Its been too long (1 month)

Its been a whole month since I last posted.  Much has transpired.  Get ready for some information overload!

1) Soccer season ended

My boys finished up their season.  Some of them were just starting to get what I was teaching them.  Some of them stopped showing up and eventually quit.  I wasn't too saddened by this, since those players weren't coming to practice anyway and basically were being a pain in my neck.  The problem is, once my most disobedient players quit, a few new players decided to step up to take their places in being disrespectful, whining a bunch, and generally just doing what they wanted instead of what was best for the team.  Our 4th to last and 3rd to last games we had to play a man down since only 10 showed up.  Makes it hard.  The one team was good and we only barely beat before.  The other team we destroyed the first time around, but came up short in our rematch.

Around mid-season, I told my players that if they didn't come to practice, we would forfeit games.  It was an ultimatum.  Well, they tested it.  And one player showed up to one of the practices.  So, I called the Athletic Director and made plans to practice on a game day and forfeit the game.  Well, the game got rained out, so there was a chance of a make up.  I told myself if they played hard and practiced hard, I might let them earn the chance to make up the game.  They didn't  so that was going to be that.  Then, our last game got rained out too.  So, in an effort not to end the season on a non-playing note, we re-instated one of the canceled games.  At the last minute, their coach called.  Apparently they had some players quit or get suspended, and they were going to be short.  Must be a middle school thing.  Lesson for next year:  find out who is committed.  Get rid of those who aren't... in the beginning.  Dissent is contagious.  Lack of loyalty is worse.

2) I asked her and she said "yes"

I had this grand plan.  We were going to bike to church.  After church we would bike to Freedom Park.  We'd have wine and crackers and fancy cheese and picnic.  A friend of mine was going to hide in the bushes and take pics.  I'd propose and it would be epic.  Well, except we haven't had an in-Charlotte Sunday in a long time.  And at the last minute, things changed up again.  We were headed to Spartanburg   Ok.  Change of plans.  We'll go backpacking.  We'll get up early and hike to the top of Little Sam Knob.  As the sun comes up I will tell her I want to spend my life with her.  Well, except the weather was terrible.  Rainy and cold.  Neither of us wanted to spend the weekend outside in that.  So, we spent the day in Asheville.  Wandering around in the rain.  Eating pizza at the Brew and View.  Getting awesome giant free birthday coffees from Starbucks.  Then we drove up to Craggy Gardens.  We got out and hiked in the miserable rain. Cold and windy and wet.  And when we got to the top there was a new building!  Perfect.  Out of the weather I got the ring out and got all choked up.  I was so happy to be with her.  To have the chance to commit myself.  I gave it to her.  She said yes.  After hugs and kisses we laughed at the weather and the experience.  I think our life together is going to be like that.  Out of the ordinary.  Sometimes uncomfortable.     But we will make it out in the end.  And we will have epic stories for our grandchildren.  Let the wedding planning begin!  (for real now...cause we had already started)

3) NAGA is coming to Charlotte

One last time, I put Hannah on a plane back to the mountain time zone.  And to help myself miss her less, I have refocused on physical training.  I am almost through the first week of my hard three week plan to polish what I need to know to compete at NAGA (its a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament).  I am lazer sighted towards competing ...very intense right now.  My arms, back, legs and torso are covered in tiny bruises and all my muscles hurt.  I'm training hard now so that when it comes time, I will have already won.  this will be my second grappling tournament...my first since I started training seriously.  We'll see if I have learned anything.  Last time I had only no-Gi experience.  this time, I have trained almost primarily in Gi.  Also, this time i get to compete as a "Master"...as in I am over 30.  Oh yeah....I turned 32 a couple weeks ago.  Crazy.  Guess i'm really not a kid anymore.

Thanks for reading.  Comment!  Tell your friends!