Newton's Law

It has been 2 weeks since i flew to Phoenix.
I needed to see a good friend after the month that was March.
It was a great vacation.
I didn't do much (other than watch baseball and do church things).
But that's all I really wanted to do.
I simply wanted to experience the life my friend was living
And watch a spring training baseball game.
And so it happened.
And then it was over.

As quickly as it splashed into my life,
My excursion dissolved into the pool that is reality.

But one thing did occur to me on the plane ride there.
Despite the overly interested man questioning me about
My life in Joplin,
My passions, interests, and hobbies,
My history in Tulsa,
And everything else that could ease his nervousness of flying,
I spent some time thinking.
And here's what I thought about.

I officially graduate college May 21st.
Five years of late nights, coffee pots, and hours of classes
Conclude with a list of names read monotonously
As family members politely applaud for everyone that crosses the stage.

But,
I have been done with classes for a few months now.
Unlike many of my classmates,
I've transitioned from the good times to the real life.
From idealism to pragmatism.
And what is apparent
Is the absoluteness of Newton's Law.
Direction continues without a force of change.
And so life persists as already established.
Set in motion for eternity until edited by the experiencer.
And what I came to grips with on that plane
Is that this is life.

Nothing is holding me back from being who i want to become.
I'm educated. I'm experienced. And there is nothing left to prepare me.
No more classes to attend.
No more years to count down.
No more hoops to jump through.
What's left is to simply live.
To live how I want.
And To live where i want.
Although I will continue to learn,
It's all up to me to direct my future.
Because Newton was right.
Nothing will change without a decisive force.
Even life.

Fantasy Baseball

Here's my Fantasy Baseball Team's Logo:

My team name is now

Sporting Ochocinco.

In honor of Kansas City's publicity aimed stunts.

Life Update

I'm back.
I took a short break.
But now, I'm here.
And what better way to get back in the groove,
Than provide a brief life update?

First, I started working 40 hours a week.
This has significantly cut into my leisure time.
AKA, my writing material.
In fact, I'm two Time Magazines behind.
But, I am making money.
And I have insurance.
Two very important things for a college graduate.

Second, life has been crazy.
Sonja's brother (Jonathan) has leukemia.
He is in St Louis.
So, I have been traveling to St. Louis on my days off.
And through this,
I have learned more about God's church
Than my 4 years at Ozark.
And gotten less rest than my 4 years at Ozark.

Third, the preaching minister in Afton,
Moved on to another ministry.
So, I have more to do.
Yet, I have enjoyed my new responsibilities
And have embraced the challenges during the transition.

Although I am tired,
Although I am stressed,
Although I feel like I am drifting away from friendships,
I can not complain.
God has been good.
And his Church has been good.
And I am thankful for that.

10 Reasons the Chicago Cubs Will Win the World Series in 2011

With the start of Spring training this last week,
I feel like this blog is a must.
Hear me now: the Chicago Cubs will win the World Series in 2011.
And here are 10 reasons why:

1. They haven't won the World Series since 1908. They deserve at least a pity trophy.

2. Mike Quade represents the American Dream and winning the world series would jump start the American economy.

3. Kerry Wood is back. That's got to be worth 15 wins.

4. The Cardinals lost their best pitcher (arguably) to a season ending injury. As much as i hate good players getting injured, this increases the Cubs chances at actually winning the anemic NL Central.

5. The All Star game is in Arizona this year. Why is this relevant? Because the majority of the Cubs players have Hispanic ancestry. And because of Arizona's crazy immigration laws, the Cubs will play extra hard to make the all star team only to spite the entire state of Arizona.

6. Albert Pujols will be a free agent. The Cubs really want him. And, where would he rather go than a World Series winning team?

7. If they don't win the World Series, the Matt Garza trade will look really bad, blemishing Jim Hendry's immaculate trading record.

8. The Pirates and Astros may be the 2 worst teams in all of baseball and the Brewers don't have the pitching to be consistent.

9. Carlos Zambrano will spend more time playing baseball than in anger management.

10. It may be their last chance... the world will end in 2012.

"The Art of War" Review

I recently finished the Barnes and Noble edition of

"The Art of War" by Sun Tzu.
The classic composed by a Chinese war legend
Helped continue feudal conflicts throughout Chinese history.
Containing a blue print to successful army management,
It presents principles to follow for both leading an army
And leading anything else.
Although some points are irrelevant outside of the context of war,
Many ideas and rules translate to managing a team.
It was thought provoking, interesting, and a quick read.
It didn't really meet my expectations,
but I would like to share a story from an introduction:

(paraphrased)
Sun Tzu was born into a family that owned knowledge about war.
Much like an apprenticeship,
Sun Tzu grew under the guidance of war strategists.
Unlike his priors, he took the time to record his nontraditional principles for generations to come.
A king heard about his nontraditional management style and asked to test his principles.
Sun Tzu agreed.
But, the King wanted to test the principles with women rather than a proper army.
Thus, Sun Tzu was given an army of women,
Composed of the kings concubines and servants to teach how to march.
He assigned each company of women a leader from among the ranks.
He explained to the leaders and the army of women
The commands of facing straight, turning right and left, and turning around.
He then gave the women an order to "about face."
The women simply giggled.
So, Sun Tzu wrote the King addressing the issue:
"When an army fails to follow the commands,
It is a result of poor leadership.
Therefore, the leadership must be executed and new officers established."
The King tried to protest such an action
Because his favorite women were in the leadership.
However, Sun Tzu wrote that favoritism must not be shown to an army.
So, Sun Tzu, in plain sight of the entire army,
Beheaded each woman in leadership.
He then assigned a new leader to each company of women.
After reviewing the marching orders, he gave his first command.
The women marched perfectly.
He then wrote to the King:
"Your army is ready, sir."