3/30/2009

Today my muscles are still a little sore from my Columbus (state basketball tournament) escapades this past weekend, but I did take a walk alongside the woods and back to the north edge of our farm. Checking out nature back in the wilderness is very mind stimulating, and it has been a past time of mine since I was a youngster!

3/29/2009

Today I am just watching basketball and resting. It was a rough weekend where I got very little sleep. And it was not due to partying too much. I did a lot of walking, but that is not a problem. I did go to many basketball games and visited lots of friends. Heck I even met a lot of new people, but the last three things did not contribute to making my weekend in Columbus a rough one. The reason it was not the smoothest was because I was not sleeping at home o in familiar surroundings. The hotel was a well recognized chain, but for some reason sleep, although I felt tired, did not happen often enough. It is not discernible weather the problem was an uncomfortable bed or the strange noises coming from the other side of the room. Curt, who went with me to Columbus (and occupied the other half of the double bedded room,) is a noisy sleeper. That may have added to the lack thereof sleep I got. Basketball is awesome though, and seeing my St. Henry pals made the trip to the state's capital city well worth it. I also met lots of new people, and making new friends is something I enjoy. Talking is something I like to do.

3/25/2009

I'm getting all packed up for my trip to Columbus this weekend. Basketball season is my favorite time of the year, and it is its most fun at tournament time. Not that my personal opinion on who I want to win matters not in the final outcome, but I will be rooting for Kalida.

3/24/2009

Volunteering at the hospital today will be rewarding experience... as I will hopefully get many chances to help many people. It is too bad that Gerry no longer volunteers there, or even resides in Ohio anymore. Since he now is a resident of South Carolina there is a replacement named Janet who took his spot. She is of course very fun to work with, but she is no Gerry. Ramona still works at the front desk, and she is the third Tuesday wheel from when I started (Ramona, Gerry, and I.) To me that is the way it is supposed to be. We could have ended up with a not very cool person to help at the front desk, and I am thankful Janet has that position. Ramona was not there last wee, but I spoke with her on the phone yesterday, and she confirmed that she would be there today.
No Knights of Columbus meeting tonight and no cards. That means I will be volunteering until 8:30.

3/23/2009

Today, I am hoping to get a workout in. We have reconciliation mass this evening also, really it is a penance service. Hopefully it will not take more than an hour, because there are many things going on in my life right now. I am really looking forward to being in Columbus for the OHSAA boys basketball tournament this weekend.

3/21/2009

It is official; there will be two area teams playing in the boys state championship tournament. In fact Ada and Kalida are both schools that Columbus Grove yearly. If they both win their semifinal game, which I hope happens, they will do battle in the final on Saturday. One would likely guess that I would be torn and undecided on who to cheer for, since they are both schools in Columbus Grove's two associations (NWC and PCL,) but that is not at all the scenario. I will be pulling for Kalida!!!

3/20/2009

I am going to go hang out in Findlay tonight with Brian and other friends. They have league bowling tonight, and afterwords we are going to watch the Buckeyes in the NCAA tourney. That will likely be at some sports bar.

3/18/2009

I just got done splitting our final group of logs for this winter season. It was too much work for me to do, because I had o sit down to rest on several occasions. I guess a little bit of strenuous exercise is not going to kill me. I just am not cut out to function as well as before my accident, but it is my life now and I love it. The only way we could possibly add to the wood collection, which includes many stacks of wood between trees of our woods, would be if mother nature takes down some trees by wind or lightening. Last summer we collected wood from my uncles house and my cousins house, too. There was a big storm last year that gave us ample opportunity to get wood.

3/17/2009

St. Paddy's Day everyone. The Knights of Columbus meeting was extraordinarily exciting for me tonight. A partial reason for that was because I won some extra pocket change in cards, but fun and excitement also existed since in the midst of our solo game we found out that Kalida boys won their basketball game. When I got home I found out that Ada won too. I know that Kalida is heavily favored to win Friday in their regional final, but I am not aware of who Ada faces in their regional championship (also on Friday.) I feel that it would be great if these two North West Ohio schools would play each other at the state tournament in Columbus next weekend.

3/16/2009

Split some logs today and stacked wood. Man, splitting wood is difficult work!

