Reflections of a(n almost) 30 yr old

I have been sitting here thinking about things, reflecting on my life these past almost 30 years (monday the 20th is the dirty 30) and I came to a few conclusions. You know how when you are younger you set goals for yourself? Well I never really though I would accomplish any of the goals I set for myself when I graduated High School. But to my surprise I actually have. My goals when I graduated HS were as follows, and let me be more specific, I was to accomplish these things before I turned 30...

1. Graduate College
2. Get Married
3. Have 2 kids
4. Have a successful Career

The way things were going for me a few years ago, there was no way in hell I was going to accomplish any of these goals. I was in a never ending cycle of no good. Then a few things happened. First was that I became a father of the most amazing, smart, beautiful little girl. It definitely wasn't a planned thing, but at that point in my life nothing that happened was planned. But it opened my eyes. It helped me realize what I needed to do to become a better person on the inside and the outside.

About a year later I flew out to Idaho to meet the woman who would become my wife. This was a much needed change. My life in Wisconsin wasn't great, thats not to say that I don't miss it. I do. I miss my friends, at least the REAL friends, and I miss my family. Anyways, coming out to Idaho was what I needed.
So I got married this past June. And when that happened I inherited another daughter.

So I accomplished 2 of my 4 goals. 2 goals that I never ever thought I would have accomplished by this time, especially looking back on how things were going for me.
Coming up here in a few days will not only be my 30th birthday, but the year and a half mark of me being smoke free and drug free. That accomplishment in itself is huge.

I just have 2 goals that I need to accomplish still and they are graduating college and achieving a successful career. They kind of go hand in hand. I mean you don't need to graduate college to have a successful career, but you are much more likely to have one if you do graduate.

I can't thank anyone enough for sticking with me through these 30 years, even when I was unbearable. Thank you Mom, Brad, Brendan, Grandma, Lynne, David. Thank you to my beautiful wife for accepting me and loving me flaws and all. Thanks to all my friends for sticking with me and being by my side.

Lifes Dilemas

What to do, what to do.
That's a question I have been asking myself everyday since I made the decision to not return to college. I have been trying to figure out what I wanted to actually do for all this time now. Some people figure out what they want to do with their life late in their teens, early in their 20's or sometimes they never figure out what they want to do. Its not an easy decision. But I know that after going from job to job, and not really being happy at any of them after working them for an extended period of time, I decided I needed to figure out what I want to do with myself. So after some soul searching I think I have realized what I want to do.
What you may be asking yourself do I want to do? Well its simple really. Its what I went to school for in the first place. To be a teacher. I have always liked helping people learn, and being a role model and a good influence. Thats part of why I coach hockey. I love to help other people become better things. That, and I like kids. But not in that sick, perverted Jerry Sandusky way.
There is one problem with school, or going back. I just don't have the money to do it. So I have to figure out a way to get this done, and still work, and everything. I know lots of people can multi task really well and go to school and work and do other things, but I am not a very good multi tasking. I mean yeah I can chew gum and walk at the same time, but come on I am a guy. We are notoriously bad multi taskers. Anyways, I was thinking taking some online courses or something at first to get my self back in the thick of things.
This is a big decision for me. But I think my mind is finally made up. And its what I need to do.

2011 MLB PREDICTIONS!

AL East (no team will have a losing record, toughest division in baseball)

Boston

NY Yankees

Tampa Bay

Baltimore

Toronto

AL Central

Minnesota

Detroit

Chicago

Cleveland

Kansas City (2nd worst record in the AL)

AL West

LA Angels

Texas

Oakland

Seattle (WORST record in AL)

AL WILD CARD

Yankees (beat out Detroit by half a game)

NL East

Philadelphia

Atlanta

Florida

Washington

NY Mets

NL Central (top four teams all finish at least 10 games above .500)

Milwaukee

Cincinnati

St. Louis

Chicago

Pittsburgh (2nd worst record in NL)

Houston (Worst record in NL)

NL West (each team has at least 75 wins)

San Francisco

LA Dodgers

Colorado

San Diego

Arizona

NL WILD CARD

Cincinnati (beat out Atlanta by 2 games)

PLAYOFFS

AL

Boston vs Minnesota

LA Angels vs NY Yankees

Boston vs LA Angels

Boston

NL

Milwaukee vs San Fransisco

Philadelphia vs Cincinnati

Milwaukee vs Philadelphia

Philadelphia

WORLD SERIES

Boston vs Philadelphia

Boston

Dream

I close my eyes to go to sleep,
but all I see is me sweeping you off your
feet.
I don't see dark, I don't see light,
I see your face without fright.
I see your smile filling up your face with
joy,
just like a little kid at Christmas who got
a new toy.
Its just a dream,
but pinch me to see if I'm awake,
because I can't stand not knowing if these
images I see are real or fake.

Dizzy

You got me running in circles,
telling me this and telling me that.
I'm gettin dizzy here,
like I'm chasing a cat.
I'm so confused,
I don't know what to do.
Just give me a reason,
to be with you.
I wish it were easy,
to make up your mind.
But what else can I say,
we are two of a kind.

My Way

If I had my way I'd see you right now.
If I had my way I'd kiss you right now.
If I had my way I'd love you right now.
There are so many thing that are in my way.
I can't wait till that moment where they just go away.
I want to be with you, this I do know.
But I'll sit here just waiting till I find you sitting there.
I'll know that its you because you'll be thinking the same;
If I had my way I'd see you right now.
If I had my way I'd kiss you right now.
If I had my way I'd love you right now.

Confusion

I don't know what to do,
I am just so confused.
Do I keep on pursuing,
or just leave you.
I wish this were easy,
but I can't take these games.
I thought I had it figured out,
till you said those things.
Now I just wait here,
for you I guess.
I think I might be done,
I think that might be best