I may label myself "The Great...", but that doesn't mean I'm not thankful for the things that make me that way or shaped my mind body and soul to get to this point. Some of these are fun, some are serious. Those of you hoping for it to be one of my ultra insulting Top 10's from high school, I don't think I can really create that anymore.
10. This blog. Silly to mention my blog in my blog, but it has been good for me. I may not have as much time on it recently, but that is because I've chosen to focus on just my job during the day as opposed to times past when I would sacrifice work time. I have vented, I have found ways to creatively express my opinions, I have opened myself up a little bit to reveal what I have been what I have been through where I am and where I am going. My life hasn't always been a bed of roses, but luckily I still get to live in a beautiful garden.
9. Football. I love football. It was there for me during my darkest years to be my escape. In a sport where you have only one day to look forward to, it gave me a joy I never could have imagined building up the anticipation every day. It meant spending time with friends (still does, but not as frequently). It meant watching some great moments (watching the Eagles come back on the Giants in 2010 with Landis and a very confused Chris Anderson). I have been to games, and enjoyed most of them. Who am I kidding, I enjoyed them all. I learned to coach football, and hope to do so as my son gets older. It is the only sport I care about, and I can root for any team versus any team. Just the pro level though. I don't care about college. Maybe that's just the way it's presented. Every game is presented in the NFL like it is an epic.
8. Good Heavy Metal Bands. Not everybody who likes heavy metal likes the bands like Slayer or Metallica. I'm really indifferent and not really caring about them. Some stuff is good, but I can't really sit and listen to them all day like I can with bands like Static-X, DevilDriver, Lamb of God, Mushroomhead, Graveyard, Barroness, Black Label Society, Avatar. These bands have some easy to move along with grooves in their music that I find myself listening to all day at work. They help the time pass while keeping me moving at a particularly great and efficient pace. DevilDriver is the lead band in getting me to work out at the gym, as it's almost like part of my body to hear the same songs for the past 2 years.
7. Gravity. Say wha??? Yes. I like to watch people fall, or things fall on people (without killing, maiming, or debilitating injuries). Seriously, America's Funniest Videos has a 50-50 shot of either a person falling or getting hit in the nuts. Failblog has a great video feed on Youtube illustrating people falling. Wrap this up into the same category with exercise ball bloopers. If you are lucky enough to see the look on someone's face as they fall, that's usually where most of the humor lies.
6. My Job. I think I am well over the days of complaining about my daily job tasks. I've earned (not been given or designated or mentored to) more responsibilities. I've put myself into a position to succeed. I have started at a new place earlier this year where I get to start over, with all my knowledge. People I used to work with may always have had an image in their head of me being a clown. I still like to joke when appropriate, but that doesn't mean it has to be all the time. The money is good, and the path they have me on or the path I have chosen with their blessing is only headed one way - up.
5. My Health. I had too many years of surgeries where the sun don't shine, mental and physical pain beyond control, and a series of seemingly unfortunate events. Sure, as I get older I can still hurt myself showing a 6 year old how to swing a baseball bat, or hurt myself getting off a piece of exercise equipment or participating in a football drill. That will happen as there is no cure for father time. At least I have learned enough about my body or how certain muscles work to know ways to aid in recovery while still being physically active.
4. Twitter. Lame, right? But I will tweet this out, and some people who I don't know will read it, and share with their followers. Aside from that, the information that is on Twitter to view for any subject you enjoy is abundant. There is a lot of repetition at times, but to be able to reach out to anyone with an @ at the beginning of the name is pretty cool. I like talking to pseudo celebrities as well as asking fantasy football questions and getting instant answers.
3. My sense of humor. Sure, I may act a little immature at times, but I can make anyone of any age giggle uncontrollably. I like to cross a line. No, I like to jump across the line. I have an array of knock knock jokes and rape jokes. There is a time and place for everything, though. I think I've got the places down, but not the time, though.
2. My friends. I grew up with many friends. They are my family. I lost one of them earlier this year. It meant so much to me and still does that he no longer shares this earth with me. But it was that tragic loss that brought so many of the older friends back into my life. I always though this, but after the events of earlier this year, they are all my brothers and sisters.
1. My Family. I met the beautiful Kim 4 years, 4 months, and 22 days ago. She had a son that was three years old. I eventually met him, one day at the local pool she belonged to. He sat on the pool stairs staring me down. Like how the hero in a movie stares at the villain who kills his family and is seeking revenge. That much time later, and he talks of me as his dad, and clarifies it as step dad to his closest friends. Kim has been an incredible, loving partner in this business of life. For a lack of better words, she has made my life better. Earlier tonight, we went around the dinner table and shared what we were thankful for. I told them I was thankful to be able to call Rocco and Mommy my family. Rocco, who actually started us off, said he was thankful for me, Mommy, food on the table....and Christmas. Kim said she was thankful for all those things, and our plus one.
No comments:
Post a Comment