different happening was that my aunt Joan came over after church to play card.

12/7/2008

Today is the anniversary of a famous day in history, and no I am not talking about the bombing of Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1956 is Larry Bird's birth date. He was the greatest ball player, in my opinion, to ever live!

12/6/2008

It was also a time to remember my fateful accident today. I try not to dwell on December 6 too much, because it is a very unpleasant memory for my parents. December 6, 1997 (11 years ago today) is the day of my accident. I nearly lost my life that day, but now I am making the best of it. I am really excited to share my motivational presentation, bettering the lives of others. I hope to do many presentations.

12/6/2008

It really is frigid, and the roads are not very good either. When I got back to the high school after the girls game I had to let mt windshield defrost so a little bit of visibility existed. The roads were a little bad but not treacherous. We are having relatives over for supper and to play cards afterwords. I made more contacts today, and next week I will hopefully finalize making some speaking engagements.

12/5/2008

It is a cold December day, and I was outside stacking a little wood today. That included dragging a little brush to a pile too. It was cold outside. When I had to remove gloves to talk on the telephone... wow I got cold quick. Tonight I am going to a movie with Christine. She is from Delphos, and she seems pretty nice. This is the first time doing anything with her, and we will see if a fun time is had by all.

12/4/2008

Well, I finished reading the responses from the students who saw my presentation this morning. I really impacted many people, and for that reason I am ecstatic. Of course it went well, but I can become a better, more dynamic, speaker, and that will take a little work. It is not some large mountain that need climbed, as it was to navigate walker free, because I think I have all the tools needed but need more practice. Like everything I do since the accident, it just takes more time to polish it up. I am not afraid to work, you can trust me on that one, and I believe most of my unsatisfactory feeling comes with not speaking regularly. Do not get me wrong, because my talk went well today. The problem is that I am very critical of evaluating myself. I strive for perfection, which I have done my whole life and will continue, and that has helped me stay fairly successful at what I do.

12/4/2008

I do not think there is any delays, and that means it is a go this morning!

12/3/2008

Well... I am writing this now, because I have many things to take care of before I go to speak tomorrow. I hope the weather is fabulous, because you know how schools can be. With a slight hint of slippery roads it is like boom two hour delay. I guess it is okay though, because it is that way since buses are responsible for youth lives and do not travel safely in slippery conditions. A two hour delay would postpone my talk to another day yet to be determined. I get a great feeling when I make a difference in the lives of others. I look forward to doing a knockout job.

12/3/2008

The volunteering, basketball game, and Knights of Columbus meeting kept me swamped yesterday. Tomorrow I have to get some final door prizes for my presentation at PGHS Thursday morning. I really would like to do a really good knockout performance. Many important contacts and friends will be in attendance. Later today I have to be in Findlay at the University for part two of two of my interaction with the Occupational therapy class. I need some rest. Good night!

12/1/2008

It indeed was a hectic day, but that is what I like. I was able to speak with Nate, the athletic director in Findlay, and Connie (the girls basketball coach) and hopefully I made a few speaking arrangements. It was a very tiresome day. I did get to eat dinner with CJ and Shelly. We had a chance to share speaking adventures with each other. Tomorrow is a busy day and I need rest... Later!