Life goes on….

Sometimes you just have to jump. When that happens, jump with intent.
photo from yahoo.

 

 

Hey Y’all,

Much shorter post this week, hopefully. Most of you know how I promise a short post then 2000 words later, you are still reading me drone on. What could possibly go wrong? On the training front, I am almost complete. Last night I completed the requirements for the 757/767 Type rating. In the flying world, that is kind of a big deal. A comparison might be the difference between graduating Medical School and finishing Residency. It is a big relief, this week I have some International courses scheduled and finally get to see an airplane on Saturday. So training isn’t complete, but it is actually an end in sight.

I am going to ask something of all of you, now. This past Saturday evening one of my wife’s best friends in life unexpectedly passed away. I won’t go into the details mainly because I am still not exactly sure what happened that would cause a relatively healthy 40 year old to wake up in the morning and eighteen hours later be laying in ICU with the doctors telling her family there was nothing else they could do. Her name was Margaret and her 40th birthday was Sunday, so she actually died on her birthday. Margaret was a lady of unlimited potential with an unbreakable spirit. She was a Registered Nurse, she and my wife first became friends as students in the same class. Like all of us she got to experience all of the ups and downs of life, even veering off the road from time to time. I have been there and if you’re honest you have too, I guess that is why they call it life.

So here is your challenge. Sometime this week, look at your phone contact list. Find a name that you haven’t spoken too in a while and call them. Catch up with them, remember the good times, laugh and re-connect. You might be thinking, this is a busy time of year and you will get to it when life slows down. I have a news flash, life never slows down. Just make some time, 20 minutes or so and do it. You will be glad you did. I reached out to a pilot friend today. We haven’t spoken for almost a year. A lot had changed in his life and it was great to talk.

 

It all starts with a simple hello.
photo from yahoo.

 

Fortunately my wife spoke to Margaret last Thursday. They had a great relationship and spoke regularly so there are not any regrets. But, it didn’t have to be like that. It could have easily been a friend that was never called. If you have some time throw out a prayer or positive thoughts out for Margret, her family, and friends because it don’t cost anything and it is needed.

 

If the thought of the Red Wolves having success doesn’t make you happy, then you are probably a pig fan.
photo from yahoo.

 

On to something that is not quite as depressing. It is Bowl Season again, and yes your favorite college football team is going bowling AGAIN! The Arkansas State Red Wolves will be playing the Ball State Cardinals in the Go Daddy Bowl, Sunday 5 January. Ball State was 10-2 this year in the MAC conference. That is a conference that is stacked with some really good football teams. Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Ball State all had 10 or more wins. Three more teams, Toledo, Buffalo and Ohio are all 7 or more wins. In a 12 team conference, that is impressive. For a mid-major conference, it is amazing.

 

No coach, no problem. Howl YES!
photo from yahoo.

John Thompson, Bowl Game Head Coach for the Red Wolves. For his career, he is 4-28. In Bowl Games, he is undefeated 1-0. I think he can run his record to 2-0..
photo from yahoo, last year’s victory celebration over Northern Illinois in the Go Daddy Bowl.

 

 

The Red Wolves are the underdog again this year, and quite honestly that is fair. They only won 7 games this year and lost their third head coach in as many years. They haven’t announced a new coach yet, but considering the past three immediately moved on to bigger jobs, I am not worried. On a personal note, it feels good to be disappointed with seven wins, another bowl game, and another coaching search. It beats rooting for a team that has three wins, no bowl game again and enduring a head coach that no one wants.

I don’t know if I will get anything out before Christmas so I will say it now, Merry Christmas. I really can’t wait to be back writing and moving towards the ultimate goal of world domination! Ha ha, or at least moving towards a place that will offer choices in life. Oh yea, 730 words, mission complete!

Until then, keep on rockin!