February Check-In

1 month to go until the Madness of March begins saving us from the crappy wintery hell! Here's what's been going on.

I have to start with the 2 most frequently asked questions.

1. Q: How's it going with your lady friend? I heard she came to visit. A: Far be it from me to kiss and tell, yes I'm trying to turn over a new leaf, but having Katie in town was great. As a guy who usually makes the grand gestures and later gets burned or as the fellas say, "get mileage on my heart." It was nice to wear the other shoes for a change. It gave us a chance to hang out for 4 days and I enjoyed her visit. I have so many more thoughts on this visit but choose to keep that info to myself. You'll get why in a few paragraphs but I digress...

2. Q: Where the hell are the Pich' Awards funny man? A: As I said before I hope to have them done in February, but progress is slow. I have so much done already that I'm dying to show but I'm waiting to do it all at once. It's sure to have eyes-rolling, L's "OL-ing," and 10 maids of milking.... ok maybe not that last one. Even if it takes until March trust me it will be worth the wait.


So basically I'll gather folks have noticed I check in less on my website and even the blog here. I've learned over the years, mostly the hard way, that it's not always necessary to share my every opinion. I'd like to, trust you me, but simply the world and the Internet can't handle it. It's also made my conversations better because I don't assume everyone knows every detail of my life these days and they don't. Of course I've also realized that sometimes my S.A.D. takes me to a dark tone with my writing and I'm not that kind of dude really. I sort of use a mix of the "don't-shop-for-groceries-when-you're-hungry-attitude" and the "less-is-more-atttitude." It's working for me for now which seems to have become my life.

Earlier this month UVM Athletics announced they will host the Women's Hockey International Tournament in April of 2012. It was cool to be at the press conference but as everyone was getting excited about something 15 months away I couldn't shake a sick feeling that came over me. "I'll still be here for this?" Sad thing was I felt like if I had to bet on it that I'd bet, yes. That made me even more depressed. As the spring nears and my sweet gig of living comes to close I'm faced with choices. All of them scare me. Basically because I fear I'm near having to sign a lease somewhere. While this would reunite me with all of my stuff and a chance to decorate and get back to my style of living, it would also signify 'settling down' again here in VT. I guess ever since I've been back I've felt like a player who got traded to a team during the last year of his contract. I'm not invested here other than my job which I need desperately. I'm not sure how this is going to go, but in the next few months I'm moving... again... just don't know where yet, but it will be in Vermont.

I'm not really sure what I'm doing with myself. Who is somedays right? Maybe that's why some people take joy in the settling in here in Vermont and excepting the status quo... at least they know where they stand. I'm just sick of standing in the same spot already... after less than a year back... and yes I knew that would happen and I'm guessing anyone else who gave it a second thought did too.

I dream big for a dude that considers himself a 'realist.' I've talked myself out of so many things that could have changed my life and yet also grabbed so many balloons that flew me to places I never thought I'd go. If I had half as much motivation and drive as I had ideas and thoughts I don't know where I'd be... but trust you me, I'd be a possible guest on Conan... or maybe have taken that Tonight Show slot from Leno myself and gotten kicked to basic cable on TBS - Very Funny

I remain confident that the time I spend now is still prepping for the future of my happiness. Sure I'm making the most of life now, but I also realize that this time is like the squirrel packing away acorns for the winter. I'm plotting, saving, and thinking of where and when the next move will happen. Waiting for time to pass, money to pile up, and resumes to be read. This is how I stuff my cheeks with hopes I'll make it through another East Coast winter if in fact I am here to host the 2012 event at Gutterson Fieldhouse.

On a lighter note lets end with quick hits!

- Go Pack Go! Super Bowl is coming up this Sunday and for my Dad, and my Wisconsin peeps I proudly support the green and gold! I also really like Aaron Rodgers and theres a story attached as to why but this is quick hits...

- I signed up for Netflix recently and hot damn is it good. I can instantly watch tons of stuff and because I never watch movies most of the old stuff is new to me!

- My skills in Call of Duty Black Ops have surprised even me. I went from a 2-13 (kills-deaths) guy to always sporting a positive ratio and usually playing more like 14-6 guy. It was a long hard road of suck to get to leading a match in kills but it was fun!

- Big time travel coming up as I head to NYC at the end of Feb., Hartford in early March, and Milwaukee in Early April! Should be some great times ahead!

- With only a couple months between now and the softball season I'm getting excited but not yet in shape. I hope I don't have a "sophomore slump" with my teams and hopefully this year championships accompany the friendships and good-times while whacking and throwing a sphere around a diamond.

To end this baby out let me say that with all of the trips and good times ahead I welcome the spring to hurry up and get here already! But I also realize that some big decisions also loom during these good times. Here's to surviving February! Be well!