A-rod

In an era where steroids use isn't unexpected news from Major League Baseball former and current players, the news of Alex Rodriguez's alleged use does fall on my surprised ears. I've always been a Bonds supporter, even though I'm positive he's used steroids. That's not to say that I support the use of steroids for the egotistical and self-centered reasons that most use, or any reason for that matter. It's cheating, pure and simple.

But the news of A-rod using steroids does put a bit of a smile on my face, simply because he's somewhat of a poster boy for MLB and he's supposed to be the one to break Bond's record without using steroids. The smile only lasted a day or two only until I watched Peter Gammons' interview with Rodriguez. The fact that Gammons questions were slam dunks for A-rod is disturbing. He just kept giving him lay-up after lay-up and put absolutely zero pressure on Rodriguez to give straight, specific, and defined answers. Instead A-rod's answers just led me to want more answers. When asked if the 2001-2003 time frame was a when he was using steroids he stated that it sounded accurate. That's not vague or anything. This is a question that Gammons asked, "Given the opportunity, would you like to go to Major League Baseball and say, 'OK, what can I do to help kids across the country?'" What do you really think A-rod's response would be? 'No, I only care about myself, my stats, my money, and being the best, so the kids can figure it out on their own.' That sounds like an accurate statement to me, but it's not the one we got. Another thing that gets me is the fact that Rodriguez acts as though he is almost a victim in the steroid use. He didn't know what he was taking, he didn't ask the right questions, he felt too much pressure, he was naive. Let's have a pity party for a guy who is making more money per game than most people make in a year.

The final thing that absolutely drives me insane is the over the top arrogance and lies he was spewing in the interview with Katie Couric in 2007. When asked if he had ever used performance enhancing drugs he said, "No, I've never felt overmatched on the baseball field. I've always been a very strong, dominant position. And I felt that if I did my work since I was, you know, a rookie back in Seattle, I didn't have a problem competing at any level. So, no."

So why should anyone believe him now that he's 'coming clean' about his steroid use. For all we know, or will probably ever know, he could have been using when he was in Seattle. Rodriguez stated to Gammons, "I'm finally beginning to grow up. I'm pretty tired of being stupid and selfish, you know, about myself. The truth needed to come out a long time ago. I'm glad it's coming out today." I really wonder if this hadn't come out would he be saying, or even thinking the same thing. I highly doubt it.

It's a good thing for all us non-Yankee fans that Rodriguez can't figure out how to take his clutch performances in the media and translate those into clutch performances on the field.

Upcoming V-Day

As Valentine's Day approaches I find myself thinking about being more romantic. That wasn't an easy sentence to leave in here as an alpha male and all. But anyways, I remembered that a friend of mine had written a song for Lindsay and I for when we were getting married and thought that now would be an appropriate time to post it. So the following YouTube video was created by Josh Lamb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFJm62HQK5U&eurl=http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home

Running

I have always wanted to run and finish a Marathon. In the fall I started training for this, just building up miles slowly. I was pretty consistent, that is until Thanksgiving hit. That put a damper in my motivation. Then Christmas came around and my running was non-existent by then. So then in January I started back up. Running a couple miles everyday. Now needless to say, I'm a bit behind schedule as most Marathon schedules are around 18 weeks. I've got roughly 14 weeks. So yesterday I went for a run, determined that I would just run until I pretty much couldn't anymore. I actually think that I could have kept running, but walking the next day may have been difficult. So I stopped at somewhere around 6-6.5 miles. Today, my knees are sore, which is an indication (I think) that my leg strength isn't up to par with running that distance. It's also probably an indication that I haven't run that long in I can't remember when. So I'm letting the blogging community know that I'm setting out to run in the Flying Pig on May 3. I'm doing this simply to keep myself accountable with something. Because I know how my mind works, and I don't like disappointing or not doing something that I say that I will do. Encouragement, advice, or any other comments are welcome.

Infinitely cool technology

The found the following website through a friend, Marcus Borton. I find it simply amazing and thus Possibly Insightful to you. Check it out and post comments if you'd like. Hopefully I will have my own synth put together sometime soon.

Click here for some mind blowing collage/pictures.

This Fallen World

I am completely sadden by the fact that some things I read or hear in the news do not surprise me. Read the two articles below that I grabbed from Curtis and Danielle Rogers blog site. They are missionaries in Haiti.

Rape looms large over Haiti slums

Amnesty wants Haitian girls protected

Fall

I believe that fall may be turning into my favorite season. Summer has typically been my favorite, but the summer seems much different when you do not have a pool that you go to every single day. Having a job where dress pants and a dress shirt are required also changes my outlook on the summer, especially when you're car does not have air conditioning.

So fall makes for a perfect season to where sweatshirts, sweaters, and jeans. And you're not to hot and you're not too cold. It's as perfect as it gets.

Don't forget that football season resides in this pleasant season, which makes Saturdays and Sunday all that more enjoyable.

I walked out of my apartment this morning and was hit by a coolness in the air, which brightened my day. Before going outside I felt tired, drained, and primed to hop back into bed. Luckily I did not.

I am surprised over and over again at the beauty that God has provided us with here on earth. It is simply amazing how everything works and how something so simple as the temperature dropping a few degrees can have such a large affect on my outlook on the day. Imagine if I could just simply wake up and feel God's beauty with nothing more than the thought of God's love. This is where I want to be. God's love is abounding and endless; I know this to be true and it's a blessing to find it hidden in so many different ways.

intentionality

i read a small tidbit online today and it sparked a thought and a reflection into my life. this little tidbit had something to do with the title of this post. the thought that came after reading this literally was, "what am i doing to purposely grow in my relationship with GOD." i quickly realized that there's a disturbing answer to my question. i thought about on a daily basis, a weekly basis, a monthly basis, and etc. i continued to be disappointed with my answers. my natural reaction is to be defensive (even though the criticisms are coming from my own thoughts). excuses are a part of my life, but avoiding them here is necessary for the kind of reflection that i need. i know what i would like to come from all of this. the next step and the next step have to be intentional. my relationship has to be intentional. that's true even with friends and family members. a friendship is not going to last if there is not an intentional effort from both parties. i have many friends from college and high school that i have to intentionally stay in contact with because it's not part of my everyday routine. we no longer live in the same city, which makes it more difficult and is an easy excuse to use. so how does that fit with my relationship with GOD? if i don't take intentional steps to stay in contact, how is that relationship going to last?

i know there are some things that need to change. i know there are some things that i need to intentionally start doing because my relationship with GOD has suffered.