My lawn looks like a green and yellow patch of well, you know.

I’ve been weeding my life lately.  I’m someone that doesn’t let go of things easily. Recently I’ve been lucky to start letting things in my life , well just go like a dandelion in the wind.

Now in the past I’d be letting all the wonderful dandelions begat more dandelions, but it just isn’t happening now.

I’ve got too much to do and too much to see.

So I started today by paring down the Facebook friends list.  Am I really friends with 500 people? No. I started by weeding that down to under 300.  It may be weeded again soon.

If you didn’t talk to me in the past, or you added me because of some friend of a friend you probably didn’t see the notification of your weeding on FB.

You were just gone.

I’ve taken 2 truck loads of stuff over for a garage sale this weekend at my friend Kerri’s house.

What happens if they don’t get sold? The stuff gets donated to a prison ministry.

I don’t need stuff. I have stuff, lots of stuff.

But in reality, all the stuff is are weeds.

They don’t have deep roots, they can be eliminated with proper care , and in the end don’t have meaning for me.

The stuff that has emotional meaning is put up where it needs to be. The rest just found its way to places that aren’t my garage.

My heart isn’t into keeping things that don’t have meaning anymore.

And I’ve been making changes at home, work and everywhere.

Maybe when I’m finished weeding I’ll see the green grass.  The big lawn picture that I need to see.

Or maybe, I’ll just have to start weeding again.

The 1960 throwbacks works as it takes 50 years, but it is a sweet 5-3 U.S.A win over Canada guaranteeing at least a 2 seed in the knockout portion of the tourney.

Canada will have to win 4 games in 4 days to win the Gold.

U.S.A. will have to win 3 games in 4 days to win the Gold.

Canada starts with Germany in a 6-11 match up.

USA will either play the winner of Slovakia / Belarus or a Swiss / Norway depending on the Finland / Sweden game.  Because of the 5-3 victory against Canada the US needs a Sweden victory or a Finland victory in overtime to gain the # 1 seed.  I’d rather see them play as the 2 seed and let Finland play the Slovakia / Belarus winner.  We’ve won against Swiss / Norway, and I’d rather play Norway.

Tonight’s game was a tale of 5 sections.

Section 1 : Quick US Score followed by Canada equalizer then the lead back for the US.

The US in the first period used counter attacking to a T and whenever Marty Brodeur decided to get away from the crease, he was punished with shots and two goals.

Section 2: Canada attacking with organized attacks as the US fell into the trap of defending a lead.  They gave up the equalizer and so many times Canada had open looks and Ryan Miller shut them down.

Section 3: The key of the game was here… ACTUALLY scoring on a Power Play.  The US can’t let the man advantage go away with bad passing and barely any shots with a man advantage.  Canada played inspired until the last PP.

Section 4: The Brick Wall of Miller.  You can’t see the Miller Time logo on the back of his helmet but Ryan was IMPRESSIVE! The Buffalo Sabre goalkeeper was everywhere in the crease and made several incredible stick and glove saves.  At any time Canada COULD HAVE tied it up, but every time they had a chance, Ryan just got enough of the puck to send it somewhere else.  By using the Brick Wall of Miller the US had enough counter attacking to change the tempo and momentum of the game.

Section 5: Empty Netter and celebration. Laying down to score a 5th goal may have seemed without value but that 5th goal could be the difference in seeding for the US team.  Now they sit back and get to ice down those injuries.

For the entire game I kept trying to explain penalties and players to Joanna.  All she wanted to talk about was pretty boy Sydney Crosby, and with the exception of the one goal was a  non entity in the game.

My three stars:

3. Chris Drury  Goal and overall attitude!

2. Ryan Miller 42 saves Nuff said.

1. Brian Rafalski 36 year old grandpa of the US team with 2 goals.

In other Olympic news, the US Curling team still sucks.  My favorite goat still found a way to blame everyone else but HIMSELF!  He even had the gall to challenge Brian Smith to make a tough shot and bet him $20 if he couldn’t make it.

Win consistently and then have fun with the side bets GOAT!

But then , that’s my opinion and I’m still waiting for the Goat fanclub to show up and tell me what kind of great guy he is.

AH here they are.

• My friend Kerri with the QOD " I don't like salmon. It takes like fish. #
• @ckbwop weather boooooooom. good luck to u and f-train… #
• @bloodyp Amen! in reply to bloodyp #
• @ckbwop Booooooooooooooom! in reply to ckbwop #

I look forward to 2010 with young and eager eyes.

With the exception of getting married in 2009, there were very few bright spots in the year.

Lets see,

Harassment – by associates of Texas Tech

Annoyance – by ex-wife

Tolerance – of everyone during wedding preparations

Elation – of finally getting married

Denial – of benefits and health care mess due to surgery in January.

Yes, 2009 sucked from my cancer scare to issues at work causing me to have to take a paycut.

But I’m looking at 2010 differently.

2010,  is different because of my attitude.

I’m making changes in how I do and get things done.

I’ve taken a vacation (for my honeymoon) this January. I’ve never taken a vacation in January, I always tense up before Radiothon in February and don’t give myself a chance to relax.

