Photobooth Tour

These days it's fun to look back and look at the progress made throughout the past two years. I'm still a goof and can we all overwhelmingly agree that the stache is legit? Because personally.... I'm pretty impressed with that thing. Have a great week everyone. Be sure and make each day this week productive so that your thoughts and
actions are positive for everyone around you! My goal.... making my heart feel happy.

Missed Opportunities

I miss opening the door for them
I miss surprising them with flowers on a dreary day
I miss paying for dinner bringing a smile to her beautiful face
I miss spending time on a picnic bench filled with conversation
I miss sharing a bottle of much overdue Picazo Cabernet
I miss the inspiration that assists in creating a poem
I miss the security of our late afternoon talks
I miss taking a walk with my good friend
I miss discussing the details of the day
I miss the chance at a great friendship with quality
I miss my missed opportunities.

"You may not be able to
change a bad situation,
but with humor
you may change
your attitude about it."

Allen Klein

Valley Times Invitational 2011

What a time to get together and leave all your
daily worry behind, while you hang out with your
best buds; since you were throwing papers off your
Diamondback bike at 6 in the morning.

The same guys that were there with you while you
while you were struggling to hold on to life in the ER
after that fateful day on Vermont Place 20 years ago.

The same guys that were with you watch you graduate
from high school and soon thereafter jet off to Scotland
to play an amazing, memorable two weeks at the Home of Golf.

The same 3 guys that are known for joking
eating, and making memories (whether
thoughtful, or insane) they always stick with
me to guide me through the year.

How could we not have a VTI tournament without
including lots of food?

This tournament brought along some downfalls
and some pain to my game. I've never experienced
blisters before, until this week. Not a good thing
when its on your thumb... so painful.

We met Gene.
An awesome Christian that was paired up with us at
Roddy Ranch. It was refreshing to finally be paired
with a golfer that was humble, yet very talkative.

As you could tell, by the third round even two gloves,
as ridiculous as it looks couldn't help my blistery game.

Ricky Pierce was on his game.
Even escaping from the nasty stuff off
of the side hill while pushed up against a tree.

Ricky even found a buddy with escaping from
his lie. I hate snakes, but Rick picked that Bull Snake
like he was a Pro. Long enough for us to take a quick pic.

This annual tournament brings us boys

enjoyment, refreshment, fellowship
and a much needed time to get back to square one in
all of our lives.

I laugh at some of the shots we took because
in essence, it describes us.

My Best Friends...

It was so good to have that chance to see
them again. Compete, laugh, converse, and
enjoy the time with these fruitshacks.

Until next year when we get to hang out again.
It's been fun boys.
Always memorable.
Always a good time.

FINAL SCORES

Ricky Pierce-361
Rafsanjani-362
Minnesota Fats-405

Happy Happy Birthday Precious Ruby

Because you mean so much to me,
I celebrate your birth.

Sharing time and space with you,
Rings my bell for all it’s worth.

Whenever your birthday rolls around,
I contemplate once more,


How happy I am that you were born;
The thought makes my heart soar.

I wish your birthdays happened more,
So I could let you know,

How very much you mean to me,
And so I could tell you so!

Happy 1st Birthday my sweet Ruby!

Wisdom.

Through the Eyes of Minnesota Fats.



The last few days marked a fun and enjoyable time with my two best friends - Jon Ruff and Rick Burke. Though we are separated by a few states, our bond is strong and we relish our times together. What started as a simple friendship back in Elementary school has blossomed into years of memories, growth and hilarity as we trudge through life. It has been interesting to see what has happened to each of us in respect to school, Jobs, family and opportunities the last few decades. I am thrilled that we made a commitment to each other to all get together every 2 years so we can keep in touch and spend time together. What a great time to just play golf, go out to eat and laugh. Some of our favorite pastimes.

We are fortunate to have each other to rely on... I am reminded of the Bible's urgings in Proverbs 17:17 - A friend Loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity. What I love about our friendship is that even though we fight and disagree, our love for each other is strong enough to overshadow our differences and we forgive each other and move on stronger and closer. We all should treasure this gift of close friendship we have.. Many modern psychologists say that most adult men will only have 1-2 close friends in a lifetime. We have truly been blessed boys in having each other. Thanks for being there for me now matter what. I love the loyalty we have amongst each other. That faithfulness is a gift from God. I am looking forward to playing golf next go around and writing something similar in the decades to come.

JT :)

The splendor of a King

How great is our God? I've been thinking a lot about
My relationship with Him lately amidst this rapture
Talk amongst everyone. My heart, head and mind are
at peace knowing that when Jesus comes back to visit
us again I will be ready for my true father. There has been
Some really nasty stuff going on in my walk. One day I'm
up, the next day I'm down. It truly does suck sometimes.
I'm not asking for a shoulder to cry on, but divorce is really
Shitty all of the time. I never describe things like that but it
really is. I'm so down sometimes that it's really hard to sneak
out of it. Maybe I should just take a walk by myself for a while.
Not sure if that would help me out, but I need to figure out what
can make me be extremely happy again. I'm not talking about a quick
fix. I'm talking about living.... a wake up every morning, I'm excited to be
around, I am worth a ton, I enrich lives, life. I really dislike making
others sustain the feeling from which I exude sometimes. I need
to find what makes me happy day in and day out. And it starts with getting
a full time job, while stopping the part time fiasco's I've been involved
with since I got laid off. Ok I've driven this entry to the ground. I have to
let go. We'll see you in the future.

1 day until......................

I get to reunite with my fellow Valley Times Paperboys

I get to watch this amazing swing with my own eyes

I get to hang out with my boys

I get to watch Minnesota Fats eat a large pizza and two meatballs

I Golf with two of my Closest Friends

I laugh with partners

I get to see my Friends

My life long Companions

1 day until............ is what I've been waiting for.

Remembering

You know today was a tough one. For a number of reasons. School was terrible, albeit the students know there are only 17 days left of school and you do the math.That is why today started off disappointing. Sometimes the internet via email, text messages, facebook can all add to a culmination of Suckiness if you glance at it during the day at the wrong moment. It can just throw you off of your planned outlook. Day's however can start off terrible and then meander into a brighter situation. Say for instance receiving my Federal Tax Return upon arriving home in the mail. It was comforting to see that things come at the right time to cheer me up. Like a phone call tonight. My grin was so giddy and childish when I saw the call. Really childish to say..... but I needed that smile. Kinda like in this video. I could watch this all day, it makes me feel good to smile. I hope that you can have a great day that makes your heart feel content and fulfilling. That's what we need to live for. Happiness, Love, a life free of stress, and more smiles. YES, a lot more Smiles.

Words that mean a lot to me.