Yes, I'm Still Here...

Yes, it's been forever and a day since I posted a blog. Why haven't I posted in two months? Well, there are several reasons... number one though is that life has been quite stressful for me the past few months. The free time I used to have either has been spent doing other things or simply has not been available. To make matters worse, I endured a cyberstalking incident as well which quite frankly really creeped me out.

So what have I been up to? Well, number one has been taking care of me and my physical and emotional health. I've been hitting the gym five times a week now for the past month. I also started taking a pilates (yes, P-I-L-A-T-E-S) class three months ago and have been truly awed by the results. In my weight training I had hit a wall this past December. At the urging of a friend I met there, I decided to take the class. And lo and behold it began to make a world of difference. My breathing during techniques and flexibilty are much improved, and now I'm lifting 50% or more weight on every one of my machines since I started the classes! Needless to say, I'm in better physical condition than I've been in a very long time - try seven years! The past few weeks I've gotten compliments from so many people saying how good I look - everything from my posture being better to me looking broader and more muscular. Yes, the hard work has paid off! I can honestly say this is the best physical shape I've been in since about early 2002.

Emotionally, well it's been a roller coaster of late. Life has had so many ups and downs. My friend's lives have had so many ups and downs as well. Do I know anyone who is NOT stressed out right now? I don't think so! I'm sure most of you by now have heard of the tragic passing of Angels pitching prospect Nick Adenhart on Thursday. He along with two friends were killed by a drunk driver who ran a red light, slamming into the side of his vehicle. Only 23 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him! Just so tragic. May God's speed be with his family and friends.

What else have I been doing? Well, I'm trying to become the next Poker star - I think!!! Over the past couple of months, I've become very involved in the game and have done quite well. I've been entering some free weekly Texas Hold 'Em tournaments just to get my feet wet. As I write this, I'm ranked 730 out of over 750,000 players in the current one (which ends tomorrow night). Given my math aptitude and God-given gifts with numbers, it's something I seriously need to consider given the growth in popularity of Texas Hold 'Em Poker the past several years.

I'm still doing my fantasy baseball leagues, but after my heartbreaking losses last year in all five of my money leagues, I decided it was time to reassess. This past September I was also so stressed out and ultimately disappointed in my results that I also asked myself "is this worth it?" Also, one of my best friends made a very good point to me about after the season was over, asking "isn't that gambling?" At first I said "no" as playing the fantasy games for money is legal in 42 of the 50 states... However, the more I thought about it, dwelled on it and prayed about it, the more and more my conscience got the better of me. It may not be legally considered gambling, but it felt like gambling. You throw the Alex Rodriguez steroid revelations in there and that was the final straw. I'm doing ten leagues this year, which is more than enough to keep me involved in the game. But I'm also NOT doing any of the money leagues through CBSSportsline as the previous two years. Perhaps after the season is over, I'll reassess again and come to a different conclusion for the 2010 season. I don't know yet.

What else is up? Well, another trip to Nashville in June for CMA Fest week for sure... A trip to the Pacific Northwest in July is penciled in. I'm also leaning towards adding on a trip to D.C. before heading to Nashville just like last year. More to come as I figure it out more.

That is all for now. Hopefully, I will have time to start blogging on a more regular basis again soon.

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