The difference is simple. Joanna.  She sees me try to run myself into the ground and unlike former girlfriends or wife, she stops me , gets me to rest , eat, and laugh.

That change is very significant.

I am also not stressing at things that used to drive me crazy.  Obstacles that frustrated me are just looks like small stepping stones that I have to overcome.

I’m slowly losing weight and the safe and efficient way : eating less and exercising more.

The end result :

Lower blood pressure – without medication

A better environment for me

A better life I’m leading.

What else have I changed?

I’m reading more and writing more.  Some of the end results will be shown on this website.  Some will be given to others for publishing.  Some will never see the light of day.

I’ve done voice work for the Gambling Tales Podcast

I’m doing some preliminary writing work for others that I can’t talk about yet.

and I’m making room for more yesses.

Why?

Because I like feeling like that at the end of a day that I’ve accomplished something.

So how can you help?

Real easy, since I’ve opened myself to offers and opportunities. I’m not turning down an opportunity to grow, learn or share.  If you have a project you want my help on , let me know.

I’m backing friends with the LAPC and other poker related events. That’s the best play I know. Helping others get to their goals. Because whether they know it or not, but helping them, I’m helping me too.

If you need my advice, someone to bounce an idea off of, let me know.

Because 2010 is the year of opportunities for me. And I’m looking for the right one and the one that will be successful for all of us.

Thanks for reading.

• @DrChako Good Luck sir… in reply to DrChako #
• @gentleman_jim WPBT Winter gathering… in reply to gentleman_jim #
• @_otis_ That is the BEST Bounty EVAH! in reply to _otis_ #
• @bloodyp But did you get pulled over for AWI? (Awassaling while intoxicated) ? in reply to bloodyp #
• @bloodyp Remember safe Awassaling is the only way to go! Wrap that awassal least once #pervertedawassaling #whereisdawnsummerswhenineedher in reply to bloodyp #

• osu is the ultimate in choke artists. #chokelahomastate #embarassedforosuuu #
• @joespeaker my condolences sir. #

Yup, able to write for a bit.

Let’s see here, Joe came to the blogosphere, drank all the liquor, tried to taunt my deceased dog, and posted once.

Coming up after the break: Joe’s New Blog, Tech football and wedding thoughts as well as a bunch of others in this Uber (tm Iggy Inc).

(more…)

• @realdawnsummers Wow, Belachek must have been channeling his inner Mike Leach #FAIL #DawnSummerseatscrow #patslosedapatslooooose in reply to realdawnsummers #
• @JuliusGoat I could have used one more pass to Wes Welker #welkercouldhavemadethatfirstdownandicouldhavewonmygameinsteadoflosingbytwo in reply to JuliusGoat #
• @BillCurnow Have you seen "The Shack's" evolution to a phone and video game store? Continued path to irrelevance… in reply to BillCurnow #
• @AstinTO or at least you dont have to scroll your head to read the entire passage… in reply to AstinTO #
• Good Morning @realdawnsummers @AstinTO and the rest of the twitterverse. in reply to realdawnsummers #
• @realdawnsummers I knew you'd appreciate this… http://www.globalsportsfraternity.com/home/football/2009/11/19/jabba-the-rex/ But GO JETS #
• @_jjok_ That and a dose of Benadryl. in reply to _jjok_ #

• T-78 hours till the Okie-SnoVegas : Winter Gathering #
• Dealing with NEETU from Intuit Customer Support. Who names their kid NEETU? It's like naming their kid Iggy or Wawfuls! #
• @realdawnsummers this is coming from a browns fan but who cares. Keep Smack Talking Dawn. Didn't you guys lose to the JETS and the BRONCOS? in reply to realdawnsummers #
• @realdawnsummers Yeah and you believe everything that Bastage Belidick tells you huh? #Patriotsareevil #realdawnsummerslovesftrain in reply to realdawnsummers #
• @realdawnsummers and you admit your forbidden love for f-train #ftrainstillmightbeghey in reply to realdawnsummers #
• @realdawnsummers Ask G-Cox first before Making Okie Common Sense jokes… in reply to realdawnsummers #
• But I only tolerate @realdawnsummers though @ftrainpoker rocks. @AstinTO needs to tell me if he got anything in the mail or do I have to .. in reply to realdawnsummers #
• @AstinTO kick a mounties ass? #
• @AstinTO All I was sending was an invitation, not @realdawnsummers , @ftrainpoker , @iggylicious and Wawfuls (No link provided) nekkid. #eww in reply to AstinTO #
• @ftrainpoker Stay safe sir! Don't go looking for @realdawnsummers #badideasfor500alex However stacking @realdawnsummers chips is +EV #boooom in reply to ftrainpoker #
• heading to bed before I get in more trouble! #
• @realdawnsummers My yacht is in the shop. #actuallyitisadinghy in reply to realdawnsummers #
• @CJHoyt14 And yet 5 interceptions later… He is still a GOAT #MEH #CharlieBrown in reply to CJHoyt14 #