Random thoughts

• It's not just because I'm a total pessimist, but I really don't care for Spring all that much. I mean, sure, I like that it's getting warmer, and there's more sunshine... but there is the whole losing-an-hour, time-change thing; all the rain, and mud, and wind; stuff still looks pretty much brown everywhere. I much prefer Fall to Spring. And, odd as it may seem, I actually kind of like wearing a coat and gloves. It always takes me awhile to get used to bare hands again when I go outside. There, I said it. But the sun is nice.
  
• This college basketball season did not turn out at all like I thought it would. I think I picked Texas to win it all, and I'm not thinkin' that is going to happen. Plus the Illini just really stunk it up. They seemed to have so much potential. I have always liked Bruce Weber, but he needs to quit coaching through the media. Newspapers are not the place to try to motivate. McCamey improved his game throughout the year, but when he has a lapse he really has a lapse; And Mike Davis is just one frustrating player to watch. So much potential, but... I hope the freshmen improve next year, and the incoming class can contribute right away. They need a back-up point guard, and an inside presence. They have "big men", but they don't play inside. I really thought they would be a top 20 team this year.
  
• I wish Indianapolis wasn't so far away (1 1/2 hours), because I would love to go hang out while the Big Ten tourney is going on. I can't afford to go to any games, but just being downtown would be cool.
• I'm not sure what I did, exactly, but my blog readership has dropped WAY off over the past couple of weeks. I used to hover around 100 visitors a day, but it has dropped to less than half of that for the most part. It's like everybody quit visiting all at once. Gee, and I've tried to cut down on the political rants, and the personal stuff -- the things I get nasty emails about. Hmm... maybe they don't like it when I'm somewhat likable. That's probably it. I don't know that I'm complaining necessarily... I kinda wish I knew what happened though.
• I've decided that what I would really like to do when I grow up is to be a journalist. Well, maybe not a journalist, but I would like to write. I'm a terrible writer though. Somehow I finagled my way out of English 110 when I was in college. Maybe I need to take it now, or take something. I just wish I could write better blog posts. More like magazine article type things. Part of my problem is I'm usually too lazy to put much effort into my blog posts. This was never really intended to be anything "official." It was originally just a way to blow off steam. Can't really do that so much anymore, but... I wish I was a better writer. That's what I would like to do. I have terrible grammar though. And I don't really even know how to diagram a sentence or structure paragraphs and such. It's just like how I play guitar - it's all by feel. Unfortunately I never learned the proper mechanics. I wonder if it's too late?
  
• I know some people think I am way too cynical and negative and whatnot. I know because I've been told a jillion times. That may be true, but it's also true that this blog is not ALL OF ME. In fact, I think I preach almost exactly the opposite of how I blog. I preach much more positive. I actually started blogging as a way to counteract how I am in real life. This was a way to vent, a way to unload, a way to process things. So... anyway... just don't go judging what kind of person I am just by my blog. It's only a freaking blog, after all.
• I will say... I love the season of Lent. Much more than Christmas, even. I like the introspection, and contemplation, and... I dunno... I just like Lent.
• Yesterday was a tiring day of dealing with pew padding salesmen and insurance. I am not good at dealing with things I don't care about. But who has a job where they only deal with things they care about, right. So, it's not like it was a bad day. Just tiring.
• I did run about 3 1/2 miles on the treadmill yesterday. It's the first time I've been over 3 miles in quite a while. I have had so little energy lately. I seem to have started to come out of it though (I hope). I've only been able to walk on the treadmill for the past couple weeks. It was nice to sweat again.
• I am glad it's Thursday. I almost like the day BEFORE my day off better than my day off sometimes (Friday is my day off). It's just nice knowing that after today I can take a rest. Plus today is a "breakfast day." I always eat a breakfast, but once a month I meet Tom and Steve at a coffee house (instead of one of our churches). It's nice to get out and about, and also to get together with some friends.

Peace out, folks; and in.