3/15/2009

Today is officially dedicated o college basketball and tournament brackets. Go BUCKEYES!

3/14/2008

I went out in Findlay today/tonight. I went to Brian's place, where we watched basketball as well as shoot some pool. The main game watched was Ohio State's upsetting of Michigan State in the Big Ten tournament. The Spartans were the number one seed in the bracket. Tomorrow (Sunday) the Buckeyes play Purdue for the Big Ten tournament, and the wi9nner receives an automatic 5 seed in the big dance (NCAA tournament) beginning with 64 teams next Thursday. It is often referred to as March Madness! It gets pretty crazy the first four days. Two rounds will be completed and there will be only 16 teams left (often referred to as the Sweet 16.) Prior too next Thursday many brackets will be passed around, and I am sure that I will fill out my fair share of them.
The most amazing thing that was done tonight was running into a waitress that I met at a different sports bar in Findlay, but she now works at the Landing Pad. That is the name of another sports bar/restaurant in Findlay. She is a really awesome girl, and the food at the place is fabulous. New management really turned that place around!

3/13/2009

Friday the 13th dd not turn out to be that frightening after all, despite it being made fearful by the movie. Kalida beat Pandora in the District final tonight at Elida, and Ada knocked off New Knoxville, also. Those outcome both make mr happy, as area teams advance to Regional.

3/12/2009

Ottawa-Glandorf won their district semi final game by a narrow margin last night while Liberty Benton lost by the slimmest amount of points (1.) I watched both games on tape delay, and I did not hear their results beforehand. Both games were very intriguing right up until the final horn, and I am an avid basketball fan. I think my lack of proper balance and inability to play with any consistency makes watching the game even more fun. I really get into the game. Ottawa-Glandorf and Liberty Benton, although both respectable teams, played practically an opposite style of ball. The Titans rotate about nine guys in the game without a clearly dominant player. Liberty Benton consistently p-lays the maximum of five players at a time, but they are led by a Junior, Craft. He is phenomenal, but the game was an excellent show of how one player will not determine the outcome of a game. Craft is a special player with a bright future, but his teammates were as cold as ice!

3/11/2009

Just got back from the YMCA trying to get back in shape. Time for LOST...

3/10/2009

Today and am going to volunteer at the hospital and then going to a Knights of Columbus meeting, but neither of those things is that exciting to me. Please do not hear me wrong now, because I thoroughly enjoy taking part in both of those activities. It is fun to see and help all kinds of people at St. Rita's, and The Knights of Columbus too is rewarding with solo afterwords. Everybody that knows me well is aware that I tend to find a game of solo quite frequently. But familiar faces also recognize that basketball tournament games have me all hyped up. Despite the previously mentioned events that have me excited for today is two high school basketball games this evening involving two Putnam county schools. Kalida plays Delphos St. John's in the earl game while Pandora takes on Delphos Jefferson in the nightcap at the Elida Fieldhouse, and even though it sounds enticing to attend them personally I will not. However I will probably listen to the games on the radio. The excitement with listening to a radio broadcast is the closest thing to attending the game in person. I will only be able to listen to the first game live, but I will anticipate finding out the score of the nightcap as soon as I can. I think I will go to the District finals between the winners on Friday night. Hopefully the two Putnam county schools win tonight assuring a Putnam county presence in the Bowling Green regional next week.

3/9/2009

I had a dental appointment this morning and had my teeth cleaned. That is so very relaxing, laying back in the chair and watching television, that I love it, and your mouth feels extraordinarily clean when all is said and done with.

3/8/2009

I do not know for sure what is going to be the plan for today, because I may be playing some solo with some people from other towns. My dad may and may not be playing. He has to go to work first. That would be fun either way with or without my dad. That is one option, and on the other hand I probably could go to Findlay to hang with Brian. My decision will be clearer this afternoon, because right now things are a little foggy.
Last night was tons of fun even though the Bath girls team lost. First I went to 4:30 mass, and then I went to Gary's house. Saturday afternoon mass is starting to become more regular, but Sunday morning mass is still predominantly attended by me. Occasionally it feels good to not go to early mass and sleep in, but sleeping in was a thing of the past for me. For the last 11 years I have not been able to sleep in very well. I guess I just think about things too deeply ever since my accident. I sleep not much more than five hours at one time on any given day. Actually I am still feeding on the more than en week nap I took on December 6, 1997. I know that my body was doing everything but rest during my coma, but it was a funny thought. I will actually just relax since I already went to mass. I will not get cleaned up at all this morning but just lounge around, which is nice to do once in awhile.

3/7/2009

going to church then ballgame.,..zoom...

3/6/2009

Tonight is a complete Putnam County Sectional finals at Bluffton high school. Pandora and Ft. Jennings open thing up while Columbus Grove and Kalida do battle in the night cap. Although Grove, my hometown, does not play until about 8:30 I will be going to the early game, too. The reason being two sided. Partly since they are local schools, but mainly because I love basketball! Round ball is in my blood I guess!

3/5/2009

I worked out at the YMCA today, ad I got a five dollar foot long from Subway. I only ate half of it, and the leftovers are for Saturday. Normally I would eat them Friday, but I got grilled chicken breast and, as a Catholic, I abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.
I am going bowling tonight, and hopefully I do great! Maybe my newly met friend will be there.I'll have to see.

3/4/2009

Kalida and Columbus Grove won their games tonight in Bluffton, and they will meet each other in the sectional final Friday night. I went to both games, and I got there early so I got the premier parking spot. I then walked down to get something to eat at Luke's. After that, when I was back closer to the game (in front of the Common Grounds to be exact) I met a girl with the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. I hopefully will cross paths with Ms. August again. Maybe she will be at the bowling alley in Bluffton tomorrow, because I will be there around 9:00 and would like to spend more time talking with her. I am not the best bowler, but it is often a social atmosphere and is fun.

3/4/2009

Well I gathered wood this morning anyhow, and I never got stuck. Yesterday I vowed to wait until later in the spring to use the trailer to gather wood, because I got stuck twice. I did not need Dad to help push today, as I kept he loaded lighter. They say you cannot teach an old dog (me- 29 is knocking on the "old" door,) but I figured out that making more trips with lesser amounts of wood is better than getting stuck. It was not really that tough of decision, and really I am shameful for not doing it yesterday. At least I gained useful knowledge from my past experiences. The so called knowledge might just be common sense, but it is still a good feeling knowing that you have learned from your mistakes. Altering your action because of previously made errors is the essence of leading a positive life. After stacking the wood closer to our shed I made a trip hauling five larger logs that still need split. There are still many more out there, in the woods, that need split, but it is just more logical to me to take it slowly.
Tonight I am going to two sectional high school basketball games at Bluffton high school, and the Columbus Grove Bulldogs take the stage in the latter game. It is a split session, but I bought a ticket for each. That is because I love basketball, especially when the tension is escalated come tournament time.

3/3/2009

The third day of the third month is awesome, because I get the opportunity to speak at a Catholic mission in Continental. However first thing is first. I am going to go volunteer at St. Rita's Medical Center. I am leaving early to drive to my speakinglocation though. I am really excited about this.

3/2/2009

WOW is it ever so slippery in the woods. I needed help twice while gathering wood, because the tires had no traction.

3/1/2009

It is here, and is it not ironic that this day also falls on a Sunday this year? March began today as the new week also did, and March, I now think, is my favorite month of the year. Although I tend to enjoy wintry weather (i.e. that also means basketball season exists,) my reason for picking this month as my favorite is strongly related. Have you ever heard the words March Madness? Even though the two words of the phrase both start with the letter "M" it does not infer it is a candy month (namely M&M's!) March Madness means it is basketball tournament time. I guess you could buy the chocolate covered candies that melt in your mouth not your hand at the concession stand during a break in the game, but that is not at all what I was thinking or do. Basketball is a real man's sport, and the tension is running high come this time of year. The result is win or go home, and often times there is a lot of hype surrounding predictions. I love it! My competitive spirit really exposes itself this time of year. Getting in my wreck really burdens me this time of year, because I really want to get on the floor and show them the right way to do it. That is because I miss playing the game, and I sort of relive my days in the sun by watching games. Some think that not physically being able to play and watching the game would punish me mentally, but it really has the opposite effect. It seams so rewarding to see the game I love and discuss strategies with peers also watching the game.